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575, doing his best to maintain his grip on the struggling kobold, is completely unprepared for the blast of fire that comes out of its mouth! Especially given he did not see it use the same trick earlier.
When the second kobold follows that up with a fiery blast of its own... the nagaji is completely singed, his entire body smouldering.
He can only give a small sigh of relief as Draklor heals some of the painful burns.
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Not willing to let Corona out of his sight, Zarnel moves forward to the intersection, and pauses to look carefully in all directions.
"Corona, I think I hear fighting to the north. But the sounds echo strangely in these tunnels. We should hurry," his voice pained with the anguish he feels, torn as he is between wanting to help his allies and his commitment to protecting Corona.
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Not willing to let go of the kobold, 575 catches the fiery blast straight into his chest, just as he catches another one on his back. Draklor immediately hops across the diagonals of the pit to get behind him, healing him from some of the horrific burns. Sangkip seeks to avenge his friend and slashes at the fire breathing kobold, but both strikes are repelled by his armor. 575 goes for the direct approach. He yanks the kobold towards him, wraps him in a tight bear hug and crushes him, armor and all, until his rib cage collapses. The kobold's screams peter off into a gurgle before it stops struggling.
With one threat finally taken down, Chou similarly leaps across the pit following Draklor's example and goes after the bomber. She stabs at him with her rapier, but the blade is deflected by some magical force surrounding him. The bomber, already badly injured, looks ready to flee when his leader fell. That's when Zarnel's voice echo through the tunnels from the south, and he realises that he is trapped. Quivering with fear, he steps back, pulls out another vial and throws it at Chou. His hand are shaking too much, however, and instead he drops it on the floor between Chou and himself! He presses himself against the wall in time and is only lightly burnt, but his morale is dropping further.
Meanwhile, Corona spots with her little eye some more of the well-hidden shortcut tunnels.
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Zarnel's intention to stay with Corona is clear from his slower pace and the way he keeps looking back to make sure she's okay.
Maybe this shortcut will get us closer.
He moves through the narrow passage before him, making sure that Corona sees where he went.
Once she clears the passage, and he sees that she's safe, he moves around the bend in the direction of the sounds of battle. He spots the little kobold at as he clears the corner. As he finishes moving northward, he draws an ammentum-wrapped javelin, and hurls it at the cowering enemy.
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As the kobold finally stops struggling, 575 looks up at the others, almost sheepishly.
Complained of the cold
Now all parts of me are burned
Should keep my mouth shut
Perhaps partly for payback, he marches around Chou and, ignoring the remaining kobold's pleas, punches it as hard as he can.
, for damage.
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Still smarting from his bad burns, 575 still forges ahead. He moves up to the remaining kobold and throws a mighty fist at him. However, it slams against the same magical shield that that repelled Chou's attack earlier.
After Corona pointed it out, Zarnel also notes the small shortcut passage. He pushes his way through and heads in the direction of the commotion. The kobold, his attention all on Chou and 575 in front of him, fails to notice the menacing aasimar approaching. And definitely did not notice the javelin thrown with such enormous strength that it pierces through his magical shield and toughened hide, plunging right through the back of his throat. He collapses dead on the floor without a yip.
While taking a short breather and to patch up their wounds, the Pathfinders also search through the belongings of the kobolds, uncovering the following:
When the party is largely recovered from the ordeal, the Pathfinders push on, moving forward cautiously. Despite distant sounds of battle, you do not encounter any other kobolds or traps along the way. The tunnels eventually lead you slowly but steadily to the southeast...
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The kobolds continue to mount a frustrating defense, luring Pathfinders into cramped and trap-filled tunnels and unleashing captive monsters on unsuspecting agents. Even so, the kobolds are losing ground with each battle. As another skirmish echoes from elsewhere in the caverns, a tremendous roar reverberates through the cave complex, rattling stalactites and causing snowdrifts to slide down the outside slopes. As the sound dissipates, the voice of a massive creature booms from deep within the kobolds’ warren.
"Long ago my ancestor Grathatonhakis ruled here, and a meager dwarf challenged his might only to become his trophy. Both were fools, and both are now dead. I am neither, and your paltry attacks shall not change that. Fall back, kobolds of the Shiverscale tribe! Let these intruders die in sight of the last fool to challenge Horralydax, the master of the Tusk Mountains. Rally to me, my children. Today we dine on adventurers!"
The kobolds kowtow to the booming voice, scramble to their feet, and begin retreating deeper into the caves. For once they aren’t covering their tracks, so the way to the dragon’s lair is clear.
A narrow cavern to the east opens into a larger cave. A gently sloping ramp descends counter clockwise to an elaborately carved column of ice. A vast pile of gold, jewels, furs, and immense bones lie piled around the column. Directly above the ice column is a 20ft wide vertical tunnel into the ceiling, which seems to then turn to the north.
What immediately draws your attention, however, is a the white dragon standing erect, clearly waiting for your arrival. This one is only medium-sized so it is clearly a very young one, likely one of the brood of Horralydax. She roars into the air as she sees you enter, and ice crystals burst forth from her maws. In front of her stand two kobolds, wearing studded leather armor. They raise their greatswords and grin maniacally at you.
