Skyreaver did not have much to say as they made their way through the both the trees and the tunnels, although she did carry on quiet conversations while moving through the trees, and she spent the trip through the tunnels crab walking to get through.
"So what is your plan for disguising the larger among us as humans?"
Clucking at the sound of the rats, Skyreaver moves down the tunnel towards the bulge, shooing rats out of the way.
Scarlet draws her sword, and moves towards the mass of rats.
I suppose I could try to pretend to be one of the house staff Alysha says. She steps towards the bulge, trying to see if there's anything irregular about it.
Another poor soul trying to escape the city, it seems she says.
Beryl looks in surprise at the little kobold, trying to read the little one's intentions. Greetings, little one, the stocky human says in a measured tone, Yer folk do not hold a great reputation... What say ye?
"You're telling me! You should try living with them! Ug. But a bitter cold hit our territory, freezing the lakes deep and thick. The tribe chiefs thought it would be good to send someone, a... diplomat, I guess... to the big folk lands. Find out if it's a problem just for our tribes, or something wider - or, of course to see if you big folk are worse off so that we can invade and conquer you all."
"I'm certainly not aiming for that! I actually like life here with the big folk. It's easier to get ignored which means less chance of being eaten by who knows what or thrown into a war party to be killed by some goblins, or any of so many ways to be killed quick. Besides, with the right money, a lot of you big folk will look past where I'm from and there's some nice luxuries we didn't have back in our warrens. I'm not minding that at all!"
Ember smiles and waves at Jiro as the little Kobold introduces himself. "Welcome! I'm Ember!" throughout the sewer trip she frustrates Ragnar by continually trying to slip around him to question Jiro on all things Kobold...
"Hey Jiro, when little Kobold hatches from an egg who takes care of it? It's parents? Or is it more of a communal thing?"
"Hey Jiro, what about love? To Kobolds form strong attachments to, like one other particular Kobold?"
"Sorry Jiro, another question... Is it true that a lot of Kobold tribes worship dragons? Have you ever met a Dragon?
"Jiro, later when we've got more time, would you mind if I made a sketch of you and, er took some measurements? Head circumference, hand span, that sort of thing... Would you say your average, small or large for a Kobold?"
Jiro is quite pleased with all of the questions. It is rare for him to get attention that isn't threatening, and he does his best to answer in as embellished and interesting ways as possible.
"My name's Jiro, it's a pleasure to meet you Ember!"
"After we hatch, usually whoever is nearby gets ordered to deal with the mess and take care of us. It's one reason why our hatcheries are often in the center of our warrens - then it's harder to avoid it! So, I guess you could say it's a communal thing. What about you? After you hatch, who is stuck taking care of you until you can survive on your own?"
"Well, as these things go, many kobolds do form a strong attachment to one particular kobold. And, honestly, I couldn't stand that guy! I mean, what do they see in him?? Sure, his scales shine magnificently, when arming traps he can lift boulders bigger than... well bigger than most can lift, and, sure, he can have that look that makes your tail quiver - but, come on! Other than that, he can barely put three words together! But in general, yeah, we form close bonds. They are usually short-lived but intense, which is sort of how our whole lives are. With love how we live, briefly with a brutal ending. Are any of you in close attachments? I have heard some of you big folk stay together for years. Is it because you stand a chance of actually growing old that you get used to being bored?"
"I have seen so many dragons, you would simply not believe it! The more sophisticated among us - like myself, of course - converse with the dragons ALL the time. I'd say I've seen more dragons than I've seen... dwarves! In fact, some have gifted me with some truly wondrous and valuable artifacts if you would like to see them sometime." Jiro then eyes Ragnar, and then Ember's earnestness. "But I'm sure that can wait, we should focus on our mission. And, they probably aren't that wondrous anyway. Never mind I said anything."
"Well, certainly you can sketch and do whatever measuring you like. Have you met other kobolds? Because, if you haven't, I'd say I'm a... splendid kobold. That's of course why they sent me to represent all of the related Selgryn tribes in our truly dire time of need. So I am quite magnificent for my kind, both physically - and oh gods - mentally superior to my kin, if I do say so."
