Kairon advances to the eastern doorway and reaches for the latch. Looking back to the rest of the group, he meets their eyes, confirming their readiness before throwing open the door.
As Kairon swings open the double doors the sudden influx of light from Dolok's dancing lights spell forces a group of six kobolds to cover their eyes. Kairon quickly surveys the scene seeing six stone prayer platforms with well-worn knee rests carved in to them spread throughout this large chamber. A closed set of double doors leads north out of the room. Kairon also quickly surmises these kobolds were engaged in some form of conversation. Five combat equipped koblds are sitting on one of the platforms and the robed kobold stands in front of them. Perhaps their was some form of lecture happening. The standing kobold, robed in red, is hunch-backed with dark blue scales. One of his ears is immensely oversized and droops under the weight of several human finger-bone earrings. Upon seeing Kairon, the red-robed kobold stops his speech and says, "Achubwr y croen pinc, efallai y byddant hefyd yn ein hechawdwriaeth."
Kairon finds it rather odd that none of the six kobolds in this room make any attempt to attack or defend themselves. In fact, none of the warriors even make a move for their weapons.
Glancing back, while still trying to keep an eye on the kobold pack, Kairon asks: Umm -- what'd that one say??
Arching an eyebrow quizzically, Kairon gestures for Illiam to move closer, asking, Salvation? From what? . . . . And are those who want this salvation prepared to live worthy of it? Moving into more familiar territory, philosophically speaking, the priest relaxes his stance, barely but perceptibly.
Stepping up besides Kairon, Goruck stares into the room, making a note of each kobold's location. Salvation comes to those who toil towards self improvement.
Neither Kairon nor Goruck sense any deception in the kobold's mannerisms, but, not being able to understand draconic definitely hampers their ability to pick up the subtleties often found in the spoken language. Illiam, who speaks fluent draconic, trusts these new kobolds implicitly, as far as he can tell they are both friendly and have an earnest desire to be helpful.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend, have you not heard gentlemen. I think this group may be at odds with the current hierarchy, like Gurtlekrep. says Chillel, then turning to the kobolds and continuing in Draconic, [b]Iachawdwriaeth, efallai. Efallai, os ydych chi'n nodi'r hyn yr oedd angen i chi ei arbed, gallwn weld yr hyn y gallwn ei wneud. Nid ydych chi wedi ymosod arnom cyn gynted ag y dangosom ni sy'n arwydd da.
But she is not as trusting as she says she is.
Following Chillel into the room, since she has been his "handler" all along, Gurtlekrep yips with excitement when he sees the robed kobold with the oversize ear. "Kerrdremak!" He calls. Kerrdremak and Gurtlekrep embrace in a short hug, before Kerrdremak turns to answer Chillel's question. He seems not at all perturbed that Gurtlekrep is tied up, nor that he is following around a group of "pink-skins."
The lop-eared, red robed kobold says: "I'm assuming you speak Common." His language is a very practiced and fluent Common. "To answer what we need saving from might require a rather lengthy conversation. The short answer, though, is easy, Vreggma, consort to the king, and Jekkajak the inept shaman-counselor. They have pulled the Truescale tribe down from glory into the depths of despair, and done so in a very short time span. All done so to feed her ego, or, in his case, following some unknown prophecy borne more by his own senility than any planar power."
Kerrdremak's vocabulary and fluent common make it very clear he is not your average kobold, and taking a closer look at his accoutrement gives one the sense that he may be an arcane caster of sorts. He looks at all those that have entered his field of vision, and remarks, "A hearty band of adventurers, indeed. What do you call yourselves?"
What would it mean to bring yer tribe back to "glory", Kerrdremak?
Kairon's question is rather abrupt, and bypasses introduction, at least for the moment. We got to get to those kids. Can't take too much time with this, but if they want to help, well . . . .
"Really?! That's an awfully funny name for a band of adventurers..."
