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Gnawl frowned at the body as the others walked away. Much as he wanted to bury him properly, he knew they had to get going. So he knelt and gave a quick prayer over the body, imploring Apsu to remake the poor soul into something new and pleasant. Finished, Gnawl followed quickly to catch up with the group. "About how much further to the tomb would you say we are?"
Gnawl follows along and lets the others approach the body. Once clear, he approaches and inspects it, scratching his frills as he does.
Yep! See for yourself!
Gnawl packs up his things and readies himself for travel as he looks at the others. Was the question of whether Senya should accompany them still unanswered? Grimacing a little, Gnawl turns back to the new arrival ad bows his head. "Lady Silverblade, I would be honored to have you join us in our task. We will be returning to Kassen after our retrieval of the Everflame, so if it conveniences you, please count yourself in our numbers." That, and without her, he was pretty confident he would not be able to read the map properly.
"Yes, wolves attacked the camp last night. We managed to repel them though. I'm... assuming you slept through it?" Gnawl asked Fiila, before spying the lack of breakfast being eaten. Turning back to Senya and Havarus, the kobold nodded. "It seems fortuitous that you two should be drawn together like this. Perhaps... it would be wise to stick together? Normally, I would call such a meeting coincidence, but... you'll forgive me, but after last night, I am starting to question what is happenstance and what is meant to be. I, for one, welcome all newcomers. A larger tribe is a stronger tribe." Slinking towards the fire, Gnawl hopes to procure some food for himself... provided he can snag any away from the hungry crow.
Gnawl blinked as weapons were immediately a go-to resort. He quickly jumped in between Havarus and the new woman, holding up his claws to stop them. "Wait, wait!" he shouted in exasperation. "Let's not jump to killing each other before we've even introduced names!" He looked up at Havarus pleadingly, hoping he'd relax before turning to the new woman. "Apologies... you startled us, and having lost our friend, we are not sure of anything at the moment... my name is Gnawl Rapwood, of the Rapwood tribe. This is Master Havarus, Lady Fiila and Sir Uriel. We've been tasked with reaching the Tomb of Kassen and retrieving the Everflame from within. As we've lost track of our friend Manduzi, we're somewhat lost without his wilderness knowledge. But... you seem quite at home in the wilds. Perhaps... you'd be willing to guide us on our way?"
Gnawl emerges from his tent armed and armored as he roused himself into action. "Master Manduzi has not returned? Worrying... but as for where we are... well..."
"...I THINK we're here, and we want to be going in that direction. Sadly, navigation is not my strong suit. Had we someone who could read this more coherently, I'd feel better, but as it stands..." Gnawl grimaced, scratching at his fringes as he twisted the map a little. Troublesome... I wonder if this is a test Apsu has put before me... well... he said he made me with all I would need to complete my tasks.
Oooooo, new ally? Sweet! Also, sorry for the absence. Been slightly busy, and excited. Little sisters are going to be performing in our city's Thanksgiving Day parade tomorrow on their own float, so we're kinda stoked.
"...right, right. We'll just have to hope he comes back..." Gnawl replied. Returning to his tent, his mind returned to his vision before waking. Did... had he been spoken to? By no less than Apsu himself? It couldn't be... could it? And... his wards... Gnawl really hoped Manduzi was alright. Else, he was failing his deity quite drastically already.
Gnawl sighs and sits down as he catches his breath. "...yeah, I don't think those were illusions that time." he said, before perking his fringes up. "Manduzi is gone? ...oh great. I hope he's alright. Wait... erm, I think we may need him. He is the most naturally inclined of us, I think. I mean... I could navigate, if needed, but... I'm not particularly good at it."
Gnawl took a step back and focused red burning energy into his claw, before directing it at the wolf near him and hurling a red bolt at the beast.
Jeebus cripes, Soul! I'm so sorry to hear that! I apologize for my silence, but that is some harsh news! I'm glad to hear you are home though (my baby sis went to Philadelphia for her cardiac cath the end of October, and they kept her way longer than expected, so I know how that rolls all too well!) No worries about not posting, you just get better! RL takes precedence, especially when it's a medical issue! Just hang in there and recover!
Gnawl snarled as he lept back from the hungry wolf. "No! You will leave! They are under my watch, and I will not let you hurt them!" The flames on Gnawl's mace withered out, traveling down his arm, through his chest and up his other arm, concentrating in his other palm and firing away at the wolf.
