I think we'll have to talk to Chop himself to get the rest of the story. Maybe telling him we found his clan and heard part of his story will get him talking.

If we've got nothing else to ask Lilu I suggest we continue with Hilt's plan. I think I'd rather have him lure the extra gnolls away so we can take care of the troublesome two. It'll be tough, but so would the alternative (Hilt's not that good a fighter, so he wouldn't be able to up our odds very much). Besides, this way we kill only the gnolls we have to. Limiting our gnoll kill-count like this ought to make them that much more open to cooperating with us.

'course, we may want to run by home to pick up more men first. We could split up for now and meet Hilt at the site of battle (Hilt *could* track us, but I think we'll just have to grit our teeth and trust him).

And so we can have it all in one place, a quick rundown of the situation so far:


What is our primary goal here?
To defend our home from hostile forces--in this case, the necromancer.

How do we deal with the necromancer?
Either kill him or give him the trinket he wants. I don't think killing him is possible for mere kobolds like us. Retrieving that trinket for him, however, is--though we can't do that alone. We've apparently tried that in the past. Note that simply hiding from the necromancer will ultimately fail (he already has an idea of where we are, and he will find us eventually). Trying to fend off his attacks will also fail: As a necromancer, he has an infinite army of the undead at his disposal. Our forces are finite. In a war of attrition, he'd win.

How do we retrieve the necromancer's trinket?
We've already been told that the kobolds back home can't handle it, so we're going to need allies. Where we should get those allies is open to debate, but the best candidates at present are the gnolls (and possibly that other kobold tribe, but I don't know if they'd be any good at fighting). Also note that having to use allies means someone is going to have to be told about our home. It's unavoidable. Unless we blindfold all our allies and lead them there, or something.

How do we get the gnolls to ally with us?
By cooperating with Hilt's plan and eliminating the targeted gnolls: Clanker, Chomp, and Stream. Stream's been taken care of, leaving only the other two.

>>381233
Running back for reinforcements is not an option; The fort sealed the cave entrance. It's not going to be open in time.

Go with the plan where Hilt leads those other gnolls away. Having one gnoll, plus our group, versus four gnolls is not as good as our group versus just two gnolls.

Now we just have to figure out how our group is going to take down Clanker and Chomp. Can we get a lay of the land where those two will be from Hilt? We're going to have to lay traps, determine ambush locations, and figure out the best place for our mages to be.

>>381271
Sealed? Well shit, let's just do this with Hilt's help then.

That's my decision. We find out where the other targets are and have Hilt help us take them out.

Hey, we could ask Stasrubis for his opinion, he's very experienced and might have some insight.

>>381271
You really think the 'bolds have what it takes to take down two of the gnolls' best? Remember when we had like a dozen kobold reinforcements and Stream still killed a bunch of them? And that's if the other two gnolls fall for Hilt's plan long enough for us to get it done, AND if Hilt doesn't betray us.

We'd need a damn good plan, at least.

Oh man you think that was Voxol? Poor dragon never had a chance...

1/2 Bedhugger/Klabis 2012/01/21(Sat)03:18 No. 381406 ID: d6af4f
File 132714467950.png - (225.29KB , 700x700 , 206.png )

That's true, our home is probably sealed by this point. I excuse myself for a moment, to go talk to Stasrubis to explain everything. Huh, Lumei and Stasrubis are both under the gnoll's campfire.

"What do you think? Should we ambush them?"
>"I don't like it. There are many if's, and a high possibility of death for at least a couple of us. I don't like Hilt, either. Except we're stuck out here for another day until our home entrance is available. The canyon you described is getting distressingly closer to our home. They probably will not find it, but I do not like "probably" not having a necromancer assault. I do not like the thought of fighting those gnolls, but I am willing to do so. If"

I guess that settles it. I hope I'm not making a mistake, but we're going to fight the gnolls.

2/2 Bedhugger/Klabis 2012/01/21(Sat)03:19 No. 381409 ID: d6af4f
File 132714478951.png - (266.00KB , 700x700 , 207.png )

A couple hours later.
>"Alright, this is the place! They should be here in a couple hours, from what little sunlight I can see."

This pass is somewhat wide, but not so wide that laying traps is impractical. It is not as dense in forest as when we fought stream, but there are still frequent trees trees, and the grass can hide us well. Lilu is also fighting.

What kind of tools do you have available? If you could mostly carve out the base of one of the trees facing down onto the path, then when the gnolls come along Hilt could just push it over on top of them. It strikes me that even one of them being under a tree would make the fight quite a bit easier.

>>381417
Good luck getting it to hit them.

>>381409
Traps should be to the fore with a clear path for retreat on our side. To ease things, let's have Hilt be the point man. Make sure Hilt can avoid things, but if the gnolls attempt to flank or rush past him, the'll hit the traps. 'Bolds should get hidden for ambush, and await Hilt's initial attack against the gnolls before striking.

