The mithral full plate fits Goruck rather well with no adjustment needed, and the magical axe feels light and easy in his grip. As Illiam practices for his bit of vocal trickery, the rest of the party comments that it sounds almost exactly like the sound that was accompanying the cube in the sub-level of Droskar's monastery. It seems a powerful ruse is ready to be the group's best weapon, hopefully it will speed along their journey to the hostage children sending kobolds scurrying into hiding wherever they go.
Testing the feel of Glintaxe's equipment, Goruck feels his respect for the deceased warrior grow. The dwarf had taken good care of his tools, and it showed. Let the steel work onwards, and serve as it was meant to.
Changing his demeanor for a silence, hulking air, the swordsman of the stone proceeded downward.
Before the descent begins, Chillel suggests I think we should untie Gurtlekrep. He has had plenty of opportunity to betray us and has not. And he is very vulnerable like that. Also, I think you would make excellent thespians if your career as adventurers fails.
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Illiam stops and looks back at Chillel, not ceasing his noises.
Shhhhhzzzzzzzssssshhhhhzzzzzzllllll
He looks thoughtful for a moment, an absurd juxtaposition against the noise coming from his mouth, then he gives a single, quick nod and continues to follow Goruck.
Shhhhhzzzzzzzssssshhhhhzzzzzzllllll
Doing his best to maintain the stony visage he normally adopted with his mask, the half orc pressed further into the dungeon, moving with an unsettling silence.
Ummmm . . . I realize we're in a bit of a rush, but don't you want me to look after ya before we go much farther, Goruck? Doesn't look like you got burned too bad, but we need to be ready for a fight, just in case.
Traversing back into the first sub-level of Droskar's monastery, the party, following Gurtlekrep's previous directions, turns west, then north. As Goruck and the sizzle-mouthing Illiam, who currently travels using only the dim light provided by Glintaxe in order to help the fabrication of their ruse, pass the first hallway juncture, they both see a chamber to the west with a row of beds. Most likely the room was a dormitory of the monastery in its heyday.
Continuing north, the power of their spectral ruse suddenly loses all its appeal when cacophonous sounds come from the chamber up ahead. Illiam's sizzling sound is swallowed by the sounds of yelling, wood breaking, metal clanging, and a few loud screams. Screams that very well could have come from a child in anguish or distress... Goruck, whose protective instinct kicks in runs down the hallway to the entrance of the chamber and is both relieved, but also alarmed by what confronts his vision.
Kimi Eaveswalker is backed into a corner. She waves a burning torch like a weapon in front of her, barely holding at bay a kobold wearing leather armor, wielding a shortspear that drips some black, viscous liquid from the blade; his back is strapped with five javelins, and at his side hangs some exotic looking blade attached to a length of chain. His counterpart, armed exactly as he, is engaged with a halfling who is ill armed, waving a dagger back and forth in one hand and reaching a hand down to the rubble strewn floor to pick up a rock for throwing. Underneath a table near the halfling sits Mikra Jabbs, the simpleton son of Colbrin, the butcher from town. The boy is obviously frightened, cradling his knees and rocking back and forth. In addition to the well armed kobold fighters, there are six other kobolds in the room equipped with scraps of leather for armor, slings and spears. Two are providing flank protection for their better equipped kin, and only offer an angry hiss as Goruck plows into view. However, the fighter engaged with the halfling barks a command. "Ladd ef!" He yells. Four of the kobolds turn to look at Goruck, and a moment of recognition seizes them and causes them to hesitate.
Down the hallway Chillel hears a definitive child's scream and her maternal instinct kicks into high gear; she is immediately ready for action.
Hearing all the commotion Dolok will move as far as he can to try to see what is going on taking his 'dim' torch with him. Just before he runs off, in a low voice, "Sorry guys, but Kairon has some light."
Cursed animals, threatening children. mutters Chillel under her breath as she moves forward, casting mage armour on herself as she goes.
Goruck watches as the dagger and rock wielding halfling takes a small step back, waving his dagger in a completely defensive manner. He makes no move to attack, instead stepping back to stand next to the whimpering Mikra.
Kimi does much the same swinging her torch around wildly in an attempt to keep the kobolds at bay.
