Thralls of Thrune, Part 1: The Sunless Citadel (Inactive)

Game Master Mike Kimmel

"Do you believe yourself equal in combat to a court of kobolds, Bellicus? Puny as you must think them, I suspect that they outnumber you. We hold a tenuous position in this place, and if we can bolster it with allies, why wouldn't we? For the sake of your pride? I should think that would have been long lost, considering the rather pitiful state of your current existence."

"Elion is correct. We lose nothing and stand to gain. We are not here on a mission of genocide."

"Gen... genocide? What be that?" Meepo tilts his head to one side and looks inquisitively at Anton.

Isn't that where we kill all the pants?

"The purest form of the evil of man, Meepo. Not our mission."

Bellicus stares daggers at Leynus for a time, his jaw clenched in cold fury. "Outnumbered, maybe," the warrior says dismissively. "But hardly outmatched, if this one is an example of the depths to which draconic blood has fallen." Bellicus casts his withering gaze over to Meepo, scoffing as the timid kobold shrinks away from him. "And I would advise against your line of questioning, elf. My position may have been stripped from me, but I remain the man I was before that day. If you have clawed your way out from House Thrune's prisons less battered than I, it is because you had a shorter distance to fall."

"What do you think Meepo, would the kobold leader like a gift of dead rats?"

Val grows less comfortable as the tension within the party escalates. "Now, now, friends. Let's walk this back a bit. We're standing in an enemy stronghold. This is no place for an argument." Turning to Leynus, "All of us did something that cost us our freedom and brought us to the attention of our employer. I knew full well I was playing a dangerous game by singing Andoren revolutionary songs to crowds. I still think it was right, but I knew the risks, and my gambit failed. For now. Whatever Bellicus did to end up sharing our lot is his own burden to bear. Let's not speculate on what that was or insult each other about what we lost."

Turning to Bellicus, "As I just said, we are invading a stronghold full of enemies. It would stand to reason that making allies of convenience would greatly aid our cause. Dismissing Meepo's people, or, worse, needlessly fighting them, will make our assignment all the more difficult to accomplish." She pauses, as if weighing whether or not to say more. Inhaling deeply, she continues, "And, if I might be so bold as to say this, your pride is unbecoming, sir. It is obvious that you held some position of rank before your fall from grace. That doesn't make you better than the rest of us. Like it or not, we are all on equal footing now. We all yearn for our freedom, and this mission seems the only way available to any if us."

Bellicus rankles as Valeria chastises him, a scowl deepening across his face as the woman's words cut deep. "I see that I am alone in this. Very well, do what you wish. Collect rat tails and bring them to Yusdrayl, bend your knee to these inhuman beasts and aid them if you wish. I shall not hinder you in these endeavors, but neither will I aid. Though it is striking to me how willingly you find comfort in their company, and still rail against House Thrune. How this evil is better than another, I shall never understand."

Leynus, mouth open and retort forming, finds himself stiffening at Val's intervention. He looks away, shame-faced despite himself. "I was not insulting what he has lost; only what he has retained in spite of that loss do I find offensive. He thinks himself better than these creatures, but yet he also finds himself here in the dank dark. And they at least choose to be here. So great are we, bound to fight to find our freedom."

He backs off a bit, tugging at his hood and looking grumpy.

Akshara offers a look to Bellicus, one ear twitching as she does and her head crooking to the side ever so slightly. Sitting up a bit more straight, the tiefling draws her teeth over her bottom lip in thought, then tilts her chin up subtly.

"Kobowls," she misheard a little, "not have us on leash." Despite the mispronunciation, Akshara is fully aware of which "evil" has her on a short leash, and which "evil" are scarred little rat-dragons. Her simple perspective allows for a certain, child-like level of clarity towards the situation.

That said, she looks ready to go.

Meepo looks back and forth as the big folk argue, not wanting to interrupt lest he be skewered, magicked, or worse. When an awkward silence falls over the party, he pipes in, "you kill big rats? Bring to Yusdrayl, give as tribute! Maybe we feed to koboldlings, or to dragon... if you get dragon back! Yes, Yusdrayl be pleased with rat gift."

