Liberty Beguiling

"Oh my, 'The Justice in the North' ? How indomitable! I love it! And you say you're out hunting bandits? Ah, her day couldn't get better!" She says' as if congratulating herself. "Lead on, my scaled savior." Melanthios turns, as the sound of Azul accompanied by another voice draws his attention to the doorway. "Welcome back, Azul! It seems we have found what our little kobold friend was after. These tunnels are so cramped, let us make haste and... leave" Melanthios' melodic tone audibly drops as he spots Zizi. There is blatant surprise there, as well as an unease that causes the hairs on the back of his neck to rise. " Beannachtaí duine geal. "  He greets them before cutting his gaze back over to Azul. "Making friends I see?" "Hello, hello, hello! Yes, he is making friends indeed!" The shimmering fairy flutters over to the table and lands on it like a stage. "I am Zizi, daughter of the Dreadpetal tribe, and I am ready to snatch some hearts from those bandits' chests." Their fingers caress up the edge of the dagger strapped to their thigh and continue to their chest. With a flick of their hand a spray of crocus petals erupts out from the center. "But first, I have some unfinished business with the mites infesting this tree. Where'd they run off to?"

Azul's voice takes on a more somber tone "Their king has fallen and his people dead or scattered to the winds. They will not trouble you any longer."  Azul takes a look around the room, searching for anything his companions may have missed.  

Brim enters as the the fairy gives gives their introduction, and her eyes immediately go wide in wonder. She clutches the back of her hat as she hurries up to get closer look, “Eeeehh? A fairy? Here?  Hello friend! I am Brimblebread and I am excited to meet you! Are you a magical fairy? Do you grant wishes? What’s your birthday? Have you ever been to Je’dahn? Can you make people fly by throwing dust at them? What’s your favorite color?” The little goblin continues rapidly firing out questions as she hops around Zizi, looking her over.

Zizi grins at the goblin. They drop into a crouch on the table to get closer to eye level and fire off a string of responses. "Yes, no, it's a secret, no but I'd love to go, no I can't, seafoam green. It's a pleasure to meet you Brimblebread and I must say I absolutely love this hat." They flick the brim of Brim's hat and a a colorful array of little white and yellow flowers blossoms from the band around it. Zizi stands and looks again to Azul, "That's a shame though, I was looking forward to having some fun with them, what goes around comes around ya know? Oh well. I'd love to get out of these damned tunnels and get some sun, and if you'll have me along it seems that our aims align. I'd love to collaborate."

Heading up through the tunnels and away from the centipede chasm leads to a damp room that is haphazardly cluttered with broken beds, chairs, wagon wheels, and an assortment of worn, tattered, dingy, and broken objects pilfered or salvaged from big folk. A row of bookcases stands crookedly propped against the far wall, the shelves filled with bits of bone, feathers, and dried centipede legs. Old window frames, cracked and splintered, hang upon the wall like works of fine art. From here, the tunnel slopes up in a corkscrew, leading to a large cavern with a wet-looking floor crisscrossed by several shallow trenches, each containing trickles of putrid-looking fluid. Six foul mounds of compost and dung lie heaped about the room, each studded with small spherical eggs. Strewn about lie the unmoving forms of three man-sized centipedes.

Seeing the centipedes Azul holds his hand up and gestures to the others to quietly back up. Weary from both his fight with the Giant Centipede and the Mites, "Let us gather the others first, there could be more of those creatures around."  Sofia hoots quietly, turning her eyes on the dragonborn and with a quiet chuckle he adds "You are right old friend". Looking to the rest of the group "And we all need a bit of rest, the day has been trying." Azul then heads back up the tunnel towards the other half of the group. Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, Azul scrambles up faster. Eager to be out of cramped confines of the Mite's home. Taking a deep breath of the fresh air, Azul stretches to his full height his brass scales ruffling in the sunlight. His muscles crying out in protest as he tries to loosen them, between the assault from the centipede and having to contort his body to fit into the tunnel. It had been a hard day for the dragonborn. Looking to Sval and Xan,  "My friends, I will never understand why the Mites would chose to live in such a place. The dark and confined spaces are surely what drives them mad. There is still more to clear in their home, but I needed a moment of rest in the sun before going back." Looking around the area he adds "Where is Aleixo? We fought a vicious monster in the tunnels and I'm sure he would love to hear the tale."

