Sera glanced around Kasi’s workshop, taking in the neatly arranged tools and the scent of worked metal lingering in the air. The presence of a smithy brought back memories—comforting ones, reminders of home. But before she could dwell too long in her thoughts, Kasi’s words snapped her back to the present.
The kobold explained what she had hopes Santekh and the Lenti Inhelk tribe would trade. She had informed the kobolds. But the response had been anything but peaceful. The tribe had rejected the offer entirely, choosing to raid instead. They had slaughtered the guards and merchants, stealing Santekh’s supplies rather than engaging in commerce.
Merkas was quick to voice her concerns, and Sera silently agreed. This situation was worse than she’d anticipated. Killing for greed, for convenience—it left a bitter taste in her mouth. Her expression darkened, concern flickering across her face. Complicated, indeed. But she had already spoken her piece earlier. There was no use dwelling on it now.
Taking a breath, she addressed Kasi directly, keeping things simple. "We need to retrieve the crates, and we don’t have much time. We leave today. Will you help us?" She asked. But she would not fully trust Kasi.
“Oh, Kasi, you might have made a lot of trouble for yourself. I promise to keep your secret, but Santekh may kick you out to, maybe worse, and then no tribe will have you.” Merkas intones sympathetically. “Why does the tribe need metals and jewels for? If it’s for weapons the Santekh won’t trade. They won’t want a tribe that has already killed their their merchants and stole their supplies to have more ways to harm their people.”
Kasi lowers her head shamefully at Merkas's gentle scolding. But her eyes looks up at your question. "Kasi not say why Letni Inhelk want jewels and metal," she shrugs as if she doesn't know the answer, but it looks like she's still hiding something.
Sera glanced around Kasi’s workshop, taking in the neatly arranged tools and the scent of worked metal lingering in the air. The presence of a smithy brought back memories—comforting ones, reminders of home. But before she could dwell too long in her thoughts, Kasi’s words snapped her back to the present.
The kobold explained what she had hopes Santekh and the Lenti Inhelk tribe would trade. She had informed the kobolds. But the response had been anything but peaceful. The tribe had rejected the offer entirely, choosing to raid instead. They had slaughtered the guards and merchants, stealing Santekh’s supplies rather than engaging in commerce.
Merkas was quick to voice her concerns, and Sera silently agreed. This situation was worse than she’d anticipated. Killing for greed, for convenience—it left a bitter taste in her mouth. Her expression darkened, concern flickering across her face. Complicated, indeed. But she had already spoken her piece earlier. There was no use dwelling on it now.
Taking a breath, she addressed Kasi directly, keeping things simple. "We need to retrieve the crates, and we don’t have much time. We leave today. Will you help us?" She asked. But she would not fully trust Kasi.
Kasi turns her eyes to Sera and nods slowly. "Kasi show you the way." She stands up and moves to collect her hunting bow and don a quiver of arrows. Then, she loads up a pack with rations, and her canteen with water. "Kasi make this right. Kasi keep you safe on trail. Kasi owes life debt."
Once equipped and and standing as tall as her crooked back will let her, she tests the string on her bow. It's an impossibly fine weapon for one who seems so poor, and she carries it with practiced ease, like someone who mastered the fine weapon ages ago. "No kill Letni Inhelk. Kasi fight Letni Inhelk if Kasi must. But no kill. What Kasi call new masters?"
Kasi is now a follower, like a hireling, but you don't need to pay her. As far as she's concerned, you paid her by saving her life and keeping her secret. Her Loyalty Score is 8.
“I’m Merkas, she’s Sera, axe man is Hastos and the dusty dwarf is Sharn” The blue kender says as he pulls a map from his pocket and stretches it across the counter “I got this map, and before we go maybe you can look at it and pick the best place to start. That will help speed up our travel and get the supplies back sooner”
Kasi mutters each name as Merkas speaks... kind of whispering over you. Once she gets all the names, she nods her head and lets out a small yip. Then, Kasi leans over the map and studies the routes. They're mostly trade routes, which is fine. The routes will keep you safe on the road, and Kasi approves of the detail and accuracy of it.
"Trail is merchant trail. Is more safe. But Kasi know faster way through tunnel and darkness. More danger. More faster."
Sharn chuckled holding his belly. Before they went ahead to Kasi's shack he added. "It's not the worse wound I've received, and something tells me it won't be the last."
As the group followed Kasi, Sharn made sure to stay in the back. Not that there was anything wrong or that his injuries lingered. That magic Sera used was like a miracle.
No, there were things he had to go through. The hits, the parries, the movements. The battle repeated in his head, as his training did when he was young. His form was correct, but it was as if a flow inside him had been blocked for a very long time, like words caught in one's throat.
"We all think of faults intended or otherwise. I'm glad you recognize responsibility Kasi, but I feel your heart was not in the wrong place. Not entirely anyway. Perhaps the attackers were not of the whole tribe. We don't know if their chief issued the order or if there's bandits even among kobolds. Perhaps if we tried to be inconspicuous we could get more done at first. Which option would makes us look as less of a threat? And do you know anything about how the Letni Inhelk (he said the two words in the name with a heavy accent, though technically correct) are organized?"
The door creaks open slightly and a pale, moon-shaped face peers in. "Kasi?" Her voice is like a whisper. Soft and soothing. From her appearance, she's a local of Khur, but perhaps from farther north. Her dark hair is tied back out of her face by a delicate ornate circlet, and her dress is black and gold appearing spiritual in nature.
