Uh... prepare for combat?

Rynh 2011/03/30(Wed)23:26 No. 292085 ID: 8c0848
File 130155279453.png - (190.71KB , 1024x768 , 502.png )

"Sorry to keep you waiting. I met someone along the way and kind of got sidetracked."

Sure enough, here he comes and he's got a pack of gnolls running him down. It this kind of unexpected element that keeps things exciting. Ngh...

"Damn it, old man! You're not paying us for this!"

The pack is bearing down on him and he's bearing down on us, that means the pack is bearing down on us. Getting ripped apart by gnolls is not a fun time.
"Might I suggest we move this inside. Now."

"Good head on ya', boy! Just give me a minute!"

We're off to a good start.

AGGRO TRAIN! GET INSIDE THE BUILDING!

Get inside and find a good choke point. Preferably a door or something to barricade.

think if we had dagnyr he could tell them them to shove off? probably not.

anyway, yeah chokepoint, find one.

You could probably collapse the entrance if you use earth magic to weaken the mortar and everyone else hits it with whatever they've got, but it could be better to intimidate the gnolls in the long run.

You've known Dagnyr for a long time. How does he react to serious threats? Does he go away to find something easier to do (scavenger thinking) or does that just make him more determined and crafty? What I mean is that if you barricade the door then the gnolls could just wait outside or find another way in, but if you find a chokepoint, burn their whiskers with firebreath and Thodren fills the entrance with meathuge then they might just think "oh fuck this just isn't worth it".

Option C is go inside and leave the horse for the gnolls.

Get out of the way of the horse.

Why didn't you bring Dagnyr again?

Go back and get Dagnyr, trade out thodren.

>>292085
Get inside of the building and tell him that this will cost him extra. Especially if the gnolls are still there when it's time to leave.

>>292085
Hug the gnolls to pacify them.

Rape Gnoll to pacify him.

>>292085
Breathe fire. Distract them from your client, while everyone gets inside, even if you don't hit anything or frighten them off.

If he dies you might not get paid in full.

Ask the gnolls what they will give you in exchange for this guy.

>>292085

Punch gnoll in snout to establish dominance.

>>292190
For once, this might actually work.

Rynh 2011/03/31(Thu)19:11 No. 292356 ID: 8c0848
File 130162391159.png - (227.98KB , 1024x768 , 503.png )

>Punch gnoll in snout to establish dominance.

This is more of Thodren's department and that has to hurt. We fall back into the structure, waiting just long enough for the old man to get off his horse and rush inside. The gnolls begin swarming around the door and there's probably too many to deal with in a fight.

okay back away into the structure a bit then shoot a blast of flame at the door when they try to swarm it. just a quick burst. wait a second for them to try again then another burst then run. they wont know how many times you can do that so they will be cautious about chasing you in because they don't want to be roasted.

Rynh 2011/03/31(Thu)19:30 No. 292366 ID: 8c0848
File 130162502472.png - (137.22KB , 1000x600 , 504.png )

We hurry inside. This whole place is crumbling and dusty, but the gnolls are still milling around outside. They seem a little wary to rush in, but they might get brave at anytime.

"Oh my, this is a bit of a problem, isn't it? At least the cost of hiring you was well worth it."
"They're not gonna stay out there forever. What are we doing?"

This hall is empty and decrepit, but I'd rather not be hassled by these assholes the entire time.

Get Throden inside and close the doors!

>>292366
Tell the old man I'm mad at him for condemning his horse to a grisly death.

Also, continue on.

Right now we're looking for something to kill them with. A trap to trigger if they come in.

Looks like something's under that rubble... and the torch is missing... so I bet that if we pulled that other torch, the ceiling would collapse above it.

hmmm... the ceiling over thodren looks weak. breaking that pillar would probably collapse that section. and just that section because if you look up you will see they are already separated.
also a torch above magic man. may still work. after collapsing the roof take it and give it a puff to light it up.

oh and tell thodren to back up before you start making stuff fall.

Make a note for the future to get Thodren's teeth checked. He really needs to seem to work on his dental health.

>>292366
Close and bar the doors. Then raise the floor to hold the doors even more closed. If there are no doors then use earth powers to barricade the opneing. Ask Gustav for help in doing it.

>>292390

I think those are just pointy predator's carnassials

>>292390
>>292522
yeah, just because he looks like a moocow don't mean that he's a vegetarian

Ask the old guy what the gnolls might be afraid of. I mean maybe Gustav and/or you can conjure up an illusion of a skeleton ghost (or whatever other appropriate horror) dragging you further into the ruins as you scream with pretend horror. That way the gnolls will think you're dead and they're not going to come in to confirm it.

>>292534
Minotaurs are very much carnivors. Used to eat humans among other things.

Rynh 2011/04/01(Fri)13:39 No. 292611 ID: 8c0848
File 130169039710.png - (200.76KB , 1000x600 , 505.png )

>the ceiling over Thodren looks weak. breaking that pillar would probably collapse that section.

It might work. The ceiling looks like it's ready to crumble. I mention it to him.

>Gustav and/or you can conjure up an illusion dragging you further into the ruins as you scream with pretend horror. That way the gnolls will think you're dead and they're not going to come in to confirm it.

That might work and we wouldn't have to collapse the entryway. It might take time though.

"Run."
Everyone scrambles to get into the next room as Thodren knocks down the pillar and the whole ceiling comes crashing down, along with a huge pile of debris from upstairs.

use a quick wind burst to yank that torch on the wall to you.

Rynh 2011/04/01(Fri)14:13 No. 292627 ID: 8c0848
File 130169239259.png - (123.07KB , 1000x600 , 506.png )

After the dust clears we can see we're in a large, mostly empty room with a long stairway leading up. There's not much here but some garbage and dirt.

"Ye gods, that was a little excessive. Could you try to preserve the structure? Besides this being a historical site, I'd rather not have the whole blasted place fall in on us."

"It worked didn't it?"
"Well, they can't chase us, so I guess we're good. Let's just try not to do that anymore."

