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— Moonday, Gozran the 11th, 4609 AR
— Morning to Evening
— The Kamelands
— Shiny and temperate
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Fortunately, at least the weather favors you. When you wake up, Roksana and Kryolani are not feeling better than the day before, but at least their conditions have not worsened overnight. Mik-Mek has told you that the kobolds cave is not far from here, and that since there’s no river to cross in your path, you would reach your destination by tonight should you decide to follow his guide. After a quick discussion, the party decides to follow Serolt’s suggestion and follow Mik-Mek to the kobolds cave.
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Thankfully, you don’t encounter any dangerous beast during your journey to the kobolds cave. Mik-Mek leads you through the southernmost reaches of the area surrounding the Old Sycamore and then south.
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As you travel, you come across the remnants of a campfire.
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In the afternoon, as you keep traveling, you stumble across a hollow in the side of a hill holding three graves. The entry is surrounded by ivy, but the bad weather has partially removed this concealment, allowing you to automatically notice the hollow. There’s a single everburning torch affixed to the rocky walls in the hollow. You can remove it and take it with you if you wish so.
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At sunset, you finally reach your intended destination. “Welcome to our house” says Mik-Mek as he leads you forward. “Leave the horses and pets here. Shaman don’t like them. You follow me, and nothing bad happens”.
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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.
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The fallen sign is weathered and bears a few faded words: “Oaktop Silver Mine.” An alcove to the west contains a locked iron gate―in the area beyond, three rope nooses hang from holes in the ceiling above rusty iron hooks set in the floor. The stick cage contains a single, sobbing mite—his eyes squinted tightly shut against the light during the day.
A lone kobold stands watch here, crouched behind one of the big rocks at the cave entrance. As soon as he spots you, he chirps loudly in surprise. The kobold hesitates for a few moments, confused, then he hails you and cries out, “Wait! Wait! I wanna talk!”.
Mik-Mek greets his kobold brethren kindly. “Ganarash korth vashuun!” he says in Draconic. The other kobold widens his eyes in enthusiasm and takes a long look at you. “I Nakpik” says the new kobold, “You great heraos. We take you inside. Shaman reward you” he says as he smiles brightly. Mik-Mek nods to you, as to encourage you to come inside. As soon as you accept the offer, Nakpik uses a key to open the iron gate, and once he’s inside, he pulls down and loops the ropes on the hooks below, shutting three pit traps that guarded the entrance. “You can trust our kind” explains Mik-Mek proudly, “we always respect pacts” Nakpik soon returns and quickly says: “Now follow me”
The two kobolds lead the the way as you enter in the cave…
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Serolt travels this day from the rear. He worries about, and wants to keep an eye on, Kryolani and Rok. Should either collapse from their disease this day, he didn’t want it to be at the end of the string and lost to the party.
When they come to the campsite Serolt shrugs, ”Damned if I can figure out how old this is. Usually I’m pretty good at that. I’ll say less than a month though, or it would have washed away in the rains. Yeap. There you go.” he laughs at his feebleness.
At the torch he calls out, ’Don’t touch it!”
”Feels too pat doesn’t it? A minor magic like that just sitting there? Could be trapped, or a signal of some kind. We’re in no shape to investigate I think… let’s leave it be.” If someone really wants it though, he’ll cave pretty quickly. He’s worried about their combat strength, but still confident this isn’t that big a threat.
”Hello and greetings, uh, Nakpik. Yes please, take us to your leader.”
Serolt tenses up at the thought of another tunnel fight, but there’s nothing for it. Until our skulls are gathered.
He puts a good face on, commands Regin to ‘watch’ Mitzy, and heads into the cave. I really need to teach him to guard…
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Jacobus looks about and seeing no immediate threat, takes the torch from the wall. "These things are very handy. If nothing else, we could give it to Oleg to sell."
Jacobus could not understand what the kobolds were saying but he did hear them whisper to each other. He hangs back and whispers to the group, "I don't know what they said but they are whispering to each other. I don't like this; call me paranoid but something is off. And we are not at our best..."
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As they days move on Rok is more coherent, but she can barely carry herself in her gear. Knowing they're going into a kobold lair worries her, especially as she tests her weapon arm and realizes she can barely swing her hammer.
"I'm going to be useless if we get into trouble here. Please be careful." She whispers to Jacobus, knowing he's now the best defense they have.
As the party travels she can barely keep her attention on anyone thing, the campsite moves by in a hazy blur, she barely registers any detail. She pats Kasper gently on the neck as she clumsily dismounts and follows her companions into the cave, too sick to worry about her distaste for the kobolds.
