>>3893223
The bolds are back! Everyone in!

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>>3893223

Ragnar sighs, and after looking around for any customers he turns to the half-leg and asks if he can borrow the book for the night. It seems pretty slow and he doesn't want to die of boredom.

"Oh right, you can read and write Common can't you? Well tough luck, this is in Semish." Malhaly says, glaring up from her book. "Anyway, I borrowed this book from the library so you can't have it. I bet you just wanna steal it, huh? Books can go for a lot sometimes."

The kobold is a bit offended that she assumes he'll steal the book. Ragnar wouldn't break her trust that quickly. After all, it's only the first night! That's more of a third or fourth shift thing. Ragnar leans against the counter and starts watching the stilt-legs as they walk by.

The stilt-legs walking around at this time of night appear to be one of three things. Drunken, rather poor looking human travelers, drunken, rather less poor looking adventurers, and guards. The kobold licks his lips a bit. If it were less lit and less guarded, he thinks he might be able to get away with a purse or two.

Still bored, the kobold begins testing the strength of this helmet. he knocks on it with his fist, and then bangs his head lightly on the counter. From what he can tell, the apple hat is made of some sort of cheap, thin, laquered wood. It's probably better than wearing nothing on his head in terms of defense.

"Hey, what's with the noise." Malhaly says, looking up from her book again with a sigh at the sound of his tests. When Ragnar explains what he's doing she gets up and grabs the butcher knife saying, "A strength test huh? Can I help?"

Ragnar raises his arms defensively and says he can figure it out himself, but thanks the half-leg for her offer.

"Well anyway, you seem to have the gist of it. I'm gonna go. Not that I care, but did you want to know anything before I left?" Malhaly says, placing the butcher knife back in position.

What does Ragnar do?

>>3893301
Say yes and then be prepared for her to respond with "Too bad." before we even get the chance to ask anything.

>>3893401
sure +1

>>3893301
How old is she?

>>3893301
>Semish
We have no idea what that is do we?

Sure, what is Semish?
Also you seem exactly as violent and this job requires.

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>>3893401
>>3893525
>>3893618
>>3893686

The kobold tries to think up something quick. He decides to ask about when she'll be back to relieve him of his shift.

"A while yet. When the sun about rises I'll be back. I'd tell ya the time but... Well we don't really have a clock out here or anything." She says shrugging.

Deciding to change the subject he asks what Semish is.

She thinks for a second and says, "Halfling language. The writing part anyway."

Ragnar asks how old she is.

"What's that any of your business?" Malhaly says, squinting at the kobold. He isn't sure why, but the half-leg seems a bit offended. Ragnar decides a compliment might be in order, and says that her violent streak is sure to keep the stall well protected.

Malhaly then walks off without a word, and the kobold sits back at the counter already bored out of his mind. At least when the half-leg was here he had to be wary of the butcher knife. He looks up at the sky, and the moon still hangs pretty high in the heavens.

Is this what shop clerks have to do all night? Do they actually enjoy this? How do they even keep themselves entertained?

What does Ragnar do?

>>3893778
Lets spend our time observing the passersby.

>>3893778
Stack and count coins? That'd probably bring trouble though if anyone saw.

How about we grab a tag and polish our scales and claws a little, doesn't hurt to be presentable.

>>3893778
Wank. Best way to pass time. No one will know and we can get our kobold dick germs all over the filthy stilt legs food.

>>3893905
Nope. Gotta save ourselves for our lovely ladies back home. Need to make as many eggs as possible if we're going to build a proper nest, one to really last.

>>3893930
Well then we don't finish, now we'll have even more saved up. Best plan.

>>3893803
>>3893838
some combo of this we can let anything get stolen
>>3893778

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>>3893803
>>3893838
>>3893905
>>3893930
>>3893944
>>3894138

Ragnar props his head on his bent arms and watches the passers by. In particular, he tries to listen to anything interesting that they are saying. Oddly enough, it isn't the well equipped and armored adventurers that have the most interesting conversations, but the stilt-leg peasants.

The adventurers mostly speak of where they want to get food/drink, complaining about the long lines at the city's checkpoint, or just general useless banter.

The peasants seem to be speaking about some sort of trouble coming from the ocean waters and attacks from the center of the peninsula. From what Ragnar can tell, these two instances aren't related.

After two burlier stilt-legs come by and purchase some potatoes the Kobold takes the opportunity to count the change in his... Err... Lange's money box. He stacks them up the various metal coins, coming to a total of three silver pieces and thirty copper. The kobold repeats this many times during the slow night, as the glitter of the slightly tarnished coins gives him some comfort. He really wants to take a few, but the whole point of this was to get some trust from the shopkeep. For now, he'd put his desire for the cash aside.

Painfully slow, the moon makes it's way across the sky and finally dawn starts to approach. Various stilt-legs start to wake up, and some of the poorer female peasants make the rounds, some with whiny child stilt-legs following close behind. Eventually, the half-leg returns to the booth with a suspicious glare at Ragnar.

"Well, the place is still standing." Malhaly says with a huff. She then checks for her butcher knife, and then the money box. After a second the halfilng continues, "I guess I have nothing to complain about. I dont' really know what Lange wanted you to do now. I guess leave me the helmet and come back tonight."

What does Ragnar do?

>>3894857
I forget, were we told when we get payed?

>>3894857
We'll need to find a way to entertain ourselves for tomorrow night.

Let out a sigh of relief and handover the helmet.
Yeah it was boring, if it had disappeared at least something could have happened.
Grab a couple apples.
I'll see you later, bye.
Go back to our makeshift nest.

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>>3894995
>>3895111

Ragnar grabs a few apples and asks Malhaly when Lange will be back. He said he'll be paid.

"He usually comes around mid-day and at night. I assume you'll be asleep for one of these, so just come later." the half-leg says shooing the kobold out of the stall. The kobold takes off the helmet and puts it on the counter, and walks away.

The kobold will have to think of some way to entertain himself he's going to do that again.

When he gets out of sight he slinks back through the nearby field and back to the makeshift hovel. Inside he finds his nestmate Qrad sitting among some discarded rags, a few cracked and chipped bowls, and an axe handle.

Ragnar hands him some of the apples and asks how his scavenging went.

"It went okay. If I'm gonna be honest, most of these stilt-legs look like they don't have much to leave around, much less on themselves. What about you? How was workin' for the stilts?" Qrad says, taking a bite of an apple.

Ragnar explains how boring it was, and that he has to think of something to do tomorrow.

"Tomorrow? You are going again?" Qrad says sighing. "How long we going to be here? I thought we were just gonna grab as much as we could and book it. This hole wasn't exactly meant for a long term stay. In fact the first rain that comes around is probably gonna collapse it into a muddy pool.

Well, he at least has to go back one more time to get his pay.

What does Ragnar do?

>>3895620
I'd say long enough to trick them into letting us in the city so we can find something to open that grate.

>>3895620
Note that some cities actually employ kobolds to keep their waterways nice and neat.

The big problem of course is our egg. And we can't make do without it of course!

>>3895620
Yeah that was the plan then I got spotted, had to play it off. If I just booked it they'd know there was a kobold and they'd come looking for the nest. If anything gets stolen or misplaced I'm probably going to get blamed even if it wasn't us.
I just don't want anything coming after us until we have at least a couple dozen traps in place.
For now we've got to be sneaky, steal things but make sure others get the blame for it.

Plus if I manage to get their trust I might just be able to get into that city, can you imagine all the stuff they must have in there if they need such big walls to protect it all?
There is a little grate in the wall, I want you to start hiding it, make it harder to see. That might be our way in. Do it slowly though, if the stilt legs notice it suddenly covered in a day they might get suspicious.

Take a bite of an apple, taking revenge on it for the indignity of wearing that helmet all night.

>>3895910
Support

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>>3895628
>>3895811
>>3895910
>>3896332

Ragnar looks at one of the apple he brought back. It reminds him of his helmet, so he takes a retributive bite out of it.

He then turns to his companion and says that if he can gain their trust then maybe they can get in the walls of the city. A city with walls like that has to have a ton of good stuff in it.

"I know that's why we came and stuff, but is there some other way we could get in the city? I mean to say, walls that big can't be watched all the time. Are you sure there isn't a place we could sneak in? Or maybe we could even go around the wall. When we were walking up it seemed like the side facing the sea didn't have any walls on it. Maybe we could sneak onto a boat or something?"

