"Keeeeeeeeeeel aaaaaaaaaalllll!!" - the shaman screeches, but is cut short by Merlokrep's raised hand.
"What do you have to offer, pink skins?" - the king replies with a snarl.
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During this conversation, I want to use sense motive to try to understand what seems to interest the most to the king and in general if he seems to be telling the truth.
They are just kids that the town thought were lost, so the town didn't send a rescue party to fight to rescue the kids, just to find them.
If we don't return with the kids, more will come and this time they will be prepared ...
What would you require in exchange for the kids and for the town not sending anyone else?
I'm willing to pay.
Or would you prefer the creature that dabbles in the upper level?
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I am not rich by any means, and I doubt my personal possessions interest you.
But I can offer you my honor.
If you let us and the kids go, I will personally ensure the town's rescue party never leaves and they know nothing about your kingdom here.
I'm sure that's more valuable to you and your clan than any trinkets I may be carrying.
You have my word of honor!
"My scouts report the creature is no more" - Merlokrep hisses at Lokeemon, then turns to Tsin Tao - "So you offer nothing!! Come here! Kill! And now leave with promises to be good?! That is nothing!"
The large kobold bends down to listen to something whispered by the shaman in his ear, then speaks again - "And those with honor do not hide in the shadows, to stab from the dark"
From Duncan's end, kobolds begin slowly pouring into the cave - approaching cautiously...
The shaman whispers something in Merlokrep's ear again - the king pauses for a moment, then speaks - "You and you" - he points to Lokeemon and Tsin - "Use many big words - Truescale understand not half. Merlokrep says you attack Truescale home! Merlokrep says you kills Truescale!" - he growls.
"Pink Skin spawn are sacrifice Truescale need!!" - the king adds - "If you offer nothing, you all die! What say?!"
Kurtulmak is the main patron deity of kobolds - they claim he gave them life. After Kurtulmak created the kobolds and taught them the skills of thieving and pillaging, the gnomes entered into an eternal conflict with his creations, angering him.According to other myths, he stole the gift of sorcery from a dragon deity to give to his people. Kurtulmak followers vie to take back the territory that rightfully belongs to kobolds from the hated gnomes and faerie creatures. They are urged to slay gnomes whenever possible for their insults upon Kurtulmak the Cunning. A quick wit and a good trap is a better weapon against a foe than any spear. Bravery and courage are overrated; a dirty win is still a win. Ambush and surprise your enemies, it gives the greatest chance of success. Revenge is the sweetest of victories. Always remember an insult, and always pay it back twice over. Kobolds are stronger together than they are apart. Dig and mine the earth, taking all it has to offer. Learn the ways of the earth, for that knowledge will help in struggles against enemies.
Gaknulak, also known as the Trapmaster, is the evil kobold demigod of trickery, traps, stealth, and protection. Followers of Gaknulak argue that strong defenses were necessary to ensure the continued survival of kobolds as a race. Clever traps and ambushes were a vital part of these defenses, as they played to the strengths of the kobolds and to the weaknesses of other races and monsters. Never fight in the open when one could lure opponents into traps and/or ambushes.
Truescale, you can win with our help
We go out and say to everyone that this place is cursed.
All in the village will be afraid to come here.
You can do whatever you want and no one will come here. Afraid of the curse
We only want the kids safe
"Mad!" - the shaman howls in reply to Duncan - "All dwarves mad!" - and the kobolds around snicker in glee.
you know we killed the creature that lived in the upper level.
just by killing it we already saved many Truescale, he hunted anyone in this cave, he would have come to this level ...
So we already saved many of Truescale.
"The cursed dwarf kill some Truescale, true" - Merlokrep nodded - "But Scales learn to avoid forge. It don't matter"
But, why do you need to sacrifice?
How can we help your tribe more?
Merlokrep turns to the shaman, but the skeletal one seems to be absent minded now, after having shouted about the dwarf - he stares at Tsin and drools only...
The king shakes him with a strong hand, then they have a short discussion in a few curt words, and the kobold leader turns back to you - "There is evil down below" - he snarls - "It drove Truescales OUT of home of Truescales! The sacrifices will wash Truescale bad fortune away! Then Scales return home!" - he raises his battle-axe high in the air, and all the kobolds in the area cheer and hoot.
