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Muttering under his breath to no-one in particular "If we have to start calling these things dragons when the thing upstairs apparently ain't... I'm gonna start calling myself a giant" but he keeps it to himself and just seeks to follow... oversized chicken leg in one hand and oversized fork held in the other.... like some kind of deranged miniature diner.
Aronida shrugs. "It's their domain, if they want us to call them mighty dragons I can." Whether or not it's true doesn't concern her. She's bowed and scraped before worse people. Probably.
Well, if they're showing these creatures the proper respect...
"Revka, could you repeat what I say in Draconic?" Aronida steps forward and briskly knocks on the door. "Hello? Mighty dragons? We've come to speak with you, if you don't mind."
Perhaps not the most respectful speech, but Pib and Zarf haven't yet demanded groveling. If they do, she'll reevaluate her approach.
Revka nods happily, and repeats after Aronida. She makes sure her voice is quite loud - to be heard through the door - but not so loud as to be startling.
Revka translates Aronida's words through the door. There is the sound of quickly pattering feet and some hasty whispers, then a moment of silence. Just when it seems there is to be no answer, a raspy voice replies from just the other side of the door.
"አዎ? እርስዎ ማን ነዎት ፣ ስለእሱስ ምን ማውራት ይፈልጋሉ?ለጊዜያችን እና ለችግራችን እኛን ለመክፈል ምን ዓይነት መባ አመጡ?"
Revka translates for the benefit of the party. "They want to know who we are, and what kind of offering we've brought." She thinks for a moment before answering.
"የቀርከሃዎች መጫወቻዎች ጓደኛሞች ነን ፡፡ እኛ ትልቁን የድንጋይ ንጣፍ ለመፈተሽ እና ሁለቱን ለማሟላት መጥተናል ፡፡ በተለይም ውብ ለሆኑት ላባዎች ጥሩ ላባዎችን አምጥተናል። አሁን እየገባን ነው ፣ እሺ?"
She turns back to the others and whispers. "I've offered them the feathers..."
There's another spate of rapid whispering before a reply comes through the door. "አዎ ፣ ጥያቄዎን ከግምት ውስጥ ሳስገባ አንድ ደቂቃ ብቻ ይጠብቁ ፡፡" This is followed by a scraping sound, like something heavy being pushed across stone. Another pattering of footsteps, then the rapsy voice calls, from considerably further away from the door, "ሺ ፣ አዎ ፣ መግባት ይችላሉ ፡፡ እኛ ግን እናስጠነቅቃለን-ምንም ዓይነት ክህደትን አይሞክሩ ፡፡ ከታላቁ ድራጎኖች ቁጣ የትኛውን ክፍል አይፈልጉም።"
All right, yeah, you can come in. But we're warning you: don't try any funny business. You don't want any part of the wrath of mighty dragons.
Darla purses her lips as Revka translates the creatures' latest words.
"Did they just move some barrier away from the entrance or set a trap there?"
Gethric blusters as Revka offers to swan away for nothing the valuable feathers that he had identified and gathered. He grumbles "Next time you might want to ask before giving away things" begrudgingly selecting only two of the least impressive plumes to surrender to the so called 'mighty dragons'.
"I think they might have removed some kind of barricade," Revka answers Darla. At being called out by Gethric on her choice of offer, Revka sticks three fingers in her mouth and looks at the ground. "Sorry..."
She waits a few seconds for the others to make any last-minute preparations, then opens the door. She gives a friendly wave and issues a greeting in Common, in the hope that the 'mighty dragons' will understand and that she won't have to translate everything. "Hello, here we are."
Revka opens the door to reveal a large messy room that probably once belonged to a high-ranking Hellknight. A broken bedframe and a smashed desk occupy the west end of the room, while dirty bedsheets have been pitched into makeshift tents. A large trunk looks like it has been pushed away from the door by which the party is entering, while another is pushed against a door in the eastern wall.
Small horned reptilian humanoids watch the party's entrance warily from inside one of the tents. "ላባዎቹን አሳየን!" the one with green scales demands.
"Oh, hey, it's a Bumblebrasher, innit?" the red one asks Revka curiously. "What's going on out there, eh?"
