Kasi sits down and helps Merkas with the fire. A little flint is all it takes, since the fireplace already has everything else needed to get it started. Soon, the room is alight with a small, crackling fire, fueled by the clubs. Kasi decides to keep the slings, explaining to Merkas that the leather strips will make good straps in case they need to reinforce the cart, which has already seen better days, and shoves them in her pack.
With the fire going, she warms her toes while she waits for Dawnbound to decide on a path.
As the last echoes of battle faded, Sera remained still for a moment, her grip firm on the hilt of her sunblade. The scent of charred flesh and burnt leather lingered in the cold air, but there was no triumph in her heart—only the quiet weight of necessity.
Nearby, Kasi counted her arrows with a frown, clearly running low. Without hesitation, Sera pulled the quiver from her belt and held it out. "Here... you shoot well. I don’t use it," she said simply. Kasi hesitated, then took the gift with a small nod of gratitude.
(give Kasi 20 arrows in a quiver)
Moving with purpose, Sera knelt beside the fallen kobolds, dragging their unconscious forms closer to the fire. Even as prisoners, they didn't deserve to freeze to death. She checked their bindings, making sure they were secure before rising again and dusting off her hands.
Her gaze drifted toward the northern passage. That’s where the reinforcements came from… which meant fewer traps—at least in theory. She turned toward Hastos, her expression steady but somber. "Seems reinforcements came from the north. Less likely to be traps the way they came running. Hastos, you take the lead again? May Paladine protect us."
(give Guidance to Hastos )
With a flick of her wrist, her sunblade reignited, casting its golden glow down the dark corridor ahead. She stepped forward, its light leading the way, her shield firm at her side.
Kasi adds the quiver to her own with a look of resolve, and falls in line in the middle of the group, bow ready, but with no arrow notched. The trail north becomes a narrow passageway, forcing the party to walk single file, and splits halfway through, revealing an unmined path to the left, still filled with loose scree. Ore and gemstones shimmer, embedded into the stone. Further up ahead, to the right, you see another chamber filled with supplies. There are mining tools, pickled food, water, and clothes available, along with some bottles of fermented drink and potions labelled with pictures instead of words:
3 Potions are labelled with a drawing of kobold teeth.
2 Potions have a drawing of a heart on them.
12 bottles of a kobold brew you've never seen before, labelled with a symbol in Draconic.
Kasi recognizes the brew immediately. "Kiskartchi" she explains, and walks over to the box containing the bottles. "Good drink. Kobold make." She pops open a bottle and takes a swig. She smacks her lips and smiles, then holds the bottle up, sloshing the liquid around as if offering you to try it. It's a dark, brown liquid that fizzes when sloshed and smells sweet, but smoky.
To the north, Sera can spot the ladder taking you down to the third level, and just before that, you find a chest that is locked next to a satchel sitting in a small alcove next to another partially mined hallway.
Sera scanned the storage area, noting the crates filled with food and other supplies. "So they weren’t starving… yet they still raided the caravan" she mutters. It was a troubling thought.
Her gaze shifted to a small collection of bottles near the back, some containing thick, dark liquid with labels. Kasi perked up, her eyes gleaming with recognition. "Kiskartchi," she offered, motioning toward one of the brews.
Sera raised a curious brow but politely declined. "Not now… maybe to celebrate later?" She wasn’t about to gamble with her stomach in the middle of a dungeon crawl.
The other potions, however, gave her pause. They might be useful, but a nagging voice in the back of her mind reminded her of why they were here—to recover stolen goods, not take what wasn’t theirs. Still, practicality won out. She sighed, mentally telling herself she'd make amends later. Besides, Merkas had already stuffing his pockets with anything shiny they had encountered.
Then, when she looks north in the corridor her eyes landed on a chest positioned in an alcove. It wasn’t hidden. It wasn’t even tucked away. It was displayed.
Her stomach dropped.
“A Kender death trap!” she fake a suprising gasp elbowing Merkas, who stood beside her with an all-too-interested look on his face. As always.
