To Gnomengarde!

The caves of Gnomengarde are carved into the base of a mountain southeast of Phandalin, around a narrow waterfall. The rock gnome wizards who occupy these caves form strategic alliances with their human and dwarf neighbors as needs warrant. Reclusive and secretive, the gnomes craft minor magic items and useful, nonmagical inventions to pass the time. In these endeavors, their failures outnumber their successes. They seldom stray far from home, subsisting largely on the mushrooms that grow on misty islands outside their caves.   Gnomengarde has two married kings who rule in tandem — Gnerkli and Korboz. Korboz recently lost his mind and is keeping Gnerkli as his prisoner. Their subjects don’t understand the nature of Korboz’s affliction and are at a loss as to what to do. They wish no harm to befall either king, but they acknowledge that Korboz has become a danger to himself and others.   In addition to the mad king's danger, two gnomes have mysteriously vanished within the last ten days. No one except King Korboz knows that a bloodthirsty monster has crept into Gnomengarde and is feeding on the gnomes, changing its appearance as it progresses through the complex. Korboz was attacked and almost killed by the creature, and that event inspired his madness.    He has sequestered himself and his beloved Gnerkli in their quarters because he doesn’t want the monstrous shapechanger to devour them. Korboz hopes the creature will tire of eating gnomes and leave. Providing Korboz with evidence of the mimic’s demise restores his sanity.