Etny, you wake at dawn. The night passed without any dreams for once. For a moment you feel peace and comfort. Safety. You're in your bed at the Dragon's Lair Inn. But... then slowly your mind remembers all of the happenings of the last few days.
The monsters. The missing children. The talk with Alrik, and what's likely going to come later today.
Etny rubs the sleep out of her violet eyes, groaning audibly at the effort. It feels like her eyes and head are swimming with tiredness, and she can't quite shake it, for now. Ruffling her auburn hair, she pulls the braids out. Shiza, if I'm going to a peace talk, I need a bath!
With that, she swings her legs over the side of the bed, and hops off. She splashes her face at the basin in the room, and examines herself in the mirror. The dark circles under her eyes are all but gone now, and her face is no more a mask of exhaustion, but of life and purpose. Etny shuts her eyes, and utters a brief but heartfelt prayer to the All-Mother.
Trotting down the stairs, her auburn hair let completely down, Etny approaches Janae Applebrew at the bar. "Janae-dera," she says, waving, "Good morning! All-Mother be with you! I have a," looks back and forth, "favor to ask of you."
Etny comes, and seats herself at the bar, resting her hands on the table.
The barkeep smiles, the laugh lines on her face wrinkling. She leans forward, "Yes dear? What can I help you with?"
"I need first, a bath. Second, I need someone skilled in the art to make my hair look, well...," she blushes slightly, "presentable. Can you arrange this?"
"Also," she plays with her hair nervously, "where...where can I get more coin? So I can pay you for all of this trouble?"
Jannae laughs, her eyes lighting up. "My golly you are just a doll, Etny. Of course I'll help." She motions for you to follow her, the tavern rather empty this morning.
"As for coin, don't worry. Your friend paid for your stay here already. However if you want some more coin, or wish to do a little service..." She looks thoughtful. "We could use a bit of game for the meals this week. If you happen to catch anything, bring it back here for me would ya?"
She leads you into a back room you didn't know existed. It seems much more homely, with quilts and pillows on the chairs and a very old writing desk in the corner. "This is my little space, I gotta sleep sometimes of course."
Jannae winks, bringing you around into a wash room. There's a larger tub here. "This is fed by the sea water but it warms up nice. Feel free to use it, and I'll see what I can do with your hair. I always wanted a little girl to braid hair with... Only blessed with boys, the rambunctious brats." She laughs again.
Etny laughs as well, though a little more subdued. She can't help but enjoy thus kind woman's company. "Boys can be brats sometimes, it's true. But we can be bratty as well, though we happen to get away with it more," she smiles at Janae, a twinkle in her violet eye.
When Janae leaves the room, Etny disrobes and steps into the bath. It is both relaxing, and revitalizing. She washes herself clean, towels down, and dons her tribal Andraya clothes again.
She exits the bath chamber, feeling invigorated, and confident. Taking one last look into the mirror, she moves out into the bar room again.
"Well," she exclaims, approaching Janae, "that was refreshing, thank you. Now for the matter of this," she says, gripping her hair in her hand. "I have a very serious event taking place this day, and I do not want tho go into it looking like a savage."
She lets her hair go, and falls back down to her shoulder. "Where shall we do this? I have a specific look I want."
Jannae smiles at Etny. "You already look a thousand times better, darling. Come here." She sits you down at one of the tables in the tavern, the wooden seat fairly comfortable.
Pulling out an ivory brush from her apron, she begins to gently brush your hair. "What is this serious event today? Is it a date with a man?" She chuckles.
Etny blushes intensely.
"No...No," she says, slightly embarrassed. "It is..." she pauses, "a peace talk. And it is...necessary." Etny slowly begins to describe the look she wants, a raw, powerful, but natural look--the formal braids of an Andraya brave.
Miss Applebrew looks a little more somber. "I see... Peace talks are often necessary, especially in this day and age. That's very brave of you."
She finishes brushing out all of the tangles, taking some of your auburn hair in her hands. "I'll do my best for you dear. I'm hopeful that things will go well."
Jannae takes a fair amount of time braiding, making small, intricate ones that also twine together--forming larger more ornate patterns through your hair. Once she's done she hands you a mirror. The braids are a little like the ones you had when you arrived, but even more fine and smooth. They definitely make you look presentable, almost regal with your circlet.
