Dragon's Egg - Act IV

[SeverinR]

Aliron
Moves quickly into the room, ignoring the dying elf, he quickly checks for entry points and possible new attacks.

"No mercy for child killers." Aliron announces as he checks the room.

Next he will check the room for secret doors, compartments or anything of interest. Then will move to guard a door or hallway.
If a door he will check for traps or to see if it is locked.
(won't waste a roll until I know what is needed.)

Bressel
Walks over and cleans his sword on the clothing of the fallen elf. Then searches the elf for valubles or anything of interest.
Once done he will guard any hallway or door in the room.(random one if more then one)
"That's one hug, I don't want." He laughs looking at Baldhart.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

"Tarlack, you heard Baldhart's vow to her Goddess--hers and mine--none of these dark elves will survive this battle. This knife of theirs that supposedly steals children's souls... I can't believe such a thing is possible, but to deny your murder victim the eternal peace that the innocent are entitled to? The world has no place for people evil as this."

I flutter in a space between Masama and Tarlack, in part to see my trainee in action--and in part to obstruct any well-meaning allies who might try to stop her or help her. My sword is ready, but for what? I don't think he can get out of that hold.

 

[Keitsumah]

Batos

I try not to snort when Tarlack misses. But the movement was pathetic -even for an inexperienced rider. I back up a few paces and watch as Baldhart takes the remaining drow in a death grip. My lips curl back in a savage, wolf version on a grin as I pant, and in what I hope sounds like a mocking voice growl out a low, elven tune for war as the drow's life slowly ebbs out between Baldhart's hands. A song that I had heard my father sing once. I make no move to approach them, but my gaze is intent on the drow. I'm not about to fight Baldhart for the right to slay an enemy. She's one of the few members of the group I do not wish to tangle with.

 

[SeverinR]

Bressel
"Maybe we should consider how best to destroy the dagger, when we get it. Can we simply break it? Or is it unbreakable? Will it fuse back together by magical means? Is there a special way to destroy this magic, if it is one of the gods creations?"
"Nissa? Liadan?" Anyone? I am a simple barbarian, I know little of magic."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

I turn to Bressel.

"I want that knife. I don't know what to do with it. I mean… I don't want to spoil the surprise—I haven't even revealed visions of the afterlife to Baldhart. But of course being a valkyrie, I know what happens when people die. I just don't think it's possible for a mortal to control an immortal soul. The priest who wanted to kill Branwen was doing so under the belief her soul would be purified. That isn't true. Her soul would have passed on as it normally would have if she was killed another way. The same is true for the dark elves' knife…

"Or at least, that would make sense. I need the knife. I need to look into it—and not alone. I don't know anything about this knife except that it shouldn't exist."

I crack a smile at Bressel. "Did you call yourself a simple barbarian? All that training doesn't seem simple to me. I wanted to be a baker. Now that would have been a simple life."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

He is unconscious, in a sleep he will never wake up from.

I position my thumbs along the bridge of his nose, and spread them toward his eyes. My hands are shaking. What I'm about to do...

I think of the two boys Nissa saw dead, and Miss Liv with her throat ripped out. A generous old maid who had no children of her own. She took in orphans. Cared for them. And these elves had her killed, and two of her boys right in her home. Did she watch them die, or was it the other way around? Does little Abbi know...?

I jam my thumbs into the elf's eye sockets. Pushing. Crushing. It's warm and wet in there.

Beyond that stone door are three children. Two are scared. One, I failed to save. And what of the child's immortal soul? Does the knife really...?

Without a word, I grab a tight hold of my victim, fingers digging into his dark flesh, thumbs still inside his broken face. I slam his head into the ground good and hard.

I get up and look at his disfigured corpse.

"I vowed to Brynhild: I do not use weapons in battle. Would someone with a blade kindly remove their heads?"

