Edgrin moves into the north passage and the two children follow closely behind Omen who is a few steps behind the halfling. The dark hallway is dimly lit by a few torches ensconced in the walls. The shadowly illumination from the flames dance eerily along the floor.
Several feet down the hall you come to where another hall branches to the right and straight and is a set of double doors. The right-side door is slightly ajar.
Edgrin waits for the two of you to catch up and then he turns to you. "You seem to be a bit more experienced than I, perhaps you should go first. I am quite unarmed."
Rogan nods, then makes his way quietly to the door that is slightly ajar. 1d20+9=10 . Halfway up to the door a small piece of flagstone on the floor breaks loose as Rogan shifts his weight onto it. The sudden shift forces him to lose his balance completely and he spills into a heap in the middle of the hallway. The piece of flagstone clatters off down the hall and the arrow he had drawn sails into the door that is still shut with an audible thud.
Pulling himself ingloriously into a crouch, Rogan pulls another arrow taught and waits to see if anyone or anything heard his commotion and comes to investigate. 1d20+11=14
Rogan nods, then makes his way quietly to the door that is slightly ajar. 1d20+9=10 . Halfway up to the door a small piece of flagstone on the floor breaks loose as Rogan shifts his weight onto it. The sudden shift forces him to lose his balance completely and he spills into a heap in the middle of the hallway. The piece of flagstone clatters off down the hall and the arrow he had drawn sails into the door that is still shut with an audible thud.
Pulling himself ingloriously into a crouch, Rogan pulls another arrow taught and waits to see if anyone or anything heard his commotion and comes to investigate. 1d20+11=14
As Rogan listens, he thinks he hears some faint whimpering but he is not sure. After several moments of silence, the whimpering continues but fades.
Rogan looks apologetically over his shoulder, then advances the rest of the way to the doors. 1d20+9=21. With barely a sound he eases flat up against the door that's ajar, peering intently into the space beyond and listening for any sound.
Rogan looks apologetically over his shoulder, then advances the rest of the way to the doors. 1d20+9=21. With barely a sound he eases flat up against the door that's ajar, peering intently into the space beyond and listening for any sound.
This dark ossuary is cold and full of the sound of dripping water. A dark corridor runs north down the center of the room, while to either side two large bays open into small niches that contain ancient dwarven skeletons. At the far end of the corridor rests a large iron anvil. This grim mini-catacomb of alcoves contains the bones of several dwarven monks of the crucible. All of the niches were once barred with locked iron grates. The grates are rusted and broken along the far east and west walls. The ones that seal the alcoves directly adjacent to the corridor, however, are still solid.
Rogan
Rogan gestures for the others to approach cautiously. When (if) they come forward, he will gesture into the room and speak, "I believe we have found Savram. However, I also believe he may be in grave danger - if those skeletons are anything like the skeletons you and I ran into earlier." He looks directly at Omen as he speaks the last sentence.
"Hrmmm... it is good we have arrived then." He draws his simple club and waves his hand over it, chanting some kind of prayer that mentioned the club moving like the wind and striking like a wave. He then hefts the club over his shoulder and nods at Rogan. "This one is ready."
"Hrmmm... it is good we have arrived then." He draws his simple club and waves his hand over it, chanting some kind of prayer that mentioned the club moving like the wind and striking like a wave. He then hefts the club over his shoulder and nods at Rogan. "This one is ready."
Rogan puts his bow and arrow away, snakes his left elbow around the door with his back flat against it, and slowly pushes it open. "Kimi, call your friend. He's trying to hide in the shadow of the altar." He whispers to the girl.
DM
Rogan puts his bow and arrow away, snakes his left elbow around the door with his back flat against it, and slowly pushes it open. "Kimi, call your friend. He's trying to hide in the shadow of the altar." He whispers to the girl.
DM
** spoiler omitted **
Kimi calls out into the dark chamber, "Savram, is that you? It's Kimi. We're here with two adventurers who have come to help us. Hurry up and come out!"
The shadow behind the anvil grows until it manifests itself into a small young boy. He makes no sound except for the scuffling noise of his shoes on the stone floor as he runs out towards the entrance to the room. He eyes are filled with tears as he runs up to Kimi and wraps his arms around her, screeching in fear and wailing until Kimi is able to calm him down, "It's OK, Savram, I'm here to protect you now!"
