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Company of Chaos - All Around Golarion
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<blockquote data-quote="Lwaxy" data-source="post: 5901755" data-attributes="member: 53286"><p>As the dust and smoke settled over the scene, Zayel dropped to the ground and stared at the used up wands. Both the vrock, who had left only a few feathers behind, and the drider had been ore resilient than he had thought. His head was spinning from some sort of sinic spell that had hit him. "I didn't think using wands wound require that much energy," he groaned. Vaguely, he remembered his father mentioning that to use certain magic items, you had to use some of your own magic, which was why such items could only be used by those able to use that magic without aid.</p><p></p><p>"You used up a-all t-the charges?" Mook asked.</p><p></p><p>Zayel nodded weakly and threw a glance at Amaran, who was sprawled on the floor after the drider had launched some bright spell at him. "I hope he's alive?"</p><p></p><p>"Y-yeah, and p-probably n-not as bad off as it l-looks," Mook grinned. For some reason, the gnome seemed to be brighter than before and didn't look the slightest bit tired. </p><p></p><p>"So, what now? Was that lall of those drow? Do we need to born the bodies or something?" Zayel stood up again, trying to shake the dizziness..</p><p></p><p>"That, and find out what is inside there." Amaran's voice sounded even weaker than his own. "For them to be so far away from where they are usually found and so adamant on getting inside, it must be something really important. Maybe some old cult site."</p><p></p><p>"T-those o-other cultists, t-they g-got magic up here s-somehow, yes?"</p><p></p><p>"Yeah." Zayel went closer to the next door. "I see what you mean. If those mute god freaks could get magic, maybe the drow wanted that, too."</p><p></p><p>"I think," Mook said, eyes half closed, "I t-think I know w-what is inside." Then she turned at pointed to the exit. "But one of you b-better be searching for T-tiva, the spell that sh-shocked her must have worn out by n-now. She's probably l-lost."</p><p></p><p>Zayel closed his eyes and felt for his familiar. "Will says she is on her way back up the hill, but she is not alone. Someone small like a halfling is with her." </p><p></p><p>Mook nodded. "I g-guess she f-finally called her e-eidolon back in a-all the panic."</p><p></p><p>"I'll check." The elf vanished outside. </p><p></p><p>"So what's inside?" Zayel pointed once the elf was gone. </p><p></p><p>"Something a-ancient and s-silent," the gnome replied. "S-silence is the k-ey here. T-that's why the m-mute god followers c-could pull it off." According to Mook, the magic energy inside was very powerful, and any sound would shatter the place. </p><p></p><p>As she explained this, Zayel's face showed total confusion. "What good would such a place do? Is is a site for a test or something?"</p><p></p><p>"I d-do not know. I'm j-just an oracle," the gnome smiled. "P-ut a silence s-spell on me, yes? I w-will check it out." </p><p></p><p>Zayel nodded and did so, ignoring that the elf would not be too pleased about it. But then, he had not been all that happy about the way Amaran acted about all this either. Soon after Mook vanished, the other 3 appeared in the door. Tiva had a weird companion at her side. The size of roughly a halfling, it looked like a walking mix of dog and pig, with long ears, droopy eyes, a pig snout but fine fingers and toes looking like it could be good at crafts. Its eyes looked very intelligent, but it appeared shy. The clothes of the thing were even weirder. They seemed to be made from an ever changing, shining material. It was impossible to see if it was a male or a female, or maybe neither. </p><p></p><p>Noticing his stare, Tiva smiled weakly. "This is Onu," she introduced the being. "My eidolon."</p><p></p><p>"I guessed." Zayel grinned. "Nice to meet you – it can understand me, yes?"</p><p></p><p>"I'm a she... I think," the eidolon replied in a voice sounding like a talking pig. "Your world is so different. Tiva made me but never called me much." Onu sounded sad about it. </p><p></p><p>"I'm sorry, Onu," Tiva whispered. </p><p></p><p>"The gnome went inside?" Amaran's eyes flashed annoyance. </p><p></p><p>"Yes, and we need to make no sound if we are not to destroy what is inside." Quickly, Zayel tried to explain what Mook had found, although he had the feeling he was confusing the others. But Mook was already exiting the strange place with a serious look on her face. </p><p></p><p>Her wolf's ears perked up and he sat up. Until now, he had waited half outside, half inside, not having dared to come close to the demon or the spidery thing. Now that the danger was over and something had happened with his mistress, he was becoming more and more agitated. </p><p></p><p>Mook pointed to the used up wands Zayel was still holding. Confused, he handed them to her and watched her gliding back inside, still covered by his spell. "What's that about?"</p><p></p><p>"I have an idea," the paladin said. "The cult members came back with magical things all the time. Maybe the energy I can feel inside there is recharging items, or making them magic to begin with."