Sorry gang. Meant to respond before I got dragged out of state by my other job for two weeks. I will try to get posting up in a few days when I have some free time.
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Tehs was hesitant to follow the command of his mistress to come and join them. He was in an excellent hidden position in case more showed, but reluctantly he skulked from cover with his head low and tail lower still. At her request for him to pose at the child he bowed reverently. "Yes mistress." Tehs intoned evenly. Using his own circlet he took the form of the child, and played their part. Afterward he would use the perfect cantrip to set the dry crops and grasses alight... spark. Throughout it all the little kobold said nothing other than to acknowledge the command given him. His body language showed agitation.
Unlikely enough to not bother planning for. Fair to assume that will be a wrap for the captain?
Seriously, Tehs has had three potential targets and it's all been full plate. He will have to switch to a spell if this lasts another round.
Tehs will continue to sting at their enemies so long as they remained upright, though now he had a new target with the pesky cleric prone on the ground. While his comrades made their loud declarations he loaded a bolt as silently as the grave, took aim at the captain's hip, and fired.
Just had the sudden realization even the party can't see Tehs right now.
Tehs inhaled gently as he watched the events transpiring through the smoke. The smoke did not shield the father from his eyes, and while melee made his shot more difficult... an unseeing target was always his choice. Lifting a clawed hand he aimed his diminutive crossbow and fired.
So the smoke does act as a fog cloud. 20% miss chance within 5' and total concealment beyond. Except for Tehs.
Tehs glares at the deception being turned against the party. He wasn't sure what the cleric had caste, but he did see how bad things looked if they stayed engaged like this. The kobold struck the end of his smokestick and tossed it into the melee.
"Break contact." the kobold snapped before moving from his cover to another hiding place within thirty feet with the aid of the smoke concealing his movement.
Tehs watches the scene as still and silent as death. The little kobold may as well have been a statue, all his focus going into this moment.
If there are no other npcs waiting outside could do that.
The kobold parts his jaw slightly. While kobolds were beings of little facial expression this could be seen as a grin or snarl. "I will take cover outside mistress." he assures, "You are all mighty, and have this well in hand. Any who escape or linger outside will not see or hear their death." With that oath the kobold slips out and is gone. (Posting via phone. Tehs will hide in hay or a bush or something outside the door and snipe anyone not inside when the ambush starts, or when so.eone flees. Has no penalty to stealth when sniping. Unsure was + concealment grants off the top of my head, but this is what he is built for.)
Yeah, was holding onto that one for so long I ended up just spilling it OOC.
Tehs is careful not to touch anything he doesn't have to, and that everything is put back in it's proper place. He does make a note of the difference in the two ledger, perhaps finding something of note. Then, he scurries out into the dark. Only when he was back at the inn did he allow himself to grumble. "Mistress will know better." he consoles himself quietly, "There will be another way I am sure."
Tehs will slip into the alchemist's at night and begin to rummage about for the arsenic he needs.
I think Tehs might need help being able to identify arsenic after speaking with the DM.
Tehs does not go to the alchemy shop during the light of day. Instead the little rogue plans to sneak in at night, perhaps through a window, prepared to keep an eye out for guards and traps.
Tehs considers the spices and other foodstuff, considering if there might be some way to sneak the arsenic into the already cooking pot of stew. No, it had to be after the stew was done, otherwise a sampling would show it for what it was. The little rogue works diligently, mind whirring over the details. Once the soup was ready they would sneak to the alchemist's and try to slip inside. Then, it was a matter of slipping it into the stew without the guards noticing. Noticing... or caring. Tehs face gave away nothing, but he had a plan!
Tehs gets to work on his twin missions the mistress had given him. First, Mama Guisseppe, ingratiating himself into her staff and getting access. That should be easy enough. Just use his regular disguise. Old women in this society were the ones who knew cookwork and such, and he also had an identity as a worker. Well, his old gnomish woman did. An identity as a nondescript, quiet, and seemingly nameless gnome if no one forced one from them. Teh's tail twitched. Rather than try to arrange a meeting with the woman herself, Tehs instead settled on an indirect tactic. Finding one of her staff and offering to help. Explaining that she worked in the keep, and with all the trouble the men were suffering she wanted to help ensure they had the best meal possible. That she was willing to work for a pittance, or even nothing at all to try and bring up morale. If it wasn't questioned, all the better. If Mama wanted to investigate this newfound helper Tehs could pitch their story and let the woman decide it was her own idea. The little rogue had found that it didn't matter where you were. If you did things properly your enemy would happily kill themself. Chopping the cord of a set trap making their way through brush, or inviting in those who wanted nothing more than to poison you. Teh's tail twitched again, tucked safely between his legs under the illusion of the old gnomish woman. The illusion of a good natured ally. Which is all such a thing was. There were allies, but only those who benefitted from your actions.
Tehs clutches their fingertips together, tapping claw against claw as the group might deduce. "Yes, yes I can do all of these things the disguised kobold says eagerly. It would seem he was eager to take more action.
"I would relish the chance to tamper with their defenses." Tehs says eagerly to the assembled knot, "Also... about the father. I am very good at... sniping."
Still here. Struggling with motivation to post, but not for any good reason. I just need to get it together. Sorry for holding things up.
With his tasks complete Tehs sequesters himself in the warehouse he stayed at. The little kobold, in the guise of the "menial" gnomish woman went about practicing in the curious manner that an unaccomplished spellcaster and sneak might. With newfound faith and confidence, the rogue dutifully practiced his craft. Then, when finished, they slinked back to the inn to carefully watch over the mistress. Sipping an abandoned mug at the bar and glancing over toward Barnabus and his young charge.