Revka puts up her hands when she's confused for one of the Bumblebashers. "Oh no, I'm from another goblin tribe. Me and my friends here came here to help them. They are fine now. We helped them by killing the -" She stops abruptly, not sure how to tell these 'mighty dragons' that they killed a not-dragon. "the... creature that caused them to flee."
She then points to Gethric while replying to the green-scaled creature. "እሱ ላባዎች አሉት። እነሱ በጣም ቆንጆ እና ቀለም ያላቸው ናቸው ፣ አይደለም?" "He wants to see the feathers," she translates for the halflings's benefit.
Not certain that Gellius recognizes the creatures, Darla slides closer to him.
"Kobolds," she whispers. "Fairly intelligent but also generally malicious and devious. Watch out for an ambush or some sort of deceit from them!"
Revka puts up her hands when she's confused for one of the Bumblebashers. "Oh no, I'm from another goblin tribe. Me and my friends here came here to help them. They are fine now. We helped them by killing the -" She stops abruptly, not sure how to tell these 'mighty dragons' that they killed a not-dragon. "the... creature that caused them to flee."
"You killed the Cinderclaws, yeh?" the red kobold asks eagerly. "All of them?"
Gethric keeps his words internal, merely proffering the two sacrificial feathers when prompted.
Not certain that Gellius recognizes the creatures, Darla slides closer to him.
"Kobolds," she whispers. "Fairly intelligent but also generally malicious and devious. Watch out for an ambush or some sort of deceit from them!"
Gellius nods his understanding, keeping his rapier sheathed but holding his glowing main gauche ready. Leaving the negotiations to the others, he watches the two kobolds carefully.
"The Cinderclaws?" Revka repeats, somewhat questioning. Her gaze drifts off, trying to decide whether the name 'Cinderclaw' would match their not-dragons. They didn't seem all that cinder-y to me... No fire and all. She make a halfhearted answer. "The big lizard-creature who came up and caused the Bumblebashers to flee. Yes, both of them are dead." She won't outright say that they killed them both, but she's not above trying to claim a bit of the credit for the other's accidental death. She blinks suddenly. "Wait, did you say all? There were only two of them, weren't there?"
Aronida blinks in surprise as the 'mighty dragons' are revealed to be kobolds. Then again, from what she knows of kobold culture, it does make sense. They tended to overplay their draconic heritages.
For a second she wonders if 'Cinderclaws' are another goblin tribe in the area. But no, that wouldn't make sense. Revka's idea that the name belonged to the gigantic not-dragon they killed seemed more likely.
She's not much of a talker, but she nods to collaborate Revka's account. "Now that the Bumblebrashers are safe, they asked us to look for their...mascot. Big Bumble. We think he might be near here, but didn't want to intrude on your territory without the proper introductions."
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"The big lizard-creature who came up and caused the Bumblebashers to flee. Yes, both of them are dead." She won't outright say that they killed them both, but she's not above trying to claim a bit of the credit for the other's accidental death. She blinks suddenly. "Wait, did you say all? There were only two of them, weren't there?"
"Yeh, yeh, two grauladons, yeh," the kobold replies dismissively. "I'm talking about the Cinderclaws. Whole bunch of them. Something like those," he points to Aronida and Gethric, "but hairier. And then there's some big ones like that," he points to Darla and Gellius, "with no hair at all. They brought the grauladons."
"Yeh, yeh," the other one agrees, "but they're really stupid, though, mate. Said they were conquering in the name of the dragon, but they didn't recognize us when they saw us. Didn't even bring us an offering! Stupid things!"
Gethric keeps his words internal, merely proffering the two sacrificial feathers when prompted.
The green kobold advances quickly to snatch the feathers. "Ooh, yeh, yeh. Fancy feathers. These are off the Cinderclaws' birds, yeh?" He flutters them in the air.
"Now that the Bumblebrashers are safe, they asked us to look for their...mascot. Big Bumble. We think he might be near here, but didn't want to intrude on your territory without the proper introductions."
The kobold's expression turns sour. "It's a bear, yeh, you know that? A f~%#ing bear! It's a danger to the whole warren, yeh? The Bumblebrashers are f$@@ing mental, mate! I mean, no offense," he apologizes to Revka, "but who keeps a f~%!ing bear in their house?"
