Part 9 of the campaign is here. It's hard to believe we're nearing 10 weeks straight of gaming online, this being the first time I've tried it. This session was fun, with a tense exchange of both words and hostages. Be sure to read from part 1 for the whole story.
DM - Rottherd rubs his hand over the carvings, looking at them for a moment before Terriherd speaks up, "Are you ready to start digging?"
Tanehoth, looking out into the main room, turns back to Mikkel "Pakrath has the torch lit, looks like were digging soon."
Todd - "Time to earn some money. Say, I'll give you a bonus if everyone gets out alive"
Mikkel will say before heading to the main room.
Shawn - "Just a little bit longer, when we start to dig it'll be loud and it will draw creatures from all depths of this cave. I want to be sure we are ready for whatever it is to come, don't want any of your tribe to die. Mikkel will give those slings out to all who want one, that way they are not getting near the danger. I know you may not want to talk, but have you put any thought in about getting out of here once thise is all over? Trying to settle above ground in the forest?"
DM - Tanehoth follows asking "Everyone? Even the kobolds?"
Terriherd stands again and walks closer "It's dangerous outside, I want my pack in the safety of a cave. We need a shelter."
Todd - "Yes, everyone" Mikkel says with a firm tone.
Shawn - "It's just as dangerous in these caves it seems like, above ground you'll be able to get food and water easier. We could look for a cave for you out there, or even make a home for you out of trees"
DM - Terriherd thinks for a moment, "Well, we can try the outside. Let's get out and talk later. We digging now?"
Shawn - Looks over his shoulder towards the main room "Are the slings all given out Mikkel?"
Todd - "Not yet sir, I'll get on it" Mikkel says before making his rounds with Tanehoth. He will take time showing them the 'ropes' and nudge Tanehoth occasionally to help or say words of phrase so he can become more comfortable with the kobolds.
DM - Tanehoth has no issue dealing with the kobolds, helping in a friendly manner. Soon the slings are all passed out and the kobolds are decently trained in how to use them.
Shawn - Once Mikkel was showing them how to sling, Va'lar walked over to the few Kobolds in the room, started to show them where to grip the ax, how to stand, and how to properly swing it
DM - The torch with Va'lar flickers as he shows the kobolds how to swing the pickaxe.
Todd - Mikkel will bring some kobolds over and try to teach how to use his flint & steel to light one of Tanehoth's torches.
Shawn - "Terriherd, would you mind taking one oth the sticks out of my bag and putting the end with the cloth against the stick that's on fire on the ground" He says before going back to showing them how to work, this time doing a few hard actual swings, the metal contacting and chipping away some of the hard stone
DM - Terriherd lights a new torch for Va'lar while in the main room Mikkel teaches the kobolds to use the flint and steel, finding they have trouble getting a spark to reach the torch. As Mikkel is teaching them, the kobolds perk up, looking to the northern hall. Mikkel can see the glint of polearms in the faint light of the torch stuck in the ground near the hallway.
Todd - "Va'lar! We got company!"
Shawn - Upon hearing this he would hand the pick ax off to one of the Kobolds "You stay here and keeping breaking rocks, if we need you I'll call for help" He would say before heading out of the room, giving Terriherd a small nod, quickly making his way to the center of the room "Halt, who goes there"
Todd - Mikkel will draw his bow as he shouts that.
DM - Four dwarves move closer into the mouth of the hallway, in formation. They stop as they hear Va'lar's voice and squeak back "Still helping the kobolds? What's in it for you?"
Shawn - "We're just trying to help them get out of here. We don't want a fight. If you let us get there trapped kin we will be out of your caves once they are in traveling shape"
DM - "Getting them out of here? That's been your plan?" a different voice squeaks.
Todd - "Yeah! What's it to you!?!" Mikkel shouts.
Shawn - Va'lar looks around at the Kobolds around him, before turning back towards the dwarfs "Yeah, after talking with them we just wanted to help them out, if you can do anything to aid us it'll end this all a lot quicker"
DM - A moment passes where you both can hear the dwarves squeaky voices talking to each other before one of them speaks up "It's in our best interest, hunter." "Va'lar, come here so we can talk." the second voice squeaks out.
Shawn - "One of you meet me at the entry way, have your people stand back and the Kobolds will stand back as well" He said before taking a few steps forward, giving everyone in the room a small wave to step back
Todd - Mikkel shrugs.
