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Last Stand of the Dorinthians
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<blockquote data-quote="Deuce Traveler" data-source="post: 3431169" data-attributes="member: 34958"><p><strong>The troll...</strong></p><p></p><p>The party moved out. The first day was uneventful, although the party encountered the beginnings of a dark marsh. As they continued on in the morning of the second day, the party does its best to follow a swamp trail through the marsh. Silas happened to walk slightly off the path for a moment, when suddenly he was sucked up to his crotch in mud. His alarm increased as he noticed that his body continued to be slowly sucked under. Frantically, he noted that there were no shrubs or trees around in which to hold onto. Instinctively, Dartis moved forward to grab Silas' arms, but was stopped by Alexander, who knew that Dartis might get himself sucked under, especially in his armor, if he was not careful.</p><p></p><p>Kel was thinking about his talk with Alexander, and their discussing of the Huntress and the wilderness. His mind was also on Rix. He was concerned at how the mission might affect the young kobold. After all, their lives may depend on how he carried himself during the pending encounters. </p><p></p><p>(DM's Note: This was actually a post by the player of Kel a minute before mine, and he totally missed Silas falling into the marsh... so I had a little fun with him a number of hours later and with my next post...)</p><p></p><p>As Kel daydreamed about his recent experiences, he failed to notice Silas' plight and also fell into the muck, being pulled down to his waist because of his heavier load.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: Blue"><strong>"Damn it!"</strong></span> exclaimed Alexander as he went for the rope he had in the backpack. He handed one extreme to Dartis while holding to the other -given that the rope is so long, they used both extremes. <span style="color: Blue">"You pull out Silas!"</span> he said as he threw part of the coil to the elf-in-the-muck.</p><p></p><p>Dartis took the other end of the rope from Alexander. He gathered a few coils up to give it some weight and tossed them to Silas. "Grab the rope, and stop struggling!" He called out to Silas.</p><p></p><p>Both Silas and Kel tied the parts of the rope under their arms as Dartis and Alexander pull hard. Kel came out immediately, although Dartis had to give the rope a couple of tugs before Silas was freed. The two adventurers had barely enough time to give thanks, when a repugnant smell reached their noses.</p><p></p><p>Rix warned the party, as he could see two reptilian figures more than a 100 feet away, off the path and in the deeper part of the swamp. From the smell, all of the party knew that they must be troglodytes. They didn't approach, but instead kept their distance. It was obvious this marsh was going to be dangerous to traverse without a plan.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: Green">"Alexander, do you have a bow? I know I could hit them from here. The question is would we bring down more of them onto us by doing so. But then I doubt they are just there to watch us. Perhaps we should continue on while keeping an eye on those two and expecting an attack,"</span> offered Dartis.</p><p></p><p>Unable to really help drag the two larger companions to safety, Rix sat back on his haunches with his crossbow drawn in case the new dangers took advantage of the situation. He warned his companions to be wary, <span style="color: sienna">"We don't want to start a fight if we don't have to. As you've just seen, this swamp is dangerous enough without us fighting a running battle against an enemy that knows it and will use it to their advantage. I'd also recommend walking single file for now, the person in front checking the ground with a pole so this doesn't happen again."</span></p><p></p><p>Taking Rix's suggestion, the party continued to move through the marsh, single-file. Alexander led, driving a stick in the ground as he used his survival skill to bring the group safely out. </p><p></p><p>The pair of troglodytes stayed their distance until the party came out of the dangerous terrain. Then they approached, hands up in a manner of peace. The stench was horrible, but the group stood their ground until they were near enough to speak in a hissing, gutteral language that all but one of the party was unable to understand.</p><p></p><p>Rix answered them in their own language, causing the lizard-like men to nod in approval. They then bent down and undid a wrapped, dirty blanket one of them had hung on his back. Unfurling the blanket, the creatures showed a small piece of pottery with something foul inside, some well-picked mandrake root, and 3 strange, green crystals that looked somehow artificial.</p><p></p><p>Rix and them began to barter. At one point the party swore one of the troglodytes said the words 'rations' and 'alcohol' in common before continuing.</p><p></p><p>Silas watched as Rix spoke with the troglodytes. He peered at the crystals from a distance, not wanting to antagonize the troglodytes by appearing too interested in their possessions. Whispering to Alexander and Dartis, Silas said, <span style="color: orange">"Thank you for pulling me out of the muck."</span></p><p></p><p>In draconic, the smaller troglodyte said to Rix, <span style="color: white"><strong>"We see your group are not so foolish at to fall prey to the swamps. If so, we would have killed you. Instead, you have earned our respect and may barter with us."</strong></span> He removed the blanket from his back and showed his wares.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: white"><strong>"This jar contains poison that will weaken your enemy if your weapon cuts him while coated with this. The mandrake root is good if you have an alchemist or herbalist. We do not know what the crystals are for. We removed them from the back of the head of others of your kind."</strong></span> By 'your kind', Rix knew he meant kobolds. <span style="color: white"><strong>"Sometimes we attack their guard posts and take them as trophies. Sometimes they bleed us instead,"</strong></span> he says. <span style="color: white"><strong>"We respect them. They do not know fear."</strong></span></p><p><span style="color: white"><strong></strong></span></p><p><span style="color: white"><strong>"We will trade now. We want pink skin food, or what they call 'rations', or anything that they know as 'alcohol' which helps make us brave. We trade for anything else of value to warriors."</strong></span></p><p></p><p>Rix nodded at the troglodytes, things were going well on their journey so far. Speaking to them in the same sibilant tongue, although his accent was quite different from their hissing, he seemed to be asking some questions of the green crystals.</p><p></p><p>In draconic: <span style="color: sienna">"We are most pleased for your respect, these lands are yours and it would be unkind of us to trespass without your permission."</span> He inclined his head in a gesture of respect to the troglodytes and swept an arm to emphasize the dangerous swamps around them. Continuing, <span style="color: sienna">"You said those were found in the back of the heads of those of my own kind? Did you see my kind do anything with them? Do you know much of the place of my kind? Or if there were others not of my kind with them?"</span></p><p></p><p>Beckoning Alexander over to kneel by the items so that he can talk quietly to him in common, Rix said <span style="color: sienna">"They are willing to barter for rations and alcohol, do we have much to spare. They have encountered my kin and have retrieved those,"</span> he gestured towards the crystals, <span style="color: sienna">"from the back of their heads, a disturbing thought. The jar is a sort of weakening poison, and the mandrake root would prove valuable to an herbalist. Plus, the information they have may be of most use to us. It would be wise to trade with them."</span></p><p></p><p>Alexander shook his head. <span style="color: Blue">"We're tight on rations... but we <em>could</em> dare spare some and try to sustain ourselves on what the sorroundings have to offer."</span> The stench, overpowering, made Alexander take a step back. <span style="color: Blue">"Besides, I'm not sure if we want any of these... although the poison could prove of use for your bolts,"</span> again the stench waded in and Alexander stood and stepped back again, looking at Rix, waiting for an answer.