Tales from the Yawning Portal

Game Master RyckyRych

Hey, I speak Draconic.. Feyce peers at the writing. "Thieves ... will ... be ... eaten alive... and their souls ... given over for eternal ... torment ... at the hands of the Dark and Glorious One."

Feyce grins at Lebris.

Just kidding. It says, "Dragons are here." Well, technically, "Here there be dragons."

Feyce frowns. But that's weird. Why would they write a warning about dragons ... in a language that only dragons can read?

[Draconic]Scalies both great and small speak this tongue. I learned it primarily to seek information regarding my targets from Kobolds. Apparently, though I've not met any, troglodytes speak it as well.[/Draconic]

Guarding the bedroll with his sword, Dave softly asks, in the common tongue, "Are you ok in there?"

[Draconic]Oh, hey! Look at that. Your token looks a little lizard-y itself, doesn't it. Are you supposed to be some kind of kobold or such? Come on out of the sack little fella.[/Draconic]

Dave's eyes widen slightly in recollection. As an aside to Feyce, he maunders.

Oh, and dragonborn. Them too. As the name implies. Lotta bounty hunters there. Big guys, most. Comes in useful at trade shows and conventions and whatnot.

Unsure if Morgran feels as strongly about kobolds as goblins, Dave subtly nods to the lithe and slender elves hinting they may need to blockade the burly and heavily armored dwarf.

As Dave addresses the creature inside the bedroll, it pokes its head out showing that he is indeed a kobold, and frightened at that. He has several scars over his body, some more recent than others. I is Meepo, I is a kobold, yes! He slowly comes out from inside the bedroll, weeping softly.

In your Roll20 handout page should be a picture of Meepo.

Lebris will move towards the north to look at the large firepit.

Uh, Meepo, that looks like a leash you have there in your hands. Did you lose a pet? What was on the end of that leash, and why were you hiding in the bedroll?

Yeah. What was in this cage?

And why are you crying?

The firepit, if its ashes are sifted, is found to hold charred bits of kobold bones and armor.

At the mention of the whip and the cage, Meepo creies out, The clan’s dragon … we lost it. The wretched goblins stole Calcryx, our dragon! I was Keeper of Dragons, and we lost it!

He tells you that he is heartsick at the loss of the wyrmling and spends much of his time nowadays in nightmare-ridden sleep in his bedroll. With the loss of his charge, Meepo’s status is in the gutter.

The metallic cage is all but destroyed and can’t be used to restrain anything anymore. A quick look at the cage reveals white scales, quite possibly scales that identifies those of a white dragon wyrmling.

Goblins, you say...

Dave smiles at Morgran.

Maybe we can work something out.

We're looking for two humans. Fighter and wizard. Seen them?

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Everything looks good here

The enemy of my enemy and all that. Morgan mirrors the smile.

Two humans? Meepo don’t know, but Yusdrayl does. Meepo take you to meet Yusdrayl, our leader, if you make nice. You get safe passage, if you promise to make nice. Maybe if you promise to rescue dragon, Yusdrayl make nice to you, answer questions.

Dave chuckles at the thought of 'making nice'.

Recognizing that it would be trivial to slay even a castle full of kobolds, but would likely take WEEKS, he wonders if his comrades would like to hear Yusdrayl out.

Is Yusdrayl ... like you? A kobold, I mean? And do you know where the goblins are that took your dragon?

Feyce prepares to follow Meepo to meet this "Yusdrayl."

Yes, she is leader and wise and powerful. But she can make nice too! She will answer questions! Yes!

Meepo perks up as he senses the possibility of getting the dragon back. True to his word, he guides you to meet Yusdrayl, taking you past the firepit and further west into the complex. Along the way, he shouts out

Upon arrival, you see a short throne standing near the west wall, constructed of fallen bits of masonry stacked against an old altar. On the top of the altar sit a variety of small items. The portion of the altar that serves as the throne’s back features a carving of a rearing dragon. A metallic key is held firmly in the dragon’s open jaws. Sitting on the throne is the kobold named Yusdrayl. Meepo speaks to her in their native tongue, explaining what has transpired between you and himself, with most of the emphasis on "rescuing their dragon".

A new handout is on Roll20, showing the kobold queen.

Once Meepo finishes his introduction, the female leader speaks in Common. So, Meepo tells me you could recover our dragon. If this is true you may ask your questions.

Feyce quietly translates the Draconic password, "Ticklecorn," to his companions as they follow Meepo.

Your Grace, We do believe that we can recover Calcryx from the filthy goblins that took him from you. We ask if you have seen a party like ours come through here a time ago, with a fighter and a wizard that would appear to be in the same family. Also, your Grace, we wonder what is behind the locked door on the other side of your realm that might be opened by the key above your throne. What information can you share with us regarding the kidnapping of your beloved Calcryx?

Lebris will attempt to show deference to her like a court appearance in front of a judge. (not that he has any experience of that sort of thing, looking shiftly between his friends).

Persuasion: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

The kobold leader seems to appreciate the respect you have given her title and begins to answer you questions.

