Dragon's Demand (Inactive)

Game Master R D

Ethendril nods as Lady Devy explains the town's situation.

"I have dealt with kobolds several times in the past. They can be dangerous, though we have also had peaceful dealings with them. I, for one, will help. The kobolds have gone to great lengths to kill this wizard. He also had a dark side to him. I would uncover this mystery," he says.

Nodding to Ethandril in agreement Harlis adds while fishing an apple from the depleted supplies of his pack. "After the opportunity to rest and recover of course. Is there an inn with suitable stable here?"

He then turns to find Daylight, his pony with the treat.

What is the total of things we returned with and are keeping versus handing back to the mayor?

Another question I had...I think we already checked, but when we brought the wizard's body up here, it didn't have any gear, notes, equipment, etc.? Just the corpse in a robe?

Hotspur nods in agreement with her friends.

Hey guys, I'm back. Glad to see I didn't miss much apart from exposition that I've just finished reading. Am up to speed now.

Wayreth nods.

"Some rest would be welcome, but after that, I wouldn't mind seeing what these kobolds are up to."

"Especially when there's a substantial reward in store."

Talia Orem, the young proprietor of the Wise Piper Inn, offers the party free room and board for a few days. "Thank you for helping our town."

Talia brngs you to the inn's common room where you are seated at a long
table, and offered a free meal of fresh bread with cheese and honey, washed down by mead.

1d12 ⇒ 8

The townsfolk greet you happily. You also hear snatches of a few rumors as they gossip openly:

"The kobolds have always been trouble, but they’re worse lately. I think they're preparing for war!"

"That wizard Hunclay always spooked me. I heard he worships devils and collects evil books!"

"The monks who lived in the old monastery didn’t vanish—they just wandered into Dragonfen and died in some vile ritual. They're out there still, haunting the fen! "

"Found some strange footprints in my yard a week ago. Thought they were large wolf prints, but they can’t be, 'cause I spotted several on my roof as well!"

"I've seen the strangest things on my hunting trips along Dragonfen’s borders, including huge hairy men who howl like wolves and stand nearly ten feet tall!"

After the group has rested and recuperated for a few days, Ethendril begins to get anxious to set out.

He discusses with his companions the rumors they have heard.

"What could all of this mean? It seems we have several potential threats. Obviously, the kobolds. What is causing them to prepare for war, and what caused them to want to kill that wizard? He had a dark side, that is sure. These monks that disappeared...could they be haunting the Dragonfen, or displacing the kobolds? And these other rumors sound like stories my father told me of lycanthropes...shapeshifters. Perhaps we should prepare ourselves for that possibility."

Can we buy silver weapons in town?

A few days is a bit long. Do you really want to take that much time?

Yes, you can buy silver weapons.

Oh, sorry...I was not, but you had said we were offered room and board for a few days, so I was thinking you had "hand waved" a couple days by. I'm happy to rest for the night and leave in the morning.

My bad if I was ambiguous.

You have room and board enough for a few days. Just in case anything should happen and you might need to investigate other matters further. ;-P

Prior to the first nights rest after leaving the wizards lair Harlis will use his last channel for healing.

Channel: 1d3 ⇒ 2

So we have 100gp each effectively? Is there a place in town where we would be able to purchase level 1 cleric scrolls?

Yep!

"From the sounds a patrol of this area might be wise to see what is actually around. Sometimes rumors and bar descriptions are quite different than reality."

Harlis will go looking to buy a scroll of Cure Light Wounds, scroll of Air Bubble and a Holy Water. Also restocking his pack and supplies.

Does the haunt that Harlis fed before still need to be layed to rest somehow? He would probably make a point to visit back to do so if he can work out how.

You can inform the baroness and she will take care of it.

I think I'll buy a silvered morning star before we leave, as well as a healing potion.

Anyone else? Going once, going twice...

I'll buy some silver ammo cartridges.

The mithril daggers that we found count as silver weapons. I'll hang on to one of those.

If we have money enough for, and they exist, I'd like a silver crossbow bolt or three. Otherwise I'll have to rely on my fire and acid attacks.

Sure, you can buy silver weapons.

Where to from here? Talking to folks in town or straight to the kobolds?

Kobolds it is! :-)

You follow the directions your're given. You come upon a flooded quarry. It looks like, to the side of the quarry, there are a few tunnels leading into the walls.

The approach to the tunnels leaves a lot to be desired. There's no cover, and you'd have to head to it either (1) in a single file or (2) swimming.

Harlis reins up Daylight looking at everyone else at almost eye level now he is mounted. "Well, it looks like the kobolds would be hard to root out by martial means. Should we perhaps try parlay with them to see if we can find the cause of these issues? We have found one already who was amenable to talking and their previous argument seems to have been with the wizard who was in league with deeper evils than these."

Daylight wuffs a sigh and looks to Harlis looking for further apple snacks.