</p><p></p><p>The troglodyte shrugged and answered Rix's question in draconic. <span style="color: white"><strong>"Perhaps your kin who had these were not in their right mind. They would stand and fight, though it was obvious they would lose. Sometimes during an ambush we will slay five or six of them at a time. Normally there is a kobold without one of these in his head. He will always run,"</strong></span> he said as he spit in disgust. <span style="color: white"><strong>"The others will fight to protect him until death. It is very strange, and not normal from kobolds. They act more like troglodytes protecting a chief, and we honor them for their courage."</strong></span></p><p></p><p>After he finished with Rix he looked at the others and chuckled at their discomfort. In broken common he said, "Ration... one... for theeses," he said pointing to the crystals. "Ration... one for theeses" he said again, pointing at the clutch of herbs. "Ration... twos for these," he said, pointing at the jar.</p><p></p><p>Kel stood on impassively, watching the exchange and wiping mud from his clothing and equipment. <span style="color: seagreen">"If we get stuck for food, the Huntress will provide,"</span> he said deferently.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: orange">"I have rations to spare, if that's the problem,"</span> said Silas. <span style="color: orange">"And I'm willing to trade them if you think we can use those items."</span> Silas smiled. <span style="color: orange">"And if you think it is a fair exchange, Rix. I've no alcohol to trade, though."</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: green">"I too have a few days rations to spare as well to toss in for the trade" </span> added Dartis.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: sienna">"Very well, let's see, I figure three rations would cover one of the crystals and the jar, unless someone wants to play doctor with the herb."</span> Rix took the rations from his companions and spoke to the troglodytes in draconic again.</p><p></p><p>Rix in draconic:<span style="color: sienna">"We would take one of the crystals and the jar in exchange for three rations. We thank you for your words and your respect. And I thank you for their discomfort, it amuses me. One last question honorable ones, how much longer does this swamp last in the direction we are going?"</span></p><p></p><p>The party made their exchange, receiving a jar with some foul smelling poison (enough for 10 applications), and the three crystals. The troglodytes indicated that they were now just out of the swamp and only about three or four hours to the hills the kobolds were using as their home. Before they left, the troglodytes said something to Rix in their language, than said in broken common, <span style="color: white"><strong>"Kill coward kobold... others stop fight..."</strong></span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: blue"><em>Curious creatures these troglodytes... not the smartest, but seem halfway between worthy opponents and stubborn suicides.</em></span></p><p></p><p>In draconinc: The troglodyte said to Rix, <span style="color: white"><strong>"The kobolds always work in teams of five or six. Kill the more active one... the one that will try to run away. If you do so, the rest will stop fighting. Sometimes the cowardly kobold of the group will be in hiding."</strong></span></p><p>---</p><p></p><p>The party continued walking to the southwest, following the directions given. After three hours the land became flatter, punctuated by a large hill in the distance that Kel noticed first and brought to everyone's attention. There were trees near the base of the hill, but not enough to easily sneak up to the door the party could see buried into the side of the hill, halfway up its surface. Five kobolds stood unmoving by the entrance, their spears at the ready.</p><p></p><p>While trying to distinguish anything more of the entrance from their current position, Alexander asked, <span style="color: Blue">"What do you say Rix? Will they attack you on sight?"</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: sienna">"I don't know, but I suspect they are not wholly under their own control. Silas, can you examine one of these crystals and see if it is magical? Now, if I were to hide somewhere around that hill, where would it be..."</span> His question seemed rhetorical, but he scanned the hill closely.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: orange">"Certainly, Rix,"</span> said Silas as he took one of the crystals from the kobold. He examined it without magical enhancement first. <span style="color: orange">"You have reason to believe they might be magical in nature?"</span> Silas then casted his <em>detect magic</em> spell and examined the crystal.</p><p></p><p>The magic he discovered was strange. There was a faint tint of necromancy and divination, but combined with a faint, but stronger enchantment aura. The three types of magic were rarely found together. Not only that, but the enchantment magic seemed to be active while the necromancy and divination magic seemed to be stored, as if for future use.</p><p></p><p>Also, studying the pattern of magic, Silas felt that the crystal seemed to have been enchanted by two different casters, or perhaps it would be better to say different styles. The necromancy and divination magic seemed to have been placed by someone with greater talent than the enchantment magic. The enchantment magic seemed to have been cast in a chaotic, almost illogical manner.</p><p></p><p>Silas' gaze unfocused as he examined the crystal. After several long seconds he frowned but continued to peer at the crystal. After half a minute or so he blinked several times as if refocusing his eyes and quietly said, <span style="color: orange">"They <em>are</em> magical. It is a faint radiance, as if it is not very strong. But it seems rather unusual and is something outside of my experience."</span> Silas tucked the crystal into his pack. <span style="color: orange">"I'll keep this one and examine it more fully when I have better resources at my disposal."</span></p><p></p><p>At the same time, Kel noticed something special about the items. As Silas worked his magic on the crystals, the elf admired their workmanship. He thought only elves could cut crystal like this. The priest wondered for now about their origin.</p><p></p><p>Rix nodded at Silas, <span style="color: sienna">"Good to know, I figured as much. The troglodytes said that the ones that fought fanatically had these implanted in the back of their heads, while the one that was more active did not. The ones that were more active seemed to be protected by the fanatic ones, letting them make their escape if possible. I believe some sort of magical control was in order, these crystals could be the focus or conduit by which the active ones would control the others."</span> He thought for a moment, clicking two claws together slowly.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: sienna">"Remember that there is this new Dragon Eye tribe which has somehow exerted incredible dominance over the other tribes, perhaps this is part of their method."</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: sienna">"The troglodytes said that they move in groups of five or six with one sort of leader. The leader will often be in hiding or attempt to flee while the others fight to the death, kill the leader and the others will stop fighting."</span></p><p></p><p>As Rix asked the questions to himself, the adventurers noticed only two places near the entrance to the inside of the hill that would give a good vantage point and could hide a kobold. One, a ring of rocks that were about waste-high to a human above the entrance, 10 feet further up the hill. And two, some tall brush just east of the entrance.</p><p></p><p>He checked his crossbow, <span style="color: sienna">"Now on to more pressing matters. There are two spots which I believe our controller could be hiding, I do not relish killing my own kin, but I despise the thought that they are being manipulated against their will even more. There and there,"</span> he said pointing out the ring of stones and the tall-brush. <span style="color: sienna">"I say we approach from the east, seeing if we can flush out the enemy from the brush if he is there, then proceed quickly to the stone ring. If the controller is there, we have not only taken the fight out of the others, but also secured the defensive high ground."