Orchid snarled as the stones struck him in the head, but his fury barely registered the attack. The enemy was scattered apart but hardly in such a fashion that he couldn't reach one; Brannor had already gone to take a swing but unfortunately missed. Fortunately for Orchid, Parum's magic made the little lizardman shine like a beacon, making him an easy target for Orchid to take down. With a wicked grin Orchid pounced on the kobold and would go to cleave the monster in half from shoulder to groin. Normally Orchid would've tried to be more careful so he could save the skin for later, but in the throes of rage, restraint was hardly something Orchid considers.

The poison seeped in through the druid's leg, and left their mind hazy. As if that was not enough on its own, the entire world seemed to be showing up in quintuple, and an odd chill that travelled through the tiger form's spine was followed by a great wave of nausea. It would all last for but a few seconds, but it was all long enough for it to be a distraction that halted any possible advance towards the fight itself. Torus had to spent all his resources on collecting himself, both mental and physical, and he could only thank the Gods that his body would soon be rid of this strange agent.

What went unseen for them thanks to this period of feeling ill would have been the death of the first adversary, the weapon of the half-orc cutting through scale, flesh and bone, the kobold left as a rapidly expanding pool of blood garnished with two halves of its twitching self. Orchid's form was splattered with the red mixture, a repugnant smell hitting the nose of everyone close by. The attack had not only cut into muscle, it was easy enough to tell.

The remaining three on the ground wouldn't leave said attack be left unanswered, for one of them left their sling behind and looped around the frontline of the adventurers, weaving to the flank of the heavily armoured man with the forward momentum still maintained in the slice of the dagger that sent sparks flying from the armour but little else. Yet its distracting presence was enough for the two of its kind to capitalise on, and the brief distraction as the packmate swished past the half-orc proved an efficient tactic, a stone flung from a sling smacking him square on the collarbone. Brannor in turn would, despite this distraction, find his armour an adequate defence against the enemy with yet another rock bouncing off to the side.

With the poison losing it's effect, Kyra turned her attention to the battle. The kobolds were getting cut down by Brannor and Orchid, but the flying ones worried Kyra. She imagined they would attack by bombarding the others with stones and other projectiles, things they can't really defend against nor would they have any particular means to fight back without discarding their current weapons and throwing weapons back at them. So Kyra would take it upon herself to deal with the winged kobolds, taking careful aiming before letting loose an arrow. She was certain she could strike one down even as it was trying to avoid getting struck; she had struck smaller targets before whilst hunting. These Kobolds would be easy prey to her. Once Kyra let loose her arrow she sought some other cover to within movement, just to keep the kobold's attention divided.

"You would have lived longer..." The huntsman snarled, his voice rising as he wheeled about with wicked speed. For something so seemingly armored, he was surprisingly agile, and wielded the large sword as an able extension of himself. The flash of steel turned directions and like a seeking shot, the whipped edge chased after the attacker with the dagger. Parting the air, the sword swung violently, and if the kobold were unfortunate this "queen of dragons" would lose another supplicant to the vengeful protectors of Greenest.

His feet atop the silted floor slid to a halt as he brought the weapon back around to be inline with his strong side; hit or not, the next attack was coming against the other verminous creature. He breathed in again, this time tasting the foul cave's air tinged with blood, "... had you given up." It never mattered to Brannor if the monsters could understand him at this point, one way or another he would see them dead for, but it was hard to restrain that wanton wrath that lied at heart. Channeling it other ways was the safest of options and if that meant words, words would suffice.


@Hekazu@Ryonara@Zverda@Lucius Cypher@Norschtalen

So far so good, but Parum could t help but feel nervous at how well things were going so far. She knew there had to be some threats or dangers lurking nearby. Not to mention, Parum has been using a lot of her spells. More than she cared to admit to using. She needed to save her magic for a real fight. Still for now she had enemies to deal with in front of her. With a sharp note she pointed her rapier at one of the kobolds slinging rocks and casted Vicious Mockery on it.