DM - The kobolds back up a bit, holding their weapons at the ready. A single dwarve walks forward, bringing up his polearm until it's pointing straight up as he reaches where the cavern and hallway meet. "What are your intentions in this cave?" he squeaks.
Shawn - Will walk up to the dwarf, his hand resting on the head of his ax "I will be honest with you, we came down here looking for that cart that caused the roof to fall in, but after these Kobolds spared our lives we decided to come back and help them. After hearing their story I personally couldn't just let them all die here"
DM - The dwarve has his hair parted to show his face and he looks dumbfounded. "You're here for the cart and to save the kobolds? That's all?" he squeaks.
Shawn - "We're but simple adventurers, we are only down here to make some money. We had no idea we'd find Dwarfes abd Kobolds fighting down here, and we definitely didn't expect any magic"
DM - The dwarve squeaks "Let's help you then, gather all of the kobolds and bring them to the main room in three hours time. We'll have the other pack there as well and you can all leave the prison together." He then holds his hand out, looking for you to shake it.
Shawn - "The other pack? As in the rest of their pack? And I will need to speak with Terriherd, their leader before I agree to this, I do not speak for them and he may have some trouble trusting you, would you mind waiting here for a little bit.?"
DM - "Yes, the rest of the pack. I will have to speak to my leader as well, come meet us at our door when you make a decision." He squeaks as he lowers his hand.
Shawn - "Your door is the one directly across from the hallway that leads here? I have not been in many places of this cave. I will be there soon, will bring a small group og Kobolds with me just to keep any of the other creatures at bay" He would say as he held out his hand, ready to shake now that they had a deal "Pleasure talking to you, uh, never got your name?"
DM - "No, turn left once you're back in the main room. We'll shake once you get there." he squeaks as he slowly walks backwards, lowering his polearm to clear the roof of the hallway.
Shawn - Gives them a small wave, waiting for him to get out of sight before turning around and quickly walking back towards Terriherd, motioning for Mikkel to follow as he went "He is going to talk to the one in charge, but they have the rest of the pack and he said they will help us out of this cave" He said trying to catch Mikkel up before returning to Terriherd, motioning for the diggers to stop digging "We have good news Terriherd, the rest of your pack is still alive" He would say before explaining the situation to him "I know you weren't sure about leaving, but if they are being honest this would be the best way to get your whole pack out of here without losing any one else"
Todd - Mikkel follows his ally's lead. "You mentioned bringing a small band of kobolds, you think they'll be fine with humans coming too? I'm not sure how fickle these people are with wordings and rules"
Shawn - "Hopefully they would think we travel together"
Todd - "And what of our two newcomers they have not seen before?"
Shawn - "I am thinking we should be okay, humans tend to stick together"
Todd - "Okay. I trust your judgement. I only hope we don't run into more worms again"
Mikkel looks off to the slingsters he's trained, "So, bringing lots of ranged men or melee fighters?"
Shawn - "Well it depends on Terriherd...Are you okay with this plan? They want us out of here as soon as possible, but I should be able to talk them into letting you and your kin rest for a day or two so everyone is ready for travel"
DM - "They now want to help us? I don't understand." Terriherd says. "If you trust them you can bring Rottherd with you and the two you brought down, but we will keep digging."
Shawn - "Are you okay with leavng the cave? I think that's why they will help, they want you gone and this stops any conflict"
DM - "We will leave." Terriherd says without braking his gaze on the rockfall that blocks the stairs.
Todd - "Terriherd, are you okay?"
Shawn - Will bring a hand up and rest it on Terriherds shoulder "It is the right choice. We will try and see if we are able to get a few days down here that way we can get what we need to make the journey into the woods easier. Rest easy Terriherd, we will get your family back"
DM - Terriherd doesn't respond, just looks at the rockfall. You can barely hear him whimper as he stares.
Pakrath speaks up "So that fur ball was a dwarf, yeah? Surprised the dogmen don't use 'em as chew toys."
Shawn - With a soft sigh he will turn around and head out "C'mon Rottherd, Pakrath and Tanehoth, we're gonna go talk to them furballs, hopefully end this peacefully" He'd say laughing a bit, nudging Mikkel with his shoulder "When we first came down, the Dwarfs called the Kobolds dogmen, and the Kobolds called the Dwarfs the Fur, we had no idea what either of them where till we saw them in good light"
Todd - "The kobolds did us no harm during our time of vulnerability so we should do them no harm"
Mikkel shrugs, "Plus they remind me of my boys"
Shawn - "Rottherd the one eared here saved my life from one of those Furs as well, if we were above ground I'd take you to a bar and buy you a drink, but since we can't do that I just brought some of that special drink down to you. We can drink and celebrate as soon as this is done"
DM - Tanehoth says "Lets go see what the dwarves are like."
