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Last Stand of the Dorinthians
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<blockquote data-quote="Deuce Traveler" data-source="post: 3438991" data-attributes="member: 34958"><p><span style="color: orange">"It would not be wise to loiter around here."</span> Silas motioned back towards the kobold lair. <span style="color: orange">"Especially now that <em>that</em> thing has been set loose."</span> He looked briefly at Rix then shifted his gaze to Alexander. <span style="color: orange">"Can you find us a place of safety where we might question the captured kobold?"</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: Green">"Before we leave, let us end these abominations, both so that they may not be used against us or our allies, but also as an act of mercy. Rix and I will proceed down the hill, while you fulfill your duty. The troll will be quite happy with his other prey, but do not tarry,"</span> said Dratis as he carried off the small reptilian in his arms.</p><p></p><p>Alexander nodded gravely at Dratis' words. <span style="color: Blue">"You speak truth,"</span> but looked at Rix for agreement for whether to proceed or not onto the gruesome duty. In the half-orc's eyes they were Rix's kin, and thus, Rix should be the one to free them.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: sienna">"The troll will end their empty lives. Move."</span> Rix snapped. <span style="color: sienna"><em>death was a part of life for a kobold, their stifled souls would be reincarnated into the next hatching.</em></span></p><p></p><p>After Rix said what he had to say, the party heard the growling of an approaching troll behind them. They decided that it was best to quickly move, and left the hill by heading straight out and circling its base. They found concealment in some nearby trees.</p><p></p><p>As the party was led into the surrounding trees with their struggling kobold in tow, the group heard another monstrous giggle, and turned to see the troll gleefully slaying the mindless kobolds around it. It got inventive, taking the time to slash or dismember the creatures without killing them. Suddenly, a large squad of kobolds came from the other side of the hill and surrounded the troll. The ensuing battle became fierce, but the troll still seemed to have the advantage. Instead of watching the result of the conflict, the party decided to leave. Rix gritted his teeth against the thought of the troll and the mindless kobolds, <span style="color: sienna"><em>be reborn into the great mines, the treachery of your own kind against you will show them the greatest of wraths.</em></span></p><p></p><p>They got as far as the swamp, and were discussing how best to cross it, when Dartis detected a familiar, pungent odor. Two recognizeable troglodytes approached, their hands open and away from their weapons in a gesture of peace. The smaller one spoke in broken common, <span style="color: yellow">"You return...and with kobold. This one respects has for you. We help you cross our home for price. Perhaps we buy kobold from you. Makes good slave."</span></p><p></p><p>Alexander imitated the Troglodytes' gesture: <span style="color: Blue">"Well met, hunters."</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: seagreen">"We have a need to speak with it first,"</span> Kel said in answer to the troglodyte's proposal. <span style="color: seagreen">"But I think we may be able to strike some kind of deal,"</span> the elf said, looking at his friends for agreement. DM's Note: I was surprised to see the elf hint that he might sell the kobold...</p><p></p><p>The troglodytes smiled to Kel agreeably. <span style="color: yellow">"If trouble, we can help make talk. If not kobold slave, we will take five sparkly stones from kobold heads, or 10 gp."</span></p><p></p><p>Rix spoke to the lizardmen in draconic, <span style="color: sienna">"Give us a moment."</span> Rix then turned back towards the kobold and Dartis, who was tugging him along. <span style="color: sienna">"Hold him tight."</span></p><p></p><p>[In draconic]<span style="color: sienna">"What is your name and your tribe?"</span> he asked calmly.</p><p></p><p>Alexander turned to the others while Rix questioned the kobold: <span style="color: Blue">"We have enough evidence and we can return."</span> His words were dry and matter-o-factly. <span style="color: Blue"><em>So that I can finally meet the defilers!</em> "There are greater missions ahead." <em>We can't keep being pest control for gnomes...</em></span></p><p></p><p>The prisoner responded to Rix. <span style="color: purple">"My name is Sylesreastris of the DragonEye clan. What do you want, cousin who is slave to these big ones?"</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: sienna">"Who do you think leads the big ones around by their noses?"</span> Vaerixsjach smirked, <span style="color: sienna">"I think Kurtulmak will have a nice place for you in the weasel den once I've finished with you. Who leads your pathetic excuse for a scaled clan?"</span></p><p></p><p>Alexander was waiting quietly as the two scaled ones exchanged words. In between, he asked the troglodytes if anything strange had happened of late in the sorroundings, something like the dead rising or other weird occurences.