Encounter 16: The First Sign of the Answer

The True and Rightful King

Encounter 16:  The First Sign of the Answer

Level 3:  Easy (party’s level -1 = 2) 125 xp

Kobold Dragonshield, Level 2 Soldier, xp 125 (1 player)
Kobold Hurler, Level 2 Artillery, xp 125 (2 players)
Speelock, Kobold Scavenger, Level 2 Controller (Leader), xp 125 (3 players)
Kobold Pikeman, Level 2 Brute, xp 125 (4 players)
4 Kobold Cleavers, Level 2 Minions, xp 31 ea. (5 players)
Kobold Pikeman, Level 2 Brute, xp 125 (6 players)

Ankheg, Level 3 Elite Lurker, xp 300

Dragonshield black 1
13, 31, 48 d
Dirty tactics used
Hurler red 2
17, 27, d
Scavenger yellow 3
18, 28, 44 d
Pikeman white 4
8, 14, 29, 36, 52 d
Ankheg orange 2

Setup

You notice tracks in the hard dirt.  They aren’t easy to see, but after you follow them a bit, there is no doubt about it.  A party of 4, maybe 5, perhaps more, passed heading south.  The tracks are strange, unlike any you’ve ever seen before.  The closest you can come to placing them is to liken them to the tracks of small lizards on a dusty windowsill, but these are definitely not small lizards.

You also notice, on a thorny bush near their path, a bit of raw wool.

The trail is cold, but not too cold.  Whatever made these tracks definitely did so after the rain.

After several hours of tracking, you top a low rise and see a band of reptilian creatures in the distance.  Perception DC 5 reveals that they are carrying two sheep carcasses.  You are on camels, and they are on foot, so you close the distance rapidly.

At first, they don’t seem to notice you, but when you are perhaps 200 yards away, one of them turns around, sees you, and alerts the others.  They begin to run, but with you on camels, they don’t have much chance.  When that becomes apparent, they turn and prepare to fight.  They drop the sheep carcasses and draw their weapons.

Tactics and Development

The kobolds are determined, but not prepared to fight to the death.  As soon as half of the group are dead or bloodied, they turn to flee.  However, if caught, they fight determinedly.

Intimidate DC 5:  The kobolds serve a brown dragon.
Intimidate DC 10:  The dragon is female.
Intimidate DC 15:  The dragon’s name is Delith.
Intimidate DC 20:  Delith’s lair is to the south, perhaps two or three hour’s ride.

Features of the Area

Illumination:  Bright daylight.

There are stone spires scattered around the battlefield, and a ravine at one edge of the battlefield.

Treasure

Perception DC 5:  In the kobold’s belt pouches you find a total of 110 gold pieces, as well as a good bit of what looks to be nothing more than trash.  Apparently, the kobolds scavenge and are not too particular about what they scavenge.