Brianna
Brianna nimbly hops around the ruins to get behind the Kobold. Her dagger finds its mark and scrapes on bone.
Enraged at how his blood had been spilt twice, and at how he had failed to strike the target. Madresh wonders what his tribe would think if they saw him fight like this. Madresh sees the kobold flee next to another one, which seems to be screaming in pain. Madresh vows to drop this one so the two cannot work together.
Madresh skirts around to the south, and then turns on his heel to rush at the previously incinerated kobold.
As the kobold reals in pain, Madresh follows up and nearly takes off its head.
Square E22 now counts as difficult terrain.
K1 makes a run for it, heading north east. Anmuspi still has a line on it, but the kobold has cover.
K2 moves up behind Brianna and stabs her in the shoulder while she is distracted.
K3 and K4 combine efforts and attack Kava. K3 manages to get his spear stuck in Kava's neck. And K4 misses.
K6 futilely stabs at Madresh before ducking away and heading back towards the caravan.
Easy decision there. The injured kobold can be tracked later while the halfling is in trouble now, seeing that K2 (who he had his eyeball on) has moved into the combat in the rocks.
Anmuspi quickly moves to where he has a clear shot, focuses on K2 and steps into strong shot at the same intentionally blocking a clear escape route for the kobolds.
Move: to square N6.
Minor: Hunter's Quarry on K2
Standard: Evasive Strike on K2, allowing a free shift to square N7. Attack at +6, with 2d10+1d8+5 damage on a hit.
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"Argh!" as the spear tip find the hole in Kava's neck guard. She feels warm blood run down her chest inside her armour
"arivdri ui zhaan bihainwor vregnth iri ... now face BAHAMUT'S JUSTICE!"
The dragon head of Kava's flail flares white like a star as it sails over her head with prodigious strength towards the kobold that so offended her neck.
Anmuspi strafes along the crumbled wall and plugs the gap, but fails to plug the kobold.
A wet crunching sound is the only noise the kobold makes as he becomes a red mess in the grass.
Brianna gives a little grin as she dances around the kobold and jams him in the back, and then yelps as she, in turn takes a wound. But her real reaction comes when Kava finishes the wounded kobold and splatters her with his blood and brains!
"That is sooo icky!" she yells to her friend. "You've totally ruined my outfit!" She's moving, though, even as she talks, her dagger flashing once more at a kobold.
She moves to L8, taking OAs as needed then pops a Dazing Strike with flanking on K4. Time to test the encounter power :)
Brianna
The kobolds stab at the empty space Brianna occupied a moment before. Suddenly, K4 gasps in pain as he is outlined in white light.
Once again, Brianna takes advantage of a foe's distraction and her blade slices across the kobolds back, leaving him dazed.
Still waiting for Demon, then A'loran and Madresh.
Madresh is finally back in form, dispatching one kobold and dodging another, but he stares in horror as one started towards the caravans.
"Oh no you don't!" he roard, pursuing it and finally when he catches up, attempting to strike it with his axe.
hhmmm was kind of waiting for Demon. But I can't wait much longer.
If K6 is still standing after Demon (or if demon delays) It will get a up close and personal demonstration of an mildly powerful arcane spell in the face.
Standard action Force Orb at K6.
Move action to O10
Use Action Point to Hit K2 with Magic Missile
If K6 is down
Move action to O10
Standard Action Force Orb at K2
Use Action Point to Hit K2 (or K4 if K2 is down) with Magic Missile
If there are any attacks that hit me I'll use my staff of Defense encounter power. Immediate interrupt +2 defense
A'loran winds up and throws with his empty hand. A barely visible distortion of the air marks a trail straight to the kobolds chest, leaving him winded. A'loran then runs for cover, but seeing another kobold there, throws a hasty spell that completely misses.
The kobold screams in agony as Madresh connects with his axe.
K1 is no longer in sight.
K2 shifts closer to its ally and misses Brianna.
K4 stabs at Kava, but finds its spear deflected by the ruins. It then tries to jump into the bushes, but Kava's flail catches it in the back, killing it.
K6 uses the momentum of Madresh's swing to run.
Anmuspi shifts his focus onto K6, takes a step to get a better angle, and then fires 2 arrows -- one at K6 and one at K2.
