Jex quietly takes his climbing kit from his back, securing a hook against a rock at the top of the incline and tying it secure, he let's the other end of the rope unravel a little, the majority coiled around his arm so that he can release it as he goes, but hold tight to support himself if he starts to slip. Testing the security of the rope, he begins his decent.
As Jex begins his descent down the slope Ignatius suddenly senses a small creature moving about. The bat’s squeaks intensify as it begins flapping about Jex’s head. From back at the group Seid, blind and deaf to his surroundings announces a little louder than intended. “There’s a problem. Ignatius senses something. Felt like a small humanoid lizard type creature farting behind the rock wall. I wager we found our kobolds.”
Jex waves a warriors salute at the crack in the wall. "Hello there" He achnowledges the presence with a little bow. "Be not afraid noble kobold, come out to speak with me. I mean you know harm." He continues his gestures open and harmless though he knows he could reach 10 different blades in a split second. "We come to seek alliance with the noble, mighty kobolds of these caverns, we hear you are fearless warriors and we wish to ally with you against the wicked goblins and magic men who invade your land and ours. Gracious kobolds, let us not fight and weaken against each other when together we can be strong together against the ones who do us both wrong." He gives an open smile, inviting the gap in the rock out with a palm up gesture of friendship and respect.
He continues, "I am Jex, warrior king, I am here with some fine warriors to help you in your just and noble war. Clever, noble kobolds could use our help yes?"
At first, there is no response, and the cavern is silent again, but for the echoing of Jex's voice and the trickling of the water. However, as the half-elf waits, he spots another white-scaled kobold peeking out from behind a different craggy nook to the right. It's carrying a shortbow, and steps out, as if on queue. The little creature has an arrow knocked, but not drawn.
Then another appears, high up, on the left. And another from behind a larger boulder further down the cavern. And another. And another. And another.
All up and down the passage kobolds pop up out of nowhere, each one with a bow at the ready.
"Yir othok melkan keovid?!" One with a particularly ornate hat demands in broken dwarven.
Jex sighs. "Elvish perhaps?" he tries. "Or Sarameian?" He shrugs before calling back. "Perhaps one of you could translate for me? They seem friendly enough. Just don't get to changing my words around." As somebody comes forward to translate, he repeats himself again but in stages for the ease of his translator.
Seid steps up towards the ledge as he sends a mental command for Ignatius to flutter back down closer to Jex. He hears the commotion below and calls down.l in Draconic. “Hail friends! We come in peace and seek no grievances with you. We seek to travel through this area unmolested.”
Jex nudges Seid in the ribs as he notices what he says is much shorter than his original words. "Hey wizard, did you say everything just like I said it?" He growls in his ear. "Say it all. We want their help."
Bründir pulls his shield close, trying to cover his entire body, and raises his crossbow until the front of the frame rests awkwardly on the rounded edge of his ward. "Anybody 'avin' second thoughts? Mines're dangerous by'emselves, don' need more goblins 'r lizard shits 'elpin' make it worse." For those that need it, he keeps his light shining, though his familiarity and dwarven eyes have little need of it, "When it's over, I'm roundin' up the watch an' chasin' ev'ry one of'em out."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Characters:
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
Seid gingerly takes the rope in hand and slowly descends to join Jex and the kobolds as the dancing orbs of dim light hover nearby and give him some illumination. He looks at the half-elf for a moment with a deadpan and simply nods.”Of course.”
He then turns to address the kobold who he believes was the one who had spoken earlier. “Nomen mihi est Seid. Ut dixi, ne cum te petimus hac transire sine certamine cupiunt. Nos vultus pro suis dominisque tecta cobalos. Militibus utitur phaenomenica potuimus, ut et in hac incitatus ferebatur. An haec comminatio finiendum nos ad te pertinet ad opus.”
“My name is Seid. As I said, we seek no quarrel with you and wish to move through this area without a fight. We are looking for the goblins and their masters. We could use phenomenal warriors such as you in this endeavor. Would you care to work with us to end this threat?”
"Careful Seid." Jex's tone is low and unthreatening as though he is just giving more words for translating, but the use of the wizards real name for the first time is a cue that wakes him up a little to the seriousness of the situation. "These are proud creatures and they respond to specific compliments. Say they are mighty and noble and that we can work for them. They like structure and to know who is in charge, and to be treated as equals or better. Use my words."