</span></p><p></p><p>Silas looked thoughtful and nodded as Rix spoke. <span style="color: orange">"Ah, that fits with what I did manage to discover about the magic of the crystals. Enchantment magic, which is used in persuasion magics such as charms was predominant..."</span> He looked like he would continue but Rix spoke about the immediate threat. Silas shrugged.<span style="color: orange"> "I'm no tactician but your plan sounds good to me."</span></p><p></p><p>Alexander absorbed the information delivered by Rix and summarized, <span style="color: Blue">"Find the leader of this guard group, kill him."</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: Blue">"Òr we could wait until we see movement... a guard shift will occur eventually, then we won't have to search for the leader... controller..."</span></p><p></p><p>Kel watched the kobolds carefully, when an opportunity arose for his input he added, <span style="color: seagreen">"Those gems are exquisite workmanship, almost as good as what an elf could produce. They're definitely not something produced by kobolds, no offence intended friend Rix but the workmanship is almost perfect."</span></p><p></p><p>Falling profitless on his ears, Kel's words rose the question, <span style="color: Blue">"What are you suggesting?" <em>Elves dominating kobolds?</em></span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: Green">"Vaerixsjach, how close together do your people usually place exits from their dwellings and mines? If we could come from the side of the hill, say on each side, without fear that another exit was too close by, we could assail both potential hiding places at once. And should the controller be secreted behind the door, we will have a better opportunity of attacking the controlled kobolds from each side." </span></p><p></p><p>As the adventurers discussed a possible plan of attack, a guard shift did occur. The party noticed two groups of kobolds walk out of the door in the hill. Each group had six kobolds, but only one of these six walked around normally while the others behaved as if mechanical constructs. The first group took over for the team the party was observing, the normal-looking kobold taking over for another that was resting inside the tall ring of stones. </p><p></p><p>The other squad went up and barely over the hill crest. They must have relieved another team, since another group promptly became visible and came back down, entering the hill from the entrance the adventurers were monitoring.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: Blue">"So there are two groups..."</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: Green">"Indeed, two groups. One just over the hill. And with no cover there seems little chance of gaining surprise. Although if we came around the east side and tried to take out the kobold in the ring of stones, that would at least leave us just the one group to deal with. Another option is to get him to show his head and try to pick him off from here, that would allow us the chance to charge up the hill and gain the door or the other group without challenge," </span> suggests Dartis.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: Blue">"We don't want to get caught between the ones inside and the ones over the hill..."</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: sienna">"The less ruckus we make the less chance we have of alerting the second group to our arrival. If we move as silently and swiftly as possible to take the ring of stones we will be in a defensible position to scout over the hill to locate the other group. If half of us approaches from the east and the other from the west, we can pinch the controller between us and quickly put him down before a strong defense can be mustered."</span> Rix clicked his claws together once again, <span style="color: sienna">"Then we can deal with the ones over the hill."</span></p><p></p><p>Alexander and Rix took the hill from the eastern side, while Silas, Kel, and Dartis came in from the west. </p><p></p><p>Almost instantly, the plan began to fall apart. Silas was spotted coming from the west, and three of the kobolds immediately charged the party. Rix accidently stepped into a small hole that was hidden by the grass and cried out in alarm, as he nearly twisted his ankle. The cry is heard by the kobold in the rocks as Rix regained his balance and pulled his leg out. The two remaining sentinels headed to attack Rix and Alexander while the sixth kobold jumped from the circle of rocks and made a run for the door. Rix fired his crossbow, killing the kobold before he made it. As soon as his dying cry was finished, the other kobolds ceased attacking, and stood listlessly, gazing ahead at empty space with lifeless eyes.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: sienna">"Really a pathetic proverb you big people have, but cut the head off the snake and the body follows."</span> Reloading his crossbow the kobold shook off the slight pain in his ankle and waved the others forward. <span style="color: sienna">"Alexander, scout over the hill and see what the other group is up to."</span></p><p></p><p>As Alexander looked up the hill, he gave a shout of warning. Five more kobolds were running down the hill, spears at the ready.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: sienna">"Well, nevermind then."</span> Rix ducked low and attempted to circle around to the other side of the hill to see if he could locate the controller, although remaining hidden for the moment so that the five crazed kobolds focused on the others rather than himself. That would work just fine for the rogue, too.</p><p></p><p>Silas had just enough time to unsling his crossbow, load, and fire, missing the lead kobold with his shot. Dartis fired two shots, the second arrow flying true and taking down the nearest kobold. Kel and Alexander charged, their blades each taking down another kobold. The two remaining creatures struck at the men, the first missing Alexander, but the second slashing Kel along his back.</p><p></p><p>Dartis fired another two arrows, killing the kobold attacking Alexander, but missing the remaining one, which was instead dispatched by Alexander.</p><p></p><p>Just when the last kobold fell, Rix ran around the base of the hill, barely noticing a kobold desperately running into a door on the other side of the mound. Before the creature could open the door, Rix struck the kobold with a crossbow bolt, catching him by surprise and finishing him off.</p><p></p><p>He ran up to the dying creature, who stared up at his fellow kobold and expired. Rix noticed a glowing, clay bracelet on his enemy's wrist. As the kobold gave a death rattle, the aura around the bracelet pulsed and faded.</p><p></p><p>On the front of the hill, Silas examined the kobolds that were still standing. He noticed that they looked normal. They were breathing fine, they seemed to be warm to the touch. For all intents and purposes they were normal kobolds, except that it seemed as if there was no intelligence in the eyes. On the back of their skulls could be seen the base of a green, crystal rod.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: Green">"Well what do we do with them. I don't want to have to re-awaken just as we're trying to leave. What say you Silas, are these things even alive anymore? What if we try and prey those crystals out?" </span> Suggested Dartis as he walked up the hill. He put his bow away and drew his sword and made sure his buckler was secure in preparation for going in the door.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: seagreen">"Aye let's pull out one of the stones and see what happens,"</span> Kel said. <span style="color: seagreen">"Anyone got a knife I can use?"</span></p><p></p><p>Dartis pulled out one of his daggers and handed it to Kel.</p><p></p><p>With a nod of thanks, Kel accepted the proferred dagger. Carefully using the tip of the dagger Kel attempted to pry loose one of the stones. <span style="color: seagreen">"Someone had better hold the little bugger, just in case this upsets him."</span></p><p></p><p>As Kel worked with the blade it quickly became apparent that the crystal had become part of the kobold's skull. To remove it would cause much of the head and brain to come with the crystal. Interestingly enough, when Kel dug with the dagger, the kobold did not even flinch, although a good amount of blood flowed from the small cut that was made.