Was not expecting a He-Man reference from a kobold when I jumped on before class today. Thank you for that, neuroscience is going to be that much better today. I've kinda been sitting on that one for a while. I made a kobold barbarian a while back who actually became more confident when he raged rather than angry. Kobolds are supposed to have big egos, and he found a way to weaponize it. He had a longsword he thought was magical (and technically was, but only because it made him think it was magical... it didn't do anything else) and by yelling for Apsu to help him, he turned into The Mighty K'oh-Bald. In reality, he just stood there screaming DBZ style while the epic music in his head finished. Also, very belatedly, hope neuroscience went well.
Gnawl grimaced as one of the wolves closed in on him. Waving his burning mace, he reared back and whomped it over the wolf's head.
Gnawl's little yellow eyes go wide as he sees a wolf in Havarus' tent. Protect my... my wards..? The words of his vision rang in his mind as he hopped out of the tent, raising his mace into the air. "Come here, you uncultured little mutts!" Hopefully grabbing their attention, Gnawl placed both claws on his mace and held it as high as he could. "BY THE POWER OF APSU!" he shouted, before squinting as his weapon suddenly burst into flame. Lowering it, he snarled at the wolves. "IIIIII AAAMMMM THE DRAAAAAGOOOOON!!!"
In Another Dream...:
Gnawl sat before a large pool of water, totally undisturbed along the surface. A pair of large stone claws clasped around the pool, as a set of wings extended from the back.
Gnawl recognized this - it was a symbol of Apsu! As if on cue, the surface was broken, yet remarkably undisturbed. A large reptilian head slid up and reared back, before lowering down to eye the little kobold, its red scales flawlessly patterned over the head and along the neck. For a moment, the dragon stared neutrally at him, before a smile crossed its massive maw, rows of perfect fangs bearing as it did. "Ah... my brave little champion. What brings you before me, little one?" Gnawl's fringes flattened back as he stared up in awe at the massive beast. Was this... Apsu? The kobold immediately bent down and groveled before the mighty dragon. "Forgive me, Great Maker! I do not mean to intrude! I do not even know how I got here!" "...hmph hmph hmmmm... then I would recommend you take better notes, hm?" "Of course, mighty one! I am sorry!" The dragon lowered down his head a little, before opening his maw, as an ovular image materialized into existence. In the center, a picture of Havarus shimmered into being, before being accompanied by Fiila, and Uriel. Somehow, the dragon still spoke impeccably as the image continued. "I trust you recognize these faces, yes? They are not a random collection of folks... I have brought them together, to you, for a reason." Gnawl stared at the image, almost reaching up a claw to touch the vision before recoiling in fear. "To... me? ...but why? Are they... important?" "More than you have yet to comprehend." The image faded as the dragon closed his mouth, rearing back up. "But you shall... you shall go far, see much, and bring many more to your way of thinking. And your new allies - your new wards - will be instrumental in doing so." Gnawl perked up as he looked up at the dragon above him, frowning and shaking his head. "But... how? How can I? I'm just... a single kobold. What can I do...?" The dragon frowned back, narrowing its sights on him as it lowered closer to him. "I made you. I have created you with all you need to see your task through. You will have to learn what you are made off on your own." The dragon started to sink back into the water as Gnawl stood up, trying to keep him from leaving. "W-wait! I have one question!" The dragon stopped, head just above the pool's surface as he looked back at the kobold. "Why... why did you protect Havarus? Why show up in his dream?" The dragon peered back, before smiling and lowering himself deeper into the water. Gnawl panicked as the dragon continued, his question still unanswered. He ran to the pool's edge, reaching out over the water to stop the retreat of his deity. "Wait! WAIT! Please, Maker, why!? And what do I have to do to protect them!? How do I do it!? Please!" The dragon slipped under the surface... and a voice rang through the void as Gnawl straightened up. "I cannot always complete your task for you, Gnawl. Your wards need you now... wake up... WAKE UP!!!" Gnawl's eyes immediately snap awake at the sound of battle - being a kobold, paranoia ran through his blood, and he was immediately on his feet and peering out the tent, mace at the ready as he calculated his next move. "Apsu's scales!"