If all goes well, they'll be crippled by the traps and surprise, hopefully reducing losses on our side.

>>381420

Not at all. We don't need the trunk to hit them - it's more than enough to get them caught under the branches, which will cover a fair-sized area. Throw a couple snares and concealed triplines in the area where we expect the tree to fall, and we can probably keep them from running out of the way, too.

Then we just come in after the fact and poke them a few times with spears.

>>381422
These are pine trees. It's not a practical plan.

>>381409
We'll have Hilt lead away the two extra gnolls, and set up traps ABSOLUTELY EVERYWHERE. Set them up so that kobolds should be able to spot them but gnolls can't.

Or hey, here's an idea- set up spikes recessed into the ground so that heavy gnolls stomp on them but light-footed kobolds don't sink their feet far enough.

Optimally you would want traps that cripple enemies so that they're easy to finish off. Fraga should aim for their heads during combat to blind them with flames. Doesn't even have to be high temperature fire; the bright flash of light at this time of night will cause temporary blindness.

Lumei, assuming she has mana, will fire gouts of water to knock them off balance. Everything in this fight is to cripple them so that they can be taken down with a well-placed stab from Stasrubis, and so that they can't bring their full strength to bear to kill anyone.

If it's possible to dig a trench or pit trap by using Lumei as a water-pressure-based digger, make it just deep enough to leave the head of a gnoll the size of Hilt exposed.

See if you can find some way to ensure footing for fighters, and place such secure footing in hidden places scattered throughout the area.

Wasn't our chosen spot in a canyon? If we could get a significant height advantage, that would be best. 'bolds aren't overly strong but depending on what the scree/talus looks like you might be able to set off a small landslide.

Also looks like you have a bit of a river going on over there- flooding the pass might be just the thing if Lumei has the juice.

Failing all that, get everyone but the best fighters up high. Draw the gnolls attention with fireballs and dropped rocks and such- then during the commotion, have Stasrubis and whoever hamstring them from behind in the tall grass.

As far as traps go, I don't think we have the man(dogbold?)power to really dig some good holes, and where would we find spikes? Although we could dig holes just wide enough for a gnoll's leg all over the place. Dogbolds can run around with impunity, gnolls twist a leg trying to follow.

Ask Lumei how well she can control water; If she could make a small sheet or sphere of it and cover a gnoll's muzzle, or shove it up their nose. Also ask where is the best place for her to stand to maximize her water magic abilities.

We don't have much time to do any fancy traps. Nothing more complex than rope trip traps and digging hobble holes to twist the gnoll's ankles.
Do we have any spears or time to fashion some crude wooden spears? I'm thinking of a tactic where one kobold leads a gnoll into a trip trap at full speed, and another kobold is lying in the grass with a spear. When the gnoll trips, the kobold in the grass raises and plants the spear, and the gnoll falls and impales itself. If you've got enough time to make a bunch of short wooden spikes, you don't even need the kobold in the grass; Just plant the spikes on the falling side.

A couple ideas to consider. I'll just toss a few out and let the kobolds figure out what to try. :)

>>381475 is, overall, a pretty good plan. So is >>381485. Combining them is good times.

If, for some reason, we don't have the ability to set up any pit traps, consider the following:

- If the river is wide and at least waist-deep, try to lure the gnolls into it. It'll slow them down and you can take potshots. Punylocks is the perfect bait - she just has to do a good job looking like she didn't intend to get caught, and try to run away. When they follow into the river, magic the shit out of them.

- Try to avoid close combat at all costs. Magical ranged attacks, throwing knives, bows and arrows, etc., are our best options. Use the close-range fighters only in protection of our ranged units or as ambush fighters. Hiding somewhere on the way to our 'bait' and then hamstringing them, as said, would be a pretty good idea. Disable their legs, and you can pelt them from a distance.

- Aim to disable first, then go in for the kill if necessary.

- Punylocks told us everything about her encounter with the gnolls, right? I'm assuming we know that the gnolls in Chomp's group have a "special" solution to "scare out" the kobolds, then. Ask Hilt what it is. We don't want ANY surprises.

- Simple traps can be effective. Trip lines, small pits to trip the gnolls up, etc. But they only work if the gnolls take a very specific path. If we can find a good path to use for this, it would be perfect.

- Can Punylocks and Fraga work up a kind-of combo steam blast? Steam can scald, and be more damaging in some ways than either fire or water on its own. If we can use a steam jet to scald their faces and take out their eyes, we can pelt them from a distance.

Also, what the heck kind of skills does Lilu have?