The ruins are dark, cold and apparently stripped of anything valuable. I wonder why he's so interested in exploring them.
"Alright, old man. What's the deal here? This place looks gutted."
"Pfft... Looters only take what's easy to reach. I'm sure there's something of interest here. People don't go to the effort to build things like this, then abandon them for no reason. I want to find out why. War, pestilence, plague, giant monsters, swirling demonic hellportals. All kinds of possibilities. My name is Melgathander, by the way, you all can just call me Mel, for simplicity's sake."
"You're Melgathander? I read your book on the ruins of Garaf Tiras. It was rather interesting."
"Not as interesting as being there, I assure you, my boy. I've never seen so many rust monsters in one place. Armored warriors reduced to their underwear, hurling lances at zombies. Ridiculous, I tell you."

Underwear you say~

Is it just me, or is cloaked-Rynh looking a lot like Jehral?

have thodren grab that lantern on the wall and light it.

>>292627
Tell Kitty to stand on Thodrens head and grab the lantern. See if there's any way to light it. If not then ask if Gustav can conjure up some light or some dark vision. Then get on with exploring.

>>292627
Oh crap rust monsters exist in this world?
At least he's just talking about that Garaf Tiras place..

Upstairs first, unless the Dwarf is guiding the way.

Upstairs first, I agree.

Rynh 2011/04/01(Fri)18:06 No. 292789 ID: 8c0848
File 130170640050.png - (173.65KB , 1000x600 , 507.png )

Thodren and Shera light the lamp and I decide to check upstairs first.
"I'm going to take a look up here. Maybe I'll be able to see if our friends are still waiting for us out there."
"Yes, yes. Being eaten would definitely put a damper on things and I'm too interested in looking around here to by inconvenienced by such things."

I start up the stairs.
"Alright, somebody should probably stay with our Dwarf friend here and keep him safe while we secure the area."

"I'm no dwarf, you smart alecky whatchacallit..."

Oh god Turn into a gnoll it'll be hilarious

>>292789
Gustav can stay here, he should have some stuff to talk about.

Rynh 2011/04/01(Fri)20:40 No. 292931 ID: 8c0848
File 130171563246.png - (128.71KB , 1000x600 , 508.png )

Nothing really to report here. It looks like the old roof timber have rotted out on the outer layers and caved into the inner rooms. The stairway leading up into the upper tower is blocked by fallen debris.
The door here leads into a room that would be above the main entry hall. The one we collapsed.

peek in and survey the damage.

Rynh 2011/04/01(Fri)21:39 No. 292971 ID: 8c0848
File 130171915207.png - (85.22KB , 800x600 , 509.png )

>>292931
Not much floor left. The whole thing caved in from roof to floor. Now it's snowing in here.

Anywhere else we can go? Other than back down the stairs and down the main hall?

Guess the second floor's clear. Go back down and inform the others then let's continue further in.

Rynh 2011/04/01(Fri)23:34 No. 293023 ID: 8c0848
File 130172606357.png - (127.83KB , 1000x600 , 510.png )

As I turn around, I immediately notice a form hiding in the rubble.

"WE HAVE VISITORS!", I shout to the others and draw my sword. They must be climbing up and getting in the open roof.

>>293023
Damned good climbers. Oh well at least it's not going to be a goddamn flood of the bastards.

Give him a good old fashioned lightning bolt. Won't harm the structure, and you can finish it off with a sword strike.

Why not just take a deep breath and shed some light on the matter? The light will be coming from the fire that is everywhere because you used your fire breath.

I want to see more Catgirl doing weird things, show me more Catgirl doing weird things.

sinces it's only one gnoll I say just sword it down, and wait till there's more before you pull out the magic

Rynh 2011/04/02(Sat)00:17 No. 293042 ID: 8c0848
File 130172863158.png - (159.47KB , 1000x600 , Durf.png )

>Firebreath
Right, one gnoll can't pose that much of a thr- HRRRRGNNNN!~

sadgauriwhj;aWHAT

WHERE DID A GNOLL GET A LASER GUN.

WAKE UP

Yrr'a! NOOOOOOOOO!
Rynh's your friend! and now you've killed her!

Wait what.

...

Oh god why does that gnoll have a beam rifle

http://www1.tgchan.org/kusaba/graveyard/res/241242.html

for people wondering where the laser gnoll is from

>>293042
Dammit you were off by 17 minutes late for an April Fools joke!

This is the best possible ending.

I suggest stabbing it, tis a single currently unarmed gnoll. Any one else stupid enough to climb up after that can get firebreathed.

>>293042
Silly Lasergnoll, thats not how you ask a halfdragon out on a date.

Rynh 2011/04/02(Sat)11:11 No. 293169 ID: 8c0848
File 130176791709.png - (65.20KB , 1000x400 , 511.png )

I head back down. The others seem to have moved in farther. Real nice. What if I had been attacked by a gnoll or something? Luckily, that wasn't the case and I head down the hallway.
They've lit one of the old candles here to light the way and there's an heavy oak door to the left with an old padlock on it. It's still pretty sturdy.

>>293169
Better not mess with the locked door. Catch up with your team first.

>>293169
Something locked behind such a door must be important. Lets break the fuck in there!

Nuts to that. Let's open that thing up! Use your fire breath like a blowtorch to crack that lock open.

Rynh 2011/04/02(Sat)15:40 No. 293276 ID: 8c0848
File 130178402632.png - (106.73KB , 800x600 , 512.png )

The lock isn't rusted or tarnished at all, even though everything else is falling apart. It's shining a silvery blue in the candlelight. It's probably made of mithril or sealed with magic or both. I doubt I can break it.

No damaging shit, move along. Your job is to help and guard Mel, not to bust shit up when he's not looking.

Let's keep going then. Maybe our feline adventurer friend can pick it. Or the mage can just cast an unlocking spell.

Well dang. Let's move along then.

>>293276
Well then try the hinges and then the wood on the door.

If you can't break the lock, break what it's locking.

