Rescue Mission, Part 5

From Tenebrae
Revision as of 15:38, 18 May 2022 by Cryosanthia (talk | contribs) (Added Categories)
(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Log Info

  • Title: Rescue Mission, part 5, the End
  • Emitter: Cryosanthia
  • Characters: Dax, Seyardu, Jinks, Rocky
  • Place: The Wilderness of Alexandros; Ushvutha's Deep
  • Time: Sunday, August 01, 2021, 1:55 PM
  • Summary: A dragon flew over. The remainder of the day, the party hid from it, and crept along the shore where they encountered Loci and Rocky. Aryia left to give an update to the guild, and some members of the rescue party never resurfaced. They camped overnight, only Dax's sleep was disturbed. In the morning, they tracked the previous adventurers party, along the caves again, enough to determine the doubled back, then out along the lake shore. They got to a part on a peninsula where the other party cut across, and they followed, arriving at Uskvuthadjupr, or Uskvutha's Deep. The town of Sunken Hope, undermined by Kobolds under the direction of the Black Dragon Uskvutha. Who has not been seen in a long time, and was much larger than the green they saw fly over. As they are debating what to do, they notice a cage. Jinks disguises himself and sneaks over, only to return horrified and insisting all the Kobolds be killed. They are eating a man. Alive. Keeping him alive, in the cage. The party sneaks up, setting off traps and drawing the attention of the guards. While only a couple, they raise alarm and more kobolds swim over from the sunken buildings. And more Kobolds, and more Kobolds. A seemingly endless stream of them. Ineffective at first in their attacks, they start to assist each other, and make formations. Finally one of the troop configurations they saw practicing earlier congeals. They're suddenly a lot more dangerous. Rocky wades through them, fighting to get into the cage and release the man. Dax is slaying left and right, and finally is directed to help the granite-scale. Jinks, still disguised as a Kobold, manages to provide spells that aid until he's figured out, at which point the little lizard's hatred for make them all turn on him. Seyardu attempts to talk them down, and while she makes several convincing arguments the regular Kobolds insist they have to follow their leaders, and their leaders have some nasty orders. Despite this, the troops are a little reluctant to attack, and only obey the direct orders they were given. One should expect much from Kobolds. Dax grabs the prisoner and flees, taking a tremendous amount of damage but managing to get away, as the other party members disperse and regroup. There is no choice but to return to Alexandria, and aid for the heavily mutilated man.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=  Appearing in Order  =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Dax          5'0"     110 Lb     Human             Female    A 5' tall red haired human with piercings and tats.
Seyardu      5'6"     150 Lb     Sith-Makar        Female    A friendly silver sith-makar with a perpetual squint
Jinks        3'4"     39 Lb      Gnome             Male      A gnomish fellow in fancy garb and jewelry.
Rocky        6'8"     460 Lb     Sith-Makar        Male      A grey Sith in armor, bit like a statue.
=-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=  NPCs of Note  -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Loci                             Kobold            Female    A competent road guard leader
=-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=  As the GM  =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Cryosanthia  6'9"     291 Lb     Sith-Makar        Female    A dashingly tall, elegant white-scaled lizard woman.
=-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=

A dragon!

That was a dragon. That flew over and dove into the lake. There's no doubt.

It's underwater somewhere. There are still Kobolds up on the cliff, looking around. At any moment the light might change, they might spot the party.

There are caves, some even have dry floors. One has signs of a camp: the scorch on the rocks from a fire, rough areas where sleeping roles might have been. It's strangely clean, wiped down with prestidigitation either before or after use, perhaps both.

Aryia is not spending a night in a cave near Kobolds. She volunteers to head back and update the Explorer's guild, and won't take no for an answer. It can't hurt, giving them daily updates, better than nothing, and while the woods aren't safe she is a shadow elf. Odds are even she'll be a threat to anything she encounters, and the road isn't that far.

Everone else is presented with a choice. Camp at the lakeshore, or push on to a more secluded spot.

"We should not linger here." Seyardu says simply, already taking off away from the small camp. "They can not see us up there for now, which is a boon, but for how long, I do not know."

"We should keep on goin'. I don't wanna be 'ere when tha' there dragon pops up outta the water." Dax mentions as she looks over to the lake where the dragon dove in. She looks over to the others still present and takes in a deep breath, "I will, if ya all think that best, but..." Stopping when Sey speaks she nods her head, "Inta a cave or somethin then?"

Jinks is having trouble finding the wherewithal to slow the beat of his heart and chokes out a little gasp. For all his usual bravado the gnome takes exception to being in a tight ecosystem where he's quite suddenly bite-sized. He fishes the hip flask out from under his doublet and agrees with a shaky "We're not stopping here," before taking a long pull from his liquid courage.

GAME: Dax rolls acrobatics: (16)+3: 19
GAME: Seyardu rolls acrobatics: (16)+-4: 12
GAME: Jinks rolls Acrobatics: (8)+3: 11

"We can decide where afterwards. But for now, getting out of view is the most important factor." She replies. "From there, we can decide how to rest, and how to approach this."

Dax nods and just hunkers down a little crouched before moving forward looking for a place to get out of view with the others. They are still looking for those adventurers, and once they do, it's time to leave. "Right." Is all she says, looking for any signs or tracks as best she can.

It's slow going. There's not much of a shore. The cliffs seem to extend down into the water, it gets deep suddenly. They have some slope, so it isn't a straight drop off, but it's not hard to imagine a dragon swimming right up to the edge and popping out.

Especially a comparitively 'small' one.

Fortunately, there isn't much of a 'tide', and while the rocks at the shore have some growth, it's more from storm surge than regular submersion. Sometimes there's a pebble beach a few feet wide, other times it's boulder to boulder, or leaning against the face.

After time, the light fades and the edge of the cliffs are reached. They still continue along beside a stream. They are lower in height, there's forest and a bit of a marsh.

Sitting on a rock in the middle of the stream is a garter-Kobold. It has two strings tied to its feet and seems to be fishing. Beside it, is a large boulder.

On second glance, it's a granite scaled Sith'Makar. One used to waiting beside rivers.

Rocky had returned to Alexandria as part of the first interim report, right after meeting the Kobolds on the road. He was sent out again as reinforcements when subsequent reports came in.

The armor gives it away. Though the greyscale could be a statue/maniquin wearing armor... by a stream in the woods. That really wouldn't be the strangest sight today. Rocky enjoys the stillness, the quiet babble of the brook, and the solid chance of fish for dinner. really, so far it's a good day.

"Hells," Jinks complains, detouring the extra steps he need make to find dry land. He's quite had his fill of lakes, rivers, and streams. And lizards. A few more wobbly steps and the gnome falls to his rump with a sigh-turned-oof(!) and pulls off his boots. He starts to pluck at a air for a cantrip but just stops and rubs roughly at his face instead.

A good day, with exception to the whole... dragon thing. Dax continues along and sees the garter-kobold sith'makar and she pauses. She looks to the other dragon-kin in their party and then tilts her head in that direction. With that, Dax kind of moves with the rest of the group more wary of things in the sky than those on the ocean's edge. She wonders, as she says, "It is gettin' dark. My eyes don't see so well, but I can leave off my witch torch till we all agree, but best warn me if ya see somethin'."

There is relief upon seeing the Stone figure, and realizing the kobold at the stream was likely not unfriendly. Seyardu takes a few steps closer and waves to them.

"Peace on your nests, Rocky, and, Loci? Thus one is relieved to see you safe. As safe as can be, here. What brings you here?"

"Yes. I'm Loci." The Kobold says, lifting a foot and pulling on one of the strings attached. A bag is drawn out of the water, clanking a little. Sounds like armour, "It's harder to tell with my armour off. I found the River Stone, and let the camp know about the fire and the dragon."

She looks down at the water, twitches her other foot, "they said they might come tomorrow, but don't wait." She points up the stream, "I left tracks for you to find, and kept going until I found the lake in case you were ahead of me."

Rocky tenses for a moment as people approach, but swiftly relaxes upon recognition. His wide tail raises for a welcoming thump, but a quick glance to the still fishing Loci, and is lowered without scaring off the fish. "Saaa, same as you, This One think. Find missing party, meet up again. This One took different path, meet up here. All has been well?" He nods to Loci's details.

The garter-Kobold looks at Jinks and seems genuine when she smiles and hisses, "I'm so glad you survived!."

A deep exhale comes from Dax as she smiles, "Ah, yer the lil' fella who jumped on me. Well, it be a sore sight ta find allies in the midst of this 'ere spooky beach. I mean, what with the dragon, an' the other lil' lizard folk just wanting to find us and all that. If I weren't as stubborn as I am, I'd of long since gone back ta the city an' just drank away the problems." She chuckles a bit, not at all an alcoholic. "Any signs of them adventurin' folks, that ya may have found?"

"Me too," Jinks responds, and adds before there's any confusion, "I'm gla I survived." The gnome considers Rocky a moment before giving the slightest cant of his head in recognition. Finally steadied, he reaches after the Hymn and starts trying out his clothes.

"That is good, then. We were concerned you may have been followed with how loudly you ran off. I am sorry if I startled you." Seyardu sighs. "Things are not well, we have found signs of the dragon, and of where the rider likely came from. Swiftclaw, and Sith-makar cannot breathe underwater indefinitely. there is a cavern or structure, hidden by the lake. Where the dragon is."

One brow raised just slightly. "Who comes tomorrow?"

Loci nods twice, pointing along the cliffs, and the marsh heading further around the shore. "Tracks. Go both ways. Did you find anything on the cliffs? The Deep is the other way. Eventually."

