The way I see it at this point is we have been set up
The supplies stolen are needed for Santekhs survival and the Kobolds are tipped off to steal that specific shipment.
The merchants were killed by an outside force after the Inhelk stole the goods, implicating the kobolds as the killers and raising the tensions
We are sent under a spell that ensures we fight to utmost to get the crates back, lethal force authorized, Raising the tensions
The Inhelk are in a state that has them not wanting to give up anything due to the possibility of a dragon master, they will fight to the death despite it being against their nature normally, again increasing the chances of war
We have already learned that the town of Santkh is against the Kobolds en masse due to the majority of the race across Krynn siding with dragons during the war so it isn't a far stretch to think that someone is either out to start the war between Santekh and the Kobolds to erradicate the species or to weaken both the Kobold and Santekh.
Merkas is going to talk to the queen, only way he sees to sort things out.
Yeah, I thought of that after but it seems to fit still, if whoever leaked the info to Kasi or prompted the inhelk to contact her for the info then Kasi gets implicated in the whole thing and they can get rid of her from Santekh as well.
Did. Erika’s swapping out the pen exempt him from the Gaes?
You specifically chose not to sign (and therefore not receive payment for) the mission. You nearly got thrown out of Verhanna's office for trying to bribe her to let everyone off the hook.
Suddenly the crates been eaten. Not possible to get..and we risk face a dragon.
Then it is maybe just a baby dragon. Crates might still be available.
I am tired of try get any sensible info out of the Kobolds.
Now they not kill the merchants? So someone else arrived after the raid and killed the helpess merchants? Sounds odd.
Sera likes to go back. Prepare Santech to fight a dragon. Little or big we find out. Kasi could ride and deliver the message.
A lot is getting lost in translation. And I think that's confusing you as much as it is Sera.
Santekh told you that kobolds raided and slaughtered the merchants. Jamada says he was on the raid, and it was a no-kill strike. He left them bound, but alive, knocked out by sleeping gas, so they were basically unharmed. So someone is lying, or gravely misinformed.
Letni Inhelk were informed of the merchant caravan by Kasi, because Kasi wanted Letni Inhelk to know that Santekh was making big orders in hopes to barter a trade deal between Santekh and Letni Inhelk, in hopes she could become a part of their clan as a reward for brokering this trade union. She had no reason to think Letni Inhelk would steal. Letni Inhelk doesn't need resources, and Letni Inhelk and the Hachakee already had a peaceful trade alliance. On paper, this sounds like a great deal. Letni Inhelk has resources, Santekh has money. If Letni Inhelk has resources and prefers peaceful trade, they stand to do much better by forming a trade union with Santekh. The added protection of a Santekh/Hachakee/Letni Inhelk alliance would definitely benefit the kobolds, since they're only a mid-sized clan with no real allies amongst the kobolds. So why risk it all for a one-time boost (albeit a big boost) in resources?
The obvious answer is that they have a dragon to feed, who would consume far more resources than little kobolds would. But you've seen no actual evidence of a dragon. All you've seen so far are examples of overmining, overworking, and blueprints for a structure so grand, it could house a dragon... one day. But designs like these take years... decades even. And would decimate the natural resources (and magical protections) the kobolds enjoy. Most of these kobolds will die of old age before the structure is complete, and that includes Princess Harkail (who was, by Kasi's definition, born to serve a dragon). If a dragon were to be here now, it would make much more sense for it to take up residence with a clan that A) already sides with Takhisis, and B) has a home large enough for a dragon to go in and out of with relative ease.
Letni Inhelk is one of the few clans that refused to join Takhisis's war. And while they aren't necessarily on the side of the "good guys" they definitely don't seem to be interested in things like world domination. They like their quiet life, away from the war, and (presumably) away from chromatic dragons who enjoy war and destruction.
But no one's bothered to ask how Kasi knew about the merchant caravan before it was scheduled to arrive. No one in town really talked about the caravan except members of the council. Even Glynnis doesn't mention it, other than to say they're low on supplies, until after word got out that you were informed of the raid and were going to rescue the supplies and save the town. And Kasi is an outsider in every possible way. Who would've trusted her with the exact time and location that the merchants would be susceptible to a raid? And what kind of idiot merchants would bring a guard contingency so weak (through kobold-ridden mountains during a losing war) that they couldn't handle kobold raids?
