The Vystera Jewels

[Athedia]

Mithril turned to Shiny, anger flaring in her eyes. "Magic should not be used to bend the weak of mind! I have read stories of those who were forever made feeble-minded by such tricks. Maybe they would respond better with promises not threats." She had never had a problem with playing tricks with magic, but had always drawn the line at playing with another's mind, the fragile structure could be easily broken.

Turning back to the kobolds she said (OCC: Draconic) "I hear tell that you are evil, but also see that you are good of heart. You care for your comrades just as I care for mine. We ask for safe passage through the temple, we are simply knowledge seekers, not bloodthirsty barbarians. It was by accident and fear we attacked you, but now the fear has passed."

[Admiral]

Mithril turned to Shiny, anger flaring in her eyes. "Magic should not be used to bend the weak of mind! I have read stories of those who were forever made feeble-minded by such tricks. Maybe they would respond better with promises not threats." She had never had a problem with playing tricks with magic, but had always drawn the line at playing with another's mind, the fragile structure could be easily broken.

Turning back to the kobolds she said (OCC: Draconic) "I hear tell that you are evil, but also see that you are good of heart. You care for your comrades just as I care for mine. We ask for safe passage through the temple, we are simply knowledge seekers, not bloodthirsty barbarians. It was by accident and fear we attacked you, but now the fear has passed."

Shiny's face is utterly puzzled when Mithril voices her concerns about enchantment, as if Mithril is speaking a different language. "Seems to me it's a lot more friendly than shooting them full of fire." But he lets her go by and talk to the kobolds.

After Mithril finishes her speech to the kobolds, Shiny Darkmind gives them a threatening "or else" glare to underscore her words. He then turns away and gives a playful wink to Natalia.

[CoffeeIncluded]

Natalia is concerned about Shiny's suggestion, partially because of Mithril's fears, and partially because...

"Force a mask, but what if it slips?" When Miriam expresses nothing but blank confusion at Natalia's carrot statement, she looks to Mithril, who seems to understand her well, and says, "...Help?"

After Mithril speaks to the kobolds, Natalia adds, in Draconic, "We're looking to stop...destruction. Great destruction, and told to go here. Lead us through safe for your safety. But if not...We know traps too."

[achinca]

When Miriam hears Mithril scold Shiny on using magic against feeble minds, she rolls her eyes "Shiny, Halfling Lawyer and Shark Master,what did you say to the kobolds?

[Athedia]

Mithril felt a little confused over the carrot statement so she asked Natalia"Reward not punishment, is that what you mean?"

[Admiral]

When Miriam hears Mithril scold Shiny on using magic against feeble minds, she rolls her eyes "Shiny, Halfling Lawyer and Shark Master,what did you say to the kobolds?

Shiny shrugs at Miriam. "Oh, just introduced them to the party. 'We are Shiny Goldheart and his Useful Expendables,' and all that. Mithril was referring to my newest suggestion of using charm person to gain the kobold's cooperation and help."

[CoffeeIncluded]

Mithril felt a little confused over the carrot statement so she asked Natalia"Reward not punishment, is that what you mean?"

Natalia smiles and nods in assent.

She shoots a look at Shiny but otherwise says nothing.

[achinca]

Shiny shrugs at Miriam. "Oh, just introduced them to the party. 'We are Shiny Goldheart and his Useful Expendables,' and all that. Mithril was referring to my newest suggestion of using charm person to gain the kobold's cooperation and help."

Miriam looks surprised and just replies "Oh". She waits for a second before adding "Is it one of your exaggerations or the truth? Because honestly, it is no big deal as long as you do not take advantage of them."

Finally she adds "Drop the group name. I am here for the King. I am not part of any group. MY soul belongs to St. Cuthbert and my body and heart belonged to Calric."

[Hefty Lefty]

Shrine of Aquatos - First Floor - First Room

Natalia doesn't feel as if the kobolds are lying.

"We are not guarding anything! We are protecting!"
"Yes, protecting!"
"We are protecting our Great Mother! She lives down in the depths of our temple."
"She will not like your visit!"
"No! That is why you should-"
"LEAVE!" They both shout at the same time.

Miriam has not studied the religion intensely, but she knows from a brief overview of uncivilized humanoid religions that Kurtulmak is the chief deity of the kobold race.

When Natalia gives them an ultimatum, the kobolds again go into a panic.
"Ah!"
"Ah..."
They look at each other, then to the considerate Mithril.
"No."
"Yes."
"Yes?"
"Yes."
"Yes."

[Athedia]

(OCC: Draconic) "Great Mother?" Mithril tried to think if she had ever heard of such a name (OCC: Knowledge Arcana (1d20+5)[17] on whether she has heard of a great mother, thinking along the lines of dragons).

She decided to ignore Shiny's newest lie, why should she bring more discord into an already tense situation. She felt Whiskers burrowing down the back of her collar, apparently he was frightened of the kobolds. (OCC: Draconic) "We do not want to harm her, whoever she is. May we simply seek an audience with her?" She had read of brave adventurers getting permission to have meetings with great demons and kings, surely this was a similar situation.

As an after thought she added a comment to Miriam in Common. "Let him have his fun with names, as long as you know your path."

[CoffeeIncluded]

Natalia tilts her head. The kobold who taught her Draconic had never mentioned a great mother. "Great mother?" she asks. She then falls silent, as Mithril is doing a much better job communicating shared interests and inquiries.

The word "Belonged" in Miriam's sentence sticks to Natalia. She has half a mind to inquire but figures that now is probably not the best time.