He wasn't replying to your question Kerrdremak. I am the Lady Chillel, my familiar Athena, the names of my retinue are not really important. Since we have foes in common, particularly Jekkajak, who is deeply involved in kidnapping the children that we followed here and is overdue a painful and messy demise for so doing, we should join forces. How many of the kobolds here are of the Truescale tribe?
"Hmmmm, you are right that your names are not important, I merely wanted the courtesy of knowing who I am addressing, and, as is wont to happen in these situations, those that consider themselves leaders of a group will always be first to speak. That the priest of Sarenrae spoke first, disrespectfully, and dismissively, speaks to the fact that he leads in spirit, but not necessarily in truth." Kerrdremak looks at Kairon disdainfully, then walks closer to Chillel to address her more intimately. "To answer your question, Chillel, all of the kobolds under my charge are kin of the Truescale tribe. To answer the priest's question, I can only tell you what the glory of the Truescale tribe is not. It is not skulking around in dark caverns, biding time, trying to gather strength by listening to the words of a madman, whose insanity has caused him to believe our fate is tethered to some bizarre sacrifices of innocent human blood. Its glory is also not in catering to the greedy whims of an egotistical harlot, whose only desire is to surround herself with the facade of riches." The lop-eared kobold walks away for a moment, back to the front of his sitting warriors, he looks at the group of you, scrutinizing. When he speaks again his voice is changed, softer.
"Sadly, as you have probably already guessed, I cannot, by own, even with those few that listen, overturn the hierarchy of rule. I need help. When Merlokrep sent us up here to ascertain the truths of those cowardly souls that fled to the depths with tales of Glintaxe come to new and powerful life, and to check on the fate of the escaped prisoners, I hoped against hope that it meant people like yourselves would be here. I cannot openly defy Merlokrep, nor am I powerful enough to counter my mentor Jekkajak. What's worse, I'm sure your children are precious, and I heard the frightened screams of one caught in the clutches of the Forge Spurned and his Hellhound b!tch. To wit, you have little time, and I have little more than knowledge to aid you, at least until you've removed the threat of Vreggma and Jekkajak. So... Seek what information you will from me, I will tell it plainly. I will also tell you that, if it is within your power, I would like there to be a Truescale tribe left to be ruled after you have rescued the children of the Hollow. As many kobolds as you can leave alive, I beg of you to do. As a sign of my earnest desire, I will let you know that some of our Darkscale Hunters have set a trap in the elevator, they lay wait in ambush in its depths, and the mechanism has been booby-trapped to fail as soon as enough wait, that of at least two humans, rests on it. You dare not go that way. The only other way is down the smoke-filled tunnels, past the Forge Spurned and his hellhound pet, but of course, you will choose that way anyway, because one of your children is currently trapped in his vile clutches, hours yet to live until he too becomes part of the mad ghost's chain."
Kairon cannot help but laugh at the idea of his "leading" the group, but he contains it as quickly as he can. Lead? Me?! Ha! . . . . I hope y'understand no disrespect was meant, Kerrdremak -- seemed that gettin' to the heart o' the matter would better serve those kids than . . . formalities. And tryin' to understand what you want lets me get closer t' makin' up my own mind how far I can go t' help ya recover your "glory". He regards Kerrdremak resolutely for a moment before offering his name, Kairon, and tips a brief nod, a somewhat conciliatory gesture.
And then Kairon settles himself, leaning back against the wall, letting the others do the talking.
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It sounds like our interest are aligned. If you really want to help us, we could use a map of the lower level, and its dangers, and where, exactly, we can expect to find Merlokrep, Vreggma and Jekkajak. As he's saying this, Illiam produces paper, a pen, and ink from his backpack, and holds them out to Kerrdremak expectantly, evaluating his response. We can't necessarily trust the information he provides, but we can at least get enough information that if he IS lying, we will discover it quickly...
"Does the heart lead the body with its soul, or does the hand lead by its actions?" Pulling off Glintaxe's helmet, Goruck's visage is stony in expression and experience. Resting the bloodied axe on the floor, the half orc leans slightly onto the weapon. "Kerrdremak, I have no issues leaving your fellows alive," as he pauses, his brows narrows, "I shall not do so if I gamble with my fellow's lives. Is there a way for us to get them to stand down."