</p><p></p><p>"Now that would be useful, but why would the drow be so interested? I mean, it's too far from where they are, or so you have hinted. Seems pretty much useless, even with establishing a base here." Zayel scratched his head. "And they would be found out after having to contest with the cult members."</p><p></p><p>"I don't know," Amaran frowned, but it sounded like only half the truth. Zayel decided not to press the matter though as Mook was exiting again, handing him the wards back. Zayel removed the spell and looked at her expectantly. </p><p></p><p>"There's raw magic in there, somehow, recharging magical things," Mook lifted her finger to show the ring she had recharged. "Means I can save the ritual for later. It all has to be in silence though, not sure why this is. And I don't think it would be drow friendly. Drow use dark magic, and that's all light in there."</p><p></p><p>Zayel knew his friend was lying, although she was very convincing. The others didn't notice, and he tried not to betray his insight on his face. "So they would have probably gone mad and destroyed the place?" he offered. </p><p></p><p>"If they didn't plan to just do that anyway," the gnome nodded. </p><p></p><p>"So, what now? Do we let the cultists come here and do their pretend thing? Or close it off, or what? Do we need to protect this place somehow?" Zayel talked fast, trying not to allow the paladin to jump in before he had turned the discussion into the direction he wanted, just as his bard father had taught him to do. </p><p></p><p>"No, to them it needs to look like the place has been destroyed," Mook suggested. "Then the drow will stay away as well." </p><p></p><p>"Just because it is ancient," the paladin managed to put in, "does not mean it needs to be preserved. There are many dangerous sites and artifacts my people have destroyed rather than risk it falling into the wrong hands"</p><p></p><p>"But this can't fall into the wrong hands!" Without the stutter, Mook radiated a strange authority, one that made even Zayel feel uneasy. "If really needed, we can come back and destroy it later. The drow will not return. What we need is a permanent illusion. Do you know someone who could make an illusion permanent?" Mook asked the elf.</p><p></p><p>"I can do that," Tiva piped up, flushing a bright red in the process. "When we weren't taught how to deal with our eidolons, we were told how to make the few other spells we knew permanent. I should be able to do that."</p><p></p><p>"Oh?" The gnome nodded. "Very well, then, let's get to work. One less to know about this is all the better." </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Edawon's Diary, 13th of Abadius</p><p></p><p>There seems to be no end of troubles in the world, no matter where you go. Not that I didn't know that already but anytime I am reminded, I feel like another weight drops on my shoulders. </p><p></p><p>Winter is still in full swing, although the snowfall has dried up and the weather is great most of the time. This has prompted the Lumber Consortium to start a new lumber camp now, so that it would be ready in spring for the harvest – that's what they call the destruction of the woods. Seems something didn't like their actions though, as this morning, the taskmaster of the new cutyard came back in a desolate state. Something had attacked, and while ha had not waited to see what it was, he insists he heard the dying screams of the others. No other survivors appeared during the day. </p><p></p><p>Kreed, the boss of this town, wants to send a considerable force of his men into the woods tomorrow, and he wants us to go along. This is weird because before, he was none too happy about our continued involvement with his son and our popularity, especially since he considers us children, except for Krell and me. My guess is he is planning something sinister, but short of leaving, which we can't do yet as we want to take the children along and need more favorable conditions for that, we had no choice but to agree. However, as Greypelt has visited me this night and informed me that it is possible the kobolds are back – however that figures in – we should probably check it out in any case. </p><p></p><p>Thus, we will be leaving tomorrow at first light. I have told the others about my suspicion so everyone will stay alert. </p><p></p><p>The fox I found in the forest has recovered, and it is time to give her a name, I think, as she does not want to move from my side much. I will leave her behind tomorrow though as I doubt she would be safe in the presence of those who destroy her living space.