"Fuuuuuck." Hastos says to himself.

Hastos can tell this conversation isn't going well.

"I don't think this conversion going well." Hastos says back to the group.

"Kasi, tell them we've been very careful to not kill anyone, and we havent stolen anything. But tell them that continued battle will eventually result in someone getting killed, and after that, we both know where that leads."

Sera let out a slow breath, steadying herself as she watched the exchange between Kasi and the kobold leader. Kasi looked upset, scorned by her own kin. Sera could see the conflict in her, the weight of turning against her people. But this wasn’t some heartfelt reunion—it was a battle, and the kobolds were murderers.

Her patience thinned. Did Kasi cry for the humans she and her kin had slaughtered? Did she hesitate then? Sera doubted it.

“You know, Kasi,” she said, her voice firm but not unkind, “you are not here mainly for our protection. We’re here to bring them in. They have to face charges—for murder. That’s why you’re with us, isn’t it? To set things right. For your redemption.”

Without waiting for an answer, Sera ignited her sword once more, its radiant glow filling the chamber. If negotiations failed, they would need to fight, and she wouldn’t be stumbling around in the dark. She did it for herself, for the others—and for Merkas, who no doubt needed the light just as much as she did. 

Sighing, everyone was sighing, including him. Definitely language was the greatest barrier of them all. Sharn stood back up, his little break disturbed. He tried speaking up in dwarvish to the kobolds.

"Don't suppose any one of you speaks a language that we all speak?"

The faces of the little creatures didn't exactly beam with joy. He winced as Sera lit up her sword again. The constant change in lighting conditions, and the heat just a room before, would give him a headache once night fell. He was curious about the motives of these kobolds, but they were on a mission at the end of the day. Negotiations often didn't happen until one or both parties showed a great deal of power. It seemed like this was one of those messy tense negotiations.

Kasi accepts Merkas's words of comfort and straightens her back at Sera's words. She opens her mouth to translate, but Sera's sword does the talking instead.

When the sword ignites, bathing the room in radiant light, Kasi winces and shields her eyes from the glare. The other kobolds, who are out of range of the brightest light blink a few times to adjust, hissing irritably and crouching into a battle stance!

Kasi is Blinded for one Round.
Initiative resumed. Hastos used his turn to negotiate.
Kobold Yellow is still Frightened and will not approach the place where Merkas's Color Spray was, but since the source of his fear is no longer in sight, he is no longer disadvantaged.
Kobold Yellow cannot only move normal speed due to the knee injury.

Kobold Pink, Yellow and Gray move as one unit, but Kobold Yellow is still limping and cannot keep pace. Hobbling along, he moves to the outskirt of the Flame Sword's dim light, eyes flickering back to where the "ghost" just was and twirls his sling, aiming a shot at the one the party assumes is the leader, Hastos. The sling bullet ricochets off Hastos's splint mail breastplate with a hard ting sound.

Kobold Yellow Attacks with Sling using Pack Tactics (19) and misses.

Kobold Pink, charging in hard with his dagger dives in with a vicious low thrust, hoping to use the sling's distraction to his advantage! But Hastos is too swift, and deflects the blade with a swift flick of his scimitar!

Kobold Pink Attacks with Dagger using Pack Tactics (13) and misses.

Kobold Gray slashes high, snarling angrily at the invaders! Hastos barely gets his marred shield up in time to avoid getting his smile widened!

Kobold Gray Attacks with Dagger using Pack Tactics (15) and misses.
cheapjoke123 Sharn is up.

At least the kobolds did him the kindness of approaching first. When kobold pink got into range, Sharn started with an attack that didn't seem too threatening at first.

He slapped the kobold's snout down with his wide palm, leaving the kobold wide eyed at the sheer audacity and the shocking amount of pain. Being an artisan wasn't only to dedicate himself to something else, Sharn's hands were rough and very calloused, so he could apply extra speed and power without hurting himself. (19 to hit, for 5 points of damage) Capitalizing on the befuddlement of the kobold, Sharn followed up with a punch to its eye that would leave a bruise on a creature with softer skin the morning after. (13 to hit, and if it hit, not sure if it did, 5 points of damage)

The moment negotiations collapsed, the kobolds lunged at Hastos, snarling and brandishing their weapons. Sera barely had time to register the betrayal before her instincts took over.

With a sharp inhale, she leaped from her vantage point, boots slamming against the stone as she sprinted toward the fray. Her sunblade flared with a brilliant hum, its silvery energy flaring like a miniature sun making a buzz as she swing it around. 

( moving up to flank grey kobold leader hitting with advantage )

The kobold leader whirled to face her, raising his jagged dagger —but he was too slow. Sera twisted her body mid-stride, slashing upward in a sweeping arc. The searing energy of her sword cut through the air like a lightning strike, slicing across his chest and leaving a smoking, charred wound.

