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Ragnar turns to the gnome and lies, saying that these pleasantries from him are improving his opinion of gnomes. The kobold says that he hopes this will result in a friendship among their races.

"I think I'm going to head to bed..." Della says, sighing and standing up.

"Don't mind her." Orner says as the female knight walks away, "Anyway, well met Ragnar! Are you going to be staying around the city for a while? Perhaps we can drink together once more before we enter Stillfield."

Ragnar isn't so sure about that, but if they are hanging around the bar then maybe the kobold will see them around.

"So... What will you do if you can't live here?" The green stilt-leg says, only turning his eyes to the kobold. "The people here aren't going to like you, probably ever."

The kobold says that he's already got a job with some nice sti-... Some nice elf and a halfling at the grocer. That, and they seem quite nice.

"Hmm... Just be careful, alright?" Goragul says, giving him a look he isn't used to seeing on a stilt-leg. It's a look of ptiy. A look of worry.

"Yes well, that's wonderful isn't it? The only way things are going to get better is if we all get along." The gnome says chuckling. "I mean, not that it will ever happen but one needs to try!"

What does Ragnar do?

>>4013666
Can we get a recap of the current situation and "objectives" we set for ourslves.

>>4013663
Kobold time again!

>>4013666
Ask why he thinks things will never change.

>>4013666
Glad to see you running again
Shame that quest is about sell fruits and hanging out with gnomes, instead of an honest kobold life now

>>4015225
Nah, remember once we have acquired the set of basic tools we wanted we are bailing on this town. The murder happy drunk was all that warning I needed

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>>4014841
>>4015225
>>4015316
>>4014973
>>4015064

[Ragnar wanted to gather tools for making a nest and perhaps get into the city to steal more useful things. Qrad was trying to cut through a grate over a culvert, while Ragnar was trying to use the store to gather information and perhaps earn enough trust to get inside. Currently you are sitting down with a gnome in hopes of shanking or stealing from him, though Ragnar may have considered against doing, and now just wanted to gather info from the gnome.]

>>4016283
We already had him fill us in on map locations, have we asked about the history of the City? If not then maybe we should do so. After that we might want to consider heading back to the tool store and wait till it opens, trying to not look suspicious. Then buying our tools and getting the fuck out of town.

>>4016505
Make sure to express gratitude to our orc acquaintance for his genuine concern. Also make sure to continue to inhale food, who knows when we will get an opportunity like this again.

>>4016544
Don’t forget about getting some food for Klindi, under the guise of “something for the trip back”. He’d probably appreciate a turkey leg and some bread.

>>4016651
*Qrad

Damnit, it’s been too long...

>>4016651
it's a 3-day trip, It will not keep.

>>4016726
That’s why I put in in quotations. It’s not for the trip back, it’s for Qrad to get some meat in his belly.

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>>4016505
>>4016544
>>4016651
>>4016681
>>4016726
>>4016743
>>4015064

Ragnar asks Orner if he really thinks things won't get better. The kobold isn't particularly interested in patching things up, but perhaps the gnome isn't as dumb as he thought.

"Too much bad blood, especially in this area." Orner says nodding. "Even discounting the Dracolich employing your kind, the majority see your kind as pests. Kobold exterminations are especially common in the farming areas to the southeast for instance."

On the outside Ragnar nods sagely and stuffs his face. On the inside however he silently seethes. Why would the gnome talk about something like that so casually? He must be trying to taunt him.

He makes sure to pocket one of the cloth napkins and wraps some meat in it for Qrad. They probably won't see meat for a few more days yet depending on what they do next.

The kobold asks about the history of the city.

To this Orner yawns and says, "That's quite a subject. Perhaps some other time? It's getting rather late, or perhaps early. Aren't your kind nocturnal? You must be getting tired yourself. What about you, Goragul?"

"I'm full. I'm ready for bed whenever." He says with a burp, dropping a drumstick he was chewing on. "But you don't see a friendly kobold often. This is kinda interesting."

Perhaps the kobold can squeeze in one more question.

What does Ragnar do?

>>4016869
This is a good, time to call it. Thank the gnome for the invitation and having dinner with them. then go to the tool shop and wait for it to open.

>>4016869
Did we ask them how long they’re planning to stay in town? Regardless, tell them (especially Goragul) thanks for the meal, and that if you do meet again, you’ll hope it’s not while they’re on a, *ahem*, job.

>>4016869
Don't worry, boys. We're only gaining the gnome's trust so we can STAB HIM IN THE BACK LATER ON.

Also ask them to bring you some tools, because you want to get used to stiltleg equipment (but actually, we want to use it for our own stuff)

Also, pre-plan kidnapping so we can feed our big egg once it hatches.