The four kobolds that broke off from the group now clearly hear that tell-tale sound of sizzling stone accompanying the haunting and much feared image of Glintaxe. Something's not right about him, he looks different than normal somehow, though in the heat of battle it's hard for their minds to grasp a hold of just what the difference is.
Mae'n Glintaxe! Rhedeg!! The biggest of the four screams, and run they do, north out of the room, and then right around a corner, disappearing from view.
It's Glintaxe! RUN!!
Seeing four of his warriors departing in hasty fear of one of the Truescale tribe's most feared and hated enemies, the obvious leader of this group who now faces off against the weak and barely armed halfling, must make a decision. Stay and fight Glintaxe, against all better judgement, or disappoint his King, his king's mate, and the tribe's shaman... He looks at the other kobold whose arms and armor match his own and barks Bargrak rydym ymladd Glintaxe, neu Brenin yn lladd ni beth bynnag. Mae'n rhaid i ni gael crwyn pinc hyn i'r siaman, neu'n marw geisio.
Having steeled himself for the challenge Yagrik turns and advances on Glintaxe, thrusting his dark liquid covered spearhead at him with a horrible yell.
Amazingly an attack that would have pierced through just about any other armor skids uselessly off of Goruck's newly donned mithral full plate. Yagrik watches as a chip of metal breaks off of his spearpoint, and Goruck sees his resolve for the fight clearly start to dissolve. Yagrik's flanker moves to help, but stops short when he sees Yagrik the mighty warrior's spear bounce off of Glintaxe armor. He instead hugs the wall, and holds his spear out in a move that seems to mirror what Kimi has been doing in her corner.
Clearly the tables have turned.
Putting on a quick burst of speed, Kairon rushes up to stand behind and to the right of Goruck, preparing to clear a path for the youngsters. Right behind ya, Glintaxe!
Letting the blow deflect off his new armor, Goruck smiles mirthlessly underneath his helm. Gripping the axe tightly in both hands, the swordsman swings Glintaxe's signature weapon in a cleaving strike with all his strength, the state of the children giving the warrior righteous fury. "Tagad ļaujiet mums redzēt, cik jūs esat drosmīgs!"
Goruck's righteous fury splits Yagrik directly in twain, his body falling in equal bloody and ruinous halves onto the stone floor. His blood begins to spread in a thick pool. The two goblins across the room that were trying to capture Kimi immediately squawk like frightened chickens and then high tail it out of the room faster than lightning across a stormy sky.
The remaining kobold, who still stands next to the bloody mess that is all that remains of his overboss, stares blankly ahead, either unwilling, or unable to do anything in his own defense. Perhaps seeing a warrior, that he esteemed as one of the greatest of all the Truescale tribe, go down with one strike has rendered him completely numb.
From across the room, Kimi, squinting to try and discern the faces of those that came to her rescue by the light emanating from Goruck's new axe, blinks several times in quick succession, and then says: "Goruck?! Is that you?"
The halfling who stood defense over the simpleton Mikra Jabbs, looks at Kimi and then at the mountain of a man who just split Yagrik like so much firewood, and says: "You know that guy?! Praise all the good gods!" Then, as of someone who has just exerted a mighty effort, he drops down to the ground with a heavy sigh, and leans over to comfort Mikra, placing a hand on his shoulder, and whispering: "It's okay Mikra. We're rescued."
Indeed you are! Are you all healthy? We have a goblin with us, don't worry he is on our side. says Chillel, to the captives as she moves up, Gurtlekrep close behind.
The priest offers the briefest glance to the puddle of hewn kobold at Goruck/Glintaxe's feet, and moves toward the youngsters, keeping his spearpoint trained on the lone survivor. Who of ya's hurt the worst, Kimi? And this isn't everybody, is it? I expected more than three of you. Kairon focuses on the kobold once more, and calls to Illiam. Illiam, maybe tell 'im to keep still? Be a shame if he got stuck on a spear . . . .
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The priest offers the briefest glance to the puddle of hewn kobold at Goruck/Glintaxe's feet, and moves toward the youngsters, keeping his spearpoint trained on the lone survivor. Who of ya's hurt the worst, Kimi? And this isn't everybody, is it? I expected more than three of you. Kairon focuses on the kobold once more, and calls to Illiam. Illiam, maybe tell 'im to keep still? Be a shame if he got stuck on a spear . . . .
