Alexander smiles as the shaman casts his spell, Feel free, we have nothing to hide. He leans over and speaks again to the chief, I understand your fellow here is skittish, but perhaps if you tell us about this curse we could demonstrate our good faith. I'm starting to think that you might not want our help.
Eduard feigns a yawn, Perhaps we can skip to the part where you give us information or we can skip to the part where we simply lead. All of these aggressive actions are not garnering good will. And while I like information, I can find more interesting things without helping you I'm sure if you are unwilling to explain.
Radomir nods, but keeps his bardiche lowered and ready. I do not like spells, nor those who speak against my master.
The scales of the shaman's face flush an even deeper purple in anger. "You do not need to know anything about the curse in order to retrieve the statue. It affects only Kobolds. If you do manage to retrieve it, just bring it directly to me, I am more than capable of dealing with by myself. Do not let any other kobold touch it first, it could cause the effects of the curse to accelerate."
Andrea looks over at the others. [b]Well let us see about this statue then, it can't hurt to try
Alexander chuckles, Obviously we won't convince you otherwise. So it appears we are left with no choice. He shrugs, feigning surrender. As my friend says, we will...look into this matter and see what we can do about this statue of yours.
Soren looks bored with all the proceedings, but perks up when going outside is mentioned. Once away from the kobolds, he speaks to Alexander.
I don't think there's a curse at all. I've seen fake Mystics before, and this one screams fake. I think he made the curse up so he'd have some sort of power in the tribe.
He shrugs, and continues.
But really, that doesn't matter. We just have to decide which ones to help.
Thaliar had remained quiet for the entire ordeal, simply standing at the back and making notes, both mental and in his journal.
Once they are outside he speaks again, "I agree with Soren. I do think the fake mystic poses a threat though and we should dispose of him regardless of who we side with. It will just require a bit more tact if we pick the kobolds, which I actually prefer."
He looks at Alexander and Eduard before continuing, "Mites are nuisances, pests like the vermin they tame. We could try and keep them on as glorified guard dogs, since they can't do much more. They will remain a danger though and with their tree so close to Oleg's post we might still clash with them later."
He pauses a moment before continuing, "Kobolds on the other hand are relatively intelligent and can actually be dealt with in a civil manner. Not to mention their skill as both masons and engineers and we might actually get ourselves a workforce from the deal. They also live further away from our current base, reducing the chances of conflict. Most of all though, they are cowards and as such are easier to keep in check."
Eduard shrugs, smiling, The "mystic" isn't fake. He may be a liar, but he's not a fake mystic. And I'd much rather side with the mites all things told. We've seen a lot of fey so far and I'd like fey allies more than uncooperative kobolds. In fact, the only kobold I care even slightly about and find any use in is their mystic and he insists on shooting himself in the foot.
Alexander shrugs and nods agreement to Eduard's words, What do you think Andrea? I, personally, don't see why we wouldn't subjugate both groups. The Mites are used to being used, and if we treat them well, they may even love us for it. And these kobolds...we either remove this shaman, or convince him that serving us would benefit him, and we get the whole tribe. The man laughs as he continues, I don't really see the issue with the vermin either. At worst they will keep the population of such under control. There are, after all, a significant amount of insects here in the wilderness.
aye, my lord. I say we enslave both. We can mold them to your purpose as we need. The mites could be useful spies and guard dogs, patrolling your realm, and reporting to us what they see. Perhaps, even driving away lesser threats. Possessing this den could even bring us more prestige and power with the other fey of this region. The kobolds, however are smarter and larger. They are miners and crafters. We could use them as well as shock troops, and laborers, and honored pets. They will
Come to love you for the order and structure your provide. Remove their shaman, and treat only with their leader.
The shaman is the problem and I think the 'curse' is hokem he uses to keep the others in line. If we say...kill him and take his head to the mites, saying this was the true leader we can get both along with the statue for the kobolds.
Aye, but we cannot kill him in public view. That will bring the whole nest on us.
Alexander nods, I agree that the curse sounds...questionable. But that shaman does have power. Perhaps not a lot, but it is not insignificant. His gibberish and hand movements may look silly, but they were, indeed, spells. And one was even rather powerful. He shrugs, It will be difficult to kill him without the rest of the kobolds knowing. Probably impossible. However, the lure of power should be enough to bring him to us. And with him the tribe. In time if he is killed by one of our enemies, the tribe will turn to us for guidance. He frowns, As for the Mites, the question is whether we can convince them that we're just using the kobolds.