>>4017044
Bro, hear me out we need to GTFO very soon the drunk is only the first probably last warning we are going to get that we have outstayed our welcome

>>4016869
beh im bad at questions.
i feel bad for not participating thus far.

>>4016869
I work the nights away so I'm fine though I'm getting tired, but unless for some reason I was staying here the night I should go before one of the Uh, people in shiny armor decides I need a new piercing in my chest.
Before I go though, what's it like on a boat? Have the two of you ever been on one? They seem interesting what do they need to work?

>>4016869
Yeah, it’s more natural for us to move around at night. Ask them if there’s anything they’d like to know about kobolds in general; if Goragul thinks we’re so interesting maybe he wants to ask something too.

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>>4016945
>>4017018
>>4017044
>>4017058
>>4017090
>>4020012
>>4020641

Ragnar agrees that now is probably a good time to call it a day. Out of curiosity though, he asks if they've ever been on a boat.

Orner smiles and says, "Yes, boat rides are rather pleasant actually, at least the ones that are on rivers or the coast. I've never been out on the open sea, but I hear things can get quite dangerous. Monsters, and giant waves and the like."

"Never been on one." Goragul says, sucking his fingers clean. "Don't trust them, and I can't swim."

As they all get up to leave and Orner pays the check, Ragnar asks how long they'll be around.

"Not sure We'll probably be hanging around the entrance to the city until our number comes up, and then spend a few days in there resupplying and finding work." Orner says shrugging. "Stillfield is going to be our base of operations for a while, so if you get inside maybe we can meet up again."

The kobold thanks them for the meal and he makes his way outside, still carrying the meat for Qrad. He then very carefully makes his way over to the knife sharpener's stall, looking aroudn warily for the drunkard from before. There has been a change since he's been here last.

There is a stilt-leg in there now setting up shop. It's an elderly one, and what little hair he still has is snow white, and his face is rather wrinkled. He seems to be in relatively good shape otherwise however. He is wearing a leather apron over some loose, cheaper wool clothing.

The eldery stiltleg is setting up a rack of various knives and placing some tools, displays, and whetstones onto the counter.

What does Ragnar do?

>>4022232
Get his attention.

>>4022232
Take a quick look and see if he has a file, no point interacting with him and getting in trouble if he doesn't have what we need.

>>4022232
In a most Nonthreatening way, step out a ways back from the man but still in talking distance, and declare ourselves as a customer that wishes to do business with him. Explain that we need building tools and that we have money to pay with. If he asks how we got it, tell the truth saying that we have been working the night shift at the fruit stand.

>>4022287
This is a good idea, if possible to do without looking suspicious.

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>>4022237
>>4022287
>>4022289
>>4023127

Ragnar isn't sure how to approach, but he needs to make sure he isn't seen as a threat to the old stilt-leg.

He does his best casual walk towards the stall, making sure to come from the street. The kobold then gets the stilt-leg's attention and greets him, asking if the shopkeep sells files. Ragnar lies and says that he needs it to keep his teeth and claws looking presentable since he works at a nearby fruit stand now.

"Ah, you must be the one the guards were talking about. The one that some drunk reported." The old man says, leaning over his counter. "Was kind of hoping that it was an excuse for prowling around my stall."

Ragnar shakes his head and says that he is innocent and didn't take anything from the knife sharpener's market spot. (After all, there wasn't anything to steal!) He really just wanted to buy a file from him.

"Hmph... Well, I think I have something you could use. If you buy it and go away quickly I'll sell it for five copper." He says, reaching under his counter. He pulls out a decently sized file, but it's been pretty well used and worn, and has chips in a few places. The kobold doesn't care though, for his purposes it'll work just fine.

Ragnar examines it, and the old stilt-leg sighs annoyed and says, "You want it or not. The faster you are gone, the faster you won't be scaring away other potential customers."

What does Ragnar do?

>>4025054
It's probably both the best we can afford and the best we could get. It's not in the best condition but if it'll work then it'll be fine even if it feels like a rip off.
Pull out five copper pieces and pay the man.
Yeah I'll buy it, should work fine.

>>4025054
Sure, buy it off him. After that’s done with, ask about the price of a hammer and nails. We probably can’t afford it yet, but it’ll be good to know when we can.

>>4025100
>just noticed it’s a knife sharpening stand and not a tool stand
Damnit.

>>4025087
support, then move on to the tool stand

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>>4025087
>>4025100
>>4025106
>>4025216

Ragnar says he'll purchase it, passing over five copper. This is good for this morning, and if he can look for a proper tool store. While the shopkeeper continues the transaction the kobold asks about anyone selling tools, and how much nails might be.

