Thomas was back to his full senses. Now all he needed to do, was save his allies. The long reach of his spear made it quite difficult to navigate into an attacking position, but eventually he thrusted the spear towards the kobold.
Thomas works his way up the tunnel so as to get a better vantage to end this fight, and to block off a passage to escape.
He thrusts his spear at the kobold and it pierces the scaly flesh of her thigh, tearing muscle tissue, and she nearly collapses to one knee as the spear pulls back out, but manages to keep standing. She presses her back against the wall.
"Mirë, mbaj! Parli! Parli! Cila është fjala? The word...Parley! Parlay! I speak your tongue! And I have information! Unë nuk dua- I do not wish to die!"
As Guruthos limps back to the party, torch in hand, he translate her plea, his voice even more drawn and gravelly due to his wounds, "It submits. Question it, or kill it."
"Uh, well. Drop your stuff!"
Thomas was clearly not a quick thinker and was considering what to ask.
"What information?"
"Oh, now it doesn't want to die. I got a different impression when it was fully engaged in trying to kill us," Hanzo sneered, but he didn't press the attack.
"What he said," he added, nodding at Thomas. "What information do you think can save you?"
He held his daggers ready, just in case the creature was stalling for some reason, and intended to launch a surprise attack. He was a bit paranoid, that way.
"Why did you attack us?" Joriannika demanded in the kobold's own tongue. "Why are you here? If you have any more potions, give them to him now!" She pointed at Guruthos.
The kobold looks at Joriannika, sighs, and hands over her last vial of red liquid. It looks the same as the one that fell and the one that she drank herself. She sets down her weapons and even goes so far as to remove her armor, and hands Hanzo her money pouch.
All in all, she has
Mwk studded leather armor (intended for a small creature)
Mwk Shortbow w/ 16 arrows
Spear
5 gems worth 25gp each
10 pp
Then she addresses the party in her slithery reptilian rasp.
"I am called Sesserak, captain of the great Blood Vow Tribe. Valuable information is what I have. Answers to questions and a means for the human tribe to slake their thirst for blood and vengeance... I think the human word is justice? We attacked you because you are humans, and I believed slaying you would lessen the punishment I and my warriors would receive for our failures. Well, I failed again, and would certainly be put to death were I to return. ...That foolish wizard. It's all his fault."
Guruthos accepts the potion more eagerly than he would prefer to let on, then quickly downs the contents, disregarding the possibility that it could be poisoned.
Feeling the positive energy surge through him, repairing his wounds, the elf slumps back against some stones and listens to the interrogation.
Kill her! We don't need her! Thomas shook his head for a moment than turned to the kobold.
"Where did you fail? Have you been looking for a treasure? What was the old wizard's role in this? And actually. Why did the tower collapse? “
It was the most chaotic interrogation ever, but he was a little confused after all.
As the kobold had perhaps guessed it would, the offer of her coinpurse went some way towards mollifying Hanzo's anger. He tucked away one knife, but accepted the pouch with the other knife still in hand, though.
Joriannika nodded in satisfaction as she saw Guruthos straighten, his wounds closing before their eyes. She lowered her rapier, and listened with interest to the kobold's story, already having an idea of what caused the collapse, and wanting to be sure that Ssesserak wasn't going to lie to them.
"You ask many questions without waiting for answers. You truly are human. We rigged tower to fall. Tribe hired by wizard to do so. Treasure? Wizard would pay us with knowledge. But wizard was himself too foolish. Knew tower would collapse this day, but came to check on us, as if he not trust us." Sesserak spits on the ground. "Then foolish wizard standing too near and tower collapsed on his head. Now he cannot pay us the books and knowledge owed to us. I imagine humans will find scouts above, and with no wizard to blame... well, humans would want blood, and here you are. WE complete task, cannot get paid, and humans angry. That's how Sesserak fail."
Thomas looked surprised. Than he leaned over to Joriannika and whispered in her ear.
Joriannika nodded slowly. She gave a significant look to Guruthos and Hanzo, asking for patience, then turned back to the kobold.
