A dozen or so kobolds loyal to Chief Sootscale escort the party to meet the kobold chieftain in what was Tartuk's (and before that the Chief's) private cave. The place is a mess with trash and treasure scattered all about in equal measure, a testament to Tartuk's hurried flight.
Two kobold attendants stand at attention beside their chief holding human-sized baskets full of radishes.
"GRR 'e' maS 'oQqar Ho'Du' jej ngo' qem rom'a' maHvaD Da'ol DaQorghrup'a' loD. chaH nge'. YAP 'ej tartuk yItungHa', qaH QaQ DIS-" Barks the chief. Sootscale looks disdainfully over the contents of the room. "YAP YAP nuq vItna' 'Igh Dochmeyvetlh je SuD ghaH."
[spoiler=Draconic]"I have been told by my scouts that you were promised moon radishes in return for bringing Ol' Sharptooth back to us. Take them. And for driving the traitor Tartuk out of our caves-" Barks the chief. Sootscale looks disdainfully over the contents of the room. "Take what you will of these cursed objects too."
Zokon slumps over to the various treasure and sorts through them, examining the three that he might know something about trying to determine their worth. He examines the appraisable items in order down the page
Holy Moley." exclaims Zokon after examining the gems.. he gathers the group later and tells them "Individually, they are worth between 15-75gp each. Taken as a whole the bag full is worth 2,900 gp. Also the wedding gown is worth about 250gp
"Drow... drow... um... what are they?" Scarlet scratches her head. She has little time to ponder before the Chief's guards arrive to escort them back.
"Oooh Treasure!"
"Huh, what's with these sticks? Oh well, let's keep 'em."
"Shiny ring!"
"And we got the radishes. Not too bad, eh?"
"Shiny ring!"
Not even knowing what they are, Celyne will lift and examine one of the crossbow bolts... "I'll take these and the staff if no one objects."
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"Let's see now..."
"These shields are magical. Celyne, perhaps you would care for one? I think most of you can use them, though I cannot. They will provide as much protection as a heavy shield, but without all the weight."
"The crossbow bolts are magical and will burst into flame when shot. I wouldn't mind one or two of those myself."
"This oil will cause a weapon to become enchanted for hours, and also makes a scary sound when the weapon is used. There are three doses."
"This dust can allow someone to disguise themselves."
"This purple liquid is a poison that knocks people unconscious."
"This ring is worth 120 gold pieces. Fine work... actually... could this be Svetlana's wedding ring? It was supposed to have a tatzlwyrm on it. We should bring this back to Oleg and find out."
"I'm afraid I was unable to identify the boots or the studded leather armor, but they are enchanted."
"Oh, and look! This wand is another wand of cure light wounds! Just in time... we were nearly out of charges on the old one."
"And this armor with the dragon crest on the helmet... it isn't armor at all! Just lightweight wood and cloth painted like armor. I could use that actually. Maybe people will think I'm not a sorcerer that way."
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After looking over the journal, Numalar looks very somber. He closes his eyes and covers them with his hand.
He quietly mutters to himself, "Poor soul. May Brigh repair your broken mind."
After a few moments, he straightens up, rubs his eyes, and turns to face the chief.
"joH qIj ghISDen, 'oH law' reH tuq HeghnIS nab tartuk. QonoS wIghaj 'ej Hech pa' lu' tuq latlh. Ho'Du' jej not qeylIS. HoS toj 'ej lo' ghaH DavoqmoHDI' law' qaSjaj. reH neH Hew. tartuk, wej Ho'Du' jej vo' Hoch mu'qaD.
"val 'oH Qaw' 'ej tartuk 'e' yIQoy yItungHa', qaH QaQ. vIt Dalegh HeghDI' Qu' pagh latlh."
Numalar bows to the chief.
"You were wise to destroy it and drive Tartuk out. You saw the truth when no one else did."
