"Another day or so west" Thagis responds.
The travel through the rolling hill's hides the distance you travel and shows the somber beauty of the land.
You reach a small clearing with an outcropping of large boulders emerges from the weathered face of a nearby hillock. A narrow opening in the rock leads into darkness below. A fallen sign leans against the side of the cave entrance, and a cage made of branches and sticks sits on the other side.
Tulsino will dismount his horse and ensure all the gear he might need is equipped. Then he helps to wrangle all the horses into a safe spot.
Once everyone is ready, he goes and checks out the sign, making sure to take care to look for any signs of danger.
Garr'ak would dismount swiftly and help Tulsino secure the horses, however as Tulsino moved to check out the sign, Garr'ak would move to check out the cage.
As you approach the cave the cage appears to hold a pathetic sobbing blue creature. A soot-smeared kobold jumps out from behind a boulder brandishing a spear. "Halt! Who goes there!"
I am Tulsino Geraldino, and who might you be? Tulsino replies back calmly making no move to his weapons.
Garr'ak would turn towards the kobold and introduce himself. "I am Garr'ak and what is that?" he would ask while pointing at the sobbing blue creature.
"That is mite scum! What is your business here? Oh and I'm Nakpik." He seems terrified of you but appears to be attempting a brave front.
Garr'ak would continue to regard the Mite for a moment before fully turning to the Kobold and stating the purpose of their visit. "We are hear to talk to your chieftain. Go and see if he will see us."
Watching quietly, Taka keeps an eye on both of the two creatures, his hands gently grips the handle of his wakazashi.
We are not here for trouble, just a parlay.
Tulsino makes a reassuring gesture.
The kobold looks suspicious of you before shouting in Draconic down the cave entrance.
He turns to the group, "Two of you can enter the rest stay outside."
Two more kobolds trot out of the cave and take positions on either side of the original kobold.
Garr'ak would shift his view to take in his companions. "Who wishes to go? If it is preferrable, I will go."
"You are the defacto leader, per our orders, so I would prefer it. Shall we send Tulsino to be your guard?"
"If you are all comfortable with that, I have no issues with it. If so, I will leave Geoffrey out here in case if you need his aid."
Us two then.
Tulsino Bows to the Kobold.
Nakpik leads Garrak and Tulsino into the cave, the other to kobolds hold position to keep an eye on the others.
Tulsino bows graciously. Greetings, I am Tulsino Geraldino and this is Jack Dredgewood. He says motioning to himself then Garr'ak. We come to parlay information about the surrounding areas, and possibly rid you of bandit competition.
Garr'ak would turn his head to regard Tulsino as after he is introduced under a false name. Not wishing to cause a commotion right away, Garr'ak would turn his attention to the black kobold and nod his head in recognition of the kobold's status in his tribe.
The kobold chief stares at the two of you imperiously for a moment. "You are in luck I have need of warriors outside of my tribe and you seek allies in your claim to the surface areas yes?"
He leans forward in a predatory grin, several of his teeth capped or replaced with silver fangs.
Allies are always wanted. Please tell us what it is that you wish of us so that we might be friends.
Tulsino says with a great smile.
Garr'ak would stare at the Kobold. "So you wish to leave us the land above, while you conquer the land below?"
"Something like that Dredgewood, We of course would like to trade surface supplies for what we can produce below. I would prefer to spread the Sootscale influence far and wide, for too long have we been petty tribes scattering at the footsteps of other races. I seek alliance with those who would claim the land, my people can work the earth of it's riches faster than any dwarf, yet we cannot hold our trade without partners whose strength and authority deter those who would steal from us. I seek those who would capture the accursed shaman Tartuk and his idol, so that I might break my tribe of his curse. He has fled to the mite warren and has taken his foul statue with him."
Sounds like we seek the same thing then. I can see this being a very prosperous alliance.
"What does this idol look like? And what kind of curse does it hold over you?"
"The foul thing is shaped like a reptilian devil, he fooled the majority of my tribe into thinking it was a kobold deity. Then we discovered he was sacrificing followers for some sort of blood magic. He fled before we could capture him and provoked the mites into a war with us. He was able to use the statue to render us infertile, what's more we cannot go to other kobolds for help lest we spread the curse. If we cannot break the curse we will die out."
Outside the cave the sounds of shrill shrieks and yelling begins sounding over the hills, the kobolds on watch take guarding stances. One speaks, "Mites are coming defend yourselves as they make no distinction in their targets."
Stepping into the shadows, he hides, drawing his blade.
One of the Kobolds walk over to the cage and impales the mite before hiding behind a cleft in the rocks. The other slings out several delicate looking chains which appear to have a thin wire and several springs attached to them.
So it really would be in your best interest to assist us with our mission, and we would be able to assist you with yours. A Kobold army would be a strong ally indeed.
Tulsino says.
The Kobold Chieftan smiles again and throws you a small silver pendant of a claw clutching a lump of coal. "This will let my tribe know you are an ally of my people. They will not attack you.
The mites round the curve of the nearest hill a force of twenty as well a one mite riding a giant centipede.
Tulsino hands the pendant to "Jack". Thank you your excellency. Can you provide any information about the tribe of bandits which make their home in this region? Anything which we could use to expedite our missions would be most appreciated.
Garr'ak would take the amulet and loop it over his head without saying a word. Tulsino seemed apt at questioning the kobold leader and he found no reason to speak up at this point in time. However, he would if he felt something needed to be asked.
In the Cave,
"I know they've been around, I have an idea where they might be based if you return successful I will tell you."
Outside,
The Centipede rider narrowly dodges the arrow fired and slows his charge because of it, the other mites continue obliviously forward.
Several enter range but the kobolds motion for you to hold further fire until they draw closer. Seeing you have both pulled out ranged weapons they keep their spears and ready a flask each.
"And where can we find the mites?" Garr'ak would inquire simply.
Outside
The mites draw closer and they trigger the first of the wire traps.
The springs flings a wire into the air at roughly head height for the mites or thigh height for a human. The chain section, wraps around the first mite as the wire whips through the mites viciously.
The kobolds step out to draw attention and to guard your positions."You can shoot them now"
Inside
"You can find them in a massive sycamore tree north-northwest of here."
Them? What manner of creature holds power over you? The more information you can provide, the faster we can deal with it.
"A guide familiar with the terrain would help hasten our search for this sycamore."