”Rush forth! We can still get them before they escape! Let’s see that sap in action Sheridan!”
The cleric runs forward and attacks!
Not willing to give the enemy the opportunity to escape and regroup so easily the half-orc exchanges his weapon with the bow and aims at one of fleeing kobolds.
Sheridan shoots like a comet across the bank, hoping to club one of the kobolds over the skull.
”Huzzzah Sheridan!”
Combat over
Six kobolds. One dead. Five unconscious. You can successfully enter the kobold lair with your presence unknown.
What do you do?
"Okay, I'd say that wasn't too bad. Only one dead out of six. Shall we bind them up? I am not sure what we are going to do with them exactly, but I don't want them healed by the Shaman and back on us or running off."
The green and lavender scaled kobolds' breathing quickens. Their breaths are more shallow.
The opposite occurs in Orange and Blue. Their breaths are deeper, slower; more stable.
"We have sort of lost our ability to negotiate without Bookend. That one knew all the words." Sheridan returns to Sheaorlis' side, ready to advance into the cave, but wary of the tight quarters. "Without communication, we're just the murderous adventurers they were rallying for fear of..."
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As the half-orc raises his axe again to finish one of the fallen kobolds he paused letting Sheridan's words sink in. "There's no point wasting our time with these underlings. By the time we get them to their senses and extract from them anything, the whole nest might be on us. Let us move forward."
As the half-orc raises his axe again to finish one of the fallen kobolds he paused letting Sheridan's words sink in. "There's no point wasting our time with these underlings. By the time we get them to their senses and extract from them anything, the whole nest might be on us. Let us move forward."
Does Sheaorlis begin walking into an entrance?
The party enters the lair via the tunnel to their right. It's a tight fit. Most of you have to stoop a bit and it's barely more than five feet wide, so you're forced to go single file. Luckily, the majority of the party can see rather well in the darkness... which is good because as soon as you enter, the path bends slightly left, then slightly right, cutting off most of the natural light from outside. Stone is doing his best to avoid stepping on the Ifrit's heels.
Sheaorlis stops when he comes to a fork in the path.
What do you do?
Global Condition: Inside Cave: Attack Rolls -2 |Global Condition:
Sheridan HP: 7/14 - AC: 17/13/14 Status:
Stone HP: 12/18 - AC: 18/12/16 Status:
Yantri HP: 22/22 - AC: 17/14/13 Status:
Sheaorilis HP: 14/14 - AC: 16/12/14 Status:NPCS:
"Left would likely rejoin with the path we didn't take at the last fork. Let's go Right."
Parts of both paths have straw scattered and strewn about on the ground. The path leading to the right seems to have a fair amount more, creating thick patches in places. The right-hand wall of the path ends about 15 or 20 feet in while the left-hand wall (of the right-hand path) continues on.
You can actually see some light coming from the path leading to the left. Yellow light that dances on the tunnel walls creating ever-shifting shadows.
The Cleric has been sitting with his arms crossed.
"Look. I was afraid this was going to happen. We have to make up our minds what we are doing here. This tribe is attacking and kidnapping, possibly even eating villagers."
"I have tried to keep my mouth shut and let there be an attempt at parley, now we have combatants on the ground and we can't leave them here as it is leaving knives at our back."
"So, it seems we will have to split our party."
"Inquisitor, these beings are now prisoners under jurisdiction of the Lady we serve. They should be rendered to her for due process or might be held for prisoner exchange."
"You can't take them alone. I have experience underground and Sheridan can be my eyes and his faint glow helps me see. He and I can proceed and maybe get more intelligence while we have surprise."
"Why don't you and Yantri take the prisoners back to the Lady and rejoin us as soon as possible?"
"Does that sound like a plan?"
the cleric tries to stretch his ears.
"Don't worry cleric of the General, they will not escape judgement yet I feel that their masters bare more of the blame. We'll verify this if we get the chance to meet them in this caverns. I have given my word that order will be restored once again in this area and I'm not going to return to the lady bearing just a couple of half dead kobolds."
He nods at Sheridan's suggestion and continues crawling through the right path. "Though these caverns favour our enemies much more than us my senses are still as sharp here as they are on the outside. We should speak more hushed these creatures have good hearing, and any echo in the common tongue would certainly raise the alarm."
”Agreed. Let’s go right.”
Sheaorlis' eyes easily spot the covered pit trap in the middle of the hallway. A small alcove to the south is strewn with small limestone boulders and debris, which would likely roll into the pit as well, onto anyone unfortunate enough to fall in. Sheaorlis also sees that walking along the edge, on top of the rubble, would most likely not trigger the trap.
What do you do?