Anmuspi's arrows strike true, piercing K2 in the shoulder and K6 in the throat, sending K6 sprawling in the grass.
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"HOLD!" Commands the silver clad dragonwarrior. Kava steps into the ruins of what may have been a stone house once. She towers over the last remaining Kobold, her shoulders set, her face a mask of commanding power. The massive dragon headed flail held between her two hands, taught, as if she might snap it's chain in the cold fury.
"Lay down your arms little one if you want to live ... I have a message for your chief. But threaten us further and Justice will be done. By the holy name of Bahamut you know I speak true."
The symbol of the PlatinumDragon on her chest seems to shine to emphasise her words.
Madresh turns to see the kobold that stabbed him fall to an arrow, presumably from Anmuspi he fights well for a human Madresh mused.
Running over to the cries of what could only be Kava, Madresh stares in worry at the blood trickling down the armour. I won't elt my friend stand in pain like that!
"kava! hysvear svern wer ouith, wux re stronger loupon batobot! origato douta mamiss irisv svabol has coanwor damaged!"
(Kava! Soar over the pain, you are stronger than that! Let your body heal what has been damaged!)
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"kava! hysvear svern wer ouith, wux re stronger loupon batobot! origato douta mamiss irisv svabol has coanwor damaged!"
(Kava! Soar over the pain, you are stronger than that! Let your body heal what has been damaged!)
In her dark fury Kava hears her friend at her back and his words of support fill her with strength
I'll drop my staff and look intimidated. Then realizing it wasn't directed at me I'll pick up the staff again....and ready
Free Drop Staff
Move Pick up staff
Standard Ready a Magic Missle at K2 if he does anything besides dropping its weapon.
(If attacked will activate Staff of Defense)
Demons eyes wink out and he falls prone, the dust of the battle settling on him.
Brianna is pretty suprised when she hears Kava's words. "What are you doing, it's a kobold, you don't negotiate with them." Her suprise is so great she doesn't stab the creature, though she does shift to keep herself at his back, still shaking her head at Kava.
Move action: Move to whatever square sets up flanking with Kava. If my movement draws an AO, or if the kobold does not drop it's weapon on it's action, I'll hit it with Sly Flourish.
The kobold does look frightened as Kava moves closer, but he doesn't seem about to give his life over to her yet. The kobold steps away from Kava. A'loran responds with a wellaimed magic missile, dropping the creature at Brianna's feet.
Meanwhile, on the far side of the carts, Demon has face planted. A few of the halflings have jumped down, and rushed to his side.
Brianna cheers as the spell brings down the last one. "Nice shot!" she says with honest enthusiasm. Clearly, she's not bothered that it was shot while possibly thinking of running.
She then kneels, cleans her dagger on the dead kobolds clothing, puts it away, and humming the same ditty she does when she is cooking, she starts to go through the pockets and gear of the fallen foe. She'll do this to all of them, putting everything in a neat pile near the wagons when she is done.
Brianna will not use any healing surges, since she's down less than one surges' worth and so I'll keep mine all banked for now.
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Brianna cheers as the spell brings down the last one. "Nice shot!" she says with honest enthusiasm.
Looking down at the body of the kobold Kava shakes her head.
"A shot in the back against a foe fleeing from 5 to 1 odds? There is nothing nice about that."To Amnuspi "Hail Human. Thank you for your assistance. What brings you here to our rescue?"
"hhmm Shot in the back?" I poke at the dead kobolds with my staff. "it didn't drop its weapon so I unleashed the justice like you said you were going to do. So you'd want me to let it run away and attack other halfings that are less protected? Why would these little dragons attack us. Its not like we provoked them."
Seeing blood all over Brianna "is everyone ok?"
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Over her shoulder to A'loran as she kneels down next to Brianna and the felled Kobold "I am sorry if I offended you my friend. I was mearly musing on the preciousness of life and the futility of war. It means a lot that you would come to my aid, especially when you seem to dislike me so much."
to the no doubt agast Briana
"You have some fine skill with a blade. I am glad to have you at my side my little protector."
All of the kobolds here are dead. They don't have anything of apparent value except their weapons and armor. Brianna winds up with a pile of 5 suits of hide armor, 5 spears, and 6 javelins.
