"EEE, EEEP!" Khittix greeted as the party finally arrived at the gateway into the Deep Gnome settlement which the spider had successfully sniffed out. Apparently, the gnomes had already noticed Khittix jumping around and twitched nervously as they noticed the party approach the gates.

"Edo, od golver d'tanyon! Da sugden os tera!" the lead gnome, a gray-skinned heavily armored man, spoke.

"No speako crazo lingo," Laska smirked.

"Oh, come on," Jan said and pulled out a turnip. "May I present the universal language! Turnips help make friends!"

"Wanna bet?" Dynaheir muttered under her breath.

Jan scraped his throat and presented a fresh turnip from his secret stash by laying it in his palm and holding it out to the leader.

"Ack!" the lead gnome said in disgust, right before batting away the turnip. The delicious turnip flew through the air and finally disappeared into a lava-flow which served as a crude moat for the settlement. "Filthy Drow food," he spoke with disdain.

In the meantime, Jan grew white as a sheet while his mouth opened and closed as if he was a fish. "That... that... that..."

"Aye," Korgan grinned evilly. "How *dare* 'e say that, Jan. Go on, smash 'is face in."

"I... I... I... am a peaceful gnomish inventor." Jan trembled. "But... I'M REALLY GONNA SMASH YOUR FACE IN!!!"

"Boo says," Minsc said as he held the flailing gnome by both arms and suspended him in the air. "Please calm down, you're making him squeaky nervous!"

"Damn natives!" Jan shouted. "Turnip-hating scum! Donkey molesters! Dragon baits! Baby-seal clubbers! Whalers! Dung shovelers! Hobbits!!"

"Let me guess," the lead gnome said as he regarded Jan. "You come in peace?"

"Yes," Laska smirked. "Take me to your leader."

"Hey, look!" another gnome spoke. "A white Drow! Maybe that's what happens when they walk into the sun."

"Yeah," a third gnome chuckled. "Their colors change! White hair turns black and black skin turns white."

"Hey, I'm grey, not white," Laska huffed. "Grey and proud, mind you! Grey is beautiful!"

"Leave the grey-pride discussions for what they are," the lead-gnome challenged. "There is one Drow among you, so I ask for your business."

"Do you have bar inside that settlement?" Laska asked. "I'd be willing to spend some coin."

"Sorry," the gnome replied, "but the Drow from Ust Natha seized all our beverages... for the war-effort, or whatever that means."

"Okay," Laska said, barely hiding her disappointment. "We'll be moving on then."

"Hold it!" Keldorn spoke. "We can't leave. We need rest and a plan of action. And we need a place of safety to prepare for our return to the surface."

"Hmm... you are not a resident of this place, are you? Strangers from above then? Come here you should not, though useful you may be," the lead-gnome spoke. "You may enter, but on your best behavior be. Go and speak to the Lord of our fair granite home. He will see to your wellbeing."

The village was small, and the ceilings were low. Especially the taller folk like Laska, Minsc and Keldorn were just too tall to be able to stand up straight and were forced to hunch down uncomfortably. Slightly shorter people like Imoen, Viconia and Dynaheir could just stand their full heights, but were constantly wary of the outcroppings in the uneven ceiling above them. Korgan chuckled at the misfortunes of the others, while Jan still fumed and used the terms 'this village' and 'thermonuclear blast spell' in the same sentence.

The village was very much improverished, and by the disdainful looks the villagers gave Viconia, it were the Drow who had taken their supplies and only recently. The people were doing their best to get by, but it was not easy apparently. Hunted creatures from the Underdark now served as their main food source. It was ironic : These wealthy gem miners, with all their coffers stuffed to the brim with the precious gemstones, still had hardly anything to eat, not even a dry crust of bread. Plenty of money, but no food to buy with it.

Feeling pretty glum, and after giving some of her meager rations to some hungry-looking children, Imoen turned to Viconia. "Say, Vic," she asked. "Why did they call turnips 'filthy Drow food'?"

"I have no idea," Viconia replied.

"You're seeming awfully evasive."

"HAH!" Viconia remarked. "As if us superior Drow would actually have a taste for a juicy, fresh, overripe, crunchy turnip that melts on your tongue as you savor it... We would have none of that inferior surface food!"

"Rrrrright," Imoen said.

"Except chocolate," Viconia said. "Everybody loves chocolate..."

"Nice job at changing the subject, Vic," Imoen winked.

Just before Viconia could respond, they were met by a wizened old gnome with a walking stick. The fabric of his suit identified him as the leader of this small mining community.

"Ahh, travelers to our fair city. That would be rare enough, but you are surfacers by the look of you," he greeted him in a scratchy voice. Then, he turned to Viconia. "Surprising that you travel with the darkness of a Drow. I mean no disrespect, but it is surprising."

"Viconia is our friend through thick and thin," Imoen smiled and snaked her arm around Viconia's armored waist. "Aren't you, Vic?"