The humans. They went to fight the goblins and never returned. Maybe you are better than they was and you will return with our dragon.

The goblins stole our dragon! If you return Calcryx to us, I shall grant you a reward, perhaps this key you ask about. Meepo can accompany you if you desire.

We know nothing about the goblin lair or what lies behind that locked door. That's your job, isn't it?

Feyce likewise bows slightly before the kobold leader. Your Grace, we would take you up on your offer of Meepo as our escort. Does Meepo know the way to the goblin lair?

Also, if I might impose on you for one more question: other than the humans that went to fight the goblins, have your people seen any other creatures enter the citadel from the outside in recent weeks? It would benefit us, in recovering your dragon, if we knew what else we might face besides goblins.

Persuasion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

He can get you to the beginnings of their territory, yes. As far as other humans there is the Outcast, he lives below. However he has been her for a very long time. He grows the fruit, which he gives to the goblins. The dragon-thieving goblins are his servants!

Meepo, will you take us to the beginning of the goblin territory? Your Grace, we will return with Calcryx.

Your Grace, could you tell us more about the Outcast? And what fruit does he grow?

Dude, you remember what they said in the town.
from a previous post, The goblin tribe infesting the nearby ruins sells a single piece of magical fruit to the highest bidder in Oakhurst once every midsummer. They’ve been doing this for the last twelve years or so. Usually, the fruit sells for around 50 gold, which is all the townsfolk here can bring themselves to pay a goblin. The fruit is always an apple of perfect hue and it heals those who suffer from any disease or other ailment. Miraculous really.

The man coughs and clears his throat before continuing. The folk here will sometimes plant the seeds that are found at the center of each fruit, hoping to engender an enchanted apple tree. When the seeds germinate in their proper season, they produce a twiggy mass of twisted sapling stems. But not too long after the saplings reach 2 feet in height, they are stolen, every time. The townsfolk as­sume the goblins send out thieves to ensure their monopoly of enchanted fruit. Can't say I blame them really.

Sotto voce:

As far as the Outcast and his fruit, no. I care not, either. Upon hearing Feyce speak in Elvish, Yusdrayl's manner and face turns more malicious. But what is with this strange language? Do you now plot against us? The kobold queen doesn't seem to pleased to hear strange words in her court.

Meepo, take them to their task. You will join them if they wish you to assist their effort. Do not come back if you fail. Go now.

Unless you have any more questions you'd like to ask?

Upon hearing Feyce speak in Elvish, Yusdrayl's manner and face turns more malicious. But what is with this strange language? Do you now plot against us? The kobold queen doesn't seem to pleased to hear strange words in her court.

Sotto voce

I didn't say she understood anything but she also isn't too far away and can tell you are speaking. She is not your run-of-the-mill kobold, she is a queen! :)

Anything else you'd like to ask and request?

Recognizing the odds are astronomically unlikely, Dave looks about for a maul.

The better to crush any further brittle-boned skeletons along the way!

Should he spy one, [Draconic]Mind if I borrow that?[/Draconic]

Dave does not spot a maul, club or any other blunt instrument.

Meepo, lead the way

Feyce also will look for a rapier and, if so, politely ask, in Draconian, if he can borrow it.

The kobolds do not possess such fancy weapons and are unable to assist you with a weapon outside of a dagger or shortsword. I'm sorry, I wish we could aid you but our weapons are... crude.

Meepo leads the party toward their task. This is the back way, yes! This is the bestest way to get there. He leads you back through the room you found him in and enters the northern door. He then leads you along a passageway toward a door. There, this is the way! He then steps back, clearly allowing you to open the door. So, I go back now?

With the kobolds' permission, Feyce borrows a shortsword and professes his sincere thanks.

Meepo, (my precious), if you don't go with us, how will we know how to handle Calcryx. Calcryx might not appreciate us taking to take him from your clan. Maybe you ought to come with us to help us control him

Oh, yes, this is true! Calcryx might eat you! The kobold will accompany you, however he is too timid to lead the party as he doesn't know the area any more than you do.

Dave opens the door and steps through, prepared to cleave any goblins he meets in twain.

This empty chamber is home only to rat droppings, crumbled flagstone, and stains. A single closed door is in the north wall.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

Survival: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

Guys, we've got recent rat tracks from yesterday possibly, and older humanoid prints from a month or so, moving towards the north

I'm guessing the humanoid prints are goblin?

I'm not a tracker, but these prints appear to be more human-sized, than goblin sized.

I'll move up and wait for Dave to play pin-cushion

Dave does so cheerfully.

Dave bursts though the door, eyes wide in fury and sword raised in anticipation.

Dave eagerly enters the next room. Dust and odd bits of stony debris and rubble lie scattered on the floor. An ornate fountain is built into the eastern wall. Though cracked and stained, the fountain’s overarching carving of a diving dragon retains its beauty. A relief-carved stone door stands on the western wall. Carvings on the western door show skeletal dragons. A Draconic inscription is also on the door.

The inscription on the floor reads, "Rebuke the dead, open the way."

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 2

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

Hey, there's something written here faintly at the bottom, can one of ya'll read it?