At the mention of the Forge Spurned, Goruck's grip on his weapon tightens. "What is this Forge Spurned?"
Kerrdremak grabs Illiam's paper and ink and gets to work immediately, watching him work Illiam realizes that Kerrdremak must be some kind of amateur cartographer, his map is extremely detailed, and he's labeled the entirety of the lower level with a convenient and understandable numbering system. He takes the time to draw a line showing the most expedient route, even listing the denizens of each area.
While Kerrdremak draws and writes, he speaks to Goruck about the Forge Spurned. "The Forge Spurned is your first and greatest threat. He is undead, the manner of his creation is a mystery to me, as I've never dared get close enough to learn more. I can tell you that he wields an adamantine warhammer, with deadly efficiency, he also exudes heat on the level of a fire elemental. His driving force is forging his soul chain, which he also wields as a weapon with pernicious reach. He also heals, quickly, almost right before your eyes. The souls of all those he kills on his anvil become links in that chain. For some reason though, he undertakes some slow process of taking those souls, almost as if he is taking their soul, slowly, as he hammers a new link to his chain. As we came up through the elevator, I heard the screams of your Hollow's son. No doubt the undead fire dwarf is even now forging his soul into his chain. He keeps a she-b!tch hellhound as a guard. All this I know because as strong as the Truescale is, we've never been able to remove the Forge Spurned from his smoking tunnels, even after several attempts." As he speaks you notice genuine disappointment not only on his face, but also that of his collected warriors and even Gurtlekrep. He continues. "I will not lie to you, if you can kill the Forge Spurned it would be a great boon to the Truescale. As would the death of the gargoyle and dire bat that live just below his crevasse, here where I've marked the number 23." He points to the first chamber of his map of the kobold warrens, the chamber where, if you successfully kill the Forge Spurned, you would drop down to continue your mission. "If you can rescue your lad, please bring him back here. We will guard him for you as you work to rid our tribe of the cancer that now slowly kills it. If you follow the path I've shown you'll run into our slave overlord Lekmek in our mine. He will undoubtedly order the slaves to harry your, while he goes to warn our warriors. As to that, though, and to keeping as many of my brethren alive as possible, I have something here that may help." Kerrdremak reaches inside the sleeve of his red robe and withdraws a wand. He hands it to Chillel. "It is a wand with the arcane spell Sleep. The command word is "cysgu." It won't work on many of our best warriors, but on the young, the slaves, the green trainees, it should take them out of the fight."
"Past Lekmek and the mine you'll have to pass through the slurk kennels, where Kapmek is the wrangler. He will also attack without diplomacy, again, if you can put him and his slurks to sleep, I would appreciate it, as they are part of our tribe's strength. Beyond that, follow this trail I've marked. Here, in the area I've marked with the number 30, Merlokrep will, by the time you reach it, as he is already aware of you and your approach, have assembled our military strength. Darkscale Hunters, warrior captains, and a host of no less than a dozen of our most seasoned warriors. There is no way to bypass it. You will have to go through this chamber to get to Merlokrep, to Vreggma, to Jekkajak and to the child the senile old shaman is no doubt prepping to sacrifice. A small saving grace... I heard Jekkajak say he would sacrifice the elf wizard first, as "his heart is more powerful." So you have some time before the child he's taken is placed on his altar of death." Kerrdremak pauses for a moment as he puts the finishing touches on his map, considering.
"Obviously, as many of the warriors as you can save, I'd appreciate that as well. Though, I won't fault you for killing to save yourself."
