Crimson Sands of Time

Oli, who is small size at 3' 3" tall, doesn't respond but swims behind the nearest tree, uses Cunning Action to claw his way 15' up the tree, glad to finally be out of the water he uses his action to hide in the branches and leaves of the tree, putting the trunk between himself and the half-dragon as well.

Stealth roll in log 18, (Reliable Talent makes it 25). 

Sam watches and takes some of the corocadile skin and takes the meat as he knows it taste very nice 

“i dont think we will retreat.  But tell us-  is your father trying to become a dracolich?  that is a truly cursed life for anyone- even one as nasty as a black dragon.”.  Tetrevess says.   

as he speaks, a wave of paychic energy attacks the half dragon, DC 22 INT save or 13 points of psychic damage, plus must subtract 1d4 from next saving throw.

tetrevess then telekinetic shoves him from the tree, DC 22 STR save (-1d4 potentially)   

Quote from Tesservett >>

“i dont think we will retreat.  But tell us-  is your father trying to become a dracolich?  that is a truly cursed life for anyone- even one as nasty as a black dragon.”.  Tetrevess says.   

as he speaks, a wave of paychic energy attacks the half dragon, DC 22 INT save or 13 points of psychic damage, plus must subtract 1d4 from next saving throw.

tetrevess then telekinetic shoves him from the tree, DC 22 STR save (-1d4 potentially)   

 Sam seeing this is weird impressed seeing as when he first met him T was sometimes the peacemaker so to speak 

“T if he’s the offspring of the black dragon, he isn’t held to the sins of his father let him down” 

Quote from Legion4 >>

Sam watches and takes some of the corocadile skin and takes the meat as he knows it taste very nice 

 <This would take some time, but here's how that would play out. >

 <Do let me know if you still want that to happen. Meanwhile...>

You see the half dragon's expression change briefly, hinting at her internal struggle. It seems Tetrevess' words have touched a nerve. An instant later, she is shoved down to her knees.

“T if he’s the offspring of the black dragon, he isn’t held to the sins of his father let him down up.” <creative liberty, hope you don't mind.>

Though she tries to hide it, Sam's words effect her deeply and she breaks down.  "In truth, I have become a bit disillusioned with the choice of minions my father is using. When he took his revenge on the lizardfolk, the hag coven showed the him to coax the souls of the dead lizardfolk back to this world in the form of the will-o-wisps. The unnatural, undead, creatures have no place in the balance of a world meant for the living. Still, I venerate my father's strength and I must honor my vow to him, but is conflicted with my vow to honor nature."

To Tetrevess, she asks, 'Did you say Draco. Lich. ? No.  No. It csnt be true.  My father.  He's been doing these unnatural things, but , to become such an ofront himself.  To forsake the gifts of dragonkind for the eternal corruption.  Where did you hear this?"

“ahh yes.  well, Im certainly not one to judge one by their. parents.  i dont judge at all if i can help it. didnt mean to attack unprovoked, but we thoight.. well neveind.  

yes- your father, Throstelgrael the black dragon,  is seeking the powers of a dracolich.   You dont need to take my word for it, however.   i have proof.   We already have too many lich-types in Thay, to let this come to pass”.   

he holds up the contract between Throstelgrael and the Cult of the Dragon, wherein the dragon agrees to be subjected to a ritual which will turn him into a dracholich

Dex save 24 

sam speaks up “both the coven of hags and the saviour of the lizardfolk village said the same thing” Sam looks at the half dragon with a knowing look of what this news might bring towards the half dragon 

"How long as Throstelgrael lived in this swamp?"

Chadderlay ponders while awaiting a reply.

"It appears the cultists are upsetting the balance and are the root of the problems here."

Quote from Tesservett >>

“ahh yes.  well, Im certainly not one to judge one by their. parents.  i dont judge at all if i can help it. didnt mean to attack unprovoked, but we thoight.. well neveind.  

 

yes- your father, Throstelgrael the black dragon,  is seeking the powers of a dracolich.   You dont need to take my word for it, however.   i have proof.   We already have too many lich-types in Thay, to let this come to pass”.    

he holds up the contract between Throstelgrael and the Cult of the Dragon, wherein the dragon agrees to be subjected to a ritual which will turn him into a dracholich

"That settles it, then.  My father," she says with a sigh, "must be killed - before he can become a dracolich abomination. You have the rightoif it: he poisons the land with his foulness. But I also must be certain the will-o-wisps my father has in his lair are released from undeath and the ritual book the hags of the Bloodroot Coven gave to him to do so is destroyed."

To Chadderlay she responds, "Not long after he was rooted from his lair in the flooded forest by some strange cult, he came to live with me here.  He turned the old ruins into his new lair and keeps prisoners there, for what purpose I am uncertain, except the hag, who is certainly a hostage for the other hags to work for, while ensuring they don't become problematic by limiting their full power with her removal from the coven."

