Bazzle moves cleser to Ed knowing something is still happening over that way.
Ederion came prepared! He quaffs his extract, to see that the Kobold with the crown is standing just ten feet from him. They lock eyes and the Kobold gulps.
For those interested in neither the chase, nor the invisible kobold, there is an unconscious giant weasel. It was shocked by Bazzle at the beginning of the fight, but it did not die. Otherwise, there is loot to collect off the still-warm corpses!
Aster will run back to Areen, to let her know it is over. Then if all is still quiet, she'll look to see if there is anything on the corpses that explain why they attacked them... other than just because.
Blind as a bat, Tasha has no idea where the 'halfling' has vanished to. She swings wildly where she thinks it may be, but ultimately all her guesses turn out false.
Ederion watches the invisible Kobold drink a potion attached to his unholy symbol, then start speeding away from the fight at a breakneck pace. He identifies the potion as Expeditious Retreat.
The chase for the lesser kobold begins. Bekx the kobold is running as fast as the little kobold can without running the risk of exhausting themselves early. There are currently no obstacles or hazards in the grassland.
Leader: The kobold (who shall henceforth be referred to as Bekx)
Chasers: Rexandi, Gumblegus the Bold
Distance to leader:
- Gumblegus: Short range (somewhere along the lines of 100ft behind)
- Rexandi: Medium range (somewhere along the lines of 200ft behind)
Movement bonuses:
- Bekx: +12 (30ft movespeed), no relevant Str bonus
- Rexandi: +12 (30ft movespeed), no relevant Str bonus
- Gumblegus: +12 (30ft movespeed), potential +2 Str bonus
Endurance scores:
- Bekx: 5
- Rexandi: 6
- Gumblegus: 3 (actually 8, but the summon spell will end in 3 rounds)
Terrain:
Mostly grassland with ample hiding opportunities (requires creature to be prone)
Later on, terrain becomes rocky hills. Few hiding opportunities, but some difficult terrain and natural hazards
"Where did the halfling go. I had a pair of knives for him too?"
"He was a kobold, I believe." Aster says looking, looting, and chatting with Bazzle "Why he felt the need to disguise his race, when he was surrounded by them is odd."
Rexandi takes one last chance and lobs a web bolt at the distant kobold.
Bekx chase
Rexandi uses her magic to lob a web bolt like a trebuchet, with the webbing soaring through the skies as it tries to hit the Kobold off in the distance. It lands with quite the thud, but Rexandi sees the Kobold run off. It must have been a miss. Gumblegus the Bold hops onwards as fast as his frog legs can go. The kobold makes little progress, and Gumblegus has plenty of stamina remaining.
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Since she expected her spell to fail anyway, Rexandi just shrugs and stands around with nothing else to do.
"I can see him, the little sneak" - Ederion smiles to Bazzle - "He is using magic to move faster"
BAB +5
Prayer from Aster +1
Dex (with Mutagen) +6
Study Bonus +3
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Ederion draws a tanglefoot bag as he hops forward. It's a pretty long shot for a tanglefoot bag, but Ederion puts his faith in good luck, at least better luck than Rexandi ever gets. At the end of a 30ft hustle, Ederion chucks the tanglefoot bag at what appears to be nothing. Then, about 40 feet away, the bag explodes into a pile of goo. The form of a kobold appears, completely drenched in the now rapidly hardening alchemical yuck. Though not outright stuck to the floor, Ederion can easily catch up to the Kobold since it cannot run or charge. When he (and Tasha, who can now see) catch up, the king Kobold raises its hands and says "My give up. My give up."
Kobold starts 10ft from Ederion
Kobold makes standard to drink potion (using a holy symbol potion flask), then moves 60ft
Ederion moves 30 feet and draws tanglefoot bag before throwing
Now Kobold is 40 feet away when tanglefoot bag is thrown
Range increment is 10ft, -2penalty
10ft (free), 20ft (-2), 30ft (-4), 40ft (-6)
Original attack roll: 24. Modified equals 18
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As Rexandi bows out of the race, only Gumblegus remains. He valiants hops forth in pursuit of the fleeing Kobold. After closing the distance further, he launches his tongue out and tags the back of the Kobold. The Kobold screams as he's pulled into the frog's mouth, but just before he's swallowed, Gumblegus suddenly returns to the Celestial planes. Gumblegus the Bold tells his fellow celestial giant frog brethren about his incredible adventure. He was summoned to fight alongside mortal souls of legend against a terrible Kobold menace. Kobolds were being felled left and right, and Gumblegus swallowed no less than six and squashed another thirteen under his triumphant girth. The other celestial giant frog ribbit in amazement. Gumblegus the Bold, the Kobold Eater, is celebrated as a great hero.
