"Well they did move, on seeing to their own path." Xanda replies to Branomonrik. "Should we move closer so as to help if they need it? But not get under their foot, maybe?" Xnada suggests.
"A tree that size is not dead. Dead trees that size do not stay upright for long. Also the surrounding area would be more full. That tree is still taking its fill of nourishment from the land. Their fire will only scorch some wood. Any fire that would set that tree to blaze would be big enough to clear the entire landscape."
The wood gathered from one of the small trees is just about enough to make a thin ring of firewood around the massive trunk, which is about 7ft. in diameter.
Setting that little wood (in comparison) ablaze wouldn't really harm the tree.
--
Some 140ft. away from the two loners, the other team looks down from one of the hilltops, discussing the situation.
Kardok speaks up again, asking why the team waits here, why not start into the Mite's lair now.
"The Mites normally have a small group patrouling the surroundings. The rest of them is probably in the lair though. They shy the light and only go out if they need to."
Nope, Big Ern lights the wood on fire anyways, 'cause he's stubborn.
:-)
He'll keep gathering more firewood too, though.
Idrian finds a good place to set Lómion to graze. He removes the saddle from the horse and piles it along with his other equipment nearby before going to the tree.
Xanda follows Queslin's example. Gets off her horse, helps Kardok down, and then sees to the comfort of her horse. Before settling her gear and following along after Queslin.
Michael looks at the others dismounting and follows suit, some what reluctantly. Dragging his feet so as not to have to converse with the two any sooner than is necessary.
Kardok looks around at the people dismounting, acting much like they would be setting up camp anytime soon.
He looks to Xanda questioningly, but doesn't break the silence that's hanging in the air.
Staying behind Xanda he follows her down the hill, looking at the other two chopping wood and setting it on fire around the massive trunk of the sycamore.
In his tongue he asks Xanda: "Are we going in now? Do I get a weapon?
Is there ... a plan? Why does Michael not take control of the situation?"
Xanda smiles, though she does not immediately translate the Kobold's words. She replies to him in Draconic.
Queslin goes up to Agerron. "I'm going into the mite lair. I've never had to fight in tunnels before and it would be good to have you by my side. Or you could keep building your campfire." Unless Agerron stops him, Queslin will then go over to the kobold and Xanda. "Have him show us the entrance, then, if it's ok with the others, he can have his weapon back. I'll go in first to make sure this is not a trick."
A Queslin's words, Xanda smiles and turns to Kardok even as she takes out and hands the short spear over to the Kobold,
"Good day to you. Success with your task!" She says.
At the appearance of the others, Agerron's face flushes red with rage. "WHY ARE YOU HERE??! You are following us! We agreed to go our separate ways, and now you insist on cutting into our plans! What happened with forging your 'truce' with the kobolds? Why do you now interfere?"
"We did not follow you. We had a guide" Queslin points to the kobold. "It turns out that they are at war with the mites over some sacred relic or something. We plan to kill the mites, retrieve the 'great idol' and use the situation to our advantage when 'negotiating' with the kobold chief. Agerron, we did go our separate ways. It's just that those ways ran parallel this time. Once this is over, we will be on our way to the kobold camp and you two can go wherever you wish."
Xanda walks up closer to the two men before she speaks.
"Shouting is a bad way to sneak up on an enemy." She says then nods indicating back to Queslin. "Queslin has the right of it. In talking to Kardok we learned new things." She tilts her head, puzzled by something.
"So far we just talk? How is that in the way of what you do?" She asks, looking to Agerron and Ern and also around at the place that every one has come to. Raising a hand to shield her eyes from the day's sun.
Xanda walks up closer to the two men before she speaks.
"Shouting is a bad way to sneak up on an enemy." She says then nods indicating back to Queslin. "Queslin has the right of it. In talking to Kardok we learned new things." She tilts her head, puzzled by something.
"So far we just talk? How is that in the way of what you do?" She asks, looking to Agerron and Ern and also around at the place that every one has come to. Raising a hand to shield her eyes from the day's sun.
Agerron glares at Xanda. "So, the wench decides to speak in a language I can understand, finally. I don't know you at all, but I perhaps like you least. Well, second least, anyway," he says, glaring at Michael.