1/5 Bedhugger/Klabis 2012/01/22(Sun)09:29 No. 381591 ID: d6af4f
File 132725337760.png - (312.83KB , 700x700 , 208.png )

Lumei had a hatchet. Punchingbag is using that and a knife to make spikes. He's pretty fast at it. We'll use pitfall traps that won't break under our weight, but will under a gnoll's.

We do have a few bows and some arrows. A few of us recruits that know how to shoot them will hang on the high ground nearby, but close enough to help. The rain and wind won't make firing it easy.

2/6 Bedhugger/Klabis 2012/01/22(Sun)09:29 No. 381592 ID: d6af4f
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We only have rope to make tripping traps, but with the grass as tall as it is in some areas, it will still be hard for them to see.

We are making the traps quickly, but with enough planning that we have a clear escape route in case things go bad, so that there are plenty of traps for gnolls that won't affect us.

3/6 Bedhugger/Klabis 2012/01/22(Sun)09:30 No. 381593 ID: d6af4f
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Fraga and Lumei say they have no idea how to actually combine magic, and just shooting fire and water into each other would be difficult to make useful. Lumei does say she has enough energy back to make some powerful water jets, but won't be able to overflow a stream again so soon. She could dig as well, but it would take all her energy, and it would take a long time to dig a trench almost as deep as a gnoll. I don't think the ground will be as soft after a certain point. She'll make a few holes at our exit point though, that may help a lot if we need to run. Hopefully won't need to. Probably will.

>If she could make a small sheet or sphere of it and cover a gnoll's muzzle, or shove it up their nose
She claims both of those things are difficult, because they can move their muzzle out of the way, and catch a breath before her reaction speed lets her move the sphere back in place, and that normal magic is difficult to influence inside of another body, making trying to drown them difficult. For similar reasons, I guess, that Fraga can't start conjuring a fireball inside someone's brain. That would suck. Well, for the brain.

4/6 Bedhugger/Klabis 2012/01/22(Sun)09:31 No. 381594 ID: d6af4f
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Lumei did mention that special trick to lure out kobolds. I mention it to Hilt. He explains that the necromancer supposedly gave Chomp a few potions of sensing life, and had absolutely nothing to do with 'scaring kobolds out of hiding places' so much as 'finding kobolds in hiding places, then scaring them.'

Lilu has no special skills. Too bad.

5/6 Bedhugger/Klabis 2012/01/22(Sun)09:31 No. 381595 ID: d6af4f
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We're ready. Hilt is talking with them. I can't hear what they're saying. Me, Stasrubis, Fraga and Lumei are going to be first to strike, we're pretty sure they're going to come down this way, and most likely step on a spike. Fraga and Lumei will jump out to that one and throw magic at him, hoping that that will be enough to disable the first, then run from the second who will likely chase them. If all goes well, me and Fraga will try to take out the disabled one. Hopefully disabled. All the others will fire at the second, and Chee will hang by whoever looks like they are going to get hurt.

6/6 Bedhugger/Klabis 2012/01/22(Sun)09:31 No. 381596 ID: d6af4f
File 132725351672.png - (232.75KB , 700x700 , 213.png )

Okay. It looks fine. Hilt managed to take the other gnoll away, so we do have only two. The big one, I'm guessing Chomp, is talking. I can hear from from a long distance away while they get closer, even through the noise.

>"...like hell Stream was killed by a bunch of kobolds. And not just is he walking fine now, but he found the kobold fort, and wants Clanker to go off with him?" Chomp says.
>"You think Hilt's a traitor? Then why'd you send Clanker off? I knew you two had your beefs, but seriously?"
>"Bah, cool off. Didn't you hear me tell Clanker to watch his back, and off Hilt if it turns out he was full of it? I bet that son of a bitch was in my bro's clan. Us two never did get along, but it's not like 'im to send a sabateur, so hell I dunno. Between that, and the constant smell of mangy kobold pelt, Hilt may have actually found the bloody place. That's the only reason I didn't off him right there."

Potions of sense life? In a forest full of trees? Wow, that necromancer is a dick.

>>381603
They tend to be attuned to the living, rather than just "life". Plants are a whole different story.

>>381596
So maybe it IS just gnoll politics? Who knows... either way, Hilt seems to be keen on helping us (for now), so no sense in complaining. Still, best to watch him for now...

... and get into positions. This will probably end very messily.

Hey, wait a sec. Chomp. Is he...? He looks so freaking familiar, gah!

>>381604
Are you sayin' that all gnolls look the same?

>>381604
Chomp is Clamp's brother.
>>381596
Stick with the plan.

Wait, Hilt asked Clanker to go with him? ...crap. There goes our second target. Maybe he thought we couldn't handle the two top gnolls at once? Oh well.

See if we can limit ourselves to killing Chomp and sparing his bodyguard there. For reasons given earlier we want to minimize unnecessary gnoll deaths if we can. It could help us in the long run.

