Yiddlepode offers a rueful smile after listening to what Parison (and Maria) have to say. "What you proposse would be wonderful! Except for one ssmall thing...my father, Chief Kibizax."
"He iss convinced that if he hass a sshowdown with the Pathfinder Ssociety and defeatss their agentss, we will be able to demand tribute from the Ssociety and bring the other kobold tribess under our leadersship. For now, I cannot act againsst hiss wisshess and sso you will have to deal with him."
There's a pause and Yiddlepode gives the pair of you a sidelong glance. "Of coursse the phrasse 'deal with him' iss open to interpretation. Perhapss when you finissh 'bargaining' with my father you and I will have an opportunity for an extended converssation about a truce..."
She smiles knowingly.
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Maria's face twists into a thoughtful frown, "I hope it won't come to the worst possible definition of 'dealing with him', but we will complete our mission. Will you be ready to step in if the chief is out of the picture? Are there others we need to be concerned about? Are you able to provide... oh I don't know... hints about stuff that may be useful to our little endeavor?"
"Yess," Yiddlepode nods. "My father iss sshort-ssighted. I know enough of the Pathfinder Ssociety to know that all-out war with them wouldn't end in our favor. What you proposse would be a much better arrangement for everyone involved."
"I can tell you where to enter the tunnelss and warn you of some of the threatss, but I can't lead you to my father without it looking like I'm betraying him," she continues. "And if thingss come to blowss...I'll have to at leasst make it look like I am sstanding with him."
Noticing that intermission is winding down and the second half of the opera is about to start, Yiddlepode quickly begins ticking off some bits of information about the Sewer Dragons' lair.
"There'ss many entrancess to our territory but mosst of them are too ssmall for you," she explains. "The only one you can fit iss jusst at the edge of the Ivy Disstrict. You'll find a long sstraight tunnel that Tok, my brother, keepss trapped up. I don't know all of what he hass in there, becausse he likess to change thingss week to week to try out hiss newesst ideass. But I can ssay that you'll want to watch the floor, becausse beneath that tunnel, that'ss where we keep Sstinky Gurva. Or where Sstinky Gurva keeps himsself."
"He'ss an otyugh. We make ssure he has plenty of trassh and he eatss tresspasssserss for uss," Yiddlepode says brightly. "Oh, and there might be guardss possted to keep an eye on the tunnel."
"From Gurva'ss chamber you'll want to take the easstern tunnel. That'll take you to my brother'ss worksshop. I...don't think Tok will want to talk - he sharess our father'ss view of thiss matter. Still, I'd prefer if you didn't kill my brother."
Yiddlepode considers her words, cold-blooded reptilian practicality at war with sentiment. "On the other hand...it would make my own possition that much more ssecure..."
"...well, anyway. Through hiss lab iss the entrance to the theatre, and that'ss where my father and the bulk of the tribe will be."
"Ssince you don't live in the ssewerss you might want to be careful about avoiding the water down there...I've heard it makess your kind ssick, usually. That'ss all I can think of."
"Wonderful," Yiddlepode smiles broadly. "I'm looking forward to sseeing you again ssoon...and having a much more detailed converssation on thesse matterss."
Contact made and information learned, the two of you graciously withdraw and leave Yiddlepode to watch the rest of the opera in peace. When it's all said and done you also see why the turnout for the show was so low - apparently the troupe putting it on opted to swap out much of the traditional bloodshed and gore in favor of illusions and other special effects. What a waste of time!
With the two groups having attended their respective shows, you all reconvene at a designated spot within the Ivy District to share everything you've learned.
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Rumble is seated atop a low stone wall on a hill that offers a view of Absalom's skyline (such as it is). Several small, round stones are piled next to him. He drops one from the wall and it rolls dutifully down the long hill until it dully thumps against a retaining wall. Wonder what's taking them all so long? Hope there wasn't any trouble.
"Ih soun's like we ought ta buy sum o' thah antitoxin an' antiplague stuff," he points out. "Unless we wanna 'ire ah Dwarven diggin' crew, aye think tha one entrance riddled wit' traps is our only choice..."
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"I like both ideas," Parison says after the two groups reconvene and share information. "I personally don't have any way outside of spells to deal with poisons or diseases. And we should give Yiddlepole time to return and do what she must do."