This is all the loot from the bodies of Kobolds and Lizardfolk, but does not include the Kobold King.
- 4 light maces (small size)
- 4 sets of leather armour (small size)
- 4 iron unholy symbols of Asmodeus (worth 5gp each)
- 2 sets of masterwork hide armour (medium size)
- 2 masterwork bucklers (medium size)
- 2 silver unholy symbols of Asmodeus (worth 25gp each)
- 2 masterwork warhammers (medium size)
- 2 riding saddles
- 1 set of leather barding (large size)
- 1 unconscious giant weasel (stable)
Bazzle runs trying to keep up with Ed, "Gods bless those long shanks and their ginormous running stride." He does his best to keep pace falling slowly behind.
Bazzle's full out run sputters out and he puts his hands on his knees to catch his breath when he sees Ed catch the kobold, "You got this. Give em . . ." He turns and starts the walk back to the others.
Rexandi sighs and says, "I guess we gotta keep moving, or more kobolds will come after us. C'mon. Closer toward the city until we get a few more miles under us... and hopefully find some place that will cover our tracks."
She squeezes some of the water out of her shawl but largely considers drying off a lost cause for the moment. Fortunately, her fiendish heritage makes her resistant to cold.
Aster reaches into her pack for some dry clothes if Rexi is interested. Unfortunately, she is not proficient in drying magic. "To continue we'll have to cross over to the other island in the dark. But I agree. Camping next to a decaying goat and numerous bodies doesn't sound like a good idea."
Rexandi moves her dancing lights to form a set of softly-bobbing glowing orbs to illuminate the way.
"Gods bless those long shanks and their ginormous running stride." He does his best to keep pace falling slowly behind.
"Ginormous..." - Ederion frowns - "Can we perhaps agree they are... 'Well proportioned'?" - the elf adds with a chuckle.
"My give up. My give up."
"Smart choice little one" - he smiles - "Now stay put, do what we say, and you'll be just fine" - proceeding in removing valuables and weapons from their captive, then tying him up, and bringing him along to join the others.
"Now then, what the heck was all this - why waylay us? Is this how your tribe makes a living? By attacking unwary travelers?" - he inquires from the kobold - "No lies. You already are in our debt, since we have let you live"
Rexandi can easily identify the one minor magic item that the Kobold carries.
- One set of masterwork studded leather armour (small)
- A circlet of persuasion
- A masterwork light mace (small)
- A gold unholy symbol of Asmodeus with a potion flask (worth 110gp, allows the wearer to consume a single potion without having to draw it) (the flask is empty)
- A masterwork buckler (small)
The Kobold seems to understand Common, though it must be a secondary language to him. As Ederion would know, he likely speaks Yip Yak, which is a dialect of Draconic that appears very unsophisticated and childish.
In the Common tongue, he replies "King Arzhun understands, and is in your debt."
While talking, Ederion manages to garner a tiny sliver of King Arzhun's respect. He also learns that the Kobold is capable of speaking Yip Yak, Infernal, Undercommon, Common, and the Lizardfolk dialect of Draconic. Furthermore, he learns that Arzhun is easiest to influence using flattery.
"We is the Devilscale clan. It is hard to get new foods and stuffs, so we fight-fight travelers to take their stuffs. It make clan stronger than other clans. Best tactic was to lure Deathgoat to do work for us, but you killed Deathgoat. We thought you would feel weak after, but you were not. You killed lots. Me got greedy, because you carry magic stuffs, and me thought maybe we could steal, but was wrong. Arzhun is sorry."
King Arzhun is trying to appear as harmless and cooperative as possible in order to survive. However, each time he has to swallow his pride, he feels a burning hatred, like he's been directly insulted.
He clearly understands that the party is far more powerful than he is, and that he has no means of escape. He will do whatever it takes to get on the party's good side, though this should not be mistaken as a sign of loyalty. True loyalty must either come in the form of constant fear and control, or a pampered life that he could not fathom giving up.
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"We have no quarrel with the Devilscale - you brought upon the deaths of your allies when you decided to attack us. We defended ourselves" - Ederion nods
"But you are right - we ARE strong" - the half-elf continues, knocking on Tasha's armor and shield - "Yet we have a very big task ahead of us, others also strong we need to defeat and bring down. And we need allies" - he smiles.
