Raugar got a good stick in the leg with his blade. Now who's legs are shaking? he thought viciously. Hot blood poured gushed over him as he tried to bury it further. Somewhere behind him, a voice called him to glory as the cyclops was driven to it's knees. Then the crack of Roy's shot filled the air, the beast went limp, and suddenly he was scrambling not to be crushed under the falling giant. Then all was still.

The short battle had felt like an eternity. Raugar grabbed his bloody blade with sticky hands and pulled it free with a squelch. I must look like one of my red cousins he thought, catching a glance of his reflection in the metal of the beasts former armour. Then the reality of the situation hit him. They had triumphed over the giant! Theirs was a deed worthy of praise and song. He felt his chest swell as he beheld his slain foe.

But there was no time for celebrating. The trogs would be on their way for such a feast. He made his way around to the other side of the corpse, to make sure his ally hadn't been crushed. "You fight with courage, stranger" he said. "Introductions will have to wait, but if you seek shelter from the trogs, you are welcome to join us at the temple. I'm going to check the lair. Your orc friend has left, but there might be something worth salvaging."
He went over to the hideout, signalling he was going to take a look to Lilt and Roy before ducking into the enclosed space. he didn't have much time but had to grab everything that looked like it was useful or interesting. Time to make a mess...

The mighty beast fell, but the battle raged on still. Monsters in the distance raged, likely to feast on their corpses should they dally. The other warrior who helped slay the giant approached her, a dragonborn Paladin from the looks of it. A nod of respect was quickly given, but they both knew what needed to be done. Ano quickly joined Raugar in the hideout, moving straight to the alchemy station to loot every single potion she could see. She also made sure to keep an active eye out for anything valuable, but if worst came to worst and they ran out of time then they would just have to come back later.

Everything of clear value was swept into her bag, she had to keep an eye on Raugar while also keeping an eye out for treasure, all the while keeping an active ear out for the swarm that approached closer and closer by the second. Thus she was just going for whatever looked the most valuable at any given moment, a more thorough search would have to be done at a later date.

As the cyclopes fell, relief washed over the musketeer. So few in his homeland could claim to have fought against a giant, even less those who have won. Though this was not a time to celebrate, not just yet. The sounds of troglodytes approaching the combat area had soured the victory as the beasts were surely approaching to feast upon the cyclopes' corpse. Looking down he sees Raugar signal that he was going to search the orc woman's hideout. Roy replies with a quick nod. "Make it quick, paladin! Those beasts will be here soon!" Roy then holsters his rifle and attempts to find a quick and easy way down off the ruined building. He takes note of the bard's attempt at mimicking a vampire...as well as her poor state of being. "You are very brave for a kobold, bard, but there is no need to keep a brave face. I can see the degree of your injuries and if you need help, do not hesitate to ask me." Roy was a prideful man and he would have never acknowledged a kobold as an equal.

But Lilt was different from the common kobold. Where others would have fallen in the face of this threat and ran away with their tails in between their legs, she chose to stay and fight alongside them despite her battered and broken body. Such bravery and determination is to be respected and made an example of. Lilt had proven that she was no mere kobold and with that she had earned the respect worthy of what she was. A comrade in arms.

Now that the mighty beast-thing has fallen, the Kobold felt... a dull buzzing in the back of her head. That sort of feeling you get when he hadn't done anything to contribute, other than make things a little messier - and burn some valuable resources. Still... the beast is slain and that's all that matters. The Kobold's pride could always wait for later.

She put her weapons away, and tried to stand up straight. A Sharp hiss escaped her throat when she felt a nasty pain crawl up her side. She wavered a bit, and quickly brought a hand down onto her ribs. Though she lacked the proper lips for such an intricate expression, the way her eyes widen and her jaw's shook was enough to give off the impression of a grimace. What else didn't help was the sour taste of adrenaline fading, which meant she'd be feeling the full brunt of it soon enough.

She stalked forward a big, drawing closer to the Cyclops seeing that the other's haven't tried looting it yet. She paused for a moment and looked up when she heard footsteps approaching her. Typical Kobold paranoia kicked in, causing unused claw to go for her weapon. She paused when she recognized the human through the pain. The words that came from his mouth certain made the Kobold recoil in surprise. That was certainly something a human would never say to a kobold. And certainly something that helped rebound the tiny lizard's mood.