Jiro wonders if he made a mistake joining up with this group, this might go very, very bad. However, if he had stayed and been caught by the ol' brute, that would definitely have been very, very bad. Just like he was taught since being a hatchling - possible painful death is always better than certain painful death. But he know he'd need to do a better job of earning their trust.
"Do you want me to... *gulp*... go check that out?" Jiro draws his rapier and nervously approaches the bulge, ready to swat rats away and poke at the thing if possible.
As soon as you approach the rats, the hoard undulates in your direction. The chittering and squeaking becomes nearly deafening.
Round 1
Ember
Skyreaver
Alysha
Beryl
Jiro
Rat Swarms (6)
Scarlet
Ragnar
I will be putting up a map later today, but for now, the room is roughly 40 feet square with a 30 foot high ceiling. The passageway leading to the room is 15 feet wide with a 10 foot ceiling, and about 40 feet long.
The passage way has a five foot sidewalk on either side of a waterway. The water is about a foot deep. The room has a foot of water in it and a 1' sidewalk around the edge, with water gently pouring in from grated passages on the walls. The water pools into the room and then flows outwards into the hallway you're currently in - and then on out towards the sewers.
The stench here is of human waste, decomposing corpse, and wet rat.
You can decide where you are when you start.
--
Beryl responds to Ember with a grimace, Judgin' by the smell, I'd say we got a corpse down there.
Then turning to Jiro, I'll check it out, ye can watch me backside...
Beryl picks his way up onto the walkway on the left and readies his warmace, using his shield to stem the tide of any rats swarming. He will swing in wide arcs trying to hit as many rats as possible!
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As the rats start screeching and swarm at her friend's Ember does what she does best, with barely any conscious effort at all she summons fire into her hand. Her eyes flash bright orange as she charges forward, stretching out her fingers the flames burst forth enveloping the rats in front of Beryl! Then she gets as far back as she possibly can!!
"What about you? After you hatch, who is stuck taking care of you until you can survive on your own?"
"Well, I was a foundling, left on the doorstep of a Mage Guild. So much the same as you I suppose, though I'm pretty sure I was born like a human and didn't hatch from an egg. I guess my real mother just didn't know what to do with me, or was frightened by my appearance. "
"I have heard some of you big folk stay together for years. Is it because you stand a chance of actually growing old that you get used to being bored?"
"Oh I don't know much about that, I think some folk take comfort in having someone they're familiar with, someone they can rely on..." Ember sighs "I thought I'd met someone special, but this adventurers life is so chaotic that I rarely see him anymore!"
"Well, when we have time I'd love to hear more about the dragons you've met! Their names, where they live... and of course if I could study the artifacts you've been gifted, that would be amazing!"
Alysha backs away and points her finger at one of the more wounded swarms.
Away with you! I have enough trouble with you lot in my house! she shouts.
Ragnar, dividing his attention between the suspicious kobold and the rats is taken off guard by the rats attacking. He rushes to Beryl's aid and takes a swing at the rats near him.
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Skyreaver draws her club and channels the power of the mountains into it, then swings on the mass of rats.
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Seeing his new companions striking at the rats, Jiro works with their attacks anticipating how the rats will flee the strikes.
Scarlet marches forth, swinging with her sword.
Flames fly out at the rats, killing many of them but not stopping the hoard.
Skyreavear's magically imbued club smashes down on the rats, killing several in a single blow!
Alysha flash freezes the rats; their bodies floating down stream, bouncing in the water as ice.
Beryl sweeps through the rats with his hammer. Unfortunately, the pliable bodies of the rats in a swarm make it less effective than he would like.
Jiro pokes his rapier into the throng and comes back with a clean blade! Piercing those rats one at a time is challenging!
Hit: Ember takes 7 piercing damage.
Miss.
Miss.
Hit: Jiro takes 1 piercing damage.
Miss.
Crit! Ragnar takes 10 piercing damage.
Scarlet seems unable to kill those pesky rats! But at least she's not getting bit by them, either!
The severe bites of the rats causes Ragnar to completely miss! Is there a fear of rats deep inside the Goliath?
