DM_Scholar's Kingmaker (Inactive)

Game Master Asmodeus' Advocate

Guthruc continues to cross the bridge, disregarding its complaints. When he finishes crossing, ignore this if something horrible happens he turns around and shouts:
Come on! We meet dragon men. Bridge works.

Iorskan shrugs his little shoulders. To his kobold followers he said Draconic"It doesn't look safe. But Guthruc is heavy, and it has held. If all of the big people make it across safely, we should be fine. Unless you know another way to get to your people? Also, ignore the tasty looking human. He thinks that you want him to be your lord. But he is as crazy as he is tasty-looking. He is not dragon. He should be lord of other edible creatures, like humans, and elves. Though it is hard to eat the marrow from elf bones...they break too easily..."

We are almost level 2? What better way to level up than surviving falling down a cliff while crossing a near broken bridge that never had to be crossed in the first place?

As answer to everyone's confusion, the bridge is in the hex, and you are also in the hex. It really isn't plot relevant, since you're walking down the river to the kobold den and not trying to cross it.

I should have made that more claer, sorry. :\

I'm assuming Guthruc was persuaded to come back across the bridge. After a great deal of walking, the party rests for the night, Chance of Random Encounter: 1d100 ⇒ 49 and then they continue their journey. Moving the party to the next hex, everyone gets 25 exp.

The Thorn River grows unusually shallow here just before it empties into the Shrike River, a much larger waterway. The resulting ford is never deeper than 3 feet.

It's hard to judge distances on Happs Bydon's map, but looking at it you realize that you're fairly close to the Tuskwater Lake and the Stag Lord's fortress. The kobolds assure you that you aren't headed in that direction, though. You'll be following the Shrike, never crossing it, until you meet the other kobolds tomorrow.

Chance of Random Encounter: 1d100 ⇒ 46

Nothing tries to kill you, which is a nice change of pace. While you walk, the kobolds tell Iorskan (who presumably translates) what you can expect to find at the kobold den.

Generations ago, the kobolds were ruled jointly by the nobility and the clergy. The chief was chosen by the dragons to rule, but the clerics could interpret the dragon's will more directly. That, and their magic made them too useful to do without. The clerics were not popular among the other kobolds, because they would abuse their power and their unassailable position in the hierarchy. So it was, that when the son of the Chief displayed sorcerous powers, including the ability to heal, the other kobolds were happy to declare the clerics obsolete and either kill them or run them away.

The son of the Chief became the Chief, and ruled justly and fairly, sorta, and decreed that the kobolds were to have no contact with other kobolds (Not that they had much contact with other kobolds to begin with, being rather geographically removed) in the fear that divine casters from another tribe might displace his descendants.

After the sorcerer king died, the kobolds didn't have any casters at all. And that was the case until earlier this year. The new Shaman, a purple kobold named Tartuk, quickly ingratiated himself with the latest Chief Sootscale, proving his worth to the tribe with powerful magic. In return for his healing powers, though, the kobolds had to convert to diabolism, specifically the worship of "Old Sharptooth," an idol that Tartuk carries around with him. Many of the kobolds were fine with the shift, not having had any clerics in living memory they weren't particularly devout. Others, however, opposed this blasphemy . . . until they were sacrificed to Old Sharptooth. There is growing discontent among the kobolds with their new Shaman, but they aren't entirely sure how to get rid of him.

(Tell me when you guys want to rest for the night and then head for the next hex.)

Abaos asks the obvious question, through Iorskan

"How powerful is this Tartuk?"

Thoughts race in his head. If Tartuk is very powerful, then Iorskan might have a fight on his hands- of course, persuading popular opinion is Abaos' specialty, and he'll have his buddy Iorskan's back!

Awn adds more questions, after Abaos.

"Iorskan - ask them if they have seen actual "diabolism". I understand that to mean devils, demons, efreet, gunnes and other mechanisms. How exactly were the sacrifices...sacrificed? Does the idol "Old Sharptooth" have actual tangible powers, or only Tartuk?"

Iorskan translates, but makes sure to do so as regally as he possibly can.