Daylight, being a very smart mount reined up near an young apple tree. Though apples aren't in season right now, there's one ripe, succulent sweet fruit just ready to fall. If only he could take one... small... step to the left... :-)

Hotspur examines the area for alternate routes and other tasty apples...

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

"Hey, did you ever notice how many little hairs you have on the back of your hand?"
Hotspur is apparently easily distracted.

Ethendril considers the situation carefully.

"In my past dealings with kobolds, I have only found them amenable to parlay after being defeated in combat. However, we can certainly try. I will take point if we want to go through single-file," he offers.

Hotspur follows the Paladin in the single-file approach.

"My mother always warned me about terrain like this... or maybe that was Sun Tzu. I'm sure somebody had some thoughts on it."

Marching order?

Wayreth will go alongside/just behind Hotspur, stealthily if he can.

Reaching over to pick the lone apple, passing it to Daylight without even noticing what he is doing it Harlis says. "Well, most of us prefer not to engage in melee, but if we are kept to a single line then perhaps we should have one such person at each end. Ethendril at the front and myself at the back?"

OK. Ethendril, Hotspur, Wayreth, Agnes, Harlis. Done!

Unfortunately, Wayreth, there's nowhere to hide along the path to the cave/tunnel mouth. Unless you swim in the flooded quarry.

The party approaches and can feel many eyes upon them.

Ethendril, feeling exposed and watched, concentrates to detect evil presences ahead.

I'd like to keep detect evil active as we move along slowly.

perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Hotspur whistles quietly to herself.

A fifty-foot-wide strip of shore stretches between the water's edge and the forty-foot-high quarry wall. Several larger boulders stand against the middle of the quarry wall.

Ethendril can see four kobolds in the area of the boulders.

Harlis looks around as he rides along behind, paying attention behind and above in case of something set to fall upon them.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

Ethendril approaches, taking care not to appear hostile but also ready for incoming missile attacks. Or traps.

"We seek to speak with your leader! We have met Sesserak from your tribe. I believe we can resolve things peacefully!"

diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

As Ethendril draws the attention of the kobolds to himself, Wayreth looks around for a place he can take cover behind without the kobolds noticing.

stealth: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21

The kobolds seem distrustful. Sesserak did say that they protect their borders.

Harlis approaches to behind Ethrendil carefully guiding Daylight forward. "The wizard is gone, but there is the matter of borders. Surely this is a thing to which your Chief, Roaghaz, would wish to speak." He entreaties seeing if claiming things of importance sway the guards.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

Harlis can tell, these kobolds are afraid. It is unclear whether their fear is of you, of Roaghaz, or of something else. But it looks like negotiations are about to fail.

Two more kobolds pop-up from behind the boulders. All the kobolds have weapons at the ready.

Initiatives:
Kobolds: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Agnes: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Ethendril: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Harlis: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
Hotspur: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Wayreth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Agnes and Harlis are up first!

Mechanically, the boulders act like parapets on walls. The kobolds will enjoy the benefits of cover.

New map: Kobold Lair

Standing up in the saddle Harlis guides Daylight forward with his knees to stand in front of Ethendril towards the kobolds making himself the forward target behind which others would have some cover. Holding up his shield he calls over it. "Hold and cease! We come here with parlay! You wish to rouse a response from your neighbors with such acts?!"

diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Guiding with knees is DC5 which Harlis cannot fail. With a Total Defense Harlis' AC is 23

"Chief was right! You come in retribution for the collapsed tower!"

Looks like Harlis still up, then incoming kobolds!

Sorted Initiatives:
Agnes: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Harlis: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
Kobolds: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Wayreth: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Hotspur: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Ethendril: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Giving Agnes a chance to act and Harlis a chance to react to the kobolds. Speaking is a free action...

Is there anything near them that I could use to cast Spark? If so, I'd like to say quietly to my companions...

Avert your eyes.

If there is nothing to catch fire to, she'll delay.

As a note mounts go on the same initiative as the rider, so Harlis did.
Daylight move to directly in front to provide cover to the front of the party.
Harlis does a Total Defense action while speaking,

Harlis calls out in response "No! Discussion not retribution! "

Is there anything near them that I could use to cast Spark? If so, I'd like to say quietly to my companions...

Avert your eyes.

If there is nothing to catch fire to, she'll delay.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Not that she can see. This used to be a rock quarry. Do you wish to assist Harlis?

Going once... going twice...

Oh, sorry. I looked at it yesterday, sure I'll assist Harlis.

Give us a minute!
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

LOL! That'll do.

Perhaps it's the tribal split / dissatisfaction that Sesserak alluded to, but these kobolds don't seem to want to fight you. However, they're also not very happy that you're at their doorstep.

For the time being, they seem willing to listen...

Unless things go really bad, you've essentially avoided combat with some very high rolling diplomacy! Nice job! :-) You're not out of the metaphorical woods though. While these kobolds don't want to fight you, letting you into their home is a whole other thing...

Yay Harlis and his diplomacy skill!