"Hehehehehe, dwarf be maaaaaa..." - the shaman cackles again, but this time is cut short by Merlokrep's raised hand.
"You go under the earth to help Truescales?" - he questions.
"We not know" - the king replies - "Darkness comes alive to attack and curse Truescales. Some die of disease, others are dragged away screaming. Others worse, come back after dead" - the recount brings some hushed comments amid the gathered kobolds -"Tribe is cursed. Tunnels of Truescales become dark and dangerous for tribe" - Merlokrep adds - "Tribe runs up and up from old underground. Break wooden stairs so shadows cannot climb well. Block tunnel with landslide and never go back to old home"
Taking a step next to his leader, the shaman croaks - "When the Doomed King sits the Throne, our great tribe merk-merks its last! Tos ave our people, wash our troubles from the crown with the blood of pink-skin-spawn!" - around him the kobold erupt in joy - "That is prophecy!"
Maibe the king is not cursed. Only tunnels are cursed. We go there and end the curse.
If we end the curse you can go back to Truescale tunnels. The Truescales home!
"Yes..." - Merlokrep seems to be entertaining the idea - "If pink-skins end the curse yes. Truescales go home" - he seems to be speaking to the shaman as much as to himself.
The shaman reverts to their native tongue, and they continue their debate for some more time.
Then the king turns his attention to the adventurers again - "What want in return?"
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Tsin is just kinda looking at Duncan and Loki, still a bit in awe that we're considering this, but not seeing any real alternative...
He says to the message spell...
Are we really considering this? Not that I have a better suggestion, but we're running on fumes here. We can't continue to fight in this condition...
Then out loud...
King Merlokrep, if we do this for you we will need some rest.
We are tired and injured and won't be able to help much in this condition.
I would help you, if you let us get the children to safety first and get some rest.
And I would ask for nothing else in return.
Merlokrep nods - "You go beyond tunnel into darkness. Rest there. We let children go but one. One we release when you return"
As Saktar takes the first step to 'gather the group', the king roars - "No moving until deal done!"
"Deal" - Merlokrep nods - "Come and follow" - then he motions his kobolds to move around you, and escort you dee into the tunnels.
"Where are other children?"
"No, Merlokrep wishes to know first. Before go anywhere"
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After some seconds to consider the situation and after remembering that we left the group in the room above the well (so they should be able to hear us) I speak in a louder voice so that they can hear me.
There's no need for that. If they are smart, they are long gone.
Here's the deal I believe we all agree:
- The Truescales do not chase or capture the kids nor the other pink skins, nor the half-elf.
- We go and clean the darkness and when we return you let all the pink skin go, the kid, the ... (can't remember the bards race) and ourselves.
- The deal is all the pink skins in exchange for you to sit back in your throne, to prove that you are not the Doomed King! To get your Truescales back to Truescales home.
What's more important to you? some pink skins or getting back to your Throne?
The kobold king listens intently to Lokeemon, then replies calmly with a shrug - "Elf be dead" - and continues - "Truescales will not capture kids, and let go child when darkness is cleaned. We have deal?"
It left a bitter aftertaste in their mouth, mainly Saktar who really never wished an agreement with the kobolds and would rather see them all wiped out. Yet... The deal was not too bad for the heroes of Falcon's Hollow - their resources were stretched to the limit, and it was doubtful they would be able to rally and take down the remaining kobolds. And who knew how many more could be found in those damned underground tunnels.
Out the corner of his eye Tsin Tao did manage to spy movement up ahead the elevator 'shaft' - he could only hope the kids and Edrin were safe, and would be able to make it back to town in one piece - the wilds could be unforgiving after all, as they had experienced first hand when coming to the monastery.
Escorted by their newfound kobold allies, the band of heroes plodded onward into the tunnels as directed by Merlokrep - while most of them give the heroes a wide berth, the kobold king's relaxed posture amidst the champions is somewhat unnerving, as he carefully observes each of them, their weaponry, and their mannerisms. He is either very confident, or mad.
Yes, this was a good deal, or so they had to convince themselves as they plunged ahead into the darkness of the kobold warrens, the creatures yapping victoriously all around them...
(To be continued)