Gnawl's fringes perk up at Havarus explaining his dreams... before going wide-eyed at the mention that Apsu himself showed up. "...are.. are you serious? By the talons... that's... wait a minute!" Gnawl grabbed his parchment and quill, furiously scribbling the details down. Panting as he finished his writing, he placed the quill down and studied it fervently, before looking back up at Havarus. "Th..that's... incredible! To think Apsu himself would..." Gnawl looked down at his notes again before rolling them up. "...I confess, Havarus, I... don't know what would prompt his holiness to intervene. But it's fascinating, to say the least. Perhaps..." Gnawl looked up at what night sky he could see, before scratching one of his fringes. "...this is just a guess... but Apsu is the Great Maker. I could not begin to comprehend his designs... but it may be that you are one piece of a bigger machination. Like the spring lock in a tunnel jaw trap. Perhaps..." Gnawl stood up and moved to his bedroll. "But, if Apsu is watching over you personally, your dreams should be a little more peaceful. Be sure to hold onto that pendant... it will keep you connected to him... hopefully."
Gnawl followed along, keeping an eye out now that he knew things weren't going to be so simple. Once camp had been set up, Gnawl conjured some water to quench any thirst, before sitting down and pulling out things from his pack. Chief among these are a book on mechanics, a religious text of Iomedae, and some parchment, ink and a quill.
Gnawl's ears perk up as he hears the surrounding forest makes it's noise. And him with no trap magic... blast. He'd simply have to be alert, as most kobolds were. "...I will take the first watch. I have some work I need to do anyways, I can keep a look out."
As Gnawl wrote and realized his shift was ending, he looked over at the waking Havarus and eyed the pendant. "Well met, Havarus. Is it your watch already?" The kobold yawned a bit, stretching before looking back to the tiefling. "...if I may ask, has your sleep been any better? I'd like to know for my notes... as I'm effectively inventing our church as I go along, every bit helps."
I'm here! Let's get things a-rolling!
Gnawl's snout wiggles as it sniffs at the air, following a strange scent he thought he picked up. "Wait... I think I caught something..." His yellow eyes squint as he moves towards a bush he thought was rustling. "I don't recognize the scent... but I think it was this way... I think. A little help? Does anyone else smell that...?" If he can't find it, Gnawl simply lets the matter go for now. For all he knew, it could've been an old trap set up by one of the kobold tribes and forgotten. Such things were unfortunately common for his kind...
Gnawl blinked and reeled back slightly as the dagger came to his throat, claws up. As Havarus backed away, he finally had a chance to process what he thought he saw, standing up and offering a hand to the tiefling. "I am fine. I did not mean to startle you. Do not trouble yourself." As Havarus gets to his feet, the kobold grimaced a little. ...I believe I understand why he is so concerned. Apsu grant me the strength and knowledge to help rebuild him... if I can. His little eyes droop slightly to the pendant he'd given him earlier. It would take more than that to aid Havarus... the question was, could Gnawl figure it out in time? "But why? Was it a deliberate trap...?" The kobold started to root through the nearby bushes... perhaps something hidden in them was the source. An artifact of some kind, maybe?
Gnawl squinted as the illusions vanished before him, before looking at the others and moving towards Havarus. Leaning down, he tried to pull the Tiefling to his feet, hoping to shake him awake. "They may have been illusions... but they certainly hit like the real thing." "Is everyone alright? Any injuries remaining?" he asked, looking to the others before frowning up the path. "...one thing troubles me: where did they come from? And... why?"
Hey, guys! I'm actually going to be gone tomorrow and the next 10 days on a much needed trip with my family. I will try to keep up, but if you need to move things along, please feel free to bot me until I get back. Otherwise, I'll be somewhat spotty over the next week and a half.
*bows* I try my best to entertain without getting intrusive. Thanks for playing along, Hav. ^_^
Gnawl smirked a toothy grin, but that quickly faded as he squinted. What... was going on with this orc? He looked at the others, and his little eyes widened. "Are... are they... ghosts? Or maybe illusions?" If they were, they were very good ones, seeing as they could clearly injure his allies.
Gnawl snarled as the orc dodged his fire. This was really starting to chafe his scales, and he had to get to Uriel and Havarus. Hang on... by Apsu's breath, I'm coming for you! He snarled at the orc standing in his way and raised his claw, letting out an impressive roar (for a kobold) and sending forth another blast of hot energy.
Break the Ties: Gnawl's little roar causes the little dragon pendant on Havarus to resonate impressively on him...