The other kobold leans back into the side of their makeshift hovel with a sigh and then continues, "Nizra and Klindi are waiting for us back at the nest you know? Two fertile females. You get what I'm saying? Let's just grab some stuff quick that will impress them and come back some other time."

Ragnar thinks for a second, and then remembers the drainage grate he saw near the wall when he went to explore it. He says if Qrad can find it, he can begin to shelter it from view and also try to file it down so they can slip inside.

The other male sits upright a bit more and then says, "See? Now that's something I can get behind! Only wish I had found a file when I was out scavenging today..."

What does Ragnar do?

>>3896651
Well, there are definitely files inside the city, so we'll continue to work on getting let in while he works on breaking the grate. Once the grate is gone, we'll be able to come and go as we please.

>>3896683
You have a good point, It took us 4 days to get to the city, and we have already been here for 2. What I am getting at is we should plan to head back to the nest soon. I don't like having our kobolds split up like this for extended periods. At most we should stay for 3 more days that way by the time we get back it will have been 2 weeks.

>>3896651
Hmm... With the coins I earn from this job I might be able to buy a file, they pretty much give us to break into their city. And even if I can't afford it we can steal it once we know who has one.

I don't like being here either, and I do really want to get back too because of what we've got waiting for us. Just didn't want to get killed doing something stupid.

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>>3896683
>>3896688
>>3896801

Ragnar has to admit that they have been away from the nest for a while, and it probably would be unwise to keep the nest separated for too long.

The kobold rubs his chin as he thinks. There has got to be some place around here he could get a file? He isn't sure when he'd have time to find one though. Perhaps he could ask his new stilt-leg contacts where to find one. He'd have to figure out when to steal it though. Probably sometime before or after his working shifts.

For now though, Qrad seems happy enough to have a plan of action, and since dusk is approaching they decide to just sleep.

---

Qrad and Ragnar both wake at the same time, but head in different directions. Ragnar towards the grocer stall, and the other kobold towards the walls of the city.

As he approaches he sees Lange leaning against the stall wall, and greets him.

"Evening. I had to read between the lines a bit to get it out of Malhaly, but I heard you did well last night. Good job! I believe I promised you five copper correct? Here you are." The elf says, handing the money from the cashbox to the kobold, who takes it greedily.

Ragnar isn't going to lie to himself. It feels a bit odd to be receiving coin legally.

"Guess my trust in you wasn't misplaced. Shall I leave you to it then?" He asks.

What does Ragnar do?

>>3897237
Yup. And this time masturebate discreetly while thinking about our females.

>>3897237
Yeah, I can handle this without a problem. And I'm a kobold of my words, I said I wasn't going to wreak havoc unless there was a gnome.

Put on the apple helmet if it's still here. If he just leaves after that then get to work if anyone comes, if no one does then look around at the other stalls from our stall see if anyone looks like they sell or work with a file.

>>3897299
Enough of that. Plus kobolds have claws and scales on their hands, that's not going to be pleasant.

>>3897313
Stop bein such a wanker and let us be a wanker.

>>3897237
I want to fuck the elf

>>3897313
Support

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>>3897299
>>3897313
>>3897401
>>3897479
>>3897946

Because he is in front of his "boss", Ragnar says that he'll handle it and giving a peppy, enthusiastic pose.

Lange chuckles and begins to walk away saying, "Alright, keep it up then."

Ragnar places his uniform on his head and goes to work. Once again, it's rather slow. He scans the nearby stalls, looking for something that might use a file in their work. Unfortunately he seems to be in an area filled mostly with food stalls and other grocers. Because of the time of night, some of the stalls aren't even open.

"Excuse me there cler- Oh!" A voice says in surprise from near the kobold.

Ragnar turns to see first a rather long, wooden crook-like staff. Set in the mouth of it is a glass-like purple orb, and set above that one at the tip of the crook is another, smaller orb. Looking down from here he sees a roughly 3-4 foot humanoid dressed in fancy earth toned robes. This humanoid however, is not like Malhaly.

From it's prodigious nose, tanned skin, and eyes shining with mischevious excitement the kobold can identify this character almost immediately as a gnome.

Despite himself, he grips the counter hard enough to scratch it with his claws.

"Well here's a surprise. I wouldn't have thought a kobold civilized enough to want to do an honest days of work. And you are running the store by yourself? You must be rather trustworthy!" The gnome chuckles. "I'm actually even surprised someone wanted to hire you considering what's been going on."

The kobold does his best not to bare his teeth in fury. Did Lange say he couldn't tear the throat out of customers? He's pretty sure the stilt-leg didn't say not to do it.

What does Ragnar do?

>>3898431
Distract ourself. Something is going on?

>>3898431
I'm fairly respectable, unlike some others (you.) I've earned a bit of trust. Oh? Is something going on?
We have strong teeth right? They're not at risk from cracking with how hard we're clenching them?
(If only we could get away with it, he's not even protected by any wards right now! Probably.)

>>3898705
support

>>3898431
Now’s no time to lose our head. Stay calm and ask what he means.

>>3898431
when can we fuck the elf

>>3899148
After we kill the gnome.

>>3898431
dont take your eyes of your produce he could be trying to steal some or have someone else do it for him

>>3898431
Okay. There's a simple solution. Earn his trust, USE HIM TO IDENTIFY BIG EGG, then dispose of him to earn favor with our gods! >:)

>>3899228
There’s no way in hell we’re going to bring this guy anywhere near our nest!

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>>3898476
>>3898705
>>3898947
>>3899086
>>3899148
>>3899164
>>3899222
>>3899228
>>3899626

Ragnar keeps a close watch on the gnome. The lot of them are tricksters, and the kobold wouldn't be surprised if this individual tried to steal something. In fact, he'd be quite happy if the gnome attempted something. It'd give him a chance to gut the disgusting creature like a stuck pig.

Until that happens though, the red kobold attempts to keep his cool and asks what is happening that would suggest he'd be unwelcome here.

The gnome gives the kobold a bit of a confused smile and then says, "Well, I mean to say... All the attacks from and to the various kobold warrens in the area. The lesser of your kin are raiding settlements, and in kind adventurers are clearing out the scoundrels."

Ragnar spits out that he was from one of those nests.

"Were you now? Well good to see you've risen among your common fellows." He says with a sagely nod. "Hey, if you aren't busy later you should stop by the Bitter Butterfly. My compatriots and I will probably still be drinking and I wouldn't mind hearing more about your circumstances. I'll even buy you a pint."

Choosing not to answer one way or the other on the subject, Ragnar asks what the Bitter Butterfly is.

"The only permanent building out here. That one there." The gnome says, pointing to the large building that the kobold stole the salt from originally.

What does Ragnar do?

>>3899907
Maybe, if I don't get busy later.
(It's a good opportunity to get closer to them, if it gets late enough I can kill him in the dark and make it look like an accident. If his friends are more gnomes though I'm not sure I could stop myself.)
(Or... I could just barricade the doors and set fire to the place. Let him cook with no way to trace it back to me.)
On second thought I'd love to, I'll be there when I can.
Grip the bench a little harder while using pleasantries he doesn't deserve.

>>3899925
support

>>3899925
support

>>3899925
Actually, let's not Murder them, it will bring unwanted atention, it is also wrong.

>>3900050
A gnome being alive is wrong, but you're right about the attention.

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>>3899925
>>3899934
>>3900043
>>3900050
>>3900115

The kobold grins and says that he might come if he isn't too busy later.

It sounds like the perfect opportunity to put a dagger in the back of this turnip nosed midget. It may come to nothing, but Ragnar won't turn down the opportunity to end the life of this affront to the noble kobold kind.

"Well if you end up coming, just ask for Orner." The gnome says with a grin. He then purchases several carrots and then bids farewell to the kobold.

---

The rest of the shift is incredibly boring. Sure, several stilt-legs come to purchase groceries, but no other kobolds and no other interesting conversations. he does take some pride is noticing a familiar looking half-leg walk up to the stall with a confused, incredulous look on her face.

"I can't believe it. You actually went through a second shift? I thought for sure you'd be gone by now." Malhaly says.

What does Ragnar do?

>>3900155
We should ask the gnome about big eggs. Just, try and pry him out of some info before we find him "accidentally" choking on his tongue in a drunken stupor.