A sudden gust of wind rushes through the area, riming the walls with frost that resembles faces of the region’s fey monarchs. "we have agreed to support your endeavors, and my fey awaits your call. Ensure the dragons prey upon this region no more."
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"Uh oh... those Kobowds wook mad... Dwagon hewowds... Wets see if they awe as cwumsy as they wook..."
Watching Sangkip leap the edge, Chou rushes after, pulling her crossbow out as she goes. "Wait fow me!"
She nearly tumbles face first over the icy stone, but flicks her tail out, twists, and uses her new heading to line up a shot as she rolls forward.
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Why is that white dragon wearing a red bandana? Who can know the ways of the minds of dragons?
To the surprise (and perhaps horror) of his allies, Zarnel charges straight over the edge of the cliff. Flying through the air, he draws his javelin and bellows, "ABIDE NO EVIL!"
Landing perfectly on his feet, he continues forward just a bit, and hurls his javelin at the dragon with all of his might.
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Chou not only recognise these raging kobold dragon heralds, she also knows that they are quick on their feet , they learn to adopt a minute aspect of dragon fear, not only being especially intimidating allowing them to strike fear in their enemies with just a glare .
Sangkip, Chou and surprisingly Zarnel go running towards the edge of the cliff and leap off, falling the 10ft on their feet, with only Zarnel slightly twisting one ankle due to the high heels.
Sangkip opts to race straight for the enemies, while the other two hold back and launch their ranged weapons. Chou shoots her loaded crossbow at one of the kobolds but her bolt bounces off the ice column that is in the way. Zarnel flings his javelin with all his strength, the ammentum lending the shaft extra flight and the weapon plunges into the chest of the dragon.
The dragon screams, more in pain than anger. "Foolish creatures! You shall die!" She launches herself up into the air and the three Pathfinders who had raced ahead feel the powerful buffet of her wings as she flies overhead, even though not fully grown. Keeping 20 feet high, she opens her maw and a cone of blistering cone slam down on Zarnel, Chou and 575.
The two kobolds similarly roar in fury at the disrespectful attack on their mistress and run towards towards Sangkip. Their speed is surprising as they come into melee with him and with rage-fueled strikes, chop into his shoulder and chest. A burst of fey magic slow the blades to reduce the damage somewhat, but he is still badly hurt.
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At the sight of the dragon's icy breath washing over Zarnel, Sangkip, and Chou, Corona looks around for their hidden benefactors, calling out, "Um...can you make that, like, not hurt so much, New Invisible Friends???"
She gazes up at the hovering dragon, scowling, as she attempts to work her magic against the beast. "RUDE! YOU NEED TO LEARN SOME MANNERS, YOU OVERGROWN LIZARD!"
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575 barely has time to take in the scene, before it breaks out into combat! The dragon takes to the air faster than he can react, and his system takes another temperature shock, as it breathes its icy breath down upon them!
I can not decide
Whether to be hot or cold
My body complains
Unable to reach the creature, high in the air, he pulls out one of his javelins, and hurls it upwards!
, for damage.
, for an additional damage.
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Light of her feet, Chou ducks and weaves as she races past the two kobolds, too nimble and quick for them to attack back. The orange-clad kobold suddenly finds himself threatened on both sides. Sangkip seizes the opportunity of his distraction to slash at him when his guard is momentarily down, one across the arm and one across the thigh. The attacks open up major veins and the kobold falls unconscious onto the floor slowly bleeding out. Draklor summons a mass of scintillating dust to settle onto the remaining kobold. He is dazzled briefly but he roars in fury and shakes off the blinding effect.
Meanwhile, the other Pathfinders focus on the dragon. Corona's insult draws the attention of the dragon who glares at her with gleaming eyes, but is nonetheless seized by her spell. 575 and Zarnel fling their javelins at the dragon. The nagaji's throw is good and the weapon plunges into her shoulder joint. Zarnel's, however, is buffeted away by her wings' powerful downward strokes.
The remaining kobold keeps his attention on the vanara while stepping away from Chou. He glowers at Sangkip at lets out a horrendous roar, which sends Sangkip shaking in his knees. That prevents him from stepping away from the follow up mighty swing of the kobold's greatsword. The weapon cuts deep into Sangkip's shoulder, leaving him near collapse.
The dragon swoops towards Zarnel, but instead of approaching directly, it circles just out of his reach. But its neck is long, allowing her to reach out and snap at him with her vicious maw. Just when it looks as if her teeth were going to sink into his vulnerable neck, she is hit by an involuntary spasm, sending her teeth clanging harmlessly agaist his armor instead. She screams in frustration, but pulls herself up and turns to circle the room.
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Chou rolls back to set up another flank & shank maneuver.
With that, Chou yells out to 575 in Tian.
"To me you should run,
On my shield you shall take flight
Uppercut of doom!"
Next turn stand on my buckler, I'll ready action to give you a boost, you ready action to knockout punch the dragon as it flies by?