Meepo takes you west through a wide hallway. You take an immediate right, though you notice multiple doors further to the west. A short ways to the north you come to a long hall, which extends east-to-west. Deterioration and decay thrive here, as they do everywhere in the citadel; however, a double row of marble columns march the length of the hall. Worn carvings on the columns depict entwining dragons. Three kobolds patrol the area, but they look more surprised than anything else as you stride into the room. Before they so much as yap, Meepo speaks with them, and they step aside, glowering at you from behind the pillars. They fall into step behind you as you continue down the corridor.

A short "throne" stands near the west wall, constructed of fallen bits of masonry stacked against an old altar. A small kobold - even smaller than is typical - sits on the throne, an over-sized red robe draped around her. Six other kobolds stand guard nearby. A variety of small items sit atop the altar, while the portion of the altar that serves as the back of the throne features a carving of a rearing dragon. A metallic key is held firmly in the rearing dragon's open mouth.

The red-robed kobold stands up in her throne and says in a voice that makes Meepo's seem deep in comparison, "what have you brought for mighty Yusdrayl, King of Kobolds?!" You are fairly certain Yusdrayl is a female, judging by her stature, voice, and dress, but with creatures such as these it is difficult to be sure.

I made a slight error with the map of the dragon-cage room; there was another exit from the room leading to the west, which is the way you are going. The extra door is just to an empty room. Update to map coming soon, but it should not be immediately necessary for RP.

I assume we gathered up all the rats we killed before meeting the 'King'? I think there were 4 dire rats plus the larger mother rat?

Hmmm, I wonder if that key in the dragons mouth would fit the lock on the door we couldn't get through?
perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

"We have brought you a gift, mighty Yusdrayl, King of Kobolds. I hope it finds favor in your eyes."

Elion will take 3 of the dire rats out of his sack and place them on the floor before the throne.

diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

Oblivious to both decorum of course and kobold, Akshara starts to slink past Elion in a stooped posture, ears perked forward with curiosity and eyes wide. She sniffs at the air as she moves, lizard-like tail swishing back and forth behind her as she moves. Judging from the look on her face -- one she's had several times before -- Akshara appears to be curious what the Kobold King smells like, and is likely going to try and get her nose in far too close than would be comfortable for anyone.

_____
If not interrupted, Akshara's going to go give the King a sniff or three.

The long, slender key seems like it would fit into the mouth of the dragon on the stone door you found earlier.

Yusdrayl hops down off her throne and skips over to the rats, sniffing and prodding at them. "Quite fresh, these ratties... good food for koboldlings!" She eyes Elion up and down (mostly up), and is about to turn to assess rest of the group when Akshara approaches. Suddenly, the six kobold guards brandish their weapons and step in front of their "king," growling and yapping menacingly. The three guards still behind the party also level their weapons at you. "How dare sniff me?!" cries Yusdrayl.

Meepo begins to wring his hands and jumps forward, making placating gestures at his king. "Please, oh mighty King of Kobolds, she not give harm! She animal... pet... his pet!" Meepo points at Anton.

Yusdrayl scowls and takes a step back towards her throne, gesturing for Meepo to collect the rats while the guards continue to stand by.

Yusdrayl's further actions will depend heavily on yours. What happens next?

"Akshara meant no harm mighty king. She was just curious." Elion will touch Akshara on the shoulder, not so much an effort to restrain her as a mute request for restraint. "We did not come to fight mighty king. In fact we were hoping to trade."

Ears folded back, Akshara looks a little bewildered by the response. She quirks her head to the side, glances back at Elion and makes a disconcerted, "Whrrr?" at him. Looking back to the Kobolds, the hair on the back of Akshara's arms bristles beneath her sleeves and her brows furrow some. The threatening posture rubs her the wrong way.

"All creatures have their own preferred senses, King. It is known that kobolds have sensitive eyes and good hearing. Akshara here experiences the world through smell in many ways ...she was merely saying hello in her own way."

"It is as wise Anton says, great King. She will not harm you. We come solely in peace, an offer of solidarity on our lips and hands empty of weaponry. We are of good intent and jovial demeanor. Please, make yourself calm."

