You get a feeling of hatred from the Shaman. The rise of his words, the pose of his arms... but strangely you feel that the hatred is directed at the other kobolds, rather than you.
To the actual Shaman (apparently) and in Draconic:
"We are here to help. Will you allow it or will you attempt to prevent it?"
"לאפשר לו? פיח בקנה מידה ראשי הוא נענש על שאבד את הפסל של שן שארפ ישן. לרפא אותו וקללתו של שארפ-שן תהרוס את כולנו!"
"Allow it? Chief Sootscale is being punished for losing the statue of Old Sharp-tooth. Heal him and Sharptooth's curse will destroy us all!"
Whatever he says, the Kobolds around you look terrified.
"לאפשר לו? פיח בקנה מידה ראשי הוא נענש על שאבד את הפסל של שן שארפ ישן. לרפא אותו וקללתו של שארפ-שן תהרוס את כולנו!"
** spoiler omitted **
Whatever he says, the Kobolds around you look terrified.
In draconic
"We're also going to get your statue back and wipe out the Fey pests. Sharptooth should be pleased with that. We're doing this (pointing at the chief) then that. If you want the statue back you need to let us do this and not undermine our work when we leave. We would be allies of you and your tribe. Our actions now are to show we are worthy. Your actions now will show if you are worthy or not."
Simon says flatly
For some reason Tartuk puts you in mind of a famous role - a vizierin a black comedy. The vizier is trying to give a gullible king deliberately terrible advice, but all the stupid things turn out to be helpful. Something about the shaman puts you in mind of the vizier...
How interesting...
Rapidly speaking to Taerine. "Taerine, χρειαζόμαστε κάτι μου λέει να παίξει «κοντά στο γιλέκο» θέματα με «Shaman Tartuk». Για να υποψιάζομαι ότι θα προτιμούσε «δεν» στην ΠΓΕ για την εξισορρόπηση ισχύος με επικεφαλής Sootscale.
Παρακαλείστε να αναμεταδώσει αυτό Caillus, Denat, το Master in Grey και Simon, ξέρω ότι μπορείτε να μιλήσετε Infernal."
"Κακή Anglon..."
Turning once more to the Kobolds present, including Shaman Tartuk, Arioch adds. "או אולי זה סגן 'האינטרנט' yn שיניים ארפ הכובע להיות presennol, מאחר תוכחותיך OES השיג מעט מחרטה לחסוך Chalons unwaith-גאה לתולעים מתרפסים.
'אנחנו' yn יחזור שן שארפ. 'אנחנו' yn להוכיח האור שלו. 'אתה' יכול לשהות כאן ולחרוק שיניים בכאב כי קשרים זרעי צ'י האומץ באמת חוקק תת yn."
Please relay this to Caillus, Denat, the Master in Grey and Simon, I know you all speak Infernal."
"Poor Anglon..."
'We' will return Sharp Tooth. 'We' will prove his might. 'You' may stay here & gnash your teeth in anguish that you had not the courage to truly enact his will."
"Oh, OK," Taerine responds, surprised to find herself suddenly in the midst of apparent intrigue.
She relays Arioch's concern in the group's shared language.
The Shaman blinks, a nictating membrane flicking across his eyes. His purple scales flush deeper red as he seems to be searching for words.
Acting. He's delighted
Anglon is too distracted by the surgery to pay attention to the shaman.
Once Anglon had revealed and killed the parasites he could find, Grey carefully pulled them free. A pulse of purplish energy restored the damage left by the spells that killed them. Then he sprinkled a pinch of powdered onyx over them and animated them again. Their skin dissolved to powder leaving behind only a strange looking sinew stretched over simple organs and terrible rounded mouths full of tiny teeth.
He dipped them into a strong alcohol to sterilize them and put them back into the wound.
He gave two simple mental commands and set a small jar on it's side next to the chief's leg-
Seek out and eat any parasites like yourselves which are still alive, any larvae that may be left behind, any necrotic tissue and any waste that your kind may have left behind.
Once there are no living parasites, exit the flesh and crawl into this jar.
The tiny undead burrowed into the flesh again and vanished.
"It will not be long."