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Seeing that all he did was give the kobold a fashion upgrade (likely for the rest of his life), Draklor switches back to telling tales, this time one where Irori fought a dragon. "...No lasting wounds were inflicted, as was the Master's custom, but still Zythrustianax relented, vowing never again to harm the townsfolk," he drones.
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575 glances over at Chou oddly, unsure why she is suddenly speaking poetry, didn't seem the time for such things.
Still her plan has some merit, but he was pretty sure she would not have the strength to give him much lift, even if he thought he could pull it off.
He stretches a little, as he monitors the dragons flight path, then suddenly leaps out into the middle of the ice patch, sliding for a moment before coming to a stop a ways in from the edge.
He then scrambles a few more paces, trying to get closer to the pile of rocks for some cover should it decide to breath.
He calls out to the dragon in his native tongue, then stands ready for it to come around.
, for damage.
, for additional damage.
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"Haha! That's just the beginning!" Corona laughs, perhaps a bit maniacally, as the dragon's bite is averted by the power of bad juju. "Hold on, New Friends, I'm coming down!"
Corona hustles over to the edge of the ledge and, taking a breath, makes the leap down to the bottom...
...and lands with enough force to send a painful shock from her feet up to her knees. "Owowow...! How do people manage to jump like that and not hurt themselves?" she grumbles.
________
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Disappointed that his spell failed to take effect, Draklor decides instead to inspire his friends instead. Corona, seeing the ease at which many of her party members leap out the cliff, attempts to do the same. Her feet, however, lacks the agility (or the magical shoes) needed and she face-plants into the ground, not only knocking the breath from her, but cracking a couple of ribs in the process. She quickly leaps up to the feet, and before she could move up to Zarnel's side, he had already moved on...
The dextrous Chou once again tumbles behind the kobold and, catching him by surprises, manages to stab her rapier right between his shoulder blades. The kobold turn to scream at her in rage, but that was a mistake, for with his back turned, Sangkip similarly stabs one of his dagger right into the same spot, adding in a few twists for good measure. The kobold almost collapses to his feet, the scream of fury caught in his throat, as it finds himself caught between two desperately attacking furry creatures. Zarnel in his aasimar glory moves up to his side. Without speaking a word, he methodically swings his greatsword down upon this creature, slicing it nearly in half top-down from the terrible blow, leaving a bloody but glittery corpse on the floor.
575 focuses on the remaining, and main, threat. He leaps onto the ice patch and slides some distance til her reaches the edge of the cliff. Carefully, he selects his javelin and as the dragon flies by, he flings the weapon with a mighty throw. The weapon plunges into a vulnerable spot in the wing joint, tearing through critical muscles! She lifts her head up and roars!
However, the sly dragon chooses instead to fly towards the vulnerable one the group, the one already badly wounded. Sangkip! Despite the bad wound, she still manages to maintain flight, swooping down towards the clustered group but again, keeping out of reach. Her long neck snakes out and her gleaming teeth sink deep into his neck, terrible out a terrible gash as she flies off again. Blood spurts out and the vanara falls to the ground near death!
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White dragon circling
Bringing death with tooth and claw
But all things must end
The nagaji mutters, as he continues to track the beast's movements overhead. He reaches for his last javelin, weighing it carefully in hand as he watches the dragon. Once more he pauses, waiting for the creature to get as close as possible, knowing he has to make this one count.
, for damage.
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As Zarnel looks down at Sangkip bleeding out, he is torn by how to proceed: help his comrade, or go fight the dragon.
Best to sacrifice myself to the beast. I must rely on the others to save him.
He picks up the vial that Sangkip had held in his tail and drinks it, feeling himself grow lighter as he does. He calls upon Vidies to give him strength as prepares to unleash the hell beast.
As he feels Vildeis' healing energies course through his body, he glares at the dragon. "You will pay for that, vile beast. In the name of Ivorra and Vildeis, I do so swear."
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Draklor follows Corona's example in leaping off the cliff, and unfortunately, also follows her lead in losing his balance and slamming his shoulder against the hard rocky floor. The pair of them side by side pick themselves up and gets ready for the next attack. Zarnel grabs the potion from Sangkip lifeless tail and downs it in a quick gulp, ready to bring the battle to the dragon. Sangkip comes very near the edge of death, but Chou pulls out her wand and with great skill and some luck, manages to activate it and pull him back from the brink. Not enough, however, to bring him back to consciousness, however.
The dragon, seeing her attack effectively in locking down a couple of the invaders turn to fly towards the nagaji who is waving a javelin menancingly at her. 575 bides his time and when she draws near enough, he flings his weapon unerringly at her. The javelin pierces through her thick hide, lodging deep within her stomach. Again, she screams in fury, the pain almost sending her plunging to the ground. She claws the air and flaps desperately to stay in the air. She swoops overhead and lets loose another icy breath at 575, catching poor Corona and Draklor in the blast.
She banks as she turns around, flapping her wings hard to head up into the vertical tunnel in the centre of the chamber in a gradual spiral. She is trying to flee!