You've fought the kobolds. They're not that special, even in their own home. Fighting on the first level might have been more challenging, with all the magical protections and traps Kasi helped you avoid, but they're still just kobolds. If the kobolds are lying, and they fought the merchants with deadly intent, how is it that not even one mercenary or merchant survived to tell the tale? Maybe Letni Inhelk did use sleeping gas and then cut their throats in their sleep, but to what end? Open war between Letni Inhelk and the combined forces of Santekh and the Hachakee? Based on what you've seen of the clan so far, it would be a slaughter, and Santekh would have all the supplies they could ever need and more. Including all the ore, gems, and alchemical ingredients needed to make incredible magic weapons, armor, and medicine to further their aims.
The way I see it at this point is we have been set up
The supplies stolen are needed for Santekhs survival and the Kobolds are tipped off to steal that specific shipment.
The merchants were killed by an outside force after the Inhelk stole the goods, implicating the kobolds as the killers and raising the tensions
We are sent under a spell that ensures we fight to utmost to get the crates back, lethal force authorized, Raising the tensions
The Inhelk are in a state that has them not wanting to give up anything due to the possibility of a dragon master, they will fight to the death despite it being against their nature normally, again increasing the chances of war
We have already learned that the town of Santkh is against the Kobolds en masse due to the majority of the race across Krynn siding with dragons during the war so it isn't a far stretch to think that someone is either out to start the war between Santekh and the Kobolds to erradicate the species or to weaken both the Kobold and Santekh.
Merkas is going to talk to the queen, only way he sees to sort things out.
Yeah, I thought of that after but it seems to fit still, if whoever leaked the info to Kasi or prompted the inhelk to contact her for the info then Kasi gets implicated in the whole thing and they can get rid of her from Santekh as well.
It actually does make a lot of sense. I'm glad Sharn spotted the dragon thing, but I'm more glad that Merkas spotted the little details. It's not unbelievable that there's a third party involved. Though Sharn does suspect there is also something else going on in these mines.
What exactly are the potions with the label of teeth on them? Added a few to my inventory and looking to add some info. If it’s a “try it and find out” thing then so be it, or Merkas will ask Kasi about them or roll an arcana or something?
What exactly are the potions with the label of teeth on them? Added a few to my inventory and looking to add some info. If it’s a “try it and find out” thing then so be it, or Merkas will ask Kasi about them or roll an arcana or something?
Since many kobolds are illiterate, most things are labelled with pictures to connote their usage, and more detailed information is passed on orally. Kasi has a good chance of intuiting its function. But, as Larskolstad said, you can also just take a sip. I little taste won't hurt or help much, but it will give you an idea of what it is capable of if you don't have a spell that detects it's function.
Mix the taste test with an Arcana check (rolled with advantage, since you are using more of your senses to understand the ingredients) to get a more accurate assessment of what it does. If it has a Common or Uncommon equivalent to normal potions (like healing potions) you can recognize it without an Arcana check.
Cold is better than the alternative. 😅 Without a Hachakee in sight, they may have attacked first and asked questions later.
This is meta-knowledge, but I feel it's worth it to share: This is not a TPK encounter. Even if it breaks out into a fight, you're much stronger than most of the kobolds in this chamber. Most of them are workers, with no weapons, and no skill in combat (cannot deal lethal damage), and TBH, even the warriors with weapons really don't want a fight. If negotiations break down, I can't know (until battle happens) if you'll win the battle, but you could definitely fight your way out and survive.
Well Merkas usually is smooth talker...he smmoth talk so well he end up marry the princess. Just you wait and see.
I planned try train the Strider some with Jackal meat. We need a command word for breath weapon. "Drakaris"? ;)
Sounds as good as any word. It could be "Puffy-poos" if you wanted. Barkly has an INT score of 4, which is enough to learn a language, even if she can't speak it. She's currently hostile towards you, though she's smart enough to know not to start anything. Her hostility towards you presents as fear and distrust instead. So you'd be rolling at Disadvantage to train her. Using the meat, water, or fire as rewards will eliminate Disadvantage. Other actions, like grooming her, speaking softly with her, and basically just good care-giving will build trust and change her attitude. Successful Handle Animal checks will also change her attitude. Once she becomes Friendly, she will willingly attempt to understand commands and anticipate your needs.
The way I see it at this point is we have been set up
The supplies stolen are needed for Santekhs survival and the Kobolds are tipped off to steal that specific shipment.