And again, another lizard head-bob towards Jinks, "Yes. A Dragon is sure to eat you first, and I think I run faster than you."

In case he thought there was some affection there.

Loci turns to Seyardu, twitching her fishing-toes again, "The Three Leaders, Rekki, Gilla and Blubbs. They might." She scraches at the rock she's sitting on, "I don't think they will, but they might. So if we leave tracks, that's ok. It's not easy to get to The Deep in the dark. We could, but you might want to make camp. There's fish."

There is a small pile of caught fish.

Rocky chuffs, and shrugs with a roll of his shoulders. "This place seems safe. Haste is good, but not too much."

"The cliffs may be the best place to check first, as swimming will leave us in danger of being caught to or from the place." Seyardu suggests. "If they come, they will need to be careful. We should likely make camp somewhere safe. It is better for some here, and less easy for kobold guards to track us in the dark."

"Campin' sounds like a good idea, unless anyone objects? I don't wanna be caught in the midst of the night, light things up, and be swarmed. Though, of us all, I'm probably the most likely ta stand a chance in them odds but I'd rather not test my metal." Dax says, looking to Seyardu, squinting in her direction, "Do ya see anywhere that looks safer than another?"

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Okay, I'm making a transition pose through the night."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Decide if you're taking a watch or not. It's a Fort DC10 to get a good night's sleep,"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "+2 on the roll if you have camping equipment, comfort armour, etc."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "DC12 if you take a watch. Fail is 2 HP damage. 
GAME: Jinks rolls Fortitude: (15)+3: 18
GAME: Rocky rolls fortitude: (4)+8: 12
GAME: Seyardu rolls fortitude: (5)+8: 13
GAME: Dax rolls fort: (9)+8: 17

"My boots are already off," agrees Jinks, glancing up from his humming and prestidigitizing. With all the practice he's getting on this particular journey the gnome's laundering efficiency is sure to be increasing.

"If we are staying somewhere here, we should keep watch. They may be more active at night, and being caught off guard by a scouting party would be bad." Seyardu nods. I need to offer prayer regardless, so I may prepare for tomorrow. If we may run into trouble, there are some things I would have ready."

Loci twitches her foot, then rapidly pulls on the line. A fish splashes out of the water. She catches it, and bashes it against the rock. Fishing complete, she hops to shore and adds it to the small pile.

"There's a dry spot up this bank." She says, picking up her catch, and jumping up into the bushes. There is indeed a space suitable for a camp, some solid earth and flat rocks, a clearing in the underbrush. A cook fire or a watch fire would be visible. The Kobold seems content to eat her fish raw, and blinks at the others. She does offer fish. She doesn't offer to keep watch, and perhaps that's a good thing.

Jinks accepts first watch without complaint, fatigue still kept at bay by the notion of the dragon's relative proximity. He hangs his armored coat from a broken branch and bundles the various belts and harnesses at the tree base, then splits his time between watching the lizards in the camp and glancing out to inspect the shadows beyond the fire's glow. His stomach offers audible complaints about skipping dinner again but that doesn't keep the gnome from falling dead asleep once his turn playing lookout is over. The stress of the day finally taking its toll.

Rocky needs little. A good meal, a flat spot to rest, and he's fine. Does take a few minutes to adjust his armor for sleeping, but still suited to don swiftly should it be needed. Readjusted as he takes his spot on the watch, content with two long naps rather than a full night of sleep.

Seyardu was content to have some of the fish raw, and had given away most of her food already. though at one point she started the smallest fure she dared, only to put it out the moment the coals were hot enough to bake fish for those who would prefer it cooked. Then, she takes watch with a talisman in one hand, offering prayer until it was time for her to rest. She found a soft spot of the brush and curled up with her armor beside her in case, and eyes pointed to a less watched area should anything stir her.

GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d4: (4): 4
GAME: Dax rolls perception: (7)+0: 7
GAME: Dax rolls intimidate: (11)+11: 22

There's something in the bushes. It 'whooops' loudly.

As the watch person for the morning-ish time, Dax is sort of looking around and eating jerky. Much after she's already rested and is eating breakfast she cocks her head to the side. Then squints, it's hard for her to see things - not being blessed by fae blood or dragon blood or ancient dwarven blood, or anything like that. She's just a human with spikey things, but she picks up on something and moves quickly to stand, get big, and growls in the direction of something. She yells, "Yeah, get outta 'ere ya mangy monster of dirt an' mud!" She proclaims, and then waits a moment, before brushing her hands together like a job well done. "Won't be comin' back again no sir..."

There are a lot of lizards in camp...

There are a bunch in the woods and lake too, but they don't come to visit. Except possibly, in dreams. No nightmarish screams awaken anyone.

With the exception of Dax and whatever she chased off in the morning. As the sun rises further the woods wake up, birds and a breeze through the leaves becoming a subtle alarm, adding to the babbling brook and the regular splash of the small waves on the lakeshore.

Loci is up and eating some of the leftover bones from the night before. Perhaps whatever drew something to the camp. She puts her armour on after, an odd sight to anyone except perhaps the gnome, who would be used to a miniaturized routine. Helmet adjusted, spear in hand, she looks up at everyone and asks the female sith'makar, "where do you want to go? One of our trails, or trailblazing?"

"I ain't the best fer makin' decisions." Dax looks around, waiting to see if someone else speaks but she can't help herself and continues talking with only a moment's pause. "I say, we head ta where ever them adventurers likely of headed in the most direct way possible. Trails seem like a good idea, but we probably gonna meet some folks on them, I'd say. We need'ta investigate some of these caves though, from my understandin' of where things stand?"

Seyardu awoke, and stretched, before she worked on clearing out any signs remaining of where the fire had been, and puts on their breastplate, before she waits for all to wake. She was early to rise, likely one of the first. "There was that cave we saw the other day, which looked magically cleaned. That seems like a likely place to continue our search, as that is likely where they stayed. From there, we can continue following their trail." She suggests, looking in that direction.

Rocky chuffs softly and considers. "Blazing trails seems unwise. Are looking for those who came before, not new places to go."

Jinks is late to rise but eventually starts awake at some sound of armor clattering or a twig breaking. He braces the back of his neck and groans, rolling to a seated position and trying to work stiff muscles back to plasticity. The hip flask is collected from his pile of things and drained of the last precious drops before he starts sliding into his own armor and assorted adventuring kit. "If it were me, I'd stick to trails. Don't know these lost four from any other tallmen, though, and they might have one with a particular expertise in this sort of... field." He waves a finger to indicate the surrounding wilds.

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Searching the caves along the cliff."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "DC5 Acrobatics to not fall in the Lake."
GAME: Seyardu rolls acrobatics: (7)+-4: 3 (Sploosh)
GAME: Jinks rolls Acrobatics: (20)+3: 23
GAME: Dax rolls acrobatics: (8)+3: 11
GAME: Rocky rolls acrobatics: (12)+-2: 10
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "DC19 Perception to find them or other signs, same for Survival to follow tracks,"
GAME: Seyardu rolls perception: (13)+3: 16
GAME: Jinks rolls Perception: (16)+7: 23
GAME: Rocky rolls perception: (4)+6: 10
GAME: Dax rolls survival: (16)+9: 25
GAME: Rocky rolls survival: (8)+6: 14
GAME: Seyardu rolls survival: (3)+3: 6

Loci points out tracks in the mud where the stream meets the lake. There are tracks going both directions, backtracking along the cliffs that the party walked the day before, and following the shore along a heavily wooded shoreline.

She watches Dax expectantly, and when the woman has geared up, she jumps up to ride on her backpack again. An unasked for weight on her shoulders.

In amongst the party's own tracks, there definitely are some foreign boot prints. They're faint and faded that match the rough descriptions you were given to look for. They head out, and come back. The 'coming back' tracks are slightly fresher. One is a day newer than the other. There was a cave that looked camped in, it would line up with spending a long day searching all the caves, camping there, then coming back. Especially if there were watchers to avoid.

However, most of them are washed away by water.

Jinks has managed to find that point of clarity before exhaustion and delirium brought on by fasting. Maybe not trusting the food offered by the lizards will prove to be a boon and not just stubborn, self-destructive bigotry. He manages to move lightly between rocks with dry tops and all but entirely avoids getting wet this time around. He pauses at a muddy patch and looks one way and then the other, "So there's something." He points down and then uses both hands to point in opposite directions. "They're going both directions."

Rocky is not made for quietly moving over rocks on a narrow ledge. The warrior caste manages to pull it off however, with a mix of focus and dumb luck. sadly this leaves little attention left to actually try and find anything useful.

Looking over the same tracks that Jinks is looking over, Dax kind of squints, she crouches down and looks at them. She looks at them some more, then sort of puts her fingers into some of the tracks, and then different fingers in other tracks and looks at the mud on those fingers. She hrms and then looks around, "It looks like they all went ta the caves, then came back this way. Headed, back tha' direction." Pointing in the direction not toward the caves and she offers, "I think we can skip lookin' the caves fer sure, lest they be the walkin' dead. Seen tha' before."

Seyardu was as clumsy as usual despite her attempts to be careful, and this sends her into the water a few times. The distraction was enough for the silverscale who was already not the best tracker to miss most of what others may have found, despite her best efforts.

The tracks head out, the tracks come back. They're easy enough to follow, for Dax. Occasionally she loses them, at which point it's Jinks to the rescue. The gnome manages to spot the edge of a boot, a broken branch, something that makes sense to the pirate girl.

