Already wary of potential treachery, Vorik catches a glimpse of the shaman as he turns the corner. Giving a quick shout of warning, the paladin raises his shield and draws his weapon as he moves in front of Mikmek to block him from Tartuk's view.
Still somewhat wary after the party's thoroughly lukewarm reception earlier, Hrafen keeps looking around, and spots Tartuk at the last moment.
Hrafen deftly vaults into the saddle of his trusty riding dog, hunkering down behind the pommel.
Spying the Shaman rush around the corner I gasp and quickly draw "GoldFire" and get ready for battle.
Round 1:
Hrafen spurs Archibald forward , and casts a spell, attempting to liquify Tartuk and the priestess.
Vladimir charges toward the purple skinned kobold, ripping through the peace bond on his blade with a slash at Tartuk as he completes his movement.
(charge)
The priestess and Tartuk shriek and curse as the acidic spray envelopes them. Tartuk shields himself as best he can with the sleeve of his over-sized robes.
The priestess howls in pain as the seared scales of her exposed face and neck steams... she falls.
The shaman has no chance to stop Vladimir's strike. Tartuk's sharp intake of breath suggests the blade pierced his hide.
The Sootscales begin to emerge from the smoke... most seem debilitated from involuntary violent coughs.
Mikmek yells for his allies to the south. He raises his spear and steps up next to Vorik, and they advance while readying their own.
Tartuk slinks back a few feet and after a split-second of hesitation, he growls and gestures toward Hrafen.
A pair of arcane bolts fly from his hand, and slam into Hrafen's chest.
The cloaked kobold by the cauldron rushes up next to the fallen priestess and hurls a vial. Already cringing in fear before he releases the vial, his throw is off by several feet. The vial bursts into flames just northwest of Mikmek and Vorik.
I move up to Mikmek and stand beside him, drawing and nocking an arrow to "GoldFire's" string as I move. When I get next to him I nod and smile at him before releasing the string and letting the arrow fly in Tartuk's direction.
Hoping the shaman won't be able to easily get off another spell, Vorik moves up aiming a blow at the creatures midsection.
Jaestra's arrow goes wide. Vorik sees a shimmering where his weapon makes contact, but it seems to have little (if any) effect on the shaman.
I place another arrow to "GoldFire's" string and loose it at Tartuk.
Vladimir moves to attack Tartuk again, entering a defensive stance as he swings.
Disappointed by the effects of his previous strike, Vorik takes a little more time to aim Astridsonoir to a spot that he hopes is less protected by the shaman's armor and magic.
Hrafen frowns, urges Archibald to step forward , and then unleashes another blast of acid, catching the shaman and his other vertical ally...
Seeing his new allies handling Tartuk with little difficulty, Mikmek commands his kobolds to protect the debilitated Sootscales...
Tartuk again shields himself from the majority of the spray, but his wild virility has diminished. Before Jaestra can loose her arrow, Astridsonoir slams into Tartuk's side... below the arm held up in defense.
He falls - folded in half... his last breaths wheeze through acid-burned holes.
Tartuk's cloaked ally - hideously burned by Hrafen, turns to run. He heads for the tunnel from which you entered. He stumbles and falls when struck by Jaestra's arrow.
Mikmek's mixed blood kobolds stand stunned at the quick work by their new leader's allies. Mikmek nods, and pokes the bodies with his spear.
Vorik nods with a grim sense of satisfaction as Tartuk crumples to the floor. Seeing the last traitor fall, Vorik turns to Mikmek and the remaining kobolds.
"Twice now we have put down the enemies of the Sootscale. Twice we have proven our honor in upholding our agreements. Twice we have destroyed those who would stand against justice and good."
He turns to Mikmek, looping Astridsonior back on his belt. "Twice we have asked for alliance with your people. If you bring no harm to our folk and agree to act within our laws as friends and allies you will be free to trade, live in peace, and have the protection of our banner. What say you?"
Mikmek nods "I say allies." ... he immediately turns in deference to Chief Sootscale.
The chief steps closer. "Allies, but not ruled. Peace, yes. Trade...?" This time the chief looks at Mikmek for moment before continuing. "If there is trade, it will be through Mikmek. We will not live within your lands, but will see you as ally. Graw-keh-mek... ally." He stows his spear awkwardly in his belt... apparently placing more meaning in Vorik's actions, and repeating them along with the Draconic phrase.
Acceptable outsider
Vorik gives Mikmek a hardy clap on the back and a large smile. Before giving the chief a respectful bow and warm smile of his own.
"Aye, 'tis a fine choice, and I'm proud to call Mikmek and the Sootscale friends and allies." He says, then adds with a hearty laugh. "Seems to me this new alliance and defeat of evil, calls for a bit of a celebration."
After rummaging in his pack for a few seconds he pulls out his flask filled with Oleg's ale.
"Lets share a bit of Master Oleg's ale to seal the bargain." He says taking a solid drink for himself before handing the flask to Mikmek and the Chief.
They both pour a solid gulp in their open mouths in turn, and nod. Chief Sootscale looks at the flask a moment, then hands it back.
"Good." He looks north to the cauldron alcove... "Losing Tartuk's tonic.... is not good. If he has the secret of it in what you take from him... We will reward you.. showing? the way."
Mikmek nods. "Yes. Tartuk's chamber is past the cage. What was his is yours."
Vladimir cocks his head at mention of Tartuk's tonic. "If you would, tell me, what exactly did this tonic do for your people? By all means, if we find anything of the sort, we would certainly share that information, it is just that Tartuk did not seem to have your tribe's best interests in mind." the swordsman says heading toward Tartuk's chamber.
Vorik nods his agreement with Vlad's statement and follows him into the shaman's chamber.