"When first we met, you go out of your way to insult me. Do you think you are better than me, being able to speak more tongues than a 'lowly' barbarian? You feel superior speaking your language, even after realizing I could not? And even though you clearly could speak to me, if you desired? Bah. Stupid as I am, let's just pretend I still can't understand you. Your words are gibberish to me."
"And in case you had a hard time figuring it out by the lit firewood piled around the tree, we're not all that concerned about 'sneaking'. If the mites haven't heard us chopping and piling by now, I have to wonder how they became any sort of a threat out here. Of course, we did take care of their sentries."
Ignoring Xanda's interruption and Agerron's response, Queslin continues on, "Agerron, there's still my question, can we work together in taking on the mites?"
"Let me get this straight -- you didn't follow us, you just happened to decide to go off and fight mites after we said we were going off to fight the mites? Pull my middle leg, Leafy Joe, it's got bells on it!"
Kardok looks around the people, obviously not understanding much of what is discussed. He takes the spear from Xanda, showing her his best of smiles, sharp teeth glistening from ear to ear.
Regarding her request to show the entrance, Kardok looks at the gnarled roots of the big old sycamore for a second, turning his head left and right a bit, then walks about a qarter of a circle around the tree and points at one large root.
"The way into the lair starts there."
Under the root he points at is not much more than a hole in the ground, or so it seems. It is pretty small, but small folk like Mites, Kobolds and Gnomes should not have problems going through. Humans, Elves and the like though are hard pressed to fit through.
Xanda steps away from the angry human and the strange human with bells on their.......*shakes head* and stands near Kardok. Covering the Kobold in case something rises from the depths of the hole.
"Kardok says this..." She points at the hole in the ground, "Is the way the Mites come and go..."
"That's going to be a tight fit. Makes me wish I'd brought a spear." Queslin unstraps his greatsword and sets it down. He takes his mace in his hand and makes his way down the hole. This is not the smartest thing I've ever done., he thinks to himself.
Under the root he points at is not much more than a hole in the ground, or so it seems. It is pretty small, but small folk like Mites, Kobolds and Gnomes should not have problems going through. Humans, Elves and the like though are hard pressed to fit through.
Branomonrik dismounts from his horse and unsaddles the best while watching the elf and the two barbarians argue like children. Loudly , in the oh so quite woods. "Team up with some stranger" he says to himself "bring civilization to the wilderness, do Adabars good work" He rolls his eyes to the Havens "Vaultkeeper give me strength" he says as he grabs his cross bow and heads toward the others
"Michal, you coming? The gods know that bunch needs someone with a level head" Not for the first time this trip he is reminded just how much work his companions need. "Rough around the edges, that's Adabars truth all right" he says under his breath as he heads toward the hole.
Xanda only nods to/at/under Agerron's tirade.
"I ask Queslin later to explain what you said. You talk too fast for me to hold all the words." Then she turns and walks over to where Queslin is preparing to go 'spelunking'down into the Mite hole.
"Are you sure you want do that yet?" She asks.
Climbing into the hole in the ground, just below the thick root of the old tree, Queslin comes into a root-lined shaft that drops 10ft. down into some sort of tunnel that extends east and west of the shaft.
The tunnel is close to 5ft. in height, and most of the upper foot of that is a tangle of roots.
On the walls, grounds and the ceiling, bugs and ants, worms and spiders and other sorts of vermins crawl pretty much all over each other, though none of those seem to be a threat.
The tunnels aren't lit and only very few light from the sky above comes down the narrow shaft, making it hard even for the elf's eyes to see much, but it seems the tunnels to both sides are only some foot long before they drop again.
Besides the vermins on the walls and their noise though it is eerily quiet down here.
"Want me to take the lead?" Majet suggests
Looking at the hole Queslin has disappeared into and then looking to the Gnome Xanda smiles, takes a step back and indicates to wards the gap.
"That would be a good idea, yes?" She says to Majet.
"You want to crawl in there? That's a dumb idea. I'd rather wait for 'em to pop their heads out; then we can smash 'em with plenty of elbow room," Big Ern opines.
Queslin does not like the idea of Majet taking the lead. It is the most dangerous position to be in. However, he finds that he must admit it would be best if someone smaller than himself take point. "Ok, Majet. Take the lead. We'll have the kobold behind you and I'll be behind him."