Round 2
Ember
Skyreaver
Alysha
Beryl
Jiro
Rat Swarm 1 (-5 HP)
Rat Swarm 2 (-5 HP)
Rat Swarm 3 (-13 HP)
Rat Swarm 4 (-16 HP)
Rat Swarm 5
Rat Swarm 6
Scarlet
Ragnar
"Damn rats! They must be hungry if even fire won't scare them away," Alysha yells.
She casts a ray at the most damaged swarm.
Covered in filth and now rats are taking chunks out of him, Ragnar has had enough of these sewers, and he lets his rage out, striking at the pile of rats that attacked him.
I hate rats, Beryl grumbles, C'mon, ya beasties! Meet yer death!
Skyreaver continues smashing Rats, but moves next to Ragnar and gives him a healing boost as well.
"Ah, they're all over me!" Ember yells, grabbing a rat and throwing it into the water, she steps out of the sea of rats and kicking one free of her leg she runs behind Alysha!
"Ah, they're all over me!" Ember yells, grabbing a rat and throwing it into the water, she begins to chant "Erő páncél energia páncél mágia!" waving her hand in intricate movements over her head, shoulders and chest. As she does blue glowing plates shimmer into existence and then fade out of view.
Scarlet stands fast, attacking the swarm nibbling at Ember.
Ember moves back and casts Mage Armor.
Skyreavear's magically imbued club smashes down and scatters the mini-swarm in front of her.
Alysha turns a few more rats into freeze pops.
Beryl smashes down on swarm 4, scattering the rats.
Jiro stabs at another swarm, his own mind tactful in groups.
Jiro places a smart strike against the rats, skewering several.
The rat swarms with no targets shuffle around, and this time Beryl, Jiro, Scarlet, and Ragnar are attacked.
Miss.
Hit: Jiro takes 6 piercing damage.
Hit: Scarlet takes 12 piercing damage.
Miss.
The swarms start to cover Jiro and Scarlet, and Scarlet falls to the ground! She'll need help!
Ragnar rages and attacks! He lands a solid blow, but it doesn't have a strong of an effect as he would like.
Scarlet is down unless she has an ability to mitigate damage.
Round 3
Ember
Skyreaver
Alysha
Beryl
Jiro
Rat Swarm 1 (-9 HP) B
Rat Swarm 2 (-10 HP) R
Rat Swarm 3 (Dead)
Rat Swarm 4 (Dead)
Rat Swarm 5 S
Rat Swarm 6 (-4) J
Scarlet
Ragnar
Scarlet drops as she is overwhelmed by bites from the tiny creatures.
For when my init comes around
Lass! Beryl moves quickly to stand protectively over Scarlet's prone form, sweeping his hammer at the bulk of rats before her!
Action Surge!
Wham! Wham! ^_^
Kobold! Are ye okay?
Go away, nasty things! Alysha mutters.
(on the rats attacking either Scarlet or Jiro)
"Not today, beasts! You will not Extinguish this spirit!"
Skyreaver will moves to Scarlet and begins singing while placing her hands over the most lethal bite. As she does,small motes of light begin flowing into Scarlet's body, and her wounds close.
Ember sees Scarlet drop as the rats swarm over her new friend. I have to end this quick!
As she steps back out of the reach of the nearest rats she begins to chant: "Égő lángok közvetlenül a gerendák égő lángjai éget ellenségeimet!"
Flames swirl around her, quickly forming three rays of white hot fire that suddenly streak out at different rat swarms close by.
Ember summons forth the powers of the elemental plane of fire, searing the rats and nearly completely destroying two swarms!
Skyreaver heals Scarlet, and she's back up!
Alysha freezes the rats on Jiro, but they seem to be unaffected this time.
Beryl protects his friend, slamming his mace down once! twice! onto the rats swarming on and around Scarlet, destroying many of the little beasties.
Jiro backs away, skewers more rats, and backs away to safety!
Miss.
Hit.
The thinning rats swarms continue to try to eat - something, anything! - so long as they stop starving. The swarm on Jiro moves to Skyreaver. .
Miss.
Hit. Beryl takes 1 damage.
Miss.
