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24th of Shining, 9:00 am

The party rose at dawn, feeling it best to strike quickly now that they have been charged with a mission by the Castellan. Their planning went on well after the feast last night, and this morning a load of supplies was brought to the inn by a quartet of Keep soldiers.

Kyle and Kal show up promptly; you notice that Kyle is now wearing a suit of leather armor, has a stout wooden shield slung over his shoulder, and leans on an oak-shafted spear two feet taller than himself. His cocky grin is, if anything, more pronounced.
Sister Valentina arrives a bit later, yawning and stretching. She is attired in white and green silks over a suit of finely-made half-plate armor. Her shield has the bronze owl of Minerva quartered with a white gull on a sea-green field, the sign of her noble house. A warhammer hangs at her hip, and she carries a leather satchel at her other side.

Saeros Silversword

Saeros is eager to be off. Well-rested, the small wound in his back healed, his enchantment of slumber fresh in his mind. Blade sharp, armor oiled and cleaned. Two axes at his belt to hurl quickly.

To the kobolds to see if they know about this raid or any prisoners. Then we can choose what is next. Stay alert.

Cormac eager as well to set off again dons his new armor and takes the two extra hand axes.

When the group sets out, Ampersand Mxyzptlk Kerfuffle Humperdink Wongdoodle Biddleshaft the Third shakes his white-haired little head at the idea of treating with the kobolds. "My enemy's enemy's not always my friend," he says. "'Them kobolds are tricky in what they intend. We may have a truce, but it's awfully loose. To go back to them might be our end."

He scrunches his wrinkly grey face in thought. "The gobs hate the hobs. The hobs hate the gobs. Between them there's not lots of love. They're itching to fight; you know that I'm right. All they need is the right kind of shove!"

Sham is up early, proudly donning his new armor and sharpening his sword as the retainers roll in one-by-one. He gives each one a smile and a nod of respect.
"Let's see what those kobolds know. They didn't attack us when they had the chance last time, and there are more of us for them to deal with now. I have no problem letting the goblins and hobgoblins fight each other, but I wouldn't mind knowing which cave to enter while they're knocking each other's heads."

Brother Henry - Priest

Henry dons his new armor, feeling quite well-protected now. He takes one of the vials of holy water and stows it in his pouch for easy access. He offers the remaining one to Sister Valentina, who he gives a hearty greeting.

He takes a moment to make sure Lardo is ready, and to check on Kyle and Cal. "Nice new gear, men! Now lets pack all our gear, Wilbur will haul his share, and let's move out. Be careful with the food and wine for the kobolds. We want to get some info from them if possible."

Henry says a few brief prayers before we leave, especially for the missing merchants.

Lardo rolls in a few minutes late, yawning, scratching in inappropriate places, and looking even more disheveled than usual. He hands the ogre head off to Kal with the terse instructions, "Mind the flies, fancy lad."

He falls in next to Henry and whispers to his friend, "I never thanked you proper for bringing me back from death's door the other day. I owe you greatly."

Hearing Ampersand's rhyme, he muses, "I'd love to let the scum do our work for us, and it might give us a chance to sneak in and grab our man and his missus while they scrap. But how? We need a ruse."

Eglistrum Paharis

Eglistrum shows up bright and early to depart, having gotten a good night's sleep. Looking at the party members, he notices the new gear many sport. Such is the life of a Mage. Robes and a long stick- not really anywhere to go from there.

25th of Shining, 11:00 am

The group set out by midmorning, and followed the now-familiar path back to their woodland campground. The night passed without event, and the following day they once more made their way to the canyon where lie the Caves of Chaos.

(While Henry and Sham's pack animals can carry your new gear, let me know what you're bringing with you to the Caves...or if you're bringing along an animal, this time. Kal and Kyle will carry whatever burdens you direct them to, but Valentina demurs if asked to tote gear, though she will accept the vial Henry offers.)

Once they arrive, the group consensus is to treat with the kobolds, plying them with meat and drink and asking for information. Ampersand the Rhyme-O-Mancer offers his warnings about the dangers of dealing with the vicious little brutes, and Sister Valentina agrees with the gnome, scoffing at the idea of breaking bread with kobolds. Still, most of the party seem to feel it is worthwhile, so once more you venture down the narrow, smelly tunnel to the edge of the hidden pit where their macabre 'sentry' sits guard duty. A hail from Sham in the kobold tongue soon produces some cautious guards...one recognizes you from your last visit, and asks what you want.

Actions?

Saeros Silversword

The Elf watches with a wary eye for any treachery. His sword close at hand as he recites his enchantment of slumber in his mind in case it is needed quickly. He waits for the others to speak and act, not liking to deal with untrustworthy Kobolds. Saeros is silent but watchful.