The merchants were killed by an outside force after the Inhelk stole the goods, implicating the kobolds as the killers and raising the tensions
We are sent under a spell that ensures we fight to utmost to get the crates back, lethal force authorized, Raising the tensions
The Inhelk are in a state that has them not wanting to give up anything due to the possibility of a dragon master, they will fight to the death despite it being against their nature normally, again increasing the chances of war
We have already learned that the town of Santkh is against the Kobolds en masse due to the majority of the race across Krynn siding with dragons during the war so it isn't a far stretch to think that someone is either out to start the war between Santekh and the Kobolds to erradicate the species or to weaken both the Kobold and Santekh.
Merkas is going to talk to the queen, only way he sees to sort things out.
Loyalty Begets Honour
Was it not Kasi who tipped them off? But her intention was to do trade.
Besides that it seems logical.
Yeah, I thought of that after but it seems to fit still, if whoever leaked the info to Kasi or prompted the inhelk to contact her for the info then Kasi gets implicated in the whole thing and they can get rid of her from Santekh as well.
Loyalty Begets Honour
You specifically chose not to sign (and therefore not receive payment for) the mission. You nearly got thrown out of Verhanna's office for trying to bribe her to let everyone off the hook.
A lot is getting lost in translation. And I think that's confusing you as much as it is Sera.
Santekh told you that kobolds raided and slaughtered the merchants. Jamada says he was on the raid, and it was a no-kill strike. He left them bound, but alive, knocked out by sleeping gas, so they were basically unharmed. So someone is lying, or gravely misinformed.
Letni Inhelk were informed of the merchant caravan by Kasi, because Kasi wanted Letni Inhelk to know that Santekh was making big orders in hopes to barter a trade deal between Santekh and Letni Inhelk, in hopes she could become a part of their clan as a reward for brokering this trade union. She had no reason to think Letni Inhelk would steal. Letni Inhelk doesn't need resources, and Letni Inhelk and the Hachakee already had a peaceful trade alliance. On paper, this sounds like a great deal. Letni Inhelk has resources, Santekh has money. If Letni Inhelk has resources and prefers peaceful trade, they stand to do much better by forming a trade union with Santekh. The added protection of a Santekh/Hachakee/Letni Inhelk alliance would definitely benefit the kobolds, since they're only a mid-sized clan with no real allies amongst the kobolds. So why risk it all for a one-time boost (albeit a big boost) in resources?
The obvious answer is that they have a dragon to feed, who would consume far more resources than little kobolds would. But you've seen no actual evidence of a dragon. All you've seen so far are examples of overmining, overworking, and blueprints for a structure so grand, it could house a dragon... one day. But designs like these take years... decades even. And would decimate the natural resources (and magical protections) the kobolds enjoy. Most of these kobolds will die of old age before the structure is complete, and that includes Princess Harkail (who was, by Kasi's definition, born to serve a dragon). If a dragon were to be here now, it would make much more sense for it to take up residence with a clan that A) already sides with Takhisis, and B) has a home large enough for a dragon to go in and out of with relative ease.
Letni Inhelk is one of the few clans that refused to join Takhisis's war. And while they aren't necessarily on the side of the "good guys" they definitely don't seem to be interested in things like world domination. They like their quiet life, away from the war, and (presumably) away from chromatic dragons who enjoy war and destruction.
But no one's bothered to ask how Kasi knew about the merchant caravan before it was scheduled to arrive. No one in town really talked about the caravan except members of the council. Even Glynnis doesn't mention it, other than to say they're low on supplies, until after word got out that you were informed of the raid and were going to rescue the supplies and save the town. And Kasi is an outsider in every possible way. Who would've trusted her with the exact time and location that the merchants would be susceptible to a raid? And what kind of idiot merchants would bring a guard contingency so weak (through kobold-ridden mountains during a losing war) that they couldn't handle kobold raids?
You've fought the kobolds. They're not that special, even in their own home. Fighting on the first level might have been more challenging, with all the magical protections and traps Kasi helped you avoid, but they're still just kobolds. If the kobolds are lying, and they fought the merchants with deadly intent, how is it that not even one mercenary or merchant survived to tell the tale? Maybe Letni Inhelk did use sleeping gas and then cut their throats in their sleep, but to what end? Open war between Letni Inhelk and the combined forces of Santekh and the Hachakee? Based on what you've seen of the clan so far, it would be a slaughter, and Santekh would have all the supplies they could ever need and more. Including all the ore, gems, and alchemical ingredients needed to make incredible magic weapons, armor, and medicine to further their aims.
Bingo! Heroic Inspiration for Merkas!
I've got goosebumps... Anyone else got goosebumps?
