Last Stand of the Dorinthians (Chapter 2 - Illusions)

[Land Outcast]

Alexander shakes his head "We're tight on rations... but we could dare spare some and try to sustain ourselves on what the sorroundings have to offer" The stench, overpowering, makes Alexander take a step back "besides, I'm not sure if we want any of these... although the poison could prove of use for your bolts" again the stench wades in and Alexander stands and steps back again, looking at Rix, waiting for an answer.

 

[Deuce Traveler]

The troglodyte shrugs and answers Rix's question.

Rix
[sblock]
"Perhaps your kin who had these were not in their right mind. They would stand and fight, though it was obvious they would lose. Sometimes during an ambush we will slay five or six of them at a time. Normally there is a kobold without one of these in his head. He will always run," he says as he spits in disgust. "The others will fight to protect him until death. It is very strange, and not normal from kobolds. They act more like troglodytes protecting a chief, and we honor them for their courage."
[/sblock]

After he finishes with Rix he looks at the others and chuckles at their discomfort. In broken common he says, "Ration... one... for theeses," he says pointing to the crystals. "Ration... one for theeses" he says again, pointing at the clutch of herbs. "Ration... twos for these" he says, pointing at the jar.

 

[D20Dazza]

Kel stands on impassively watching the exchange and wiping mud from his clothing and equipment.

"If we get stuck for food the Huntress will provide" he says deferently.

OOC: that's unfair I started posting before you, got side tracked by the kids and then by the time I hit submit you'd posted

 

[Deuce Traveler]

Kel stands on impassively watching the exchange and wiping mud from his clothing and equipment.

"If we get stuck for food the Huntress will provide" he says deferently.

OOC: that's unfair I started posting before you, got side tracked by the kids and then by the time I hit submit you'd posted

OOC: I know how kids can keep you busy. I still gave you a few hours to help your teammate out before throwing you in to join him. Still, I would have given you more time if there was any 'real' danger. This is an intelligent group, and I was sure someone would think about using a rope to help you out. Of course, the players could have had a collective brain fart...

 

[GlassEye]

"I have rations to spare, if that's the problem," says Silas. "And I'm willing to trade them if you think we can use those items." Silas smiles. "And if you think it is a fair exchange, Rix. I've no alcohol to trade, though."

 

[Fenris]

"I too have a few days rations to spare as well to toss in for the trade" adds Dartis

 

[Ferrix]

"Very well, let's see, I figure three rations would cover one of the crystals and the jar, unless someone wants to play doctor with the herb." Rix takes the rations from his companions and speaks to the troglodytes in draconic again.

[sblock=dm]"We would take one of the crystals and the jar in exchange for three rations. We thank you for your words and your respect. And I thank you for their discomfort, it amuses me. One last question honorable ones, how much longer does this swamp last in the direction we are going?"[/sblock]

 

[Deuce Traveler]

You make your exchange, receiving a jar with some foul smelling poison (enough for 10 applications), and the three crystals. The troglodytes indicate that you are now just out of the swamp and only about three or four hours to the hills the kobolds are using as their home. Before they leave, the troglodytes say something to Rix in their language, than say in broken common, "Kill coward kobold... others stop fight..."

Rix
[sblock]
The troglodyte says to you, "The kobolds always work in teams of five or six. Kill the more active one... the one that will try to run away. If you do so, the rest will stop fighting. Sometimes the cowardly kobold of the group will be in hiding."
[/sblock]

You continue walking to the southwest, following directions given. After three hours the land becomes flatter, punctuated by a large hill in the distance, that Kel notices first and brings to everyone's attention. There are trees near the base of the hill, but not enough to easily sneak up to the door you can see buried into the side of the hill, halfway up its surface. Five kobolds stand unmoving by the entrance, their spears at the ready.

OOC: Silas take off 2 rations, and Dartis one from your character sheets, please. Rix, please add the 3 crystals and 1 jar to yours. If anyone disagrees with who loses or gets what, please discuss it on the OOC thread.

 

[Land Outcast]

Curious creatures these troglodytes... not the smartest, but seem halfway between worthy opponents and stubborn suicides

While trying to distinguish anything more of the entrance from their current position Alexander asks"What do you say Rix? will they attack you on sight?"

 

[Ferrix]

"I don't know, but I suspect they are not wholly under their own control. Silas, can you examine one of these crystals and see if it is magical. Now, if I were to hide somewhere around that hill, where would it be..." His question seems rhetorical, but he scans the hill closely.

"The troglodytes said that they move in groups of five or six with one sort of leader. The leader will often be in hiding or attempt to flee while the others fight to the death, kill the leader and the others will stop fighting."