Sera crossed her arms and gave him a knowing look speaking like she was telling a exciting campfire tale "Mysterious chest. Out in the open. Not hidden at all, like you'd expect if it had actual valuables. No, this one is meant to be seen. " takes a dramatic pause " Fill it with a nasty trap and wait for a Kender to have NO choice but to open it and BOOM....no more kender"
Sera whipe away her pretend tear and look sad. Then take a step to the side giving Merkas room to go check it out.
Sera bit her lip, trying—and failing—to suppress a smirk.
There are mining tools, pickled food, water, and clothes available, along with some bottles of fermented drink and potions labelled with pictures instead of words:
3 Potions are labelled with a drawing of kobold teeth.
2 Potions have a drawing of a heart on them.
12 bottles of a kobold brew you've never seen before, labelled with a symbol in Draconic.
Kasi recognizes the brew immediately. "Kiskartchi" she explains, and walks over to the box containing the bottles. "Good drink. Kobold make." She pops open a bottle and takes a swig. She smacks her lips and smiles, then holds the bottle up, sloshing the liquid around as if offering you to try it. It's a dark, brown liquid that fizzes when sloshed and smells sweet, but smoky.
Sera scanned the storage area, noting the crates filled with food and other supplies. "So they weren’t starving… yet they still raided the caravan" she mutters. It was a troubling thought.
Looking over the room and “provisions” Merkas makes a face at the pickled items. “Maybe Sera but I would not want to live on that, maybe they only get the drink” The kender accepts a sip of the brew from Kasi, nearly spitting it out as Sera goes on her deathtrap monologue. Wiping his lips he smiles, and moves cautiously towards the chest and satchel.
To the north, Sera can spot the ladder taking you down to the third level, and just before that, you find a chest that is locked next to a satchel sitting in a small alcove next to another partially mined hallway.
“Y’know, these things don’t tempt me as much since I turned all blue, don’t want those events to repeat ever again”Using the staff that he’s had tied to his back he gently pokes at the side of the chest. “And it being locked makes it take more time…” His words trailing off as he inspects the chest and satchel for traps (investigation 7 used the guidance Sera gave earlier)
After a bit in the poor light he simply reaches out and takes the satchel to see what’s in it.
Sera just see he can not resist poke at the chest. She take a few steps back just in caste he wakes up a hive of angry wasps or something. " thats how you turned blue? A magical trap?" Looking at him curiously. " is it a curse?"
Hmm, not sure, Yvana and I were searching for relics and such in a battlefield and then a bunch of stuff happened and I was blue and Yvana was dust”Looking through the satchel as he talks, “You think that maybe the key is in here?”
Looking over the room and “provisions” Merkas makes a face at the pickled items. “Maybe Sera but I would not want to live on that, maybe they only get the drink” The kender accepts a sip of the brew from Kasi, nearly spitting it out as Sera goes on her deathtrap monologue. Wiping his lips he smiles, and moves cautiously towards the chest and satchel.
The beverage tastes fizzy and sweet, like honey or molasses, with no hint of alcohol in it. There is an odd smoky aftertaste to it that's more prominent when it makes you burp, and it takes some getting used to. You find the drink to be energizing and refreshing though.
Basically, it's kobold energy drink. Drinking a full bottle of it grants you Heroic Inspiration, but makes it harder for you to get a long rest. After drinking a full bottle of it, going to sleep requires a Wisdom Save starting at DC 10, and going up +2 for every bottle you drink that day. You can't stack Heroic Inspiration, but you can drink a fresh bottle after using Heroic Inspiration to get a new one. Drinking a portion of "Kiskartchi has no effect, but each bottle can be finished in 4 drinks. So 4 sips equals a bottle.
Y’know, these things don’t tempt me as much since I turned all blue, don’t want those events to repeat ever again”Using the staff that he’s had tied to his back he gently pokes at the side of the chest. “And it being locked makes it take more time…” His words trailing off as he inspects the chest and satchel for traps (investigation 7 used the guidance Sera gave earlier)
After a bit in the poor light he simply reaches out and takes the satchel to see what’s in it.