"This one is pleased that the one called Savram is... hrmmm... alright." Omen kneels down next to the children and offers the frightened child his shillelagh'd club. "Hrmmm... come now. We must find the rest of you brave little warriors."
"This one is pleased that the one called Savram is... hrmmm... alright." Omen kneels down next to the children and offers the frightened child his shillelagh'd club. "Hrmmm... come now. We must find the rest of you brave little warriors."
Edgrin looks down at the reunited children. "The more of the young ones we gather, the harder it is going to be to make it through this place. Nevertheless, I still feel more confident in keeping them close rather than far."
"Come, let us keep moving." The halfling then begins to move down the eastern passage.
As you follow him, you pass a hall to your left which ends in a set of double-doors. Two ensconced torches light up the immediate area revealing the door's rune-covered markings.
He passes by and continues toward another set of double-doors where the right-side door is opened and against the wall of the room beyond.
He slows down as he approaches and moves towards the side of the closed door.
Perception: (1d20+8=24)
Omen
"Hrmmm... this one recommends caution. This one hears two... hrmmm... creatures speaking to one another."
After Omen's comments, Edgrin steps closer to the door and turns his head to listen in. Edgrin turns and begins whispering to you. "Ah, they are speaking Draconic. I understand the language."
He pauses for several moments as the conversation continues.
"It appears one of these kobolds is a bit.., ah, disillusioned by his station. It sounds like he's angry with his leader, the king, because of some tragedies that have befallen the tribe."
He pauses again. "Apparently several of them died during a mining excavation searching for... um... to translate it accurately, 'shiny good-good,' for the kings concubine and the king has not thought twice about the loss."
He pauses again for a few moments. "They have ceased their discussion."
"Hrmmm... perhaps then it is this... hrmmm... king that is unnatural rather than the whole pack. This one wonders if these ones might be hrmmm... reasoned with."
"We can try. I see no reason to kill them if they may be persuaded to end this evil. However, if they will not be reasoned with, I have no qualms about ending the discussion permanently."
Edgrin steps up to the double-doors and cracks open the left-side door. More light pours into the hallway revealing a room containing six stone prayer platforms with well-worn knee rests. In the center stand six kobolds, five of which appear to be seasoned warriors, while another is robed. The robed kobold has blue scales and an oversized ear which droops down due to the weight of several finger-bone earrings.
Immediately the robed one turns and yells something out in Draconic and the others turn and point their spears in your direction.
Edgrin raises his hand and then begins speaking in the same language.
After a few minutes he turns back to you. “Well it seems our kobold friends here are willing to help. They are quite disgruntled with their King’s behavior and wish to take their home back. I don’t know if I trust them, though. What do you think?”
Rogan places his bow on his back and returns the arrow to his quiver. "Tell them we're willing to help, so long as all current prisoners being held for sacrifice are released and this business of seizing children, or anyone else for that matter, comes to an end."
Rogan places his bow on his back and returns the arrow to his quiver. "Tell them we're willing to help, so long as all current prisoners being held for sacrifice are released and this business of seizing children, or anyone else for that matter, comes to an end."
Edgrin relays the information to the kobolds, specifically the robed of the six. You watch as the creature nods ecstatically causing his finger-bone earrings to jangle about.
"He agrees, so long as you promise not to kill them when we are finished freeing the prisoners. He says he has always liked the pink-skins."
Rogan looks to Omen. "It would seem they can be reasoned with, by my estimation. What say you?"
"Hrmmm... this one sees great virtue in helping our scaled brothers. It seems all the ones we find are sick with... hrmmm... one rot or another. This one thinks we must kill the king. If these ones will help us, then this one is pleased." He hesitates for a moment and looks over all their weapons before looking back to Rogan. "Hrmmm... this one is a little worried though. This one's skin is not pink."
Edgrin steps back and turns towards you, "At least we have more help now, though I still remain wary. We must rescue Jurin... that is, if he isn't dead already. If these kobolds simply act as demon fodder, so be it. I will not lose sleep over the matter. Come!"
Edgrin heads straight for the door on the north side of the chamber and places his hand on it to open it. Before this, however, he is interrupted by the robed kobold. After a brief exchange, Edgrin turns around towards you.
He yells, "Prepare yourselves! There are others on the other side that are less favorable to us!" and then pulls the door open.