[Admiral]

Shiny shakes his head thoughtfully. "I don't think we'll get anything more from them if we don't use magic," he says in Common. "Hardly seems worth the risk to bring them along. I say we ask them if there are any other traps in this room, or if they know what is in the next one (I assure you they won't lie), and then proceed."

"Is it safe to proceed without rest? I know that Mithril and Miriam might have some studying to do. I know I'm not the same without a good night's sleep!"

[achinca]

(In common, the only language she knows)
"Kurtulmak is the main deity of the kobolds. The Great Mother might be some kind of dragon or pseudo dragons or something pretending to be a dragon. After all, Kobolds believe they are direct descendants of dragons"

When Mithril mentions she should follow her path, Miriam put a bitter smile. "Sadly I know my path. I will have to bring goodness to this realm until it is my time to rejoin him."

[Hefty Lefty]

Shrine of Aquatos - First Floor - First Room

Spoiler

Show

Note the edit to my previous post.

Mithril doesn't recall any "Great Mother" in her notes. Small reptilian creatures such as kobolds often like to believe they descend from great beasts with scales, such as dragons, however.

The kobolds look at each other, then nod. "Okay," one yips. "We will take you to her."
"But untie us first!"
"Yes that or no deal!"

[Admiral]

The kobolds look at each other, then nod. "Okay," one yips. "We will take you to her."
"But untie us first!"
"Yes that or no deal!"

Shiny stares at the kobolds with intensity. "You know what will happen if you are lying," he says in Draconic.

Spoiler

Show

Sense Motive: (1d20+7)[21]

[Hefty Lefty]

Shrine of Aquatos - First Floor - First Room

Shiny has a slight idea that the kobolds are lying. He can't quite tell if they're guilty and nervous or just terrified.

[CoffeeIncluded]

Natalia freezes at Miriam's words. "...Dragon. Dragon gems of Vystera?" she says in Common.

She hesitates at the kobolds' terms. She wants to trust them, but can't quite bring herself to do so. She knows just how crafty and opportunistic kobolds can be.

[achinca]

Miriam looks at the three draconic speaking group members and wonders what they are saying .........

[CoffeeIncluded]

(OOC, I guess I should amend the previous post with this. But first, let me prepare for fail.)

Natalia looks at the kobolds warily. She knows how crafty they can be and doesn't trust leaving them unbound. "Leashed foxes," she mutters while trying to figure out what kind of trap they could be trying to spring.

Sense Motive: (d20+5)[10]

OH COME ON!

[Athedia]

Mithril smiled at the kobolds (OCC: Draconic) "I may be kind, but don't think me foolish. If I were you I would run away once you lost us in the temple and then find my friends. Swear on your dragon ancestors, and remind yourself that to break the oath means to betray your blood."

She was not sure that the kobold's would escort them safely, a fear that she hoped would not come to pass.

Spoiler

Show

Sense Motive (1d20+1)[16]

[Admiral]

Shiny turns toward Miriam and Kurt to translate. "They say they'll take us safely to their leader, but it sure looks to me like they're lying. I got a good sense for deception, being so naturally honest and all."

[CoffeeIncluded]

Natalia snorts at Shiny's last sentence, but is thankfully able to quickly compose herself. "False path, twisty tunnels all alike," she adds to Mithril's statement. Natalia decides to let the wizard do most of the negotiations, as it's much easier for her to be understood.

"Leash the foxes?" she suggests.

[achinca]

Miriam listens to Shiny and then adds "Lying come easy to evil races so I am not surprise you sense deception. I think that we should gag them and tie them. Remember that for them, we are the enemy. They would try to run away from us and warn their tribe as soon as they could. I do not trust them either. "

[Hefty Lefty]

Shrine of Aquatos - First Floor - First Room

Mithril and Natalia both believe that the kobolds are telling the truth. The kobolds are growing restless with the party's deliberations and are beginning to try to wiggle out of their bindings.

[Admiral]

Shiny looks to Miriam and Mithril. "We can't trust them. They'd escape or set off a trap."

Shiny turns to Natalie. "I say foxes stay fenced, lest they run loose in the henhouse. Feathers and blood."

Finally he turns to Kurt. "What say you, muscleman? And in any case we best tighten those knots, and gag them."

[CoffeeIncluded]

Natalia grins. "Yes! Stuck in the foxhole, so leash the foxes--let them walk but not pounce or bite."

[Athedia]

Mithril stood up and felt her legs wobble. "Can we rest before going anywhere. I can not think straight anymore, and don't think I would be much use to anyone right now."

[Admiral]

Natalia grins. "Yes! Stuck in the foxhole, so leash the foxes--let them walk but not pounce or bite."

Shiny has always been good at communicating, in one way or another. "Leashed foxes can howl to their pack, or lead us to snares until we're the hunted."

[Cavelcade]

Kurt shifts his axe anxiously at Mithril's suggestion, shaking his head a little. "If we rest they might come to change the guard or something. Trouble. Unless we set up an ambush, maybe, for them." Shaking his head again, his shoulders a little tense. "Is it worth the risk?"

[Admiral]

Kurt shifts his axe anxiously at Mithril's suggestion, shaking his head a little. "If we rest they might come to change the guard or something. Trouble. Unless we set up an ambush, maybe, for them." Shaking his head again, his shoulders a little tense. "Is it worth the risk?"

"Spoken like someone's who's never had to cast a spell!" says Shiny cheerfully.