Princess raises an eyebrow at the mention that the merchant caravan was killed, and her face grows angry as she realizes that Letni Inhelk has been played. Mentally, she replays the scenario, her wings beginning to close, as she loses focus on her own body.
Behind her right wing, in the distance, you make out a shape. At first it looks like a shiny, metal rain barrel.
Anyone can Roll an Arcana check.
"We have been played for foolss." She looks at Dawnbound. There is desperation in her eyes. "It wass a dangerouss move to invoke the wrath of Shantekh, but we are in great need. We do not want war with Shantekh. I am under the impression that replacement supplies will be arriving for them ssoon. Of coursse, we will grant them ssafe passage passt our territory. And when we can sspare more ssupplies, we will repay what we have taken."
She looks to Ipmeerk and Jamada as Merkas unties them. They rub their wrists and look to Dawnbound, the back to the princess, who bids them to come forward. They do so hesitantly, and kneel before her, making whining sounds of apology. She responds to them in Yip-yak, and during their brief conversation she looks back towards Dawnbound several times, nodding occasionally.
"Jamada ssays you fought with honor, and showed mercy to my people once they were defeated. That iss unussual for ssurface dwellerss, who often take the hidess of koboldss for their trophiess. But they alsso ssay there wass one other amongsst you. A holy warrior baring the mark of the Platinum Dragon. Are you sservants of Paladine?"
"We believe we we're set up to fail as well. Unfortunately we have been told, and seen for ourselves, that the supplies are desperately needed now. I fear that those who coaxed you to take this shipment are actively working to delay the next in order to make the people in this area desperate enough to turn to violence. Any of the supplies that you have that can be returned immediately will greatly reduce the risk of battle between Santekh and Letni Inhelk" Merkas responds carefully, matching his tone with the princess"Yes there is one other with our group. She felt it necessary to check on our horses, cart, and barking Chicken on the surface as it seemed we would need to be down here longer. Also the thought that Dawnbound had been set on a mission that was sure to fail, she found it best she return and protect what she can while we are talking with you" Pointing back the way they came he asks "Did you want us to send for her? If she does not hear from us soon she may return to Santekh in fear that we have been harmed." Speaking back at Hastos "If they give leave could you go and ask Sera to return here. Oh and be sure to wrap your cloak around you, wouldn't want that cold to come back now would we"Merkas gives a slight emphasis the the wrapping part, hoping the Hastos can glean the intent from his words.
Gesturing to the workers and carts around the room, Merkas asks a worried tone in his voice "May I ask why is it the Letni Inhelk are in such need of these supplies? We have heard many times that this is a very good place for food and water, the Hachakee have traded many times with your people and I have not heard a bad word from them about your practices, and Kasi, having brought us here at great risk to herself, has been very confused at the health of those we have met. She did not tell us that she would be risking execution by returning here, once we told her that the Letni Inhelk were at risk due to this shipment she volunteered to brings us and help us talk with you. She shows great loyalty to you and refused to kill any Letni Inhelk and had us commit to the same, which we were glad to do."
Princess Harkail looks at the strange design of the Jackal Knuckles. It does seem to have kobold ingenuity to it, but with a unique absurdity that could only come from a more whimsical mind. She smiles, in spite of herself, and looks at Sharn and Kasi appraisingly.
"This is fine work, Kashi." She says gently. Kasi bows in response.
Princess Harkail's Attitude is beginning to change towards you. She doesn't trust you yet, but she seems to be rooting for you. The idea that surface dwellers and kobolds can be allies is one she likes to champion, in spite of her mother's opinions on the subject.
"We believe we we're set up to fail as well. Unfortunately we have been told, and seen for ourselves, that the supplies are desperately needed now. I fear that those who coaxed you to take this shipment are actively working to delay the next in order to make the people in this area desperate enough to turn to violence. Any of the supplies that you have that can be returned immediately will greatly reduce the risk of battle between Santekh and Letni Inhelk" Merkas responds carefully, matching his tone with the princess"Yes there is one other with our group. She felt it necessary to check on our horses, cart, and barking Chicken on the surface as it seemed we would need to be down here longer. Also the thought that Dawnbound had been set on a mission that was sure to fail, she found it best she return and protect what she can while we are talking with you." Gesturing to the workers and carts around the room, Merkas asks a worried tone in his voice "May I ask why is it the Letni Inhelk are in such need of these supplies? We have heard many times that this is a very good place for food and water, the Hachakee have traded many times with your people and I have not heard a bad word from them about your practices, and Kasi, having brought us here at great risk to herself, has been very confused at the health of those we have met. She did not tell us that she would be risking execution by returning here, once we told her that the Letni Inhelk were at risk due to this shipment she volunteered to brings us and help us talk with you. She shows great loyalty to you and refused to kill any Letni Inhelk and had us commit to the same, which we were glad to do."
"Barking... chicken?" Princess Harkail mutters, confused. She shakes off the question before asking it aloud though.
Kasi looks down at her feet, ashamed.
"You may not assk about why we need the ssuppliess. Kobold problemss are kobold problemss. But you should know that Kashi hass failed her dragon lord. She is dissgraced, and doomed to die alone. Her curse iss herss alone to bare, and I will not endanger our clan to take in one ssuch as her," Princess Harkail explained. "Ssince she acted nobly on behalf of the Letni Inhelk, I will allow her to leave ssafely. But there will not be a third chance. Kashi, if you should return to our clan a third time, you will be executed. I ssympathize with your loneliness. It iss a punishment worsse than death. But we musst look after our own, and not evoke the wrath of the great dragonss. Do you undersstand?"
Kasi nods... tears well up in her slitted eyes, but she remains stoically silent.
Princess Harkail barks out some commands in Yip-Yak and several of the kobolds behind the throne scramble towards flatbed carts, loading up the crates. She turns to the group and sighs heavily. "The theft of thesse ssuppliess have proven more troublessome than they are worth. You may have them, to return to your people. Tell the people of Ssantekh that our clan wass sslaughtered by you. There was a cave in in the attack, and the entrance hass been collapssed. They will believe jusstice hass been sserved, and not be tempted to sseek uss out further. Thiss I assk as a favor to you in return for our cooperation. We will alsso return you ssafelty to the ssurface. Our home hass many trapss on the upper levelss. A guide will ssee to it that you make it back without triggering them. Hachakee warrior," she says, looking to Sharn. "I regret that we musst ceasse trade with the Hachakee. To protect the image that we have been annihilated, everyone in Santekh musst believe there iss noone here to trade with. Pleasse inform your tribe that we are all dead."
She summons a kobold from the back. A large female with bracers on her wrists and a nose piercing. "Ozula will guide you ssafely to the ssurface through a ssecret exit. From there, turn north, and you will pass by the main entrance in a few hundred feet. Do not think to usse that passage way to return. Only kobold may enter through it. You mentioned horssess, sso I imagine you have a way to tow all thesse cratess. We have no beasstss of burden to aid you once the cartss are brought passt our wallss."
Sharn nodded with some relief. He stood up to retrieve the knuckles, provided they were possible to retrieve.
"It fills me with sadness that trade may not continue, but I understand, princess. Your secret will be safe with us. However, and I hope my companions agree. If you ever need someone to help you, I think Dawnbound will be more than glad to provide aid."
