"At least we're not on the receiving end of this angry mob," Colwyn comforts Mykhael as he draws his sword and prepares to follow the procession.
Loot.
Wand of magic missile (CL 3rd, 28 charges).
MW cold iron sickle,
Bracers of armor +1,
Personal journal.
Spellbook:
2nd Detect thoughts, Invisibility, Minor image.
1st Cause fear, Identify, Shield, Silent image, Unseen servant
0th Acid splash, Detect magic, Light, Mage hand, Message, Prestidigitation
Chief Sootscale is not the actual leader of these kobolds. Their true leader is a frighteningly intelligent and manipulative kobold sorcerer named Tartuk who came to the tribe a year ago from the east. Tartuk is a destructive force—a murderer and a maniac who finds a perverse glee in manipulating his kin into self-destructive spirals of
fear and madness.
He’s ruined two kobold tribes already, and hopes to add the Sootscales to his list soon.
Tartuk’s appearance is as unusual as his loathing of kobold kind, his scales are a deep purple, unlike any other kobold.
In fact, Tartuk was not born a kobold—he was born a gnome. He was killed in a fight against a group of ogres who were tormenting his village, but his accidentally heroic sacrifice was enough to give his village a chance to defeat the ogres.
The village, sorrowed by Tartuk’s death, unanimously voted to restore him to life—so they decided to use a scroll of reincarnate that had
sat in the village treasury for years. In an ironic twist of
fate, poor Tartuk came back as a kobold.
Scandalized, the village didn’t know how to react. Tartuk did—he hadn’t meant to give his life to save the village (he’d actually been trying to surrender to the ogres and offer to help them destroy the village in
return for sparing his life, but the ogres crushed him before he got his offer out), and now they’d turned him into one of the most hated of monsters—a kobold!
The fact that his new scales were the same deep purple as his hair in his previous life served only to ensure Tartuk’s shame. Enraged, he fled into the woods, only to nurse a deep grudge. He found a tribe of kobolds, joined them, used his magic and manipulative lies to rally them, and led his new army in an attack against his old village.
The resulting battle was furious, and only Tartuk survived.
That was fine with him. Since then, the mad kobold has drifted through several River Kingdoms, periodically haunting towns and murdering gnomes he finds and at others insinuating himself into kobold tribes, taking them over from within, and then driving them to extinction by forcing them into wars they can’t possibly win.
The Sootscales are but Tartuk’s latest project. He uses a combination of lies, magic, and his favorite tool—a non-magical statue of a devil—to seize control of a tribe. He’s become quite skilled at convincing tribes that the statue is magic and that it will curse the entire tribe if the chieftain doesn’t follow its commands, commands, of course, that only Tartuk can hear.
Tucked into the back of the journal is a single scroll of Fly; his journal indicates that when he grows tired of his life, he intends to use the scroll to fly up as high as he can, effectively committing suicide when the spell expires in 5 minutes and leaves him at a height of nearly 2,000 feet, well out of the safety range for the spell’s expiration.
Tartuk has had the kobolds pile all of their treasure (plus any new treasures they gain from their war against the mites) in a heap in the eastern alcove of his den. This mound consists of a huge amount of worthless shiny objects, such as quartz and mica crystals, bits of metal, broken weapons and armor, and other garbage. In addition, the pile contains:
7,420 cp,
2,132 sp,
302 gp,
A MW light metal shield,
Seven +1 flaming crossbow bolts,
A pair of boots of elvenkind,
A soiled leather bag - Inside the bag are the treasures stolen from the mites (who stole from the bandits who stole from Oleg’s).
The leather bag contains:
321 sp,
249 gp,
13 pp,
A plain brass wedding ring set with a single pearl (this is Svetlana’s wedding ring—it’s worth 120 gp),
A pouch containing a single dose of dust of illusion.
Chief Sootscale would prefer you leave the 1st amount of coin. That is their treasury. He is happy for you to take the items and the leather bag with what's inside it as thanks for your aid in freeing his tribe from Tartuk.