The shopkeeper squints at him, and then says, "Well, you'd have to talk to a smith about that. Most people wait until they get inside for smith work, but I think there is a small stall near the entrance to the city. Now, off with you."

The old stilt-leg shoos him off, and Ragnar returns to Qrad. The other kobold was jolted awake, and his sign of annoyance was quickly replaced with a hungry grin at the food and the file.

"Nice." He says, scarfing down the fried meat. "This should speed things up. So now what? We going back or hanging around more?"

What does Ragnar do?

>>4025481
we will hit up the tool store then head home.

>>4025481
Well, I have been thinking about that. For a while I was thinking of calling it a bust and going back but now we have our way in.
I say we stay, hide the gate and get it open, get in and steal something before putting the gate back on and heading back.
How long to reckon it'll take you to get that gate open?

>>4025481
We’ve been away from the nest for quite a while. Check the tool shop, then head on home.

>>4025481
Leaving unannounced might cause problems in the future since we started building up a reputation around here.

>>4025734
we should go to the stand after we buy the tools and quit citing the drunk and guard interation as having disalussioned you to the idea of staying.

>>4025744
Or we can tell them that we live a couple of days away, and that we can’t really hold down a regular schedule since the other residents aren’t keen on having us nearby.

>>4025794
we don't want them knowing about the other kobolds, besides we already told them we had no one left and were alone.

>>4025744
Good idea, but then the problem becomes us being spotted here again after saying we're leaving.
Hmmm...

>>4027016
we can add on that we might be back in a few weeks once we feel like the guards and drunk have forgotten we exist. we can also ask about the possibility of working the night shift when every we are in town.

this cover story and action will give us an alibi for being near the town and will make people care about us less. as over time, we will become "that one weird fruit stand kobold". thoughts?

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>>4025512
>>4025574
>>4025704
>>4025734
>>4025744
>>4025794
>>4025815
>>4027016
>>4027023

Ragnar tried to decide on whether to leave now or to stick around for longer.

One one claw, Now that they have the file the grate should be taken care of within the day, and maybe the day after they could raid the city for some tools and maybe even some choice treasure. It may be worth the wait.

On the other claw they've been away from the nest for quite some time, and Ragnar is worried for the safety of Klindi and Nizra. They probably aren't starving considering the hunter's skill, but if they were attacked by a wild animal or such they may be in trouble. Perhaps he can use the excuse of the drunk's attack to stay away from the food stall for a while.

https://linkto.run/p/V2HPFD3B

What does Ragnar do?

>>4027267
Within the day? That's damn fast, considering how long it takes to get here and back one extra day to have the pick of virtually anything we want is fantastic.
We can use that day to work at the stall and get food for the trip back, then get into the city then go.
If we stayed we'd only get back a day later in a couple week trip but we'd be going back with all we could carry and not just a worn file and some scrap bowls.

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>>4027267

Ragnar decides it's best to return to the nest for now. As they are traveling rather light, they find it easy to sneak back past the border guards and back south down the coastline.

Qrad even surprises Ragnar by finding an old shovel on the fringes of one of the outposts. It's quite dirty, and if the kobold had to guess the guards left it there and forgot about it. A nice boon.

---

"Oh, hey, it looks like they made a door for the nest!" Qrad says as they approach the entrance a few days later.

Ragnar notices that this door is made of a thicker pieces of bark laid over the hole. Obviously there is no handle to this cover. The pair pull the makeshift door aside and call out to Nizra or Klindi.

"Huh, wonder where they could be." Qrad says as he walks inside the nest before Ragnar could say something about this being suspicious.

"Whoa, looks like part of the tunnel collapsed." the other kobold says from inside.

Ragnar draws his knife and enters making sure to check around corners before heading forward. Luckily, there are no bodies laying among the dirt, nor anywhere in the nest. The only thing he can see are the wood bracings he was using to secure the alcove. He'll have to remember to recover those later.

Ragnar looks ot the right form the entrance, and notices that his egg is gone from it's resting place, as well as most of the decorations he put around it. The decorative bones he set above the entrance to the nest are gone as well.

Curious.

What does Ragnar do?

>>4027844
Look for clues as to where our fellow kobolds may have gone.

I knew we shouldn't have been gone for so long.

>>4027844
Did they abandon the nest and move somewhere else? Look around for clues.

>>4027844
Start to look around the area, look for tracks in the mud scratches on trees and things like that.
Whatever happened it was bad.

>>4027844
Time to investiminigationate

>>4027844
INEVESTIGATION ROLL!!