Pleased to have accomplished the immediate goal of quelling Turtuk's dissent, Arioch decides to 'quit while he's ahead'...
Once Anglon had revealed and killed the parasites he could find, Grey carefully pulled them free. A pulse of purplish energy restored the damage left by the spells that killed them. Then he sprinkled a pinch of powdered onyx over them and animated them again. Their skin dissolved to powder leaving behind only a strange looking sinew stretched over simple organs and terrible rounded mouths full of tiny teeth.
He dipped them into a strong alcohol to sterilize them and put them back into the wound.
He gave two simple mental commands and set a small jar on it's side next to the chief's leg-
Seek out and eat any parasites like yourselves which are still alive, any larvae that may be left behind, any necrotic tissue and any waste that your kind may have left behind.
Once there are no living parasites, exit the flesh and crawl into this jar.
The tiny undead burrowed into the flesh again and vanished.
"It will not be long."
Taerine blanches, her lovely green skin seeming to turn to a pale mint.
Thkrull inches closer, and licks his lips.
Denat stays silent for the whole discussion but listens intently. Sadly, he's too fascinated by the surgery and Grey's use of necromancy to really pay attention to the shaman.
Waits patiently to see what will happen.
Appears to be a giant wasp larvae.
Some wasps sting creatures, paralyze them, deposit eggs in them and fly off.
Looks like that's what happened here.
Just as well too, looks like these had almost reached the point of bursting out and transforming into wasps.
...
No-one else was stung, were they?
Nature
"These are wasp larva that were about to burst out as wasps. Was anyone else stung? If so they're probably about to have wasps burst out of them."
"Useful." Grey said quietly.
Bring back as many eggs as you can find alive and undamaged. he mentally added to his list of instructions to the undead larvae.
I'm more interested in Chief Sootscale encountered such Wasps to be stung by them. I would have thought us too far North for such vermin.
Arioch turns to look at Shaman Tartuk to see his reaction to the revelation.
Taerine looks around nervously at the prospect of wasps swarming forth.
Pikmik confirms that some others were stung. Those who were still moving were brought here to the infirmary. The ones who weren't moving were put into a newly-dug tunnel, which was sealed off.
The runelords are left with a strong impression that Kobold medicine is both draconic and darwinian.
Pikmik confirms that some others were stung. Those who were still moving were brought here to the infirmary. The ones who weren't moving were put into a newly-dug tunnel, which was sealed off.
The runelords are left with a strong impression that Kobold medicine is both draconic and darwinian.
In draconic,
"We should probably look at those who are here just to be sure. Also, make sure the tunnel stays blocked off. Otherwise, it could be bad. "
There are six more patients. While none seem to have as many larvae as the chief, they also were not so tightly bound. Still, with Anglon's work and Grey's minions they are saved. The work is tedius, difficult, time consuming and magically intensive.
Shaman Tartuk lurks nearby, but allows you to do as you will.
By the end of the day, as the last kobold starts to recover, the Chief
has regained consciousness.
He asks Pikmik what has happened, and Pikmik briefs him.
Turning to Anglon he speaks, nodding once in the middle.
"I did not think I would thank a soft-skin, but you have done good service to the Sootscales. I will name your group friend."
He nods his head to Anglon
"Pikmik says you would do more service by stealing back Old Sharptooth from the Ugly Ones' Horde? What do you want for this?"
In Draconic: "We're talking over the nearby human keep. We want you and yours to be allies. You keep an eye out for and deal with intruders when you can. WHen you can't you tell us and we deal with them. Other than that we lend aid and learn what we can from each other."
In common: "Does that about cover it or is there anything else we should add?"
"Mining." Grey says quietly.
Denat speaks nearly as quietly as Grey, using the Thassilonian language.
"Maybe we'll want one of the tribe with us. Public relation, scouting, that kind of thing. Pikmik ? I'm not sure the shaman will like him after today."
In draconic: "If our relationship develops we may be able to expand that relationship further. " Simon makes a small nod at Grey then continues. "If any of your tribe with to join us as an ambassador of sorts that could be a good idea if any wish to." Simon looks at Pikmik as he says that then back to the Chief or Shaman
Taerine waits to see how the kobolds react.
