The webbing dismissed, Brokk'r manages to get a little further down the tunnel.
"Looks like it narrows up here, lads! Not if I'll be able ta catch 'im."
The wily kobold runs down the passageway, but the companions are on his tail. They have a hard time hitting him as he bounces around and runs in zigzags.
Just then, Rai throws a bomb over the crowd and score a direct hit.
It all comes down to this... will the icy bomb slow his movements enough for Tartuk to dart around the corner and escape out of the caves, into the woods, and out of sight?
Yes! Tartuk slows down and can't move fast enough. Instead takes a five foot step away from Sigurd and issues a last ditch attack.
Sigurd hit for 6.
"Bring death to me! I welcome it! My years as a kobold have been torture and I look forward to the end.!"
Rai draws his bow on the run and imbues the arrow with acid as a move action and will fire his arrow at the staggered Tartuk!
Arlen shouts out in confusion. "Wait!! What does he mean 'my life as a kobold'?"
Having recently undergone a transformation of her own, Arlen is perhaps reading more into Tartuk's statement than is meant.
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Sigurd is too focused on the combat to make much out of Tartuk's statement or Arlen's question about it.
He sings praise to Gorum as he brings the hammer down on the evil kobold.
BAB + STR + weapon focus + song
2 handed + song
The spirit surrounding Sigurd swirls faster and faster, extending out from him to slam into the enemy.
BAB + CHA
CHA, neg energy
At Arlen's question, it occurs to Brokk'r that Tartuk doesn't quite talk like the other kobolds though he can't quite figure out why. But that moment of hesitation is enough for him to shake off the rage. He runs up behind Sigurd.
"Try an' take 'im alive, lad. If we're ta be helpin' these kobolds, seems we oughtta get 'em some answers."
The acid arrow knocks Tartuk out, and he falls. Sigurd holds back his blow, but the spirits about him slam Tartuk's unconscious body. You are not certainly if he is alive or dead.
(Combat over!)
Chief Sootscale approaches and spits on Tartuk. "You bein a nasty traitor kobold, Tartuk. These Big Folks and their runaway leader bein true heroes to our tribe, gettin rid of you."
Having not accepted the song no spirits dance around Rai so he will move up and attempt to stabilize Tartuk
Arlen moves over to the unconscious Tartuk and tries to help Diceros stabilize him.
"We need to talk to him, Diceros!"
While she does so, she nods to Sootscale and says in her best draconic "Yes, chief. We will make great allies. We wish to ask this Tartuk some questions. May we"
Ike finally managed to regain his senses and overcome the sudden fear that had gripped him... what was that!? There was nothing that really scared him, per se... but he suddenly had this uncontrollable urge to flee the battle! That... was embarrassing. Especially considering he had been trying to convince them that he was their god!
Returning to the field of battle, and seeing that everyone had taken care of the purple kobold usurper, he felt even worse... but tried to save at least SOME face for his inexcusable cowardice. "Erm... excellent! I see that my minions have dealt with the, er, false prophet! The large imposter, uhm, teleported away, and I had to... leave... and deal with him before he, er, cause more trouble in my name!"
Approaching the fallen kobold shaman, Ike looked at the others trying to... stabilize the monster? "Erm... why... why are we trying to save him? Also, erm... you might try some hegra wheat crossed with lemon leaves and crushed salt... that helps... not sure why, I thought he was trying to kill us, but... that might help..."
Over her shoulder, Arlen comments "I like that new trick, Sigurd! Wonderful to have phantoms fighting for us!"
"Aye, lad, he was," Brokk'r says to Ike. "But we need ta get some answers outta 'im," he lowers his voice, "if ye want te help these kobolds out. I thought that was yer plan."
Arlen nods. "Thank you Diceros. Sigurd and Brokk'r, would you be dearies and tie him tightly?" Arlen takes his wand and searches him for any other valuables. If he is alive, she will wait to rouse him and ask him questions.
Rai feels Tartuk past hope and shrugs saying I am sure we can do a task for you chief Sootscale if you want to be rid of that curse, and in return, you can do things for us. Like first for starters show us where the mites live.
The kobold was on the brink of breathing his last when Diceros gets to him with the stabilize spell. The color in his face returns, and he starts breathing more easily. He will live, if you let him.