Omen, Rogan (If you are following Edgrin)
Continued
Rogan, upon hearing Edgrin's warning, grabs his bow from his back and an arrow from his quiver, but fumbles his bow momentarily, reacting slower than he would have liked to the unfolding combat.
Rogan, upon hearing Edgrin's warning, grabs his bow from his back and an arrow from his quiver, but fumbles his bow momentarily, reacting slower than he would have liked to the unfolding combat.
The camo-faced kobold moves in towards the entrance and whips his talon-chain at the robed kobold. He screams out in draconic as he strikes him across the face.
Attack:1d20+6=(12)
Damage:1d6=(4)
The other kobolds move in alongside him with one of them jumping around the corner to the next room and thrusting his spear at Edgrin:
Attack:1d20+1=(14)
Damage:1d6-1=(3)
The robed kobold immediately retaliates with a burning blast of fire which shoots forth from his outstretched right hand out towards the three kobolds in front of him and Edgrin.
Camo Kobold Reflex Save 1d20+2=(17)
Damage: 3d4=(6)/2 = (3)
Kobolds Reflex Save 1d20-1=(10); 1d20-1=(8);1d20-1=(2)
Damage: 3d4=(11); 3d4=(6); 3d4=(12)
The two kobolds in front of Edgrin both catch fire and they yelp in agony as they collapse to the ground; flames still engulfing their bodies. The camouflaged kobold dodges away from the flame as it shoots forth, however it still manages to singe him as it passes by and torches the one behind him.
After this, two of the warriors behind the robed one move in front to intercept the camouflaged kobold. They both thrust their spears at him:
Attack rolls: 1d20+1=(19); 1d20+1=(13)
Damage: 1d6-1=(4)
Edgrin slashes at kobold diagonal to him:
Attack: 1d20+1=(9)
Unfortunately the kobold sees the attack and easily dodges.
Rogan calmly nocks an arrow to his bow, gives Noctem a calm, "Guard the children, Brother," and lets fly at the camouflaged kobold. Before the arrow has hit its target, he has sent another speeding after it.
Attack Rolls: 1d20+7=16, 1d20+7=12
Damage Rolls: 1d8+1=2, 1d8+1=7
Noctem stands in front of the children, ready to maul anyone who dares get close enough.
End of my turn.
If Camo-kobold is dead...
Ranged Touch Attack: (1d20+2=7)
If Damage is somehow applicable: (1d6+1=2)
If Camo-kobold is not dead
Omen shuffles to E9, fishing his ocarina out. He plays a melody, bolstering his allies and stirring their spirits.
Inspire Courage: +1 to hit/+1 to damage for all allies
Both of Rogan's arrows miss their mark. The first one scrapes by the kobolds left shoulder while the second misses and strikes the doorframe. The kobold looks towards Rogan and scowls.
Omen moves towards the center of the room and begins playing his ocarina. The triumphant melody seems to bolster your resolve. The allied kobolds grip onto their spears and edge closer towards the enemy.
The camouflaged kobold swings his talon-chain right at the robed one while yelling obscenities in draconic.
Attack: Damage:
The three-pronged blade cuts deep into his chest and he collapses; his hand grabbing for his wound.
The other kobold maneuvers around the corner and slashes at Edgrin with his spear:
Attack:
Edgrin dodges as the spear’s blade swings downward and hits the stone floor causing it to release a spark.
Two of the allied warriors charge at the camouflaged one shouting and attempting to take revenge against their robed leader. The others line up behind, ready to attack.
Attack: Damage:
The first spear-thrust is dodged by the kobold while the second warrior jabs him in the shoulder right through his armor.
Edgrin waves his hand and with an arcane word, tosses a small object at the feet of the camouflaged one.
Camo Kobold Save:
The kobold looks down at it, smirks at Edgrin, and then turns back towards the kobold “traitors” in front of him.
If the Robed Kobold is dying...
If the Robed Kobold is already dead... (and we're still in combat)
Visibly frustrated that both of his arrows missed, Rogan again sets his sights on the camouflaged kobold and lets fly with two more arrows.
Attack Rolls: 1d20+7=14, 1d20+7=19
Damage Roll (for second arrow): 1d8+1=2
Noctem stays put.
Omen takes a moment to remind Rogan of the song he heard 6 seconds ago that is still inspiring courage in him for another 24 seconds or so...
