IndyPendant's Sunless Citadel

[Sorrow The Man Bear]

Lehko steps forward, beside Jair, and places a hand on his shoulder. "The matter of the wyrmling has been decided Old One, among the proper authorities. Lord Calcryx is rightful heir to the Citidel of Ashandralon, and will take his proper place. It is not a matter for discussion. Cages can hold many things, do not forget that." He pauses a moment to let the statment sink in. "I hold you to your word now. We have completed our bargain. The knowledge we seek shall be ours. We may negotiate for the prisoners as well, if you like. Such precedings may be better handled in private, however." He stands, strong and tall, hand confidently on Jair's shoulder in a symbol of united strength.

 

[Shayuri]

Startlingly, Kuma steps forward with a hand raised.

"A moment," he says in a deep bass roll that echoes off the walls. "My companions mean well, but I think there has been a misunderstanding. Let me try to correct this before any...final...decisions are made."

He pauses, waiting to see if Yusdrayl and Calcryx are gonna do a royal rumble, or not. Assuming they don't, he nods.

"Thank you. Understand that we are only intermediaries on Calcryx's behalf. The decisions made are his. We merely agreed to bring him to you, and explain them. We have done so poorly so far. Yusdrayl, you are the leader of your people. Calcryx however would be your god. He would shield you with his wings and breath, in return for your service. And yet, what is a god without a high priest?"

Kuma nods at Yusdrayl. "What is a god without a most honored one, to bring his word to the faithful, and mete out his punishments, and his favors? Yet no god can be caged, Yusdrayl. Only the weak will suffer to be caged. Do you wish the goblins to think your god weak? Weak gods make for weak peoples. No...if you wish to have Calcryx bless you and yours with his power, he must be free. It is for his best interests, and for yours."

Kuma pauses again, letting the echo of his voice die down.

"Work together; grow strong together, and you need fear nothing. Fight and quarrel, and the goblins will pick over the bodies of those who survive. What say you all?"

 

[Sorrow The Man Bear]

Lehko is somewhat startled. He remains silent, however he does pass Kuma a sidelong glance of mixed admiration, genuine pleasure, and a sort of exasperation.

 

[IndyPendant]

Yusdrayl pauses at Lehko's words--but Lehko and Ydyr notice that it's Kuma's speech that seems to reach it. Its tone resounding with a strange mix of disappointment and relief, it says "Very well. I will speak with Calcryx--privately!--on this." Calcryx relaxes slightly, and they step off to one side, out of hearing range, but still within sight.

Their discussion takes many long minutes to complete, during which what could very well be the entire kobold tribe enters into the hall to watch. The hall echoes quietly and disturbingly with the soft sibilants and clicks of their language. Eventually, Calcryx and Yusdrayl return and the draconic noise rises for a few moments, then abates. Calcryx flies to the top of the altar that serves as the back of Yusdrayl's throne, and Yusdrayl moves to stand beside it. Even the size of a housecat, there is something impressive and imposing in the sight of Calacryx poised on the altar, with a carving of a rearing dragon looking up at it.

With only a few brief words to Heirmund directing him to translate, Yusdrayl launches into a speech in Draconic. You are honoured for your part in helping to 'rescue' Calcryx from the vile goblins that 'kidnapped' it. From now on, Calcryx will not be held in a cage, so that such a tragedy will not be repeated, and their godling will not be trapped should the goblins raid again, unable to fight at their side. The fool who is solely responsible for caging Calcryx in the first place, forever to be known now only as the Disgraced One, has died for his folly, at the hands of the putrid goblins who greedily sought to keep Calcryx with them.

There is much cheering as the kobolds absorb the news, and then Calcryx speaks--into an instant, respectful silence. It says that as your reward for rescuing it, you may have the key to Old Approach, held in the carved dragon's mouth of this altar--under two conditions. First, somewhere in the Old Approach there is said to be a green bejewelled dagger; that you must present to Calcryx to be added to its hoard. Second, you must first retrieve the key, which has been held firm by the dragon's stone jaws for a great many years. Should you succeed, all of the riches said to be held in the Old Approach--besides the dagger--are yours to keep.

 

[Voadam]

Jair bows and says formally "I thank you for the honors you award us and offer our congratulations on the reuniting of your great powers."

 

[Sorrow The Man Bear]

Lehko steps closer to Jiar, as if to give him council. And indeed, he does. "Feyfriend," he whispers, "We are light on provisions. I suggest we barter the prisoners with Yusdrayl for light, food, perhaps a night under their roof."

 

[Mithran]

Heirmund bows to Calcryx and says "I thank you for forgiving my lack of respect earlier, I am but an alchemists son and was rather overwelmed by the presence of a being as powerful as yourself."

 

[jayaint]

Ydyr sags visibly after the negotiations... partly from nerves.. and partly because it was still somewhat of an effort to remain standing.

This place might yet sink its teeth into us, he thinks. I'll like it more when its my fists that are doing the talking, instead of this politicizing.

 

[IndyPendant]

Yusdrayl stares at Calcryx for a long moment. Finally, it turns to face you, hissing slightly--not a particularly pleasant sound. It then continues in draconic, with Heirmund translating, "Then we are agreed. You will eat with us this day, and sleep this night. And after we sup, you will choose a champion to pry the key from the dragon's jaws. Tonight we dine on roast goblin!" The kobolds around you cheer again.

 

[Mithran]

Herimund translates into common for his companions then waits expectantly for Jair's reply.