Leynus bows low and with a flourish, cape flipping forward over his head and then back once again as he straightens up with a bounce. He smiles as winningly as possible, his mouth much cleaner thanks to the barrel.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

True to his word, Bellicus remains silent as the rest of the group parleys with the self-styled king of the kobolds. One his eyebrows raises as Akshara pads towards Yusdrayl, and is not surprised when the king reacts the way she does. His hand moves quickly to the hilt of his blade, but the sword remains in its sheath, watching the guards for any flinch that might suggest this encounter would move from negotiation into conflict. Even so, he cannot suppress a snort as Meepo describes the tiefling as Anton's "pet." "Maybe that one's smarter than I gave him credit for," he says, a smirk curling at his lip.

Unsurprisingly, Teral hangs back in this conversation. Personal issues aside, the farmboy-turned-sorcerer can't quite set aside entirely a bit of pride in his draconic bloodine; and kobolds like these are quite possibly the least impressive expression of that same ancestry.

Not quite trusting himself to keep the irritation with the creatures out of his tone, he opts instead to stay silent and keep an eye out for trouble - perhaps with an extra wary glance or two Bellicus' way while he's at it.

Yusdrayl seems satisfied that you do not mean harm to her or her people, and sits back upon her throne. The guards relax a bit, lowering their weapons but keeping close watch on the group, especially Akshara. Meepo carries the rats into a corner and piles them up, then comes back and stands to the side. Yusdrayl perks up, as if remembering something, and says, "Wretched Meepo, have you brought my dragon?" Meepo swallows nervously and says, "No, Mighty King, but these warriors... I bring them... they help!"

Yusdrayl looks back to the party and narrows her eyes with suspicion. "Why you want find my dragon?"

"Mighty king, we are here to trade. What can you offer us if we recover your dragon?"

Snorting noisily, Akshara stalks back away from the kobolds and offers a confused look to Anton, then sits down cross-legged on the floor beside the young-looking druid. Here, while the others negotiate and use words, Akshara quietly begins picking at dirt under her claws with one ear perked in the direction of the conversation.

After a moment or two, she asks the question that had been bugging her for a while. "What's dragon?" Yellow eyes uplift towards Anton, though she likely would accept anyone's answer given her inquisitive demeanor.

"A very large, very dangerous beast. Even their breath is a weapon."

The king thinks for a moment and glances at the altar covered in various trinkets. "Hmm... you can have... two items from Dragon Altar! Or..." suddenly she grins and waves at the dragon statue's mouth above her, still holding the slender key, "you can have Dragon Key. But if you go to find dragon, Meepo go with you. Show you filthy goblin place, make sure you not kill dragon."

"Hmmm, I'm not sure. I suppose we might be able to help you, but the reward seems a little meager. What kind of things are there on the Dragon Altar? And what is the dragon key for?"

Yusdrayl scowls. "Key is special, holds dragon power. Items have dragon magic too. You think dragon magic is weak?"

1d20 ⇒ 7
1d20 ⇒ 11

You suspect Yusdrayl has never figured out what the key is for. But she does seem to believe that some of the items she possesses are magical.

"Of course not. I'm just wondering how valuable your dragon is to you."

"The dragon magic sounds very powerful, your majesty. We would never dare insult such powers, which are assuredly beyond our meager comprehension. We would just like to know the specifics of what they might do before we accept such a gracious gift."

Leynus leans in to whisper in Elion's ear, a hand placed lightly on his shoulder. "Do not forget that we're not just here for material goods, my friend. Perhaps Yusdrayl has information on Belak, which could be just as valuable as "dragon magic". She also had an agreement with Grachius, the errant knight, which could also prove useful. Haggle carefully."

Elion whispers back "The King knows that her dragon is worth everything else she owns. She won't respect us if we value ourselves too cheaply. I'll let her bargain the price back down with information after we get to a reasonable price."

Elion turns back to the Kobolds, "Great King, would it be possible for us to admire the items on the dragon alter? My friend reminds me that they may be worth more than your dragon."

diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

*edit* Elion will also "gift" the kobald king the fresh water supply we found in the locked room.

With a bow, Valeria produces her lute. "Oh, great King Yusdrayl, Might I be permitted to play a magical song in your honor?"

Without waiting for leave, Val plays a rousing song:

"Hail the King in her grand hall!
And her mighty dragon, all!
For by the light of Mother Moon
Shall we find lost Dragon soon!"

Uses False Arcanist to cast detect magic...
Perform check:: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26 ...success!

While Val continues to play, she scans the area for magic auras.

