Previous thread: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/15497261/

Previous conversation recap:

>>"Kolp, a pleasure to see you. I understand that your people will be willing to trade in some Ioun ore?"

>>"Ah, yes. The raw ore itself, as well as cut stones and processed ore. In exchange, we're looking for metals and certain items that we cannot produce on our own."

>>"A pity you won't trade any of that wonderful technology of yours. The NAJA would be very useful for mining and moving stone. We have been meaning to expand our jurisdiction of temples. Perhaps we might transfer a number to the Crystal Caverns if the ban on that particular export was lifted."

"Yes, I know the basics of how they work, but nothing too advanced. Why?" You ask him.

"Indeed. I had heard of gnomes having mastered the cutting process, but only rumors." The older kobold stands, dusting off his dull green robes. "I have however, heard that they are embedded in the body, just beneath the skin, and radiate a very distinct aura." He stares into your eyes, calmly, as he continues. "Like the several in your left arm and the larger one in your back. Not to mention the distinct aura from your right arm, or should I say, the wonder of magic and technology replacing it.

"With your tattoos, I knew you were a sorcerer of some breed. But the presence of a stone my appraisal expert tells me is worth more than a hundred pounds of gold over one shoulder blade tells me more than mere words could, from you or any other, not to mention the augmentation present in your..." He pauses, looking for a word as he gazes at your arm. "Artifice."

You feel uneasy. What will you do, Mynthar?

Awww yeeeah; Kobold-time.

>>15572332
>>15572201
"Well, I guess that saves me some of the hassle of explaining..."

>>15572201
"I had served a tour of duty in our military, where I lost my arm.
"The position I took after that procured for me enough money to improve must upon the basic prosthetic assigned to me by my government.
"As well, the Council did not take lightly the disappearance of our previous envoy, and decided that someone more...physically capable, would be required."

>>15572380

"Well, I guess that saves me some of the hassle of explaining..." You say back to him.

"Indeed. We don't have anything of the sort, out here. Why, just examining that emulation of a limb could put us ahead in the race by a significant margin." Ghent says as though he was talking about looking at a piece of art. "We'd be most generous in compensation of course. Some of our least holy relics are not out of the question."

>>15572426
"This arm, is out of the question. I've become quite attached to it, as you can imagine. However, the trade of prosthetic technology...I will bring up with my superiors, and will ask them to look upon the deal favorably."

I know that we've got a policy of not letting our technology out, but the prosthetic technology is already out there; all it would take is for the Brotherhood to track down one of our past customers and "acquire" the prosthetic.
Some of the more basic prosthetics might be traded. The old stuff, at least 2 generations behind our current mainstream technology.

>>15572418

"I had served a tour of duty in our military, where I lost my arm." You say to him, lifting your arm up and flexing the fingers. "The position I took after that procured for me enough money to improve upon the basic prosthetic assigned to me by my government.

"As well, the Council did not take lightly the disappearance of our previous envoy, and decided that someone more... physically capable, would be required." You say to him, allowing a small bit of electricity to escape from your arm's reservoir. A narrow strand of blue lightning crackles to the ground as Ghent's eyes go wide.

>>15572484

"This arm, is out of the question. I've become quite attached to it, as you can imagine. However, the trade of prosthetic technology... I will bring up with my superiors, and will ask them to look upon the deal favorably." You say to him, smiling now that you've explained that you could kill him if he tries prying your arm off.

"I thank you for your time, sir." Ghent swallows, bowing his head slightly as he walks out of the room.

>>15572558
Sounds like negotiations here are done.

Who were we to meet with next?
I think it was either the gang known as the Cave Fangs, or the deep kobolds.

>>15572610

Either one.

You deliberate about this with Tayn and Turen.

"The Cave Fangs are notorious for being ruthless, and the deep kobolds for being barbaric, but crafty and brutal." Turen mentions to you. "How did he find out about the ioun ore on you?"

"The simplest solution is often the easiest." Tayn says, speaking a single whispered syllable and flexing a hand as he casts a spell to detect magic.

"Ah, I see." Turen nods. "You'd have no way of telling unless you had it cast yourself."

