"Unless, of course, they are merely so enamored of loot that they're willing to ignore common sense for it," Mihara adds, attempting to goad their interlocutor into speaking too much too soon.
The man puffed his chest out a little. "You guys think I'm brave? Wow." Looking quite pleased with himself, he nodded to Mihara, "And yeah, I'm pretty well enamoured too." He gestured to the gleaming chainmail he was wearing. "My dad says this has got that silver coating, so werewolves won't want to to bite me. Hey, does silver work on dragons?"
As they talked, Azri continued to sneak around, trying to keep an eye on the creatures they'd spotted earlier and see what the things planned to do. Knowledge was another kind of power, and she wanted as much as she could get.
...Which was fairly normal for people with her condition, really. Shouldn't have surprised anyone.
"I really don't know that, either." Selena shakes her head, before smiling again at the guard "Anyway, I was saying: do you think we could see your boss? We came here to say hi: just wanted to be good neighbors!"
The guard tilted his head. "Well, I was told to stop the Kobolds, but I guess you're not Kobolds. They're short and scaly and stuff, and none of you look like that. But I got yelled at last time I let someone in who I wasn't meant to." Scrunching up his face for a moment, the bowman finally responded with, "But I could ask him to come down here?"
"No need, Mr Albrecht," a voice from behind mentioned. A cloaked figure appeared, hood drawn down over there face but utterly failing to hide hugely muscled shoulders or a pair of heavy broadswords. "Although typically if a group of well armed people approach you should probably alert me anyway. I am Yarls, currently in control of this camp. What can I do for such as yourselves?"
Leaning against the wall in the shadows, listening in as best they could, Aibek quickly put a hand to their mouth and bit their lip at the comment of werewolves and dragons to stop themselves from laughing. If things went bad, the guard would find that silver wouldn't work on witchwolves -- nor on any dragons Aibek had known either related shapeshifters or otherwise.
As Yaris began speaking, Aibek moved closer in the shadows. Pulling shadows into hand, Aibek watched carefully, concerned, glancing around for any others they hadn't spotted yet as well watching and listening for any hints that this was about to turn bad against the others. The shadow assassin starting turning shadows into the now familiar shadowblade repeating crossbow, and waited...
"Hi!" Selena waves to Yarls. "I'm Selena. This is my sister, Ayreth, and my friend, Mihara. We've come to one of the southern islands just recently, but we're planning to get back all of Khalarum up and running sooner or later. We had heard that there were people on this island, so we came to check, just to be nice neighbors." the half-fiend smiles. "Heard you were searching for treasures, and had a Kobold problem, yes?"
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Ayreth puts up her hands with a disarming smile, and illustrates her own unarmed status. "Not well-armed, just well-intentioned. As she said, it's good to know your neighbors, right? Especially if they're digging around in your backyard," she ends a little more menacingly. It seems as if some of Azri's possessiveness regarding Khalharum is starting to rub off. She gestures all around her, reinforcing her lack of weapons visually, daring the man to underestimate her because she holds no weapons.
"Oh, so you are looking for the Symbols of Authority? Interesting." The cloaked figure chuckled slightly. "I am sure it's not much of a surprise that I, too, am searching for such items. Have you managed to acquire any? And I don't suppose you would be interested in selling them? I could make you...quite rich."
Mihara chooses to stand by Ayreth's assertion. She allows her true Kitsune form to reveal itself as she speaks; proving herself as no idle threat.
"As the future lords of Khalharum, it is our duty to protect it from scavengers such as you. Those of you who wish to join as honest citizens, please make yourself known."
Selena looks at Ayreth and Mihara, then shrugs before turning again to Yarls. "Eh, I dunno. I mean, we've been around here fixing things only recently, it makes sense that you didn't heard about us. This part of Khalarum probably hasn't been used in centuries, so I personally can't blame you to have started digging around: I would have done the same myself, really! But, like sis said, we couldn't give you any Symbols. It's a personal matter." the half-fiend smiles to Ayreth and Foxy "It's easy to get fired up about these things.""