Make sure to have an alibi if that happens. Attest to our 'peaceful, well-behaved ways' and later plot to DESTROY THE TOWN OF AWFUL FLESHLINGS

But for now. Flex on Mahaly. The bitch.

>>3900155
Disappointed? Maybe it'll make you happier if I tell you it was horrible. Damn gnomes.
Take off the awful getup.
Before I go do you know a place that sells metal working stuff?

If she bothers to ask why say.

I have money now, and I need some tools.

>>3900191
support

>>3900191
Asking for metalworking stuff out of the blue would probably raise suspicion.

>>3900304
We're a kobold, she's already suspicious of us. It's not like we have anyone else we can ask without them attacking us or us attacking them.
But if you have another idea of some other suggestion on what to do go ahead and post it, the more ideas the better and they're all welcome.

>>3900155
Look a little bit hurt, if it is already the talk of the town we may as well admit to being an orphaned kobold and that an injured pride from trying a new way to get what we need is preferable to getting injured physically sticking to the old ways.

Have we asked her opinion of gnomes? I can't tell if she is being mean to be mean or is being catty, and we could use a friend to vent to if she isn't a gnome lover.

>>3900544
Ask her if there's anything other than food stalls out here. It's extremely unlikely we'll find a file outside of the city, but asking for general information would help us find it if it's out here and it isn't specific enough to tip her off to the fact that we're up to something. There's a difference between not trusting us and having something specific to be suspicious about.

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>>3900161
>>3900191
>>3900224
>>3900304
>>3900544
>>3900557
>>3900569

Ragnar grunts that she seems disappointed that he is reliable. The kobold then says that if it makes Malhaly feel better it wasn't all fun. He had to deal with...

A GNOME.

"Oh. So? What's wrong with gnomes?" The half-leg huffs.

The kobold asks what's right with them.

"You know, with an attitude like that you aren't going to make too many friends around here." Malhaly says, walking around and entering the stall.

Ragnar comments that it seems a bit hypocritical for her to hate on him for disliking gnomes when she clearly doesn't like kobolds much.

The halfling doesn't seem to have a response to that and says, "Well, I can handle it from here so you can go away now."

The kobold asks what sort of stalls are out here, and if there is anything other than food stalls.

"I think there are like, places selling curios and stuff. I dunno, I don't do a lot of my shopping around here. I would say try the camping grounds but you might get ran through with a sword if you try to walk in. A lot of those folkds are from the center part of the peninsula and aren't to fond of kobolds right now." Malhaly says, and from the look on her face Ragnar assumes she wanted to add "And for good reason." at the end of that.

The kobold asks if there is any place he could get some tools.

"Why...?" his fellow shopkeeper asks suspiciously.

Ragnar says that he needs a files for his teeth and claws. Have to keep up appearances and all that. Plus he may need to build himself his own little nest if he's going to stick around.

The half-leg thinks for a second and says offhandedly, "...I think there is a shop around here where you can get things sharpened, like kitchen utensils and stuff. I don't really remember where it is though since I either do it myself or have someone in the city handle it."

What does Ragnar do?

>>3901224
The Bitter Butterfly's kitchen might know.

>>3901224
Somehow I doubt they'd be happy to work on my teeth.
Take a couple more fruits, not apples this time.
Also I'm not fond of being stabbed so I'll avoid the camping grounds, thanks for the warning.

Plod off in a random direction to start looking for that sharpening shop.

>>3901331
support

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>>3901275
>>3901331
>>3901352

Ragnar removes his helmet and then walks along the side of the path that leads to the other stalls. If the words that gnome and Malhaly said are true than the stilt-legs are going to be more suspicious of him than he thought. There aren't many stilt-legs out, but the ones that do give him a bit of a stink eye. Especially the guards.

Between the main gate and Lange's grocery stall he spots a tented shop with a sign on it. It reads "Expert Knife Sharpening" and has a knife within a circle as a logo.

The tent doesn't have anything in it other than a long table with a small note atop it. The letter has b een folded into a triangle so that it may be read easier.

"CLOSED. OPEN DAILY 8AM-8PM"

Having no clock, the kobold can't say for sure what time it is, but since the sun isn't even up yet he's guessing it's somewhere around 4-5am.

Oh well, perhaps he can stay up and come back a little later.

What does Ragnar do?

>>3901571
Well we could stay if we need to, but let's leave that as a backup option.
Go into one of the side alleys beside it and sit down with our back resting against the stall, then while attempting to be discreet about it look around to see if anyone is watching us. If there is wait like that until either there isn't it the stall owner arrives.
As soon as relatively sure we're not being watched try sneak into the stall to see if anything had been left behind.

>>3901600
support

>>3901600
I don't feel comfortable with this plan since we've specifically stated what we were after and a lot of people, including guards have seen us.

>>3901756
Voting yay or nay counts for naught unless there are other ideas or plans that have been put forth, if you do not think my plan is all that great then that's perfectly reasonable I actively encourage you or anyone else to post your own plan or idea to contend with it even if you don't disagree with me and especially so if you do.

If you want to wait for the vendor then post something that suggests what we can do while we wait, talk to a guard try to get less hated, look for other things of interest that could be useful, go to those camp grounds and check them out from a safe distance, or just have a snooze.

What you said about my plan isn't wrong, it's not risk free, nothing we do is. Our stay here is a tenuous one, we're at constant risk of being stabbed, it's not a long term possibility. But getting caught will end any chance of us getting more from here.
That's why we have to be careful in everything we do.

>>3901804
We should work on making a better long term nest. I see 2 ways of doing that:
1: Stay and browse for tools and materials for good nest construction. Maybe we can buy something with money.
2: Leave and look for alternate possible nest sites that are within a reasonable distance of our job.

>>3901968
>>3901804
I misremembered things.
Anyways I think we should have a better shelter that is close to the town (either by upgrading the one we have or finding a better one).
Might still be best to keep it separate from the main nest where the girls and the egg is.

>>3901571
Go back to the nest. Let's see how things are progressing. I'd like to inform them that it might be a good idea to have a 1-2 person long term shelter in between the nest proper and the market.

>>3901571
Shop around and look for other tools.

>>3901968
For 1.
I agree with getting more tools to improve our nest, it's mostly why we're here to get tools and other useful stuff to build our nest.
For 2.
There was a stump of a tree near here, maybe under that could work. One of the girls used it as a hiding spot while we were first scoping out this place.

>>3901980
Thanks for the clarification, we already have a real nice location for it for our main nest.
Are you suggesting going back to the nest proper? That's a four day trip, and we'd be returning essentially empty handed. That's eight days wasted going back and forth.
The idea of keeping them informed is solid, but when we go back we should have as much as we can carry between the two kobolds, or one of we're leaving the other bold behind.

If you meant back to the temporary nest then sure.

These are all good suggestions.

We should think of a reason to take leave from our stilt-leg job. We should also consider a back story to make up (especially if we decide to talk to the gnome). It should be consistent with everything we've told stilt-legs and half-legs and such so far.

>>3902013
Didn't realize it was a 4 day trip each way. Now I'm wondering if there is any way to expedite travel too and from there.

>>3901571
Changing my vote from >>3901980 Go window shopping to get a feel for how much money we want to save up for buying stuff (or scout out things we want to steal). Things I am interested in are useful tools and materials our kobold community can't easily make itself or vastly superior versions of things it can't make itself. I am also interested in things to expedite travel or communication to and from the main nest. Try to not be noticed expressing interest in things that will be outside of our price range for a long time.

Then send Qrad back without us, possibly with savings, possibly with a request for him to bring more money back. If Qrad gets caught doing anything shady, that will make us look bad. Qrad doesn't have a stilt-leg job like we do. I think he'd serve the community better off being at the nest.

If the shops are closed and we can't see items on display, then spend the time waiting for the shops to open by looking for a better long term 1-2 person shelter (with room for supplies) near our stilt-leg job. >>3902013 recommended looking at a tree stump for this purpose.

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>>3901600
>>3901702
>>3901756
>>3901804
>>3901968
>>3901980
>>3901982
>>3902013
>>3902912

Ragnar looks around, and seeing no one slinks behind the tent. He starts to raise the fabric of the stall when he remembers the last time he was in this situation.

