Road Rawrrriors

Log Info

• Title: Road Rawrrriors
• Emitter: Cryosanthia
• Characters: Rocky, Knightmare, Lyme
• Place: H03: Eldwyn Road
• Time: Friday, April 30, 2021, 9:26 PM
• Summary: The Knightmare, Dame Betyrs, and the Sith'Makar Warrior, River Stone are patrolling along Eldwyn road, looking for bandits when they overhear a conversation. A conversation whether it would be safe since there were only two of them. Three well-equipped Kobolds emerge from the foliage, who are known to engage in unlicensed toll collection, if not banditry. They are aggressive, but the green one explains in trade they are looking for adventurers, for a few things. As the Knightmare and River Stone are fluent in draconic, they switch and get the details. The Kobolds want a practice fight to test their close in tactics, and if that goes well, help overthrowing a high priest and a dragon. It's a lot to lay on the adventurers, but a non-lethal battle is agreed to. They fight on the road, exchanging several blows each, but none really significant and while the Kobolds are losing ground and seemingly overwhelmed, they aren't pushovers. A travelling Oruch, Lyme, arrives in time to see the fight and accepts that it's 'practice' and doesn't join. They break and assess how things went, then question the Kobolds further. They reveal they are from the Desolation, but are helping a local Kobold settlement named Uskvutha Deep, and are stuck in a power struggle. They also reveal some startlingly lofty goals.

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--<* H03: Eldwyn Road *>--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

The Eldwyn Road meanders continuously around hills, wilderness, and farmland, though it is occasionally broken by fingerlets from the great Tornmawr. At one point, the road crosses the Tornmawr itself, which takes place by use of a ferry.

Further east and past the ferry are the great Redridge Mountains. These mountains, which run mostly north and south, charge through the landscape, and even through the eastern end of the Lord's City of Alexandria.

Towards the south is the city, with its flags rising far above the walls. The fiery Rising Phoenix almost glows in the sunlight and airships may be seen both in flight and in dock, as they make use of a carefully sculpted section of the Redridge.

Towards the north, the landscape of rolling hills and farmland breaks into denser forest.

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

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  Locations
  1   Kultari Road
  2   Felwood
  3   Eldwyn Road
  4   Tornmawr River and Ferry
  5   Redridge Mountains
  6   Fate's Spire, Mountain Road
  7   Vadran Village

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-  Appearing, in Order  -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Rocky        6'8"     460 Lb     Sith-Makar        Male      A grey Sith in armor, bit like a statue.
Knightmare   6'4"     294 Lb     War Golem         Female    A knightly construct on the hoof bearing heraldry of lost Dragonier.
Lyme         7'2"     435 Lb     Orc               Butch     Black-skinned oruch of suitable stature          
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-  As the GM  -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Cryosanthia  6'9"     291 Lb     Sith-Makar        Female    A dashingly tall, elegant white-scaled lizard woman. 
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

On the road between Alexandria and Mictlan. It's well travelled, at least until Wilderness Point. Recently, there have been reports of bandits, which is worth investigating.

The Explorer's Guild will send an official group. In the meantime...

There's the open road.

Rocky is surprisingly swift for his size and mass. Which isn't to say he's all that fast, he's a big lizard. But it's far kinder to walk than try to make any mount carry him, though are those that can manage. Anyway, today the Sith is on foot, plodding along at a fair clip, all considered. "Saaa, how do softskin bandits look? Different than other softskin?"

Knightmare is less swift, despite her leg arrangement, probably the weight of her external carapace. Her hooves chew up the miles without complaint, however as she trots alongside the large warrior. She considers the question for time behind her immutable poker face, then replies in a hollow voice, "Many have piecemeal armor, most are unwashed, and as many are cowards. Some may try to clad themselves in foliage to better ambush their prey."

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Roll perceptions, DC15"
GAME: Rocky rolls perception: (7)+5: 12
GAME: Knightmare rolls perception: (14)+8: 22

Much like children, Bandits are better seen than heard, although detecting them in some fashion is better than not at all. There is a conversation at the side of the road, hissing, high-pitched speech which might be mistaken for the wind through leaves.

If it didn't sound like an argument between three individuals.

"C'mon! Waiting hours. Small group. We can take them!"

"One is better, there is two. One is Sith'makar."

"They not always friends."