Global Condition: Inside Cave: Attack Rolls -2 |Global Condition:
Sheridan HP: 7/14 - AC: 17/13/14 Status:
Stone HP: 12/18 - AC: 18/12/16 Status:
Yantri HP: 22/22 - AC: 17/14/13 Status:
Sheaorilis HP: 14/14 - AC: 16/12/14 Status:NPCS:
Once located, Sheridan takes his time crossing the narrow edge. Once across he turns to the others and points ahead with a question in his eyes.
"Be wary of the nasty things ahead. It seems our little friends were expecting company. This would complicate things if we have to make a hasty retreat. Sheaorlis said, pointing to the trap and stepping carefully on the rubble which seemed to provide the best stability.
The cleric was about to suggest the group go the other way, but when the inquisitor shimmied across he couldn’t lose face. Offering a prayer of Guidence, he set out upon the same path the others had taken murmuring a prayer as he went.
”See that he steadies my mind as easily as he flies upon golden wings, see that my feet as as sure as his heart . . . “
Everyone gets through easily enough, even Stone whose eyes are barely adjusting to the dark. The power of prayer at work.
A mound of what appears to be rotten vegetables, fruit, and excrement sits heaped in the middle of the room beyond the trapped hallway. A bulging leather sack rests atop the mound of garbage. To the right is a stout wooden gate that is securely latched. Another tunnel exits this room to the immediate south. There seems to be two more exits, or perhaps alcoves lying to the north.
You heard faint scuffing or shuffling sounds coming from one of the alcoves.
What do you do?
Global Condition: Inside Cave: Attack Rolls -2 |Global Condition:
Sheridan HP: 7/14 - AC: 17/13/14 Status:
Stone HP: 12/18 - AC: 18/12/16 Status:
Yantri HP: 22/22 - AC: 17/14/13 Status:
Sheaorilis HP: 14/14 - AC: 16/12/14 Status:NPCS:
The cleric casts lighton a copper in his left hand so that he can control the amount of light that comes out.
While the others look about, he then casts Detect Magic and looks for auras.
Sheridan points toward an alcove and cups his ear, then points to himself and makes an angry face and curls his fingers like claws, miming a roar.
Unless he's stopped, he slowly approaches the center of the room and lets out a low, dual tone note from deep in his throat, climbing to an unnatural roar. His skin cracks with heat, and his hair wreaths his face like a smouldering mane.
The inquisitor is left stunned by Sheridan's burst reaction and looks at Stone for confirmation that everything is normal. He relaxes a little once he notices that the ifrit isn't doing anything more than roaring but couldn't stop himself from shaking his head disapprovingly.
"And there goes our last chance of sneaking in unnoticed. I guess there's no point crying over spilled milk."
He half-orc takes position next to the roaring companion gripping his axe tightly and waiting for whatever is in the room to come charging at them.
Approaching the center of the room, you look left and see a single forlorn kobold sitting in the middle alcove, her arms, legs, and snout tightly bound with rope and her body lashed to iron spikes driven into the cave wall. She sees you and looks terrified but is also wiggling her snout around, trying to communicate.
What do you do?
Global Condition: Inside Cave: Attack Rolls -2 |Global Condition:
Sheridan HP: 7/14 - AC: 17/13/14 Status:
Stone HP: 12/18 - AC: 18/12/16 Status:
Yantri HP: 22/22 - AC: 17/14/13 Status:
Sheaorilis HP: 14/14 - AC: 16/12/14 Status:NPCS:
Sheaorlis's eyes became wide when instead of the dozens of charging kobolds he noticed the bound creature. He let his guard down and started chanting what seemed to be the words for a spell. Not being able to focus on casting with all the ruckus made by the ifrit he smacked him over the head accidentally discharging the spell he was about to cast on the bound creature.
"Will you cut that out, before we alert the whole lair? Now, look what you've made me do."
Getting closer to the kobold he checks the way it has been bound, and if something would be triggered if the rope would have been cut. Once he concluded his inspection, he seems to clean the dust in his eyes staring at the creature wordlessly.
Sheridan stops short, and waits for instructions.
”Perhaps this will be an unforeseen opportunity to get some intel.”
The cleric waits to see what the Inquisitor has planned.
This bound kobold doesn't appear to be a trap to you. Nothing seems like it would be triggered if you were to cut it free.
Also, you do not detect evil in this creature.
The bound reptile continues to wriggle her snout about. She makes muffled mumbles as she tries to speak but can't.
”What do you see Inquisitor? I see no magic at work here.”
"It seems a misdeed has been done here." The inquisitor said to his companions before addressing the kobold.
"Listen here. I'm going to untie you, but if I see any signs of aggression or hear any shouts I'm going to throw you to the ifrit."
He slowly and carefully begins to loosen up the ropes.
”Humm, perhaps I spoke too soon . . . There is an aura from this sack. I will check it out while you speak to the bound kobold.”
The cleric checks it out.
Hearing that, the half-orc hastened in ungagging the tied kobold and eyeing him suspiciously:
"Is this supposed to be a trap? Hitting us from behind while we're distracted?"