Miss.
Scarlet stands up and attacks!
Ragnar attacks his swarm.
Hit.
Round 4
Ember
Skyreaver
Alysha
Beryl
Jiro
Rat Swarm 1 (-21 HP) B
Rat Swarm 2 (Dead)
Rat Swarm 3 (Dead)
Rat Swarm 4 (Dead)
Rat Swarm 5 (-16 HP) Sc
Rat Swarm 6 (-8) Sk
Scarlet
Ragnar
With a quick word "Sav!" and a gesture, Ember hurls a globule of acid that splashes over the rats swarming near Scarlet and Beryl.
---------------------------------------
Ember summons her inner fire into the palm of her hand and hurls it at the rats near Scarlet!
Alysha throws another ray at the rats. (Aim for most damaged)
”I’m hurting, but not as much as if I showed up in the afterlife having been killed by these stupid things!”
Jiro gets extremely frustrated at the rats and how ineffective his weapon is, and just swings it wildly at the creatures, hoping to skewer something.
Good! Keep stabbing! They are sure ta scatter!
Ironjoy swings again, hard, sweeping the rats aside!
Scarlet manouvres closer to Jiro, while lashing out with her blade.
Ragnat swings again, unsure of what else to do.
Skyreaver shares the blessings of the spirit world with Jiro, then swings again on more rats.
Ember drops acid.
Both swarms make their save.
Skyreaver continues to squish rats.
Alysha freezes more rats.
Beryl dances the rat jig.
Jiro skewers the rats on Beryl, dispersing the last of them.
Miss.
Miss.
Scarlet moves away from the swarm and attacks!
Ragnar destroys the swarm that was on Scarlet.
Round 5
Ember
Skyreaver
Alysha
Beryl
Jiro
Rat Swarm 1 (Dead)
Rat Swarm 2 (Dead)
Rat Swarm 3 (Dead)
Rat Swarm 4 (Dead)
Rat Swarm 5 (Dead) Sc
Rat Swarm 6 (-12) Sk
Scarlet
Ragnar
Go feast on the dead! Alysha yells.
Beryl stabs at the little rat with the shaft of his silvered warmace and manages to shake it out of his pants leg! Free of the little beast, he again focuses his attention on the swarm in front of him!
When all the rats are taken care of, Ragnar will check on his friends and companions in turns, and thank Skyreaver for the healing, then check on the body the rats were feeding on.
"One of your friends?" he says to Isthana.
Ember summons her inner fire into the palm of her hand and hurls it at the rats!
Scarlett continues to press her attacks
The body remains floating in the sewer waters in the middle of the room.
Ragnar heads in to the middle to check the body. It floats face down in the shallow water, which has bloated, contorted, and rendered its face unrecognizable. Nearly every inch of exposed skin is covered in scores of bites. In addition, there are multiple wounds made from a claw of a much larger creature than a rat.
Some portions have even been stripped completely of flesh; the bone beneath stark white in contrast to the black, rotting flesh. If the smell is any indicator, it has been here for quite a while.
Ragnar asks Isthana if she knows the person, and holding a perfumed co the to her face, she says, No, but I'm not worried about it. It's the moving corpses that you have to worry about.
The glasses are magical if detected.
Ember peeks around Ragnar to look at the body. "Ugh, is it totally messed up? Ugh, look at all those twisted limbs, it's like the person fell from a great height..." Ember looks up instinctively. "Hey look there's a hole up there, it must be indoors, or perhaps covered... no light coming through... "
Ember points up at the ceiling 30ft above the floor to a hole. She takes a few steps closer and looks closely at the shoulder of the body.
"Hmm, see this crest, it's a symbol of the First Lords court."
Alysha takes a look at the body and turns it over. Its a human male even if most of his face has been chewed away by the rats.
He didn't die recently. Looks like most of his bones have been broken, like someone gave him a bone-crushing hug. she says.
She searches the body, and produces an onyx ring and a pair of fine glasses. She does not hesitate to remove it from around the body.
Would be a pity to waste this, she says.
Skyreaver will move up and investigate the body. "It appears this man was one of the people who worked for the chieftain here."