GM Faelyn' Falcon's Hollow Series

Game Master Faelyn

Absolutely, Caine, in fact I'll use her previously rolled Perception for this.

Zilka you cannot see the bottom of the hole currently unless more direct illumination is used. Also as Caine's light spell begins to illuminate portions of the unworked tunnel towards the 'east' out of your peripherals see what you believe to possibly be two fiery red points a few feet off the ground. Are those... eyes? However, as you train your vision upon that same area you no longer spot the glow, but rather a swirling of smoke instead...

Belladonna quickly retreats in the darkness back towards the kitchen area to retrieve their kobold allies and she finds that while the party was absent, the former slaves dispatched all the captive kobolds with quick cuts to their throats. They currently are discussing the best way to distribute all the armor and weapons between them.

By former slaves, does that include the kids, or just the kobolds?

Just the kobolds. The kids have been following the group at a distance with Tommy.

Belladonna shrugs and then comes into view. She motions for the kobolds to follow her. She then leads them back to her allies.

I've forgotten if they speak Common. If so, she'll tell them that there's a safe place up ahead where they can rest.

Zilka gestures, "Hey, there's some eyes there... or wait, is that...? Hmm, anyway there's some voices coming from the doors there, sound like kobolds," she whispers to Caine. "Do you want to deal with that, or whatever that was in that dark area?"

"The eyes. They're closest." Caine said. He handed Zilka his ring with light cast on it. "Keep an eye here a sec. I'm going to get the non-coms settled."

Caine ducked back in the other room. "Did we ever find the keys to these ce- wait, where'd the prisoners go?"

"Oh they dead. Throats slit."

Zilka keeps an eye on the darkness, and considers sending dancing lights to illuminate the area, but waits for the others to return first.

Or does she?

Will save to resist curiosity: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Yes, yes she does.

Caine felt like that news should upset him, but it didnt. If anything it made things easier. He'd wrestle with the ethics of that later. Now he didn't have the time.

"Fine. Do we have the keys to these cells?"

Hmm, killing captives is wrong but...
If I had been enslaved, I think I would want some serious payback too.
I don't like it, but... I can't condemn them for it.

"Well, if we don't, we always have other methods."

Even as Caine decided they would check to see the eyes and moved to the mouth of the tunnel, he shrugged. "I don't remember finding any keys."

Zirren tilted his head as Zilka mentioned hearing other Kobolds. "Wait, hold on a minute Caine. We don't have to necessarily deal with the Kobolds behind the door, but we might be able to learn something by listening in before we go blundering on ahead."

He adjusted his shoulders and quietly moved to listen at the southern doors.

stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

Perception to listen in beyond the south door: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

"Hold that thought a sec, Zirren." Caine said focusing on the kids and the kobolds.

"Fine. No keys, no problem." Caine said pulling out his other set of manacles. "Kids, Kobolds, you're going to lock yourselves in here. Just pull the door shut and snap the manacles around the bars. Here's the key."

Next he pulled his signal horn over his head and handed it to one of the kids.

"If anything tries to come after you, shoot them through the bars and blow this horn. We'll come running. We'll be back one we find the others and it's safe to get out of here."

"Tommy, do you want to stay with them or come with us?"

Zilka continues to watch the tunnel like a hawk while Belladonna and Caine work on getting the kobolds and the kids settled. Kimi puts her hands upon her hips defiantly and stares Caine in the eyes. "I already told you, Mister Caine, I'm not being left behind again. It was my idea to sneak off to the orphanage and it was my job to protect my friends. This whole thing is my fault. I ain't sittin' behind some cage while you all go off and fight of a bunch of stinky kobolds." She cast a suspicious eye at the two former slaves. "And I sure as hells is not sittin' in some cage with those two!"

Tommy looks wary. "I'm inclined to again with Kimi, at least as far as remaining in a cage with the kobolds. They may be our allies now, but like you just said they already slit the throats of the captives we took in the kitchen. Who says they won't try it again with us while you're gone."

The two kobolds glare at Tommy. "We no kill friends of Supreme Neckbreaker! Only nasty kobolds that beat us."

The other two boys stand side by side quietly, listening to all the commotion...

Zirren sneaks towards the southern set of doors and listens intently. While he listens, he can hear several different voices speaking in hushed tones, but one speaks with a command and the others fall silent as they listen... The following is all in draconic.

