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"You will find that most of us have had years of experience dealing with all sorts. We have learned that that which is on the inside means much more than the skin we wear. If you are looking for tolerance and acceptance in the face of fighting evil, you can find that in us. Nemana what village do you speak of? Well we got one ourselves, a paladin that is. We were heading South to speak with the kobolds to see what they know of the bandits." Sable responds with a bit of pride.
The camps are packed up and assuming the two groups merge they head in a Southern direction. Another day of travel finds the group nearing the kobold's rocky home.
The kobolds come out to greet their friends with hoots and hollers of joy dancing with weapons above their heads. The chieftain waits for the group to get near the main entrance before greeting you, "Welcome back to the Sootscale tribe! Come we will take care of your animals and you shall eat with us as we did before you left."
"You go ahead we will stick with the horses." Doam offers readily.
Jevah raises a brow as he sees the kobolds hooting and hollering "When I heard you mention Kobolds...I assumed only a few, not a whole tribe. Quite the tolerant group you've managed to round up." he said, his hands perhaps a bit too close to his bow to say that he is unguarded.
Hykan is just amazed he steps among the kobolds noting their looks of trepidation at his race, but he keeps to himself and makes no scary moves.
"How wonderful, a tribe friendly kobolds.. most excellent"
The chief nods his head and responds with humor, "The human bandits, they can easily be found on the other side of the river. In a fort and several camps up along the river. We will give you more specifics in the morning after our feast and sleep."
Koldur looks at the pair.
"Come with us. Makes no sense to leave you out here when there's food and drink to be shared." continuing on, the aged dwarf speaks to Droam.
"There not be food, drink or a time to relax in future so take this chance to get it all done. Let the Kobolds care for our mounts."
Jevar looks at the group for a while and looks back at the hobgoblins. "Forgive my manners...but I will stay outside. I'm not fond of caves you see." he said and looked about outside. It wouldn't hurt to scout the area and maybe get an idea of any game trails in the area.
Hykan will setoff fireworks and play with fires to amuse the attendees
"Now watchout this will produce a big flash of fire"
The two hobgoblins agree to Koldur's suggestion and join in on the festivities.
The kobolds hoot and holler more at the display of fireworks. A few of them bring over some brackets of beads and gems, offering them as a gift for such an amazing display.
The next morning is stormy and pouring down rain. The kobolds ask for you to stay until the weather clears up. The chief himself speaks on this matter, "Come now, stay with us no time to travel with the rains over head."
The halfling rested during the trip and for most of the festivities. He is up as the group speaks with the chief. He offers up a suggestion, "If I get a day of full of bed rest, I should be ready."
"My old bones would like the rest and besides, it'll give the little one the rest he needs."
Hykan accepts the gifts "These gifts are not necessary, If your village cannot pay a cleric to heal your people when when they are sick, I would prefer you kept them and used them in times of need."
later
"I would not mind staying it seems like a safe place."
Jevar spent a little bit of time watching the kobolds, it helped to know how each predator and prey took to their territory to hunt.
He noticed that as he expected, they tended to set traps and work on prey towards the ground. This left him to have to work the higher ground, something he wasn't overtly fond of but it still would be easy enough. He had made a point of being skillful at climbing and moving through the tree thanks to his time spent with the elves and it came in handy foraging for himself in the area.
A bit of fruit here, a few eggs there, and a couple of reasonably fat birds and he had what he felt would be enough for himself and perhaps another or two if he was inclined. He made sure not to over work the area, though he was only one person.
By morning, outside the Kobold's territory, Jevar had a rather lovely breakfast cooking along with some fruit and a bit of meat. He made sure to set up a smoking fire late last night and dried the remaining meat and fruit for future use. When he heard the others stirring and the commotion from the camp. He moved to see the weather had taken a rather terrible turn and made himself known amongst the group. "While I appreciate a good shower, I feel I must agree. Most would prefer not to move in this weather and it would be easier on the animals if we did not as well. I have enough food for another day or two...hopefully this storm will ride out by evening." he said stretching and making sure to stay out of the rain for a bit. He seemed ,however, eager to get back out of the caverns.
Koldur looks as Jevar eagarly moved out of the carverns. Being a dwarf, he's right home beneath the ground since it's a whole sight better then being drenched. It'll only make a surly dwarf wet, cold and even more surly.
He keeps his newest companion's behaviour in mind though.
The kobolds nod in agreement and pat Hycan's back as they take their gifts with them.
The weather stays wet all day. The halfling stays in bed and gets as much rest as he can. Near midnight there is a stirring in the kobolds and your group. You all hear a peal of thunder, then another, and it keeps happening.
The kobolds clutch each other and the chief does an ushering movement if needed to ask for your group to check out the disturbance.
Jevar was getting rather tired of the rain. Once one of his fellow adventurers came out of the cave, he welcomed the distraction and stood up fully geared up for an adventure.
It seemed that Jevar had been waiting for something bad to happen...perhaps he thought the kobolds might do something, or the wilderness itself might make an attack against the kobolds, or maybe he just preferred to be wary, all the same he was dressed for success and on the defensive a bit.
The halfling wakes up with a stir. He yawns and stretches out his arms. He gets up and smiles. He walks over to Koldur touching his shoulder before going to Oscar, then Sable; each he touches gently before walking out of the cave with the group.
Jevar looks at the Halfling, he seemed to show little worry about the man but it was clear that he was worried about himself when he asked "I ain't gonna fall dead...or asleep if I provide am I? What kind of ability do you need from me?" he asked his hand halfway towards an arrow.