Michael ties off the horses to one of the other trees, checks around to make sure there is not a second entrance that the mights could sneak out of while the party is not topside and then follows the others in silence, only slightly shaking his head at the tirade from the barbarian who seems to want to try and provoke a fight at every opportunity. He joins the others in to the cramped tunnels, shielding his eyes from the flames as he approaches the entrance. Just before he enters he turns to the other two, "If you want to sate your thirst for violence, then you may want to head down these tunnels. For unless I am mistaken, your fire will accomplish little, the smoke will rise upwards, the mites will wait you out and the fire will be a nice beacon for any other prowling predators who want to see what is burning. We meanwhile must head in, because we need the idol that the mites have." he does not wait for an answer, suspecting it will neither be pleasant or agreeable.
Big Ern looks at Michael in disgust. "Why are you even here? You don't do anything useful. You don't say anything useful. You're not entertaining. So go home already."
Agerron barges his way past Michael, commenting as he does, "We were here first, and taking care of the mites was our idea. The idol will be ours, and we will do with it what we will. It was me and Ern who took care of the mites' scouts and one of their centipedes that allowed you to arrive unmolested. The spoils belong to us."
Agerron sheathes his sword as he walks, and takes out his spear. He follows right after Queslin (or before, if Queslin came back out; his last post makes that unclear) and calls back to Ern, "I know this isn't the smartest play, taking on the mites in their home territory rather than draw them out, but my hand was forced. I welcome you to come, friend, but understand fully if you don't."
Branomanrik shakes his head at the Barbarian. "If you would like the spoils we can wait out here while you clear out this nest alone if you like? Besides the idol is useless to you, it isn't likely gold, not a weapon for you to smash things with and he can't eat it" He says nodding toward Ern
With that he fallows Michal and the elf down the hole.
Xanda will step back, allowing Ern and Agerron to go down into the tunnel before her if they wish.
Ern slaps Agerron on the shoulder. "For you, buddy? I'll do it. I still think it's dumb, though."
He follows Agerron into the hole, squeezing his great bulk through.
I'd have stayed down there and poked my head up. I'll move aside to let Agerron and Ern pass.
Xanda will graciously let Big Ern and Agerron go where ever they will.
When she too is down amongst the roots and rot, she will glance around peering into the gloom. Simply stretching her hand forth she calls upon the power of her blood.
"Is this better?" She asks as the glowing orbs bob and dance about.
I'd have stayed down there and poked my head up. I'll move aside to let Agerron and Ern pass.
There's no way in hell that Big Ern is going first. It's not his idea! He'll guard the rear.
I'll be in the tunnel near the drop down.
Big Ern will stick near the entrance (S, I guess?).
Now, with lights below ground and in the tunnel, you make out that the ends of it turn into slopes that descend and twist.
You still haven't heard anything besides the skiddering of vermin bodies and the clanking of the your own armors.
Agerron suddenly holds his hand up and addresses the group, but quietly. THe earlier rage seems to have gone, and he looks more like a military soldier assessing a battlefield. "Entering their home turf blind to fight these things is foolish and stupid. However, if we're going to do it, let's do it as smart as we can.
"The front line should be two abreast, with both able to withstand an ambush and at least one able to see well, since creatures like this are likely to use traps. Kobolds do that, and I suspect mites will too. I suggest the elf and I stay in front.
"Behind us should be two more capable warriors, in case the front line falls. I suggest Ern and Michael. After them should be the kobold ... I just don't trust him in front or behind. After that should be ranged fighters or spellcasters, so the two women would be ideal. Finally, the rear should be a spellcaster again, but a sturdy one as attacks can come from the rear. The cleric is suited for that role, I think.
"Another note: they use centipedes as mounts, so beware of their poison fangs. And they seem to have a magical ability to cause dread or fear as well, so you need to be on your guard."
With a soft sigh Xanda wriggles down into the hole after the others .
"Naw, I think I'll stay in the rear. I suspect that a whole mess o' mites are going to come screaming along to take us from behind. Of course, some people like that, am I right?" He nudges Xanda flirtatiously. "Say, didn't I tell you to wait for me at Oleg's place? And where are all your girlfriends?"
At Ern's words Xanda nods and smiles...not quite sure what the hefty man means. With no real space to move, she takes Erns 'physicality' with good grace.
"I not sure what you mean." With a negative shake of her head she replies, "I have not met this Oleg." She finishes quietly, aware of the closeness of the walls and the groups attempt at approaching the Mites with caution.
Big Ern starts in mock-surprise. He responds: