Part 8 of my ongoing campaign on discord. This week the players hire on two hirelings to help with the relocation of kobolds and make it back into the dungeon. Read from Part 1 for the whole story.
Shawn - "Well, we might have a bit of work if you are interested...Though it is a bit of an, odd job"
DM - "Odd how?" The man with the mace asks as he sips from his drink.
Todd - "The clients we need to help, they look odd on the outside but mean no harm. They just got in a bad situation in their homeland and need to relocate again"
DM - The two look at each other for a moment before the one with the scar asks Mikkel, "What's the pay? Are they local?"
Shawn - "They're kind of local, it's, ya see..."Va'lar would look around, to see if anyone was in ear shot "Mind taking this to someplace more private? It's nothing illegal, just, not for everyone's ears...Pay is 15 for the night, 20 if we get into a fight"
DM - The man with the scar leans in and whispers with a smile "So we're looking to get into a fight?" The two stand up, both offering their hands. The one with the mace introduces the two "I'm Pakrath, Orphan turned sellsword, and this is Tanehoth." The man with the scar on his head does a slight bow before finishing his ale and asking "Have a room here?"
Shawn - Va'lar reaches out and shakes each their hands, giving them both a small nod "Va'lar and Mikkel. Yeah, just this way" He says before leading the two to their room. Once getting to there he'd motion to all the various equipment they bought over the past few days "As you can tell we are gearing up for quite the adventure, we happening to stumble across a little cave nearby, with some Kobolds in it. And I'm just going to be honest with you, We were very outnumbered so instead of fighting we reasoned with them, it's a long story, but basically we are helping them get there kin that are trapped behind some rocks and going to get them out of this cave safely." He looks between the two of them, gauging their reactions "This is not a joke, we'll be fighting along side some dogmen"
DM - Without even a moment passing, Tanehoth asks "Can they really speak?" followed immediately by Pakrath "Do they smell like dogs?"
Shawn - Can't help but crack a smile, giving a small nod "Some of them can speak, a a few better than others, and yeah, smells like 18 dogs stuck in a cave" \
Todd - "Wet dogs" Mikkel includes with a giggle.
DM - Pakrath asks Va'lar "18, huh? You trust them? I hear they eat people. "
Tanehoth looks over the pile of gear and asks Mikkel, "Why the pickaxes, are we digging?"
Shawn - "We've been down there a few times and still have all my parts, they're like wild animals, but with a little more sense. If you talk with them, feed them, and let them know you're friendly, even wolves can became docile. They have kin that are trapped behind a bunch of large rocks do to a rock slide, want to get them out before they leave the cave."
Todd - "We can get the kobolds to dig, but if you two are up for physical labor instead of fighting we understand."
DM - "Noble cause," Tanehoth says nudging a pickaxe with his foot. "What gave you the wound on your arm? What did you mean when you said we had to get them out 'safely' down stairs?"
"I never turn down a fight" Pakrath says loudly, sticking his chest out as he does. "Besides, that's how we get paid the extra 5 coins, right?"
Shawn - "Well, that's the reason why we are hoping to get them out of the cave. It's occupied by dwarfs, and they want the Kobolds out. And those little bastards are what got me good.""
DM - "Dwarfs? You're joking now, right?" Pakrath asks with a smirk
Shawn - "You want to bet on it?"
Todd - "No joking here sir. They can be quite dangerous too, I personally am not looking for a fight but I'd be glad to have two capable men if we do."
Shawn - Going off of Mikkel "I am going to try and get the dwarfs to stand down since we are getting the Koblods out, my biggest worry is the other creatures in the caves, worms, lizards, bats and so on, the ones you can't talk to"
Todd - "Beware of the worms..." Mikkel says with a shudder.
DM - "What kind of worms? The ones that make you go blind?" Tanehoth asks.
Todd - "Blind from blood loss perhaps, they can really suck it out of you quickly"
Shawn - Shakes his head "I was bit and didn't go blind, Think theyre just large worms with a nasty bite"
DM - Pakrath says "Well, I'm sold. When do we go into the worm-dwarf-kobold cave?"