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Edawon's Diary, 14th of Abadius</p><p></p><p></p><p>The leader of the consortium thugs – can't call them anything else, really – is an annoying thick necked guy called Boss Teedum. I call him Tedious on purpose and it annoys him to no end. He brought 4 goons with him. One, called Flick, got issues with the dark, and so I've asked Greypelt and his wolves to howl close by, just staying out of the range of any weapons. It got them all nervous and they wonder how we can be so calm. I am thinking of asking Greypelt to remove Tedious and his goons once we are sure we won't need them. </p><p></p><p>We are observed by fey, that much I am sure of. Krell has noticed it, too. But as we should be known as friendly to the forest, we should not be in problem. Even weirder than being watched was the meeting with two giants, a couple that seems to have some marriage issues. First we met him, looking for his wedding ring so we helped him find it much to the annoyance of the thugs. Later we met the worried wife and pointed her in the direction of her husband. Zaza whispered something to Morgsa – that's her name – but she refused to tell me what it was. </p><p></p><p></p><p>We arrived at the lumber camp late afternoon. There wasn't much sunlight filtering in, and smoke was everywhere. They made a large clearing, tree stumps were everywhere. There were also a few log buildings looking somewhat unfinished. Everything that wasn't very solid was smashed. We could hear the fire and smell burning flesh and death – and something like from a tomb, or maybe only me and Krell could smell that. It was, to me, a clear sign of undead presence, and once more I wished we had the dwarf paladin at our site. </p><p></p><p>Krell waved for the others to hold back while the thugs, cursing loudly, went to check out the camp, throwing looks at us likely meaning they would kill us if we touched anything. How stupid. Krell declared loudly he would scout the outskirts with the rest of us to make sure nothing was still lurking. Of course, with his shadow world sharpened eyes, he had already seen dead kobolds among the bodies and didn't want to trigger any traps. Him and me, we both know kobolds – at least the standard variety. Asides, Zaza felt sick from the view, and while Majek did not admit it, he didn't feel good either. </p><p></p><p>We watched from the wood, using the thugs for trap spring and monster bait, something they probably intended to do with us, except for their stupidity. Surely enough, the dead kobolds were actually undead. We were shocked by this, but then, we weren't the ones attacked. </p><p></p><p>Asides from the undead kobolds, there was suddenly a big log on a rope swinging around like a pendulum, throwing one of the thugs who had just disposed off a kombie – our new word for kobold zombie – into some sting nettles. Two others sucked into what must have been the office building, and both came out again with crossbow bolts in their backs. </p><p></p><p>When Tedious and a bunch of certainly alive kobolds came running out of the office a bit later, followed by a swarm of angry centipedes, Krell decided that enough was enough and friend them with this electric spread he does, not quite like lighting and usually not very dangerous, but the insects, he got most of them with it. Also zapped the kobolds and Tedious a little, but that was more a source of amusement. </p><p></p><p>Krell then went back onto camp ground, followed by us, and announced in a very serous voice that nothing was lurking around the camp. Yes, we had made sure of that, but the way he said it when he just saw what was going on with the kombies and kobolds was too comical. We laughed about it later. At that point, we managed to look equally serious. Then Zaza asked why they had not obeyed their own warning about the woods and camps being dangerous. </p><p></p><p>I thought the thug would explode. He was about to say something when the last remaining of his goons came running out of the main camp building, followed by a swarm of what looked like flesh eating locusts. </p><p></p><p>I have to admit I dislike insect swarms, I never know what to do about them, and from Zaza's screams, she felt the same way. Krell's lightning thing worked again though, if not in the way he had intended. Only about half of the locusts dropped off dead or paralyzed. The rest of them got very very pissed and went all over the guy they had been following. Not a death I wish on anyone, so I was quite relieved to see Krell helped the matter with a few more spells, including some poison gas of whatever it was. It smelled hell awful, and Zaza fainted for a moment. Sometimes, she is really girly. </p><p></p><p>There were still some of those pests left, unfortunately, and somehow they had deducted who was attacking them. They left the body of their victim and came at Krell and, because he was standing by with gaping mouth, Boss Tedious. </p><p></p><p>I never saw any humans run that fast as those two. Krell was lots faster, than the stocky Tedious of course. There was a big pile of timber logs nearby, and the two of them scrambled up on them as if that would help anything. The locusts got Tedious on his way up, but they didn't get to eat him, unfortunately. Because right then, a kobold we hadn't noticed – and a living one at that – loosened the pile's chains which were holding it in place. Before anyone knew it, the logs were coming down on us, with Krell balancing barely on them, Tedious tumbling down with them, the locusts vanishing or being squashed and a bunch of blue kobolds screaming and trying to avoid disaster. For some reason, they didn't split up and avoid the logs for good bun run ahead of them, like in bad stories. They dashed between the office and the watchtower, being lucky. Not so lucky were Krell and Tedious, who both managed to get into the tower. The door fell