He hands Illiam the map, and his pen and ink back. Then looks each one of you in the eye before speaking again. "I want to be very clear on this final point. I do not think Merlokrep an inept king. I think he has surrounded himself with inept and foolish counselors. Merlokrep is no fool, but he is also fiercely loyal. You may not be able to convince him to stand down. If not, he will not be easy to kill, as he wields magic and weapons with equal ease. If Merlokrep can be saved, I think it would be for the best. If he cannot?" Kerrdremak pauses here, for more than a brief moment. "So be it. The Truescale tribe will find new leadership. Vreggma and Jekkajak however must be killed. On this I hope I have made myself perfectly clear. Now, you have little time, and much to do. As I said, your first order of business is to head north out of this room and east into the smoking tunnels of the Forge Spurned to save you son of the Hollow. I wish I had something to help you clear those tunnels of smoke, but I know no such magic."
Kerrdremak points to the double doors to the north, and awaits any questions that the envoy voices.
He knows what all's goin' on, he's got a magic wand, and he's got 5 warriors with him -- and he acts like we should do all this "saving" for him??! I may not be the one to turn 'em to it, but they're gonna hafta go a bit further than: "Go do this for us, willya?"
"It is our hatchery. We have many clutches of eggs being tended there by the matriarchs of our tribe. It is also fiercely guarded. There's a reason the path I drew stays well away from there. You'll avoid a massive group of our warriors that do nothing but protect the hatchery. Any other questions?"
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Taking a moment to gauge nuances of his response, Illiam continues. Yes, tell me more about this Forge Spurned. I specifically want to know anything you can tell me about his chain. Sounds like we might be able to use it to our advantage. Is it attached to him? How well would it hinder him if we could anchor the end of it? Illiam runs his finger along the length of the Stubborn Nail concealed in his pocket, a plan beginning to form.
Illiam also searches his own mind to see if he has heard of anything similar in his own studies.
Recalling a book he read in one of Absalom's better libraries, Illiam feels a small twinge of fear recalling everything he learned about the strange undead known as Forge Spurned. His recollections do impart the wisdom, though, that a Forge Spurned's chain is, in fact, attached to them; however, getting a hold of the chain and anchoring it in place with his stubborn nail might not be the easiest task.
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Not wanting to give the kobolds too much information, Illiam proceeds with more questions as he works out the details of his plan.
What about Merlokrep, Vreggma and Jekkajak? What magics or other special abilities do they have? Are they good fighters? What about any weaknesses? Maybe one of them is particularly weak-willed or slow to react?
Dolok has been hanging around the doorway this whole time. Now he walks on over to where Kerrdremak is, and tries to 'turn on the charm'. "Mr. Kerrdremak, valiant member of the Truescale Tribe, pardon me kind kobold sir, my name is Dolok Pickering, of Falcon's Hollow. Since you seem willing to be so helpful, would you do me the kindness of giving us as much information as you can about this level we are currently on? Especially the area where this 'Forge Spurned and his hellhound pet' are located? But any information on the previous areas would be much appreciated as well!" As he offers him another sheet of parchment and ink and quill.
The barrage of questions seems to rattle Kerrdremak not at all. He calmly answers them in the order they were given. Looking at Illiam he says, "As I mentioned Merlokrep is both a warrior of great prowess, and a caster of arcane magic. His favored spells are sleep and magic missile. He has no weaknesses, except, of course, his weakness for the harlot Vreggma. Speaking of, she is only dangerous in her devotion and ferocity. She is no more skilled a warrior than any of our tribe, but, if cornered she will fight until you all are dead, or she is. Jekkajak, the senile shaman is a powerful sorcerer. His favored spells are cause fear, color spray, and summon swarm. Both he and Merlokrep will undoubtedly have covered themselves with the protection of mage armor as well. They both also wield magical weapons. Merlokrep's man-fell battleaxe is particularly deadly against humans. Jekkajak's magic dagger is wreathed in flame, and sometimes bursts forth with gouts of flame when he lands a significant blow against his enemies."
