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Atronia bows to the king and queen. "Thank you for extending your welcome, your majesties. We come seeking help, as my friend may have told you in this beautiful tongue I sadly know nothing of."
She turns more directly to the queen and adresses her with a mix of decorum and emotion showing through. "As I'm sure you know, your majesty, there is very little use in dealing diplomatically with white dragons. If they are causing trouble, they are likely already upset or hungry for something and they probably will not back down. With all due respect, as I'm sure you are only trying to consider all possible options and to decide what is best for your people, I think we must fight this threat head on, and we must be decisive in our actions. We can allow no weakness to show in front of these creatures, not even virtue that they could mistake as such. There are enemies against which you must show no mercy if they are to ever understand and stand down. Such are white dragons."
She then turns to the king, adopting a slightly more ominous tone, "As for you, I understand I do not have to convince you that this is a threat that needs to be fought head-on, but I beseech you not to underestimate it. We ask that you help us in any way you can, that we join our forces, because the dragons pose a very real threat. Queen Quiselle is right in worrying about the possible pay-back. Dragons are powerful creatures, and there are many of them. If we underestimate them, and go our separate ways, they may very well crush our group and come here to destroy and enslave your people and all that you protect. We must join forces in the coming battle."
Once she is done talking, Atronia takes a step back and holds a fist to her heart, with a posture that shows her pride and confidence.
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The royal pair are impressed at Ayla's ability to speak in their tongue. But they continue the conversation in common to ensure everyone is aware of the discussion openly.
Quiselle in turns speaks, first to Ayla, "Gnome daughter famous pathfinder Ayla, it worries me that you would be so rash to act violently against a creature of nature." then addresses Atronia. "I understand human child, however, the dryad's and the feys for a matter are not necessarily hostile creature and don't have the power to overcome this threat!"
The King however takes a liking to the Pathfinder pair, "Such confidence! Yes! Weakness is one the Fey are not, and perhaps joining forces strengthen our assaults, to inevitable victory! Quiselle, see they bring us aid, surely we cannot lose going in strong!"
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Shiv sees that the queen is still completely unconvinced and attempts to see if he can help the situation.
"You majesty, I can see that you are cautious, but as you say, the dragons are a threat to your own people. As queen, surely you care for the safety of your subjects? Moreover, we are not talking about just one more white dragon, but a whole new brood. Surely the the sudden introduction of so many of such devastating predators to your domain will disrupt the natural order of things here, as well as endanger your subjects?"
"Furthermore, their kobold followers also care nothing for your domain and its denizens or for the natural environment in general. When we encountered Enzial, she was imploring the kobolds to leave as they were destroying the forest - your own domain. And it was clear from their response that they had no intention of leaving. How much bolder will they get with a new brood of dragons behind them?"
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Shiv's words pierce Quiselle's thoughts and strikes a chord with her. "I understand what you mean, but I still can't help but feel that there is perhaps a better way than to strike head on towards the heart of the dragon. Our people could suffer extreme loses should we wage an all out war!" She says in a very concerned manner.
The pair then look at Wilen, Naruda, and Makon. The King huffs, "Well, how bout you lot, what are your thoughts on this matter?"
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Wilen makes his first plea directly to the king, in hopes that his voice can be used to apply the groups reasoning to the queen more effectively.
"Her concern is not unfounded. We all agree that immediate, decisive action is required, but we need your help convincing her that anything else is a half-measure which leaves you vulnerable to a brood of white dragons." On this argument, he runs out of words too quickly and it probably doesn't go very far with the king.
Leaving the king to ponder his words, he then addresses the queen.
"I understand your desire for alternate solutions, with which you could reasonably guarantee as having lesser costs than a direct assault. However, such solutions would have high or even prohibitive costs of their own. For example, the persuasion or intimidation barrier for white dragons would be supremely high. Do you have individuals who could convince them, one way or the other to just leave? Alternatively, do you know of something else that they want which you could offer under your own terms, which they could not just take? No, I'm guessing if you had these they would have already been employed. Regardless, what you cannot lose site of is the need for immediate action. Half-measures will only delay an inevitable consequence, which has a guaranteed high cost to you and your subjects." He holds the queen's gaze, hoping to impart on her the gravity of her responsibility in choosing quickly.
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Makon saddles up to the King and growls.. Fey King listen to my words....your life may depend upon it! If we do not have aid in defeating the threat of the Dragon's our quest is doomed to failure...We must act with determination and without mercy against such evil! Or will you have your lands overrun?! He then walks near Wilen and supports his bid in diplomacy with the queen. When Wilen is through speaking Makon adds, in a subdued and even faltering manor, Lovely Queen..please consider this halfling's wise words. He has been a valuable and unfailing companion. I would suppose his council to be true.