Sharn recognizes her as Dana, the candle maker who volunteers at the tent community at dusk, bringing candles to the homeless that provide warmth, light, and soothing aromas to the people. Some of her candles are even said to possess magical properties. "I heard you were hurt. I've brought a special candle for you and some tea and cookies." She tiptoes in gently. "Oh!" She says with a start as she sees that Kasi already has company. She curtsies politely and surveys the room before deciding to set the tea and cookies down on the workbench next to Kasi, carefully avoiding the map so no spills or crumbs get on them.
She lights the candle and a feint bouquet of lavender and rose start to fill the air. It feels calming and restorative. Breathing in the vapors revitalizes Kasi and some of her bruises slowly start to mend. "Thank you, Dana. Dana is... sweet... like candy treats." Kasi says with a pleasant smile. She takes a sip of the tea and offers the plate around for others to eat. Dana smiles gently. "I got them from... a trader that the Hachakee encountered on their scouting missions. I'm glad you like them." Kasi nods and turns to the group. "Dana is much good at finding rare treats. Kasi not have a cookie in so long," she explains.
Humbly, Dana clears her throat and dips her head into a slight bow. "The candle has healing properties. It's not as strong as healing magic, though. If you'd like, I can fetch you a healer." Kasi waves away the offer. "Thank you. No. Kasi will be fine. Kasi's friends save Kasi."
"Then that makes you heroes," she says to Dawnbound. "With a shortage of guards in Santekh, bullies and thugs run rampant, stealing food and water where they can, and selling it back to the refugees. It's cruel and only makes our difficulties worse. Tekel's mercenary group have been hired to serve as guards until more can be trained, but even they can't watch the whole settlement at once. And Tekel's soldiers aren't much better than the ruffians. They've been known to turn a blind eye to some of their exploits. Especially where poor Kasi is concerned."
Kasi grumbles at the implications. She's painfully aware of the feelings Tekel's soldiers, and especially Tekel himself, have towards kobolds. If she were found hanging from a tree, Tekel's crew would probably hoist a drink to the killer rather than look for justice.
Looking over the map as the other chat , Merkas absentmindedly grabs a cookie and munches on it. Eventually through a mouthful of cookie he asks
”Well I don’t think we can get the cart and horses through an underground tunnel, faster sounds nicer but I don’t want to carry the crates on my back through a cave” A few crumbs falling from his mouth as he pops the rest in his mouth “Unless we can get someone to take the cart to a meeting point out there? We get there ahead and broker a deal to get the crates back and then meet the wagon at the cave entrance?”Pointing at the Letni Inhelk cave entrance and the merchants road. “Don’t suppose we could talk Duncan and Glynnis to meet us here with the cart?”
Dana shrugs. "You'd have to ask them. I can't imagine Glynnis and Duncan being able to shut down their shops for a whole week. And Duncan also has to split his duties training new guards and watching the gate. You could try Kaylan. She's a homemaker by trade. She volunteered to take the night watch so Duncan wouldn't have to work the extra shift. But I suppose if you asked her, she might be willing to take on the role..." she stands pensively for a moment, then puts a finger in the air. Her eyes brighten as she comes up with a solution. "You could hire someone! For the promise of food, water, and a little coin, pretty much any of the refugees in town would be glad to take the horses down the merchant trail! ... unless they decide to kill and eat the horses. People are really hungry out there."
Hastos listens to the small kobold tell her story, doing his best to knit the facts together so he can evaluate how trustworthy she can be. Her frailty is somehow offset by her ability to handle her bow.
He grimaces at the throught of the horses being eaten.
”I’m afraid I’m honor bound to protect the horses as best I can. Glynnis is extremely fond of them. They will not be eaten.” Hastos states flatly.
“As much as I’d like to take the faster way, I think the trade route is a better choice..” Hastos shifts his weight awkwardly.
Twice in as many days they’ve been attacked, and today they nearly lost Sharn. Hastos was not in any hurry to see his friends be knowingly put in mortal peril again. Death seemed to be following them close enough.
Kasi nods, finishes her cookie and tea, then hands the dishes back to Dana. "Much thanks for treats, Dana. Kasi must go with masters now," she says with a snaggle-toothed grin. Dana hugs Kasi. "Be safe on your journey, friend," she replies. Before excusing herself. "Come visit my shop if you want to stock up on candles. I have learned to enchant them, though I'd say I'm still a novice. I have some that protect, and some that heal. I have others that can reveal the truth, if you need to interrogate." With that, she lets herself out the door and heads back to her shop.
Kasi begins dousing the fire to her bellows, as well as the candle that was healing her. "Masters must leave. Kasi set traps to protect shop."
Once you're out of the shack, you hear some clacking and clanking. Then, gingerly, Kasi steps out of the shack and gently closes the rickety door. She looks to the group. "Not go in. Much danger."
Kasi stretches her back and you hear it crack several times. Then her hip pops and she winces, then lets out a relieved sigh. "Kasi old, yes," she laughs, yipping a bit with each chuckle. "Kasi can still keep up. And Kasi good with bow." She holds out her magnificent, if old, bow and winks, then straps it over her shoulder. "Masters go to horses, yes?"
Satisfied that they had their guide, Sera knew it wasn’t her place to pass judgment. Kasi wouldn’t fight her own kin, and that was fine. Perhaps helping them recover the stolen goods would redeem her somewhat when judgment eventually came.
