[D&D 4E] Adventures in the Nentir Vale (IC)

[Dakaran]

Rolan

The near a murderous levels of tension in the air seem to wash out like the tide all around Rolan, but only, like the tide, to come crashing back with an even greater intensity. A fog seems to lift from Rolan as he peers about. It was as if his mind had wondered for months, yet little time had truly passed. Snapping himself back into the focus he was trained to maintain Rolan quietly and slowly moves his hand under his cloak and pulls the gold capped glass orb out of his belt pouch. Tapping into its power, he pushes tendrils of his mind racing outward, searching, seeking, hoping to get a greater sense of the danger he and his companions find themselves in.

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Rolan is trying to get a gauge on the number of kobolds around them, but his primary objective is to see if he can determine if Ymuck's father is truly inside the building.
Insight: (1d20+8)[11]
Perception: (1d20+6)[18]

[Locklear]

Rex - Human Fighter

Glad to be rid of the awful traps behind them, Rex's guard had slipped a little, but the aggression of their guides puts hum back on edge, Samael's conversing in draconic grating his nerves further. When the elf whispers to the creature on his shoulders, and the situation continues not to defuse itself, his hand obviously and slowly moves towards his sword and it rests on the hilt behind his head; a precautionary measure, one which always seemed to keep him calm. Meanwhile he looks for the best way to defend his charges.

A thought comes to mind and Rex and he says clearly to his companions in Elfish, "This place looks no different to anywhere else in these slums. How do we know that this is not an ambush?" and his hand fastens about the haft of his greatsword.

[WaffleLord]

Chudok

After the hike, hearing two of his companions give reasonable assessments of the likeliness of attack gives the monk a tickling sensations up and down his spine. As the the two delegates grunt and cackle at one another, the monk peruses the buildings for signs of trouble while pretending to look about the ground and walls for little shiny trinkets and interesting insects. He mumbles to the human as he saunters by, "Who's to say what's not when no one's sure what is?"

Spoiler: OOC

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Perception - (1d20+11)[19]

[Hircine]

Bont snarls savagely when his demands are yet again rebuffed by the irksome elf. Having lost all composure he glares up at Samael and Ymuckluck, a venomous look in his eyes. "Chieftain Nibbik's time is too valuable to be wasted on that worthless lump you're carrying around. And since you seem unwilling to part with him, you leave me no choice but to bring the full force of Clan Skull Kicker down upon you."

As he turns to relay a message to the kobolds in the house, Ymuckluck's voice rings out. "Opsola! Si tepoha confn okarthel."

"Shut wer uoinota svern, Ymuckluck!", Bont orders as he takes a step forward with a hand on his blade's hilt.

Before the situation has a chance to devolve any further you notice a kobold wearing flowing crimson robes and a dragon shaped skull mask emerge from the structure. He surveys the group with a discerning eye before addressing Bont. "Svaust re nomenoi outsiders vur kii re astahii persvek derolyle di wer rimem uiulph deevdru?"

Bont shoots Samael a cross look as he responds to the other kobold. "Astahii rescued ymuckluck de vi roving hivis di ghiki. vur persvek exchange ihk jacida tokeq return astahii huvena ekess receive vin audience mrith Rimem Nibbik."

"I ornla advise wux ekess yenta vi prayer ekess Kurtulmak ihk wer tokeq delivery di hesi clan ui ulph heir, bont. Wux jalla vsist expect ekess qe disciplined ini nibbik ihk ti ergriff failing dout mission shar tepohair ekess receive letoclo de munthreki vur vaecaesini"

"Si clax gliiwr responsibility ihk sia ineptitude vur wer owrropoqui di failing Rimem Nibbik."

"Coi ui ulph bensvelk batobot wux acknowledge dout weakness, wopsit. jaka batobot yth tepoha dealt mrith batobot unpleasantness wux nomag direct dout fevekic crodr. Nibbik ui expecting wux.", the kobold states imperiously as he disappears back into the building.

Sighing heavily Bont wheels around to face the party. "We must go inside now! The chieftain is not someone you want to keep waiting."


OOC: Samael

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"Father! I have come home."

"Shut the hell up, Ymuckluck!"

"Who are these outsiders and why are they in possession of the Chieftain's son?

"They rescued Ymuckluck from a roving band of orcs. And in exchange for his safe return they wished to receive an audience with Chieftain Nibbik."