Tartuk has been observed to heal people, read minds, walk unseen, and bring dead kobolds back to life as skeleton fighters that never talk. He's never actually hurt anyone with his magic, as far as anyone knows.

Kobolds who are sacrificed are tied down and stabbed to death. They're often brought back as skeletons afterwords.

"If there's growing discontent, how many openly oppose him? What's his relationship with Chief Sootscale, and what's the rumour on him? You've mentioned old religions; what's their significance, especially if most of the kobolds are devout?"

Abaos rather firmly fires off questions, one after another, brain working into overdrive.

With all the questions being fired off, Guthruc feels as though he ought to chip in with the question that he's sure has been on everybody's minds:
"Do dragon men taste good?"
he turns expectantly to Iorskan to translate.

Awn interjects:

Abaos - apparently, since the widespread killing of the clerics, the kobolds have largely been not devout - sorcery replaced deism, at least until the shaman Tartuk arrived...

You've mentioned old religions; what's their significance, especially if most of the kobolds are devout?"

That was supposed to say are not devout, sorry! Thanks Awn for pointing out my mistake!

After translating everything but Guthruc's question (of course they were't tasty! Too scaly and not enough meat!), Iorskan had come to a conclusion.

Common"We need to go there, eat-murder the sharptooth shaman, break the skeletons, and free the kobolds! Whom we are not going to eat-murder, and not just because they are not going to be tasty at all. But also because they are like my little brothers, and they are going to be my tribe and are going to do stuff. Important stuff. I'm just not sure what yet."

And to the kobolds Draconic"This will not stand! We will eat-murder the sharptooth shaman, break the skeletons, and no more kobold sacrifices."

No one openly opposes the Shaman, not anymore. Chief Sootscale follows Tartuk's orders to the letter, but misinterprets them like a vengeful djinn. He plays his little rebellions off as stupid misunderstandings, which Tartuk seems to believe. Tartuk will believe most anything of the other kobolds, as long as it's stupid. He doesn't think highly of the Sootscale tribe.

Still, it says something that Chief Sootscale, the clan's most skilled fighter, does not have the nerve to openly defy Tartuk.

Most of the kobolds aren't particularly devout, but you'll likely win over some of the kobolds purely by merit of having a dragon. Tartuk, however, does have a following. Some of the kobolds who've been saved by his healing magic would die for him, and Tartuk took particular care to make friends with the friendless, declaring those kobolds who had the most to gain and least to lose his apprentices. These kobolds are more than happy to do whatever Tartuk says, up to and including killing other kobolds. There might be a little eat-murdering of kobolds, purely by necessity. Or perhaps you'll find a diplomatic solution.

Complicating the whole mess is the war with the mites. The kobolds have been fighting with the mites since time immemorial, but Tartuk declared the war a "waste of time" and resolved to resolve it before the year was out. He's made a good start on his promise; Tartuk's policy of forcing battles has led to heavy casualties on both sides, but the mites can't raise their fallen dead as skeletons. There are some fanatical mite-haters among the kobolds who are willing to put up with Tartuk as long as he makes good on his promise to root out the evil fey.

If it came to a civil war between the kobolds, Tartuk might also be able to drum up support with the miners. Mining is difficult and dangerous work, but with Tartuk's healing magic career-ending injuries are no longer primary cause of retirement. But, Zornesk points out, you guys have that magic healing wand Zornesk doesn't know that wands have charges so maybe you'd be able to get the miners' support instead.

Any other details the kobolds would know that you want to know?

Speaking of evil fey, I'll point out that Ozzy speaks Aklo. That should make peace talks (and other types of trickery) an option.

Speaking of evil fey, I'll point out that Ozzy speaks Aklo. That should make peace talks (and other types of trickery) an option.

You really would think so, but apparently mites only speak undercommon. What kind of creature only speaks undercommon? Do they not have a language of their own? Or is undercommon just mite? When and why did mite become the international trade language of the underdark?

"One last question," Abaos answers, and looks straight to Zornesk. "Outside of Chief Sootscale, where do the nobility stand? With Tartuk, or against him?"