'course, if that turns out to be too difficult, just off 'em both.

In addition, if we spare the bodyguard we'll be able to question him and, perhaps, learn more about Hilt.

I don't think I'd bother interrogating Chomp, by the way. He's the leader, so he's unlikely to give us any information (His betraying his clanmates like that may lead to his...deposition? Murder? Whatever gnolls do with unwanted leaders).

What questions would we ask? Still, I won't object to allowing one to live for a bit longer if we have them at our mercy without intending to. Aim to kill, but stop if they're disabled.

I wonder if Shabin has told anyone that she was raised by gnolls? Maybe they told Chee. If so, and we find out that Clamp's tribe might be involved here, we would know that Clamp is cool and he can like, take control of the leftover gnolls via Hilt.

>>381610
oh, thanks. Huger derp moment there!

>>381593
Oh well. Didn't expect it to be that easy. Maybe Lumei could still drown one of them if that one ends up in the stream. Keep that in mind.

Be ready to scatter and lead them into a trip trap or hole if they down one of those potions. Hiding won't work at that point. We don't know the duration of them either; It's probably longer than this fight anyway.

1/2 Bedhugger/Klabis 2012/01/23(Mon)17:56 No. 381773 ID: d6af4f
File 132737019548.png - (257.49KB , 700x700 , 214.png )

>"Gods in hell it smells like kobolds moreso than usual. Mind your damn feet, that's all they can g-"

shyrk

>"FUCKINFUCK."

Uh...

>"What, you step in some shit?"
>"A god damned NEEDLE you idiot!"

2/2 Bedhugger/Klabis 2012/01/23(Mon)17:58 No. 381776 ID: d6af4f
File 132737030115.png - (461.07KB , 700x700 , 215.png )

Fsshhhhh!

>"They're actually fighting?! I'm goin' after 'em!"
>"MURDER THEM."

Okay, uh... I'm thinking that punchingbag was thinking he was supposed to make spikes to use against other kobolds. Or gnolls the size of kobolds. Something small.

He made an easy target. That's good. That part of the plan worked well. I liked that part of the plan.

I'm starting to rethink the part of the plan that has me go up to him and... sword him.

Cut the back of his heels. Sever that achilles tendon. Or just generally fuck up his feet and run.

Alternatively you could stab up through his ribs to get to a lung. That'd kill him eventually.

They do look a bit bigger up close, don't they?

>>381778
With Bedhugger's skill? He'd probably catch his sword on a rib and get it knocked out of his hands.

That said, I'm not seeing a lot of options here. Sword him in the back of the leg and run, lose him in the tall grass- keep that shield ready, it might be the difference between broken arms and being cut in half.

>>381776
Start hacking and stabbing at the back of his leg just above the ankle. You should hit a nice thick tendon. Break the tendon and he'll no longer be able to walk. He'll probably fall down and/or start kicking wildly so be sure to step aside.

Actually, you're in a pretty good position, Klabis. You're close to Chomp and, from the look of things, he hasn't noticed you yet. If you can pull it off without getting stepped on (that gnoll is friggin' huge), see what you can do about stabbing or slicing Chomp in the...*ahem*...dangly bits. Given that you're wielding a sword even a glancing blow should cause enough pain to give you an advantage.

That's what he gets for wearing a kilt into battle against knee-high enemies.

Oh, and what are the chances that throwing Stasrubis at Chomp's head will become a legitimate option at some point? 'cause I imagine getting Stas even remotely close to a major artery will prove deadly.

Oh, and I should have mentioned hitting him in his nether-regions would take less strength than trying to slice through his (presumably thick) fur and skin--another reason for you to consider it.

Uh... Quick size check: Are you really knee-high to Chomp, Klabis?
Keep in mind that Chomp is missing his right eye. He'll have a big blind spot on that side.

As for cutting Chomp's achilles tendon: You'd have to slice through his fur, hide, and then at least partially through what is likely one of the toughest tendons in a gnoll's body. You could try two-handing the sword and running full-tilt at it from the side, to drive it in point-first, but you probably don't have the muscles or mass to pull that off.

Another option, if you think you're maneuverable enough, is to get under Chomp's kilt and swing your sword right into his groin with all your might. It won't take as much arm strength as the tendon, but once you hit, Chomp's going to be right pissed and will know exactly where you are. But if you succeed, that kind of injury will cause significant blood loss if not stopped. Even more if he keeps fighting.

Well, apparently breaking a toe is a disabling injury. You could go for that if the tendon is just too tough to sever.

1/4 Bedhugger/Klabis 2012/01/24(Tue)08:17 No. 381851 ID: d6af4f
File 132742187135.png - (180.79KB , 700x700 , 216.png )

>Size check
Yes, I am pretty much eye level to his knee.

