IndyPendant's Sunless Citadel

[IndyPendant]

And with that, it is done. The first thing Calcryx sees to is the destruction of the cage, and Yusdrayl does not resist this. Calcryx then sets itself up in the large, long hall, taking the altar behind the throne as its lair. The kobolds avoid you, doing their best to ignore you. You rest for a few hours, your goblin prisoners inconsolant and despairing. It is not long before you discover why.

A fire is prepared, and a different pair of goblin prisoners--in much worse condition than your own--are led out in chains. Those chains are then tied to a rope at the back of the hall that you hadn't noticed before, and the two goblins are hoisted by their wrists, begging listlessly for their lives in draconic the entire time, so that they have to stand on their toes to support their weight. The kobolds then take turns, apparently competing for the honour and taking great care to show their skill, in removing very thin strips of skin from the goblins.

The prisoners sound like any human would, screaming their agony as they are slowly flayed alive.

Yusdrayl begins to describe, in common and with relish, how sometimes the prisoners survive the flaying process--in which case the goblin is carried to the pit, and the kobolds get the pleasure of watching the goblin roast alive, turning slowly on a spit high above the flames. It adds that if the goblin dies from the flaying--as one of these prisoners already has--then the spit is lowered so the kobolds can eat sooner. In almost precisely the same casually jovial tone, Yusdrayl then begins to ask you questions as to your purpose here in the citadel and what you intend to do next, now that you have rescued Calcryx.

 

[Mithran]

Heirmund starts to look a bit pale then glances at Jair "Umm... excuse me... I have some writing to do" and Heirmund withdraws to the place farthest from the goblins he can find.

Once he finds a place Heirmund sits down and shakily opens his book to write about the events of the past few days and attempt some more of his crude maps.

 

[Sorrow The Man Bear]

Lehko stands stiffly when Yusdrayl asks our future plans. He stalks tword the goblin prisoners and shoves the kobolds aside, drawing his short sword. "I plan to eat. Enough play." He then, providing that none of the kobolds are foolish enough to try to stop him, commences to swiftly and efficienty cut the throats of both goblins, ending their misery. "Many battles lead to a mighty hunger. Where is the cook? I would be certain it's well done."

 

[Shayuri]

By the time Lehko has acted, Kuma has risen and seems to be backing slowly towards the exit. He freezes however when Lehko does his thing, and prepares himself for possible hostilities.

 

[Voadam]

As Lekho starts to quietly rumble advice into his ear, Jair's consciousness is diverted by a piercing call from the realm of spirits and the sound of beating wings that only the druid can hear. He focuses instantly on this screeching cry and makes contact with the spirit of the Eagle. It calls to him and draws him into its own perspective, granting him clarity of vision that is gained from the soaring vantage point of a flying eagle. The young druid absorbs the moment and experience. As he comes back to himself Jair realizes it will be some time before he can fully understand his experience and its import. With a start the events around him he has been observing with the background of his consciousness come to the foreground and he is too late to save the prisoners.

Horrified at Lekho's actions, pragmatic as they are, Jair stifles his outrage so as not to show conflict among the group in front of the kobolds and dragon. Jair realizes his failure to act played a large part in giving the battle sorcerer the opportunity to step in and practice kobold diplomacy. Instead he moves to take advantage of the situation and the kobold goodwill to solidify the party's position and seek needed supplies from the kobolds if possible.

[ooc diplomacy based off Lekho's goodwill gesture of goblins for food]

 

[IndyPendant]

The kobolds stand in shock at Lehko's action, but Yusdrayl quickly recovers. "You are so hungry, human, you get first cut of their meat! We shall roast the goblins fast and low."

Shortly afterwards, the food is ready and the kobolds crowd in to get their share. Yusdrayl gives a short speech in Draconic honouring this feast to the return of their god, Calcryx. And true to its word, it gives Lehko the first slice of hot, dripping goblin meat straight off the corpse. It then offers each of the rest of you gobbets as well.

There is a pause, kobolds actually elbowing each other and making quiet side bets for a few copper and even a silver or two, as they see how you respond...

 

[Mithran]

Heirmund looks up from his writing "Yes thank yo... wait, no, no I can't. Busy, must keep writing I do thank you though"

 

[Sorrow The Man Bear]

Lehko snatches whatever nearby implement is available, be it fork, dagger, table knife, what have you, spears the hunk of meat, pauses a moment to let the smell of the juices waft into his nose. Then with yes, a smile almost, relishes in a mouthful of the foreign meat. He chews, and swallows, then pauses. "Have we wine for the table?" He turns and calls, "Kuma? Have you ever eaten goblin?"

 

[Shayuri]

Kuma manages to keep his face straight, but he shakes his head gravely.

"I have not. Nor shall I now. With respect to our hosts, I will see to my own supper. Tonight I commune with the spirits of this land, and I may eat only what food I have caught myself."

He produces a long stick of dried jerky and begins gnawing on it, his face pensive and distant.

 

[IndyPendant]

That evening, Lehko finds that he has earned some respect from the kobolds, even Yusdrayl. The rest of you spend an uncomfortable evening in a culture completely alien to your way of life, brought home in dozens of little ways.

Still, you are kept safe for the evening, and Jair uses the last of his minor healing to help out the others. The next morning, you are ready to start again. Your goblins have been kept safe under your care, although there were times it looked like some of the kobold bounders were going to cause trouble over that. And you have managed to save nearly twenty hours of light by using the kobolds' stinky, smokey torches.

Yusdrayl informs you that you are permitted to travel safely through the flame pit room to and from the lair of the vile goblins, so long as you do not try to penetrate any further into kobold territories. Calcryx thanks you for your aid in helping him gain his new standing among the kobolds.

And then you are through the door, once more heading down the hall that leads to where you fought all those rats.

And beyond there--the goblins.