 

[Steerpike]

Tarlack looks on in stark surprise as Baldhart disfigures the drow elf corpse, the kobold's eyes wide as he wields his spear from atop Batos' back. Skivver gapes openly and take a few steps to put some distance between himself and Baldhart. The other small kobold follow's Skivver's example.

The door the two dark elves stood in front of is the only exit from the room ((can check traps if you want)), apart from the corridor down which you came. Searching for secret doors or compartments yields nothing. Along the left-hand wall of the room (from the point of view of the corridor) is a small round table, on top of which are a half-empty bottle of wine and two goblets. The goblets look to be silver, and are engraved intricately. They are beautiful from a distance, but on closer inspection you can see that the engravings feature male and female drow in a variety of perverse sexual situations. Also on the table is a crossbow.

Likewise, many of the cards scattered to the ground are painted with perverse depictions of drow engaged in sex acts, or in violence (or, on a couple of disturbing cards), both. One card features a tremendous black widow spider suspended in a web, only the black widow has the head of a female drow and looks out sternly from the face of the card, a golden circlet on her brow.

Each of the drow has a dagger, chain shirt, and leather pants. The armor and clothing they wear is made for their thin frames. The drow Baldhart choked has a a set of 12 crossbow bolts rolled tight in a piece of leather. The tips of the bolts are smeared in something greasy and pungent.

The drow also have 18 gold pieces and 25 silver pieces between them. The coins are a mix of common coins of the northern realms, coins that appear from their engravings to be from Mittelstadt, and a 2 gold and 3 silver pieces that are of alien mintage - most likely drow, but the look of them.

Seeing the scene under control, Masama moves toward the corridor to guard the party's rear. Before doing so, he says to Nissa: "I do not believe Asra would will the spirits of the living to be contained within a weapon and robbed of their eternal reward. I, too, would like to see this knife. I cannot believe Asra would will such a thing, and what Asra does not will cannot be." With that, the big man moves into the corridor.

Tarlack, Skivver, and the other kobold exchange words in their language, Skivver jerking a reptilian thumb over his shoulder toward Baldhart and the mess of a drow corpse. There is a brief, heated exchange, until Tarlack ends it with one barked shout. Tarlack looks at Baldhart, the dead drow, and then toward the door that presumably leads, at some point, to the captive children, and shakes his head. "Always people like mine are caught in middle."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

I approach Tarlack, holding one of my kill's bolts. I kneel before him.


"I don't want there to be any misunderstandings. I've never strangled someone before. I had to make sure he was dead. As for stabbing his brain with my thumbs, yes it's gross but it served my purpose no differently than the generally-accepted sword to the heart." I hold up the bolt, letting the kobolds see the smelly crap at the tip. "If you want to talk of cruelty, see what the child-killer had in store for his next target. There is no tactical purpose to the crap on this arrowhead. It's just to ensure that the enemy suffers should he survive the battle.

"Tarlack, we need to think tactically before we go in there. The survival of your people depends on it. My thought is for me to walk in holding the severed heads of our two corpses here. Knowing what's on the tip of these bolts, I really don't want to get shot once—never mind several times. But if I draw their attention, they're less likely to use their darkness spell because they won't want us to run away. They'll want the fight. And they'll especially want to shoot me, taking their focus away from your people.

"That'll be your time to shine. I'm hoping you can motivate your people to act quickly."


This is only a small part of a plan. I'll let the rest weigh in, while I reach over and grab the spider-lady card. So close to what I envisioned. It sticks to my thumb. Gross.

 

[Keitsumah]

Keitsumah

The walls close in on me once more and my vision is enveloped in shadow. I keep one hand on the wall to be sure I do not bump into anything, and carefully make my way toward where the group has gone. Batos's life flickers like a candle, blazing in a draft in the back of my mind, and I follow his light like a compass.

Batos

I take a cautious sniff at the crossbow bolt, then jerk my head back with a snort, nose up and lips pulled back to expose pearly fangs. The stench of whatever coats the point is so strong that I take a step back and shake my nose in an attempt to clear it. A low growl rumbles in my chest. Whatever is on there can't have been made by a plant, but an animal of some sort. And maybe not even that.