"If you think dominating mites makes the fey see you in a different light you are grossly mistaken. Mites are widely despised by just about everyone, myself included. Yet if you all agree we should try to subjugate them I won't object." Thaliar was all but pleased with the insistence of the others to work with the vermin. They probably needed to have more experience with the critters, learn to despise them.
"As for the kobold shaman, we could try to discredit him, make the tribe want to get rid of him. The question is how."
Perhaps hunt around using stealth in his chambers?
Alexander laughs, I feel like you consistently overestimate the skills of Soren and I when it comes to stealth. We're good. We're not invisible. And I, for one, don't wish to try to find my way around underground while also trying to avoid traps and kobolds. The man shrugs, I don't mind killing him, but I'm not sure why we necessarily need to do it. We can certainly use him for now. Where he goes, the tribe goes. At least as far as we know. And when he outlives his usefulness, we remove him. He says matter-of-factly.
We can afford to play the long game here. We're in no rush and we have the ability to solve a problem they cannot. They need us. Let's not act rashly as if we need them. If it doesn't work out, we can remove either or both of these pests from the area. But for now, the more allies the better.
Soren nods.
Just because I might be able to sneak my way through a kobold nest doesn't mean I want to try. I agree with Alexander. He can be useful for now. We play him, let him think he's in control, and when he becomes a problem, he just might "accidentally" experience a tragic accident.
He pats his horse down and then shrugs.
Besides, I hate being in tight places like that. I'll take the night sky over an inn any night. I don't really want to get into a guerrilla war in that place if we piss them off.
Very well, so how do we play both tribes? I doubt either of them will wait long. Of course the mites will no doubt forget about us in a few days.
We could find something the mites value and take it from them, holding it ransom unless they obey. or, we steal the statue without them knowing.
Radomir shrugs and busies himself with Czernabog. It would be easier if we just slaughtered the lot of them, or enslaved their kings and shamans. Then, their peoples would obey us!
The mites want the kobold king's head I believe. Perhaps if we smash in a kobold's head and make it look like Sootscale's that would work. Then we get the statue.
That could work... But, would the Sootscales catch on?
Alexander chuckles, Mites may be stupid, but let's not underestimate them. They were clever enough to ask for our help instead of attack. Why not just return to them and ask for the statue? Alexander shrugs, They've waited this long. I don't imagine they're in a rush. And if they are...we can teach them to be patient.
We ambush a kobold and make them up to look like their king and then kill him. Dead kobolds tell no tales. We present the head to the mites and ask for the statue, bring it back and perhaps even dispose of the shaman.
Radomir nods along with Andrea's words, then stops as soon as Alexander speaks. Aye, my lord. I shall do as you say. He mounts Czernabog and readies himself to ride out and parlay with the mites.
The man frowns, We could trick the Mites...but why? Eventually they will learn the truth and we'll be worse off for it. We could just as easily tell them what we plan. To use the statue to control the kobolds and bring them to heel. If they don't wish to just give us the statue, we'll take it from them and show them why they should work for us rather than against us.
Radomir nods, content in the wisdom and direction of his lord.
Alexander has a solid plan, let us make the attempt.
Soren shrugs.
Works for me. Let's go.
"I agree with you there Alexander. If we try to play both we should not hinder our own chances of success." He nodded and smiled.
The Shaman remains hostile to your group, but does nothing harmful to any of you during your time there in the tunnels.
Chief Sootscale orders his Kobolds to allow your group to leave the tunnels unmolested and also orders them to watch out for your return.
You all have no trouble at all retracing your own steps back to the ancient tree that marked the Mites home. If you wait long enough, eventually a Mite will poke his head out and take notice of your group. He goes back in and then returns with the same Mite that spoke common to your group earlier.
"Back so soon Ugly Big Ones?"
Andrea looks to Alexander to start off so she can then support him.Let him take the fall.
Alexander waves with a smile, Yes, indeed, we've returned. The man dismounts and walks forward with his arms open, We've come up with a plan that we think you'll enjoy. It appears that you have a statue that the kobold's shaman has convinced them is cursed. He chuckles and leans in, We think we can use this to our...and your...advantage.