She didn't want people digging around their backyard either, but greeting people by shooing them away from their homes/base of operations/whatever didn't seem nice: that, and digging around old and forgotten ruins was fair trade if no one was there.
"Incidentally, why are you looking for them? Just for the whole 'ancient and powerful magic thingie' thing?"
"Why? Why, because you are not the only ones with a right." The figure chuckled again. "You are only the future lords and lady of the city if you succeed. If I manage it instead then, well, that would be me and those who work with me. And I'm sure one of you will mention you have the deed of the Pactmasters to do this. It's true, I don't...but does the deed bear your names? And do you really think the Pactmasters will make a fuss? Oh, you know them as I do. So long as trade flows..."
Yarls shrugged bunched shoulders, and pulled one part to the side to reveal what looks like a Mark. "And there is more than one way to receive a mark. Alright, let us see. I do not wish to give up my claim. Or anything I have found. You do not wish to either. But unless you are willing to come to blows and seize what I have found in the ruins - if I have found anything, of course - then may I suggest the obvious compromise? Whoever gains enough to claim the Tower does so, and the looser...looses."
Nigrum removes his arrow and puts away his longbow. Having heard the way things were going and studying the apparent leader. He moves off and away from the others before making his way out in the open. While the man was clearly all mountains of muscle, Nigrum's own height and lean figure gave the impression of a towering fortress. His own hood was as usual drawn back but the high collar kept his lower face mostly hidden, making his unique eyes all the more pronounced. He stopped behind his comrades before speaking.
"I think things have gotten off track. My name is Nigrum. Perhaps you would be interested in a way to get better acquainted with us and we with you. As well as a wager to make it worth your time. If you win, I tell you something about the symbols. If we win, well would you like to offer something or should we simply be given a open request? Regardless the wager is simple. Which one of us is better at a trial by combat using the sword. I would prefer the trial end at first deep strike. Nothing life threatening but no silly scratches ether. Interested?"
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"Thus, I make my request to you all - take Khalharum, City of Seven Towers. Make it great. Find out why I was killed for it. And survive. Such will be my revenge on those who believe I can be so easily ended. You will need diplomacy, wisdom, stealth and skill. You will also need raw force. You six cover these things. Will you accept, knowing the dangers and the task?"
Some of Grandpa Zhen's words run through Ayreth's mind, especially the task of discovery, and she uses the memory to seem even more incensed. "It's convenient to dismiss the deeds when you don't have one!," she snarls, baring her teeth like a feral kitten.
When Nigrum enters and makes his offer, Ayreth wavers for a moment. She doesn't want to risk giving out information that they don't have to, which is why she had not acknowledged that they found one of the Symbols. On the other hand, Nigrum had a tendency to be prickly about his honor and Ayreth knows from Thark's lessons that trying to stop the duel after a challenge is made would be a nearly unforgivable offense to the big man.
Zhen's words run through her mind and she decides to put her faith in his wisdom and in Nigrum, who also had yet to let her down. The smile she gives to Yarls is the smuggest "Oh, you're in for it now!" smile she can manage. She even gives Mihara and Selena the "I almost feel sorry for him" look and shrug.
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Oh, sure, he'll duel that guy, but he won't give me a simple spar. Hmph!
Grumbling silently to herself, Mihara simply nods in support to the terms offered by Nigrum.
The man titled his head. "A duel? Seems simple enough, although I have no idea is you will be able to tell me anything of interest. I would add a simple addendum - if you can't tell me something I don't know about, while I am under the influence of a Zone of Truth or similar spell, I name a different prize."
The hooded figure considered. "And if you win, I will offer a similar exhange of information. The location to a Symbol I cannot obtain"
Nigrum shrugs.
