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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Whizbang Dustyboots" data-source="post: 3393253" data-attributes="member: 11760">It's mid-morning on Wind 9 when Tock Chandler, Tosh Bergin and Renraw and Scimitar Kem set out for the ancient gnomish ruins of Treeline. Gax and her kobold armies wiped out the native gnomes of the Tulgey Wood five centuries ago, even as she evicted the dwarves from the city of Glangirn within Green Mountain.Renraw is visibly nervous as they tromp through the woods. His brother Scim is outwardly flippant about the whole affair, but Renraw knows better: He's worried, too. As expected, Renraw had to pay both him and Tosh, and ordered them to shadow him from a distance, and above all, not be seen unless he and Tock are betrayed and attacked.Treeline, today, is so ruined that one has to know it exists, and where, to even notice it. The gnomes of old built homes that blended almost seamlessly into the natural environment, and when it was laid to waste, the ruins became almost impossible to find.But the Green Mountain kobolds remember, as do the gnomes of Wit's End.As Renraw and Tock approach, they see Wormy standing in a sunny spot surrounded by a low line of ruined stone. From the size of it, it was likely once an important building in the ancient gnomish community. The kobold is again wearing the black goggles. Nearby, a heavily armed goblin lounges astride a large black wolf. The goblin holds the reins for an enormous weasel the height of a pony and the length of an oxcart.Renraw smiles woodenly, stepping into the pool of sunlight."Ho, there, Wormy! Hello! Do not be alarmed, I've brought an associate with me. He also has business with your tribe and wishes to pay his respects."Wormy looks blandly -- to the extent that either Tock or Renraw can read the expressions of a reptile -- at the pair of them."You wanted this meeting, softskin. Speak quickly; we have more important things to do than talk to the likes of you."Renraw clears his throat, nodding."For Wit's End to fall, so must Maidensbridge," he says, carefully enunciating his Draconic. "The humans recognize this, and this is why they've begun unmitigated hostilities. They do not even feel shame for what they do. They kill your people out in the open and make no bones about it. What happened out there is the talk of the town right now. If they had any sense or decency, they would do what my colleague does now: He, as a peace-offering, has brought you the possessions of those lost in the barrow along with heart-felt regret."Renraw nods to Tock. The bard unveils stole off the slain kobolds in Fibber's Cairn. He offers them to Wormy."Has your leadership been made aware of my offer?"Wormy nods for the items to be placed on the ground."The constable is the one-legged man with the bell tower on his house who spends most of his day watching us through a lens. The deputy is the man who shackled me. Insult me again, softskin, and see how I pay you back."Renraw blanches, unsure what he's said wrong. His eyes dart to the goblin nearby, and he licks his suddenly dry lips."It is true, when we strike, the constable and deputy are targets," Wormy continues. "You cannot handle the constable, so you will kill the deputy. If you agree to do this, the kobold troops will ignore you, although you will still be in danger and need to leave area as fast as possible."If you agree to this, we will need to have another meeting, where we make preparations." Wormy looks at Tock and the goblin murmurs something, nodding past the duo into the woods, to where Renraw hopes Tosh and his brother are still with them. "They will need to be prepared, as well.""Kill the deputy?" Renraw asks, smiling, "Of course we can do that!"And I don't mind leaving the area, either. I'll need to make arrangements for my family ... home," Renraw pauses, realizing something. "Of course," he finishes, in the Imperial tongue. "Let's arrange another meeting, then, shall we? To discuss the specifics of the attack, yes? What works best for you?""A message will be sent with you for the time and place," Wormy answers, waving his hand as through brushing away an invisible object."Thank you, good sir. We eagerly await it. Let's go, Chandler," Renraw says as he bows, whips around, and begins scurrying away.Tock's brow furrows in confusion, but he smiles, dips his head in respect and follows.Renraw trots, dancing a bit as if he has to empty his bowels. Tock is about to whisper an admonition for the wizard to settle down when movement above them draws his gaze.A tree branch dips, swaying under the weight of three kobolds above them. One of them waves excitedly at Renraw while another checks the sight on his crossbow and smiles a wicked reptilian smile."Oh, gods," Renraw mutters, his awkward trotting picking up speed.Tock nods and smiles an uneasy greeting at the kobolds as he passes underneath them.When they are far enough away, Tosh and Scim quickly rejoin the other pair."So what the devil happened back there, Kem?" Tosh hisses."Honestly," Renraw says, white as a sheet, "I've no idea."</blockquote>

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