Knowledge of the Zoq-Fot-Pik

In the depths of the Weirding Caverns, a rendezvous was recently held in the darkness, lit only by the dim red light of small coal-fires. What was known publicly is recapped here, while Bartholomew Pettibone has written about it here.

Four adventurers, the afore-mentioned Bart, plus Heijo, Persephone, and neophyte Dehuhada, ventured into the caverns, traversed the tunnels of the cave-worms, and there in the depths engaged in a kind of trade moot with a collection of the creatures calling themselves Zoq-Fot-Pik. These creatures appear to be some kind of alliance or symbiosis of three species: three foot tall creatures resembling rodents, with beaked faces, three eyes, and large upturned ears; shorter (but longer) creatures like pale grey salamanders with six limbs and a single great eye in the center of their brow; and fern-like fronded beings rooted in "pods" of a variety of type--these last the adventurers were heretofore uncertain if they are equal members, or more like tools, but it now seems they at least have their own personality.

For indeed, from the group of Zoq-Fot-Pik congregated at the moot-place, three stepped forth to engage in negotiations as the "face"--Ninn of the rodent-folk, Eyloya, clutching a bag of scrolls, from the salamanders, and the fern Redbranch in a "pod" with articulated flea-like legs. These had laid out blankets and cloaks and set what they wished to trade upon them, and thence engaged in trade with the adventurers. Amongst the objects traded were tokens, marked by the Zoq-Fot-Pik to be physical representations of promises of knowledge, which information follows hereafter:

Persephone's Questions
We have seen what the rodents and salamanders are interested in, but what about the ferns?
First, by way of orientation, the creatures always refer to themselves as "Zoq-Fot-Pik", so it was difficult at first to isolate the fern-beings in particular as subjects. Questions about, "Which of you are the Zoq?" only get answers like, "We are Zoq-Fot-Pik." It is to be noted that all conversation was mediated through Redbranch's translation, so this may be a quirk of that fact ... ultimately, it proved difficult to negotiate with the creatures concerning this, any more than recognizing what was already surmised, that the creatures greatly enjoyed odiferous foodstuffs.

Are there any creatures that the Zoq-Fot-Pik domesticate?
There are several, though the only one that has a readily translated name is the kurgha, and actually it is not domesticated, so much as "managed" in the way that rangers might manage the population of mowage in a park or forest for hunting. These carrion-scavengers are not hunted for food, but for their glands, which produce such a foul-smelling stink that even the Zoq-Fot-Pik find it unpleasant.

There may be others--it is hinted that there are herds of "giant" cave locusts--but the Zoq-Fot-Pik were less forthcoming concerning them.

Dehuhada's Question
How do the Zoq-Fot-Pik travel safely through the caverns and the underworld?
The "flippant" response is simply: there is always danger. But there are ways to mitigate the threat of death. First, there are certain "rules": know where you're going and the quickest route there, and go directly without distraction; go without light and with as little noise as possible (and as observed by the adventurers, the Zoq-Fot-Pik with their small size are skilled at hiding away in shadows behind speliothems down in the depths); use every advantage you have access to; always be prepared to flee, but also always be prepared to fight ("And do not underestimate our fighting abilities!")

Heijo's Question
What do you know of the Klackons, and of the Sixth House in particular?
We do some trade with the Attine Klackons, and also with the Mnor--for what do we care for the Klackons' odd sense of caste and who is "untouchable"?

But as to the Sixth House, they were certainly the most interesting to deal with, and the most willing to seek us out. They had a curiosity similar to yours. Because of their desire for knowledge, they were easy to trade with; unfortunately, we understand that they have come to an undesirable end, and so we have had little dealings with the Attines since. They are generally content to produce their own goods and their own arts, and they have little interest or curiosity in those of others.