Abaos assumes Zornesk would have the most contact with the nobility, since he sells the radishes.

The nobility highly dislike the way Tartuk bosses them around, just like he does everyone else. But most of them are probably too cowardly to rock the boat, Nakpik cynically hypothesizes that they'll just wait out any conflict until it's close to resolved, and then throw their lot in with the winner. They're on top of the heap, more or less, and have the least to gain from changing the status quo. That'll be reflected in their diplomacy DCs.

Zornesk wants to know how you plan to approach the problem. Specifically, he wants to know if you plan to walk in and declare yourselves in charge, or if you plan to meet the leaders under guise of peace.

Iorskan thought that was a very good question. But the answer was simple, because he was so wise! Draconic”It is simple. We walk in and show the tribe that I am a dragon. The Nobility will keep their titles. All sacrifices of kobolds will cease. Demon worship will be outlawed. In it’s place kobolds will learn alchemy. So that every kobold, through hard work, can learn how to cure wounds and create fire. We will have to find some alchemists to teach the tribe...but that can be done. But for now the tribe will be my tribe, and all that is wrong will be eat-murdered!”

Abaos has absolutely no idea what Iorskan's plan is. However, it sounds long, well- thought out, and incredibly cool in the language of roars and clicks dragons make.

Abaos claps Iorskan on the back. "What he said!"

Feeling exuberant Iorskan said Common”Yeah! Kobolds listen to reason and-or we eat-murder bad demon-followers! Fun!”

Awn resists the urge to make any commentary.

Well at least it should prove interesting. I had very little idea all of these internecine struggles were taking place in the "Broken" Lands..

also:

Just what makes a noble kobold? That should be the most interesting part of all.

As the party sets up to rest for the night, Guthruc offers to take watch for the entire night.
Guthruc take watch all this moon. Guthruc no sleep. Guthruc no surrender to any enemy, Even sleep.

Awn smiles at his erstwhile Orcish sleep-avoider.

"Very well. I shall keep watch with you for part of your evening vigil." Awn makes quite a show of looking to everyone else to also offer similarly.

The bulk of this post was written before I saw Bright Awn's post, and I'm not rewriting it now, since I'm not as Tireless as Guthruc. If other people want to have kept watch with Guthruc, they can have.

The adventurers lay out their blankets and bedrolls as the stars come out, speaking quietly by the light of the fire they heated their rations and birds in as it slowly burns down and they slowly fall asleep.

Except Guthruc, who has volunteered to take watch all night, every night, for the entire month. He's slept for the last few days in a row, because he was injured and has long since learned that he heals better when he sleeps at night, or during the day. (Having stared at the sun until his ruined eyes acclimated, Guthruc has no preference and sneers at weaklings who speak of circadian rhythms.) He's feeling pretty well rested, and isn't planning to sleep in a long while. Having friends is nice, because they can watch each other while they sleep, but Guthruc feels safest when he does things himself.

Random Encounter: 1d100 ⇒ 51

Guthruc stares into the darkness all through the night, but nothing attacks them. Guthruc is slightly disappointed.

The party wakes with the sun, and sets off to meet the kobolds. It's getting warmer in the mornings, no frost formed on the ground while they slept. Spirits are high as they set off across the kanelands (the hilly terrain) towards the kobold warren. Everyone gains 25 exp.

random encounter: 1d100 ⇒ 44

As they make their way over and around hills, splash across shallow streams, and stop to catch their breath atop elevated terrain while Bright Awn maps the land they're passing through, they encounter rabbits, ground squirrels, spot deer that are to skittish to get close and too far for Guthruc to surprise with his club, but nothing that tries to fight them. It's more or less true what Bydon said, you guys are some of the scariest things on this side of the river.

In fact, actually being here some of you are beginning to lose your misgivings about the stolen lands. It's been a lot of fun so far. The more cultured of the expedition can see Bright Awn's point of view; casinos are certainly fun, but you aren't sure that you'd take them instead of this. Can't you have the best of both worlds?