The centipedes remain motionless as Azul passes them by. Although they don't appear to be injured, clearly something has already taken care of them.

Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, Azul scrambles up faster. Eager to be out of cramped confines of the Mite's home. Taking a deep breath of the fresh air, Azul stretches to his full height his brass scales ruffling in the sunlight. His muscles crying out in protest as he tries to loosen them, between the assault from the centipede and having to contort his body to fit into the tunnel. It had been a hard day for the dragonborn. Looking to Sval and Xan,  "My friends, I will never understand why the Mites would chose to live in such a place. The dark and confined spaces are surely what drives them mad. There is still more to clear in their home, but I needed a moment of rest in the sun before going back."  Looking around the area he adds  "Where is Aleixo? We fought a vicious monster in the tunnels and I'm sure he would love to hear the tale."

Sval looks in the direction of the horses.  "Two bandits decided to use the cover of battle to steal horses and escape. Aleixo went after them. He'll rejoin us when he's able."  Sval raises an eyebrow at the newcomer. "Who's this?"

Shaking his snout a bit of smoke billowing through his nostrils. "Aleixo can handle himself but I wish he waited. The bandits lack honor, they will do anything to escape."  His amethyst eyes still lined with worry he nods and attempts a smile "My apologies this is Zizi, they were held captive by the Mite King. They share our mission in hunting down Caperinicus."

Zizi flies out into the sunlight and twirls with their arms and wings outstretched as they soak in the sun. Eventually they flutter down to address the others "It's a pleasure to find myself in such strapping company." they say with a coy smile. "Azul here freed me from my prison and since we've got the same mark, I've decided to share my talents with your band. Teamwork makes the dream work, eh?"

Sval laughs. "Indeed it does. This is Xanathos," he says, gesturing to the older -- but admittedly not old -- man.

The fairy nods politely and then glances over to the remaining horses. "So what's the plan then? This unfortunate event has had me out of commission for the last few days. I wouldn't mind a bite to eat but then I'll be itching to get back on the hunt."

Stretching to his full height again, Petros nods at Zizi's question.  "An excellent question.  I think it is best to accompany Rikrak back to his people now that he has liberated their treasure.  There is something strange going on however, and I think we are going to find an old friend of ours causing trouble there.  I suspect Tartuchio is impersonating a kobold and is subtly or not-so-subtly manipulating them.  We need to end that threat.  But we're going to need a way to do it without turning all of Rikrak's people against us.  And, of course, we will need to confirm that something is indeed wrong.  Any ideas?"

Rikrak watches Petros carefully as he talks, his beady little eyes squinting in concentration. "Who Tartuchio?" He asks cautiously. "What 'impersonating' and 'manipulating'?"

"Tartuchio is a bad gnome.  A liar and an opportunist, looking to take advantage of others.  Manipulating means, I think he is using lies and probably magic to make your friends and family think differently.  And by impersonating...well, Mel, would you demonstrate for me?"

Melanthios nods and with a wave of his hand he transforms. The handsome firbolg warps into a purple scaled kobold wearing wha Meli assumes a shaman of the draconic people might wear. It’s a fantastic approximation except for the fact that he is still a few feet too tall. “What Petros here means by ‘impersonation’ is that this bad gnome may be using magic such as this to trick the Sootscales.” With another wave the illusion dissipates into glittering motes. “You say this Tartuchio is an old friend of yours? What would he gain from lording over the kobolds?”

"We met  during the raid on the Mayor's mansion just before leaving on this mission.  I saved him from the assassins and he ended up betraying me.  He was appointed the leader of a second group sent north along side ours.  As to what he could gain or what his aims are, I have no idea.  But he is up to no good.  I'd stake your life on that," Petros finishes with a wink at Mel.   "Actually, if it is Tartuchio, it may be wise to have more support since his group of mercenaries may be with him, and having Valerie as a witness to his treachery may be useful if we are called to account by the Mayor or the General.  Maybe we should take the rest of the day to scout the local terrain while one of us heads back to get Valerie and perhaps Linzi.  She might be able to go undercover for us with Brim.  I'm not quite sure what she's capable of."