=====================================================================
All that's left now is the negotiating. The Kobolds had it good before Tartuk arrived and are sincere in wanting to return to that life. All they want is for this Hex be marked as their territory, with the right to defend themselves from intruders. Plus a chance to trade for things they can't make themselves. The mine was abandoned in the past due to danger and isn't played out. So the Kobolds do have silver ore to offer as a trade good along with the usual Furs and pelts.
What are you doing?
Richard has no issue with them keeping the first amount of coins.
"We've been bringing down the bandits in this area and it is our hope in the months to come to establish our own Kingdom in this area of the stolen lands. Trade is good but you have seen our strength and cunning. We defeated the mites and have routed various bandit groups."
"What you offer sounds appealing to me but if your people could abide by the laws we set down their could be much benefit for them. If rather than trading partners your people were full citizens they would have the same rights as others. Our patrols would keep the area clear of bandits and criminals. Consider the benefits, your people have claim to these hexes and could benefit more from them. Our people have a strong history of agriculture, we would help you grow crops to keep yourselves well fed and comfortable. Consider it at least."
Niadroub Kliip is also fine with leaving the kobolds' their treasury. He explains to Chief Sootscale that before settling down like Richard is describing happens, they need to clear out the bandits like they did the mites. He then asks the Chief what he knows about the area's bandits, especially those from Hex 36.
He'll pick up Tartuk's spellbook and journal. After asking around and discovering that nobody speaks Undercommon, he'll pocket them both, for now.
Mykhael stood quietly as Richard offered terms to the Kobolds hoping the evil creatures keep their end of the bargain.
"If it means less fighting and fewer tricks, I don't mind surrendering those coins to seal this new, ahem, friendship. Those boots, however, look mighty comfortable..."
Chief Sootscale is taken aback by your offer. Pacing to and fro while muttering to himself for several minutes. Finally he nods. "Yes. You have done us good. We will join your 'Kingdom'. Law is good, and so is not having to fight against those who try to take our home."
He is sincerely grateful for your aid in removing Tartuk, and hopeful that his tribe can begin to grow again. And be able to build a more civilized and secure existence than most Kobolds get to have.
So where to now? You still have the remaining intruder base to deal with, and the Stag lord with his crew.
Richard will say his goodbyes to Chief Sootscale and Mikmek.
Once outside "Hopefully it'll work out, if we are giving reformed bandits a chance why not Kobolds. If they can't abide by the laws then we will see."
Hex25.
Once a river crossing run by an enterprising man named Davik Nettles the crossing was attacked and burnt down by the Stag lord and his men.
Today Nettles’ Crossing is a soggy, abandoned remnant. A thick, sagging rope still hangs across the river, all that remains of the bridge that once spanned it. A signpost at either end of the ruined bridge reads “Nettles’ Crossing—5 coppers—ring bell for service.”
A rusty bell hangs by each sign. On the south bank of the river, the crumbled remains of a burnt-down wooden building are slowly being overgrown by encroaching vegetation.
What are you doing now?
"We'll have to see about what the Swordlords say, but hopefully they will be satisfied if the Kobolds are less violent than before."
-------------------
At the crossing, Elena looks at the sign dubiously.
"Shall we ring the bell?"
Richard gives the bell a ring. "It couldn't hurt."
"Famous last words," Xan remarked, resting her left hand on the pommel of her sword, "those are right up there with 'hold my beer'."
When the bell is rung Davik’s haunted remains take note. Now a unique undead menace, Davik’s rotting body climbs from the rubble downstream and makes its inexorable way across the river’s surface, walking over the water toward you. As Davik rises from the waters, he calls out to you in an eerie, soggy voice: “You are not my tormentors. Throw the Stag Lord’s body into the river that I may look upon his death, or join me instead.”
Once his message has been given the rotting body slips back into the waters out of sight.
What are you doing now?
"Well... it's a toll we were going to be grabbing anyway."
Mykhael gives Xantria a wide grin, "Aye."
"How deed he make hees voice sound soggy?
"Mebbe it's time to clear out the Steg Lord."
"I'd like to chart that last bit of Riverbank to the west to find the best way across. By the time we have that done the new swords Xantria and myself ordered should be in. I'd feel more confident going up against him then. We will have a better way of getting there and back hopefully."
