Kobold Stronghold

NAME: Kobold Stronghold TYPE: Kingdom, Challenge PREREQUISITE: None MISSION LEVEL: 4 SLOTS: 6 DESCRIPTION: After the Kobold attack, our scouts located trapped tunnels leading to a kobold stronghold. Penetrate their defenses and bring them to their knees. This will teach them to mess with our town!

The group gathered in front of the town.  They were determined to take their revenge on the damage done to Issachar's farm.  Everyone wanted a piece of the action but the best adventurers from town gathered a group suited to the challenge.  They met early in the morning before dawn to discuss their strategy.  The silver harp even opened its doors early, waving them in off the street.  LB stood in the doorway.   I know ya'll are takin to goin' and given them kobolds what they got coming!  Come on in .. I already paid for yer breakfast and it'll be ready soon.  

Kellen arrives early, bag full of anti-trap supplies. Taking a seat at the bar, he waits for the others to speak.

     After finishing his morning routine Ren also arrives at the bar. He notices that only Kellen has arrived at the time. Taking LB up on his offer he orders some food and sits down near the rogue, assuming he was here for the same reason that he was. Deciding that the others wouldn't be here for a bit Ren takes out a book and starts reading. 

Fizziwik comes strolling in, his full plate seeming extra shiny today.   Ahh, yes, breakfast.  I suppose I could eat.  Now, while we wait, we should talk some about these creatures we are hunting.  They are crafty, as they've already shown.  We are sure to encounter many traps and pitfalls, both literal and figurative.

Kyros walks in, uneasy. "Good, a hunt. It'll give me a chance to repay the kindness we got from them the first time. Filthy mongrels..." He sists down, and looks at his compatriots. "If you can keep them away from me, we'll fill all of them with arrows! We'll simply have to watch our footing."

Issachar stands at the door, listening to his companions chatter nervously.   They fought well when the kobolds came to us.  I wonder if they will do so in the beast's lair. Walking on in, he sits at a large table and begins eating.   We'll all want to gather around to talk about strategy, I imagine.   He wonders if it's possible for such a strange grouping can truly become an effective team, much less a bonded together town...

LB comes over to the table, he ushers for the waitress to bring the food over.  She is a young teenager named Payleen who carries her smile better than the tray.  It wobbles as she tries to carry it over. LB holds out a hand to steady the tray when she gets closer.  Removing items from the tray she places smoked bacon, eggs and oatmal in a steaming pot.  A sweet cider is provided along with the meal.  LB smiles to Payleen.   Alright Payleen, that's great right there.  Thank ye.  LB draws out the EEN in a way that it sounds a little bit longer than it should . Payleen nods and returns to the kitchen.   She ain't got much trainin so excuse her clumsiness.  Hot oats in the pants ain't no good mornin' I guaruntee ya that.  So .. he pulls up a chair, grabbing a piece of bacon from the center of the table and pouring himself a glass of cider.   Kobolds ain't no joke ..LB widens his eyes in a serious expression  They may be small but they are crafty.  What kind of gear you got to deal with the little buggers.  You got a good scout and one who can detect traps?

As Fizziwik is opening his mouth to answer, Poppy comes walking into the room with a well designed backpack.   Good, I was hoping you hadn't left yet, I swear Fizziwik Pibbleblot, if your head wasn't attached to your shoulders.  And after I took all that time to pack this bag for you, here you go you...you...You be careful you hear?  Jumping up from his seat, Fizziwik hops over to his wife.   Oh Poppy, you know me, I'll be fine, 'sides, the Goddess always watches over me, you know this.   He gives her a big hug.   Now, you best head out, no need to make a scene in front of all the elves.  Collecting the bag Fizziwik heads back to his seat  to finish his breakfast.   Oh, Poppy sent us some alchemist fire and some healing potions, so we have that, plus Gerty is good underground. ((OOC: I've got 7 cure light wounds potions and 17 alchemist fires, if they might be useful))

Prytania was in since she heard it. She wouldn't admit it, but something inside her feels right when she unleashes her energy... It's a bit addicting. " Well, I've got a shovel... " - Prytania said jokingly, leaving a small pause before continuing - " Now, in all seriousness, I can heal the wounded, and create light and water if we need it... I might even convince Álmos to lend me his shield if it fits in the caverns. It's so big we could use it as a barricade... " - She looked at her companions with trust in her eyes- " We got this! ".

