5e Sunless Citadel IC

[bc56]

"Bedroll. Clean water. Others have been here. Still here." He crosses to the sound of the whimpering and attempts to draw back the edge of the bedroll with the haft of his axe to uncover its source.

Wrapped inside the bedroll is a weeping kobold. He is clearly distraught about something, and does not respond when Beorn uncovers him.

[stack]

Beorn pauses, looking to see what his companions think with a surprised look.

[WhismurWanders]

Harbek sets his lantern on the floor and slowly reaches forward to tap the kobolds shoulder, waving for Galindann to get a little closer as well. "Ehm ... hello there?"

[Wheaton's Whelp]

Fargrim, seeing Galinndan stop suddenly, leans towards him and whispers, What 'tis it, lad?"

"I don't sense anything magical about those glyphs, but I don't know know much beyond that unfortunately." Lowering his head he notices the puzzled look of Beorn looking back, and Harbek gesturing forward, "All well?"

Galinndan walks up, noticing the whimpering has become slightly louder as he nears. The scaled creature, with a steady stream of tears flowing, comes into view. "Oh... you found a friend? A sad one at that." Not seeing a threat in this creature, Galinndan sits down next to the bedroll and begins to rub the kobolds back in a series of figure eights, "Hey, hey it's alright. There, there. My name's Galinndan, these are my friends, what's wrong buddy? Why're you so glum?"

Spoiler: Persuasion Roll

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Persuasion: (1d20+3)[6]

[bc56]

The kobold continues to weep.
"Nasty goblins took Calcryx! ... Meepo's life ruined!"

[CircleOfTheRock]

Fargrim moves forward, setting down his warhammer quietly on the way. “Did you live ‘ere, you poor lihttle thing? And did some nasty gohblins take away yer friend?”

[bc56]

"Who Meepo care for now Calcryx gone? Who kobolds serve now Calcryx gone? Meepo in big trouble! The kobold is shaking with tears, barely able to contain himself. He largely seems to ignore the newcomers.

[CircleOfTheRock]

“An’ who’s Calcryx?” He moves up to the kobold and tries to stroke it gently under the chin. “Come on, noow, ye can truhst us...”

[bc56]

The kobold is beginning to calm down. "Calcryx our dragon! Meepo cared for Calcryx, but nasty goblins took her!"

[Wheaton's Whelp]

"Not Calcryx!? Meepo, please tell us what happened. There may be a chance that we can help get Cal back. I bet that'd make everyone forgive you, as long as we return Cal home to you. What do you say?"

Looking around to the group, Galinndan does a silent shrug and scrunched face behind Meepo's back, thinking I guess we see where this goes?

[bc56]

"She Calcryx, not Cal! Big peoples want to help Meepo? Meepo take you to Yusdrayl. She wisest kobold, she know what to do. Meepo gets out of the bedroll. It is now apparent that his back and arms are covered in ropy scars, as if he'd often been slashed by a blade. He leads the way to the archway.

[CircleOfTheRock]

"Thahnk you, Meepo." Fargrim says cautiously, glancing at Galinndan. "We'll do our behst teh help ye..."

[Wheaton's Whelp]

"Thahnk you, Meepo." Fargrim says cautiously, glancing at Galinndan. "We'll do our behst teh help ye..."

Nodding with uncertain hesitancy, Galinndan follows Meepo and Fargrim forward through the archway. Looking back he beckons Beorn and Harbek to join. The expression on Galinndan's face remains unchanged, and ultimately displays his confusion.

[WhismurWanders]

Harbek follows, though he definitely made a mental note to suggest returning here. Especially if this ... Calcryx had been in the cage previously, it would be a good place to start looking. He was slightly nervous about going after a dragon, but he couldnt help but feel a tugging at his heartstrings from the kobold's tears and apparent story. He gathers his lantern once again and does his best to keep up with Meepo and the others. He poses a question to their newfound guide, So, kobolds live here, right? And this, Yusdrayl was it, she's your leader? What's she like?"

[bc56]

Meepo thinks for a moment, then says, "Yusdrayl smartest kobold.
She help fight nasty goblins. Other big people tried to help too, but they gone now.

Meepo leads you past some doors to where the hall turns right, then onward.

[stack]

It would talk less without its head, but a dragon could lead to an interesting adventure. Having a dragon in my debt could prove useful. Of he could be crazy. Beorn shakes his head, mostly to himself, and follows.

[Wheaton's Whelp]

As they follow Meepo, Galinndan keeps searching around the rooms they pass. Meepo definitely wasn't the killer of the goblins at the entrance.

Spoiler: Perception

Show

Perception Check: (1d20+3)[15]

Looking, and making note of, other rooms and if I spot other kobolds walking around.

[bc56]

As they follow Meepo, Galinndan keeps searching around the rooms they pass. Meepo definitely wasn't the killer of the goblins at the entrance.