Sharn nodded with some relief. He stood up to retrieve the knuckles, provided they were possible to retrieve.
"It fills me with sadness that trade may not continue, but I understand, princess. Your secret will be safe with us. However, and I hope my companions agree. If you ever need someone to help you, I think Dawnbound will be more than glad to provide aid."
As you reach for the Jackal Knuckles, Princess Harkail approaches you and places something else in your hand. It's a small stone with a kobold mouth insignia on it. "Should the Hachakee and Shantekh not believe your tale, whissper the word djerad into it, and you may sspeak with me. There iss much at sstake. Trusst me as I have chossen to trusst you. In time, perhapss, we can open up to the Hachakee again."
Sera let out a slow breath, shaking off the creeping paranoia. Maybe it was just the desert playing tricks on her nerves.
The little kobold tugged at her sleeve, gesturing toward Barkley and mimicking a shivering motion. Sera quirked an amused brow. So even they think the strider looks cold.
"Okay, little one..." she murmured, spreading her palm. Soft white flames flickered to life, coating the stones until they glowed red-hot. With careful scoops of her shield, she shoveled them around the big beast, forming a makeshift heated nest.
Barkley snorted but didn’t protest, his scales flexing as he adjusted to the warmth.
Sera allowed herself a small smile, but it faded as she cast another glance toward the cave entrance.
Still no sign of her companions.
She exhaled through her nose. If no one appears soon… I’m not spending the night here.
The elder kobold puts a finger to near their eye, indicating to watch. He approaches Barkly slowly with the sack of rocks, and speaking in draconic. Barkly looks up from settling in and preening, and watches the kobold with interest.
The kobold pulls out a rock, holding it palm-down so that Barkly can see that he doesn't intend to attack with it. She opens her mouth, and the kobold tosses a rock in it gently. Barkly crunches on it happily, while the kobold sets stones around the smoldering bed Sera made for Barkly, like building a fire pit. Once the rocks are piled high enough, the kobold steps back and utters a short word in Draconic, like a command. Dutifully, Barkly steps up and out of the pit. The younger kobold empties the smaller stones into the pit and backs away. Grateful for the new-and-improved bed, Barkly titters happily, and blows a small stream of fire at the rocks to heat them up, until they're glowing cinders. She sits down on the smoldering bed and closes her eyes peacefully. You can see that more of her wounds are starting to heal. They'll be deep scars, and permanent reminders of the final battle alongside her former master, but they'll heal just fine by morning.
With the problem of disposing of the stones taken care of, and Barkly relaxing happily in his spa, spirits seem to be lifted for a moment. More sounds start coming from the entrance though... another contingency of kobolds. The younger kobold gestures for you to wait there, walking backing away towards the entrance. He calls out to the kobolds in the cave in Yip-yak. You hear him use similar words that Kobold Yellow used in the cave to describe you, and they come outside with curiosity... each holding sacks of rubble. There's six of them this time, each carrying about 50 pounds of rocks and gravel. They chatter curiously amongst themselves. One of them seems to know a smattering of Common. "Holy... Warrior," she says in a husky voice, pointing at your sword hilt.
Sera let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. If the kobolds were this calm—going about their work and even calling her holy warrior—then her companions had likely succeeded.
She smirked slightly, shaking her head. So much for my paranoia.
Stretching her arms, she glanced toward the cave entrance. Now she just had to wait for the others to emerge and hear what exactly they had managed to negotiate.
Nodding to Ozula as they are introduced Merkas bows again, not attempting to pick up any of the weapons he had placed on the ground.“I thank you Princess, I told Ipmeerk and Jamada that we would not share your secret on pain of death and intend to keep that promise. Sharn is correct that if you need our assistance please send word for Dawnbound, Should you need to send it in secret simply ask about the barking chicken, we will know that you need help and we shall come to your aid.” Finishing his bow he pulls out his water skin “Is there a place we could refill our water skins? We had a fight with a firenewt on the way here and mending the wounds of our animals used up most all of our water supply.”
Nodding to Ozula as they are introduced Merkas bows again, not attempting to pick up any of the weapons he had placed on the ground.“I thank you Princess, I told Ipmeerk and Jamada that we would not share your secret on pain of death and intend to keep that promise. Sharn is correct that if you need our assistance please send word for Dawnbound, Should you need to send it in secret simply ask about the barking chicken, we will know that you need help and we shall come to your aid.” Finishing his bow he pulls out his water skin “Is there a place we could refill our water skins? We had a fight with a firenewt on the way here and mending the wounds of our animals used up most all of our water supply.”
Princess Harkail takes a moment, eyeing you suspiciously, then shrugs, and decides to allow it. She orders one of her royal guards, a sorcerer, to bring you a bowl of water, which she promptly does from a natural spring pool in the back. "Itss waterss are healing. You will find that you need very little of it to remain hydrated and strong. Use it sparingly."
The Letni Inhelk Spring Water is capable of restoring 1 HP per charge. A waterskin contains 10 charges.
Sera let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. If the kobolds were this calm—going about their work and even calling her holy warrior—then her companions had likely succeeded.
She smirked slightly, shaking her head. So much for my paranoia.
Stretching her arms, she glanced toward the cave entrance. Now she just had to wait for the others to emerge and hear what exactly they had managed to negotiate.
The kobolds go to work, storing stones around and above the cavern entrance, then going back in to retrieve more. Barkly is snoozing happily on the bed of glowing stones, and the horses seem to be more relaxed now that Sera is here to keep an eye on the Giant Strider.
Princess Harkail takes a moment, eyeing you suspiciously, then shrugs, and decides to allow it. She orders one of her royal guards, a sorcerer, to bring you a bowl of water, which she promptly does from a natural spring pool in the back. "Itss waterss are healing. You will find that you need very little of it to remain hydrated and strong. Use it sparingly."
The Letni Inhelk Spring Water is capable of restoring 1 HP per charge. A waterskin contains 10 charges.
“Oh, it’s that special, I best put it in a special bottle then.” Putting down his pack he carefully retrieves a case with a glass bottle in it.“A friend gave me this saying to use it for something special, it seems this is the perfect time for it” Carefully he opens the bottle and holds it steady for the kobold to fill from the bowl. “This is very kind of you, and I am sorry for having caused a fuss. I wish I had more of a gift to give you than just my words though…ah!”Soon as the bottle is filled and stored back in the case he digs through his pack again and soon he’s holding a sack of gold coins “A gift for the future, be sure to put it to good use ok?”He sets the pouch with 80 gold coins on the ground next to the weapons. “Oh and you can keep the staves, don’t really use them much anymore, really only thought it made me look stronger carrying two of them around with me but they just seemed to get stuck in doors and tight hallways. Glynnis doesn’t like when I scratch up the walls”
Sera couldn't just stand idle while others worked. She was used to the weight of fifty pounds of metal armor—what was a few sacks of stone compared to that? As more kobolds emerged with bags of gravel, she stepped forward without hesitation, taking the heavy loads from their smaller frames and carrying them away with ease.
"Here, I got it," she said, her voice steady as she moved alongside them, her boots crunching against the dry ground.
But as she worked, her mind andered. What’s taking the others so long? The negotiations must have gone well—otherwise, these kobolds wouldn't be moving around so casually. But the longer she waited, the more uneasy she felt.