Destroy door, keep the lock made of valuable metals. Heck if you can find the key somewhere it can even be useful.

>>293276
Break the door. You can move earth, break the door-frame.

Rynh 2011/04/02(Sat)19:48 No. 293384 ID: 8c0848
File 130179889233.png - (83.11KB , 1000x400 , 513.png )

>Break it down.
>Don't break it down.

I flip a coin and decide to check it out

*BZZZARP!*

Rynh 2011/04/02(Sat)19:50 No. 293385 ID: 8c0848
File 130179900297.png - (64.19KB , 1000x400 , 514.png )

"HEY RYNH, HURRY UP. WE'RE LOOKING FOR A KEY FOR THE DOOR IN THE HALL. WATCH IT, IT'S MAGIC OR SOMETHING"

"OKAY. THANKS."

Ow...

>>293385
Right now that our suicidal curiosity is sated let's get MOVING.

god dammit. does no one in this head know how magic locks and doors work? if the door could break that easy then why didn't thodren the guy with huge muscles try? because magic dumbasses. i am gonna have to keep a closer eye on rynh so you jackasses don't kill her.

also, if you ever feel lightning magic hitting you, try using your own lightning magic to make it not hurt as bad. have the energy shoot out your tail or something.

>>293385
It's a normal oak door, so the lock probably enchants whatever it's attached to. Useful.

>>293385
Might as we'll go follow the bastards and give our lovable minotaur a kick in the shins. It's his fault we got crispy.

Find a wire and attach it to the lock. Offer the bare end to Throden and say "hold this."

>3 doors
>3 candles
>centre candle lit
>centre door locked

>>293440

...

Wow, we're stupid. Yeah, light the candles.

>>293452
>door with lit candle is locked
>LIGHT THE CANDLES
Am...am I misreading something here? I must be misreading something here in my half-asleep state.

Well obviously you should blow out the center candle

>>293471
If there were three doors, then it would make sense to blow out the candle above the locked one to open it, but in this case there are three candles and one door (unless this connects to other rooms) so one would assume that lighting them all would unlock this door.

Of course, there are many other possible options that could be plausible(e.g it actually does need a key, supported by the fact that it has a keyhole), but lacking the rest of the puzzle (something we should check out) this is the best we can come up with currently.

And of course it never hurts to try
inb4 lighting all the candles summons a guardian

Rynh 2011/04/03(Sun)15:30 No. 293587 ID: 8c0848
File 130186984235.png - (180.23KB , 1025x800 , 515.png )

No, the candles do not unlock the door. That would be the worst possible way of keeping anything out of a door ever.

"Upstairs is clear. How's it going here?"

"Half the place is collapsed and there's nothing here."

Mel seems a bit more enthusiastic about this whole thing.
"No matter. That sealed door is what has me excited. It's still locked after all this time, that means there could be a treasure trove behind it and the key is likely still here."

"It might still be here under the rubble."

"No use being pessimistic. I want to start searching the rest of the structure immediately!"

I guess we should start looking around.

>>293587
Time to find an alternate way into the sealed room. The door is not an option. Then it's time to check the walls, the roof and the floor. See if they are similarly fortified. If it turns out that they're not, then gather up the whole group again and start working on breaking in there without tearing the whole place down.

>>293587
I assume you've checked behind the painting for loot already. If not, do so.

>>293587
Can you move some of that pile of rubble to create a climbable ramp up to that balcony? Use magic.

Yes, check behind the painting, that's a classic storage spot. Don't forget to check the underside of the table, too. Slightly less classic, but there could be secrets anywhere. Anywhere! Under the tablecloth, too: someone may have carved stuff into the tabletop at some point. Delicious secrets, we must find them.

>>293587
The whole "candles being magically lit" thing kinda bugs me. That, or your friends have lots of matches. Who knows.

>>293670
And you know... Gustav is a mage.

On that note, ask him if he knows any spells for locating objects.

Rynh 2011/04/03(Sun)20:34 No. 293703 ID: 8c0848
File 130188805888.png - (186.19KB , 1025x800 , 516.png )

>Can you move some of that pile of rubble to create a climbable ramp up to that balcony? Use magic.
Or I could just climb up to the balcony without doing that. I'm all for straining myself for absolutely no reason, but maybe I could just not.

>Yes, check behind the painting, that's a classic storage spot. Don't forget to check the underside of the table, too. Slightly less classic, but there could be secrets anywhere. Anywhere! Under the tablecloth, too: someone may have carved stuff into the tabletop at some point. Delicious secrets, we must find them.

Of course. Search everything, without wrecking it, I guess. The old guy might freak out if we trash all this old stuff.

"Mind those horns! Don't tear that painting. It might have historical significance!"
Yes. Just like that.

>The whole "candles being magically lit" thing kinda bugs me. That, or your friends have lots of matches. Who knows.
Lighting a candle and two lamps is hardly an impressive feat. I don't think it's an issue.

>ask him if he knows any spells for locating objects.

"The only thing I'm aware of that might create that effect are shamanistic summoning rituals, calling on spirits to answer your questions. Even then you don't know if they're telling the truth. I think we're stuck doing this the hard way."

Oh well. It's probably up there somewhere then. Recruit one other person to help you out.

Recruit randomly.

>>293710
Seconding this, except the "random" part - enlist Shera's help. Wasn't she the sort of sneaky thief-y type? And she's part feline, so it's more likely that she's a decent climber and won't waste time getting up there.

>>293720
This.

>>293720
Shera seems like the best person to follow you up.
Thodren and Gustav together make for a good defense for old Mel while they search downstairs.

>>293703
Ok, now lets find the room above the room we want to get into and check how sturdy the floor is. If we can get in by digging through the locked room's roof then that would be pretty sweet.

>>293732
Yeah.

Check the cabinet and desk, but also the bed (both sheets and under) and maybe the rug.