The kobold first only raises it a sliver and peaks inside, and seeing no one sticks his head partially through.

From this position he can see under the long wooden table. Nothing is underneath save for a few bugs that scuttle away. Darn. The crafts stilt-leg must take his tools with him when he leaves.

He pulls himself up and leans up against the tent, just looking at the big wall in front of him. Ragnar supposes he could just sit here, or maybe nap until the shopkeeper arrives. The kobold begins to wonder how much longer he should stay. With Klindi around he doubts she and Nizra will starve. What he's more worried about is something coming along and harming them.

At the same time, he doesn't want to leave empty handed. It takes days just to get here after all. Maybe he and Qrad can steal some tools. Perhaps they coud even just straight up purchase some with his gold from the grocery job. Ragnar even plays with the idea of making a closer temporary nest. It may even be possible to move everyone closer for the time being. Honestly, this would be easier if they had more kobolds... Though in that case food might start to become an issue. On the other hand the-

Suddenly a stilt-leg stumbles behind the stalls, coming just short of falling flat on his face. He grunts as he slowly gets up from his knees and into a standing position.

He is the normal kind of stilt-leg. The man is middle aged, slightly fat, and very clearly drunk. He is wearing a plain button up shirt, simple pants, and boots. His wear is rather patchwork and threadbare in places, not to mention they are quite dirty. It doesn't look like he has shaven or bathed for quite some time.

He gets up, and seeing the kobold the stilt-leg seems to regain some of his composure. He advances towards the Ragnar, but as he stands up at the ready the stilt-leg slows down. Still inching forward he points aggressively and says, "You... I'd seen lizards just like skulking around before we were attacked..."

In his mind Ragnar doubts that. Those kobolds were nothing like him if an old, slovenly stilt-leg found them out. He does not say that of course. It would be a really bad idea to antagonize him any further. If he runs he may get chased, and if a mob gets after the kobold that'll be the end. On the other hand if he stays and fights at best he'll kill the idiot and get in trouble. At worst the stilt-leg will badly harm or kill him.

The stilt-leg starts to reach underneath his shirt at around chest level, for what reason the kobold does not know.

What does Ragnar do?

>>3902912
Well we have to go through forests, only way to increase our speed is get an animal we can ride that's faster then us or get a boat so we can travel along the shore.

Now our main nest isn't big, four in total. All of whom are the product of wiped out nests which is why there is so few at the moment. We're working on recovering and making our own nest.
So pretty much every tool we can get our hands on will be a drastic improvement.
We also have nearly no money back at the main nest.

The reason Qrad is here is so we can carry more stuff back, simple as that. Though at the time there might have been another reason I've forgotten.

We'll figure out what we're doing with that later, he'd be fairly useful for getting into the city if we can get a file but that might not happen so we'll see. But if we do send him back I'd like to at least have him carry a few things back with him, efficiency and all that.

>>3903020
We're just here to do some shopping.

Do we know where the half-leg is? Maybe she can help us.

>>3903048
Doing her shift at the shop.

>>3903069
How far away is that?

>>3903020
Fall back to the half-leg's location. Preferably walk, but if necessary run and/or use obstacles (people and shops can count as obstacles) to outpace the stilt-leg if he pursues. Try to keep senses on the stilt-leg.

>>3903020
Stand up and slowly back away.
What are you doing stilt leg? I'm welcome here, I don't want to cause trouble if you don't.

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>>3903026
>>3903042
>>3903048
>>3903069
>>3903075
>>3903089
>>3903157

Ragnar says he doesn't want any trouble. He's welcome here and actually just got off work from his shift at a job.

"Lies I bet... Your kind would say anything to live another day." He says, pulling his hand out. In it is a small drop knife. Probably not much good in battle, but more than he'd want a stilt-leg brandishing at him. "Just waitin' for me to turn my eyes away from you for a second."

While they speak the kobold starts back up towards the street. He looks down one way and sees Lange's stall off a good dozen paces. More than enough to get seen, and he'd have to hope none of early morning folks try to waylay him. Up the other way he sees some guards taking a break with some skewers at chatting with the chef at the stall.

The kobold could call out to them, but that might cause some trouble of it's own.

What does Ragnar do?

>>3903544
The guards are more likely to believe the drunkard, but they are sober enough to confirm our story and it might change the way they think about kobolds a bit.

>>3903544
Call out to the guards for help. Run towards Lange's stall or to the guards, which ever is closer. If the distance is approximately the same, then go to the guards.

>>3903595
Don't run, they'll think that it was a stilt-leg calling for them if they see us running. Just keep enough distance away from the drunk so we don't get hurt.

>>3903625
what if we wave our arms above our head to try to signal attention?

>>3903652
It'd still look like we're fleeing. You forget that everybody automatically expects the worst from us. We have to keep the situation calm or else swords will be drawn.

>>3903659
Well, a utility knife has already been drawn.

>>3903695
If we stay out of arm reach of the stumbling drunk, that knife won't be a threat.

>>3903659
>>3903719
I don't think the drunk guy is in a state to be reasoned with, so I don't see how we can keep things calm.

>>3903770
Oh, I'm not talking about calming him down, I meant that we need to stay calm and need to keep the guards calm.

>>3903544
Speed-walk (don’t run!) to the nearest guard post and report what’s going on.

>>3903544
I'm inclined to go towards Lange's stall as i think more attention is going to be unavoidable shortly so we could use a friendly face to state our case. She also has a knife of her own if the drunk doesn't want to listen to her words.

>>3903544
Maybe you should go back to wherever you came from before what you drank gets you in trouble.
'I wonder if he has more stuff under there, money maybe?'
Would it help if I said I got turned into this by a witch? Magic can be nasty.

>>3903548
>>3903595
>>3903625
>>3903652
>>3903659
>>3903695
>>3903719
>>3903770
>>3903776
Brilliant, a discussion. Honestly well done to the both of you.

>>3904618
support

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>>3903548
>>3903595
>>3903625
>>3903652
>>3903659
>>3903695
>>3903719
>>3903770
>>3903776
>>3903787
>>3903882
>>3904618
>>3904654

Ragnar turns and walks briskly towards the guard post. Not a run or a sprint, but not quite a walk either.

"Hey! Hey, get back here you little pest! Just wait until I-*hick*" The drunkard says hiccuping and stumbling from behind the tents and out onto the road. This display caught the attention of some other stilt-legs, and even the guards he is walking towards. Funnily enough, they don't spot him until a few seconds later.

These guards are regular stilt-legs like the drunkard, and are wearing simpler armor consisting of a metal chestplate with arm and leg guards as well as a kettle helmet. On top of this they have a tabard with a sort of stone tower on it. The guards are holding spears, but put them down and draw swords as he approaches.

Ragnar stops in front of the guards, and fighitng back the urge to flee the heavily armed stilt-legs he points back at the drunkard and says that the fatty is trying to kill him.

They give looks of confusion and suspicion, and as the drunkard gets close one of the guards grabs his spear again and says,

"Sir! Lower your weapon."

Despite his inebriation the stilt-leg sees enough reason not to challenge the guard and this, and after looking down a few times to the kobold he barks out, "This thief was trying to steal from one of the stalls! I was just trying to teach him a lesson!"

What does Ragnar do?

>>3904835
We were waiting for the stall to open so we could do some business.

>>3904835
>>3904842
Tell them Lange can vouch for us! Or Malhaly, the bitch. We've been working in the veggie stall. It's only natural a hard-working kobold wants to spend that money too.

>>3904835
>We were waiting for the stall to open so we could do some business.
and he was walking towards us threatening us and pulling out a knife

>>3904852
Malhaly in no way will say we aren't a thief. If we get caught stealing later, that would damage her credibility and she doesn't trust us anyways. At most she might say she hasn't caught us stealing despite multiple encounters, and verify that we have an honest job working for Lange, and say that it is plausible that we could wish to buy some honestly earned money.

>>3904842
How long was the wait going to be? Because if it was going to be a long wait, I hope we were just window shopping and then spend our time waiting for the store to open in a more productive manner like looking for a long term shelter near our job.

>>3904835
And if that was true I would go to the guards why? You're wasted and threatening me with a knife, plus you're three times my hight. 'And ten times my weight.'
I don't have anything on me that any of the stores would bother trying to sell.