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Naruda addresses the Queen first: "Your Majesty, we are here as representatives of the Pathfinder Society. We also have an army of wild warriors marching with us. I believe that we will be able to defeat them on our own regardless of whether you work with us or chose to stand to the side. Many more of our people would die needlessly in battle; but in the end we are strong and we would prevail. Armies and battles can be destructive to the balance of nature, though. If you fight with us and help us end this battle quickly, I think you can also ensure that the balance of nature will return faster."
After this, Naruda speaks to the King of the Forest: "Good King, the Twinhorns are our allies, but once the Pathfinders accomplish their goal, they will be left to seek their own fate. Your soldiers look mighty, but if you don't fight by their side now they will assume that you are craven and that your might is all for show. And after we defeat that white dragon and its kobold lackeys, they will be emboldened by their victory and flush with their share of the dragon hoard. Now is your chance to fight with them and show your prowess as their ally; rather than having to proof it in war against them later on!"
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Your arguments are quite convincing, and taking in every word, they ponder deeply at the situation at hand.
The fey royalty continue to listen intently but is abrupted by another Fey dryad that looks similar to Enzial, "Excuse me..." She interupts before continuing the conversation in Sylvan.
"Pengasuh saya, penembak-jalanan mempunyai tentera yang besar! Kami mempunyai kelebihan jika kita menyerang sekarang."
The two monarchs whisper among themselves as they decide what to do.
Quiselle gives a sly smile and says, “Your proposal intrigues us. We shall consider giving you our blessing when your need is greatest.” She then waves her hand, causing a rush of oak leaves to fall from the tree and whirl around everywhere. When the leaves clear, you find yourselves back along the frozen lake’s bank."
Following some very obvious Kobold tracks, the forest path leads northeast, where dense evergreens give way to steep, rocky foothills. Several intersecting trails lead up to the cave system’s main entrance partway up the Tusk Mountains.
Along the path, a chained wolf lies in between the path into the cave. Not far from it, two kobolds keep guard with their bows. The animal growls largely in your direction as it observes your approach.
The wolf is hostile out of fear.
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"The kobolds are invading this forest, so how do we know that this wolf is with them, rather than attempting to defend a den? If possible I suggest we take out the kobolds first!"
Wilen moves up to the front of the group to signal to the wolf. He whistles to it, not really sure of any specific way to communicate with it.
"It sure looks angry though..."
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Makon tries to get a sense if the animal will attack or not...Having no experience with such creatures Makon is not willing to take chances. He responds to the wolf's growl with a fierce howl of his own, You dare stand in my way beast?! You will regret the day you were weaned from your mother's tit! Makon rages charges and attacks (the wolf) with his axe. Relying upon his destiny to guide his aim.
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Naruda recognizes the wolf for what it is, a plain old wolf.
Wilen attempts to appeal to the wolf, but without the core skill of understanding animals like druids, his attempts seem futile. Meanwhile Makon takes no risk and immediately knocks it out unconscious with a raging blow from his great axe.
The Kobolds stunned by Makon's prowess, turn their arrows on him! One of them strike him in the knee.
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Makon shakes off the minor wound and his internal fortitude immediately begins to heal him while in his rage.. Makon not amused by the kobold's ranged attacks charges the most opportune opponent taking his frustrations out on the Blue kobold, You little yelping lizard! You'll regret you didn't stay at a further distance with you're cowardly bow!
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To Makon's shock the creature is surprisingly agile that he is able to react timely in avoiding Makon's blow! In retaliation, it swears at the half orc in draconic, takes a step back and continues to fire! From that close, it isn't difficult for the shot to land in Makon's other knee!
Meanwhile, The other kobold switches his target to Makon who comes from the distance. The arrow grazes him but creates a gash anyway.
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You cowardly and craven little thing! Screams Makon...The half Orc moves past the bow wielding little Lizard dwarf cutting off it's little step back maneuver..pinning it against a nearby cliff edge. Making it nearly impossible to maneuver it's little bow in such close confines...then Makon comes down hard with his axe while letting his innate anger revitalize him.
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A sudden gust of wind rushes through the area, riming the trees and rocks with frost that resembles faces of the region’s fey monarchs. “Your Society has requested our aid, and we have agreed to support your endeavors. Carry our token, call upon us in your time of need, and ensure the dragons prey upon this region no more.” With that, the icy faces melt away, and each of you find a tiny crown of pine needles nearby.