As the cleric is weighing in on the discussion, he suddenly gets a vibe from his dwarven companion. Rumble is being a little bit more gruff than usual, but Parison has formed a strong enough bond to understand that his friend is masking feelings of genuine sadness that they didn't take in the same show together.
"I'm sorry, my friend," he says, giving Rumble a pat on the shoulder. "But had Maria and I not taken in Fall From Glory, we'd have lost a day in our search for Yiddlepole. I also have a better understanding of the performing arts, too, thanks to her," he says, giving Maria a look of gratitude.
"Tell you what," he says, looking around at everyone. "After this mission is done, why don't we all take in The Trouble With Swans? Together?" he says, looking directly at Rumble as he says that last word.
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"Well I enjoyed the tale of the dragon and the princess, even if it was a little morose" adds Effie. "Very different kind of performance to those we gave in the circus! I could do you a 'two gnomes, four pies and one girl' if you can find me a pair of willing gnomes" she giggles. "Halflings in disguise will do in a pinch."
"But yes, antiplague seems a wise choice. Antitoxin can't hurt either."
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"Aye know, aye know," Rumble says to Parison. I've got to push my feelings down further, not doing anyone any good if my battlebuddy can see it so clearly!fCan't let him get distracted. It was the right thing to do, even if I didn't like it.
"Buh yeah, leh's do thah," he says. A small smile escapes his stony face as he looks away and back at the stack of rocks on the wall.
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After a quick briefing from Maria and Parison on what to expect, you make it a point to pick up a few alchemical items, get a good night's sleep, and then set out for the sewers the next morning. Maria (and anyone else possessing the right sort of knowledge) also give a good think over what she knows about otyughs. She recalls that otyughs possess tentacles with which they are able to grab and constrict their prey.
The next morning, preparations complete, you find yourselves in a particularly cramped section of the sewers where the tallest among you may find themselves needing to stoop and the clumsiest of you having to take care lest you lose your footing on the narrow and slippery walkways.
Near the intersection Xarcious and Yiddlepode indicated, territorial markings fill the walls, smattered with warnings written in the common tongue: “Keep out.” Scorch marks on the ground and walls smell faintly of ozone. The directions you've been given indicate that the entrance to the Sewer Dragons’ lair is through a grate in the east passage off a large, four-way intersection. Looking that direction, the passage extends at least sixty feet before vanishing into the stinking gloom. About forty to forty-five feet away from you, you can see two alcoves interrupting the walls.
The scorch marks are from some sort of large electrical discharge, likely from a dragon's breath, magical lightning, or something similar.
It's hard to spot them in the muck, but numerous clawed footprints cover the narrow walkways - likely made by small bipedal reptilian creatures such as kobolds.
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As they get close to the opening, Maria takes a few minutes to slather a shiny substance over her body and clothes, "Otyughs like to grab prey with tentacles, so this will help against that. Plus there are all sorts of other nasty things down there I don't want grabbing or sticking to me." She also drinks a small vial and wrinkles her nose, "Chalky, bleh."
Carefully following near Parison, Maria activates a small stone that orbits her head slowly, granting a small bit of light for everyone.
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After purchasing a vial of antitoxin and antiplague each, Parison is ready to accompany his companions into the sewers. Not being someone who can see in the dark as readily as some of his companions, he tries to make sure he stays close to Maria's light source.
"No telling what kind of dangers we could run into down here," he whispers softly before falling silent and letting those skilled in navigating the dangers of the sewers concentrate on doing so in order to help the group overcome any hazards or obstacles with the minimum of risk.
+1 vs. traps
Having reached what seems like the beginning of Sewer Dragon territory, those of you who purchased alchemical goods take the opportunity to drink and/or apply them. Hepsubia is quick to meld in the shadows, which are plentiful even with Maria's ioun torch swirling about. The unusually-quiet elf, her mind drifting back to the mention of the otyugh lurking about somewhere, recalls that such creatures possess the ability to transmit filth fever with their bite. More and more, it seems that purchasing antiplague and the like was probably a good call!
Also important, Hepsubia doesn't spot any traps here at the intersection, nor does she spot anything else that seems like an immediate concern or hazard. That said...Parison is the only one to hear what sounds like a shuffling sound coming from somewhere beyond the reach of the ioun torch, which is immediately followed by *CLICK!* *CLICK!*
Two bolts suddenly come flying out of the darkness to the east; one falls short and splashes into the dirty sewer water but the second strikes Maria in her shoulder! While the bolt really only leaves a small scratch, it quickly dissolves into a sticky goo that drips down Maria's arms and legs, leaving her entangled.