She cast another glance at the cave entrance, shifting the weight of a sack onto her shoulder. If they didn't show soon, she’d have to make a choice—keep waiting or go back inside and find out what was keeping them.
Princess Harkail takes a moment, eyeing you suspiciously, then shrugs, and decides to allow it. She orders one of her royal guards, a sorcerer, to bring you a bowl of water, which she promptly does from a natural spring pool in the back. "Itss waterss are healing. You will find that you need very little of it to remain hydrated and strong. Use it sparingly."
The Letni Inhelk Spring Water is capable of restoring 1 HP per charge. A waterskin contains 10 charges.
“Oh, it’s that special, I best put it in a special bottle then.” Putting down his pack he carefully retrieves a case with a glass bottle in it.“A friend gave me this saying to use it for something special, it seems this is the perfect time for it” Carefully he opens the bottle and holds it steady for the kobold to fill from the bowl. “This is very kind of you, and I am sorry for having caused a fuss. I wish I had more of a gift to give you than just my words though…ah!”Soon as the bottle is filled and stored back in the case he digs through his pack again and soon he’s holding a sack of gold coins “A gift for the future, be sure to put it to good use ok?”He sets the pouch with 80 gold coins on the ground next to the weapons. “Oh and you can keep the staves, don’t really use them much anymore, really only thought it made me look stronger carrying two of them around with me but they just seemed to get stuck in doors and tight hallways. Glynnis doesn’t like when I scratch up the walls”
Princess Harkail tilts her head, the way a dog does when confused, and blinks several times, while she watches you pay 80 gold pieces and a bundle of weapons for a skin of water. Decided better on questioning Merkas's dizzying stream-of-consciousness, she simply sighs and smiles. "Ah... Glynniss musst be your mate. Yess. You should be resspectful in her home. I will put thesse itemss to good use. Return now to her. I'm ssure she yearnss for you."
Princess Harkail's demeaner seems to be warming up to the party, and it is reflecting on those kobolds surrounding her. The royal guard has relaxed notably, no longer holding readied attacks. The kobolds near the queen exchange uncertain glances, but at least they're breathing again. And the hordes of kobolds to the rear still seem to barely have moved.
The one exemption to this is the queen, who's fangs are beginning to show. Her voice booms throughout the chamber, "Daughter. If you are quite finished playing with your new friends, I insist that you have them escorted out before I change my mind and throw them in a dungeon. We have much work to do." Her head gestures towards the metallic rain barrel in the back. "And very little time to do it."
Princess Harkail turns back to the queen and bows low, forgetting to blind your view with her wings.
Behind her, and to the left of the queen's throne, the bulk of the kobold forces, at least 50 of them, are surrounding a receding stone structure with built in mushroom and moss groves, as well as large bronze braziers and fire pits. Steam rises from a natural spring, further obscuring the view of the metallic rain barrel.
When she turns around, she startles, and stretches her wings wide with a loud flap, blocking your view completely. "Yess... of coursse. You musst be eager to return your ssuppliess. They are already on their way to the ssurface as we sspeak. I ssuggest you recover them before sscavengerss get to them."
Sera couldn't just stand idle while others worked. She was used to the weight of fifty pounds of metal armor—what was a few sacks of stone compared to that? As more kobolds emerged with bags of gravel, she stepped forward without hesitation, taking the heavy loads from their smaller frames and carrying them away with ease.
"Here, I got it," she said, her voice steady as she moved alongside them, her boots crunching against the dry ground.
But as she worked, her mind andered. What’s taking the others so long? The negotiations must have gone well—otherwise, these kobolds wouldn't be moving around so casually. But the longer she waited, the more uneasy she felt.
She cast another glance at the cave entrance, shifting the weight of a sack onto her shoulder. If they didn't show soon, she’d have to make a choice—keep waiting or go back inside and find out what was keeping them.
Your patience is rewarded. As if materializing from the very rock of the mountainside nearly 200' south of your current location, a rail cart appears with four crates on it, marked in Common with the word Santekh Trading Post. Behind it, two kobolds strain to push the rail cart onto the sand, then chock the wheels. Once the cart is steady, they work together to unload the crates onto the desert sand. Once that's done, they pull up the chocks, push the cart back onto some unseen rails, and disappear back into the stone wall. Within moments, another similar cart with two different kobolds arrives with four more crates.
It would appear that the negotiations have gone exceptionally well.
With your help, the kobolds finish their work quickly. They bark at your cheerily in ways that give you the impression they are thanking you. One of the younger ones comes up to you and presents you a mechanical toy: a wind up spider. He winds it up and sets it on the ground. The gestures to you to cover your eyes. The one who spoke to you earlier explains. "Toy. Teach hunt. No look."
When you cover your eyes, you can hear the clockwork machinations grind. And when you look, you can see that it has moved several feet in a short amount of time. But it stops moving the moment it is observed, making it easy to catch, if you can spot it.
Larskolstad, Sera has received a Trinket: A tiny mechanical crab or spider that moves about when it’s not being observed. This object is kobold made and can be used to prove that you are a friend of the Letni Inhelk. It also might be a fun toy for Barkly if she needs to burn off some energy.
The one exemption to this is the queen, who's fangs are beginning to show. Her voice booms throughout the chamber, "Daughter. If you are quite finished playing with your new friends, I insist that you have them escorted out before I change my mind and throw them in a dungeon. We have much work to do." Her head gestures towards the metallic rain barrel in the back. "And very little time to do it."
Princess Harkail turns back to the queen and bows low, forgetting to blind your view with her wings.
Behind her, and to the left of the queen's throne, the bulk of the kobold forces, at least 50 of them, are surrounding a receding stone structure with built in mushroom and moss groves, as well as large bronze braziers and fire pits. Steam rises from a natural spring, further obscuring the view of the metallic rain barrel.
When she turns around, she startles, and stretches her wings wide with a loud flap, blocking your view completely. "Yess... of coursse. You musst be eager to return your ssuppliess. They are already on their way to the ssurface as we sspeak. I ssuggest you recover them before sscavengerss get to them."
"Oh Right, we gotta go" Hurriedly he collects his items and shoulders his pack. He bows to the Queen"Your Highness and Princess. May your pockets always be full and your travels bring you safely home." Turning to Ozula "Lead the way. We have outstayed our welcome and don't wish to impose anymore" Looking back at his companion with slightly wide eyes he mouths wordlessly "WE did it?"
Casting a last glance at the way they had come in his eyes fall on Ipmeerk and Jamada"Don't forget about your friends upstairs, They might get in trouble for laying about."
Traveling through the tunnels he notes to himself to not try and memorize the trip, doing all he can to make keeping this secret easier on himself. The dark hallways help with this as his vision is completely obscured and he follows simply by sound.
Sera watched as the eight crates were returned, hoping they contained food. Curiosity gnawed at her, but just the thought of opening one made her head throb—a sharp reminder of the geas placed upon her. Best to leave them be.
The kobolds cheered, their admiration washing over her like a wave. It was strange, being seen as a hero, but she couldn't deny the warmth it stirred in her chest. Then, a young kobold stepped forward, offering her a small mechanical spider—a delicate trinket, crafted with care.
Sera felt something tighten inside her. A simple gesture of friendship, yet it left her unsteady. She knelt slightly, offering a rare, genuine smile.