The arcanist nods. Maybe he can add some spells to his spellbook by then, also.
Colwyn nods in agreement with the plan.
"Well, it seems that the living are not the only ones angry with the Stag Lord. I'm not sure if we can find another way across the river, but it's worth looking."
You follow the river back to the west. In Hex30 you discover a river crossing.
The Thorn River grows unusually shallow here just before it empties into the Shrike. The resulting ford is never deeper than 3 feet.
Where to now?
"At least we have found a way across. Lets head back to Olegs and collect what gear may have come in before finally putting this Stag Lord to his much deserved end."
Colwyn tightens his grip on Sandy's reins, eager to return to the post, as a delayed shiver races down his spine.
The sight of such a deathless revenant spooked Colwyn into muteness, to say nothing of its sodden words echoing in his brain.
Mykhael ageed, "Back to Oleg's then."
"It will be nice to sleep in a bed again."
The journey back to Oleg's is almost familiar to you by now. Again you note the increased numbers of traders, trappers and other visitors as the revival of the trading post continues due to your work.
Oleg looks almost years younger when the wedding ring is returned. Svetlana smothers you all in hugs, tears of happiness on her cheeks. Babbling how you were sent by the gods themselves for all you've done.
Your orders have arrived from Restov. Any other shopping you wish to do?
Richard will assure her that they are they are going to put an end to the man leading those who took it, soon the Stag Lord will threaten these lands no longer.
Richard will speak people about the post, making sure to meet the newcomers and catch up with the ones he already knows.
Strapping his new dueling sword to his waist as the group gets ready to depart Richard turns to the others "Shall we test the mettle of this so called Stag Lord?"
”Aye, lets put an end to this so called Stag Lord,” Mykhael readily agreed.
Xan tested the balance of her new sword, giving it a few test swings to get a feel for the magic enhancing it and how it guided her strikes.
"Well, let's get to it."
Colwyn plunks a few more arrows in to top off his quiver, packs a few more days' worth of trail rations, refills his waterskin from the rain barrel, and secures the rest of his gear in either his pack or Sandy's saddlebags.
"Aye, I'm ready for a bit of stag hunting," he says with sadistic glee.
Several days ride brings you to the Stag lords fort. Crouching behind some cover three hundred feet away from the palisade you study the structure.
A narrow path of hard-packed earth winds up the hillside approaching the Stag Lord’s fort—this path is 30 feet wide, 300 feet long, and provides no cover. The remaining hillside surrounding the fort is a swath of hill devoid of shrubbery save for isolated thorny vines, but periodic large boulders provide better cover for a stealthy approach.
Observing the fort from the cover of more heavily vegetated hills 300 feet away, a keen eye notes that the guards who stand at watch don’t seem to keep much of an attentive eye on the hillsides.
So what are you doing now?
"Right do we try and bluster our way in and hope they haven't changed the password or sneak up. The hillsides would provide a decent means of approaching by stealth."
Mykhael looks down at his lame leg as he replied, ”I’m not much of a sneak so I suggest we use guile to find a way in.”
"We should hev esked the bandits we've ceptured about the pessword. But I doon't think they can chenge it too often."
Colwyn scans the hillsides from afar, looking for any signs of traps or hidden defenses.
"I'm not keen on trying to lay siege to an entire fort...at least not as a first course of action. Follow my lead up to the gate, and I'll claim to be bringing the liquor as tribute to the Stag Lord. Even if they've changed that 'Bloody Bones' password, I know how to twist the ear on these kinds of men."
"And if they have changed it, hopefully it's a recent enough change that they might buy that you didn't know it would be changing. That or I shouldn't have been reading that con artist novel last night."
Niadroub Kliip nods at Colwyn. He casts mage armor on himself before they head towards the gate.
"Let's give it a go and hope we can blather our way in so."
When they are approaching Richard will give the bandits on guard duty a lazy wave.
Your ruse works like a charm. The gates are opened and you ride in as the bandits gather to see the new arrivals. You are in area Z1.
When news of the stock of alcohol is given the Stag lord himself stumbles from his room at the back of the fort, blinking blearily at you through the dramatic helm which gives him his name.
