Shadowthorn's Princes of the Apocalypse

For better or worse, Xanranzan had been beaten to the punch. Swimming was not his forte, and in a panic that skill had not improved in mere moments. So with a great deal of effort, the earth genasi eventually arrested enough of his own descent to turn around, ascend, and then soon climb his way back onto dry land. If by that time Marros and the rest hadn't finished pulling Kethra onto land as well he'd flounder over meaning to help.

But such was not necessary by all appearance, what with Tyde and Marros' tending to her at the very least. So, he rolled over onto his back meaning to spend the next good minute just breathing and calming himself. "Guess that takes care of bath time for the next week or so." Xan breathily jokes. ".... ey.... 'ya'll mind if we take a break fer a bit? 'cause boy almighty that was something.

Quote from See_Ess >>

"No lady warrior. You do not get to leave the Light so soon!" A golden light forms in his palm as it supports her unmoving head. The glow spreads down her neck and across her body.

((Bonus action: Healing Light (2d6) for our fearless dragon grappler))

Healing: 8

Kethra with a jolt, coughing out water and saying a few choice words in dwarven.

Quote from Brian_Avery >>

Perception/Investigation (same bonus): 20

(If the DM doesn't award anything for this roll, I'm up for making it an RP thing since it's such a high roll. Something like this?)

Before they climb back up, Kethra will offer to trade back the wand of magic missiles for the Rezsur knife in order to carve up the dragon for any rewards (if any).

Survival: 7

Kethra will attempt to carve up the dragon but offer the stinger to anyone who's willing to. "I'm not gonna touch that with a 10 foot pole."

Then to Rubin she says, "Why don't you check out the rider? He's probably got a cool ranged weapon."

"Back from the brink of death and straight away you're slicing things up. Remarkable." Marros smiles at Kethra. Figuring that the warrior woman is back to her feeling like herself, he makes his way to the bank and collapses next to Xan. "She is truly remarkable isn't she". He sits, with elbows on his knees and breathes deeply. The excitement of fighting a draconic beast and saving someone's life slowly fades as he regains his composure. To anyone who's listening he asks "So where to next?"

Kethra's comment gets a chuckle out of Xan. And regarding Marros' comment, Xanranzan grunted an agreement without opening eyes. But with Tyde agreeing with his other earlier sentiment, a groaning earth genasi peels himself off the ground to sit up at least. "True enough. But these cultist folk love their rituals 'n all that. So, odds are pretty good that any prisoners we'll be... fairly aight, or so I reckon. So long as there's no big 'event' any time soon."

"Though! I gotta say that I"m starting to think there ain't no secret way from the tower thing above and here, frankly speaking. Not that that ain't to say they ain't involved considering all this is going on right below them pretty much, but... ya feel me, right?" He looks to the others for approval. Although apart from that, Xan is just as content to take a short rest.

Rubin shrugs and moves to check out the rider's body for what they have on them.

Quote from See_Ess >>

"Back from the brink of death and straight away you're slicing things up. Remarkable." Marros smiles at Kethra. Figuring that the warrior woman is back to her feeling like herself, he makes his way to the bank and collapses next to Xan. "She is truly remarkable isn't she".

Kethra doesn't respond at first but turns visibly red. Instinctively reaching for her cloak, she remembers that she doesn't have one anymore.

Quote from Mehmen >>

Kethra's comment gets a chuckle out of Xan. And regarding Marros' comment, Xanranzan grunted an agreement without opening eyes. But with Tyde agreeing with his other earlier sentiment, a groaning earth genasi peels himself off the ground to sit up at least. "True enough. But these cultist folk love their rituals 'n all that. So, odds are pretty good that any prisoners we'll be... fairly aight, or so I reckon. So long as there's no big 'event' any time soon."

"Though! I gotta say that I"m starting to think there ain't no secret way from the tower thing above and here, frankly speaking. Not that that ain't to say they ain't involved considering all this is going on right below them pretty much, but... ya feel me, right?" He looks to the others for approval. Although apart from that, Xan is just as content to take a short rest.