"Great Chief of the Sootscales... I have another matter to discuss with you before we leave. You are now free of Tartuk's influence and Sharptooth. Can we perhaps come to an agreement as to your tribe's activities in the area? We've had reports that your folk have been involved in hostilities and disruptive actions in the region... Can we have your word that such will stop? Perhaps you can even begin peaceful trading with your neighbors instead? If we can make such an agreement, we will try to make sure the locals will welcome your trade and friendship. what say you, honored Chief?"
After a moment of consideration, the chief nods.
With a loud proclamation he appoints Mikmek and Nakpik as his tribe's official liaison and assistant liaison respectively to accompany the party back to the lands of the 'Smooth Ones' to learn their strange ways.
---Just a moment ago!---
"Drow." Illthir repeats then elaborates, weaving her hands trough the air and switching to elven. "Other-fools-who-stayed, dark kin, scourge of the underworld?"
---Just now!---
Illthir observes the loot hoard, but then shrugs and spends these moments to finally get her armour on. She also had some time to think on her next few moves, but there really wasn't much to decide. When she was ready and done she simply took a few steps closer to the party and casually asked "Where are we going next?"
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"Drow." Illthir repeats then elaborates, weaving her hands trough the air and switching to elven. "Other-fools-who-stayed, dark kin, scourge of the underworld?"
Numalar shakes his head somberly.
"Where I grew up they used to say to the children that the drow would take them if they didn't behave. I always thought that was all it was, some boogeyman out of stories. Just a myth. Nobody ever saw them."
"Then again, my family comes from Valrdralee. So who am I to argue with myth?"
Numalar rubs his chin in thought.
"But if half the stories of the Drow are true, this is not good news."
"We may be straying into a completely different Adventure Path."
"Oh, they are no myth. Even if they are to true elves as Mites are to Gnomes. They are a scourge, a thing that should not be. I said it before...nothing that lives in the dark and shuns the light of the sun is good news."
Seeing that no Drow have followed them, or are watching from the Dark, Alia calms down a bit:"My brother is fighting the good fight, to eradicate them, turn them into a Myth. I am here in Telvurin to retrieve something that he believes will help with that. He was not certain, which is why no official expedition was granted...but I believe in him - all the more after learning Drow are involved in local politics..."
She turns to the Chief(Draconic):<You would do well to collapse these Tunnels leading to the mines. We pursued him, but Tartuk managed to escape to his allies...nothing good will come to your tribe from deeper within the earth.">
When Numalar starts reading the Journal, Alia takes note of the spidery script:"You can read undercommon? Teach me!", adding "Please." a moment later.
Zokon seems to be turning his head as if listening to the words that Alia is saying to the chief... maybe even understanding.
"I like being out in the light, until I get some magic that will allow me to see in the dark at least."
The chief (from the added height of his nest/throne) crosses his arms over his chest and looks Alia square in the eyes. "*BARK!* puH Grruff nuv wa'DIch juH. nuv 'e' jIyIn tu'lu' jatlhHa'law' mech qoch. wej laH je wej Dub HuvHa' chaH tlhe'. Grruff puH mIw maH 'avwI'. wej jIchegh tartuk pong mIw."
(Draconic):<"As your wisdom directs you, Chief. Trade with them, but do not trust the dark-skinned elves. If you think Tartuk brought bad luck to the Sootscales, you have not even begun to imagine what their kind can do.>
Alia bows to the Chief, accepting his judgement on the matter.
Of course, if he was trading with Allies of the Drow, such was unacceptable...but they were here as guests, had fought as allies, and were recompensated richly. It would do no good to stir up trouble now.
If they found trade partners above ground, with settlements nearby, then maybe the topic could be revisited in the future...if not, they would probably face their ruin at the hand of the Drow within a few years. In both cases, there was no reason to press the issue now.
"Well, that was fun!" Scarlet seems to have enjoyed her Mega large cart ride, even as she gradually returns to normal. "I guess we should head back to Oleg's, eh? Oh, and uh Erevenywg and Naleksa must be wondering where the heck we went."
At Erevenywgs mention, Alia twitches for a moment.
She had almost forgotten the woman...
Drow in the Cave, Fey outside the Cave.