>Go for the groin

I don't think I could make a swing that would break his tendon, and driving it point first... well, look at my sword. It's like a claw to him. I think I'll go for the groin, since there are no tough tendons and things in the way. He's going to be pissed. So very pissed.

That's a sight I'm not going to forget no matter how hard I try. He's slowly getting himself off the spike, giving me the time needed.

shnk

2/4 Bedhugger/Klabis 2012/01/24(Tue)08:18 No. 381852 ID: d6af4f
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There's a little awkward silence. Well, other than the steady noise of the rain around us. I think the shock of what just happened was more stunning than the pain itself, for him.

And me, well, I can feel his pain. It just isn't right to kick under the belt, let alone stab it, but life or death and all that, so whatever. My imaginary pain is quickly turning into that feeling you get when you realize "I am about to die". It's worse.

3/4 Bedhugger/Klabis 2012/01/24(Tue)08:19 No. 381855 ID: d6af4f
File 132742197739.png - (289.34KB , 900x500 , 218.png )

Running. Running. Fast running. His right foot is limping, so even though the spike was small, it got to him!

Where's Stasrubis?! Wait, I saw a shuffle of grass to my right, that might be him!

>"Get back here you fuckin worm, I'm gonna split you in two and see if you fuckin' writhe around like one!"

4/4 Bedhugger/Klabis 2012/01/24(Tue)08:19 No. 381856 ID: d6af4f
File 132742198536.png - (194.48KB , 700x700 , 219.png )

Shnk!

Somebody for the love of god end his suffering
You've made him a eunuch and pieced two of his feet right down the middle.
In a world of healing magic or no, who wants to have that amount of pain for that long, even if the healing magic could restore his reproductive capabilities in the long term.

Bedhugger/Klabis 2012/01/24(Tue)13:04 No. 381884 ID: d6af4f
File 132743909939.png - (147.25KB , 700x1000 , 220.png )

Okay, I didn't neuter him. I mean, I don't know how much damage I did, but I'm pretty sure he's still a guy. Just a guy in more pain than I would like to be.

>End his suffering
I'd love to if he would let me but he is most definitely not going to let me I mean he is screaming incoherently but I am pretty sure that he is listing off the ways I am going to die. He's limping but he is still after me, I thinkI am going to dart under this tree. Fast like and -

"AHH!"
>"Hey, buddy."

>>381884
Give him your sword and tell him to ambush the guy. Then run back out into view and lure him past the tree.

Err, wait, maybe he already has a weapon. I can't tell.

aww shit get away he's going to betray you now
look at his awful glowing eyes!

>>381894
ALL GNOLLS HAVE THOSE!

>>381884
Tell him to kill Chomp the moment he comes this way. Offer your sword if he's unarmed.

>>381896
and you see how often gnolls betray?
It's not coincidence you know!

...where did that blood on his shirt come from?

>I'm sure he'll have a cute friendly smile on his face as he disembowels you.

remember how I said this? well yeah . . .

ask what the hell he's smiling about

>>381884
He's probably not going to kill you. He's already surprised you; if he wanted you dead, you'd already BE dead.

Does Hilt know where all the traps are? If so, he could be a good combat buddy. If not, he stands a good chance of hurting himself if he goes out there.

If he DOES know - ask him if he thinks he could either sneak up on Chomp or trick him into thinking they're on the same side. Or, alternatively, try to lead him *directly over* some of the worst traps. And find out if he has a weapon. We should send him out to assist ASAP if that's an option.

If he DOESN'T know about the traps, either try to plan to lure Chomp over here so Hilt can surprise attack him, or tell Hilt a route that will let him support the other 'bolds without getting himself hurt. Or send him off to provide a distraction that will keep him in a safe location but lure Chomp into a pit trap.

>>381902
He probably got in a fight with the one he was leading away.

Can we just... fucking... let the gnoll who is not trying to kill us help us instead of being incredibly paranoid?

1/5 Bedhugger/Klabis 2012/01/24(Tue)16:25 No. 381918 ID: d6af4f
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>"I lost my weapon in the river. Hand me your sword quick, would you?"
"O-okay."
>"Thanks."

2/5 Bedhugger/Klabis 2012/01/24(Tue)16:25 No. 381919 ID: d6af4f
File 132745115646.png - (212.74KB , 700x700 , 222.png )

"What's that blood on your shirt. Why are you smiling?"
>"Don't worry about it. I'll take care of you now, so don't worry about a thing."
"Do you know where the traps are? I mean, could you trick Chomp-"
>"Shush. He's coming."