The kobold snorts with pride and sneers in response to Seid's words, making its tall hat wobble comically.
"Wer Sherternock svihelen ui ti tesantamaso anqui, usv sthyri, usv tundari. Wux nomag dolruth, tagoa wux majak wer rigluina tekilek, shar yth tepoha thric dril ekess letoclo wux... usv shilta wux majak udoka vi rasvim xihuuliup di wer Darastrix."
The Sheerscale tribe is not afraid of goblins, or men, or dwarves. You may pass, because you show the necessary respect, but we have no reason to assist you... unless you can offer us a reward worth of heirs to the Dragon.
Bründir leans over to Hurrig and whispers, "Psst...you remember th' way back? I'm sealin' this tunnel on th' way back, less they can 'elp us."
Stepping forward to Seid and Jex, Bründir tries to add in, "Seid, tell'em these're Sheercleft's mines an' they got no right givin' orders. Town bein' what it is, seems we can 'elp each other some. Think they're in fer it?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Characters:
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
Seid glances back at Jex with a nod, trying to bite his tongue in regards to Brundir’s suggestions of telling them it was Sheercleft property. Such things were best left to after negotiations. “Okay, I will try.”
“Gloria sodales Sneerscale tribus ego gratias ago tibi, quia nos innocuum permittens. Agnosco enim par bellatores. Gemmae ex mandato reddere velit ducem lemures bellatrix egregia tua virtute et ope pro sese verba cavernas purgamenta lemures. Quid dicis, praeclara?”
“Glorious members of the Sneerscale tribe, I thank you for allowing us to pass unscathed. I recognize that your warriors are without equal. My leader wishes to offer jewels taken from the goblin command as payment for the aid of your exceptional warrior prowess in ridding these caves of the goblin filth. What do you say, glorious one?”
Seid speaks to Jex as if he were the leader. “He asks where the jewels are located.”
Jex gives Seid a shrewd glance and calmly advises. “They are back with my caravan, of course.”
Seid almost laughed, but bit back the chuckle before it erupted; he eyes Jex a moment with respect. That lie rolled off his tongue more smoothly than many he’d heard, but it was obviously a falsehood; Seid has noticed those little telltale signs. The slight flicker of subconscious hand movements and the minute hesitation, it wasn’t much, but Seid picked up on it. He gives Jex a long look before turning back to the kobold. He ponders a moment, trying to figure out what to say… after a second he eloquently elaborates. “Meam incredibili splendore hominem non habeo ut cum ad pugnam. Bona sunt derelicti sumus, dum in villa post iter comites parati. Nos mos vestrum subicite negotium retorquebit caput eius complementum nostrae. Opinor unum sicut intelligentes et potentes sicut te ipsum bene potest ut cautiores reddat. Fidem nostram libera nos semper, ad complementum nostrae: Verbum mihi ad sapientis Sheerscale tribus.”
“My incredibly brilliant fellow, we do not have them with us as we go into battle. The goods were left behind in the village while we journeyed down below. We will submit your offering upon the completion of our task. I imagine one as intelligent and powerful as yourself can appreciate such caution. We will deliver our promise upon completion of our errand to the ever-wise Sheerscale tribe.”
Jex quietly takes his climbing kit from his back, securing a hook against a rock at the top of the incline and tying it secure, he let's the other end of the rope unravel a little, the majority coiled around his arm so that he can release it as he goes, but hold tight to support himself if he starts to slip. Testing the security of the rope, he begins his decent.
As Jex works his way down the sloped cavern, he spots a flash of white in the shadows thrown by the walls of the cave on his left.
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
As Jex begins his descent down the slope Ignatius suddenly senses a small creature moving about. The bat’s squeaks intensify as it begins flapping about Jex’s head. From back at the group Seid, blind and deaf to his surroundings announces a little louder than intended. “There’s a problem. Ignatius senses something. Felt like a small humanoid lizard type creature farting behind the rock wall. I wager we found our kobolds.”
Valaith "Rimehand" Kalukavi - Chronicles of Arden
Jex waves a warriors salute at the crack in the wall. "Hello there" He achnowledges the presence with a little bow. "Be not afraid noble kobold, come out to speak with me. I mean you know harm." He continues his gestures open and harmless though he knows he could reach 10 different blades in a split second. "We come to seek alliance with the noble, mighty kobolds of these caverns, we hear you are fearless warriors and we wish to ally with you against the wicked goblins and magic men who invade your land and ours. Gracious kobolds, let us not fight and weaken against each other when together we can be strong together against the ones who do us both wrong." He gives an open smile, inviting the gap in the rock out with a palm up gesture of friendship and respect.