"Sesserak, we came down here to find what caused the tower's collapse and why kobolds were here, not for blood. Now we have both answers, but new questions grow. What knowledge is it that you were promised? Why did the tower collapse early? Why did the wizard want the tower to collapse? Maybe we can arrange a deal, if you answer honestly, and if it causes no harm. There is no need for more blood to be spilled."
She was aware that they had all the advantages and the kobold had little choice, but there was no need to humiliate the little reptile.
Leaning against the rock wall, Guruthos listens to the questions. The same questions grow in his mind as in those of his companions, but they seem to be asking the right questions. If the elf had his way, they would drag the wretched vermin to the surface and leave her with the mayor to deal with. He would collect his reward and be on his way.
"Do not pretend to care about one not your own. Do not think of us as friends. Do not mistake my treachery of my own tribe as indifference to yours. My tribe hates humans. Those foolish enough to travel alone deep in the forests become our slaves. I hate you also."
She actually spits on the ground at Joriannika's feet.
"We are not comrades. You are my enemies that I failed to kill. Tell the leader of your human tribe what you want; it won't matter. You will kill my tribe. Nothing slates the desire for blood and violence; the desire for revenge. You would know this if you understood the cruelty of men. Which is why I will not be going back. Do what you want with me, but I will not be returning to my lair. I will die first!"
"He's right. We're gonna kill'em aaaaallll!"
"I won't execute a helpless being. Never!"
Thomas listened to the kobold, then took out some rope and tied her up. "You can come with us and tell us everything we need to know with the off chance that you get to live on your miserable life. Or we leave you here and you will die of thirst and starvation or even faster in case anything finds and eats you. What's your choice?"
Sesserak does not struggle as Thomas ties her up. In fact, she smirks. Or, at least, you think she smirks. It's hard to read reptilian facial gestures, especially when they probably don't correlate to human ones.
"You do not even know the way out. I, however, do. I will not be the one starving. So sure, leave me here. Or, I can show you the way out, tell you where my tribe's lair is, and even why foolish wizard wanted tower gone. And in return, you untie me and let me go. My betrayal should serve as enough evidence that I have zero intention of ever going back there."
The masked elf grows tired of the creature's voice, and hoists his still-sore body off the ground. He points back the way he came, and grumbled, "Out," then waves his hand dismissively in the kobold's direction. "Kill it, then we go."
Amazed by the kobold's insouciance, Joriannika shook her head. "Not everyone lives as consumed by hatred as you. All the same, it is not wise to bite the hand that could set you free."
She glanced at Guruthos. "Finding out why the wizard brought the tower down is worth the life of this one kobold, don't you think?" Including Thomas and Hanzo, she added, "It's not like she's going to bring her colony back and attack the town. She's all alone now. Besides... we aren't kobolds. We can afford mercy."
Looking back at Sesserak, she sighed. "Hatred will eat you from the inside. Consider why humans populate the world with more power than kobolds. We aren't driven by hate."
Woohoo! Anyone want to try an aid another to encourage Sesserak to be friendly? ...I guess Hanzo can try, hahaha.
Hanzo, whose ire had slowly faded with the encouragement of the money in the pouch, didn't put away his remaining dagger, but he did lower it. "My ma always did say that grudges are for chumps. All they get you is trouble, and often it's too much trouble to chew on." He looked briefly embarrassed, as though thinking of something else.
Then he shrugged. "I'm not bloodthirsty. The kobold thought we were here to attack her, but we weren't, so okay. She's lost her tribe. I guess she's lost enough. No hard feelings, Sesserak. If you need it, I'll even pitch in a few coins to get you on your feet." He was feeling generous, now that he was practically rich.
Whoaaaaaaaaa! LOL. Do we have a kobold cohort now? XD
EDIT: If you allow us to reverse who did the Diplo and who did the AA, we'd be nearly at 30... sooooo, anyone else want to try an AA? XD
"She's right, you know. You're alone now and this might be the time to reconsider your situation. I mean, you don't have to do it here and now, but at least give us the benefit of a doubt."