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Seeing both Kryo and Rok barely able to walk, much less fight, gave the inquisitor cause for concern. Here they were following kobolds they barely knew deep into their lair. The fact that their guides were whispering to each other was just too much. Maybe he was just being paranoid but that was OK.
He halted the procession, "Wait up here. Our friends are not well and, no offense to your lair, but the air here is making things worse."
He then turned to the group, "Listen it is not a good idea to follow our hosts deep into their lair. You both need fresh air or you will feint. Feinting underground sounds really dangerous; let's head back up. We can always come back later..."
He hoped his friends got the underlying message.
Kryolani, shuffling along through the Kobold corridors, hears the kobolds muttering amongst themselves.
He touches Mik-Mek on the shoulder, and says quietly in the dragon tongue, "Can you get your chief to meet with us outside? My companions worry, and I don't want to have any misunderstandings between us. Are you... are you safe down here, Mik-mek?"
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"Jacobus makes a good point. I'll be significantly useless if we get in trouble."
Roksana rubs her aching muscles and shuffles along with everyone else. "What makes you think we can trust these things anyway?"
She slumps under the weight of her armor as she moves and groans frequently.
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Frustrated by the fearful nature of his allies, and believing this is all the wrong thing to do, Serolt hesitates. He does not however, go forward alone. He returns to the surface with his group.
The frustration is clearly visible on his face. When the party reaches the surface, he says, "So now what? We setup camp here and wait for the sickness to take its course?" He starts reaching toward Mitzy and the tent packed on her broad back.
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The party is currently still in the kobolds' cavern. As soon as Mik-Mek hears Jacobus' concernes, he quickly halts and turn around to stand at the Brevic man. "You can't just turn around now! Please! I worked so hard to arrange all of this...Please! Trust us! We mean no harm!" says the kobold. Nakpkik observes the discussion quietly, and two more kobolds are drawn near by the argument and keep themselves at a distance, listening the ensuing conversation. "There will be no trouble, I swear! If you leave now, the shaman will kill me!"
The frustration is clearly visible on his face. When the party reaches the surface, he says, "So now what? We setup camp here and wait for the sickness to take its course?" He starts reaching toward Mitzy and the tent packed on her broad back.
Jacobus shrugs, "Well, I don't like it either but we can't risk it. We are in no shape to go exploring. Let's set up camp and see how Rok and Kryo are doing in the morning."
He then murmurs, "No need to hurry; Pharasma is patient."
Jacobus then tends to his sickened companions.
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The party is currently still in the kobolds' cavern. As soon as Mik-Mek hears Jacobus' concernes, he quickly halts and turn around to stand at the Brevic man. "You can't just turn around now! Please! I worked so hard to arrange all of this...Please! Trust us! We mean no harm!" says the kobold. Nakpkik observes the discussion quietly, and two more kobolds are drawn near by the argument and keep themselves at a distance, listening the ensuing conversation. "There will be no trouble, I swear! If you leave now, the shaman will kill me!"
Jacobus looks at Mik-Mek with concern, "We can't go on; no offense but the air is bad for them. They do need fresh air."
He then adds, "Why would the shaman kill you? You are a hero. You survived inside the mite lair and brought back the good luck idol."
He then instructs his companions to start to go back up while he goes last and follows closely behind.
Kryolani hesitates, not willing to possibly doom the little kobold, after it had dealt with them according to it's word.
"Because you're not going to bring the idol back to the Shaman...are you? You don't trust him not to curse you?" he asks quietly.
He turns to Jacobus, "He hasn't lied to us. He dealt honorably in the mite pit, and fought when he could have run. Kobolds are a lot of things, but they tend to truth. If they try anything, we'll run, or fight, as we must, but he's honestly scared, and I think maybe this Chief can explain more."
The kobold nods frantically to Kryolani, "Yesss, yesss! If I don't bring the ssstatue back the shaman will kill me and curse my tribe. We're all going to be cursed, and our scales will soften and become yellow, and we'll die. Please, pleassse! Chief Sootscale won't harm you! Follow us, please! Or at least give me the statue so I can bring it back!"
Jacobus was still not convinced but he was giving in to Kryo's reasoning.
"Listen, we can always give him the statue and then obtain our reward. Given that these are honest people, this shouldn't be a problem."
He looks at Kryo and Rok, "I just truly worry about your conditions and our ability as a group to deal with any unforeseen circumstances right now."
He then adds, "However, I'll go along if you and Rok are OK with it? Rok, what do you think?"