“Thank you,” she murmured, then reached for her shortbow. Carefully, she placed it in the young kobold’s hands. “Here. Maybe this will help you hunt better than a sling.”
She ruffled his head gently before straightening. The weight of the moment settled on her, unexpected yet welcome. Maybe, just maybe, not all of this had been for nothing.
Then struggling to get the crates up on the wagon. Wondering what kind of food that it would contain. Dried meat? Fruit? Jars? And why offer a lot of real food if it was a set up? Looking at the crate in the wagon and taking a sniff at it. " Damn I can not open to investigate...please help me Paladine" she mutters. ( cast guidance and get 14 on Investigation roll then)
The one exemption to this is the queen, who's fangs are beginning to show. Her voice booms throughout the chamber, "Daughter. If you are quite finished playing with your new friends, I insist that you have them escorted out before I change my mind and throw them in a dungeon. We have much work to do." Her head gestures towards the metallic rain barrel in the back. "And very little time to do it."
Princess Harkail turns back to the queen and bows low, forgetting to blind your view with her wings.
Behind her, and to the left of the queen's throne, the bulk of the kobold forces, at least 50 of them, are surrounding a receding stone structure with built in mushroom and moss groves, as well as large bronze braziers and fire pits. Steam rises from a natural spring, further obscuring the view of the metallic rain barrel.
When she turns around, she startles, and stretches her wings wide with a loud flap, blocking your view completely. "Yess... of coursse. You musst be eager to return your ssuppliess. They are already on their way to the ssurface as we sspeak. I ssuggest you recover them before sscavengerss get to them."
"Oh Right, we gotta go" Hurriedly he collects his items and shoulders his pack. He bows to the Queen"Your Highness and Princess. May your pockets always be full and your travels bring you safely home." Turning to Ozula "Lead the way. We have outstayed our welcome and don't wish to impose anymore" Looking back at his companion with slightly wide eyes he mouths wordlessly "WE did it?"
Casting a last glance at the way they had come in his eyes fall on Ipmeerk and Jamada"Don't forget about your friends upstairs, They might get in trouble for laying about."
Traveling through the tunnels he notes to himself to not try and memorize the trip, doing all he can to make keeping this secret easier on himself. The dark hallways help with this as his vision is completely obscured and he follows simply by sound.
Ozula leads you down the main path heading west. It narrows down to 10' wide, with a two-way rail track that winds its way through the dark in an upward-sloping zigzag. The caverns are cool and dripping with moisture. Every drop echoes with a hollowness that implies twisting canals of natural, water-carved cavern. But staying on the rail-path is relatively easy, even in total darkness. You eventually catch up to a cart carrying four of your crates ahead of you. You can hear two kobolds grunting as they push the rail car up the incline. Then you feel a weird squeezing sensation and your ears pop.
Everyone together, outside Letni Inhelk... (the party is no longer split)
Suddenly, you're out into the dim light of dusk, which seems almost searingly bright in contrast, watching Sera try to lug the crates to the horses one heavy crate at a time. The two kobolds that were ahead of you dutifully move the crates off the rail car, set the car back on the rails, and begin rolling the cart back towards, what appears to be, a solid mountain-side. But once the rail car hits the mountainside, it and the kobolds are sucked in and vanish out of sight. Ozula bows and leaves you with the burden of getting all the crates on your own cart. She heads back to the mountainside, and with a Vwoop-POP sound, vanishes into the mountain. If you attempt to interact with the entrance, it feels exactly like a stone wall, and will not grant you entry.
Sera watched as the eight crates were returned, hoping they contained food. Curiosity gnawed at her, but just the thought of opening one made her head throb—a sharp reminder of the geas placed upon her. Best to leave them be.
The kobolds cheered, their admiration washing over her like a wave. It was strange, being seen as a hero, but she couldn't deny the warmth it stirred in her chest. Then, a young kobold stepped forward, offering her a small mechanical spider—a delicate trinket, crafted with care.
Sera felt something tighten inside her. A simple gesture of friendship, yet it left her unsteady. She knelt slightly, offering a rare, genuine smile.
“Thank you,” she murmured, then reached for her shortbow. Carefully, she placed it in the young kobold’s hands. “Here. Maybe this will help you hunt better than a sling.”
She ruffled his head gently before straightening. The weight of the moment settled on her, unexpected yet welcome. Maybe, just maybe, not all of this had been for nothing.
Then struggling to get the crates up on the wagon. Wondering what kind of food that it would contain. Dried meat? Fruit? Jars? And why offer a lot of real food if it was a set up? Looking at the crate in the wagon and taking a sniff at it. " Damn I can not open to investigate...please help me Paladine" she mutters. ( cast guidance and get 14 on Investigation roll then)
The younger kobold takes the bow gratefully and smiles when you tousle his head. With several friendly waves, the kobolds retreat into the cave as the sun completes its journey for the evening. The last one inside, slaps a button, and you fully understand what the rocks were all about. It triggers a falling rock trap that seals the entrance with a violent crash. Dust flies everywhere, and when it settles, the Letni Inhelk cave entrance is perfectly disguised to look like it caved in.
12 crates promised. 12 crates delivered. Now to get it all back to Santekh in time.
It is the beginning of night fall. Each crate is about 100 pounds (1200 pounds of supplies in all), and it will take at least an hour to load them all up. If you wish, you may take a long rest by the cave entrance, and make your in-content decision about Kasi. The cart is big enough to carry all the crates, though they will have to be double-stacked. But the cart has received fire damage twice, and may need reinforcement structures in order to finish the trip back. Wood can be found with a Survival Check (DC 20) and you can take 20 on the check. Aside from any proficiencies the party has to woodworking, Kasi can perform the Help action to grant you Advantage on the roll. A Mending spell will also repair some of the damage, but it can only repair a 1-foot section per casting. Breakdowns on the road could slow down your pacing and invite trouble on the road. Tomorrow, I believe, will be day 4 of the Gaes (Day 1: Get Contract; Day 2: Get Supplies, meet Kasi, head out; Day 3: Navigate Letni Inhelk; Day 4 Head Back). Without any hold-ups, you expect to arrive in Santekh halfway through Day 5, two days ahead of schedule.
As the others returned, Sera greeted them with open arms, wrapping them in a joyful hug. She lifted Merkas with ease and spinning him around, forgetting—yet again—that the kender was a grown adult and not a child. She hugged extra long on Hastos and making sure Sharn not see. Pinch his butt and rub his crotch" ...missed you..." she whisper with a grin. Then pretend like nothing when Sharn looked their way.
After the kobolds finished sealing their entrance, she turned her attention to the crates. Curiosity got the better of her as she lifted, shook, and even sniffed at them, trying to get a sense of their contents. When she finally peeked inside between bosrds she realized they held everything needed to start a settlement—tools, seeds, even healing potions.
But as her gaze shifted to the wagon, she saw the problem. The fires had left their mark, and while it could carry eight crates, twelve would be pushing it.
With a sigh, Sera pressed her hands to the damaged wood, calling upon her mending cantrip. The magic wove through the splintered planks, sealing cracks in the blink of an eye. Still, it wouldn’t be enough. Some areas needed proper reinforcements.