"Is best bet."

"Okay, okay. Get ready, get attention." <draconic>

Rocky chuffs quietly... makeshift armor... unwashed... cowards... so it's the foliage that sets them apart from average softskins... wait... are the bushes talking? maybe should focus on what's local than what might be.

Knightmare continues her stride without change, though her voice comes out at a lower volume, internal bellows unburdened by the jog, "Danger close. Be ready."

The bushes rustle, and three small figures emerge. Kobolds! Surprisingly well armoured Kobolds in a triangle formation. A bluescale and a greenscale stand in front of a redscale. The blue and green kobolds have shields, small axes, and even tail weapons.

The redscale has an impressive looking thunderbelcher. A full sized gun with several glowing globes that are red-tinged. It has the weapon aimed at the pair.

Oddly, the greenscale speaks. At least, it speaks first, in trade.

"Okay, okay. Want talk. You stay there."

"You move, you blown away!" The red one yells, talking over the green. <draconic>

The blue adds, "Rekki, let Gila do the talking." <draconic>

Rocky chuffs again. Decent matching armor. Relitively clean. Willing to stand before him. No foliage. Not softskins. Must not be the bandits. "Saaa, Peace unto your Nests. This One is called River Stone. Greetings to you, little cousins." <draconic>

The Red & Green are female, Blue is male. The females are slightly larger than male.

Knightmare thuds to a stop as the bandits reveal themselves. Her awareness sweeps over the kobolds, noting their posture, dispersion and gear. Telltale tactical clues to indicate proficency and general levl of competence, which modifies their threat index. As does the firearm. She smiles at them, in the way that she's always smiling, and her tail flicks some as River Stone begins to speak for them.

"I am Betrys of Dragonier, Knight of the Lost Crown. What is the meaning of this?"

Somehow, expected humans. Maybe a dwarf, but this?

It can't be just the three of them, can it? <draconic>

"Peace on Nest, River Stone, Betrys" The greenscaled Kobold says, pointing at itself, "Gillagoon." The rescale next, "Rekki" and finally the bluescale, "Blubbers."

"Need things. Practice. Help. Kobolds not the bandits. Know things."

"Hey, that golem horse look like it going rush us!" The redscale shifts the Thunderbelcher to point at the Knightmare.

"Rekki! Calm down. Okay, Gila got it." The bluescale is spending more time watching the redscale than the two on the road. <draconic>

Rocky isn't dumb. He really isn't. He does, however, tend to assume the best in people, overlook their flaws, and place himself into mortal danger without a second thought. It's just his nature. "Saaa. Gillagoon, Rekki, Blubbers. We all speak properly. What help is it you need?" <draconic>

Knightmare's chin lowers, steepening her grin as the weapon levels at her. Better she than her comrade, as she can be repaired, though there is a certain threshold that may not be known.

"Speak, if peace is your wish, I will honor this parlay, and forgive what slights have been offered so far." she says in an even tone, hands open and empty, just to clear up the threshold, her tone hollow and even, "If Rekki makes another threat, however, know that as a Knight I will have to answer." <draconic>

"I'll say what want. You can't tell me what to say!" Rekki shouts, nostrils flaring.

"Rekki! Let Gila hand." The bluescale is pressing the Thunderbelcher's barrel upwards, so it's pointing away from the Knightmare and the Sith'makar. The blue looks at the two, "Ignore Rekki, she says a lot of things that sound like threats but aren't threats."

"Rekki... you making harder. This one speaks." The greenscale says, also looking backwards, "C'mon." He then addressing the two. "One. Want practice fighting. You show us fighting techniques. You not kill, we not not kill. Need practice."

"Two, lots Kobolds near the road. They with us. They not the bandits. You tell Alex, Kobolds not bandits. We know where they are."

The green one holds up a third finger, having put the axe away on the beltloops, "Three, you take care bandits. Four, we tell you about Dragon, you get rid of Dragon."

"Kill Dragon, help us take over." Rekki adds. <draconic>

Rocky goes very still for several moments. Then his tail thumps hard against the dusty road. "One, okay. Two, will tell. Three, will try. Four... saaa, what dragon? If needs killed, then yes." <draconic> A dragon?!?

The construct, generally nonplussed, is slightly taken aback by that part. Her tail flicks a couple of times in agitation as she contemplates that, looking toward Rocky to try and evaluate his take on things.