</p><p></p><p>The troglodyte nodded at Alexander. <span style="color: yellow">"Many kobolds pass around swamp to north. Carried many spears. Were too many to hunt. That strange."</span></p><p></p><p>Suddenly, the kobold in custody spit on Rix's feet and began to talk angrily in another language.</p><p></p><p>To Rix in draconic: <span style="color: purple">"You consort with these things and you consider me a betrayer,"</span> Sylesreastris asked. <span style="color: purple">"Our leader, Kazsinastrayas, has told us about you. The cousin who walks with the tall ones. Tell me, is it true cousin, how you side with the gnomes against my own DragonEye tribe? And you say you lead this band? Such a betrayal cuts even more deeply. You consider the DragonEyes to be traitors of the faith, but we simply found a way to unite our warring groups. Seperate we were weak. And then when we had captured our enemies we united them in our cause and were stronger for it until you showed. Have you forgotten all your ways, cousin? Have you forgotten that the world goes to the quick and to the cunning? You smell like a human and you talk like one. I condemn you to our lord's justice, betrayer. I will become an dragon egg. Perhaps in the next life some human god may take pity on you and make you a halfling."</span></p><p></p><p>[Rix in Draconic]<span style="color: sienna">"So, weasel, I think I'll call you weasel. Fitting isn't it? As for me, I side with no one, I have endured where one such as you would die groveling like the dog you are. About the gnomes, I would be happy to see the gnomes wiped out. I'm surprised they have withstood this long. Their defenses are paltry, yet your so-called unity cannot do what I will do myself. You believe you have a unity, what you have is an empty shell ready to crack. Perhaps your pathetic leader failed to study the basics of a proper mine, perhaps he is just a fool. It matters not."</span> </p><p></p><p>Vaerixsjach drew his dagger, testing the point with the tip of a finger. <span style="color: sienna">"Sharp isn't it. I guess you know very little of our own faith, as you failed to recognize one of the chosen. A weasel like yourself would not recognize a dragonwrought."</span> He smirked.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: sienna">"It would please you that I sent you to your next life? That you had the chance to be reborn, but I don't think that would be fitting punishment just yet. I think you'll live a long and pathetic life. As a slave, like the mindlessness you have inflicted upon my kin, for they are no longer yours, that will be your calling till the end of your days. However, I would not see it fit to let you live with the pleasure of thinking yourself worthy of the heritage of a dragon."</span></p><p></p><p>Rix in Common: <span style="color: sienna">"We will sell this one to you, make sure that he lives a long and pathetic life. However, first he will be marked. Dartis, hold him tight. Someone, get me a lit torch."</span></p><p></p><p>Silas listened to Rix with a scowl upon his face. He didn't understand what was initially being said, but he understood the tone and he didn't like it though he hoped it would get them the information that they needed. When Rix switched to common he frowned. <span style="color: orange">"I will not condone selling this creature into slavery. Despite its crimes, we do not have the right to enslave it, nor to torture it."</span> Silas glanced to Dartis, Alexander, and Kel hoping to receive some support from them. DM's Note: Up until this point I was wondering if the good-aligned characters were going to take a hit to their alignment.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: orange">"What did it say about those who've organized the kobolds and used this vile method of control?"</span></p><p></p><p>Alexander took out his scimitar and rested it on his other arm, looking intently at the kobold. Without averting his gaze from him he asked, <span style="color: Blue">"Yes, what did he say about the crystals?"</span></p><p></p><p>Dartis tightened his grip on the kobold but took a step back from Rix. <span style="color: Green">"Silas is quite correct here. Dorinthians do not condone slavery and are not slavers as are the our enemies. And torture will never be tolerated in my presence, ever. I would sooner set this thing free than allow you to mercilessly carve him up. Nor will we relinquish him to the dwellers of this swamp to slave away for a few weeks to only be eaten later. This will not occur. Dorinthia may be lost or nearly so, but its ideals are not."</span> said Dartis fiercely.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: seagreen">"While I would not see him tortured I have no qualms with him serving a sentence with these,"</span> Kel said, flicking a finger at the pair of troglodytes. <span style="color: seagreen">"The Huntress knows it is more than he deserves."