Kerrdremak looks at Dolok and says, "Finally someone with some civility and cordial discourse. It is my pleasure to make your acquaintance, Dolok of the of Hollow." He offers a small bow in greeting. Here, I'll do my best to draw you a map of the parts of this level that you'll need to get through to go below." With that Kerrdremak takes Dolok's paper and ink and draws a rough sketch of the elevator room, and his best recollection of the caverns that lead past the Forge Spurned to the cave chute that leads to the Truescale's warrens. He then gives the rough map to Dolok.
After finishing his map he looks back at Illiam and says, "No, none of your party should have any trouble with the caves or corridors below. Though, something the size of an ogre would not fit through with ease. And a slurk is a bit like a large toad with orc-like tusks growing from it's wide and deadly mouth." Upon hearing the description, Illiam's memory is jarred, and he remembers reading about just such a creature previously in his travels.
He looks at the rest of the group and asks, "Any other information I can offer to assist your quest?"
Having quietly observed all the smooth talk and politeness with a slightly bemused look on his face, Kairon stirs from his comfortable perch against the wall and scans each face, familiar and strange alike. He looks back to his five compatriots and asks: Any of y'all see the catch I do, here? . . . . Remember what I asked after Illiam translated Kerrdremak's words for me? There is strain on his face, and in his voice, because he knows the time has come to press for more than words and cheap gifts.
Having stayed in the quiet, and trusting his friend to dig for the information they need, Goruck watches Kairon, noticing the stress on his companion's face. "Often if one wishes a task done to their specifications, they aid in the task itself." His question masked in foolish wisdom, Goruck returns to his imitation of a statue.
Looking at the rough map that Kerrdremak has just drawn for him, Dolok gets a dissapointed, look on his face, and sets them on the floor in front of the kobold, and at first he has his hands down to his side, but as his 'speech/performance' goes on he will raise his hands out to his sides, palms upwards, "Mr Kerrdremak, good sir, you are asking us to risk our lives out in order to help out you and your tribe, yet you are not giving me all the information you could! I for you to finish this map of this level telling us as much detail about this level as you have, and I also would like to know on the lower level what does that area 28 lead to?" At this point Dolok is leaning in closer and closer to Kerrdremak's face, getting an angrier look the longer he is talking, and he starts 'poofing' little balls of fire in his hands, and of course his flamy red hair is flying around loose and wild-looking as usual. "And if you expect for to be risking our lives for the of your tribe and trying to let your people live, then you need to be more forthcoming
At Dolok's aggressive behavior and speech, Kerrdremak takes a wary step back and his warriors jump to their feet gripping spears and shields tightly. Before speaking, he crosses his arms, resting his hands inside the sleeves of his red robe. His voice is very calm even soothing, as he speaks. "The area I've marked 28 is an old collapsed shaft that leads to a system of unexplored caves deeper in the earth. Ever since the cave-in we have avoided it." He pauses for a moment, looking Dolok right in the eyes making sure he's paying close attention. He also gives Kairon and Goruck a sideways glance. "If the amount of information I have already given you about the inner workings of my tribe's long-time home seems less than generous, I apologize. It so happens, my fiery friend, that I do not know any more about this level, except that we have always avoided it, there are, no doubt, creatures dwelling in the halls and chambers of this basement of the monastery, but we avoid them, and they do likewise for us." Here Kerrdremak pauses again, and paces back and forth in front of his small group of warriors, at which point everyone present realizes he's preparing another of his long diatribes. "I believe I understand your misgivings. You want my help in moving below, perhaps I could even dissuade many of the Truescale from attacking you, making your journey below so much easier. I follow that logic, but in so doing, you miss one very important truth about what I am offering, and what I am undertaking." Another dramatic pause. "You see, no doubt, that what I am undertaking here is no less than treason, correct?" He looks around to make sure every member of the group acknowledges his position as a traitor to his tribe. "You also see, I hope, as I have indicated, that I do not want to destroy the life of the Truescale tribe. I want only to kill the cancer that is destroying it. It is not the destruction of my tribe I am after, it is its cleansing. I want the Truescale tribe to be here tomorrow, and I want