Zizi buzzes over with excitement in her eyes. “Scout the local terrain? Go undercover? Count this girl in!” Melanthios looks far less enthused as Zizi volunteers. “In that case, yes perhaps I shall ride off to get the others. I presume wherever it is the kobolds live might be just as cramped as this place, not ideal for my magnificent stature”

Rubbing his back, the dragonborn's snout breaks into a weary smile, as Mel speaks  "A smart choice my friend. Beings of our size were not meant to go crawling through tunnels. You will be missed"  Looking to Petros "I agree, a bit of rest and scouting will do us well in dealing with the events to come."  jamming his shield into the dirt he leans his back against it, "I want to finish exploring the tunnels before we depart, but I need a moment. Our battles today, have been draining."

Dawid and Dimitrios fetch rations from the saddlebags of their horses and settle down at the base of the Old Sycamore for the midday meal. An hour or so later, most everyone is rested enough to continue and most look to Petros or Azul for direction.

Petros stands and looks at the band gathered around him.  "Alright Sval, let's head out and scout this terrain.  Azul, can Sophia keep an eye out for danger?"

Zizi thoroughly enjoys the respite, eating and drinking alongside the others as if they’ve been lifelong friends. When the food is nearly done and the others begin to make ready for the journey, Zizi flits off and up into the branches to find a perch. “Oh my gods you will never believe it,” they begin to talk, seemingly to themself. “Remember how I was trapped in the bottle, right? Well this damsel in distress has been rescued baby! And not just by one knight in shining armor but a whole troupe of bounty hunters!” As they talk, a chill breeze drifts around them tinged with unearthly mist. Spectral forms appear, barely visible humanoid shapes with skeletal features and languid movement. They swirl around Zizi chittering and whispering in response to her words. “So daring, so robust. Anyway we’re about so set off on a scouting mission and I was hoping to borrow some of your fortitude.” The spirits whip into an excited flurry. “ Yes, yes of course dears I’ll send some more friends to you as soon as I can.” The ghostly companions swirl around Zizi before circling in and phasing through them one by one. Each spirit imparts a small bit of necromantic vigor, increasing the fairy’s physical endurance. “Mmmm thank yooou!” The spirits fade as Zizi flutters back down and rejoins the others.

Sval watches Zizi in mild confusion before beckoning the others to follow.  Mounting up, the party moves along the parcel of land, scouting and marking down landmarks. As the day stretches on, a few of the group grow tired, and take rests, giving him a chance to meditate away from the others. He could foresee much more of this activity in his future -- pacing seemingly endlessly around the savannah. The heat made him yearn for the icy water of his home. Finally the sun passes behind the large body in the sky and the group sets down to make camp. 

A couple of hours before dusk, Valerie arrives from Thorn River Camp at Petros' request, after Mel passed on his orders. That night, as Petros sleeps a fell apparition haunts his dreams. A bloated, drowned corpse repeats the same words over and over;  "Shrike river."

A sense of dread begins to fill Azul, as they rest outside of the Mite's former home. His focus flicks between his own eyes and Sofia's as the Dragonborn searches the plains for Aleixo. Though his search proves fruitless. Before leaving Azul asks Sval to write a note for the warrior in Breanen, letting the man know that the party is alright and continuing to help their little friend. After he finishes setting up the camp, Azul carefully removes his armor and begins to clean and polish his gear. Using the familiar task to keep his anxiety at bay. He had only known Aleixo for a short time, but battle after battle with the pair locking shields and holding off their foes. He had come to consider the man a true friend, even if their views on morality vastly differed.  As night falls, Sofia dives from the sky and lands on his shield. The owl locking her amethyst eyes on the Dragonborn and worriedly hoots. With a silent nod Azul retreats into his tent and has a restless night of sleep.