"Exactly. But perhaps..." Tayn says, slowly.

"Yes?" You ask him.

"Perhaps if this next one will be dangerous, the three of us should go together." Tayn's gaze drifts from Turen to you.

"Wouldn't that make it easier for them to find us?" Turen asks Tayn. "I mean, that sounds like we'd just be handing ourselves over to them."

Tayn's eyes drift off to his left side, and you follow his gaze with the edge of your vision. A blackish red scaled kobold wearing little other than a leather loincloth stands, watching you. The edges of Tayn's mouth curve down slightly. "What makes you think they haven't already found us?"

>>15573096
"Yes, perhaps all three of us should go."
Turn to the watching kobold.
"Will you be leading us to your masters, or have they given you a message to give us?"

>>15573164

"Yes, perhaps all three of us should go." You say, walking over to your observer. He turns, as though trying to pretend he wasn't watching you, but you lay a hand on his shoulder. "Will you be leading us to your masters, or have they given you a message to give us?" You ask him, quietly.

"Morth av breer, tuk aven mak nalam!" He slaps your hand off of his shoulder, speaking in a language you do not recognize.

>>15573220
Sigh deeply, then cast Tongues (Comprehend Languages if we don't have it).

"Would you care to repeat that again?"

>>15573277

Tongues was one of the spells you took straightaway. At least, the first during your remedial training after your injury.

"Would you care to repeat that again?" You say, grateful you don't have to learn his obscure language, or find someone who does.

He seems surprised. "Wha- But, you're from up here. How do you..." He looks back at Tayn and Turen, who both have cast comprehend languages, and are listening intently.

"I didn't hear what you said before. Please, repeat it." You state firmly.

"It- it was an insult. But I bow lower to you as an apology." He says quickly, kneeling.

"Ah, he's new around here. This is their custom in the deep tribes. They reduce their physical standing below someone's head to denote respect." Turen says in your language.

"Impressive that you should know that." Tayn says to him.

"Well, I learned a bit of it from school, but mostly from Dresk." He says, simply.

"Dresk?" Tayn asks, raising an eyebrow.

"I fought him in the trials. He's actually quite friendly. Just has a bit of difficulty with the language and our customs." Turen rubs the side of his head. "And he hit hard."

"I offer my tail to you, should you wish it." The kneeling kobold says to you. The translation deals well with his words, but their meanings are still strange to you.

>>15573428
Grimace at his words. "...that won't be necessary. Although, I advise saying such things to strangers in the future; less merciful bolds would be quick to ire."

>>15573428
"Now, are you of the H'Runten? Have they a message for me?"

>>15573501
>>15573509

You feel your stomach turn at the gory implications of his words. "...That won't be necessary. Although, I advise saying such things to strangers in the future; less merciful bolds would be quick to ire."

"I am sorry. My time here has been nothing but irritation." He stutters out, still kneeling.

"Stand up, you have no obligation to kneel to me." You say to him. That much, he understands. He wrings his tail as he rises, and you notice a ring of thick skin near about halfway down the limb.

"Now, are you of the H'Runten? Have they a message for me?" You ask him.

"I am H'runten, from the lower tribes. I did not receive a message for you." He says to you, inclining his head downwards.

"Meaning he was sent here to spy." Tayn says simply. "Perhaps a quick scan of his mind would reveal why."

>>15573652
Do we have Detect Thoughts as one of our 2nd Level spells? Or do we need to use a scroll of it?

>>15573728

You talk with Tayn a bit, and see that he has it. The use of it was discouraged in the political courts, and you'd like to think you can tell most of what someone's thinking without magic.

He also has another spell that involves crystallizing a memory and pulling it out of the target's head. You decide to have him hold off on such a brutal tactic unless this fellow proves uncooperative.

Tayn concentrates for a moment. "He was sent here to report on our movements. Nothing aggressive. He's no supposed to be talking to us right now."

>>15573757
"Very well. We go now to speak with the Cave Fangs. Inform your masters of the H'Runten that I shall be calling upon them after my talks with the Cave Fangs are done."

