Part 3: The Spider's Web

"As much as I appreciate your assistance, a friend's life is on the line. I ain't gonna lie; looking for shinies is about the last thing on my list," says Kama. "How's about you accompany our search for the druid, and you can look for whatever you want along the way?"

Kama looks outside and spies the building across the road. "Might as well start there," he says, pointing to Building #4. He pokes his head out, scouting for robed men and walking shrubbery. Then over his shoulder to Xora, "Cover me," and steps out to cross the street.

Kama tilts his head as he considers his next move. Finally with a shrug, he uses the poll of his greataxe to knock on the door.

"About as subtle as his axe, that one..." Aoth says to himself. He darts across the street and around Kama, immediately dropping to one knee to examine the door latch and see if there's a lock or trap.

"Now you look like a druid," says Kama, gesturing with his hand for the rest of the party to come forward. He steps over the crouching human, chain skirt close to scuffing Aoth's hat, and across the threshold at the invitation.

I relax slightly, carrying my bow in a less threatening manner and follow the others.

Kama shrugs. "Eh, that's up to you; ale and food make for fine conversationalists. But no, my name is Kama. That's Xora, Wish, Hollow, and a gardener we found next door. We were told you might know the way to Cragmaw Castle. A friend of ours was kidnapped and was taken there, along with a map to a place called Wave Echo Cave."

"What can you tell us?" Sometimes, direct is best. I watch him for any indication of his current demeanor.

"It seems that you've found your druid, friends." Aoth says, and turns to Reidoth "Have you any spirits or charceuterie?"

The small, bug-eyed forest gnome walked through the front door of the druid's respectable home. His staff was in hand, but did not knock against the floor with every step.

"Oh, Rei, you never told me you had guests!? I would have brought some treats. I picked some delicious 'shoots early this morning. You would have enjoyed them very much... the rabbits ate them, I swear!"

The forest gnome nodded his peculiar bearded head at the three adventures.

"I am Gimblyn Tumtwig Figglebauter. My clan has lived in these woods for a very long time, Tumtwigs welcome you with great pleasure. It's always nice to see adventurers around, instead of those blasted goblins and bugbears. Terrible creatures, I swear."

With his large glossy eyes, he catches notice of the ranger's bow. The gnome's face lights up like a plump noble at a baked pie festival.

"Lovely, bow! That is not from these parts, I know this. My bows are the finest from these parts, I swear."

Gimblyn steps closer to her bow, inspecting it with great detail. He looks up at the ranger with a more serious face.

"Tell me of this bow, 'twig must know."

The forest gnome gave a genuine closed smile while still looking up.

"You can chat about the bow on the way," interjects Kama. "Right now we have to make haste to Cragmaw Castle and see if our friend is still alive and in one piece."

Kama looks at Aoth with an appraising eye. "You might find something worth your time inside an occupied castle, versus scavenging around here," he says. "I wouldn't mind having another blade in there, myself. Why don't you join us?"

The half-orc turns to the druid and nods. "Thanks. I wish I had something to repay your kindness."

Kama coughs. "Oh, sorry. Was kinda in a rush." He sets the head of his greataxe on the floor and leans against it with all the patience of a squirrel on a sugar rush. A dragon?!

Gimblyn mimicked Kama's stance, tapping his foot with impatience.

"Hrm, dragons are a problem that need time prepare for. What type are we dealing with, Rei?"

He swung his staff with the force of a squirrel after a sugar rush landing the rounded end firmly in Kama's gut.

"Your impatience will get you killed, friend, I swear. Though, I would gladly guide them for you, druid."

The forest gnome lowered his ineffective poke and paced the room slowly.

"I shall get us 'shrooms along the way! Dragons love mushrooms cooked in Neverwinter water. Its the perfect plan. The old castle should be littered with them, though... I haven't been there for quite some time."

Gimblyn cups his hand and sways his staff in the air like it was inside a stewing pot. The faster he stirred the more little flairs can be seen shooting up his staff. The forest gnome's face was focused on his cupped hand which began to glow slightly.

Anddddd poof!

A large, five foot wide glowing mushroom appeared in Twig's hand.

"Dragon sized! This is what I want to bring back, I swear!"

The gnome chuckled and the mushroom began to fade away.