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Ayla and Atronia finally join in the combat, but are a little rusty jumping in. Their attacks are unable to connect with the Kobolds.
Shiv opens fire as well, and manages to pierce an arrow it the Kobold's shoulder. With it distracted by it's injury, Makon has a clear opening allowing him to bash the Kobold's head in, causing him to fall unconscious.
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Naruda trudges through the snow, looking for a clean shot at one of the kobolds. She sees that the last standing kobold is engaged in hand to hand combat with Atronia.
There's no way I could make that shot...But maybe Shiv could do it.
Naruda casts guidance on the paladin. "Aim for the heart, Shiv!"
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The kobolds continue to mount a frustrating defense, luring Pathfinders into cramped and trap-filled tunnels and unleashing captive monsters on unsuspecting agents. Even so, the kobolds are losing ground with each battle. As another skirmish echoes from elsewhere in the caverns, a tremendous roar reverberates through the cave complex, rattling stalactites and causing snowdrifts to slide down the outside slopes. As the sound dissipates, the voice of a massive creature booms from deep within the kobolds’ warren.
“Long ago my ancestor Grathatonhakis ruled here, and a meager dwarf challenged his might only to become his trophy. Both were fools, and both are now dead. I am neither, and your paltry attacks shall not change that. Fall back, kobolds of the Shiverscale tribe! Let these intruders die in sight of the last fool to challenge Horralydax, the master of the Tusk Mountains. Rally to me, my children. Today we dine on adventurers!”
The kobolds kowtow to the booming voice, scramble to their feet, and begin retreating deeper into the caves. For once they aren’t covering their tracks, so the way to the dragon’s lair is clear.
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With his ally taken out, the last Kobold takes no risk and runs using Wilen's bomb as a distraction. This conveniently leaves the entrance free for the Pathfinders.
The kobolds continue to mount a frustrating defense, luring Pathfinders into cramped and trap-filled tunnels and unleashing captive monsters on unsuspecting agents. Even so, the kobolds are losing ground with each battle. As another skirmish echoes from elsewhere in the caverns, a tremendous roar reverberates through the cave complex, rattling stalactites and causing snowdrifts to slide down the outside slopes. As the sound dissipates, the voice of a massive creature booms from deep within the kobolds’ warren. “Long ago my ancestor Grathatonhakis ruled here, and a meager dwarf challenged his might only to become his trophy. Both were fools, and both are now dead. I am neither, and your paltry attacks shall not change that. Fall back, kobolds of the Shiverscale tribe! Let these intruders die in sight of the last fool to challenge Horralydax, the master of the Tusk Mountains. Rally to me, my children. Today we dine on adventurers!”
The kobolds kowtow to the booming voice, scramble to their feet, and begin retreating deeper into the caves. For once they aren’t covering their tracks, so the way to the dragon’s lair is clear.
A narrow cavern to the east opens into a larger cave. A gently sloping ramp descends counter clockwise to an elaborately carved column of ice. A vast pile of gold, jewels, furs, and immense bones lie piled around the column. The deeper you travel into the tunnels, the larger you hear the breathing of a beast, whom you can only expect as one of the dragon Horralydax's spawn
And soon enough, you come face to face with a white dragon along with his kobold minions! But to everyone's surprise, the dragon looks rather small. The dragon’s scales are a frosty white. Its head is crowned with slender horns, with a thin membrane stretched between them. Regardless of it's size, it looks ferocious with an agenda to kill.
As a free action on its turn, a creature can use its benefit to gain either damage reduction equal to half the table’s APL (minimum 1) or cold resistance equal to the table’s APL until the end of that encounter. Each PC and companion creature can select a different benefit.
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Makon murmurs to the fey allies yeah protecting me from the cold seems good against a white Dragon so I’ll take that! Makon then he drinks his potion of cure or wounds. Makon has an alchemist fire in one hand and a javilin in the other, once inside the cave he moves 35’ toward the top of the map and hurls his javelin at the green kobold. Skald now would be a good time for a valiant battle hymn! says the 1/2 orc.
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Wilen expertly aims his crossbow and takes out a kobold.
As Makon attempts to escape the dragon's reach, the dragon reachs out bites him on the arm. Makon throws over an alchemist fire which causes the dragon to hurt from the burn! Shiv calls forth the divine powers to smite the dragon and shoots a very powerful shot that wounds the dragon badly. The dragon looks like it's barely able to keep afloat, nonetheless, it sees the pathfinders grouped up and closes in with a icy breath!