Rynh 2011/04/04(Mon)17:50 No. 293932 ID: 8c0848
File 130196461581.png - (118.29KB , 1000x600 , 517.png )

I head upstairs with Shera and enter an old bedroom. All the fabrics are frayed and ripped up and bits of walls and ceiling have crumbled down.

"What's the matter? Scared? Go on."

"Pfft... You're the one hiding behind me."

"I'm not hiding. I'm taking advantage of cover."

"Wimp."

Well, there might be something in here.

>>293932

Avoid the cracks in the floor and raid the contents of that vanity!

Then head inside the wardrobe and locate Aslan.

>>293932
Start with the wardrobe.
Next, check the rug, see if its not hiding a hole or something.

Notably suspicious are the intact mirror, and the bed, which seems to have something heaped in it

>>293932
Split tasks. If Shera is considerably faster than you, have her raid the vanity while you check the wardrobe.

Now to be a voice of unhealthy paranoia, I have to say that bed looks... off. Maybe you both should try not to get too close to that, for the time being.

yeah that bed looks suspicious be careful around it

Check the wardrobe, under it, and inside the drawers of the desk. Try not to stand directly in front of whatever you're opening, in case of traps (though since this is a bedroom I rather doubt it has traps)

Oh yes, do watch your footing.

>>293938
...it looks like there's someone in it, doesn't it?

>>293932
Check the stuff on the dresser, and see if there's anything in that armoire. Also, be wary of the bed and mirror. I do not trust them.

Maybe you should stab a sword into the bed just to be safe.

>>293951
But what if it is a scared little boldling who was only trying to tag along?

>>293932
Throw something at the bed, weapons ready.

Rynh 2011/04/04(Mon)21:42 No. 293977 ID: 8c0848
File 130197852416.png - (123.13KB , 1000x600 , 518.png )

I draw my sword and toss a rock onto the bed. It lands in the musty, old blankets and sinks in.
Shera checks the vanity, but mostly just herself.
"Checking for monsters under the bed? Now who's the wimp?"

Pff... Anyway, it's just a mess of quilts and blankets in a pile. Somebody didn't make their bed.

>>293977
Open the wardrobe.

"Shera, quit fussing with your hair and check the contents of the vanity. We're here to look for interesting things."

Move the rug!

>>293977
Search through everything!

Also check the more unusual spots like on top of and behind the wardrobe, in the candle holders, underneath the desk, under the bedposts, under the carpet and look behind the drawers for hidden compartments.

Activate kobold instinct! Imagine there's a shiny thing SOMEWHERE in the room. Find it.

Anyway what has Shera been doing in the mercenaries so far? Is she single?

Rynh 2011/04/05(Tue)21:31 No. 294262 ID: 8c0848
File 130206428932.png - (120.41KB , 1000x600 , 519.png )

>Search everything
Alright, Shera rifles through the drawers of the vanity while I check the wardrobe. With everything in here missing, but nothing really broken, it makes me wonder why no one lives here.
Maybe they just left and took everything with them. There's nothing in here but some ratty old robes.

Rynh 2011/04/05(Tue)21:33 No. 294263 ID: 8c0848
File 130206439167.png - (91.66KB , 1024x768 , 520.png )

A ratty old robe with a glowing eyed skull in it.
This could explain a lot.

>>294263
Say hello. We must be polite.

If the robes have pockets, check those.

Guardedly take a step back and say "Evening... sir?"

if a zombie then explode it. if just a glow skull to scare people then check it out.

>>294263

Er, I mean get to stabbing.

How about SHUT DOOR.

>>294263
"'Sup, Pilgrim."

Set back on guard, and attempt communication.

Maybe it's not immediately hostile and we can avoid pissing it off.

Close the door.
"Shera, there appears to be something in this closet. I recommend we leave and pretend nothing happened."

"Whoa, didn't see you there sir."

Put it on, give Shera a start.

Whatever you actually do - shout for the rest. Whether or not this is something undead out to kill you they need to see this.

Also inform Shera that your scary monster senses were dead on. There WAS something genuinely frightening in this room! Maybe next time SHE can check the cupboard instead of going to look at herself in the mirror.

>>294263
Well that's weird. Go fetch a stick and see if it has moved. If it haven't then it might be time to prod it relentlessy with the stick.

Jinkies! A spooky ghost!

Skip ahead straight to demasking it.

>>294263
It looks 'bold shaped. Normal 'bold i mean.

Dive out of the way first. It may be the focus of a trap. After that try and say 'hi'. If its an intelligent entity it might respond, even if you don's share a language.

>>294263
A glowing eyed skull that is miraculously holding itself up quite well.

How curious indeed.

Rynh 2011/04/06(Wed)20:10 No. 294576 ID: 8c0848
File 130214584424.png - (127.96KB , 1000x600 , 521.png )

Oh shit! This thing is nearly as big as Thodren, but it's thin and skeletal. It sways and shifts, limbs jerking stiffly. "Get out!", it croaks in a gravelly, reverberating voice "Get out or suffer my curse!"
Shera yowls in surprise and I move back to keep my distance.
"Hello?", I say, trying to get a response. "Get out!, it hisses in return, jerkily gesturing with it's arms.

I don't know if I should get hostile with it yet, but it doesn't seem to want to talk.

>>294576
"Oh, sorry! We didn't mean to disturb any undead creatures!
... Wait, you're just two kobolds standing on each others shoulders. Cut that out, I'm not falling for THAT old trick again!"

KILL IT.

>>294576
Back towards the door and keep it's attention so that Shera can harvest it's skellington kidneys.

>>294576
This curse better involve some really annoying music, or else we're taking it in for a refund.

>>294576
"Yeah, we'll leave."
Leave then pop your head back in comically to add, "The rest of the place is cool to explore right? And when you say 'your' curse, do you mean the curse you suffer or the curse you cast?"

>>294576
Better go. We can come back with more of the party to handle it.

Plus, speaking to the mage will let us know if it's POSSIBLE to kill it.

yes, say 'okay dude, we are leaving' and walk out the door, but listen back to see if it says anything when alone.