close behind them, and only now dd we hear the moaning of pain from above. A dwarf lumberjack was tied up and hanging to the side of the tower – obviously a trap we totally missed to begin with. But now Krell and the thug had gotten into it due to the logs. And the tower was badly shaken and in places shattered by the logs, it was lenaing over like a drunk sailor in a whorehouse. </p><p></p><p>I heard a kobold cry out in panic and found Majek standing over the cause of the log avalanche. He said the kobold had tried to magically disappear when he got him. It was a large green kobold who thought he was about to be beheaded, and after all this I was about to advise the alchemist to just do it. But then, we have seen in the past how kobolds are easily coaxed into anything, at least those supposedly lesser ones, and so i went over to bind him. Then I told the others about the trap Krell was in. </p><p></p><p>Just then we heard Tedious scream, and a chuckling hiss sounding like "brainsbrainsbrainssss." One of the kombies was obviously inside the tower. We heard Krell curse and more cried from Tedious, and Zaza and Majek looked at me as if it was up to me to decide what to do next. But before I could decide, the screaming blue kobolds were back, this time followed by about a dozen of kombies, all hissing for "braaaainsss" and going "meeeeerk." It was totally weird. I found myself wondering why those kombies followed their former clan mates, considering that they didn't behave as if they had any brains to start with. </p><p></p><p>I probably didn't mention yet that I do not like zombies, and much less kombies, either. In some parts of the world they are used as servants, perverted as that is. Those, they were just ordered to eat, as it seemed. And I'm still not sure what it is about them wanting to eat brains, when they are neither in need of any nourishment nor would a brain be something so special. I will need to ask the paladin when we meet again. </p><p></p><p>Now there were a lot of logs scattered around, and while the kobolds climbed over it quickly, the kombies stumbled around and lost their balance again and again, making them an easy target for us to pick off one by one. It was teedum, err tedious work, though, and we all got splattered by stuff we didn't want to think about. Suddenly, we were joined by a Krell who was positively grinning. We found out he had let the large kombie eat the brains of the thug – didn't take long, small brain and all – and then shifted the thing into the shadow world. </p><p></p><p>Him and Zaza went back up to rescue the dwarf, when suddenly the now out of breath bunch of kobolds appeared again, this time followed by a swarm of spiders. No idea where they picked them up, but I got tired of them. I suggested Majek should use a bottle of alchemist's fire, and he did. I didn't think that one trough, though, because now the logs were burning and we had to run for distance. Luckily, nothing else could burn in the clearing – except the tower. So we had the rescued dwarf and 2 of our own up there and were beginning to panic. </p><p></p><p>Krell, on the other hand, decided to shadow walk it, as there were enough shadows in the tower and under the trees. He appeared with the unconscious dwarf and Zaza just as the almost falling over kobolds came running again. They appeared out of the smoke, coughing and gasping, followed by a huge beetle. And I mean huge. As in, like a hut. And his mandibles were glowing, some energy crackled between his antenna and I kind not, there were jewels in its... well, whatever you call what covers its body! It seemed it had been hiding in the stable ruins. I can positively say, after this encounter, I hate insects. </p><p></p><p>I am not sure how the others brought it down, because at this point, I put myself in front of the kobolds and lead their running and screaming. I'm not even ashamed of that, there is something for everyone to scare them just a bit too much, and that was it for me. When me and the 3 kobolds, who strangely accepted me after that, got back, the monster was simply gone. I suspect Krell but didn't ask. </p><p></p><p>We then set to use our healing potions on the lumberjack and interviewed the kobolds. Turned out that they were of the tribe we helped to get rid of the king, but then the kombies, minions of a now kombie king Merko... whatever his name is again... and some living kobold referred to as sting warden, a druid title given to masters of vermin what explained all the insects, tried to press them into joining them. They were of course terrified and just wanted to go home. The kombie king was out for revenge and we would be clever to run, they said. </p><p></p><p>The dwarf, Thelgrin, told us of this sting warden kobold, describing him as green scaled menace. Most of the lumberjacks had been killed, but some had been taken, we think to lure us after them after we know what now know, and with the dwarf as extra bait. Thelgrin said they took the hostages to the west, but no one in their sane mind would go there as there is a place called Cold Marrow there which 'would crack your bones and freeze your soul." But I do not see that we have any other choice. </p><p></p><p>We burned the rest of the camp, and then Krell used his last bit of strength to shadow walk the unconscious again dwarf to Falcon's Hollow. He couldn't take us all, like it would have worked with a teleport spell, and he couldn't come back the same evening so we feet even more lonely out here. We burned the rest of the camp and went a bit off the area to make camp. I took first watch so I am now writing this while watching Zaza sleep. From what I see, she likely has nightmares but I don't want to wake her. The kobolds are still with us but we won't trust them with a watch.