Tamora moves 30 ft and summons a raging celestial badger that attacks one of them from higher ground (on top of the boulder they hide behind).
The group closes in on the Kobold. Hoga and Kyras actually get in melee while Kyzen send a boulder of earth through a gap in the cover. He doesn't get a hit, but it's clear the gap just enough for Tamora to send one of her summon on the other side. The Badger jumps on the closest Kobold, using claws and bite to tear it apart. The main group of Kobolds draw their swords and start attacking. Only one blade manages to find its mark and cut Kyras in the leg.
The other two Kobolds fire their crossbow again. With Kakrish being the closest that isn't in melee, they aim at him. Again, the bolts just bounce off of the dwarf armor.
Kyras, not enjoying being flanked, steps back 5' and attacks the kobold directly in front of him.
Tamora's enraged badger, enjoying the benefits of flanking the sword-wielding reptilian with Hoga, turns to its next target and unleash its wrath.
Tamora herself reloads her crossbow and shoots at the kobold if able or position herself at a shooting position if unable (move her to appropriate spot).
Charging in, with greatsword raised, Kakrish steps up to where he can reach one of the kobolds between the boulders. He swings a nearly vertical stroke straight down onto the scaly head.
Kyzen moves 30' to be just in range to attack the kobold to the south in between the two boulders (the one in black).
Kinetic Blast (Point-Blank)
With his 40' move, Hoga moves south, and swings angrily on the kobold he finds behind the rock.
He doesn't quite connect, though.
Kyzen loudly tells Hoga...
"Thanks big guy... Was kind of using you as a shield for my range attacks!"
Stepping back, Kyras maneuvers his fauchard expertly, bringing the blade down on the Kobolds. Off balance, the small creature can't avoid the badger's bite attack and collapse from both wounds. Kyzen's energy attack just bounce of the boulder protecting the Kobolds. Hoga repositions himself to attack one of the Kobold at the south entrance. Doing so, he opened himself to a free attack from the other Kobolds he was in melee with.
The Kobolds try their best to fight back, but only one of them manage to get a good hit on Hoga. Even then, for the big Half-Orc, it is merely a scratch.
Hemmed in an unable to effectively fight, Kyras will delay and suggest that Tamora get her badger to move hack after it attacks.
Hoga aims more carefully, and rage attacks again.
Kyzen does some acrobatic maneuvers to avoid AoO from the two kobolds, so he can reposition himself behind and take advantage on them with is Kinetic Blade...
Then attacks the one in front of Kyras
Kinetic Blade (Flanking)
Just as Kakrish is about to bring his greatsword down on a kobold, it falls dead. Kakrish cocks his head sideways. "I scared it to death?" Before he can celebrate, another kobold steps into range. He swings at the scaly creature.
Kyras steps back and attacks the kobold he can flank with the badger.
Seeing that its enemies blocked by the other attackers and Kyras being impeded by the tight space, Tamora tells it to maneuver around its allies to flank with Kyras with a gnaw attack on the kobold crossbowman.
Tamora moves to her spot, drawing her morning star. When she reaches the designated location, she drops her crossbow and flanks the kobold that is not down.
Pushing their monumental, the group continues their attack. Hoga hits one of the Kobolds of the south entrance, it is still standing, but barely. Kyzen use a new up close and personal way to attack, but the energy blade misses the mark. Kakrish finally gets into the fray and uses his greatsword to bring down another Kobold. Kyras takes a step back and look at the remaining target. The one that he wanted to attack is already laying on the ground, so he turns to the other one. Lacking a flanking partner is attack misses the creature. The badger attacks the remaining Kobold at the northern entrance. He gets a good bite on the leg of the Kobold. Finally, Tamora misses with her crossbow and moves into melee.
The two Kobolds at the southern entrance look at each other and withdraw from the fight. The two of them speak in their high pitch voice as they run away. The last one of the northern entrance yell at them as a look of desperation can be seen on his face. with no place for him to run, he attacks Kyzen, hoping to slash his way out. His attack misses.
"That's it, I'm out of here. I will not die for that crazy boss."
"Me too. That pile of bones can threaten all he wants, he can't do anything to us if he can't catch us."
"Come back you cowards!! Bone Boss will curse you when he learns that you fled the fighting."
Tamora motions her badger to stand down but prepare to attack if the kobold tries to bite back. The inquisitor mimics her badger, the blunt part of her weapon facing the ground to prove her non-hostility unless provoked.
"I do not know what you are squeaking to each other but please surrender and we may let you live. Rest assured that if you resist us or spit on our offer, you will join your fellow packmates."
She gestures to the still bodies littered around them.
Kakrish looks quizzically at Tamora. "You don't want us to kill this guy?". He shakes his head as if trying to clear out the confusing thoughts. "Ok. Let's just grab him them." Kakrish reaches out and tries to grab the small reptilian creature.
