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This kobold is irritatingly nimble and well armored, Khair's shot buries itself in the kobolds armor but doesn't seem to leave a wound. Terenz's blade and Farith's morningstar bashes against solid chain and the leader rolls with the blow. Kida's slams go wild, but Zaamir's scythe is more than the adept creature can handle, and an bloody wound is left across the creature's shoulder. He spits with pain and anger, and given the severity of the wound you suspect his fight is approaching an end...
Unfortunately, Terenz's final swing is more than he can take, and he collapses to the ground, steeling the Kobold's resolve.
Boss Kobold (-21)
Farith (-3)
Laetshi (-5)
Zaamir
Kida
Khair
Terenz (-14, dying)
'So die finally!'
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The kobold seems happy to oblige Kida's request. With Zaamir's slash and Kida's slam there isn't much left of the kobold tribe.
A leather satchel bearing the Glyph of the Open Road—the insignia of the Pathfinder Society—leans against the defaced altar; it is the only trace of Venture-Captain Nieford Sharrowsmith. Within are spoiled rations, an elixir of vision, and one of his field notebooks.
Within the notebook, you find the following entry.
The dwarves who inhabited what I now know as Ashkurhall frequently depict a great beast they simply call the “Golden Guardian,” a winged monstrosity that often appears in an antagonistic role yet occasionally
accompanies symbolism more befitting a revered figure in dwarven lore.
My initial hypothesis is that this guardian was a sacred destroyer and may even be responsible for Ashkurhall’s eventual abandonment. The original occupants of this site put great stock in a curious orb that the carvings suggest shoots beams of light—likely someone in the Grand Lodge better versed in dwarven art could clarify the point—and causes the guardian beast discomfort and forces it to bow to their will (or writhe in pain... cursed erosion). The carving ends with a dwarf delivering this orb to an amphibian people called Krihirik, and the lack of more recent inscriptions suggests this may have been one of the
society’s final acts.
I recognize the name Krihirik from my voyage south through the Mwangi Expanse. No doubt old Sylien could help me track it down, but I would rather not impose on him again. This orb seems important for anyone exploring these ruins, and I shall set off for it after completing my survey of a few more structures here.
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'A great massacre' - Zaamir wearily wipes the blood off his scythe.
'I twice read the note, but I don't understand. Apparently it's a lead, and we go on. But first, we need to bring these workers to the Fort. By the way, the poor guy near the bridge - he awaits us there? Also need to pick up him too.'
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The miners stand scared for nearly a full minute, but when they are confident that no more kobolds are coming, they begin to nervously laugh and drop their crude bindings and improvised weapons.
"We're....alive! We're saved!"
They all appear to be battered and worse for wear, but none of them seem to be at any risk of serious injury or death. In fact with a good night's rest they insist that they'll be able to make the hike back to Fort Bandu, assuming they are accompanied by you great heroes.
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The miners are extremely releaved to have an escort home, and as you approach the canyon ridge, you find the surviving miner waiting exactly where he said he'd be, eager to return home. The trek home is much easier, with no particular urgency, and you are able to rest during the heat of the day and hike at dawn and dusk. The praetor seems happily surprised to see you return with so many of the missing miners.
"I misjudged you, pathfinders. I am glad that I was willing to overcome my misgivings and allow you to undertake your task, for your rescue of these miners proves to me that you are not just a group of... murderous vagrants and tomb robbers like the Aspis would have me believe."
He looks over the text of the journal entry that you recovered from the temple, and slowly begins to nod. "Yes, it appears as though Nieford Sharrowsmith explored part of Ashkurhall before travelling to the Mwangi Expanse to find the Krihirik. The Krihirik are a tribe of grippli that live in the Kaava Lands, just northwest of the Bandu Hills."
His brow furrows, and he looks up at you before slowly speaking again. "A member of the tribe visits several times a year to barter for goods and gems, and he was just here yesterday morning... In fact that Aspis agent, Amersanus Valacosti, abruptly wrapped up his business at the fort and departed in the same direction only a few hours later."
He shakes his head. "I happily extend my hand in hospitality to you, however I suspect if you are going to want to make haste to the Kaava lands if you wish to overtake Valacosti and his men..."