>>15573785

"Very well. We go now to speak with the Cave Fangs. Inform your masters of the H'Runten that I shall be calling upon them after my talks with the Cave Fangs are done." You say to him.

"I uh... I will." The kobold says quietly.

"Curious..." Tayn says to himself.

"What is?" Turen asks him.

"I'll tell you after the meeting." Tayn says to both Turen and you.

"Well, from what I've gathered the Cave Fang is in a larger building near the center of the city." Turen says. "It's got their symbol on the front. They have a lot of weapons and most specifically armor in the same facility, and are training guards there."

>>15573845
Alright, let's go in and meet with the leadership of the Cave Fangs, or their dedicated negotiator.

Warn Turen and Tayn that the Cave Fangs might try to play mind games with them; don't be drawn into their social traps.

You count at least ten armed guards outside of the Cave Fang base. Getting in to talk is a simple matter. You are escorted into a rather sparse room after a lengthy walk through twisting corridors you could easily get lost in. In a few places, you smell the bitter stench of potions being brewed and alchemy.

You wait nearly a half hour, before a well-dressed kobold in reddened leathers walks in, a smile stretching too wide on his reptilian face. He wears a pair of thin leather gloves on his hands, and leather pants down to his feet, which are artfully wrapped in similar material. His red eyes seem to almost shine for a moment as he bridges his fingers.

"Good afternoon, sir Kolp. My name is Fley. I understand that you're here about some trade negotiations?"

>>15573986
"Yes. The trade of gems, both raw and cut, as well as small quantities of ioun ore, unrefined.
"In exchange, we're looking for certain metals and materials, particularly items of the healing variety.
"I have also been tasked by my government to find out what happened to my predecessor. I was wondering if you might have heard what happened to him and his group."

>>15574011

"Yes. The trade of gems, both raw and cut, as well as small quantities of ioun ore, unrefined." You explain to him, keeping up the ruse. "In exchange, we're looking for certain metals and materials, particularly items of the healing variety."

"We have a great deal of metals to offer, both working and precious." Fley smiles, but it doesn't seem as pleasant as you hope he intends it to be.

"I have also been tasked by my government to find out what happened to my predecessor. I was wondering if you might have heard what happened to him and his group." You ask him.

"Ah, I had thought that might be your true motivation." Fley smiles. "I remember well what he was here for. He was not shy about stating the wealth of the Crystal Caverns. He was somewhat nervous, stuck out like a sore claw in a crowd and was very bright." Fley remarks, looking up at the ceiling as he recounts the details.

"So, you met him then?" Turen asks.

"No." Fley responds.

>>15574116
"With whom did he have the most contact, then?"

>>15574138

"With whom did he have the most contact, then?" You ask him.

"He went on a route not dissimilar from your own. Though his meeting with the H'runten could have gone better. He came back with a mark across the nose." Fley turns his neck to one side. "We were all set for negotiations to begin, but then his men came in, demanded to see him, asking where he was.

"I tried to calm them down, but they refused to allow me to. A fight broke out. A number of them were injured. We deliberately avoided killing them." Fley looks over at Tayn suddenly, going quiet for a moment. He begins talking after a quiet second. "As is usual, they were jailed for assault. I believe that is where they still are."

>>15574290
"Ah, is there a bail that must be paid for their release? If nothing else, they must answer to the Council for their failure to protect the delegate.
"But back to the matter at hand; what ores would your group be willing to trade in?"

"Now then, I understand that they may have information about your missing person. They thought they knew enough to bring Kurtulmak's fury in here and hope he would guide them to justice." Fley shakes his head. "However, the world doesn't work in that way. I'm afraid that they have had to learn that the hard way."

"So, will you let us see them?" Turen asks.

The leather-clad kobold smiles. "Yes, young one. For a small price.

"The walking armor you came in on is of great interest to my employers. And if you have something just as tempting, we may well say that we would like that instead." He smiles. "And not to undermine your potential to be level-headed, but do try to stay civil."

>>15574506
"Of course. However, the trade of military technology is off the table. I'm sorry, but my superiors were very, VERY adamant about that item. We would, perhaps, be willing to trade in processed ioun ore, perhaps even ioun myomer fibers, if the price could be made right."