( sunblade hits ac 25 for 6 radiant damage)

The creature howled, stumbling back, but Sera didn’t let up. A blade flashed toward her from the side—the kobold leader trying to defend himself. Sera barely turned in time, her sunblade clashing against the crude iron weapon with a shower of sparks.She spun on her heel, using the momentum to bring her shield crashing into his face. The impact sent a violent boom through the chamber as a jawbone snapped beneath the force. The kobold spat blood, his legs giving out as he crumpled to the ground.

( hitting offhand with shield ac 21 for 8 dam but this is non lethal )

She gritted her teeth, twisting her shimmering energy blade to the remaining kobolds. 

They wanted a fight? She’d give them one.

Quote from cheapjoke123 >>

At least the kobolds did him the kindness of approaching first. When kobold pink got into range, Sharn started with an attack that didn't seem too threatening at first.

He slapped the kobold's snout down with his wide palm, leaving the kobold wide eyed at the sheer audacity and the shocking amount of pain. Being an artisan wasn't only to dedicate himself to something else, Sharn's hands were rough and very calloused, so he could apply extra speed and power without hurting himself. (19 to hit, for 5 points of damage) Capitalizing on the befuddlement of the kobold, Sharn followed up with a punch to its eye that would leave a bruise on a creature with softer skin the morning after. (13 to hit, and if it hit, not sure if it did, 5 points of damage)

 On the first slap, Sharn hits the kobold so hard, his jaws snap shut, cracking several teeth! The second punch sends Kobold Pink spinning to the ground, tongue lolling onto the dirt and mud below.

Kobold Pink is Unconscious.

Quote from Larskolstad >>

The moment negotiations collapsed, the kobolds lunged at Hastos, snarling and brandishing their weapons. Sera barely had time to register the betrayal before her instincts took over.

With a sharp inhale, she leaped from her vantage point, boots slamming against the stone as she sprinted toward the fray. Her sunblade flared with a brilliant hum, its silvery energy flaring like a miniature sun making a buzz as she swing it around. 

( moving up to flank grey kobold leader hitting with advantage )

The kobold leader whirled to face her, raising his jagged dagger —but he was too slow. Sera twisted her body mid-stride, slashing upward in a sweeping arc. The searing energy of her sword cut through the air like a lightning strike, slicing across his chest and leaving a smoking, charred wound.

( sunblade hits ac 25 for 6 radiant damage)

The creature howled, stumbling back, but Sera didn’t let up. A blade flashed toward her from the side—the kobold leader trying to defend himself. Sera barely turned in time, her sunblade clashing against the crude iron weapon with a shower of sparks.She spun on her heel, using the momentum to bring her shield crashing into his face. The impact sent a violent boom through the chamber as a jawbone snapped beneath the force. The kobold spat blood, his legs giving out as he crumpled to the ground.

( hitting offhand with shield ac 21 for 8 dam but this is non lethal )

She gritted her teeth, twisting her shimmering energy blade to the remaining kobolds. 

They wanted a fight? She’d give them one.

Sera's savage charge startled Kobold Gray, who wasn't expecting her to move with such grace in her armor. He didn't even have time to cry out in pain from the searing wound before collapsing to the floor.

Rolled Athletics Check for Sera, with Advantage (22 on first roll)

Round 3!

Kobold Yellow looks at the scene unfold with uncertainty in his eyes. This battle was not going well for them, and in such a hurry! But before he could finish turning to run, an arrow buried itself deep into his haunches. Kobold Yellow drops to his knees, clutching his wounded rear-end, then winces again as he feels the sting of his wounded knee hitting the ground. No way to land gracefully, he falls face first onto a rock, knocking himself out.

Kasi Attacks with Disadvantage from Blinded Condition (15) and Hits: Damage 5 (Piercing, Nonlethal)
You are now out of Initiative. You each earn 115 XP.
In Round 1, you encountered 3 Kobold Commoners (wearing nothing of value) and you find 3 Clubs worth 1 SP, and 1 Kobold (wearing nothing of value) and 1 Sling with 9 Bullets worth 1 SP and a Dagger worth 2 GP.
In Round 2 and 3, you encountered 2 Kobolds (wearing nothing of value) and you find 2 Daggers worth 2 GP and 2 Slings with 19 Bullets total, and 1 Kobold Warrior (wearing nothing of value) and 3 Daggers worth 2 GP each.

With Sera standing over the extinguished fire pit (and fully illuminating the area), you can see that the cave (aside from the chutes) has two paths: one to the North and one to the East. The path to the East leads to what appears to be the campsite for the miners to take breaks.