I stick my tongue out and make a face at Baldhart, hoping she will put the vile thing away. Thing kept messing with my nose...

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I move cautiously to inspect the goblets and wine bottle, wondering at their purpose. The goblets seem too ornate for casual drinking. Maybe they're for a ritual of some sort. But what kind?

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

I take the hint from Batos and put the bolt away in its leather wrap. Despite my words, poisoned bolts do have a tactical purpose. They strike fear into the enemy, and fear rules the kobolds.

Maybe it's not so bad they fear me then, but I'd rather they understand I am a true ally. I'll save my reassuring words for when it's my turn to speak.

As I await Tarlack's response, I silently offer the bolts to Alin. Of course he won't take the crossbow over Heartseeker, but who better to decide what to do with those shit-bolts? Maybe there's a way to transfer the substance from one arrowhead to another. What would I know of that?

And this spider-woman card—don't tell me the wizard's a shape-shifter like the last one. How am I supposed to strangle these wizards if they keep turning into ten-foot-tall beast women? I guess if their necks are still scrawny…

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

I wince at the damage Baldhart's done… which might be mistaken for disapproval. That wouldn't matter if the kobolds weren't spooked.

"Always people like mine are caught in middle."

Still, Tarlack's comment presents an opportunity.

I fly to him. "People like yours, you say? Caught in the middle? You mean bullied by the bigger races, don't you?

"My people were kicked around by orcs once. I was among the first to stand up to them. I was struck down in a single blow—" I won't clarify that I died. "—but in the end my people won. We may be small, even smaller than your people. But one thing I've learned about bullies… they are cowards. They don't expect the smaller people to retaliate. When we go in there, you'll have that element of surprise which will favor you, momentarily.

"The more obvious and lasting advantage is that you have allies who are stronger than these dark elves. The sorceress is the strongest of all of us, I'm sure. But she is not stronger than our numbers. If Mauve and every archer focus on her, she won't last long. Between your people and our fighters, we can make short work of the other five elves.

"Tarlack, think what you will of the ugliness of a bare-knuckle killing, or killing a man who yielded. But think carefully on what the 'rules of war' do to us smallfolk. Your people yielded and became enslaved. The children yielded and are being killed anyway. If you want to know how my people won against orcs, I'll tell you the short version: we didn't play by their rules."

 

[Steerpike]

Tarlack considers Badlhart's words, then Nissa's. When he speaks, it is first to Nissa.

"We live far in north. Come from bigger tribe. Many kobolds. Mind our own business and stay away from big races. Then House-Lug come. She bring more kobolds, and humans, and gnolls. She say we work for her or die. I sneak away from her with small group of kobolds and we come here. We not attack humans on farm. We take some chickens, that's all. Want to live here in peace. Then black elfs come and kill kobolds, say you work for us or die. Say take human children. I tell them we try to live in peace, they put me in cell. Now you here and you stronger than kobolds. What happen when black elfs dead? We work for you or we die too? You say stand up. What happens we stand up to you, say we not work for you, say we stay here?"

Skivver and the other kobold come as close as they dare during this conversation, but still keeping a healthy distance between themselves and Batos.

When Baldhart brings up tactics, Tarlack looks resigned. "Big room is round. It..." he struggles for a word "...deep. When we go in, we up. Have to walk down stairs and rows of seats to get to middle, where black elfs are. We go in above them. Might can sneak."

Cadell isn't able to make much of the goblets, apart from the grotesque images engraved on them. They do seem to be made of pure silver, and thus worth something. The wine is peculiar, though. Cadell's acute senses detect the odor of something mixed into the wine - perhaps a drug of some kind, or a potion. He can't tell what the effects might be, but whatever the dark elves were drinking it isn't just wine.

As the group is discussing things, Keitsumah makes her way carefully into the room. Burnbright and the children have been seen safely back into the hidden tunnels.