*********** As Havarus' father sinks his blade into the tiefling's leg, a loud roar echoes through the void. Materializing through the wall, a large red dragon stalks its way towards the incubus, snarling and letting out a mighty roar. Rearing back, it flaps its large wings at the incubus and attempts to push him away from the rogue, trying to push itself between him and his father. It growls a low, angry growl as words issue from its maw. "You will leave. Your loopholes do not concern me - this is my dominion now, and you will not tread it anymore!"
Gnawl's fringes stand up and he snarls at the orc that struck Havarus down. Raising his claw, he inhaled and glared down the orc. "By the power of Apsu!" His hand glowed bright red... before launching itself at the orc.
Gnawl blinked as the they were beset by these green fellows. Were they... sick? No, they seemed fine, as they started at them trying to skewer them! Honestly, he wasn't actually expecting real opposition. Acting on instinct, Gnawl raised his hand up, glowing red as he called forth energy... but he paused. Teamwork... he had a duty to lead, even if it was just for show. Lowering his claw, he instead raised it overhead, glowing white as he shouted proudly. "Apsu has made me strong! And in turn, I shall make others strong! Have at you!" His hand pulsed with the energy as it flowed out, surrounding the rest of the group in little white serpentine sillouettes. Every so often, one could hear them make very quiet growls, before snaking out ahead of attacks, as if acting as little targeting reticules.
Honestly, I don't know how many folks stalk gameplay threads (I don't, anyways, I have too many to keep up with as it is). I think most folks on the forums would have enough respect to keep out... and even if they did, I suspect we can repair any damage done fairly easily.
Where is the link for the Roll20 map again? I forgot to put it in my favorites and can't find it again.
Gnawl nods in conjunction with Malagaar, looking up to Manduzi. "I know my way around the dark, not the woods. Kobolds have good senses of direction... but I can help, if needed."
No worries, GM, we're patient. You just do what you gotta do and we'll get rolling when we can. RL comes first (believe me, I know that exceptionally well...)
Off to the side, having filtered from the temple, many of the kobolds that arrived yesterday stood out to witness the events. As the mayor called for Kassen's heroes, they parted to permit Gnawl to walk through, closing back up as he approached the others. "Kassen is not alone in her plight... this is our home as well, and we shall not let her wither without challenge. I, Gnawl of the Rapwood tribe, will answer Kassen's call!" In stark contrast to the solemn quiet of the other townsfolk, the assembled kobolds howled and whooped in triumph at Gnawl's declaration. He grimaced a little to the mayor, apparently apologetic for their behavior. If nobody else accepted the flame, Gnawl would take command of it. Not that he needed it, given his own divine source of fire...
Gnawl watched as the others departed, before looking back to Havarus. "...kobolds do not hold parental ties like you bigger races - from the day we are hatched, we are raised collectively by the tribe. So I will not pretend I understand your loss. But... try not to mourn too greatly. Nothing is ever truly destroyed or lost, merely... remade." Gnawl turned back and raised a claw to grab the attention of the other assembled kobolds, who follow him dutifully back... though a few do cock their heads in curiosity at the tiefling. Returning to the temple, Gnawl met with Ippezmerk and Ixen, who once again pestered him to be sworn in. Oh, blast... I should've asked Sir Daniel about his swearing in, so that I could have some basis... well, I suppose I'm making this up as I go anyways... making... I am making something. The news spread like yappy, chittering wildfire as kobolds filled up the temple, no doubt causing a few disturbances to the usual proceedings. Hopefully, Father Prasst wouldn't be too upset... There were more kobolds than Gnawl had anticipated... though most seemed more interested in the proceedings than exploring the temple too thoroughly, so when Ixen knelt before Gnawl, an impressive silence pervaded the stone building - an unusual thing for such a talkative race. Looking about, Gnawl called over one of his trainees to take down everything he said for later review. Finally, he spoke up in as refined Draconic as he could. "Er-hrm... ah... Ixen, hatched of the Rapwood tribe, proud creation of mighty Apsu! Like the dragons he made before our kind, Apsu has made you strong, has he not? ...erm... you have seen the creations of our maker and wish to protect them! That is good... very good! From the sparks of the first dragons, Apsu did make kobolds! Tell me, Ixen: are you as strong as the mighty dragons?" Ixen nodded frantically, either really eager or really nervous about the whole thing. "Then with Apsu's blessing, I pronounce you... Sir Ixen of Rapwood, paladin of Apsu and eternal foe of Death and Chaos! Rise, brave creation! Go forth and end Death!" As Ixen rose, the uncanny silence jarringly ended in squeals and cheers of pride, as kobolds rushed up to chatter with the first official paladin of Apsu. Gnawl hopped back to give some room for the invasion, unable to restrain a grin. This was history, as far as he knew - he'd sworn in the first ever paladin of Apsu. It was stunning - to think mere hours ago, he feared he might be walking the wrong path. His race was always looking for pride... and now, he made something for them to be proud of. He was doing the right thing. He was sure of it now.