He sweeps up the alcohol with greed and orders one of his lieutenants Akiros to give you each a 20gp bonus before he staggers back to his room.
There are seven bandits around the fort, and the three lieutenants. While the named Akiros is rolling his eyes in disgust at the Stag lords actions he pays you the bonus.
The other two lieutenants stick to one side, a hulking brute of a man listening to the other, a more dangerous looking man, who is eyeing you thoughtfully. "I didn't know Kressle had picked up any woman?" He says slyly. Looking over Xantria & Elena.
Colwyn wandering out from Z5 you recognize Feltan trask. A river kingdoms bravo, most likely the contact with the mercenaries who have been plaguing you, as he is a hireling not a bandit. He is looking your party over curiously, but doesn't seem to have recognized you yet.
What are you doing now?
Richard takes the gold and asks "Got any food, been walking for ages." Richard seems intent to let the Stag Lord dig into his provisions a bit more and take the time to size up the place. "The Stag Lords as big as I imagined but not exactly talkative is he?"
Xan glared at the man checking out her and Elena. "That a problem?"
Out of the frying pan into the fire, Mykhael thought after there entrance into the fort and encounter with the so called Stag Lord.
He trys to usher his companions somewhere private and suggested, "Perchance if we nosed around a little bit we might find something useful or that might divert the attention of these scoundrels." He smiled as inspiration struck, "Better yet if we get these louts drunk we can overcome them easier."
"Got any food, been walking for ages."
Elena looks around. She gives the air a sniff.
"I think the kitchen's over there."
She whispers to the others,
"Let's get a feel for the layout of the place before we do anything. If we blend in for a while we can sus out where everything is, and everyone."
Colwyn leans in and speaks to the man leering at Elena and Xan.
"Barking up the wrong tree, mate," he warns sardonically. "If Kressle recruited them, you can guess what kind of women they are. You'd lose fingers. Ain't worth it."
Colwyn moves so the two lieutenants are between him and Trask, to avoid being recognized, and he tries to keep his shuffling look idle.
"Speaking of Kressle, it's good to be back out of the wild and away from the beasts, eh?"
Colwyn laughs with the two men for a bit, but then he lets his tone turn more serious as he attempts to ply the men for information.
"But at least her ferocity came in handy this time. We had a run-in with some sellswords from Restov. We drove them off, but it was a bloody business. This band isn't just some bored lordlings playing at adventurer, either. They've brought steel, skill, and sorcery with them. They've holed up at old Oleg's for now, but they may press south. How're the defenses here holding up?"
Richard. - Akiros gestures towards Z5 where the bandits not on watch are relaxing around a fire, over which one of them is turning a haunch of venison. Making sure it cooks properly. "Looks like the foods about ready. Help yourselves."
Colwyn. - Auchs (Yellow) looks too dim to converse with. He blinks in confusion when you speak, looking to Dovan (Red) for instructions. Dovan has a nasty air to him. "Mouthy slut." He mutters when Olimpia challenges him.
Turning to you he makes an effort to seem in command. "So you're having problems up north? I'd do something about it but the Stag lords drinking himself unconscious, and he's put that jumped up ponce over there as his second in command." He nods in Akiros's direction with a great deal of venom.
You notice that the bandit by the fire (Purple) matches the description given in Kesten's notice of the former mercenary he wants captured alive if possible.
What are you doing now?
Niadroub Kliip casually climbs the stairs up to platform Z2B. He'll make a show of looking over the palisade into the woods, but he'll also make sure to note where the other guards on watchtowers are and the various ways up.
"See a loot of ection out here?" he asks the guard on duty.
"He put him in charge?" Colwyn asks Dovan, feigning shock. Colwyn shakes his head ruefully. He tosses a quick glance to Auchs before whispering so only Dovan can hear.
"This can't go on. Letting the boss keep himself soused, giving us our leeway, it was all well and good before, but things have changed. If Rostland's putting the screws to the Greenbelt, we're gonna need real leadership to survive. Well, it's either that or divvy up the loot and we all scatter back to the wind before they put the lot of us to the sword. Frankly, though, we've got a good thing going here, and it'd be a damned shame to let it all slip away."