Viconia sighed heavily.

"Rrrright," the gnome nodded. "By the way, we frown on public indecency here, and we know how you Drow are when you get alone with your surface slaves."

"What's that supposed to mean?!" Viconia challenged.

"Slave?! I'll have you know I'd do everything out of free will!" Imoen replied, then flushed. "Ermm, nuthin' said!"

"Could we please get to business, ladies?" Keldorn said.

"Come, I would have words with you, if you are willing to hear," the gnome's face turned harsh.

"I KNEW IT!" Laska grinned like a shark. "What do you want killed, old man? Laska is your woman!"

"If you are in need, we will help," Keldorn added. "I could do no other."

"As you can see, our granitehome village is quite empty. Some are looking to replace the food which the Drow have taken, but I have sent the majority to deeper climes far from here. It was no longer safe in our nearest mine, and it is our own fault," the old gnome sighed.

"Try a turnip!" Jan asked hopefully. "It's good for what ails you!"

"The accursed turnip is the symbol of our oppression! It is the delicacy of the upper class Drow and we will not touch it!"

"Oh, yeah? Yeah?!" Jan snarled. "Well... YO MOMMA!"

"To turn back to the business at hand, we tunneled too deep recently, and unearthed a monstrosity. A strange cavern that yielded death, a monster we have not seen outside of dreaming," the gnome spoke.

"Heh," Korgan spoke. "Damn bloody shame. Same thing be 'apping ta me cousin Balin in Moria some time back. Had to close that mine down."

"Couldst thou not just collapse the tunnel upon the creature?" Dynaheir asked.

"If only it was that simple. I'm afraid the being we awakened is too powerful for that now, and it grows in power. We only held it at bay because it could not get through the small door in the granite walls, but as it gets stronger it will bust through and kill us all."

"A... awakened? Please tell me that you mean it was hibernating and not... otherworldly," Imoen gulped. "I hate otherworldly creatures."

"As I said, it is a beast out of dreams, or nightmares, if you prefer. It is not of the rock. I do not know what to call it."

"Try demon," Viconia said.

"YEAH!" Laska raved. "Let's go!"

"Then we must go and slay this foul beast immediately!" Keldorn spoke resolutely.

"Aye!" Minsc said. "We should go for the eyes and boot the balls of evil!"

"Of course, I do not expect you to do this unrewarded," the mayor spoke. "You may take as many gems as you can carry. There's not much use of it anyway, what with the Drow war-effort cutting off our trade-routes. And, I get the feeling you might have something to do with the two other surfacers who passed by recently before this entire war started."

"Two other surfacers?" Viconia asked. "Were they a leathery face mage..."

"And a rather disfigured female? Ah, then you do know them."

"It's Irenicus and Bodhi!" Imoen said. "We've found them!"

"Yes," Laska smiled. "And now we can kill them!"

"Easier said than done. They passed within the city of the Drow, Ust Natha, and are still there. But you cannot simply walk in there," the gnome spoke. "But I know of someone who can help you. No offense, Malla Drow, but I see you do not wear the symbols of any House that I know. You would fare no better in there, especially with your current companions. "

Korgan snorted. "What good be this indigo she-beast if she be as much a target down here like the bloody rest of us?"

"Trust me, Korgan," Imoen spoke with uncharacteristic ferocity. "You would not want us to vote on your worth, anymore than you should speak about hers."

"Mighty defensive all of a sudden," Korgan chuckled.

"Worry not, Viconia! Minsc and Boo stand at the ready to protect! Right Boo?"

"Indignity upon indignity," Viconia sighed. "But what was the other option you mentioned?"

"Help us, and we'll help you," the gnome grinned. "Adalon will see to your cover. When the beast in the cavern is dispatched I will give you a 'light gem' to banish the darkness of the tunnel leading to her lair. I carry it with me always, but I will gladly give it to you for this service. And, say, where has your elven friend gone off to?"

"Where be the creature at?" Korgan asked.

"The mine, over there."

"Then that be where Laska be at," Korgan grinned. "Aye, Minsc, Dynaheir, Jan? Why don't ye be stayin' 'ere?"

"Yes," Keldorn spoke. "We need someone to protect the village in case the creature breaks free."

"Aye," Korgan grinned. "Let the big boys 'andle this!"

"Errm, wait," the gnome said. "We do have a food shortage... If you could in any way kill it without damaging the body too much, we could, well..."

"OH, you'd eat demon-meat, but no turnips?!" Jan snarled. "You really are a load of massive boneheads!"

"Whoa, that's big," Imoen gulped as she saw the muscular Balor towering above them. Its flesh was as red as the fires of Hades, and its head resembled the skull of a cow ablaze in fire with long horns pointing downward. The creature stood over 20 feet tall and its cloven hooves made the earth shake whenever it moved. The Balor's empty eye-sockets gave the creature an eerie and menacing quality as it regarded them as if they were annoying flies. Flexing its muscles, the creature let out an ear-piercing roar.

