"Though they may have been hired in Galton it could easily be a middleman. As long as we keep removing their presence and that of the Stag Lord I think we can mitigate their interference. But that depends on how determined the mysterious backer is and how deep their pockets are."
Mykhael nodded his head in agreement with Richards statement and added,"I think the more we disrupt their plans, those behind these villains might be forced out into the open as they try to protect their investment."
"Or cut their losses and change their tactics," Xan said, "it might just be because of this book series I was reading before the charter thing started, but I wouldn't be surprised if these guys were hired as disposable and deniable assets."
"My hoonch is that the Steg Loord is the reeal threat, though."
"We should head out to explore tomorrow again, if we keep finding groups of theirs it'll cause no end of consternation if we keep rooting them out, but I'd rather not miss any."
Kesten nods agreement. "That is the problem, the River kingdoms have never been happy with the disposition of the Stolen lands. Often disputing Brevoys claim to them. Both Mivon and Pitax have made plays for the area before. I doubt it is Galton in fact. The River kingdoms are a snaky bunch, more likely they were hired there to point the finger away from the real schemer."
He heads back to his post watching over Oleg's leaving you to your return.
What are you doing now?
After returning to the Thornriver camp again and spending the night in reasonable safety you set off again.
Hex23.
The Thorn River winds through a 20-foot-deep gulch here between a pair of hills. An old wooden bridge spans the gulch, allowing passage over the river provided that not many attempt it at once.
Hex24.
Looming over all the hills in the northern Kamelands, a graying hulk of a sycamore tree clings precariously to its last years of life. The 100-foot-tall tree is a well-known landmark and is visible for miles around.
Richard, Mykhael & Xantria all see the concealed shaft at teh base of the old Sycamore. A root-lined shaft that drops 10 feet down to the middle of a 40-foot tunnel that running east-west.
What are you doing now?
Mykhael pointed out the tunnel to his companions and took out his rope. He limped over to the Sycamore and tied one end of his rope around the tree while he dropped the other end into the shaft. With a roguish smile he asked, "Shall we?"
"Can't say I'm terribly keen on the idea," Colwyn says, squatting beside the hole and peering into the shadows.
"Probably some badger or wolverine makes its lair here, and such critters aren't fond of visitors."
Colwyn plumbs his memory. Had any of the local woodsmen back at the outpost mentioned such a site to him?
Richard starts getting out his rope. "A drop like that and you're thinking a badger Colwyn... maybe a dire badger. We should be careful but I think we have to check it out."
You advance through the cramped, dirty burrows, any attempts to communicate with the vicious little Blue creatures is ignored. Their leader, mounted on an oversized Tick gathers the bulk of his forces in B5 where you end them.
In the room you find an ivory statuette depicting a crouching horned devil. 193cp, 120sp, and 32gp.
Crossing the chasm at B4 you find four Kobolds bound to the walls in b3, three are dead, one hangs there limply, moaning in pain from numerous small cuts.
What are you doing now?
Cleaning the mite blood from his cold iron dagger Richard looks at the kobold. His tongue curls and distorts as he questions the creature in draconic "Tell me how did you come here kobold? How did your band run afoul of these fey."
She'd never encountered them before today, but she already disliked mites. Finding the kobolds left her in two minds - she was as aware as anyone of their reputation and the danger they posed, but she also knew not to judge a book by its cover.
"If it's any consolation," she said in draconic, though making most of the noises in her throat rather than with her tongue, "or makes you more willing to answer; the mites are all dead."
"Well that was a nasty, dirty bit of work," Colwyn idly says, eyeing how the creature's fey hides dulled his sword. "I almost wish they had been badgers. Less tricky beasts."
Colwyn leaves the questioning to his comrades and focuses on rounding up the bits of treasure, even the ugly little ivory statue.
Hunched over in the cramped tunnel, Niadroub Kliip does his best to fling mite guts off of any re-usable crossbow bolts. He's never encountered these creatures before, but he easily realizes why they are named after vermin instead of the fey they are.