to be part of it. You see? He looks around to see if the seeds of his logic are taking root, watching for those moments of understanding to pop clearly upon human, halfling, and half-orc faces. "If I partake, obviously, in open rebellion, regardless the motive, my place among the tribe will be assured, assuredly ended. If, however, the knowledge of my rebellion motivated by patriotism, sits with this small group." He points at Gurtlekrep and the five warriors whose loyalty he has garnered. "Then, the cleansing of my tribe provides that return to glory, that I have spoken about. Then the Truescale tribe continues, improved, progressing, growing. I would prefer Merlokrep, first of his name, to be the king, but, as I said, I will understand if he refuses to cease peaceably. He is forever fiercely loyal to his small kingdom. It is not the kingship I want, though I am prepared to take it in the absence of another. It is simply the ability for the Truescale tribe to grow and prosper, a prospect that has been placed in severe jeopardy by the will of two imbecilic, greedy, and irrational kobolds." He pauses here again, reaching one hand out from his robe and scratching it along his scaly chin. "You see, also, I hope, what is being offered here? The friendship and alliance of the Truescale tribe. I have no doubt, that if Merlokrep lives, I will be able to persuade him to reason and to alliance with the Hollow, it is, after all, in both our best interests." Kerrdremak crosses his arms again, and turns to look at Dolok, peering intently into his fiery eyes. "Surely you can see that I am offering as much as I can offer, while still remaining loyal to the renewed strength of the Truescale tribe? If not, and you feel I have been dishonest, or that my motivations are somehow hidden, take what I have already given and use it to destroy the Truescale tribe. I ask only one thing if that is your course of action, kill me first, for I do not wish to witness the end of my people."
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I see where you're coming from, Illiam begins, employing a quick-talking technique he's used to con more people than he can count, but respectfully, I'm not sure you've considered all the angles here. Consider this: some of your buddies down there must know you're up here. Even if they don't, some of your companions here don't have the best poker faces. They don't look like they could keep a secret very long, and if by some miracle they do, someone's going to wonder how we got past you without hurting any of you, or why we didn't come down that busted elevator on our way to take out your leaders. Point is, secrets like this one don't keep. Not for long. If we get past you, and everyone knows it, what kind of position do you expect to have after that. Best case scenario, you are seen as inept and ineffectual, and your new place in the tribe will be squarely at the bottom. More likely, they'll come to see you as exactly the traitor you fear being seen as. I don't know exactly how your tribe does things, but I suspect at that point exile would be too much to hope for. From what I've seen, even a quick death isn't likely, but you know your tribe better than I do. His dismissive tone as he says this last is calculated to make the idea of being tortured to death resonate, while simultaneously subliminally setting it in opposition to the idea of doing what he suggest next.
If you hide in our shadow, that's how things will play out. I've seen it before. There's another option, though. You could be the leader who performed a bloodless coup, the fearless and unquestioned new chief of your tribe. With us at your back, you could walk right past all these defenses, Illiam indicates the map of the lower level, turning them to your side, with our help, and those who can't be convinced will be put to sleep as you suggest, Illiam twirls the wand of Sleep around, then waves it across those assembled to indicate their numbers. Those gathered here are an overwhelming force already, one I doubt your fellows would dare oppose. Hell, you'll even have the mighty Glintaxe at your back. Once we pass a few of these ambushes, adding their numbers, or at least most of them, to our own, the others will have no choice but to join.
But it only works if you're out front, talking to your people. Boring as some of their stories may be, most of my companions don't specialize in putting folk to sleep. If they have to do this their way, a lot of kobold bloodshed will be unavoidable. Only you can avoid that bloodshed, by standing up to your people. By standing up FOR your people.
Kairon tips his head in acknowledgement to Dolok and Illiam in turn, and wheels to look back at Kerrdremak with a stiff smile on his face. Sweeping his arm in a gesture to include Goruck, Dolok, and Illiam, he holds his tongue, but looks to the kobold leader expectantly.
There you have it! I ain't got the words for it like them, but I follow their thoughts well enough! Whaddya have t' say t' that, kobold?
