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For generations, the Hookclaw kobolds have lived beneath the city known as Absalom, scratching out a hardscrabble existence by scavenging from the earthpacked ruins of ancient, buried buildings. In all that time, the Hookclaws have never been conquered or wiped out by more powerful forces, which makes them truly prestigious by kobold standards. Unfortunately, this prestige has never resulted in wealth or comfort. For as long as the Hookclaws have existed, they have lived in relative austerity among meager warrens and have simmered with envy at more famous and well-off kobold clans such as the renowned Sewer Dragons.
Yet the smell of change is in the air. Just recently, a party of Hookclaw miners accidentally broke into an underground room that was stuffed full of treasures and luxuries, most of them in far better condition than the time-rotted relics that the Hookclaws typically own. Firm advocates of looking gift horses in the mouth, however, the Hookclaws have rounded up their greatest heroes, most eager volunteers, and most violent misanthropes to explore the mysterious area.
Excitement buzzes in the air throughout the Hookclaw warren. Kobolds drop their work and peer out from the tunnels to watch as you pass. You have been chosen for a most important mission. Tunnelmaster Miknik is anticipating your arrival. As you enter the chamber, the tunnelmaster gives a cue to the nearby workers, who pry away wooden boards and chunks of stone from the narrow mouth of a tunnel. The workers who dug this passage sealed it up as soon as they saw what was on the other side. It has remained closed—waiting for you—until now.
From where you stand, you can see rich fabric on hangers, exquisite vases, and wooden crates with unknown prizes inside. Just a fraction of this wealth could enable the Hookclaws to live in more comfort than they have in generations. But Hookclaws are smart, and they know when things are too good to be true. That’s where you come in.
“Secure the chamber!” Tunnelmaster Miknik barks. Once you ensure the treasure trove is safe, the Hookclaws can claim its valuables. “Standard Hookclaw hazard pay! First pick of anything you find, up to what you can carry! Be careful!”
“Never fear, Rhin is here! With song and sword we shall prevail!”
With his ocarina and short sword at the ready, Rhin steps into the room and looks around.
Quizrel steps into the room behind Rhin, her eyes roaming the room for threats. Unsure of what may be lurking beyond the threshold, she pulls out her crossbow and loads it.
"Worry not, Rhin. I've got us covered."
Grimmnir knows full well that the chief would be just as pleased if he never came back as came back triumphant. Still... another chance to prove his superiority is always welcome AND it means they recognize his superiority which is even better.
"Allow me to cast a few discovery spells before we enter any further. I should be able to identify anything magical and get an aura."
Nearly jumping in excitement, Rhin says “Do you really think there could be magic here? Is it dragon magic?”
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The familiar smell of earth and musty neglect wafts across your nostrils as you scuttle through the dirt tunnel and into the chamber. From here, you can see past the curtains of rich fabric and giant wooden crates into the rest of the room. Stacks of books and other luxury items are haphazardly crammed onto massive wooden shelves, preserved from mold despite their clear abandonment. Immense piles of furniture, rich with intricate carvings and plush cushions, have been jammed up against the walls. Chests with glittering locks lie on the floor, coated with dust. A pile of casks, sacks, and barrels forms a looming barricade across the western end of the room, which blocks the rest of the chamber from view.
"Yes, Tunnelmaster! Will do," Simeek says eagerly before leading the charge into the musty chamber. He holds his polearm out in front of himself--the haft barely shaking--as he creeps toward the end of the row of crates to peer around them.
“Oh look!” Rhin says “Why would someone put lights under a bed?” He points to the west where there are some beds.
He then cautiously moves to where he can see the beds better.
Izni follows along, muttering to the cat on her shoulder. "Yes, Precious, you can have first pick if we find treats." She peers around the room, alert for anything that looks like a cat might like it.
Grimmnir casts spells liberally, trying to show off as best he can, and trying to get forewarning about any traps or magical loot. Hopefully traps, ones that can be taken away and repurposed. He definitely targets the glow as a high priority.
"You betcha, gonna be some magic for sure."
Quizrel follows Rhin, who appears to have spotted something interesting.
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As you draw near the glow a quartet of three-foot long insects boasting a pair of glowing organs on the back of their abdomens scurry out from underneath the bed, their mandibles clicking furiously.
──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
➤ Rhin
➤ Izni
➤ Grimmnir
Beetle (Red)
Beetle (Green)
Beetle (Yellow)
Beetle (Blue)
Quizrel
Simeek
Grimmnir casts a nice nasty Glutton’s Jaws and scurries forward. His mouth transforms into a shadowy maw bristling with pointed teeth and lots of drool.
** cast
* stride
“Are these what are called bed bugs?”
Rhin thinks about all the things he has read about.
He then starts up a little song to inspire everyone as he draws his sword.
“Flying bugs through the air, biting bugs don’t you dare!”
Izni and Precious stride up to just behind Simeek, and the druid then raises her shield.
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Rhin isn't sure what type of beetles these are, though it does seem to somehow inspire the rest of the clan. Izni and precious slowly sneak up on the insects as Grimmnir grows quite hungry.
