Dragon's Egg - Act IV

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

I keep the drow lifted overhead and tell the drow, "It's a fair request. As a nun, I will honor it."

I step over the edge...

...and drive his head into the rocky floor below.

 

[Philster401]

"That is Baldhart's choice but I can state that if we do let you go and we hear that you kill anyone I personally will come and slit your throat. And since I am a Paladin, you can hold me to that promise." He says.

He hoped that Baldhart would agree.

Edit (Oops I was to slow btw SP have you had time to look your private messages?)

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I blink and tilt my head. Well, then. That takes care of that.

"It appears we had the same idea," I tell Baldhart. "But you could have let him answer our questions first, as I said. Now we still don't have the information we wanted."

I peer over the edge. Is there any chance the drow is still alive? If so, I doubt he's in any state to answer questions.

 

[Philster401]

"Are you going to kill every enemy that surrenders even if they have information that could be helpful?" He says irritated borderline angry.
"Without even hearing what they have to say."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

From below, I call up to the others,

"Sorry about that. I made an oath to Tarlack in my goddess' name: rescue the children, free the kobolds, kill all of the child-killing drow."

I say to Cadell, "I considered promising to release him--with a throw. Is that what you were thinking? --but after making an oath in Brynhild's name, I didn't want to say something that might confuse others." To Zoran, I add, "As a paladin, you would expect me to keep my word if I promised to release the drow. But I've given my word to my goddess, and it's a just oath: these drow cannot be released. They deserve death.

"To me, my word to an enemy is meaningless. My word to the goddess of battle or to an ally or friend is truth. To lie to this drow would not be a contradiction for me, but it would be for you, Zoran. So I did what honors all of our beliefs, as far as I can tell: I told the drow the truth. I honored his condition. Since I will not let him live, I cannot take his information."

Hmm... maybe Burnbright's right. I do like being honorable better than tricking foes.

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I sigh. "While I appreciate your sense of honor, the fact still remains that your actions accomplished less than we'd intended. We might as well have shot both drow dead on the doorstep rather than keeping one alive for questioning."

 

[Philster401]

"Like you said you could have thrown him over the edge after you got the information you would be releasing him unharmed so, he would be dead but you would have kept your oath, therefore not lieing and also I understand not everyone can tell the truth and do right all the time." He says.
"Also a skill that you must have when being a Paladin is a to tell the truth but to leave loopholes in the truth when talking to enemies. Also if you didn't realize we now not whether this drow has killed anyone," he says still frustrated.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"Honestly... this whole information-from-the-enemy thing isn't easy for me. I would do as the witch did, and give half-truths to trick the enemy into believing I'm complying. She knew we expected souls in need of saving, but it was Nissa who felt the life energy. The witch only wanted to heal herself.

"Who's to say the drow wasn't going to read the lightning spell and zap us? I'd live, but there are some who would die instantly from such a spell. The children would. I don't know if this drow had such a trick in mind. Chancing it would put innocent blood on my hands."

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I glance at the book in my hand. "Well, since the ones who could read this are dead, and I agree there's a risk reading from it is dangerous, I suppose there's little point in keeping it ourselves. We should burn it, I think. I don't want to leave it lying around where others can find it."

 

[Philster401]

"But it might be helpful do you guys know any other people that could decipher this writing? I also approve of half truths and finding loopholes in statements on enemies." he states.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"Eventually, we should," I say in semi-agreement. "I'd suggest keeping it around for now. Maybe we'll meet a scholar in town, or even a drow who isn't brutally murdering children. I wouldn't be too quick to burn the book... just careful as to who we should allow to read it."

I search the drow. After that, I'll gather the treasure.

To Tarlack, I add, "We will leave you in peace soon, Tarlack." I hope we're all in agreement on that. "I would like to leave a note to any dwarf who happens to discover you. You said you would leave if the dwarves come, but what I hope is that any dwarf who reads my letter will be persuaded to either let you stay or gather your things and people to leave in peace.

"The one dwarf I knew well, Darin... I believe he would see you have honor for choosing prison rather than leading your people into an evil act against human children. I have to wonder... if my uncle were given the same choice by orcs to capture gnoll pups, would he be a good a chief as you are?"

No.



I say to Zoran, "Well, now that I know you're okay with me tricking enemies... hmm... but being brutally honest is much more satisfying, I have to say."

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I nod and return the book to my pack, then rejoin Liadan by the door. If there's nothing else to do here, I'll wait for an indication that we're to leave.

 

[Philster401]

"That sounds like a good idea."

 

[Steerpike]

The drow does not cry out as Baldhart slams him to the ground. He hits the ground with a satisfying thump and does not move again.

Masama continues watching the northern door, but only Skivver and a couple of other kobolds pass though. If the big man has any thoughts about killing the drow, he doesn't share them. The new kobolds look warily at the group, as though unsure of whether you're friend or foe, but then they catch sight of Tarlack on Batos' back and their eyes widen. Tarlack calls some commands to them in kobold, and they dash down the stairs toward him.

Tarlack says to Baldhart, from atop Batos' back. "Letter is good. But dwarfs swing axe first and ask questions later. If dwarfs come, we find new home. But I show them letter if I can.

"What you do with children? If they stay here, we can feed. Lots for hunting here. But children might be scared to stay with Tarlack. Might think we hurt them."

While the group is discussing, Nissa comes through the southern door with Burnbright and the others. They have a kobold with them as well, and Burnbright has the scarlet remnants of a scratch across her cheek.

