The party follows the path Belimir found southeast till just before dusk. The sun is just above the horizon as they begin to slow their trek through the forest.
Small glades of trees lead up to a cliffside waterfall, where a stream tumbles from the top of a rocky overhang. The water descends the side of the hill and flows away to the southwest.
Varro looks around with anticipation
"so dis be where dat map be sayin we be goin?"
Varro moves in towards the woodline for a closer look.
Francis follows Varro and begins climbing up one of the trees for a better view while trying to stay quiet.
The sound of many voices is just audible over the din of the waterfall as Varro and Francis approach the treeline.
Francis begins to climb a tree to get a better look. He reaches a low hanging branch, and just as he pulls his fully platearmor-clad body over the branch, it cracks with a loud *Snap!* and with a lot of commotion, the halfling clatters down to the ground, denting the back of his platemail on a rock at the base of the tree.
The noise seems to have drawn the attention of whatever is on the otherside of the trees. The party no longer has any element of surprise.
Varro reaches down to help the Halfling up.
"Well dey be knowin we be here now, *Belly Laugh* Dat be da way I be likin it"
Da lil feller be havin ambition but wit all dat armor he need ta be findin a stronger tree
Francis takes Varro's hand and stands up.
"A fair fight is a fair fight," He draws out his warhammer, his fingers twitching at the handle, and readies himself spiritually for the oncoming creatures.
Belimir had to laugh at the site of Francis trying to climb a tree. "I know you little-ones are quick with your feet, but this tree doesn`t seem to like you. Are you ok? You want us to help you up there?"
Francis, continuing to wield his warhammer, shakes his head. "I was hoping to spy on their party before striking, but I'm useless up there; if they're coming this way then I need to be ready."
"Oh dey be comin, lil one. *sniff, Sniff* Dey be comin."
Varro grips his axe, lightly stroking the symbol of Kord engraved on the blade. He then motions towards the woods.
Wilam's mind begins to race at the mention of an impending attack and he looks for a place to hide... somewhere just off the trail that would obscure himself from any attackers.
He then stays put and waits.
"Blood and bloody ashes," Ehud swears, picking a louse out of his hair and squishing it. He leaves the mask on despite the lice, figuring the damage was already done. Finally out of Wheloon he was hoping he'd never have to deal with these critters again. The crabs he'd gotten the first week of beein out were bad enough, costing him his first wages, but now he'd have to shave his head.
As the rest of the party approaches the woodline, a number of kobolds can be seen through the trees. They seem to be slowly advancing towards you, the obvious sound of where the falling halfling came from.
Screaming at the top of their lungs, the kobolds race through the woods towards the party.
There are scaly creatures everywhere!
Two kobolds weidling a stack of javelins take aim and let loose a barrage of wooden missiles at Varro and Francis, but to no avail. The missiles fall short of their targets, and the kobolds take a few steps forward to make up the difference.
Minions surround the two warriors, as they were the ones to create all the commotion when the halfling decided to act like a baboon.
The three minions around the fighters seem to have fought together before and attack in unison, one after the other, using mob tactics to overwhelm their opponents.
One minion scores a small hit on Varro, nicking his left forearm.
The other two are not successful in scoring hits on the dwarf or halfling.
The other minions notice the rest of the party back in the clearing and begin making their way to them.
The familiar form of a Kobold Dragonshield is standing inside of old magic runes, still glowing on the ground.
Belimir curses as the kobolds rush out of the forest. He raises his staff and hits the ground with it, twice, With obvious rage in his eyes, he utters a curse . A vortex of water rises from the stream and rushes through the forest to where the kobolds are standing.
Wilam finally sees the kobold figures through the trees and undergrowth. Seeing the swarm of kobolds around Varro and Francis, he freezes the air around them.
Without waiting to see whether or not his attack would be successful, Wilam begins moving to a lone, nearby tree where he attempts to conceal himself in the branches.
He notices the circle that the Dragonshield is standing in and attempts to discover it's significance.