Her thoughts shifted as she listened to Dana, the sweet candlemaker, who seemed like a genuinely kind person. It was a brief moment of normalcy before they had to move on.
Merkas argued for the underground route, but Sera felt relieved when Hastos agreed with her preference for the merchant path. She nodded in agreement. "We take the merchant route," she stated firmly. "We’ve already lost time. Let’s finish our last preparations and meet at the stables shortly."
She had intended to find Duncan for some herbs when Hastos suddenly inquired about a clothing shop. That made her pause—then smirk as she recalled something.
Leaning in, she whispered playfully, "Oh, Hastos… you really should take a look at the lovely palm tree decoration outside room three."
She left the meaning hanging, watching for his reaction. If his underwear was still hanging outside, well… that was his problem now. With a knowing smirk, she turned on her heel and headed off toward Duncan’s shop before making her way straight to the stables.
"Clothes?? Oh cause you were missing your socks this morning. You been walking around in those armoured boots without socks? You're sleeping outside tonight, I am not smelling those feet. Anyone know that presidentation spell? Haz's boot are gonna need a thorough cleaning" Merkas smiles as he leads the way outside he calls after Sera "Not sure how good I am with horses but I am sure this map is gonna help a lot, ask Duncan if he has a compass, Gotta feeling we're gonna be underground at some point so knowing where north is will help a bunch"
At Hastos question about his daggers there's a small hitch in the kenders step as he says to quickly "What about my daggers? They're just a couple of regular daggers. Nothing really to talk about"
“I think so!”Hastos says before interjecting, “Kasi do you know a person in town that makes clothing?”
Kasi scratches her chin while she considers the question. Kasi obviously makes her own clothing out of grain sacks, but she wants to please Hastos with a good answer.
Hastos looks down a Sera with a playfully scornful face and lets out a sigh.
“Nevermind, Kasi. Thank you.” He says as he makes a mental note to retrieve said apparel before they take off on their adventture.
"Oh-ah. Ok," Kasi says with a relieved chuckle, not understanding the nuance, but grateful the problem is solved.
At Witchdoctor Duncan's...
Sera arrives back at Duncan's shop to find him speaking with a strikingly handsome kender with blonde hair and silvery eyes. He's wearing the armor of a paladin and smirking at the dwarf. "We're not your clean-up service, Dunky. Get some of the new arrivals to clean up the bodies. As per our terms, I have a town to protect." Duncan grimaces, clearly unpleased by the pejorative nickname.
Duncan is trying his best to maintain his composure, but he's clearly tired of dealing with the man. "And yet, you didn't. You didn't even catch the ones who got away! I've got a business to run. And Santekh hired you to handle riff-raff. Where were your boys when Dawnbound was being attacked, Tekel?"
Tekel picks at one of his fingernails. "They way I hear it, Dawnbound attacked those men, not the other way around."
"To protect a fellow citizen." Duncan almost growls.
"A kobold," Tekel corrects. "You know Santekh's stance on kobolds."
Duncan clears his throat to avoid growling at the boy. "Kasi gets a pass and you know it. Those thugs weren't filling a bounty. They were picking on old, weak, prey. Kasi had nothing on her but her daily rations. She's guilty of no crime, and therefore isn't part of the standing order."
Tekel sighs, but his smirk remains fixed in its place. "Duncan, you have a soft heart. And that's admirable. But we're in a war. Sometimes it's hard to see the blurry lines between friends and enemies, and mistakes are made. Clearly, Dawnbound corrected the issue, and I consider it resolved. If you disagree, you're welcome to take it up with the council at their next meeting."
"I want those thugs found, alive if possible, and brought to justice," Duncan snarls.
"An investigation is under way." Tekel replies half-heartedly as he starts to walk away.
"And clean up those damned corpses! Get some help from the acolytes if you have to, but get them out of here before they really start to stink!" Duncan yells back at Tekel.
Tekel waves an arm in the air acknowledging he heard the orders. "Dunky, you really should get this door fixed- OH!" Tekel pauses when he sees Sera walk in. "One of the heroes of the hour! Uth Darnon, I believe it was?" He sweeps into a low, elegant bow. "I hear you're off to slay some kobolds! I must say, I'm a bit jealous. We were already under contract to protect this city when the gig came up, or I would've gone myself... for half the price. Hunting those nasty lizards is... something of a passion of mine," he says proudly, then sighs sadly. "I miss the glory days when metallic dragons ruled Krynn. Until that day returns we must fight the crusade! I'm sure a follower of the Great Silver Dragon Paladine agrees?"
Back at the Laughing Dwarf Dance Hall...
On your way back, you can't help but feel eyes on you everywhere. Workers stop what they're doing to evaluate the new mercenary troupe in town. Many seem impressed. Some seem disgusted. Others eye you with greed. And more than a few seem to have desire and intrigue in their eyes. Dawnbound is now the talk of the town after revealing a prowess that even eclipses Tekel's mercenary band.
Handar has finished prepping the dough and is warming up the fires to bake fresh flatbread. He greets you with a warm smile, then returns to your duties. Hastos finds his... socks... easily enough. The Dance Hall is still pretty much empty except for your two and Handar. But Glynnis has finished grooming the horses when you make it to the back alley. She seems in high spirits, but has a curious expression on her face.
"I heard some kinda fuss at the market center. I were back 'ere and missed it. Don't suppose you boys had some'in ta do wit' that?"