</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: orange">"Well spoken, Lord Kalnian,"</span> murmured Silas. <span style="color: orange"><em>And <strong>that</strong> is why we have nobles,</em></span> he thought. <span style="color: orange">"Depending on the information you've gained, Rix, we may not need to cross the swamp yet. We've destroyed the artifact that they were using but I fear that was but one of the subjugated kobold clans, not the Dragon Eye kobolds. Those are the ones we need to find. If this one,"</span> said Silas motioning at the captive kobold, <span style="color: orange">"can tell us where to find them it would aid our mission immensely. If he cannot, or will not, aid us then our choices are two: either blindly press forward, which I like not, or return to the gnomes to report what we have discovered thus far."</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: sienna">"These are my kin who have been subjected to this, I am no Dorinthian and I care not for the paltry noble ideals of your people. Not that your noble ideals hold much sway either, I doubt any of you have seen how your noble brethren treat those held in jails or they believe to be inhuman or less than them."</span> Rix scowled.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: sienna">"This one will be given treatment deserving of a traitor to his race. It is not torture, it is an eye for an eye. He will live as if he were one of those whose cunning he has stolen, serving without choice. You advise putting my kin to the death in the name of mercy, yet you somehow believe this ones life is worth saving. He will not be tortured, but marked in much the same way you mark your own criminals, with a brand to name him a traitor."</span></p><p></p><p>The dragonkin bared his teeth at the witless humans, <span style="color: sienna">"What would you do with him? Bring him back to the accursed gnomes? Kill him in the name of mercy? Leave him to return and report to his traitorous kin?"</span> The dragonkin's tone was sharp and berating.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: sienna">"He will serve his time with the troglodytes, for to pass him on to the next life would be to great a generosity for the travesty he has inflicted. If you wish to know anything of the Dragon Eye tribe, you will do as I say, or you will stumble along as blind as you are now."</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: Blue">"You won't have him serve with his life Rix."</span> Alexander was unmoving, his scimitar still resting on his left arm. <span style="color: Blue">"You may mark him. You may leave him to die. You may slit his throat."</span> Alexander shook his head gravely. <span style="color: Blue">"You may not enslave him. Not as he enslaved his kin. Not as Tallionines enslaved free men."</span></p><p></p><p>Silas' eyes narrowed and his lips tightened into a thin line. He would justify his actions, explain his beliefs, but he knew the kobold held everything in ill regard except himself and wouldn't listen anyway. <span style="color: orange">"It is the Dorinthian way, Rix, no other. If that means that we must stumble about blindly then so be it."</span></p><p></p><p>One of the troglodytes shrugged in boredom at Silas' reaction. <span style="color: yellow">"We take you for gold if not the kobold. Makes no difference us. Although kobolds good to eat. Even DragonEye kobold like this one."</span></p><p></p><p>The kobold underneath Dartis' arms said something sharp to Rix, which causes the troglodytes to chuckle in amusement. To Rix in Draconic: <span style="color: purple">"I thought you said you were in charge of these tall ones, cousin. Who is in charge of who, here?"</span> The kobold prisoner asked with a smirk.</p><p></p><p>Kel took a slow step backwards, away from the argument, careful to hold his hands away from his weapons, <span style="color: seagreen">"Time wastes, decide his fate and be done with it."</span> His eyes swept the area for a stone or a log that he could sit upon while he waited.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: sienna">"Fools. He will be marked and left as a traitor in these swamps. But only after we get what we need out of him."</span></p><p></p><p>[Rix in draconic]<span style="color: sienna">"Where is this despicable Kazsinastrayas and the lair of your traitorous tribe? As it seems they consort with gnomes, oh... you didn't realize that bit... doesn't matter, you'll be dead soon enough so long as you tell me what I need to know."</span></p><p></p><p>To the troglodytes in draconic <span style="color: sienna">"We will see about an arrangement for this one. Perhaps he'll disappear in the night into your domain, I doubt you'll have much trouble picking him up."</span></p><p></p><p>Alexander was satisfied by Rix's supposed change in attitude (he didn't know draconic), but the tone in which he concluded <span style="color: Blue">"Good, I won't have to behead him then"</span> could have been well in search of comedy or dead serious, it was hard to tell which. He finally sheathed his scimitar and retreated to wait while Rix interrogated the rat.</p><p></p><p>The kobold prisoner snickered and switches to common. <span style="color: purple">"This one wants to know where my tribe is quartered. You just came from there. This our new home, and was taken from Hill Delvers. They now serve us. As for our commander, he now gone to deal with enemies of our ally. Our ally is a gnome, yes, but he sees error of his ways. He helps DragonEye tribe grow strong. Our enemies soon not a problem. Gnome mage brings kobolds and goblins together for last fight against his old home."