"Beware of traps." He says as they enter the shaman's cave. "Tartuk, didn't strike me as being one to leave his belongings unprotected." He adds while straining his eyes in the dimly lit cave to see anything that might be trouble.
Noting Vorik straining to see, combined with his own inability to see much, given the lack of light. Vladimir prepares to create a bit of magical light. "Just as a heads up for our friends who can see well in the dark, I am going to create a bit of light." Vladimir says to any kobolds who may be following in particular
"Perhaps we should check the bodies first...?"
I look from Hrafen, to the bodies to Mikmek and back, "Master Vormenghast, don't you think we should ask our new allies before we start looting corpses? They would probably be in more need of it than us anyway."
Hrafen shrugs.
"Mikmek said what was his is ours; presumably that includes what he had on him...?"
Mikmek nods "All that was his is yours."
several items which appear unaffected by the acid.
pair of bracers
a wand
a cold iron sickle
Tartuk's chamber looks like the lair of an insane devil-obsessed taxidermist. There is a wall of shelving filled with books - stuffed among gruesome rotting knick-knacks.
*** *** ***
The journal is written in halfling. It is Tartuk's diary, and a quick look suggest he had a hatred for kobolds. He was pushing them to fight so they would get killed.
For what its worth, further reading will likely shed more light.
There is a fly scroll tucked in the book.
*** *** ***
I follow the others into the chamber once the bodies have been removed of valuables and have a look around.
Hrafen leafs through the journal.
"Interesting... It would appear that Tartuk hated kobolds, and was trying to get them to get themselves killed... Further reading may give me more information..."
Hrafen does a Detect Magic sweep of the items recovered from Tartuk, and of his chambers.
There are thousands of coins in the piles... mostly copper, but there is probably near 2000 silver and at least 200 gold.
There is a nice quiver with just a bit of wear... inside are 6 gorgeously crafted arrows.
You find a nice pair of dark soft leather boots.
A well-crafted backpack (mwk backpack) inside is
a large coin purse with another several hundred gold,
a leather pouch stitched with arcane words and filled with powder,
a brass ring with a pearl setting inscribed "Forever my Svetty.. Oleg"
Items on Tartuk which emit an aura..
wand
bracers
in chambers (which Jaestra is picking through)...
6 arrows
soft leather boots
dust-filled pouch
scroll of Fly (which you found in the journal)
You also eventually find a recipe for Halfling Glimmgrog. A morning drink for hangovers and pep... made with molasses and herbal stimulants.
"The wand, bracers, arrows, boots, and pouch all radiate magic. Someone may wish to try and identify them."
"I can certainly give it a try." Vladimir says, casting a magical detection spell and beginning to study the items in question.
While Hrafen and Vlad sort through the "magical" stuff, I pull out the other items of note and start to make small little piles so it is easier to see what there is. I go to take the arrows when I see the but as I am about to put them into my own quiver Hrafen mentions they may be magical and I pass them to Vlad to see if he can tell me what they are.
While that is happening I get back to my sorting, where I find the ring, "Well this ring belongs to Miss Svetlana, given to her by Master Oleg. We should definitely return it to them. There also around 2000 Silver Links and over 200 Golden Crowns."
You are unsure of the wand.
The Bracers are +2AC
The arrows are +1 Flaming
The boots are Boots of Elvenkind
There are a few likely possibilities for the pouch, but you can't be sure.
About the time you finish searching the chamber, Mikmek enters and tells you the Sootscale have left.
"You have done much for us. It would be good to see you again in time. If you wish words with us, we can be found here under Knuckle Rock. We will pass through here once every three days. Courage and strength to you, allies."
Hrafen nods and smiles.
"...and to you as well."
After studying the remainder of Tartuk's magical possessions Vladimir addresses the others.
"Well the bracers would be good for Hrafen as they will help defend him." he says, handing the bracers to the halfling.
"The arrows have magical enhancements to aid their accuracy and damage potential, and on top of that the heads will be covered in magical fire upon use."[b] he continues offering the arrows to Jaestra. [b]" I assume you would be interested in these?"
"The boots are of elven make, and will make their wearer a bit more nimble when it comes to tumbling and balance."
"As to the wand and the pouch, I really could not say."
__________________________________________________________________________
"Good luck to you, Mikmek. I am sure we will meet again soon"
"Courage and strength to you as well, Mikmek. I am honored to count the Sootscale among my friends." Vorik says as the kobold departs.
"Shall we ride for Oleg's? I could certainly use a warm meal, hot bath, and soft bed for a day or two." Vorik says to the others after Mikmek has left. "Plus we'll need to see if he can store all those Links." He adds with a laugh while climbing into the saddle.
I bow my head to Mikmek, "May your lands be safe and your tribe grow healthy my friend, the Elk Father watches over all. If you are in need of assistance, just send word to us up north. We stop by Master Oleg and Miss Svetlana's frequently and your plea's will be found there."
I accept the arrows from Vlad, "You know me so well Vlad, I can think of a few things that could be improved with a couple of these beautiful arrows planted in them." I let out a little giggle before storing them in my quiver.
I then look to Vorik and give him a private smile, "A hot bath sounds nice indeed, I wonder if I shall find some way to wash by back?" I mount up along with everyone else and begin to ride back to Oleg's.
Vorik's face turns a bright shade of red for several seconds. He starts to speak a couple of times, but no sound escapes the paladin's lips. By the time his head finally clears of the immediate visions initiated by Jaestra's comment, all he can do is let out a laugh, shake his head, and ride to catch up with the Jaestra and the others.
After a couple days of uneventful travel, you come to familiar territory. The air is mild and clear in the late afternoon as Oleg's appears on the horizon ... atop the wide gentle hill.
"Ahh, good to be back." the swordsman says as Oleg's trading post appears on the horizon. "I do not know about the rest of you, but I could use a bath."