Francis shifts and issues a divine challenge. He thinks to himself, I must weaken this creature's ability to strike, since my armor is damaged and I am not wielding my shield. He raises his warhammer with both hands to strike.
Ehud rushes to the left flank and charges one of the kobolds as it approaches the tree line.
Seeing that the Kobolds have struck early, Brann starts to mitigate any potential damage on his companions.
Varro charges with ax raised high thru the trees to engage in battle the DragonShield in the middle of the magic circle
"GGGGAAAAAHHHHHH"
The ground hums as Belimir's staff releases its magic, coursing through the earth towards the water of the stream. Suddenly a powerful vortex of water races from the brook towards the kobolds emerging from the woodline.
The swirling gauntlet of aquaeous power crashes into the minions, slamming them into the trees and crushing them into the earth.
Wilam calls out in the language unknown to the others. Suddenly the air freezes around the kobolds, and their bodies become rigid with cold.
Wilam rushes to a nearby tree, hiding in the low hanging branches, effectively taking cover.
Francis issues a challenge to the next closest Minion, daring it to attack anyone but him. The halfling approaches the kobold with warhammer clutched in both hands, his step quickens as he closes to the creature, he swings out with his hammer only to have the kobold dodge the oncoming blow.
Ehud takes a tactical approach to the kobolds, approaching from the flank.
Brann, a divine flame burning in his heart, calls out in prayer to smite down the Minion south of their position. The fires of the gods burn down upon the kobold, searing it's scaly hide.
With the boisterous warcry of his dwarven kin, Varro charges the Dragonshield standing inside the ring of glowing runes. The instant Varro places his foot on the runes, strength surges through his body, bulging his muscles and heightening his aim.
His charge doesn't surprise the kobold, but crashes hard into the beast's shield, causing the dragonshield to stagger a bit, obviously hurt by the hearty attack.
Nuit, unsure of what to do, falls into a defensive stance, readying himself for any kobolds that get through the woodline.
With a few manuvers, the remaining kobolds collapse onto the glowing runes.
They attack Varro simultaneously, hoping to bring down the fighter who is tearing through their ranks.
The Skirmisher closes the distance to Francis, Spear leading the way. He thrusts out, trying to score a hit on the broken opening in the halfling's armor.
The attack hits, but gets caught in the bent metal, only scratching the paladin.
The minions next to Varro strike out with their javelins. Hoping to hit the dwarf anywhere they can.
Only one is successful, a trickle of blood coming down from his knee where he was hit.
The Dragonshield, bolstered by the help of it's comrades, attacks Varro with a deft strike from it's shortsword.
A strong hit sends Varro reeling back a bit.
The minion facing Francis attacks with it's javelin, trying to score a hit like its ally just did.
It swipes out with the tip of it's weapon, catching the paladin on the shoulder.
The lone kobold still hiding in the trees, throws a clay pot out from the woodline towards Ehud. The pot lands on the ground right in front of him and explodes in a sticky glue, rooting him to the ground.
After instructing the party on the purpose of the glowing runes, Wilam weaves his hands and brings his freezing cloud over the runes themselves, freezing the kobolds within.
Belimir rushes past Francis towards the kobold near him, shapeshifting as he runs. The form of a white tiger shifts it's weight as it lunges towards the unsuspecting kobold.
Just barely catching the minion as it moves, the tiger rips a gaping hole in the throat of the kobold and darts off towards it's next victim, taking a bite at the Skirmisher flanking the halfling.
It's attack connects but the Tiger is unable to avoid retaliation from the shifty kobold, taking a javelin tip in the side.
The stout halfling issues a challenge to the Skirmisher standing toe to toe with the Paladin.
The kobold yelps and growls in return, accepting Francis' challenge.
As it readies itself, Francis strikes out with his warhammer, his faith fueling his strike. Connecting with a solid blow, the kobold is dazed slightly from the ringing in it's ears.