>>15574546

"Of course. However, the trade of military technology is off the table. I'm sorry, but my superiors were very, VERY adamant about that item. We would, perhaps, be willing to trade in processed ioun ore, perhaps even ioun myomer fibers, if the price could be made right." You say to him.

"Well, what about the examination of one of your prosthetics? I'm sure we could extrapolate the technology out of observing how the artificial muscles work." Fley says.

"I believe our policy on that is the same as well." Turen answers him.

"Well, the ioun ore wouldn't be very useful to us without that knowledge, now would it?" Fley's smile stays. "Ioun fiber has roughly the consistency of a thin layer of muscle when heavily processed enough that it can become a liquid muscle. At least, that's what we know now."

>>15574665
"Is there a bail or fine that can be paid, to see to the release of our kobolds? Because I'm sorry, but I cannot authorize the trade of technology for their release. All CCCP soldiers know that the protection of our technology is considered to be of a considerably greater concern than their own lives.
"Now, are you willing to discuss trade of these other goods?"

>>15574748

"Is there a bail or fine that can be paid, to see to the release of our kobolds? Because I'm sorry, but I cannot authorize the trade of technology for their release. All CCCP soldiers know that the protection of our technology is considered to be of a considerably greater concern than their own lives." You say, your voice raising as you slam your hands down on the table. "Now, are you willing to discuss trade of these other goods?"

"Considerably greater?" Fley smiles, reaching to the backs of his gloves, and pulling off each in turn. Beneath them his flesh is blackened and slick, like midnight water. Tayn stiffens up, moving to put his hand in front of you. "Well, there's no reason for you to stay alive then, is there?"

"Don't move, Mynthar." Tayn hisses, his fist clenched.

"Astute. You detected me correctly the first time, disciple of the fist." Fley says, flexing his hands as he continues. "I suggest you explain what I can do to your friend there before he does anything stupid."

"His hands have been treated with a life-stealing agent. If he touches you, he will steal your body's energy." He explains, looking back at you for a moment. "For someone like me, I can take a few shots. You and Turen would be paralyzed for at least an hour."

"And a strike to the temple would kill even a powerful sorcerer such as yourself." The kobold cracks his knuckles as he flexes his fingers. "Magistrate Mynthar."

>>15574908
Ruh-roh...since we're a magistrate, let's use our power of political bull-shit to diffuse the situation.

Keep ourselves still, not making any signs to back-away. Then, stare him down.

"Well, well, well...I am glad that I did not underestimate you and came prepared." Smile. "Yes, I am indeed who you say I am, and, as you are most probably aware of, am indeed quite the sorcerer." Roll our neck, giving the illusion of being relaxed; politics requires deceit! "And, as you probably noticed, a spell and a half is not even a breath away to cast...silent spell; very useful for these kinds of situations. The brief moments it takes to move that muscle is enough time for me to cast just enough to...remove you...Now, I don't want to end up with a limp for the next few days and you don't want to be a smear on a wall, so what say we return to the civilities, hm?"

Do we have silent spell? Probably not. But we'll sure act like we do.

>>15575028

"Well, well, well... I am glad that I did not underestimate you and came prepared." You smile. "Yes, I am indeed who you say I am, and, as you are most probably aware of, am indeed quite the sorcerer. And, as you probably noticed, a spell and a half is not even a breath away to cast... silent spells; very useful for these kinds of situations. The brief moments it takes to move that muscle is enough time for me to cast just enough to... remove you... Now, I don't want to end up with a limp for the next few days and you don't want to be a smear on a wall, so what say we return to the civilities, hm?" You say, rolling your neck.

"I first identified you mere seconds ago, when your bodyguard thoughtlessly blurted out your name." Fley explains, his grin threatening to encompass his entire face. "And my employer was blatantly clear. He needs your armament. You need not be attached. If you make the slightest impression that you are attempting some sort of magic spell I can assure you I will be far quicker." Fley is unswayed by your threat. "You see, I have a habit of being underestimated. And yet, here I sit.

"Now then, you need not give this to them for good, a simple examination over about a day would be all they would need. You keep everything attached, go through a quick drill." He explains as though he were ready to do it himself. "Nothing worth dying over, especially not for a leader such as yourself."