"So what about we let Arzhun go back to Devilscale clan with all of this?" - he points to the loot they just retrieved from him - "The head of deathgoat maybe? Maybe some jewels and magic also? But more important? The tale of defeated travelers who ran with the tails between their legs after Arzhun let them survive" - the elf now squints his eyes as if picturing a distant image - "Travelers which mighty Arzhun spared, because they agree to go and fetch more gold and magics in return for their lives? I do not know! Arzhun decide!" - then pauses.
"We can barter all this with you kobold king, but in exchange you swear over the holy symbol around your neck - if the day comes we come look for Devilscale to help, to be our allies in OUR fight, then Devilscale will answer" - Ederion is dead serious now - "Otherwise you can just go and never look back - we will not kill you anyway. What say you?"
Rexandi seems a bit skeptical, but also a very tired. "Yeah, I'm tired of fighting for now. Don't think we won't defend ourselves if this happens again."
Aster freezes at the suggestion of letting this evil predator go. She asks for a quick chat with the others.
"This... this kobold lured how many to their deaths. Wait! not only to their deaths but to have their souls devoured by an undead GOAT! And not only do you want to let him go, you want to make him more powerful!" she is clearly angry at the idea. "I know we need allies but THIS???" she shakes her head "I know evil, I was raised by evil, he is evil."
She knows Ed though, so she'll not stand in the way of things now that her thoughts are out there.
Bazzle looks puzzled. "Hmmm probably shouldn't trust a gnome for a balanced opinion of a crap-dragon. But they worship Asmodeus. All our enemies worship Asmodeus. Seems like a problem."
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Rexandi somewhat numbly says, "We're surrounded by devil-worshippers and taking them out one at a time is at least chipping away at the problem. We haven't even made it back to Kintargo yet and I'd rather not risk having another attack against us while we're tired from not sleeping."
She sits down on the ground heavily and pokes at the sandy mud with one finger and then starts to cry softly. "I don't care any more. I just want to go home."
Aster gives one last look at Ed "Do what you want" she says wearily, then goes to sit by Rexi. She'll offer her shoulder or lap to cry on. "chipping is all we can do, until it isn't anymore." she doesn't entirely know what she means by that, but the words came out anyway.
Then she'll talk softly about anything, food, smells, sounds of the city. Especially buttered croissants, which have been invading her thoughts as a means to distract her from worry about her daughter.
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The elf stares around at his companions, listening to each one's opinion - "Do not even bother answering" - he turns to the kobold again, no smiling this time - "It seems the deal was just my hopeful thinking, and has not found traction among my friends" - he chuckles grimly, drawing his blade and moving closer to their foe - "So it is off even before it was settled. For you there are no future alternatives or redemption - only death" - the elf finishes, plunging his weapon through the creature's heart.
After Arzhun draws his last breath, Ederion cleans his weapon, removes the rope from the dead body, retrieves the valuables looted from the kobold king, and turns to his companions - "Do you wish to change the location of our camp site for tonight?"
Aster is surprised a little at Ed's change, but is to tired to comment. "Next island over. Won't be the easiest in the dark. Or we can travel a bit along the coast to camp and then retrace our steps back here." Aster pulls herself up, brushing off sand from her rump.
Rexandi pushes herself up off the sand and wipes her nose with her damp sleeve.
"Let's just go. I have my dancing lights to help us with the darkness."
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Arzhun the Kobold King dies, though betrayal lingers in his eyes.
The group leave the dead where they lie, then pack up their things and bittersweet treasure. They wade through the cold waters, guided by Rexandi's dancing light. A little event along their way includes dozens of fish trying to catch Rexandi's light, thinking them to be fireflies.
As they reach the far shore, the skies warn of an incoming dawn. The island is quite flat compared to their last one. Covered in sand and dirt, but little beyond. There is a small forest ahead, along with a very gentle rise.
The group will need to decide if they try to get some rest, or just make do with the day ahead.
During the wading, Areene asked Rexandi
"Do you happen to worship any specific Gods, Rexandi?"
Rexandi says to Areene, "No, I'm pretty nondenominational... I'm not saying the gods don't exist or don't have power, but they've just... never been a close part of my life. Living in the tiefling parts of Kintargo, some people get really devout in hopes that the gods will save them, but for most of us it's just a daily struggle to survive. You won't exactly find big temples and priests there... just the occasional small shrine where people might leave a copper piece or burn a stick of incense in hopes of a simple prayer being answered."