Cursing aloud, Ehud brings his holy symbol to bear, bringing a radiant vengeance down on the Slinger who dared root him to the ground. The searing light screams towards the kobold, but is far from coming close to hitting the scaly beast.
Varro, the dwarven tactician coming out in him, shifts to flank the Dragonshield with his Tiger ally.
Grinning, the battlerager brings his axe furiously down upon the kobold, inflicting a massive wound, one that the kobold would never rise from.
As the Dragonshield falls, Brann's holy power falls over the corpse, draining it's lifeforce and transferring it to Francis, bolstering his resolve.
Nuit still remains dumbfounded as he stares at the fight raging on in front of him. His morale seems to have all but flown from his heart.
The Slinger, seeing his allies fall, yelps in fear and begins making his way towards the waterfall, yelling at the top of it's lungs that
"They are upon us!"
and
"Warn Irontooth!"
Varro, seeing the kobold rush towards the waterfall yelling warnings, and something about Irontooth makes a mad dash towards the kobold. Just as Varro catches up to the creature he tackles him.
Flying through the air, Varro tackles the Kobold Slinger. Rising to his feet firmly holding onto the creature by it's arms.
Not again. Leave them to die dwarf! The tiger runs through the battlefield, flanking the skirmisher with francis. The tiger rises up on his back feet and is determined to kill the kobold.
Seeing that Varro has the slinger taken care of, Francis calls upon Oghma to give him strength
Wilam hears the screams of crude draconic and instantly recognizes the alarm that is being raised. Irontooth! The slimy creature is going for backup! Wilam moves from his cover and through the trees to get a better view of the situation.
As he moves into the circle, Wilam feels a wonderful rush of cold and energy surge through his frail body. He almost forgets about the battle, but quickly remembers why he had moved closer. Keep your mind under control, old fool... you must stop that kobold from sounding the alarm! Wilam searches for the kobold but sees only a torrent of splashing water and a very wet Dwarf, squeezing a scaled figure. He waits for just the right moment, then lets loose a narrow ray of frost.
Seeing his companions focussing on stopping the Kobold warning their leader, Brann rushes closer and radiant light sears from his eyes.
Varro charges the Slinger and tackles it as he flies through the air.
The kobold and the dwarf come back to their feet, Varro holding firmly onto the kobold, not allowing it to move.
Belimir curses at Varro for not killing the creature immediately.
He then darts forward to finish off the Skirmisher he passed by before.
The tiger tries to rend the kobold, but misses as his momentum carries him a step to far to hit the creature.
Calling his faith into his swing, Francis attacks the Skirmisher with a holy might.
Although the swing was powerful, the attack misses.
Moving into a better position, Wilam calls out to the kobold.
"You will not escape little one!"
A thin ray of frost freed from his hand, flies across the field to strike the held kobold, narrowly missing Varro's arms as it collides with the creature's face.
Ehud attacks the Slinger with his spear, driving it deep into the creature, causing it to trash about in Varro's arms.
With a rush of certainty, Brann closes the distance to the Kobold Slinger, radiant light streaming from his eyes, searing the Slinger with divine power.
The slinger slumps to the ground, out of Varro's arms.
The Skirmisher, finally focused enough to make an attack, strikes out with it's spear at Francis.
The spear tip scratches the halfling but otherwise does no significant damage.
Once again, the tiger tries to sink his claws into kobolds flesh. Catching him with one of his paws, the hit was so strong that it moved the kobold from it`s original space.
Wilam surveys the battlefield and finds no living kobolds besides the one battered and bloodied that is being overwhelmed by the others. He decides the fight is over for himself and begins studying the area, looking for clues. It dawns on him that there really wasn't anywhere for that kobold to retreat to. He checks the ground for footprints.
Not finding anything, he starts to bring it up with the group before waiting for them to finish the last enemy. "Where do you suppose that kobold was trying to run off to? I don't see so much as a trail leading from here... except the one we came in on, of course."
He moves south to get a closer look.