"I don't think the protection spells are working," Viconia shouted.

"Aye!" Keldorn said. "But Carsomyr will bite its evil heart!"

"No corniness when we're about to die, Keldorn," Viconia spat.

"Me AXE be bloody ready!" Korgan roared.

The Balor's gigantic hoof slammed down inches in front of where Laska was standing. Laska, however, didn't move a muscle, nodded once and then looked directly into the Balor's empty eyes. Slowly, ever so slowly, she opened her mouth... and flashed the Balor an obvious bored yawn.

The Balor seemed surprised at first, but rage soon took its place. Determined to put the fear of god into this little elf before eating her, the Balor bent down and roared in her face. Laska's hair snapped backwards and she scrunched her face together when she smelled the bad breath. Still, this was the moment the tattooed elf had been waiting for. With an almost unnatural speed, Laska dove towards the Balor, barely avoiding its snapping maw, only to veer off at the last moment to grab its left horn. With her uncanny elven grace, Laska propelled herself to sling upon the Balor's hunched upper back. Holding her balance, the elf grinned and drew her blades.

The surprised Balor roared and bucked up and down, but the elf had no problems remaining standing. The Balor's roars became even louder, and more high-pitched as Laska's merciless blades sliced into its flesh.

"NOW!" Viconia shouted. "Take it out!" Immediately, she launched a powerful bolt of lighting from her hand which slammed into the creature's chest. Unfortunately, it didn't seem to have had any effect. And neither did Imoen's arrows. In the meantime, Keldorn prepared to charge the creature with Carsomyr in hand.

The Balor screeched and clawed at its back, but Laska was standing in that exact spot that it could not reach with its claws. The Balor's last ditch effort was to sway back and forth to try to slam Laska between its back and the wall, but the elf kept her balance. Laska grinned dangerously in the dim light, twirled her blades and slammed them down, driving both of them through the creature's skull and into its brain.

The Balor shuddered violently, let out a final gurgle and then dropped like a log.

"Woooo!" Imoen giggled as she skipped around the fallen demon. "We did it! Vicky, we did it! Kel... Hey, where's Keldorn?!"

As on cue, a gauntleted hand appeared from under the fallen demon's chest, accompanied by a muffled voice.

"He'll be fine," Viconia chuckled.

"Is this it?!" Laska snarled. "Is this all you could muster?!" the elf's usually beautiful face was contorted by an ugly sneer as she kicked the Balor's head with force. "These are supposed to be the most powerful creatures in the Abyss?! HAH, there are stronger monsters in an orcish brothel!"

"Laska, take it easy," Viconia admonished.

"You think you have finally found the challenge of a lifetime, and you find yourself sorely disappointed!" Laska shouted. "Argh, what a bloody letdown!"

"Dammit, Laska," Imoen said, "that thing could have torn us apart, and you know it!"

"Hmmm," Laska said. "I wonder if there are any dragons nearby! I need a new challenge."

"Laska!" Imoen shouted. "What is it with you lately? Why have you become so suicidal all of a sudden?!"

"And she was not before... Spellhold?" Viconia smirked, but her smile soon faded. "But Imoen has a point. You have been taking unacceptable risks lately."

"Bloodlust has gone to your brain, Laska," Imoen said.

"So what if I AM suicidal?" Laska said and stepped off the body. Slowly, ever so slowly, she stepped towards her sister. Imoen however, hid her fear well. "What if I want to die?" Laska smirked... an unnatural smirk, certainly for Laska.

"You don't mean that," Imoen said. "Think of us. Think of Rose."

"I think of Rose and you all every second of my life," Laska said. "Maybe that's why I want to die. But I am NOT going down without a fight... a good fight! A FINAL blaze of battle and death. But apparently, I can't find it here yet. Maybe the next one will..."

"You really are nuts!" Imoen shouted. "Why would you ever want to die! Rose wouldn't want you to do this."

"You think you're burden to us, don't you?" Viconia said calmly. "You want to die to 'release' us from taking care of you."

"I don't want to be analysed, thank you very much," Laska snarled.

"That's crazy!" Imoen was near tears. "Come on, let us help you."

"Did I ask you for your help?" Laska mocked as she stood very close to Imoen. "DID I?!!" she shouted, causing poor Imoen to jump back and hit her head against the wall. As Imoen rubbed the back of her head, Laska stepped into the hallways without so much as looking back.

"Come on," Viconia said. "Let's help out Keldorn. She has to sort this out on her own... Let's just hope she doesn't end up dead before she figures out how to deal with it. The Underdark is a bad place to have to deal with issues."

"Ach," Korgan smiled and slammed his axe into the demon's forearm. "At least we be 'avin' loads of 'amburger. HAR HAR!"