"The same is true of deep gnomes, actually," he says. "We don't venture outside our villages often, except for hunting or trade. I'm an exception, in that I moved to a large city for an apprenticeship." And then things got weird, but there's no need to go into all of that just now.

"Well, I look forward to hearing more about you and your friends," he says. "Whenever you feel up to talking about them. In the meantime, welcome!"

((continued here))