Roksana shakes her head as she listens to everyone's concerns, leaning against the nearest wall for a reprieve from the weight of her armor.
"I don't understand why we can't just give him the statue and be done with it, but fine. Let's go. If we die though I'm going to pissed."
"Jacobus, I understand your concerns and I share them, but we have to trust Mik-Mek. We need to get these people into proper sick beds, even if they're small ones." he stoops to avoid a particularly low bit of ceiling.
Seeing he is the only dissenting voice, the inquisitor caves in to his companions and agrees to follow Mik-Mek.
"Abadar, please help me get out of this underground lair..."
After a long discussion, the party has eventually decided to follow Mik-Mek and Nakpik deeper in their tribe’s lair. As you follow the two kobolds, the tunnels begin narrowing―even for kobolds, these tight tunnel openings are cramped. Small creatures such as the kobolds can move through the tunnels in single file, while Medium creatures as the party members must squeeze through.
Just beyond the tunnel openings, a pair of shadowy alcoves flank the main passageway. Two kobold guards wait within the alcoves. As soon as they spot you, and seeing that you’re escorted by two of their kind, the kobold guards let you pass but can’t help but follow the file, positioning themselves in the back of the file as they curiously glance at you.
Suddenly, Mik-Mek stops and appears to be carefully pondering a choice. After a few seconds, he turns left. Nakpik shakes his head and mutters something in Draconic.
The walls of this cave have been smeared with what appears to be charcoal and blood to depict multiple representations in red and black of a looming, sharp-toothed reptilian devil. Two low stone tables sit in the middle of the room, one of which is stained with blood. Mik-Mek looks at bloodstained stone table with an angry expression written all over his scaly face, as he shakes his head, but he doesn’t stop and leads you through this cave.
Escorted by the kobolds, you reach another cave, significantly larger than the previous ones. The air in this large cave feels warm and close, thick with a reptilian stink mixed with smoke and burnt meat. Numerous beds of furs lie scattered throughout the room amid smoldering cookfires, while to the south, a ten-foot-wide alcove contains a large mound of furs framed by dozens of sticks on which are mounted the skulls of many birds and small animals, all smeared with ash. Six kobolds are here, and as soon as they see you they jump up in fear and wariness, all of them fixing their terrified gazes upon another kobold who’s in the room as well. This black-scaled kobold has a muscular build compared to that of his brethren and is dressed in a much more ornate fashion.
Mik-Mek speaks first, in Draconic of course.
The kobold fixes his eyes shining in excitement on each one of you as Mik-Mek speaks. When your kobold ally has completed his speech, the muscular kobold turns to you with his rich and deep draconic voice, but he speaks in Common: “Welcome to my tribe’s caverns, tall folk. Usually tall creatures such as you won’t be allowed to even step in our home, but for this time we can…make an exception. My trusty warrior Mik-Mek tells me you have our sacred statue. Hand it to me, and my tribe and I will be forever your debtors.”
Serolt groans a little as he squeezes through the tight spaces. We’ll never be able to fight our way out of here. Best to find a good cave, and block the entrance with the bodies of their dead. Jacobus and I swapping places so the other can rest and heal. Might work.
He rubs accidentally against the charcoal and blood as he passes through the inner tunnels, and wishes Regin were there. He tries, briefly, to fix it, but quickly gives up and keeps moving. He stays in the rear of the party (between the two kobolds and our sick).
When they reach the final chamber he wonders what ‘meat’ they’re eating and decides he doesn’t really want to find out. Could they be carnivores?
When the little guy speaks common he relaxes a little, glad to be part of the conversation. uh… He says nothing, but looks to his companions.
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The kobold fixes his eyes shining in excitement on each one of you as Mik-Mek speaks. When your kobold ally has completed his speech, the muscular kobold turns to you with his rich and deep draconic voice, but he speaks in Common: “Welcome to my tribe’s caverns, tall folk. Usually tall creatures such as you won’t be allowed to even step in our home, but for this time we can…make an exception. My trusty warrior Mik-Mek tells me you have our sacred statue. Hand it to me, and my tribe and I will be forever your debtors.”
Jacobus' stomach churned at the sight of the blood and apparent altar. All the squeezing through the caves basically told the man that there was no easy way out.
Everything was going well so Jacobus forced himself to relax.
He nodded to the chief and pulled forth the statue, "We accept your welcome and hope to repay you in kind if you ever visit our home. Here's the statue that Mik-Mek mentioned. I understand that it is yours by right."