To Kava: "Good tidings to you, though I daresay you and your caravan did not seem to need rescue considering your battle prowess and that of the other guards.
I've been tracking this group for a while now as they have been raiding outlying farms in Fallcrest. This is but half of the original band, though they have grown quite bold to go from attacking farms at night to attacking a well armed caravan during the day."
To all: "I am Anmuspi, and I am at your service for as long as our paths cross. However, I do not think I will be much help in fixing your mechanical guard, though perhaps the dwarves at Hammerfast can fashion some replacement parts. Whither do you travel?"
As he speaks, Anmuspi scans the treeline for signs of any additional bandits, and takes note of the location of felled enemies for the purpose of recovering arrows that missed their mark.
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"Good to make your aquaintance Anmuspi. I'm Kava Argentine, this deft blade is Brianna the baker, the Eladrin master of magic is A'loran, my good friend Madresh is guarding my back, and around here somewhere is our mighty Golem who likes to call himself the Demon, though he's really very sweet." Kava points out and introduces everyone in turn
"We are all glad to have your assistance. It's heartening to see a stranger willing risk their life to help those in need. We are all traveling to Fallcrest with the Halfmoon clan. You are more than welcome to join us. I'll introduce you to Selgund. He leads this caravan."
Kava does the introductions before quickly doing her best to lay the bodies of the fallen to rest.
Starting in the ruin here Kava quickly collects the bodies of the fallen kobolds and lays them next to each other, with a copper piece in each of their left hands. Then gives a prayer in Draconic for Bahamut to protect their souls on their way to the Raven Queen.
Later to Anmuspi
"You say that this is half of the kobolds and that they have been raiding farms? What is the local militia doing to stop this?"
After creating the loot pile, Brianna takes a few minutes to clean kobold blood off her. When she's done, she wanders back over as Kava is doing her ritual with the dead and shakes her head a little. On the way, she waves hi to Anmuspi. "Nice to meet you, I'm Brianna Rosepetal."
"You're expending too much energy on those things." she says. "They're kobolds and they attacked us. They're not sweet innocents that died in an accident. The only bad thing that happened here today was that one got away." As she talks, she casually cleans and hones her dagger, then puts it away.
She then adds her comment about the raiding. "Forget the militia. After we get the caravan home, lets go find them ourselves and make sure they don't do any more attacks on farmhouses."
A few of the halflings have loaded the Demon onto the back of one of the wagons. Then a lean middle-aged halfling with big grey sideburns comes over to shake the hands of the victors and introduces himself to Anmuspi.
"I'm Selgund Halfmoon. Thanks for helping out. The Halfmoon clan would like to show you our gratitude, if you'd be so kind as to accompany us to the tradehouse."
He then walks over to Brianna and leads her a few steps away, though not out of earshot.
"I promised your family I'd take you on to give you a look at a life on the road. What would have happened if Kava and Anmuspi hadn't saved you? If you're going to work for the clan, you need to follow protocol."
After the battle, Madresh wipes some of the condensation from her brow, though the hot and humid air felt quite nice. After tending to his wounds . Madresh decides to take a look at demon and see if something can be donw about him.
Madresh considers himself reasonably proficient in the art of medicine, and trys to determine if there is anything biologically wrong with him .
Madresh overhears the conversation between Brianna and the grey haired halfling. After the conversation is finished Madresh calls out;
"He's right, little one: Kobolds may be small but they are as deadly in battle as you it seems." Madresh frowned. "You must take caution out here, and let myself adn Kava take the risk, it's our duty to return honour to our kin, forcibly if necessary."
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Kava finishes her prayer and turns to Brianna.
"Perhaps you might talk to Madresh on the value of intelligence about the enemy. That comes from asking questions of the living.
As for the dead? I pray for the souls of ALL creatures. Race hatred and greed is a slippery slope. If one looses ones compassion and mercy Brianna ... well one is nothing more than the bandits one fights against."
She looks down at the row of small reptilian bodies.
"what a waste of a life" she murmurs to herself.
"I do agree with you about ending these attacks on farmers. If they keep this up there'll be no wheat and you'll be out of a job little baker." Kava grins.