The sun is sitting just about at the top of the sky when you meet the kobolds. You see them at first from the top of a hill, the kobolds you have with you chatter and point at a lazy bend in the slow moving Shrike where small black and dark grey figures swim in the water. Small hillocks all around have doors and windows built into the sides of them, hobbit style. They're equipped with shutters made of live grass and dirt, which can be pulled over the entrances and viewing ports to conceal the dwelling places entirely. You count ten of these unusual homes.

draconic"We really shouldn't have made it this far without being challenged," Zornesk notes. He sounds more annoyed then worried. After all, the kobolds are clearly fine, they're splashing around in the river.

Eadoo is confused. draconic"We're kobolds. Why would anyone try to stop us?" Eadoo retrieves his basket of raddishes from whoever he convinced to carry it. He doesn't want to look weak in front of the other kobolds. Zornesk asks Iorskan to ask Abaos if Zornesk can ride on his shoulders. (Abaos has been amiable to date, and Zornesk thinks riding a human like the humans ride horses would make him look pretty awesome.)

Nakpik is concerned. draconic "They aren't. This isn't right."

The party walks down the hill and into the kobold's village-of-sorts. Eadoo, who's leading since Zornesk is probably riding Abaos with no way to control his locomotion, takes you past the living mounds towards a rocky outcropping, an immense rock sticking out of the ground. You see a squat blue creature, a mite, in a wooden cage, entrapped near the rock. It hisses at you when you approach, spitting curses in . . . undercommon. There's a hole near the base of the rock, a tunnel that leads down big enough for a medium creature, though Awn and Guthruc will likely have to stoop. Above it you see the wooden sign with the words in common, "Oaktop Silver Mine." As you walk past the kobolds, you hear muttering in draconic. Questions are shouted out at the raddish gatherers, questions about Iorskan and the others. The kobolds are trying to answer questions, but before they manage to say anything comprehensible they're interrupted by a large black bird that flies out of the mine.

It lands heavily on one of the living mounds and looks around at the kobolds. They all fall silent. "Tartuk will be with you shortly," the bird caws.

Not exactly ending the post with a push or a hook here, am I? My apologies. Talk to the kobolds or the bird if you want, the Chief and the Shaman will be with you once I wake up tommorow. :)

Abaos offers to let Zornesk ride his shoulders, and Nakpik in his backpack, like she did last time. And assuming they weigh no more than listed in the Kobold Character Page, he can do that with only a Medium Load! Secretly flexes his muscles.

As they walk through the kobold camp, Abaos begins to feel uneasy. Don't the kobolds have any way to defend their camp? Strange, but he's trusting the kobold companions to lead him. When in Katapesh.....

The bird lands heavily, and caws out a warning. They've trained a bird to talk? First the wolf, now the bird- you're losing it, Abaos, losing it..... Looking around at his companions, he whispers to Iorskan "Who is the bird, and why is it talking?"

Awn, usually fairly upbeat, picks up on the odd lack of general watchfulness of these kobolds. Still, they seem to live in interesting dwellings that look cosy as well as defensible. The woodborn is extremely wary of the mine, and very interested to know what happens in it. Before he can gird himself enough to enter, the black bird appears.

Awn stands ready, uncertain, but with his hand on T'lass...

As the bird flies out of the mine, Guthruc is reminded of his daily bird consumption quota. Whatever the bird said, Guthruc did not hear, as he was too busy entering rage and charging to strike.
to hit: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
damage: 1d10 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

Guthruc is busy chewing the wings off the large bird he just found when he realizes that all around him kobolds are screaming.

Iorskan can understand them, they're mostly cheering about how a dragon has returned and one of it's friends has eaten Tartuk's freaky bird. Someone is calling for a revolution. Some of them are calling for Guthruc's head on a pike, and others are shouting at Zornesk and crew, asking why they brought humans to their secret village.

You here a howl from inside the mine, someone screaming out in utter agony. Second later a purple kobold with a number of piercings, wearing a feathery headdress, comes tearing out, cursing in common. His eyes lock with the bemused Garthuk, who is wiping feathers off his face.