"I would advise you to say a prayer to Kurtulmak for the safe delivery of our clan's heir, Bont. You should also expect to be disciplined by Nibbik for not only failing your mission, but having to receive help from humans and elves.

"I take full responsibility for my ineptitude and the consequences of failing Chieftain Nibbik."

"It's good that you acknowledge your weakness, whelp. Now that we have dealt with that unpleasantness you may direct your guests inside. Nibbik is expecting you."

[Irish Musician]

Samael, Avenger of Avandra

Samael smiles as the other kobold in the red robe comes out, seemingly saving them from having to cut down this idiot kobold. My plan worked......glad it did because I had nothing else but my sword to argue with next.... he thought to himself. Once they are invited in, Samael turns to his comrades and speaks to them in elven, for most of them speak it, <"Thank you for trusting me thus far. We have a little ways to go, yet, so let our resolve stand. Keep an eye out for anything suspicious and keep your guard up. They are still kobolds after all, but don't do anything outwardly aggressive in front of the chief in case he takes offense to it and unleashes the entire pack on us."> As they start to walk into the den, Samael addresses Yumuckluck, <"Almost there my little passenger. It has been a long journey for you, but you shall soon be int he presence of your father again. Hopefully your clerics can do something about those eyes and restore them. Pray to your gods they can, and I shall pray to mine.">

[Dakaran]

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Rolan moves after Samael, falling in step beside him. He replies to Samael in Elvish, "<You did well, Samael. Very well. I have seen seasoned diplomats not fare so well with kobolds. Though most diplomats I know hardly bother with kobolds and prefer to just cram a sword in them...>"

[dariathalon]

Eldon

Eldon follows along, completely unaware of most of what has been said for the last few minutes. He does catch Bont's comment about not wanting to keep the chieftan waiting, and snorts under his breath. "We've been trying not to, against all your best efforts you scaly little rat."

As Samael speaks to the others, Eldon walks quietly hoping that whatever they were saying wasn't important enough that he was missing out.

[Locklear]

Rex - Human Fighter

Rex's hand moves down from his sword and he follows behind the rest of the party as they walk into the house, carefully watching their escort.

[WaffleLord]

Chudok

Eager for a change of scenery, the elf saunters along close behind the fighter. " 'Not to be kept waiting'? Sounds like someone worth meeting, if we're not too late."

[Hircine]

Following Bont inside the unassuming structure, you are immediately directed past the entrance and down a dimly lit hallway. As you're walking in step with your guide you pass several rooms filled with kobolds, which look at the group with a mixture of surprise and mistrust. After about a minute Bont stops outside a room where two heavily armed kobolds stand at attention. Moving past them into the brightly lit chamber your attention is quickly drawn to the bored looking kobold seated upon a makeshift throne towards the back. The rest of the room is cluttered with battered crates, barrels of junk, and mangled furniture. Standing in close proximity to the chieftain are four heavily armed guards in addition to the robe wearing kobold you saw outside.

Upon crossing the threshold Bont falls to one knee, his head bowed in a show of respect to Nibbik. Only after being acknowledged does he rise and approach the kobold chieftain. The two speak in hushed tones for several minutes before turning their attention back to the party.

Smiling wickedly Bont addresses your group, "Chieftain Nibbik orders you to return his firstborn or you shall face the wrath of Clan Skull Kicker."

[Irish Musician]

Samael, Avenger of Avandra

Samael narrows his eyes and speaks back to the Chieftan, completely ignoring Bont. <"Chief Nibbik, I am Samael. My party and I bring your son in good faith, saving him from a vicious orc-woman who had captured him and had been torturing him. I told your son I would bring him back to you and I always keep my word. I would also like to thank you for taking us into your home and seeing us, I think we can help each other end the orc threat. What say you to this?"> Samael waits for the Chief's response before he moves to but down Ymuckluck.

[Dakaran]

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Rolan quietly stands by Samael, not moving an inch. Secretly Rolan gently pushes his mind outward, attempting to get a read on the Chief's mood and intentions.

Insight: (1d20+8)[15]

If anything of is learned, Rolan mentally passes it to Samael using SEND THOUGHTS. (I may pass a message of 25 words or less, and the target can respond in kind.)