Etny holds the mirror for a few moments. She dares not touch the braids, for, unbeknownst to the human woman, each braid and twist in her hair represents a lost member of her tribe.
There are many braids. Her ancestors and lost loved ones will be with her in this...peace talk.
Jannae gives you a minute alone. "I'll be back in a few... I'll bring you a bite to eat. People are grumpy on empty stomachs, you know." With a wink and a flourish she slips away.
Several minutes later she returns with a nice plate of food. "Here you are dear. Say, your dwarven friend took off earlier today... Glad you're both doing alright, seems like you all keep getting the brunt end of the trouble here."
Etny sighs, and smiles at that. "I suppose you could say that, Janae-dera. We seem to have that curse follow us everywhere."
She pulls the plate toward herself, and, having watched many people dine here for a couple of days, takes the fork and spoon tentatively in her fingers, and begins to eat.
The food fills you up well, despite the growing knot in your stomach. You're eager to get this talk over with, though you're still rather terrified as to what might happen.
Jannae sends you off with a small sack of food, a bottle of water, and prayers for a good outcome. You step outside into the warm summer air, the new day quite hopeful.
---
Having gotten a good night's rest at the Dragon's Lair Inn, Oredion wakes early. Your body is still utterly sore and, often, you forget your arm is in a sling. Tossing and turning in your sleep has become a painful reminder of the harrowing fight you and Etny experienced.
You clean up, eat, and remembering a certain someone told you to check back soon... make your way to the blacksmith's shop. You haven't seen Etny yet, and try to keep it that way... sneaking out before she can catch you.
Oredion approaches the blacksmith's shop rather excitedly. He walks in threw the shops big wooden door and looks around for the Smith. He can hear metal work in the back and silently goes towards it. He finds the Smith hard at work with goggles on his head hammering down a sword. Oredion taps him on the shoulder and quickly yells.
"What ya working on there bud?"
Oredion quickly takes a step back not wanting to get hit in the blacksmith's surprise.
Ferrar jumps, his hammer swinging around with the force of a bull. "OY!" He clutches his heart, letting out a strangled laugh. "HA! Ore, you scared the pants off of me. Coulda hit you in the face, ya nincapoop..."
He runs his hands over his head, wiping away the sweat and moving his goggles up. "Just... another sword. Been trying to keep busy, keep focused. OH!" The blacksmith lights up, directing you over to a back corner of the shop. "Got something for ya..."
He hands you a little carved box. Opening it you see the two bear claws expertly crafted into necklaces. Each has a length of copper wire coiled around the claw itself, a pattern very reminiscent of dwarven design. The claws look cleaned and polished, retaining their extremely deadly sharpness. Around the joint they are tied with another loop of copper, hanging on a very finely linked chain.
Ferrar looks at you, his hands clasped and holding his breath. "I hoped I could do them justice. Used my best metal, my best tools... what do you think?"
Oredion gives the Smith a big smile and gives him a hefty Pat on the shoulder.
"This is marvelous craftsmanship lad. If I didn't know any better I'd say a dwarf made them."
Oredion picks them up and examines them carefully, noting the necklaces sharpness. He takes one out and puts it around his neck admiring the craftsmanship. He starts to feel warm like something changed when he put the necklace on. He puts the other one back in the hand crafted box and puts it in his travel bag. He looks back at the Smith smiling brightly.
"Thank ye lad your a proper mate. Do I owe you any more coin for your beautiful craftsmanship?"
The blacksmith shakes his head as he scratches his beard. "Not at all, the coin you gave me was more than enough and then some. I wanted to go a little beyond, so I made the box for ya, too. I know that's high praise coming from a dwarf like yourself." He smirks. "You taught me well. I appreciated your help with the shield. Hope you can use it again soon, once your arm is healed up."
He goes back over to work more on his sword. "You uh... you've been out in town a lot, right Ore? And out in the wildlands beyond? You haven't seen a young man that looks, well, a little like me? Have you? A bit shorter and thinner, perhaps, and black hair."
Atriox blocks the sword with the handle of his glaive and knees the orc as hard as he can trying to get it to stop ramming into him. He finally frees himself and swipes his glaive across the orcs back
Oredion looks at the Smith in confusion.