Orc "You're going to pay for that," the shaman hisses in Guthruc's native language, reaching for his sickle before taking in the rest of the menagerie. He also notes that many in the crowd of kobolds are slowly reaching for improvised or less improvised weapons. He decides to try diplomacy instead. draconic "You. Dragon. What is your purpose in coming here, and why did you bring the murderous orc?" he spits.

Out of the mine comes Chief Sootscale, moving at a leisurely and regal pace, along his personal guard; three of the toughest kobolds in the tribe. CR one third!!!! The head of the Sootscale kobolds is readily apparent by his awesomecool hat. He takes in the seen and then, casually, leans up against the entrance of the cave, personally blocking Tartuk's escape. (If this comes to blows.) draconic "It occurs to me," the chief notes, "That we probably wouldn't get surprised like this if we had our border guard guarding our border, instead of trying to fight their way into the mite's tree on your personal vendetta."

Tartuk rounds on the chief. draconic "You! You brought them here!"

"Nope." The chief looks smug, nonetheless.

"It doesn't matter." He turns and screams it at all the gathered kobolds. "It doesn't matter, you here? You have vowed yourselves to Sharptooth, and Sharptooth alone! You know the cost if you turn from his worship now!"

The other kobolds draw back, cowed and ashamed. Even Chief Sootscale looks at his feet. The four kobolds that came with you, for their part, are merely confused.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Draconic "YOU DARE! You dare speak to me that way? That is MY ORC and this is now MY TRIBE! Starting now, the Sootscale will sacrifice kobolds no more. Starting now, the Sootscale shall worship Broke-Tooth NO MORE! Starting now, all Kobolds here decide whether they follow the dragon, or the demon. Any who worship Broke-Tooth the fake-god will be laughed at and then eat-murdered."

As he said this, the dragon stalked towards Tartuk. "Decide now!"

You can see the hate in the purple kobold's eyes.

common "You killed my bird," he says softly. Iorskan didn't personally kill Tartuk's raven, but doesn't really matter to the shaman.

He draws his sickle, and at his command the runes etched into the weapon glow red softly. It hums softly, an almost musical sound.

common "I liked my bird." He seems to be working himself into a frenzy.

Then Tartuk abruptly sheaths his sickle. The humming stops. And the shaman begins laughing, a crazed, manic sound. common "And here I thought gold dragons were supposed to be heroic!" He has a hard time speaking through his convulsive laughter. "It just, goes to show, that you can't, believe everything you, read!" he gasps, before getting ahold of himself and addressing Iorskan in a language the other kobolds can understand. draconic "Well, this has certainly been an entertaining turn of events, death of my longtime friend aside. The corvid wasn't terribly great conversation anyway, marginally better than these kobolds, and I'm quite sure I've gained more than I've lost. My good gold dragon, I'd be happy to step down," Tartuk bows low in mock respect, "positively delighted. That is, if the good Sootscales want me to." He turns and smirks at the chief, who looks highly uncomfortable.

Seeing that the dragon and the humanoids don't get it (of course, the humanoids don't speak draconic) Tartuk decides to rub the Chief's face in it. draconic "Of course, now that you've all pledged your souls to Old Sharptooth, you probably wouldn't enjoy the new tribe order overmuch . . . seeing as without regular sacrifice, Sharptooth's curse will make you all turn yellow and die."

The chief bristles. draconic "That's a dragon, Tartuk. The dragons are what made us Sootscales chief. Not Sharptooth." He clears his throat. "I'm sure a dragon could get us your stolen god back from the mites. And then, we can see who's god is stronger." He makes what he hopes is a fierce face. The other kobolds tell him he has a fierce face, but he can never tell if they're just trying to be nice. Whenever he tries to be fierce Tartuk laughs at him. No one laughed at him before Tartuk showed up. Chief Sootscale thinks he's pretty fierce. He's killed three and a half humans. But Tartuk says he's killed so many tall folk he stopped keeping count. He says it really isn't that hard. So Chief Sootscale hopes he looks fierce enough to scare Tartuk, but he doubts it.

He never used to doubt himself.