Inside the satchel, you find paper, writing utensils, ink, and a series of papers that look like maps of the second floor, but they're different in some significant ways. Several of the walls on the map are missing, and redrawn into straight lines, showing hallways that are up to 20' wide in some spaces. The map isn't accurate enough to give you directions on the second floor.
Sharn smiled and looked around. The ladder was so close, what if. He walked close to the ladder to see if there was anything he could notice from a distance. He was getting used to the quick short steps of the kobolds, and evil had a distinct smell even if nobody liked to talk about it. Then, as he was 10 feet from the ladder, he farted. An evil smell indeed that broke any kind of concentration or focus he had. (perception roll of 4, 1+3, to try to notice anything, and I know a nat 1 is not an auto fail, but I feel like it fits)
The beverage tastes fizzy and sweet, like honey or molasses, with no hint of alcohol in it. There is an odd smoky aftertaste to it that's more prominent when it makes you burp, and it takes some getting used to. You find the drink to be energizing and refreshing though.
Merkas scrunches his nose as the fizz hits it (Con Save 10) "Hmm, Not sure I like it but if Gramma thinks it's important to take along then so be it. Any idea what these others are for?" He points to the others with the different labels."That one looks like it's for health but the teeth is kinda strnage"
Inside the satchel, you find paper, writing utensils, ink, and a series of papers that look like maps of the second floor, but they're different in some significant ways. Several of the walls on the map are missing, and redrawn into straight lines, showing hallways that are up to 20' wide in some spaces. The map isn't accurate enough to give you directions on the second floor.
Spreading out the drawings in front of the others, Merkas points to the various differences to whats around them"Looks to me that someone has building plans for this cave system, Not sure if it means much other than wanting to expand the space, but it's very clean and straight compared to what's here" (Insight 13, looking for any hints as to what is trying to be built, if it's a mechanical or arcane design, Holy or Profane, A place of worship or sacrifice)
Hastos spends a few minutes waking around, moving crates and boxes, you see him pick a few things up as he goes, and places them all together.
After a few minutes of not adding anything he says to the group. “Well, this is interesting. What do you make of this?”
In a group on the floor are several kits. A jewelers kit, a brewers kit, leather, carpentry and masons tools. “Any reason we can think of that they’d be hiding these kits?”
Sera holds her nose as sharn seems to have some ...body problems. " Darn Sharn...well..if you you done farting maybe you can pull UP the ladder so we can investigate this place in peace and not get more enemies from that direction?"
Sera steps closer to Hastos , kneel down and look at the tools closer
(investigate 16)
" No idea...they had workshop just behind us...hmm no I not get it" she say and pat Hastos back . She rise and go over to the containers. "Healing potions? Strenght potions?...grow nasty teeths potion " Sera take a potion label with a heart and know a little sip would identify it. " I guess the idea of growing huge nasty teeths is appealing Merkas" Sera hands him the teeth label potion for him to sip.
Hastos looks doubtful at the toothy potion, and shrugs as Sera hands the potion to Merkas.
”How does a group of Kobolds become malnourished while being surrounded by food, raid supplies when they clearly have plenty. Mine jewels, make potions and yet hide the very kits they have to use to make them? “
Sharn cleared his throat, ignoring his lousy stomach.
"Before I retire this ladder, I can hear work being performed down there. There's something else I can't quite put my finger on. Oddest of all, there's a faint light as well. Last I checked, kobolds could see in the dark."
Sharn waited for the response of his companions, ready to pull up the ladder (or try) as soon as they gave the okay.
"Think there's different groups here? Like these guys were trying to hide things from the ones down below? Maybe it's best we leave these things they have been keeping safe, That way at least when they wake they know we are thieves?" Setting the potions back down, Merkas moves over with Sharn he peers down the hole for a second and shifts back so his shadow wouldn't be noticed. "Think someone should go down there quietly and get a peek?" He whispers to Sharn, doing his best to not have the sound echo. (Nat 1 insight for hints on proceeding)
The beverage tastes fizzy and sweet, like honey or molasses, with no hint of alcohol in it. There is an odd smoky aftertaste to it that's more prominent when it makes you burp, and it takes some getting used to. You find the drink to be energizing and refreshing though.