Rising the next morning, Petros is visibly uncomfortable.  He had had the same dream every night for most of his life--at least since his mother died--with only minor changes.  But twice now, he has had new strange and frightening dreams. It was time to bring this out to the team.  As they break camp and eat a light breakfast, Petros puts a transparently false grin on his face and says "So, I uh, I had a dream last night.  I don't think it was a normal dream.  It wasn't like any I'd ever had before.  I think there is trouble happening.  I don't know if it's soon.  Or if maybe it's already happened. But um, this dream.  There was a drowned, bloated corpse and it kept saying to me, over and over 'Shrike River.'  I think I've heard of it before.  I think it's nearby, but I don't know.  I've never left the city before, really.  Never wanted to travel.  Anyone know it?"

Sval frowns over his canteen. "I have not made a habit of travelling this far north. Perhaps Rikrak can guide us there. Rikrak?" Sval looks to the small black draconid. "Do you know of this river?"

Rikrak is sat with Mikmek. Thanks to Xanthos's healing magic, the rescued kobold is looking much less worse for wear this morning. However, his three friends were, sadly, not so lucky. Rikrak and Mikmek spent much of the evening digging them graves at the foot of the Old Sycamore. The little kobold clicks with his tongue when Petros and Sval address him and gives a single, quick nod. "Shrike river just north of Sootscale caves," Rikrak happily confirms. "Kobolds like to swim and catch fish. Rikrak show you." With Sval guiding the horses between the hills, the journey to the kobolds' home is just an hour's ride north-west. Rikrak directs the band of explorers to an outcropping of large boulders emerging from the weathered face of a nearby hillock. A narrow opening in the rocks leads into darkness below and a fallen sign leans against the side of the cave's entrance. The sign is weathered and bears a few faded words that cannot be read from this distance. On the other side of the opening sits a cage made of branches and sticks, containing a single, sobbing mite. The wretched creature's eyes are squinted tightly shut against the daylight. A lone kobold stands watch here, crouched behind one of the big rocks by the cave's entrance. When he spots the approaching horses, he chirps loudly in surprise, opening his mouth to speak, before hesitating when he sees something else unexpected - his kinsmen. "Rikrak? Mikmek?" "Nakpik!" Rikrak exclaims in something half-way between a shout and a whisper, quickly slipping down from the back of Petros's horse and hurrying over to the other kobold.  "Keep it quiet," he tells Nakpik forcefully in draconic. "Is the chief inside? Where is Tartuk? Did Bakdak, Dikdok and Gaknok return? These men helped me recover Old Sharptooth. It is time that we ended this curse one and for all." Nakpik's eyes widen, but he does as Rikrak says. "Yes, but they've said nothing," he whispers back conspiratorially. "The chief was in the common room and I think that Tartuk is in his quarters." Rikrak glances back over his shoulder and beckons to his allies.

Azul quietly translates to the group "The chief is in the common room and Tartuk in his quarters. Rikrak is hoping to handle this quietly" He then walks towards Rikrak and Nakpik gesturing first to himself and then Petros in draconic he says "It is good to meet you kin, I am Azul of Clan Kassis, and this is Petros a new power within these lands. We have come to help the Sootscale clans break their curse." Retrieving the spears they recovered from the Mites, he switches to Hellenic "What is our first move, if Tartuk is isolated now may be the time to confront him."

Zizi flies off from the back of Brim’s horse where they’d been riding. They flutter over to Azul and prop their elbow on his shoulder as the group convenes. “Well exactly what sort of confrontation are you lookin for, honey? You’re certain this guy is your mark right? Wanna go in swords swingin or do you plan to try a little diplomacy?”

Shaking his head "More fact finding than diplomacy. If Petros is right, we may be able to aid the Sootscales and eliminate a threat to our rule at the same time. If not, we can continue to research the curse and see if we can find a way to help"

Nakpik watches Azul warily, but Rikrak shakes his head, laying a hand on his clansman's shoulder as he continues in draconic. "No. We bring Old Sharptooth to Chief Sootscales. The clan will follow the chief. We cannot move against Tartuk without him." Rikrak takes a spear from Azul and hands it to Nakpik. "Are you ready?" The other kobold hesitates for a moment, before nodding resolutely.

Sval pulls his sword from the sheath on his back. "If this is Tartuccio, I'll enjoy removing his lying head from his body."  He brings up the rear of the group as the kobolds lead them into the cave.