Pakrath laughs "Lets see if they smell like dog too!"
Todd - Mikkel giggles.
DM - Rottherd smiles a canine smile as Tanehoth's torch flickers, which he tosses to the ground to burn out.
Todd - Mikkel motions one of the kobolds over, "Remember how to light it?" he says in a playful tone.
DM - A kobold walks over and takes the flint and steel, trying to light a new torch.
Shawn - "Careful, best way to do it is hard and quick, like this" He'd say before taking out his own flint and striking it onto the torch "It takes some practice don't worry" He'd say with a smile beofre grabbing the torch and starting to walk down the hallway with the entourage
DM - Va'lar, Mikkel, Pakrath, Tanehoth, and Rottherd make their way north in the hallway, making it 20' before passing a 20' hallway on the right with a door at it's end, able to see 30' ahead of that a hallway on the left that leads into the main room.
DM - Turning left to enter the main room you see a single lizard resting on the runes, 40' away.
Todd - "I'm going to shoot that thing down if nobody has any qualms about it"
Shawn - "Just don't miss. Rottherd you can see more than we can, are there any more around"
Todd - Mikkel readies his bow, waiting on the kobold's response.
DM - Standing in the hallway looking into the main room Rottherd is silent and staring, "No, don't see any more."
Todd - Upon hearing 'No' Mikkel lets loose an arrow upon the creature.
DM - The arrow flies true, striking the lizard broad side in the head, a killing blow.
Todd - Nice
DM - As the lizard dies, five more slap down from above the hallway entrance, landing 10' away from the formation.
Todd - "Not nice..."
Todd - Tanehoth grabs his forehead tight with his left hand and makes hissing sounds. His right hand spins in a wide circle around and the faint images of scales slowly begin to appear on the skin on the potentially effected targets.
Todd - Another arrow flies from Mikkel's bow...
Shawn - Will drop the torch just behind him and whiz out two quick shots at the lizard straight ahead
DM - The arrow flies true, striking a lizard far to the left right between the eyes, killing him instantly. Va'lar lets loose a sling stone, striking Mikkel in the back and while he flinches down lets loose another stone that strikes a lizard to the far right in it's open mouth, killing it.
Todd - Mikkel spits off bullet debris from his lips and drops his bow, readying his secondhand sword in its place.
Pakrath clenches his mace with determination waiting for an opening to hit an approaching lizard.
DM - Pakrath realizes he wont get the chance, as the remaining three lizards turn and scurry across the main room, into the darkness and to the western hallway.
Shawn - Will reach out and brush a bit of dust iff Mikkels back "You, you uh had some dirt on ya" He says chuuckling a bit before reaching down to pick up the torch "So you're a mage huh? What were you casting on us?"
Todd - Mikkel chuckles before sheathing his sword and slinging his bow back on. He will try to retrieve his arrow from the lizard's body that is closest to him.
DM - You ask while Tanehoth is still hissing, hands still moving. In a moment transparent scales pattern the surface of the five of you.
"A bit of armor, I was hoping to get out of here with everyone alive." He says, cracking a smile.
Todd - "Thanksssss" Mikkel says with a hiss.
DM - "I thought you didn't like magic?" Pakrath asks Va'lar, hanging his mace from his hip again.
Shawn - Shakes his head a bit "I don't like it when the enemy is using it, a friendly mage is every fighters dream, hell sometimes I wish I knew how to do it, but been hit too many times in the head, ain't got enough thoughts to do any of that sorta thing"
DM - "Why do you think I keep him around?" Pakrath asks as he smiles at Tanehoth, who replies "I keep him around for the hits to the head, so the benefit is mutual."
Todd - Mikkel giggles and peers over to ensure the lizards have fled.
DM - Mikkel can't see any lizards in the darkness of the large main cavern.
Todd - "See anything Rottherd?"
Shawn - Lets out a small chuckle before staring to walk forward, leaning back to Rottherd a "You okay pal? Been quite"
DM - "Looking, Don't see or smell. Worried about pack." Rottherd says, staring right into the main room, showing little emotion.