“Something!? Hells yeah we did, well Sharn did, and then Sera and Duncan joined in, and we arrived to help scare the last of them!”Merkas say cheerily as he eyes the horses “Seems that some hooligans were picking in Kasi to take her rations, claiming something about it being in their right cause of some bounty, and Sharn arrived looking to hire her at the same time, so he rushed in to stop them and yelled for the guards to help, luckily enough Duncans shop is right nearby where Sera was and they ran out in time to see the guys attackin’ Sharn, so she and Duncan run over and start helpin’, Sera with her blade and Duncan threw fire or somethin’, not sure there as we just came around the corner to see Sharn get knocked to the ground. Hastos starts running in as Sera glowed and sent it into Sharn who got back on his feet lookin’ like he hadn’t been hit except the blood on his clothes. Haz fires off some sorta fire thing at a person with a crossbow. I didn’t get that close cause o’my short legs”
Merkas leaves out the magic that spewed forth from himself. But gives all the credit to the rest of the crew. Still wary of the horses. He whispers to Glynnis.
“These guys’re used to the smaller people right? Been too close to being squished to many times to not be worrying about it. Horse and stuff get skittish when little things are running around their feet. Maybe it best I climb in the back of the wagon”
Sera returned to Duncan’s shop, stepping inside just as a heated argument unfolded. A Kender knight stood before Duncan, his small frame tense with frustration. From the snippets she caught, it seemed the Kender had a deep hatred for kobolds.
The knight paused mid-sentence as he noticed her. His eyes brightened, and he swept into a dramatic, overly elegant bow.
"Ah! One of the heroes of the hour! Uth Darnon, I believe?" His voice carried an exaggerated enthusiasm.
Sera remained silent, allowing him to continue. Listens to his talk that mostly reminded her of the street vermin trying to boss their way around in the streets. That he had shining armor not changed her view one bit.
Sera’s lips curled into a small smile—though not out of amusement.
"The Great Dragon, as he is referred to in Solamnia… or The Platinum Dragon, as he is also known," she corrected, deliberately emphasizing platinum with weight. "He seeks justice, goodness, and redemption. Blind justice is not his way."
She watched for a flicker of reaction before continuing, "Anyway. I am Sera uth Darnon, yes. You must be Tekel. I've heard of you." Her tone was neutral, but her eyes held an edge and let him wonder if she heard praise or shit about him.
"I am here to retrieve the crates. I do not particularly care that kobolds took them. I do not discriminate in whom I bring justice to—as the thugs bitterly learned. Four of them, against one friend of mine…such cowards " Her voice cooled slightly, her words carrying a pointed weight.
Tekel’s self-assured demeanor reminded her of certain arrogant nobles she had encountered in the past. That same misplaced sense of superiority. It made her shudder inwardly.
"Even though I see we have much to talk about, we both have duties." She glanced toward the door meaningfully. "Yours is to be a good city guard. Mine is to retrieve the crates. Perhaps I’ll see you later, and you can regale me with how you tracked down and arrested those thugs. After all… I’m sure you wouldn't want to do sloppy work. You take pride and enjoys a good reputation I am rather sure" She say with polite tone of voice and she sidestep so he can leave.
She flashed him a sly smile, hoping he would take the hint and leave so she could finally speak with Duncan.
Sharn had been stroking his mustache and humming to himself pensive all the way to the dancing hall. He continued through the streets, almost oblivious of the glances and stares, though instinctively on edge. At Merkas' mention of his name, he looked up muttering "Ah yes, action, doing things much we were." Sharn cleared his throat, unable to shake a thought.
"I'm sorry if I don't seem all there. There's just something I don't understand. Kasi mentioned that the kobolds had food of their own, and logically getting water and growing things with moisture would probably be easier away from the blazing sun. If food is not an issue, why would kobolds attack a supply caravan?" Sharn made sure not to mention any details about Kasi's circumstances in his inquiry. He trusted the old little kobold enough and wanted to keep her secret. "I'm sure there was animosity between the kobolds and the camp before, but why act on it now? There's something I'm not seeing, but my stars and soil have not gifted me the answer. They know the answer is there, of course, they see from angles we mortals cannot." Sharn stroked his bushy mustache again and continued to hum inquisitively. It would take some time for the dwarf to dispel the thought from his mind.
While Duncan doesn't really sell large tents, Santekh provides them free of charge, and has tons of them. He shows you where to collect one from the Hachakee. It's bulky, and difficult to carry by yourself, so one of the tribesman obliges to help you bring it to the cart. Once you're loaded up he takes his leave and returns to his work.
"Safe travels!" Glynnis and Handar say with a friendly wave as you saddle up. Kasi snuggles up next to the feed bags in the cart and pulls out some sticks from her pack and a small whittling knife, whistling a tune that sounds exactly like a bird. The trail is dusted with sand, but still relatively easy to follow.
The sun beats hard on your skin, and your waterskins take the toll. But Kasi seems generally unbothered by the heat, choosing to bathe in the sun... sprawled out and sparsely covered. You can see the many scars on her sagging form. Whatever life she lived before coming to Santekh, it wasn't easy. She lived a violent life. But now, the sun gives her a day of peace and rejuvenation. Beetles scurry across nearby dunes, chased by hungry lizards. Along the orange skyline, birds of prey and scavengers circle, hoping for easy prey, but for the most part, all there is to see is sand to your left, and sun-bleached mountains to your right. But as the sun begins to set, a breeze sets in, inviting more of the desert fauna to awaken and begin their hunt. Kasi gets notably cold and huddles up next to the feedback to block the breeze. She mutters to herself, her teeth chattering with each word.