”We fought bugs more dangerous than you!”

More stones struck Orchid’s body, cutting his flesh and drawing blood, but he cared very little for these things. As his allies were cutting down enemies he charged towards the nearest kobold and attacked with reckless abandon, this time aiming to slice the kobold’s head clean off. During the throws of rage he had forgotten exactly how many enemies that were suppose to be here; he vaguely remembered five but he was certain they’ve killed at least four. Did one get away or had he simply been distracted by violence that he lost track of one of them? Regardless Orchid would go seeking out any survivors while he was still conscious.

”Next!”

Torus eyed what was going on and realized that he would not be able to help much, it would take more time to simply try to get closer than it would to simply move off to the side and take a look at where the stairs would lead. In truth, his comrades would easily be able to finish off the furthest threat without his assistance, having been dazed by the poison really seemed to have set him back in his ability to assist. Letting out huff of air, he made his decision and moved his large mass over to staircase, his large padded feet making barely any noise on the stone ground. Of course, stealth wasn't really needed at the present time, but why make unnecessary noise if you didn't have to? finally making his way down the stairs and away from the battle he could not help with, Torus soon found himself in front of a door made if iron bars, so similar to a cell that it unnerved him. Looking past those bars, he could see Draconic Beasts within, beasts that would have been shielded by the Dark had he lacked his feline eyes still. Yet, there was something strange here, as these creatures, while similar to the ones he had seen with the cult, did not have collars. This was an interesting find indeed, and made him wonder if there would be a way to use these creatures in a way that would be of assistance to him and his comrades, at least until they got free from the darkness of the cave they had found themselves in.

The situation had definitely taken a turn for the worse for the kobolds. Their pack had been thinned at an extraordinary speed, and that was more than enough a reason to tip the switch in the small creature's head over onto the flight side. Not sporting a pair of wings and all the path it could take before it full of opposing forces, the scaled monster took the only available direction for itself. It leapt down from the edge, the sound of it smacking against the cavern floor echoing from the ten feet below where the drop ended.

It had been a calculated risk. Kobolds knew they were frail creatures, and even a drop of this meagre distance could have killed it. Luck was on the cult's lackey's side however, as despite falling prone they managed to break the fall rather efficiently and landed on their back after their tail had already worked as a buffer of sorts, rather than cracking the ribs of their side or breaking their face on the rugged floor. The drakes at the bottom turned to inspect the sound, but did not attack the small monster, Not even when it dove behind them and cowered under the tail of one particular example.

Wasn't long before they culled the kobolds down to a single vermin. However instead of trying to put up a last stand, it fled deeper into the cave. Kyra guessed there were more enemies further down it was trying to alert and get the protection from, either more kobolds or something worse. She debated shooting it but loosen her grip on her arrow; the kobold was wily and made it hard for Kyra to get a clear shot before it jumped behind cover. She didn't want to risk running into an ambush so as she ran up to the drop, she passed by Brannor and patted his shoulder. "Sorry about before. Let's finish these beasts off. May the Earth Mother protect you." Brannor would notice a faint shimmering shield around him as Kyra casted a protection spell over his body. Then at the cliff side, she laid knelt low on the ground and scanned the area. Three caged beasts, no doubt more drakes like the ones they fought at Greenest, and the kobold cowering begins cover. She knew it’d be difficult to get a clear shot on the kobold so instead she gripped her amulet and gave a haunting whisper of death and damnation for the kobold to hear.

The hunter laughed under his breath as he followed the little creature to the edge of the dark pit it had leapt into, setting the great blade down by his side and drawing his bow. As his fingers went to knock an arrow, a familiar voice and touch laid itself to his ears and shoulder respectively, and the priestess was there too in a moment. At first he was hesitant, the draw on his bow matching the deepening thought he had whether she was friend or foe, something instinctual in that moment after the last, most recent experience he had with her. But as his sharp, golden eyes looked back into the pit, string drawn back by those mighty limbs he offered an reply before he exhaled, "Let us."