 The Kobolds will able to awaken, but not fight, after a Short Rest.

Sharn breathed a sigh of relief.

"I'm sorry that was so unpleasant Kasi." He said while approaching one of the unconscious kobolds. He flipped the kobold to the side, making sure they would be in a dangerous position to be passed out on. Kobolds can subsist on a long of things, but no species was fond of swallowing mud. While he was at it, he checked their breathing, just in case. (17+3 for a 20 medicine. Probably didn't need it, but I like rolling funny math rock) Then he went to the next, while the group chose the way.

The.battle unfolded in a moment and was over as quickly. The second battle with the kobolds was as lopsided as the first one.

”I told them.” Hastos says with a shrug. Pointing to the fire pit he adds “Should we light a fire for them? Oh! Does anyone want their weapons?”

Merkas has his Dancing Light Friend move over near one of the chutes. He mozies around letting Sera and Hastos decide the direction, who needs sleep now. As Sharn turns each of the Kobolds over Merkas collects the weapons, so far he's collected 3 clubs, 3 slings, and 6 daggers. Checking through garments and stuff before walking over to the chute with the weapons, this being a rather comical sight as there are way to many things for his small kender arms to be holding all at once, almost dropping multiple items as he moves. "Gonna drop most of these down the chute, if anyone wants some speak up, I am gonna keep 3 of the daggers for throwing at things. Anyone else?" 

Standing near the chute he thinks for a bit "Hey Kasi, would be nice to tribe if we stack them all in one place, maybe make them feel better when wake up??"

Kasi looks at Merkas, thinking. "Kasi think chute go to smiths. Drop weapons tell more kobold Masters be here."

It's evident in Kasi's tone that she doesn't know as much about the layout of the second floor as she does the first floor, and she's just using kobold logic to form a conjecture. But if more kobolds knew about your presence, they probably would've attacked already. Or, they're waiting to see if their traps take you out.

Sharn's kindness amongst the kobolds warms Kasi's heart and his tender concern for their health brings Sharn a sense of warmth that inspires him.

Sharn gains Heroic Inspiration

Sharn raised an eyebrow while inspecting the kobolds.

"Kasi, I know kobolds are hard workers, but how often do they work themselves to the bone? Is it normal for the tribes to be underslept and underfed?"

Kasi looks back to Sharn with surprise on her face. "No. Letni Inhelk good clan. Have strong queen. Much food and water. No need hard work."

Sharn hummed inquisitive.

"These kobolds here, even the guards, they all show signs of overwork. Their hands are almost raw from callouses. These are the signs of a cruel taskmaster." He closed his eyes and shook his head. "I think there's more to the theft of these supplies than meets the eye."

Kasi looks at Merkas, thinking. "Kasi think chute go to smiths. Drop weapons tell more kobold Masters be here."

"Kasi, I know kobolds are hard workers, but how often do they work themselves to the bone? Is it normal for the tribes to be underslept and underfed?"

Kasi looks back to Sharn with surprise on her face. "No. Letni Inhelk good clan. Have strong queen. Much food and water. No need hard work."

"Oh good point, then I'll just put them at the bottom of the ladder here behind the crates, It'll take them awhile to find them"
Rattling his way back across the whole room he stops at Sharns question and looks over the unconscious kobolds. "They really that bad Sharn? MAybe we should put them in a pile and start a fire. I can leave some rations for them too. Maybe we need to make the entire noachi our noachi too. This is not a good way for them to be. Maybe it's best we find that taskmaster and make them stop"

“I’d like to destroy them, Merkas - if you don’t mind. I don’t want these used against us again.”

Kasi looks at her quiver, and counts 7 arrows remaining. She still has a handful of arrowheads in her pack to make more, but there wouldn't be time to forge them in this dungeon. Reluctantly, she claims the rest of the daggers that Merkas doesn't claim... just in case.

Kasi claims 3 Daggers.

After a moment or two Hastos pulls one of the darts out of his belt and examine it then adds “I kinda want stick one of these in each of their asses, too…. I won’t, but I want to…”

Kasi waits until Hastos isn't looking and glares at him, muttering something in Yip-yak. The grumpy elf can sometimes even out-grump her grump. And while she gets the frustration, she can't help but note that the Dragon Armies also saw the kobolds as nuisances at best. 

"Oh really, Like I can break some slings and stuff and burn the clubs but I don't have the ability to break the daggers, Kasi will do better with them"
The Kender sets the bundle on the floor next to the burnt out campfire, and slumping to the floor after hauling them around the room "Well someone decide cause it's not fun carrying them all around. Should we wake one and ask questions, see if there's someone here that's treating everyone bad?"