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Something feels undeniably right about these Kobolds to Kryolani. When he sees the charcoal and blood reptile graven upon the wall it jars the impression slightly. The reptilian look is right, but the devil in it throws something off. Kryolani shakes his head at this, and focuses on the tiny lizard people surrounding them.
That this is a tribe at war with itself is immediately apparent. Such circumstances are opportunities for those who would grasp them, and as uncomfortable as Kryolani is with his currently weakened state, it looks like the tribe of Chief Sootscale is going to resolve things soon one way or another. Kryolani thinks to the altar, and to the look of anger Mik-mek gave it, and hopes he judges the situation properly.
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Roksana looks with suspicion at each new Kobold they find. That they are surrounded by the scaly pests is not lost on her and she keeps her self as ready as she possibly can be for attack.
At the larger Kobolds speech she eyes Jacobus and nods forward, a silent urging to hand over the statue and be done with this whOle thing.
As soon as Jacobus hands the statue over to Chief Sootscale, the black-scaled kobold’s eyes start to shine. He tighten his grip on the statue, and for a few second he seems like he’s painfully pondering something important.
Then, with an abrupt move, he smashes the statue against the floor of the cave. An eerie silence instantly pervades the cave, as the attending kobolds stay astonished at their boss. They’re clearly shaken, almost terrified. Right after, the entire cave erupts in an uproar as the kobolds check one another’s scales shrieking and whining. “We’re all going to be turn yellow! We’re cursed! My scales are softening!”
But Chief Sootscale smiles. As soon as the uproar stops for a few seconds, he roars furiously and grins proudly.
Suddenly, Mik-Mek stops and appears to be carefully pondering a choice. After a few seconds, he turns left. Nakpik shakes his head and mutters something in Draconic.
The kobolds roar in response, pounding their spears against the floor. They soon arrange in a roaring formation, following their chief’s lead. Chief Sootscales looks at you and says, in Common: “If you want to help us to free ourselves from the shaman’s dominion, you’ll be rewarded, humans! Follow me if you’re bold enough!”
As the chief smashes the idol into pieces and the kobolds all start freaking out, Serolt grabs and readies his bow. When it becomes clear they mean to do harm to someone else he smiles. ”So a little civil war is it Mik-Mek? You planned this - you could have let us know you know. It’s what proper partners do - so they can plan together.”
He takes out a potion of Shield of Faith and hands it to Jacobus, ”Here, drink this as soon as we see their shamen. It’ll keep you from getting hurt, a little. I’ll be right behind you.”
He gestures to Rok and Kryolani, ”You two stay back. With luck the kobolds will be in front, with Jacobus and I in support. Just hang back and stay out of the fighting and we should be just fine.” he gives them each a potion of healing. ”In case we go down in the traces…” he says quietly.
With that preparation in place, he moves up behind the kobolds, bow out, ready to fight.
Kryolani moves in behind Serolt and slaps him on the back. Lightly.
"I appreciate the concern, but physical weakness isn't going to keep me from helping. I don't really fight with my muscles anyway. For the record, I was right. The shaman is the problem here, if he's been pushing these Kobolds down a darker path with threats of a curse. This could have really been an issue if left to fester."
The hike through the tunnel system has Kryolani breathing hard after only a dozen paces, but he forces himself not to gasp, trying to hide how tired he is from both his allies, and tribe of Kobolds they seem to have aligned with.
Rok frowns as the party heads off to battle, following slowly behind them, dragged down by the weight of her gear. Her legs scream against the movement where only a few days ago the weight meant nothing to her at all and she growls at her own weakness and curses the disease for sapping the bulk of her strength.
"I wasn't kidding when I said I'd be next to useless in a fight, but you're an idiot if you think I'm just going to stand back and let you risk yourselves. I can still take a few hits, this armor and shield are just as strong as they've always been."
Jacobus looked annoyed at the turn of event. He did not like being dragged into a kobold war by any means. But complaining wasn't going to change anything so he made the best of it.
He looked at Mik-Mek, "So that was 250 gp that your chief just smashed. We'll be expecting to be rewarded handsomely for our involvement."
He brushed off Serolt, "Keep the potion or give it to someone else. I'll pray to Abadar for protection."
He then turned to Rok and Kryo, "No one is doubting your bravery here so just hang back like Serolt said. With any luck, the kobolds will take care of this themselves and won't need our help much."
He looked concerned, "In fact, you should both just stay behind me and I will try to deflect any attacks. Understand?"
You follow the kobolds to their shaman’s cave: the scaly creature shriek and screams furiously, hissing something in their whistling tongue. All of them follow their chief as they press you forward, dragging you along.