The shot snapped forward and the bow delivered a powerful launch, the arrow seemingly disappearing into the dark before them for the eyes that could not pierce the black. While in reality it seemed wild and haphazard to shoot into the void; in reality the outlander, far from the place he belonged, had made his mark on one of the hound-like draconids. The leftmost target was, in this moment, probably unaware it could be seen if it even had an idea at all, but Brannor had a plan. One by one he would dwindle their number, casually shooting until he rid the world of these vile dragon things, be them "man" or "animal" in kind; the kobold was to be last. That was of course unless something changed, as the warrior's allies seemed to have other things in mind.

For the moment though, surrounded by a shimmering aura, he drew another arrow from his quiver, knocked the tail end and prepared to aim again.


@Hekazu@Ryonara@Zverda@Lucius Cypher@Norschtalen

Parum gulped as her party slew the kobolds with relative ease. She supposed this shouldn't be a surprise, they were just kobolds after all, but she couldn't help but worry more about what these kobolds could have hidden. They had gotten lucky finding that one trap at the mushroom garden, but Kyra and Torus ended up falling for that poison spike trap. Even if kobolds were weak they were wily and Parum wouldn't underestimate them for a second. Which is why she moaned when she saw Kyra and Brannor chase after the kobold who leap off the cliff. They at least didn't jump down, but she worried what might happen if Orchid or Torus does since they were bestial right now. "Stop, don't follow him down there! It could be a trap!"

Catching up to the others she could vaguely make out the same beasts from Greenest, which unfortunately Brannor shot at. She hoped they wouldn't make too much noise and alert the whole cave that they're here; the last thing she wants to do is a last stand in this dank dark place. "Stop shooting those things! Just kill the kobold so it can't release them, those beasts are locked in their cages anyways!" At least Parum hoped they were. Spotting the kobold she had struck with her spell previously, she made a shrill note on her viol and she threaten it. "At least this saves us time disposing the body. You're worm bait!"

The poor kobold tried its best to ignore the shouting that was coming from up and above. But when finally magically empowered words came to it, its attempts to ignore them led to lack of attempt in resisting. The insult took root, and the already weakened body of the kobold could not take the wracking pain of a future as feed to these creatures. They had eaten bigger. They would eat it too. Desperation turned to dread, and dread shifted away into nothingness. The trembling creature fell down on the cavern floor, ceasing its movement.

What didn't cease movement were the three other inhabitants. It all began from the one that had been shot. It shot a glare towards the offender, and seemed to determine a leap to those heights was out of the picture. The beast instead reared its head, and after a lower rumble coming from its throat it shot the neck straight, head swaying from one side to another as a prolonged, wailing cry was shot out to the air at a volume noticeably greater than anything they had heard to this point. And with it having started, the other two followed suit, the sound intensifying as it bounced from the walls of the cavern. Bad news.

The others chased the last kobold that ran away. Orchid was going to join them when Parum shouted a warning to watch out for other threats. It made sense; these things were tricky beasts. It would be within a kobolds character to lure the adventurers into a trap. And sure enough shortly after the others went to pursue the kobolds, there was a beastiality roar from the pits. This made Orchid want to go fight, but Parum said the beasts were caged. They wouldn’t be much of a fight.

Scanning the room Orchid did spot another hall on the west side. No doubt the enemy will be coming soon so he needed to be ready for them! He charged towards the entrance and stuck his back against the wall, readying himself for the enemy. But he began to feel his fury wane; if he let himself relax for even a moment he would lose the momentum of his fury. He needed something to keep himself on edge. Something cunning. Something cutty.

In a moment of barbaric brilliance Orchid stabbed his machete into the ground for ease removal as he drew his dagger, a curved dragon’s claw. With precise, finesse movements he sliced a ritual scar across his chest as his clan taught him; the mark of Katalmach, those who loose themselves in battle. Orchid drew his cut deep enough to wound him but at the same time it would allow him to maintain his rage, and any enemy who would try and bypass him will find out just how much pain he can endure and inflict.