>>294576
In my experience, undead spellcasters usually attack first and ask questions later, this guy just wants you to leave.

If it could kill you it would have already - it's bluffing. I mean, a curse? How cliche.

>>294576
Doesn't seem like it's hostile yet. Go to the rest of the crew and ask what they make of it. Then possibly have Thodren smash it with his throbbing mace.

well okay then, nothing interesting in hear but a curse. Out we go.

seriously people. Would an undead magical avatar really be hiding in a wardrobe?

I think it's bluffing.

You don't lose anything except potentially face to comply. Back towards the door, keeping this guy in your sight the whole time.

As far as undead horrors go, or even just people who've woken up to discover strange people rifling through their underwear drawers, he's being pretty reasonable. May as well encourage that to continue to be the case.

>>294576
Peek behind it.

I swear if there's a fucking Gnome involved..

"Fuck off Baldrick, you're a skull in a rug hiding in a cupboard"
Kick it right in the upholstery. We have no time for the magical equivalent of a burglar alarm.

As previously suggested, demask him. Just make sure to tie him up or something first.
Or have a chase scene first.

>>294676

I can hear the Benny Hill theme tune playing in my mind

>>294681
No no no, that's all wrong man. You need a love song for chase scenes.

>>294686

what like boom-chikka-wa-wa?

>>294690
For example, yes.

>>294576
While you're walking out, look behind and under it. Determine whether or not it's fake.

Seriously, demons don't hide in closets. Kill it. With fire. Or a sword, who cares, just kill it.

>>294763
what if it's a gay demon? anyways, kill the thing before it kills you with some rotting spell or something

Nothing ever threatens you with a curse. If it had anything worthwhile to use, it'd have used it already. Chop, chop.

>>294807
don't kill it... it seems more of a "my life sucks" poltergeist than a "THIS IS MY RELM" demon.

Try to talk with it? It's obviously not powerful, or you'd been wasted by now.

hug it

oh wait wrong quest

>>294576
>This thing is nearly as big as Thodren
Keep your eyes on its face, young lady.

Best to just leave peacefully. You can probably consult with Mel and Gustav about this guy. They might know something that'll allow you to make a better decision how to deal with him.

>>294807
Unless he's just being nice and doesn't want to curse some curious kid.

Anyway,
>>294576
Ask him what he was doing in the closet.

Rynh 2011/04/09(Sat)17:16 No. 295320 ID: 8c0848
File 130239457381.png - (127.02KB , 800x600 , 522.png )

>demask him.
This thing is silly. I'll just yank this robe off and see what's underneath. If it really is an undead monster, I'll just fry it.

>just two kobolds standing on each others shoulders.

Mother fucker.

>>295320
Obviously you should take them prisoner and steal all their stuff, and totally not inadvertently add them to your party like this was some anime.

>>295320
Punch them in the snouts to establish dominance. It worked for Nako, your mother, and now it will work for you.

>>295323
Yes, and then ask them what the fuck they're doing in here.

>>295320
Quick, con them into becoming your loyal servants.

And by that, I mean your bitches.

They can haul ALL the shiny for you.

>>295320
Well aren't they just adorable.
Anyway, they probably know their way around this place. Grab them and take them along for the ride.

>>295320
Adorable! I'll second the punching in the snout to establish dominance. Not too hard, remember that you are a half dragon giant badass to them.

Kobolds are naturally subservient to dragons. Channel your dragon heritage and rawr at them1

>>295320
Hahahaha that is absolutely ADORABLE you must hug them to deeeeaath! Wait not to death. Don't kill them.

Ask them what such fearsome little adventurers are doing here.

well for kobolds they are pretty clever. and they have actual armor on. they probably knew they couldn't take you in a fight so they tried something different. it failed but good try.
also a glowing eye skull is pretty cool, keep it.

anyway, berate them for trying to scare your majestic self.

>>295320
Excellent, you have finally aquired appropriate minions, it was about time a dragoness like you get some. Now, tell them you work for her greatness, Rynh of the Ruby Eye.

Rynh is more dragon than they are, so I'm pretty sure that's a strong case for their servitude even without snout-punches.

Which is not to say that snout-punching is ruled out.

They serve you now. Inform them of this. Also ask them what the fuck they were doing in the closet.

I'm gonna have to vote for snout-punching

These are not zany extra party members, these are servants. First order of business is snout-punching. Second order of business is finding some heavy shit for them to carry.

>>295343
Servants? Do you intend to pay them? No, they serve us because we are a dragon and they are kobolds.
Assuming they'r unclaimed, of course. We should figure that out.

>>295320
Eeee! They're adorable!
Hug them. Hug them NOW.

REPLACEMENT JEHRALS

Jump their bones.

>>295455
Hey, this gives me an idea! Find more of them, impress them with your magic and fire breathing, and then create your own fortress somewhere.

They will become your willing servants for CENTURIES. I mean, these guys will make an ARMY.

"DAD!?"

>>295320
Apply double-headlocks.

>>295641
Addendum: realize that there's at least six more kobolds hiding in the room.

>>295627
No. Just...no.

Kobolds are too common a race to act silly every time we meet one. Lets focus on treating them according to the current situation and their behavior. They were hiding in a closet before we found them, so they were probably only trying to defend themselves.

"Nice try guys. Are there any more of you, or anything else in this building I should know about?"

Catch the TopBold!

Rynh 2011/04/16(Sat)13:13 No. 297158 ID: 8c0848
File 130298480597.png - (135.97KB , 1000x600 , 523.png )

I grab the pair of kobolds and subdue them. Now I can get some answers.
"Nice try guys. Are there any more of you, or anything else in this building I should know about?"
They squirm and yelp and try to escape, but I've got a good hold on them. "No. Just us! Now get out before I off ya!", one of them yips, thrashing it's feet in the air.
I tighten my grip a bit and choke off it's air supply "Hey, maybe you'd like to think harder. Are you sure there's nothing else here?", I ask, shaking them by the necks a bit.
"Hrrk... Somethin' scary down below. We dun' go there!".