Shawn - "Don't forget about the lizards and bats!" He says laughing a bit "We are going back this evening, it's only a short walk from town"
DM - "We will be here until then" Tanehoth says. "Grab us down stairs when you're ready. Pakrath, I got a pocket of coins to lose, looking for a game of dice?" to which Pakrath nods with a smile.
Shawn - Gives a small nod at the two "We'll grab ya just before sunset
DM - With pleasantries the two say goodbye and leave the room.
DM - The day passes quickly, few travelers come and go from the public house. The two you met pass the time over dice, playing for single coins all day while always having the one with more in his purse paying for the drinks. The sun sets over the mountains.
Shawn - Would head down to the bar and get whatever was on the menu before sun started to set, once it was time he'd wave the two new comers over "Help us with the equipment, bout time to head out" He'd say before heading to the room, grabbing alt the stuff, doing their best to devi it up equally and heading out to the hole
DM - The hirelings are eager to go, happily grabbing the gear and leaving with you. Mikkel looks them over as you leave, not spotting anything to affiliate them with any gangs he knows of.
Shawn - As they walk Va'lar will speak up "We have a rope heading down into the cave, The kobolds should be meeting us down there to help us travel safetly, let me do the talking at first and tell them you're friendly"
DM - Pakrath says "Not a problem. Do you know if they like to be scratched behind the ears?"
Todd - "Perhaps we can do that after they're all rescued"
Shawn - "You should try, and see if they like belly rubs too"He says before laughing a bit, trying to emphasize it was a joke "They are good people though, friends even, we've fought by them in battle a few times so they do have my respect, please remember that"
DM - "Yeah, sure" He says with a smirk.
Todd - Mikkel smiles back.
DM - Soon the four of you are at the pit, your rope and pulley has been pulled out of the hole.
Todd - Mikkel bites his lip and tries to light a torch.
Shawn - Will set to work attaching the extra rope to the old rope "Go ahead and get that pulley secure, It's about a two rope lengths down"
Todd - Mikkel slowly approaches the edge, giving his comrades about 15-25 feet if possible to his left/right and peers down into the hole.
DM - Looking down you don't see much in the darkness. Tanehoth and Pakrath attach a length of rope to the other, passing it through the pulley. Once done Pakrath stands holding the 50' bundle of rope. "Toss it in now?"
Shawn - "yeah, I'll go down first "
Todd - "Don't forget your light, you're not a kobold" Mikkel says holding out the torch for Valar to grab.
DM - Pakrath throws the rope down, it tumbles before hitting the bottom with a soft thud.
Shawn - Heads down the rope "Toss it down when I tug on the rope, don't want it catching fire
Todd - Mikkel nods and peers around(side to side instead of down).
Shawn - Will take the rope and wrap it around his waist "Can you guys help lower me down? all this extra weight is heavy"
DM - Pakrath and Tanehoth pull the extra rope through the pulley, allowing it to be taught when you lean into the hole. "Ready to go down?" Tanehoth asks before they start lowering you down.
Shawn - "yeah"
DM - You slowly descend down into the darkness. You don't hear anything as you dangle in the dark for a few moments, until the ground meets your feet.
Mikkel scanning the area doesn't see anything, holding the torch ready for the sign to toss it down.
Shawn - Tugs on the rope a few times
After untying himself
Todd - Mikkel tosses the lit torch down
Shawn - Picks the torch up and sees what is around in the cavern, hoping for nothing
DM - The torch falls down, illuminating the cavern. Before it even lands Va'lar spots a blood trail connecting the east and west hallways.
Shawn - Gives the rope a tug indicating it's okay to come down
Todd - "You boys want to flip a coin to see who goes down first?"
DM - Tanehoth digs for a coin but before he can get one Pakrath moves forward "I'm next, lower me down just the same."
Pakrath starts pulling the rope up, and once up with him ties it around himself.