Telvurin had grown into a cruel, troubled land indeed...bandits lords and ambitious human politicians and merchants were the least of it's problems...
"Mm. Their reputation is a bit tarnished ... Rightfully so." Illthir concludes on the topic of Drow. Luckily it wasn't something she would have to worry about right now!
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When Numalar starts reading the Journal, Alia takes note of the spidery script:"You can read undercommon? Teach me!", adding "Please." a moment later.
Numalar smiles, and shrugs. "I can speak it as well. It was the language used between races in the city where I grew up."
"I don't mind teaching it when we have the time."
"I guess we should head back to Oleg's, eh? Oh, and uh Erevenywg and Naleksa must be wondering where the heck we went."
Numalar nods.
"No doubt you are right."
Numalar turns to the chief, and bows again.
"ta'be'vaD ghItlhvetlh, DaH mej, 'ej Duy DorwI' wa' Hab puH maH. roj Qu' SabtaHbogh nuvpu' 'ej chetlhej wIneH."
"Let's hope these Drow stay down there and leave the surface be. And the kobolds too. From this diary it doesn't seem like Tartuk was aware of the Drow presence, so I can only hope his regime here was not part of some Drow conspiracy."
"Do we have time to explore further here? We've got business to take care of and radishes going to rot... we could always come back."
"Oh we have some Kobold ambassadors that certainly aren't staying at least!" Illthir reminds her surroundings. "Uh, so on the topic of languages, maybe we should try and teach them a bit of Common while we are at it?"
"Oh yeah! I don't know what they're saying besides yapping a lot." Scarlet turns back to Illthir.
"Speaking of which, have we been acquainted yet? I'm Scarlet Scarab. Everyone calls me Scarlet." The Ifrit puts out her hand for a shake. "Uh....where are you heading, anyway?"
"I'm not even sure anymore! Still considering if this is some weird hallucination from whatever Kobolds feed their captives ..." Illthir takes the offered hand. "Illthir Winlowe!"
"And I'm not sure where I'm heading right now. Truth to be told, I ended up in this mess because I was looking for some more material to a song I'm making. But now I have plenty of stuff for other songs! So - *uh* - I was hoping you all wouldn't mind an extra hand?"
"Oh yeah, sure. Come along. That's Zokon, Celyne, Numalar, oh, and you know Alia, I'm guessing. Elves tend to stick together, eh?"
Zokon approaches to shake hands or greet.. "I'm Zokon, pleased to meet you."
"Hi... NIce to meet you Illthir... Scarlet forgot Luna... Luna.. meet Illthir." The white tiger at Celyne's side stretches and pads forward... sniffs Illthir, walks around her in a circle and rubs against her, then head butts her firmly but gently.
"That means she wants you to scratch her behind the ears... I think she likes you."
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"Illthir... my pleasure. I am Numalar Auritonius the Ninth, of Valdralee, at your service." Numalar doffs his hat and takes a deep bow. His monocle falls out and dangles from a chain.
He straightens up.
"But just call me Numalar. Everyone does." Numalar smiles and winks as he puts his monocle back in.
"Oh I suppose elves tend to do that." Illthir replies to Scarlet and smiles. Then she follows up and point to her eyes, still grinning. "Though I'm only half-elven so I suppose I could hang around with the rest of you a bit too right?"
"Nice to meet you all too!" She bows and takes the offered opportunity to try and pet the tiger without getting her hand bitten off. Niiiiice kitty! No biting![/b] Oh it was soft and fluffy. If it didn't have huge claws she could almost pretend it was a normal cat!
Valdralee? [i]Rings a distant bell somewhere... Hmh. Probably nothing important right now but she made a note to ask about it later.
Zokon looks around at his seemingly graceless self compared to his companions and wonders how he managed to get into this group
"I...thought so, yes, that Elves stick together.", Alia starts, looking at Celyne, then Illthir:"But apparently, my kind gets around a bit in what the humans call the River Kingdoms..."
She smiles, but it seems a bit pained/forced...but at the same time genuine.