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I frown at the odd scent rising from the bottle of wine. Whatever it is, I'm not about to taste-test it to find out what it is. Liadan may be able to identify it, though; she is a healer after all. I bring the wine to her, leaving the hideous goblets behind.

"There's more in this bottle than wine. What do you make of it?"

Liadan

I carefully take the bottle, examining its contents in various ways: holding it at arm's length and wafting its scent toward my face, letting a little of the liquid spill to see its color, and looking close to see if any herbs or suchlike are blended in.

Whatever is mixed with this wine, I can't seem to identify it. Likely it's something only found in the north that I'm not familiar with at all. I tell Cadell so with a look of regret.

After a moment I turn to Skivver and his companion. Crouching slightly to make myself appear less tall, I approach him and hold forth the bottle. "Please, can you help me find out what is mixed with this wine? It may be of importance."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

"This is the misunderstanding I don't want us to have. Not once have I threatened you, Tarlack. I don't believe in motivating allies through fear or disrespect. I only want my enemies to fear me—or want me dead—ideally, both. But you I came to with an offer of freedom."

I try to recall the words of my oath. I'll recite them if I must.

Spoiler: the oath

"My oath is this:

"I will not fail Her, the battle-goddess Brynhild, by being a false ally. We will work together to rescue the five children, free your people and any other captives, and kill the dark elves. When we part, we do so peacefully. I will not kill your people over past wrongs. As long as your people pose no threat to children or innocents, or attack one of my own unprovoked, I will not harm your people. As long as you and your people are true allies, which Skivver has proven to be so far, I will protect you as I would any true ally. This I swear to Brynhild."

"I have sworn to my goddess that we part peacefully once the dark elves are dead. There may be ways you can help us, so we may free the other kobolds, but that would be your choice—and if your people have a written language, you may be able to help yet still remain here or wherever you please. Just be careful about making a home of dwarven tunnels. A dwarf may not have set foot here for a thousand years, but should you cross paths with one down here, any explanation you offer will be answered with a swing of his hammer.

"While we're together, I want your people to see that you are their leader. I believe you are a good one; otherwise, I would not have sworn to my goddess. The boy Gunnar told me your people were peaceful. I think that your people stopped being peaceful when they were under 'new leadership.' I'm assuming you were imprisoned because you would not have your people attack the farm. I don't see your people as expendable, and you least of all.

"If you permit me, I would like to pray to the goddess of battle on your behalf."

 

[Keitsumah]

Keitsumah

As I walk in, I notice Cadell and Liadan speaking to each other and gesturing towards something on the ground. I walk over and see the stain the wine has made, then crouch to examine it:

(That's a prime)

My eyes narrow as it's scent fills my nostrils. "First, explain what has happened, please." I say, examining the rest of the room and seeing the two drow, dead on the floor. "I can tell that we have won here. The children are safe for the time being. But where did you find this?" I say, pointing to the dark liquid that stains the floor.

Batos

I decide then that I do like Tarlack more than the other kobolds I have slain, and glance at the other two with an amused expression in my eyes. Tiny, but gutsy. I'll give them that. These lizards at least deserve a chance.

I wag my tail and try to make myself look as harmless as a half-warg can look toward Skivver and the other kobold. If we have to fight together, I don't want them running away from me when it could mean life or death for them. I'd much rather have them run to me so i can at least do some damage to whatever bullies decide to harass the creatures.

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I look at Keit and say, "I found it in there." I point toward the table where the two obscene goblets still stand, untouched by me. I glance toward Liadan, who still holds the bottle of wine and seems to be waiting for a response from Skivver or his companion.

 

[SeverinR]

Aliron
Looks at the crossbolt tips, to see if the poison could be transfered to my arrowheads.
If it looks possible, I will transfer the poison to my arrows, if not I will store the safely in my pack.
They might be useful in a trap or something.
Bressel could use the crossbow, but I think he is too nice to use posioned bolts.
If no one objects, I give the crossbow to Bressel.