With the coming of dusk, the horses are slowing their pace and clearly need to rest. According to your map, you're less than a day out. You could push the horses though the night to arrive sometime early morning, but your and the horses will arrive exhausted.
After hours of riding through the desert, Sera watched as the sun dipped behind the tall mountains in the west, painting the sky in hues of gold and crimson. The day’s warmth faded quickly, and with it, the air turned crisp. She noticed Kasi huddling into herself, trembling against the cold.
Kobolds don’t fare well in chilly desert nights. A detail worth remembering.
The horses, too, were exhausted. Their heads hung low, their steps growing sluggish. Sera felt a pang of sympathy for the creatures. They had carried them far and hard, and pushing them further through the night would be cruel.
“This is a good place to make camp,” she said, pulling the reins to a stop. “The horses need rest. We could ride through the night and reach our destination by morning…” She glanced at Kasi, still shivering, then turned to the others. “But if we do, we’ll arrive when the kobolds are at their strongest. If we rest now and travel tomorrow, we’ll reach them as the temperature drops again—when they are less comfortable. Might be the smarter choice.”
She glanced at Hastos as she spoke, watching his reaction. He was the experienced soldier here, the one with a seasoned eye for tactics. His presence had become reassuring during the journey, his confidence steady and sure. The way he carried himself, always aware, always prepared—it was… sexy.
Sera didn’t let herself stare too long, but when Hastos caught her looking, she didn’t look away immediately either. Instead, she allowed a small, knowing smirk to play on her lips before turning back to the others.
Sera busied herself tending to the horses, moving with practiced ease as she removed their tack and rubbed them down. As she worked, she couldn’t help but glance in Hastos’ direction again. He when he was speaking with the others How he calmly moved around.
She liked that look on him. Having one big shared tent was a dumb option she scorned herself.
Realizing she was staring again, she focused back on the horses, shaking her head at herself.
As camp was set, she found a rare moment of peace. Tilting her head up, she watched as the great white moon, Solinari, began its ascent, bathing the desert in a pale, comforting glow. Behind it, the smaller red moon, Lunitari, followed its steady course. And though she knew Nuitari, the black moon, lingered somewhere below, it remained unseen.
Her eyes instinctively sought out the constellation of Paladine, standing proudly beside Gilean and opposite the dark presence of Takhisis.
Clutching the holy symbol at her chest, she whispered her prayers. Gratitude filled her heart—for the strength she had been given, for the friends she had found, for this fleeting sense of belonging.
The rest of her prayers were between her and her god… but she couldn't deny that her thoughts were just a little bit distracted.
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Sera glanced around Kasi’s workshop, taking in the neatly arranged tools and the scent of worked metal lingering in the air. The presence of a smithy brought back memories—comforting ones, reminders of home. But before she could dwell too long in her thoughts, Kasi’s words snapped her back to the present.
The kobold explained what she had hopes Santekh and the Lenti Inhelk tribe would trade. She had informed the kobolds. But the response had been anything but peaceful. The tribe had rejected the offer entirely, choosing to raid instead. They had slaughtered the guards and merchants, stealing Santekh’s supplies rather than engaging in commerce.
Merkas was quick to voice her concerns, and Sera silently agreed. This situation was worse than she’d anticipated. Killing for greed, for convenience—it left a bitter taste in her mouth. Her expression darkened, concern flickering across her face. Complicated, indeed. But she had already spoken her piece earlier. There was no use dwelling on it now.
Taking a breath, she addressed Kasi directly, keeping things simple. "We need to retrieve the crates, and we don’t have much time. We leave today. Will you help us?" She asked. But she would not fully trust Kasi.
Kasi lowers her head shamefully at Merkas's gentle scolding. But her eyes looks up at your question. "Kasi not say why Letni Inhelk want jewels and metal," she shrugs as if she doesn't know the answer, but it looks like she's still hiding something.
Kasi turns her eyes to Sera and nods slowly. "Kasi show you the way." She stands up and moves to collect her hunting bow and don a quiver of arrows. Then, she loads up a pack with rations, and her canteen with water. "Kasi make this right. Kasi keep you safe on trail. Kasi owes life debt."
Once equipped and and standing as tall as her crooked back will let her, she tests the string on her bow. It's an impossibly fine weapon for one who seems so poor, and she carries it with practiced ease, like someone who mastered the fine weapon ages ago. "No kill Letni Inhelk. Kasi fight Letni Inhelk if Kasi must. But no kill. What Kasi call new masters?"
Kasi is now a follower, like a hireling, but you don't need to pay her. As far as she's concerned, you paid her by saving her life and keeping her secret. Her Loyalty Score is 8.
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 Merkas, she’s Sera, axe man is Hastos and the dusty dwarf is Sharn” The blue kender says as he pulls a map from his pocket and stretches it across the counter “I got this map, and before we go maybe you can look at it and pick the best place to start. That will help speed up our travel and get the supplies back sooner”
Loyalty Begets Honour
Kasi mutters each name as Merkas speaks... kind of whispering over you. Once she gets all the names, she nods her head and lets out a small yip. Then, Kasi leans over the map and studies the routes. They're mostly trade routes, which is fine. The routes will keep you safe on the road, and Kasi approves of the detail and accuracy of it.