She perked up a bit, even lifted her tail a bit further off the ground. "Ko.... ah... kobold thanks." She hissed softly. Being so close, the human could certainly hear her ragged, rudder like, short quick breaths. Along with difficulty of keeping herself on her feet. Even when facing death's door, Lilt was very stubborn to cling to life.

A Moment later, she raised a hand to herself and recited a small poem in draconic. The meaning was enough for her to work it into a spell. A soft light appeared in her hand, then in a second later washed over her own form. Her troubled breathing faded into a deep long breath of relief. She definitely looked sore still. But at least she was far healthier than she had been previously. She paused for a moment, and regarded the human's body. Searching for signs of grevious injuries... before raising her head up in alarm.

She spun around immediately, then scampered up to the Cyclops with a wave of her hand. "Quick! Grab plate," She yapped. A small razor appeared in her hand. She gave what ever was holding the plate to the cyclops a quick slice, and ran to collect the buckler. Which was quickly hooked over her weapons' hilts.

Then finally, for some reason she cut the Cyclops loin cloth free and rolled up the bolt of cloth. What ever she needs it for... pray that she remembers to clean it first.

Being focused on the battle Thokk missed the Kobold's impression of a fanged creature, but what he did see shocked him none the less. Raugar and the stranger had managed to fell the cyclops while he did nothing. Knowing that if this kept up he would be able to free the surviving members of his tribe he decided to take more risks in the future.

When he noticed the two frontline fighters head inside the hideout despite the screams of trogs being heard in the distance the half-orc made up his mind. He carefully made his way down,planning to cover the entrance of the hideout. When he noticed the Kobold loot the Cyclops however he rethought his plan and positioned himself in such way that as long as the troglodytes didn't came from the buildings he believed he would be in their way, and hopefully give the others enough time to prepare for combat.

The adventurers moved quickly shortly after the cyclops's demise. A few ran into the compromised hideout to pillage, while others looted the cyclops's corpse. Raugar and Ano checked the hideout for anything of value, and there was much in terms of general utility. Ano knew where the orc had kept looted weapons and armor she had scoured from the dead. It wasn't anything impressive, but perhaps they could make it into something useful. She also knew, somewhat, where the orc had kept a few potions. She only knew somewhat as the orc had always carefully put them away, but soon Ano would find three vials containing a crimson liquid, almost like fresh blood. Healing potions, presumably. Raugar on the other hand didn't find anything nearly as immediately valuable aside from the multitude of ingredients and reagents presumably used to make potions. While certainly useful for those with the right knowledge, in their raw form they were little more than bottles of dried plants and preserved mystery meats. Whether he'd take them or not would be up to the paladin.

Roy would find the safest way down the building short of a long climb would be trying to reach and jump onto the cyclops' corpse. Even dead, it was at least fifteen feet tall, just high enough for the marksman to safely land on it's corpse to prevent a more dangerous thirty foot drop. As for the kobold, slicing the straps to the breastplate was easy enough, but dealing with the buckler was harder than she might've thought. It was attached to some sort of strange mechanism that seemed to either collapse into the buckler or extended out from it, but it was jammed. By the time she managed to pry it out and got to the loin cloth, the screaming of the trogs drew dangerously close. She did manage to slice off the loin cloth however, revealing the cyclops was actually female. It made the cloth no less rancid.

Thokk stood vigilant, and would be the first to tell when the trogs finally arrived. Sure enough they arrived in hordes; the moment they poured out from the side of the streets, he could easily see that there was at least a twenty trogs about two hundred feet away, and likely more to come if they stayed. They could smell the death off the cyclops and would turn their attention to their next meal, both dead and alive. If the party left now, they could possibly flee the trogs while they feasted upon the cyclops corpse, but if they didn't they would have their hands quite full.

The lair was dark and cramped. Nothing really jumped out at him as he scoured the place in the small amount of time he had. He just started filling his bag with what he could see, small dried plants and containers. Alchemy ingredients, by the looks of them, but there would be more time to examine them later.

"Right! time to leave." he called out as he emerged back into the street. He could hear the trogs now, and he could see Thokk staring at something just out of sight. "They can have the meat, lets get out of here!" he said, setting off in the direction of the temple.