</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: sienna">"Serves the gnomes right."</span> Rix spit on the ground, <span style="color: sienna">"Now, will someone get me a torch so when I mark this one as a traitor so he doesn't bleed to death."</span></p><p></p><p>Alexander came back at the mention of goblins and mighty alliances, and asked in a casual tome to Rix: <span style="color: Blue">"Did we conserve the head of the goblin shaman?"</span></p><p><span style="color: Blue">"Let us get done with this." <em>And warn the gnomes of the lizard in gnome body so that <strong>they</strong> deal with it, all this stinks... treason abounds.</em></span></p><p></p><p>Silas cursed quietly at the information imparted by the kobold. <span style="color: orange">"Then we'll need to warn the gnomes quickly."</span> Looking Rix in the eye he said, <span style="color: orange">"Seems I left my torch back at the kobold lair."</span> He then turned to the troglodytes. <span style="color: orange">"What price for passage across your swamp?"</span></p><p></p><p>The troglodyte pondered for a moment and then said, "We takes 20 golds for passage or something of equal value." The creature looked one more time at the prisoner.</p><p></p><p>Silas fished in his pouch for 20 gold and paid the troglodytes. <span style="color: orange">"Shall we go, my friends?"</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: seagreen">"I'm ready to go as soon as you lot resolve your issues,"</span> Kel quipped as he walked casually towards Silas.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: orange">"Solved, or not, we must go."</span> </p><p></p><p>The troglodytes took the 20gp from Silas and led the party of adventurers through the swamp. A steady rain came from the west and dampened both the adventurers' clothes and their spirits as the mud got deeper and the going harder. It took some hours to make it through. When they did make it out of the marsh as the rain slows to a trinkle, night had gathered. The guides were true to their word, and they gave a nod in salute as they disappeared back into the swamp.</p><p></p><p>Exhausted, the party considered resting before pushing on to the lands of the gnomes, despite the danger that the prisoner insisted was heading the gnomes' way.</p><p></p><p>With exhaustion sapping his strength Silas said, <span style="color: orange">"I think we should rest. Pushing on in this state..."</span> He shook his head. <span style="color: orange">"It's too dangerous; especially with night coming on."</span></p><p></p><p>The group settled down to rest. Each group member took a different shift and Dartis tied the kobold prisoner up near a tree while he took the first watch. The night went uneventfully and the group slept until Rix took the last shift. Shortly before dawn the party woke up to painful screams deep in the swamp. As the party grabbed their weapons and prepared for an attack they noticed that Rix wasn't to be found in the camp. Soon they heard a whistling tune as Rix emerged from the muddy ground, his hands by his side, and a pleased look on his face. It appeared that the kobold prisoner was gone...</p><p></p><p>Alexander spit, all this really disgusted him. He would have preferred to cleanly slice the head from the body of the kobold, but it was Rix's realm. <span style="color: blue"><em>Leaving a wounded wolf behind on purpose...</em></span> The half-orc shook his head. <strong><span style="color: Blue">"Moving."</span></strong><span style="color: Blue"> <em>Ravil was right, this scoundrel is testing me.</em></span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: sienna">"Who's making breakfast?"</span> Rix grinned, markedly amused at his companions.</p><p></p><p>Silas pulled a hard, dry biscuit from his store of rations and tossed it to Rix. <span style="color: orange">"Consider it made."</span> Rapidly packing up his gear and strapping his bedroll to the bottom of his pack he said, <span style="color: orange">"Let's move on. We can eat on the trail."</span> Keeping his face carefully blank he asked Rix, <span style="color: orange">"Did you kill him?"</span></p><p></p><p>When Silas asked him his question, Rix cocked his head to the side, <span style="color: sienna">"who?"</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color: sienna">"I could stand to sit and eat breakfast, the trail is still going to be there. Maybe not the gnomes, but no real loss."</span> He tossed the dry biscuit back, sitting down he opened up some of his own rations.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: Blue"><strong>"We are moving, Rix"</strong></span> Alexander said... his patience with the kobold was growing thin. <span style="color: Blue">"We have no time to waste, even more, we will have to march at higher speed, we <strong>don't</strong> want to arrive at the gnome's place in midbattle."</span> He packed and prepared to go.</p><p></p><p>Silas sighed, realizing he would not get any information out of the wily kobold rogue. He shrugged his pack up onto his back and grabbed for the biscuit when Rix tossed it back. Looking at Alexander he said, <span style="color: orange">"I'm ready."</span> Breaking off a piece of the biscuit, he popped it into his mouth and moved to follow Alexander.