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???
???
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Maria
Effie
Zithembe
Parison
Hepsubia
Rumble
Active Conditions: None
Environmental Conditions: Normal Light (Yellow), Dim Light (Orange)
Parison may act!
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Although he isn't caught off guard by the bolts fired in the direction of the group, Parison is very surprised because he's in the rare position of being in the front of the group when this assault occurs.
With no one in dire straits and under fire from an enemy he can't see, the cleric makes an impulse decision to steel himself against the next round of arrows and he watches carefully in the direction they came from, listening for a familiar 'click' and/or the telltale hissing sound of bolts in flight.
"Ware the bolts, lest ye be tied up like Maria!" he says to the others behind him.
A bit late but better than never, Parison shouts an alarm and adopts a defensive position due to finding himself up on the front lines for a change. Those of you with low-light vision strain to catch sight of your attackers, almost certain that one or more of them are lurking just beyond the range of what you can reliably see.
*CLICK!*
*CLICK!*
Two more crossbow bolts fly out of the darkness ahead...
...the first zipping just past Parison's head and the other striking the nearby corner with a *tink*.
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???
???
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Maria
Effie
Zithembe
Parison
Hepsubia
Rumble
Active Conditions: None
Environmental Conditions: Normal Light (Yellow), Dim Light (Orange)
Everyone is UP!
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"Hey! You always shoot visitors? We're just tourists ya know!"
Looking over her shoulder to the pathfinders, Effie calls "Stay behind me! At least, until our gracious hosts decide to swarm towards me!"
Hoping to take some of the heat off of Maria and Parison, Effie effortlessly leaps across the sewer channel and boldly moves up the tunnel. Her gun is in her hand and she's ready to return fire against the attackers in the darkness...
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???
???
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Maria
Effie
Zithembe
Parison
Hepsubia
Rumble
Active Conditions: None
Environmental Conditions: Normal Light (Yellow), Dim Light (Orange)
Maria, Zithembe, Parison, Hepsubia and Rumble are UP!
Rumble raises his shield and trundles forward, taking care to not go too fast lest he take a tumble into the sewage below. He raises the very valid question of whether or not anyone in the group might happen to know the kobold language.
Though his darkvision doesn't reveal the unseen attackers, Rumble feels certain that they're not much farther ahead than what his vision can reach.
Meanwhile, Hepsubia tries to stay in the shadows but it's easier said than done while under fire and also standing right next to the light. She calls out, trying to bluff the kobolds into thinking that she's not here for a fight.
"'Не ни нападайте' казва тя!", comes a reptilian voice from out of the darkness, its tone mocking. "Твърде късно вече - изпратете или млъкнете!"
"'Don't attack us', she says!"
"Too late now - put up or shut up!"
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???
???
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Maria
Effie
Zithembe
Parison
Hepsubia
Rumble
Active Conditions: None
Environmental Conditions: Normal Light (Yellow), Dim Light (Orange)
Maria, Zithembe and Parison are UP!
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Feeling the goop hardening around her, Maria realizes it is too late to wiggle her way free. With a small frown she pulls out a vial and starts dabbing it onto the thickest parts of the goop. It almost instantaneously dissolves the substance and before you know it, her full range of motion returns. She steps up, trying to at least extend her light a tiny bit.
While Maria sets about freeing herself from the entangling goo, Hepsubia draws her bow and readies to take a shot at the first kobold that shows his or her face. Zithembe backs up and takes a running leap to get across the small gap at the intersection, managing to keep his balance as he touches down on the other side. He steps up just past Effie and as he does, he finally spots one of the attackers just at the edge of his darkvision - a short, reptilian humanoid with scaled skin, a snout filled with tiny teeth, and a long tail! He holds a light crossbow in his hands.
And apparently, he can see Zithembe too - his eyes widen with surprise as the shabti advances up the passage.
"Eek! Имат статуя на атака!"
"Eek! They have an attack-statue!"
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Red
???
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Maria
Effie
Zithembe
Parison
Hepsubia
Rumble
Active Conditions: None
Environmental Conditions: Normal Light (Yellow), Dim Light (Orange)
Parison is UP!