When Thokk noticed the trogs approaching he wanted to warn to hurry but it seemed the palladin had noticed them as well since he warned the others about their new audience. Raugar was right that it was time to leave but the half-orc still decided to try and buy the group a bit more just time since carrying the loot might slow some one down.

"Are you troglodytes sure you wanna mess with a group that took down something you feared?" To further empathize his words he drew his sword.

The kobold had little care if the Cyclops was females... though it still raised some questions. Did they kill another cyclops wife? Well... hopefully she took care of herself by Cyclops standards because this cloth smelt foul. Sadly... it seems she burnt too much time trying to take off the strange buckler, that she did not have time to pack up the Loin cloth.

And with the Troglodytes being so close, she'd rather not chance them tracking them by this putrid smell. So she dropped it, and backed away. If the Roy hadn't picked up the Breastplate like she kindly asked, she'd snatch it up and scamper off after the Dragonborn and towards the Temple. "Quickly!" She hissed after glancing back over her shoulder. From there she spotted the Orc hanging back for some reason. She'd rather not risk another fight. And it seems he's trying to intimidate them with words. She was quite certain they were beyond the point of being feral to listen.

"Orc man, leave them! IF they chase, we block path! Come!" She hollered after him... not bothering stopping. There definitely was a hint of growing dread in her tone. After what these things did to her entourage... she a toxic mixture of fear and hatred for them. And no pit of hell is horrible enough for the damned mud salamanders.

Roy climbs his way down the building and lands atop the beast. Even dead, the cyclopes was an intimidating figure; even when lying still on the cold cobblestone street, it was at least fifteen feet tall. It's rugged musculature made swinging a club thicker than a tree's trunk a terrifyingly facile effort. Looking down on the felled beast, his pride swelled within him as the fact that he had a helped to slay such a terrifying beast. Truly a feat worthy of tales when he returns to Briston. He could hear the roars and grunts of the approaching troglodyte horde. IF he can return home.

The paladin had left the hut and alerted those present that they should start retreating to the temple. Roy did not need to be told twice to move. To fight the horde in such a state would be a fool's task and surely suicide. Lilt had taken some of the armor pieces strapped onto the corpse, specifically a small shield, before a breastplate she had cut loose earlier had clanked down to the cobblestone street. She then told the musketeer to collect the breastplate. Clambering down the corpse, he collected the piece of armor and grimaced at the foul stench it had. Clearly being worn by a cyclopes had caused the malodorous scent, but complaining about the smell was for a later time. Now they had to make a swift retreat, lest they meet their ends here and now. "Ser Thokk, their numbers are too great! We need to disengage now!" He cried out to the orcish man, waiting for him to start running before dashing himself.

"Orc man, leave them! IF they chase, we block path! Come!""Ser Thokk, their numbers are too great! We need to disengage now!" Thokk couldn't believe they thought that he was planning to fight the troglodytes. "I know that, I'm just trying to convince them not to follow us or at least slow them down a little." he whispered, just loud enough that hopefully the horde couldn't hear him.

The Half-orc had no idea if all the others were already running but he also didn't know them well enough to risk his life if his intimidation failed so he calmly sheathed his sword and walked away. He only started only running after climbing on one of the buildings.

As the swarm of frogs came closer, Thokk could not stop them alone. He did, however, cause the lead trogs to slow down. As beastiality as they were they were not eager to die, and their hestitation created a small chain reaction that caused more trogs behind them to slow down. This would give the adventurers critical time to flee the scene before the sheer mass of troglodytes overwhelm the more hesitant ones as they swarmed over the Cyclopes corpse.

The temple was the only safe location the party knew of, so they would return there quickly. They fortunately ran into no further trouble on their way there though there have been obvious signs that there were created here. What they were or where they went however wasn’t something they could figure out with a glance. The temple was empty, not even the specter from before greeted them. At some point in the run they lost the cleric woman who had fought alongside them; she simply vanished when they weren’t looking.

Once the doors were closed the temple was silent. Only the sound of the ocean’s waves outside could be heard through the thick stone walls.the party had their spoils with them and some peace to figure out what to do with it.

Lilt was beyond relieved to be back to the safety of the dilapidated Temple. Even more so, with companions that had proven that they were certainly powerful enough to kill a Cyclops. Hopefully this is a good omen. And not the peak of their powers before ruin. Still, the little draconic newt scampered her way into the Temple. She dropped the buckler previously looted from the Cyclops near the remains of last nights fire.

