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“Intrepid heroes urgently needed! Protect our beloved city!
Apply for a commission at the magisterial headquarters.”
Signs have been posted on every street corner. Criers have started making announcements. Rumors abound about what might be happening, but you have heard nothing definite so far.
PCs may try Diplomacy to gather information.
Result Information Gleaned
10:A local kobold tribe has been launching low-level raids in the vicinity
15: A number of farm animals have disappeared recently.A group of people applied for the assignment about two months ago. No word has been heard from them since they left.
20: Some farmers claim to have seen “something big” in the area.
25: Hunting in the forest has not been so good lately. One hunter found whatcappeared to be remains of a campfire.
30: One set of cow bones seems to have been damaged by acid.
At the town hall, the magistrate tells the PCs following tale.
“We have been trying to negotiate a peace settlement with those kobolds for months, with no success. We raid them, they want revenge and raid us. Then we want revenge and raid them. And on and on. About two months ago, I made the mistake of sending a group of ham-fisted, beef-witted would-be adventurers to try to smooth things over. Nothing came back. Nothing. When I sent them out, I sent along a silver bowl with them. It’s not magical or anything like that, but it’s been in my family for two hundred years. My ancestor took it from the kobolds on a raid, so I thought that returning it might help our cause. If you find it, do your best to get it back to its rightful owners. Try to find out what happened to the last group, will you?
“Why am I sending civilians on this mission? I prefer not to send uniforms because it sends the wrong signal. If a group of soldiers show up at your front door, you do not assume their intent is peaceful.
“The city watch supply can provide you with horses, camping gear, food, and basic supplies for your journey. Beyond that, you're on your own. It should take you about two weeks to reach the kobold stronghold. Good luck.
In each of the following two encounters, there is a 30% chance that a group of kobolds (1d4) are engaged in battle with the monster. If the PCs attack the monster, the kobolds will assist the PCs.
FIRST ENCOUNTER: Ankheg
Some of the attacks blamed on the kobold tribe (by the town) and on the townsfolk (by the kobolds) were really the ankheg. The ankheg’s lair contains evidence of its recent activity, including some human and kobold items damaged by acid.
SECOND ENCOUNTER: Ogre
The ogre is also responsible for many of the recent attacks. In addition to various items stolen from the kobolds and townsfolk, the PCs find the silver bowl in the ogre's lair.
KOBOLD HOME CITY
When the PCs reach the kobold cavern complex, they will be met by 4 guards (unfriendly, unless the PCs are accompanied by kobolds). The guards will allow the PCs entrance if the PCs succeed in a Diplomacy check to improve the guards’ attitude. If the PCs have the silver bowl, add +5 to the check. The guards will insist that the PCs leave their weapons at the door. One of the guards will escort the PCs to the kobold leader.
The kobold leader can be persuaded (DC 20 diplomacy check) to call a temporary cease-fire. Apply the following modifiers:
Bowl: +5
Kobold companions: +5
Acid-damaged kobold armor: +2
A critical failure means the kobolds attack the PCs. If the PCs run, they can escape.