Torus let out a huff before turning around and heading back up the stairs that had lead him down to the cage below, the last Kobold was dead and the drakes were locked behind a door so nothing to worry about there. Why waste the energy attempting to fight something that was currently locked away in a cavern with no way out? Reaching the top of the stairs, he stopped and tilted his head as if trying to listen for anything past the sound of the drakes, though in truth he was simply staring at the others as if asking 'ready to go?'. Of course, he did not miss the Barbarian seemingly trying to carve himself like a turkey, but that was of no consequence to him at the moment, he was sure Orchid had his reasoning for doing so. Instead, he looked past that and moved back towards where he had been before, far more careful of the revealed trap than before, and let out a low, barely audible, rumble deep in his chest as if to tell the others they should just move on.

The powerfully-built man eased the tension from his bow and with a low, deathly glare he stared with eyes of burning gold in the direction of the halfling woman toting instrument in hand. His long, uncomfortable gaze was dispelled as he methodically strung the bow over his chest, brushing aside his silver pendant as his fingers turned the arrow over into its quiver. With one hand upon his recollected sword, he rose back to his height, uttering to the woman, "I hope you know what you're doing."

Being in the eye of the storm within, the green-cloak had enough restraint to let go of the fevered hunt, if only for now; it was clear in the grim expression of his roughly shaven face that he intended for them to kill these creatures like the rest. If not now, later. There was no redemption arc or story for them, they were monsters through and through, and wounded quarry. Leaving them to suffer and languish here rather than cutting them down was not favorable in the least and he allowed the moment to sink in. Not that Brannor would have, at any point, considered weighing the young bard with the guilt if this came back to bite them in more than one way - those metaphorical and literal - but the moon-touched champion was hardly convinced.

Once he was standing, he adjusted the leather across his chest and brushed his cheek with the back of a gauntlet. This place was more a hassle than it dared need be and how the wilder longed for the fighting they had done nights before where the advantage was theirs, even if it was not a resounding success. Waging war here in this underground wasn't ideal.

@Hekazu@Ryonara@Zverda@Lucius Cypher@Norschtalen

Parum knew that her decision wasn't something the others would like. Between Brannor's gruff attitude, Kyra's thirst for vengeance, Orchid's savage nature, and Torus's literal bestial side, not killing these creatures when they had the chance wasn't something they might easily agree on. Parum would count her blessings that they did though. Seeing Torus move from some sort of gate Parum went down there to investigate. She had no idea if this door had any lock mechanisms or if it just opened or closed, but she would try to find a way to jam it nonetheless. There was a keyhole so Parum jammed the keyhole with soap from her bag and covered it with wax; it wasn't fool proof but at least if anyone tried to get this door open they'll need to either spend precious seconds melting the wax or scraping the contents out.

Once her preparations were done there she met up with the others. She didn't know how long it'd take before more enemies would arrive but she did have a plan, a new spell she had unlocked. She turned to everyone in the group and offered an idea. "I can cast an invisibility spell on one of us to go check and see whats in the other room. But it should be one of us who are naturally stealthy, as well as good at keeping an eye out for traps. I'm... Not very good at that, honestly, so maybe either Kyra or Torus?"

Kyra notched her arrow as she was going to launch an arrow into one of the caged beasts when Parum warned them against it. Caged beasts would make for easy prey, Kyra didn't see a reason why they should leave them alive. Brannor lowered her bow so Kyra did too, but she didn't take her eyes off the beasts. There was no way these creatures could be tamed; they weren't like dogs or horses who were simply trained to be like this. They were monsters born vicious and vile. She felt a pang of rage build up before she let it die down. "This better be good, Parum. I don't like the idea of being flanked on two sides by kobolds and monsters." Kyra maintained her concentration for the shield of faith, and she knew she had a little under ten minutes before it'll be used up. Kyra recovered her arrows and looked towards the western entrance. If those kobolds heard any noise they'll be coming through that entrance anytime now so she found a defensible position and readied her arrow to attack the first thing that comes through.