Kyras translates the Draconic to the group and adds This one is going to keep fighting. He then readies to strike the creature should it do anything but surrender.
While Tamora, her badger, and Kyras ready themselves in case the Kobold makes an aggressive action, Kakrish tries to grapple the small creature. The dwarf moves toward the Kobold awkwardly, unsure of how to grab the thing. Finally, he gets the idea of grabbing it by the tail. He bends down and tries to get a good grip. The Kobold notices the move and spin around quickly, swinging his sword at the same time. But the blade doesn't even come close to hitting Kakrish. Seeing the feeble attempt of the Kobold as an aggressive move, the badger attacks again, biting the lone creature on the shoulder.
Hoga moves, cutting off the kobold's path of escape.
Do we want to talk to it, or kill it? he asks, ready for either eventuality.
Missing her swing, Tamora shakes her head and gives the dwarf a disapproving look, putting her hands on her hip.
"If you grab a bull by the horn, expect it to fling you off. Same situation if you try to grab a paranoid creature such as a kobold. Except they will gouge your eyes out instead. He was already backed into a corner. No need to provoke it further. He might have new information for us so no grabbing or scaring it if it is willing to cooperate."
Tamora emphasizes her words with a finger wag before shifts her attention to Hoga who is guarding the entrance.
"Talk. We don't need to fight and murder every enemy we come across or see. If possible, we should try to negotiate or observe their nature first unless we are attacked. That is my approach. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. A sliver of kindness may be repaid in kind. Anyhow, what Kyras translated interests me. It appears we need to put down the arisen Azar again."
She turns to the kobold that has a nasty gash on its shoulder and leg.
"You will have to forgive my friend. He is a bit feisty."
The inquisitor shoots a 'don't interfere' glare at Kakrish and look at the creature in the eye while pointing to her badger.
"However, do consider the previous response to your aggression a warning. We will not be merciful next time. So, are you willing to back down and cooperate with us?"
Tamora assume her previous non-hostile posture along with her badger, retaining their wariness.
Kyzen not being very much taller than the kobold, tilt is head to the left and looks at Tamora...
"I agree, but just want to point out that they did attack us first without any reasons!"
Kakrish sticks his tongue out at Tamora and scowls at her. "I was just trying to grab him so he didn't get away so you could talk to him." Then his mood lightened. "Besides, this almost seems like a fun game. 'Grab the tail of the kobold'." He holds his hands up in front of him like he is getting ready to make a grab for the kobold again.
Tamora is still staring at the kobold then her eyes widened and her cheeks blossom red. She asked Kyras to translate back their terms and conditions (see her earlier posts) for not killing it before turning back to it, awaiting its response.
"No creature attacks without a reason. Murderous savages and unthinking beings, yes. Those we end without holding back. A sentient creature at least deserve a shred of mercy no matter how paranoid, opportunistic and cowardly they are. If they did so under someone's influence or fear, we give them a demonstration of force as a warning. And if they still are dead set on original mindset, it can't be helped then. This little one is clearly submitted to a superior creature and is acting under his orders. We shall let him have the first move before we do anything. Just be prepared to strike him if he relent."
And we are going into their homes after all. I wonder if there would be a diplomatic solution to all this. In draconic Kyras asks the creature You do not have to die. We seek to know why your tribe undermined the tower and killed the old wizard.
The look of desperation on the Kobold face change from one of fanatical determination. He looks at Kyras for a moment, then grabs his small sword in both hand and attack Tamora. By reflex, Tamora defends herself with her weapon. She gets a good hit and the small reptilian creature slump on the ground... dead.
It seems he almost wanted to die. Kyras laments.
"A well, at least we tried" Showing no big remorse about the dead kobold, Kyzen looks at the entrance... "Lets go in and see what's all the fuss about this bone boss"
"Yet another one lost to dark promises of temptation and power. At least the other two come to senses before they venture further down the road."
Tamora sighs, checking the fallen for loot then turns to Kyzen and Kyras.
"I hope they are referring to Azar. We fought and defeated him before. Imposing figure, tyrannical, minions, skeletal frame. It matches his description. You do not want to get hit by his sword. He is a very good fighter like Hoga."
"Thx, Noted" Talking to the group... "Now lets go in and find some answers, same order as usual is good? I see in the dark, but I guess a light would be more useful to the group, who as the mean to make light?"
Perhaps there are tracks to be inspected? Kyras mentions.
Hoga will take 20 to look for any tracks. (25)
Hoga finds lots of track on the ground of both tunnels. It would be impossible to say if one is used more than the other. Unsure of where to go from there, the group silently decides to start exploring the northern entrance. It doesn't take long before Hoga comes to the end of the corridor. On his right opens a foul-smelling cave has thick mounds of moldy straw on the floor. On the left he sees wide steps that have been carved into the rock leasing into this large cave. A five-foot-wide circular pit is the chamber’s only feature that he can see.