Walking back to the wagon...
"I wonder what could be driving them to do that? It's not like farmers have wealth and kobolds attacking an guarded wagon? I thought that they were more cowardly than that? Anmupsi, you have tracked them ... any thoughts?"
Madresh - Although Demon appears to be made primarily of metal and stone, there is a biological logic behind it. And with a careful inspection you are able to determine that the minor wound he took is not the cause of his incapacitation. If Demon were a human, you might believe he's suffering from head trauma, but there is no outward sign of a previous head injury.
Anmuspi - You agree with Kava's general assessment of kobolds, and that their current behavior is strange. Kobolds have been known to inhabit the Cloak Woods for years, but they've been much more aggressive of late. Not only that, but the raiders of late have been hauling away cattle instead of chickens.
Kava - "The local militia is known as the Fallcrest Guard, and due to the randomness in the attacks, they have been unable to stop the raids. That is why you find me here - following the kobolds by stealth in an effort to ascertain their purpose and to weaken their numbers as I am able. Their behavior is far more aggressive than normal. Sometimes a few chickens are lost to a passing meal, but of late, they have been hauling away cattle, which speaks to the support of a much larger force beyond the dozen I was tracking. So far I have not found their lair."
"As far as the attack on the caravan, perhaps it was spurred on by not only the supplies the caravan might have, but also the weapons and armor of its guards, especially if they are building a new lair or planning a large attack."
Brianna - "Nice to meet you as well, and nice work in there. You display the pragmatism of the local farmers -- kobolds are seen as a dangerous pest infestation. They would certainly welcome the help in removing them from the area, but it may be best to coordinate with Lord Markelhey."
Selgund - "Well met. You have quite the staff of guards for your trip - are the roads beyond that dangerous these days? No reward is necessary - my actions today helped all of us. However, I would be more than willing to raise a few tankards with you and learn of the places you've been."
GM -
Anmuspi -
Selgund shakes his head. "Well, the two guards we had on the way south went about their own buisness, and I got lucky when I found two dragonborn looking for work. Kava and Madresh are actually our only guards. Mr. Longstride joined up with us for protection on his own journey. Brianna here is the cook, despite her foolishness. And the Demon," he jerks a thumb back towards where Madresh leans over the lifeless suit of armor, "he was just wandering about in the wilderness."
He scratches his sideburns while surveying the area. "You put your lives out there for us, all of you. Our trip has been more than productive, so I'll make sure you get what's coming to you. I'll not have word getting about that a Halfmoon didn't show his appreciation."
He climbs back onto the lead wagon. "No offense intended Miss Kava, but I'd leave the bodies to the wolves. That's more honor than they'd show us, but I'll not insult someone that just saved my hide. If you need to take care of these in some fashion to please Bahamut, then you'd best do it quick. I want to be in the city soon; that mug of ale sounds good."
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He climbs back onto the lead wagon. "No offense intended Miss Kava, but I'd leave the bodies to the wolves. That's more honor than they'd show us, but I'll not insult someone that just saved my hide. If you need to take care of these in some fashion to please Bahamut, then you'd best do it quick. I want to be in the city soon; that mug of ale sounds good."
"No offense taken, Mr Halfmoon" Kava smiles "If I didn't have honour then I'd just be a giant kobold myself. I'll be quick. Just a prayer to speed them on and avoid undeath."
Madresh put his hand on Kava's shoulder while she spoke her prayer. He waits until she is finished and says:
"My dear Kava, reat assured that the death of these kobolds will not be in vain. We will learn why they are attacking the people of this area and we will stop it. I believe that is what Bahamut would want us to do, as he would not want dragonkind killing dragonkind. Get ready, we ride to fallcrest, and..." Madresh smiled, "I believe you promised me some dwarf ale, though I'm going to insist that I'm paying."
The farms become denser as you approach the city, and so do the clouds overhead. By the time you come in sight of the twenty foot high walls the sky is gray and a steady wind blows in your faces from the north. The rest of the ride has been tense, but quiet.
You enter the city proper through Wizard's Gate, where you are met by a grizzled old dwarf by the name of Sgt. Murgeddin. The guard walks with a limp and inspects the carts with a serious demeanor. Selgund hops down to hand over the tax as the dwarf finishes. Then a huge smile becomes visible beneath Murgeddin's beard and he claps Selgund on the back. "So, the Blue Moon tonight?" he asks the caravan master.
