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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Capellan" data-source="post: 1294014" data-attributes="member: 6294">"Forgotten Honour" by Eric Price (Dragon Scale Counters) - Part 3"The kobolds claim that they've been living in these hills for months, without harming anyone." Elspeth's tone makes it clear that she doesn't find that claim very likely, "They also say that recently, a huge monster - which they call 'One-Eye' - has been attacking them.  Apparently, this One-Eye is a giant, who has two huge wolfhounds as pets.""The other tracks we saw must have been One-Eye's." Stormstrider observes."In any case, they say that if we get rid of this creature for them, they'll tell us where to find Gardan." Elspeth continues, "I told them we'd think about it.  If we accept, I'm to climb that hillock over there and wave a torch.""Can we trust them?" Ming Li asks."Probably not." Is Macwood's opinion, "But do we have any choice?""We can find Gardan without them." Elspeth doesn't like her tracking skills impugned."But this will be a lot quicker."The matter continues to be debated for several more minutes, but in the end the group decide to take a chance on the kobolds' offer.  They give the signal, and a few minutes later one of the little dog-men appears out of the trees.  He is a particularly ragged example of the race, with one torn ear and a pronounced limp."I take you One-Eye's cave." The creature rasps nervously, standing half-hunched over.  It does not give its name, and shies away from any member of the group that gets too close.  The adventurers, already on edge about dealing with the kobolds, views this nervousness with dark suspicion."He'll probably lead us into a trap, then run off." Twinkle is usually one of the more trusting members of the group, but this is a kobold, "That's why he's staying clear of us.""I think he's just scared of us." Rose offers.  Twinkle snorts.Despite the gnome's concerns, no trap or ambush eventuates.  After leading them across country for the best part of an hour, the kobold pauses, pointing to a ridge line about a quarter of a mile to the east."Stay quiet and low.  Den of One-Eye is over hill.  Is cave, near stream.  Two big rocks outside.""Right.  You wait here.  We'll deal with One-Eye." Elspeth glances around, "He's got dogs, so we'd better come around from the south.  That'll keep us downwind."Following the elf's lead, the group circles around, creeping over the ridge well away from the cave.  The lay of the land is much as the kobold told them: the cave is set into the side of the hill, and overlooks a small stream, the bed of which is strewn with small, smooth rocks.  Two ancient, weathered stone pillars flank the dark cave entrance.  At the foot of the pillars, two large, bristle-furred hounds are dozing, sprawled on the dirt.Macwood wrinkles his nose."Can you smell that?"Stormstrider nods."Rotting meat.""We should have come from upwind." The halfling grumbles, "We'd have been spared that stench, and there's no way they would have smelt us, over that.""You'll cope." Ming Li replies calmly, "It cannot be any worse than the sewage."The group quickly discusses their options for an attack.  Elspeth favours the use of missile weapons to kill the hounds, but the others are not so sure."We might not get both immediately, and they'll make a hell of a racket if we don't." Macwood observes, "That will alert One-Eye.  I don't fancy going in there after him, if he's on his guard.""So what do you suggest?""They're dogs, right?  Let's distract them with food, and while they're busy, sneak in and kill him before he knows we're there.""That's a ridiculous plan." Elspeth huffs."It might work.""You mean it might work on you." The ranger rolls her eyes.  Then, confident of the support of the others, she adds: "But just to be fair, we'll put it to the vote."She should, perhaps, have thought more carefully about this."I can't believe you voted for the bard's plan." She grouses at Ming Li, a few minutes later, "I might have expected that Rose and Twinkle would go for it - some kind of midget solidarity thing - but why you?""One-Eye is our enemy, not these animals." The monk reminds her, "If we can slay him, without harm to them, so much the better.  I am surprised this displeases you ... are you not a ranger, dedicated to protecting the creatures of nature?""I'm more dedicated to protecting myself." Is the elf's rejoinder. "This will never work."She's right about that, at least.</blockquote>

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