Azul translates Rikrak's message to Hellenic and then ties the remaining spears together using rope from his pack. Slinging the rope over his back he follows after the Sootscales. 

Nakpik escorts Azul, Mikmek, Rikrak, Sval and Zizi into the cave, carefully showing them around a number of pit traps just inside the entrance. The passage leads on through a set of tight tunnel openings. Mikmek, Nakpik, Rikrak and Zizi can move through the tunnels in single file, but Azul and Sval find themselves having to squeeze through the cramped space. Along the way, several curious kobolds follow in their wake. Eventually, they take a left into a cave where the walls have been smeared with what appears to be charcoal and blood to depict multiple representations in red and black of a looming, sharp-toothed reptilian devil. Two low stone tables sit in the middle of the room, one of which is stained with blood. Nakpik continues on through this area into a large cave where the air feels warm and close, thick with a reptilian stink mixed with smoke and burnt meat. Numerous beds of furs lie scattered throughout the room amid smouldering cookfires, while, on the far side, a ten-foot-wide alcove contains a large mound of furs framed by dozens of sticks on which are mounted the skulls of many birds and small animals, all smeared with ash. Six kobolds occupy the room, along with the chieftain, Sootscale himself. "Noble Chief Sootscale," Rikrak begins, kneeling before the tribe's leader and holding up the ivory statuette, "I return to you Old Sharptooth." The chief's eyes shine with excitement as he takes the statue and holds it in his hands with a fierce look of concentration, as if he were making a particularly difficult decision. Finally, he shrieks in triumph, raises the statue above his head and smashes it down into the ground, shattering it. The other kobolds in the room freeze in shock, while Sootscale, a frantic grin on his snout, addresses Rikrak and his companions. "Thank you for freeing us from this curse. Now, let us kill the usurper!" "Kill the usurper!" The other kobolds echo. Emboldened and infused with a rush of self-confidence, the Sootscales charge off down a passage to the right, hollering exultant battle cries as they go.

Sval lets out a brief chuckle at the enthusiasm of the little warriors. He does his best to follow, squeezing through the small tunnels. A surprise attack was out of the question due to the battle cries. But it seemed that overwhelming force was the answer here. He hoped Tartuk -- or Tartuccio, if Petros was right -- didn't have too much in the way of forces to overcome.

As they cram themselves into the tunnels, Petros hangs to the rear with Valerie.  "Valerie.  Thanks for coming again.  With Aleixo gone, we could really use the back-up in case things go south.  But also, if my suspicions about this Tartuk are right, I wanted you here as a witness that we are not deliberately interfering with the other team sent North by Alanis and the Mayor.  I'll not have it said that we are seizing power lawfully given.  I am not out to assassinate a rival, you understand?  Anyway, it's good to see you again.  How have things been at the camp?"

Zizi looks back and forth between her new companions with a wild grin. As the others move to follow in the kobolds’ charge, Zizi flies along behind them. They take hold of their bow and notch an arrow with a crazed war cry of her own.  “AI-YIYIYIYIYIYIII!!!”

"Of course,"  Valerie tells Petros stiffly as they squeeze through the cramped tunnels. "Tartuccio is a liar and a coward. It would not surprise me in the slightest if he was attempting to sabotage your mission. As for Thorn River... Locke's men seem loyal to him and he seems content to march under your banner for as long as it is convenient. I do not trust him. A turncoat has no principles." Meanwhile, at the rear of the caves, the walls are decorated by a rickety wooden frame formed from clean-cut branches lashed together with gut and twine. Banners cut from two-foot-wide strips of old blankets and horsehides hang from floor to ceiling, covering much of the walls. The sloppily painted banners bear dozens of primitive icons and mystic symbols. A large cauldron filled with bubbling red liquid boils in the centre of the room. Standing over it is a purple kobold with a squawking raven on his shoulder.