3/5 Bedhugger/Klabis 2012/01/24(Tue)16:27 No. 381920 ID: d6af4f
File 132745124248.png - (172.81KB , 700x700 , 223.png )

>Lure Chomp

SHNK

H-he said he'd take care of me in the worst way he could. The worst. Chomp was already chasing me down anyway, I didn't need to work on luring him at all.

>"GK- un...fucking... y-you bastard, you really are a fucking tra-traitor. You got Clanker?"
>"Ye-"

4/5 Bedhugger/Klabis 2012/01/24(Tue)16:28 No. 381921 ID: d6af4f
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SHYUNK

>"Kah!! N...no way... g-geez, you're tough, but you're de..ad. No one's gonna heal you, you know?""
>"So are you, you little shit. Think there's any healers out in the stick that could sew up a half severed shit torso?"
>"Heh, maybe..."
>"So what, did my bro sic you on me?"
>"No, no, I volunteered."
>"Why the hell did he want me dead? I didn't think he's take our harsh words so bloody seriously."
>"He didn't... I just wanted to help him keep a promise he said he had. 'sides..."

5/5 Bedhugger/Klabis 2012/01/24(Tue)16:28 No. 381922 ID: d6af4f
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>"I always did root for the little guys."

>>381922
Call for Chee! Mortal wound needs attention here immediately!

He's not going to make it guys
Looks like Chomp got him through the heart, that's a near instant death.
Chee would need to be a fucking ninja to make it fast enough.

Get Chee and Fraga both.
Does anybody have a healing potion?

>>381924
A ninja wizard doctor?

>>381924
You forget - she's a NINJA doctor wizard.
Yea, get Chee over here post-haste.

Bedhugger/Klabis 2012/01/24(Tue)17:04 No. 381930 ID: d6af4f
File 132745348231.png - (232.54KB , 700x700 , 226.png )

"CHEE!! FRAGA!!"

Man. I was pretty useless. I'm surprised. A little. I mean, part of me expected Hilt to stab me right there. It's not like I didn't have reason to be wary. After all.

>"I'm here, I'm here! Oh, oh geez..."

It looks like she wasn't that far off, after all. Fraga must be a long ways away by now, though.

"Do you think he'll make it?"

>"... uh, maybe, but he's going to need rest and some natural healing for something like this! I mean, even if I do stabilize him, I can only heal a wound like this so thoroughly!"

What about that gnoll with the hat? Is he still alive?

I don't think even all the kobolds gathered together could manage to carry Hilt. We may have to just lay him out here and hope he doesn't get trench foot. Although I guess a little procession of kobolds carrying a giant gnoll on their shoulders would be neat to see.

Also, where's Chomp's buddy?

Hey, if Hilt managed to kill the gnoll he led off, doesn't that mean all three of the intended targets are dead? If we tell the remaining underling gnoll, maybe he'll stop fighting and go back to his troop.

Or do we need him dead just so the other gnolls don't find out about Hilt? Ask Hilt if the last gnoll needs to die. If so, everyone who can should assist in taking him out.

>>381922
Hilt is now promoted to bestest gnoll-friend.

Whoo! You used my Stasrubis idea (kinda)! :3

>>381921
Huh. I'd forgotten about Clamp's promise to protect Shabin. Does this mean Hilt volunteered to infiltrate the hostile gnolls on Clamp's behalf in a complicated effort to eliminate them before they could hurt Shabin and her buddies? So...Hilt is a gnoll spy/agent? That explains all the deception and subterfuge--he had to be well-versed in that kind of stuff to complete his mission.

Ask him if he likes his martini shaken or stirred.


Clamp is one hell of a dedicated Dad, isn't he? He...hold on! Clamp must've deliberately brought Shabin to our home, which means he already knows about it's location. We can use him and his trusted friends to help us retrieve the necromancer's trinket without worrying. They already know where we are, so we won't be losing anything by asking for their help!

I wonder how Shabin will react to everything that's transpired. Maybe she'll even get to meet Clamp again.

>>381947
>Clamp must've deliberately brought Shabin to our home, which means he already knows about it's location.
And since he had a brother who knew these guys...
Then it must only be a matter of time before the Necromancer gets in contact with HIM.

>>381943
Hilt's not going to be answering questions for quite some time. Even if he is awake, he shouldn't talk with that injury.

OK, first thing is to take down that gnoll that was with Chomp. I think his name is Crash.
Second thing is to find Fraga and get him over to help Chee.

Take Crash down ASAP; Aim to kill. What Hilt did here can not get back to his clan.

1/2 Bedhugger/Klabis 2012/01/24(Tue)19:46 No. 381963 ID: d6af4f
File 132746320786.png - (284.81KB , 700x700 , 227.png )

That's right, I have to deal with the other gnoll, whoever he was. Crash or Clash or Clasher or something I don't even know.

I heard some fighting this way, this must... oh... oh. Oh.