"Not that I've came across lad... But I'll keep an eye out for someone as ugly as you, you old fart."
Oredion chuckles trying to lighten the mood. It does not go unnoticed to him, the sad look in the Smith's eyes.
"I have something to attend to, but once I'm back I'll stop bye and chat. Then you can tell me more about to this boy."
He lets out a shaky laugh, trying to joke along with Oredion. "Yeah, yeah haha. Of course, of course. Thank you for your time, you're a good man." He pats the dwarf on the shoulder and then returns to the weapon.
Oredion leaves the shop concerned for the Smith. He starts to walk towards the inn. Messing with his new necklace along the way.
---
Etny, you spot Oredion walking back to the tavern. He seems in a good mood, playing with a new necklace around his neck. It is a huge bear claw, larger than you've ever seen before.
Etny raises an eyebrow at the dwarf, a smile growing on her face. She looks incredible and strong with her new look and all cleaned up.
"Soooooooo, Oredion-Antrahtu, where have you been off to?"
Oredion stops dead in his tracks when he lays eyes on Etny. He stutters.
"I... I... I was at the blacksmith's shop... You... You look breathtaking Et..."
Oredion straightens up trying to stand to his full height, but is still shorter then Etny. He looks at the ground and fumbles with his necklace a bit.
Oredion stops dead in his tracks when he lays eyes on Etny. He stutters.
"I... I... I was at the blacksmith's shop... You... You look breathtaking Et..."
Oredion straightens up trying to stand to his full height, but is still shorter then Etny. He looks at the ground and fumbles with his necklace a bit.
Etny chuckles art the dwarf's stuttering, but appreciates the compliment. When she approaches him, she ruffles the top of his head a little, a bright smile on her face.
"Well, Ore-elenn," hey voice softens a little, standing up straight, pride shining in her violet eyes, gesturing to her braids, "each twist and braid represents the fallen and lost of my tribe...my people. I bring them with me to this...peace talk."
She goes quiet then, and drawing her poleaxe, leans on it for support. "I hope they will give me the strength I need to confront Atriox, and come to a consensus on peace. There is....," she pauses, her demeanor quieting, "something much bigger than all of this afoot, Oredion-elenn. I just hope we make it out of all of this alive."
Oredion stops messing about and gets a serious look on his face.
"Yes.. I've been thinking about that alot today. If things go wrong I have a plan to get you out of there safely."
Oredion chuckles giving Etny a knowing wink and starts to walk forwards.
"Let us be off then to find this dragonborn."
"Harra, thank you, Ore-elenn. I think," she says falling in step with the dwarf, "we should go find Alrik first. He said he would have someone to mediate the talk. I think he made a wise decision to find someone a little more...neutral. We shall see, elenn."
She is quiet again as the two make their way to the outskirts of town. "Oredion-elenn...I have been thinking of the terms I will name in this peace talk. I think I may have...leverage."
Oredion looks over his shoulder quickly with a serious face.
"What do you mean terms? This is a simple make up for trying to kill each other. Not a damned truce with deals. We are trying to make friends by fixing are wrong deeds of the past."
Oredion walks a big faster towards Alrik's cabin.
"I understand, elenn. I will try to do that initially...But if he is stubborn..." She goes quiet, not saying anything further.
Etny and Oredion, you spot a familiar face heading the same direction as you. It appears to be Petvin from the temple, dressed in a rather fine set of robes and carrying a traveling bag with him. He happens to notice you at the same time, giving a friendly wave to you both.
"Why hello! Pelor bless you. How are you doing this fine day? Doing well I hope?"
---
The night passes. When the day dawns, you see him awake, poking around your cabin. Looking at things. In other circumstances you might expect him to be pocketing your valuables, but....now you can tell he is just mildly curious and trying to keep his mind busy.
"If you've got any questions, I'll answer them... magic, strange items I have, about myself... I am, after all, teaching you. As the Mage Guard knows now, I've taken you as my apprentice. They've put me down as you instructor. We don't use the term master, as that has a different meaning for us..." Alrik kicks back in a chair, his feet up on the footrest, gnawing on a ripe nectarine from the previous night's feast.