Glancing at Kasi, Sera hesitated. The kobold seemed... off. Downcast, perhaps? Unsure of how to ask, Sera simply handed her a set of tools and gestured to the wagon.
“Could use some extra hands,” she said lightly and took a hand on her shoulder " hey...we never would make it without your help Kasi. I think I speak for us all when I say I hope you join Dawnbound Kasi. You are destinied for great deeds Kasi. The great Platinium dragon will hear of your efforts when I pray to him tonight"
Between them, the repairs went smoothly. Sera's farm upbringing made reinforcing the wagon feel second nature, and with Kasi’s help, they shored up the worst of the fire damage. With a few more supports, the wagon would be ready to haul everything back to Santech.
"I will be back, it seems like we could use some wood. For repairs and a well earned rest."
He trailed off, not too far, while whistling an unfamiliar tune to those not familiar with dwarven nursery songs. He had learned them on the flute, but the physical rendition wasn't too bad. He felt at home finding dry wood in the barren lands. A well earned rest indeed. It took some time, but they were on schedule. Hopefully, they would soon be in good spirits as well.
Kasi nods to quietly acknowledge Sera's offer, still mostly nonverbal after the crushing reminder of her banishment and disgrace. She works dutifully on the cart, recovering the slings she took from the kobolds and converting them to leather straps to bind joints. She uses her chisel to break away wood that is too scorched to be salvaged. Then, while Sera prepares the wood that Sharn finds, Kasi renders a bone glue from the jackal remains. Once they're ready, she bonds the wood and holds them in place to cure with the remaining straps. When you're done, the cart doesn't look pretty, with all the improvised materials, but it'll hold up. One metal joist near the rear axle is your only concern, but as long as the horses don't break into a full run (like they even can while towing 12 crates of supplies) the cart should hold fine.
The stars are twinkling brightly overhead. Barkly's miniature sauna has lost much of its heat, and she's stirring because of it. She watches Dawnbound finish their repairs with casual interest, occasionally peering into the dark to look for an easy meal. With a sudden snap of her neck, she pecks the ground, and comes up with a desert snake. Shaking it violently, the snake makes a weird flapping, snapping sound, until it stops moving. Then Barkly begins swallowing it down. Once the snake is completely gone, she lets out a soft bellow.
I'm going to wave probability rolls, and give you guys a peaceful night to level up. You've definitely earned it. So if there's any more RP that needs to be done, please do so now before I fast forward to morning.
"Hey SeraaaaaAHH..." The clerics name getting drawn in an exclamation as he's picked up and spun. He returns the hug and s Sera stops spinning he pats her head and says"Good to see you too, can you put me down now?"
Looking around where they had exited the caves he lets out a low whistle"Now that's a secret entrance, wonder if they can make them in regular people walls too? Oh Hi Barkly!" Merkas bounces over to the strider cheerily"I didn't get you any food while we were down there, wasn't much to hunt. Did Sera treat you well though? Sorry we left you behind, but there was no way you would have fit through the tunnels we had to go through. You would fit in the main one though, lots of room there but still nothing to hunt so you wouldn't have liked it anyway."Merrily he pulls out another one of his dried rations and sets it near Barkly after they finish their snack snake. He chews on some for himself and drinking a bottle of Kiskartchi as he thinks over what needs to be done. In his excitement he doesn't notice how hungry Sera is from giving all her rations to Barkly."Well youlook better, did you get some more heat to get better? Maybe your strong enough you can help pull the cart now? Oh right the cart! (Animal Handling at advantage from the Kiskartchi - 15)
Hopping up he grabs a bottle from his pack and then notices the newt bones and starts storing them before moving over to hear Sera's statement to Kasi. He smiles to himself as he moves to assist his "Gramma" with the repairs."So we need to watch this axle huh? Would wrapping it with straps help?"
Once the cart is mostly repaired the Kender still feels energetic so he gets in under the crates to put them on the cart, grunting he calls to Hastos"Hey Hastos, get your butt away from Sera and help load these would you? You'd think you two hadn't seen each other for years they way you carry on!"
After the cart is loaded the kender sits on the lip of the cart and looks around."Well I am still not tired I can take first watch, we also have to discuss how we're going to convince Verhana about how we destroyed the whole of Letni Inhelk and their caves" Merkas collects the scraps of wood and moves near to Barkly to start up a small fire for heat and light again. He pulls out his bedroll and covers the strider for the night. Smoothing some sand for Kasi he motions to her to curl up beside the fire. (Wisdom save- 14 for going to sleep after drinking the Kobold Jolt Cola) Once everyone is settled, Merkas curls up next the Kasi, sharing body heat with the displaced kobold. "Dawnbound is now your Noachi Gramma" He whispers as he settles in to sleep.
"We believe we we're set up to fail as well. Unfortunately we have been told, and seen for ourselves, that the supplies are desperately needed now. I fear that those who coaxed you to take this shipment are actively working to delay the next in order to make the people in this area desperate enough to turn to violence. Any of the supplies that you have that can be returned immediately will greatly reduce the risk of battle between Santekh and Letni Inhelk"
Merkas responds carefully, matching his tone with the princess "Yes there is one other with our group. She felt it necessary to check on our horses, cart, and barking Chicken on the surface as it seemed we would need to be down here longer. Also the thought that Dawnbound had been set on a mission that was sure to fail, she found it best she return and protect what she can while we are talking with you" Pointing back the way they came he asks "Did you want us to send for her? If she does not hear from us soon she may return to Santekh in fear that we have been harmed." Speaking back at Hastos "If they give leave could you go and ask Sera to return here. Oh and be sure to wrap your cloak around you, wouldn't want that cold to come back now would we" Merkas gives a slight emphasis the the wrapping part, hoping the Hastos can glean the intent from his words.
Gesturing to the workers and carts around the room, Merkas asks a worried tone in his voice "May I ask why is it the Letni Inhelk are in such need of these supplies? We have heard many times that this is a very good place for food and water, the Hachakee have traded many times with your people and I have not heard a bad word from them about your practices, and Kasi, having brought us here at great risk to herself, has been very confused at the health of those we have met. She did not tell us that she would be risking execution by returning here, once we told her that the Letni Inhelk were at risk due to this shipment she volunteered to brings us and help us talk with you. She shows great loyalty to you and refused to kill any Letni Inhelk and had us commit to the same, which we were glad to do."
Loyalty Begets Honour
Princess Harkail looks at the strange design of the Jackal Knuckles. It does seem to have kobold ingenuity to it, but with a unique absurdity that could only come from a more whimsical mind. She smiles, in spite of herself, and looks at Sharn and Kasi appraisingly.
"This is fine work, Kashi." She says gently. Kasi bows in response.
Princess Harkail's Attitude is beginning to change towards you. She doesn't trust you yet, but she seems to be rooting for you. The idea that surface dwellers and kobolds can be allies is one she likes to champion, in spite of her mother's opinions on the subject.
"Barking... chicken?" Princess Harkail mutters, confused. She shakes off the question before asking it aloud though.
Kasi looks down at her feet, ashamed.
