Several individuals go into caves and start hunting the Kobolds. But instead of harming them, the wooden blades are covered in red dye as they teach the Kolbolds how to better defend themselves, how to hide better, while others teach some Kobolds healing magic to treat the wounded. -- Anon Guest
It was chaos. The entire warren was in disarray. Kobolds scattered in all directions. The caverns, tunnels, and chambers alike echoed with the screams of hundreds of the burrowing dragons. Peasants with torches and swords in hand strode through the tumbling masses, swinging wildly. They needed no skill to strike down the little creatures.
One fell into a pit, and a cloud of red powder erupted from the depths. Coughing and cursing soon followed.
One of the Kobolds, cackling in glee, leaned over the edge to crow, "You're dead! You're dead!"
The cry from below was, "Watch your back, little one!"
The Kobold rolled, mostly on instinct, just in time to avoid the strike of a sword. A wooden sword wrapped in rags wet with red fluid. They got up and scrambled to pull a lever, which released a catch, that sent a hundred inflated bladders down on the 'attacking' Human. One of them, heavier than the others, exploded with red fluid on the attacker.
"What the--?"
"Rocks fall! You dead!"
This was greeted with laughter. "Well done! Nice surprise."
In another burrow, one of the Humans was teaching Kobolds some Healing work.
"The gods give us the power to heal and improve life, though they often have differing definitions of 'improve'. Focus first on the love you have for your god, then focus on the love you have for your burrowmate."
"But he's a jerk," objected the Kobold.
"Jerk enough to die for it?"
"...no..."
"So use that much sympathy. It might not heal all his hurts, but it will heal enough to get away from the invading menace." A crowd of Kobold children, watching everything, cackled at Sister Veneria's dramatics.
Stitch, the Kobold Healer, focussed his energies and placed a paw over the injury. "Kriiktasaa..." The small wound closed without a trace.
"What word was that?" laughed the Sister.
"Don't be stupid."
Of course. Kobolds had a very economical language.
A bell rang, along with the shouts of, "Draw! Draw! Mutually Assured Destruction! Kobolds win by technicality."
The 'dead' rose from where they fell, two at a time fetching ladders for those who fell into the pits. Human hands shook Kobold paws, and rounds of ale passed around by many bearing trays.
The war games were over.
Some Kobolds showed the curious the "Safety Catches" that could turn all the false traps deadly at the flick of a switch. Turning it back again involved a lot more preparation.
"Oh, so that's why you cancelled after those Adventurers went through the Upper Town. We told them you were allies. We said we'd be very upset if any of you were harmed."
"Good news," said Boss Vrik. "They didn't harm us. Bad news... less adventurers."
"Ach, they got what they deserved." After a moment's thought, Mayor Clemens added, "Did they have anything cool?"
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / Zeferli]
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