Tucker jumps a little hearing you talk. He turns, eyeing you with a rather dubious expression. He's definitely still processing everything that's happened, and this strange circumstance where he has unwittingly become your apprentice.
Looking at his hand, he rubs his calloused fingers together. "How do I learn new magic? I can only do a little, and honestly it..." he trails off, kind of embarrassed. "It's been mostly by accident."
"That depends. Me, I'm a sorcerer... it comes to me naturally. That little old gnome you saw running... well, hobbling around is a wizard. She gains new magic through study... there's also faith-derived magic, but I don't have the benefits of that."
He tosses Tucker a small bunch of grapes. "Eat something. You hardly touched your food last night." The Storm Mage bites into his nectarine again, a bit of juice running down his chin which he wipes off with his sleeve, the dragonscales glinting in the morning sunlight. He pauses and looks at them, then to Tucker. "There's also a... chance... a slim one, mind you... but a chance... that more power could be awoken within you like it was me. However, it isn't something to be done lightly, and as your instructor I'll advise against it until you're a bit older..."
Tucker sinks down to sit on the floor, eating the grapes one by one. He slowly chews them, contemplating what you've explained.
"It feels like... I don't know. I feel sticky, like there's a spider web touching me. When I've used magic I mean."
He picks a grape off the vine but busies his hands peeling the skin from it. He stares at it intently. You can tell Tucker is remembering things.
"When I was younger something... happened. I had a knife I made. When I... used it, it was the first time I felt the spider web feeling. Stuff smelled funny. Felt funny. That acid stuff came out of my fingers. It burned but didn't hurt me."
"I don't.. know how to read." He takes the peeled grape and squishes it between his fingers. "Maybe I can't learn new stuff like that then. I dunno. It just happens when I feel strongly about things."
Alrik nods. "My magic first came to me when something happened, as well... I was angry and hurt, and felt an overwhelming burst of energy surge through my body and out my hand... I threw a mote of fire at... someone."
He grabs a small notebook and tosses it onto the floor next to Tucker. "As for reading, I can, and will, teach you. It's important for members of the Mage Guard to be able to read and write. We send each other messages using magic, but they're written... such as this." He holds up a letter, sealed with gray wax with a blue lightning bolt pressed into it. With a flick of his wrist, a small sparking orb appears and Alrik throws the letter into it, the paper disappearing. "That's a letter to Magus Jaundree informing him of me taking you as an apprentice."
He blinks, a little surprised at the sudden burst of sparks and light. He looks around a little as if expecting the paper to be somewhere else, like a magic trick. "I see... That kinda sounds like me. Will you'll really teach me?"
The expression on Tucker's face is one of uncertainty. It's almost like he's sure this is some trick. Or if not a big joke, a hefty dose of pity. He fidgets with the remainder of the grape vine, twisting the branches and snapping them off from one another.
Alrik smirks. "Tucker, if I wasn't serious, you wouldn't be sitting here. We wouldn't be having this conversation. I wouldn't have sent that message--" a sudden burst of fire appears on the table, along with a roll of paper sealed with red wax stamped with a ball of fire. Alrik smiles and opens it, handing it to Tucker. "And Jaundree wouldn't have accepted you as my apprentice... I know you can't read yet, but this is your official transcript of acceptance into the Mage Guard. Once you can read and write, you'll sign it, if you wish, and send it to Magus Jaundree..."
Tucker looks a little defensive, but he takes the paper from you all the same. He unrolls it, looking over the words.
You can tell he can't understand them, but his expression changes somewhat. It's a very odd look, but one you're sure you understand. One you've felt growing up... A bitter fight in his mind, in his heart, between deep-seeded distrust and a small ray of hope.
Tucker glances up at you, then back down at the paper. "Okay. What do I need to do first?"
"A good place to start is to decide what kind of magic you want to focus on... there's seven main schools of magic, but only six are generally accepted..."
Alrik spends the next half an hour to an hour explaining the intricacies of all the different spell schools, telling him how each is different from the rest and how they benefit the caster, as well as the cons to each.
"Myself, since my accident in the desert, I'm limited on my spells. I can only do storm magic now."
"Evocation is the school of magic most my spells come from... before my accident, I was fairly well rounded from all of them..." he traces his scar down his face, thinking back to that day. "Mind you, I thoroughly enjoy my storm magic..."
