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The bodies in the immediate vicinity don't have anything of use, however looking in the spiders hole you can see some additional bodies towards the bottom. The hole is about 5 feet across and about 25 feet down. With all of the webbing on the sides of the hole you think it would be a fairly easy climb.
Cotton misses but is able to manuever the spider right into Cotton's sweeping blow which cleaves the spider cleanly in two ending the menance.
The spider springs out of the concealment and tries to bite Stanton who is able to block the spider's fangs with his greatsword.
Spider 21
Lynore and Dram pass by the concealed spider without detecting him. But Cotton and Stanton both whip around pulling their weapons at what appears to be a clearing. Just as they do a giant spider the size of a man springs from a flap in the earth. Lynore and Dram are surprised. Surprise Round DM rolls
Spider int
Stanton explains to the group that there is a spider who likes to lurk for it's pray beneath trap doors. It can spin thread but doesn't use it capture or snare prey.
The group moves along the path which after 20 or 30 feet opens into a large clearing. The trees are strew with tight webbing and from here to the other side of the clearing (100 ft) you see numerous corpses. You see corpses of all sorts of animals, bears, horses, humans, and goblins to name a few. DC 12 perception
Spoiler: Despite all of the webbing, none of the bodies have any webbing on them
A little less than a day south of Bokken's hut the group comes across a copse of woods heavily laden with spider webs. They can see a place in the woods that the vines and web opens up on a small dark path.
The group finishs mapping this square with little trouble, making hte location of Bokken's hut for future reference.
Mikmek beams at Lynore before deciding. "I bring when some fall out yes? Bokkens seems excited at the prospect. "You know the usual, wolves, kob...errr right.., bandits, boars, tatzylwyrm, and the occassional werewolf."
"Names Bokken, I make potions, howdy."
"If you give me a scale or two I might be able to whip up something special, what ya think young fella." Before pausing for a response he blurts out "Fangberries! yes that's what I need fangberries will make the potion! Bring me a few and you'll be happy."
As the group comes out a wizened old man bursts out of the hut. "Ho there travelers! Welcome Welcome, you come from Oleg's?" The Jittery man exlaims before moving on the conversation without waiting for a response. "A Kobold! Extraordinary." He begins poking and proding Mikmek as if he is studying him moving his arms and snout this way and that. Taken aback Mikmek stands there and takes it.
The group sets off and begins the process of mapping the immediate area, the find the area relatively flat and easy going for the first 2 days. As they begin to wind down the 3rd day of mapping they see in the distance a small earthen hut with a prairie grass roof.
Oleg listens to the plan before giving some feedback "You could do that o'course but North of here is pretty well mapped. Why don't you start east instead"
Oleg nods putting the money in a chest he has behind the counter before scurrying off to find papers to write out the orders. Before leaving he tells the group "Should be easy enough will take about 2 weeks for delivery, check back then"
"He don't live in these parts no more, after losing his leg. His name is Vekkel Benzen though we keep in touch via travelers. But any ranger in these hills has a story about ol' Tuskgutter. Stories range from 8 to 15 ft tall. Old Vekkel wants him so bad he'll make head cheese and share it out of the old warty and even kick in his old bow and arrows."
Oleg "I've heard rumors of a giant boar, old Tuskgutter, a ranger hearabouts was always going on and on about him. Even came back lame from an attack he claims. He's put up a reward if anyone brings him the tusks. Also heard there's a tatzlwyrm in these parts, never seen one mind, but there ya have it. Wouldn't mind a head for me wall. Before you go let me get your reward for the ring" Oleg walks over to Svetlana handing her the ring. She bursts into tears before giving him a big hug and running out of the room. Oleg quickly follows. Before too long Oleg comes back with a coin bag and plops it on the table. "This means the world to us." Svetlana brings back a feast the likes of which you haven't seen in ages. Mead, Boar, Roast Potatoes, Roast Pheasant, big wheels of cheese, huge loaves of bread and quietly leaves eyes still misted over.
Oleg "So Bandits defated, check, kobold menance neutralized, check, mite infestation gone, check, and the cherry on top is the return of the..." Oleg glances around for Svetlana "Ring, wow. Well I'll write to the kings men, there were rewards in place for most of that. We should have you a tidy sum in a week or two. What's next?"
Oleg nearly jumps out of his shoes in excitement before trying to cover his excitement so that Svetlana doesn't notice. "I can't believe it, I just can't, I didn't think we'd ever see this again. Tell me what happened, you've only been gone 3 days and you are talking about an alliance with kobolds, and you have our ring? There is a story here and I must hear it."