"You may not assk about why we need the ssuppliess. Kobold problemss are kobold problemss. But you should know that Kashi hass failed her dragon lord. She is dissgraced, and doomed to die alone. Her curse iss herss alone to bare, and I will not endanger our clan to take in one ssuch as her," Princess Harkail explained. "Ssince she acted nobly on behalf of the Letni Inhelk, I will allow her to leave ssafely. But there will not be a third chance. Kashi, if you should return to our clan a third time, you will be executed. I ssympathize with your loneliness. It iss a punishment worsse than death. But we musst look after our own, and not evoke the wrath of the great dragonss. Do you undersstand?"
Kasi nods... tears well up in her slitted eyes, but she remains stoically silent.
Princess Harkail barks out some commands in Yip-Yak and several of the kobolds behind the throne scramble towards flatbed carts, loading up the crates. She turns to the group and sighs heavily. "The theft of thesse ssuppliess have proven more troublessome than they are worth. You may have them, to return to your people. Tell the people of Ssantekh that our clan wass sslaughtered by you. There was a cave in in the attack, and the entrance hass been collapssed. They will believe jusstice hass been sserved, and not be tempted to sseek uss out further. Thiss I assk as a favor to you in return for our cooperation. We will alsso return you ssafelty to the ssurface. Our home hass many trapss on the upper levelss. A guide will ssee to it that you make it back without triggering them. Hachakee warrior," she says, looking to Sharn. "I regret that we musst ceasse trade with the Hachakee. To protect the image that we have been annihilated, everyone in Santekh musst believe there iss noone here to trade with. Pleasse inform your tribe that we are all dead."
She summons a kobold from the back. A large female with bracers on her wrists and a nose piercing. "Ozula will guide you ssafely to the ssurface through a ssecret exit. From there, turn north, and you will pass by the main entrance in a few hundred feet. Do not think to usse that passage way to return. Only kobold may enter through it. You mentioned horssess, sso I imagine you have a way to tow all thesse cratess. We have no beasstss of burden to aid you once the cartss are brought passt our wallss."
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 nodded with some relief. He stood up to retrieve the knuckles, provided they were possible to retrieve.
"It fills me with sadness that trade may not continue, but I understand, princess. Your secret will be safe with us. However, and I hope my companions agree. If you ever need someone to help you, I think Dawnbound will be more than glad to provide aid."
As you reach for the Jackal Knuckles, Princess Harkail approaches you and places something else in your hand. It's a small stone with a kobold mouth insignia on it. "Should the Hachakee and Shantekh not believe your tale, whissper the word djerad into it, and you may sspeak with me. There iss much at sstake. Trusst me as I have chossen to trusst you. In time, perhapss, we can open up to the Hachakee again."
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 let out a slow breath, shaking off the creeping paranoia. Maybe it was just the desert playing tricks on her nerves.
The little kobold tugged at her sleeve, gesturing toward Barkley and mimicking a shivering motion. Sera quirked an amused brow. So even they think the strider looks cold.
"Okay, little one..." she murmured, spreading her palm. Soft white flames flickered to life, coating the stones until they glowed red-hot. With careful scoops of her shield, she shoveled them around the big beast, forming a makeshift heated nest.
Barkley snorted but didn’t protest, his scales flexing as he adjusted to the warmth.
Sera allowed herself a small smile, but it faded as she cast another glance toward the cave entrance.
Still no sign of her companions.
She exhaled through her nose. If no one appears soon… I’m not spending the night here.
The elder kobold puts a finger to near their eye, indicating to watch. He approaches Barkly slowly with the sack of rocks, and speaking in draconic. Barkly looks up from settling in and preening, and watches the kobold with interest.
The kobold pulls out a rock, holding it palm-down so that Barkly can see that he doesn't intend to attack with it. She opens her mouth, and the kobold tosses a rock in it gently. Barkly crunches on it happily, while the kobold sets stones around the smoldering bed Sera made for Barkly, like building a fire pit. Once the rocks are piled high enough, the kobold steps back and utters a short word in Draconic, like a command. Dutifully, Barkly steps up and out of the pit. The younger kobold empties the smaller stones into the pit and backs away. Grateful for the new-and-improved bed, Barkly titters happily, and blows a small stream of fire at the rocks to heat them up, until they're glowing cinders. She sits down on the smoldering bed and closes her eyes peacefully. You can see that more of her wounds are starting to heal. They'll be deep scars, and permanent reminders of the final battle alongside her former master, but they'll heal just fine by morning.
With the problem of disposing of the stones taken care of, and Barkly relaxing happily in his spa, spirits seem to be lifted for a moment. More sounds start coming from the entrance though... another contingency of kobolds. The younger kobold gestures for you to wait there, walking backing away towards the entrance. He calls out to the kobolds in the cave in Yip-yak. You hear him use similar words that Kobold Yellow used in the cave to describe you, and they come outside with curiosity... each holding sacks of rubble. There's six of them this time, each carrying about 50 pounds of rocks and gravel. They chatter curiously amongst themselves. One of them seems to know a smattering of Common. "Holy... Warrior," she says in a husky voice, pointing at your sword hilt.
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 let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. If the kobolds were this calm—going about their work and even calling her holy warrior—then her companions had likely succeeded.
She smirked slightly, shaking her head. So much for my paranoia.
Stretching her arms, she glanced toward the cave entrance. Now she just had to wait for the others to emerge and hear what exactly they had managed to negotiate.
Nodding to Ozula as they are introduced Merkas bows again, not attempting to pick up any of the weapons he had placed on the ground. “I thank you Princess, I told Ipmeerk and Jamada that we would not share your secret on pain of death and intend to keep that promise. Sharn is correct that if you need our assistance please send word for Dawnbound, Should you need to send it in secret simply ask about the barking chicken, we will know that you need help and we shall come to your aid.” Finishing his bow he pulls out his water skin “Is there a place we could refill our water skins? We had a fight with a firenewt on the way here and mending the wounds of our animals used up most all of our water supply.”
Loyalty Begets Honour
Hastos’ nerves begin to calm. “It can’t be this easy.” He thought to himself.
Sure, Merkas and Sharn turned out to be quite the diplomats, but he hadn’t expected things to go so smoothly.
Character: Hastos, Ibahalii Vriwhulth, the Reaper of Glory v2: IC Thread
Princess Harkail takes a moment, eyeing you suspiciously, then shrugs, and decides to allow it. She orders one of her royal guards, a sorcerer, to bring you a bowl of water, which she promptly does from a natural spring pool in the back. "Itss waterss are healing. You will find that you need very little of it to remain hydrated and strong. Use it sparingly."
The Letni Inhelk Spring Water is capable of restoring 1 HP per charge. A waterskin contains 10 charges.
The kobolds go to work, storing stones around and above the cavern entrance, then going back in to retrieve more. Barkly is snoozing happily on the bed of glowing stones, and the horses seem to be more relaxed now that Sera is here to keep an eye on the Giant Strider.