Still, there are some proprieties.

She turns her face toward the bluescale and gives a slow bow of her head and a, "Thank you for understanding."

Rocky's reply prompts another flick of her tail, but needs to ask, "Who is Alex?" <draconic>

"Sssss...? Alex. Where adventurers come from. Alex." Gilla points down the road in the direction of Alexandria. She looks at Rocky, "Dragon that move in, take over Uskvutha Deep, now Uskvutha gone."

The bluescale keeps the Thunderbelcher barrel aimed up, and is making thrumming noises at the redscale.

Rekki, the redscale, is silent for the moment, though not much calmer.

Gila speaks again, "For practice. On Road? Want know things. How adventurers going attack." <draconic>

Rocky asides to Knightmare "This One think is people of Alexandria." He nods at the explination... though knows nothing of 'Uskvutha'. "This One knows only little of softskin tactics. But am of Warrior caste. The tactics of my people, I know better, though am still young." Well, unexperienced. He was technically born a while ago, but there were... complications. <draconic>

Knightmare turns her face toward Rocky and nods, "So it appears."

"You wish to know tactics. To what end?" she asks, looking back toward the kobolds. <draconic>

Lyme has been walking for a while as he arrives, covered in road dust and looking tired. The sound of voices catches his attention, though he sticks to the road -- always stick to the road!

"So fight better. Can beat all Kobolds. Need practice, teach tricks." Gilla says.

The bluescale nods and breaks ranks, walking closer to the pair and the road. He takes out a bullet, round and flat grey, "Is gumball bullet. It bounce." He demonstrates by throwing it down, where it sticks in the gravel of the road. He picks it up, "it bounce off hard flat surface. Not hurt. Not much." He squeezes the bullet, and it flattens between his fingers, which doesn't prove much. He is a Kobold though, so he can't be that strong.

The Redscale takes the Thunderbelcher from a ready to fire position, to a reload one, and starts fiddling with it. She's twisting knobs, rotating cylinders.

The greenscale directs, stepping towards the road also, "Start quick charge away? Then we go?" She looks at the other two, "Use backside axes." <draconic>

Rocky chuffs once more, and nods, drawing his blade. It's bigger than the average kobold, big enough for two hands, though the greyscae weilds it in one. He very pointly turns the grip, presenting the flat of the blade. Still painful, but not nearly so deadly.

Then he notes a traveler. Not a major problem, but best nip things in the bed. "We spar for practice!" he calls out. Perfectly clears up matters, right?

Knightmare, ignorant of other travellers on the road as she and her companion work on this.... situation.

She overtly watches the bluescale as he moves, the tilt and pivot of her head tracking to follow. She asides to Rocky, "I have no... practice weapons, do you?" She twists some to regard the other soul as Rocky shouts and advisory his way, then gives a nod and pulls the shield from her back, and clamps it onto her forearm, then, as River Stone has the sword covered, she draws her warhammer. <draconic>

Lyme pauses for a moment, people yelling, kobolds drawing guns. He puts his hand on the hilt of his war-knife. "Everything okay?" I mean, it appears to be clearly not, but it never hurts to check.

The red kobold finally joins the green and bluescale on the road. She seems very reluctant to give up the Thunderbelcher, there is some glaring between her and the blue before she relinquishes it. They change position, redscale and greenscale are now the front line.

In fact, they're just about standing on top of each other, crammed together much closer than most people fight. Immediately behind, the bluescale is holding the Thunderbelcher, aimed upwards.

"Rekki, put real ammo over there." The bluescale suggests. Some more glaring between the blue and the red, but the redscale removes a pouch and tosses it to the roadside. The blue follows, throwing a similar pouch. "Gilla, you too."

"I'll remember Blubs, don't worry." The greenscale faces the two, raises her small wooden shield. The redscale... opens a large parasol which is brightly coloured, shading their group. Gilla speaks, "Okay, we ready. When bird fly over." <draconic>

A bird flies over.

Th redscale and greenscale are sharing a square, with the bluescale behind them. The two groups are thirty feet apart, with Lyme one hundred feet down the road.