"Trail is merchant trail. Is more safe. But Kasi know faster way through tunnel and darkness. More danger. More faster."
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
Sharn chuckled holding his belly. Before they went ahead to Kasi's shack he added. "It's not the worse wound I've received, and something tells me it won't be the last."
As the group followed Kasi, Sharn made sure to stay in the back. Not that there was anything wrong or that his injuries lingered. That magic Sera used was like a miracle.
No, there were things he had to go through. The hits, the parries, the movements. The battle repeated in his head, as his training did when he was young. His form was correct, but it was as if a flow inside him had been blocked for a very long time, like words caught in one's throat.
"We all think of faults intended or otherwise. I'm glad you recognize responsibility Kasi, but I feel your heart was not in the wrong place. Not entirely anyway. Perhaps the attackers were not of the whole tribe. We don't know if their chief issued the order or if there's bandits even among kobolds. Perhaps if we tried to be inconspicuous we could get more done at first. Which option would makes us look as less of a threat? And do you know anything about how the Letni Inhelk (he said the two words in the name with a heavy accent, though technically correct) are organized?"
The door creaks open slightly and a pale, moon-shaped face peers in. "Kasi?" Her voice is like a whisper. Soft and soothing. From her appearance, she's a local of Khur, but perhaps from farther north. Her dark hair is tied back out of her face by a delicate ornate circlet, and her dress is black and gold appearing spiritual in nature.
Sharn recognizes her as Dana, the candle maker who volunteers at the tent community at dusk, bringing candles to the homeless that provide warmth, light, and soothing aromas to the people. Some of her candles are even said to possess magical properties. "I heard you were hurt. I've brought a special candle for you and some tea and cookies." She tiptoes in gently. "Oh!" She says with a start as she sees that Kasi already has company. She curtsies politely and surveys the room before deciding to set the tea and cookies down on the workbench next to Kasi, carefully avoiding the map so no spills or crumbs get on them.
She lights the candle and a feint bouquet of lavender and rose start to fill the air. It feels calming and restorative. Breathing in the vapors revitalizes Kasi and some of her bruises slowly start to mend. "Thank you, Dana. Dana is... sweet... like candy treats." Kasi says with a pleasant smile. She takes a sip of the tea and offers the plate around for others to eat. Dana smiles gently. "I got them from... a trader that the Hachakee encountered on their scouting missions. I'm glad you like them." Kasi nods and turns to the group. "Dana is much good at finding rare treats. Kasi not have a cookie in so long," she explains.
Humbly, Dana clears her throat and dips her head into a slight bow. "The candle has healing properties. It's not as strong as healing magic, though. If you'd like, I can fetch you a healer." Kasi waves away the offer. "Thank you. No. Kasi will be fine. Kasi's friends save Kasi."
"Then that makes you heroes," she says to Dawnbound. "With a shortage of guards in Santekh, bullies and thugs run rampant, stealing food and water where they can, and selling it back to the refugees. It's cruel and only makes our difficulties worse. Tekel's mercenary group have been hired to serve as guards until more can be trained, but even they can't watch the whole settlement at once. And Tekel's soldiers aren't much better than the ruffians. They've been known to turn a blind eye to some of their exploits. Especially where poor Kasi is concerned."
Kasi grumbles at the implications. She's painfully aware of the feelings Tekel's soldiers, and especially Tekel himself, have towards kobolds. If she were found hanging from a tree, Tekel's crew would probably hoist a drink to the killer rather than look for justice.
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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
Looking over the map as the other chat , Merkas absentmindedly grabs a cookie and munches on it. Eventually through a mouthful of cookie he asks
”Well I don’t think we can get the cart and horses through an underground tunnel, faster sounds nicer but I don’t want to carry the crates on my back through a cave” A few crumbs falling from his mouth as he pops the rest in his mouth “Unless we can get someone to take the cart to a meeting point out there? We get there ahead and broker a deal to get the crates back and then meet the wagon at the cave entrance?” Pointing at the Letni Inhelk cave entrance and the merchants road. “Don’t suppose we could talk Duncan and Glynnis to meet us here with the cart?”
Loyalty Begets Honour
Dana shrugs. "You'd have to ask them. I can't imagine Glynnis and Duncan being able to shut down their shops for a whole week. And Duncan also has to split his duties training new guards and watching the gate. You could try Kaylan. She's a homemaker by trade. She volunteered to take the night watch so Duncan wouldn't have to work the extra shift. But I suppose if you asked her, she might be willing to take on the role..." she stands pensively for a moment, then puts a finger in the air. Her eyes brighten as she comes up with a solution. "You could hire someone! For the promise of food, water, and a little coin, pretty much any of the refugees in town would be glad to take the horses down the merchant trail! ... unless they decide to kill and eat the horses. People are really hungry out there."
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
Hastos listens to the small kobold tell her story, doing his best to knit the facts together so he can evaluate how trustworthy she can be. Her frailty is somehow offset by her ability to handle her bow.
He grimaces at the throught of the horses being eaten.
”I’m afraid I’m honor bound to protect the horses as best I can. Glynnis is extremely fond of them. They will not be eaten.” Hastos states flatly.
“As much as I’d like to take the faster way, I think the trade route is a better choice..” Hastos shifts his weight awkwardly.
Twice in as many days they’ve been attacked, and today they nearly lost Sharn. Hastos was not in any hurry to see his friends be knowingly put in mortal peril again. Death seemed to be following them close enough.