Guruthos shrugs indifferently and let's the humans prattle on, having nothing more to add.
Sesserak eyes each of you, and eventually her expression "softens", again, as much as a reptile's scaly hide can, which isn't much, but still noticeable.
"Mirë atëherë! ... I suppose I believe you didn't come here to kill us.
However, you are only four humans. I cannot trust that the rest of your tribe will feel the same. Just to the north here is a tunnel that leads to the... what's the word... Gurore... Quarry? Rock quarry? If flooded now, but tunnel lead there. Lair of Blood Vow tribe is near there. Shall we enter into a bargain? Spare my life, I'll leave, never return, in exchange for showing you where Sesserak's tribe is?"
A low growl escapes from beneath his mask, and Guruthos spits, "Cannot trust it. Ambush. Kill it."
His growl gives way to a violent cough, as the dust from the cavern collects in his throat. He turns away in disgust and retrieves his waterskin.
"Sesserak has offered us a fair deal," Joriannika protested to Guruthos. "We don't have to go there." She didn't specify whether she meant not going to the kobold tribe, or not killing Sesserak. Maybe she thought it was clear.
Turning back to Sesserak, she promised, "Don't worry, we won't hurt you. Tell us what you can, and we'll set you free." She shot the others a stern look, daring them to argue.
"But start with the wizard. Why did he want to bring down the tower?"
Hanzo shrugged, put away his last knife, and fished a few coins out of the pouch the kobold had given him, intending to hand them to Sesserak when she was freed.
He glanced at Thomas. Guruthos had been clear that his paranoia would win over his curiosity, but Thomas had worn several odd expressions that Hanzo couldn't place. It was almost like he was having an inner conversation or something. He had agreed with Joriannika, but then those two seemed tight. Would he follow Joriannika's lead?
As the masked human continues to insist on her death, Sesserak begins to shake a bit. Then she steels her nerves and calms herself as Joriannika comes to her defense and guarantees her safety.
"Wizard wanted to see the sky and stars. Said stars hold secrets. Wizard have problem. Big tower blocks view, and wizard have reputation for asking and asking for tower to be destroyed, answer always no. Foolish wizard should not have built house on hill if tower in the way, I thinks."
Sesserak pauses a moment, collecting her thoughts and trying not to get sidetracked.
"Asks Blood Vow tribe to help him. Says he needs tall tower to fall, look like an accident. Wizard pay us with treasure and will keep his tongue silent. He agreed not to tell rest of tribe of our slaves. Apparently, he did not like humans much either. ... Sesserak put in charge of diggers for tunnel and collapse. Last night, wizard told tower almost ready to fall, but he wanted to see for himself. Collision was bigger than expected; wizard died. Now whole human tribe's eyes on us, and wizard cannot pay us. Sesserak failure, cannot ever go home.
May I show you tunnel now? May I go? You promised!"
Guruthos slides his mask off his face (not caring whether the kobold sees his horrible visage or not) and downs the refreshing water from the waterskin. As he drinks, finishes, and replaces his mask, he listens to the ramblings of the tiny menace. Did it just say "slaves?" Empty night, they're going to want to save any slaves, and will probably want me to help. He scowls and waits to find out if the others noticed.
Joriannika paused, and Guruthos could tell he'd guessed right. "All right. One last question, Sesserak - where are your tribe's slaves? Can you tell us how to get there?" She nodded to the men to release the kobold, her wound making it painful to bend.
Hanzo waited for the answer (or maybe he was just distracted by Guruthos's face - he'd never seen the elf without his mask before, and was a bit unnerved, though not surprised), then untied Sesserak, and handed her the coins. "A deal's a deal," he said cheerfully, stepping back in case the kobold had a change of heart.
"I wouldn't try to spend that in town or anything, though."
Sesserak gives a kind of noncommittal grunt at Hanzo's attempt at humor; it could also be interpreted as a proud creature's way of saying, "thank you."