Chillel listens attentively as Illiam speaks, nodding in agreement with the logic of his argument for the most part and looking a little horrified as the halfling describes the consequences of Kerrdremak being found a traitor.
Kerrdremak listens intently to all of Illiam's wonderful arguments. Then he says, "I don't fault your arguments. I just don't agree with them, not in principle, nor in action. You have as much help as I am willing to give. As I've said, if that doesn't feel like enough, then do me the favor of killing me first." His five warriors murmur restlessly at his willingness to die, but he waves a hand at them and they settle down after a moments' rumbling. "Also, don't forget that you'll need someone to watch over your Hollow's son that is now trapped by the Forge Spurned. His moments of life grow shorter as we sit and argue. As do those of the child in Jekkajak's clutches. I strongly doubt you have much time to waste arguing with me, let alone dragging a child into the chaos that will be experienced below."
Don't you dare try to use any of those kids as an excuse, a shield, to get us to do your dirty work for you! Ya got five warriors with you, but none of you are willing to put yer lives on th' line to get a better tomorrow? "Oh, we'll just stay here and wait for you great heroes to make our lives what we want them to be! We'll even guard those of your town you rescue while we wait! Go kill all those bad guys for us, huh? Please?" Kairon thumps the floor with his spear and unconsciously plants his feet in the position he uses for his guard stance, his aggravation getting the better of him, for the moment. We're going to get those kids out of here. And you lot'll lead us to 'em. 'Cause sure as there's Nine Hells, I ain't leavin' this smooth talker at my back! he thinks to himself. You may not like the idea, but you've got a chance to prove to the Valers that you mean what you've said. Help us against this forge monster -- all six of you --, and we'll see if we can work out a plan for getting through to Jekkajak. A plan that involves all of you and all of us. You wanna make peace with the Hollow? It starts now, so long as you work at it. He straightens up, going to a neutral pose, and drops his threat: 'Cause you know just like I do: saving those kids don't mean we gotta save you, or any of yours.
After a brief pause, staring into Kerrdremak's eyes throughout, he says: You know the way. Lead on. Either you trust us not to backstab you, or you don't, but I'm not leavin' you up here t' take yer ease while your problems get solved by folks willing to work.
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Y'might not like what I'm pushin' ya to do, Kerrdremak, but if time's wastin', it's wastin' for you, as well. If that undead is as strong as you and Illiam have said, all of us workin' together have a better chance of saving the kid and showin' that you six can work with the "pink-skins" in the future. No matter which way this shakes out, we'll have to bleed together to see it done right.
Kairon looks over to Goruck and adds: No offense meant with that to you, Goruck. You're a good man, pink-skinned or not!
Kerrdremak scratches his scaly chin with the long claw from one finger. He looks at his collected warriors, then at Kairon, clearly thinking deeply about something. "I understand your reservation, and admire your skepticism. Were I in your situation I would look for a more earnest show of loyalty as well. Very well then. I have a proposal, that I think will prove my truth, and speed things along. How about we," he points at his warriors and then at himself, "help you in fighting the Forge Spurned, and the gargoyle and dire bat that reside in the chamber below. Then, if we succeed in rescuing your son of the Hollow from the smoking undead dwarf, me and mine will watch over him, and we'll convince, by his tone of voice it is apparent that Kerrdremak means by diplomacy if possible, but by any means necessary, if not, "those that lay in wait at the bottom of the elevator to fix it so that your exit will be safe and smooth?" He pauses here for a moment focusing intently on Kairon. This, I believe, would prove my words, provide the 'blood' that you seem to require, and, hopefully, speed you on your successful way. Agreed?"
Close to that, maybe. I'd say it would be better to save the wizard and child Jekkajak means to sacrifice before we deal with the gargoyle and bat. Don't wanna come this far and still lose them to a dark rite. I still think we need to figure a way t' get y'all's help with some more of yer tribe, too. Got anything in mind fer that, Illiam? Chillel?