The Chief considers for a second
"Excellent idea. Obviously as chief I cannot go, but shaman Tartuk would make a great ambassador."
Tartuk looks briefly startled
"Sadly, great chief, I am needed here to placate the rage of Old Sharptooth. Perhaps one of our best warriors could serve as a scout against the uglies with these softskins."
All the Kobolds in the room suddenly look busy
"Pikmik!" calls Tartuk "I have heard it was your initiative that has made this alliance possible."
Pikmik looks around like a trapped rat, then sighs and slumps
"Yes, Tartuk"
The chief smiles with a savage joy
"I agree. Pikmik is a good choice."
The Shaman's eyes narrow
"And as he is embarking on a quest to rescue the idol of Old Sharptooth, surely he will be protected from all danger by our god?"
Tartuk looks angry, but says nothing
Pimik looks even more depressed. Sighing he speaks
"I would like to volunteer as ambassador" he says, in a defeated tone.
"Excellent!" agrees the chief "A fitting reward."
After healing the last of the infected, the party gets the strangest feeling the Kobolds would like them to leave.
Arioch's eyes & lips compress as he observes the interplay between Chief Sootscale & Tartuk.
Oh, we want to keep these two around...
It's just like watching House Thrune & The Asmodeon Church maneuver, only closer & more fun.
Bowing low. "With such a mandate & such an audience, how can we but succeed? By your leave?" Waiting just long enough to be granted pardon to depart the Chiefly presence, Arioch nods meaningfully to the others & makes his way out of the tunnels.
With a small nod Simon follows Arioch, who seems to know where she is going.
With a small nod Simon follows Arioch, who seems to know where she is going.
"Are we leaving? Good, I need to get this blood off me." Anglon turns to Grey and hands his razor back, "thank you for letting me borrow this."
Simon points to Anglon and says a simple arcane phrase. The blood and dirt begin to fall off and after a few steps Anglon is perfectly clean.
in common
"Traveling with Wizards has it's perks. "
Looking to Pikmin and speaking draconic,
"Grab what you need to travel and come along."
Grey inclines his head. The razor and his new jar of undead wasp larvae disappear into the folds of his robe.
He takes a moment to add a few scraps if meat, the leanings from the various surgeries, into another jar, then adds the few living wasp larvae that were able to be retrieved to it.
These will be quite useful.
Soon the group is out of the tunnels, out near their levitating - and untouched - weaponry.
Two options are immediately obvious.
They can continue through the area with "Ambassador Pikmik" as their guide and return to Hargran Stonebound at the keep.
They can head off to find the source of the mites and wasps.
"אני לא בדיוק בטוח איפה הבסיס שלהם הוא. חלק העץ גדול על כך"
"I'm not exactly sure where their base is. Some big tree over that way"
Pikmik waves vaguely
"אולי אנחנו רוצים להגיע לברית שלך?"
"Maybe we want to get your allies?"
"הו, אני לא הייתי דואג. חבר שלי יש כאן כשרון נפלא להכנת יותר חברים של מקום שהוא הולך..." Arioch responds genially, pointing towards the others. "למעשה אני מסוים אנו לנהל, רק כפי שאנחנו."
Collecting his gear, he proceeds in the direction indicated by Pikmik.
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Pikmik must have slipped when he was gesturing. While pointing vaguely south his gesture covered everywhere from SE to SW.
Pikmik must have slipped when he was gesturing. While pointing vaguely south his gesture covered everywhere from SE to SW.
In common: "Mites then."
In draconic to Pikmin "Lead us to the Sharptooth Idol. "
"We have time and resources left. And Ambassador Pikmik would be quite the hero if word get out the idol is secured."
Sighing Pikmik leads the group onwards
Arioch leans over to either Taerine or Thkrull, whichever is closer. "Αρχίζω να υποψιάζομαι νέο φίλο μας έχει ορισμένες επιφυλάξεις σχετικά με το είδωλο. Παρακαλείστε να αφήσετε τους άλλους να γνωρίζουν Προσπαθώ να τον ρωτήσω, προσεκτικά." Catching Taerine's eye meaningfully, he nods to the other nascent Runelords.