"Cyclopsss isss ssslain," she barked out a bit excitedly to relay the news to the barbarian, with hints of exhaustion and fatigue. She still had a rattle to her voice, but it was no where near as bad as when she initially took that deadly blow. And before further questions were asked, she pushed her way into the back of the temple to check on her fallen companion's tomb. She sniffed around, and inspected the heavy rocks and clutter that had sealed the tunnel entrance. If it did not appear to be disturbed by some animal, she'd have no need for alarm. Not like it was necessary... the Wraiths apparently protect the place and keep the troglodytes away. She'd place two gold coins on the grave, and return to the Temple's main hall.

She'd plop down with a hiss, and began to unbuckle her studded armor. Once it was lose enough to remove, she slipped it over her head and tossed it to the ground in front of herself. She was certainly a kobold who has vanity as a flaw to her character. The scales under her armor were mostly clean, protected from the elements and still holding their luster built through gods knows how many polishings. A heavy contrast compared to her arms, legs, tail, and head which had spent an entire night fighting fretfully for her own life, and not be some frog monsters dinner. They had dirt, clumps of dried mud, blood, and various scratches along the scale covering them.

She turned her gaze down to her side where she had been struck, and winced at the damage she saw to her scales. In few words, it looked like shattered glass. Some of the scales had fallen off completely, and won't be replaced for some time.

Her jaw fell open... as if she was going to say something. But she simply shook her head, and snapped it shut. She wasn't going to fret about it. She got out of that better than most kobolds. She pointed her claws towards where she had tossed her armor, and slapped her tail down. "Throw breastplate there... along with equipment and clothes to be cleaned. Kobold will clean. Make them smell... not like cyclops."

First to be plucked up of course... was the buckler. This device had puzzled her when she tried to remove it from the cyclops. It had some sort of strange contraption to it. She nervously rolled it around in her hands, trying to get an idea of the mechanisms. She doesn't want it to deploy a crossbow bolt right between her eyes when she's trying to clean it after all.

As the adrenaline left his system, he could already feel his battered body redouble its effort in alerting Roy that it was damaged by sending more pain signals to his brain, demanding that he should treat the injuries sustained soon lest his body fail on him. As he entered the temple, its cold and dull walls provided him with solace. The lack of any sound other than the waves crashing into the shore, a subliminal message notifying him that it was safe now, he could now rest. Slumping onto a pew he could hear the kobold announce that of their victory. "You should have seen it fall, it was a truly priceless sight fitting of stories sung by the greatest of bards." Roy let out a slight chuckle that quickly died out as he discovered that laughing was a painful act while he still had a two inch hole in his side.

Setting the foul smelling breastplate where Lilt had laid her equipment. He then set down his backpack on the pew and doffed his leather armor and underclothing before setting them down neatly near his pack. His bare chest had numerous scars from previous battles, the most prominent of which was a very large, but faded scar that crossed diagonally across his chest. Though that was a story for later, now he had more pressing matters to attend to. Taking out the healer's kit, Roy begins to treat the injuries he had sustained the best he can.

Raugar stood at the door awhile, peering out into the courtyard, but eventually pulled it to, disappointed. It seemed like the stranger had not taken up his offer after all.

He was covered in blood. It had seeped seemingly everywhere. The dragonborn lay down his weapons and removed his heavy gauntlets and sticky chain mail where Lilt indicated, then stood there himself. "If you could purge my hide of this filth, you'd have my gratitude." he said in draconic. His whole left side was a giant bruise where the cyclops had smashed into him, but through his elation at the fight it merely felt like an annoyance. "A tale worthy of the bards indeed." he said back to Roy. "And the day is still young. I say we take a short rest to recover and prepare ourselves, then begin trekking to the ruins."

"I don't know about you but I've had enough of this god forsaken town. It's a shame the orc got away, but I doubt there's much more for us here, and I do not wish to waste more time. Our real prize awaits us in Nurn." he said, eyes glimmering.

Lilt fiddled and faffed about with the shield for a few minutes. Eventually she found a mechanism that seemed like a lever. She tried giving it a tug, but found it jammed. She did notice though that the shield was attempting to fan out into something larger. Well... definitely meant that it was useful and not dangerous. In her hands, appeared to be a painter's knife. A blunted tool, used to scrape the mud off of the device without damaging it. Once she got the gunk she was certain wouldn't come off with her magic, she gave a snap.