>>3904842
>>3904852
>>3904853
>>3904863
I need to start reading the updates sooner, people keep making all the points I wanna make.

>>3905020
We don't have a clock to tell exact time but it was prior to the sun rising and we knew we had to wait till 8am so we estimated it was maybe 5am in the morning.

>>3904835
As some previous anon's said we can state,
1. We were waiting for a stall to open.
2. This man threatened us for no reason and drew a weapon on us while we've shown no aggression.
3. Mr. Lange can vouch for our honesty.
4. We have nothing on our person the man can prove as stolen or seems even strange for us to have.

If that's all then thank the guards for their service and advise you'll look to take your business elsewhere and get out of here. Not much more to be gained from interacting with either the guards or this bigot.

>>3905068
support

Further sorry to essay but I think we should discuss among ourselves on our long-term plans.

We earn some money from this job but it requires multiple days treks if we visit the nest routinely or multiple days away from the nest if we stay here, not to mention needing lodging here. We could hypothetically move the nest closer but given there's a pitch of Kobold slaying going on that seems like a bad idea and not worth the pittance of income we're making to be honest. Overall I think the job's major benefit is as a cover for us showing our face to the Halfling, if we kept up stealing after that suspicion would immediately fall on us. Our major benefit is the Halfling/Elf/Population only knows about us not our nestmates so keeping up that front helps somewhat in deflecting suspicion off our or our compatriot's activities. The other benefit some anons saw previously was as a way to get our way into the city legitimately, I won't say this is a longshot but we have to consider,

1. Once we get in the city if we start committing crimes the recent entry of a Kobold isn't going to go unnoticed I wager.
2. We have no idea how long it will take to build the trust to gain lawful entry into the city, especially with what seems to be Kobold hatred in the common discourse.
3. As this drunk shows once we're in the city we're looking at a lot of scrutiny just from being around.

So to me it seems like getting in without anyone seeing is the better way to go. Getting a file is going to be tricky and even once we have it, it might be some time before we can actually work through the grate. We also know we want to check in on the females soon and it wouldn't do to start or complete work on the grate only to then leave it open or tampered with for days on end while we're gone.

My suggestion, advise our place of employment we're getting out of town to our nest on the outskirts for a bit due to our life being threatened and suggest with our current funds we have enough to live on for now. We don't want to cause trouble for Mr. Lange or something since we had to name drop him. Gather Qrad and set off back to the nest, our heist was a bust but we can plan more long-term on getting into the city and preparing for that journey when the time comes.

>>3905068
three hours is a long time to stand in front of a store or spend window shopping at a single store.

>>3905149
well, maybe it's not a long time to stand in front of a store if you're one of the people that have to get the newest iPhone on day 1 or something.

>>3905089
yeah this dude is right Its time to call it quites and head home. at least we got some coppers out of it.

>>3905089
It's just too much of a waste to go back with nothing. Eight wasted days of travel twelve if we come back here, I don't see why we can't plan here.
I don't mind going back without getting into the city but we should have something anything to show for our efforts.
We got requests for a few things pottery making stuff, tools, weapons. Going back with nothing wastes everyone's time and it means we'll have risked going the the checkpoint again.

Hell it's not like the grate is even the only way into the city only the best way, we can just grab something that will float and swim into the city at night.

>>3905175
We got five coppers so far ten when we get tonight's pay. We can only use them here they're completely useless to us otherwise.

>>3905302
we use them to buy some food or have our coworker buy us some tools then leave.

>>3905302
That's fair on not wanting to go back with nothing given the time invested. I do think we should try to head back soon though. How about we collect our pay, ask Mr. Lange to buy some tools for us in the midday, nap, then head back under the cover of dark? We could even ask Lange to be so kind as to give us a letter advising we are an employee of his, not necessarily under his protection but some sort of legitimacy we can show the checkpoint? Though we may not want to alert the checkpoint that Kobolds are around there as it draws more general knowledge of a closer approximation of where our nest is.

General benefits of this,
- Tools for the nest
- Expand the nest and tribe once home
- Allow heat/suspicion of us in the area to subside a bit
- Possible trust gained from Halfling/Elf if we're buying legit things and the area remains un-burglarized for the time being?

Swimming in is also an idea I didn't think of that's a good one anon. Could try scouting out the currents and coast security of the place at night to see how feasible that is.

>>3905357
I am supporting this

>>3905307
We can get all the food we need fine, we have a good hunter and we can get fruit from the stand. I have no problem buying tools then going home, though I don't think the halfling would do us that favor (she doesn't like us very much.) so we'd probably need to do it ourselves.

>>3905357
I agree with you on heading back soon, and I think using this as an excuse is rather clever. But yes this is a critical time in the nest forming process, going back empty handed accomplishes nothing. We can't really do anything back at the nest, going there only means we have to head right back out again because we will still be needing all the stuff we didn't get to resolve the issues we needed them for.

I also just don't know how far ten copper will go towards tools, I don't think it'd be all that many considering how much the fruit we sold cost.

Honestly if we are to go back what we should do is try to find where they throw their waste then gather as much metal and possible. That was on the to do list as well and even if it wouldn't be much it'd be something, a couple makeshift spears, a dagger or two, maybe even shoddy armor if we find enough.

And no swimming isn't a good idea, it's why I never suggested it before. Though if we can get a barrel we can just use it as a boat.

>>3905089
I'm fine with being Ragnar being an honest worker with one foot in the stilt leg community.

>>3904835
This guy was just looking for a fight. Besides, we can steal anything from the unopened stalls because the shopkeepers don’t leave anything there.

>>3905537
Well don't say that, they'll know we were looking to steal stuff.

>>3905519
Pfft working for stiltlegs as anything other than a cover and possible opportunity for more benefit to the nest is a waste. Rude, Racist Stiltlegs are not friends.

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>>3904842
>>3904852
>>3904853
>>3904863
>>3905040
>>3905061
>>3905068

Ragnar says he was just waiting at the stall to do some business when this drunkard walked up and tried to attack him. The drunk stilt-leg even pulled his knife out.

"That ain't true! I caught'em trying to sneak into the stall and he pulled his knife out first!"

Ragnar asks if he means this knife, motioning to the one still clearly in it's sheathe on the kobold's belt.

The man turns beet red with anger and begins yelling obscenities at the small red dragonoid.

"Shut up the both of you." The guard says, rubbing his temples. A moment later he asks, "Okay, so did you actually see the kobold take anything?"

"Well, no, because I stopped'em first!" The drunk says.

When Ragnar lies and says he didn't do anything suspicious the the guard says, "Turn out your pockets, kobold."

Luckily for the Ragnar all he has on him is the money Lange gave him before, an apple for the road, and his knife.

"See? He probably picked someone's pocket for that change!" The man says, gesticulating towards Ragnar and the money.

The kobold says that if they don't trust him they could go ask the halfling at the grocer he works at. She'd vouch for him (probably). If she won't then the stall owner would (probably)!

The guards investigate the stall he was apparently robbing, and seeing that there was nothing inside the guards tell the drunk man to leave and get some sleep. Just as Ragnar begins to walk away the guard grabs him by the shoulder and spins him around.

"Listen. You got lucky tonight. If there had been any credibility to that idiots story I would have lopped your head off and then went home and slept soundly." The guard says, and the pair of them walk off.

What does Ragnar do?

>>3907413
Well, back to what we were doing I guess.

>>3907413
What a cock. Let's go home and plan how we'll be giving them some payback BY BLCKING THEIR SEWER SYSTEM!

>>3907413
Thank you for confirming the violence racism inherent in the system guard cunt.

>What does Ragnar do?
Nap until Mr. Lange comes midday to the stall then collect our pay. Ask Mr. Lange if he'd be so kind as to buy some tools for us.

>>3907413
Well, shit. That was close. Good to know the guards are looking for any excuse to kill us. Well we knew that already sort of.
Victory dance?
Time to head back to our temporary hole home, probably not feeling great after that.

Maybe we can use this experience as a reason to request some time off, and then go back to the nest for a bit. Honestly I think I'll abstain from voting for this decision.

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>>3907467
>>3907498
>>3907537
>>3907544
>>3907672

Ragnar frowns as he watched the guards walk away, and then scuttles into the shadows near the path. No sense in getting in trouble two time in the same night.