Shawn - "If this works out we will bring your pack back together, the faster we go, the sooner we get back okay?" He says as he starts to lead the group towards the southern cave
DM - The five of you enter the main cavern, turning left and heading south to the mouth of the southern hallway. Entering it you travel 40' before the hall turns to the right, west, for another 30' before reaching a large double metal door with an eye slit, 5' from the ground.
Todd - "Should we knock?"
Shawn - Va'lar would clear his throat before reaching up and gently knocking on the door "Hello"
DM - The slit slides open, two beady eyes peak behind fur and a squeaky voice asks "What do you eat?"
Shawn - "I...uh, food? " He says before looking at his companions "We're here to talk about the Kobolds"
DM - The eye slit slams shut, and you can hear foot steps walking away.
Todd - "Fingers crossed" Mikkel whispers
Shawn - His hand will fall and rest on top of the head of his ax "The other Dwarf didn't mention anything bout eating... "
Todd - Mikkel slowly retrieves a bag of rations from his pack and shrugs.
DM - A few moments pass, and you hear footsteps approach from the other side before the eye slit is pulled open. "Va'lar? That you?"
Shawn - "The one and only"
DM - "So you've made your decision?" a voice squeaks back.
Shawn - "Yes, Terriherd is fine with leaving the cave, so long as the rest of his pack is returned to him."
DM - "They're starved and injured, we can bring them to the main room safely in nearly two hours time. If you can bring the rest of the dogmen there we can get back to normal soon."
Todd - "Two hours?" Mikkel loudly whispers.
DM - "Nearly two, a bit more than that. We want the moon light to be here."
Shawn - "If they are in such a shape you cannot possibly expect us to travel like that. They will need a day or two of rest before they can leave"
DM - "They have been laying in the dark for a week and a half with no food, and only the drippings of water to drink. They need to get out of here where they can be fed, Just like the other dogmen." the voice squeaks back.
"They might not have a day or two." a different voice squeaks playfully
Shawn - "We have food for them that they can eat, we can bring them where the other Kobolds are staying and they can rest and recover there. We do not want any more conflict between you and them, we just want to be sure they are safe"
DM - "Do you want us to bring them to you now? We can open the door and start bringing them out."
Shawn - "Yes please"
Todd - "Hey...I know you two have no obligations but could you spare some rations for the kobolds?" Mikkel will whisper to the two hirelings.
DM - "Just a minute." The eye slit closes. A while passes and your torch begins to flicker, you can hear the shuffling of feet inside. The slit opens again with a different voice squeaking to you. "We're not foolish, we won't give you our bargaining power until the kobolds are leaving. If you have food for them you can give it to us and we'll feed them, but they stay with us."
Shawn - "And how do we know that you will feed them? Or even care for them? We cannot leave with injured and sickly people, it would be impossible to travel with that many ill. We aren't trying to bargain, the Kobolds don't want to fight, they just want to be safe. Terriherd won't stop until he is reunited with his kin, giving us them won't change the fact that he wants to leave"
DM - "No, he's told me himself that he wants to settle his people here. If we didn't think having the children and females here was useful for getting them out we would have killed them days ago. We lost a patrol of four a few days ago we sent to where they are holed up, they have strung wire and fishhooks in a side passage to block it. They want to kill us and take the cavern from us, and we would have starved them out already if you hadn't been helping them." The voice squeaks, sometimes rising in pitch so that it's hard to understand. "Two hours you bring the dogmen to the main room and they all leave, alive. That's the deal."
Shawn - "He wanted to, he has changed his mind. I can promise you that. I cannot speak on the past, I'm sure mistakes were made, but if you give us the ones you hold captive, you wont ever have to worry about them again. I have nothing to gain from this aside from helping end this conflict. If I go back without the kids and females I cannot say how, or when this will end"
DM - The dwarve mulls this over a bit, his beady eyes glancing around you five. "I'll bring you the others, Except one, That is the deal. You have food and water for her, she'll get it I promise you." he squeaks out.
Shawn - Va'lar grits his teeth a bit, before sighing and giving a small nod "That will work....Thank you for being reasonable"
DM - "Reasonable in unreasonable circumstances" the voice squeaks back. "Wait here, we'll bring them."
While waiting, Pakrath taps Va'lar "Silver tongue I see."
The torch Tanehoth is holding starts to flicker out.
Shawn - Va'lar jumps a bit at the tap, already being on edge from the whole interaction "Oh, heh, yeah. May not be the brightest but can talk my way through most things, mind lighting a new torch up? Dont want to be left in the dark "
No comments:
Post a Comment