“Decidin’ to go further down beneath the temple, we soon came across a large group of Drow-speakin’ hobgoblins. They even be havin’ a mage with ’em. We be getting stung by their arrrows while dodgin’ the blamed spells that caster be throwin’ at us and makin’ ’em pay every chance we be gettin’. The fireballs be singein’ me beard at times.
“The fight dragged on for a mule’s age, it be seemin’, when that hobgoblin mage asked for a parley of sorts. Askin’ what we be doin’ down there and the sort. I told him me business, droppin’ that bitch-Drow Hunzrin’s name to see where it got me.
“To me surprise, the goblin said he could send us to see her if we agreed to no more fightin’. After some talk we agreed to the terms. The mage said his chatter and a portal appeared, and when we be through it we be facin’ a large Drow outpost, crawlin’ with huge spiders and about as cursed-lookin’ as anything.
“Soon a Drow patrol approached us, led by a fighter-type who called himself Balok. He led us in, and we be recognizin’ if we start a fight it’d be no sure thing we be makin’ it out. We only be seein’ a few Drow, but who knows who many be hidin’ in the shadows, waitin’? And many of us had spent a lot of ourselves in the fight with the hobgoblins.
“We soon come to the priestess’s chamber, and there she sat – Halisstra, priestess of the Hunzrin clan. I admit, I wanted to charge her right then and there and sink my hammer into her head, but Torinn reminded me it wasn’t just my life I might givin’ up.
“Her taunts were almost too much to bear, though, and when she said me parents’ remains back at the mine had been desecrated by those who were now runnin’ it I moved forward but found Torinn holdin’ me back.
“She practically dared us to attack, and gloated about the mining operation her duergar allies had goin’. She told me about the foul magic she had used to kill me
clan, though didn’t be tellin’ me how they blocked our priests’ spells.
“More secrets.
“The others, recognizin’ no good could come from further conversation, led me out the door. As we be makin’ our way to the portal, a plan came to me mind. Knowin’ a bit about the Drow, I tried to play on that Balok’s ego, and said if he could be arrangin’ that Halisstra be made vulnerable at some point, I’d be able to improve his lot as a male in that family. Now, he didn’t be sayin’ yes…but he didn’t be sayin’ no, either. Maybe somethin”ll come of it.
“Either way, me hammer’ll crack that bitch’s skull, Dumathoin guide me hand.
“Now I think I be takin’ a trip back up past Mirabar to what was Lodestone mine, and teach whatever be there that the tombs of dwarves are hallowed.
“Dumathoin walk with me again.”