The wand of magic missiles (caster level 3) still has 20 charges. He was carrying a very nice looking (aka masterwork) cold iron sickle, and he has bracers on his wrists.
With Sootscale's permission, you go into the part of the cave that Tartuk claimed as his own.
In there you find a large pile of coins: 7420 copper, 2443 silver, 551 gold, and 13 platinum, a masterwork light metal shield, seven crossbow bolts that seem to be perpetually on fire, and a pair of boots.
And a journal. The journal goes into some detail about all of Tartuk's plans to do whatever he can to destroy this tribe of kobolds through guile and trickery; making up lies about a magic statue, instigating war against the mites, making sure the statue was stolen, and convincing the tribe that the loss of the statue would curse them all. It is evident that he had done similar acts against other kobold tribes in the past. For what reason... the journal does not say.
It is very impressive the kobold is even able to write, let alone develop such an plot.
Sootscale scratches his head at Rai's questions. "We do still need that statue back, because of curse. Me not so sure where mites live, but me make best guess." He points on the general vicinity on the map.
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Diceros gathers up the various treasures and weapons, sorting them into backpacks, or putting them in Pygmy's sacks. An accounting will be made.
He takes the boots and the bracers and inspects them carefully for magic, but actually, he just stares at them and speaks a little druidic in case something happens. Then he shrugs and hands them to Arlen to check out.
[oop]wow, can we carry that much copper? Do we want that much copper? maybe we can leave that with the kobolds.[/ooc]
Arlen examines the boots and bracers.
Arlen has no idea what these items are so she packs them up. She then whispers to Sigurd "Let's get a deal with these kobolds so they won't attack anymore. Might want to say something about those scouts of Tartuk's we killed, too."
Rai will cast detect magic and then get a look at the items when Arlen does as well.
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"Alright Tartuk. You've lost. Those knots are secure and you can't escape. Plus, you owe your life to our druid friend here. His dislike of death apparently extends even to the likes of you. He's the only reason you're still breathing and not lying dead in a pool of your own life's blood.
Now you're the one of the most intelligent kobolds I've ever come in contact with. How about you put that intelligence to good use and come to a deal with us. You answer any question put to you and we won't kill you. By Gorum, we might even be able to come to an agreement where you get to leave this cave alive. What do you say?"
Sigurd tries to make progress, but the kobold at -10 HP just refuses to answer.
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After not getting an answer, Sigurd rubs his eyes and blinks them a few times.
Maybe I got hit harder than I thought. Or maybe I'm just REALLY tired. I don't like caves either way. Best wrap this up.
A little embarrassed, having threatened a corpse, he takes a long drink from his jug of beer before yelling,
"Sootscale! Let's talk." He hands the jug to the kobold leader.
"We fought well together and rid your tribe of a particularly nasty threat, not to mention the scouts we took out earlier (working for Tartuk too, they said.) It seems like this was Tartuk's habit, to spur on war between mites and various tribes of kobolds. Do you have any idea why? What else can you tell us about this statue?"
"Tartuk say we need statue or all of us turn into chickens! Wait a minute..."
"Yup, Tartuk be mean but he is very smart. S-M-R-T. He must be right about curse. We still need to get statue from mites!"
Sootscale responds, "You.. you think maybe I look a little more yellow then normal? Scales a little paler?" All of the kobolds start examining themselves and get a little jittery.
"Yes... yes, like we first talk about. You go to mites and get statue. Yes. Good plan. You do that, and we us kobolds, we... we... will work this silver mine for you!"
With extreme distaste, Arlen moves over to Tartuk and casts a rough healing spell on him.
But her heart really isn't in it and she only heals him a little bit. She nods at Sigurd's conversation with Sootscale.
"And where can we find these mites? Do you know anything else about them that might make it easier for us to deal with them?"
Sootscale replies, "Well, they are very little. And they like the dark!" He gives you a big brainless smile.
"We had it... we loved it, we hugged it, we kissed it. So proud of magic statue. Then the next day, it was gone! Tartuk said it was the mites. He must be right because he is so smart."
Arlen spits near the tied and unconscious Tartuk. "Bah! We can get the little curmudgeon up tomorrow and put him to the question then. I'm sick of his guano."