Loci, is useless, although she points well with her spear and otherwise clings to Dax's head.

The trail returns from the cliff, to the stream, then heads along the shoreline. It's not easy progress, perhaps the previous adventurers didn't trust the Kobold trails through the woods. Perhaps they were moving out along the peninsula, to see if something was visible underwater, or to get closer to the island in the lake and minimize a swim or row.

It feels exposed, both to the woods and the water. Something could be lurking. The depths turn dark and there are not a lot of spaces between the trees. There's the sensation of eyes. At times, all the sounds of birds and wildlife vanish, only to return in a sudden surge.

The closest point to the island is reached, and it's clear the adventurers turned into the woods. "The Deep." Loci says, pointing into the woods, "only place they'd go from here is the Deep."

The tracks lead everyone across the strip of land, and then the Bendywine river comes into view, the marsh at its mouth, and the sunken town of Bright Hope. Most buildings are submerged. A few have their roofs above the water line. A few others have floating structures or huts built atop the drowned buildings.

"There's going to be a lot of traps and Kobolds." Loci whispers to Dax, and there are. Kobolds at least, a bunch of them.

Also, a cage.

Jinks pinches the bridge of his nose and crouches for a moment, squinting his eyes shut hard. The headache is moving from a dull ache at the back of his skull to right up and behind his eyes. There's a point when he's sure someone is roasting lamb on a spit within sniffing distance. A shake of his head and he's standing again, pulling a strap and loosing the bow off his back and into a ready grip. "The cage seems as good a place as any to stop. No sign of the Sith commander... or the dragon. Small boons are better than none, I suppose."

"They linger around the cage, there may be something we can find there." Seyardu nods as she looks around the flooded town. "But there are guards, and we may end up in a fight if we go there. If the dragon is summoned, it will be dangerous for all of us."

"The, deep?" Dax questions a bit to the kobold using her as a mount and she sighs out, shaking her head, "Well, if that's where them fellas went, we best go that way as well." She looks over to Jinks and then squints, and shrugs, "Fine by me. If there be a fight, there be a fight. We can only prevent that fer so long. Then we'll have'ta fight." A little pause as she waits to see if they all agree to head in the direction of the cage. She does add after a moment, "Bloodshed answers a lot of questions."

Rocky chuff, nodding in agreement. "Could have one go make noise, draw guards away, but loath to suggest any be alone near here."

"Uskvuthadjupr." Loci hisses something in draconic which she repeats in tradespeek with barely a difference. She points at the submerged and semi-submerged structures. "Uskvutha's Deep. The town, because its under water."

She goes silent, pretending to be a heavy, kobold-shaped helmet for Dax.

Something is going on at the cage. There are Kobolds swimming and some sitting on floats. Oddly, there seem to be more than just the garter snake coloured ones seen so far. There are other groups that look like different sorts of snakes. They don't seem to be swimming as much.

"I do not wish to slay them." Seyardu sighs. "But if it comes to that, it is not safe to knock them all out, with how many there are. We should check the cage. Perhaps one of us takes a better look. And after that, there appears to be something at the cave entrance. We should investigate that further."

Jinks issues an exasperated sigh cranes his neck, trying to achieve some manner of headcount. "With the gobber gone I'm the quietest," he offers with no shortage of regret weighing down his tone. "But if they come after me... well, bloodshed solving problems." He tilts his head towards Dax.

"I'll come barrelin' in if ya get yer lil' legs start runnin'." Dax comments to Jinks, she looks up a moment to Loci, "Ya best jump off if I start movin'... don't want ya gettin' shot or fallin' off, worse yet, coverin' my eyes and whatnot."

GAME: Jinks used a Scroll of disguise self.
GAME: Jinks rolls Stealth: (4)+11: 15
<OOC> Seyardu says, "Guidance!"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "one kobold aiding the other spotting, 3rd is busy aid then real percept"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+5: (2)+5: 7 (Aid Another)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+5: (18)+5: 23
GAME: Jinks rolls Perception: (17)+7: 24 (DC20)

"Before you go, allow me to give you some blessing, which may allow others to look the other way." Seyardu suggests, putting one hand on the gnome for a second to offer a prayer." "Celestial mother, please shield this one from the eyes of those who would question." She offers, before stepping back.

"We will be here if anything happens."

Jinks opens a belt pouch and sifts through it until he finds a scroll, breaking a stamped wax seal and unraveling the parchment in miniature. He reads the words in a lilting sing-song and reaches ahead, twisting his fingers through an ethereal weave before sliding through the glittering curtain and stepping out the other side a kobold. Or, well. What a kobold might look like if painted by someone who really, really didn't much care for kobolds. It's garter snake-colored like the majority but its eyes are set too far apart and back from its stubby snout. There's a gap in its maw where a blue tongue lolls out dumbly. He issues a reedy grunt before shuffling off.

Loci watches with interest as Jinks transforms, from an ugly evil gnome to an ugly evil kobold. She snickers at his mildly mutated appearance, feeling superior. It's an improvement. She nods and gives a claw-thumbs up, signalling it's convincing enough.

The garter-gnome heads out. It's dry going at first, and then it gets boggy, water rising to a foot deep and in places, deeper. The going gets slower, and wetter, and not deep enough to swim except in a few spots.

Locations that appear to have traps, which Jinks barely avoids. Arrows twisted up with reeds, ready to fire short distances. Tiny pungee pits, just big enough for a foot to fall in. Avoidable, but charging through the area is ill advised.

At the cage, one Kobold is busy doing something, the other two ostensibly watching. Except it seems one won't shut up and the other guard is desperately ignoring the conversation. Hence, he or she ends up staring directly at disguised-Jinks. Seems quite interested... and yes. Was watching to see if he set off a trap.

Successfully navigating through the trap-field seems a password of sorts, and it helps that he looks like a friend. The Kobold waves Jinks over, and hands him something. They seem to have an exchange, and then Jinks is heading back.

Alarm avoided, for now.

-..A.B.C.D.E.F.G.H.I.J.K.L.M.N.O.P.Q.R.S.T.
01|~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
-.|"""""""""""""""""""~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
02|....*..........*..""~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
-.|...........*.....""~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
03|.................."""""""""~~~~~~~~~~~~~
-.|.........................""~~~~~~~~~~~~~
04|......*.................""~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
-.|........................."""""""~~~~~~~~
05|.............................."#~~~~~~~~
-.|..................*......."""""""~~~~~~~
06|...........*............""~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
-.|.....................""~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
07|.......................""""~~~~~~~~~~~~~
-.|.....................""""~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
08|X............."""""""~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
-.|"""""""""""""""""""~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 . ground * tree " Marsh ~ Water # cage X party

Jinks isn't gone long and returns with a determined set to his bandy-legged gait. His reptilian eyes are narrowed and the haw half-rolled forward. He carries a thing before him as if the poisoned object might explode at any moment. He opens his mouth to speak but gags, the blue tongue to big for his mouth as it forces out a bit of sick and a nibble of meat. He gags a second time before he thinks to drop the meat and growls, "We have to carve through this Bauglir-loving lot of vile-minded lizards and get him out of that cage. What's left of him."

"Peace, Jinks, stay yourself." The silver sith-makar says, looking down to the gnome turned, kobold? "Please explain what is going on, so we may know what is happening. Is there someone in the cage?"

Loci is leaning off Dax, reaching for the meat. She stops, hand outstretched when he speaks. Her nostrils flare.

Rocky chuffs quietly, checking the starps on is shield and the draw of his blade. He doesn't know what's going in, but has a suspicion, and it's not good.

As the kobold returns, Dax kind of peers at it and is about to cut its head off, from her look until she recalls, "Ohhh, right, yer the disguised lil' fella who drinks and complains all the time." She mentions and nods her head, before looking around to the others, "It sounds like there be someone in the cage and we've to rescue him?" Back to Jinks with her raised eyebrows, "Finally, something I kind of understand."

"They have a tallman. They're... sharing him." Jinks gestures at the freshly-carved meat hunk he's left in the grass. He roughly pushes his palm against a scaley thigh to get some of the blood off. His torso shudders with another gag and he tries to spit, finding it difficult with the shape of this new snout. He leaves his mouth open instead and breathes out forcefully, thick ropes of saliva and sick stringing between the yellowed teeth. "He's for dinner." The gnombold stresses the last part fo those slow to catch on.

The sith'makar and the real Kobold present understand what raw human meat smells like now.

"No no no no no." Loci says, clenching tightly against Dax's head. "We don't. We didn't. No."

GAME: Rocky rolls stealth: (3)+-2: 1

Rocky chuffs, unsurprised, and starts forward. Slowly and quietly, a plan might happen, but he's focused on wrecking terrible vengance.

The silver sith-makar's gaze turns downward, and she leaves to pick up the discarded piece of meat. "Before you ask, I am not taking this to eat later." Seyardu notes, as she wraps it in a cloth from her bag, and stows it away. "Should we fail to rescue them, which I do not think will happen, it can be brought to the adventurer's guild, and used to revive them. Cannibalism is one of the worst crimes possible." She continues. "This one knows your tribe is good, Loci, and those here, they may have been led astray."

The silverscale is taking the meat and putting it in her bag just in case.

"They are eatin' a person? That don't seem right." Though she looks over to Sey and then shakes her head, Dax is just as confused about reviving someone as someone wanting to eat another person. "Give me the go'head and I'll charge in... so we might save the fella bein' eatin'."

Rocky is a quarter ton of angry lizard and solid metal. Subtle he is not.

