The mite gives you direction that are a mere two hills down to the south of the tree. He also advises that their whole tribe also dwells underground and that the entrance is marked by a group of large boulders.
Soren, what do you think? Can we find this place and approach unseen?
The bulk of them are underground, so we only need to watch out for their lookouts. And traps. Kobolds love their damned traps. The hard part will be if we have to fight them underground. It'll be cramped. Radomir and I would be all but useless.
Radomir is still a strong fighter and if they clump up, some blasts of sound and color from our spellcasters can help.
Eduard laughs a little, Blasts? I mean I guess I do have this wand we found. But I'm not really the...fire and fury kind of spellcaster.
Well, we might as well try to approach quietly. Soren and I will take point, everyone else stay back. He pulls out his bow and notches an arrow, waiting for Soren to lead the way.
Andrea lets the sneaky ones sneak.
Radomir hangs back, standing guard and allowing those with more guile and stealth than he take the lead.
Soren takes the lead, staying low and quiet.
Luckily for your group, Soren is able to spot several traps on the way to the Kobold's Lair and you are able to bypass them all safely.
Interestingly enough, your group also passes by the dead bodies of 4 little Mites about a mile from the entrance to the Kobold's place.
Soren is able to spot the two scouts up on the rocks by the entrance before the rest of the group gets close enough to be spotted.
are we sure these kobolds are worthless to us? They seem very effective and ridding us of vexsome fey
We did get attacked by them at the turnip patch and only got a few acorns from fey. The fey seem to not really care about anything long term.
Fey are not all of one mind. I doubt that those we met before are associated with the Mites at all. For that matter, I the fickleness of fey make them more difficult to control. With that said, they're still better than kobolds. Alexander chuckles, Probably.
Both could make useful slaves for us
Soren rubs the back of his neck in contemplation, and then speaks up.
Actually, Radomir may have a good point, Alexander. Kobolds are excellent miners, and can help bring wealth to the land. It could be more beneficial to us to side with them, in the long run. And they're probably dumber, with less politics in their own "government". I think they would be easier to control, too.
I think the mites are dumber actually since they have that whole 'sit in my house steaming in my juices' thing. The mites look to be easier to bully. Shall we perhaps chat with the kobolds and then discuss what our choice should be?
Alexander shrugs, It may be moot. The last time we ran into kobolds we were forced to kill them because they wouldn't back down from a fight. We shall see how they react this time. The Mites were at least open to diplomacy.
In any case, let's find out. He says as he continues on.
Thaliar had remained silent for most of the trip, contemplating their options."I agree. The kobolds are probably the more civil neighbours but if we treat them too badly they might plot revenge. They are able of complex work though. The mights on the other hand are more like guard dogs, rabid ones at that. They generally are simpletons."
"Personally I think having a deal of sorts with the kobolds could be more beneficial in the long run. Besides, they are further from Oleg's and as such are less of a problem should the place expand. That is assuming the kobolds will talk."
When your group gets within sight of the two Kobold scouts, they seen to consider how many of you there are compared to the two of them and they quickly pop down into the underground entrance, disappearing from view.
Truly these are fearsome foes.
Careful, they will be like cornered rats if we fight them down there.
So, eliminate them right off, or try to speak to explore our options?
Too bad we don't have any of those magic wands you see wizards carrying around town. We could just carpet bomb both these lizards, and the mite's tree and be done with both of them. I hate politics and negotiations.
Alexander chuckles, Might as well try talking first. Let's see what they do.
Your group approaches the outcropping of large boulders that emerge 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.
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. Right near the entrance to the Kobold's home is a stick cage that contains a single, sobbing mite—his eyes squinted tightly shut against the light during the day.
A lone kobold stands between the cage and the entrance and he chirps loudly in surprise—wondering what would bring big people here instead of the usual mites they war against. The kobold hesitates for a few moments, either trying to make up his mind or work up some courage, then makes an unusual decision driven by an uncharacteristic stroke of logic. He hails your group and cries out in Draconic, “Wait! Wait! I wanna talk!”
If your group does not strike him down, the kobold introduces himself as Nakpik, and he wants to ask your group for help. He explains that his tribe’s special magic statue was stolen recently by mites, and invites you all to come with him into the caves to speak to the shaman about a reward for retrieving the statue.
Alexander chuckles, Interesting. Well, we shall see if these kobolds have a better deal than the Mites. Alexander shrugs and follows the kobold unless someone objects.
Nice to meet you Nakpik, my name is Alexander. Lead the way.
Andrea follows, wary of any possible attacks.
Radomir nods and follows Alexander, his hands keep a tight grip on his bardiche. Czernabog follows his master a short distance away. Have a care, Nakpik. I take a narrow view of betrayal or tricks.
You all follow Napik down into the tunnel. He has plenty of room to move around, but some of you likely find it cramped. The width varies between 3 and 4 feet, while the height varies between 5 and 6 feet. The floor is well worn from constant use, but the ceiling and walls are rough and unfinished stone.
As you walk along the tunnels, you seem to pick up an audience as random kobolds stop whatever task they are doing to follow you and find out what the Chief will do with you.