The actions of demons and angels alike worried Jevar, rarely did either have truly good intentions towards mortals.
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Hykan eager to prove himself part of the group yet follows him team mates as they investigate the occurrence.
He sighs at the feeling of warm and energy.. much like his own flames.
Hykan does not much like the idea of sacrificing his strength, for that means weakness and then those who hate his race can have an opportunity to harm him.
But he stands listening to see what is asked
Reknar watches the exchange in silence, then steps up - "You say you will help in our plight any way I can, but you're being as vague in your request as you are in your offer" - the man grumbles - "But you know what, let's get this over with" - he moves closer - "If I get to chose what to offer... Heck! Take some of my Dexterity - I can always get some better armor if worse comes to worse" - the veteran laughs - "Do your thing! And if you cross me, I won't rest until you are dead, just so you know" - he fionishes, weapon in hand.
"And I am not trying to veil my words either"
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With Reknar choosing the ability of dexterity and stepping forward a beam of light leaves his exposed hand and trails straight to the glowing entity. She begins to gain back vitality and seems to grow younger. No longer the frail decrepit old lady but now more like a 50 year old woman. Her eyes become more focused, wrinkles disappear or at least become less pronounced. Her glow seems to become stronger too.
The old dwarf is not pleased to be roused out of bed. Seeing Sable walk out with only his weapons and belts serves to irritate the onld dwarf as he longer can afford to do just that.
He takes longer then the others but arrives in time to see the Frail Old lady and hear her request. He however arrives fully armored and armed.
He watches as the others offer up their very physical skills but holds back as he first seeks to discern her true intentions and then survey her....for lack of a better description, landing site.
"Are you strong enough to perhaps offer answers to our questions?" he pauses.
"Or do you need more......substance."
Reknar grits his teeth against the excruciating feeling - "Oh boy, you have a LOT of pay back to do!" - he growls.
Jevar looks over at Reknar and sighs "Well, I'm not one to be outdone..." he stares at the glowing old lady for a bit and holds out his hand. "Fine, take my health...I have a bit to spare" he said offering his constitution.
He had a feeling this was a terrible idea but when in the woods....
Hykan seeing what happened to Reknar and the level of disability he now has, pulls back with a look of revulsion and horror.
"I'll not go through that to sate some thing, I shall do my best to protect those that are affected until they are able to recover."
"Thanks Hykan - I've been through worse though... There was this one time the squad was supposed to clear out a spook hole, after I had been complaining about no divine support for months..." - Reknar seems prepared to go on a tirade, but stops short - "I'll tell you about that another time though..." - then turns his attention to their interloper - "So?"
With Jevar choosing his health to sacrifice, the ability of constitution, and stepping forward a beam of light leaves his exposed hand and trails straight to the glowing entity. She begins to gain back vitality and seems to grow even younger. Her eyes become more focused, her wrinkles disappear almost entirely. Her glow seems to become stronger too.
She looks to Koldur and offers, "Ask your questions, these four have accepted my words. What can I answer for you master Dwarf?"
Koldur holds back ready to protect his allies if needed in his best shape.
She looks at Oscar and shakes her head to say no, "I already have my dexterity, though if that is only what you offer then I will accept."
Unless there are others that step forward or Oscar changes his mind on his offering Sable screams in agony as multiple beam stops of light hit him and he is drained of strength, wisdom, intelligence, and charisma and 2 drain of each score.
At seeing his allies pain he moves forward to help anyway he can. Possibly even taking one of those beams for his ally.
Sable drops to the ground after his exertions keeping the halfling at bay. The glowing feminine form stands and seems to be in the prime of her life. She graciously says, "Thank you for your sacrifice and acceptance. Krissto tal marre. I will prepare my mansion. Take this archway so I will open my entrance near you." With those three magical words and some hand movements the miniature archway floated into the air, where a shimmering portal appeared. She grabbed the miniature archway and dropped it before Sable before entering the portal. She would answer any other questions before leaving if necessary.
Jevar shudders a bit and seems to be a bit paler before falling to the ground. He heaves and ends up throwing up from the pain.
He shakes his head "Knew it...bad idea, but not as bad as Sable" he said looking half dumbfounded that someone would be so crazy.
He looked up at the portal and looked at the others. "Well, I'd rather a magical mystery over a cavern anyday. Let's hope it's not a cruel joke and it's a magical cave." he said as he rolled over and got to his feet a little shakily.
Hykan will trepidaciously step through the portal so he can scout ahead
As Hycan attempts to step into the portal he finds it to be as solid as a door or wall, barring his entrance.
The halfling runs inside the caves to quickly return with Sable's and his own bedroll. He helps Sable into a resting position. He asks the group, "What now? Should we head out or rest or send a few to scout out the bandits? Should I take care of Sable or get trained by one of you?"
Jevar looked at Sable before looking at the others. He sighed, he wasn't feeling the best at the moment though he wasn't sure when he'd be feeling that great ever again. "I could scout the bandits out, but I'm afraid the rest of you would be seen coming a mile away. If we were to go, we will go together and I'll just sneak a ways ahead of you to give us the advantage of knowledge. I will not go alone to scout without knowing you lot are at least only a few minutes away from my corpse." he said as he crossed his arms.
He looked at Sable again before looking at the arch. "I'm assuming this thing is magical, did she mean for us to wait till it activated or is this some kind of thing we place in an archway and we can use it?" he asked as he moved to the portal and pressed his hand on it testing if it would let him through. After all, perhaps it was only willing to allow the fools who would give a part of themselves to it's master.