      "I'm no trap-finder and may not be the best at fighting these buggers, but I have a few things." Opening his bag Ren takes out 2 vials of flashing powder as well as a tar bomb. "I'm no alchemist, but these creatures seem to enjoy using a swarm tactic, and so I thought these would come in handy. I've also heard they are sensitive to light so I assumed the flash powder would come in handy. I have two, so should someone else want it, they could hold on to the other one in case." (I assume that given we knew we were going to raid a Kobald base Ren would have time to find out basic things about Kobalds including light sensitivity.)      Aside from what you have seen, I have medical supplies in case of poison, injury and otherwise. Looking back into his pack, Ren didn't see anything else incredibly noteworthy. "Aside from the sword on my waist that is all I have to offer." 

"Never faced kobolds before landing here. I know their tracks now, I can track them without a problem, and that will be enough." He looks over the meal, slowly eating it, once or twice wincing in pain.  "Oh. I can.... mmh, I can shoot them with my bow, haven't met many critters that can fight while feathered." He gets back to eating the breakfast, and when he finishes, he pulls out some flasks "And those that have, usually can't stand alchemist fire. I've got 3 to add."

LB places some arrows down on the table.  There are 3 of them.  I've encountered Kobolds before .. I kind of wish that I were going with you but I got other business to attend to .. or so says Agela.  He looks over his shoulder as if thinking she might be standing there and then continues.   These arrows are dipped in a toxin that will stop a kobolds heart.  Something about their dragon blood reacts poorly to the toxin.  Taking his other hand he places a twig on the table.   This don't look like much but this here's a recon twig.  This thing will snap in half if it gets within 10 feet of a trap.  Well .. magical ones only . but .. I know kobolds have all sorts.  This might come in handy.  It'll only work once so .. whoever has it might be one who don't usually see the magic traps in the first place.   The group chats for a while . gathers their strategy and they head towards the location that the scouts had identified as kobold territory.   3 "Kobold" Bane Arrows and 1 Twig of Reconnaissance (Snaps and sends a silent alarm to the wielder of the twig upon proximity to a magical trap)  Perception Survival  Knowledge Nature Knowledge Geography  Tell me what spells and effects if any you will have active upon arriving at the destination.  

Fizziwik takes a few moments to make sure all his straps are tight, both on his armor and on Gerty's saddle.  Satisfied that everything was secure and ready he hopped into the saddle and prepared himself mentally for what was to come.  His usual jovial demenour replaced with a look of complete seriousness.    (( Perception 19, Survival 20))

Issachar grabs one of the Kobold killer arrows, nods to LB, and walks outside to check his gear.  Anyone watching closely would see that his face elongates , his ears become more pointed, and his facial hair seems thicker.  He sticks the arrow in his quiver, shoulders his pack, and starts walking, Moko at his side. //ooc Shapechange for +2 all saves, Perception 27, Survival 29, Knowledge checks were awful.  Moko (scent) Perception 18.

Kyros grabs another of the Kobold bane arrows, and stows it in his quiver after inspection. He takes a look at the twig presented, but chooses not to take it, thinking "I'll let the sneak deal with traps."  Dropping any unnecessary gear, he shoulders the backpack and sets off in the direction of the kobolds. "Let's see what we can!"  he says to noone in particular, as he scans the landscape before him. ((Survival 9 (11 if tracking), Perception 27, Knowledge (Nature) 14, and Knowledge (Geography) 26))

"I can handle the traps of these mongrels. Ive dealt with their kind before, and while they may be crafty, their work is usually crude in comparison to most."  Kellen catches up to the group, "and you, dont call me a sneak again." ((29 perception, 19 survival))

     Ren pack's his stuff, double checking if he has everything he needs. Turning towards the Gnome he speaks, "Hey, since you've gotten so many alchemist's fire's you mind if I take one? There may come a time where I will need it with these creatures. I will of course pay for it."  Rolls:  Perception - 23 Survival - 9 Knowledge Nature - 10 Knowledge Geography - 5

" If no one wants it... " Prytania grabs the twig and goes home to pick her stuff. She catches with the group at the edge of town and together, they march towards the fortress. She looks a bit lost today so she's just following people... (" Those echoes... That energy... ") (OOC Perception 6, Survival 5)

Stopping in the middle of the woods, the party is able to see several points of entry into the ground.  One is a false entry into the side of a tree made to look like the tree itself.  A second is a patch of ground that looks to be easily removed to reveal a passageway underground.  A third option can be found in the form of a pit trap  that is easily identified by the party.  An absence of kobold presence at this point.   How would you like to proceed.  Discuss.  