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Lwaxy, post: 5901755, member: 53286"] As the dust and smoke settled over the scene, Zayel dropped to the ground and stared at the used up wands. Both the vrock, who had left only a few feathers behind, and the drider had been ore resilient than he had thought. His head was spinning from some sort of sinic spell that had hit him. "I didn't think using wands wound require that much energy," he groaned. Vaguely, he remembered his father mentioning that to use certain magic items, you had to use some of your own magic, which was why such items could only be used by those able to use that magic without aid. "You used up a-all t-the charges?" Mook asked. Zayel nodded weakly and threw a glance at Amaran, who was sprawled on the floor after the drider had launched some bright spell at him. "I hope he's alive?" "Y-yeah, and p-probably n-not as bad off as it l-looks," Mook grinned. For some reason, the gnome seemed to be brighter than before and didn't look the slightest bit tired. "So, what now? Was that lall of those drow? Do we need to born the bodies or something?" Zayel stood up again, trying to shake the dizziness.. "That, and find out what is inside there." Amaran's voice sounded even weaker than his own. "For them to be so far away from where they are usually found and so adamant on getting inside, it must be something really important. Maybe some old cult site." "T-those o-other cultists, t-they g-got magic up here s-somehow, yes?" "Yeah." Zayel went closer to the next door. "I see what you mean. If those mute god freaks could get magic, maybe the drow wanted that, too." "I think," Mook said, eyes half closed, "I t-think I know w-what is inside." Then she turned at pointed to the exit. "But one of you b-better be searching for T-tiva, the spell that sh-shocked her must have worn out by n-now. She's probably l-lost." Zayel closed his eyes and felt for his familiar. "Will says she is on her way back up the hill, but she is not alone. Someone small like a halfling is with her." Mook nodded. "I g-guess she f-finally called her e-eidolon back in a-all the panic." "I'll check." The elf vanished outside. "So what's inside?" Zayel pointed once the elf was gone. "Something a-ancient and s-silent," the gnome replied. "S-silence is the k-ey here. T-that's why the m-mute god followers c-could pull it off." According to Mook, the magic energy inside was very powerful, and any sound would shatter the place. As she explained this, Zayel's face showed total confusion. "What good would such a place do? Is is a site for a test or something?" "I d-do not know. I'm j-just an oracle," the gnome smiled. "P-ut a silence s-spell on me, yes? I w-will check it out." Zayel nodded and did so, ignoring that the elf would not be too pleased about it. But then, he had not been all that happy about the way Amaran acted about all this either. Soon after Mook vanished, the other 3 appeared in the door. Tiva had a weird companion at her side. The size of roughly a halfling, it looked like a walking mix of dog and pig, with long ears, droopy eyes, a pig snout but fine fingers and toes looking like it could be good at crafts. Its eyes looked very intelligent, but it appeared shy. The clothes of the thing were even weirder. They seemed to be made from an ever changing, shining material. It was impossible to see if it was a male or a female, or maybe neither. Noticing his stare, Tiva smiled weakly. "This is Onu," she introduced the being. "My eidolon." "I guessed." Zayel grinned. "Nice to meet you – it can understand me, yes?" "I'm a she... I think," the eidolon replied in a voice sounding like a talking pig. "Your world is so different. Tiva made me but never called me much." Onu sounded sad about it. "I'm sorry, Onu," Tiva whispered. "The gnome went inside?" Amaran's eyes flashed annoyance. "Yes, and we need to make no sound if we are not to destroy what is inside." Quickly, Zayel tried to explain what Mook had found, although he had the feeling he was confusing the others. But Mook was already exiting the strange place with a serious look on her face. Her wolf's ears perked up and he sat up. Until now, he had waited half outside, half inside, not having dared to come close to the demon or the spidery thing. Now that the danger was over and something had happened with his mistress, he was becoming more and more agitated. Mook pointed to the used up wands Zayel was still holding. Confused, he handed them to her and watched her gliding back inside, still covered by his spell. "What's that about?" "I have an idea," the paladin said. "The cult members came back with magical things all the time. Maybe the energy I can feel inside there is recharging