Merkas scrunches his nose as the fizz hits it (Con Save 10) "Hmm, Not sure I like it but if Gramma thinks it's important to take along then so be it. Any idea what these others are for?" He points to the others with the different labels."That one looks like it's for health but the teeth is kinda strnage"
Inside the satchel, you find paper, writing utensils, ink, and a series of papers that look like maps of the second floor, but they're different in some significant ways. Several of the walls on the map are missing, and redrawn into straight lines, showing hallways that are up to 20' wide in some spaces. The map isn't accurate enough to give you directions on the second floor.
Spreading out the drawings in front of the others, Merkas points to the various differences to whats around them"Looks to me that someone has building plans for this cave system, Not sure if it means much other than wanting to expand the space, but it's very clean and straight compared to what's here" (Insight 13, looking for any hints as to what is trying to be built, if it's a mechanical or arcane design, Holy or Profane, A place of worship or sacrifice)
(There was a whole section that got deleted from this post adding it back in)
Spreading the papers out fir the others to see, Merkas points out the differences to the areas around them. “Looks like they have plans for this area. But this isn’t kobold construction is it Gramna? Like are they making room for a barracks or some other structure?” (13 insight. Trying to gather clues on what kind of structure is being built. Arcane or fortress, worship or sacrifice, holy or profane)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Loyalty Begets Honour
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Kasi sits down and helps Merkas with the fire. A little flint is all it takes, since the fireplace already has everything else needed to get it started. Soon, the room is alight with a small, crackling fire, fueled by the clubs. Kasi decides to keep the slings, explaining to Merkas that the leather strips will make good straps in case they need to reinforce the cart, which has already seen better days, and shoves them in her pack.
With the fire going, she warms her toes while she waits for Dawnbound to decide on a path.
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
“Personally, I don’t care about the miners, I want to see where the soldiers came from. But Kasi knows this place and Has gotten us this far.”
Character: Hastos, Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread
As the last echoes of battle faded, Sera remained still for a moment, her grip firm on the hilt of her sunblade. The scent of charred flesh and burnt leather lingered in the cold air, but there was no triumph in her heart—only the quiet weight of necessity.
Nearby, Kasi counted her arrows with a frown, clearly running low. Without hesitation, Sera pulled the quiver from her belt and held it out. "Here... you shoot well. I don’t use it," she said simply. Kasi hesitated, then took the gift with a small nod of gratitude.
(give Kasi 20 arrows in a quiver)
Moving with purpose, Sera knelt beside the fallen kobolds, dragging their unconscious forms closer to the fire. Even as prisoners, they didn't deserve to freeze to death. She checked their bindings, making sure they were secure before rising again and dusting off her hands.
Her gaze drifted toward the northern passage. That’s where the reinforcements came from… which meant fewer traps—at least in theory. She turned toward Hastos, her expression steady but somber. "Seems reinforcements came from the north. Less likely to be traps the way they came running. Hastos, you take the lead again? May Paladine protect us."
(give Guidance to Hastos )
With a flick of her wrist, her sunblade reignited, casting its golden glow down the dark corridor ahead. She stepped forward, its light leading the way, her shield firm at her side.
“Sounds good to me. Any objections?” Hastos asks the rest of the group.
Character: Hastos, Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread
Kasi adds the quiver to her own with a look of resolve, and falls in line in the middle of the group, bow ready, but with no arrow notched. The trail north becomes a narrow passageway, forcing the party to walk single file, and splits halfway through, revealing an unmined path to the left, still filled with loose scree. Ore and gemstones shimmer, embedded into the stone. Further up ahead, to the right, you see another chamber filled with supplies. There are mining tools, pickled food, water, and clothes available, along with some bottles of fermented drink and potions labelled with pictures instead of words:
Kasi recognizes the brew immediately. "Kiskartchi" she explains, and walks over to the box containing the bottles. "Good drink. Kobold make." She pops open a bottle and takes a swig. She smacks her lips and smiles, then holds the bottle up, sloshing the liquid around as if offering you to try it. It's a dark, brown liquid that fizzes when sloshed and smells sweet, but smoky.