Bressel stands by the door, waiting to move on.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

((Since SP confirmed by PM that Tarlack would go along with this, I'll just have Baldy do her ritual now.))

Baldhart

I dip my fingers into the eyeless sockets of my kill and, if he permits, smear some on Tarlack's cheek and spear arm. "Now you are inked in the blood of my enemy. Our common enemy. Our reason for alliance."

I offer Batos some stripes. "Would you like some war paint, Batos? You and your rider would match." I watch his expression. He is not just an animal—just as the druids and barbarians of my mountain embrace the ways of beasts, he seems to know the ways of man. I only paint him if I see a sign of approval, then onto the blessing...

"Brynhild, this is Tarlack. I made a vow to free his people so together we can free the children. For his kind, riding a wolf into battle brings inspiration. Brynhild, You have blessed many warriors who ride into just battles in your name. This is a battle to free Tarlack's people from evil rule and rescue children whose innocent souls are the catalyst in a vile ritual. We warriors will kill the enemy and save every ally and innocent that can be saved. All I ask of you, Brynhild, is to bless this leader."

I bow my head in silence. Please help him strike true, and not fall off his mount or look like an idiot.

Then I go on, "For the sake of the innocent, help this great leader inspire his people, so they might act without faltering."

 

[Steerpike]

Liadan gets the wine bottle from Cadell, but she is unable to make much of it. She detects the same foreign scent that Cadell detected, but the nature of it is unclear. When she holds the bottle out to Skivver, the kobold takes it and sniffs the opening, then cocks his head. "Not know. See black elfs put...not know word...sometimes put white something in wine. Black elfs pour it in, then goes away." The reptile moves the bottle closer to his mouth, a thin tongue just about to dart out to taste the liquid, when Keitsumah arrives asking to see the wine. Skivver jerks his head away from the bottle and hands it over.

Keitsumah is able to make some guesses about the contents, though she can't recognize the exact substance. The wine is definitely laced with something. It has hints of some kind of stimulant, though whether it has other properties as well is unclear.

Masama looks over his shoulder from where he is watching the corridor. "I caution against drinking anything these dark elves have left behind. In the south, where my people live, there are those who mix drugs with wine and other spirits. These drugs pollute the body. Asra created all of us in our ideal form. Taking such substances into the body is not only dangerous, but an affront to the Goddess, as though humans can improve on what the divine has created." Having said his peace, he turns his attention back to the hallway.

Aliron's examination of the crossbow bolts shows that whatever covers them is easily transferred to other objects of weapons. The noxious material is thick, and it becomes clear that unless it is handled carefully it is easily smeared on hands or clothing inadvertently.

Tarlack listens to Baldhart's words, considering them from his perch on Batos' back. He shrugs. "I choose to believe you. This not just because kobolds have no choice, or else you kill us. This because your oath is good, and because you let Skivver live even after he attack you. Black elfs would not do that. House-Lug would not. That make you different. If we win fighting black elfs, I believe you will not make us slave."

When Baldhart proposes the blood ritual, Tarlack somehow straightens even further on Batos' back, though it hardly seems possible he could do so. He accepts the blood markings, with Skivver and the other kobold looking on in something akin to awe. "Not know of this Brinhilt goddess, but if human goddess protect kobold who fights, then Tarlack say thanks to you, and to Brinhilt." The kobold leader attempts what he probably thinks is a regal bow, but making the gesture from Batos' back takes something away from it. Still, when he makes his statement, Skivver and the other kobold exchange a few whispers in the kobold tongue. The two kobolds have moved closer to Batos, noticing that the large wolf is trying to appear less menacing. They still flick the occasional glance at the animal, but seem much less frightened of him than previously.

The small kobold whispers something else to Skivver, and Skivver looks up at Tarlack. "Time long since black elfs ask bring children. Black elf witch might wonder. We sneak black elf witch, maybe we win. Black elf witch sneak us, we dead."

((Keitsumah can write Batos' reaction to the offer of blood markings)).