Cormac watches the groups back for any sign of enemy attacks.

Sham shoots back at the kobold in an authoritarian tone, "We want to speak with Tarvek. We have news to share as well as food and drink. We just need some information in return."

Assuming we get a chance to speak with their leader, Sham will tell how the group killed the ogre, although the goblins seek to take credit for it. He'll certainly ask after the humans captives, and the relationship between goblins and hobgoblins and what might set them against one another.

If we don't want to send the entire group inside, I am okay with that. It seems a few aren't trustworthy of the kobolds, and I don't want them getting hurt on my account.

Saeros Silversword

Saeros follows Sham to guard his back. He looks carefully for signs of any trap or ambush. Blade & spell ready.

Cormac after verifying they are not followed or being rushed by attackers from behind follows the rest of the party into the kobold cavern.

Brother Henry - Priest

As Sham relays the tale of the defeat of the ogre and goblins, Henry will nod in support and directs Kyle and Kal to bring the booze and food forward. Henry will do his best to act as emcee for this bribe/feast. He motions for the kobolds to take the wine and food and he says "Your map has been a great aid for us, as has your information. Please accept this as a token of our thanks. Perhaps you might know about some recent captives held in the caves?" Henry tells of the missing merchants (he leaves out the part about the people being wealthy and/or merchants, rather preferring to just refer to them as captives.) He'll leave other questions and whatnot to the others, his main concern being determining the whereabouts of the captives.

OOC: Henry is fine with the idea of trying to foment dissent among the gobs and hobs, but is mainly concerned with rescuing the captives or recovering their remains. If the kobolds seem leery of the story of the ogre, he'll motion for Lardo to produce the head of the beast. as for bringing the animals, Henry is okay with bringing Wilbur if need be, perhaps we could tie him in the ogre's cave?

25th of Shining, 11:30 am

The kobold guards fade back, but soon return with Tavek, whose reptilian-canine face is hard to read, though his eyes brighten and he licks his chops when Henry produces the food and wine. He orders a pair of kobolds to cross the narrow ledges on either side of the pit trap to fetch the food, but does not invite the party deeper into the lair. Ripping a leg off a roast chicken, he eats as he talks.

"The Chief does not wish you to keep coming here; others may begin to notice. If they think we are allied with humanfolk, we will be attacked. This gift you bring--" he gestures at the provender "--will ease concerns about this meeting, but you may not find a warm welcome should you return again."

He listens to Sham--with some additions passed on by Henry--describe the tale of your slaying the ogre and fighting with the goblins. When Sham asks after the goblins and hobgoblins, Tavek grins toothily. "We think their differences may have been resolved, but in a bloody way. Last night, we saw a small group of goblins flee the caves, off into the woods...maybe a dozen or so, mostly females. From the look of them, any who did not go with them are likely corpses or slaves." He does mention something odd...no one saw a force of hobgoblins (or anyone for that matter) enter the goblin cave.

When asked about prisoners, Tavek shrugs, but then grudgingly says, "Yes...when they came back from raiding last time, they brought humans with them in bonds...four in all. One had the look of your females."

Kobolds ferry most of the food and the wine back into the dark tunnels, presumably for the Chief to feast on and distribute as he sees fit. Tavek snatches a last hunk of cheese and gnaws on it as he backs away, saying "You go now. Do as you will, but leave us out of it."

Next move?

Lardo groans when Sham relays the news about the fleeing goblins: "That's easy gold that slipped off into the woods!"

He watches the kobolds recede into the darkness with the food and wine. "You know, I've nearly grown fond of these little buggers," he murmurs. "Too bad the next time we come back we'll have to kill 'em."

OOC: Sounds like the hobgoblin and goblin lairs are connected. How should we approach? The goblin entrance, the hobgoblin entrance, or the ogre cave?

Sounds like we have a bit of a scouting mission now don't we to see which entrance will be easier for us to get back in.

Cormac takes in the information relayed by Sham from the kobolds "Sounds like next time we will have a big fight on our hands then. Best go scout the goblin, ogre and hobgoblin caves to see what entry will be best for this foray."

He does mention something odd...no one saw a force of hobgoblins (or anyone for that matter) enter the goblin cave.


OOC: Sounds like the hobgoblin and goblin lairs are connected. How should we approach? The goblin entrance, the hobgoblin entrance, or the ogre cave?

I was thinking the same thing. Id say the Ogre cave, maybe its unguarded.

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Saeros Silversword

Saeros nods to Lardo.

Perhaps you can use a sip of that potion and scout a bit, unseen. Check out the Ogre Cave and the Goblins.

Seeing that the interaction with the Kobolds is over, Saeros turns to leave.