He continues, "I am Jex, warrior king, I am here with some fine warriors to help you in your just and noble war. Clever, noble kobolds could use our help yes?"
At first, there is no response, and the cavern is silent again, but for the echoing of Jex's voice and the trickling of the water. However, as the half-elf waits, he spots another white-scaled kobold peeking out from behind a different craggy nook to the right. It's carrying a shortbow, and steps out, as if on queue. The little creature has an arrow knocked, but not drawn.
Then another appears, high up, on the left. And another from behind a larger boulder further down the cavern. And another. And another. And another.
All up and down the passage kobolds pop up out of nowhere, each one with a bow at the ready.
"Yir othok melkan keovid?!" One with a particularly ornate hat demands in broken dwarven.
What you biguns want?!
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
Jex sighs. "Elvish perhaps?" he tries. "Or Sarameian?" He shrugs before calling back. "Perhaps one of you could translate for me? They seem friendly enough. Just don't get to changing my words around." As somebody comes forward to translate, he repeats himself again but in stages for the ease of his translator.
Seid steps up towards the ledge as he sends a mental command for Ignatius to flutter back down closer to Jex. He hears the commotion below and calls down.l in Draconic. “Hail friends! We come in peace and seek no grievances with you. We seek to travel through this area unmolested.”
Valaith "Rimehand" Kalukavi - Chronicles of Arden
Jex nudges Seid in the ribs as he notices what he says is much shorter than his original words. "Hey wizard, did you say everything just like I said it?" He growls in his ear. "Say it all. We want their help."
The kobold who spoke for the gathered warriors peers up at Seid with squinting eyes.
"Svaust ui batobot svaust renthisjic persvek wer ooble di hesi xiekivi? Confn vhira tenpiswo!" It insists.
Who is that who speaks in the tongue of our people? Come down here!
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
Bründir pulls his shield close, trying to cover his entire body, and raises his crossbow until the front of the frame rests awkwardly on the rounded edge of his ward. "Anybody 'avin' second thoughts? Mines're dangerous by'emselves, don' need more goblins 'r lizard shits 'elpin' make it worse." For those that need it, he keeps his light shining, though his familiarity and dwarven eyes have little need of it, "When it's over, I'm roundin' up the watch an' chasin' ev'ry one of'em out."
Characters:
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser
Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale
Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
Seid gingerly takes the rope in hand and slowly descends to join Jex and the kobolds as the dancing orbs of dim light hover nearby and give him some illumination. He looks at the half-elf for a moment with a deadpan and simply nods.”Of course.”
He then turns to address the kobold who he believes was the one who had spoken earlier. “Nomen mihi est Seid. Ut dixi, ne cum te petimus hac transire sine certamine cupiunt. Nos vultus pro suis dominisque tecta cobalos. Militibus utitur phaenomenica potuimus, ut et in hac incitatus ferebatur. An haec comminatio finiendum nos ad te pertinet ad opus.”
“My name is Seid. As I said, we seek no quarrel with you and wish to move through this area without a fight. We are looking for the goblins and their masters. We could use phenomenal warriors such as you in this endeavor. Would you care to work with us to end this threat?”
Valaith "Rimehand" Kalukavi - Chronicles of Arden
"Careful Seid." Jex's tone is low and unthreatening as though he is just giving more words for translating, but the use of the wizards real name for the first time is a cue that wakes him up a little to the seriousness of the situation. "These are proud creatures and they respond to specific compliments. Say they are mighty and noble and that we can work for them. They like structure and to know who is in charge, and to be treated as equals or better. Use my words."
The kobold snorts with pride and sneers in response to Seid's words, making its tall hat wobble comically.
"Wer Sherternock svihelen ui ti tesantamaso anqui, usv sthyri, usv tundari. Wux nomag dolruth, tagoa wux majak wer rigluina tekilek, shar yth tepoha thric dril ekess letoclo wux... usv shilta wux majak udoka vi rasvim xihuuliup di wer Darastrix."