He also speaks draconic, but he's happy to let Richard and Xantria handle the interrogation. He listens closely, however; after dealing with these mites, he's favorable towards any of their enemies.
Not able to follow the conversation Mykhael impatiently paced back and forth. Finally he looks to Richard and blurts out, "Pray tell what the foul creatures are yammering about."
The kobold is a young warrior named Mikmek, the last surviving Sootscale of a doomed attack on the mite cavern. If rescued, Mikmek swallows his pride and falls to his knees and thanks his saviors in chirping Common. He promises you "many treasures" if you help him finish his quest to rescue the Sootscales’ holy statue from these nasty blue mites.
It seems the Kobolds and Mites were at war, the Mites stole a statue that the Kobolds regard as holy and he was part of a band sent to get it back by the Sootscales shaman Tartuk. "Chief Sootscale say it was worthless, but Tartuk say Sootscales turn yellow and die if statue not returned!" He tells you fearfully.
What are you doing now? From the description it's clear that the statue you found is the holy item the Sootscales want returned.
"What of the creature depicted in the statue? Why would ye turn yellow, does he believe it has some kind of protective magics?"
Ah, the statue. Such an evil looking thing, Mykhael thought as he listened to the conversation unfold.
"Turn yellow? Oh dear. Is that a disease?"
Elena wracks her brain, trying to think of something that would make someone turn yellow.
"They're probably just a bunch of superstitious little buggers, afraid of nothing" Colwyn leans over and whispers to Elena.
The irony is lost on Colwyn as he mentally dismisses the kobolds' fear of imagined curses while harboring his own trepidation over "real" dangers, like bear-man curses.
An idea strikes the scoundrel's pickled mind, though, and he sidles beside Richard.
"These gremlins were a pain to deal with in a straight fight, and I can only imagine how much worse they would have been if left to torment us from the shadows. I hear kobolds aren't much more tolerable of a nuisance. Do you suppose if we return this bloke and his statue to their tribe, we could strike a bargain with them so we don't have to worry about them causing trouble?"
"It's worth considering Colwyn. Having a local group on our side could prove useful. No doubt they've got local knowledge that may be of use to us. If we can steer things towards mutual benefit it could be an asset to all of us."
Once he sees you have the statue Mikmek is overjoyed. "Yes, death to Tartuk!" he squeals, then he claps his hands over his snout and looks scared. Looking around as if someone were watching him.
What are you doing now?
"Tartuk? Sounds kinda like a kobold name," Xan remarked, "you guys got a bit of infighting goin' on back home?"
"Of course there is infighting the evil little buggers can't help themselves," Mykhael muttered shaking his head. He crossed his arms and continued, "Best be getting going before we catch something from the little devil."
"Tartuk? Sounds kinda like a kobold name," Xan remarked, "you guys got a bit of infighting goin' on back home?"
"Yes, you said 'Tartuk.' Who is that? Is this a statue of him?"
"If this is a statue of Tartuk, no wonder they want him gone," Colwyn thinks with a venomous smirk as he examines the grotesque statue.
It takes a little prodding, but eventually Mikmek spills the story. His tribe, under Chief Sootscales has lived peacefully in the Stolen lands for twenty years now. They found an abandoned mine to use as their home and have plenty of food in the nearby Shrike river. Where they swim and catch fish in their sharp teeth.
However about three years ago Tartuk came from the east and joined the tribe, soon moving into a position of power due to his magic. Using the statue as a holy symbol of a god called Old Sharptooth.
Before the only trouble the Kobolds had was with the Mites, and driving of Bandits. Tartuk though wants them to become more militant and attack anybody who comes near. When the Mites stole the statue is was Tartuk who insisted that it be recovered. Proclaiming that if it wasn't the tribe would be cursed!
What are you doing now?
"I think Tartuk is a bad influence, the Sootscales sound like they were minding their own business til he showed up. We should go have a chat."
"Wonder if Chief Sootscales is still alive. Having a kobold tribe who doesn't want to kill random travellers could be a help."
"Only one way to find out. The Sootscales sound like strong swimmers and in a place that earns its name like River Kingdoms that can be valueable too."
