Kobolds that want to play games.
Deciding to leave the slime that knocked out Thryn in the caves, the party decided to set back out to Maerin.
On their second day on the road, two Kobolds riding dire wolves find the party and begin playing an apparent game. Staying 600 ft ahead of the party, the Kobolds appear to be attempting to lure the party into following them. Keeping their distance and engaging the party when they attempt to stop or break the distance, they keep the party’s attention. After a quick charge from the party, the pair flee, leaving obvious trails down a path.
Deciding to ignore this obvious bait, the party continue to Maerin, but quickly find out they have followers again. On a hunch, Aranar leaves the party and the Kobolds follow Aranar deeper into the forest. The plan was that Aranar to keep them busy so Anya can meditate to recharge her Ki. After 5 minutes wandering into the forest, the Kobolds figure they have a good advantage and attack Aranar.
After a sharp exchange of spearhead and pistol shot, Aranar injures both Kobolds, one eventually Fatally. At the sound of gunfire, Anya and Thryn attempt to rush towards the combat only for the retreating Kobold to come barrelling out of the underbrush, knocking out Anya and attempting to capture her. With a final, dead eye shot Aranar takes out Anya’s would-be kidnapper before they are able to escape with Anya.
With the Kobolds having fled and Anya regaining consciousness the party sets up camp. Upon searching the Kobolds and finding a note, it’s found out that Aranar is the only one that can read it. It’s a complete history since the run-in with kobolds at Kragburr of the party’s location, including references to a member of the party called “The dragon blood”. After this, Aranar relates their memory of what happened all those months ago during their paralysis, upon this revelation and linking this story with the note, the party decides to investigate what the Kobolds were leading them to.
The shattered remains of an old temple or shrine are found, with multiple Kobolds inhabiting it, seemingly only temporarily though with their tents set up. Upon noticing the party, a shaman sets up a shielding ring around the outskirts of rubble, but not before a few shots are exchanged each way. Splitting the circle into sections between them, the adventurers fan out around the ruins and box in the Kobolds, then charge with pistol, fist, and magic. In the chaos of the fight, Aranar gets stabbed by a dagger and immediately the attention of the Kobolds shift, throwing the dagger into the centre of what used to be the temple, however with a freshly painted ritual circle.
With this, the Kobold priest picks up the pace of their chanting as the stone rubble around the centre of the structure picks up into a glowing portal. The characteristics of the portal change during the chant, first a cold blue with frost peeking out to a radiant while as a second sun appeared to be peeking out. Before the destination of the portal is found, Thryn proves they are the superior arcane wielder as they take out the priest.
With the rest of the Kobolds fallen the portal begins to destabilise, going from searching for a target to a wild tangle of chaotic extra-planar magic. Before it blows up in the party’s face they run to a safe distance as they hear a massive crashing noise. Upon their return they notice the old stone flooring seems to have been washed with fresh sea water…6 days on foot from the coast.
After finding ritual instructions, a map of what appears to be other locations, and a dagger the party continues to Maerin without any run-ins with other creatures wanting their blood.