The walls of the shaman’s cavern are decorated by a rickety wooden frame formed from clean-cut branches lashed together with gut and twine. Banners cut from two-foot-wide strips of old blankets and horsehides hang from floor to ceiling, covering much of the walls. The sloppily painted banners bear dozens of primitive icons and mystic symbols. A large cauldron filled with bubbling red liquid boils in the center of the room.
The shaman stands near the cauldron, apparently waiting for the Chief and his retinue. As soon as he spots you, though, the creature eyes widens in disbelief. The shaman is a strange kobold indeed: his scales are purple, an unique skin tone for a kobold. A crow flies near to him.
Chief Sootscale addresses to the shaman in Draconic as soon as he enters the cavern along with you and his retinue, including both Nakpik and Mik-Mek.
The chief roars and wades in the fray along with many kobolds. The ensuing battle is chaotic at best, and Chief Sootscale and his retinue quickly overwhelm the shaman, killing it in a matter of seconds, even before you could join the fight.
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When the rebellion is over, Chief Sootscale raises the severed head of the shaman and incites his kobolds in Draconic.
The other kobolds roars and screams in delight as they move out of the shaman’s cavern. Some of them stops by the shaman’s headless body to kick before leaving the cavern. In a few seconds, you’re left alone with Chief Sootscale in the shaman’s cavern.
“My thanks to you for having helped me in freeing my tribe. You earned our trust and respect. My tribe will be your ally from now on. If you have any request…Speak now. Oh, we also owe you a reward for your help. Here, take everything Tartuk had on himself and everything he has left behind in this cavern. We have no use for it. I’m sure you’ll find something useful among his things.”
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“My thanks to you for having helped me in freeing my tribe. You earned our trust and respect. My tribe will be your ally from now on. If you have any request…Speak now. Oh, we also owe you a reward for your help. Here, take everything Tartuk had on himself and everything he has left behind in this cavern. We have no use for it. I’m sure you’ll find something useful among his things.”
Jacobus bows to the kobold, "You have held up your end of the contract and that speaks very well of you. I have no doubt this tribe will grow and be strong."
He then adds, "We thank you for these gifts and will make good use of them."
Jacobus then asks, "We had received reports of trouble from a kobold tribe in this area. Is it safe to assume that there will no more trouble now that the shaman has been dealt with? Can we forge a truce with the Sootscale tribe?"
Jacobus clapped Kryo's shoulder and then remembered the weakened state of his friend, "Er sorry... But it looks like the shaman had some nice things for you."
He then inspected the flaming bolts and a soft whistle escaped his lips, "These are a beauty. Almost to good to waste on a bandit. Mind if I keep these?"
He then picked up the shield, "Very well made. Excellent materials and even better craftsmanship. Although I don't have a shield, it is something I have considered. Would any of you like to have it?"
Serolt doesn't even get a single arrow knocked when it's all over. Hate to be on the bad side of these little guys. he thinks. Quite vicious.
“My thanks to you for having helped me in freeing my tribe. You earned our trust and respect. My tribe will be your ally from now on. If you have any request…Speak now. Oh, we also owe you a reward for your help. Here, take everything Tartuk had on himself and everything he has left behind in this cavern. We have no use for it. I’m sure you’ll find something useful among his things.”
"You're very generous, thank you. We would press you for one more thing, if you would be so kind. Some of our number have contracted a disease, and require some days of bedrest. Is there a chamber, preferably with a taller roof, that we might occupy for the time being? Just for a few days until they're well enough to travel."
"I'm not sure we can make it back to our home before they collapse you see."
He hopes for the best.
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Kryolani nods wearily to Serolt, "Almost certainly true. I feel like a withered old man with a fever as it is, and at least we are out of the elements down here. It is...cozy." The sorcerer seems to be serious about this, as if the enclosing caverns were actually quite comfortable to him, despite the vague scent of lived-in-by-lizards. He gives a slight bow to the chieftain.
"Your reward is most generous. And my accociate," Kryolani gestures at Jacobus, "has a good point. We would like to explore these lands, and deal with the bandit threat. Surely some kind of peace can be made here, now that wisdom and strength rules the Sootscale tribe once again?"
Kryolani carefully pockets the wand and straps on the leaden bracers. Surely they only feel so weighted due to the illness sapping his strength. Perhaps the locals had something that might help him get over the illness and put him on the mend. "My lord Kobold, do your people perhaps indulge in trade? It would be nice to be able to obtain certain supplies without needed to travel all the way north the Oleg's establishment, if we were to be in need of something."