Just then, the grime, the gunk, blood, and what have you from deep inside the device's poors seeped out and fell to the ground, leaving the device pretty clean.

She placed it onto it's edge, and gave it a gentle push. It rolled towards the center of the room. "Shield isss... clean. It becomesss larger... but iss broken."

The Breastplate was next to get a similar treatment. Upon bringing it closer, the kobold gagged. Bile filled her mouth, but thankfully she didn't make the mess worse. Instead she pushed worked quickly. Hitting it once to get rid of the smell, and after knocking off the harshest of grime, again to clean it up good. She felt... a magic energy. She wasn't terribly sure what. Her tired mind could hardly focus after all these events. "Breast-plate is magic... kobold don't know what. Feels... like tugging at her body."

When the human's armor came off, the Kobold looked down to it. And for probably the first time... now that she had some time to calm down... and place some faith in her larger companions... really look. It definitely did not look anything like what the common adventurers wore when they entered her master's homes in search of riches, and fame for overthrowing a 'tyranical' dragon, just to be find death. In a way, it looked more like a coat of arms.

Then came the dragonborn's words. The Kobold looked up with a tired expression, and stared at the creature. But a second later, that gaze became more lively with bashful bewilderment - complete with an excitable bawk.

"I-I beg your p-pardon, sir paladin!?" The Kobold yapped in draconic, ending the sentence with her jaw hung partly open. Her tail gave a hard thump to the ground - a sign that the lizard would be blushing if she could. "But I-..." There was a pause. And then a quick mental reminder. She wasn't home - and the dragonborn certainly wasn't her master.

She moved a claw to drape over her muzzle while she looked away in embarrassment at her own blunder. "I... uh... of course. Take a seat" she hissed after finishing up on the armors. She gestured for the dragon to take a seat next to her, while the putty knife changed into a brush with steel like hair. She used it to on herself first, scraping off the thick covering of mud, trog, and kobold blood.

Then finally... in common. Desiring to quickly change the subject before her reaction was questioned. "Kobold... iss curiouss. Two do not look like adventurersss. Not like what kobold seen at home. Why come here? Why leave home?" She left didn't define who was the two that looked out of place. Instead, she was more so expecting an answer from everyone.

With one final grunt of pain, the human musketeer finally sutured the two inch hole on his side shut. He had seen the healers and doctors do this a number of times before on both himself and other people. Now that he was doing it on himself, he found an appreciation to the medical arts and sciences. He knew that the practice needed steady hands, but proper knowledge was the key to save a life or loose one. He peered upon the now closed wound and grimaced at the slightly amateurish work. It was by no means a poor job, but the musketeer felt that he could have done a better job. He finally applied a few layers of fresh bandages to stop the bleeding and hopefully prevent the wound from getting dirty.

He heard the bard announce that the buckler had an ability to transform into a much more proper shield but was broken and the foul smelling breastplate he had carried was actually magical. Though the thought of wearing a breastplate, albeit a magical one, that came from a filthy Cyclopes caused the man to inwardly frown. He was ready to demean himself to such lows. Though the buckler caught his interest. Roy, coming from Briston as well as being a musketeer himself, was familiar with Dwarf technology.

Briston's Dwarven allies and her brightest engineers worked hand in hand in improving the already amazing technology the Dwarves created. Most were weapons of war. Weapons that Roy is well versed with; in both regards of use and maintenance. Perhaps in the near future, he would give it a better look and see if he could figure out what was wrong with the thing. But now Roy shifted his focus onto his body and stretched it slightly to check if the bandages would hinder his movement and mobility, and after a few more seconds of stretching he confirmed that they were no problem to his agility. He would then gather his under shirt and leather armor, that seemed to get the attention of a little scaly bard.

Letting out a small amused snort of air, Roy began to don his shirt and armor once again. While he finished bucking the straps of his armor, he heard the little kobold ask the party. It seemed more aimed to him and another but she seemed to be expecting an answer from everyone present. "Quite the sharp eye on you, bard." Roy said with a hint of sarcasm and an unseen smirk behind the armor's face cover. "I am not an adventurer by trade, but I am familiar with them and have worked alongside them numerous times ever since the beginning of my career. Though I seek not fortunes and personal fame that most generic adventurers so damnably lust after. I only yearn to serve my homeland...as the sub-lieutennant of the Bristonian Royal Musketers, as a loyal servant to the King and Queen, and as a humble law abiding citizen." Roy smiled to himself as he felt the pride and sincerity in his own words. Curse or not, he still took pride being who he was.