Spoiler: Perception

Show

Perception Check: [roll0]

Looking, and making note of, other rooms and if I spot other kobolds walking around.

In total, you pass three doors and an archway. One of the doors was ajar, and through it you could see a group of kobolds playing some sort of dice game.

Meepo leads you into a huge room. A double row of relief-carved marble columns march the length of the great hall. The carvings depict entwining dragons. The hall is so large, the east end is impossible to see in the darkness. On the western side, a short throne stands, constructed from bits of masonry stacked against an old altar. The portion of the altar which serves as the throne's back is carved as a rearing dragon. A metallic key is clutched in its maw. In addition, several small items sit in the altar, apparently as offerings. Two kobolds who appear burlier than the others and are carrying crude shields stand guard. Seated on the throne is a kobold wearing stained white robes and some simple jewelry. Several old books are scattered around her feet.

Meepo speaks first. "Yusdrayl!
Meepo bring big people! They want to save Calcryx!"

Yusdrayl replies. ""Is this true?
What do you say about this?" She looks at the party sceptically.

[Wheaton's Whelp]

Stepping forward Galinndan takes a bow and falls to a single knee before the kobold on the throne. "It is true. We have a common enemy in the goblin menace, and will not stand by as they add a dragon, your dragon, to their numbers. We have been sent to clear them from this dwelling, and with your assistance we can ensure they won't be a problem for much longer."

Spoiler: Deception

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Deception Check: (1d20+5)[24]

[bc56]

"Thank you. As long as the goblins hold Calcryx hostage, we kobolds can do nothing to rid our home of the Outcast. Rescue our dragon, and I will reward you. Maybe two things from the altar? That seems reasonable. You may bring Meepo with you, if you wish." While she talks, Yusdrayl flicks a crystal bead from one hand to the other, but she appears completely focused on the conversation.

[WhismurWanders]

So many questions... Harbek's eyes darted to and fro as they were lead to Yusdrayl. He was quite suprised that the kobolds had made their presence in the citadel almost completely unknown so far. It seemed like the place was crawling with them, and then there were still the goblins, who seemed to be just as disagreeable with the kobolds as they were with the humans back in Oakhurst.

He listens and nods as Galindann makes his little speech. He thought the bow AND the kneeling a bit much, but made sure to give a slight bow to the matriarch. He waits a moment before asking, Now, when you say dragon, how big are we talkin'? As much as I'm willing to lend a hand, there's only so much a dwarf can hope to do against a full-grown dragon."

[bc56]

She's not much bigger than you, about this long and this high. Yusdrayl indicates a length of around 6ft and height of close to 3ft.

[stack]

Boern holds his tongue, letting the others speak. If their talk caused a fight here, which seemed increasingly unlikely, he would be ready. If not, he did not want to be the one to start one.

[WhismurWanders]

Harbek keeps asking questions as they come to mind. "And this ... Outcast ... thing. Is it not the same as the goblins? It's the first time I think I've heard that title, or anything like it."

[bc56]

"The Outcast lives below.
He grows the fruit and gives it to the goblins. The dragon-thieving goblins are his servants. He is like him, his kind." Yusdrayl gestures at Beorn.

[Wheaton's Whelp]

Looking to Beorn, "Well let's hope not too much like him, this one's quite the fighter." Letting the tension in his muscles release, Galinndan gets up off his knee and re-adjusts his belt.

"Meepo, if you'll join we sure could use a guide through this place. Additionally, it sounds you and Calcryx were close. A friendly face may... help subdue the dragon. What ya say?"

[bc56]

"Yes, yes! Meepo come with you. Calcryx need Meepo! She lonely and scared, and goblins might eat her! Meepo know back way into goblin land." Meepo seems very excited at the prospect of rescuing Calcryx.

[stack]

Beorn begins to wonder what was meant by 'like him', but then he looks at his companions. Human. Suppose one of these creatures may not notice distinctions in another species. I doubt I could tell them apart."

[Wheaton's Whelp]

"We're happy to have ya Meepo. We'll follow your lead going forth, keep us safe pal."

Returning his attention to Yusdrayl, "Meepo will be a helpful addition, but before we depart, this Outcast and his goblin minions will be worthy adversaries. Is there no other assistance you could provide? These rewards you speak of may turn the tides of battle in our favor. Might you consider awarding these upfront to ensure victory?"

Spoiler: Persuasion Check

Show

Probably a high DC but... Persuasion Roll: (1d20+3)[20]

Depending on Yusdrayl's response, Galinndan prepares to set off deeper into the citadel.

[bc56]

"You may take one item up front. Only one." Yusdrayl gestures to the altar. On it are several items. There are three scrolls, a clay flask, a little sculpture of a tree, with feathers dyed green for leaves, and, of course, the silver key clutched in the dragon's maw.