Tucker listens intently. "Evocation sounds cool. Powerful." He looks at his hands again, flicking his fingers. "But the others sound useful. Maybe I'll... think about what kind of spells I wanna know. What would be helpful."
He chews on his lip, thinking. "Can spells be put in objects too then? I..." The teenager looks rather flustered. "That pocket watch I had nicked, it... had something in it. I couldn't tell it had magic, it just looked like a dumb old watch to me."
He grumbles, rather angry. Probably with himself. And he feels stupid for admitting his mistake to Alrik, after having been chastised that day for thieving it in the first place.
Alrik nods, holding up his hand with the ring. "Yes, items can house magical power... sometimes it is beneficial, while other times it is a curse. Be careful with magic items. I've lost a few people to them."
Tucker furrows his brow. "How can you tell if something has magic or not? Ain't that difficult?"
"It can be. Usually I let someone trained to detect magic within an item handle it." He smirks. "Better they get attacked or cursed than me!" He chuckles at Tucker's face. "I wrap them in cloth and carefully store them until a time I can have them checked out."
Tucker inhales, whistling out his breath slowly. "Well that's... terrifying." He lets out a soft chuckle, the faintest of a smile on his face. It's the first you've seen in some time.
"Are there any basic spells you can teach me? Something simple that I can practice with?"
Alrik whips his hand around, a bit of lightning arcing between his fingers as he reaches into the bowl of fruit nearby, grabbing a green apple. As he lifts it up, it begins to shimmer and change color. He tosses it to Tucker. "Take a bite and tell me what you think..." he smirks slightly.
Tucker catches it, looking at it with a confused expression. "Why is it purple?" He sniffs it, only smelling a fruity, rainy smell.
Biting into it, his face contorts into one of confusion and disgust. "What the... it... it tastes like pork? But still feels like an apple. What the hell? What'd you do to it?"
Alrik laughs, slapping the arm of his chair. "Its called Prestidigitation. A spell of minor manipulation and illusion. We used it a lot in the desert to make the food edible. Just imagine what you want it to taste like and focus your magical energy into it."
He raises an eyebrow at you. "Really? That seems like a weird use for magic." He stares at the apple and sniffs it again.
He puts both of his hands on it, concentrating. The color stays purple, but he tries to taste it again. "Ugh... still pork." He wipes his face, the taste off putting. He almost gags swallowing the fruit.
He chuckles, standing and tousiling the boy's hair. "Keep trying, lad... maybe try taste first..."
Tucker grumbles, chucking the apple away. The taste of pork but the look of a purple apple just makes his stomach turn. "I'll practice then."
His permanent sort of scowl back on his face, he picks up another bunch of grapes and heads outside. You can see him sitting on a log, concentrating on one grape at a time. After a minute he pops it into his mouth to see if the taste is any different. Despite his attitude, you can tell he's trying to take it seriously... and he seems appreciative of the chance to do this.
Alrik, you turn your attention from Tucker to the movement in the distance. You can see your new associates meeting with Petvin on the road leading to your small home. There's a strange tinge of magic in the air again, something disquieting that you can't quite put your finger on. It still feels like it did the other day... like the electricity of a storm on the horizon. One you can't see, but you can feel as it crawls under your skin.
Alrik growls quietly to himself. "Plug your ears, kid..."
Kicking the door open and stepping outside, he looks up at the sky, magic pouring down his arms. "Damn it, weather! If you're going to tease and hint about rain, lightning, and a storm them you damn well had better f***ing do it!"
He throws his hand up into the air, a massive thunderclap echoing throughout the nearby forest as a lightning bolt screams from his hand and pierces the cloudy sky...
Several heavy rolls of thunder trigger almost all at once, birthed from the massive energy released by the storm mage. The warm air from the cloud cover mixing with the cold breeze from the sea... The positive and negative energy coalescing through the catalyst of the Tempest...
Tucker stares in awe, hands clapped over his ears. He slowly looks up at the sky as drops of rain begin to fall.
Flickers of lightning illuminate the sky every few seconds, the built up static finally able to break. There's still a strange feeling in the air, itchy. Uncomfortable. You're not sure why, but the rain seems to soothe it.
