Last Stand of the Dorinthians (Chapter 2 - Illusions)

[Deuce Traveler]

"Now, if I were to hide somewhere around that hill, where would it be..." His question seems rhetorical, but he scans the hill closely.

As Rix asks the questions to himself, the group of you notice only two places near the entrance to the inside of the hill that would give a good vantage point and could hide a kobold. One, a ring of rocks that are about waste-high to a human above the entrance, 10 feet further up the hill. Two, some tall brush just east of the entrance.

 

[GlassEye]

"Certainly, Rix," says Silas as he takes one of the crystals from the kobold. He examines it without magical enhancement first. "You have reason to believe they might be magical in nature?" Silas will then cast his Detect Magic spell and examine the crystal.

OOC: Knowledge (arcana) +8; Spellcraft +8

 

[Deuce Traveler]

Silas
[sblock]
The magic that you discover is strange. There is a faint tint of necromancy and divination, but combined with a faint, but stronger enchantment aura. The three types of magic are rarely found together. Not only that, but the enchantment magic seems to be active while the necromancy and divination magic seems to be stored, as if for future use.

Also, studying the pattern of magic, you would say that the crystal seems to have been enchanted by two different casters, or perhaps it would be better to say different styles. The necromancy and divination magic seem to have been placed by someone with greater talent than the enchantment magic. The enchantment magic seems to have been cast in a chaotic, almost illogical manner.
[/sblock]

 

[GlassEye]

Silas' gaze unfocuses as he examines the crystal. After several long seconds he frowns but continues to peer at the crystal. After half a minute or so he blinks several times as if refocusing his eyes and quietly says, "They are magical. It is a faint radiance, as if it is not very strong. But it seems rather unusual and is something outside of my experience." Silas tucks the crystal into his pack. "I'll keep this one and examine it more fully when I have better resources at my disposal."

 

[Deuce Traveler]

Kel
[sblock]
As Silas works his magic on the crystals, you admire their workmanship. You thought only elves could cut crystal like this. You wonder for now about their origin.
[/sblock]

 

[Ferrix]

Rix nods at Silas, "good to know, I figured as much. The troglodytes said that the ones that fought fanatically had these implanted in the back of their heads, while the one that was more active did not. The ones that were more active seemed to be protected by the fanatic ones, letting them make their escape if possible. I believe some sort of magical control was in order, these crystals could be the focus or conduit by which the active ones would control the others." He thinks for a moment, clicking two claws together slowly.

"Remember that there is this new Dragon Eye tribe which has somehow exerted incredible dominance over the other tribes, perhaps this is part of their method."

He checks his crossbow, "now on to more pressing matters. There are two spots which I believe our controller could be hiding, I do not relish killing my own kin, but I despise the thought that they are being manipulated against their will even more. There and there," he says pointing out the ring of stones and the tall-brush, "I say we approach from the east, seeing if we can flush out the enemy from the brush if he is there, then proceed quickly to the stone ring. If the controller is there, we have not only taken the fight out of the others, but also secured the defensive high ground."

 

[GlassEye]

Silas looks thoughtful and nods as Rix speaks. "Ah, that fits with what I did manage to discover about the magic of the crystals. Enchantment magic, which is used in persuasion magics such as charms was predominant..." He looks like he would continue but Rix speaks about the immediate threat.

Silas shrugs. "I'm no tactician but your plan sounds good to me."

 

[Land Outcast]

Alexander absorbs the information delivered by Rix and summarizes "Find the leader of this guard group, kill him"

"Òr we could wait until we see movement... a guard shift will occur eventually, then we won't have to search for the leader... controller..."

 

[Fenris]

"Vaerixsjach, how close together do your people usually place exits from their dwellings and mines? If we could come from the side of the hill, say on each side, without fear that another exit was too close by, we could assail both potential hiding places at once. And should the controller be secreted behind the door, we will have a better opportunity of attacking the controlled kobolds from each side"

 

[Deuce Traveler]

As you discuss a possible plan of attack, a guard shift does occur. You notice two groups of kobolds walk out of the door in the hill. Each group has six kobolds, but only one of these six walks around normally while the others behave as if mechanical constructs. The first group takes over for the team you were observing, the normal-looking kobold taking over for another that was resting inside the tall ring of stones.

The other squad goes up and barely over the hill crest. They must have relieved another team, since another group promptly becomes visible and comes back down, entering the hill from the entrance you are monitoring.