Stupid stilt-legs. Trying to frame him... Maybe he should follow that idiot drunk and-

Wait no, he's supposed to be keeping himself OUT of trouble.,

The kobold sighs, and starts to sneak back towards the the knife sharpening place. Perhaps he can hide in a tree or a bush nearby or something...

The kobold then remembers the offer from that despicable gnome. He had wanted to follow up on it, but perhaps it's not he best idea? He was invited after all, but maybe it was a trick?

(You can choose multiple answers if you'd like.)

https://linkto.run/p/JMM6577E

What does Ragnar do?

>>3907822
I like how the question is just "Gnome?"

>>3907822
Well, it's a bad idea but it probably can't go any worse than almost dying. Maybe, just maybe we can learn where he lives or something so we can rob him blind.
Plus a free drink, that's a luxury we don't get often, ever... As infuriating as the little twig might be we might be able to get something useful out of him.

>>3907822
Even if it is some kind of trick, it's also an opportunity to find out more information about what's going on in the region.

>>3907822
No write ins?

>>3907822
Eh that damn gnome. He's probably going to just humiliate us but we can use it as more reason to eventually purge that disgusting race and get some more hints on what's going on in the region possibly.

Our pride can be sacrificed for possible benefit to the nest.

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>>3907844
>>3907857
>>3908105
>>3908315
>>3908718

The kobold decides to check out the Bitter Butterfly. If anything, it could give him a chance to case the place should he want to take something from it himself.

He creeps up across the street from it, staring at it from beside a stall.

The building is made of wattle and daub braced with wood. There is a short canopy leading to the door with a small balcony stretching the entirety of the front. Attached outside it is a hanging side with a butterfly on it. Stacked nearby are some tables and chairs, and the kobold assumes they are for outdoor seating. It's quite tall as well. he's seen taller, but that was at the town hall of the stilt-let settlement near his old nest. Ragnar begins to wonder if houses inside the city will be just as big, or maybe even bigger.

There doesn't seem to be a lot of stilt-legs coming in and out of the establishment, and most are either drunks or travel worn adventurers... In fact...

The kobold squints closer. Nearly everyone here looks like an adventurer of some kind. Nearly all of them are armed and armored.Those taht aren't appear to be quite wealthy. Ragnar spots lot's of money, and lot's of shinies.

Ragnar ducks down for a second. Maybe he should think his entrance a bit better.

What does Ragnar do?

>>3908941
We were invited and even if that gets retracted, we have money. Enter like we belong here.

>>3908990
Refuge in Audacity.
Do it.

>>3908941
Right, perhaps that was the damn gnomes plan all along. Try trick us into coming here to get us killed.
But then again that is a lot of shiny money those inebriated have, can't be paying attention to it all too hard now.

But how to get inside? Only reason the guards didn't kill us is because they're not supposed to. These adventures probably have much less reason to not make us into a puddle of blood.

We need a disguise. Go off and look for some fabric and rope twine or sting we can use to make a basic hooded cloak.

Failing that go around the inn looking for a different way in that isn't the cellar, not messing with magic.

>>3908941
See if any kobold gods have a shrine. They probably won't, but do we have anything to lose by checking?

>>3908990
support

>>3908990
This would get us killed.

>>3910164
We won't accomplish anything if we're unwilling to take risks.

>>3908990
Only supporting because we don't really have any option to sneak in or disguise ourselves given our meagre resources.

First sign of trouble we skedaddle and maybe try to cut a purse on the side.

>>3910217
We will accomplish even less if we're dead.

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>>3908990
>>3909014
>>3909061
>>3909119
>>3909120
>>3910164
>>3910217
>>3910403

Even at this time of day it would be difficult to sneak around the entrance to a place like the Bitter Butterfly. It would be too easy for a random person just walking in or out to spot him, as few as they are. However there is thieving trick he learned that can work for short periods of time in places that have varied and strange clientele.

He comes out from the stall and strides straight as an arrow towards the door to the Bitter Butterfly. One or two adventurers do a double take as he walks by and a merchant gives a start, but he ignores them. If his special skill worked they would start ignoring him too, which they did indeed do.

This powered is called... The look of being purposeful in your actions!

He steps into the Inn's front desk, and standing confidently he looks around. The Inn is pretty modest, but clean, warm, and well lit. There are two tables with stools here as well as a front counter complete with logbook and a cubby hole for room keys. Next to this area is a carpeted staircase going upwards. The entryway also opens up to a room with two double doors that are currently closed. There is also a door to a back room behind the counter. This door opens to reveal a pale faced male stilt-leg wearing an apron over his clothes. It is a dark green color with the same butterfly as the sign outside stitched into the center.

This stilt-leg stares down at the kobold with a glare. He's moving slowly, but Ragnar can see him leaning to grab something behind the counter. He asks, "Can I help you?"

What does Ragnar do?

>>3910746
Yeah, I'm looking for a Gnome, said he'd buy me a drink and had a couple friends he wanted me to meet. You seen him?
Try not to scowl at the word gnome, if what the half leg said is true then being properly opinionated is not going to be popular and angering the people here any more then what our sheer presence does will get our head out on a pike.

>>3911160
Yes this.
Roll willpower to not be a gnomophobe.

>>3911523
Oh no, we are and rightfully so I might add, we just have to pretend we're not.

>>3910746
Explain that we were invited by the gnome and ask if he’s still here. Remember, no matter how we might feel about gnomes in general, to this gnome in particular our acting prejudice is going to appear just as unjustified as the way the guard acted towards us.

>>3911589
>>3911160
Support

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>>3911160
>>3911523
>>3911539
>>3911589
>>3911696

Ragnar gives his best confident voice and explains that he was invited here by a gnome by the name of Orner, and asks where he is.

The innkeeper stands up a bit straighter, though he doesn't take his glare away from the kobold. The stilt-leg instead reaches over to a book and begins thumbing through it, never taking his eyes off Ragnar for more than a second.

After a moment the stilt-leg points to the double doors and says, "Orner... Orner... Oh yes, that gentleman. I believe he is with his companions in the dining hall."

Ragnar thanks the stilt-leg and then begins to struts to the doors. The Innkeeper calls to him before he can leave and says, "...Please tell Orner to come to the front desk when you find him. I'd like to have a word.

The kobold nods and walks through the double doors. Inside there is a rather large eating area that takes up a majority of the inn's bottom floor. It's basically just a ton of booths set into the wall with round tables dotting the central part of the room. Despite the hour there are a lot of stilt-legs are still here drinking, talking, eating, and generally enjoying themselves. Waiters and waitresses bob and slide between the tables, handing out orders and taking checks, and from a back area that Ragnar assumes is the kitchen he can hear the clank of plates and the barks from the chef.

Ragnar quickly looks around for the gnome, and does eventually spot the bulb nosed potato humanoid, though not in the way he expected. At first the kobold spots one of his companions, firstly because of the amount of food it is eating and the noises it makes while doing so, but mostly because it is one of the larger stilt-legs in the room, as well as one of the stranger looking kind.

This type is quite a bit bulkier with boar-like tusks He is also green skinned and with a wiry black beard leading to a balding black haired head. The kobold also believes that this is a male specimen. He is wearing light, but thick hide armor of some kind, and appears to not have a weapon.

He is in a booth, and Ragnar then looks to who this green one is sitting with and across the table is a blonde, metal armor clad female stilt-leg and the gnome spellcaster sitting in deeper in, nearly blocked from view. Once again, Ragnar spots him because of the staff he is carrying.

The gnome spots him, and waves him over. The female stilt-leg gives the kobold a glare he is quite used to, but the half-orc just sort of looks at him with his beady eyes unconcerned, to his companions, and then goes back to eating.

What does Ragnar do?

>>3912373
Strut over and advise we came for drinking. Introduce our name to them all, a name they should be honored to hear upon their disgustingly non-scaled ears and sit down next to the loud-eater stilt-leg confidently. Try to get in with the loud-eater by complimenting his appetite or something, he's the first one it seems like we could make even possible headway with.

>>3912373
Innkeeper says he wants to have a word with you at the front desk.

>>3912416
>>3912406
support, inquire if they would be willing to help us buy some basic tools.

>>3912373
Well casual as can be strut over to them, it might actually feel nice to just be ignored for once instead of glared angrily at. It's a mild improvement, tusk face is alright.

Hello, these your friends you wanted me to meet?