</p><p></p><p>The party moved on, though some of its members glanced at Rix in suspicion or disgust. They travelled for a few more hours when Kel noticed a wisp of smoke in the direction of the gnome lands. Hurrying, the party travelled another hour before the inescapable smell of smoke reached their noses.</p><p></p><p>Walking over the final hill, the party saw the Laughphray Hills on fire, its defensive towers aflame or destroyed. Several siege engines laid still on the field, surrounded by the bodies of goblins, gnolls, and kobolds. The doors to the gnome home had been broken down and a recently dug tunnel opening covered with canvas could be seen between two large tents. This was likely dug by kobold sappers.</p><p></p><p>Three entrances into the hills could be seen from the vantage point, although there were likely others. The left entrance was closer to the residential areas of the gnome caves, while the right entrance was nearer the administrative. Both entrances had been burst open. The kobold tunnel was a third, new entrance, but where it led to was unknown. The adventurers could hear the sounds of battle raging somewhere deep in the earth.</p><p></p><p>Next: Saving the gnomes...</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Deuce Traveler, post: 3438991, member: 34958"] [color=orange]"It would not be wise to loiter around here."[/color] Silas motioned back towards the kobold lair. [color=orange]"Especially now that [i]that[/i] thing has been set loose."[/color] He looked briefly at Rix then shifted his gaze to Alexander. [color=orange]"Can you find us a place of safety where we might question the captured kobold?"[/color] [COLOR=Green]"Before we leave, let us end these abominations, both so that they may not be used against us or our allies, but also as an act of mercy. Rix and I will proceed down the hill, while you fulfill your duty. The troll will be quite happy with his other prey, but do not tarry,"[/COLOR] said Dratis as he carried off the small reptilian in his arms. Alexander nodded gravely at Dratis' words. [COLOR=Blue]"You speak truth,"[/COLOR] but looked at Rix for agreement for whether to proceed or not onto the gruesome duty. In the half-orc's eyes they were Rix's kin, and thus, Rix should be the one to free them. [color=sienna]"The troll will end their empty lives. Move."[/color] Rix snapped. [color=sienna][i]death was a part of life for a kobold, their stifled souls would be reincarnated into the next hatching.[/i][/color] After Rix said what he had to say, the party heard the growling of an approaching troll behind them. They decided that it was best to quickly move, and left the hill by heading straight out and circling its base. They found concealment in some nearby trees. As the party was led into the surrounding trees with their struggling kobold in tow, the group heard another monstrous giggle, and turned to see the troll gleefully slaying the mindless kobolds around it. It got inventive, taking the time to slash or dismember the creatures without killing them. Suddenly, a large squad of kobolds came from the other side of the hill and surrounded the troll. The ensuing battle became fierce, but the troll still seemed to have the advantage. Instead of watching the result of the conflict, the party decided to leave. Rix gritted his teeth against the thought of the troll and the mindless kobolds, [color=sienna][i]be reborn into the great mines, the treachery of your own kind against you will show them the greatest of wraths.[/i][/color] They got as far as the swamp, and were discussing how best to cross it, when Dartis detected a familiar, pungent odor. Two recognizeable troglodytes approached, their hands open and away from their weapons in a gesture of peace. The smaller one spoke in broken common, [color=yellow]"You return...and with kobold. This one respects has for you. We help you cross our home for price. Perhaps we buy kobold from you. Makes good slave."[/color] Alexander imitated the Troglodytes' gesture: [COLOR=Blue]"Well met, hunters."[/COLOR] [color=seagreen]"We have a need to speak with it first,"[/color] Kel said in answer to the troglodyte's proposal. [color=seagreen]"But I think we may be able to strike some kind of deal,"[/color] the elf said, looking at his friends for agreement. DM's Note: I was surprised to see the elf hint that he might sell the kobold... The troglodytes smiled to Kel agreeably. [color=yellow]"If trouble, we can help make talk. If not kobold slave, we will take five sparkly stones from kobold heads, or 10 gp."[/color] Rix spoke to the lizardmen in draconic, [color=sienna]"Give us a moment."[/color] Rix then turned back towards the kobold and Dartis, who was tugging him along. [color=sienna]"Hold him tight."[/color] [In draconic][color=sienna]"What is your name and your tribe?"[/color] he asked calmly. Alexander turned to the others while Rix questioned the kobold: [COLOR=Blue]"We have enough evidence and we can return."[/COLOR] His words were dry and matter-o-factly. [COLOR=Blue][I]So that I can finally meet the defilers![/I] "There are greater missions ahead." [I]We can't keep being pest control for gnomes...[/I][/COLOR] The prisoner responded to Rix. [color=purple]"My name is Sylesreastris of the DragonEye clan. What do you want, cousin who is slave to these big ones?"