Though the pride that swelled within him was also accompanied by a cocktail of worry and concern. The curse was still a pressing matter. He, along with the other afflicted, were ticking time bombs. " As to why a soldier like me is here on this cursed land...well, rumor has it that the ruins hold innumerable mysteries and strange magics. I seek a panacea that cures all ailments, debilitations, and curses; and perhaps Norn hides it within it's ruins." Roy takes a long pause as his eyes express a deep melancholy. They silently trail downwards until his gaze us upon his gloved hands he had unintentionally clasped together, as if to begging. "I...just hope that such a thing exists here in the world." He speaks once again, but his voice is barely above a hushed whisper.

Raugar was interested to learn that the breastplate was magical. Hopefully it was just a taste of the treasures that awaited them in Nurn.

"Have faith, soldier" Raugar said to Roy resolutely. "If it is meant to be, you will find what you seek. Though it might not take the form you expect."
He retrieved his own armour as he spoke, glad to be relatively free of gore again. "My own reasons for being here are nothing unusual. Nurn is a place of power, and the edicts of my faith demand I grow stronger." In his mind's eye he could once again see the Primate trying to dissuade him from his journey, that he was not yet ready to face a place like Nurn. But that was exactly why he had to go. He knew the Lord Paragon himself had faced Nurn in his youth. Raugar had a standard to keep up to. If he died trying he would have no regrets.

"Once everyone's ready we should make a move, and make the most of the daylight."

As the party conversed, an hour would pass. It was getting late but there was still enough daytime for them to either try to leave the city or explore it. Beyond the crashing waves outside of the chapel there was no noise from trog swarms or any other beast that may be lurking within the city. The wraith still never showed up and frankly it was questionable if it ever existed. The Chapel almost seemed more dilapidated since last time they were here; the stain glass windows were cracked, there was holes in the ceiling, and many of the pews seemed to have been visibly damaged not just by time but blades. Yet at the same time, the only people who have been in here recently were these same adventurers. Beyond that not much had changed.

It was time. The party must either leave now if they wish to finish their journey before nightfall, or settle in the chapel once more and hope that tomorrow brings better fortune. Everyone was largely healed up, their stamina restored. The loot was also distributed, with various potions and gear given to whoever needed or desired it the most. Once more the path was open for the adventurers.

The kobold had just managed to finish preening herself. She held a dour look as she raised various limbs into the light for inspection. There were occasional reflective sheens long her limbs that matched large patches on her uncovered torso. A sign that her scales now are a pale representation of what they had been. But she seemed to begrudgingly force it out of her mind, like she had the scales that look as if glass had been shattered on her side.

She slid closer to the Dragonborn. The little kobold motioned for him to take a seat while she pushed herself to her feet. The wire brush from before reforming to scrape away what thick grime and globed filth her magic couldn't fix. If allowed, she'd get to work. Though what ever she did... she seemed to make a near childish grand effort of trying not to look at the Dragonborn's body... or do anything that might cause herself to admire the other's form. Even if only for a moment.

The kobold eagerly listened to the other's stories. She... certainly felt a bit like the black sheep here. But regardless when others told their tales, she decided to tell her own. Her eyes settled on the human soldier. She seemed to be contemplating something with a mix of anxiety of suspicion. "What I say is not often known by those who do not serve dragons... I trust you will not react unfavorably on it?" She was concern less about the human acting now. And more so later. She did not like the idea of a human bringing an army to go whipe out an entire Kobold tribe when they were originally seen as a nuisance and nothing more.

"Kobold tribesss of ssssubstantial power tendsss to covet their more valuable memberssss. The kobolds oft slain away from caves are the expendable members of the tribe. They are the first to die, u-usually. Often being left behind... While others live. The valuable are thossse whom are keen in mind, have arcane ability, or ssserve greater rollsss for the tribe." She coughed nervously as she explained. She seemed very interested in measuring the soldier's expression. "Kobold is one of my master's heralds. One of the Kobolds tribes hides and protects, and sssheltered by consequence. The youngessst and newest of the heralds, and consequently the weakest. F-for now. My focus was stories... my master's entertainer... and I've not first stepped out of his domain till some months ago. The others who specialize in political maneuvering have been outside more than I, and possess greater strength enough so to travel alone and safely - regardlessss of danger. The most I know of the world not from books or relaying news... came from their tales and baubles they brought back."