Shera cheers "Take that, you dirty fucking kobolds! Uh... No offense."

Glare at her.

>>297158
Right, now steal their stuff.

Breathe some fire to establish dragonhood and therefore dominance.

Punch them in the nose

Drop them both and start rubbing their noses to establish submissiveness.

>>297162
>>297163
Combine these.

Recruit them, they are now your minions.

First, >>297159. Then undertake >>297168 by means of >>297162 and >>297163, plus a sentence or two to that effect.

Conk their heads together to knock 'em out, then tie them up. They might be useful as bait or a decoy.

>>297158
Toss them on the bed.
Then Tie them up in a blanket-sack mid-pomf

>>297170
This is the proper way to do it.

>>297158
Down below? How do we get there? We didn't see any stairs down...

So the kobolds have some idea of what's on the lower levels. That means they have a way of getting there. Either they have a key for that door or there's some kind of hidden passage or tunnel. Get Gustav and the old guy to help you cross examine these two.

Stuff them under your arms and go on down there.

>>297268
Probably behind that mysterious magically locked door we saw earlier.

>>297268
Probably behind that mysterious magically locked door we saw earlier.

Search them.

Rynh 2011/04/17(Sun)06:32 No. 297359 ID: 8c0848
File 130304717587.png - (179.42KB , 1025x800 , 524.png )

After taking these two back downstairs to the others, I can start questioning them about some things. When I ask them about what the bad things are, they just say that it's bad and scary and when I ask about how to get downstairs they clam up.

>Search them.
They have some knives, twigs, shiny pebbles. Nothing too interesting though.

>Drop them both and start rubbing their noses to establish submissiveness.
It might just be a stereotype, but something feels wrong about using nose rubbing for that.

"Alright you little nosefuckers. Speak up before I start cutting.", Shera says, prodding a kobold in the head.

>>297359
Offer to give them shiny things if they tell you how to get down there.

Also demonstrate your mighty magic to impress them and show them that you can kill the shit out of whatever the scary thing is.

>>297359
Tell her that she's doing it wrong, then punch the one who looked like the leader in the snout. That will establish your dominance, then breathe some fire to make clear that you're a dragon and the natural order of things is for them to serve you. Then continue with the questioning.

>>297359
Could twenty-questions them.
one good question would be "Is it bigger than Thodren?"

Alternatively, carrot-or-stick them. Either they tell you everything they know about the thing, including how to get down there, rewarding them with maybe letting them go, or you'll use them as bait when you inevitably get down there on your own.

ask Shera what she's got against kobolds

>>297359
"Sheraaa! They probably haven't even seen whatever's down there. Too scarred to look at it even."

Rynh 2011/04/17(Sun)12:58 No. 297419 ID: 8c0848
File 130307030442.png - (178.75KB , 800x600 , 525.png )

>demonstrate your mighty magic to impress them and show them that you can kill the shit out of whatever the scary thing is.
>breathe some fire to make clear that you're a dragon and the natural order of things is for them to serve you.

"You think whatever's down there is scarier than me!? Now tell me how to get down there!"
They squirm and squeal and try to wriggle away.
"We got the key! We hid it with the shiny stuff!"

Now we're getting somewhere.

Shiny stuff?

>>297419
See, that's the way to do it, the dragon way is always the right way. Tell them to tell you everything they know about this thing while you go get the key. We need to prepare properly for taking it out.

I bet the shiny stuff is in the bed.

>>297419

Do not sneeze right now.

This is very, very important

>>297419
Tell them they are now your servants. If they show any hesitation in their acceptance of you as their mistress, blast some DRAGON BREATH in their general direction, enough to singe the fur.
They might be dumb kobolds, but they make for fine advance scouts, as long as you provide the motivation. Remember, "Something scary in the front? Put something scarier behind you." Besides, it's not like you have to keep them alive, and if they do live, they could help the old man find more stuff! Afterwards, might as well leave 'em or gut 'em.

Rynh 2011/04/17(Sun)18:55 No. 297464 ID: 8c0848
File 130309172496.png - (105.29KB , 800x600 , 526.png )

I hoist up the smaller one, at least, it's lighter. Maybe female?
"You're going to do what I say, understand?" I tell them, dropping the other one on the floor. "Go get the key. I'll hold onto this one until you get back."
The kobold whines and scampers back upstairs, while the one I'm still holding tries to squirm free.

It's kind of fun to intimidate others, but I can't help but feel like kind of an asshole for this.

>they make for fine advance scouts
Throwing others in front of myself to use them as a meat shield seems kind of evil. I'm not a totally psychopath. I'll just intimidate them into getting the key. That's good enough for now.

Holy dang, you have a scary face.

Put this one down and ease up on the scary.

Are you under some kind of illusion that you AREN'T an asshole? What, you think you're a good person or something? Don't make us laugh.

>>297464
Hey, as long as you don't, like, kill them or something I think you shouldn't need to feel too bad. Hell, maybe you could even reward them in some sense if they cooperate nicely from this point.

Why don't you ask this one what the heck it's doing in here while you wait for the other one to come back with the key (or, if your luck isn't as good, some weapon or something)?

>>297464
All right, this is bugging me: Which side of Rynh's heritage gives her hair?

As for being an asshole, eh. Comes with the mercenary job, and it's working. Also, aren't you half dragon? What dragon doesn't get a kick out of throwing their weight around amongst their lessers?

>>297464
>I'm not a totally psychopath
I guess that rules out keeping girlbold as a pet for Jehral.

You're already getting what you want, you can go easier on her now. Just smile normally and promise you aren't going to eat her, let her down a bit and pat her on the head.

The thing about being intimidating is you don't have to be that way all the time, and if you show you can be halfway nice and reasonable you can get even more out of it. Constant terror just makes them run away or turn on you and just generally fuck up.

You might also want to mention that running isn't a good idea anyway, seeing how the outside of the place is now crawling with hungry, pissed off gnolls.

Apologize to the kobold.