Yusdrayl is quite impressed and pleased that you were able to open the magical "great dragon fish door." She puffs up a bit at Valeria's flattering song and decides that you may have any three items from her altar, or the key and one other item.

The altar contains three scrolls with magical auras, a green feather with a magical aura, a small flask with no aura that nonetheless looks valuable, and many other objects of no particular value - fur, rocks, goblin teeth, and so on. Of note, a handful of tiny white scales are also strewn amongst the other items.

Elion asks, "Why do you think the key is so valuable, Great King? A key with no lock isn't worth very much." Elion shakes his head doubtfully. "Anyway, my companions can choose which items." He'll wave which ever party members who want to look forward towards the alter. Turning back to the king, "May I ask a question, Great King? It looks like there was a battle in the round chamber near the entrance. Do you know what happened?"

"Key holds great power! Do not doubt Dragon Key!" Yusdrayl seems to be saying this to her subjects as much as to all of you.

"Battle? Yes... folk like you come, fight goblins. They kill many goblins, so Mighty King Yusdrayl lets them live. But they go to smelly goblin place and never return!"

Elion will nod politely to the king and turn to the party with an eyebrow raised.

Any other questions? And does one of you spellcasters want to check out the stuff on the 'altar'

Akshara, being Akshara, stalks up to the altar of items offered by the sovereign of the kobolds and sniffs at them each independently, seeming most fascinated by the teeth. Without realizing the imperitive of choice, Akshara reaches out as if to take the teeth after having been told the group could have three items. But then, in her sniffing and snorting, she sends the brightly colored feather skidding across the alter from one exhalation.

Wide-eyed and ears perked forward, Akshara snatches the feather out of the air and stares at it with a smile that could be nothing other than child-like.

___
Akshara being Akshara.

Yusdrayl narrows her eyes. "You take green feather? Fine, fine... that your first item. You get two more items or key... after you bring dragon back! You wish go find dragon now? Meepo show you back way into goblin place?"

Let me know if there is anything else you want to ask before moving on.

I have a feeling the group is going to need to keep a rolled up newspaper on hand. Or a spray bottle.

Leynus bows low, gesturing at Akshara. "Thank you for such a wondrous gift, King Yusdrayl. I'm sure it will prove most useful. As will the others, once we return here with the dragon."

He looks towards the others. "To the goblin place, then?"

You did mean that we get two items or the key after our glorious return, right? Not that we'd have to wait for just the key?

You have to wait until you bring the dragon back for any further rewards.

Bellicus volunteers to work on 'correcting' Akshara.

Bellicus frowns as Akshara's decision to play with the feather costs them any chance of bargaining for better items. "To the goblins," Bellicus says, breaking his silence to answer Leynus' question. "The sooner we find the others, the better." He looked again at the altar, shaking his head in mild disapproval.

"Which way is it to the goblin lair, Mighty King? Would it be possible for you to provide us with a guide?"

Big update to the map coming in the next 48 hours or so, and I am also going to change the way I do combat maps - I would like to start using a shared Google Doc image that you all can interact with, and that I can use at work, rather than having a static picture that I have to change with Photoshop from home. Thanks for your patience; with these changes combat should go more smoothly and I'll be able to post more often!

"Meepo go with you. He lose dragon, so if he dies... good punishment, you think?" Yusdrayl pauses, indicating that the question is not rhetorical. The various kobolds in the room nod vigorously and yap in agreement. Meepo bows his head, seemingly resigned to his fate.

1d20 ⇒ 1
1d20 ⇒ 19

...however, it is easy to see the look of pure hatred that Meepo casts at Yusdrayl from behind her back.

Google Doc maps are great. I use them in all my campaigns I run! :)

Bellicus notes Meepo's dissatisfaction with the self-styled Kobold King, and raises an eyebrow. "Yes," the warrior says, breaking his silence. "A fitting punishment indeed."

There may be some use to you after all, Meepo, Bellicus thought to himself.

"Well then Meepo. Glad to have you with us. Which way is it to the goblin lair?"

Valeria bows to the king, then spins on her heel with a flourish, and joins the rest of the party. Leaning in, she whispers to the group, "Akshara's feather is magical, as are three of the scrolls on the altar."

In a louder voice, she adds, "So... time to pay the goblins a little visit?"