Honestly, Chief Sootscale would have expected a dragon to be bigger. But it makes sense that it's small. Stories always get bigger with the telling. He remembers the first time he saw a human. Yeah, it was huge, but it wasn't "so big it couldn't fit in the mine." Same thing with boggards. He hasn't met a hill giant yet, but he's pretty sure it won't be bigger than a boggard.

He just hopes that the stories about dragon's strength aren't that far off.

Iorskan looked at the chief and nodded. Draconic"This one is wise! There is a reason why he is chief." It was the hat. That hat was just amazing. Iorskan wondered if he could wear it, as he was sure that it would look great on him. Plus the kobold looked so fierce! Yes, he was a fine chief.

Draconic"But, I say this. How can a god be stolen? I have seen much in this world. I have seen sorcerers. I have seen wizard. I have seen...many things! What I have never seen though is a god that can be stolen. I say this. I guarantee that Sharptooth is not a god. None of you will turn yellow. Shaman Tartuk has agreed to step down, and when he does so there will be no more sacrifices. This tribe will be led to greatness."

He walked over to Tartuk, and standing next to him said Draconic"I give you one chance. Right now. Renounce your false god, renounce the false curse, and I shall let you live. Say anything but that, and you *will* be eat-murdered."

Sorry everyone for hogging this show. Just don't see a way to get past the language barrier. That said...I'm all for eating some mites for a statue, but Iorskan isn't going to walk away while Tartuk is still around to cause trouble. He feels that leaving to fight the mites while the shaman is around is just going to mean major problems when they come back.

Take the lead, friend! I love it! Even if Abaos is just wandering, looking lost and confused.

Abaos is happy that the kobold, Tartuk, is willing to step down. This is good! Iroskan will have his tribe! Unfortunately, the rest of the kobolds look nervous. Probably because they just haven't met Iorskan yet!

draconic "Oh, sure." Tartuk shrugs. "Under threat of death, I'll readily denounce my religion. I have integrity like that." He grins like he enjoys giving people no good options, which he, in fact, does. "Though, my browbeating metallic friend, as much as you've seen, you're mistaken. The curse is real.

common "Even if the god isn't."

Feel free to open that spoiler.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Draconic”Chief Sootscale.” Iorskan said evenly. ”The charlatan has made his choice and has lied to me. Do you wish to rule in my name, as I build my kingdom in the wider world, or will you live under his thumb while you watch your kin be needlessly sacrificed for a non-existent curse? If you wish to be my voice, then order his execution now.”

If Tartuk tries to cast a spell or flee, Iorskan will attack. And sorry again to the party, who are probably wondering what all the hissing and clicking sounds mean. If Iorskan was wiser he’d have come up with a single word in Draconic which would tell the party to kill Tartuk...oh well...

...but the idea is to give the chief a chance...to be free of his oppressor. And to have his claim to power be completely legitimized, especially for when Iorskan wanders away. Hopefully that, with a good diplomacy roll, will get him to grow a spine.

Cool, it looks like we can get past all the draconic speaking in one day!

The chief notes how Tartuk has no skeletons with him, and also notes that he is surrounded and has no where to escape. "We should really should find Old Sharptooth when we're done," he says evenly. "If we killed Old Sharptooth, he couldn't curse is anymore."

There isn't any surprise, even those who can't speak draconic were paying attention and assumed some sort of diplomatic breakdown when the Chief and his guard rushed Tartuk with weapons drawn. The assorted unnamed kobolds (10 mounds, let's say three to a mound, and we have thirty kobolds that live outside the mine) will be fighting each other in the background, or else sitting this one out for plausible deniability. Actually, Zornesk, Poro, Yakpik, and Eadoo will join the background kobold melee as well, since I don't think they'll be able to contribute and I don't want to track their actions.

We'll do this theater of the mind style, since their isn't a grid drawn for the outside of the Warren. Kobolds all have light sensitivity ... wait a moment, they're nocturnal. It's all good, we'll say that they came out of their houses to see what the commotion was, and most weren't already awake. If you've got reach weapon, I'll assume you can position to a place where Tartuk doesn't have cover and then get an AOO every time he moves.

Tartuk reacts fastest and casts a spell, splitting into 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5 copies of himself.

