Session 19 - 7/24/2020 - All PCs reach L4

General Summary

Olmis (the 10th month) 2, 1610 - Kobolds and the Drainage Tunnels under the Bescartha Ruins - continued

The party enters a section of the drainage tunnels that are oddly quiet. As they move through the area Kobold's on the other side of the drainage walls with blow-darts begin sniping at them through fake sewer pipes. Shadow attempts to hide behind a crate that is actually a trap.
The PCs ready attacks to try and thwart their attackers when they appear while some jump down into the water for extra cover. A distant metallic groan is heard and a surge of water washes the PCs further into the area even knocking a few of them prone in the water. More exchange of ranged weapons with the Kobolds ensues.
Another rusty groan from the opposite end of the area is heard and Teddy spots a Crocodile swimming into the area. Additional trap-crates are spotted (one destroyed). It seems the Kobolds are moving about in a "Holla" behind the walls... Gotrek makes a mighty attack on one of the pipes crumbling it and collapsing part of the wall revealing their dirt tunnels.
The crocodile lunges at Teddy, dragging into and under the water but a well-placed bow-shot from Shadow nearly finishes the crocodile and Teddy emerges from below the surface. Some of the Kobold snipers are heard fleeing from the area. The party takes a short rest in the Kobold tunnel. Sigmund studies the crocodile - looking forward to trying out its form.
During their rest, the PCs hear the chaos in the complex... Sigmund is able to make out some of the Kobold's distant shouts... it seems the egg-layers (females) and children are being told to flee. "Able-bodied" warriors are being called to the "main hall" to try and wake the dragon.
After the rest, the PCs follow the dug path and it leads into a central nexus of tunnels guarded by two lowly swarms and a Dragon Shield. As the PCs approach, they hear the Kobolds reacting... one of them gives a command to "hold the invaders" and a metal grate is heard opening and closing.
The party engages the Kobolds who seem to be losing their will to resist. One swarm of Kobold skirmishers is decimated and the second destroyed as its morale fails and the rank and file try to flee. A dragon shield leader is killed as well. Through the northern grate, the party can see low light and the desperate pleading of a lone Kobold "Wake great one! Rise to save your servants!"
The PCs raise the grate and enter an area that lies below the dirt area on the surface. A gargantuan, half-buried Cyrlok construct lies motionless at the back of the area. In the center, a Dragonshield Lieutenant and band of somewhat "above" lowly Kobolds grimly take of battle stations. Behind them, the Kobold Chief can be seen pleading before the "Dragon". As the PCs begin to move into attack positions, the dejected chief joins the other Kobolds in the center island ranks occasionally looking back at the "Dragon" hoping it will rise.
The room is illuminated by the usual bio-luminescent growths or the narrow shaft of light reaching down through an open hole or such. But some of the illumination is provided by a glass-like ball that contains an arcing bluish light. Several of the PCs recognize the orb. It is identical to one that instantly "restored and animated" a long-destroyed Cyrlok in one of the towers on the edge of the Ruins of Telmyr.
Seizing an opportunity, Sigmund waves his piece of Kelmonite-tech in the air for the Kobolds to see. In their Draconic language, he commands them to bow down before the "true" cult leader who will truly awaken "the Dragon". Maybe due to being soundly bested by the PCs at every turn, or maybe desperate to see the Dragon live, the Chief acknowledges Sigmund's authority and the Kobolds lay down arms.
Sigmund commands the Chief to fetch the Orb and give it to him. Confused as to why Sigmund wants their "mundane" light source, he does as he is told. Sigmund then tells them to turn to the dragon and aid in its awakening... for the first time this day, the Kobolds eyes flash with a glimmer of hope... They kneel and or lie prostrate before the "Dragon" and begin to chant "Rise! Awaken" in Draconic.
As they do so, Sigmund tosses the orb to Egon and tells him to "get that thing out of here quick". Knowing full well what the orb is capable of doing Egon hastily exits with the orb while the Kobolds are facing the other direction. With that Sigmund and the remaining PCs begin to shrink away from the area.
Soon a few of the Kobolds begin to notice that nothing is happening and a quick glance or two back and they see the party leaving. Their chanting hastily stops and they squabble among themselves. They had everything they needed to wake "the dragon" but never realized it and now those who defeated them are leaving with it. Some cry for an immediate attack, but the smarter among them realized that would be their doom. In stunned, heart-broken silence the remaining Kobolds of the Bescartha ruins watch their dreams simply walk away!
The PCs return to camp and Lee Spans has the Quark repaired enough to make a short hop back to New Bethford.
The PCs reach Level 4

Players: Jay, Brett, Mark, John, Owen, Terence

Report Date

25 Jul 2020