"Stone, be on guard."
The cleric smiles.
”I am always on guard Inquisitor.”
”I suppose I should have had Sheridan check this bag first, but I am already in it and I assume any danger will be more of the Arcane kind.”
Sheaorlis unties the bound kobold's snout. She gratefully says thank you and immediately speaks, in common,
"Hey! You look like you're changing things 'round here! I've suffered enough at Chief Roaghaz's stupid whims. I'll help you!"
In response to the Inquisitor's follow-up question, she replies, "Trap? No, that rubbish is for the tribe to throw at me, for entertainment. That's my satchel, which Chief Roaghaz placed within my sight but not my reach, just to taunt me!"
3 vials of liquid, likely potions.
- Two of them are the same color and you recognize them as potions of CLW.
- The other vial looked empty at first, but you then noticed that the liquid was almost clear, but seemed to contain a substance thicker than water.
2 wands
a set of kobold-sized leather armor
”Hummm. Three healing potions, one I haven’t identified yet, two wands and a set of armor. . . And you speak common. I am thinking you a kobold of some learning. What is your name and propper, if currently disrespected, role in this tribe?”
The cleric asks with obvious interest?
Seeing that it poses no threat, Sheorlis finishes untying the kobold then helps him to his feet. "Quite uncommon. You seem to be familiar with the leader of the group, yet you seem to be pinned here for the amusement of the tribe.
Are you by any chance an outcast by any chance? What is the safest route to Roaghaz chamber?"
The kobold allows the half-orc to finish untying her and helping her to her feet. She replies,
"Thank you, for freeing me. Name's Nighttail. And I ain't got a proper role in this tribe...though it should be as chief. I was the sole survivor from a distant tribe that was wiped out by a group of heartless, murdering gnomes. I traveled and came upon the Blood Vow tribe a year ago, and they were kind enough to let me in. In the past year, however, I've come to realize the Blood Vows are a bunch of spineless cowards who'll just do whatever their idiot chieftain Roaghaz says. I was trying to wrest leadership of the tribe from that sorcerer and my subversive talk earned me this treatment. 'Entertainment' is the exact word. Passing Blood Vows have been throwing all that garbage at me...and once the chief tires of this...my life is forfeit."
The inquisitor's eyes narrow: "So you say you could be a pretender for the tribe's leadership. And you still care for the well being of the tribe even though they've put you through this?
Well, Stone, looks like a bloodbath might be avoided if Nighttail is willing to work with us. Here's what I suggest: we could help you take down Roaghaz, let you take all the credit for it as well as for scarring of the 'invaders'. This would strengthen, if not fully ensure your claim as chief of the Blood Vows. In exchange, you'll get the chance to move the tribe out of this dangerous place, much further away. We would also require assistance with getting safely to the chieftain as to avoid any unnecessary casualties."
He first looks at Stone, then at Sheridan then lastly down at the kobold.
"What say you?"
"The crime is not theirs, but the chieftain's! I expressed to him my grave reservations about getting involved with that wizard. 'Live and let live!' That's my motto. These chains were my reward.
What say I? I say, 'Sounds great!' I'll need my things, of course. Oh, I should mention, before I go anywhere, a friend of mine was also chained up. She's behind that gate. We gotta free her first."
She then moves towards the tunnel blocked with a gate.
"It's best if she sees me first. You might frighten her."
Global Condition: Inside Cave: Attack Rolls -2 |Global Condition:
Sheridan HP: 7/14 - AC: 17/13/14 Status:
Stone HP: 12/18 - AC: 18/12/16 Status:
Sheaorilis HP: 14/14 - AC: 16/12/14 Status:NPCs:
Nighttail the Glib (Ally) hp: ? AC: ?
The cleric is skeptical but shrugs his shoulders.
”We will be keeping the potions and wands, for now, but I will entertain what the Inquisitor has proposed. Additionally, I think you should tell us about what you know of the wizard you just spoke of before we take any further action. . . “
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Sheaorlis followed the kobold then stopped suddenly when being reminded of the wizard, looking inquiringly at the kobold, making no attempt to protest at the seizing of the magical items.
"Is he the cause of all the odd behaviour of this tribe lately?"
Nighttail speaks as she opens unlatches the gate
"Know? Nothing much at all. Like I said, when the chieftain informed us of his plan to get involved with that human, I was against it. I held no desire to double-cross a wizard! It was just another idiotic decision made by an idiotic leader. Ugh! So I stealthily spread the word, trying to undo his leadership, but he caught wind of it."
With effort, she finishes unlatching the gate. The tunnel beyond has a ceiling that slopes up, reaching nearly twelve feet.
"We gotta make sure Hak is okay. You help me defeat Roaghaz, I lead the Blood Vow tribe away from here, never to mess with those humans again. And any treasure you find on the way is yours to keep. Okieday?"