"...I say we join them in ridding our tribe of the great blunder King One-Eye! Ever since he took over as chief, our tribe has steadily dwindled and died while following his commands! Once the Pinkskins have helped us get rid of him, then I take over as new King and you all will be my captains! Maybe we can make a pact with the pinkskins to clear out the nasties here and we can make this place our new home. No more cowering and hiding in tunnels while ghosts and shadows feast on our souls! No more scared! Let us join the Pinkskins!"

Zirren blinked twice at what he'd just overheard. He shook his head.

I never thought it might be this easy to find allies... even temporary ones. But if they're willing to talk then I'll just have to make everyone else listen.

Zirren quietly made his way from the door back to the rest of the group. Then in a calm tone he began to relay what he'd just overheard.

"All of you, please listen carefully to what I have to say. There's a group of Kobolds just beyond that door. It seems their King, this One-Eye, that Kibo and Jarrdreg mentioned earlier, has been misleading their entire tribe ever since he took over and leading them to ruin.

They appear to be tired of it and want to join us in helping to overthrow King One-Eye. The one that was speaking wants to take over after the fact and become the new King but he also sounded willing to help us clear out any other monsters we may find down here." Zirren stopped for a moment.
Okay, now let the implications sink in, but don't lose ground in the argument.

"This is a rare opportunity to gain some allies we could certainly use right now." Even if they're just temporary.
"We don't have to join them, we could just treat them as enemies and fight them anyway... but they want to join us." He glanced over at the two former Kobold slaves for emphasis. "I know we all have mixed feelings about this but we can negotiate with them. We can give Kibo and Jarrdreg a potential future to look forward to as members of their clan too." Although we'll be using them as negotiating tools too.

"I'm trained in this and I believe I can get them on our side. Now what do you think?"

Linguistics/Diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23

Zirren is making a pretty sound effort to have the others not just up and murder the Kobolds to the south and to negotiate with them. The diplomacy roll is for the NPC's to hopefully side with him or at least not oppose as much as they normally might.

"Bad king or not, they decided to kidnap children. Who's to say they won't do it again under new management? We should send em packin."

Allegiances? Right of rule overthrown? What are you talking about? I came here to find my brother, and I have done that. Along the way we found these children in need of rescue, and I say we continue on with that goal. If we can find Vivienne as well, that would be good, for Tommy’s sake, but I say let these creatures decide amongst themselves, based upon their own laws and custom, who should rule and who should not. Let us find what we are searching for, and if it is our destiny to confront this deamon that wears the chains, then we will put an end to it, but I cannot agree to any “allegiance” with or for these creatures. Whatever plan these creatures have, as it may be more nefarious than you realize, I want no part of it.

Nathaniel turns toward Ms. Goodbarrel, while I agree she may have a point, I would also say that it would not seem right to simply engage in wholesale slaughter of these kobolds, simply because that is within our power. They may or may not improve their attitudes towards others with a new ruler, but if that is to come to pass or not, is not my problem

"Oh, sorry, Mr. Artegal. I meant kick them out. That way we never have to gamble with kids being kidnapped ever again."

"An unsteady allegiance can be a bad thing but we've been here for a bit, we've used some of our resources, and we may still have combat in the future.
Dismissing a temporary truce is not a good idea if it can be achieved.
At worst, it puts more bodies between one of us dying, and at best it could lead to to something stable in the future.
If we get rid of the kobolds, something else will just move in here.
We don't have the manpower to keep this place locked down, and whatever comes after could be worse.
Better the devil you know..."

Caine sat back down on the table and sighed in exasperation. Their rescue mission had just become an amateur committee on kobold rights of succession.

"There are still two missing kids. As long as that's the case, that's our focus. It puts us in a lousy position to negotiate anything."

"I really don't want to deal with having former slaves who have taken to murdering their former masters, and those same former masters, both as allies."

"Any reason not to lock these revolutionaries in that room, go kill the bad king, and deal with the kobold political aftermath later?"

Belladonna raises her hand.
"While we kill the bad king, the kobold polical aftermath could attack the kids."

"Good point." Caine scowled. "Fine. Zirren, talk to them. If they get stupid about anything, we can deal with it then."

This situation just keeps getting more and more complicated.

Not entirely what I was expecting but this works. I'll have to explain in greater detail that Kobolds deal in order and power. Not politics. I just hope what I've read is right.

"Thank you for your confidence, Caine. Ruhk." he said nodding to each of them in turn. The course of action left to him he let out a small breath.

Now to gamble on their sincerity of hatred to their current leader.
He turned back to the south door and walked toward it. He made sure his posture was one of height and strength, not one of weakness. Then he opened the door.

Zirren is passing through the southern door.