Omen steps over to the robed kobold and places his hands over his chest. A radiant blue light shines through his fingers as the kobold opens his eyes and looks around in a panic. He still appears quite wounded but is now conscious.
Rogan lets loose two more arrows directly at the camo-faced Kobold. The first one misses over his left shoulder, while the other strikes home in the right side of his chest, right through his studded armor.
The camouflaged one swings his talon-chain at the warrior in front of him:
The warrior collapses from a deep wound in his neck, and as he hits the ground, the camouflaged kobold grunts and bears his reptilian teeth.
The other kobold in front Edgrin thrusts his spear at his throat:
Edgrin dodges to the side and the tip of the spear grinds against the doorframe.
The robed kobold, now conscious, pulls himself up on his feet and then backs up towards the south wall.
He then waves his right hand and speaks an arcane-sounding word that sounds threatening as he scowls at the camouflaged one. The kobold glances at him and does not appear affected.
The kobold warriors move up to attack. One moves diagonally towards the camouflaged one and thrusts his spear simultaneously.
The spear tip breaks right though the leather armor and into the camouflaged one’s stomach. He cries out in agony as the warrior pulls the spear out of his gut. Blood oozes down staining his armor and pooling on the floor.
The warrior next to the attacking one likewise thrusts his spear at the camouflaged one; however it glances off a few of the studs on his armor.
Edgrin stabs at the kobold directly in front of him with his dagger:
The kobold merely steps backward at the attack and it completely misses.
Rogan attempts to take advantage of the camouflaged-one’s weakened state.
The arrow makes its way straight into the center of the kobold’s chest. His eyes open wide and he falls to his knees and then forward flat on his face.
With that one down, Rogan looses his next arrow aimed at the remaining kobold with but a few seconds of delay after he watches the dead kobold hit the floor.
The arrow hits the kobold near the center of his scaly forehead. The kobold freezes in place and falls backward onto the floor.
Edgrin immediately places his back up against the doorframe. "I'm afraid there is more of this to come, friends. We must continue."
Omen quickly moves over to the kobold dropped by the wicked talon-tipped chain and checks to see if the warrior is still alive and if so, stabilze him.
Omen, you find that the kobold is still breathing and has a pulse, albeit a weak one. You put pressure on his wound and stop the bleeding. He is stable but still unconscious.
Edgrin speaks with the robed one as he limps over to him.
“He says that was a dark talon warrior; elite warriors of Merlokrep. This robed one’s name is Kerrdremak, a spellcaster in the king’s court. He says we need to look out up ahead as there is a demon dwarf nearby. He is right… the dwarf took hold of the boy Jurin and I don’t know if he survived. I think we must find out. They are down this passage here.” Edgrin points down the right passage. “There is a way to the second floor below in the room beyond.”
Omen calls out to the Wind and the Wave as blue energy flows into the stabilized kobold.
"Hrmmm... this one is ready to continue... hrmmm... but this one's ancestors will only answer his call... hrmmm... once more this day. This one wants you to know... hrmm... that we will call them only if... hrmmm... pressed."
He stands up and looks toward Rogan, his face a mask of stoicism.
The kobolds eyes open and it sits up and then stands. He nods to Omen and picks up his spear left on the ground from when he fell.
Rogan nods after Omen’s words and begins looking for his expended arrows. He recovers one of them and slips it into his quiver.
“Noctem will guard the children, but if we are in danger, he will fight alongside us as we are their only hope of getting out of here.”
Edgrin turns towards the rough-looking tunnel to the right. I would prefer if someone else takes the lead. I am hardly equipped to be on the front lines.” He chuckles.
"Hrmmm... this one sees as well as our scaled brothers in the dark... hrmmm... and will therefore lead."
Omen mends a few patches of damaged cloth on Kerrdremak as well as some slits in one of the warriors suit of leather armor.
Omen, you and Rogan find a dagger, another talon-chain whip, 2 javelins, and small studded leather armor on the dark talon hunter. The rest of the burnt/dead kobolds have leather armor and spears.
Omen will pull out his waterskin and create water in it, passing it around and refilling it until everyone who was thirsty has had enough to drink. The water is cool and refreshing, like it came from a mountain spring. He will offer it to the children first, kneeling down, shaking their hands and refering to each of them as Brave Strong Warrior before offering small words of large encouragement.