Revka shudders at the mention of the Cinderclaws and conquering in the name of the dragon. Yikes, this sounds like real trouble. Cinderclaws... Could they have been involved in starting the fire in town? The fact that the Cinderclaws were responsible for the not-dragons and the birds[/i] does little to ease her worry. She tries to form a picture of what the Cinderclaws would look like, and gives the others a non-understanding look. Beats me... She tries to form a reasonable question for the two small dragon-folk. "These Cinderclaws... Where did they go? They aren't still here, are they?" There's more than a bit of apprehension in her voice.
When the topic comes to Big Bumble, she turns defensive on behalf of the Bumblebashers. "Well, of course it's a bear. It's their... their మస్కట్!" In her indignation, she struggles with the Common tongue, and only finds the appropriate word in Goblin. "It would be really lame to have some fluffy rabbit, wouldn't it? A bear is a really good one! And we have to make sure he's OK."
"These Cinderclaws... Where did they go? They aren't still here, are they?"
"I was hoping you could tell us," the kobold replies. "You've been out there since we have. We blocked the doors to protect our hoard."
When the topic comes to Big Bumble, she turns defensive on behalf of the Bumblebashers. "Well, of course it's a bear. It's their... their మస్కట్!" In her indignation, she struggles with the Common tongue, and only finds the appropriate word in Goblin. "It would be really lame to have some fluffy rabbit, wouldn't it? A bear is a really good one! And we have to make sure he's OK."
"Either the Cinderclaws killed it, or it killed the Cinderclaws, or it got out and went back where they got it from, or it's still shut in its room. Only one of those is really bad news for the bear, innit?" the kobold reasons.
"We'll unblock that door there long enough to let you out," the other volunteers, indicating the other door in the eastern wall. "That's the quickest way to where they keep the bear: straight through and turn left. We're blocking it back up behind you, though, until we know the Cinderclaws have cleared out."
Revka pulls up her shoulders, to indicate she doesn't know about the Cinderclaws either. Meanwhile, she can't help but take a quick look around for the two kobolds' supposed hoard.
The mention that the Cinderclaws were near Big Bumble fills her with worry. "We'd best check on him as quick as we can." She seems to have no further business with the kobolds, for the time being.
Aronida's eyes narrow slightly when these 'Cinderclaws' are confirmed to have been the ones who brought be the not-dragons...grauladons. "We haven't seen anyone else, but we can look for the Cinderclaws. If they brought the grauladons with them, it seems that the Bumblebrashers might not yet be safe after all." She offers her best approximation of a formal bow. 'Thank you for all of your assistance. We will be out of your territory as quickly as we can."
She, too, is ready to find Big Bumble quickly so they can figure out the extent of this new threat.
After a pause Gethric adds "Any other forces that abound that aren't in good standings with either yourselves or the Bumbles?"
The kobolds are already shoving the other chest out of the way. "Nah, just us and the Bumblebrashers down here. You meet anything else, you tell it to clear out."
The door opens into a five-foot-by-five-foot space, with another door opposite.
Aronida moves forward into the closet-like space and opens the next door. It opens into a larger space, but before she can take a good look around, a screech arises from the right end of the room. "ዋርት! ዋርት! የሆነ ነገር ይመጣል!"
Gellius draws his rapier and moves to his familiar position at the front of the group adopting a defensive stance as he tries to offer protection to the rest of the party. Unsure of whether to pursue battle or diplomacy, he holds off on attacking as he addresses the creature before him.
“This is the Bumblebrashers' home!” he announces firmly. “Who are you? What are you doing here?
As Gellius steps into the room, he registers hostile movement, and his training takes over. Virtually simultaneously, he is struck in the head with a chunk of stone and skewers the one who threw it, a furry goblin-sized creature with a colorful face. Another of those creatures is to the south, near a pile of broken masonry.
To the north, a humanoid with smooth green skin and webbed feet is lounging on the dilapidated remains of what was once an elegant velvet couch. It leaps up from the couch, drawing a club and emits a terrifying croak which echoes off the subterranean walls.
Revka, used to the shouting and squeals of a goblin village, isn't terribly impressed with the odd croaking sound.