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With those who are better suited at being able to see into the darkness ahead of him, Parison comes out of his defensive stance and moves forward, leaping across the gap to join those who are ahead of him.
Unfortunately, the cleric leaps a little too early. The euphoric sense of flying through the air is short lived as Parison realizes he's going to miss landing on the other side of the sewer channel. Not by much, but enough.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!" is heard by everyone, followed immediately by an unmistakable BERDOOOSH! sound of a body hitting water.
Ready to move forward now that some of his companions with sharper eyesight have done so, Parison attempts to hop over the short gap at the sewer intersection...but jumps a little too soon, falling short and falling into the grody sewage that runs through the channel.
Though still obviously unnerved by Zithembe's appearance Red continues to hold his ground, reloading his crossbow and taking aim at the shabti...
...and graze his arm, leaving a small wound.
"Ей, статуята кърви истинска кръв! Чудите се дали ще клекне като грозде?"
"Hey, the statue bleeds real blood! Wonder if he'll squish like a grape?"
Nothing else seems to happen, but you all know that at least one other assailant lurks somewhere in the darkness. Ready to fire as soon as she sees something worth shooting at, Hepsubia advances forward.
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Red
???
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Maria
Effie
Zithembe
Parison
Hepsubia
Rumble
Active Conditions: None
Environmental Conditions: Normal Light (Yellow), Dim Light (Orange)
Maria, Effie, Zithembe, Parison and Rumble are UP!
Upon hearing Zithembe call out that he's spotted one of their foes, Maria deftly hops across the sewer channel and moves forward, past Zithembe. The light moves with her and further illuminates the path ahead, revealing to all the small, scaly-skinned creature standing near one of the alcoves.
It's definitely a kobold and Maria recalls several things about them. A very prominent one is that kobolds can see perfectly in the dark, much like dwarves do. The downside to this is that all those generations spent underground have left them sensitive to light, leaving them dazzled in areas of bright sunlight or within the radius of a Daylight spell. Otherwise, they generally don't possess any special attacks or defenses or other abilities of note.
And with a target now in sight, Maria fires a return shot with her bow but it flies too high and ricochets off the wall with a *thock*. Effie also moves up, passing up even Maria, until she too can easily see Red - that said, she doesn't see the mysterious second attacker, as the tunnel continues on past the range of her darkvision and of Maria's light.
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Red
???
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Maria
Effie
Zithembe
Parison
Hepsubia
Rumble
Active Conditions: None
Environmental Conditions: Normal Light (Yellow), Dim Light (Orange)
Effie (Standard Action), Zithembe, Parison and Rumble are UP!
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With as much dignity as he could muster for one who has just taken a bath in sewage, Parison scrambles out of the channel and up on the opposite ledge.
"Yeeeeeecccccccckkkkkkkkk!" he exhales, flapping his arms in a vain attempt to rid himself of the overpowering and nauseating aroma of stench that permeates from him.
While Zithembe nimbly scoots along the narrow walkway, ducking into a nearby alcove, Parison hauls himself up and out of the grody water. Though the stench wafting off of him is enough to curl a person's nose hairs, he at least manages to avoid getting any into his mouth or eyes.
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Red
???
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Maria
Effie
Zithembe
Parison
Hepsubia
Rumble
Active Conditions: None
Environmental Conditions: Normal Light (Yellow), Dim Light (Orange)
Effie (Standard Action), Parison (Standard Action) and Rumble are UP!
No one ever said that fighting kobolds on their home turf would be easy. Parison, Rumble, and Effie also move forward, some more hampered by the narrow walkways than others. Rumble, perhaps sensing trouble, adopts a defensive position as well. Effie, now in the lead, can see even further down the tunnel and spots a second kobold standing next to another set of alcoves.
Those who can see Red see the kobold grin widely as more of you approach. He glances back over his shoulder and calls out, "Време е да намачкате малко грозде!"
"Time to squish some grapes!"
He then turns and runs back down the tunnel, away from the group! Effie can see him travel several feet before ducking into an alcove. Meanwhile, the second kobold smiles and steps into another alcove as well...
*click*
...and from out of the darkness, a large stone boulder comes rumbling down the passage at incredible speed, heading right towards you!
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Red
Blue + BOULDER
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Maria
Effie
Zithembe
Parison
Hepsubia
Rumble
Active Conditions: None
Environmental Conditions: Normal Light (Yellow), Dim Light (Orange)
Everyone is UP!