Zilka will join Zirren as the stick to his carrot.

Tommy and the children share they opinions with an obvious look of disgust at Zirren's suggestion, but realize that perhaps their opinions may not be of much use in this instance.

Zirren strides to the south and pushes open the door to find six stone prayer platforms with well-worn knee rests carved in to them are spread through this large chamber and six very jumpy kobolds with weapons at the ready, pointing in his direction! Five of them are obviously more of the traditional warriors the group had already encountered, but the one towards the rear of the room appears to have the bearing of a magic user... He his hunch-backed with dark blue scales and one immensely oversized ear that droops low with the weight of several earrings that look suspiciously like finger bones of some sort of humanoid. The kobolds like ready to charge... What do you do, Zirren??

Zirren tensed, feeling a chill that was not entirely due to the unnatural cold he now felt. Death stared him in the face. He was not prepared to battle anyone, his entire repertoire of all but the simplest magics was depleted. Even with Zilka standing at his back and the others just out of sight, he would not likely survive this. Still, he had trained himself for this and his strongest weapon of choice was still there. Words.

He raised his hands instinctively in a defensive gesture and began speaking in

Yes, use the same phrase he said. That ought to catch their attention.

Linguistics/Diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21

Gods be damned, how the hell does he walk with giant brass balls like that? Zilka wonders to herself.

The warriors look poised to release their weapons, but the older kobold with the grotesque ear holds up a hand and they hold their stance, but look very twitchy. He then looks at Zirren and nods once, as he gestures with his hand.

Zirren lowered his hands. The eccentric looking older Kobold, Kerrdremark, seemed to be the one they would listen to. He let the comment about his ears pass him by, he'd been called worse by other children and he'd been smart enough to stop caring about such things quickly enough.

Linguistics/Diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30

Belladonna is currently squabbling with Caine about locking up kids.

"I don't want to lock them up. I want them to lock themselves up. The bars will give them a blockade to fire through. Its tactical, g%&*!+mit."

Belladonna knew better than to fight in front of kids, but their safety was more important and she wasn't going to be swayed. "Tactics my ass! These aren't murder holes, it's more like shooting fish in a barrel. I say we're much better off barricading the main doors with these big tables."

Belladonna gingerly picks up the remaining loot from the cage. "Should the worst happen, the kids will be free to dodge, fight, or make a run for it. The last thing we need are a few kobolds taking pot shots at a clustered group."

Then she goes to slide the pretty ring off the dead ghoul

"That's... a good idea too." Caine admitted. "Not that it matters since the kids are hellbent on following us straight into the next bloodbath."

Caine was starting to realize how frustrating it must be to deal with him all the time. These kids could teach an old dwarf a thing or two about being stubborn.

How old are these kids?

"Look, in an ideal world, we would be able to just convince the kids to stay here. But if we leave, they'll sneak after us and get into more trouble.
Despite us walking into danger, we're their best bet at the moment eh?"

Ruhk gives Caine's shoulder a clap.
"Accept what we can't change and deal with it aye?"

Caine sighed. "Neither of those things have ever been my strong suites. Yer right though. Both of you."

He was watching Zirren carefully through the doorway, ready to move if the negotiations went sideways.

"No!" Belladonna yells.
"I will not let these kids walk around until the coast is clear! I don't care what nonsense they want! If I have to stay here and guard them myself I will! We kept Jeva in a safe place and Torag so help me I will keep these kids safe too. Don't you dare consider for even a moment letting these kids out of these doors!"

"Thanks for volunteering." Caine said with a snarky grin. "You can try to convince them to stay put and stay safe. Good luck."

Zirren tried his best to ignore the arguing voices behind the door, his head half turning at Bella's shout, but he kept his focus ahead on the sly older Kobold and, more importantly, his twitchy guards.

Realizing what Bella has just "volunteered" to do, Ruhk gives Caine a look and a small grin that just screams "you're evil".

"I will." She huffs.

Belladonna walks over to the kids in a no-nonsense mood. "Look. I want you safe, we want your friends safe. Stay here and barricade the doors with the tables. If you try to sneak out I will have to lock you up in the holding cell, barricade the doors, and guard you myself. The longer this takes, the longer it'll take to save your friends. Do you understand?"

