Jeb's Home.

The Trap Master patrolled the burrows as was his routine. While there haven't been any incursions underground since their war, brief as it was, with the goblins. It didn't hurt to stay vigilant.

He walked by a small smelter where a couple of the tribe would smelt bits of iron ore they found while excavating. The ore, while poor quality, would be used to craft new tools and fix others.

The kobolds most fascinated by guns were busy working on experimenting with gunpowder. Jeb isn't able to get a decent source of blackpowder and to his and the kobold's knowledge there weren't any places nearby they could dig out and make their own.

While the ammo Jeb had secured for the Trap Master and the skirmishers would last them plenty for a time, once it was gone they would be back to where they started. Using javelins and blowpipes.

Which wasn't as big an issue as some might think. They had plenty of javelins and blow darts soaked in poison to make any would-be invaders wish death came from a .22 round.

Speaking of poison, the Trap Master thought as he looked in on their poisonous garden located at the back of the burrows, out of sight and tucked away to prevent any from accidentally stumbling into the toxic room that held moist beds of deadly plants and deathly mushrooms.

They had excavated a small hole that lead to where the stream outside came from. From there a small trickle of water flowed down and soaked the earth which fed the toxic plants. Several kobolds checked each with special care and caution wearing thick gloves that covered their claws from the toxic touch of some of the plants and had cloth bags tied around their snouts to keep any spores from entering their lungs while thick strips of leather kept their eyes covered and protected though it greatly limited their vision.

Moist rotting logs and other decaying undergrowth fed the poisonous fungi and added to the humidity of the room. Snips of the plants would be carefully taken and brought over to a stone mortar and pestle where they would then be ground and the liquid poison would be drained and be used to dip darts and javelin tips in while the paste would be carefully rubbed onto the outside of the kobold's armor so that in the event a beast were to bite at the armor then they would get a mouthful of poison and hopefully the taste of the toxin would be enough to deter them away.

The mushrooms were used much the same, ground and used for a toxic solution for darts. The leftovers were thrown back into the beds where the remains would continue feeding newly formed buds.

The Trap Master moved on to where the tribe's experimentation in "ranchin'" as Jeb put it were held. The results were to be expected, The Trap Master thought as he saw a kobold trying the pry the furry tail of a squirrel out of the maw of a salamander.

He sighed as the kobold was overpowered and the furred rodent was gulped down in haste before the salamander trotted off without a worry in the world. The Trap Master looked at the remains of some of their cages they used. Rats, small birds, squirrels. They had trapped many to bring back where they would be killed and processed. Skinned, deboned, gutted, and then promptly roasted over a fire. If a quick-jawed salamander didn't get to them first.

He was glad that Jeb was able to provide them with food of his own, even if the coloring was strange and the taste more so.

Since the human Casius showed up and Jeb had been able to conjure the blue apple, he had been a little less reserved in using his power now that he had a opportunity to do something helpful. He had been up since then as he experimented with various fruits and veggies. All of which ended up being some shade of blue or black and not at all tasting like Jeb would think they would. Even berries weren't exempt from the strangeness.

"The snozzberries do not taste like snozzberries." He said once as he conjured some strange berry that he had promptly spat out saying it had a weird musky taste.

The Trap Master wasn't sure what a 'snozzberry' was, but apparently it didn't taste how it was supposed to.

The only thing that seemed semi-normal were tubers. He had made a couple bags of black tuber plants that had thin needle like hairs that the kobolds accepted with increasing gratitude even as all the experimentation had caused Jeb to retire early. With the Den Mother and the egg-maids following after him.

The Trap Master wasn't sure what they were all doing or talking about though as he had started his patrol after taking the bag of black tubers and bringing them within the burrow.

What he did notice though was that Jeb was acting weird. He kept looking at the strange scrying tablet he carried around. He and the Den Mother had said it was called a 'cellphone'. But it seemed to act like any sort of scrying tool that he had heard about. Speak to it and it will show you what you want. While the Chief was more versed in magical things, the Trap Master wasn't ignorant by any means.

Another thing they all noticed as well was that they couldn't grow anything that Jeb had conjured for them. Planting the tubers would just result in them rapidly degrading until they were just useless mush. Seeds from fruits disintegrated to dust as they were planted and veggies rapidly rotted.

Once it was prepared and preserved it was fine. But trying to cultivate the food was impossible. Though none of them knew why. Perhaps once Jeb was more powerful the food will last long enough to cultivate? Or maybe there was another reason only he and the Chief could figure out with Casius?

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The Trap Master wasn't sure but he was content to let them handle it while he handled the day-to-day of the burrow and its protection.

He left the burrow through one of the small holes that provided air and light for the place. The cool air sending shivers down his scales compared to the warmth of the burrows.

He approached where he had left his rifle and checked it before calling over a trio of skirmishers. With the inside of the burrows checked, it was time to see to the land surrounding their home. So him and his backwoods skirmishers jogged out of the safety of their home and ventured out.

They headed north this time. The Trap Master wanted to check on the location of the owlbears and to make sure they haven't ventured closer to their home. While he doubt they could get the drop on them should the opportunity arise, their only goal was to check on their location.

They marched for a while until they came across the spot where he and Jeb had encountered the bear, and the owlbears in turn. There was barely anything left of the carcass of the bear. Only a dark stain and a few splinters of bone were all that was left of the creature that had attacked them.

They moved cautiously throughout the area. Forked tongues flickering in the air, tasting for any sent that could warn them of danger. The Trap Master stalked over to what was left of the remains and examined them for a time. But it was old and cold. The owlbears will have long since left. So they continued on. Following tracks that were not doubt too old but had little else.