To the north, Sera can spot the ladder taking you down to the third level, and just before that, you find a chest that is locked next to a satchel sitting in a small alcove next to another partially mined hallway.
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
Sera scanned the storage area, noting the crates filled with food and other supplies. "So they weren’t starving… yet they still raided the caravan" she mutters. It was a troubling thought.
Her gaze shifted to a small collection of bottles near the back, some containing thick, dark liquid with labels. Kasi perked up, her eyes gleaming with recognition. "Kiskartchi," she offered, motioning toward one of the brews.
Sera raised a curious brow but politely declined. "Not now… maybe to celebrate later?" She wasn’t about to gamble with her stomach in the middle of a dungeon crawl.
The other potions, however, gave her pause. They might be useful, but a nagging voice in the back of her mind reminded her of why they were here—to recover stolen goods, not take what wasn’t theirs. Still, practicality won out. She sighed, mentally telling herself she'd make amends later. Besides, Merkas had already stuffing his pockets with anything shiny they had encountered.
Then, when she looks north in the corridor her eyes landed on a chest positioned in an alcove. It wasn’t hidden. It wasn’t even tucked away. It was displayed.
Her stomach dropped.
“A Kender death trap!” she fake a suprising gasp elbowing Merkas, who stood beside her with an all-too-interested look on his face. As always.
Sera crossed her arms and gave him a knowing look speaking like she was telling a exciting campfire tale "Mysterious chest. Out in the open. Not hidden at all, like you'd expect if it had actual valuables. No, this one is meant to be seen. " takes a dramatic pause " Fill it with a nasty trap and wait for a Kender to have NO choice but to open it and BOOM....no more kender"
Sera whipe away her pretend tear and look sad. Then take a step to the side giving Merkas room to go check it out.
Sera bit her lip, trying—and failing—to suppress a smirk.
Looking over the room and “provisions” Merkas makes a face at the pickled items. “Maybe Sera but I would not want to live on that, maybe they only get the drink” The kender accepts a sip of the brew from Kasi, nearly spitting it out as Sera goes on her deathtrap monologue. Wiping his lips he smiles, and moves cautiously towards the chest and satchel.
“Y’know, these things don’t tempt me as much since I turned all blue, don’t want those events to repeat ever again” Using the staff that he’s had tied to his back he gently pokes at the side of the chest. “And it being locked makes it take more time…” His words trailing off as he inspects the chest and satchel for traps (investigation 7 used the guidance Sera gave earlier)
After a bit in the poor light he simply reaches out and takes the satchel to see what’s in it.
Loyalty Begets Honour
Sera just see he can not resist poke at the chest. She take a few steps back just in caste he wakes up a hive of angry wasps or something. " thats how you turned blue? A magical trap?" Looking at him curiously. " is it a curse?"
Hmm, not sure, Yvana and I were searching for relics and such in a battlefield and then a bunch of stuff happened and I was blue and Yvana was dust” Looking through the satchel as he talks, “You think that maybe the key is in here?”
Loyalty Begets Honour
The beverage tastes fizzy and sweet, like honey or molasses, with no hint of alcohol in it. There is an odd smoky aftertaste to it that's more prominent when it makes you burp, and it takes some getting used to. You find the drink to be energizing and refreshing though.
Basically, it's kobold energy drink. Drinking a full bottle of it grants you Heroic Inspiration, but makes it harder for you to get a long rest. After drinking a full bottle of it, going to sleep requires a Wisdom Save starting at DC 10, and going up +2 for every bottle you drink that day. You can't stack Heroic Inspiration, but you can drink a fresh bottle after using Heroic Inspiration to get a new one. Drinking a portion of "Kiskartchi has no effect, but each bottle can be finished in 4 drinks. So 4 sips equals a bottle.