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: Blue">"This settles it, with external "help" the Dragon Eye has been transforming their kin into sucide troops..."</span> Alexander wiped clean his blades before moving besides the front door and trying to catch some sounds from the inside.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: Blue">"Should we finish them? Or try to find a way to restore them?" <em>Of which the chance of possibility I doubt seriously.</em></span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: orange">"I doubt they could ever be normal again or even survive on their own. It might be a mercy to just kill them."</span></p><p></p><p>The party took time to examine the doors. The first door, which the patrols of kobolds used to come in and out, looked well-maintained. The ground in front of it was barren from frequent passage.</p><p></p><p>The second door, which the last kobold tried to escape into, looked dirty on the surface, as if it hadn't been opened in awhile. Grass grew underneath the door. The party also wondered why the kobolds didn't use it to switch patrols.</p><p></p><p>Rix growled menacingly at the travesty inflicted upon his kin. He picked up the bracelet that was on the controller's wrist, searching the body of that one and the prior one as well for anything else that might be important.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: sienna">"Silas, examine this."</span> He thrusted the bracelet towards the human. <span style="color: sienna">"Leave them, I doubt they'll be much trouble now."</span> He stalked towards the unused door and checked it for traps and if it was locked, although he didn't open it yet.</p><p></p><p>A quick search of the zombie-like kobolds revealed nothing except for a shortspear with each. The two controller kobolds had the features of the Dragon Eye tribe of kobolds while the others were from various other groups. Both of the Dragon Eye kobolds had a small short sword on their bodies, as well as 3sp each. They also had a clay bracelet, and the party collected one like Rix found on the other Dragon Eye kobold.</p><p></p><p>Rix found no traps on the door. Meanwhile, Silas recognized that the bracelets were magical, but it was something he had never seen before, and the abjurer was unsure how they were able to make the clay magical, or if the clay had special properties in itself. Basically, he was thoroughly confused. (DM's Note: Silas rolled a '1' for his check, though he was able to take another look later)</p><p></p><p>Silas looked in bafflement at the bracelets. <span style="color: orange">"These are odd. I'll need more leisure to study these than we have at the moment."</span> He tucked the bracelet into his pack next to the crystal, making sure that it was well padded so that it wouldn't get broken. <span style="color: orange">"Do you think <em>every</em> kobold in this lair not of the Dragon Eye clan has been forced into this..."</span> Silas shrugged unable to find a word to describe what had been done to the kobolds.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: orange">"Perhaps we should capture one of the controller kobolds, or a kobold that isn't being magically compelled, and question him as to where we can find the Dragon Eye lair. I find it more likely that we'll get answers to the gnomes' problems there rather than in one of these subjugated lairs."</span></p><p></p><p>Rix nodded. <span style="color: sienna">"Let's try this door first, if it is unused we may be able to move in without their awareness."</span> He checked the lock, picked it, and then opened it, revealing a room 30 feet west to east and 40 feet north to south (the party came in from the south). The room was empty and the floor covered with grime, although the floor had a trail of a dried, sticky substance leading from a door to the north and ending at the door the group just entered. A metal bar barracaded the door across from the adventurers. There were no other visible exits.</p><p></p><p>Kel quickly drew his bow and nocked an arorw, and stepped silently into the room, stopping just inside the door and moving aside so the others could enter. He trained his arrow on the door on the far side of the room and awaited Rix's pleasure.</p><p></p><p>Seeing Kel draw his bow, Dartis looked at his sword, and sheathed it. Drawing his more familiar bow as well, he left the buckler in place. He too nocked and arrow and drew the bowstring to his cheek.</p><p></p><p>Silas gripped his staff and moved inside with the others. His brow knitted in thought as he saw the dried stuff on the floor. With a glance to the door that led deeper into the lair, Silas knelt to investigate the substance thinking it might be blood. It was.</p><p></p><p>Rix crept slowly forward, probing each step lightly, trained eyes darting left and right, ceiling and floor. He advanced upon the barracaded door, ever wary of traps, particularly so here, as he knew his kin well. <span style="color: sienna"><em>The barracade is on this side, keeping something in, not us out.</em></span></p><p></p><p>Rix discovered a trap close to the front of the door. It was set under a fragile floor tile, which was meant to break if a heavy weight was pressed on top of it, like from a humanoid. A tanglefoot bag would then activate and wrap the victim in order to disable him. There were also indications that an alarm would have sounded. Rix was able to remove the tanglefoot bag, but was unable to deactivate what he believed to be an alarm. Instead, he has the party avoid the spot as they walk by.</p><p></p><p>(DM's Note: Darn Ferrix (player of Rix) and his sense of knowing where to look for kobold traps! "They'll never think of checking the ground before the door...")</p><p></p><p>Finding no traps on the door, Rix had Dartis and Alexander remove the heavy bar from the door, picked the lock, and opened it for the party.</p><p></p><p>The smell of death wafted upwards, almost causing the party to gag. A large number of small, gnawed bones were strewn throughout the tunnel now visible before the group. It descended in a gentle slope downward with a 10 foot wide passage. As the party noticed claw marks marring the other side of the door that Rix had just opened, the adventurers hear a growl in the distance. It would seem that whatever had been barred in before was now aware of your presence.</p><p></p><p>Alexander also drew his bow and knocked an arrow... moved foward and peered intently into the darkness, ready to loose the arrow onto whatever came up the slope.</p><p></p><p>A lanky, tall creature ran at the group from the hallway, but arrows from Dartis, Alexander, and Kel all impacted the creature. With a howl, it ran backwards and then out of sight, but not before the adventurers watched as it tore an arrow from its shoulder and the wounds visibly heal. It was a troll.</p><p></p><p>Rix darted back towards the exit. He'd rather not tangle with such a nasty creature. <span style="color: sienna">"Quick, the door."</span> </p><p></p><p><span style="color: Green">"No, forward. Unless we wish to find another entrance. We saw the other group exit here, it must lead further in,"</span> advised a frustrated Dartis.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: seagreen">"Unless there is a secret entrance in here somewhere,"</span> Kel said, his eyes sweeping the walls of the room. <span style="color: seagreen">"Let's barricade the door, have a look around and then, if we don't find another entrance, try this way again?"</span> They promptly shut the door and barred it again.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: Green">"I think it may be more prudent to leave the door open with you, Alexander and I guarding it with drawn bows as our cleaver little friend Rix, looks for any other doors. I would want to se any danger coming and drive it away rather than have it sneak up and waiting for us unawares."</span> said Dartis drawing another arrow.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: Blue">"Let us be ready to face the beast, but if possible, lets not face it."</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: sienna">"I'm not going back in there, get yourself eaten human."</span> Rix's voice snarled, <span style="color: sienna">"No kobolds came in or out this way. They seemed to only be guarding it. Back the other way." <em>Stupid human.