"It is not my concern what you do or do not know. It is your secrecy that makes that an obstacle, not mine. That said, if you are aware of what I offer, you would not have approached us as you have. None the less a different prize can be bargained for but no promises. I do not offer what I am not sure I can give. As to your offer, unless one of my comrades says otherwise I am inclined to accept. Agreeable?"
"I object. Amongst my merchant kin, we have a saying: An open clause is an invitation to your ruination. Stranger, by your terms, if you happened to win, you could demand just about anything. I respectfully request that you name this different prize before any decisions are taken here."
Aibek shook their head, dark eyes moving to see if there was a better shadowed spot to keep an eye - and shadowblade arrow - on this duel and to see if the witchwolf could spot anyone else trying to do similar.
Aibek was wary of the idea of a duel especially in territory they did not know very well and that these people likely had far better knowledge and experience, but Mihara, Selena, and Ayreth would give Nigrum's plan it's best chance. Aibek would attempt to aid by trying to deal with any outside interference...and hope for the best.
Selena crosses her arms and nods in agreement at Mihara. "Yup, thinks like that are just asking for trouble. It's like asking someone 'surprise me': first you think it's going to be okay, and then you find yourself tied to the top of the bed with a bouquet stuck in a -" the half-succubus starts, proceeding to recount a situation almost as bizarre as the chicken one of the day before.
Yarls chuckled. "Yet your offer is not exactly appealing. Some information I may already know is hardly a boon if I win it. But very well. How does this seem - if I already know the information you offer I may ask one favour, taking no more than one day to complete, costing you no more than 100 gp that hurts no sentient creature, yourselves included, no breaks any law of say, let us say, Andoran? And to gain said favour I must prove I already knew the information with magic. Would that be suitable?" Although his face was still hidden, the smirk in his voice was obvious.
"We seem to be gathering an audience," Mihara says, indicating towards the gathering crowd. with a motion of her head.
Mihara ponders the terms for a moment, then nods in agreement. "This seems like a fair deal to me."
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Focused on Yarls, Ayreth doesn't notice the crowd gathering until Mihara points it out. When she does, she steps to the side, silently acquiescing to the duel and realizing that now would be an opportune time for an attack by the kobolds. She feels some satisfaction that Aibek and Azri are still watching their backs, but prepares herself for trouble.
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The bigger man drew his swords and rolled his shoulders. "Then let us begin."
The bulky man moved into an unusual stance, the twin blades held to either side as he observed Nigrum.
"I have heard of you, Nigrum," the hooded man murmured. "Let us see what I can make of it."
The bulky man moved forwards with surprising speed.
Nigrum takes a solid hit, but is not deterred in the least.
"You are skilled."
With that he brings Tsui across.
Not one to let up after taking a strike in turn Tsui blurs as another strike comes faster then the man can see. Fluid and different from the first.
Aibek grows further wary at the growing number of strangers in this strange place. Keeping to the shadows, Aibek continues to monitor as best as possible while anxious thoughts continue to whirl around the witchwolf while they try not to count how many people have began to surround the others -- and how long it had been since they'd seen Azri..
Yarls stopped as the first blow missed but the second ripped up his arm, causing a grotesque gash even as he flowed back with a surprising speed. It wasn't quite fast enough.
"Hmmm," he murmured simply, looking at the injury without any obvious pain or emotional response, "I believe that would be your win, by the rules you suggested."
The big man shrugged simply and re-sheathed his swords. "The Symbol is in a on the Northern most island, sealed away within what was once a temple to the God Aroden. From what I gather it is in the...possession...of a Golem of some kind within, but the people I sent to retrieve were badly hurt or didn't come back at all. I have no more details as far as the temple itself or the layout, but I suspect it is trapped and the Golem not the only thing within it. Nor do I know which item it was, only that it matched the description, for most part, of one that was active during the final battle."
Turning, he asked over his shoulder, "Does that satisfy the deal we made?"