GAME: Jinks rolls Stealth: (15)+11+1: 27
GAME: Jinks rolls Perception: (9)+7: 16
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+15: (13)+15: 28 (Trap Attck)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d8+1: (4)+1: 5
GAME: Arrow Trap damaged Jinks for 5 points. 23 HP remaining.

Jinks doesn't even need confirmation bias to justify his hatred of a species today. His bow looks far simpler under the glamor's effects but it's in hand and ready to go as he skulks back across the field, keeping low and behind the bulkier tallmen.

He'll happily tell Dax it's time to murder kobolds.

The silverscale's desire to use shield other on Loci is even more justified.

GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+5: (7)+5: 12 (Kobold Aid Another, Success!)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+7: (1)+5+2: 8 (EPIC FAIL)
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Alright, so it's DC8 for your stealth,"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "You get +1 on your roll for every 10' you're away.

The party moves into position. Rocky carefully picking his way forward. He's a half ton of lizard, so he only moves so silently. While he blends into rivers, he's more noticeable on dry land.

Boulders rarely go for strolls.

Garter-Jinks vanishes, to friend and foe alike, heading northwards for a different angle and keeping pace with the greyscale.

Dax, Dax's rider and Seyardu hang back, waiting for a signal.

At the cage, the kobolds continue what they're doing. That will become clear as everyone gets closer. All will see the horrific contents even if they are presently obscured by distance.

A human male is inside, what's left of him. He's blind, he's deaf, he's mute. He's being butchered, alive. His face is carved off, with skull visible between sliced muscles. He has no fingers, no toes. They've been bitten off, leaving mittens and a sock-foot. Large sections of his thigh, biceps have been sliced out. Almost surgical precision, the best a skilled cook can manage. He's bandaged, so he won't bleed to death. Tight wrappings with a slowly spreading red stain.

Keeps the meat fresher.

One leg is completely gone. Mechanically, he wouldn't be able to move. There's too much missing. He's only upright because of his bindings.

The butcher continues his work. Jinks was handed a piece of this meat. Jinks bit into it. The victim screams a moan of wind.

His only respite is a sudden hiss by one of the guards.

Rocky has been spotted.

GAME: Dax rolls perception: (19)+0: 19 (DC20)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10: (20)+10: 30 (THREAT)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10: (17)+10: 27 (Confirmed)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 3d8+3: (21)+3: 24
GAME: Axe Trap damaged Dax for 24 points. 41 HP remaining.

There's a lot of things going on, but Dax readies herself as others take up hiding. She's rather get closer but she'd just make a lot of noise and that'd make others have problems. Instead, she waits. The Jinks-Not-Jinks kind of gives her the go-ahead and waves her out. That's enough of a signal that they are clear and ready for her to go. She picks up Loci off her back and sets them down on the ground, "Yer not comin' in with me." She leaves Loci behind, and then turns and starts running. Thump thump thumping against the ground with her heavy boots, charging forward maybe she'll make for a good distraction?

It's when she gets to the bog that problems arise first, she steps inside and then she cries out, "Bloody murderin' stabbin' mother of gods intwined!" She screams as she gets stuck by a sharp rock head that smacks right into her from a spring loaded hand-axe type device. She growls, and hisses as she works her hands around it to try and pull it out, "Why? Why trap a bog?" She shouts out to no one in particular.

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "two kobolds shoot at 1 Loci, 2 Dax, 3 Rocky"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d3: (2): 2 (Dax)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d3: (2): 2 (Dax)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (18)+3: 21
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (5)+3: 8
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6: (17)+6: 23
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d4: (1): 1

"Watch out for..." Loci warns, a little too late. She clutches at Dax's head as the woman is swayed. "Infections."

The two garter-guard kobolds at the cage start whooping and hissing alarm. They pull out slings and fire bullets at Dax.

One spluts in the muck, the other bounces off her armour.

Loci is winding up as well. She's a lot more accurate, bonking on on the head. He sneezes the bullet out of his nose.

The one with the knife, the Kobold carving up the human. It's a different colour, more greens and blacks. It turns, blood dripping from the blade and runs out of the cage and digs around for the lock to secure it.

GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10: (15)+10: 25

Rocky is big, heavy, and quite distressingly fast for those he's moving towards. He's also very well protected, barely flinching as a spear springs out of the ground to bounce off his armor. The angry roar isn't helping with the stealth thing, but it's a bit late for that anyway.

GAME: Jinks casts Glitterdust. Caster Level: 4 DC: 16
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20-1: (7)+-1: 6 (Kobold Will - Blinded)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20-1: (17)+-1: 16 (Kobold Will - Not blinded)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20-1: (20)+-1: 19 (Kobold Will - Not Blinded)</pre

A fauxbold pokes its head out of the tallgrass to the north of its charging compatriots. Compatriots already bloodied as they surge across the booby-trapped ground towards the kobold trio. It gurgles a melody lost on the wind and reaches up into the air, wrapping clawed digits around an invisible rope. With a violent tug the air above the three lizard cultists erupts in a flashing explosion of glittering shards. One yawps, blinded, but the other two keep their wits. The whole area of covered in sparklies.

<pre>GAME: Seyardu casts Bless. Caster Level: 5 DC: 14

Seyardu was the last to move, only catching the movement after everyone was already charging off. Seeing those get struck by attacks, she takes her time through the muck, but it was slow going. One hand grasped the collar of her breastplate as she looked around. The sight was enough to make one sick, the cruelty and violence shown with such callousness.

"Celestial mother, give us the strength to see this through, and rescue this one from their fate." <draconic> She chants, quietly enough to not carry to those who would listen much, as she continued to move towards the cage.

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay, DC20 perception!"
GAME: Dax rolls perception: (6)+0: 6
GAME: Dax rolls reflex: (3)+7: 10 (DC20)
<OOC> Dax rerolls.
GAME: Dax rolls reflex: (1)+7: 8 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (11)+4: 15 (Loci Reflex)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d6: (10): 10
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d6: (6): 6
GAME: Pit Trap damaged Dax for 10 points. 31 HP remaining.
GAME: Pit Trap damaged Dax for 6 points. 20 HP remaining.

The redheaded woman would've been better as a barbarian, or some kind of monster that just goes forward, like a zombie or something. She was instead birthed as a pirate, one with a lot of willingness to fight, anger and an affliction of not learning from her mistakes. So, what does she do? Presses on! "I'll get ya people eatin' lil' lizard monsters..." She's lost a lot of speed, the bog, weighing her down, sticking to her boots. She's slugging her way through the entire thing, and then... she sinks, falling into a pit and getting hurt. "Fer cryin' aloud. Ya don't even fight the fair fight? Got... this and that, and all sorts of other things." She drags herself out and along, pulling herself off spikes that stab through her making her bleed, and she grits her teeth. Arm, side, bloody, but... she gets up to one of the kobolds heaving, deep breathing, as she glares, "Now... now yer in my trap!" She points at herself, bloodied and all.

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "kobold in front of Dax screams and attacks,"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "the one by the cage puts the lock on and snaps it,"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "the blinded one... is going to run in a random direction... 1 is north"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "runs into the cage"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+1: (11)+1: 12 (Kobold 2 Attack)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6: (14)+6: 20 (Loci Attack)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d6: (2): 2

"Arrrrrp!" Loci falls into the pit with Dax. She's lighter, but she's also in mini-chainmail and that drags her down enough she lands on spikes also. Hissing furiously, she scrabbles and slides out of the pit.

Into the gold glitter.

It'd be laughable if it wasn't deadly. The blinded Kobold is hissing even more alarm, and runs directly into the cage.

The other golden-garter squeaks as Dax appears in front of it. Stab! The spear misses.

The butcher kobold is fumbling with the lock, but not so much that it's dropped. There's a solid 'click' and the cage is secured. "Help! Help!" It hisses. <draconic>

Out in the lake, there's a splashing. Kobolds are swimming up.

"Why? Why you make me do this?" Loci says, stabbing at the other Kobold, "Why you do the stupid thing?." <draconic>

Rocky hisses, moving around the pit and towards the butcher. This puts him into the water, but the greyscale doesn't seem to mind. He's found his target. A little lizard with a little knife. He's a big lizard with a big knife. This promises to be lopsided.

<OOC> Jinks says, "Moving to 9,11, starting Bardic Performance (Inspire Courage +1) as my standard."
GAME: Jinks spends ONE use of BARDIC PERFORMANCE.
<OOC> Jinks says, "An affected ally receives a +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects"
<OOC> Jinks says, "and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls. Stacks with Bless."

The tallgrass shakes and parts, belching loose the sickened fauxbold. It keeps its head low and lops, hips moving into a wide gait as it uses its arm as a third, steadying limb. A final exhalation and Jinks' voice pierces the illusion to fill the air, a Gnomish song full of swears and unpleasant ideas on what best to do with a kobold infestation.

He accidentally includes Loci, the little kobold freeloading spell-stealing.

The marsh was slower going even more than the ground before it, and the traps made them even more wary through the process. It was all she could do just to not get stuck, and Seyardu pauses on a dry piece of land to take stock of the situation.