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>>4027864
>>4027879
>>4027926
>>4028131
>>4028139
>>4028943

(Rolls might be a thing eventually, but not yet. I'm not sure how they work on /qst/ though.)

Ragnar and Qrad look for any evidence of what could have happened. Ragnar's only experience tracking is in cities. It's a shame that Klindi is the one that isn't here. She'd probably know. From what Ragnar can tell there doesn't seem to have been any struggle. No blood or broken property... Well, except for the collapsed tunnel of course. The kobold can't really tell if that was because of fight or because of shoddy construction.

"Hey, you think they are okay?" Qrad says, trying to hide his worry.

Ragnar says that it doesn't seem like they were hurt, at least not while they were in the cave. Plus it'd be odd for them to take all the decorations, egg, and offerings if they were in any sort of immediate danger.

"Well I mean, some of them were bones... Maybe an animal came by." Qrad then seems to think of something and says, "Oh! You know, Klindi and Nizra probably put that cover over the entrance! Seems like an odd thing to do if you were fighting for your life."

Ragnar nods, and both of them sit for a second to collect themselves. It seems more and more likely that they are okay, or at least alive.

"So... any idea of where they might have went?" Qrad asks. "Because I don't have the slightest idea. Should we just wait around and hope they come back?"

What does Ragnar do?

>>4029186
They took the egg and pretty much everything else so I don't think if they are okay they plan on coming back, well there are a couple places. They might have gone to the crab cave, if they figured out a way to kill the big ones it'd probably be better there.
Also I remember something about collapsing tunnels, they might have made a new tunnel then collapsed it after something had attacked them.
So we could check behind the collapse in the lower area.
Other then that now idea.

>>4029186
Check outside for any clues.

>>4029186
Think they might have gotten trapped by the cave in?

>>4029186
We need to start searching the area, in an expanding circle.

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>>4029236
>>4029345
>>4029362
>>4029529

Ragnar and Qrad walk together, spiraling out from the nest until they get a few hundred feet from the abandoned cave.

The red kobold gets a hunch, and says that they should probably check around the crab cave. They both knew about the place, and it's an easy food source. It's not like his kind need much space to live, especially if they are hiding from something.

The pair walk north to the landslide area, and make their way back down south once they get to the bottom of the cliff, rounding the finger like prominence until Ragnar notices something a bit strange. Until now they had been walking mostly on beach, but there appears to be lot's of freshly dug dirt scattered around, assumedly to wash it away in the ocean. Suddenly, Ragnar hears someone half whisper, half call his name.

He and Qrad crouch low on instinct and look around, but don't spot much.

"Over here, up higher!"

Ragnar looks up the cliffside. It's basically sheer, natural rock and dirt, but about three meters up he spots the glimmer coming from his hunter friend's eyes coming from a hole. They dash up to the bluff and leap, scurrying up the cliffside until they come to the tunnel.

"Watch your step." She says, pointing to the ground right over the lip of the passage. There are spikes that are positioned in such a way as to catch intruders who are maybe a bit too hasty to get inside.

The cave goes back about six feet, enough for all four of them but not much more.

Ragnar asks what happened.

"We had a large wildcat try to come into the old nest, plus part of it caved in slightly. We didn't feel safe there, so we came this way. I found this little outcropping while hunting crabs." Klindi says shrugging. "I felt that if we were going to try to defend against some beast we should wait until we have everyone."

"Yeah, it was great thinking! Shame this place won't make good permanent residence though, at least not without something that could dig into rock." Nizra says knocking against the dug out walls.

"I got a shovel, so things should at least go a little easier." Qrad says, holding it out to Nizra, who looks at it with a happy nod.

What does Ragnar do?

>>4029801
give each of them a hug, then take some time to catch up.

I am very happy they are alive!

>>4029801
Nod.
Then it's good we came back early. We have a way into the city now, just have to do it and start working on collecting whatever we need.
I'm happy you're both safe.
How did you want to hunt this big cat?

>>4029801
I can look for a pickaxe when I'm in town as well as everything else but I am a bit partial to the first place.

So what are we going to do? Set up a spike trap then when it falls into it I jump onto it stabbing as I please while everyone else throws rocks at it until it dies or something?

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>>4029879
>>4029885
>>4029939
>>4030378

Ragnar thanks The Devourer that they are all okay, hugging both of them. The kobold then asks what she had in mind when it came to trapping the big cat.

"I'm not sure, to be honest. I don't really have the experience to make the traps my mentors would use for large predators. They had all sorts of fancy gadgets." Klindi says sighing.

"Maybe we could just get it to walk under a ledge, and then we could push a rock onto it?" Qrad says.