Chief Sootscale runs out ahead of his guard, lashing out with his stone tipped shortspear freedom from oppressive rule!: 1d20 + 5 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 5 + 2 - 1 = 24 but does he hit?: 1d5 ⇒ 3

His spear goes right through the mirror image. "Each Tartuk is at one fifth strength!" the Chief concludes and screams aloud. "Kill them fast before they all start casting spells!"

Everyone can act, and then the guards will act, and then the Shaman and the Chief.[/ooc]

Looks like Abaos should have been before Sootscale, but otherwise the PCs are all in one block, so it's "our turn". Is that right? Edit: saw your edit.

Also, you rolled init for Mr. Blinky again. I assume you're just copy/pasting and forgetting to leave that one out...

Ozzy and Mr. Blinky charge forward in tandem to thin the herd of mirror images. (We should be down to 4 of them now. Mirror image rolls are second, some may have to rerolled as the number of them decreases. Alternatively, I would be happy to stipulate that each attack is aimed at a different Tartuk, so as to eliminate as many figments as possible.)

Longspear: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 2 = 131d4 ⇒ 31d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Bite: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 2 = 141d4 ⇒ 41d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Claw: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 3 + 2 = 251d4 ⇒ 21d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Claw (crit confirmation): 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 3 + 2 = 161d4 ⇒ 31d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Claw: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 3 + 2 = 231d4 ⇒ 31d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Some of those rolls could have been better, but since you still destroy one of the mirror image is you miss by 5 or less, I think they're probably all gone now...

Wait, 1d4+2 mirror images? That means his caster level is between 6 and 8? I might be dead... At least Mr. Blinky is in front of Ozzy...

AOO: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 2 = 13
Damage: 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Round 1, Draconic Weaponry

Bite: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 2 = 10
Damage: 1d4 + 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + (4) + 5 = 11

Claw: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 5 + 2 = 27
Damage: 1d4 + 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + (2) + 4 = 7

Claw: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 2 = 22
Damage: 1d4 + 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + (2) + 4 = 9

So...5 mirror images. 1 went pop from the chief. Depending on AC...Ozzy got at least 2 hits. I think that I’ve got 2 more hits. Hopefully we can wear down these defenses, and AOO him to death when he casts. Also, yay! Untrained diplomacy worked!

Gnashing his teeth, Iorskan growled, with wisps of flames coming from his mouth. It was hard to see which was the real traitor...so he roared and slashed and bit, going into a Draconic frenzy. It was time to eat!

Yup! One die four plus two! Don't say I didn't try to convince you to level up against the mites. :D
But he's a support caster with no one to support, and has no direct attack spells. So he won't hit you with a wall of d6s. I ran this fight in my head a few times before committing to it, I wouldn't set you up against an enemy you could neither beat nor escape. (And I'd like to not kill any PCs before you can afford to raise or reincarnate them.

Still round one.

Mr. Blinky tears apart two of the illusions.

It looks like Iorskan couldn't roll the percentile for his attacks since he didn't knew how many images were left. Two of his attacks had a chance of hitting.

possible crit: 1d2 ⇒ 2

And then the last attack is a hit.

Iorskan destroys the last illusion and, in the same flurry of motion, bloodies Tartuk ... except Tartuk doesn't seem particularly bloodied. In fact, despite Iorskan's white hot razor sharp talons raking right down his unarmored side, Tartuk doesn't seem injured at all.

"What bloodlust, for a metallic dragon," Tartuk chides. "So much aggression, so little skill. Isn't it somewhat sad that I'm a better sorcerer than you'll be in a hundred years? If gnomes lived as long as dragons, we'd rule the world."

Abaos is not pleased. On the one hand, he has no wish to attack and destroy this Tartuk- he could be a valuable ally, if the stories about him are true! On the other, Abaos has no idea how to communicate this feeling to the kobold. And, well, Tartuk did attack them first, unprovoked, besides whatever Iorskan was saying. So, with a heavy heart, he steps in to attack the Tartuks.

Melee Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 121d4 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Tartuk speaks common. In fact, he's taunting the party in the language right now.

