CF - Volo's Adventurers' Guild - PbP Campaign

(Tresvar finds the whole thing amusing,  she well knows how arrogant some Dragonborn are, but she’s not like that, and feels bad for her gnome friend-

In her mind, a peaceful resolution with these Kobolds is worth trying first, and she can’t exactly get a message to Banjo about her thinking without messing up the ruse) 

Yusdrayl raises her head up a bit at Tresvar's words, "Work ... together... hmmm. Yes. To scour the goblin filth from the kobold domain." She draws out the emphasis on her point of view that the kobolds, and only the kobolds are the current, rightful inheritors of the citadel. "These other soft-ones you seek... they came too, and went to fight the goblins. They have not returned. Perhaps you and your servants can do better. You should have kobold assistance. Meepo, you shall accompany the Dragonborn and her servants. Two dragon-kin are better than just one. And Meepo, do not bother returning if you don't have our dragon." Her patronizing smile bathing all before her.

Meepo gulps and makes fawning gestures of acquiescence.

"And now, Dragonborn, is there anything else that the great kobold tribe of the house of Ashardlon can do to ensure your success?"

Serena leans over to Tresvar whispering. "We could perhaps negotiate for something more than the help from Meepo in exchange for our impending scouring. That key perhaps." She finishes and nods at the key behind the throne.

Tresvar smiles a large, toothy grin, and motions to the key behind the throne   “You are indeed wise and generous, Yusdrayl.

In our exploration of your domain, we came upon several locked stone doors.   Perhaps that key fits those doors?   It might be helpful in our quest to rid your home of the goblins-  we don’t want to leave them anyplace to hide.  We can return it once our quest is completed.”  

Yusdrayl silently ponders Tresvar's words. After a prolonged pause, she says, "The area the soft-ones went and the area the goblins took our dragon, lies forward, not back. However, it would be good to have our entire domain purged." She then proposes, "If you return with our dragon, I shall give you this key, and we will aid in an assault to complete the scouring of our home. Is this amenable to you?"

“ Ok- key for dragon, and the soft ones are ours, alive, if possible.  And now we go goblin hunting. Meepo- are you ready?” 
Tresvar looks at the kobold and draws her longsword. “Show us to the goblins.” 

Yusdaryl replies, "So let it be. Good luck dragon-kin."

Meepo shuffles closer to Tresvar, "Yes great warrior, this way. We stop back to collect things to assist with bringing Calcryx home."

He leads them off back to the cage room they found him in. The guards disperse, chuckling crudely about whether they will see Meepo again. Taking it as if he is used to it, Meepo proceeds without complaint, packing a pack with heavy leather harnesses, chains and muzzles.

With his preparations complete, he says, "Okay, we go find Calcryx!" He leads the party to the door in the North East of the room. "The back way to the goblins ... soft-ones also went this way."

After passing through a zig-zagged hall, the first room the party comes to is empty, apparently home only to rat droppings, crumbled flagstone, and stains.

Link to image of party off to the goblin territory

“Minions-  you should check for goblin traps” tresvar says, clearly enjoying this role a little too much..

"Yes of course, mistress of fire," Banjo replies... a bit less serious this time.  Banjo will carefully examine the area for any treacherous traps laid by the goblins... Investigation: 22

Once complete he will look over at Meepo.  "Mr. Meepo, sir.  I cannot help but feel we have gotten off on the wrong footing.  While I appreciate your assistance in dealing with your comrades, there still seems to be some barrier between us.  While I'm sure there's an explanation, I just want to be clear that I bear you no ill will and hope that through the course of this adventure we can become allies, if not friends.  By the by, I am called Jebbedo Thunderdiggles, though those who travel and face danger at my side know me as Banjo."  He pauses to catch his breath.  "I seem to recall reading a story somewhere of a kobold called Meepo.  Is it a common name among your people?"

Meepo's eye widen and his mouth alternately opens and closes in silence as he struggles to grapple with the flood of words coming at him from Banjo.