<OOC> Knightmare says, "will charge the green, will take the -4 for nonlethal"
<OOC> Cryosanthia nods, "Okay, and +2 for charge, make the roll."
GAME: Knightmare rolls weapon4+2-4: (5)+6+2+-4: 9

As the avian marker takes wing, the construct Knight is in motion at once. Her hooves pound a menacing staccato into the road as she rushes the trio, with her warhammer held low and to one side. As she draws near one of the more reasonable kobolds, she brings the hammer up in a diagonal cross arc, but the little draconid is too nimble.

Lyme curses with feeling, and starts running forwards, grabbing at the handle of a spiked morning star at his waist. "For the-- STOP FIGHTING YOU IDIOTS."

Rocky is not an idiot. So he keeps fighting.

GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+1: (4)+1: 5
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+1: (5)+1: 6

"Trap! Orc running up!" The redscale shouts, "I tell you would trick. You reload too slow, give Matilda!"

The bluescale meanwhile, is fiddling with the Thunderbelcher, rather deliberately working levers, making sure a dial turns and listening for the click. "No, is proper procedure. Load this way."

"Is practice loading! Fighting loading faster."

"Shut up you two, focus on fight." The green says, then calls out at the approaching Orc. <draconic>

"Hey you, stop! Friend." That should do it.

Meanwhile, the red drops the parasol so it's in Knightmare's way, both her and the green swing their hand axes backward, and neither has the reach to hit the Knight.

<OOC> Rocky says, "charge, swing at the red.. if the parasol isn't also in my way"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "so +2 to hit, -2 to AC, -4 for NL"
GAME: Rocky rolls weapon4+4-2: (17)+8+4+-2: 27
GAME: Rocky rolls damage4: aliased to 1d10+3: (9)+3: 12

Rocky charges forward. For a quarter ton of armored lizard, he's distressingly swift. Sidestepping the parasol, the sith swings at the red kobold with the flat of his blade, in a twisted mix of polo, cricket, and a PETA nightmare.

Knightmare recovers from her swing and brings the hammer back high, elbow bent while she brings her shield forward between her and the kobolds. She turns her head over the shield side shoulder, chancing a look away to note her comrade from the trip to Rune those weeks ago, "Hail! There's only mock combat, friend!" she assures him, then starts to sidle around the parasol laid down as cover.

Knightmare says "Interesting ploy, " she observes, "But, it works best with longer weapons." <draconic>

Lyme slows down to a trot as people start talking to him. He puts his morningstar on his shoulder, and gets close, watching. Maybe danger-close, with the guns going off, but if it is, indeed, mock, then it should be okay.

GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+5: (11)+5: 16 Aid Another DC10
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (6)+3: 9
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+5: (6)+5: 11
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+5: (7)+5: 12 (Ranged Disarm)

The red kobold snarls, "Ow! That hurt! Going gut you!" <draconic>

"It friendly fight Rekki, you let guard down. This how combat haa... back up!" The green kobold says in a more even tone, until her frantic order at the end.

As a group, the trio move back and diagonally, keeping the parasol in the way and in play.

The red, despite her threats, squirms by the green and nudges her to where she was standing. "You fight him then." <draconic>

The green backhands her axe at Rocky, and does an incredible rotation of her hips and whips her tail. There's a long lash attached to it, which flicks at the Sith'makar warrior.

At the same time, the blue leans around the edge of the parasol and aims the Thunderbelcher. The spheres and gems that make it up are glowing a bright blue.

The axe misses, the lash misses, the thunderbelcher misses. She misses, he misses. They all miss.

<OOC> Rocky says, "5' step up, take a swing at green, since they swapped"
GAME: Rocky rolls weapon4-4: (15)+8+-4: 19

These Kobolds are surprisingly well equipped, wearing scale mail that actually seems to be designed to fit them. Not only that, it has a certain gleam, suggesting that it's not only masterwork, but enchanted.

Rocky chuffs as the attacks wizz past or clang off his armor, confidant in his protections. Moreso, once can set his feet properly. "Saaa, clever. Good teamwork." The flat of his blade rushes thru the air, but fails to connect withthe spry redscale. <draconic>

GAME: Knightmare rolls weapon0-1: (20)+6+-1: 25 (THREAT)
GAME: Knightmare rolls weapon0-1: (2)+6+-1: 7
GAME: Knightmare rolls 1d3+5: (1)+5: 6

The kobold's teamwork is commendable the Knightmare thinks, though she notes, "You shouldn't let us get to your ranged fighter." The sway of her stride as she sinks toward one knee to line up on the bluescale sets her out of place for the swing meant for her, and as she pushes up again, she brings her other hoof forward and thrusts it forward to ring solidly against the riflebold's cuirass.

