4. The First Expedition

"Gog eat monsters?" Thrud slowly relaxes as he realizes the misunderstanding. "Hmm, Thrud ok with that. What Gog give for monster flesh?"

"We don't have any monster meat," Jacky reminds Thrud. He turns back to the giant. "No fishing it is," -not within Gog's sight, at least- "but you haven't told us yet what any of this has to do with Plumthorn!"

"Gog knows things. Useful things. Like where black gates are."
"Plumthorn half man. Like you. Thought you might know. Gog like news."

---
12:40 pm, Basilsday 2nd Lucreon (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 90’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 1: 9/9, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 1: 5/5, 90’ (Lantern)
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 1: 10/10, 60’

Link to Jacky’s maps …

"Where are the dog men, pig men? We were expecting spiders with magic sticks," said the elf from the rear. Her bow was not completely lowered, the arrow on the string out of negligence. Got seemed not determined to eat Jacky or any of the others.

Gog (pointing with a muscled arm): "Up!"

---
12:40 pm, Basilsday 2nd Lucreon (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 90’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 1: 9/9, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 1: 5/5, 90’ (Lantern)
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 1: 10/10, 60’

Link to Jacky’s maps …

"Black gates? Gates go where? Black castle?""Gog know things, know what's in scary hole back there?" Thrud points back the way they came, referencing the passage up on the ledge that they felt the sense of dread emanating from.

"I think we've maybe been bothering Gog for long enough now," Jacky says. He racks his brains for something that the giant might like to know instead. "Um." The halfling can't think of anything useful. "If we run into Plumthorn, we'll tell him you said hello."

Grim nods his brown-bearded head. Aye. Bes’ we move ahead n’ keep our eyes peeled.
Our dwarven fellow eyes the giant fellow warily. His people long averse to giantkin. Ol’ Grim hopes in heart of hearts, not to cross this one again anytime soon!

"Gates go best treasure!"
"Gog knows. Gog trades. Bring fresh meat. Or news."

---
12:40 pm, Basilsday 2nd Lucreon (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 90’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 1: 9/9, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 1: 5/5, 90’ (Lantern)
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 1: 10/10, 60’

Link to Jacky’s maps …

Very well, Snog, if we hear anything or we come across some freshly butchered orc or goblin, we may return to you. However, if you want us to come back with news or meat, where should we go from here?

Gog focuses his attention on each of you in turn, as if appraising you or estimating your worth. His assessment complete he points towards the staircase you just descended.

"You go up. You not strong enough for this place."

---
12:40 pm, Basilsday 2nd Lucreon (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 90’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 1: 9/9, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 1: 5/5, 90’ (Lantern)
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 1: 10/10, 60’

Link to Jacky’s maps …

Grim shrugs broad-bearded shoulders, and exudes customary Hmph.. He is gruff tone conveying dwarven ambivalence.
Ya may jus’ be seein’ us again soon ‘nuff, Grim says with a hint of vindication. Our dwarven fellow remaining largely quiet in gigantic presence. His hatred of giantkin harboring hard in his heart!

Ella's appreciation for the small giant increased the more it spoke. It seemed to know its place in the complex net of predatory relationships that characterized this underground metropolis. And so the elf considered the advice to be quite good, even if it meant that her party had just lost a considerable amount of time coming down here for no apparent benefit. 'We've obtained some information', she thought, 'it's not nothing'.

Looking to her companions, she attempted to gauge their attitudes. Were they insulted by Gog's advice, or were they inclined to take it?

"Bringing Gog some beast man flesh to dine on might be a good thing to do... he might tell us more with his sizeable belly full."

Thrudmarr puffs up his chest when Gog suggests they're not strong enough. "Thrud strong! Protect!"

Jacky thinks of a quip, but keeps it to himself. "Well, if we're climbing all the way back up, let's go."

You retrace your steps to the concealed door in the wall of Gog’s cave and commence your ascent of the stairs. Having already explored the stairway, and without the distraction of mapping, you’re able to move more confidently and quickly. In less than twenty minutes you find yourselves back at the baboon fresco on the level above.

---
13:00 pm, Basilsday 2nd Lucreon (April) 2993 AEP
Ellagel, Elven Fighter/Magic User 1/1: 6/6, 90’
Grimidek, Dwarven Cleric 1: 9/9, 60’
Jacky, Halfling Fighter/Thief 1/1: 6/6, 60’
Thrudmarr, Wiskin Fighter 1: 5/5, 90’ (Lantern)
Zacharias, Archontean Fighter 1: 10/10, 60’

Link to Jacky’s maps …

"That cube thing is to the southwest since it didn't follow us," Jacky reminds Thrud and Ellagel. "I vote we go the other direction, eastward."

Eastward indeed, yes!

Ella simply nods. She didn’t specially want to wherever those skeletons had come from.