GAME: Dax rolls weapon8: (4)+12: 16
GAME: Dax rolls weapon8: (5)+12: 17
GAME: Dax rolls weapon8-5: (7)+12+-5: 14
GAME: Dax rolls weapon8-5: (14)+12+-5: 21
GAME: Dax rolls 1d6+7: (6)+7+1: 14
GAME: Dax rolls 1d6+7: (1)+7+1: 9
GAME: Dax rolls 1d6+5: (5)+5+1: 11

Claws are out, Dax is hurt, she's bleeding, and otherwise really really pissed off. At this point, she's not even sure why she's here anymore just... time to fight. And she roars out, as best a roar a human can make, as she starts clawing and hacking and hacking and clawing. She's stabbing, and twisting, and ripping and raking. Until, there's a bloody mess all over her and one right in front of her as well. Raising up her dripping bloody claws she points them at the next enemy in line and just says, "You're next."

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Loci stabs at him. The kobold with the knife 5' steps back from Dax into water deeper than it."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Other kobolds swim up. 2 grab at Rocky, 1 aid another the other 2,"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, " 4 sling random people 1 Loci 2 Dax 3 Rocky 4 Seyardu. Jinks they haven't figure out your'e the enemy"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20-1: (3)+-1: 2 (Kobold Sense Motive)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d8: (4): 4
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6: (4)+6: 10 (Loci Attack)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20-1: (3)+-1: 2 (Kobold Aid Another - Fails)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20-1: (19)+-1: 18 (Kobold CMD)

GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (18)+3: 21 (Kobold slings)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (19)+3: 22 (Kobold slings)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (4)+3: 7 (Kobold slings)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (16)+3: 19 (Kobold slings)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d4: (1): 1 (on Loci)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d4: (1): 1 (on Loci)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d3-1: (2)+-1: 1
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d3-1: (3)+-1: 2

There are a lot more kobolds!

One less, dying with horrible screams as Dax slices it to pieces. Half her height, a fifth her weight, it's pieces in seconds.

Loci yells, "Stop! Run away! I don't want to kill you." She half heartedly stabs at the blinded, glittery-gold Kobold.

"I don't want to die." It tells her, running smack into the cage. Again. This time, the Kobold starts feeling along, towards the water. <draconic>

The one threatened by Dax stares at her, hisses "No," It steps back into deep water.

As several more swim up. Two ineffectively attempt to grab Rocky. One comes so close, but it's minnow versus a whale, the great granitescale is unmoved.

Four, sling at Loci, "You die! Traitor!", "You slept with my clutch-mate, you ruined his life!" <draconic>

The bullets and vicious words hit hard.

GAME: Rocky rolls weapon4+2: (6)+10+2: 18
GAME: Rocky rolls damage4+1: aliased to 1d10+4+1: (6)+4+1: 11

Rocky swings his shield, knocking back the kobold that tried to grab him, then raises his massive bastard sword high. "The Dragon Father may forgive you. I do not." The blade falls with fatal finality. <draconic>

<OOC> Jinks says, "Move action to move to 11,11. Move Action 2: Electric Boogaloo to maintain inspiration."
GAME: Jinks spends ONE use of BARDIC PERFORMANCE.

Jinks continues forward, carrying his song with him and hatred in his heart. He's using his bow as a sort of walking-stick as the thigh-deep sludge keeps sucking at him and slowing his progress. He's trying not to look too hard at the cage or its contents.

GAME: Seyardu rolls heal-3: (8)+7+-3: 12 (-3 Obscured)
GAME: Seyardu rolls 3d6: (11): 11
GAME: Seyardu damaged Dax for -11 points. 42 HP remaining.
GAME: Seyardu damaged Rocky for -11 points. 59 HP remaining.
GAME: Seyardu damaged Jinks for -11 points. 28 HP remaining.
GAME: Seyardu rolls diplomacy: (18)+10: 28 (DC 20)

The prisoner is in bad shape. Healing helps, but does not solve his many amputations and other issues. He's not dying, at least, but he's in poor shape. He struggles under the healing, sensing something is happening.

Seyardu finally pushed through enough of the marsh to get a proper view of the situation, hear the words thrown around, and Dax mutilating one of the Kobolds. She clutched the collar of her breastplate, offering prayer for those nearby who had been injured.

"Celestial Mother, mend these wounds, and see us through this." She offers in prayer, causing a burst of rejuvenating magics to pass over those closest, including the fallen Kobold. She shakes her head, looking to those that were coming. She couldn't speak for the others, but she could speak for herself at least.

"This one does not wish to kill you, either." She shouts to those present. "Please, lay down your weapons, and realize what is asked of you." <draconic>

GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (10)+3: 13 (Kobold AOO)
GAME: Dax rolls weapon8+2: (17)+12+2: 31
GAME: Dax rolls 1d6+8: (4)+8: 12

The healing magics wash over Dax, and some of her wounds... of which she has many, heal up. She is still hurt though and she's hating this bog. She slogs through more muddy ground and suctioning bubbling sounds as she trudges toward the butcher. One step, two steps, moving. She told it they'd be next. And... she raises up one of her more metal covering arms as a kobold next to her attacks her, they thought she had an opening, but she steps and parries, before just punching forward with her oruch claw weapons. As she pulls the blades back from the butcher's neck it gurgles and falls into the water, sinking below the surface and disappearing, leaving behind a dark bloody mess that mixes with the dark bog water. Heaving in and out for breathe, as just walking in this stuff strains her muscles, she looks to the Kobold nearby her, "You..." That's all she says as she faces them.

GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20: (19): 19 (Kobold Sense Motive - Jinks is not a friend)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20-1: (12)+-1: 11 (Loci Diplomacy)
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "2 attack Rocky with flank, 1 attacks without"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "7 shoot slings at Loci or Jinks, so, 3 each, and last is 1 Loci, 2 Jinks"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (2)+3: 5 (Kobold with Flank)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (13)+3: 16 (Kobold with Flank)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+1: (2)+1: 3 (Kobold attack)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (11)+3: 14 (Kobold sling Loci)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (14)+3: 17 (Kobold sling Loci)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (20)+3: 23 (Kobold sling Loci) (THREAT)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (20)+3: 23 (Confirmed)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (16)+3: 19 (Kobold sling Jinks)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (20)+3: 23 (Kobold sling Jinks) (THREAT)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (20)+3: 23 (Kobold sling Jinks) (THREAT)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (14)+3: 17 (Kobold sling Jinks)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (15)+3: 18 (Confirmed)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (15)+3: 18 (Confirmed)
<OOC> Jinks says, "I would like to unsubscribe from this newsletter. T_T"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 3d3-3: (5)+-3: 2 (at least 3)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 5d3-5: (6)+-5: 1 (at least 5)
GAME: Kobolds damaged Jinks for 5 points. 23 HP remaining.
GAME: Kobolds damaged Loci for 3 points. 17 HP remaining.

'Burble...'

That's all the butcher manages, as Dax's claws slice him to pieces.

More Kobolds swim up, three surround Rocky, a decent strategy against an unarmoured for. Not so the granite-scale. His scales are like armour, and he's got armour on top. Also, a shield. Strikes go wild.

"He's unstoppable!", "Try something else!" Their hissing is frantic.

Seyardu's words seem to give the Kobolds a brief pause. There's a moment while nothing happens as several more swim up. "We have to! The Witch-Queen says."

"Dragon says." Another adds, followed by several others hissing in affirmation.

"I still hate you for what you did to my clutch-mate!" A kobold says, whipping a rock right in Loci's eye. She squeals in pain.

"That one's a traitor too." Another points at garter-jinks, and the bullets come in like hail. Really accurate. He's hit in the face.

So far, the only ones really getting hurt are Kobolds, or Faux-bolds. <draconic>

GAME: Rocky rolls intimidate: (1)+7: 8 (EPIC FAIL)
<OOC> Rocky says, "reroll?"
GAME: Rocky rolls intimidate: (13)+7: 20

Rocky is a big lizard. With a big sword. And he's puffing up. Bigger. Bigger. The straps on his armor start to creak under the strain, heavy metal shield held up in one arm, massive blade in the other. He speak bluntly, a growl of deep bass. "Flee. Or. Die." <draconic>

GAME: Jinks spends ONE use of BARDIC PERFORMANCE.

Jinks continues to struggle through the bog, grabbing hold of stringy brush where it's within reach to use as pulling rope. The song continues, carrying out and growing louder as he slowly comes closer and closer to the battle proper. He flinches when pelted by bullets but nothing vital is broken, keeping one arm up to ward any more of them off as he takes stock of the calming battlefield.

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "can make another DC15 heal check if you want"
GAME: Seyardu rolls heal: (18)+7: 25
GAME: Seyardu rolls diplomacy: (2)+10: 12
<OOC> Seyardu says, "reroll"
GAME: Seyardu rolls diplomacy: (6)+10: 16

The human is in terrible shape, the channel helped, but he's missing... stuff, he needs a Heal, something serious. Possibly psyche issues too. Need to get through the lock on the cage, then get him unbound, he looks chained up, then carry him out. He's.. probably not heavier than one hundred pounds at this point.

There was more commotion, more violence, and the silverscale sighs as she pushes forward, putting herself in the way of the stones being thrown at the Kobold. "The dragon, the witch queen, you do not need to listen to them, they are trying to use you for their own purposes. The dragon itself is used, and there are many other dragons who would not wish such actions. The Celestial dragon mother would not wish this." She calls out to those there, and she turns her attention to the one who was calling threats to Loci. "Speak, use words, not stones." <draconic>

GAME: Dax rolls weapon8+3: (6)+12+3: 21
GAME: Dax rolls 1d6+9: (4)+9: 13

Dax has turned on another kobold, she attacks it. It is quick work with these things now that she's close, attacking with a quick slash as she turns around and starts moving toward those attacking her other, smaller allies. And she's headed in their direction, but there's so much water, so... much... water. She is trying to 'get in the way' as she steps in front of those who were slinging stones in the direction of Jinks and company. Whatever Seyardu and the kobolds are talking about goes far far over her head in a language she doesn't understand, she does call back, "You alright?" To Jinks and wishes, at this point, that she were a taller human.