I'm rather curious as why a pair of kobolds are in here in the first place? Squatters perhaps? If not, then what were they trying to accomplish by trying to freak everyone else out?

>>297469
Well, Ryhn. You ARE half kobold, and while the dragon half is powerful, she's... well you gotta admit she's a bit of a bitch. Throwing you and your father out like that.

You don't want to become her do you? Maybe it starts small, just acting... but remember... that's 'all' other people see of you. That's all you will be known as. You don't want to become your mother do you?

You 'are' half kobold, just remember that, no-matter how much dragon you think you are, your father was just like them, small, grey, fearful, yet bold.

>>297464
Well, you can always apologize after you get the key. Maybe give them some spare food or a couple coins. Nothing overblown, just a little something to let them know you're not really a jerk. Because you're not. Right?

>>297464
noticeable eyelashes. Almost definitely female.

Cradle her in your arms like a puppy and rave over how cute she is. Let confusion reign in her little heart.

>>297489
This

>>297464
Well girly, you're a dragon, they're 'bolds. The natural order of things is them serving you. You just reinforced nature a bit.

You can probably put it down and ask it what they're doing here anyway. Stay close though, so it can't get away.

Chuckle and smile at the poor thing. Pat her on the head, and ask what they've been doing here. Where have they been getting food?

Intimidation is not necessarily about being an asshole. You can scare them shitless then not treat them like shit, you know. Once they cooperate you can treat them well, and they will respect you. Or just fear you, depending on how well you manage things.

>>297489
This.

Rynh 2011/04/22(Fri)14:26 No. 298295 ID: 8c0848
File 130350759152.png - (139.06KB , 1024x768 , 527.png )

The other kobold returns with the key and holds it out. It has the same blue shine as the lock. That must be it.

"Now you leave her alone or you'll regret it!", he says, scowling at me.
"Fine. I just wanted the key."
"You're going to let the bad things out. Maybe they'll eat you.", he replies.

"Do you know what these bad things are, exactly?", asks Gustav. The kobold shakes his head, "Just opened the door once and seen the bad thing, then locked it back up. We don't open it no more."

Take the key and lead your party to this door.

>>298295
"Well, if there are bad things behind the door, we are here to kick their ass."

We may want to ask the old man 'wat' exactly he knows of the history here, who lived here, when, why not anymore? That kind of thing, it could give us a clue what to expect.

Also, tell the bolds to be careful because there are a lot of hungry gnolls outside and we don't want them being eaten.

Apologize. State your trained professionals and can't let a few scared kobolds get in the way. Whether the runts are right or wrong, we gotta face it to get that paycheck (well for you, jollies. since you're rich and all).

Onward and lets go slay a bad thing, or a make friends with a good thing under the guise of a bad thing, or establish superiority with a neutral ugly thing.

"Who is she anyway, your sister or girlfriend or what?"

>>298295
These two might be of some help, apologize for acting so rough but that they earned it with that stunt. Offer to let them tag along with if they want to earn some coin. They wouldn't get a share of loot or anything, just give them some pay out of your pocket. It would cost less trouble and treasure then letting them wander around with their grubby little hands, then try to leave to just get eaten by gnolls.

Don't apologise to the kobolds. That would make you seem like a weak and vacillating asshole rather than just a plain asshole

It's not like it would be a sincere and heartfelt apology. Just enough to not garner so much hate that they cause problems later. Still, just acting nicer should be enough, if that doesn't cut it then pull out a halfassed sorry.

Don't apologize, thank them.

Just think, Rynh.

Your mother fucked one of these things to make you.

>>298295
Admit it. They're too cute to harm. Cute enough to bring with you.

>>298295
They're free to go, but tell them to stay out of the way. They couldn't put up a fight against you, so if this thing is any challenge they'll be useless.

Everyone should form up at the door before we open it- you a Thodren can argue about who gets to open it.

There is something I've been wondering for a while now. Whatever happened to your old gears ? Like your spear and the armor you used against the manticore ? Also, do you still have the magical scarf ?

Drag them along, if for no other reason than to prevent them from barricading the door behind you.

>>298295
Take the key, and don't thank him. You're a dragon, he's a 'bold. You don't thank them.

Lets go to the door and kick the ass of whatever is on the other side. Drag them along to help haul the loot.

>>298401
Seconding.

>>298295
They say they saw it, get a description on the way to the door. It would help to have at least a general idea of what you're facing. Maybe you could even recognise it from a description.

Seconding asking for a description of the 'bad thing'. Also, how were they making the skull's eyes glow? Was it just candles or did they have something else in there?

>>298547
But she's not a dragon. She's half cutebold. She's practically one of them. Don't be so mean to your own species.

Rynh 2011/04/23(Sat)20:19 No. 298727 ID: 8c0848
File 130361516848.png - (139.97KB , 1024x768 , 528.png )

I'm not a kobold or a dragon, I'm a hybrid of the two. So, I guess I'm kind of one of them, but I'm also one of the things that usually rule them and kobolds are supposed to be related to dragons somehow... There's probably weird fractions involved here.
Anyway, I don't think they need to get involved. We've got the key, at least.

>Just think, Rynh. Your mother fucked one of these things to make you.
That's usually how it works and judging from how she acts, a kobold is probably as much beneath her as a human or dwarf or anything else.

>how were they making the skull's eyes glow?
It just looked like a candle and a deer skull.

Good thing they weren't established enough to have bunch of traps set up. Kobolds love traps.
Instead of a crappy costume they could have just dropped rocks on our heads. Rocks covered in spikes with scorpions tied to them.

>>298727
Hm. An issue has occurred. The Gnolls may still break in, and probably won't treat those two as nicely as you were when you were threatening them. They may not even realize the Gnolls are out there given the size of the castle.

It might be in their best interest if you brought them along. Or at least, told them about the Gnolls and gave them a choice about it.

Keep them as sidekicks. You can push them around and tease them and be really domineering, then treat them nice and look out for them. Creating a strange mixture of constant aggravation and affection, muddled up by confusion of feelings and intent.