Character: Hastos, Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread
Kasi nods, finishes her cookie and tea, then hands the dishes back to Dana. "Much thanks for treats, Dana. Kasi must go with masters now," she says with a snaggle-toothed grin. Dana hugs Kasi. "Be safe on your journey, friend," she replies. Before excusing herself. "Come visit my shop if you want to stock up on candles. I have learned to enchant them, though I'd say I'm still a novice. I have some that protect, and some that heal. I have others that can reveal the truth, if you need to interrogate." With that, she lets herself out the door and heads back to her shop.
Kasi begins dousing the fire to her bellows, as well as the candle that was healing her. "Masters must leave. Kasi set traps to protect shop."
Once you're out of the shack, you hear some clacking and clanking. Then, gingerly, Kasi steps out of the shack and gently closes the rickety door. She looks to the group. "Not go in. Much danger."
Kasi stretches her back and you hear it crack several times. Then her hip pops and she winces, then lets out a relieved sigh. "Kasi old, yes," she laughs, yipping a bit with each chuckle. "Kasi can still keep up. And Kasi good with bow." She holds out her magnificent, if old, bow and winks, then straps it over her shoulder. "Masters go to horses, yes?"
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 think so!”Hastos says before interjecting, “Kasi do you know a person in town that makes clothing?”
Character: Hastos, Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread
Satisfied that they had their guide, Sera knew it wasn’t her place to pass judgment. Kasi wouldn’t fight her own kin, and that was fine. Perhaps helping them recover the stolen goods would redeem her somewhat when judgment eventually came.
Her thoughts shifted as she listened to Dana, the sweet candlemaker, who seemed like a genuinely kind person. It was a brief moment of normalcy before they had to move on.
Merkas argued for the underground route, but Sera felt relieved when Hastos agreed with her preference for the merchant path. She nodded in agreement. "We take the merchant route," she stated firmly. "We’ve already lost time. Let’s finish our last preparations and meet at the stables shortly."
She had intended to find Duncan for some herbs when Hastos suddenly inquired about a clothing shop. That made her pause—then smirk as she recalled something.
Leaning in, she whispered playfully, "Oh, Hastos… you really should take a look at the lovely palm tree decoration outside room three."
She left the meaning hanging, watching for his reaction. If his underwear was still hanging outside, well… that was his problem now. With a knowing smirk, she turned on her heel and headed off toward Duncan’s shop before making her way straight to the stables.
Hastos looks down a Sera with a playfully scornful face and lets out a sigh.
“Nevermind, Kasi. Thank you.” He says as he makes a mental note to retrieve said apparel before they take off on their adventture.
”Merkas, once we get underway, you’re going to have to tell me about those daggers of yours!” he says changing the topic of conversation.
Character: Hastos, Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread
"Clothes?? Oh cause you were missing your socks this morning. You been walking around in those armoured boots without socks? You're sleeping outside tonight, I am not smelling those feet. Anyone know that presidentation spell? Haz's boot are gonna need a thorough cleaning"
Merkas smiles as he leads the way outside he calls after Sera "Not sure how good I am with horses but I am sure this map is gonna help a lot, ask Duncan if he has a compass, Gotta feeling we're gonna be underground at some point so knowing where north is will help a bunch"
At Hastos question about his daggers there's a small hitch in the kenders step as he says to quickly "What about my daggers? They're just a couple of regular daggers. Nothing really to talk about"
Loyalty Begets Honour
Kasi scratches her chin while she considers the question. Kasi obviously makes her own clothing out of grain sacks, but she wants to please Hastos with a good answer.
"Oh-ah. Ok," Kasi says with a relieved chuckle, not understanding the nuance, but grateful the problem is solved.
At Witchdoctor Duncan's...
Sera arrives back at Duncan's shop to find him speaking with a strikingly handsome kender with blonde hair and silvery eyes. He's wearing the armor of a paladin and smirking at the dwarf. "We're not your clean-up service, Dunky. Get some of the new arrivals to clean up the bodies. As per our terms, I have a town to protect." Duncan grimaces, clearly unpleased by the pejorative nickname.
Duncan is trying his best to maintain his composure, but he's clearly tired of dealing with the man. "And yet, you didn't. You didn't even catch the ones who got away! I've got a business to run. And Santekh hired you to handle riff-raff. Where were your boys when Dawnbound was being attacked, Tekel?"
Tekel picks at one of his fingernails. "They way I hear it, Dawnbound attacked those men, not the other way around."
"To protect a fellow citizen." Duncan almost growls.
"A kobold," Tekel corrects. "You know Santekh's stance on kobolds."
Duncan clears his throat to avoid growling at the boy. "Kasi gets a pass and you know it. Those thugs weren't filling a bounty. They were picking on old, weak, prey. Kasi had nothing on her but her daily rations. She's guilty of no crime, and therefore isn't part of the standing order."
Tekel sighs, but his smirk remains fixed in its place. "Duncan, you have a soft heart. And that's admirable. But we're in a war. Sometimes it's hard to see the blurry lines between friends and enemies, and mistakes are made. Clearly, Dawnbound corrected the issue, and I consider it resolved. If you disagree, you're welcome to take it up with the council at their next meeting."
"I want those thugs found, alive if possible, and brought to justice," Duncan snarls.
"An investigation is under way." Tekel replies half-heartedly as he starts to walk away.
"And clean up those damned corpses! Get some help from the acolytes if you have to, but get them out of here before they really start to stink!" Duncan yells back at Tekel.