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>>3912406
>>3912416
>>3912521
>>3912555

"Well hello there! Glad to see you decided to come!" The gnome says, nodding his head to the kobold. "But where are my manners? Let me introduce everyone."

He motions to the half-orc first and says, "This is Goragul Goretrap."

The Ragmar introduces himself, and the Half-Orc nods in acknowledgment to the kobold but doesn't stop eating.

"And this is Della Ironscribe." Orner continues, motioning to the female next to him.

Ragnar also introduces himself to her, though she doesn't do anything more than cross her arms and stare down at him.

"See? Isn't this nice. Come, sit! Let's get you a pint. Or perhaps a half-pint? Oh ho ho... Now where is a waitress..." The gnome says, looking around.

The kobold remembers the innkeepers words, and says that Orner is wanted at the front desk.

"Oh? Well, if you'll excuse me a second." the magician replies as the heavily armored stilt-leg gets up to let him by.

Ragnar doubts that Della will want him to sit next to her, so he plops down next to the half-orc.

"So, what's your deal. A kobold wanting to hang out with a gnome? I don't believe it for a second, especially considering recent events. You a spy or something?" The female stilt-leg says as soon as the kobold sits down.

Ragnar says that he is a perfectly law-abiding person, and even works at a stall. That's actually where he met Orner.

"Please, I bet you are just using it as an excuse to case the area." Della says, hitting on his plan exactly. "Goragul, come on, back me up here!"

"Hrm?" The green one says looking up slowly, clearly paying more attention to his food than to the conversation.

"Don't you have anything you want to say to this runt?" Della nags.

"Huh? Oh, sorry." The half-orc says with a bit of a drawl, and then turning to the kobold he offers him a leg of some animal. "Did you want some?"

Ragnar accepts the food happily as Della sighs and begins rubbing her temples. The kobold can survive on potatoes and apples, but it isn't a fun existence without some meat. Sensing he might be able to make some headway with this fellow, he compliments him on his appetite.

He simply replies, "Thanks."

Hmm, not much of a talker then. Ragnar then asks if the half-orc has seen any tools around for purchase. Ragnar lies and talks about how he wants to make a little home for himself here since he probably won't be allowed in the city.

"Tools?" Goragul says ponderously. After a few moments of pensive chewing he continues, "Nah. We never really use tools. At least not those kind of tools. I suppose I could use my maul as a hammer... But I think I'd just break anything I was trying to pound nails into."

What does Ragnar do?

>>3913089
We this seems like a great time to network 'even if it is with a Gnome'. Talk with them ask them if they are adventures and if they are about some of there adventures. Then once we have broken the ice ask for information about the local area(we are new to the region after all.)

>>3913089
Haha! He is indeed the nicest person we've met.

Half the time breaking something is just what a tool needs to do.

As for you, Eh, a little. I wanted to see if someone had put a bounty on my head or something in here yet, honestly the main reason I'm here is to actually try make some friends so maybe there will be less people looking for any excuse to split me in half.

Lie, lie, lie our little heart out. Though technically we would want less people trying to kill us.
Also, try to avoid talking about the gnome as much as possible, our dislike for them might make us slip up.

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>>3913103
>>3913138

Finding the Half-Orc Goragul a bit amenable, Ragnar asks about some of their adventures.

"Oh, you know. Killin' stuff mostly. Protectin' Orner." The green stilt-leg says.

Ragnar asks what he's protecting him from to which Della answers, "That is none of your business. You really want to know what we've been killing recently? Your own mostly, but really we got bigger fish to fry, almost literally."

The kobold lies and says that he's just trying to make friends and start a new life, and claims to not understand what the hostility is.

"Don't mind her. She doesn't understand what guys like us gotta go through sometimes." Goragul says nodding his head and patting the kobold on the head. Though this act of kindness almost pushes his head into his shoulders, he suddenly feels a strange camaraderie with the green giant.

Ragnar asks about the local area. He hasn't spent a lot of time in this area, so he doesn't know much.

"Uh... I dunno too much either to be honest. I think Orner has a map of the peninsula somewhere." Goragul says, just as the gnome starts to come back from the front counter.

"Oh, hey Orner. What did the Innkeep want?" Della says in an annoyed monotone, rubbing her temples.

"He chewed me out for invitin' a kobold in, heh. Said to never do it again." The gnome says, sidling back into his spot next to the stilt-leg. "Lucky we paid well for our rooms or we may have been kicked out. So tell me about yourself Ragnar. You don't see many of your kind that are actually civilized. You must have quite the story!"

What does Ragnar do?

>>3914561
We're not really any different from any other kobolds. We're just trying to join a stilt-leg "nest" since there are no kobold nests around and our last one was destroyed.

>>3914561
Give a little of the truth and a little of a lie. we will tell them that we are the only 'civilized' we know and that we do indeed have a story to tell. say that after our old home was attacked and razed to the ground we wandered this direction hoping to find more of our kind...(have Ragnar start looking sad here) we didn't have any luck. after two more weeks of scavaging and walking, we came upon this place and decided that our best bet was to find work save some coin. long term we hope to save enough to buy some tools to build ourselves a proper nest near by. (have Ragnar frown) to many drunks with swords in town proper. finish up by expressing hope that we can get the tools soon because we don't like our odds of not getting messed up or worse if we stay around town too long.

>>3914561
This >>3914910 is pretty good. Maybe emphasize that while we have to plan to build a nest away from town due to the overt hostility towards our very race we'd prefer to just integrate in and not be hated by stilt-leg society. We could make a point that stilt legs can be very prejudiced, towards a wide manner of different races through history (half elves, half-orcs, etc.), though I don't know if Ragnar really understands humanoid history enough to bring that up. Don't want the stilts putting a trail on us if they hypothetically think we're looking to set up with other kobold or something.

Also interesting to see the fishmen came up again. Proving to be a real bother for these stilt legs it seems. Wonder how we could use that to our advantage, lay low and let the two fight, consider diplomatic approaches with the fishmen, sell out the fishmen for stilt leg goodwill. Can't let them know we know about them though since that'd put a lie to us not knowing much about the area.

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>>3914910
>>3916403

Ragnar does his best not to directly talk to the gnome. He isn't sure he could help from sneering at the old looking big nosed freak in anger.

The kobold lies and says that he is the only kobold he knows right now, much less being civilized or not. His old home was attacked and he didn't feel much at "home" there anyway, so came wandering west with scavenging. He decided that stilt-leg cities are very protected, so he hoped to find a job here and get to working a good, honest life.

He's managed to find food and work, but now he needs to work on shelter. Since it's unlikely Ragnar will be let inside the city any time soon the kobold is looking for some digging tools so he can dig himself a cozy, quaint burrow home somewhere slightly away from the city. He wants to integrate, but the stilt-legs here sure do seem prejudiced.

"Well can you blame them?" The heavily armored stilt-leg asks.

"Della, shush now." The gnome says reproachfully. "Anyway, that certainly sounds like a tough story. Very sad. As for tools you may be a bit out of luck, especially if you go around telling people you are trying to build a house. Not too many people want to live around your kind. They do tend to like stealing things after all."

"Don't worry, not too many people want to live around half-orcs either but even we've integrated somewhat." Goragul drawls, joining the conversation. "Just make friends and I'm sure it'll work out."

"Don't encourage him. You are just going to get his hopes up." Della says, leaning back and glaring. "I'm sure he's just running a plan through his head to stab our charge. What would you do then?"

"This little one doesn't seem like the stupid type. It would be very unwise of him to try anything now, with no friends around and me right in punching distance." Goragul says, looking to the kobold.

The kobold swallows in nervousness, despite himself, and then asks what they are up to.

"Just waitin' for our turn to go inside. We probably have another day's wait unfortunately. Just trying to find a way to pass the time." The gnome says grinning. "Half the reason I brought you up here. Thought this would make some nice conversation."

What does Ragnar do?

>>3916639
You have to wait to get inside the city? Why's that, is there some kind of process?

>>3916639
You have to wait your turn to go inside? They're not going to let me in obviously, but that seems like a weird and arbitrary rule for entry.
Also yes, I like living and don't plan on getting myself killed like that.
I'm on a fine line already, most are waiting for their chance to kill me and I don't plan on giving them the satisfaction.