Our plan is to use this shaman to control this tribe of kobolds. Alexander smirks, And perhaps manipulate them into doing a few things for us. He shrugs, Eventually we'll have no need of the shaman and the tribe's fate will be..reevaluated. We'd like you to work for us. Help us trick these kobolds. And in return, we'll have a high place for you in kingdom we're carving out here in the wilderness.
Indeed, the kobolds will be mere serfs or peasants while your tribe will be partners, with more land to hunt on for example.
The Mite withdraws to confer with the other Mites in the tree. From the tones and volume there is some intense debate going on for a while.
Eventually, the Mite comes back out of the tree holding a statue of a kobold. "Here Big Ones, we hope that you truly intend a worthy trick with this. If not, we'll be switching our intentions from the kobolds to a new target. I can also tell you that those vile, humorless kobolds have no appreciation for decent pranks."
The Mite will climb down the tree, and set the statue upon a root of the tree. Then he clambers back up it.
Andrea takes the statue. Okay, now we head back to the Shaman and enact our cunning plan.
Thank you. We'll put it to good use! Alexander smiles as Andrea takes the statue. Now, we have a shaman to talk to. Radomir, you'll want to look particularly threatening in this meeting. But no open threats. We just want the little creature to feel the pressure.
You all make it back to the Kobolds' lair unhindered, the lookouts seem very excited to see you all approach and run immediately run into the entrance to go and fetch Chief Sootscale.
The Chief emerges just as you make it to the mouth of the entrance. "Were successful so quickly in stealing back the statue? Let me see it to know if it is the real thing." The Chief holds out his hands for the statue.
Alexander holds out the statue, Of course, then pulls it back abruptly, Wait! Your shaman said that any kobold touching the statue could quicken the curse...and possibly kill them. I wouldn't want to bring any harm to you, Chief Sootscale. He pauses in thought, Perhaps we should bring it directly to your shaman? Unless, of course, you think it better to examine it yourself? Or have my friends here look at it. Eduard and Thaliar are experts on such things.
Thank you. We'll put it to good use! Alexander smiles as Andrea takes the statue. Now, we have a shaman to talk to. Radomir, you'll want to look particularly threatening in this meeting. But no open threats. We just want the little creature to feel the pressure.
As you command, my lord.
Radomir nods, gripping his bardiche tight, he glowers hard beneath his helm. He cuts an imposing figure. Even though he remains silent and out of the way (but still close enough to come to his master's aid if he needs to), threat is obvious to all.
Thank you. We'll put it to good use! Alexander smiles as Andrea takes the statue. Now, we have a shaman to talk to. Radomir, you'll want to look particularly threatening in this meeting. But no open threats. We just want the little creature to feel the pressure.As you command, my lord.
Radomir nods, gripping his bardiche tight, he glowers hard beneath his helm. He cuts an imposing figure. Even though he remains silent and out of the way (but still close enough to come to his master's aid if he needs to), threat is obvious to all.
[dice=intimidate]1d20+7
Indeed, Chief Sootscale. Best we have this examined first before you risk yourself.
The little Kobold Chief continues to stand in your way, despite Radomir's attempt to look threatening.
"That statue is not making it's way back to Tartuk. If you to look at it, fine, look at it. But it goes no farther than me."
Radomir tightens his grip on his weapon and fairly growls at the mite. He fixes an emotionless stare on the Chief, it carries the dark truths that he has learned through his faith and years of experience.
Grrr. Come now, no need for violence, we are doing as agreed with the shaman and letting him have the statue.
As the others started pushing the kobold chief to let them go to the shaman Thaliar pushed his way past them. "Wait guys, no need for this. Not yet." His eyes lingered on Radomir for a second before moving to the chief.
"Chief, can you tell us why you don't want this to reach Tartuk? My friends here are very eager to get it there but I think they're more eager to resolve this in a constructive manner. So if you can tell is your side of this we can figure things out in a reasonable way."
Alexander nods, Of course, Thaliar is right. He smiles as he looks around, We're not looking for a fight, or conflict. We didn't realize you didn't see eye to eye with your shaman on this matter, Chief. We'd be happy to examine it to make sure the thing is safe to touch, and then hand it off to you. He glances around again, Thaliar, Eduard? What do you think?