Just like Jehral.

>>298731
Please, tell me we're not actually going to adopt just about every damn stray that cross our path.

Well, that aside, time go and do what it is you do. Seek dangerous stuff and kill the shit out of it.

>>298731
This, and also put them on leashes so they cant run away.

>>298727

Alright alright. Off to the door! Have everyone at weapons ready when you unlock it.

When you open the door, make sure your squishy mage (and the civilian) is standing back. Also, everyone should stand on the side of the door closer to the exit so if something you can't kill bursts out of the door it won't be between you and your escape.

Tell them about the gnolls, maybe a pat on the head.

As for the monster thing, why don't you brace a metal spear, or other sharp objects, right at the opening? That way if it tries to jump out at you it won't be able to.

>>298727
Aww... the spunky one wants a hug.

>>298727
just tie them up and release them when your done with this shithole

>>298845
Traps can help, and you have two kobolds. Set up traps to lure things inside into when you open the door. Make sure you have a way of not setting them off if you have to go inside looking for thing that can kill you to run out and lead it into the trap.
Get achaeologist guy to do reading to make guesses what it could be.

>>298727
make them part of your party, and see if you can explain things to them.

Rynh 2011/06/11(Sat)16:49 No. 312093 ID: 8c0848
File 130783619136.png - (25.51KB , 1024x768 , 529.png )

I'm not going to concern myself with the kobolds. They're not a threat and I don't have much use for them. We'll just open the door.
The fresh air rushes into the dark hole and stirs up the dust and cobwebs on the other side. At least, that's what it smells like. It's too dark to see anything.

grab one of those candles behind you. or use some magic to hold a ball of fire in your hand.

Surely someone has a torch? Or just use a candle I guess...

OR you could polymorph into something with darkvision.

Ask one of the kobolds if they have a torch handy.

>>312093
shera is some sort of cat-like thing right? Maybe she has better night vision.

Open the door fully so more light comes in. You can always shut it if you see something.

Test to see if there's anything flammable nearby. The proper way.

Breathe a little touch of fire ahead of you. It'll light things up, and if anything's alive in there that might make it think twice.

Rynh 2011/06/19(Sun)12:41 No. 315100 ID: 8c0848
File 130851251113.png - (292.71KB , 1024x768 , 530.png )

I breath fire in there. Fuck you darkness. It doesn't hit anything and just reveals a musty old hole in the ground. The stairs lead down into the dark.

Well then...

...descend the stairs!

get candles, THEN go down.

Secure a source of light and head down those stairs.

Yeah it'd be pretty stupid not to go down without a light source

And find some way to make sure the door stays propped open, preferably in a way the kobolds can't close it and lock you down there.

Rynh 2011/06/19(Sun)16:55 No. 315172 ID: 8c0848
File 130852771264.png - (132.56KB , 1024x768 , 531.png )

>get light
Okay.
>secure the door so you can't be locked in.
Probably a good idea. Sending everyone down at once would be a bad idea. Someone should stay topside to keep watch.
I'll just poke in to check for now.

It's still dark, still musty. If there's anything terrible down here, it's not hanging around the entrance at the moment.

That's typically how these things work. But take care to give special attentions to the ceilings of room when you enter, lest it come down and EAT YOUR HAIR

>>315172
I can understand why: With no handrails, that stone stairway's a deathtrap. Stay close to the wall and descend.

Find an extra torch and toss it down there.

Advance to the next landing, and keep alert.

Yell back to your allies that you're going on down, then head on down already.

Rynh 2011/06/20(Mon)18:48 No. 315672 ID: 8c0848
File 130862089805.png - (158.30KB , 1024x768 , 532.png )

>Advance to the next landing, and keep alert.
I head down a little more. Nothing is leaping out to kill me just yet, but I can't see very far down here.

>Yell back to your allies that you're going on down, then head on down already.
Maybe I'm crazy, but wouldn't allies be better if some of them were actually here with me? Just saying.

"There's nothing here. I'll head down a bit more."

Advance!

>>315672
Don't advance. Call in Sneaky Cat and Mage Dude. Huge Minotaur Guy can guard the entrance because he is the tuffest and won't go down to a surprise attack.

Well let's look at this from a mercenary point of view.

-Theodren would have the best chance of besting anything you meet in a fight.
-Shera would be the most likely to surprise attack any potential foes.
-Gustav would be the most likely to know if you're being paid enough to confront anything you might meet.

Get Gustav to stay a step or three behind you and keep exploring until you find something.

Rynh 2011/07/01(Fri)18:51 No. 320439 ID: 8c0848
File 130957149159.png - (125.07KB , 1024x768 , 533.png )

I call down Gustav and we head down deeper. He might know what any weird, horrible monsters I've never seen before are and whether I should run the fuck away or not.
Also he's a wizard, so I guess that helps too.
It's dark, dank and pretty quiet so far. The screaming and horrible maiming probably comes later.

watch your step, big pit possibly full of spikes right in front of you.

Make gustav create some more light.

Investigate barred cave thing.

So now that you're down in the dark dungeon and whatnot it's time to seduce Gustav. Or get more fashion advice from him.

Keep quiet. Don't alert whatever's down here to your presence.

Rynh 2011/07/02(Sat)22:02 No. 320930 ID: 8c0848
File 130966936494.png - (142.18KB , 1024x768 , 534.png )

>Make Gustav create some more light.
I ask Gustav to throw out a light spell, since he's a wizard and all. He obliges, and between the torch and the spell, we have more than enough light.

>So now that you're down in the dark dungeon and whatnot it's time to seduce Gustav. Or get more fashion advice from him.

Pfft... It's hardly the time or the place. For any of it. Seriously.

>Investigate barred cave thing.

Now that we have plenty of light, I can see pretty clearly into this cell.

Rynh 2011/07/02(Sat)22:03 No. 320931 ID: 8c0848
File 130966943506.png - (71.78KB , 1024x768 , 535.png )

"Aaaaaauuuugh..."