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "soooo... hm... 6 kobolds shoot at Jinks, they like how that turned out last time."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "The others kind of move around"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (18)+3: 21 (Kobold Sling)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (9)+3: 12 (Kobold Sling)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (15)+3: 18 (Kobold Sling)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (2)+3: 5 (Kobold Sling)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (4)+3: 7 (Kobold Sling)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (3)+3: 6 (Kobold Sling)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d3-1: (3)+-1: 2
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d3-1: (3)+-1: 2
<OOC> Jinks tugs at his collar, "I tell ya, I can't get no respect."
GAME: Kobolds damaged Jinks for 4 points. 19 HP remaining.

Hisses of fear are the response to Rocky's warning. The Kobolds fighting him back up, especially as Dax wades into the water and slices another of their team to ribbons.

While they withdraw, they don't completely run away. One swims to deeper water and completely around Rocky and Dax, the other dashes up the mash, behind Seyardu and Loci, trusting they're distracted and talking enough that they won't attack.

Loci is certainly in an argument with one of the crowd, "It was his choice! If you want to talk about it stop shooting me!"

Seyardu has made some good points towards descalation. Of course, more floating bodies and new Kobolds are confusing the issue.

"We have to. It's... we have to do what they say." Hierachy is important for the little lizards. One of them calls out, "Hey! That traitor won't stop doing things."

The Kobold points at Jinks, and several more sling bullets fly. "Sing proper songs." There are many frustrated snapping noises. <draconic>

GAME: Rocky rolls weapon8+3: (7)+10+3: 20
GAME: Rocky rolls weapon4+2: (2)+10+2: 14

Rocky chuffs, and allows those moving back to do so. He moves to the cage, and chops at the padlock, leaving a large gash, but still intact.

GAME: Jinks spends ONE use of BARDIC PERFORMANCE.
<OOC> Jinks says, "Dropping Hypnotism on 18,11. It's gonna hit 2d4HD worth of critters within 30'
<OOC> Jinks says, "Save is Will and they get a +2 for being in combat. Mind-Affecting. Not language dependent."
GAME: Jinks casts Hypnotism. Caster Level: 4 DC: 15
GAME: Jinks rolls 2d4: (5): 5 (HD Affected)
GAME: Jinks rolls 2d4: (7): 7 (duration for Fascinate:)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20-1: (12)+-1: 11 (Kobold Wil)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20-1: (4)+-1: 3  (Kobold Wil)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20-1: (1)+-1: 0 (EPIC FAIL)  (Kobold Wil)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20-1: (13)+-1: 12  (Kobold Wil)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20-1: (5)+-1: 4  (Kobold Wil)

The rock barrage continues, battering shoulder and forearm on the fauxbold as Jinks continues to sing. One of the missiles breeches his meager defenses and slams into his snout to draw blood. Frustrated, Jinks stands tall and throws his arms out wide, going 'raaaaaawr!' as the Hymn's weave bursts out from his tiny frame. Nearly a half-dozen of the advancing kobolds stop dumb and stare slack-jawed as they hear a mighty dragon's roar and see the shadow of a Bronze spreading its wings where the fauxbold once was.

<OOC> Seyardu says, "Okay! staying in place, using action for total defence for +4 dodge bonus."
<OOC> Seyardu says, "She's going to try to talk still, and suggest Loci help with the lock and getting the prisoner out."
GAME: Jinks casts Gallant Inspiration. Caster Level: 4 DC: 16
GAME: Jinks rolls 2d4: (5): 5
GAME: Seyardu rolls diplomacy: (7)+10+5: 22

"Dax, please, stay your hands, or at least, do not kill them outright." She shouts out to her while bracing against her shield, keeping herself between the incoming Kobolds and Loci. "Loci, help Rocky to get through the gate, to free the one inside."

"You do not need to listen to them, they wish harm on you by encouraging the actions here, with the prisoner." She continues. "This one is sorry, but wishes no more bloodshed. And following this witch queen, more will come." <draconic>

Dax moves from the water, climbing out of the wet and boggy marsh. She gets back up onto land, the not-as-deep bog and wades her way past the cage and gets in front of some of the more mesmerized kobolds. With a few pantish breathes she just holds off, putting her claws up in a defensive fashion but waiting on someone to attack her again. If they do... she'll fight some more, but for now she stays her hands.

GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+1: (11)+1: 12
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+1: (3)+1: 4
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+1: (1)+1: 2 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+1: (17)+1: 18
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+1: (2)+1: 3
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "The one that was glitter dusted, and got out of that was then fascinated,"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "then snapped out when Dax approached."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "4 kobolds recognize fascination is going on,"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "shake the other 4 out of it as a standard action and 5' step back"

"Ooooooooooh... ahhhhh.... oooooo..." It's the sound of fascinated Kobolds, staring with raptor-like rapt interest at Jinks. He's a Brass Dragon! Those are wonderful. He's telling stories! That's amazing.

It's not all of them.

"Hey!", "Snap out of it!", "Group up!" <draconic>

"AHH! Watch out for her!" The glittering golden-garter-Kobold snaps out of it enough to see the butcher of the Butcher step in front. "Eeeeeeeiiiii!" It backs up.

There isn't really a leader, they all seem about the same. One of them looks up at Seyardu, "We have to, it's worse if we don't fight." <draconic>

Loci meanwhile, scurries down to assist Rocky however she can. She looks up at the great Sith'makar, "What do you want me to do?"

GAME: Rocky rolls weapon4+3: (6)+10+3: 19
GAME: Rocky rolls damage4+2: aliased to 1d10+4+2: (9)+4+2: 15

Rocky chuffs softly. "Stand back." Another blow shatters the lock, and the sith pulls open the door, speaking softly to the man inside. Not that he's certain to be listening. "We are here to help. But I fear moving will hurt. For this, I am sorry."

GAME: Jinks casts Cure Light Wounds. Caster Level: 4 DC: 15
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d8+4: (2)+4: 6
GAME: Jinks damaged Dax for -6 points. 48 HP remaining.

The fauxbold trudges forward to take a position behind the two tallmen, wiping the blood from its snout as the song dies away. "Tell them their dead are evidence of their efforts if they worry about their masters. If they lack the sense to not push matters further we can give them swift release." He looks at Dax askance and whistles quietly, running his hands up and down next to her arm before plucking at a strand and raking some of the wounds away.

GAME: Seyardu casts Bull's Strength. Caster Level: 5 DC: 15
<OOC> Seyardu says, "converted to cure moderate wounds"
GAME: Seyardu rolls 2d8+5: (9)+5: 14
GAME: Seyardu damaged Dax for -14 points. 62 HP remaining.
GAME: Seyardu rolls diplomacy: (9)+10+1: 20

"It will not be worse." She attempts to reassure those who are pulling back. "You do not wish to eat people, this one feels. It is inviting danger on your people to do so. There are other options that are better. Fish in the lake, plants can be grown around the waters edge. And all will not invite others to attack you in retribution. But the witch-queen would ignore them. We are here to help those taken, not to have quarrel with you." <draconic>

She holds her shield a bit less strongly, and instead places a hand on Dax's arm after bringing it to her own collar. "The celestial mother is glad for your restraint. This one mends your wounds taken for these actions." She offers in prayer, helping with the worst of what wounds remained.

"We have to." A Kobold hisses, "We tried that."; "It worked."; "It didn't, all the other tribes got killed." Another argues. "That's why Thuul sent the Dragon of Lake, the Witch-Queen begged for him." <draconic>

"Group up and take them on!" Another Kobold calls, swimming in from the sunken village, "You were trained. You know what happens if you disobey the Rider! Fight." <draconic>

The Kobolds align in formation, a small unit of troops all treading water and suddenly cohesive. A couple scurry up and down the shore. One hisses at Seyardu, "Run! Just Run."

"If we fight, we die, if we don't it's worse!" <draconic>

A glance towards the cage suggests one way it might be.

GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20: (14): 14 (Loci aid another)
GAME: Rocky rolls weapon4+4: (5)+10+4: 19
GAME: Rocky rolls damage4+2: aliased to 1d10+4+2: (3)+4+2: 9

Rocky strikes at the cahins with his blade, but there'stoo much give for a solid blow. Chuffing softly, he looks to Loci. "The Butcher may have had a key. This One with try pulling apart the chains, but key may be faster." <draconic>

"We've surrendered our advantage to your misguided attempt at peace with a tribe of monsters literally cutting a man to pieces as he lives," Jinks accuses Seyardu, looking frantic as the kobolds begin to organize into something vaguely resembling a competent force. He's back into his pouch, fingering through the remaining scrolls before he selects one of sings through the sheet music. Nothing terrible obvious happens for the moment. "... someone needs to help free the butchered slab so we can start running."

GAME: Seyardu rolls diplomacy: (17)+10: 27

"It was not misguided, but they fear the repercussions too much. They are enslaved, essentially. They do not wish to fight." Seyardu sighs as she is taking off with a wide berth around the pit to try and reach where she remembered the keys were.