</em></span></p><p></p><p>Rix made sure that his companions were between him and the troll, even though the door was barred closed again.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: Blue">"I take it then there are no other doors in this room, Rix?"</span> Alexander asked, without turning his head to look back at the kobold. <span style="color: Blue">"I bet the controller was planning to unleash his pet on us."</span></p><p></p><p>While Dartis and Alexander covered the door with their bows, the rest of the party looked for a hidden door. Nothing was found for a few tense minutes, until Rix found a secret door on the western wall that Silas had previously missed. Despite his skill and expertise in such things, even the kobold had nearly missed it. The hidden door was only found after Rix removed a loose stone and found a rusted handle in a compartment. Twisting it, a 5 foot section of the wall opened like a large door, revealing a ladder that led down a musty-smelling chute far into the darkness below. On the wall was an old, crude painting of a large hill underneath the moon, a symbol of the Hill Delver clan of kobolds.</p><p></p><p>(DM's Note: The party played this round very intelligently. In my notes, the kobolds were using this entrance until a troll showed up and started snacking on them. They were able to lure it into the tunnel, then sealed it inside, hoping to starve it. The characters at this point were only level 2 and didn't want to tangle with the creature. As you will see, the troll would play a larger role in the game.)</p><p></p><p>Next: The kobold tunnels.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Deuce Traveler, post: 3431169, member: 34958"] [b]The troll...[/b] The party moved out. The first day was uneventful, although the party encountered the beginnings of a dark marsh. As they continued on in the morning of the second day, the party does its best to follow a swamp trail through the marsh. Silas happened to walk slightly off the path for a moment, when suddenly he was sucked up to his crotch in mud. His alarm increased as he noticed that his body continued to be slowly sucked under. Frantically, he noted that there were no shrubs or trees around in which to hold onto. Instinctively, Dartis moved forward to grab Silas' arms, but was stopped by Alexander, who knew that Dartis might get himself sucked under, especially in his armor, if he was not careful. Kel was thinking about his talk with Alexander, and their discussing of the Huntress and the wilderness. His mind was also on Rix. He was concerned at how the mission might affect the young kobold. After all, their lives may depend on how he carried himself during the pending encounters. (DM's Note: This was actually a post by the player of Kel a minute before mine, and he totally missed Silas falling into the marsh... so I had a little fun with him a number of hours later and with my next post...) As Kel daydreamed about his recent experiences, he failed to notice Silas' plight and also fell into the muck, being pulled down to his waist because of his heavier load. [COLOR=Blue][B]"Damn it!"[/B][/COLOR] exclaimed Alexander as he went for the rope he had in the backpack. He handed one extreme to Dartis while holding to the other -given that the rope is so long, they used both extremes. [COLOR=Blue]"You pull out Silas!"[/COLOR] he said as he threw part of the coil to the elf-in-the-muck. Dartis took the other end of the rope from Alexander. He gathered a few coils up to give it some weight and tossed them to Silas. "Grab the rope, and stop struggling!" He called out to Silas. Both Silas and Kel tied the parts of the rope under their arms as Dartis and Alexander pull hard. Kel came out immediately, although Dartis had to give the rope a couple of tugs before Silas was freed. The two adventurers had barely enough time to give thanks, when a repugnant smell reached their noses. Rix warned the party, as he could see two reptilian figures more than a 100 feet away, off the path and in the deeper part of the swamp. From the smell, all of the party knew that they must be troglodytes. They didn't approach, but instead kept their distance. It was obvious this marsh was going to be dangerous to traverse without a plan. [COLOR=Green]"Alexander, do you have a bow? I know I could hit them from here. The question is would we bring down more of them onto us by doing so. But then I doubt they are just there to watch us. Perhaps we should continue on while keeping an eye on those two and expecting an attack,"[/COLOR] offered Dartis. Unable to really help drag the two larger companions to safety, Rix sat back on his haunches with his crossbow drawn in case the new dangers took advantage of the situation. He warned his companions to be wary, [color=sienna]"We don't want to start a fight if we don't have to. As you've just seen, this swamp is dangerous enough without us fighting a running battle against an enemy that knows it and will use it to their advantage. I'd also recommend walking single file for now, the person in front checking the ground with a pole so this doesn't happen again."[/color] Taking Rix's suggestion, the party continued to move through the marsh, single-file. Alexander led, driving a stick in the ground as he used his survival skill to bring the group safely out. The pair of troglodytes stayed their distance until the party came out of the dangerous terrain. Then they approached, hands up in a manner of peace. The stench was horrible, but the group stood their ground until they were near enough to speak in a hissing, gutteral language that all but one of the party was unable to understand. Rix answered them in their own language, causing the lizard-like men to nod in approval. They then bent down and undid a wrapped, dirty blanket one of them had hung on his back. Unfurling the blanket, the creatures showed a small piece of pottery with something foul inside, some well-picked mandrake root, and 3 strange, green crystals that looked somehow artificial. Rix and them began to barter. At one point the party swore one of the troglodytes said the words 'rations' and 'alcohol' in common before continuing. Silas watched as Rix spoke with the troglodytes. He peered at the crystals from a distance, not wanting to antagonize the troglodytes by appearing too interested in their possessions. Whispering to Alexander and Dartis, Silas said, [color=orange]"Thank you for pulling me out of the muck."[/color] In draconic, the smaller troglodyte said to Rix, [color=white][b]"We see your group are not so foolish at to fall prey to the swamps. If so, we would have killed you. Instead, you have earned our respect and may barter with us."[/b][/color][b][/b] He removed the blanket from his back and showed his wares. [color=white][b]"This jar contains poison that will weaken your enemy if your weapon cuts him while coated with this. The mandrake root is good if you have an alchemist or herbalist. We do not know what the crystals are for. We removed them from the back of the head of others of your kind."[/b][/color][b][/b] By 'your kind', Rix knew he meant kobolds. [color=white][b]"Sometimes we attack their guard posts and take them as trophies. Sometimes they bleed us instead,"[/b][/color][b][/b] he says. [color=white][b]"We respect them. They do not know fear." "We will trade now. We want pink skin food, or what they call 'rations', or anything that they know as 'alcohol' which helps make us brave. We trade for anything else of value to warriors."[/b][/color][b][/b] Rix nodded at the troglodytes, things were going well on their journey so far. Speaking to them in the same sibilant tongue, although his accent was quite different from their hissing, he seemed to be asking some questions of the green crystals. In draconic: [color=sienna]"We are most pleased for your respect, these lands are yours and it would be unkind of us to trespass without your permission."[/color] He inclined his head in a gesture of respect to the troglodytes and swept an arm to emphasize the dangerous swamps around them. Continuing, [color=sienna]"You said those were found in the back of the heads of those of my own kind? Did you see my kind do anything with them? Do you know much of the place of my kind? Or if there were others not of my kind with them?"