The droning call of the drakes on the bottom of the pit would not cease on the merit of the attack on them stopping alone. There would only be momentary silence as they noted someone fiddling with the door and gathered close, some throwing themselves against the iron to see if they couldn't make it to the target of their ire. They couldn't. Metal was stronger than their bodies, at least for the time being. Yet it meant that the commotion in the room was to shift to a lesser level. The few clangs were most certainly less ear rending as the ongoing call had been. But the other effects of the change were harder to foretell.

The adventurers had been ready for opposition to rush at them. Yet all they would see was a single kobold's head poking out from the dark to see what was going on. The priestess didn't hesitate, and let an arrow fly at the diminutive target, the strike missing not being all that unlikely. But she took the risk and beat the odds, the arrow piercing cleanly through the jaw of the small monster, sending those that had been behind it scuttling back through the way they came, out of view but not out of earshot. The sounds of a dragged body joined them. They didn't seem all that eager to come in now. The adventurers had the room all to themselves. As long as they were willing to disregard the draconic creatures housed in the pit.


@Zverda@Ryonara@Lucius Cypher@Norschtalen@The Harbinger of Ferocity

Enemies had shown themselves now. The saviours of Greenest were not going to cut the raiders any slack and rushed after them, into the descending stairs leading West. Orchid, filled with ambition for destruction, had darted off a good ten feet before anyone else, followed immediately by the clanking steps of the group paladin and those little lighter belonging to the cleric just after. It was only when a snapping sound sprang forth from under Kyra's foot that consideration for the reason of cowardice was brought up again in the minds of the adventurers. Intentionally weakened supports in the ceiling broke and gave way to a rain of stone, rocks falling upon the short bard and, by extension, the more sizeable tiger following after her. It was left to the quick reflexes of an adventurer to not be harshly bludgeoned by the gravity powered trap, but at least it was obviously kobold make. The size of the stones would make them not quite so lethal as to call everyone caught in them dead.

The commotion of them rumbling down would be heard deep down in the tunnels, so now all would know something was going on here. All the more reason to keep up the speed, to not let the enemy regroup. The descent ended into a space divided between left and right, more stairs to the left while there was a room with flickering light to the right. And from the room in said direction they could hear the kobolds that they had chased all the way here. Orchid turned the corner, and could immediately see that this once natural cavern had been enlarged to house a larger force, of which a fair amount was present even now. Five kobolds were on the ground in the process of spreading their wings, four less winged ones preparing for a fight in this dead end of a chamber. Fifth kneeled aside sixth, obviously the one that Kyra had shot, making attempts at staunching the flow of blood with anything they could get their hands on. Currently, the tool of choice was a long and thick strap of leather it had stuck a piece of a torn tunic to.

As the berserker roared his triumphant battle cry, the rest of the group began to finally catch up to him. The barracks filled with straw mattresses and haphazardly cured leather covers was looking to be the final resting place to a good number of kobolds on this day. Here, with the stone ceiling hanging low, even wings were not an ascertained escape. But even the cowards weren't expected to go down without a fight. With the roar of a tiger joining that of the berserker, its eyes glimmering in the flickering light, the battle was at hand.

Yet another trap, it seemed avoiding such things were not in the cards for all of them, then again he was more than likely the largest target out of everyone, so he took the luck that was given him when he avoided the worst of the trap. Of course, the rocks that did hit did very little to slow his run before he pounced on the Kobold that attempted to fly from them. A large paw lashed out, claws fully extended as they tore into the flesh of the small draconian creature, preventing it from taking any form of flight now or ever. Those that wished to fly would be seen as nothing but play to the feline, maybe he would attempt to bite the next one like he had wanted to do the last. Of course, there was no point in sinking ones teeth into a dead enemy unless he had planned on eating it, which did not seem palatable to the Druid, even in his current form.