With the duel having been quickly finished and none of Yarl's men yet seemed violently disappointed at the results, Aibek moved through the shadows as best as possible to get a better view of what the out of place movement on the roof that had caught their eye. Still quite wary and suspicious of Yarl and his people, Aibek wanted to have clear view of anything out of place as possible while remaining as out of sight as possible.
"Woohoo!" Selena cheers and claps her hands as Nigrum ends the duel in a few seconds. Before she can notice anything unusual, however, the half-fiend takes a look at her sleeve and is struck with the most brilliant idea ever.
How couldn't I have thought of that earlier? I'm so dumb! I'm going to find one of those robes sorceress wears, with stars and runes and stuff, put it on, and pretend to be one! Baddies will try to hit an innocuous caster lady and then WHACK! Off they go. I'm so smart!
Not focused on what was happening, the half-fiend grins to herself.
Mihara appears to notice something, and makes no effort to hide it, looking directly at the place she saw some movement.
However, she says nothing, hoping to alert her friends without accusing Yarls of some manner of treachery.
Yarls paused and turned. "Is there something further I can help you all with?"
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Ayreth's smug smile fades rapidly at the mention of Aroden. Her eyes roll back in her head, only the whites showing for a moment, before she responds, "I don't think so. We should go." Her tone indicating a mix of impatience and trepidation. The occurrence of a god's death is certain to have left its mark.
"Yup, let's."
Leaving the former Arsenal is no great challenge. Neither Yarls people nor the Kobolds move to stop you...although both groups are watching you from various places. And neither is especially hiding...from you, at least. The positions the Kobolds have taken would be difficult to spot them.
"Why are the kobolds here and what is their interest in this group? That seems to be a question worth answering. Among others I would add."
Azri quietly rejoined the others as they left, nodding thoughtfully after all they'd seen. An interesting day so far, though some of their behaviors had been... hm. "Not sure how much I'd be able to do against a golem - without preparation, anyway." she mused. "Unless it's programmed to only attack living things..."
"I do believe the temple deserves investigation. That said, I believe we had best watch our backs there. I wouldn't be surprised if that lot snuck up on us while we were exhausted from braving whatever dangers guard the area, and took whatever Symbol of Authority laid therein," Mihara explains, casting a glance back at the fort the party had just departed.
"I trust Yarls about as much as I trust the Kappas of my home kingdom."
Aibek quietly walked out, clinging to the shadows as much as possible until meeting back up with the others. Stepping out of the shadows, Aibek listened as the others spoke.
Quietly, Aibek commented "It look like an issue just between them, I'd think if it was against humanoids in general, the local peoples would have had more trouble with them as would we while we've been exploring..." while looking around Aibek let out a soft sigh, "And if we want to go to temple soon, we need to be careful of our routes there and back for likely betrayal..."
Selena nods "Let's go to investigate the temple first: there's no use in worrying about everything at the same time. I don't really trust him, but he had an entire fort to take us out, and we where there only in 4. I agree that them stalking us and taking us by surprise after taking the symbol is a possibility. However..." the half-succubus grins to Nigrum "if their leader's ability was any indication, they won't have luck with that."
After being rejoined by Axri (I presume) you make your way once more to the northern most island. The bridge that connects this island and that one was now a pile of rubble at the bottom of the sea, but someone has strung a rope bridge between the two islands. It looks reasonable solid. Reasonably.
Before you can cross a small figure darts from cover near the bridge. Gold tinged red scales flash in the harsh sunlight as the Kobold hops onto a rock. "The master wishes to speak with you, yes?"
Mihara, having reclaimed her human shape some time on the road, is the first to reply. She bows with a smile.
"Please tell your master we will gladly hear him out, so long as his intentions are peaceful," She declares, looking to her companions for confirmation.
Azri looked at the kobold for a few moments. "Hm. I think I see what's going on here." she mused thoughtfully. This might be quite interesting, actually. Maybe she could talk them into meeting on the bridge...