Agreed. I think we could fast-forward to the next day, if we want. I'm good either way, but perhaps MP is right...?
Gnawl watches closely as he follows along with the others, watching the proceedings carefully. Kobolds had little in the way of ceremonial burials, but as the chief member of an apparently newly formed clergy, he had a duty to observe established procedures and start working on his own. A few other curious kobolds tagged along to the cliffs, though they remain oppressively quiet, perhaps due to Gnawl's demand that they remain respectful of the process. Gnawl bows his head in respect as Havarus wept, stepping up to the cliffs and looking down over the side, before looking up and feeling the wind blow across his scales. Kneeling, Gnawl bowed his head and uttered a quiet prayer, the other kobolds following suite. "Apsu, mighty creator... I ask that you take these pieces and remake them into something new. Like a lily. You have built us before... and will rebuild us again." Gnawl stood up, turning back to Manduzi and nodding. "Indeed. She will be remade into something majestic." Gnawl's fringes perked up as he felt the wind blow again, before looking up and grinning, showing of his fangs. "...I think I have that on good faith."
Old Ippezmerk's eyes drifted from Havarus to Gnawl, before looping around to the others. "...it would seem us elders have gravely underestimated Gnawl's power. He has bent the ears of the bigger races, permitted us access to foreign grounds, contracted services of Hell itself, and now possesses the power to banish such might as he sees fit. Perhaps..." The old kobold smiled a droopy, sparsely-fanged grin as he slid off his chair and looked up at Malagaar. "Indeed, softskin, I believe I am most satisfied. I shall be returning to the snarl soon enough... I should love to share this news with the other chiefs." Leaning on his gnarled root of a walking stick, he passed by Uriel on his way out, pausing a moment to look him over. "Hrmmm... oh! You must be one of those... er... pallid bins! That reminds me, Gnawl, do not forget Sir Ixen. He's eager to receive your swearing in, so, when you can..." Satisfied, he turned and hobbled out towards the temple. Gnawl watched him to make sure he was heading where he was supposed to, before sighing and banging his head on the table again. Today was turning into a mental roller coaster for him. "Thank Apsu..." Sitting upright, he looked over at Fiila, shaking his head. "That was Old Ippezmerk, leader of the Rockfang tribe, second biggest tribe of Kassen's kobolds, next to ours. He's a wise one, a mighty sorcerer... but he's old. And not quite as sane as he used to be." Gnawl looked back at Uriel. "No. I asked for volunteers eager to come see Kassen to help 'defend' it in my absence. As part of my show. I didn't expect a chieftain to show up with them. My apologies... and sincerest gratitude for tolerating him."
Ippezmerk reeled back a little as Havarus spoke to him, making it hard to tell if he was still scared or marveling at the tiefling. "...what is your name, son of Hell? What layers do you arrive from... and how did Gnawl contract your services?" Gnawl simply banged his head into the table again.
I need to send Ippezmerk away. I'm doing way more than I thought I would with him. X)
Gnawl continues to sit quietly before Ippezmerk notices Havarus' double take... and then the horns from his head on closer inspection. His wrinkled eyes go wide in shock, dropping his bacon. "G...Gnawl! A... devil-spawn! He's... he's a...!" Gnawl blinked, snapping from his trance before looking up to Havarus, then waving his claws to calm the older kobold. "No no no, elder Ippezmerk! He's fine! He's one of my companions in the quest!" Ippezemerk stares at Havarus for a bit, then back to Gnawl, then Havarus once more. "A... Dahak's scales... are you saying... Apsu has given you the clarity to strike contracts with devils... in your favor?!" Gnawl just sat there for a moment, before flopping face first into the table in apparent defeat and sighing. "...*sigh* yes, elder, he's perfectly safe with me around." Ippezmerk stood up on his chair and leaned over the table to Havarus, poking him cautiously to see if he reacted while Gnawl just bonked his snout into the table.