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
“Oh, it’s that special, I best put it in a special bottle then.” Putting down his pack he carefully retrieves a case with a glass bottle in it. “A friend gave me this saying to use it for something special, it seems this is the perfect time for it” Carefully he opens the bottle and holds it steady for the kobold to fill from the bowl. “This is very kind of you, and I am sorry for having caused a fuss. I wish I had more of a gift to give you than just my words though…ah!” Soon as the bottle is filled and stored back in the case he digs through his pack again and soon he’s holding a sack of gold coins “A gift for the future, be sure to put it to good use ok?” He sets the pouch with 80 gold coins on the ground next to the weapons. “Oh and you can keep the staves, don’t really use them much anymore, really only thought it made me look stronger carrying two of them around with me but they just seemed to get stuck in doors and tight hallways. Glynnis doesn’t like when I scratch up the walls”
Loyalty Begets Honour
Sera couldn't just stand idle while others worked. She was used to the weight of fifty pounds of metal armor—what was a few sacks of stone compared to that? As more kobolds emerged with bags of gravel, she stepped forward without hesitation, taking the heavy loads from their smaller frames and carrying them away with ease.
"Here, I got it," she said, her voice steady as she moved alongside them, her boots crunching against the dry ground.
But as she worked, her mind andered. What’s taking the others so long? The negotiations must have gone well—otherwise, these kobolds wouldn't be moving around so casually. But the longer she waited, the more uneasy she felt.
She cast another glance at the cave entrance, shifting the weight of a sack onto her shoulder. If they didn't show soon, she’d have to make a choice—keep waiting or go back inside and find out what was keeping them.
Inside Letni Inhelk...
Princess Harkail tilts her head, the way a dog does when confused, and blinks several times, while she watches you pay 80 gold pieces and a bundle of weapons for a skin of water. Decided better on questioning Merkas's dizzying stream-of-consciousness, she simply sighs and smiles. "Ah... Glynniss musst be your mate. Yess. You should be resspectful in her home. I will put thesse itemss to good use. Return now to her. I'm ssure she yearnss for you."
Princess Harkail's demeaner seems to be warming up to the party, and it is reflecting on those kobolds surrounding her. The royal guard has relaxed notably, no longer holding readied attacks. The kobolds near the queen exchange uncertain glances, but at least they're breathing again. And the hordes of kobolds to the rear still seem to barely have moved.
The one exemption to this is the queen, who's fangs are beginning to show. Her voice booms throughout the chamber, "Daughter. If you are quite finished playing with your new friends, I insist that you have them escorted out before I change my mind and throw them in a dungeon. We have much work to do." Her head gestures towards the metallic rain barrel in the back. "And very little time to do it."
Princess Harkail turns back to the queen and bows low, forgetting to blind your view with her wings.
Behind her, and to the left of the queen's throne, the bulk of the kobold forces, at least 50 of them, are surrounding a receding stone structure with built in mushroom and moss groves, as well as large bronze braziers and fire pits. Steam rises from a natural spring, further obscuring the view of the metallic rain barrel.
When she turns around, she startles, and stretches her wings wide with a loud flap, blocking your view completely. "Yess... of coursse. You musst be eager to return your ssuppliess. They are already on their way to the ssurface as we sspeak. I ssuggest you recover them before sscavengerss get to them."
Outside Letni Inhelk...
Your patience is rewarded. As if materializing from the very rock of the mountainside nearly 200' south of your current location, a rail cart appears with four crates on it, marked in Common with the word Santekh Trading Post. Behind it, two kobolds strain to push the rail cart onto the sand, then chock the wheels. Once the cart is steady, they work together to unload the crates onto the desert sand. Once that's done, they pull up the chocks, push the cart back onto some unseen rails, and disappear back into the stone wall. Within moments, another similar cart with two different kobolds arrives with four more crates.
It would appear that the negotiations have gone exceptionally well.
With your help, the kobolds finish their work quickly. They bark at your cheerily in ways that give you the impression they are thanking you. One of the younger ones comes up to you and presents you a mechanical toy: a wind up spider. He winds it up and sets it on the ground. The gestures to you to cover your eyes. The one who spoke to you earlier explains. "Toy. Teach hunt. No look."
When you cover your eyes, you can hear the clockwork machinations grind. And when you look, you can see that it has moved several feet in a short amount of time. But it stops moving the moment it is observed, making it easy to catch, if you can spot it.
Larskolstad, Sera has received a Trinket: A tiny mechanical crab or spider that moves about when it’s not being observed.
This object is kobold made and can be used to prove that you are a friend of the Letni Inhelk. It also might be a fun toy for Barkly if she needs to burn off some energy.
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
"Oh Right, we gotta go" Hurriedly he collects his items and shoulders his pack. He bows to the Queen "Your Highness and Princess. May your pockets always be full and your travels bring you safely home." Turning to Ozula "Lead the way. We have outstayed our welcome and don't wish to impose anymore"
Looking back at his companion with slightly wide eyes he mouths wordlessly "WE did it?"
Casting a last glance at the way they had come in his eyes fall on Ipmeerk and Jamada "Don't forget about your friends upstairs, They might get in trouble for laying about."
Traveling through the tunnels he notes to himself to not try and memorize the trip, doing all he can to make keeping this secret easier on himself. The dark hallways help with this as his vision is completely obscured and he follows simply by sound.
Loyalty Begets Honour
Sera watched as the eight crates were returned, hoping they contained food. Curiosity gnawed at her, but just the thought of opening one made her head throb—a sharp reminder of the geas placed upon her. Best to leave them be.
The kobolds cheered, their admiration washing over her like a wave. It was strange, being seen as a hero, but she couldn't deny the warmth it stirred in her chest. Then, a young kobold stepped forward, offering her a small mechanical spider—a delicate trinket, crafted with care.
Sera felt something tighten inside her. A simple gesture of friendship, yet it left her unsteady. She knelt slightly, offering a rare, genuine smile.
“Thank you,” she murmured, then reached for her shortbow. Carefully, she placed it in the young kobold’s hands. “Here. Maybe this will help you hunt better than a sling.”
She ruffled his head gently before straightening. The weight of the moment settled on her, unexpected yet welcome. Maybe, just maybe, not all of this had been for nothing.
Then struggling to get the crates up on the wagon. Wondering what kind of food that it would contain. Dried meat? Fruit? Jars? And why offer a lot of real food if it was a set up? Looking at the crate in the wagon and taking a sniff at it. " Damn I can not open to investigate...please help me Paladine" she mutters. ( cast guidance and get 14 on Investigation roll then)
Inside Letni Inhelk...
Ozula leads you down the main path heading west. It narrows down to 10' wide, with a two-way rail track that winds its way through the dark in an upward-sloping zigzag. The caverns are cool and dripping with moisture. Every drop echoes with a hollowness that implies twisting canals of natural, water-carved cavern. But staying on the rail-path is relatively easy, even in total darkness. You eventually catch up to a cart carrying four of your crates ahead of you. You can hear two kobolds grunting as they push the rail car up the incline. Then you feel a weird squeezing sensation and your ears pop.
Everyone together, outside Letni Inhelk... (the party is no longer split)
Suddenly, you're out into the dim light of dusk, which seems almost searingly bright in contrast, watching Sera try to lug the crates to the horses one heavy crate at a time. The two kobolds that were ahead of you dutifully move the crates off the rail car, set the car back on the rails, and begin rolling the cart back towards, what appears to be, a solid mountain-side. But once the rail car hits the mountainside, it and the kobolds are sucked in and vanish out of sight. Ozula bows and leaves you with the burden of getting all the crates on your own cart. She heads back to the mountainside, and with a Vwoop-POP sound, vanishes into the mountain. If you attempt to interact with the entrance, it feels exactly like a stone wall, and will not grant you entry.