Him? Him who?
Dolok will go ahead and move up into the room, but he is still expecting trouble since he doesn't know everything that has happened. As he moves up he will go ahead and spread his Dancing Torches around to illuminate a larger area.
Perking his head at his actual name, Goruck nods before leaping over the bloody mess he made of the kobold daring enough to strike him. Standing atop the gore, the half orc thrusts the axe high at the still kobold before hefting it high above his head.
"Destê te bimînin, ma ku ez ji we re kirê bikim." His words carry the otherworldly sibilant hiss of Necril as he looms menancingly, or attempts to. I pray he finds such black speech threatening. Though I did just split his friend, so bloodstained hands oft have the most primal response.
Chillel moves up to the entrance of the room in which the children were found, Athena and Gurtlekrep in tow. She then looks around, alert for threats.
Following both Illiam's call to surrender and Goruck's Necril warning, the remaining kobold, not one for ludicrous feats of heroics, sets down his spear and raises his hands in the universal sign of surrender. He says, "Peidiwch â lladd fi. Rwy'n ildio."
Seeing the situation well in hand, Kimi leaps the table between her and the priest of Sarenrae and all but jumps into Kairon's arms, planting one of the strongest hugs he's ever been a recipient of on him. Then, as is the wont of a teenage girls, she explodes in a volcanic eruption of what could best be described as verbal diarrhea. Kimi tells the whole story, right from the beginning. Camping at the site of the burned out orphanage, conflict and capture by the Truescale tribe, being dragged below ground to the kobold's dungeon prison. She relates how bravely Edgrin Galesong, the halfling bard that sits next to Mikra, and his friend Tyran Moonsilver, a half-elf wizard, managed their escape, just this very day. Unfortunately the chaos of the escape left people running in all directions. Tyran and Hollin were recaptured immediately having succumbed to some kind of poison the kobolds use on their weapons; Jurin got taken by some hideous, smoke-bearded, chain-wrapped dwarf that smelled of sulfur as they made their way up from the caverns below, and during their flight Savram turned right when they turned left. Edgrin nods his assent at everything she says, and apologizes for not being of more help. Having just witnessed the power and prowess of Goruck of the stone, Edgrin is convinced nothing in this dungeon will now stand in their way. An assertion that causes both Gurtlekrep and his newfound kobold companion, whom Illiam overhears is named Trigatark, to chuckle. Edgrin immediately moves to disarm Trigatark, taking his "armor," (though it's much more scraps of leather than an actual suit of armor) spear, and sling and adding them to the dagger he already had. He professes he's ready to follow the group back into the dungeon to rescue everyone else, and, if they are not opposed to destroy the wicked Truescale tribe, to the last kobold. A threat that is not lost on Gurtlekrep or Trigatark.
So, now it stands at two rescued, Kimi and Mikra, a new companion in Edgring Galesong, Savram somewhere to the north, Jurin in the clutches of some unknown fire-headed dwarf, and a whole tribe of kobolds between the party and Hollin and Tyran Moonsilver. The joy of finding Kimi and Mikra alive is tempered by the daunting task still ahead.
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Illiam tries to extract as much information from Trigatark about what lies ahead of them as possible. Layout, number of kobolds, any special abilities they have, what kind of poison is being used, who and where the smoke-bearded dwarf is, etc. He doesn't employ any special intimidation tactics beyond what the kobold has already seen, but does point out that they have kept both him and Gurtlekrep alive when it would have been easier to kill them. He will, however, watch closely for signs of deception (and hopefully the others will be doing the same).
At the mention of poison, Kairon retrieves the chipped spear of Goruck's slain foe and takes a few moments to try to identify its nature.
More challenges than just a smash-and-grab, eh? We've got a few different paths to take, now . . . . Who should we go get first?
Resting the haft of the freshly blooded axe on his armored shoulder, Goruck enjoys a quiet chuckle at the slight of Kimi attaching to Kairon like a leech to warm flesh. Listening, Goruck runs a tongue over the ink lines of his tusks in contemplation. I was lucky Glintaxe's armor was forged to the quality of the dwarves. It's a wonder my tribe ever managed raids with such fine equipment in our foe's hands.