"This one is sorry, that the witch-queen treated you as such. The fact that the dragon answers to her shows you should not listen to them, at least. This one will leave, hopefully with all you staying in peace. This one does not wish you harm, but also does not wish the one here caged, either."  <draconic>"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Okay, roll Reflex DC10 to avoid the pit, then a strength check DC 26 to burst the chains"
GAME: Dax rolls reflex: (13)+7: 20
GAME: Dax rolls weapon8: (10)+12: 22
GAME: Dax rolls 1d6+8: (5)+8+1: 14

Rocky is having a hard time with the chains, and getting the person. Dax moves over, hopping the pit, and running over to help out. She just can't stand around or not attack, or wait for people to talk it out. "I'll carry this fella." She offers, as she busts the chains, but just barely, and picks the person up who was in the cage, she then gets ready to head away from the formation of kobolds at the beach front.

GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+5: (2)+5: 7 (Loci Perception)

Loci dives into the lake, even as Dax rushes into the cage. She swims to the butcher, searches as best she can in cloudy, red water. She surfaces, "I can't find it!"

GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (13)+3: 16 (Kobolds Sling)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (10)+3: 13 (Kobolds Sling)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (17)+3: 20 (Kobolds Sling)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d3-1: (2)+-1: 1
GAME: Kobolds damaged Jinks for 1 points. 18 HP remaining.

"Spread out! Surround the cage! Don't let them steal the prisoner." A Kobold with some feathers attached to its head orders, and the phalanx obeys. The Kobolds move ashore as a group, spreading out and surrounding the cave. <draconic>

Weapons are rattled along the bars, but none are shoved through.

"Surrender", the swimming Kobold leers, a blackscale, "or don't. We love meat with a fighting spirit."

Grim faced Kobolds glance at their commander, then nod. They're supposed to nod.

Seyardu, in their midst, and Loci swimming and searching off shore are not bothered, for now. Breaking through them could be painful, for the others.

And the traitor-garter is a favourite topic, more sling bullets arc towards Jinks, at least one bonking him. Flung by scattered Kobolds along the shore.

<OOC> Rocky says, "30 foot cone, DC 16 to save...I think"
GAME: Rocky rolls 1d6: (2): 2

Rocky chuffs. "Dragon Father does not approve. This One does not wish to kill you. But will. Now, scream." The Warriors throat bulges, and he lets out a hissing roar, gobs of caustic spittle flying out to sizzle where it lands. Speard a little thin, but still painful. <draconic>

GAME: Jinks rolls weapon1+2: (17)+8+2+1+1: 29
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d4+3: (3)+3: 6

The fauxbold dashes back, making impressive progress through the terrain that foiled him quite successfully just a moment ago. He turns back and the glamer falls away, revealing the fancy-gnome sneering in unbridled derision at the blackscale kobold. "You vile, shite-for-brains little lizard cretins are going to be crushed beneath the assembled might of every Alexandrian after I get back to the city and draw a map to your scum-covered little village." He snatches up a tiny, needle-like arrow and sends it towards the kobold in one fluid motion, whistling high until it buries into the creature's shoulder.

GAME: Seyardu casts Spiritual Weapon. Caster Level: 5 DC: 15
GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d20+6+2: (6)+6+2-4: 10

"You attempt to throw away more lives for a prisoner." the silverscale states flatly, her anger growing. "This one is dissapointed in you. You will not eat those here, putting your people at risk with your actions. The celestial mother agrees."

She takes a step back, and a large blade manifests near the black kobold, swiping at him with restrained force, but it goes just slightly off course.

GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+7: (3)+7: 10
<OOC> Jinks says, "She wants to spend her reroll!"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+7: (2)+7: 9
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d6: (5): 5
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 3d6: (14): 14
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d6: (9): 9
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 3d6: (10): 10

The man struggles and startles when Dax grabs him. Yet, somehow, her feminine, blood soaked hands are comforting. He is an adventurer after all, he's probably used to rescues like this. Or, perhaps not if he's any good.

In any case, he isn't heavy. He's missing a lot of pieces. He weakly wraps his arms around the piratess as she ducks past Rocky and out the cage. Into a swarm of competent Kobolds who have very specific orders to stop her getting away.

Spears are stabbed, hitting her in the legs, and she takes a risk to dash along the edge of the pit. The edge isn't that solid however, and crumbles under her foot, dropping her and her passenger into the murky water and onto the spikes.

He gasps in pain, she does as well. Second time she's fallen in, and the water gets more bloody.

GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+12+2: (2)+12+2: 16 (Loci Stealth, +2 underwater)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+8: (19)+8: 27 (Troops' Perception)
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+12: (8)+12: 20 (Dax AOO)
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d6+8: (2)+8: 10
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (9)+3: 12 (Kobolds Sling)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (17)+3: 20 (Kobolds Sling)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (4)+3: 7 (Kobolds Sling)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (20)+3: 23 (Kobolds Sling) (THREAT)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (17)+3: 20 (Confirmed
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (11)+3: 14 (Kobolds Sling)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d3-1: (2)+-1: 1
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d3-2: (3)+-2: 1
GAME: Slings damaged Jinks for 3 points. 15 HP remaining.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "now the auto troop damage, they get 2 volleys"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 3d3: (5): 5
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 3d3: (5): 5
GAME: Troops damaged Jinks for 10 points. 5 HP remaining.
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 3d6: (15): 15
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 3d6: (12): 12

Loci dives underwater, attempting a water escape. Sadly, she's swimming away while all the other kobolds are swimming up, and it's more than obvious.

The troops don't seem to be attacking her, and while they could stab at Rocky through the cage, they haven't. Yet. Perhaps Seyardu's words introduced a bit of hesitation. On certain things.

"Get the Gnome! He's the mastermind behind this! You all know what gnomes are like!" The feathered Kobold calls, pulling out his bow and using it to direct the troops. He points at the pit, and Dax, then at Jinks. "Chase her, don't let her escape. Volley fire at the gnome! You know what he'd do if he had the chance."

"For Uskvuthadjupr! For the Witch-Queen! For the Lady of the Lake! Don't break." <draconic>

A few Kobolds are down, crawling away from Dax. Chasing her into the pit wasn't a good idea.

Reinforcements are arriving, and it seems a second squad is forming up.

GAME: Rocky rolls weapon4: (17)+10: 27
GAME: Rocky rolls damage4: aliased to 1d10+4: (7)+4: 11

Rocky did warn them. His blade strikes, and kobold blood splatters. "Stand and die, flee, perhaps live. And stand again in the grace of the Dragon Father." <draconic>

"Take your dark gods full in the mouth, then make note of the trees you'd prefer to be hanged from." The gnome growls, offering a crude gesture as he picks his way through the bog. He turns and dashes away at full speed as soon as the ground turns firm under his feet.

<OOC> Seyardu says, "going to attack the squad of kobolds with a sap then, nonlethally"
<OOC> Seyardu says, "and spiritual weapon the leader nonlethally."
GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d20+8-4: (19)+8+-4: 23 (Spiritual Weapon)
GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d8+1: (8)+1: 9
GAME: Seyardu rolls weapon18: (12)+7: 19 (Sap)
GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d6+2: (3)+2: 5

"Cease, please! No more bloodshed." The silverscale shouts, doing her best to fend off the Kobolds where they are, while the ghostly sword smacks into the leader, attempting to knock him out cold. Still she tries to do what she can to kill as few as possible. <Draconic>

GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 3d6: (8): 8 (Troops AOO on Dax)

Her mouth is full of water, her legs gouged and stabbed, but the man Dax carries is worse off. With a growl and a splash she lurches free of the water pit and stomps headlong through the bog, heading for solid ground, catching more spears for her trouble.

GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6-2: (11)+6+-2: 15 (-2 range, +4 AC trees and underbrush)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20-1: (7)+-1: 6 (Orders: Shoot Dax)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20-1: (2)+-1: 1 (Orders: Reinforce the squad)
GAME: Seyardu rolls diplomacy: (1)+10: 11 (EPIC FAIL)

"You're not getting away from me!" Feathers growls, pulling back on its bow, taking careful aim. Jinks is by now a shadowy blob in a shadowy forest. The arrow is loosed. It flies, going the distance. <draconic>

Off by yards.

"Shoot that one! Don't let the prisoner escape. You lot! Group up!" <draconic>

The little leader is waving and blustering.

"Leave them be! if you attack, others will come to harm you." She responds quickly while fending off a kobold with her shield. "They will not harm you now."

GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 3d3: (7): 7
GAME: Troops damaged Seyardu for 7 points. 42 HP remaining.
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 3d6: (8): 8 (Dax damage)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 3d6: (13): 13
GAME: Troops damaged Rocky for 13 points. 46 HP remaining.
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 3d6: (8): 8

There's a lot of hissing, and uncertain noises. They don't have a choice, they must obey the commands. Reluctantly the line of troops spreads out, getting thinner as they dash after Dax.

A few outrunners manage to catch up to her, stabbing with spears at her and the prisoner. They can't stab that high, she and he are taking the injuries to their thighs, their buttocks.

Rocky likewise finds himself with little lizards underfoot. They are much more effective in a group, spearpoints find weak spots in his armour and scales. Not a huge injury, but the first for the granite-scale.

Loci swims, deep and towards the river, vanishing.

GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 3d6: (8): 8
GAME: Troops damaged Rocky for 8 points. 38 HP remaining.
GAME: Rocky rolls intimidate: (8)+7: 15

Rocky chuffs, shoveing a few troops out of his and moving around the cage and towards the feathered kobold shouting orders. He tramples a few along the way, but takes worse in turn, before breaking free and charging the kobold. "You. You talk too much. Act." <draconic>

Bloodied, battered, and half-starved, Jinks continues the embrace the transmutation magicks and blur across the wilds. The sounds of the battle grow more distant he continues west, planning to shortly turn south and cross the two streams that will take him further and further from the kobold encampments. He'll probably end up lost but that's a problem for tomorrow.