The old kobold continued munching bacon, but his floppy fringes lift a little at being spoken to. Taking a pause from his food, he squints in Manduzi's direction, scratching his chin and studying him. "Hrm, hrm... yes, yes, good manner, proper respect, sturdy build, no scales or fringes, but as to be expected... yes, it seems like the softskins have put forth quite a warrior. The best under Gnawl's leadership." Gnawl cringes slightly at Ippezmerk's assessment and frowning in apology to the others, twirling his finger against one of his fringes. Apparently, even he thought the elderly kobold was... not entirely there. "Elder Ippezmerk is the chief of the Rockfang tribe, the second largest tribe around Kassen." he explained, climbing up into a chair next to the old kobold. "Not for long." Ippezmerk chimed in, continuing his munching of the bacon. Gnawl gives him a somewhat quizzical look as the old kobold ate. "Gnawl, you've been away a lot lately, but you are the chatter of every snarl. Every kobold is excited at the change you have wrought. If you'd told me years ago that I could one day walk into a softskin town, with her might on display and be fed and served so well, I'd have chucked rocks at you. Yet, here I am. You don't know what that means to these old scales." Gnawl listened intently, before bowing his head respectfully. "Many thanks, chieftain." Ippezmerk shook his head and took another bite of his bacon. "No need for that title, anymore. I'm stepping down. You've not only made these lands a little safer and earned us new allies, you are leading our finest in a mission to ensure our survival. The stuff of champions. As far as I'm concerned, you are the new chief of the Rockfangs. And on my return, I'll be sure to let the other elders know what I have seen. I see little reason that they won't think the same." Gnawl just stared back in dumbfound silence.
Gnawl does his best to catch up to the old kobold, but he gets sidetracked somewhat by a large group of folks leaving. Old Ippezmerk managed to slip in while Gnawl navigated the outside situation. Tottering over to the table of prospective heroes, the elderly creature lifts his head as he sniffs the air, before straightening up and peering at the table top. Spying food on the table, he widened his eyes and clambered up into a seat, lifting his cane up and using it to tug a plate of food towards himself. "Such feasts! ...and service!" he cried heartily as another plate of food found it. Gnawl finally slunk in through the tavern entrance as he started peering around and snapping his gaze on the wrinkled old kobold. Jogging over, he paused to catch his breath as Ippezmerk continued to munch on a piece of bacon. "Ah, there you are, Gnawl. You have truly gone out of your way to make an impression, haven't you? I don't know what sorcery you've used to make the softskins so agreeable, but I highly approve!" "N..no elder Ippezmerk, it's... they just... this isn't out of the ordinary..." Gnawl stammered out, looking to apologize to whoever sat at the table... and clearly looking relieved to see he'd found his way to his companions. Hopefully, they'd understand long enough until he can explain properly.
Welp, that turned into a book. Sorry for the super long post. X(
Gnawl stands silently as the kobolds approach, arms folded as he inhales a preparatory breath. Stepping forward, Gnawl keeps a wary pair of eyes on the town guards, hoping his presence would keep them relaxed. Unfortunately for him, he noticed the kobolds approached with a few riding very large weasels... and one of the riders was a VERY important face among his kind. "...ah! T..tribe elder Ippezmerk!? What... what are you doing so far from the snarl?!" Gnawl yelped out in draconic, his normal grace and careful dialect replaced by a tone of utter shock. The dire weasel's rider, a kobold dressed in immaculate (at least, by kobold standards) thick armor gave an encouraging yip to the best, who jogged ahead of the others, both riding and walking and pulled up alongside Gnawl. The creature riding behind him looked positively ancient, patches of scales flaked clean off while the few that remained were sagging with the rest of his skin, about ready to topple off the bone. Squinting down at Gnawl, the elder gave a smile, what few fangs remaining concealed by his drooping scaled lips. With Gnawl's aid, Ippezmerk slid off the weasel and shakily held himself up by the gnarled root he was using as a cane. "Elder Ippezmerk. There was no need to come, I assure you, I have everything under control!" Gnawl started to babble, but the elder held up a wrinkled claw, before looking about along the city limits at the numerous guards at the ready. "...yes, that you do." he finally said, speaking in somewhat shaky, but distinctly clear, Common. "I heard you had garnered a deal of respect with the