>>3916639
I am not interesting in attacking anyone(Probably), I honestly just want to get enough coin to get the Tools I need then make a place to live(not) be it near the City or not. You said you had to wait your turn to enter the city,why not just go in now?

>>3916639
Ask about going into the city as the others suggested and inquire as to what their business is if they wish to share it, preface saying we understand if they wouldn't want to tell a kobold, you imagine early orcs/half-orcs were also mistrusted with even such normal sharing around a drink. Try to get some guilt points on that female or at least point point out her racist hypocrisy.

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>>3916648
>>3916666
>>3916700
>>3916823

Ragnar asks what the process for being let into the city is. Ragnar finds it odd that they would wait to let you inside.

"Lot's of lines and paperwork." The gnome says with a sigh. "Then you get a day to come back and a number, and if they like you they let you in. It's helpful if you have identification or papers from another town. As for the wait well... There have been a lot of refugees lately, and Stillfield has it's share of enemies, just like any other city."

"I wouldn't worry about entry, kobold. There is no way the guards would let you inside." Della says pointedly.

The kobold then asks what they plan to do in the city.

"To make money, mostly." The gnome says grinning. "Remember the enemies I just mentioned? Well not all of them are... What would you call them? Stilt-legs. There has been a call for increased security, and we want a piece of that pie."

"The city especially wants mages, and since we got Orner I'm sure we'll get plenty of work." the female warrior says, looking down with a superior grin to the kobold. "Unlike whatever you could offer."

"C'mon Della. You are making even me uncomfortable." Goragul says from beside Ragnar, taking a swig of his drink.

The stilt-leg gives an apologetic nod to the half-orc and then turns to Orner and says, "Fine... Fine.... The kobold said something about wanting to see a map, by the way."

"A map? Oh yes! It really only shows the immediate area around Stillfield though. I plan to get one for the city once we actually get inside." The gnome says, rummaging through a bag and pulling out a tightly wrapped cylinder containing the map. Ragnar looks confused as he does this, since the map the gnome pulls out certainly couldn't have fit in the bag and yet... It definitely came from it. That thought is pushed from his mind though as Orner clears a spot for the map.

What does Ragnar do?

>>3916978
Slaughter Fen and Mire of Melancholy sound like pretty interesting names. Are there actually something to them or they're just to sound impressive? I vote we openly wonder (lie) if we passed through the mire to get here to try and trick them into telling us more about what's to the south.

>>3916978
Gawk a little bit at the map and try commit as much of it to memory as we can, it might be useful later.
Thanks, wow I never realized how big the towns got and how many of them were around.

>>3916998
Or we could just ask them to tell us about the regions that we are interested in.

>>3917038
Support

>>3917042
The reason I'm not feeling good about being direct is that it might draw more attention to where our nest is.

>>3917051
OK that is a fair point, how about we ask about each named region.

>>3916978
That Gate of Scales sounds interesting what does that lead to?

Also supporting this >>3916998 play off we didn't hear mention of the gate.

>>3917038
>>3917051
>>3917073
>>3917121
>>3916998
support this will be fun

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>>3916998
>>3917038
>>3917042
>>3917043
>>3917051
>>3917073
>>3917121
>>3918157

Ragnar remarks that Slaughter Fen and Mire of Melancholy are interesting names for places. He asks if they were just named in a scary manner or if there is a reason behind their monikers.

"Wow, you really don't know much do you?" Della says, seemingly incensed. "That's where the Dracolich's forces came from. See the Gate of Scales? They poured out from there. A huge battle happened on the fen, which is how it got it's name."

The kobold's eyes light up at the mention of something that sounds like "dragon", and asks about the Dracolich.

"Y-you don't know what the Dracolich is?!" She says, apoplectic at his reply.

"Come now, you shouldn't blame Ragnar here for his ignorance. I doubt his kind has much in the way of education." The gnome says, and the kobold doesn't speak up at the slight towards his race because Orner babbles on enthusiastically. "The Dracolich once owned the whole peninsula... Err, we live on a peninsula if you were not aware. I don't have a map of this whole area but one shouldn't be hard to find. Anyway sorry, where was I? Oh yes, the Dracolich had scores of monsters, people either enslaved or evil (sometimes both), and undead at his command. Lot's of kobolds too, if the rumors are true. To make a long story short, eventually that army was routed and the undead dragon was chased off of Mount Bodenheimer onto Odenchester island to the north, where it was slain."

Slightly calmer, Della adds, "I still can't believe you don't know about this stuff. Heck, Stillfield and Odenchester actually started as base camps and launching areas for the invasion that ultimately overtook the Dracolich's armies. Mount Bodenheimer and Odenchester were even renamed after one of the more popular generals of the time!"

Ragnar attempts to cut her off a bit so her anger doesn't spiral again, and asks the gnome about the Mire.

"Well, it's sort of a matter of geology you see. A large part of the mountain drains onto the fen. Some of it goes north and into the ocean, but what doesn't travels south around the edge of the mountain making a swamp. For some reason lot's of evil creatures make their home there, in particular restless spirits of the undead. The unfortunate part is that if you want to come by land to Stillfield from the east you have to pass through it, or at least close by." Orner says sighing. "That's what we did. We even made a pretty penny escorting some merchants."

What does Ragnar do?

>>3919956
As for our ignorance, stilt-legs are more likely to kill us than teach us stuff or give us books. What books we do acquire don't tend to last very long underground. In regards to education, we're obviously fluent in Yipyak, a form of draconic, and know how to read and write in common as well as do math. I'd like to also say that we know some undercommon.

>>3919956
Address Della directly," I would love to have learned these stories and history, but Life in a Kobold Warren is more concerned with practical matters. Like hunting and scavenging for food, hiding the den from predators and ensuring the safety of the hatchings. As for the cause of Kobold's ignorance,' it's very hard to gather and record stories and histories when your home and people are under constant threat from the more 'civilized' races."

>>3919956
We get taught how to talk and basically everything the nest knows, the after that you learn by experience, do a job and get better at it over time or die when you mess up.
This stuff is interesting but history isn't super important to a nest unless it'll tell you who may or may not kill you, and most of the time for me that's everyone.
Also dragon, there was a dragon in the area at one point?

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>>3920009
>>3920019
>>3920200

Ragnar turns to Della and explains life in the nest. Unlike the nice and easy life the stilt-legs have on the surface kobolds have it much more difficult. Attacked from above by the "civilized" races, and from below by all manner of odd creatures. Luckily kobolds are a hardy, cunning lot with the blood of dragons flowing their veins. They don't just survive in these conditions. Kobolds thrive. Sometimes that existence doesn't leave time for scholarly pursuits. Besides, most kobolds are quite proficient in their own narrow fields. For instance, Ragnar is probably far sneakier than the stilt-leg in armor, and he can speak and write (some of) the common stilt-leg tongue as well as his own superior (derived) Draconic language. He asks if Della can even speak another language.

"Well... No. But that doesn't excuse the stealing your kind does." Della says, pointing at Ragnar.

The kobold shrugs and says that life isn't fair. If the stilt-legs are foolish enough to leave valuables in a place it can be stolen then it's their own fault. Protect it better.

Della heatedly stands up, but the gnome yells, "A-ha. Alright. Let's keep things civil. Come now, enough about that... About that kind of thing."

The stilt-leg makes to argue but Orner glares at her and also glances at Ragnar saying, "Come now. you know what kobolds think of my kind right? Let's everyone just be pleasant."

Ragnar takes the opportunity to stuff his face and gives a half committal nod. The kobold frankly doesn't care what either the gnome or this stilt-leg think. But he's getting some useful information than he thought. He had no idea dragons used to live so close.

What does Ragnar do?

>>3921114
Ask them why they all started 'adventuring' since they mentioned they acted as caravan guards use that as a starting point ask if that was their 1st job or if they have many stories to tell. Then ask about what plans they have for after there business in the city is done.

>>3921114
Snort then sigh, we've got to keep to our cover story. They can still squish us.
Thieving may not be the best but for a nest it is necessary, kobolds can't make the same stuff as you guys but we still need them.
But without a nest I find stealing is pointless, no one to help and it just risks death and hurts those that are stolen from. Much better for everyone to just earn it.

Look at the gnome for the first time in a while.

Yes, what we are taught in that regard from hatching is well known. I personally tried not to put much stock in it, and this has been... A good way to settle some lingering feelings for your kind.