"Rikrak wait up!"  Brim shoves her way through the riotous mob of kobolds ambling their way down the cavern's corridors, doing her best to keep close to the front. As the furor breaks into the rear room, she is practically vomited forth into the front of the mass of dragonfolk, emerging to find herself about face-to-face with the purple kobold. Rising up to meet his gaze, she quickly pulls her crook forth and holds it aloft, "Well hello there, uh, Mister Tartuk I presume? On behalf of my good friend Rikrak and all his companions, I would like to politely ask that you step down as leader and surrender." "Oh, well if you're asking politely, then certainly," the purple kobold assures Brimblebread with a long smile that shows entirely too many teeth. She squints, staring deep into his toothy grin and devilishly convincing eyes, letting the slickness oozing off of his every word roll through her mind. She grips the handle of her crook even tighter, gritting her teeth as she inhales sharply. "Alrighty!"  she says with a relaxed smile washing over her face, "now don't do anything tricksy and follow me this way!"

Tartuk matches Brimblebread's look of relief with his own crocodile smile, before abruptly blinking out of sight. The goblin sighs and begrudgingly swings her crook down towards with the kobold's legs were. There's a dull thump and a small cloud of dust puffs up from the floor. The raven flickers back into view and takes off squawking, flying away from the oncoming sootscales.

Sval hears Brimblebread's speech and rolls his eyes, sighing as a thud rings out and chaos reigns in the tunnels once again. He pushes through the kobolds, occasionally stepping over their tiny forms in the small tunnel. He arrives behind Brimblebread and immediately picks out a trail of dusty footprints headed around the corner. Spotting the confused looks on Brim and the kobolds' faces, he points. "He went that way!" he shouts. To Brim, he says, "Next time, just hit him."  

The kobold mob goes charging off down the passage with a roar that seems to slowly peter out as they realise that they cannot find Tartuk anywhere.

Xan and Dawid head off into the tunnels, keeping up as best they can. Seeing the commotion ahead Xan calls out loudly to his apprentice, "We shouldn't let him get away, it looks like he went down there" , pointing down the passage the kobolds seem to have set off down in pursuit. "It might be time for that Faerie fire you cast before if we can pin him down, we will be able to se his outline at least."

"Did somebody say faerie fire?" Zizi asks gleefully. With a flourish of their hand a spray of glimmering motes fires off like rockets and explodes just beyond where the kobolds are pursuing the invisible charlatan. The bloom of iridescent specks outlines the contours of the tunnel momentarily but they don't seem to find or stick to Tartuk. Zizi drops back down behind Xan, flying with their back to the man as they continue forward. "Oh he's a wily little bugger I see!"

On their way to confronting Tartuk Azul passes out spears to the Kobolds he passes, letting them know that the Sootscales have the support of the land's new power. Hearing the commotion with Tartuk, Azul sends Sofia to scout the way for him. Hearing the owls voice in his head, he finds that his friend was not able to find the Kobold but did find another path that he could take to hopefully cut off the man's escape. Azul's amethyst eyes glow as he grasps his innate arcane energy, speaking forcefully in draconic he begins to glow with sparks of fire forming around his armored boots. Pushing himself past his natural limits he races to the other side of the cavern. A fiery brass trail following him as he runs. Reaching a bottleneck in the cave, he yells out   "End this madness. If you surrender now you may leave here with your life." Raising his shield and brandishing his saber as he uses his frame to block the path.

Hearing the commotion and, in particular, Xan's shout, Petros swears in fear of losing their adversary just as they lost Krysten at Orion's.  "That little shit's not getting away so easy!"  As he squeezes past Valerie to make sure their quarry can't get out through the entrance they came in--Petros remembered seeing corridors connecting to this passageway that might be used as a getaway--his eyes and feet begin to glow as he almost seems to swim down the narrow tunnel, feet floating off the ground.

Brim, seeing the charging stampede of Kobolds obstruct everything ahead of her and hearing Petros and Azul's shouts, dashes back through the corridors they came through and down into the adjacent room, running towards the archway in there that leads out towards the exit, "Listen Tartuk, that was a pretty mean trick you pulled but tragically, I wasn't as surprised as I would've been in the past. You types seemingly like getting killed in real painful ways, and making me have to watch. Just saying, you know, when that happens in the next few minutes, I hope you think real hard about the decisions you made that lead you there, okay?"

Sval squeezes his way through the tunnel, frustration boiling through his body. Frustration at Brimblebread, frustration at these damn tunnels, frustration at that  bacraut Tartuk, or Tartuccio, whatever the  fretr was calling himself these days.