bigger races, but to have enough to make them parade in welcome for us? Truly remarkable!" Gnawl just stood slack jawed and dumbfounded as the old kobold continued his "inspection" of Kassen. "Yes, yes, this is quite a treat. It's rare kobolds are given such an open embrace, yet... here I stand! In the presence of humans, greeted with a display of strength and salutes! I'll confess, Gnawl, we elders have had our doubts about your... methods, but I cannot argue the magnificent results!" The kobold mounted on the dire weasel Ippezmerk rode in on lifted his face mask, speaking in Draconic, but evidently avoiding the yap kobolds were famous for. "Elder, where would you have us?" Ippezmerk smiled before shaking his head and replying in equally sophisticated draconic. "That is not my jurisdiction anymore, is it Sir Ixen?" Gnawl, still in some state of shock, managed to close his maw and shake himself out of his trance, looking between the two kobolds. "'Sir' Ixen, elder?" Ippezmerk waved his claw hand in dismissal. "Ah, it's a bit informal, but Ixen has been hoping to become a... pallid bin, or something like that." The armored kobold nodded with enthusiasm towards Gnawl. "Yes, master Gnawl. I know I'm still training, but... I was hoping you'd be able to swear me in to Apsu's service. He has made me strong, and I wish to prove it!" Gnawl still found himself at a complete lack of words, utterly dumbstruck at what he was hearing. "Uhb... uhm, well, uh... head for the... the Temple... the big stone building over there. My disciples there are waiting for your arrival and they can help you get settled in." Gnawl waited for the kobolds to begin marching on their way to the temple before turning back to address the old Ippezmerk... only to find he was already hobbling his way towards the Seven Silvers. Hustling under the weight of his equipment, Gnawl chased after the elder kobold, shouting. "W-wait, elder! That's not- wait a moment!"
Having left the temple, Gnawl walks through town towards the front gates. Once there, he folds his arms and stands there, motionless, staring out towards the road in silence.
Gnawl frowned up at Havarus and cocked his head to one side, studying him a little.
He looked... bad. A familiar kind of bad. He knew of a kobold cleric of Asmodeus in one of the other tribes whom he'd had an unpleasant rivalry with. He recognized when he'd been making deals with devils in many of their clashes. Poor sleep, reddened eyes... but it was the stance that was most evident. The walk of someone who didn't seem entirely there. Gnawl eventually had to try and drive out the darkness that possessed him... he succeeded, but could not save the kobold. But perhaps... if he started early... Reaching up to his neck, Gnawl detached the crude necklace he wore, bearing a similar shape to that on his own scales - his holy symbol. He took it off, handing it to Havarus. "...please, take this. Wear it... it will help keep you safe. You... seem to have trouble with what you are made of. Let it be a reminder: you are made of more than one part." Pressing it into the tielfing's palm, Gnawl bowed respectfully, before turning for the temple doors.
Gnawl is likely one of the first awake, probably before the temple bells even sound. Kobolds tend to sleep with one eye open, and even the slightest movement can stir them into sober action. Not that Gnawl and his kin had much to fear within the walls of this temple. If a tiefling could find safety within them, kobolds could make a veritable fortress out of the space. Even so, he stretches and claws at the stone floors as he wakes up, peering over as most of his kin started to breathe lighter. They would be getting up soon for morning meditation. "Finding the Dragon", as it was called. The one time of day kobolds were truly silent; one couldn't even hear their breathe during the meditation. A racial practice to draw out innner racial power, or so they believed. It didn't take much for Gnawl to convert it to a religious purpose. Sadly, he had no time for such reflection today. He had much to do before the new arrivals came to town. No doubt, the sight of armed kobolds marching towards Kassen would scare the bigger races - Gnawl had to be ready for them before they got here. Gathering his supplies, Gnawl knelt before the shrine to Apsu, bowing his head in prayer. 'Apsu... I pray I walk the right path. If I do not... please, let me know. Somehow.' It was strange: for all his bluff, bravado and authority, he wasn't sure if he was doing right. He just knew that if he showed weakness, any at all, everything would come crashing down. As he turned to leave, the tiefling's quest for Father Prasst caught his eye. "Blessings of the Creator, Master Havarus. Did you rest well?"
Bleh. Sorry to hear that, GM. No worries, though. I think we're flexible enough to keep things rolling. |