The beetles fly through the air, their mandibles snapping at Rhin and Simeek.
──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
➤ Rhin
➤ Izni
➤ Grimmnir
Beetle (Red)
Beetle (Green)
Beetle (Yellow)
Beetle (Blue)
➤ Quizrel
➤ Simeek
Grimmnir surges forward and takes a couple of bites out of green.
Not sure what his to hit is.
Would he use the unarmed attack or some other attack?
, not sure of bonuses, not sure if it is considered agile
, not sure of bonuses, not sure if it is considered agile
*step
*attack
*attack
Izni is pretty sure that they're not mushrooms, but will nevertheless try to remember something about the beetles.
Rhin continues his song, takes a step back for a better position, and then swings his sword at Green.
“Sword goes swish! Make bugs go squish!”
"Ah-ouch!" Simeek shouts as the bug bites him. He runs in a panic around the glowing insect and turns to swing his halberd in a wild, frantic arc.
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Simeek cleaves his halberd through the beetle staining the floor with ichor. Rhin stabs his own shortsword through the beetles carapice with a sickening pop, killing it.
Izni isn't sure what sort of beetles these are. Grimmnir gets a decent bite in as the kobold chomps and chews on the side of a beetles wing.
──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
Rhin
➤ Izni
Grimmnir
Beetle (Red)
Beetle (Blue)
➤ Quizrel
Simeek
Quizrel squeaks in surprise at the beetles attacking them. She points her crossbow at Blue and shoots at it twice.
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Quizrel lowers her crossbow and takes a couple of pot shots into the bed. Izni moves in behind the box, raising her shield as the beetles swoop in.
Grimmner and Simeek both feel the mandibles latch onto their arm as it begins to tighten.
──────────
BOLD IS UP!:
──────────
➤ Rhin
➤ Izni
➤ Grimmnir
Beetle (Red)
Beetle (Blue)
➤ Quizrel
➤ Simeek
“Bad bugs! Bad bugs! Watchem Splat!”
Rhin continues singing. The pieces don’t seem to relate to each other, but he maintains a catchy beat. He moves over to give Simeek a flank and then strikes once with his sword.
Izni squeaks out a command: "Get that one, Precious!" The cat leaps forward, biting and clawing at the red bug. Then she follows her cat into battle and hits at the same target if it's still up.
Simeek yelps. "No! Bad bug! Get off!" He swings his halberd wildly.
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Simeek's halberd slits through the beetle with ease, leaving bits of the luminescent glow on the end of his blade.
Rhin's own blade misses but Izni finishes off the remaining bug as she pounces on the beetle and begins shredding it apart.
A stacked wall of books, barrels, sacks of salt and sugar, crates of preserves, casks of wine, and jugs of molasses blocks the kobolds from traveling to the west. Unfortunately, this wall was haphazardly built and is highly unstable.
Rhin
Izni
Grimmnir
Quizrel
Simeek
Grimmnir detaches the mandibles from her arm and vows not to do that again. It is one thing to devour rats and another to take on Big Biters.
She scowls a lot as they proceed, hanging back.
Getting out his healer’s toolkit, Rhin asks “Does anyone want me to attempt treating their wounds?”
"I will use yours, Rhin. I am better at healing than you. But you are better at singing."
"Yes. Yes, please. I need bandages for my bug bites," Simeek says, alternating between fidgeting and trying to look stoic. While Izni approaches with the tools, he furrows his brow ridges. "This won't hurt, will it?"
Grimmnir brightens at the suggestion of healing, but settles into a scowl again as Izni botches it, this time aimed at the ineffective healer. Taking the kit from him he shoves it into Rhin's hands.
"You try"
"Bah!"
“Sorry, still trying to figure out how this works.”
He then tries it on Simeek.
After he finishes, he very exicitedly says “I think I figured out what went wrong the first time! Clean then bind the wound!”
Izni chitters in frustration. "All right, I will use some of my magic."
“Try healing Grimmnir one more time, Izni. I bet it will work this time.”
While waiting for the healing to happen, Rhin looks through the bookshelves near where they came in. He seems to be most interested in the books with pictures.
Too fidgety and too frequently wincing away from Izni's initial efforts, Simeek runs away. He presses his back against the books, waiting to regain the nerve for Rhin's later and more reassuring attempt.
Grimmnir is tired of being poked and prodded and bats Isni's hands away, making it nearly impossible to dress his wounds.
"No more! No More!"
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Simmek finds some spare books and helps support the unstabe portions enough to help get the rest of the group up and over the precarious wall.
Just on the other end of the precarious wall a plain hallway is relatively clear of junk, allowing further passage into the back reaches of the tomb. Two rooms lie to the west, their doors wedged open with swells of fungus and huge clusters of mushrooms.
Izni's eyes light up at the sight. "Oh, how wonderful! Mushrooms! Do you see them, Precious?"
“Careful, not all mushrooms are good for you!”
Grimmnir is still grumbling and complaining as they examine the mushrooms.
“Oh! Some of them ARE poisonous!” Rhin then starts pointing out the poisonous mushrooms.