>>15575117
"Mere seconds ago? I suppose I overestimated you in that instance. Ah well, better to leave a leveled face and have people think you a threat than to smile and remove all doubt..." Let that sit a bit.

What else is in the room other than this guy? Tables? Doors? How many guards? Are they aimed at us?

"That aside, I am afraid we cannot accept. To accept would invite ill wind for both of us."

>>15575195

"Mere seconds ago? I suppose I overestimated you in that instance. Ah well, better to leave a leveled face and have people think you a threat than to smile and remove all doubt..." You snark, turning your head to one side. Fley's expression does not change.

The room is sparse, save the table and chairs. No guards are in here, and the floor and table. There are two exits, one behind you, and one to Fley's right. Both are closed doors with men on the other side.

"I do not enjoy deception. It is for that very reason that I wore black on my gloves." Fley tilts his head slightly. "Indeed, your death would be a real burden on my head. But that's all up to you."

"That aside, I am afraid we cannot accept. To accept would invite ill wind for both of us." You say to him.

"A very hard-nosed response." Fley says, his grin fading. "I have no interest in it, really. They want the ability to build things like that wondrous tank, no manufacture of weapons. I mean, I don't even need to point out to you how much of a benefit it would be for those crippled by war or accidents." He points at Turen and then you. "You both wear it on yourselves. And that Tarthis fellow as well."

He smirks, and somehow that is more unnerving than his larger grin. "Oh yes, I know about him. Tarthis the trapmaster. Or any other of the number of people you've let travel in foreign places with those replacements. If not you, then someone else in the near future who will provide my employer with much more information."

>>15575293
"So much formality when you could take it so easily...Why even grant us the option?"

>>15575293
Can we get off a Hold Person?
Do we know that spell? I'm trying to think of a spell that has a cast time of Instant, and can't come up with one.

There's no way we're going to allow this guy's employer to get ahold of Crystal Cavern technology.

>>15575352
>>15575356

"So much formality when you could take it so easily...Why even grant us the option?" You ask him as your mind races for something to cast.

"Because that is what my employer asked. He wishes for no blood to be shed. Indeed, he wishes for a peaceful resolution." Fley says. "Besides, no doubt you know something about its workings. You are a mage, after all."

Turen, who has been silent for a while, starts to shout at the top of his voice. "Listen! Who do you think you are, ordering us around? You're nothing but a coward who can't negotiate for things the fair and proper way!"

"I knew ahead fo time that you would refuse. Which is why I did this to myself." Fley looks at his hands for a moment. "It was most painful, but for the time being a touch of these hands would doom even a god."

>>15575502
Operation hold person is a-go?

>>15575502
I think that we're not going to get out of this without a fight. Even if we agreed to have our prosthetic examined, I doubt that he would let his guard down enough for us to take advantage; he looks to be a professional.

I think we should discharge all of the extra electricity we have in prosthetic. Then cast Hold Person. Tayn fights him because he's the only one who can, and Turen should get as far away as the room allows then try to use debuff spells.

>>15575540
>>15575550

You open your mouth. "Well-" you say just before you release a blast of lightning out from your hand, the flash moving faster than anyone could move. You hit him, and he moves forward in a flash as you start to get to your feet, a spell barely formed as he gets within arms reach of you, both hands ready to strike like twin spears.

You hear a sound halfway between a shout and a scream as a shadow forms in front of you, Tayn's body shuddering as the hands impact. Parts of his skin begin to flake off as he brings both hands up, impaling into Fley's forearms with his hands in a way you thought impossible. Fley's eyes grow wide.

"You... You have-"

He manages to get that much out before your spell takes hold.

"Come, we must leave, now." Tayn grunts, pulling his hands out of his opponent's arms, and then pulling his opponent's hands out from his chest. You notice a number of blackened lines that have grown visible across his body.

>>15575672
Can't argue with that; let's get going.

>>15575690

You rush out the door, leaving Fley frozen, bleeding from his arms with a horrified look on his face.