Lyme shifts his weight, morningstar on his shoulder and watches carefully. "Is this practice, or is this bandits?" He's so confused.

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay, so the kobolds argue over who gets the gun, and they move."
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d4: (2): 2
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Green takes it, and they 5' step swapping places"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "blue does a trip attack on Rocky, and Red swings at KM again"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (4)+3: 7 (Trip)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+1: (12)+1: 13

"Blubs! Give Matilda. All move!" Gilla orders, snatching the Thunderbelcher from the blue kobold. This puts her out of formation with the red, until she nudges Blubs back into her position.

He's quickly pulling out a hand axe, reversing it, "Remember. Gumballs!" The bluescale's hipshake is less impressive, but he has a flattened sweeper board attached to it, which bounces off Rocky's legs.

"GAHHHHH!" The redscale screaches, swinging at the Knightmare and missing again. <draconic>

GAME: Rocky rolls weapon4-4: (6)+8+-4: 10

Rocky watches the color shell game with intrest, uncertain if it's helping or hurting. As Bulbs comes into range, the greyscale makes his own attack, unfocused and wide. Speaking of unfocused, he chuffs to Lyme. "Practice. Bandits have foliage." ...fact.

<OOC> Knightmare says, "will 5' to x11 y 6, will PA unarmed strike red"
GAME: Knightmare rolls weapon0+2-1: (13)+6+2+-1: 20

"Practice." Knightmare affirms, sidestepping another swing from the angry little red, "If they don't mind." She scoots into the pocket created by the trio's swapping maneuver, and sandwiching thwo of them between her and Rocky. Seeing an advantage, but trusting her ability to constrin her damage potential with her own body, brings her hoof up to glance with a sharp >clank!< off of the kobold's ensorcelled shell.

Lyme grounds his morningstar, and watches intently. He gives a little step back. "Let me know if you want to change things up."

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "they reposition, green reloads, blue and red attack, blue on rocky, red on KM"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20: (5): 5
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20: (17): 17

"Okay," The green kobold says, sounding distracted. She's embarking on the very laborious reloading procedure. She says, "Okay," again.

Is that an invitation?

"Back up, to me," the green kobold says, as she moves away from the circling Knightmare and steps back, letting her redscale and bluescale companions close distance. <draconic>

Her reloading is very involved, and seems to somehow have more steps and even the blue's. Very slowly the gemstones, the chambers on the Thunderbelcher are filling with swirling colours, a high intensity green.

Meanwhile, the two back up. Red jostles Blue after she's struck by Knightmare, both swing their little axes, and while the redscale comes close, neither land an attack, again.

<OOC> Rocky says, "Step up one to threaten green and give KM a flank chance, but still swing for blue"
GAME: Rocky rolls weapon4-4: (10)+8+-4: 14

Rocky follows along with the swapping places fight, keeping up, or at least not more than a half-step behind. His large blade swings at the bluescale again, but once more fails to connect.

<OOC> Knightmare says, "going to chance the AoOs to go to x11 y 3 to flank, then nonlethal green"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20: (17): 17
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20: (11): 11
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (10)+3: 13
GAME: Knightmare rolls weapon0+2: (1)+6+2: 9 (EPIC FAIL)

Knightmare decides to continue focusing on the Thunderbelcher, whoever is wielding it, and she chances a mad dash to press the offensive, hoping to capitalize on Rocky's gambit. Alas, as she goes for another kick whilst countering her momentum, results in a slide that brings to Knight to a three point stance in the dirt.

"It sounds like they agree!"

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay, they do attacks then move away, which will provoke AOOs."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Blue will aid another for Red's attack on Rocky. Green will shoot KM"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20: (16): 16 (Aid Another)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (18)+3: 21
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+13: (5)+13: 18 (Touch attack)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d10+3: (5)+3: 8
GAME: Gillagoon damaged Knightmare for 8 points of nonlethal. 8 total.
GAME: Knightmare rolls weapon0: (6)+6: 12

There's a yelp of terror as the Knightmare circles round behind the greenscale. The last lever is slapped down on the Thunderbelcher, the final dail locked. it's glowing, even rings surrounding the barrel have illuminated. It's a large and long weapon. She doesn't have time to properly aim, she snaps off a shot.