[/color] Beckoning Alexander over to kneel by the items so that he can talk quietly to him in common, Rix said [color=sienna]"They are willing to barter for rations and alcohol, do we have much to spare. They have encountered my kin and have retrieved those,"[/color] he gestured towards the crystals, [color=sienna]"from the back of their heads, a disturbing thought. The jar is a sort of weakening poison, and the mandrake root would prove valuable to an herbalist. Plus, the information they have may be of most use to us. It would be wise to trade with them."[/color] Alexander shook his head. [COLOR=Blue]"We're tight on rations... but we [I]could[/I] dare spare some and try to sustain ourselves on what the sorroundings have to offer."[/COLOR] The stench, overpowering, made Alexander take a step back. [COLOR=Blue]"Besides, I'm not sure if we want any of these... although the poison could prove of use for your bolts,"[/COLOR] again the stench waded in and Alexander stood and stepped back again, looking at Rix, waiting for an answer. The troglodyte shrugged and answered Rix's question in draconic. [color=white][b]"Perhaps your kin who had these were not in their right mind. They would stand and fight, though it was obvious they would lose. Sometimes during an ambush we will slay five or six of them at a time. Normally there is a kobold without one of these in his head. He will always run,"[/b][/color][b][/b] he said as he spit in disgust. [color=white][b]"The others will fight to protect him until death. It is very strange, and not normal from kobolds. They act more like troglodytes protecting a chief, and we honor them for their courage."[/b][/color][b][/b] After he finished with Rix he looked at the others and chuckled at their discomfort. In broken common he said, "Ration... one... for theeses," he said pointing to the crystals. "Ration... one for theeses" he said again, pointing at the clutch of herbs. "Ration... twos for these," he said, pointing at the jar. Kel stood on impassively, watching the exchange and wiping mud from his clothing and equipment. [color=seagreen]"If we get stuck for food, the Huntress will provide,"[/color] he said deferently. [color=orange]"I have rations to spare, if that's the problem,"[/color] said Silas. [color=orange]"And I'm willing to trade them if you think we can use those items."[/color] Silas smiled. [color=orange]"And if you think it is a fair exchange, Rix. I've no alcohol to trade, though."[/color] [color=green]"I too have a few days rations to spare as well to toss in for the trade" [/COLOR] added Dartis. [color=sienna]"Very well, let's see, I figure three rations would cover one of the crystals and the jar, unless someone wants to play doctor with the herb."[/color] Rix took the rations from his companions and spoke to the troglodytes in draconic again. Rix in draconic:[color=sienna]"We would take one of the crystals and the jar in exchange for three rations. We thank you for your words and your respect. And I thank you for their discomfort, it amuses me. One last question honorable ones, how much longer does this swamp last in the direction we are going?"[/color] The party made their exchange, receiving a jar with some foul smelling poison (enough for 10 applications), and the three crystals. The troglodytes indicated that they were now just out of the swamp and only about three or four hours to the hills the kobolds were using as their home. Before they left, the troglodytes said something to Rix in their language, than said in broken common, [color=white][b]"Kill coward kobold... others stop fight..."[/b][/color] [color=blue][I]Curious creatures these troglodytes... not the smartest, but seem halfway between worthy opponents and stubborn suicides.[/I][/color] In draconinc: The troglodyte said to Rix, [color=white][b]"The kobolds always work in teams of five or six. Kill the more active one... the one that will try to run away. If you do so, the rest will stop fighting. Sometimes the cowardly kobold of the group will be in hiding."[/b][/color] --- The party continued walking to the southwest, following the directions given. After three hours the land became flatter, punctuated by a large hill in the distance that Kel noticed first and brought to everyone's attention. There were trees near the base of the hill, but not enough to easily sneak up to the door the party could see buried into the side of the hill, halfway up its surface. Five kobolds stood unmoving by the entrance, their spears at the ready. While trying to distinguish anything more of the entrance from their current position, Alexander asked, [COLOR=Blue]"What do you say Rix? Will they attack you on sight?"[/COLOR] [color=sienna]"I don't know, but I suspect they are not wholly under their own control. Silas, can you examine one of these crystals and see if it is magical? Now, if I were to hide somewhere around that hill, where would it be..."[/color] His question seemed rhetorical, but he scanned the hill closely. [color=orange]"Certainly, Rix,"[/color] said Silas as he took one of the crystals from the kobold. He examined it without magical enhancement first. [color=orange]"You have reason to believe they might be magical in nature?"[/color] Silas then casted his [i]detect magic[/i] spell and examined the crystal. The magic he discovered was strange. There was a faint tint of necromancy and divination, but combined with a faint, but stronger enchantment aura. The three types of magic were rarely found together. Not only that, but the enchantment magic seemed to be active while the necromancy and divination magic seemed to be stored, as if for future use. Also, studying the pattern of magic, Silas felt that the crystal seemed to have been enchanted by two different casters, or perhaps it would be better to say different styles. The necromancy and divination magic seemed to have been placed by someone with greater talent than the enchantment magic. The enchantment magic seemed to have been cast in a chaotic, almost illogical manner. Silas' gaze unfocused as he examined the crystal. After several long seconds he frowned but continued to peer at the crystal. After half a minute or so he blinked several times as if refocusing his eyes and quietly said, [color=orange]"They [i]are[/i] magical. It is a faint radiance, as if it is not very strong. But it seems rather unusual and is something outside of my experience."[/color] Silas tucked the crystal into his pack. [color=orange]"I'll keep this one and examine it more fully when I have better resources at my disposal."[/color] At the same time, Kel noticed something special about the items. As Silas worked his magic on the crystals, the elf admired their workmanship. He thought only elves could cut crystal like this. The priest wondered for now about their origin. Rix nodded at Silas, [color=sienna]"Good to know, I figured as much. The troglodytes said that the ones that fought fanatically had these implanted in the back of their heads, while the one that was more active did not. The ones that were more active seemed to be protected by the fanatic ones, letting them make their escape if possible. I believe some sort of magical control was in order, these crystals could be the focus or conduit by which the active ones would control the others."[/color] He thought for a moment, clicking two claws together slowly. [color=sienna]"Remember that there is this new Dragon Eye tribe which has somehow exerted incredible dominance over the other tribes, perhaps this is part of their method."[/color] [color=sienna]"The troglodytes said that they move in groups of five or six with one sort of leader. The leader will often be in hiding or attempt to flee while the others fight to the death, kill the leader and the others will stop fighting."[/color] As Rix asked the questions to himself, the adventurers noticed only two places near the entrance to the inside of the hill that would give a good vantage point and could hide a kobold. One, a ring of rocks that were about waste-high to a human above the entrance, 10 feet further up the hill. And two, some tall brush just east of the entrance. He checked his crossbow, [color=sienna]"Now on to more pressing matters. There are two spots which I believe our controller could be hiding, I do not relish killing my own kin, but I despise the thought that they are being manipulated against their will even more. There and there,"[/color] he said pointing out the ring of stones and the tall-brush. [color=sienna]"I say we approach from the east, seeing if we can flush out the enemy from the brush if he is there, then proceed quickly to the stone ring. If the controller is there, we have not only taken the fight out of the others, but also secured the defensive high ground."