With a flitting motion Rexandi causes her dancing lights to bob over the water, making the fish kiss the surface and jump in response. "It's always felt like something just out of reach. The gods are busy with important things, they don't really care about us small fish, eh?"
Areene frowns "It sounds... bleak. My experience has been different, as I believe there are Gods out there that do care about us, but I grew up in different... circumstances."
If Rexandi asks in return, Areene replies "I grew up in a family that followed some of Abadar's virtues, since we were artisans and merchants. My sister became a priestess of Asmodeus when I was very young. I've honestly preferred Shelyn, as she fills my soul with so much beauty, but Abadar is more practical."
"I like music and I value pragmatism when surviving in Kintargo," replies Rexandi, "but I don't need a god to tell me how to do either of those things. Anyway Cheliax isn't exactly the place to find gods and priests who help people, is it? It's an empire of devils. Everyone trying to get one over on someone else by being more clever in their exploitations."
"Maybe some of these underground priests will come around to helping our little project," she adds, swishing her skirts idly as the group walks toward the next destination. "What are you going to do once we get back to Kintargo?"
"I'm not sure." Areene answers with hesitation. She thinks for a while as she wades through the cold water. "I want to help you. I just don't know how. Most of my life has been spent as a cobbler, and I used to dance. Now everything is different. I'm so lucky to have been saved by you all, and yet I've never felt so alone, and so... vulnerable."
"I can always use better boots," says Rexandi. "Especially after a trip like this. This seawater is going to play havoc with my entire wardrobe."
"We'll try to help of course. But... just living is pretty hard right now. I guess we have to take the victory of surviving for another day."
"I could try, but I'd... need a hand." She chuckles at the sullen pun.
Areene's loyalty has improved slightly
"I'm not opposed. You know I bet you could still learn to play the clavichord, if you're interested."
Ederion checks the perimeter, in case they decide to camp there.
"We can rest a bit, maybe until noon. Without the pain in my leg, I don't get tired so easily so I'll keep watch." the older woman offers.
"Wake me when it is my turn to watch?" - Ederion nods, then goes looking for a place protected from the sun, so he can sleep a few hours.
"I'll be okay." she assures him, and does her best to encourage them all to sleep.
Ederion is pleased to see that this beach doesn't seem to have any dangers around it. The difficulty is the lack of shade. With a bit of ingenuity, the party rigs up little tents to cover the eyes from sunlight. Aster promises to roll them over in their sleep so they can get an even tan. Tasha drops like a rock the moment she gets the opportunity, and everyone sleeps soundly.
Aster's watch passes by without issue. The waves rhythmically crashing upon the beach is quite pleasant to listen to, and Aster doesn't feel tired in the slightest. What she does feel creep up however is the heat. By the time noon comes around, it's getting uncomfortably hot.
When everyone wakes up, Areene uses her gift from the whale to ascertain the weather.
"It's going to be really hot soon. Hot enough to risk heat stroke. It won't be until sundown that things cool off. Tomorrow will be back to normal."
"I don't dislike heat, much better than cold for my joints, but this is ridiculous." Aster complains before casting endure elements communely on the group, refreshing it as needed through out the day.
Aster can keep the party cool under the intense sun.
"Impressive Ondisso - your sense of direction improves with each passing day. Very well done my friend"
Aster keeps her cooling magic up through the day while foraging for berries and the like. She also makes sure she has a little time with Ed. "My objection earlier was not phrased well, or politely. I apologize, Ederion. My anger was not aimed at you... or better put, shouldn't be aimed at you." she'll give a low formal bow "Please accept my apologies."
"Thanks. I'm trying." Ondisso replies, slightly bashful in Ederion's praise.
The party travels onwards through the oppressive heat. Thankfully, Aster is able to cast spells of Endure Elements, keeping everyone comfortable. Aster is able to gather some mushrooms while traveling through the sparse forest.
As the sun begins to hide over the horizon and the party sets up camp, Ederion spots movement. Several humanoid figures are walking this way.
Quite a ways away are a group of elves coming in this direction. They are walking at a slow pace, but are headed directly for camp. Three elves are unarmed save for walking sticks, but a fourth elf is wearing armour and carrying an elven-branched spear.
"Thank you so much for that spell, Aster. I don't know how we would've made it in this weather without it. Especially after all of this interrupted sleep!" says Rexandi.