2/2 Bedhugger/Klabis 2012/01/24(Tue)19:48 No. 381965 ID: d6af4f
File 132746333295.png - (232.79KB , 700x700 , 228.png )

Lightning cracks off in the distance, so I can't see, but that's... that is. What is he doing here? Why is he here?


>"CHOP sees that BEDHUGGER will not yet be HUGGING BEDS IN THE AFTERLIFE.
"Uh, not that I'm complaining sir, but, why.. are you here? How did you know?"
>"CHOP smells BABY FEAR from MILES AWAY."
"That doesn't even make sense. How did you know we needed help?"
>"CHOP does not enjoy having FLABBY VOCAL CHORDS insulting CHOP'S GREAT INTELLECT. These PUPPY KITTENS I have surrounded myself with would scream for help FROM FROM FLAPPING BUTTERFLY WINGS SLAPPING AGAINST THEIR SENSITIVE SKULLS. The thought of them needing help from ALMOST-WARRIOR GNOLLS cause Chop GREAT PAIN FROM THE THE TOXIC LEVELS OF OBVIOUS."

>>381965

What he means to say is you didn't come back soon and he was worried.

...this is why Chop is in charge of the Dojo.

If there are any gnolls left, stand aside and let Chop clean 'em up. Otherwise, lead Chop to Hilt and Chee while catching him up on everything that's happened.

Oh! And let him meet Lilu, too! Then see if we can coax the rest of his story from him.

>>381947
Hilt being a spy actually makes a LOT of sense and explains all his weird actions.

obviously we will have to check with Clamp later

1/2 Bedhugger/Klabis 2012/01/24(Tue)20:24 No. 381974 ID: d6af4f
File 132746548099.png - (157.03KB , 700x700 , 229.png )

>Lead Chop to Hilt and the others while catching up

I ask Kissy Face 2 what went on.

>"Uh, well, we were mostly running, and we got a few arrows in him but he really didn't slow down. We avoided getting mortal wounds and all that, but so did he. Then... well, I'm not sure if I saw it right, but suddenly I saw Chop just fall out of a tree and start wailing on the gnoll. He got thrown off, then they fought for a bit. They didn't really land any solid hits till Chop feinted, and ended up lodging his fist in the eyepiece of his skull ornament. It got bone shards in his eye, and it just sort of went downhill for the gnoll after that."

2/2 Bedhugger/Klabis 2012/01/24(Tue)20:27 No. 381977 ID: d6af4f
File 132746564436.png - (186.29KB , 700x700 , 230.png )

>"CHOP's feelings are a mix of RAGE, CONFUSION and GREAT CURIOSITY as to why our TINY HEALER thinks that GNOLL IS A KOBOLD."
>"Th-this is hilt! He's a good gnoll!" Chee says.
>"Is it a DEAD GNOLL?"
>"Er, no, he's not dead!"
>"THEN CHOP HAS EXTREME DOUBTS."

>"You're... Chop?" Lilu asks.
>"To what ends does this RUNT that RIVALS THE TEENIEST HEALER know of CHOP?"
>"I'm.. part of Glukulubus."
>"Chop NO LONGER is part of any civilization by such name."
>"But.. you're a legend back there!"
>"The CHOP OF THE PAST is a DEAD legend. The CHOP OF THE PRESENT wishes it to REMAIN THAT WAY."

>>381976
Wow theres alot of u's in that name

But do you respect the memory of that dead CHOP? Then please, give mercy to this Gnoll, without this gnoll there would be much more losses today. Lilu would be dead, probably, and much of the DEAD CHOP's clan as well, or at least enslaved.

RESPECT DEAD CHOP, LIVING CHOP!

>>381976

Oops. Sorry Chop we didn't know you were incognito.

Explain to Chop that Hilt basically saved your life and nearly died for it.

Bedhugger/Klabis 2012/01/24(Tue)20:49 No. 381983 ID: d6af4f
File 132746697150.png - (225.24KB , 700x700 , 231.png )

"Sir! This gnoll, uh.. without him, there would've been a lot of losses. He saved me and nearly died for it, and without him, I think a lot of Glukulubus would have died as well. At least you have a respect for, uh, dead Chop, right?"
>"Chop said EXTREME DOUBTS, not EXTREME DENIAL. Chop has seen and heard of GNOLLS OF RESPECT. The Rock Eater of our home is UNDENIABLE TESTIMONY TO THIS. If this gnoll has done what has been said, then this gnoll shall live, if the healer WOULD CARE TO STOP STARING AT ME AND GET BACK TO WORK."
"H-he's stabilized, I can afford losing some attention!" Chee claims.