My DM Registry
My Campaigns:
Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread (PbP); Secrets of the Island (On Discord); Lost Mine of Phendelver (tabletop)
My Characters:
Krik-tul, Thri-kreen monk; Mme Cragmaw, Goblin Artificer; River Kuthraeann, Wood Elf Paladin
I'm out of time this morning to post IC, but I'll let y'all sit on that for a moment. I'll be back in a few hours to update.
My DM Registry
My Campaigns:
Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread (PbP); Secrets of the Island (On Discord); Lost Mine of Phendelver (tabletop)
My Characters:
Krik-tul, Thri-kreen monk; Mme Cragmaw, Goblin Artificer; River Kuthraeann, Wood Elf Paladin
It actually does make a lot of sense. I'm glad Sharn spotted the dragon thing, but I'm more glad that Merkas spotted the little details. It's not unbelievable that there's a third party involved. Though Sharn does suspect there is also something else going on in these mines.
Smart Merkas.!!!
I did not peek!
I didn’t either, and congrats on the HI, Hroth!
Character: Hastos, Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread
Thanks. It took a bit to sort out the bits, it was that last part that finally connected everything together.
Loyalty Begets Honour
Man, I really want Sera to look at the setting sun in the horizon with some sick star wars music in the background, binary sunset all the way.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7H8kDHEi
What exactly are the potions with the label of teeth on them? Added a few to my inventory and looking to add some info. If it’s a “try it and find out” thing then so be it, or Merkas will ask Kasi about them or roll an arcana or something?
Loyalty Begets Honour
You can identify potion by taking a sip I belive...just be careful of poisons ;)
Since many kobolds are illiterate, most things are labelled with pictures to connote their usage, and more detailed information is passed on orally. Kasi has a good chance of intuiting its function. But, as Larskolstad said, you can also just take a sip. I little taste won't hurt or help much, but it will give you an idea of what it is capable of if you don't have a spell that detects it's function.
Mix the taste test with an Arcana check (rolled with advantage, since you are using more of your senses to understand the ingredients) to get a more accurate assessment of what it does. If it has a Common or Uncommon equivalent to normal potions (like healing potions) you can recognize it without an Arcana check.
My DM Registry
My Campaigns:
Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread (PbP); Secrets of the Island (On Discord); Lost Mine of Phendelver (tabletop)
My Characters:
Krik-tul, Thri-kreen monk; Mme Cragmaw, Goblin Artificer; River Kuthraeann, Wood Elf Paladin
Well that was a rather cold reseption. Hope you guys not botch your persuasions ;)
Cold is better than the alternative. 😅 Without a Hachakee in sight, they may have attacked first and asked questions later.
This is meta-knowledge, but I feel it's worth it to share:
This is not a TPK encounter. Even if it breaks out into a fight, you're much stronger than most of the kobolds in this chamber. Most of them are workers, with no weapons, and no skill in combat (cannot deal lethal damage), and TBH, even the warriors with weapons really don't want a fight. If negotiations break down, I can't know (until battle happens) if you'll win the battle, but you could definitely fight your way out and survive.
My DM Registry
My Campaigns:
Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread (PbP); Secrets of the Island (On Discord); Lost Mine of Phendelver (tabletop)
My Characters:
Krik-tul, Thri-kreen monk; Mme Cragmaw, Goblin Artificer; River Kuthraeann, Wood Elf Paladin
Man, I wish I had given Sharn a couple more points in charisma. Figured the guy would be too cookie and esoteric for that.
Well Merkas usually is smooth talker...he smmoth talk so well he end up marry the princess. Just you wait and see.
I planned try train the Strider some with Jackal meat. We need a command word for breath weapon. "Drakaris"? ;)
Sounds as good as any word. It could be "Puffy-poos" if you wanted. Barkly has an INT score of 4, which is enough to learn a language, even if she can't speak it. She's currently hostile towards you, though she's smart enough to know not to start anything. Her hostility towards you presents as fear and distrust instead. So you'd be rolling at Disadvantage to train her. Using the meat, water, or fire as rewards will eliminate Disadvantage. Other actions, like grooming her, speaking softly with her, and basically just good care-giving will build trust and change her attitude. Successful Handle Animal checks will also change her attitude. Once she becomes Friendly, she will willingly attempt to understand commands and anticipate your needs.
My DM Registry
My Campaigns:
Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread (PbP); Secrets of the Island (On Discord); Lost Mine of Phendelver (tabletop)
My Characters:
Krik-tul, Thri-kreen monk; Mme Cragmaw, Goblin Artificer; River Kuthraeann, Wood Elf Paladin