[/color] [color=sienna]"Who do you think leads the big ones around by their noses?"[/color] Vaerixsjach smirked, [color=sienna]"I think Kurtulmak will have a nice place for you in the weasel den once I've finished with you. Who leads your pathetic excuse for a scaled clan?"[/color] Alexander was waiting quietly as the two scaled ones exchanged words. In between, he asked the troglodytes if anything strange had happened of late in the sorroundings, something like the dead rising or other weird occurences. The troglodyte nodded at Alexander. [color=yellow]"Many kobolds pass around swamp to north. Carried many spears. Were too many to hunt. That strange."[/color] Suddenly, the kobold in custody spit on Rix's feet and began to talk angrily in another language. To Rix in draconic: [color=purple]"You consort with these things and you consider me a betrayer,"[/color] Sylesreastris asked. [color=purple]"Our leader, Kazsinastrayas, has told us about you. The cousin who walks with the tall ones. Tell me, is it true cousin, how you side with the gnomes against my own DragonEye tribe? And you say you lead this band? Such a betrayal cuts even more deeply. You consider the DragonEyes to be traitors of the faith, but we simply found a way to unite our warring groups. Seperate we were weak. And then when we had captured our enemies we united them in our cause and were stronger for it until you showed. Have you forgotten all your ways, cousin? Have you forgotten that the world goes to the quick and to the cunning? You smell like a human and you talk like one. I condemn you to our lord's justice, betrayer. I will become an dragon egg. Perhaps in the next life some human god may take pity on you and make you a halfling."[/color] [Rix in Draconic][color=sienna]"So, weasel, I think I'll call you weasel. Fitting isn't it? As for me, I side with no one, I have endured where one such as you would die groveling like the dog you are. About the gnomes, I would be happy to see the gnomes wiped out. I'm surprised they have withstood this long. Their defenses are paltry, yet your so-called unity cannot do what I will do myself. You believe you have a unity, what you have is an empty shell ready to crack. Perhaps your pathetic leader failed to study the basics of a proper mine, perhaps he is just a fool. It matters not."[/color] Vaerixsjach drew his dagger, testing the point with the tip of a finger. [color=sienna]"Sharp isn't it. I guess you know very little of our own faith, as you failed to recognize one of the chosen. A weasel like yourself would not recognize a dragonwrought."[/color] He smirked. [color=sienna]"It would please you that I sent you to your next life? That you had the chance to be reborn, but I don't think that would be fitting punishment just yet. I think you'll live a long and pathetic life. As a slave, like the mindlessness you have inflicted upon my kin, for they are no longer yours, that will be your calling till the end of your days. However, I would not see it fit to let you live with the pleasure of thinking yourself worthy of the heritage of a dragon."[/color] Rix in Common: [color=sienna]"We will sell this one to you, make sure that he lives a long and pathetic life. However, first he will be marked. Dartis, hold him tight. Someone, get me a lit torch."[/color] Silas listened to Rix with a scowl upon his face. He didn't understand what was initially being said, but he understood the tone and he didn't like it though he hoped it would get them the information that they needed. When Rix switched to common he frowned. [color=orange]"I will not condone selling this creature into slavery. Despite its crimes, we do not have the right to enslave it, nor to torture it."[/color] Silas glanced to Dartis, Alexander, and Kel hoping to receive some support from them. DM's Note: Up until this point I was wondering if the good-aligned characters were going to take a hit to their alignment. [color=orange]"What did it say about those who've organized the kobolds and used this vile method of control?"[/color] Alexander took out his scimitar and rested it on his other arm, looking intently at the kobold. Without averting his gaze from him he asked, [COLOR=Blue]"Yes, what did he say about the crystals?"[/COLOR] Dartis tightened his grip on the kobold but took a step back from Rix. [COLOR=Green]"Silas is quite correct here. Dorinthians do not condone slavery and are not slavers as are the our enemies. And torture will never be tolerated in my presence, ever. I would sooner set this thing free than allow you to mercilessly carve him up. Nor will we relinquish him to the dwellers of this swamp to slave away for a few weeks to only be eaten later. This will not occur. Dorinthia may be lost or nearly so, but its ideals are not."[/COLOR] said Dartis fiercely. [color=seagreen]"While I would not see him tortured I have no qualms with him serving a sentence with these,"[/color] Kel said, flicking a finger at the pair of troglodytes. [color=seagreen]"The Huntress knows it is more than he deserves."