Alrik turns and looks through the open door with a curt nod, smiling with a determined face at Tucker. "And THAT... is why the desert folk named me Storm Caller..."
Tucker stares wide eyed. He can't seem to think of what to say and just nods vigorously.
Tucker stares at the grapes on the ground, kicking at them with his feet. He hadn't been able to change the flavor of any yet and is getting frustrated. He stands, walking over to Alrik and stepping into the doorway to get out of the rain. "Can you stop rain as easily as you start it?"
"No, not really... at least, not that I've been able to figure out yet." He pulls his hood up, the rain running off his jacket. His eyes flicker underneath the hood. "Had this jacket made to shed water for this very reason..."
Tucker grumbles, wiping the rainwater from his brow. "I guess that's an easier solution to dealing with magic you can't just turn off. I guess I should consider that if I learn new spells, huh?"
He stares down the road at the others, seeing the priest coming with them. He looks uncomfortable. "Oh, he's coming with us too then? Do we even know where we're going?"
Etny waves a hand to the priest, and smiles briefly. "In our sorry case, good priest, we will need your mediating powers to make peace with an otherwise hostile....individual."
"Were in need of your help again bud. Mind walking with us to the storm mages cabin a bit up the road? Well explain the details once we're out if this rain."
Oredion's serious face disappears and is replaced with a blank non caring face that drags idly on towards the cabin.
Finally back together, Etny, Alrik and Oredion... you discuss the best plan of action. Although he often stops in town, you know Atriox's main headquarters seems to be at the ancient elven temple northeast of town, through the Tanglewood. It would likely be the best place to go in order to talk with him.
Alrik and his new charge, Tucker, along with Etny and Oredion, lead Petvin north. The rain lets up after a few hours, leaving everyone rather drenched (Aside from Alrik, who has his his waterproof clothes).
Reaching the forest is a rather interesting experience. Petvin hasn't traveled a whole lot outside of town, at least, not for years. The going is rather slow and methodical for his sake, make sure he is able to stop and catch his breath from time to time.
At the place in the forest where his priest was found, a little memorial has been set up. He sees it and stops, spending several minutes there offering up silent prayers to Pelor for his fallen brother. He stands and dries his eyes on his sleeve, expressing gratitude to you all for your help in clearing out the evil--or in some cases taming it--that existed in this forest for so many years.
After a few more hours it is mid afternoon. You crest a little hillock, looking down through a break in the trees. Up ahead you spot the paths carved by dozens upon dozens of kobolds. The temple is some ways ahead and there is a buzzing tension in the air.
You approach cautiously, when suddenly a whistle is heard through the trees....
TWACK.
A flask of vibrant green ichor smashes a few feet in front of you, covering the entire path with sticky acid. The smell of rotten eggs fills the air, and you hear shrill laughter around you. From the trees drops a kobold, blue-scaled and female, with strange curved bones and serrated teeth. She tilts her head up to stare at you all. You can see on her back are strapped a few other strange devices... what appears to be a twine cage with an angry skunk, and a bag that is viciously buzzing with probably a few hundred wasps.
She recognizes you all but her eyes narrow at the sight of Etny. Then she looks at the rest of you. Her clawed hand rests on a jagged blade at her side.
(What do you do?)
(Well then...)
Etny stands up tall, proud, and full of confidence. "Einhycacht-gerahan," she addresses the kobold directly, "we have come to engage in a peace talk with your dragon. We mean no harm or ill will."
(Noooooooooooooo.....4 persuasion)
She eyes the kobold's nasty accoutrements--the last thing she wants is to have those foul tools released on her party.
Alrik throws back his hood, revealing his scar and stormy eyes. "I doubt your prince would like you attacking a visitor from Dragonshore, much less someone who has vital information to his potential kingdom. Stand down and move aside, or I'll kill you where you stand..." his scar flickers to life, purple light eminating from within as the blue liquid flows down his arms, tracing the veins under his skin. (Hell yeah! 22 intimidation)
The female kobold sneers. She speaks in draconic, surprised Alrik can speak it as well. "He put me in charge here, I determine what is vital." She tries to stare the storm mage down but quakes under his gaze. He clutches her dagger tighter. Her gaze flicks between the multiple people standing around.