Intimidate: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

I agree, in part, with Miss Goodbarrel. We should not allow the children, regardless of their protesting, to accompany us if we are risking a confrontation with more dangerous foes than those we have already encounter. No, that is not correct. We cannot risk these children being caught in any crossfire. Tommy, maybe you can stay here, and keep the children safe until we return with the others. Wait as long as you think is reasonable, but if we do not return, you should take them to safety, kicking and screaming if you must. I will look for Vivienne everywhere I go, and if I do not find her, but we manage to rescue the others, we will bring them here, and escape with you, or in your footsteps, and then when they are safe, you and I can return and find her. If what you told me about her is half as true as you claim, she is not in any danger from these creatures.

Caine, Rhuk, Zilka, let us be ready for any outcome, but hope Zirren can keep these enemies from standing against us. We have to hurry

Ruhk doesn't say anything, but he makes sure to look well over the children, to gauge their reactions as best as possible.
Especially the little firebrand that had protested in the first place.
He knew that in her position, he wouldn't have obeyed, so he was smart enough to pay extra attention at this making or breaking point.

Belladonna, you recall that the children range is ages of 9-13 with Savram being the youngest at 9, followed by Hollin at 10, Jurin at 11, and Kimi/Mikra are both 13.

Zirren/Zilka

Kerrdremark listens to Zirren's initial proposition, stroking his large ear with one hand as he does and the finger bones waggle disturbingly with each movement. He starts to answer when Belladonna's shout echoes loudly in the adjacent room. The older kobold jerks his head towards the doorway and the already twitchy warriors cock their spears back... Kerrdremark suddenly throws his hand up and the warriors reluctantly pause, waiting for their leader's order. Clearly they either respect or fear him, it is difficult to say at this moment... He studies Zirren and Zilka sagely for another moment before glancing over their shoulder again briefly. When no one rushes into the room, he turns his attention back to Zirren.

He looks at his warriors.

The warriors look back to Kerrdremark, look at each other, then back to Kerrdremark before lowering their weapons to their side.

Bella/Caine/Ruhk/Art

As the argument about the fate of the children rages, Mikra and Savram both look intimidated by Bella's intense reaction; however, Kimi is currently staring down the young halfling lass in a contest of wills. After a moment of her unwavering glare, Mikra suddenly walks over and touches Kimi upon the shoulder and whispers something into her ear. Her face goes slack for a moment before she blinks with a heavy sigh as she turns to look at her friend. "Fine! I will wait here until you come back, but none of my friends better get hurt while I'm not there!"

Nought but relief sweeps over Belladonna. "Thank you, Kimi. Now let's get this place set up, shall we?"

Hopefully with the help of the kids, Belladonna will start to set up the defenses. She wants a table to barricade each door. Then she offers the kids the following items:
- 4 trail rations
- A bag of caltrops
- Her bedroll
- A medium sized shortsword
- A medium sized heavy crossbow with 2 bolts
- One potion of cure light wounds

"Oh and can you do a favour for me? This is my fox, Lucky. He's pretty docile, but I hate running into fights while he's in my pack. Can you look after him while I'm gone?"

If they accept the fox, she'll say in a whisper "Don't let the kobolds near him, please."

Zirren nods at Kerrdemark's words. Relief setting in that he had secured an alliance with moderate results at least. Not as good as he had hoped but given the fast paced nature of the bargaining, it was far better than the alternative.

He looked over at Zilka. "Zilka, can you go and see if they're done arguing back there? It's very distracting to talk while others are shouting nearby. Also, let the others know we've managed an alliance with these Kobolds. But they're only going to help us in dealing with the other Kobolds. I've got a few more questions I'd like to ask them."

Looking back at Kerrdremark.

Sounds good, Bella. Where exactly do you want to get these tables? There are six, stone prayer platforms in the room with Zirren and the kobolds. Otherwise, there is not much else available right now that might be useful in barricading the doors right now. Also, I just need to confirm that you guys are planning on putting the children into the room where the ghouls were? Or the room with the winch?

Kerrdremark nods slowly to Zirren's question.

Zirren and Zilka both suddenly notice something along the east wall while Kerrdremark speaks... there appears to be the faintest of edges along the wall. Possible a doorway? Marked by the 'S'.

While the rest begins making plans to fortify the room, suddenly the sounds of metal banging up metal echos loudly from down the smoky tunnel...

"Hmm? What's that?" Zirren began to ask and point out toward the eastern wall.

We're barricading area 15 only. I don't think Belladonna knows about the prayer platforms, but if they can be moved I'm sure Belladonna would want them. They could be used to weigh down the tables. As for the tables, they're the ones in area 15. I'm just shifting them around to block the doors, which I've outlined with rectangles. For now they're crooked because people are still going through the doors. Once everything's ready, they should be firmly slammed against the doors.