 

[SeverinR]

"I considered telling the drow that I swore him safe passage then changed my mind. I don't have an honest face."
Turning to see the group entering the room, he speaks to Burnbright.
"What happened to you? Were you attacked?" Just a quick glare at the kobold with them.[Aliron doesn't think the kobold did it, just being his old friendly self.]

Bressel stays near a door as guard, but listens to hear Burnbrights answer.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

"In fact, she was." I smile proudly, subtly gesturing to the kobold's eye. "The kobold decided to behave; otherwise, he'd have tasted my sword instead of a goodberry."

 

[Steerpike]

Burnbright nods when Nissa speaks. "This kobold came through the tunnel. We couldn't talk to him 'cause he couldn't understand us and he didn't think we were friendly. So I got in a fight with him and he scratched me across my face, but I hit him in the eye and then tackled him and got him tied up with my tunic."

Burnbright gives a wide grin. On closer inspection, the kobold does appear to have some bruising around one eye. He looks around at the group rather sheepishly, even keeping his gaze from Tarlack.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

I say to Tarlack, "In his defense, he didn't know of our alliance. Once I spoke your name, he understood we were on the same side. And of course, seeing the dead drow on the way here helped reassure him."

I fly over to the girl. Baldy is writing a letter... and in her undergarments? I don't ask. I see her placement of the corpses, but she gave her dress to the wrong girl. I snatch the dress away from the dead witch, not concerning myself when a male drow head rolls toward the stairs. I drape the dress to cover the dead girl.

I then fly back toward the children. "Take turns using the ring until you have warmer clothes. It's time to get you out." I have no desire to remain here. I do take the time to say to Tarlack, "Thank you for being a strong leader. I trust you will guide your people to be as strong as you." I look at Skivver, who I'd have killed if not for Mauve getting to him first. "If you need a new second-in-command, Tarlack, I recommend Skivver. He served you well, and even when he came for Burnbright, I saw his heart wasn't in it."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

To any dwarf who comes across Tarlack and his kobolds, or to anyone who reads the common tongue and would honor the word of a nun in the service of Brynhild, please read this letter. Its purpose is to give you a reason why Tarlack and his people should be spared and free to live in peace.

These dwarven halls were held by the drow, a witch and seven of her men. They sacrificed human children using a blade that supposedly robs its victims of their immortal souls. Tarlack was ordered to capture the children, but he refused to lead his people to perform evil acts. As a result, he was imprisoned.

One of his loyal kobolds led us to Tarlack. By "us" I refer to myself and others who befriended a dwarf by the name of Darin, may the All-Father rest his soul. Thanks to Tarlack and his people, we were able to rescue four surviving children and kill the witch and her drow men.

Tarlack did not claim any dwarven treasure as his own, nor is he responsible for the desecration of these halls. That is the drows' doing. I ask that any who considers himself or herself "just" or "good" or "fair" to allow these kobolds to live here in peace, or if that is not acceptable, to let them leave here in peace.

As the niece of a chieftain, I can honestly say that Tarlack is a greater leader than most chiefs. He risked his freedom and his life for human children knowing his self-sacrifice would not be enough to stop the drow. He refused to perform an evil act against another race to save himself. I love and respect my uncle, but cannot honestly say he'd have sacrificed himself for the children of kobolds.

I ask that you treat Tarlack you would any great chief who has performed a heroic act.

Respectfully,
Sister Baldhart Eisenberg, Servant of Brynhild,
Niece of Wolfgang Eisenberg, the Chieftain who holds the peak of the Iron Mountain



I look over my letter. My writing is satisfactory, though I'd have preferred to use ink. Why did Mauve have to run off at the first sign of a paladin? Loopholes... he's definitely not an Inquisitioner. They speak of absolutes, not loopholes.

I ask Cadell, "Any chance you'd second this? A signature that reads 'Cadell Dwarf-freind' couldn't hurt. You could add a postscript if you like."

If need be, I read the letter aloud to Tarlack.

I also offer a sheet of parchment to him, asking if there is any written language that kobolds use, and would it be understood by goblins. "There are others like you--forced by Aslaug or the drow to commit evil acts but would rather not. If there's anything you could say to them, or write to them...

"I just want to kill those who deserve to die. I wanted to kill that drow just now because I needed to kill four. I wanted more drow blood on my hands than kobold blood. Sorry. Three died by my hands. Theirs were instant and painless, and yes, I was well aware of their part in attacking Miss Liv's family. But because you are their leader, I am still sorry for it.

"If you can write what other kobolds can read, and maybe goblins too... if you have words that would tell them we aren't like their slave-drivers... I just want..."

I feel like I want to cry, but suddenly it hits me. We won the day. We're bringing the children out. And what a battle it was! Have we ever functioned this strongly as a team? No, this is no time for tears. I am stronger. And us as a group... we are stronger!

"I want more victories like this one. We save everyone, including the slaves. If that means I spare goblins and kill their human slave-drivers, so be it."

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I nod appreciatively as Baldhart asks me to sign her letter as well. "Of course."

Rummaging through my pack, I come up with a quill and a small bottle of ink. I hold the quill carefully in my right hand and sign it as Baldhart suggested, Cadell Dwarf-friend, companion and ally of Baldhart Eisenberg.

I seem to be improving at writing with my off-hand. I look at the letter again, then step back. "I think you've said as much as is necessary. I can't think of anything to add."