[/color] Silas looked thoughtful and nodded as Rix spoke. [color=orange]"Ah, that fits with what I did manage to discover about the magic of the crystals. Enchantment magic, which is used in persuasion magics such as charms was predominant..."[/color] He looked like he would continue but Rix spoke about the immediate threat. Silas shrugged.[color=orange] "I'm no tactician but your plan sounds good to me."[/color] Alexander absorbed the information delivered by Rix and summarized, [COLOR=Blue]"Find the leader of this guard group, kill him."[/COLOR] [COLOR=Blue]"Òr we could wait until we see movement... a guard shift will occur eventually, then we won't have to search for the leader... controller..."[/COLOR] Kel watched the kobolds carefully, when an opportunity arose for his input he added, [color=seagreen]"Those gems are exquisite workmanship, almost as good as what an elf could produce. They're definitely not something produced by kobolds, no offence intended friend Rix but the workmanship is almost perfect."[/color] Falling profitless on his ears, Kel's words rose the question, [COLOR=Blue]"What are you suggesting?" [I]Elves dominating kobolds?[/I][/COLOR] [COLOR=Green]"Vaerixsjach, how close together do your people usually place exits from their dwellings and mines? If we could come from the side of the hill, say on each side, without fear that another exit was too close by, we could assail both potential hiding places at once. And should the controller be secreted behind the door, we will have a better opportunity of attacking the controlled kobolds from each side." [/COLOR] As the adventurers discussed a possible plan of attack, a guard shift did occur. The party noticed two groups of kobolds walk out of the door in the hill. Each group had six kobolds, but only one of these six walked around normally while the others behaved as if mechanical constructs. The first group took over for the team the party was observing, the normal-looking kobold taking over for another that was resting inside the tall ring of stones. The other squad went up and barely over the hill crest. They must have relieved another team, since another group promptly became visible and came back down, entering the hill from the entrance the adventurers were monitoring. [COLOR=Blue]"So there are two groups..."[/COLOR] [COLOR=Green]"Indeed, two groups. One just over the hill. And with no cover there seems little chance of gaining surprise. Although if we came around the east side and tried to take out the kobold in the ring of stones, that would at least leave us just the one group to deal with. Another option is to get him to show his head and try to pick him off from here, that would allow us the chance to charge up the hill and gain the door or the other group without challenge," [/COLOR] suggests Dartis. [COLOR=Blue]"We don't want to get caught between the ones inside and the ones over the hill..."[/COLOR] [color=sienna]"The less ruckus we make the less chance we have of alerting the second group to our arrival. If we move as silently and swiftly as possible to take the ring of stones we will be in a defensible position to scout over the hill to locate the other group. If half of us approaches from the east and the other from the west, we can pinch the controller between us and quickly put him down before a strong defense can be mustered."[/color] Rix clicked his claws together once again, [color=sienna]"Then we can deal with the ones over the hill."[/color] Alexander and Rix took the hill from the eastern side, while Silas, Kel, and Dartis came in from the west. Almost instantly, the plan began to fall apart. Silas was spotted coming from the west, and three of the kobolds immediately charged the party. Rix accidently stepped into a small hole that was hidden by the grass and cried out in alarm, as he nearly twisted his ankle. The cry is heard by the kobold in the rocks as Rix regained his balance and pulled his leg out. The two remaining sentinels headed to attack Rix and Alexander while the sixth kobold jumped from the circle of rocks and made a run for the door. Rix fired his crossbow, killing the kobold before he made it. As soon as his dying cry was finished, the other kobolds ceased attacking, and stood listlessly, gazing ahead at empty space with lifeless eyes. [color=sienna]"Really a pathetic proverb you big people have, but cut the head off the snake and the body follows."[/color] Reloading his crossbow the kobold shook off the slight pain in his ankle and waved the others forward. [color=sienna]"Alexander, scout over the hill and see what the other group is up to."[/color] As Alexander looked up the hill, he gave a shout of warning. Five more kobolds were running down the hill, spears at the ready. [color=sienna]"Well, nevermind then."[/color] Rix ducked low and attempted to circle around to the other side of the hill to see if he could locate the controller, although remaining hidden for the moment so that the five crazed kobolds focused on the others rather than himself. That would work just fine for the rogue, too. Silas had just enough time to unsling his crossbow, load, and fire, missing the lead kobold with his shot. Dartis fired two shots, the second arrow flying true and taking down the nearest kobold. Kel and Alexander charged, their blades each taking down another kobold. The two remaining creatures struck at the men, the first missing Alexander, but the second slashing Kel along his back. Dartis fired another two arrows, killing the kobold attacking Alexander, but missing the remaining one, which was instead dispatched by Alexander. Just when the last kobold fell, Rix ran around the base of the hill, barely noticing a kobold desperately running into a door on the other side of the mound. Before the creature could open the door, Rix struck the kobold with a crossbow bolt, catching him by surprise and finishing him off. He ran up to the dying creature, who stared up at his fellow kobold and expired. Rix noticed a glowing, clay bracelet on his enemy's wrist. As the kobold gave a death rattle, the aura around the bracelet pulsed and faded. On the front of the hill, Silas examined the kobolds that were still standing. He noticed that they looked normal. They were breathing fine, they seemed to be warm to the touch. For all intents and purposes they were normal kobolds, except that it seemed as if there was no intelligence in the eyes. On the back of their skulls could be seen the base of a green, crystal rod. [COLOR=Green]"Well what do we do with them. I don't want to have to re-awaken just as we're trying to leave. What say you Silas, are these things even alive anymore? What if we try and prey those crystals out?" [/COLOR] Suggested Dartis as he walked up the hill. He put his bow away and drew his sword and made sure his buckler was secure in preparation for going in the door. [color=seagreen]"Aye let's pull out one of the stones and see what happens,"[/color] Kel said. [color=seagreen]"Anyone got a knife I can use?"[/color] Dartis pulled out one of his daggers and handed it to Kel. With a nod of thanks, Kel accepted the proferred dagger. Carefully using the tip of the dagger Kel attempted to pry loose one of the stones. [color=seagreen]"Someone had better hold the little bugger, just in case this upsets him."[/color] As Kel worked with the blade it quickly became apparent that the crystal had become part of the kobold's skull. To remove it would cause much of the head and brain to come with the crystal. Interestingly enough, when Kel dug with the dagger, the kobold did not even flinch, although a good amount of blood flowed from the small cut that was made. [COLOR=Blue]"This settles it, with external "help" the Dragon Eye has been transforming their kin into sucide troops..."[/COLOR] Alexander wiped clean his blades before moving besides the front door and trying to catch some sounds from the inside. [COLOR=Blue]"Should we finish them? Or try to find a way to restore them?" [I]Of which the chance of possibility I doubt seriously.[/I][/color] [color=orange]"I doubt they could ever be normal again or even survive on their own. It might be a mercy to just kill them."