"That would certainly be a quick and effective set up, but cats that size are pretty quick. Plus I'm not sure how we could get a big enough rock set up with just the four of us and no tools." Klindi says, tapping her chin.

"Well the cliff is pretty high just by itself, maybe we can make it jump off and let the fall do it in?" Nizra suggests, straightening up the area where they placed the egg.

"That's not a bad idea either! Maybe act as bait and try to get him to pounce off the cliff?" Qrad suggests.

"C'mon, using ourselves as bait is way too dangerous with just the four of us." Klindi says angrily to the other male kobold.

"There is probably a better way, but I was never good at the planning, just the actual set up." Qrad says shrugging. "Just throwing out ideas."

Ragnar suggests a pit trap, perhaps with meat as bait.

"Hmm... All those might work. To badly injure a cat that size though it'd have to be a pretty large pit trap." Nizra says.

"A hole that size is going to need something to hold it up without collapsing do to weather or erosion." Qrad says conversationally to Nizra, who responds. "Like, bury a box into the ground and line the bottom with spikes?"

"We had some of those around my old nest. They were pretty good for hunting and for defense, but something that involved might be better for the future." Klindi says, sitting against the wall.

"Well I got a shovel so we can dig a decent hole eventually." Qrad says, holding it up high.

What does Ragnar do?

>>4031221
We could try track it to its den and kill it while it sleeps, but that's dangerous.

How about instead of one big hole we did lots of little ones? Each with a spike at the bottom, if we hurt or break it's paws it won't be that hard to deal with, especially if it's feet get stuck in the holes.

>>4031250
I will support you on the second Idea, but we need to make attual weapons before we try to kill the cat.

>>4031221
Actually, just a standard pit would probably be for the best. Deep enough to keep it from escaping, but not having any special features. Once it's trapped we could drop rocks on it, bury it alive, or even just cover the hole and wait for it to die of thirst.

>>4031221
Do you think we could lead it down to the beach, if we could get it to fight the crabs it might deal with two of our problems.
When does it normally come around?

>>4031378
yeah the pit is the best Idea

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>>4031250
>>4031325
>>4031378
>>4031380
>>4031387

Ragnar says that they could dig a bunch of smaller holes with spikes with them instead.

"Hmm, that's not a bad idea either actually." Klindi says, rubbing her chin again. "If we can injure the cat it'll buy us some time, or even get rid of the beast altogether if it gets sick."

"And if it's injured, maybe we can ambush it and finish it off!" Nizra remarks.

"I suppose we could try, but you should remember that animals are the most dangerous when cornered and injured." Klindi replies. "I wouldn't really feel comfortable doing that without some better equipment, or at least more nest mates."

Ragnar asks if a standard pit without spikes would be suitable.

"For hunting they can be pretty useful yeah. spiked traps are safer to recover prey from for sure, but spearing a trapped beast later has it's own benefits. Fresher meat for instance. Another nice advantage is that the dead or injured prey might attract other beasts, or even worse, monsters." Klindi says nodding.

"So why not just use mostly regular pit traps? Sounds easier to make and safer should any of us accidentally walk over it." Qrad says laughing.

"Well, that are pretty useless as defense for one. Any stilt-leg traveling out this far is probably going to have friends to pull them out, or are equipped well enough to free themselves." Klindi says.

"Ah, I see... And if they fall into one trap, they'll probably be more careful and on the look out for more in the area." Nizra says frowning.

Ragnar asks if Klindi thinks they could lure it down to the beach. That way the crabs might deal with it.

"That was going to be our original plan if you guys didn't end up coming back soon. Perhaps a bit unsurprising, but the large cat doesn't want to get close to the big pool of water." Klindi says with a dark laugh. "Speaking of the crabs, I actually checked out their cave in order to assess our options."

Ragnar asks what she found.

"I didn't actually enter the cave, but it looked like it went deeper." Klindi say with a shrug.

What does Ragnar do?

>>4033014
A standard pit wouldn't work as a long-term defense, especially against adventurers, but I think it sounds like the best bet against a random beast. It would neutralize them as a threat and allow us to deal with them however we see fit. As for the risk of us falling into our own pits, aren't our traps usually made with our weight and size in mind? If only we could tame the big crabs.

>>4033014
Honestly it's just better if stilt legs never find us in the first place, if some of them disappear around here they'll just send more and more until we're overrun.
We should set up some traps for them but if they start coming around we should move then nest, make them think they were running into traps of an old abandoned nest then move back into it when they're gone.

Okay, let's make a bunch of traps and see what works best, some small foot traps a large pit and anything else we can think of.