items, or making them magic to begin with." "Now that would be useful, but why would the drow be so interested? I mean, it's too far from where they are, or so you have hinted. Seems pretty much useless, even with establishing a base here." Zayel scratched his head. "And they would be found out after having to contest with the cult members." "I don't know," Amaran frowned, but it sounded like only half the truth. Zayel decided not to press the matter though as Mook was exiting again, handing him the wards back. Zayel removed the spell and looked at her expectantly. "There's raw magic in there, somehow, recharging magical things," Mook lifted her finger to show the ring she had recharged. "Means I can save the ritual for later. It all has to be in silence though, not sure why this is. And I don't think it would be drow friendly. Drow use dark magic, and that's all light in there." Zayel knew his friend was lying, although she was very convincing. The others didn't notice, and he tried not to betray his insight on his face. "So they would have probably gone mad and destroyed the place?" he offered. "If they didn't plan to just do that anyway," the gnome nodded. "So, what now? Do we let the cultists come here and do their pretend thing? Or close it off, or what? Do we need to protect this place somehow?" Zayel talked fast, trying not to allow the paladin to jump in before he had turned the discussion into the direction he wanted, just as his bard father had taught him to do. "No, to them it needs to look like the place has been destroyed," Mook suggested. "Then the drow will stay away as well." "Just because it is ancient," the paladin managed to put in, "does not mean it needs to be preserved. There are many dangerous sites and artifacts my people have destroyed rather than risk it falling into the wrong hands" "But this can't fall into the wrong hands!" Without the stutter, Mook radiated a strange authority, one that made even Zayel feel uneasy. "If really needed, we can come back and destroy it later. The drow will not return. What we need is a permanent illusion. Do you know someone who could make an illusion permanent?" Mook asked the elf. "I can do that," Tiva piped up, flushing a bright red in the process. "When we weren't taught how to deal with our eidolons, we were told how to make the few other spells we knew permanent. I should be able to do that." "Oh?" The gnome nodded. "Very well, then, let's get to work. One less to know about this is all the better." Edawon's Diary, 13th of Abadius There seems to be no end of troubles in the world, no matter where you go. Not that I didn't know that already but anytime I am reminded, I feel like another weight drops on my shoulders. Winter is still in full swing, although the snowfall has dried up and the weather is great most of the time. This has prompted the Lumber Consortium to start a new lumber camp now, so that it would be ready in spring for the harvest – that's what they call the destruction of the woods. Seems something didn't like their actions though, as this morning, the taskmaster of the new cutyard came back in a desolate state. Something had attacked, and while ha had not waited to see what it was, he insists he heard the dying screams of the others. No other survivors appeared during the day. Kreed, the boss of this town, wants to send a considerable force of his men into the woods tomorrow, and he wants us to go along. This is weird because before, he was none too happy about our continued involvement with his son and our popularity, especially since he considers us children, except for Krell and me. My guess is he is planning something sinister, but short of leaving, which we can't do yet as we want to take the children along and need more favorable conditions for that, we had no choice but to agree. However, as Greypelt has visited me this night and informed me that it is possible the kobolds are back – however that figures in – we should probably check it out in any case. Thus, we will be leaving tomorrow at first light. I have told the others about my suspicion so everyone will stay alert. The fox I found in the forest has recovered, and it is time to give her a name, I think, as she does not want to move from my side much. I will leave her behind tomorrow though as I doubt she would be safe in the presence of those who destroy her living space. Edawon's Diary, 14th of Abadius The leader of the consortium thugs – can't call them anything else, really – is an annoying thick necked guy called Boss Teedum. I call him Tedious on purpose and it annoys him to no end. He brought 4 goons with him. One, called Flick, got issues with the dark, and so I've asked Greypelt and his wolves to howl close by, just staying out of the range of any weapons. It got them all nervous and they wonder how we can be so calm. I am thinking of asking Greypelt to remove Tedious and his goons once we are sure we won't need them. We are observed by fey, that much I am sure of. Krell has noticed it, too. But as we should be known as friendly to the forest, we should not be in problem. Even weirder than being watched was the meeting with two giants, a couple that seems to have some marriage issues. First we met him, looking for his wedding ring so