Oleg lowers his voice and snorts. "Peace I don't believe it. But if you vouch for this one I'll believe you. I didn't expect you back so soon, how goes the bandit hunting? Or did you stop and play with the kobolds since you found this one." Svetlana motions to the stables and a boy runs out to get the horses and prods and pokes the group over to the inn to get you settled and well fed as Oleg continues to pepper you with questions.
The group makes it's way back to the trading post with little trouble. It seems like it's been forever but it's only been 2 days since the group first set out. Oleg and Svetlana come out to meet the group as the ride back in and jump back as the kobold comes streaking into the fort after them. Oleg "Help we're under attack! Kobolds!"
Chief Sootscale looking weary at the group "To live in peace, I'm done with all the fighting."" Mikmek looking shocked that you would ask "I continue with you! I will see the world"
Bracers of Armor +1
The boots, bracer, wand, arrows, and a page in the book all glow.
The chief proclaims all the spoils to his new friends and swears fealty to the group, promising to cease all hostility with the settlers as long as they are left to live in peace, and their land left alone.
As Lynore searches the shaman the other kobolds go about pilfering the treasures of the previous shaman depositing anything they find in front of the Chieftan. Looking through the pile you find the Shaman's wand, an excellent looking sickle, some beautiful bracers, a book written in undercommon. A light metal shield of super quality, 7 red arrows, a beautiful pair of boots, 520 gp in various currencies and a soiled leather bag. In Bag
Spoiler:
270 gp in various currencies, a small nondescript brass wedding ring with a single pearl, and a small pouch of dust. In Book
Spoiler: You find the shaman's persona journal detailing his life before becoming a kobold. He was a bitter ex-gnome that hated all life, once his village was attacked by kobolds and in an effort to betray the city to save his skin, he ended up saving the village but dying in the process. The village so overcome with grief over the death of their savior used their prize possession a scroll of reincarnation, which unfortunately in a twist of irony turned him into the purple kobold you see before you. He was so upset he lead a group of goblins to attack the village slaying everyone. He has moved from humanoid tribe to humanoid tribe sowing strife and ruin before moving to the next one. He is a vile sorcerous and uses his abilities to make them believe that he is supernatural. At the back of the journal you find a scroll of fly which the journal indicates he was going to use to fly up 2,000 ft and let the spell expire so he could fall to the earth to his final death.
Stanton's fury is palpable as he cleaves the Kobold Shaman clearly in two. The Chief seeing the demise of the shaman is released from his fright and does an impromptu celebration, stabbing the dead body with his sword, before turning on the group. "You honory Sootscales!! We free at last!" The remaining kobolds all burst into cheers picking Mikmek up and parading him around the area. 700 xp each
The bird lets out a squawk as the arrow traces a line along it's body. Tartuk steps back 5 ft and starts making arcane gestures. a series of arcane missles leap out from his fingers striking Lynore. to Lynore Lynore is struck with such force she is knocked from her feet into unconsciousness.
Tartuk 25
The shaman is able to avoid direct eye contact with Cotton. Mikmek stalks forward and swings his dagger and misses badly. "You will die today."
Dram Tartuk 25
The purple kobold is gashed heavily from shoulder to navel, you aren't sure how he's still standing, it's clear he likely won't be much longer, oddly enough the shaman has a weird smile on his reptilian face. His crow flies away in a cloud of feathers up into the upper reachs of the cavern. Tartuk 25
Tartuk 25
Tartuk grunts in pain as the arrow finds a home in his body. Lynore is up.
Tartuk 25
Tartuk surveys the group trying to assess strength before deciding on the burly ranger. He points the wand at Stanton and presses the stud again. Cause Fear DC 15 or be feared for rounds
The shaman smiles at the Chief and pulls out a wand pressing the stud on the long twig.
The Chief reacts as if punched running back to the tunnel mouth and cowering in fear. Nakpik and the remaining kobolds huddle all around him save Mikmek who steps up to confront the shaman. "You trickz end now"
Mik
The party along with Mikmek, Chief Sootscale, Nakpik, and 10 of their closest friends go storming through the caverns towards the shaman's quarters before slowing down as they enter. The walls of this cavern are decorated by a rickety wooden frame formed from clean-cut branches lashed together with gut and twine. Banners cut from two-foot-wide strips of old blankets and horsehides hang from the floor to ceiling covering much of the walls. The sloppily painted banners bear doznes of primitive icons and mystic symbols. A large couldrin filled with bubbling red liquid boils in the center of hte room. Next to the cauldron is a strange purple colored kobold wearing a feather headdress with a squacking crow on his shoulders. He looks up at the intrusion and laughs. In strangely good common
In Draconic addressing the kobolds with the Chief. Spoiler:
[b]"Join me and live, stay with him and die." The kobolds look confused and scared looking at the Chief for direction. He motions them all back and steps up to address the Shaman. "You and I have business, my friends are here to make sure it's finished."
