BATTLE FOR
BLINGDENSTONE
Once the characters see how overwhelming the
opposition is inside the Pudding Court, they have little
choice but to retreat and report their findings to the
Diggermattocks. The deep gnome leaders grimly thank
them for their efforts, asking them to wait and attend a
council meeting the following day.
The council meeting takes place in Diggermattock
Hall (area 14) and includes Chief Dorbo and
Quartermaster Senni , Nomi Pathshutter and Gurnik
Tapfinger representing the Stoneheart Enclave, Kazook
Pickshine representing the Miners' Guild, and Burrow
Warden Jadger's ghost or Trisk Ada mantelpiece
representing the Burrow Wardens. If the characters
talked with Chipgrin Goldwhisker and agreed to take
his offer to the Diggcrmattocks. Dorbo and Senni invite
him to attend as well.
Senni asks the characters to inform everyone about
what they saw, after which the council debates what
to do. 1f nobody suggests it first,Jadger's ghost says that
Blingdenstone has no hope to defeat this threat if the
settlement stands divided. That means counting the
Goldwhisker were rats as allies and recognizing their right
to rejoin the community.
Give the characters a chance to ask questions of the
svirfneblin regarding what each faction can bring to the
table (see "Blingdenstone Factions").
BLINGDENSTONE fACTIONS
The following sections describe what each deep gnome
faction has to offer in the Banle of Blingdenstone.ThE DIGGERMATTOCKS
If the characters don't suggest it. the deep gnome
leaders note that fighting all the oozes might not be
necessary. If the adventurers can get to the Pudding
King and destroy him, the oozes might be reduced to
their typically mindless a nd disorganized state. A large
force can serve as a distraction, while the characters
sneak in from an alternate route.
Dorbo Diggermattock wants the main force to attack
from the temple of the Steadfast Stone. Before the
battle can get underway, the temple must be cleansed
(sec area 22). Meanwhile. Senni Diggermattock gives
Kazook Pickshine the materials he needs to create an
alchemical concoction that can clear the debris blocking
tbe way into the domains of the Pudding King.THE COLDWHISKER CLAN
Chipgrin doesn't know about the Pudding King's deal
withj uiblex. but he knows the Pudding King can
command the oozes as if they were intelligent. if the
characters help convince Dorbo Oiggermattock that
the Goldwhisker clan belongs in Blingdenstone, the
svirfneblin wererats participate in the battle and prove
sturdier than the average deep gnome, taking point on
any auack.THE STONEHEART ENCLAVE
S tone is a resilient defense against oozes. making
earth elementals the perfect force to combat them.
Nomi Pathshutter suggests that if Entemoch's Boon
could be found and its summoning circle put to use. the
likelihood of victory would increase greatly.
Gurnik Tapfinger says that with Ogremoch's Bane still
lurking. any elemental brought to the battle runs the risk
of being driven insane.
Nomi and Gurnik agree that if the Steadfast Stone
is cleansed and Ogremoch's Bane is banished, the
Stoneheart Enclave can protect its elementals during
the battle.THE MINERS' GUILD
Kazook Pickshine can concoct an oillo protect weapons
and armor from acid corrosion. but he needs a large
quantity of ingredients from 1 evcrlight Grove. If the
characters have al ready been in Neverlight Grove and
witnessed th e horror of Zuggtmoy, they can discard
this idea or brave a stealthy return to the corrupted
myconid haven.
Another option is to send a shipment of salt to
Gracklstugh to trade for high-quality weapons. The
characters could escort the caravan if they have already
visited the City of Blades and have unfinished business.SVIRFNEBLIN SPIRITS
If the characters have not already completed
Burrow Wardcnjadger·s tasks. doing so convinces
jadger·s ghost to rally the other benevolent ghosts of
Blingdenstonc and join the battle.TASK LIST
The success of any plan to rid Blingdenstone of the
Pudding King and his minions is more likely if the
characters complete the following tasks:- Convince Dorbo Oiggermattock that the Goldwhisker
clan deserves to live in Blingdenstone.
CHAPl~.R 6 1 BLI:-ICDENSTO"'f