High Priestess of the Deep Gnomes: Carmeneran

Carmeneren is a very powerful (13th-level) priestess of Callarduran Smoothhands, the Svirfneblin creator deity.

Motivations

Does not want to disclose information to people she doesn’t know

Does not want evil to be lead back to the gnome city

Does not want the PCs to die horribly to a challenge too big for them

Does not want to delegate resources away from the city (need all her guards to deal with defenses)

Dialog with Carmeneren

Carmeneren says that the duergar from the surface serve a much deeper and more malignant evil. The deep gnomes have seen prisoners taken down to darker, deeper places which lie far below where the PCs now stand. "We do not know all that lies below, but we know much. Others have been before you, and failed to deal with the deeper evils. We are afraid that you, too, will fail and that those below will be moved to strike upwards, and find us, and kill us all. If you are not clever and wise, you could bring destruction on my people as well as losing your own lives." If asked about other adventurers, she says that they perished far below, but that signs of them may still have been left behind. She then explains the situation of the deep gnomes.

Svirfneblin Race

The Svirfneblin, if asked, can tell the PCs that they are certain that there are other conduits into the underdark down which kidnapped spellcasters and others are taken into the depths. The Svirfneblin seek to impress on them that the answer to the problem is to deal with it at the source. Trying to wipe out the surface servants of evil alone is pointless; these are only the small fry and can easily be replaced by new recruits. The PCs have to aim for the heart of darkness, deep in the underdark.

The Svifneblin as a settlement

The Svirfneblin are not numerous. They are not strong enough to deal with the evil enemies below. They have been holding a keen watch, and they have learned much. They have been waiting for adventurers from above to find their way to them, so that they can help them with information. "We can also give you food and fresh water when you need it, though perhaps you will not like the taste of our fare," she smiles. "If you must come back to us because you are badly hurt, then I can heal you. However, if you are followed you will bring death to my people. I have to be able to trust you not to make such a mistake. Do you see my problem?"

If the PCs behaves, Carmeneren has a first test for the them. If they are successful, then the gnomes help them with more information. Not far from Zanzarite, lies their graveyard, which is currently infested with a "Great Evil", suffocating the oxygen production in tha area. The PCs would be doing the gnomes a useful service if they eliminated this threat. This is the first test for the PCs. If they agree, they might get a useful ally, if not, they are on their own down here.

Children

Ruled Locations