we helped him find it much to the annoyance of the thugs. Later we met the worried wife and pointed her in the direction of her husband. Zaza whispered something to Morgsa – that's her name – but she refused to tell me what it was. We arrived at the lumber camp late afternoon. There wasn't much sunlight filtering in, and smoke was everywhere. They made a large clearing, tree stumps were everywhere. There were also a few log buildings looking somewhat unfinished. Everything that wasn't very solid was smashed. We could hear the fire and smell burning flesh and death – and something like from a tomb, or maybe only me and Krell could smell that. It was, to me, a clear sign of undead presence, and once more I wished we had the dwarf paladin at our site. Krell waved for the others to hold back while the thugs, cursing loudly, went to check out the camp, throwing looks at us likely meaning they would kill us if we touched anything. How stupid. Krell declared loudly he would scout the outskirts with the rest of us to make sure nothing was still lurking. Of course, with his shadow world sharpened eyes, he had already seen dead kobolds among the bodies and didn't want to trigger any traps. Him and me, we both know kobolds – at least the standard variety. Asides, Zaza felt sick from the view, and while Majek did not admit it, he didn't feel good either. We watched from the wood, using the thugs for trap spring and monster bait, something they probably intended to do with us, except for their stupidity. Surely enough, the dead kobolds were actually undead. We were shocked by this, but then, we weren't the ones attacked. Asides from the undead kobolds, there was suddenly a big log on a rope swinging around like a pendulum, throwing one of the thugs who had just disposed off a kombie – our new word for kobold zombie – into some sting nettles. Two others sucked into what must have been the office building, and both came out again with crossbow bolts in their backs. When Tedious and a bunch of certainly alive kobolds came running out of the office a bit later, followed by a swarm of angry centipedes, Krell decided that enough was enough and friend them with this electric spread he does, not quite like lighting and usually not very dangerous, but the insects, he got most of them with it. Also zapped the kobolds and Tedious a little, but that was more a source of amusement. Krell then went back onto camp ground, followed by us, and announced in a very serous voice that nothing was lurking around the camp. Yes, we had made sure of that, but the way he said it when he just saw what was going on with the kombies and kobolds was too comical. We laughed about it later. At that point, we managed to look equally serious. Then Zaza asked why they had not obeyed their own warning about the woods and camps being dangerous. I thought the thug would explode. He was about to say something when the last remaining of his goons came running out of the main camp building, followed by a swarm of what looked like flesh eating locusts. I have to admit I dislike insect swarms, I never know what to do about them, and from Zaza's screams, she felt the same way. Krell's lightning thing worked again though, if not in the way he had intended. Only about half of the locusts dropped off dead or paralyzed. The rest of them got very very pissed and went all over the guy they had been following. Not a death I wish on anyone, so I was quite relieved to see Krell helped the matter with a few more spells, including some poison gas of whatever it was. It smelled hell awful, and Zaza fainted for a moment. Sometimes, she is really girly. There were still some of those pests left, unfortunately, and somehow they had deducted who was attacking them. They left the body of their victim and came at Krell and, because he was standing by with gaping mouth, Boss Tedious. I never saw any humans run that fast as those two. Krell was lots faster, than the stocky Tedious of course. There was a big pile of timber logs nearby, and the two of them scrambled up on them as if that would help anything. The locusts got Tedious on his way up, but they didn't get to eat him, unfortunately. Because right then, a kobold we hadn't noticed – and a living one at that – loosened the pile's chains which were holding it in place. Before anyone knew it, the logs were coming down on us, with Krell balancing barely on them, Tedious tumbling down with them, the locusts vanishing or being squashed and a bunch of blue kobolds screaming and trying to avoid disaster. For some reason, they didn't split up and avoid the logs for good bun run ahead of them, like in bad stories. They dashed between the office and the watchtower, being lucky. Not so lucky were Krell and Tedious, who both managed to get into the tower. The door fell close behind them, and only now dd we hear the moaning of pain from above. A dwarf lumberjack was tied up and hanging to the side of the tower – obviously a trap we totally missed to begin with. But now Krell and the thug had gotten into it due to the logs. And the tower was badly shaken and in places shattered by the logs, it was lenaing over like a drunk sailor in a whorehouse. I heard a kobold cry out in panic and found Majek standing over the cause