>>4033014
I want us to have a large pit trap and several small foot traps

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>>4033045
>>4033138
>>4033245

Ragnar says that it's probably best not to be found at all if they can avoid it. There is a chance that if they start killing stilt-legs search parties might come looking for what happened. And that's if they actually managed to kill the the stilt-legs. Adventurers tend to be harder to kill than rats.

"Will it matter that we are pretty far from any stilt-leg settlement?" Qrad asks.

"All that means is that it'll take longer for them to find us. Eventually they'll make their way over here for one reason or another I'm sure. We need to get strong before that happens." Klindi says nodding.

"So... We going to make those traps then?" Nizra asks the group at large. "Where should we put them? All around the entrance to the nest? Maybe a bit farther away?"

What does Ragnar do?

>>4033640
We will bait the nest, with some food. after we have dug the pits.

>>4033640
Further away. We could turn the old nest into a fake nest and draw attention to it.

>>4033812
support, as that is what I meant with my plan

>>4033640
We'll put most of them farther away from our nest, and make sure if they look around the trap they won't find our nest, but we'll also put some traps next to our nest right against it. So if someone or something gets close enough to find us we have some warning.

>>4033640
We can focus on traps for the stilt legs later.
First we've got to deal with the cat, wherever you've seen it we'll put traps for it.

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>>4033778
>>4033812
>>4033850
>>4034148
>>4035161

Since it's starting to get late into the night, Ragnar and Qrad decide to get started fresh and ready at next dusk. Luckily the two displaced kobolds had been gathering crabs while they wait. It appears Nizra has even been trying to preserve it. She has appeared to turn some into jerky, or dry it. Both seem to have failed though, along with an attempt to salt it.

"Nothing has worked so far. I dunno much about crabs, but there must be something in the meat that makes it harder keep. I guess they are sorta like fish though, and that goes bad pretty quick too. You ever heard anything about preserving crabs?" Nizra asks.

The red kobold shrugs, and they decide to make a meal out of the failed experiments before huddling into pile and going to sleep.

---

The next night all four pull some of the stakes from the entrance trap and walk back up towards the top of the cliff. They decide to put the first multiple small traps down the hill and away from their nest. They have to put it somewhere the large cat will tread, but where other large creatures might not go. Nizra says the cat was quite large.

"It was a bit bigger than you. Probably a good 10-11kg, all claws, gray fur, and teeth! Sorta spotty... Well maybe more like stripes... Or sort of a mix of both? I dunno how to describe it. Sorry." She says apologizing.

Klindi and Nizra stay on watch nearby, covering each other's blind spots. They are also carving stakes, but their other task is far more important at the moment.

Ragnar and Qrad dig the holes. Since Qrad found the shovel it's only fair he gets to use it so the digging process is a bit easier for him. Ragnar decides to set the spikes up and pack the dirt down, and it goes rathers smoothly. They discuss other places they should be putting traps, the conversation mostly concerning their defensive use.

Ragnar suggests behind low on the hill behind their nest where the stilt-legs can't see the entrance, and where they themselves are are blind to approach. The front is protected defensively from the front with thorny bushes, but it never hurts to be careful. He also suggests right near the entrance. Stilt-leg screams would make nice alarm bells too.

"You are good at this. I was just trying to think of fun ways to use it. Like right near a cliff's edge, so they are even less safe than they actually think they are, heh! But it's all rock around the edges, so it'd be pretty hard to do, and probably make the cliff edge more unstable." He says with a sigh.

They manage to construct about four such traps in a few hours. It's actually pretty rough since the stakes don't have a base. They have to be buried much deeper to be kept stable.

What does Ragnar do?

>>4035647
Look around and make sure we're not about to be eaten by a big cat.
If not then it's time to go check on the females before making more traps right next to the nest on the blind side.

>>4035647
We could make a couple traps on the edge of the cliff, we could set up a pit at the bottom of the beach and have it some when someone fell in a bolder fell off the cliff into the pit in the beach with them.
Or pile up some rocks on one side to make them walk closer to the edge the just coat the rocks in something slippery and watch them fall.

>>4035722
support

>>4035824
The automated idea is way too complicated for us, the slippery idea could cause accidents, and the walkway idea would be visible at a distance as an artificial structure.

>>4036857
There is nothing automated about any of my ideas.
When someone or something falls in the pit they also hit a stick connected to a long rope, the rope goes all the way up and tugs the big rocks support away then the rock comes down splattering the thing in the pit while they were trying to get out.
It's a one time trap, we'd have to find a new rock on the top of the cliff afterwards.
And building up piles of rocks would be visible yes, it'd still force any to go around them and those that go around on the cliff side will slip on the slippery rocks.
Causing accidents is the whole point of the slippery rocks.