I'd rec'mend we go in through all three entrances, or at least seal up 2.  It's gonna be tight in there no matter how you slice it.   Issachar is fiddling around with a pistol in his hand, twirling it around his index finger...

when did you start to use guns iss? anyways, ill lead one group no matter how we do it. Kellen is examining all three entrances

Something I picked up back on the ship.  I've been carrying it around all this time.  I'm kind of afraid it'll blow up if I shoot it off.   Issachar smiles grimly, and adjusts his quiver on his back.   I think it's time to get some revenge.

"You'd best not make noise, so sealing up the enterances doesn't sound smart. And I'd say staying in a single group would be better than getting overwhelmed one by one by these pests."  Kyros stands around, ready to start shooting anything with scales.

Prytania played with her hair as she listened... She finally got a conclusion: " I don't know, In the tunnels we won't be able to spread, so our numbers mean nothing... I'm with Issachar, small teams are best here, in my opinion ".

     Ren listened to everyone speak their opinion. "I agree small teams is the best idea, however we may not want to seal off any entrances if the one we choose leads to a trap or dead end." Looking over the other two entrances Ren thought for a moment. "We could have another team stand by here to make sure the smaller team going in doesn't get surround on both sides." 

We could do with more information, but standing around doing nothing gets us nowhere.

I suggest we stay together and use our strength in numbers.  Plus, I don't think anyone besides Kellen is skilled at taking out their traps...and these kobolds have already proven themselves to be quiet crafty.  Because of that, we should try to spread out in the tunnels as much as possible, in case they are able to trigger a collapse of part of the tunnel we can minimize the numbers that might get trapped under it.  

With only six of us, and only two that are the correct size for the job, we have to seal off at least one tunnel. the tree one is probably the easiest, since the other two are...larger...

We can talk about it all day, or we can kill some damned kobolds, Issachar growls as his yellow eyes swing around the party.   Right now we're doin' nothing but burning daylight...

Alrighty then, let's block the tree and go down the big hole.  I can the twig and run down with Gerty to make sure it's safe and then the rest can follow.

Kellen will use disable device to seal the tree entrance, leaving the other two available, and then follow the group into the pit. Disable device of a 23

Kellen takes some small planks and seals the entrance to the tree in a way that it is not able to be opened; at least not easily.  The group avoids the pit trap and decides that might alert the kobolds of something here so they choose to go down the hole hatch in the ground which was the hardest entrance to spot.  The hole is large enough for medium creatures to go down into it.  After the hatch is opened they see that it has 4 sets of rungs like ladders leading down on all sides.  The kobolds probably would have climbed this in great numbers to get onto the surface quickly and surround the pit.   The lid swings up revealing the shaft leading into darkness.   Gerty and Fizz head in first scouting down the sides, easily climbing down to a chamber in the bottom.  The twig does not snap but Gerty hangs on the ceiling needing the chamber to be checked out.  It is completely dark (except for whatever light source Fizz brings and from whoever might follow them down)

((Fizz is (hopefully) using the light spell that Pyrtania cast on him....if she has not prepared this, then he is using one of his sunrods))

It was time to wake up, time to enter the stronghold. Fizz asked Prytania for some light, which she casted on his shield, and whomever else asked for it, and prepared herself to cast one last spell and get down whenever Fizz gave the signal. " Watch out, fizz " - She said as she handed him the twig

The lit chamber reveals a large cavern.  The opening lies about 15 feet above a pool of green water below.  Along the perimeter of the pool are several small passages leading out of the chamber.  A large pile of rubble lies to the north.  As the light from fizz's shield illuminated the chamber, shadows bounce around the walls keeping those areas in shadowed darkness.  

Kellen begins to climb slowly after fizziwik, examining the room as he goes down.