She turns her attention back to the more worthy Sootscale. "Chief, Tartuk lied to you about the statue. He merely wanted to cause as much trouble and destruction for your tribe as he could. We'll try to get the statue back since it is valuable to your tribe and we seek an alliance with your people, but there is no curse." She lets the dread of her evil eye sink into Sootscale for a moment and cackles then relaxes it and smiles warmly. "Trust me. I know something about curses."
"You mean... no curse? Statue not do anything? Hmmm... make sense... Tartuk tell us about statue. Tartuk tell us about curse. Then Tartuk try to kill me... I guess make sense that Tartuk is liar! Attention, everyone!" Sootscale's seriously depleted tribe stops licking their wounds and looks at him.
"There is no curse! Statue was a dud! These Big Folks saved us! And we be buddy buddy's with them! If they agree to be our protectors, we stay here and split silver mine profits with them! Ok? We have Big Folk friends!"
All the kobolds start cheering. In the excitement of waving arms and weapons, Sootscale walks over to Tartuk and slits his throat.
"And I have defeated the evil traitor Tartuk! Hooray for me!"
The kobolds welcome you to spend the night in their caves.
well, so much for saving the kobold, and yay we saved some kobolds. I am so... conflicted. Any how let us see if we can follow what Sootscale says and find these mites and rescue the ring and then return to Oleg's eh? Rai says with a shrug and then gets up and helps collect the money that they are allowed to take along with the items so he can help carry the amount there.
The party spends the night with the kobolds, and are treated like royalty. Sootscale performs numerous toasts, most of which he drinks out of Tartuk's skull, which no other kobold seems to think it the least bit unusual.
At some point, Ike's disguise gives out and he lapses back into a shapeless pile of goo, but by this point the kobolds are so drunk that thankfully nobody notices!
Arlen enjoys the time with the kobolds, seizing the opportunity to speak before a captive audience. She begins elaborating on her theories of how this power found her and what it all means, citing various texts she has read, until there's no one conscious left to listen.
After the party, she packs up and gets ready to find the mites. She offers her opinion "You know, Oleg and Svetlana have been good to us. I'd really like to find their ring for them! What if we swing by the mites before we go back to Oleg's?"
"Aye, it would be nice ta find Svetlana's ring," Brokk'r agrees, "but Ike still seems a little rough from that whole mess. We should give him some time ta recover unless the two o' ye want to use yer magics."
He offers Sigurd the cup from his mess kit and asks the large man for some beer.
Waking up after a crazy night, you find yourself unmolested by the kobolds, who really seem true to their word about opening the silver mine and getting you half of the profits. They are up earlier than you, and scurry about this way and that, finding bits of equipment and putting them into a pile in the center of the cave. Sootscale looks on proudly.
"We be getting ready to mine. We be rich kobolds, the richest you've ever seen. We have purpose now. To be rich! Come back and visit, yes?"
The party heads out with intentions to find the mites, and slowly works their way northwest. Though there is quite a bit more mapping work to be done, and it isn't until Gozran the 10th that you find yourself entering a new section of hills. (321 gold for your mapping work)
Gozran 10th, 4710
Terrain: Hill ; max PC speed: 20 ; days to explore: 3
A cool spring day. No effects
As you begin your explorations, you keep an eye for a cave or tunnel that could house the mites. Sootscale said they were somewhere in this vicinity, but it is a big area to cover!
However, shortly after entering these hills, your hear a branch snap in a copse of bushes. You turn expecting a bear, or perhaps an elk, but to your shock it is a huge, green monster with a massive nose! It roars, more surprised than you!
To learn 1 piece of information, free action check: Knowledge: Local, DC: 15. (It will be revealed next time GM posts and it will be assumed all players are told.Higher rolls give more information.)
ALL CAN ATTACK!
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Sigurd looks at the monster, wracking his brain for anything that he can come up with that might help them.
skill + bardic knowledge
As he does, he begins to sing. As last time, the song emboldens he and his allies for combat. It also surrounds them with swirling spirits, ready to strike out at any nearby enemies.
It's a troll! The large green creatures are known for their regenerative powers and dislike of fire!
Rai will imbue his bomb with acid as a move action making sure he is far enough back and backing away five feet while tossing the bomb of fire and acid at the troll!