Todd - "Alright then" Mikkel says before giving the man assistance with the rope
DM - With two of you you're able to lower Pakrath down safely, Va'lar helping to untie him once down. Tanehoth pulls the rope back up, and turns to Mikkel with a coin ready "Who goes next, heads or tails?" as he flips it into the dark air before catching it in his hand, keeping it clenched and hidden.
Todd - "I'm going next. Best of luck down there. " Mikkel says with a confident smile before making his way down.
DM - Tanehoth looks disappointed, "Alright then. I'll lower you down."
After tying off Mikkel is lowered down by Tanehoth, leaving him alone at the top.
Shawn - Greets them both as they come down "Once Tanehoth ties himself we can bring him down too
Todd - Mikkel nods in agreement
DM - Tanehoth grabs on the rope from on top and starts to climb down by hand.
He makes his way down slowly, and reaches the bottom safely.
Todd - Mikkel pats him in the shoulder
DM - Tanehoth smiles at the gesture for a moment and asks "What's the blood from?"
Shawn - Nods his head towards the Easteren cavern "C'mon, the Kobolds are this way" he says before walking that direction
"Don't know, and would rather not find out at the moment, this is a dangerous part of the cave"
Todd - Mikkel readies his bow and does a few practice draws from his quiver then follows his partner.
DM - The four of you walk quickly and make it to the entrance of the cavern where the kobolds are. You enter to find them all standing armed and watching the door, relaxing once they recognize you two. "Va'lar, Good see you!" a familiar voice says.
Shawn - A big grin comes across his face "Rottherd my friend, sorry we are a day late, there was trouble getting what we needed for you" as he speaks he puts an arm around Rottherds shoulder, giving the Kobold a quick hug "These are some friends of ours, to help us incase we find ourselves in trouble" he says motioning to the two followers "Tanehoth and Pakrath"
DM - Rottherd looks at the two "Part of your pack? Welcome here!" and cracks a canine smile. Tanehoth gives a small wave while Pakrath lets out a loud greeting "How do you do? Good to meet you." and holds out his hand, which Rottherd shakes.
Shawn - "New members of the pack, but C'mon, lets head to the safety of the rest of your pack, we need to speak to Terriherd."
DM - "He's in the stair room, worried." Rottherd says, leading the four of you through the dark cavern. Mikkel notices a terrible smell from the south east corner of the cavern.
Todd - "A moment please" Mikkel says in almost a whisper before he walks towards the origin of the bad smell.
Shawn - Stops for a second, trying to see where Mikkel was heading "There's a lot of blood on the ground Rottherd, was there a bad fight?"
DM - "No fight, found food. Pulled here into that room" as he points to where the smell is coming from.
Todd - Mikkel holds his breath and continues towards the stench.
Shawn - Looks at the two followers "I'm going to speak to their leader, feel free to light a torch and get relax a little, if I need you I'll let you know" He says before heading towards the stair room
DM - Tanehoth takes a torch from his pack and lights it off yours before you walk off with Rottherd, leaving the two in the middle of the room, as Mikkel walks into the darkness to investigate the smell.
Before you enter the open door way, you can head the whimpering of several kobolds. Va'lar finds Terriherd digging with his hands at the rocks, doing his best to move the large stones with the help of a couple other kobolds, all letting out distraught sounds.
Shawn - Hearing the whimpers he'd step into the room "Terriherd, what is wrong? Oh shit..." Leaning out the room he'd wave the torch at the two "Bring the pickaxes" He'd yell out before stepping back into the room "Sorry we're late, we had trouble getting what we needed, is everything olay?
Todd - "C'mere Tanehoth!" Mikkel says
DM - Before walking to Mikkel Tanehoth hands the pickaxes he had to Pakrath who now carries them all to Va'lar.
Covering his nose "We're not going to that nasty smell are we?" Tanehoth asks as he nears Mikkel.
Terriherd turns to you "I haven't heard them in two moons, I'm worried." Pakrath enters with the pickaxes in hand "Who's digging?"