     Standing at the top, Ren waits for Kellen to climb down before starting himself. First he ties a rope at the top, securely to a tree. Working very carefully he climbs down at roughly 1/3 the pace of the halfling before him. His arm wrapped around the rope, he kicks off the side of the wall while slowly taking his time to get down the wall. It's times like these....      After getting down Ren takes a good around. 

The handholds stop above the pool of green water .. How do you want to get around.  The gecko can climb on the ceiling but the rest of you are climbing down a shaft directly above the pool.  You can drop into the pool or if you have something like spider climb or some other method to get over it.  You should be able to see the pool on the VTT.  Discuss your strategy for getting around this situation.  You could, of course, fall into the pool.

" Well that... "water" doesn't seem too safe... " - Prytania scratched her head -" I guess we could just balance off the rope, but it may be wise to drop some earth  into it beforehand " - She said while grabbing the shovel at her back

I think I can pull the rope to one side and secure it, it will be more difficult to use at  that angle than normal, but might keep a few of you dry.

Here are your options for getting over. 1.  Spiderclimb the ceiling (Gerty) 2.  Use the rope to swing over.  (Running Jump).   Strength Check [12] (to hold rope) + Jump Check [12] or Acrobatics [12] (to get over) 3.  Jump over holding the bottom handhold (Standing Jump).  Jump Check [22] or Acrobatics [22] 4.  Drop in the green water (splash) 5.  Other If you make your check you can give me a perception and place your token around the edge of the pool. If you fail the check give me a swim check (apply armor penalties) and then place your token in the water within 5 feet of the blue circle.

Fizziwik guides Gerty down the side of the wall and positions himself near the pool of water, to assist his companions if able, scanning the room as he moves. ((Perception: 19))

Kyros Kyros tries to grab onto the rope but his slick gloves prevent him from doing so, and he slips on it, landing in the water with a loud splash. Cursing and moaning he thrashes in the water, regretting never learning how to properly swim with his armor on. ((Strength [11], swim [2])) //I'll have problems posting every time for a while. So, for the next slot, if applicable, second swim check was 13, perception 11.

It was time to go in, Prytania murmured a prayer and climbed down the rope, now, a shining beacon for her companions. She was... Radiant, and not only because of the light on her shield, no... Even her natural clumsiness had its charm now, and although she slipped halfway through it, splashing into the water, she gracefully recovered and started to swim ashore. (OOC Prytania casts eagle's splendor on herself; Strength check 9, Swim 17)

The great splash awoke something in the waters .. the waters stirred as Kyros sank .. Prytania quickly managed to stay afloat but the creature emerged with a great splash.   Those in the water make a fort save You may make initiatives and take initiative actions We will start round 1 w/ initiatives this slot. Fizz could see some movement from the chambers ahead .. kobold .. beginning to make their way into the chamber.

     Ren, saw as Prytania and Kyros fell into the water and out emerged a giant creature. Great... That doesn't look very friendly. Ren found a solid foothold within the wall. Letting go of the rope he pushed off the wall, launching himself into the air and doing a quick flip, clearing the water and landing on the other side next to Gerty and Fizzack.      Quickley he took a look around and readied an attack cautiously looking around for any Kobalds that may have heard a giant creature emerge. I'll only be a liability fighting in water, I'll be more useful here.  Actions: Acrobatics - 26 (DC 22) Swift Action - Enter Crane Style  Readied an Attack on anything within 5 ft - Attack Roll 15

Prytania saw the beast rise and she knew she wouldn't be able to crawl back to the surface before it grabbed her with its tentacles, so instead, she turned, and channeling her negative energy she clawed the creature, opening a huge wound on its body. Actions: Initiative - 12 Swim check to keep afloat - 12 Bleeding touch - (Touch Attack roll 15) damage 6 (Bleeding for 2 more turns) Fortitude check: 11

Kellen, seeing the danger his friends were now in, rushed to attack the creature. Missing due to the strange green water, he rushes out, giving the creature a chance to strike back. Actions: Initiative - 18 Swim check - 13 offensive roll - acrobatics - 26 (AKA make him flat footed) attack -18 (miss) move out of water - provoke AOO Fort - 15

// Note he moved out of the water last round as his move action and is not flat footed. // Note you cannot do acrobatics in water without a swim speed