of the log avalanche. He said the kobold had tried to magically disappear when he got him. It was a large green kobold who thought he was about to be beheaded, and after all this I was about to advise the alchemist to just do it. But then, we have seen in the past how kobolds are easily coaxed into anything, at least those supposedly lesser ones, and so i went over to bind him. Then I told the others about the trap Krell was in. Just then we heard Tedious scream, and a chuckling hiss sounding like "brainsbrainsbrainssss." One of the kombies was obviously inside the tower. We heard Krell curse and more cried from Tedious, and Zaza and Majek looked at me as if it was up to me to decide what to do next. But before I could decide, the screaming blue kobolds were back, this time followed by about a dozen of kombies, all hissing for "braaaainsss" and going "meeeeerk." It was totally weird. I found myself wondering why those kombies followed their former clan mates, considering that they didn't behave as if they had any brains to start with. I probably didn't mention yet that I do not like zombies, and much less kombies, either. In some parts of the world they are used as servants, perverted as that is. Those, they were just ordered to eat, as it seemed. And I'm still not sure what it is about them wanting to eat brains, when they are neither in need of any nourishment nor would a brain be something so special. I will need to ask the paladin when we meet again. Now there were a lot of logs scattered around, and while the kobolds climbed over it quickly, the kombies stumbled around and lost their balance again and again, making them an easy target for us to pick off one by one. It was teedum, err tedious work, though, and we all got splattered by stuff we didn't want to think about. Suddenly, we were joined by a Krell who was positively grinning. We found out he had let the large kombie eat the brains of the thug – didn't take long, small brain and all – and then shifted the thing into the shadow world. Him and Zaza went back up to rescue the dwarf, when suddenly the now out of breath bunch of kobolds appeared again, this time followed by a swarm of spiders. No idea where they picked them up, but I got tired of them. I suggested Majek should use a bottle of alchemist's fire, and he did. I didn't think that one trough, though, because now the logs were burning and we had to run for distance. Luckily, nothing else could burn in the clearing – except the tower. So we had the rescued dwarf and 2 of our own up there and were beginning to panic. Krell, on the other hand, decided to shadow walk it, as there were enough shadows in the tower and under the trees. He appeared with the unconscious dwarf and Zaza just as the almost falling over kobolds came running again. They appeared out of the smoke, coughing and gasping, followed by a huge beetle. And I mean huge. As in, like a hut. And his mandibles were glowing, some energy crackled between his antenna and I kind not, there were jewels in its... well, whatever you call what covers its body! It seemed it had been hiding in the stable ruins. I can positively say, after this encounter, I hate insects. I am not sure how the others brought it down, because at this point, I put myself in front of the kobolds and lead their running and screaming. I'm not even ashamed of that, there is something for everyone to scare them just a bit too much, and that was it for me. When me and the 3 kobolds, who strangely accepted me after that, got back, the monster was simply gone. I suspect Krell but didn't ask. We then set to use our healing potions on the lumberjack and interviewed the kobolds. Turned out that they were of the tribe we helped to get rid of the king, but then the kombies, minions of a now kombie king Merko... whatever his name is again... and some living kobold referred to as sting warden, a druid title given to masters of vermin what explained all the insects, tried to press them into joining them. They were of course terrified and just wanted to go home. The kombie king was out for revenge and we would be clever to run, they said. The dwarf, Thelgrin, told us of this sting warden kobold, describing him as green scaled menace. Most of the lumberjacks had been killed, but some had been taken, we think to lure us after them after we know what now know, and with the dwarf as extra bait. Thelgrin said they took the hostages to the west, but no one in their sane mind would go there as there is a place called Cold Marrow there which 'would crack your bones and freeze your soul." But I do not see that we have any other choice. We burned the rest of the camp, and then Krell used his last bit of strength to shadow walk the unconscious again dwarf to Falcon's Hollow. He couldn't take us all, like it would have worked with a teleport spell, and he couldn't come back the same evening so we feet even more lonely out here. We burned the rest of the camp and went a bit off the area to make camp. I took first watch so I am now writing this while watching Zaza sleep. From what I see, she likely has nightmares but I don't want to wake her. The kobolds are still with us but we won't trust them with a watch. [/QUOTE]
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