Chief Sootscale nods to Jacobus. “This is a truce. My tribe won’t create any more trouble to the tall travelers. You earned it”. The kobold cuts his own hand with his dagger and offer his bleeding hand to Jacobus. “By blood it’s sworn”.
Later, to Serolt, Chief Sootscale nods again, “You can stay here in this cave for a few days. No one will disturb you. As soon as your diseased are feeling better, though, you must leave this place, for this used to be my personal lair, but I’m willing to lend it to you for now.”
The Chief then turns his attention towards Kryolani. “We can trade, if you have something interesting to offer. Unfortunately, we haven’t got many interesting items for your kind”.
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You spend the rest of the day in the Sootscale caverns. While Jacobus treats his companions’ diseases, Serolt goes out of the Sootscale’s cavern, finds the horses and Regin and bring them back in the safety of the kobolds lair. The kobold are very generous and offer you some food, but since it consists mainly of mite’s meat, you kindly turn down the offer and consume your rations instead.
Jacobus has become gradually more confident in his healing skills and now has finally found a way to treat his allies’ disease efficiently. Roksana and Kryolani spend most of their time under their blankets. Every now and then, Chief Sootscale or Mik-Mek visit you and stay for a few hours with you, speaking of their tribe, the odds they had to endure under Tarturk’s reign of terror and other mundane topics.
The day passes by quite quickly as the diseased rest and Serolt and Jacobus enjoy the company and the hospitality of the kobolds.
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— Toilday, Gozran the 12th, 4609 AR
— Morning to Evening
— Sootscale Caverns
— Shiny and temperate
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When you wake up, Roksana’s and Kryolani’s diseased has not improved, but at least it hasn’t worsened. Early in the morning you take them out to allow them to breathe some fresh air and see the sun as Serolt takes the horses and Regin with him and let them graze.
The rest of the day passes by just like the previous one, with Chief Sootscale, Mik-Mek and Nakpik taking turn in visiting you and keeping you company as Jacobus tends to the diseased and Serolt spends some time with Regin.
Mik-Mek also offers himself to serve you as a “squire”, and Chief Sootscale tells you that if you bring the kobold with you, he could act as a reminder of your alliance. He paints Mik-Mek as a skilled and strong warrior, but doesn’t force you to accept this deal of course.
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— Wealday, Gozran the 13th, 4609 AR
— Morning to Evening
— Sootscale Caverns
— Rainy and temperate
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When you wake up, Jacobus breathes a sigh of relief as he sees that Roksana has overcome her disease and will now start to recover from its aftereffects naturally. Unfortunately, Kryolani’s organism has proved much more fragile, and the nobleman has not overcome his disease yet. It’s now up to you to decide whether to leave now or to wait until Kryolani recovers. Fact is, as Jacobus is able to tell, Kryolani will need several days to get over his sickness, so your stay in the kobolds lair might drag on too long if you wait for him to overcome his disease before leaving, but of course it’s again your choice what to do.
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Jacobus clasps the bloody hand of the kobold chief in his two hands, "Good, truce and prosperity for us all. You can send an envoy to our place of stay should you ever need anything. We take allies seriously."
Happy to see Rok recover from the disease, Jacobus is still concerned about Kryo and his lack of improvement. "I don't want to overstay our welcome here and I could use a breath of fresh air myself."
He looks at the group, "How about we slowly make our way back to Oleg, exploring along the way and hopefully not getting into too much trouble? I think it's time we obtain new supplies and tell the Sworlords of our successes." He wanted to say, and claim our just rewards but held his tongue. People often thought of worshipers of Abadar as greedy and he did not want to give that impression.
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Serolt is pleased that a peace treaty, of a sort, has been forged and that the kobolds are as helpful as Mik-Mek said they would be.
Serolt spends time among the kobolds, which is tricky as he doesn't know their language, but he manages well enough. He spends time playing with Regin of course, and in that play, sews the seeds for future knowledge - but nothing comes of it quite yet.*
He spends a lot of time bartering with the creatures for all manner of things, and then trades them back to other kobolds. For currency he uses the, worthless to him, huge amount of worthless shiny objects, such as quartz and mica crystals, bits of metal, broken weapons and armor, and other garbage.
He hopes to have everything distributed to the clan by the end of the two days. He is, basically, giving that stuff back, but not for free. For little favors, other trades, and OK, occasionally nothing. Just for the fun of it - something to do while he waits.
- - -
Later, when they're alone (no Mik-Mek or other kobolds in earshot), "Well, this has turned out to be better than expected really. These are nice folk, you know, for lizards."