[/color] [color=orange]"Well spoken, Lord Kalnian,"[/color] murmured Silas. [color=orange][i]And [b]that[/b] is why we have nobles,[/i][/color] he thought. [color=orange]"Depending on the information you've gained, Rix, we may not need to cross the swamp yet. We've destroyed the artifact that they were using but I fear that was but one of the subjugated kobold clans, not the Dragon Eye kobolds. Those are the ones we need to find. If this one,"[/color] said Silas motioning at the captive kobold, [color=orange]"can tell us where to find them it would aid our mission immensely. If he cannot, or will not, aid us then our choices are two: either blindly press forward, which I like not, or return to the gnomes to report what we have discovered thus far."[/color] [color=sienna]"These are my kin who have been subjected to this, I am no Dorinthian and I care not for the paltry noble ideals of your people. Not that your noble ideals hold much sway either, I doubt any of you have seen how your noble brethren treat those held in jails or they believe to be inhuman or less than them."[/color] Rix scowled. [color=sienna]"This one will be given treatment deserving of a traitor to his race. It is not torture, it is an eye for an eye. He will live as if he were one of those whose cunning he has stolen, serving without choice. You advise putting my kin to the death in the name of mercy, yet you somehow believe this ones life is worth saving. He will not be tortured, but marked in much the same way you mark your own criminals, with a brand to name him a traitor."[/color] The dragonkin bared his teeth at the witless humans, [color=sienna]"What would you do with him? Bring him back to the accursed gnomes? Kill him in the name of mercy? Leave him to return and report to his traitorous kin?"[/color] The dragonkin's tone was sharp and berating. [color=sienna]"He will serve his time with the troglodytes, for to pass him on to the next life would be to great a generosity for the travesty he has inflicted. If you wish to know anything of the Dragon Eye tribe, you will do as I say, or you will stumble along as blind as you are now."[/color] [COLOR=Blue]"You won't have him serve with his life Rix."[/COLOR] Alexander was unmoving, his scimitar still resting on his left arm. [COLOR=Blue]"You may mark him. You may leave him to die. You may slit his throat."[/COLOR] Alexander shook his head gravely. [COLOR=Blue]"You may not enslave him. Not as he enslaved his kin. Not as Tallionines enslaved free men."[/COLOR] Silas' eyes narrowed and his lips tightened into a thin line. He would justify his actions, explain his beliefs, but he knew the kobold held everything in ill regard except himself and wouldn't listen anyway. [color=orange]"It is the Dorinthian way, Rix, no other. If that means that we must stumble about blindly then so be it."[/color] One of the troglodytes shrugged in boredom at Silas' reaction. [color=yellow]"We take you for gold if not the kobold. Makes no difference us. Although kobolds good to eat. Even DragonEye kobold like this one."[/color] The kobold underneath Dartis' arms said something sharp to Rix, which causes the troglodytes to chuckle in amusement. To Rix in Draconic: [color=purple]"I thought you said you were in charge of these tall ones, cousin. Who is in charge of who, here?"[/color] The kobold prisoner asked with a smirk. Kel took a slow step backwards, away from the argument, careful to hold his hands away from his weapons, [color=seagreen]"Time wastes, decide his fate and be done with it."[/color] His eyes swept the area for a stone or a log that he could sit upon while he waited. [color=sienna]"Fools. He will be marked and left as a traitor in these swamps. But only after we get what we need out of him."[/color] [Rix in draconic][color=sienna]"Where is this despicable Kazsinastrayas and the lair of your traitorous tribe? As it seems they consort with gnomes, oh... you didn't realize that bit... doesn't matter, you'll be dead soon enough so long as you tell me what I need to know."[/color] To the troglodytes in draconic [color=sienna]"We will see about an arrangement for this one. Perhaps he'll disappear in the night into your domain, I doubt you'll have much trouble picking him up."[/color] Alexander was satisfied by Rix's supposed change in attitude (he didn't know draconic), but the tone in which he concluded [COLOR=Blue]"Good, I won't have to behead him then"[/COLOR] could have been well in search of comedy or dead serious, it was hard to tell which. He finally sheathed his scimitar and retreated to wait while Rix interrogated the rat. The kobold prisoner snickered and switches to common. [color=purple]"This one wants to know where my tribe is quartered. You just came from there. This our new home, and was taken from Hill Delvers. They now serve us. As for our commander, he now gone to deal with enemies of our ally. Our ally is a gnome, yes, but he sees error of his ways. He helps DragonEye tribe grow strong. Our enemies soon not a problem. Gnome mage brings kobolds and goblins together for last fight against his old home."[/color] [color=sienna]"Serves the gnomes right."[/color] Rix spit on the ground, [color=sienna]"Now, will someone get me a torch so when I mark this one as a traitor so he doesn't bleed to death."[/color] Alexander came back at the mention of goblins and mighty alliances, and asked in a casual tome to Rix: [COLOR=Blue]"Did we conserve the head of the goblin shaman?"[/COLOR] [COLOR=Blue]"Let us get done with this." [I]And warn the gnomes of the lizard in gnome body so that [B]they[/B] deal with it, all this stinks... treason abounds.