"And, uh, sorry, I didn't know you were trying to stay hidden."
>"CHOP shall look beyond this GRAVE ERROR if Bedhugger has realized his weakness. Would BEDHUGGER HUG any more BEDS if not for this gnoll?! It has already claimed to the contrary! And all others! Do they expect CHOP to FALL FROM ALL TREES to save their PAPER THIN HIDES forever? CHOP assumed they joined the DOJO to PREVENT DISPLAYS OF OVERWHELMING WEAKNESS, but instead RAN OFF TO FIGHT WHAT THEY COULD NOT."
"... I'll sit at the pumps all day, if you ask me to."
>"CHOP WILL EXPECT THIS, and FUTURE CHOP SHALL NOT LOOK FAVORABLY ON FUTURE FOLLIES SUCH AS TODAY. Since BEDHUGGER is HUGBUDDIES WITH GRASSHUGGER GNOLL, what does BEDHUGGER propose we do about this RECOVERING BAG OF DEAD WEIGHT? Not SIT IN THE RAIN FOR DAYS, Chop hopes.

I suggest we have Chee suggest what to do with him, she's all huggilishious too with this gnoll ever since she went daaaaaaw at him napping with the tinest 'bold. Also, she's a professional healer and knows more about medical shit then you. Leaving this kind of shit to the educated while you work, train, and fight hard is probably the FIRST CHOP LESSON of the day. Or SECOND CHOP LESSON or even maybe THIRD! Because I can't count how many subtle lessons we've subconsciously learned today.

Bring Hilt home and get him into a bed so he can rest properly. It'll be safe. Let Lily come, too. She'll want to stay with him (maybe she should be inducted into our clan?). Once Hilt recovers we can organize a combined gnoll/kobold expedition to retrieve the necromancer's trinket from the deep caverns.

Oh, and we should try to contact Clamp before the necromancer does.

*Lilu not Lily (stupid autocorrect).

>>381967
We can't bring Hilt back to the fort. We just can't. How about we get him over to a different nearby kobold settlement, where he can rest? Lilu's probably.

Remember, in order to get help from the gnolls we're gonna have to let them know where we are. See:
>>381233

I think Hilt's earned the right to know. Of course, if you're still nervous, we could blindfold him before taking him home.

>>382011
We'd want to clog up his ears and nose too. And carry him so he can't count steps.

Bedhugger has CHOP stolen your eyebrows?
Not only is he strong but he has incredibly deft hands! He can steal hair!

Did Punylocks get her ears amputated?

1/3 Bedhugger/Klabis 2012/01/25(Wed)05:50 No. 382069 ID: d6af4f
File 132749940580.png - (232.30KB , 700x700 , 232.png )

"Chop, is it possible to bring him back home, if we blindfold him, and maybe carry him so he can't count steps and that sort of thing? What do you think, Chee? Should he come home, or rest in another kobold settlement?"
>"Chop, Chop!" Chee says. "He said he was in Clamp's clan, too! Shabin told me that's the one that brought him over, so we can trust Hilt here! Also, um, he'll need good care, and I don't know any settlements that know anything about healing, even mundane."
>"... CHOP GRANTS THIS REQUEST. We shall use our REMAINING ROPE to create a GIANT GNOLL STRETCHER to HAUL GRASS HUGGER OFF FOR RECOVERY."

It's a long way back home, and Hilt is unconscious for most of it, and delirious for the rest of it. We're pretty much dragging him. But that's better than dead. Much better.

2/3 Bedhugger/Klabis 2012/01/25(Wed)05:51 No. 382071 ID: d6af4f
File 132749947503.png - (90.87KB , 700x700 , 233.png )

The door is unsealed when a watcher sees us. After reporting back to the Chieftain and other higher ups, we decide that we'll send a group of kobolds to double check everything with Clamp. It's a long trail, they said, and very dangerous, but we'll get a resupply of weapons and things as well, with it. So we're going to send a caravan to Clamp's clan, in the hopes that we can trade what valuables and gold we can, to get anything of use we can, as well as talk about Hilt and everything. That's out of my hands, though.

Lilu had to think about it, but decided to go back to her home. She told Chop she would keep him a secret, and asked that we ask Hilt to visit her when he was able.

Chop's Dojo : End Bedhugger/Klabis 2012/01/25(Wed)05:51 No. 382072 ID: d6af4f
File 132749950163.png - (109.85KB , 700x700 , 234.png )

As for us.... we didn't want to think too much about what would have happened if either Chop didn't come, or Hilt betrayed us. Let alone if both of those things happened. Needless to say, we're going to stick around the Dojo for awhile.

Good End!

And don't think I didn't notice Stasrubis and Lumei getting together!

>>381406

...And then over the next few <large unit of time here>, the six of them became the most awesome Muscle Wizards ever.

Yay!

part2part2part2

>>382072
The pyramid! Aw, you guys will do all right.