IndyPendant's Sunless Citadel

[IndyPendant]

Jair uses his second spell on Kuma, and Kuma's wounds heal enough that he is no longer using a constant effort of will just to stay conscious. Jair then splits his remaining minor healing between Heirmund and Jerek, but neither seems safely healed yet.

((Kuma's CLW: 6+1=7. 2 more points are healed to each of Jerek and Heirmund.))

Lehko checks his trap to find it disturbed and the door slightly open; the goblins have been and gone, and again you did not hear them. They have not come into the room you are resting in, however.

You rest another day or so uninterrupted, Calcryx beginning to show signs of restlessness, and then Jair heals it, and then Heirmund to get him up and moving, and then another minor healing to Jerek to do the same for him. That seems to get everyone at least able to move feely without causing further injury, and Jair still has three minor healing spells left.

Most of you are still very wounded, however, so you need to decide whether to stay another day--using up the last of your light in the process, and dealing with an increasingly impatient, and nearly healed, Calcryx--or to risk approaching Yusdrayl this day.

((Heirmund's CLW: 3+1=4. Current hit points: Jair: 7/9. Terrek: 13/13. Kuma: 5/14. Jerek: 1/7. Ydyr: 4/10. Heirmund: 2/5. Lehko: 4/4. Jair has 3 orisons left.))

 

[JimAde]

Jerek sighs massively as Jair tends his wounds yet again. Finally, it no longer feels as if his guts are trying to escape, though the wound is still quite painful.

"Thanks, boss," he says tightly and stands. He carefully stretches his stiff limbs and cracks his knuckles loudly. "I think I can at least talk a good game," he says. "Let's go see the sorcerer."

 

[Mithran]

Heirmund finally sits up once he is healed and picks up his spellbook from wherever it had been put.

OOC:
0th: Acid Splash x2, Daze x2
1st: Color Spray x2, Mage Armor.

 

[Voadam]

"Best to do so before our light runs out. I'd prefer for everybody to be fully healed but there is not the time. Let's go lads. Look strong and remember we return triumphant."

 

[JimAde]

Jerek shakes his head and chuckles ruefully. "Triumphs like this I can do without," he mutters. At least we're all still alive, he adds to himself.

 

[IndyPendant]

Calcryx obviously agrees, and with it accompanying you, with its peculiar flying hops, you take your goblin prisoners with you back into the section controlled by the kobolds. You walk to the kobold hall, where a small group of guards intercept you. Seeing who you have brought with you, however, not a word needs to be spoken--they begin yelling and cheering to see Calcryx returned to them.

You are quickly led to the throne at the end of the large hall once more, where Yusdrayl awaits you as before, dressed in robes and with a small retinue of guards. As the kobold jabber slowly dies down, it watches you, then speaks. "You have done very well indeed. Not only have you brought us our dragon back, but you have also brought us more prisoners to eat! We will have the cage ready to use again within hours. Tell me how you managed this! And where is the Disgraced One?"

At the edge of his vision, Jair sees Calcryx staring at him, beginning to rumble warningly.

 

[JimAde]

Jerek suddenly takes hold of the rope binding the goblins and says firmly, "They are not for eating." He tugs on the rope possessively. "These are our prisoners, bought with our blood."

 

[Voadam]

"Hold Jerek! While true we must offer the honor due the great leader of the kobolds."

Jerek bows in formal greeting to Yusdrayl "I Jerek Feyfriend, leader of this warband offer greetings to you Lady Yusdrayl, Resplendant Mistress of the Citadel kobolds. We gave our word to rescue the dragon that had been kidnapped and journeyed deep into the enemy territory fighting and defeating beasts and goblins with our magic and blades. We have triumphed and return victorious and I will be happy to tell you the tale in fuller detail if you desire as well as of the death of the disgraced one.

However there seems to have been a miscommunication, surely the fault of the now dead disgraced one. We agreed to rescue the dragon and bring him here. Noble Calcryx is a dragon coming into his power, a creature of majesty and might and magic. Such a being is not to be caged but to be allied with as a creature of power. If you wish such a potent ally, particularly as a counter to the threats of Balok the Black, I suggest you come to an agreement, for Calcryx will not be caged. I and mine stand with Calcryx in this and have pledged to see he is not caged again. An arrangement between your great powers can be made and I offer my services as mediator if desired for you two to come to terms and enrich each other through an alliance.

[Diplomacy, diplomacy, diplomacy]

 

[JimAde]

As Jair addresses him, Jerek bows slightly in acknowledgement and hands the goblins' rope to him. He takes a step back and Jair continues, his eyes scanning Yusdrayl and her retinue for reaction.

 

[IndyPendant]

Yusdrayl slowly stands from its thrown, menace in its every movement. "You decided this? You know nothing of our customs! You have rescued our dragon from the vile goblins, and for that I will forgive your arrogance. But what we do with Calcryx now is our affair, not yours. Leave us in peace and with our blessing. Stay and risk our wrath!"

Its tone, of almost parental annoyance, is milder than its words, conveying the impression that you could not possibly know the whole story, so you can be forgiven your transgression--but if you push it you will be punished. Still, Ydyr and Lehko pick up...something...from it. Its body language, perhaps, or something in the tone. They are certain Yusdrayl realizes its situation, and is looking primarily for a way out that saves its stature in the eyes of its people. It is not necessarily looking for a fight, although it won't back down from one should that be the only option.

However it is obvious that neither Calcryx--who has begun to rumble threateningly at Yusdrayl's words, stepping a few feet away from its small hoard--nor Jair, who is searching for a suitable response, realizes Yusdrayl's position.