"Sesserak not know if slaves still there or even alive. But slaves stay in lair. I show you wear. ...Um, if everyone is ready to leave, that is?"
The party searches and concludes there's nothing left to find.
Sesserak leads you all northward, where there is a split in the tunnel, she says the one on the left leads to where she and her comrades slept while working on the tunnel; and that that is where they were when they heard a disturbance coming from the larger cave. The path that continues heading north leads to a hold in the ground which is a narrow tunnel that Sesserak said leads to the flooded quarry, near her tribe's lair.
What do you do?
Thomas would carry the old wizard's body. He suggested to first get back to town, before exploring the kobold lair.
Guruthos won't argue with that, as he doesn't particularly feel the need to go rushing into their lair in the first place. He was hired to find out what happened to the tower and find the wizard. Those are done, and so is his job.
Guruthos motions back towards town. "No more kobolds," he grumbles, waving off the tunnel.
The party follows Sesserak northward. You jump down the hole in the cave, leading to a narrow, 4ft-wide tunnel. The kobold fits just fine, though most everyone else has to bend a bit. The going is slow because the Sesserak is bruised and hurting and limping. But eventually, exit you do. You emerge and find yourselves on a ledge overlooking a lake.
It's often referenced among the citizens of Belhaim, and you recognize this place by the descriptions. This "lake" is the old rock quarry, now the flooded quarry. You're about a quarter-mile east from the town (the town is west).
The quarry once provided Belhaim's primary export, limestone, but since the flood, caused by an earthquake less than 200 years ago, the town's fortunes have slowly receded.
There is a path along this edge that winds down counterclockwise around to the opposite shore of the lake. Another path leads west, towards the town.
Sesserak points to the far shore of the "lake" where the shore nearly meets the high, vertical quarry wall. "Tribe's lair can be found at base of cliff wall. Say what you want, but most humans not like you. They like fighting, revenge, and blood. Kobolds will know this. Kobolds may be afraid. So be careful... when a thing is afraid is when it is most dangerous. ... Am I free now?"
Sesserak is looking pointedly at Joriannika, who does not hesitate to give her best reassuring smile, and nodding in reply. Sesserak runs (as best she can; more like a quick hobble) towards the road that leads west, but then diverts and heads straight into the forests. On the very edge, she turns back and says, "thank you..." then she retreats into the woods. She leaves no trail because, injured or not, she is a ranger and is good at tracking and at not being tracked. The party travels back to town to report their findings to the baroness.
The Old Quarry Road is exceedingly overgrown with vines, fallen trunks, grass and other flora. It seems to be a road that hasn't been used in quite some time. Like the tunnel, your progress is slow due to this, but it easily less than hour, maybe only half, when the path leads you out of the forest, into the outskirts of Belhaim.
The tower ruins you initially entered are up on your right, the manor of the late Hunclay on the hill behind it. The left side of the road is lined with trees, but you see the large manor of the baroness peeking through, a long way off.
Following the road to the fork and turning left will bring you there, where you can report to the baroness.
What would everyone like to do?
As they return to town, Guruthos motions to the wizard's house, "Wizard's house, then Baroness."
Joriannika waved to Sesserak as she left, determined to change at least one kobold's mind about humans.
One the trip back, she limped, muttering under her breath about something that anyone who listened closely might understand was about alchemy.
She nodded when Guruthos suggested going to the wizard's house. "Yes, best wrap everything up neatly first. ...Thank you for your patience, Guruthos. I know you didn't want to trust Sesserak. Thank all of you. I know you're all courageous and honest, and you've proven that you're kind, as well. I'm proud to know you."
"Once we've spoken with the Baroness, I think we should go see about freeing those slaves. Maybe the tribe can be reasoned with, too," she said hopefully.
Thomas was breathing heavily. He was in his best years, but the old wizard was no halfling either. Agreeing with Guruthos he answered: [b]"Whatever is closest. It's probably best to bring the man to his home and then notify the locals. They can burry him or whatever."[7b]