"I'll be there after I give over my paperwork. Hey, you got competition for your job. These fine folks cleaned up some kobold rabble on your doorstep today."
"Why would anyone want to be a guard, when the Halfmoons' coffers overflow?" responds Murgeddin with a laugh. His voice quickly drops back to buisness mode "I've heard the Lord Warden is looking for sellswords to deal with them." He sizes you up and says "Dragonborn to clean out the dragon-rats." with a smile.
The party starts to leave the gate when the sergeant yells out "Oh, hey Selgund. What's the deal with the warforged. I haven't seen one in 90 years."
"I don't know, friend. I don't know."
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Once through the gates, you ride north through the city. Half of Fallcrest sits on a bluff that overlooks the lower half. They're known as Hightown and Lowtown respectively. Hightown seems fairly prosperous and a light rain begins to fall as you reach the Halfmoon Trading House.
Friendly hellos are exchanged as the caravan is docked and unloaded. Selgund asks you to wait for a moment before coming back with a sack that he tosses to Kava. "Split this how you see fit. I have a lot of work to do, but I'll be at the Blue Moon in Lowtown later."
Over her shoulder to A'loran as she kneels down next to Brianna and the felled Kobold "I am sorry if I offended you my friend. I was mearly musing on the preciousness of life and the futility of war. It means a lot that you would come to my aid, especially when you seem to dislike me so much."
"HA, you talk of the preciousness of life and futility of war” twisting his hands around his staff. "Yet your kind just attacked my village a few weeks ago. Unprovoked... similar to what these kobolds just did to us. But I guess that’s normal for your kind." Knuckles whiten "maybe the only precious life is that of dragon blood." After a short pause "I did not come to your aid. I came to Brianna's aid."
"I am Anmuspi, and I am at your service for as long as our paths cross. However, I do not think I will be much help in fixing your mechanical guard, though perhaps the dwarves at Hammerfast can fashion some replacement parts. Whither do you travel?"
Nodding towards the human “Greetings Anmuspi as Kava pointed out I'm A'loran. We're on our way to Fallcrest. Thanks for your assistance. Your quite the archer. By any chance have you come across another human in these parts, an adventurer by the name of Douven Staul"
She then adds her comment about the raiding. "Forget the militia. After we get the caravan home, lets go find them ourselves and make sure they don't do any more attacks on farmhouses."
"I'm with you on that one"
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"HA, you talk of the preciousness of life and futility of war” twisting his hands around his staff. "Yet your kind just attacked my village a few weeks ago. Unprovoked... similar to what these kobolds just did to us. But I guess that’s normal for your kind." Knuckles whiten "maybe the only precious life is that of dragon blood." After a short pause "I did not come to your aid. I came to Brianna's aid."
"then A'loran I can understand you have a lot to be angry about."Kava sighs looking pensive. "We still have a way to go to get to Fallcrest, but this might take longer still. Would you like to talk about it. Forgive me, I don't mean to patronize; it's just I'd have a lot to say and I would think hear from you, and I'm wondering if this is the right time for you to discuss this or if you need to rage a while more?"
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"My dear Kava, rest assured that the death of these kobolds will not be in vain. We will learn why they are attacking the people of this area and we will stop it. I believe that is what Bahamut would want us to do, as he would not want dragonkind killing dragonkind. Get ready, we ride to fallcrest, and..." Madresh smiled, "I believe you promised me some dwarf ale, though I'm going to insist that I'm paying."
"We'll see good friend." Her laugh stops as she gazes at her companion. "Thank you for looking out for me. Not just on the battlefield. I think that this might be an eye-opening experience for us traveling with many different cultures. Although our values might be different I have a belief that we are all after the same things. A sence of protection and belonging. It's just a matter of perspective."
Brianna is clearly annoyed, if not angry, at the way Selgund berates her for helping protect his caravan and she stares daggers at him before the dragonborn chat catches her ears.