The ball pancakes and bounces off one side of the chestplating of the knight. Near centre of mass, solid. Lead would have hurt a lot more.

"Move, move, move. Follow!" Gilla orders, retreating down the road.

Rekki swings at Rocky. Blubs gives her a slight bodycheck, which puts her closer to being on target. She still misses, then the both of them scurry away after the green, and reposition with the parasol down as cover. <draconic>

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Rocky take an AOO"
GAME: Rocky rolls weapon4-4: (2)+8+-4: 6

"You all reloading Matilda too slow! Give to me." Rekki snarls, but she keeps to her current task, axe and parasol. <draconic>

Still a in a bit of an odd position in light of her skid, the Knightmare tries to take advantage of the kobold's lapse in focus to try and slap her with her tail. Alas, while she ends up swiping trail dust from the riflebold's armor, it barely rates as a caress, let alone a blow.

GAME: Rocky rolls weapon4-4+2: (6)+8+-4+2: 12

Rocky takes a swipe as the group falls back, then falls into a run to keep up. The move adds force to his blow, but not accuracy.

<OOC> Knightmare says, "move to x 15 y4, pa unarmed red"
GAME: Knightmare rolls weapon0-1: (8)+6+-1: 13
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Green gets to AOO you. Her tailwhip is a 10' reach weapon"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+3: (18)+3: 21 (AOO)

Knightmare pushes into a hasty pace to pursue the kobolds, staggered some in the doing by the Thunder belched into the center of certain decorative contouring, but is undeterred. As she draws up alongside the trio, she brings her hoof up and tries to punt the little red kobold away once more, but doesn't get close this time.

<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Green reloads and 5' steps."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Blue full attacks KM with hand axe and trip, aid another's Blue."
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Red's Aid, then 2 blue,"
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20: (10): 10 (Aid Another)
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+2: (5)+2: 7
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4: (10)+4: 14

"Use bangflash! Use sticky bomb!" Rekki shouts. <draconic>

"No," Blubs counters, "Know running away, this standing and fighting." <draconic>

"Yes Rekki, we have this, stay formation." Gilla says, whipping her tail-lash towards Knightmare as she runs up and attempts to punch the Redscale. That misses again. She shifts more directly behind the other two, and returns to concentrating. Pull lever 3 to position 5, pump lever 2 three times, then lever 3 to position 4, another lever 2 pump...

The redscale is hissing like a kettle, "Hit something! Shoot something! Give to me!"

Blubs swings at the Knightmare, the flat of his axe and then a swoosh of his tail-paddle. Neither connect.

Rocky goes still for a moment... and lowers his blade, taking a step back. "Saaa, or just ask. It's practice. You've done very well, quite impressive, but neither of us are really gaining ground." <draconic>

Knightmare is somewhat humbled by the difficulty she's finding with the Kobold's defenses, and about to change things up when she notices Rocky lower his weapon and withdraw to speak anew. The golem tucks in with her shield held low, hammer held back and low, "The bangflash and sticky bombs are good thinking in combat. Not in training, unless you have a way to replace them easily." Her tail sways languidly side to side and, "You move well together. I would be a liar to deny that you gave us more trouble than I expected." <draconic>

"Mother lovin' Maugrim you are so. SLOW!" The redscalle hisses in great frustration. She's still moving, spinning the parasol and keeping it in Rocky's face, looking for a moment to swing the axe through an opening. <draconic>

"They stopped." Blubs, the bluescale says. He's still in a defensive crouch, tail high and the tail-paddle ready. <draconic>

"We stopping? I just enjoying." Rekki growls, she partially folds the parasol so she can see the greyscaled Sith'makar. She stares up. The Knightmare gets the fiery little Kobold's attention next. "Oh... thanks."

... and then adjust dial 17 to setting twelve, lock all levers back, re-engage the trigger block. The firearm is now ready to shoot.

Gilla looks up, the Thunderbelcher glowing in her arms, she looks at the Knightmare, at Rocky, at Lyme lingering down the road, "Oh."