The purple kobold parries Abaos's starknife with his sickle, despite Chief Sootscale and his guard trying to get the Shaman's attention ... by stabbing him. Tartuk stands in the middle of a ring of warriors, fending off attacks from every direction. It's inevitable that someone will slip past his admittedly expert guard now that his illusions have been dispelled, but it hasn't happened yet. I'm going to assume that with so many people attacking, everyone can find a flanking partner.

"Sloppy, human, just sloppy," the reptile taunts Abaos. "Put your heart in it or stop wasting my time!" He's already turned to face other threats, moving between every attack and dodging every blow not perfectly synchronized with another.

Awn's smile becomes pale as less than festive activity ensues. It appears this Tartuk must be a demon of some kind, though his screen of images is whittled away fairly quickly. Awn slashes with T'lass, flanking with Guthruc. His strike, while powerful is woefully off-target.

Shamanicide!!!: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 2 = 6 [+2 Str, +2 flank]
Nthk!!!: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12 [+3 THF]

Guthruc enters rage
whack-a-shaman: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
kill-a-shaman: 1d10 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

While tartuk was busy blocking everyone else's attacks, he unintentionally left an opening...for Guthruc. Guthruc proceeds to swing his club into tartuk's gut.
orc: "your magecraft is worthless against our forces. You are doomed to die!"

Round One

Guthruc expects to send his puny foe flying through the air. He's surprised to find that hitting the kobold is more like punching a good sized tree; it gives a little but not a lot. He's also surprised that the kobold, instead of making a crunchy sound, makes a sound like shattering glass as a web of dark energy surrounding the shaman briefly becomes visible before breaking under the weight of the club.

Chief Sootscale's personal guard attack with spears. Two are dodged or deflected, but one slips through while Tartuk is reeling from Guthruc's attack. The Shaman's magic does nothing to protect him, having exausted itself against the dragon and the orc.
1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 + 2 = 21 damage: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2
1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 2 = 5
1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 + 2 = 15

Round Two

Tartuk frowns. orc "You know, orc, you just might be right. Give me just a minute, and I'll be right back with you."

Tartuk begins casting a spell, which everyone moves to interrupt.
Concentration: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27
But Tartuk doesn't leave an opening to exploit, and completes the spell. He vanishes.

Chief Sootscale readies an action to attack once he has a target. draconic "He's invisible!" warns the kobold chieftain, who has seen this spell before.

"If a character tries to attack an invisible creature whose location he has pinpointed, he attacks normally, but the invisible creature still benefits from full concealment (and thus a 50% miss chance). A particularly large and slow invisible creature might get a smaller miss chance."

He is pinpointed, because he is completely surrounded and thus couldn't have moved through any of our squares.

Draconic"Hold ranks!" Common"Hold ranks!" Iorskan proceeded to continue attacking the space surrounded by kobolds, a dragon, an orc, a tree person, two humans...basically, the only place that he could think an invisible shaman could be.

Attacking the empty space, since he couldn't have moved...

Bite: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 5 + 2 = 24
Damage: 1d4 + 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (1) + (6) + 5 = 12
Miss chance: 1d2 ⇒ 1

Claw: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 2 = 21
Damage: 1d4 + 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + (6) + 4 = 11
Miss Chance: 1d2 ⇒ 2

Claw: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 2 = 17
Damage: 1d4 + 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + (3) + 4 = 11
Miss Chance: 1d2 ⇒ 2

So...hopefully a 17 hits and it was the 2 that hits instead of the 1. Either way, that should be some more damage. Perhaps I could have a re-roll for the one that missed? As I think that we have now done 30ish damage, and if this one attack didn't finish him then the other probably will.

When rolling a die to see if you hit in my games, rolling one is always a success. (Since the size of the die you need to roll can change (such as with constantly changing numbers of mirror image) but it always has a one on it.)

Tartuk swears loudly when Iorskan clamps down on him, proving to everyone that the shaman hasn't left. This time, Iorskan can taste the kobold's blood, as contrasted with his previous attack's no sell.

Ah, good to know. Now then, looking forward to seeing everyone tear the little git apart.