Oredion with a plain face looks up into the trees seeing a bit of sunlight poring threw them onto the ground. He can't help to think such a beautiful place is surrounded by people he dislikes. With a plain nonchalant face he walks around the acid on the ground and continues on making eye contact once with the kobold before him while still admiring the nature. When there eyes meet his eyes flicker a dark green and the kobold can feel the rage coming off of him.
(Intimidation 18+5)
(Nice job, Collin! Love that maneuver... haha)
(Good goin there, Collin!)
The kobold warrior backs up a pace, her claws ticking on the hilt of her dagger. She glances between all of you and takes another step back. "N-no, I promised I would guard this place! You cannot come any further!" She tremors, putting her hand to her snout and blowing hard. A loud whistling sound comes out of... somewhere, it seems her skull has some extra type of tubing for communication. The strangely feral sound rallies another ten kobolds or so from the woods, all of them armed with spears and slings. They stare at Alrik with his crackling scar and Oredion with his flaming eyes, and several of them fall back a few paces. One or two actually flee a safe distance away, pretending to ready their slings. You are thoroughly terrifying, but their leader refuses to back down.
You see her gulp, pulling her dagger from her belt. "You can stay right here. He's not here! Not right now. You wait!" She winces, realizing she shouldn't have probably said that. She isn't sure if that's information she can divulge or not.
As Oredion moves forward, Alrik smirks assuming the dwarf is putting himself in prime killing position if the need arises. "I don't give a rat's ass if he put you in charge here... did he tell you to attack people he's known to travel with? Did he tell you to detain the priest from the temple in town? Did he give you orders to detain travelers through the forest? I highly doubt it... now, stand down and move aside, before I LOSE MY PATIENCE!" (Marking Petvin, Oredion, Etny, and Tucker as safe... queue frightful presence...)
(Alrik don't play... lol)
Her face turns a very, very pale shade of blue. Her eyes grow wide. She's never felt this kind of power before, except something akin to the fear the dread Tyranus used against them. She stumbles back several paces and trips, falling to the ground.
"We aren't attacking! We're protecting!!" She squeals, her voice high pitched and terrified. "He did not tell us to do those things, but he did not tell us to NOT do them!" She looks rather confused at what she just said, all the other kobolds looking bewildered and horrified. Within a few seconds she looks around, realizing... she's alone again with you all, with her spiny back against a tree trunk. The others have all fled.
"We are here to talk to him... to make peace. To discuss matters of more importance than a rivalry amongst ourselves... where is he if he isn't here?" He takes a step forward, his eyes flashing dangerously
Her eyes dart between you and the dwarf, dangerously close to her. "I--I dunno! He does what he pleases! He gives orders, we do what he says!"
Oredion stands in front of her a few inches from her face. He talks in a quiet rage his voice only heard to the kobold.
"Move or die. I like either option lizard."
Oredion's eyes burst into a green flame illuminating the Kobolds face, then quickly extinguish.
(Persuasion 12+3)
She quakes, the dagger dropping from her claw. She practically melts into the grass under the tree, trying to flatten herself as much as possible, away from the terrifying green flames.
She looks too scared to move. Petvin looks at everyone, stepping carefully around the acid. He puts a gentle hand on Oredion's shoulder. "Let us tread carefully in this domain of the wilds."
He levels a gaze at the kobold. "Please, would you bring us somewhere safe that we may wait for your... dragon? We do wish to speak with him about something grave. He will likely wish to know. We mean no harm or ill will to him."
She glances between Petvin and Ore's face. She can't understand common very well but gets the gist of what he's asking. The other dwarf looks like he's about to eat her in one bite. There's a very quick, nervous nod. "F-fine. Come, safe place. Vele show."
Pressed up against the tree as flat as she can, she slips out from your reach and leads you forward. She keeps glancing back at everyone, not liking having her back exposed.
Vele leads you to a clearing, somewhat near where the temple is. It looks like this has been built recently. Weeds and trees have been torn away, stumps and rocks left in a circle.
She signals to the area. "Y-you wait. We see when he back." The kobold can't seem to make eye contact with Alrik, looking like she's practically electrocuted by his gaze alone. She almost bumps into Oredion as she tries to leave and lets out a yelp.
Realizing her dagger was left back in the woods where she found you, she skitters away.
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