[/color] The party took time to examine the doors. The first door, which the patrols of kobolds used to come in and out, looked well-maintained. The ground in front of it was barren from frequent passage. The second door, which the last kobold tried to escape into, looked dirty on the surface, as if it hadn't been opened in awhile. Grass grew underneath the door. The party also wondered why the kobolds didn't use it to switch patrols. Rix growled menacingly at the travesty inflicted upon his kin. He picked up the bracelet that was on the controller's wrist, searching the body of that one and the prior one as well for anything else that might be important. [color=sienna]"Silas, examine this."[/color] He thrusted the bracelet towards the human. [color=sienna]"Leave them, I doubt they'll be much trouble now."[/color] He stalked towards the unused door and checked it for traps and if it was locked, although he didn't open it yet. A quick search of the zombie-like kobolds revealed nothing except for a shortspear with each. The two controller kobolds had the features of the Dragon Eye tribe of kobolds while the others were from various other groups. Both of the Dragon Eye kobolds had a small short sword on their bodies, as well as 3sp each. They also had a clay bracelet, and the party collected one like Rix found on the other Dragon Eye kobold. Rix found no traps on the door. Meanwhile, Silas recognized that the bracelets were magical, but it was something he had never seen before, and the abjurer was unsure how they were able to make the clay magical, or if the clay had special properties in itself. Basically, he was thoroughly confused. (DM's Note: Silas rolled a '1' for his check, though he was able to take another look later) Silas looked in bafflement at the bracelets. [color=orange]"These are odd. I'll need more leisure to study these than we have at the moment."[/color] He tucked the bracelet into his pack next to the crystal, making sure that it was well padded so that it wouldn't get broken. [color=orange]"Do you think [i]every[/i] kobold in this lair not of the Dragon Eye clan has been forced into this..."[/color] Silas shrugged unable to find a word to describe what had been done to the kobolds. [color=orange]"Perhaps we should capture one of the controller kobolds, or a kobold that isn't being magically compelled, and question him as to where we can find the Dragon Eye lair. I find it more likely that we'll get answers to the gnomes' problems there rather than in one of these subjugated lairs."[/color] Rix nodded. [color=sienna]"Let's try this door first, if it is unused we may be able to move in without their awareness."[/color] He checked the lock, picked it, and then opened it, revealing a room 30 feet west to east and 40 feet north to south (the party came in from the south). The room was empty and the floor covered with grime, although the floor had a trail of a dried, sticky substance leading from a door to the north and ending at the door the group just entered. A metal bar barracaded the door across from the adventurers. There were no other visible exits. Kel quickly drew his bow and nocked an arorw, and stepped silently into the room, stopping just inside the door and moving aside so the others could enter. He trained his arrow on the door on the far side of the room and awaited Rix's pleasure. Seeing Kel draw his bow, Dartis looked at his sword, and sheathed it. Drawing his more familiar bow as well, he left the buckler in place. He too nocked and arrow and drew the bowstring to his cheek. Silas gripped his staff and moved inside with the others. His brow knitted in thought as he saw the dried stuff on the floor. With a glance to the door that led deeper into the lair, Silas knelt to investigate the substance thinking it might be blood. It was. Rix crept slowly forward, probing each step lightly, trained eyes darting left and right, ceiling and floor. He advanced upon the barracaded door, ever wary of traps, particularly so here, as he knew his kin well. [color=sienna][i]The barracade is on this side, keeping something in, not us out.[/i][/color][i][/i] Rix discovered a trap close to the front of the door. It was set under a fragile floor tile, which was meant to break if a heavy weight was pressed on top of it, like from a humanoid. A tanglefoot bag would then activate and wrap the victim in order to disable him. There were also indications that an alarm would have sounded. Rix was able to remove the tanglefoot bag, but was unable to deactivate what he believed to be an alarm. Instead, he has the party avoid the spot as they walk by. (DM's Note: Darn Ferrix (player of Rix) and his sense of knowing where to look for kobold traps! "They'll never think of checking the ground before the door...") Finding no traps on the door, Rix had Dartis and Alexander remove the heavy bar from the door, picked the lock, and opened it for the party. The smell of death wafted upwards, almost causing the party to gag. A large number of small, gnawed bones were strewn throughout the tunnel now visible before the group. It descended in a gentle slope downward with a 10 foot wide passage. As the party noticed claw marks marring the other side of the door that Rix had just opened, the adventurers hear a growl in the distance. It would seem that whatever had been barred in before was now aware of your presence. Alexander also drew his bow and knocked an arrow... moved foward and peered intently into the darkness, ready to loose the arrow onto whatever came up the slope. A lanky, tall creature ran at the group from the hallway, but arrows from Dartis, Alexander, and Kel all impacted the creature. With a howl, it ran backwards and then out of sight, but not before the adventurers watched as it tore an arrow from its shoulder and the wounds visibly heal. It was a troll. Rix darted back towards the exit. He'd rather not tangle with such a nasty creature. [color=sienna]"Quick, the door."[/color] [COLOR=Green]"No, forward. Unless we wish to find another entrance. We saw the other group exit here, it must lead further in,"[/COLOR] advised a frustrated Dartis. [color=seagreen]"Unless there is a secret entrance in here somewhere,"[/color] Kel said, his eyes sweeping the walls of the room. [color=seagreen]"Let's barricade the door, have a look around and then, if we don't find another entrance, try this way again?"[/color] They promptly shut the door and barred it again. [COLOR=Green]"I think it may be more prudent to leave the door open with you, Alexander and I guarding it with drawn bows as our cleaver little friend Rix, looks for any other doors. I would want to se any danger coming and drive it away rather than have it sneak up and waiting for us unawares."[/COLOR] said Dartis drawing another arrow. [COLOR=Blue]"Let us be ready to face the beast, but if possible, lets not face it."[/COLOR] [color=sienna]"I'm not going back in there, get yourself eaten human."[/color] Rix's voice snarled, [color=sienna]"No kobolds came in or out this way. They seemed to only be guarding it. Back the other way." [i]Stupid human.[/i][/color] Rix made sure that his companions were between him and the troll, even though the door was barred closed again. [COLOR=Blue]"I take it then there are no other doors in this room, Rix?"[/COLOR] Alexander asked, without turning his head to look back at the kobold. [COLOR=Blue]"I bet the controller was planning to unleash his pet on us."[/COLOR] While Dartis and Alexander covered the door with their bows, the rest of the party looked for a hidden door. Nothing was found for a few tense minutes, until Rix found a secret door on the western wall that Silas had previously missed. Despite his skill and expertise in such things, even the kobold had nearly missed it. The hidden door was only found after Rix removed a loose stone and found a rusted handle in a compartment. Twisting it, a 5 foot section of the wall opened like a large door, revealing a ladder that led down a musty-smelling chute far into the darkness below. On the wall was an old, crude painting of a large hill underneath the moon, a symbol of the Hill Delver clan of kobolds. (DM's Note: The party played this round very intelligently. In my notes, the kobolds were using this entrance until a troll showed up and started snacking on them. They were able to lure it into the tunnel, then sealed it inside, hoping to starve it. The characters at this point were only level 2 and didn't want to tangle with the creature. As you will see, the troll would play a larger role in the game.) Next: The kobold tunnels. [/QUOTE]
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