The younger kobold takes the bow gratefully and smiles when you tousle his head. With several friendly waves, the kobolds retreat into the cave as the sun completes its journey for the evening. The last one inside, slaps a button, and you fully understand what the rocks were all about. It triggers a falling rock trap that seals the entrance with a violent crash. Dust flies everywhere, and when it settles, the Letni Inhelk cave entrance is perfectly disguised to look like it caved in.
12 crates promised. 12 crates delivered. Now to get it all back to Santekh in time.
It is the beginning of night fall. Each crate is about 100 pounds (1200 pounds of supplies in all), and it will take at least an hour to load them all up. If you wish, you may take a long rest by the cave entrance, and make your in-content decision about Kasi. The cart is big enough to carry all the crates, though they will have to be double-stacked. But the cart has received fire damage twice, and may need reinforcement structures in order to finish the trip back. Wood can be found with a Survival Check (DC 20) and you can take 20 on the check. Aside from any proficiencies the party has to woodworking, Kasi can perform the Help action to grant you Advantage on the roll. A Mending spell will also repair some of the damage, but it can only repair a 1-foot section per casting. Breakdowns on the road could slow down your pacing and invite trouble on the road. Tomorrow, I believe, will be day 4 of the Gaes (Day 1: Get Contract; Day 2: Get Supplies, meet Kasi, head out; Day 3: Navigate Letni Inhelk; Day 4 Head Back). Without any hold-ups, you expect to arrive in Santekh halfway through Day 5, two days ahead of schedule.
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
As the others returned, Sera greeted them with open arms, wrapping them in a joyful hug. She lifted Merkas with ease and spinning him around, forgetting—yet again—that the kender was a grown adult and not a child. She hugged extra long on Hastos and making sure Sharn not see. Pinch his butt and rub his crotch" ...missed you..." she whisper with a grin. Then pretend like nothing when Sharn looked their way.
After the kobolds finished sealing their entrance, she turned her attention to the crates. Curiosity got the better of her as she lifted, shook, and even sniffed at them, trying to get a sense of their contents. When she finally peeked inside between bosrds she realized they held everything needed to start a settlement—tools, seeds, even healing potions.
But as her gaze shifted to the wagon, she saw the problem. The fires had left their mark, and while it could carry eight crates, twelve would be pushing it.
With a sigh, Sera pressed her hands to the damaged wood, calling upon her mending cantrip. The magic wove through the splintered planks, sealing cracks in the blink of an eye. Still, it wouldn’t be enough. Some areas needed proper reinforcements.
Glancing at Kasi, Sera hesitated. The kobold seemed... off. Downcast, perhaps? Unsure of how to ask, Sera simply handed her a set of tools and gestured to the wagon.
“Could use some extra hands,” she said lightly and took a hand on her shoulder " hey...we never would make it without your help Kasi. I think I speak for us all when I say I hope you join Dawnbound Kasi. You are destinied for great deeds Kasi. The great Platinium dragon will hear of your efforts when I pray to him tonight"
Between them, the repairs went smoothly. Sera's farm upbringing made reinforcing the wagon feel second nature, and with Kasi’s help, they shored up the worst of the fire damage. With a few more supports, the wagon would be ready to haul everything back to Santech.
Sharn smiled brushing his bushy mustache.
"I will be back, it seems like we could use some wood. For repairs and a well earned rest."
He trailed off, not too far, while whistling an unfamiliar tune to those not familiar with dwarven nursery songs. He had learned them on the flute, but the physical rendition wasn't too bad. He felt at home finding dry wood in the barren lands. A well earned rest indeed. It took some time, but they were on schedule. Hopefully, they would soon be in good spirits as well.
Kasi nods to quietly acknowledge Sera's offer, still mostly nonverbal after the crushing reminder of her banishment and disgrace. She works dutifully on the cart, recovering the slings she took from the kobolds and converting them to leather straps to bind joints. She uses her chisel to break away wood that is too scorched to be salvaged. Then, while Sera prepares the wood that Sharn finds, Kasi renders a bone glue from the jackal remains. Once they're ready, she bonds the wood and holds them in place to cure with the remaining straps. When you're done, the cart doesn't look pretty, with all the improvised materials, but it'll hold up. One metal joist near the rear axle is your only concern, but as long as the horses don't break into a full run (like they even can while towing 12 crates of supplies) the cart should hold fine.
The stars are twinkling brightly overhead. Barkly's miniature sauna has lost much of its heat, and she's stirring because of it. She watches Dawnbound finish their repairs with casual interest, occasionally peering into the dark to look for an easy meal. With a sudden snap of her neck, she pecks the ground, and comes up with a desert snake. Shaking it violently, the snake makes a weird flapping, snapping sound, until it stops moving. Then Barkly begins swallowing it down. Once the snake is completely gone, she lets out a soft bellow.
I'm going to wave probability rolls, and give you guys a peaceful night to level up. You've definitely earned it. So if there's any more RP that needs to be done, please do so now before I fast forward to morning.
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
"Hey SeraaaaaAHH..." The clerics name getting drawn in an exclamation as he's picked up and spun. He returns the hug and s Sera stops spinning he pats her head and says "Good to see you too, can you put me down now?"
Looking around where they had exited the caves he lets out a low whistle "Now that's a secret entrance, wonder if they can make them in regular people walls too? Oh Hi Barkly!"
Merkas bounces over to the strider cheerily "I didn't get you any food while we were down there, wasn't much to hunt. Did Sera treat you well though? Sorry we left you behind, but there was no way you would have fit through the tunnels we had to go through. You would fit in the main one though, lots of room there but still nothing to hunt so you wouldn't have liked it anyway." Merrily he pulls out another one of his dried rations and sets it near Barkly after they finish their snack snake. He chews on some for himself and drinking a bottle of Kiskartchi as he thinks over what needs to be done. In his excitement he doesn't notice how hungry Sera is from giving all her rations to Barkly. "Well you look better, did you get some more heat to get better? Maybe your strong enough you can help pull the cart now? Oh right the cart! (Animal Handling at advantage from the Kiskartchi - 15)
Hopping up he grabs a bottle from his pack and then notices the newt bones and starts storing them before moving over to hear Sera's statement to Kasi. He smiles to himself as he moves to assist his "Gramma" with the repairs. "So we need to watch this axle huh? Would wrapping it with straps help?"
Once the cart is mostly repaired the Kender still feels energetic so he gets in under the crates to put them on the cart, grunting he calls to Hastos "Hey Hastos, get your butt away from Sera and help load these would you? You'd think you two hadn't seen each other for years they way you carry on!"
After the cart is loaded the kender sits on the lip of the cart and looks around. "Well I am still not tired I can take first watch, we also have to discuss how we're going to convince Verhana about how we destroyed the whole of Letni Inhelk and their caves" Merkas collects the scraps of wood and moves near to Barkly to start up a small fire for heat and light again. He pulls out his bedroll and covers the strider for the night. Smoothing some sand for Kasi he motions to her to curl up beside the fire. (Wisdom save- 14 for going to sleep after drinking the Kobold Jolt Cola) Once everyone is settled, Merkas curls up next the Kasi, sharing body heat with the displaced kobold. "Dawnbound is now your Noachi Gramma" He whispers as he settles in to sleep.
Loyalty Begets Honour