Gundren looks around for a moment, as if realizing something for the first time, "Where's Wish and Hollow? Thought they looked too tall and short... now I realize they aren't the same people. I'm Gundren Rockseeker, and you are?"
Gimblyn, still entertained by their little jiggle, smiles wide for the recovering dwarf. "And, I... I am Gimblyn Tumtwig Figglebauter. I'm an expert of my craft and an expert of being a forest gnome, I swear." The small gnome looked at his large companion and mimicked the sweeping bow, lacking some finesse.
...before returning his attention to Gundren. "Wish and Hollow were called away to other matters," explains the half-orc. "They helped rescue Sildar and cleared this town of the Redbrand threat, before me and Xora set off into the Wood to find you.
And I'll be happy to see what's up at the Cave and look for your brothers. I don't suppose you have a map of the mine itself?"
"Nah, though I be wishin' I did! If I thought anything like this was gonna happen, I would've made one to be sure," Gundren says, "Ah well, I'm just glad that they were able to help with what they could and hope they're doing well now."
Gimblyn seems to react to Gundren's last sentence, a tear filling the bottom of his bug eyes. "Gundren, my new friend... I have the brutal truth of where Wish and Hollow are now..." he places a hand on his forehead, acting like the next sentence will be devastating. "I'm sorry to say, however... those two beautiful souls were chomped down by an unexpected Dragon assault." Tumtwig places a hand on Kama to catch his balance from the traumatic news. "I swear we did all we could, but they sacrificed their lives so we could escape." The forest gnome turned away to hide his sniffles.
Figglebauter realized his wild imagination took over and quickly ended his ramble. "They would have wanted us to finish helping you, no doubt. It's in my heart to push on to Wave Echo Cave.... In their memory, of course." He still remained turned the other way as his face was no longer kept straight.
Gundren continues to look confused, but takes it all in stride, "Well... thanks for helping me, the both of ye. But you said ye'd be willing to check out the cave for me?"
More than five hundred years ago, clans of dwarves and gnomes made an agreement known as the Phandelver's Pact, by which they would share a rich mine in a wondrous cavern known as Wave Echo Cave. In addition to its mineral wealth, the mine contained great magical power. Human spellcasters allied themselves with the dwarves and gnomes to channel and bind that energy into a great forge (called the Forge of Spells), where magic items could be crafted. Times were good, and the nearby human town of Phandalin prospered as well. But then disaster struck when orcs swept through the North and laid waste to all in their path.
A powerful force of orcs reinforced by evil mercenary wizards attacked Wave Echo Cave to seize its riches and magic treasures. Human wizards fought alongside their dwarf and gnome allies to defend the Forge of Spells, and the ensuing spell battle destroyed much of the cavern. Few survived the cave-ins and tremors, and the location of Wave Echo Cave was lost.
Kama nods. "Stands to reason that this Black Spider either wants the cave, or is already there. Five hundred years is a long time for new occupants, too. Plus if the Forge is still intact, whoever's there might be well-equipped."
"Can't really say what may be in there, 'specially since this Spider guy moved in," Gundren says grimly, "Only thing I can say is ye need to be careful."
Stormsong rubs his chin and asks, "It certainly does sound dangerous -- a lot of long buried dead in that cave. So, will you be giving us the map, or will you escort us to the cave? Oh, and what will be our fee? Forgive me, but shares in a potential operation are great, but we gotta pay the bills..."