It doesn't take too long for you to find the Chief, as it seems that he was on his way up to the service followed by a small band of armed kobolds and some scouts. If you could read Kobold facial expressions, you would say that he looks more than a little surprised to see your group in his tunnel, but seeing that you are being escorted by a Kobold, he holds off on ordering an attack.
Napik moves ahead and falls to his knees before his Chief and addresses him, explaining how these big people could save their tribe by retrieving the cursed statue of Old Sharptooth from the evil mites.
After Napik finishes talking, the Chief looks to your group. "I am Chief Sootscale, leader of the Sootscale Kobolds. Can you do as Napik suggests? Can you defeat all the Mites and get back our stolen statue?"
Alexander gives his most disarming smile and speaks to the old kobold in Draconic, Chief Sootscale, it's an honor to meet you. You say you have lost a cursed statue? The man frowns in thought, We could, indeed, help retrieve it. We are familiar with these Mites. He pauses, Tell us about this statue...how important is it? In fact, I'd love to hear more about your tribe and culture. I very rarely get to converse with your kind.
Chief Sootscale explains how the statue is vital for the survival of his tribe. It is a statue of "Old Sharptooth", the "god" of their tribe and that their Shaman explained that there is a curse upon it that will cause the whole tribe to die off if the statue is ever lost or stolen.
Hmmm. So are you aware that the human bandit lord is no more? It will certainly make this area safer, what can your tribe to help prevent other
threats like them away?
Alexander sizes up the chief, wondering whether he actually believes in this curse or not. A Shaman you say? I'd be interested to meet this wise individual.
Alexander holds his hands apart as he speaks, We ourselves are building a bit of a tribe out here. Quite a strong tribe. As my friend says, we'd be interested to hear what you could bring to our...alliance.
Could there be peace between you and the Mites if they were convinced to return the statue? If so, we'd of course prefer to find a way to coexist. If not...well, we'd certainly be interested in the services of which ever tribe proved...more resilient. Alexander smiles, I trust, Chief Sootscale, that would prove to be you?
Radomir stay to the back, looking dark and intimidating and keeping his eyes out for trouble. And pranks.
Eduard perks up at the mention of a curse and smiles to the chief.
Is there anyone, perhaps the shaman, that knows the nature of this curse? I, for one, would be very interested in finding out more about it and what caused it in the first place. Was it placed by Old Sharptooth or simply related to his idol?
Chief Sootscale admits in Draconic that he actually has no idea about the nature of the curse and has been relying on Shaman Tartuk to advise him on what to do.
One the topic of the Mites and peace, he snarls and says that those Mites will never be willing to cease their incessant pranks and that there could never be any peace unless they did.
The Chief will motion for you all to follow him and he will take you through another couple tunnels further down into the caverns and into a room with no other other furniture except for two stone altars. Also in this room is a most unusual looking Kobold, his scales are a deep purple in color and he has a raven sitting upon his shoulder. The Chief points him out as Shaman Tartuk.
The Shaman seems quite taken aback by the sudden appearance of big people in his tunnels and he seems to cast a spell as a defensive action, just in case. He glares at Chief Sootscale: "What is the meaning of this sacrilege?! You dare to bring these large creatures into our sacred tunnels?"
The Chief glares right back at him, saying: "These big ones may be able to solve our problem of the Mites capturing Sharptooth's statue. give them what information they ask for and maybe we won't all die."
I'll let Alexander, our leader, discuss the details of the arrangement, but if you have a moment, I am interested in the very nature of your curse. What its history is, what caused it, and what entity leveled it to begin with, Eduard says, seeming completely unconcerned by the aggressive response from the shaman.
Alexander holds up his hands and chuckles, speaking Draconic he tries to ease the Shaman's worries, Do not be afraid Tartuk, we are here to learn more about your people. And perhaps assist you if we can.
He continues, Eduard here is an expert on arcane matters. Perhaps he can help? In any case, it sounds fascinating.
Andrea silently listens.
The shaman sputters incoherently a bit before he gives an answer that you can actually understand. "The curses and magics of our brave and noble people are way beyond the understanding of you grotesque, lumbering giants! You could never grasp the subtleties of our magics or comprehend our vast intelligence. Only I am capable of dealing with the curse of Old Sharptooth."
Alexander leans forward with a smile, Try us. I'm sure you'll find us up to the task. The man chuckles and leans back, That is, if you want our help...of course. He leans toward the chief for a moment to speak, Your shaman is like many others. Wise but not...diplomatic. He waves his hand dismissively, But we excuse mystics for this, do we not? For they can see what others cannot, and so we allow them to say what others cannot.
Alexander nods towards Radomir and Soren, approving of their strong silent intimidation of the creatures around them.
Radomir lowers the point of his bardiche so it is at a level with the shaman's throat. Have a care with your words, shaman. My Lord will be spoken to with respect.
Andrea lightly places a hand on Radomir's arm. Now now, we are guests here. Let us not let hot tempers spoil this meeting.
As you wish. Radomir pulls back on his bardiche and returns to original menacing, but otherwise non-confrontational stance.
Alexander smiles and nods, but does not interfere.
The little purple Kobold glares at all the big ones around him and then turns to the Chief. "Chief Sootscale, surely you do not trust the motives of these big folk. No big one has ever just offered their help to us, undoubtedly they have hidden motives that will only spell disaster for our whole tribe. I will pray to our gods for proof of their deviousness."