The Sheerscale tribe is not afraid of goblins, or men, or dwarves. You may pass, because you show the necessary respect, but we have no reason to assist you... unless you can offer us a reward worth of heirs to the Dragon.
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
Seid glances at Jex as he translates what they said. “They wish a reward.”
Valaith "Rimehand" Kalukavi - Chronicles of Arden
Bründir leans over to Hurrig and whispers, "Psst...you remember th' way back? I'm sealin' this tunnel on th' way back, less they can 'elp us."
Stepping forward to Seid and Jex, Bründir tries to add in, "Seid, tell'em these're Sheercleft's mines an' they got no right givin' orders. Town bein' what it is, seems we can 'elp each other some. Think they're in fer it?"
Characters:
Grishkar Darkmoor, Necromancer of Nerull the Despiser
Kelvin Rabbitfoot, Diviner, con artist, always hunting for a good sale
Bründir Halfshield, Valor Bard, three-time Sheercleft Drinking Competition Champion, Hometown hero
"Offer them a new drawn up territory in the mines. Or some of the jewellery we found. If they don't like that, ask what they want."
Seid glances back at Jex with a nod, trying to bite his tongue in regards to Brundir’s suggestions of telling them it was Sheercleft property. Such things were best left to after negotiations. “Okay, I will try.”
“Gloria sodales Sneerscale tribus ego gratias ago tibi, quia nos innocuum permittens. Agnosco enim par bellatores. Gemmae ex mandato reddere velit ducem lemures bellatrix egregia tua virtute et ope pro sese verba cavernas purgamenta lemures. Quid dicis, praeclara?”
“Glorious members of the Sneerscale tribe, I thank you for allowing us to pass unscathed. I recognize that your warriors are without equal. My leader wishes to offer jewels taken from the goblin command as payment for the aid of your exceptional warrior prowess in ridding these caves of the goblin filth. What do you say, glorious one?”
Valaith "Rimehand" Kalukavi - Chronicles of Arden
The Sheerscale leader hesitates at the mention of jewels.
"Zi algbo. Yth geou jihai dout regipre! Hesi sovesic geou dronilnr wux ekess wer anqui. svaklar ui nomeno rasvim di svabolen wux renthisj?"
"Very well. We will accept your tribute! Our scouts will lead you to the goblins. Where is this treasure of which you speak?"
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva
Seid speaks to Jex as if he were the leader. “He asks where the jewels are located.”
Jex gives Seid a shrewd glance and calmly advises. “They are back with my caravan, of course.”
Seid almost laughed, but bit back the chuckle before it erupted; he eyes Jex a moment with respect. That lie rolled off his tongue more smoothly than many he’d heard, but it was obviously a falsehood; Seid has noticed those little telltale signs. The slight flicker of subconscious hand movements and the minute hesitation, it wasn’t much, but Seid picked up on it. He gives Jex a long look before turning back to the kobold. He ponders a moment, trying to figure out what to say… after a second he eloquently elaborates. “Meam incredibili splendore hominem non habeo ut cum ad pugnam. Bona sunt derelicti sumus, dum in villa post iter comites parati. Nos mos vestrum subicite negotium retorquebit caput eius complementum nostrae. Opinor unum sicut intelligentes et potentes sicut te ipsum bene potest ut cautiores reddat. Fidem nostram libera nos semper, ad complementum nostrae: Verbum mihi ad sapientis Sheerscale tribus.”
“My incredibly brilliant fellow, we do not have them with us as we go into battle. The goods were left behind in the village while we journeyed down below. We will submit your offering upon the completion of our task. I imagine one as intelligent and powerful as yourself can appreciate such caution. We will deliver our promise upon completion of our errand to the ever-wise Sheerscale tribe.”
Valaith "Rimehand" Kalukavi - Chronicles of Arden
The kobold looks suspicious, but appears convinced by Seid's candid offer.
"Zi algbo, munthrek. Yth geou dronilnr wux ekess wer anqui, shar vucot nomeno - chian udoka, vur wux geou krethel coi."
"Very well, human. We will bring you to the goblins, but know this - betray us, and you will regret it."
In the distant shadows of the cavern, the alabaster ranks of kobolds part to allow the party passage.
The Chronicles of Arden: Sheercleft - DM for Aiden, Bründir, Jex, Thurston, Valaith and Vark
The Chronicles of Arden: Hunters - DM for Alaris, Astrid, Caio and Shiva