<I'm assuming Sam didnt ear her pet, because that would preclude this next bit. And frankly. You guys earned it, so, definitely take a bow. I>

The half-dragon druid tells the party the location of the complex and of the entrances through the hidden wells, into the cisterns of the cult complex which will allow them to likely bypass the trolls and many of the kobolds and their traps. The half-dragon does not know what prisoners specifically are held, as she does not go into the complex often.

From this information you piece together a map of the surrounding area (either mentally or physically) .  You've got a scribes wizard.  Maybe cartographer's tools on hand.  Not sure you'd take the time to bother, but whatever the case, you are aware of anything that's on this map."

"Name's Nostilax, by the way.  So, you'll destroy the book and end my father's foolish quest for a twisted existence beyond the limits of nature, then?"

“yes-  he must be stopped.   And the dead should be left to rest.  We will do this.   Im glad we didnt kill you, Nostilax.   I am Tetrevess.   my companions and I are working to right the balance of things here in Thay- well, i think so.   some of them just recently joined us.”.  

He uses his animated quill to create the map, and also tells rhe group of the passphrase from the journal.

Oli comes out of hiding while putting his hand crossbow away looking slightly disappointed for climbing up the tree for nothing. When he gets to the bottom, "Greetings, Nostilax. I am Oli." he says simply while hoping she didn't see it was him that shot the bolt at her animal companion.

Quote from Wile_E_Coyote >>

"Name's Nostilax, by the way.  So, you'll destroy the book and end my father's foolish quest for a twisted existence beyond the limits of nature, then?"

"Oh. So we're on the same side after all. My mistake then." Randy replies as his cannon suddenly folds into the back of his armour to show that he does not have any intent of fighting. "And yes, before you say anything else, that's why we've banded all together: To get rid of this colossal beast that has been ravaging through our lives and whoever else that needs our help of course! I'm Randy by the way. And right behind me is my brother Ethan. If you're willing to side with us, it'll be an honour to meet you."

<you guys have a map of the temple complex and youve been warned of the threats.  So whats the plan?>

Quote from Wile_E_Coyote >> 

"That settles it, then.  My father," she says with a sigh, "must be killed - before he can become a dracolich abomination. You have the rightoif it: he poisons the land with his foulness. But I also must be certain the will-o-wisps my father has in his lair are released from undeath and the ritual book the hags of the Bloodroot Coven gave to him to do so is destroyed."

To Chadderlay she responds, "Not long after he was rooted from his lair in the flooded forest by some strange cult, he came to live with me here.  He turned the old ruins into his new lair and keeps prisoners there, for what purpose I am uncertain, except the hag, who is certainly a hostage for the other hags to work for, while ensuring they don't become problematic by limiting their full power with her removal from the coven."

<I'm assuming Sam didnt ear her pet, because that would preclude this next bit. And frankly. You guys earned it, so, definitely take a bow. I>

The half-dragon druid tells the party the location of the complex and of the entrances through the hidden wells, into the cisterns of the cult complex which will allow them to likely bypass the trolls and many of the kobolds and their traps. The half-dragon does not know what prisoners specifically are held, as she does not go into the complex often.

From this information you piece together a map of the surrounding area (either mentally or physically) .  You've got a scribes wizard.  Maybe cartographer's tools on hand.  Not sure you'd take the time to bother, but whatever the case, you are aware of anything that's on this map."

Ethan lets off a deep sigh of relief after hearing that Randy and whoever the former had yelled at isn't looking to start a monstrous fight, though he still holds some caution just in case. "Well, whatever it is, we're thankful that we're to come to an agreeable solution. I understand how difficult it is to live by these circumstances; Trust me: I've been in some similar situations before I even came here."

Quote from Wile_E_Coyote >>

"Name's Nostilax, by the way.  So, you'll destroy the book and end my father's foolish quest for a twisted existence beyond the limits of nature, then?"

 "As my brother had said I'm Ethan Wolftree. And yes, the dragon is the main reason why we've all banded together. If he really does desire to rid us and whatever this world is then we need to stop him as Tetre... um Tetrev... ugh sorry, Tetra said, before this world ends up in a worse state than it was before. And belie me: Neither of us want it to happen as much as you do."

"Having a map of the place with traps and things marked can help us try to sneak in, but if the dragon currently isn't home then maybe a quick and direct assault could work."

Chadderlay smooths out his long red robes and brushes his hands over them in an effort to clean them somewhat.

"Which way do you guys want to do this?"

Most of the ground within the ruins is covered with 1 to 2 feet of slow-moving water. However, the hidden wells are quite deep and difficult to see. All of this make traversing the ruins dangerous as a number of traps have been laid by the kobolds within. Here and there willow trees and reeds lightly obscure creatures standing within or behind them. 

Are you planning to use the pole boats, or are some / all going on foot?

As you approach the ruins...

The kobolds in the large willow tree can be heard going about their normal lives. The trolls can be heard rummaging through a building. The ever-present droning of flies and other insects is quite loud here.

The smell of rot and putrescence is thick here. The acidic tang noticed earlier but much stronger