>>4037058
So, when somebody falls into the pit, a boulder AUTOMATICALLY falls on them? You do realize that automation doesn't require reloading, right? If they see an artificial structure where there shouldn't be one, they'll be suspicious of it and would likely look for a way to avoid it. And if it were unavoidable, they'd be even more suspicious and test every step of the way for traps. Like your slippery rocks. If the trap made them worried enough, they'd go back home and spread knowledge of our traps to others. Also, when I was referring to accidents, I was talking about us kobolds having accidents.

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>>4035722
>>4035824
>>4035873
>>4036857
>>4037058
>>4037099

The spend the rest of the night placing pit traps, luckily without any disturbances. They manage to get around a nice, small plot of them going between the two males digging and the two females constructing stakes. Eventually though they have to stop because of fatigue and also needing food.

"Whew, we've made some progress huh? Hopefully we catch this thing." Qrad, says, leaning on the shovel as the pair converse.

"So, shall we we go back down to the shore? We can cook up some crabs quick!" Nizra says.

"Sounds good. Hopefully I can get back to getting regular meat. I don't mind crab, but I'm getting a bit sick of it." Klindi says with a chuckle, she then looks out at the woods again and continues. "Good thing that wildcat didn't show up."

"Should we check the nest again? We put the bark door thing back over the hole, but maybe the wildcat got in again and is lurking over there?" Qrad says. "It was empty when we were there, but who knows."

What does Ragnar do?

>>4039117
If it is there how fast do you think you can run right now? Because if it is there then best bet is to make a dash for the traps, otherwise one of us is going to get bitten.
But sure let's go check, but be careful about it. We want to spot it before it spots us.

>>4039148
support

>>4039117
First let's make some wooden spears for ourselves.
They won't be great but they might just be the difference between keeping it back and getting eaten.
Sit down and use our dagger to start sharpening the tip of a stick to a point.

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>>4039148
>>4039196
>>4039288

The four kobolds decide to head back towards the nest to check on it. While they walk, Ragnar asks if she could fashion some makeshift spears, just so they have some sort of defense.

"Sure, I'm not sure how long they'd last though." Klindi remarks. "I suppose I could carve a point stick out of any wood, though whether it'll be durable, flexible, and light is another issue altogether."

"Well I mean, even if we have something temporary it would be nice." Qrad responds. "I guess I could smack things with this shovel, but I prefer stabby weapons more. Easier to use in caves and the like."

"I'll keep an eye out when I go hunting for something appropriate, but if you spot any decently sized branches drag'em back." the hunter says nodding. She then throws an outstretched arm in front of Ragnar to stop him, and points ahead at the entrance to the nest.

The bark door has been left off to the side. Not thrown or knocked over, but left against the wall. Something other than a wild animal has been here.

Ragnar and Klindi whisper to the two builders to hide, and then they very carefully sneak up to the entrance. Ragnar takes point, and Klindi follows a few steps behind with her crossbow raised.

Peeking into their nest, the kobold spots a very odd sight.

Down the little hill of an entrance and blocking them from entering the main room is a suit of stilt-leg armor just... Sitting there. The pair wait for a bit looking for activity, but they neither see nor hear anything inside.

What does Ragnar do?

>>4039487
Roll for Charisma ''Hello? anyone there?'

>>4039487
No one would just leave their armor alone, they must be nearby. If we can catch the stilt leg out of their armor we have a good chance of taking them down.
Ready our dagger drawing it from its sheath, then try to quietly climb over the armor to see if anyone is inside.

>>4039487
It's not a full set of armor and there's enough room for a kobold to sit in that thing. Announce our presence while keeping a safe distance and trust that Klindi will respond appropriately to any threat.

>>4039487
Look around back outside check there is anyone in the water.

If not try and grab parts of the armor to haul it out of the way.

>>4039500
>>4039567
Saying hello isn't a bad idea, though it's a bit dangerous and weird.

>>4039611
Ragnar is nothing if not unique

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>>4039500
>>4039514
>>4039567
>>4039611
>>4039618

Ragnar has no idea what to make of the odd situation. He motions to Klindi to be ready, and then slowly goes for the dagger in his sheath, stepping forward into the nest.

"Stop right there, trespassing scum!" a male voice booms out. Not in stilt-leg, but in draconic.

Ragnar looks around, confused, unable to see the unarmored stilt-leg. Worrisome yet, that voice had a very strange sound to it. It had a bit of an echo, and it didn't sound like it was booming off the walls of an earthern cave. The kobold then realizes something. Very few stilt-legs know draconic, and that suit of armor is rather big...

The kobold, a little unsure of himself, asks if someone is there.