Francis, again, strikes the remaining kobold.
With a final blow, Francis dispatches the last kobold.
Varro looks to his now lifeless captive. Scoffs and finds his axe.
"Ya rotten buggin wet behind da ear tadpoles. Why ya go killin me captive 'fore I be havin a chance ta question 'im. Blast it all! Ya Lich, wher be 'im headed? Lets ask 'im ... Oh ya wait, Oh Yea. Ya beardless gnomes done killed him." Varro continues ranting and bitching about how the party killed his captive before he was able to interigate him and get info as to the strength or even the location of the others he was trying to warn. "I still not even be knowin what da hells an Irontooth be."
"Ya fools wouldn't be knowin how ta be gatherin what da enemy be knowin ... it not like I be wantin a chinwag ... I wanted ta know what he be knowin ...den kill em."
"Relax, Varro... we still have one alive. And besides, I'm quite sure Irontooth is the name of their leader."
"it be a damn good ting dat da half pint can't be hittin a broad side of a tavern. Dag nabbit!" Varro continues to rant.
Belimir changes back to his human form, spitting at the last kobold. He shakes his head, clearly displeased at the fact Varro was about to spare another kobold. He looks around to see if everybody is ok. He then goes to Wilam. "What is it. Do you see anything strange?"
Varro Lifts the creature by stem and stern and heaves the creatures corpse in belimir's direction
Varro continues his rant about interegating prisoners before killing them
Francis searches the bodies of the dead kobolds (except for the recently thrown one) for valuables.
Eventually Varro calms down, well as much as varro is ever calmed down, he is still peterbed but he lways seems a bit peterbed outside of the tavern.
varro clears the magic circle of all kobold bodies, moving them out of the water and inside of the treeline, He then strips them of all useful gear and searches the remains.
"So now whut we be doin? Is be knowin der be more ov does buggers around er, where ya be figgerin dey be? sure woulda be nice ta ask dem where der boss be, but noooooo. Now we be havin ta figger dat out now don't we. I be figgerin dat it be dat way."
Varro points in the direction that his now dead prisoner was running.
Belimir isn`t bothered by the dwarfs gesture. Seing Wilam stare at the surroundings, he decides to do some scouting. That little thing was screaming something, trying to warn someone. We`re not done here...........and I still don`t see any sign of shinies!
The kobold was headed directly towards the Waterfall. There are no tracks or any other obvious signs of movement from other kobolds.
Belimir steps through the waterfall, staying close to the shadows.
You step through the waterfall to find a cave entrance behind the current. The water here is waist deep, making it difficult to walk through.
More than a dozen kobolds scurry in and out of sight throughout the cave. Screams, shouts, and cries of alarm reverberate throughout the torchlit hollow.
Francis looks at the waterfall as Belimir disappears behind the waterfall's curtains. "How are we to know when to follow?" he says to no one in particular.
Wilam watches Belimir step into the water and everything suddenly made sense. This is a brilliant place for a lair. Of course there are no footprints, the entrance is through the water! They'll all be washed away. These creatures are more clever than we give them credit for. Wilam immediately starts looking for something that he could use as an umbrella to get through the waterfall without soaking his clothes... or for a way to access the lair without going through the pouring water.
"Mother's milk in a cup," Ehud sighs, hating to get wet.
Wilam walks up to the waterfall near where Belimir entered and pondered for a moment, his fingers twisting the tip of his beard. He thinks outloud, "Now what was that word.... No, that wasn't it..." he moves his hands in circular motions, but nothing happens. "Oh, blast my mind, what was that word... Ah!" a flash of insight, "Outpe... err... Outpeya!" The word suddenly comes and the water begins pouring to the sides of a shimmering archway, creating a narrow, but passable doorway through the falls. Wilam gathers his robes and steps through behind Belimir.
Screams. shouts, and cries of alarm escape through the rushing sounds of the Waterfall. It sounds as if the lair of the kobolds has been found!