Finally, his eyes narrow and he looks squarely at Banjo, "Meepo very good kobold name. You are gnome. Meepo know all about gnomes. Meepo's mommy told him since he was a hatchling. Story of where kobold come and where gnomes come. Kobold god Kurtulmak. Kurtulmak great helper of Dragon Queen. Dragon Queen let Kurtulmak make first hatchling kobold. Gnome god Garl Glittergold steal from lady Tiamat. She send Kurtulmak to get what stolen back. Gnome god trick Kurtulmak. Trap Kurtulmak for all time. All Kobolds disgraced because of gnome. Now Meepo has lost tribe's dragon. Meepo doubly disgraced. Meepo must work with gnome to get dragon back. Meepo triply disgraced. But Meepo keep eye on gnome. You no play trick on Meepo!"

"Yes, oh mighty dragon lady." Serena chimes in, while smiling and winking discreetely at Banjo. Serena too then investigates the room, particularly the next door, for traps, while being a bit amused by Banjo´s efforts to make a friend of Meepo. Investigation:19

Neither Banjo nor Serena find any traps in the room or the northern door.

Meepo stoops to the ground suddenly ((Perception)), looking at the dusty floor. "Tracks. Rats and humans go through."

“Let’s go through then”. Tresvar says, and goes with Meepo.

Serena follows close behind, wary of ambushes, crossbow ready. Perception when needed:16

Quote from CyberusFaustus >>

Meepo's eye widen and his mouth alternately opens and closes in silence as he struggles to grapple with the flood of words coming at him from Banjo.

Finally, his eyes narrow and he looks squarely at Banjo, "Meepo very good kobold name. You are gnome. Meepo know all about gnomes. Meepo's mommy told him since he was a hatchling. Story of where kobold come and where gnomes come. Kobold god Kurtulmak. Kurtulmak great helper of Dragon Queen. Dragon Queen let Kurtulmak make first hatchling kobold. Gnome god Garl Glittergold steal from lady Tiamat. She send Kurtulmak to get what stolen back. Gnome god trick Kurtulmak. Trap Kurtulmak for all time. All Kobolds disgraced because of gnome. Now Meepo has lost tribe's dragon. Meepo doubly disgraced. Meepo must work with gnome to get dragon back. Meepo triply disgraced. But Meepo keep eye on gnome. You no play trick on Meepo!"

 

Banjo takes in Meepo's explanation.  "So it is a religious matter." He sighs.  "The gods have given us much, but some of their gifts are unwelcome, the divisions sown between peoples chief among them.  Very well.  I will not harass you further.  Though I refuse to give up hope that we will soften our hearts as we travel together."

Meepo grumbles, but says "We will see... No tricks. Help get dragon. Maybe you not bad."

______

The party opens the northern door and enters the next room.

Dust and odd bits of stony debris and rubble lie scattered on the floor. An ornate fountain is built into the eastern wall. Though cracked and stained, the fountain’s overarching carving of a diving dragon retains its beauty. A relief-carved stone door stands on the western wall.

Serena notes:

 The room opens up into a larger set of corridors to the north.

Link to image of characters before the dry fountain

"The tracks of Lady Kerowyns children continues, as does the tracks of rats I´m afraid. Be ready." Serena says to the others as she cautiously moves over to the fountain, checking it for traps, avoiding to get in the way of the dragons toothy maw, fully expacting it to breath fire at any time. "A little help with this?" Investigation: 24 rolled with advantage if help action is given, otherwise go with first roll. (meh :-P)

Serena does not see any traps in the fountain.

Banjo is mindful of rat attack... he is keeping his eyes peeled on the rubble strewn corners of the room.  Any cracks or crevices that could hold more of the pesky beasts?  Perception: 20

Once satisfied on that front, we will move to help Serena inspect the fountain.  He will also be curious... fountains sometimes are the recipient of coins tossed for luck, no?  Any glittery bits or baubles in the bottom of the dry fountain?

"Be wary, this inscription on the fountain says ´Let there be fire´ in draconic. There could be some kind of trap here." Serena says to the others while turning to the relief-carved stone door in the western wall. Investigation. 14 again rolled with advantage if help action is given, otherwise go with first roll.