From the set of armor a nuzzle pokes out, breaching the head hole and pulling his face all the way through with a slight pop, a male kobold says, "I did! Now who are you, trespassing with your weapons drawn? Know you face a warrior of the Stonehorn nest!"

This kobold has darker orange scales with a barbed sort of fringe of lighter orange scales on his head.

Ragnar sighs under his breath. Warrior kobolds, great. Every kobold in a nest has a use. Unlike say a thief, a hunter, or a trapmaker, the only thing these kobolds are able to contribute is their life. Not that all of them are bad, but most are weirdos.

"This is our nest idiot." Klindi says, raising the crossbow to eye level.

Standing his ground, the new kobold says, "Nonsense! This place was abandoned. Part of it has even caved in. This is the nest of new Stonehorn!"

Ragnar isn't really familiar with the nests in this or really any area. He spent most of his time thieving from settlement nearby. He asks Klindi if he's ever heard of Stonehorn. Being a hunter, he is quite sure she must have had run-ins with others.

"The name isn't really familiar with me, but all the nests I knew are all gone anyway, including my own." she says shrugging.

"Wait, displaced kobolds? Well, maybe I can let you join new Stonehorn... You know, if you can prove yourself useful." The stranger says. "My name is Dagdros. Yourselves?"

What does Ragnar do?

>>4040950
Explain that, yes that this is our nest, a mountain cat forced us to temporarily relocate and if he would like to join our nest he is more than welcome too.

>>4040950
Ragnar, this is our nest. The reason we had left is because it wasn't safe. There was a big cat that had attack while we were away.
And were you displaced from your old nest as well, and how did you even find this place?
Put our knife away, in these trying times kobold in kobold violence is worse then pointless.

>>4040950
Can you even move in that armor? And where did you get it?

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>>4040964
>>4040988
>>4041077

Ragnar introduces himself, though Klindi says nothing. The red kobold makes it quite clear that this is their nest. They only abandoned it temporarily because of a wildcat. He asks if Dagdros got displaced because of the stilt-leg hunters.

"Yeah. Are there that many around? I hadn't realized it was so common." Dagdros says.

"Okay wait, I gotta know about the armor." Klindi says, interrupting things. "Did you walk from the east in all that?"

"Well... I mean it works for the stilt-legs, and it works for me. It's actually pretty comfy in warm. It even saved me from a raccoon!" the orange kobold says, ignoring the second part of Klindi's question. "The only reason the stilt-leg who owned it before died was because he took it off when he slept."

"Wait, dpn't tell me you sleep in that thing." Klindi says, sighing.

"Like I said, it's actually pretty comfy and warm." Dagdros repeats.

Ragnar sighs as well. Like he thought. Weirdo.

"Well, anyway, whatever. Are there more of you? What's this nest even called?" The orange kobold asks.

Klindi and Ragnar look to each other. They really hadn't thought about that honestly.

"There are a few more of us yeah, I suppose we could decide that.later." Klindi remarks.

"I vote for 'New Stonehorn'." Dagdros says.

What does Ragnar do?

>>4041235
We should name the Nest New Boldtown

>>4041235
It probably doesn't matter much, we might be the only nest in the entire area for the moment. Tough scales might be better, we all survived the worst after all.

>>4041304
I like it

>>4041235
We have a couple more waiting on us we can all come together and pick something.

We've got to get rid of that wildcat though then we can move back in here, so you want to be a part of our nest? Hold on here for a second.

Pull Klindi out of the nest entryway taking her back around the corner hopefully out of earshot.
Okay what do you think about the Dagdros? Because I think we can use every kobold we could get even if he's a weirdo.

>>4041304
If the naming convention is material then body part like Stonehorns suggests then maybe something like Ironscales works better.

But I like the general idea. Do we know of more nest names?

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>>4041268
>>4041304
>>4041336
>>4041418

Ragnar and Klindi bring in the other two kobolds, and after some brief introductions the five of them try to think of a good name for the mine.

"Tough scales?" Nizra suggests shrugging. "Because we are tough and have scales!"

Hmm... Nnnew... Kobold... 'Bold..." Qrad says, tapping his chin in thought. "New Boldtown!"

"I kinda like the idea of scales. Sounds a bit dragony. Tough isn't strong enough though, I want to go with Ironscales!" Klindi says.

"I vote for New Stonehorn!" Dagdros says again.

https://linkto.run/p/5Z92VTBP

What does Ragnar do?

We should call it Crab Hill.

>>4042994
There are crabs nearby but that probably won't inspire confidence in our nest mates.

>>4042719
You alright?

>>4048780
The QM tends to lose the drive to make new posts when the thread nears the bottom of the board.