[/I][/color] Silas cursed quietly at the information imparted by the kobold. [color=orange]"Then we'll need to warn the gnomes quickly."[/color] Looking Rix in the eye he said, [color=orange]"Seems I left my torch back at the kobold lair."[/color] He then turned to the troglodytes. [color=orange]"What price for passage across your swamp?"[/color] The troglodyte pondered for a moment and then said, "We takes 20 golds for passage or something of equal value." The creature looked one more time at the prisoner. Silas fished in his pouch for 20 gold and paid the troglodytes. [color=orange]"Shall we go, my friends?"[/color] [color=seagreen]"I'm ready to go as soon as you lot resolve your issues,"[/color] Kel quipped as he walked casually towards Silas. [color=orange]"Solved, or not, we must go."[/color] The troglodytes took the 20gp from Silas and led the party of adventurers through the swamp. A steady rain came from the west and dampened both the adventurers' clothes and their spirits as the mud got deeper and the going harder. It took some hours to make it through. When they did make it out of the marsh as the rain slows to a trinkle, night had gathered. The guides were true to their word, and they gave a nod in salute as they disappeared back into the swamp. Exhausted, the party considered resting before pushing on to the lands of the gnomes, despite the danger that the prisoner insisted was heading the gnomes' way. With exhaustion sapping his strength Silas said, [color=orange]"I think we should rest. Pushing on in this state..."[/color] He shook his head. [color=orange]"It's too dangerous; especially with night coming on."[/color] The group settled down to rest. Each group member took a different shift and Dartis tied the kobold prisoner up near a tree while he took the first watch. The night went uneventfully and the group slept until Rix took the last shift. Shortly before dawn the party woke up to painful screams deep in the swamp. As the party grabbed their weapons and prepared for an attack they noticed that Rix wasn't to be found in the camp. Soon they heard a whistling tune as Rix emerged from the muddy ground, his hands by his side, and a pleased look on his face. It appeared that the kobold prisoner was gone... Alexander spit, all this really disgusted him. He would have preferred to cleanly slice the head from the body of the kobold, but it was Rix's realm. [color=blue][I]Leaving a wounded wolf behind on purpose...[/I][/color] The half-orc shook his head. [B][COLOR=Blue]"Moving."[/COLOR][/B][COLOR=Blue] [I]Ravil was right, this scoundrel is testing me.[/I][/COLOR] [color=sienna]"Who's making breakfast?"[/color] Rix grinned, markedly amused at his companions. Silas pulled a hard, dry biscuit from his store of rations and tossed it to Rix. [color=orange]"Consider it made."[/color] Rapidly packing up his gear and strapping his bedroll to the bottom of his pack he said, [color=orange]"Let's move on. We can eat on the trail."[/color] Keeping his face carefully blank he asked Rix, [color=orange]"Did you kill him?"[/color] When Silas asked him his question, Rix cocked his head to the side, [color=sienna]"who?"[/color] [color=sienna]"I could stand to sit and eat breakfast, the trail is still going to be there. Maybe not the gnomes, but no real loss."[/color] He tossed the dry biscuit back, sitting down he opened up some of his own rations. [COLOR=Blue][B]"We are moving, Rix"[/B][/COLOR] Alexander said... his patience with the kobold was growing thin. [COLOR=Blue]"We have no time to waste, even more, we will have to march at higher speed, we [B]don't[/B] want to arrive at the gnome's place in midbattle."[/COLOR] He packed and prepared to go. Silas sighed, realizing he would not get any information out of the wily kobold rogue. He shrugged his pack up onto his back and grabbed for the biscuit when Rix tossed it back. Looking at Alexander he said, [color=orange]"I'm ready."[/color] Breaking off a piece of the biscuit, he popped it into his mouth and moved to follow Alexander. The party moved on, though some of its members glanced at Rix in suspicion or disgust. They travelled for a few more hours when Kel noticed a wisp of smoke in the direction of the gnome lands. Hurrying, the party travelled another hour before the inescapable smell of smoke reached their noses. Walking over the final hill, the party saw the Laughphray Hills on fire, its defensive towers aflame or destroyed. Several siege engines laid still on the field, surrounded by the bodies of goblins, gnolls, and kobolds. The doors to the gnome home had been broken down and a recently dug tunnel opening covered with canvas could be seen between two large tents. This was likely dug by kobold sappers. Three entrances into the hills could be seen from the vantage point, although there were likely others. The left entrance was closer to the residential areas of the gnome caves, while the right entrance was nearer the administrative. Both entrances had been burst open. The kobold tunnel was a third, new entrance, but where it led to was unknown. The adventurers could hear the sounds of battle raging somewhere deep in the earth. Next: Saving the gnomes... [/QUOTE]
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