"In a way.. I wanted to see what was outside of the warrens. Kobold's goals were to seek stories for her master. She... more or less ended up here by..." She narrowed her eyes thoughtfully as she scanned through her common vocabulary. The more she spoke it, the more her education seemed to come back to her. As she continued, she seemed to grow increasingly solemn. " un...unforseen circumstance. She wants to go home... but... at the same time... kobold can see stories yet untold. And has seen more than most of her kind... She's not willing to go home empty handed... not after leading others to their deaths."

She began to wander if what she did was selfish... but she decided to push the thought away. Her master might be furious... but her lifespan was a drop of water compared to the ocean that belongs to a dragon. Instead, she slowly brought her hurdy gurdy to her front.

She began to crank the wheel, bringing out a long low bagpipe like droning. Then with the clack of wooden keys, a melody quickly took to the air. The chosen song was something that may belong to a sailor. It certainly had that vibe with the lyrics and crunchy notes. Her tail knocked against a nearby wooden board, making it clatter in time with percussive notes. She'd continue playing through the duration of their rest. Only stopping her singing should someone decide to speak with her.

---

When the time came near for them to go. She had made her way towards the back of the Temple. Visiting her companion's grave once more. Reminding herself of his name. Even if it was likely to be forgotten with the ages yet to come. She recalled the struggles on their first camp in this land. The attack. Him doing what most Kobolds probably wouldn't. And in turn getting killed for it just so she could keep her head. She felt guilty that she didn't stop to heal his wounds immediately. But she was more scared of what was chasing them, that she only plugged the wound.

She paused her thoughts for a moment. A new thought came into her mind. The mountains she had seen through her mad dash. They matched a story she had heard some years ago. Her mind searching through various descriptions and the sights they've seen. They all matched rather well.

She slowly turned away from the tomb and returned to the group. "Kobold think's she remembers something important... A story she had learned from her master...." There was a pause. She narrowed her eyes and thought carefully. "No... not the right word. Master..... of occupation... Teacher I think is the word."

She cleared her throat, "The wheel continuously turns, as ages come and past... as ages past become legend, and legend becomes myth. And even myth fades from memory as the age in which it was born comes..." She paused and shook her head.

"The story is too long. Er... there were dragons in this land once. But... the stories are nightmarish to kobold." She slowly waved her hand before her, forming up her illusion magic once more. Showing off the mountains with sizable winged creatures flying around razing villages. Dragons. She pointed to the direction of said mountains with her claw.

"The stories of this land are told by your kind... details dragons as no more than savage beasts in the mountains. Rage, hunger, and lust drove them into constantly ravaging the lands with no known reason to why. They bathe the land in fire, and return to burn the ashes again. There were... others... eating people... or killing for sport. Kobold believes this might be behaviors of red dragons," She lets out a disdainful sniff, letting the word red drawl out of her muzzle without a hint of reverance.

"Red dragons... are just that... ssaaaav..." She trailed off letting her eye flick to the dragon born. She decided not to finish that sentence. "They always compete with another. If a red finds out that another red has a mere coin more in their horde... they will enter a blind rage and destroy all near their nest. If a coin was removed from their horde. They will burn everything in the path of the thief... sear their loved ones after plaiting the flesh... then tear apart the thief. If there's a desirable treasure... all reds who know about it enter fierce competition. If... one learns another grows closer... out manuevers them... or even believes that it has been found. Blind rage. But... kobold doesn't know. She never heard of anything so desirable that it drives reds to such levels of...." She shook her head.

Her tail now hung low. Her expression became visibly cracked. That haunted look of fear and worry returned. She even seemed to be shivering, as if thinking of just running away now, and going home. "What terrifies Kobold... and turns this story into a nightmare, is the mention of black fire. Kobold doesn't know if this is truth... it's not natural to any true dragon. Fire is already terrifying... its death is quick but last for ages. Black fire..." she slowly shook her head. "... it does not feed naturally. It... eats you... what makes you-you. S-something an undying dragon would have. A dragon that can not... or shall not fade to oblivion... would have."