The guards outside are left in a stupor by the basic color spray that Turen lets off, and you are loose in the mazelike hallways of the Cave Fang base. Groups of guards you can hear converging on your position, no doubt draw by the ruckus. Tayn seems weaker, clutching at the two deep wounds in his chest, and you have to help him along.

>>15575732
If we have one, cast some sort of locating spell that will help identify guards amidst the halls and corridors of this base. If not, then let's just blast our way through.

As for Tayn, we'll have to wait before we can provide any sort of treatment. Tell him to keep it together.

>>15575759

You support Tayn as best you can, while using telekinetic force to throw as many aggressors as you can back into the walls. Tayn groans as he continues on.

"Keep going!" You say to him.

"I can't believe it, he had poison on his hands." Tayn hisses through his teeth. "But I paid him back for it. There's a... drawback to using that technique."

Turen leads you back out, his keen memory providing the path out of the building. You cast an illusion over your group as you exit, disappearing into the city proper.

>>15575830
Ah, crap. We should have tried to find the surviving members of the previous expedition's guards.

Too late for that now. Let's get back to our base, and see if we have any curative potions. If not, use a Disguise Self spell to make ourselves look completely different and go and purchase some for Tayn.

>>15575830
I'm not sure how trustful our previous inn was, but let's stop there and ask for assistance since they're bound to have some medicines. Either that, or return to our tank.

>>15575830
>>15575873
Also, I'm going to bed, OP. Are you going to be on for Friday with Gargoyle Quest? :3c

>>15575873
I'm against that. Our Magnificent Mansion trap is even safer, and is secure.
We can use a Disguise Self spell to change completely how we look, and then go out and buy any potions and medicines we need.

>>15575861
>>15575873

You manage to get back to the Dragon's Belly, becoming yourselves as you step through the door.

"What in the hells?" Farnad says as you bring Tayn over and lie him down on the couch.

"We need a healer, quickly. And keep it quiet." Turen says, shoving a few gold into the man's hand.

"Yessir, little man." Farnad runs out the door, quickly. Tayn grimaces as he clutches at his chest.

"I won't die from something like this, but thank you anyway. It really hurts." He grunts in pain as he writhes.

"What did you mean there was a drawback to his technique?" Turen asks, trying to keep Tayn talking.

"Well, that technique uses the natural urge of the body to ask for energy from itself to draw on that of others. It nearly kills the hands to do so." Tayn smirks. "In order to keep them alive, one part of the wrists still transmits energy, but the rest is rendered inoperable. I managed to hit that part and sever it. He won't be pulling that trick ever again."

You get Tayn's wounds attended to. Farnad scratches his head at you as you help Tayn up.

"Lissen, if you need to hide somewhere, we have some secret rooms. My great-great-great grandfather built them to hide his fighting ring and the skeleton of a wyrm we have. If the Cave Fang are combing the streets for you, I'll hide you."

"Thank you, Mr. Farnad." Turen says to him, helping Tayn up.

>>15575881

Yes.

>>15575925

Sorry about that. But, to be fair, there is a big flaw with that plan.

>>magnificent mansion TRAP

The trap is not done.

>>15575958
>The trap is not done.
Oh. I thought it had already been completed.
At the least, the doorway to the Mansion is rendered invisible and we would be safe inside, even if the traps aren't done.

Anyway, let's take Farnad up on his offer of secret rooms, if that's the case.

>>15576008

Well, Tarthis has had a week to work on it, so it's likely it's mostly done.

You take your stuff down to the basement, and Tayn gets a good look at himself in a mirror on the way down. He mutters something about his old tattoos becoming visible. You reach the end of one of the tacky hallways, where a stone dragon's head sticks out from one wall. Farnad puts his hand inside its mouth, twisting and pushing out the wall, to reveal a larger, cool room with bare stone floors and numerous benches around a small, dusty circle.

Farnad shows you back into a more plush, carpeted room. Your things are moved down most quickly.

"I hope whatever you did, it really set them back. Those Cave Fang bastards keep shaking down everyone in this part of the city." Farnad says to you, looking you over anxiously with his good eye.

Well that's it for me then. Feel free to explain this shit to your dragon obsessed buddy a week hence.