The chuckling of the two kobolds sends an unwelcome chill down the swordsman's spine. Turning to properly judge them, he absently begins to wipe the axe head with his stained cleaning rag, giving Illiam's questions consideration.
Laying a meaty hand on Edgrin's shoulder, Goruck enunciates his words with careful precision. "There is always a broader back ready to take the plow. We must temper our fury with calm and cunning, so that the blade we forge from it may stay it's edge."
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Once the interrogation is done, Illiam will also try to learn what spells, skills, and abilities the bard has. He'll also take a look down the passage going south that is just west of the one they came through. If it's a small room and he can see that there are no obvious dangers, he'll cast detect magic and search it and the current room thoroughly for anything of use (but if there's a door, he'll wait).
Thankfully, or is it unfortunately(?) for everyone, Trigatark does in fact speak common, and was translating everything going on for Gurtlekrep. He hesitates not at all to inform Illiam of exactly what awaits them in the depths below. He explains that the fire-dwarf is either another ghostly dwarf or some mixture of a ghost and a fire elemental, powerful, to be avoided. That's why the kobolds usually avoid the egress that goes through his chamber, favoring the old elevator for moving between the caves and dungeon. In terms of kobolds, their power and abilities, Trigatark says, "Truescale tribe is mighty! Warriors Lekmek, Kapmek, and Grugakrug lead many Dark Talon Hunters in victorious battle, with Slurk riders bringing death from above. Kerrdremak and Jekkajak bring fiery fearsome magics. Jekkajak wields fire-death dagger and Merlokrep, First of His Name, is greatest warrior of all, using both magic and the great axe Pink-skin Slayer."
It seems that Trigatark is of a much different suspicion about the party's ability to deal with the full strength of the Truescale tribe, even after witnessing how quickly Goruck dispatched his captain. Illiam, being the smart halfling that he is, asks what Slurks are, and finds out that they are huge toad-like creatures with massive tusks, they cling to the walls, and spray a mucus that holds enemies in place so that their riders can porcupine them with arrows while out of harm's reach. Illiam also asks specifically what kind of spells the casters use, and gets a pretty good idea that they have the spells burning hands, cause fear, color spray, command, magic missile, scorching ray, and sleep, along with a few other cantrips.
After getting all the information both Illiam and Goruck are convinced that Trigatark is telling the truth, and not withholding anything. They do not, however, trust that if he's brought along, he won't betray them at the first possible moment...
Meanwhile Kairon is able to clearly discern the poison the kobold's use is an extract of centipede venom that, when effective, hampers a person's agility.
Edgrin is more than happy to share the exact nature of all his magic abilities with Illiam.
Special Actions
bardic music 2/day
(countersong, fascinate,
inspire courage +1)
Spells Known (CL 2nd):
1st (1/day, 0 left)—cure light wounds,
hideous laughter (DC 13)
0 (4/day, 2 left)—dancing lights, daze (DC 12),
detect magic, ghost sound (DC 12), light
Illiam looks into the adjoining room and finds it to be a ransacked, decrepit old kitchen, which makes sense since the tables and benches in the room they currently occupy makes it out to be some sort of mess hall. Casting detect magic, he picks up two faint auras radiating from a shelf scattered with cups and bottles on the eastern wall.
At Goruck's words Edgrin nods his assent, takes a deep breath and stands up. Offering a hand of greeting. "Of course you are right. And, now that I have time to think, though I would rather come with to make sure Tyran is alive and well, I think it might be better if I take Kimi and Mikra to the surface. We should be able to lock ourselves in one of the rooms of the old monastery and await your return."
When Edgrin talks of extracting himself and the two children Kimi clings tightly to Kairon and refuses to let go. "No!" She exclaims vehemently. "I won't leave Hollin, Savram and Jurin. I won't!"
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Ghost sound could be useful. Did you hear the sizzling noise I was making? How well can you reproduce that? Goruck's armor is taken from a ooze that the kobolds think is a ghost. It made a noise like that. I've been doing an impression of it to scare them off, but ghost sound might work even better. (and I'm thinking Illiam should be able to help him practice it until it's perfect, allowing him to take 20 on bluff).
Illiam inspects the magical auras.