GAME: Seyardu rolls heal: (18)+7: 25
GAME: Seyardu rolls 3d6: (8): 8
GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d20+7: (5)+7: 12 (Spiritual Weapon)

There were more kobolds. lots of them, and Dax and the captive were injured, Jinks nowhere to be seen. Seyardu sighs, and makes her way back, preparing to parry the group of enemies, but none seemed to attack.

Rocky! We have them, we must fall back." She says to the granitescale, keeping watch on those who pushed forward, while the magical blade swung again at the black kobold, missing at the last moment to avoid Rocky as he charged up."

She placed a hand to her armor as she ran, chanting a quick prayer which revitalized those present, and perhaps, the many kobolds still there.

GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20: (7): 7
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20: (10): 10
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10: (15)+10: 25
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10: (10)+10: 20
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d3: (1): 1
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20: (10): 10

Dax chooses to play it safe. Get the guy out. Falling in another pit would ruin her day. Warily, she staggers on under her load, running through brambles.

Brambles with a certain green oil on them, some of which spatters into her already open wounds.

She's made of tough stuff, and plows on. The forest is so close.

"Form up! Form up! Get her! Get this one off me!" Feathers screaches, dropping his bow as the granite-scale is upon him, backing into the water and crouching, getting as defensive as he can. He draws a short sword.

Interesting. Most of them don't have swords.

"The Witch-Queen will rip you to shreds! We'll tan your hide into armour. You'll feed younglings, scale-cousin fool. Listen to your blood, you know what it calls!" <draconic>

GAME: Jinks rolls 1d20+12: (11)+12: 23 (Dax AOO)
GAME: Jinks rolls 1d6+8: (4)+8: 12
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 3d6: (8): 8 (Troops Damage Dax)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 3d6: (11): 11 (Troops Damage Prisoner)

The line of troops stretches out after Dax, little lizards dashing through the bog and underbrush. Almost invisible in their passing, reeds and bushes shaking as they move by.

They manage to keep up with their long-legged foe, and more points poke her in the back, backside and burden. She's bleeding from a lot of places, so is the prisoner, who desperately holds on to her and consciousness.

It takes a while for the troop to form up. It's getting closer. A steady stream of Kobolds swimming up almost guaranteed it will happen sooner or later, perhaps sooner.

The few healed by Seyardu's channel stand up and stagger around, staring ineffectively.

Jinks remains out of sight, likely dashing as fast as his little enchanted legs will carry him. Hopefully he's heading in the right direction. If his headcount is correct he doesn't have too much longer on the spell.

<pre>GAME: Rocky rolls weapon4+1: (13)+10+1: 24
GAME: Rocky rolls damage4: aliased to 1d10+4: (5)+4: 9
GAME: Rocky rolls intimidate: (6)+7: 13

Rocky raises his blade, and brings it down again, slashing the Feathered kobold. "Pathetic. You bark orders and flinch from danger. You are no leader, just a lacky, and not worth my time." Turning, the greyscales moves away, disgusted. <draconic>

GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d20+3: (11)+3: 14 (Spiritual Weapon)
<OOC> Seyardu says, "so she's heading west and around the trap as far as she can, then channeling divinity"
GAME: Seyardu rolls 3d6: (10): 10

"Is that worth the cost? You throw other lives away for nothing. You care nothing of your people despite your claims." She shouts back to the kobolds as she heads backwards with another prayer chanted. It was slow going, she was beginning to be drained from the ordeal the marsh fighting every step. "You should be bettering your people, not this. It pains me that you refuse to stand down."

"River stone! This one will ensure the others are okay here."

GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 3d6: (13): 13

"Thanks! I ow' ya." Dax calls, feeling Althea's energy close some of her wounds, strength in her legs, a finish line approaching. With a burst of speed she dives into the woods, crashing and beaking a trail.

GAME: Seyardu rolls diplomacy: (13)+10: 23
GAME: Seyardu rolls sense motive: (18)+7: 25
GAME: Rocky rolls sense motive: (6)+2: 8

Staying might be a very bad idea. Just a hunch.

Feathers sputters, hiding underwater after Rocky's onslaught, barely able to defend itself from the spiritual weapon. Feathers swims backwards, surfacing in deeper water, "Keep him away from me! You! Reinforce them. You, get after her. Don't let anyone get away!" <draconic>

The granite-scale was dismissive of the leader, letting him live in shame. That should destroy troop morale.

There are whispers. "Didn't he eat the human flesh?"; "Isn't he supposed to have fighting spirit?"; "Doesn't look like fighting spirit..." <draconic>

The second set of troops form up in neat rows, treading water and glancing back at a leader that is swimming a way.

A lot of them look at the Granite Scale. Crests, and in some cases coloured throats flare, then quickly snap back into place. A salute to a superior predator.

They were given orders... orders they seem terrorized enough they'll obey, and the glances they shoot at him, and Seyardu are full of worried warnings.

All the Kobolds keep looking towards the sunken village, towards a ruined cathedral deep in the lake. Exactly the place a Witch-Queen might make her palace, and a possible source of... just about anything.

The obey their orders, the first group bunching up again to follow Dax, the second acting as a shield between Rocky and Feathers, and the stragglers that aren't completely dazed end up in one or the other.

The silverscale is going to head out for certain based on gut feeling. And need to care for the others.

"The flesh for strength?" She asks, loud enough for others to hear, while she broke out into a run upon seeing Rocky depart as well. "That does not work. You should realize looking at your leader. Those above him are no better for the suggestion. River Stone! We leave now." She shouts to Rocky, before making for the treeline, hopefully not into any traps, and lingering just long enough to make sure Rocky was out as well. <Draconic>

Rocky chuffs softly in acknokledgement to the looks, and turns his focus to the bog. Moving swiftly he keeps a wary eye for traps, well ready to depart this place.

No sling bullets fly, no sounds of pursuit. The troops manage to waste time following the orders; they carefully pick their way past traps, known or unknown. Perhaps the adventurers set some

Another leader of sorts shows up, and the two squads manage to confuse who is in charge for a few moments. It's not going to last. They will do as they are told, or else. So it isn't long before the adventurers can hear Kobolds moving through the woods after them.

But it is long enough they can keep away, avoid capture, which from all signs would be very bad.

The prisoner is in terrible shape. He needs a lot of regenerative and high level healing. His wounds are simply attrocious. They're crippling and life threatening, and the multiple stab wounds he took on Dax's emergency exit only brought him closer to death.

A death in a hazy world where he can feel only pain, and strange hands touching him. To pick pieces off, and eat them.

He needs to be taken back to Alexandria, despite the danger her companions are in. He would know details, have witnessed events, that the others have no knowledge of, even if they've uncovered a mess of vipers.

So that is done.

Ghoulish cp line.png

Combatty

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|   Name   |   Race   |   Class   | CHP | HP  | AC/FF/T |CMD |For |Ref |Wil |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|Dax       |HUMAN     |Ftr        | 65  | 65  |23/19/16 | 24 | 8  | 7  | 3  |
|Jinks     |GNOME     |Bard       | 23  | 28  |18/15/14 | 16 | 3  | 7  | 4  |
|Rocky     |SITH-MAKAR|Ftr        | 59  | 59  |29/27/17 | 22 | 8  | 3  | 2  |
|Seyardu   |SITH-MAKAR|Clr        | 49  | 49  |18/18/10 | 15 | 8  | 1  | 7  |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|   Name   |   Race   |   Class   | CHP | HP  | AC/FF/T |CMD |For |Ref |Wil |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|Dax       |HUMAN     |Ftr        | 31  | 65  |23/19/16 | 24 | 8  | 7  | 3  |
|Jinks     |GNOME     |Bard       | 23  | 28  |18/15/14 | 16 | 3  | 7  | 4  |
|Rocky     |SITH-MAKAR|Ftr        | 59  | 59  |29/27/17 | 22 | 8  | 3  | 2  |
|Seyardu   |SITH-MAKAR|Clr        | 49  | 49  |20/20/10 | 15 | 8  | 1  | 7  |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|   Name   |   Race   |   Class   | CHP | HP  | AC/FF/T |CMD |For |Ref |Wil |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|Dax       |HUMAN     |Ftr        | 42  | 65  |23/19/16 | 24 | 8  | 7  | 3  |
|Jinks     |GNOME     |Bard       | 28  | 28  |18/15/14 | 16 | 3  | 7  | 4  |
|Rocky     |SITH-MAKAR|Ftr        | 59  | 59  |29/27/17 | 22 | 8  | 3  | 2  |
|Seyardu   |SITH-MAKAR|Clr        | 49  | 49  |20/20/10 | 15 | 8  | 1  | 7  |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 |     Name      |  CHP (T) |  HP  |
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 | Jinks.........|    5     |  28  |
 | Rocky.........|   59     |  59  |
 | Seyardu.......|   49     |  49  |
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Map 1
https://www.mipui.net/app/index.html?mid=m443nd6tabr

Map 2
https://www.mipui.net/app/index.html?mid=mv5oydvedax

Map 3
https://www.mipui.net/app/index.html?mid=mjctkz9cizw

Inspirational Images
Any search on 'Drowned Town' images would give you an idea.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2409693/Chinese-ghost-town-Xuanping-emerges-water-5-years-earthquake-caused-flood.html