"Jacobus, I know you're in a hurry to get back, but it's nearly a three day ride and I don't think Kryolani here will make the trip. Let us stay just one more day - so he can recover at least a little, before we ride out. Surely they won't get too uneasy about just one more day."
"Then, we leave and head north as you say - straight back to Oleg's where we'll rest until you two are fully recovered."
"As far as Mik-Mek is concerned, do we need a squire? I mean, sure, there are things we can have him do, but he doesn't have the qualities I like to see in an associate or assistant. I mean he's like 3' tall and as weak as you two are right now - at his best! He can't even help setup the tent for all it's canvas and rope!"
"I say we beg off, and leave the brave soldier here to keep his people safe. He can be our ambassador here, should we come this way again. But I'd rather not bring him with us."
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Kryolani nods at the suggestion to start heading back. "I agree. The disease makes me feel pretty terrible, and I'm weak as a kitten, but those factors don't actually make me much worse in a fight. We should get on with our exploration, and that means stocking up back at Oleg's." He coughs dryly for a few moments.
"Err...I reserve the right to reverse that choice if I get much worse. I'd be more hindrance than help if you guys had to lash me to a saddle."
Upon considering the offer of Mik-Mek as a squire, "As a warrior? Perhaps not a huge boon, no, but he knows the area, he's brave, he's loyal, and I am awfully curious to see if I could train him to call upon to power of his blood like I do my own. Instead of having him tag along, why don't I ask if he can undertake some exercises I was taught when I was first coming into my power. They're just meditations and such, but you can't really do them while travelling. Perhaps they come to nothing, but perhaps he awakens as I have, and I learn a bit more as to where all this came from." he finishes, gesturing into the air about him, as if to imply an aura of some kind.
---
"Chief Sootscale, we thank you for your offer, of the warrior Mik-Mek. I'd like to request something else, however. With your permission, I'd like to teach Mik-Mek some meditations, and give him some knowledge about where my power comes from, to see if he can learn to use it too. Whether he does or not, it should teach me something about where my own power comes from. He would have to remain here, though, as we are travelling, and that does not offer much of the practice time he'll need."
If the Chief accepts this, Kryolani spends their time among the Kobolds alternating between teaching Mik-Mek to clear his mind, focus on his breathing, and count his heartbeats. He intersperses that with telling the Kobold warrior what little he knows about the history of dragons, and the dragon god Apsu.
---
Kryolani spends a little time saying farewell to Mik-Mek and the chieftain, asking them to come by the Trading Post if they ever needed anything. He hopes the little creatures will keep out of trouble, now that an alliance has been brokered. At the least, having someone deep in the wildlands that they could go to for rumors and assistance if needed couldn't hurt their attempts to fulfill their charter.
@Serolt:
Jacobus nods, "Yeah, OK. Maybe that is the better way. I just don't sleep well underground surrounded by... reptiloids or whatever. My healing methods seemed to have worked for Rok so we'll give Kryo one more chance before heading out."
He raises his eyebrows, "So how is your new career as trader coming along?"
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@Kryo:
"I have no desire to take on Mik-Mek but I do recognize that he has been loyal so I won't interfere with your plans."
He pulls out and admires the new flaming bolts, "Did you get a chance to fiddle with your new equipment?"
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— Oathday, Gozran the 13th, 4609 AR
— Morning to Evening
— The Kamelands
— Shiny and temperate
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After greeting the Sootscales kobolds, and having received Chief Sootscale’s permission to train Mik-Mek in the future, the group is ready to start the long journey back to Oleg’s Trading Post. Kryolani’s conditions have worsened during the course of the night, and noble man lies now unconscious. He seriously needs a healer, and soon. Carrying him alone is a tad problematic, though. Since he’s unconscious, Kryolani can’t ride his horse, neither he can stay in the saddle. One of you is forced to ride with Kryolani placed before him, but that – together with the need to carry his horse along – slows you down significantly. At this rate, the time needed to reach Oleg’s Trading Post will be doubled. Hopefully you won’t encounter any threat during your trip back to Oleg’s.
---
The first day of travel passes by uneventfully as you pass through the area surrounding the Old Sycamore.
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— Oathday, Gozran the 13th, 4609 AR
— Morning to Evening
— The Kamelands
— Rainy and temperate
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The second day of travel is mostly uneventful as well. At night, you’re forced to take shelter into a natural cave below a high cliff by the pounding rain.
---
It’s Jacobus guard shift. Suddenly, the Brevic man hears a desperate whinny coming from outside the cavern, followed by a savage roar and more whinnies.