[Locklear]

Rex - Human Fighter

Rex regrets taking hand from his sword the moment he sees the grin cross Bont's face. He takes stock of his surroundings and making special note of the small kobold beside the chieftain, then stands up straight glaring into Nibbik's eyes.

[Meltheim]

Ryleos

Ryleos stands at attention, poised to strike if his life is threatened. I can cut my way out if need be he thinks to himself, fingers tracing the patterns on his rapier hilt.

[WaffleLord]

Chudok

The elf rocks back and forth on the balls of his feet humming the second verse of a hymn to Sehanine. He watches the exchange between the two diplomats as one watches a game of paddles: staring at one until snapping his head to the second for a response. During longer lulls, his eyes flit over the broken crates looking for whatever they were.

Spoiler: Tabletop

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Perception - (1d20+11)[23]

[Hircine]

Every dragonshield in the chamber fastens a hand upon the hilt of a blade and closes in around Nibbik. The kobold with the bone mask also steps forward, his staff leveled at Samael. "Svanoa bevi wux isilith Nibbik ios jacion renthisjir ekess wux irral, vaecaesin scum! sjek wux tepoha creolnali ekess yenta, relay coi ekess bont svaust geou gewj lae vin intermediary ihk nomenoi proceedings. Wux geou show proper tekilek ihk hesi clan rimem usv dout tairais tenpiswo geou qe throdenilti unpleasant."

Nibbik sits comfortably on his makeshift throne devouring strips of meat from a bowl in his lap completely indifferent to the actions of his lackeys.

OOC: Samael

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How dare you address Nibbik without him speaking to you first, elf scum! If you have something to say, relay it to Bont who will act as an intermediary for these proceedings. You will show proper respect for our clan chieftain or your time here will be most unpleasant.

OOC: Rolan

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You detect a level of calm radiating from the kobold chieftain that you weren't expecting. He also seems disinterested by the agitation of his subjects or the fate of his son.

[Irish Musician]

Samael, Avenger of Avandra

Samael shoots his gaze at the priest and his eyes glow bright green, making it seem as though dark energies are floating out of them, <"Do not talk down to me, priest. I am showing the proper respect to your leader, but you do not show the proper respect to me. I do not give that which is not given, priest. And I will not talk to a mouthpiece with no power. If your Chieftain wishes to talk, let him do it himself. The son of one of the most powerful demons in the nine hells won't be fussed at by a mere kobold priest."> Samael then turns back to the chief, <"Chief Nibbik, if your are truly the leader here, why let your subjects talk for you? Talk to me yourself, as a leader should.">

Samael then turns to Rolen, and in elven, <"What do you gather from this Chieftain? Something isn't right here, his underlings are talking too much and he isn't talking at all. It is as if they don't want his son to hear his voice.">

[Dakaran]

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In a hushed tone, Rolan replies to Samael in his tongue. <Elvish>"I sense a... calm of sorts. It is difficult to explain. He seems... ambivalent. Towards us. Towards his subjects. Even his son. It is very strange."</Elvish>

[Hircine]

Before the wyrmpriest is able to respond, Nibbik raises a hand to silence his servant. The wyrmpriest argues futilely with Nibbik for some time until it becomes apparent that his master’s position is unwavering. Offering a respectful bow to his clan’s ruler, he fades into the background beside Nibbik’s throne.

After shoveling another large handful of meat into his mouth Nibbik sets the now empty bowl aside and turns his attention to his guests. Resting a hand against the side of his face he lazily gestures at Samael with the other. "Persvek krel wux jahen ti bafoidrih, Nomeno ui sia territory vur si tepoha thric tuor ekess joork sia trekis conversing mrith frail vaecaesini vur shashtiup munthreki. Sjek karifilt communication ui required wux geou renthisj ekess sia envoy bont. Though si mi hopeful batobot huena wux tepoha returned sia klaena deevdru you’ll qe shafaer dout idol."

Having said his piece the kobold ruler leans back and lightly drums the arm of his chair.

OOC: Samael

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In case you weren't aware, this is my territory and I have no desire to waste my breath conversing with frail elves and *sniff* dirty humans. If further communication is required you'll speak to my envoy Bont. Though I'm hopeful that once you've returned my useless son you''ll be on your way.

OOC: Chudok

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Glancing over at the crates you can make out the faded logos of a windmill, grapes, and coffee beans.