Then, "Better than expected. Hah!" <draconic>

"They harder to replace now we out of village." Blubs says. <draconic>

Rocky nods. "Was not expecteing an easy victory, but neither so much struggle." Sheathing his blade, the greyscale thumps a fist against his chest. "This One greets you as fellow Warrior." <draconic>

Rekki hooks her hand axe in her belt, and with the parasol fully closed she mimics Rocky's chest thump then holds her little fist up. "Yes! Warrior! Hah!"

The bluescale, Blubs, grins toothily and looks around.

Gilla leans the Thunderbelcher on her shoulder so it's menacing the woods behind her and does a similar chest slap with her free hand. "Yes. We keep the triangle-T, stick together."

They are good at moving as a unit. <draconic>

Knightmare straightens out of her defensive posture with a simple, "You're welcome." before slipping the warhammer back into it's frogs. She harkens back to the Wars and the training, then, "Make other bags, half full of sand. One color for bangflash. One color for sticky bomb." Then, she sinks to her haunches and puts the point of her shield in the dirt, "When practicing, have rules, like 'If the bangflash bag hits the ground, or you before you look away, close your eyes until you count to twelve' or 'if stickybomb hits you, act like you're stuck in place for....." she looks to Rocky, "What do you imagine, eighteen seconds to break free?" <draconic>

Rocky nods, serious. "Very impressive teamwork. I'm not certain how effective it is as a function, but the constant changes are distracting psychologically, and that's very interesting." He nods to Knightmare's ideas, considering the question several moments. "Seems long, but everything moves quick in battle. Can try different times, adjust for what seems accurate." <draconic>

"What if don't want to get stuck? What if wouldn't get stuck." The redscale immediately objects. <draconic>

"Rekki, it's practice, you pretend." The bluescale counters.

"Wouldn't get stuck, Blubs. Dodge. Dodge good!" Rekki insists.

"It practice Rekki, you fake stuck."

"Wouldn't," She insists. Gilla, the greenscale interrupts, "We talk about that later, okay. We win this."

The all listen as Rocky speaks, three sets of small lizards focusing on him and nodding in unison. Gilla speaks again, "Better at things. I shoot close. Rekki shoots far. Blubs shoots tricks." <draconic>

"It is practice to get used to using them without having to spend all the time and resources to replace them." Knightmare replies without seeming distress over the objection, then nods to Rocky, "I have seem them break at once, or be stuck for several minutes, but I see your point." <draconic>

Rocky ahs, was sure there was a reason, but hadn't picked up on it. "This One is glad to practice more, later. Is good practice for me as well. You spoke of others. May we meet them?" <draconic>

The three little lizard people look at each other. One at another, then two at one, with the one varying. Their postures match their scale colour, the red is anxious and aggressive, the green calmer, and the blue contemplative.

The bluescale speaks first, "They not try take Matilda. Not one word." <draconic>

"True."

"Yes." Even the redscale agrees.

All nod, the greenscale says, "Okay. They at emergency camp. Bandits take cave. Others not far." She looks down the road, "Oruch friend?"

"Last Oruch lie, translate wrong." Rekki says. <draconic>

Knightmare glances down the way, "I've worked with him, before." 'Matilda' being a thing of past contention is noted, but that could simply be avarice. She looks to the red, then, "What Oruch was this, that lied?" <draconic>

Rocky peers down the road himself, and chuff quietly. "This One has not met before, but he listened when could have attacked." He frowns mildly, pieceing together some of the context. "Are you from around here? This One is still new to softskin lands." Well, not that new, but he didn't venture out much in winter. <draconic>

"Don't know. Wizard. Jak say what she tell him. Gilla thinks heard different." Rekki explains.

The greenscale nods, "They dumb but okay. Get captured. Alex Sith'makar say don't tell, don't trust, adventurers try to kill. Seem like that when we meet them."

Blubs speaks up, "They from nearby, Uskvutha Deep. On river in swamp." He points eastward, "We from Desolation."

The other two nod. <draconic>

Knightmare's head cants a little bit. Then the other way. What's been going on in these lands?

GAME: Knightmare rolls knowledge/local: (15)+6: 21

There was a black dragon clled Uskvutha who got a bunch of kobolds to make sink-holes under a human villge so it sunk into a swamp. The village was 'Bright Hope'. It's in the 'area' ... somewhere.