Tehs slowly takes the compact, pausing to look up at the mistress with wide eyes. Then, the little rogue carefully reads it. Despite trembling with emotion their features remain placid. Then, the form before the others shimmers. It shrinks slightly, plumpness given way to a thinner and more agile body. A cloak clings to them over simple, utilitarian clothing, and the scaled form pulls the hood back to reveal their true features. Two ruddy, reddish black horns smooth back from the temples of the kobold, with a third smaller horn angled backward from the top of their skull. One small spike also tops the tip of their red snout. Their scales are a rust red, and the two eyes looking up at the group are a molten amber that seems to almost glow. "I am Tehs, distant and small relation to the powerful red dragons." the kobold says in a small voice, "I was made a slave, mistreated by those who put up the pretense of good. Victim to their whims... the dark lord showed me who the true master is. I will serve him and this compact to my dying breath." There is no grimace, only the tense of the small frame as the kobold produces a small, finely crafted dagger and cuts deep across their forearm. Holding out their clawed hand they use their own blood to leave their mark. "I will serve well mistress, that the dark lord will be pleased with us all." Tehs says after bowing low and looking down to the floor.
@DM: What does Tehs know about how often the portcullis is used?
Tehs lingers in their gnomish disguise, watching over his mistress from a distance. When she finishes with the dwarves the little sneak waits a moment, then goes to her room to check in. "Mistress." Tehs says softly, "I have an idea for the dwarves that may be more... palatable. I am very good with handling devices. Mishandling them even. If our plans for infiltrating the guards succeeds perhaps I could be allowed near the ballista."
Waves hand in front of face. You can't see me.
Back to the warehouse he was making his home. Just in case he is followed it won't lead back to the inn. Later on he will head back to meet with the others at the inn.
Tehs will silently move toward one of the windows and open it as silently as can be managed. Then, checking for people watching with a quick glance, the little rogue will slip out of the house. A whispered incantation brings out a magical hand, and the rogue closes the window behind them.
Once that was done, to be absolutely certain, Tehs reluctantly calls on the power of their dark lord. Not to abuse such a wonderful gift, but only to ensure sucess.
Tehs will attempt to silently slip from one of the windows and sneak away. Out of town on phone, please roll for Tehs DM.
The small sneak wanted to whine, the captain was in full plate! There would be so many wonderful options to ensure the other man died along with his victims if not for that shell of armor! Instead, Tehs would have to do what they could. Sneaking back out of the house the little rogue braces at the door. Then, with a steadying breath they throw the door open and start shouting at the top of their lungs. "Murder! Murder! Captain Mott has killed his wife and her lover! Murder! Murder! Murder! Send the guard! There's been murder!" Then Tehs banged the door shut as if they had fled, ducked back into the kitchen to hide, and hid under a chair. Casting a short spell to ensure that is exactly what anyone who entered would see. Then, they waited.
Winter heating and plumbing issues is likely going to affect my posting this week. DM, feel free to autopilot Tehs for the immediate future. As to personal information? Eh, I am an Iowan native. Early 40s. Lots of hobbies and trades.
Teh's looks about, noting the many possible hiding spots for someone small. Especially someone with their magical tricks. "Mistress." Tehs begins, "I could stakeout this location and find out who, specifically, is taking the wine. Would that information be helpful?" The little gnome rubbed her hands together eagerly at the thought.
Tehs makes a thin sound in the back of their throat, a suppressed stressful whine. There is no protest though.
"Mistress, may we go back now?" Tehs pleads faintly, "Now that we know the way, we surely have planning to do. I know of the routines of our targets... we could sort out an order and a timetable. We might be able to accomplish our goals without ever being known..."
Mistress, I would like to try. Tehs seemed suddenly insistent. Focused on a task they could complete.
TBF the good guys get smite, which cuts through the DR of anything evil.
Teh's looks between Rendylyn and the trap door nervously. The rogue's face remained surprisingly straight despite the obvious agitation. "Yes mistress." they agreed, "But we should keep in mind the alchemist may have their own means of finding and punishing us."
What are they doing? Their best. HNNNGHHH!!! Carrying capacity don't fail me now.
Tehs moves over to a spot in the floor and gives a few soft taps of a nimble foot. The audible difference gives the trapdoor away in that moment before the rogue bends low and struggles mightily to try and lift it. It takes a while, and a rather herculean effort for such a small trapdoor.
Tehs will shadow the mistress as is the duty assigned to the little sneak. Nothing was said, and if one didn't know better they would question if the small hanger on was even there from how quietly and shiftlessly the little rogue moved.
Where are the links for these slides?
Tehs fidgeted as they walked along, seemingly nervous to have anyone behind them. Or perhaps from being in a lead position. "No mistress, noooo." they say demurely, "Was a slave mistress. My masters did not teach me such things. I was taught to serve." The small form dared to look back, then quickly went back to glancing about ahead. When they reached their destination it seemed to be a small warehouse. Which the little rogue led Rendylyn around. Upturning a paving stone and unseating another reveals a small gap under the building's foundation. Then Teh's wormed between the two, and a moment later pulled the stones back into place. Disappearing.
Tehs is a pretty good liar. Now just need to get to the point he can throw lightning.
I am a purple gnome with a platypus bill and am a devout follower of Mitra.
"Yes, I will go back to my place of rest then." the woman said, "I will return on the morrow mistress. Do you have any requests of me in the meantime?"
"I am a very good scout mistress." their new comrade suggests, "Will you not let me prove my value again?" |