"Welcome to the team, Illthir...you should met Esme! She's a world-class actress, singer and playwright! You two together could probably come up with a masterpiece!"
"I' love to meet another singer!" Illthir cheers. "But *uhum* maybe someplace else? These caverns are doing the opposite of growing on me. This mold though *brr!*"
"Noom-maul-lar! Sell-lean! Loon-Ah! Zo-consanty-ev! Aye-lia! Scar-lets-karab! Ill-there-win! Emme happime tye ilya at- ar Mik-mek and Nak-pik!" Erevenywg the tall woman of fey mean cries. She grabs each member of the party in big hug the moment they exit the kobolds' mine. "Emme nauta an mardi sí?"
?!?
!?!
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Numalar is a little surprised by the hug, but smiles pleasantly.
"E ad. Mín glenna Oleg car hi. Ha nasui limbo a bar sui mín gar. How cericin govannon-Illthir? Ir did cin govannon?"
Numalar watches her carefully.
"!!" While Illthir didn't actually mind hugs in general, surprise ones from strange fey was a bit different. Well it was still warm and nice and cosy and so - anyhow! Surprising! And a bit weird. "Ah-eh-uh..." the half-elf mumbled and returned the hug. Quietly she mumbled to the others while smiling at the fey. "A fairy?! That's awesome! Why didn't anyone mention this?"
After listening he still has no idea what was said "So we are going back to Olegs to resupply yes?" he says eagerly
Scarlet hugs Erevenywg right back.
Maybe a bit too tightly. "Oop! Sorry! Got a little excited there."
"That's Mikmek, and that's Nakpik." Scarlet points at the kobolds. "And that's Illthir."
Scarlet thought there was something odd about Erevenywg's introduction, but naah.
"Oh yeah, we found Erevenywg at a circle of stones, covered in blood. She doesn't remember much, but she thinks we're in danger or something and wants to stick with us. Heh, we're always in danger. That's how you know you're alive!" Scarlet chuckles and informs Illthir.
"And that's Naleksa. She seems to have everything on sale. I bet she can sell you a horse if it could fit in her pack." Scarlet jokes. "Huh, with everyone else here we need a few extra horses anyway, right? Hopefully Oleg has a few."
"???"
"Pleasure to meet you! If you need anything--for a reasonable fee--I'm you gal!" Naleksa adds smiling and shaking hands with Illthir.
"Man, we need to teach you guys the Common tongue. I must sound like jibberish to you." Scarlet wonders aloud at the fae and the kobolds.
Celyne hugs back. Luna just head butts Erev gently. "Or we could teach you Sylvan, Scarlet.... might come in handy out here."
Even though Erevenywg seems to flow like water once Scarlet clasps the taller woman and draws her into a bear-hug against the knobby bits of Scarlet's armor and equipment she cannot seem to break free of the Nain Rouge, until Scarlet releases her.
Shocked and frightened at Numalar's words, she recoils and says: "Ni vamme meant ana sinte sina er? Ni indóme vamme if Noom-maul-are eque ni vamme."
She turns and with an air of formal professional courtesy and shakes Illthir's hand. "Ni am Erevenywg. -yes na- nice ana oment- tye. Ni am tanca emme indóme n- valief nur."
The hand shake continues for an uncomfortable length of time.
Celyne hugs back. Luna just head butts Erev gently. "Or we could teach you Sylvan, Scarlet.... might come in handy out here."
"Maybe I will! No one out here speaks Dwarven or Ignan, anyway."
Illthir continues the round of introductions and shakes Naleksa's hand while exchanging pleasantries. And then, for some reason, she shakes the hand of the fairy again. For a long time. Hmm... "...Ah. Nice to meet you again. ... Is something wrong?"
Alia attempts to evade the Fey Woman, but the Tunnel doesn't give her an option to do so.
Erenvenywg gets a hold of her, and Alia freezes up.
She is trouble, pure fey-trouble...and Numalar probably her servant. Nobody gets returned to life for free...this is all some scheme-...
When the Fey does not seem to release her, Alia eventually, very cautiously, returns the hug to get the Fey to release her grip.