Tekel waves an arm in the air acknowledging he heard the orders. "Dunky, you really should get this door fixed- OH!" Tekel pauses when he sees Sera walk in. "One of the heroes of the hour! Uth Darnon, I believe it was?" He sweeps into a low, elegant bow. "I hear you're off to slay some kobolds! I must say, I'm a bit jealous. We were already under contract to protect this city when the gig came up, or I would've gone myself... for half the price. Hunting those nasty lizards is... something of a passion of mine," he says proudly, then sighs sadly. "I miss the glory days when metallic dragons ruled Krynn. Until that day returns we must fight the crusade! I'm sure a follower of the Great Silver Dragon Paladine agrees?"
Back at the Laughing Dwarf Dance Hall...
On your way back, you can't help but feel eyes on you everywhere. Workers stop what they're doing to evaluate the new mercenary troupe in town. Many seem impressed. Some seem disgusted. Others eye you with greed. And more than a few seem to have desire and intrigue in their eyes. Dawnbound is now the talk of the town after revealing a prowess that even eclipses Tekel's mercenary band.
Handar has finished prepping the dough and is warming up the fires to bake fresh flatbread. He greets you with a warm smile, then returns to your duties. Hastos finds his... socks... easily enough. The Dance Hall is still pretty much empty except for your two and Handar. But Glynnis has finished grooming the horses when you make it to the back alley. She seems in high spirits, but has a curious expression on her face.
"I heard some kinda fuss at the market center. I were back 'ere and missed it. Don't suppose you boys had some'in ta do wit' that?"
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
“Something!? Hells yeah we did, well Sharn did, and then Sera and Duncan joined in, and we arrived to help scare the last of them!” Merkas say cheerily as he eyes the horses “Seems that some hooligans were picking in Kasi to take her rations, claiming something about it being in their right cause of some bounty, and Sharn arrived looking to hire her at the same time, so he rushed in to stop them and yelled for the guards to help, luckily enough Duncans shop is right nearby where Sera was and they ran out in time to see the guys attackin’ Sharn, so she and Duncan run over and start helpin’, Sera with her blade and Duncan threw fire or somethin’, not sure there as we just came around the corner to see Sharn get knocked to the ground. Hastos starts running in as Sera glowed and sent it into Sharn who got back on his feet lookin’ like he hadn’t been hit except the blood on his clothes. Haz fires off some sorta fire thing at a person with a crossbow. I didn’t get that close cause o’my short legs”
Merkas leaves out the magic that spewed forth from himself. But gives all the credit to the rest of the crew. Still wary of the horses. He whispers to Glynnis.
“These guys’re used to the smaller people right? Been too close to being squished to many times to not be worrying about it. Horse and stuff get skittish when little things are running around their feet. Maybe it best I climb in the back of the wagon”
Loyalty Begets Honour
Sharn had been stroking his mustache and humming to himself pensive all the way to the dancing hall. He continued through the streets, almost oblivious of the glances and stares, though instinctively on edge. At Merkas' mention of his name, he looked up muttering "Ah yes, action, doing things much we were." Sharn cleared his throat, unable to shake a thought.
"I'm sorry if I don't seem all there. There's just something I don't understand. Kasi mentioned that the kobolds had food of their own, and logically getting water and growing things with moisture would probably be easier away from the blazing sun. If food is not an issue, why would kobolds attack a supply caravan?" Sharn made sure not to mention any details about Kasi's circumstances in his inquiry. He trusted the old little kobold enough and wanted to keep her secret. "I'm sure there was animosity between the kobolds and the camp before, but why act on it now? There's something I'm not seeing, but my stars and soil have not gifted me the answer. They know the answer is there, of course, they see from angles we mortals cannot." Sharn stroked his bushy mustache again and continued to hum inquisitively. It would take some time for the dwarf to dispel the thought from his mind.
While Duncan doesn't really sell large tents, Santekh provides them free of charge, and has tons of them. He shows you where to collect one from the Hachakee. It's bulky, and difficult to carry by yourself, so one of the tribesman obliges to help you bring it to the cart. Once you're loaded up he takes his leave and returns to his work.
"Safe travels!" Glynnis and Handar say with a friendly wave as you saddle up. Kasi snuggles up next to the feed bags in the cart and pulls out some sticks from her pack and a small whittling knife, whistling a tune that sounds exactly like a bird. The trail is dusted with sand, but still relatively easy to follow.
The sun beats hard on your skin, and your waterskins take the toll. But Kasi seems generally unbothered by the heat, choosing to bathe in the sun... sprawled out and sparsely covered. You can see the many scars on her sagging form. Whatever life she lived before coming to Santekh, it wasn't easy. She lived a violent life. But now, the sun gives her a day of peace and rejuvenation. Beetles scurry across nearby dunes, chased by hungry lizards. Along the orange skyline, birds of prey and scavengers circle, hoping for easy prey, but for the most part, all there is to see is sand to your left, and sun-bleached mountains to your right. But as the sun begins to set, a breeze sets in, inviting more of the desert fauna to awaken and begin their hunt. Kasi gets notably cold and huddles up next to the feedback to block the breeze. She mutters to herself, her teeth chattering with each word.
With the coming of dusk, the horses are slowing their pace and clearly need to rest. According to your map, you're less than a day out. You could push the horses though the night to arrive sometime early morning, but your and the horses will arrive exhausted.
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