Todd - "I am, hold the light if you can"
Shawn - Va'lar will grab one of the pick axes "it's goig to be okay Terriherd, I have a plan. Give me five of the strongest pack members and I'll show them how to use these, it will make a lot of noise and may bring creatures in for a fight, is there any wood left that we could light so we can better see out in the cavern? We also brought slings, like he used to kill that lizard last time, that wat you can attack anything that comes in that door from a safe distance."
DM - "No wood, we tried to climb the rope but couldn't get our legs around it." Terriherd says before giving the pickaxes to the kobolds already helping. "I had the pack bring the dead animal here, it had bags on it with the sticks you carry inside."
"I can have the pack stand guard at the hallway when you need me to." He says, looking over the pickaxe in his hands "This is what the men who chased us out had."
Tanehoth holds his torch and follows Mikkel.
Shawn - "Those stick will do, Pakrath, take whatver torches they have and put one by te hallway so we can see"He says before taking a sling out of his bag and hooking it around his belt loop and putting 10 shots into a pouch "Feel free to take a sling if you want, and if he is free ask Mikkel if he can give the rest out to the Kobolds who want them and show them how to use it, he's done it before"
He'd turn back to Terriherd "I figured it was, it will help free them this time, not drive them away, once we are ready we can start breaking the rocks" As he spoke he would put a hand on Terriherds back "Sit down and rest, we will take care of this my friend"
DM - "On it" Pakrath says before taking the items and distributing them, first walking to Mikkel and Tanehoth.
Terriherd takes a seat, only now do you see his hands are raw, nearly bleeding, from trying to clear the rocks.
Mikkel and Tanehoth find the smell from the room you had retrieved the chainmail from prior. This time illuminated with a torch you see it's a 30x30 room with two sets of chainmail inside, as well as a large pile of coins and three swords. The source of the smell is a dead horse, likely from the wagon from the reins attached. The rotting corpse has had it's saddle bags removed, which sit in a nearby corner.
Todd - Mikkel will search through the saddle bags, keeping an eye out for the thin wire that was used before.
Shawn - While Pakrath was doing what was told of him Va'lar would look over at Rottherd "I brought you something Rottherd"He'd say as he set the torch on the ground before he reached down to his side where one of the shields were strapped, unhooking it and holding it out to the one eared bold "Figured it'd help you from getting beat up as much in if we get into another fight, even got myself one too" He'd say tapping the shield on his other hip "Have you used one of these before?"
DM - Rottherd shakes his head and says "No, not this"
Mikkel finds 5 torches, 6 waterskins, 6 rations now gone bad, two hand mirrors, a brush, comb, soap, and 25' of rope.
As he is looking through the bags, Pakrath enters the room and tells Mikkel the plan Va'lar told him and asks for the torches in the saddle bags.
Shawn - Would take his shield off himself, turning it around to show Rottherd the back "Your one arm goes in through here, your hand holds the end strap and you" Puts the shield on ' Hold it like this, using it to block any weapons trying to hit you" he then pulls his axe out and gets into a mock battle stance "Very helpful, and whould keep you from becoming Rottherd the no eared" He said laughing a little bit and sheathing his weapons
Todd - Mikkel will collect the torches and hand them to Pakrath. He will toss out the bad rations, drink a waterskin then hand Tanehoth a waterskin and the rope before trying to putting away the mirrors in his bag.
DM - Rottherd smiles a canine smile and practices a bit with the shield, getting the hang of it quickly. "Thank Va'lar"
Mikkel finds the water in the skins has gone bad, having a terrible taste.
Todd - "Bad water,sorry... don't drink it"
DM - Pakrath lights a torch from Tanehoth and walks near the northern hall opening and sticks it between a couple stones, close to where the lizard head used to be.
"I didn't plan on it" Tanehoth says, putting away the waterskin.
Shawn - "Even had them carve some runes on it for you, see that on the inside, That's how you write your name that way no one can take it from you" He say before looking out to see the torches being laid out he'd turn to the ones holding the pickaxes, ready to teach some more.
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