Rocky nods slowly, following the broad arc, if not the details. "Somewhat true. Most adventurers mean well, but act before they think. Can be dangerous." He considers. "Is the goal to make a home here, or return to the Desolation?" <draconic>

It clicks shortly and the Knight's tail flicks in agitation, "The black dragon?" she asks. There's an overt look to Rocky, then back to the kobolds, "That is the dragon you want gone?"

Oh boy.

"I have only worked with a few adventurers, we two had come to see about bandits, whom you obviously heard about." There's a nod to Rocky's words and, "This is not my land, either, so I cannot be sure how things are done, here." <draconic>

"No. Bigger goal, biggest goal." The bluescale stands tall, attempting to look impressive for all his meter and change in height. He points at the three of them, "We heroes." <draconic>

The redscale grins, all teeth and ego, "We change world."

The greenscale nods also, shifting the Thunderbelcher around in her hands so it's angled in front of her. "Change Kobolds. Teach make Fizzlebogs. Teach no kill. Everyone love then. Let in Alex, everywhere."

The bluescale shakes his head, "Uskvutha gone now, been gone while. Uskvutha high priest say worship new dragon. Change follow new dragon, not the way. We seen."

The other two nod, Rekki adds, "Is greenscale, in lake. Seen flying too." <draconic>

Rocky falls still, considering, weighing options and possibilities. "...there are kobold in the city. At least one. Mistaken by most for a Youngling, but still there. This One think city is good place to try. Many will see kobolds as monsters, but many more willing to give a chance." <draconic>

Knightmare nods and rises slowly to her full height, "A fine goal!" she exults, though her followup is thoughtful, "Likely one that will take some generations, but I wish you luck in your goal." She brings her fist to her breastplate and bows her head. <draconic>

The trio watch as the Knightmare stands, both easily tower over them. The bluescale says, "Thanks."

Although Rocky's thoughts get all three of them shaking their heads. Rekki snarls, "Tried. Steal Roxanne." Blubs nods, adding, "and Sharona."

Gillagoon gives the longest explanation, "Kobold nests around destroyed. All killed. Eggs smashed. Kobolds go Deep. Deep get bigger, bigger. Need food. Need money. Need things trade."

She gestures at the group, "We say, no kill. Maybe pay not steal. Uskvutha priest say old ways good. Follow Maugrim, be strong. Lots Deep Kobolds, pick sides. No Uskvutha, we bring in gold, food, they listen."

She points in the direction of Alexandria again, "Alex trick, try steal, send hunters to kill. Harder get things. New dragon show up. Show off. Uskvutha priest say, prophesy. We wrong, new Dragon right. Make leave. Some Deep Kobolds come, they in the camp."

It's the bluescale who finishes, "Two Deep groups now. Need Dragon, priest gone. Before they send Deep Kobolds out be bandits, get all Kobolds hated, killed. Head down was okay, but all standing up now." <draconic>

A lot to consider...

Combatty

Rocky vs the Kobolds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myqSETD5_bs

epic battle bgm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnHmskwqCCQ

Map
https://www.mipui.net/app/index.html?mid=m96fan9oo99

 ===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 1 =====================
 ---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes--------------------------------------------
     15   Knightmare       1  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     9    Lyme             1  Flat-footed (0 rnds active)                  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     6    RGB Kobolds         
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     5    Rocky            3  Flat-footed (0 rnds active)                  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 ==============================================================================
 ===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 7 =====================
 ---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes--------------------------------------------
  >> 15   Knightmare       1   <<
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     9    Lyme             1  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     6    RGB Kobolds      1  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     5    Rocky            3  
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 ==============================================================================
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 |     Name      |  CHP (T) |  HP  |
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 | Knightmare....|   29     |  29  |
 | (C) Cysgodawyr|   13     |  13  |
 | Lyme..........|   26     |  26  |
 | Rocky.........|   45     |  45  |
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|   Name   |   Race   |   Class   | CHP | HP  | AC/FF/T |CMD |For |Ref |Wil |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|Knightmare|WAR_GOLEM |Brg/Cav    | 23  | 29  |22/21/11 | 17 | 8  | 1  | 2  |
|Lyme      |ORC       |Ftr        | 13  | 26  |18/17/11 | 17 | 5  | 1  | 5  |
|Rocky     |SITH-MAKAR|Ftr        | 14  | 45  |29/27/17 | 21 | 8  | 3  | 2  |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------