Hearing what sounds like the start of a battle, Darla starts singing an inspirational war chant. She strides forward purposefully and stabs at the nearest furry menace.
for plus
Darla chants as she hurries into the next room and stabs the furry creature Gellius just wounded.
The other furry creature picks up a rock and flings it at Darla, backing toward the door.
Revka doesn't want to be left behind and boldly strides into the room. She's mostly curious what kind of creature would make that weird croaking sound, and is also spurred on by Darla's tune.
As it is, she finds herself next to one of the creatures with the colorful face that struck at Gellius. "That wasn't nice." with nothing better at hand, she tries to put her sharp teeth in its shoulder.
Aronida jumps back at the sound of the croak, far louder than she was expecting. "What...what was that?!" She draws her bow with slightly shaking hands and aims at the creature.
Revka dashes into the room and bites the wounded creature before sneaking a peek at the green-skinned being.
Aronida draws her bow and puts two quick arrows to her bowstring. Despite her trembling fingers and her own allies in the way of her shot, the first arrow strikes her prey.
Swallowing down his rising fear Gethric moves to join where the affray is taking place, turning left at the doorway to join Gellius against the o'ergrown frog. Hissing to settle his nerves he tries to skewer the beast...
Despite his quivering knees, Gethric moves forward into the fray. His first stab sinks deep into frog leg, while the second is turned by the creature's studded leather armor.
As soon as Gethric is through the door, the kobolds rush forward and slam it behind the party. The sound of the chest being moved back into place can be heard.
The wounded furry creature grabs another piece of broken masonry and throws it at the back of Gellius's head before retreating toward his companion. "ያን ውሰዱ ፣ ታማኙ!" he screeches before whimpering more quietly, "Yi sauri, Skorp, buɗe ƙofar."
Gellius winces as he is struck from behind, but remains focussed on what he hopes is the leader. Pressing the attack, he launches a sudden flurry of intertwined blows. As they fight he assesses the froglike creature before him.
;
;
Gellius's first stroke goes awkwardly wide, but it only serves to set up his other hand, which buries his main-gauche to the hilt in frog-flesh.
"እናንተ ጨካኞች መጮህሽን አቁሙና እርዳኝ!" the smooth-skinned creature barks over Gellius's shoulder at the furry ones as he swings his heavy club at his attacker.
Darla continues her inspirational war chant, moves a bit , and again stabs at the nearest unfriendly furball.
for plus
Darla continues to chant but fails to wound the enemy.
The furry creature by the door opens it and scurries away down the corridor into darkness.
Aronida fires another three arrows at the strange green creature, then flattens herself against the wall in fear of retaliation.
Aronida's second arrow takes the amphibian clean in his bulbous eye. He sways a moment in shock, then collapses to the stone floor, legs kicking spasmodically.
"I think we got them fleeing," Revka says cheerfully. "Or maybe he went to get help," she says in a less enthusiastic voice. Regardless, she wants to deal with the creature that still stands in her way.
She takes a step back, in between the safety of Gellius and Darla, and calls upon Desna for aid. "Song of the Spheres, I think these are the bad people that caused the Bumblebashers to have to flee from their home. Please smite them with a lance of... starfire!" She's sincere in her plea and flicks a hand towards her foe at the last words, hoping her aim with the lance is true.
Revka's beam of energy shoots just over the furry creature's head, evaporating in sparkling motes of starlight against the stone wall.
Flinching backwards so as to not be hit by the blood spray of Gellius' efficient main-gauche strike, Gethric's hair is ruffled as a well-aimed arrow streaks past his ear to send the amphibious foe floor-wards. He throws a nervous smile t'wards both the archer and the duellist before reversing course and darting around Darla's legs to place himself in harms way once more. His twin tines of torment flicker forth first low then in a rising thrust...
Gethric turns to deal with the last enemy in sight. The furry creature dodges the fork's first stab but isn't quick enough to evade the tines' second sortie. It collapses bloodily.
Gellius sways on his feet slightly, reeling from the battering he received from flung masonry. Placing a hand on Revka’s shoulder to steady himself, he gives an apologetic smile.
“I don’t want to strain the friendship,” he says. “But I could really use some more of your healing, my friend. Remind me not to turn my back on those creatures, if we run into them again.”