The Chiefs eyes shine with excitement demanding that Mikmek gives him the statue. The Chief stares at the statue for a few moments before holding it over his head shrieking in triumph before smashing the statue at his feet. All of the kobolds in the room look at their Chief with shock. He turns to the group and addresses them in common in a shouting voice. "I have freed us with your help! Join us, Kill the usurper!" He glances around the room and all of the kobolds begin reading weapons and waiting for your response.
Nakpik leads the group into the cave system pointing out pit traps as they go so the group isn't caught unawares. As he leads you throught he complex 2 or 3 curious kobolds begin following the group. All of the kobolds you have met so far have the same distinctive coloration, mostly black with some red here and there. You get a good idea why they are called the sootscales. Nakpik leads you into a large cave. The air feels warm and close, thick with reptilian stink mixed with smoke and burnt meat. Numerous beds of furs lie scattered throughout the room amid smoldering cookfires. To the south, a ten foot-wide alcove contains a large mount of furs framed by dozens of sticks on which are mounted the skulls of many birds and small animals all smeared with ash. You notice 6 kobolds in the room and a rather worried looking kobold in elaborate tribal gear. Chief Sootscale In Draconic
Spoiler:
"What meaning of this Nakpik and Mikmek, humanz mean trouble!" Mikmek replies in common so everyone can understand and holds up the statue
Mikmek leads you to an outcropping of large boulders from the weathered face of a nearby hillock. A narrow opening in the rock leads into darkness below. A fallen sign leans against the side of the cave entrance, and a cage made of branches and sticks sits on the other side. Sign
Spoiler:
Oaktop Silver Mine Cage
Spoiler:
Contains a single sobbing mite, his eyes squinted tightly shut against the sunlight. A chirping sound comes from behind a rock as a kobold comes out from behind the rock calling to Mikmek. Draconic
Spoiler:
What's going on? Why the humanz? Shaman not like this. Mikmek responding in Draconic
Spoiler:
No worry about shaman Nakpik, I have statue, we go see Chief Sootscale, we are not going to turn yellow now. Mikmek proceeds into the cave motioning the group to follow, Nakpik excitedly chirps at the group before following Mikmek.
Despite his grumbling Stanton does a suberb effort as the litte Kobold watches intently. He sits the skins aside. These can be presented as gifts or cured and sold for 10 gp each. One skin is made with the skull hallowed out that Mikmek happily claims as a wolf head cloak.
Mikmek brightens up at the suggestion. "Yes wolf good, rarely eat it they so strong, will be fine gift. Ready to cross river?"
Dram fires off a quick arrow at the retreating wolf the shaft slips between the blades of grass taking the wolf in the side promptly dropping it into the weeds.
150 xp
Stanton makes quick work of Wolf #2. Wolf 3 without friends does the only thing it knows to do, tucks tail and tries to run.
Cotton 25
The Wolf is able to shake off the compulsion with what is becoming practiced ease.
Wolf #1 finds out how sharp Lynore's sword is right before it learns how accurate Dram's bow is taking 2 quick hits in succession.
Spoiler:
wolf 2 2/13 wolf 3 4/13 Cotton is up
Stanton slides off his horse and attacks wolf 3 from behind lopping off it's head. Wolf 2 darts between the horses legs and bites at the distracted Stanton but misses.
Wolf 1 finally over all of the mental instrusions closes with Lynore and attacks savagely but wildly as it misses snapping it's jaws on Lynore.
Lynore Cotton 25
Wolf 2 injured Wolf 3 healthy
Wolf 1 Wolf 2 The wolves are startled by the bright colors and moving lights but are otherwise unimpressed. Cotton 25
Dram
Wolf #2 was able to fend off the mental intrustion of Cotton and continues his attack
The wolf locks onto Cotton's arm pulling him from the horse and knocking him into unconsciousness. Wolf #3 jumps from the horse to avoid Stanton then continues his attack.
Wolf #1 gets groggily to his feet. Cotton 25
Lynore is up
The lead wolf slumps to the ground as the next in line takes an arrow deep into it's side staggering but still upright. DM Info
Spoiler:
wolf 1 asleep wolf 2 2/13 hps wolf 3 13/13 hps The wolf who just took an arrow tries to savage Stanton leaping bodly onto the horses back.
Wolf #3 attacks Cotton who yelled out at it's pack leader.
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