Inside the satchel, you find paper, writing utensils, ink, and a series of papers that look like maps of the second floor, but they're different in some significant ways. Several of the walls on the map are missing, and redrawn into straight lines, showing hallways that are up to 20' wide in some spaces. The map isn't accurate enough to give you directions on the second floor.
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 wanders the room looking for any concealed alcoves or hidden compartments that might be used to hide more valuable items.
Investigation: 18
Character: Hastos, Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread
Sharn smiled and looked around. The ladder was so close, what if. He walked close to the ladder to see if there was anything he could notice from a distance. He was getting used to the quick short steps of the kobolds, and evil had a distinct smell even if nobody liked to talk about it. Then, as he was 10 feet from the ladder, he farted. An evil smell indeed that broke any kind of concentration or focus he had. (perception roll of 4, 1+3, to try to notice anything, and I know a nat 1 is not an auto fail, but I feel like it fits)
Merkas scrunches his nose as the fizz hits it (Con Save 10) "Hmm, Not sure I like it but if Gramma thinks it's important to take along then so be it. Any idea what these others are for?"
He points to the others with the different labels."That one looks like it's for health but the teeth is kinda strnage"
Loyalty Begets Honour
Hastos spends a few minutes waking around, moving crates and boxes, you see him pick a few things up as he goes, and places them all together.
After a few minutes of not adding anything he says to the group. “Well, this is interesting. What do you make of this?”
In a group on the floor are several kits. A jewelers kit, a brewers kit, leather, carpentry and masons tools. “Any reason we can think of that they’d be hiding these kits?”
Character: Hastos, Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread
Sera holds her nose as sharn seems to have some ...body problems. " Darn Sharn...well..if you you done farting maybe you can pull UP the ladder so we can investigate this place in peace and not get more enemies from that direction?"
Sera steps closer to Hastos , kneel down and look at the tools closer
(investigate 16)
" No idea...they had workshop just behind us...hmm no I not get it" she say and pat Hastos back . She rise and go over to the containers. "Healing potions? Strenght potions?...grow nasty teeths potion " Sera take a potion label with a heart and know a little sip would identify it. " I guess the idea of growing huge nasty teeths is appealing Merkas" Sera hands him the teeth label potion for him to sip.
Then she taste the heart potion
Hastos looks doubtful at the toothy potion, and shrugs as Sera hands the potion to Merkas.
”How does a group of Kobolds become malnourished while being surrounded by food, raid supplies when they clearly have plenty. Mine jewels, make potions and yet hide the very kits they have to use to make them? “
Character: Hastos, Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread
Sharn cleared his throat, ignoring his lousy stomach.
"Before I retire this ladder, I can hear work being performed down there. There's something else I can't quite put my finger on. Oddest of all, there's a faint light as well. Last I checked, kobolds could see in the dark."
Sharn waited for the response of his companions, ready to pull up the ladder (or try) as soon as they gave the okay.
"Think there's different groups here? Like these guys were trying to hide things from the ones down below? Maybe it's best we leave these things they have been keeping safe, That way at least when they wake they know we are thieves?" Setting the potions back down, Merkas moves over with Sharn he peers down the hole for a second and shifts back so his shadow wouldn't be noticed. "Think someone should go down there quietly and get a peek?" He whispers to Sharn, doing his best to not have the sound echo. (Nat 1 insight for hints on proceeding)
Loyalty Begets Honour
"You are right Merkas even if it could be healing potions that would be helpful" Sera said and put the bottles back.
Snatching the bottle Kasi taste from with a fast move. Bottles it and puts it back on the shelf.
"We are not thiefs...or hipocrites.." she say giving Merkas a challenging look.
"If you like go down scouting go ahead"
(There was a whole section that got deleted from this post adding it back in)
Spreading the papers out fir the others to see, Merkas points out the differences to the areas around them. “Looks like they have plans for this area. But this isn’t kobold construction is it Gramna? Like are they making room for a barracks or some other structure?” (13 insight. Trying to gather clues on what kind of structure is being built. Arcane or fortress, worship or sacrifice, holy or profane)
Loyalty Begets Honour