Elena takes the others aside out of earshot of the Kobold.
"Remember that kobolds are usually evil. This one says they were peaceful and innocent before this Tartuk came, but even if he's telling the truth this is by kobold standards, not ours. And he may be 'sugar-coating' the real story to win our help."
Mykhael shakes his head in agreement with Elena's observation, "Evil critters best not put too much stock into what they say. Might be best if we put the whole lot down."
"We should find out more but going into their established home when we don't know of them doing anything wrong unprovoked is a bit much. We can always remove Tartuk if they seem somewhat reasonable and keep an eye on them as things progress. Even if kobolds are usually evil they are not always evil and we should try to find out more at least."
"If Tartuk's their leader and we oust him, maybe we'll get lucky and the rest of the tribe'll just tear itself apart in a power struggle. I imagine kobold politics have all the finesse of those in Galt. Lots of yelling and people losing their heads," he chuckles at his own macabre joke.
Elena, the Kobold seems sincere to you. The impression you get is that the Kobolds were enjoying a comfortable existence until Tartuk arrived and began agitating for violence.
Mikmek leads you to the south.
Y1. Main Entrance.
An outcropping of large boulders emerges from the weathered face of a nearby hillock. A narrow opening in the rock leads into darkness below. A fallen sign leans against the side of the cave entrance.
Mikmek yips excitedly to the concealed guard in the entrance. "They have killed the pests, and bring the statue back to us!"
The guard looks hopeful, opening the iron barred gate and letting you into the cramped tunnels. Leading you past -
Y3. Temple.
The walls of this cave have been smeared with what appears to be charcoal and blood to depict multiple representations in red and black of a looming, sharp-toothed reptilian devil. Two low stone tables sit in the middle of the room, one of which is stained with blood.
And onto -
Y4. Common Room
The air in this large cave feels warm and close, thick with a reptilian stink mixed with smoke and burnt meat. Numerous beds of furs lie scattered throughout the room amid smoldering cookfires, while to the south, a ten-foot-wide alcove contains a large mound of furs framed by dozens of sticks on which are mounted the skulls of many birds and small animals, all smeared with ash.
Chief Sootscale along with six guards eyes you warily as you enter the larger room, his eyes gleam excitedly if you hold the statue in sight.
He does demand the statue be given over to him the moment he sees it, or is told you have it.
What are you doing now?
"We have been told by Mikmek that your people were living here quietly... but we have also heard of Tartuk who's been a little more proactive. Before we are handing anything over we want to know more about your and your people Chief Sootscale."
Chief Sootscale eyes you up. Head weaving a little on his long neck. "Yes. Mikmek is right. We have all we need here. Plenty food. Shelter. No enemies except for stupid Mites. Even have silver for trading! Then Tartuk come. Tells us Old Sharptooth wants more blood. Wants us to fight and conquer. Waves statue about like it important. Half tribe dead thanks to Tartuk. Had enough. Give statue to me, time to be rid of it and Tartuk!"
What are you doing now?
Colwyn may not know art, but he knows what gives him the creeps, so he hands the ugly little statue over to the ugly little chieftain.
His now free hand drifts to idly rest upon the hilt of his sword, though, just in case this goes poorly. After all, the reformed scoundrel is always waiting for things to go poorly.
"The meets are dead. Should burn their tree to be sure we ddin't miss any."
Elena turns to the others.
"If he is speaking the truth then we ought to give it to him. It sounds like getting rid of the statue will help prevent much bloodshed."
When you hand the statue to Chief Sootscale he holds it in his hands, looking at it intently, as if making a difficult decision.
Finally, he shrieks in triumph, holds the statue over his head, and then smashes it down onto the ground, shattering it. The other kobolds in the room freeze in shock while Sootscale, a frantic grin on his snout,
thanks you for "freeing us from this curse" and then asks you if you wish to come with him to "kill the usurper."
In for copper in for a gold, Mykhaael thought. He shrugged as he looked to his companions, "Might as well see this through."
"I guess we are putting down a warmongering little kobold then." Richard draws his dueling sword and inclines his head to Chief Sootscale.