For a long while they hadn't found anything to aid in pinpointing their location. Though the scarceness of birds and other wildlife in the area was enough to say that the beasts were still around. They ate anything smaller than them, and even those that were similar in size were fair game to them.

Then one of the skirmishers halted and threw his snout into the air as his tongue flicked in and out. He gestured to the east of them and led the party onwards, the closer they got the more they all could smell what he had.

Death and blood.

They came across a cave before long and could tell instantly that it was the den of the owlbears. Stray feathers littered the entrance with remains of animals. Lynx. Wolves. Even what looked like another bear. The owlbears were quick and brutal in establishing their dominance in the area.

They didn't see either of the pair though. Which probably meant they were out hunting again, the Trap Master thought as he led the group closer to the den. He quickly found out that only one was out as their eyes went wide with fear and surprise as they spotted one of them slumbering within the cave!

It cooed peacefully, beguiling the fierce and brutal nature of the creature. The last the Trap Master had encountered the owlbears they had been not far from one another. But now he could tell why it seemed this one was alone.

An egg. A single spotted egg was nestled within the bulky feathered form of the sleeping owlbear. The Trap Master, upon spotting the precious thing, was quick to tell the rest to back away as quietly, and quickly, as possible.

Not too soon either, he thought as the group quickly fell into the brush just as the mate returned with a fresh catch. A large elk was being dragged by its flesh, blood still trailing behind them as they neared. As the mate neared the entrance however, it stopped and dropped the elk. Then its head swiveled back and forth in a 180 degree arc around. Searching for the invaders that dared to enter so close to its home.

The kobolds held their breaths and kept as still as they possibly could. Hearts hammered in their chests as the binocular eyes of the owlbear spun in their direction, and stared right at them. It narrowed its eyes in an apparent glare as a noise like a growl came from it.

The Trap Master was about ready to launch a preemptive attack just on the off chance of keeping them all alive. But he didn't have to as the owlbear picked its prey back up and dragged it into the den. All while still glaring at the bush the kobolds hid under.

As it disappeared from sight, the Trap Master decided to take the chance and flee while they still could. They knew where the owlbears nested and could act accordingly. As well as the fact that they were now protecting an egg and so their behavior would change to reflect that. Instead of hunting in a pair to protect their territory, only one would hunt while the other stayed behind and guarded the den and egg.

Which gave the kobolds a little wiggle room hunting north of them now. Not much but it was more then they had yesterday.

The Trap Master and his group returned not long after. Panting from running, hoping that there wouldn't be a giant feathered beast coming down on them with a blood curdling screech. But thankfully, the owlbear seemed more occupied in keeping its mate and young safe and fed than chasing after them.

The other skirmishers were dismissed and returned to their posts as he walked towards the cabin. Cutting through the basement and passing the usual hubbub that went on down there. New hatchlings screeching and being just general nuisances of themselves as they explored everything new.

He climbed the stairs and entered the cabin proper and beheld a large pile of candy with Jeb slowly dancing and singing around it.

"Come with me!~ And you'll see!~ A world of pure imagination!~"

"What are you doing?" The Trap Master asked the human.

"Making everything satisfying and delicious." Jeb said as he popped a black piece of hard candy into his mouth, before scrunching up his face.

"Is the taste still bitter?"

"No. This time it's sour." Jeb said as he sucked on the black candy.

"I take it you are enjoying using your powers?"

"I mean. It's still weird. But I feel useful, you know?" Jeb stated as he tossed a piece towards a salamander who eagerly caught it, and was instantly conflicted whether or not to continue to eat it or spit it out.

"I do know. It's hard to when you feel like a burden at times. And the relief when you can make yourself useful once more." The Trap Master replied as his concerns of his own usefulness were felt not long ago.

"I mean... I'm still not really lookin' forward to the whole becomin' a god and people wantin' to worship me. But now at least I can turn water into wine, so it ain't all that bad. Even if I can't get drunk."

"You can really do that?!"

"No. Just food stuff for now it seems. And candy." Jeb said as he popped another dark candy into his mouth.

"Hmm? This ones mint! Cool!"

The Trap Master looked around trying to find the Chief and the Den Mother that were usually nearby.

"Where are the others?"

"Chief is in the study, again. Not sure for what this time though. And Ruby is upstairs."

"Doing what?"

"Somethin' about showin' her appreciation. I'm not too sure about the specifics of it, only that I'm supposed to go up when I'm called for."

While Jeb continued to experiment with his candy. The Trap Master relayed his information regarding the owlbears.

"So they won't be a big problem for some time."

"They're probably bulkin' up for winter. Once its come and gone I imagine they'll be a pain to deal with as now they have 3 mouths to feed."

"Yes. But until then we can hunt a little further north again."

"Alright. Not much but at least it's some-"

"Jeb!~" Came a call from Ruby from upstairs.

"I guess that's my que." Jeb said as he nodded towards the Trap Master and ascended the stairs.

The Trap Master watched him go for a moment before wandering over to the study where he found the Chief once more with his snout in the pages of the books.

"What are you researching now?"

"Oh nothing much. Some more about human rituals and magic. A bit of flora and fauna." The Chief said as the Trap Master came over and took a seat next to him.

"How is the hunting?"

"Fine for now. The north as cleared up somewhat as the owlbears have begun to prepare for hibernation while they are with an egg."

"Good. And the burrows?"

"The same as they were yesterday. Very much active."

"But not thriving?"

"A little hard to do in our current state."

The Chief chuckled.

"I don't think we'll have to worry too much about that."

"What do you mean?"

"What I mean is. Master Jeb is upstairs right now fixing that problem."

"But I thought the Den Mother was already with eggs?"

"She is."

"Then what are you saying?"

"I'm saying that she isn't the only one up there with him!" The Chief laughed and the Trap Master soon joined in.