OOC:
We will move this a bit quicker than we have been, apologies for not having you all banter with the guards. :)
Your group, satisfied they are now armed with weapons that can effectively contend with the gooey invaders they seek. Based on Jarlep's instruction to head northwest, back through the trader's grotto where Heartboiler, Cemos, and Bildaweer fought a pair of gelatinous cubes just a few days ago. As you re-enter the chamber, you notice that the deep gnomes have pulled back away from a large adamantine door studded with dozens of glittering spell gems. Diamonds the size of Heartboiler's head, rubies as large as Cemos's fists, and more of the powerful sapphires than Bildaweer has seen in many years. Bildaweer, you remember that ages ago before Blingdenstone was overrun by the drow this was the main door to the House Center, the very seat of government of the entirety of the city.
As you approach the door, the two guards posted nearby move to raise their hands before a quick muttered conversation passes between them.
This is where the jellies and oozes have gone adventurers. It would not be wise to proceed. But if you would prefer to, we will not stop you. one of them says. A look among you and it's clear your intent to proceed is firm. They nod to each other and push a series of stones on the arch near the door. With a creak and a groan, the door glides open about five feet, giving you just enough room to walk through the massive entry.
As you proceed through, the guard speaks quickly.
We will leave the door open for you in case you need to evacuate. But if the oozes come this way, we will close off the rest of the city. You will be trapped.
On the other side of the door there is a wide hallway that runs for about thirty feet before it opens into a massive chamber. The only reason you can see anything is the soft glow of lichen in patches along the walls. The ceiling soars nearly 200 feet into the air and the walls of this great cavern are covered in slime — dripping, sickening green slime. Echoes of dripping water also fill the cave, in the center of which is a large spherical structure is held up off the floor by stone pillars. Around these pillars crawl dozens of living oozes, heaving forward while reaching out with grasping pseudopods. The sphere’s surface, like the cave walls, is covered with slime. Black slime swirls with yellow and gray slime in a disgusting soup, the unearthly patterns in the movements of the slime straining your eyes and tugging at your mind. A disembodied voice fills the cave.
What’s this, what’s this? Visitors? Now? Not yet! We’re not ready! Go away, pests! I will call upon thee and all of Blingdenstone to announce our glad tidings of the Faceless Lord to come at the proper time! Begone!
As you look further around the chamber, you see hundreds of various slimes roiling over one another in a toxic sludge. None of them seem to be making any movement towards you - yet.