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@Serolt:
Jacobus nods, "Yeah, OK. Maybe that is the better way. I just don't sleep well underground surrounded by... reptiloids or whatever. My healing methods seemed to have worked for Rok so we'll give Kryo one more chance before heading out."He raises his eyebrows, "So how is your new career as trader coming along?"
He laughs lightly, "Just redistributing the wealth, and maybe making a few friends." he grins.
He asks Kryolani, "So you think Mik-Mek might be a good spell-chucker huh? Pretty cool."
- - -
As the most skilled rider, Serolt takes Kryolani on his horse, pushing the tent and other gear off onto Kryolani's steed to even the weight. He's very careful to avoid ruts in the trail, sudden drops, etc. and hangs on tight.
When they make camp he's extra attentive helping Kryolani eat and drink and doing what he can to help Jacobus tend to the man.
He sleeps in his amor (no big thing with his light leather) and keeps his bow and quiver nearby.
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Jacobus tenses at the sound of the beast outside; he picks up his mace and new shield as he peers outside to see what's going on while calling on the rest of his companions.
"Serolt, Rok, get up and get ready." In a slightly pessimistic mood, he murmurs, "When it rains, it pours..."
___________
Serolt rises quickly and straps his quiver on as he grabs his bow. He does not bother with his scimitar or other weapons as time is of the essence.
He quickly moves to follow Jacobus outside.
Having made her opinion on Kobolds known Rok refrains from making any decisions about an alliance and let her companions work it out if thats what they wanted. She was too tired for negotiation anyway.
She spent much of the travel quietly contemplating her reliance on physical strength. These past few days of weakness had left her vulnerable and she had no outlet for her frustration, there was no strength in her to beat the ground or practice her skills. Though the disease seemed to be fading her strength returned only in small bursts, but as it did her confidence returned with it and she soon began to wonder what she'd been fussing about after all.
When Jacobus woke her in the cave they'd taken shelter in she let a wide grin split her lips as she drew her weapon. She was still missing the power of her full strength, but whatever attacked them now would still regret taking a blow from her.
"What do you think it is Jacobus?"
You need about twenty seconds in order to wake up, gather you strictly necessary weapons and follow Jacobus outside the cave. The Abadaran inquisitor has preceded you by six seconds approximately.
---
When he exited the cavern his groups has taken shelter into, Jacobus saw a strange and unusually large wolf with an evil, almost intelligent light shining in its deep red eyes. He wasn’t able to identify the creature though, and he mistook it for a common, if larger and than normal, wolf. The black-furred creature attacked one of your horses as the other ones fled. As Jacobus arrives, the black, large wolf has just managed to put down the horse biting it several times on its neck. The horse is bleeding, but still struggles to break free from the wolf’s grapple. Now, as the inquisitor has the chance to act, the wolf bites the horse at its neck again, and the creature suddenly loses consciousness, falling in a pool of its own blood.
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--- (round 1) ---
--- (round 2) ---
----- -----
--- (round 3) ---
"Wolf! A g&~-d+!n big-ass wolf! Eating one of the horses. Get over here; there could be more!"
Hoping his friends are right behind him, the inquisitor quickly moves to join the fray.
He strikes his heavy mace hoping to scare away the wolf.
_____________
The wolf jumps back, avoiding Jacobus’ mace swing. The beast counterattacks instantly, but it misses as well, with Jacobus parrying the bite attempt and pushing the creature back with his new shield.
--------------------------------
---- ----
--------------------------------
•
• Jacobus
• Serolt & Regin
• Roksana
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--- ---
Serolt sizes up the situation quickly and casts Light on the top of Regin’s head before commanding her, ”Attack the wolf Regin, stop that bastard from hurting the horses!”
He then steps up 5’ (25’ away from the action).
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Cold Iron Arrows: 27/30
Cold Iron Silver Blanch Arrows: 10/10
Conditions: None
longbow: Attack: BAB +1, Dex +4 Damage: Str +2
melee: Attack: BAB +1, Str +2 Damage: Str +2
Spells (Caster Level 2, Concentration +4)
Zero (12): Detect Magic, Light, Stabilize
First (13): Cure Light Wounds, Magic Fang
- - -
Regin snarls and charges ahead fearlessly, taking a quick bite out of the wolf, or tries to!
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Tricks: Attack x2, Flank, Heel, Sneak, Track, Watch
melee Attack BAB +1, Dex +5 Damage Str +1
- - -
, plus free trip
Bolstered by his companions, Jacobus tries to maneuver to flank the large wolf.
He once more attempts to strike down with his mace.
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Kryolani slumbers, blissfully unaware of the danger.
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