She walks over to the two. "Are you two crazy? Kobolds are not mini you. They are vermin. Crafty, dangerous, vermin. They raid because they like it, and they only stop when they get put down. If we fight more of them, and you keep viewing them as redeemable little you's, then someone on our side will die. Because they'll play on that, and sucker you into a trap by using it."
After that, she storms off and is quiet for the rest of the
trip, not perking up again until Sgt. Murgeddin mentions the need for kobold hunting sellswords. "We should look into that." she comments.
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Brianna is clearly annoyed ... the dragonborn chat catches her ears.
She walks over to the two. "Are you two crazy? Kobolds are not mini you. They are vermin. Crafty, dangerous, vermin. They raid because they like it, and they only stop when they get put down. If we fight more of them, and you keep viewing them as redeemable little you's, then someone on our side will die. Because they'll play on that, and sucker you into a trap by using it."
Kava goes to reach out to her but stops, watching her go. "What a strange predicament Madresh? Accused on one side of being a heartless killer and the other on been a bubble headed optimist. Strange but I believe they are both partially right. But as angry and hateful as they seem to be towards me I'm strangely drawn towards helping them. Must be the optimistic masochist in me." she chuckles then gives the giant Dragonkin a hug. "At least I have you my friend ... otherwise I'd really think I was mad."
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Kava examines the walls around the town. "These are some decent defenses don't you think Mardresh? It would take a sizable force to breach these ... that is if the town had the manpower. How old do you think they are?"
Sgt. Murgeddin's voice quickly drops back to buisness mode "I've heard the Lord Warden is looking for sellswords to deal with them." He sizes you up and says "Dragonborn to clean out the dragon-rats." with a smile.
Kava forces a smile hopeing the racial differences are enough that the Dwarf sergent doesn't see her wince.
"We should look into that." comments Brianna
"Indeed we should ... if they are getting as bold as they are, it's only a short time before innocents get killed. That's if you'll still have me little baker?"
"Where would we find the Lord Warden Sergeant?"__________________________________
Selgund asks you to wait for a moment before coming back with a sack that he tosses to Kava. "Split this how you see fit. I have a lot of work to do, but I'll be at the Blue Moon in Lowtown later"
Kava catches the pouch and salutes "Tiamat's haul of coin sir" hefting the sack. "We'll see you there, I owe this fire drake here a Dwarven Ale" goodnaturedly clapping Madresh on the shoulder. "Well since we all effectively guarded the Halfmoons together should I split this here or does anyone have an idea of somewhere to board in this hansome town? Little Chef?...Anmuspi? you seem to be the locals here. Then we can see the Lord Warden about helping with this bandit problem. That should cheer everyone up. Well that and seeing Madresh sing his little goblin song after a few ales at the Blue moon tonight."
Kava hands out 16GP+6SP+6CP to anyone who holds out their hand.
Madresh also embraces Kava in a hug. "Yes, I think you're right. I can't but help feel guilty. But at the same time, it shames me to see our draconic cousins acting so shamefully. While I cannot give them my mercy, I will give them my pity." Madresh sighed: "I think I had better apologise to the little one, she's small, but she's fiery, she'd make a fine dragonborn herself." Madresh went off in search of Brianna...
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After finally finding Brianna speaking to Kava, Madresh approches and clears his throat.
"Little one, I wish to offer you myapologies." Madresh paused, and attempting to fill the silence went on: "Please understand that as a race, our heritage is all that we have left. Our empire shattered so many aeons ago, we are reduced to mere villages, our people are little but nomads!" Madresh swallowed, breathed and continued.
"But you are right, most of the kobolds are beyond redemption, and not worth endangering people's lives over. You have my word that I will let no kobold endanger this group and live." Madresh dropped to her knees. "bahamut onelka ve!" he said gently.
Raising to his feet once more, he speaks to Kava, regaining his composure. "I would guess at least a 3 to 1 ratio, for most humanoids to breach these walls. It would depend on the weaponry though, certainly we are safer here."
To both he said "Well, if we get paid to solve the problem even better, I agree that we should try and get there at first light tomorrow."
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At the mention of the goblin song Madresh blushes and looks at his feet. Coughing, his says, "well anyway, I could do with a drink, shall we head straight to the 'Blue Moon'?" I could drink enough mead to drown a kraken tonight.!"