"Xan's got a point. Mr. Tyde, while I think you've got a good heart, we shouldn't rush this place. This place seems exactly like Rivergard...the deeper we go, the stronger the enemies get. What if the next area has 2 dragons? Rescuing prisoners is fine and good, but if we fail, who's going to come looking for us..."

Xanranzan snaps his fingers and points loosely at Kethra. "She gets it. Two Dragons might be a bit excessive, but either way. If we're gonna keep kicking the hornet's nest, than probably best we start off with the tower, ya know. Confirm their, uh... uh.... uhhh--" Xanranzan then suddenly snaps his fingers again and puts up to the ceiling. "Front! Yeah! Wait...... Wh-whatever. Point is. We make sure er'ething is actually all good up top. And if not, we take'm out, and get rid of any aerial support in case we had to like... I... I dunno. Honestly, I haven't thought that far ahead. But, I'm sure at least some of ya get what I'm say'n, right?"

Xanranzan grins and nods before mustering the will to get back to his feet. He looks to the others just to make sure there weren't any too conflicting views. If all seem at least to readily accept the change of plans, the earth genasi sighs in relief while moving to follow after the others. Although in spite of his own fatigue and sogginess, Xan remained mindful of Kethra, and hung back a bit to be better prepared to help her along in a pinch. 

Rubin stands guard as the others rest up. As the conversation on their next direction is going on he would move in a bit closer to be part of it. "Wasn't there stairs up back where we found those guards at the top of the stairs down to here?" He asks, trying to think back. "Likely that was the way to that secret entrance into the tower above." He frowns as he thinks though. "No, there was just the stairs down back there, so likely we'll have to go around to the front gate of the tower." He looks around at the others. "You guys up for that?"

Kethra, you are unfortunately not able to scavenge any venom from the wyvern's corpse.  The rider doesn't really have anything on him—from what you can tell, he was likely some kind of mage.  Around you is also the pyramid courtyard which appears empty, and the large fancy looking building you walked around to get where you are.  Do you still plan on just going back to the surface?

(I feel like for the sake of progress I should mention—if you check out the fancy building there's a chance you may be able to completely skip bothering with the tower above.)

Quote from LordShadowthorn >>

Around you is also the pyramid courtyard which appears empty, and the large fancy looking building you walked around to get where you are.  Do you still plan on just going back to the surface?

(I feel like for the sake of progress I should mention—if you check out the fancy building there's a chance you may be able to completely skip bothering with the tower above.)

(Guess we're checking that out next, then!)

Kethra pouts as she watches the dragon's corpse sink to the water, unable to get a cool souvenir out of the whole fight. After she retrieves her weapons, she grabs the dragon rider's feathered robe and tosses it at Mr. Tyde.

"I suppose we can check out one more thing before we head back up, for your sake. You put that on though, since you're the only one of us brave enough to try and pass off as one of them. Just give me a moment to patch myself up before we go."

Short rest:

12

13

6

9

Xanranzan, in earlier response to Rubin, simply shrugged and said, "Progress is progress in my book, even if ya gotta move backwards a bit to make it." He then grinned nestled into a spot to take it easy for a bit. Once Kethra's injuries were seen to, and everyone appeared at least pretty ready to go, Xan would slowly roll to his feet, stretch, and then nod to the others. "So, we stick'n round then, I guess? Just to check one more thing? If so, fine by me. Maybe we'll get lucky, and we'll find any prisoners unattended." On that added note, Xan waited to follow whoever would take point on heading back to the wherever the group was to go next!

(Are you taking a short or long rest?  Just to make sure.)

(Short rest. I've already rolled all of Kethra's hit die)

Marros sits quietly while Kethra attempts to harvest the slain wyvern. He listens to Xan snap his fingers along to some tune only he can hear. It seems to him that they are moving again. He sits up straight and lets the blood rush back down from his head. "So we're going back up?" He says, confused having paid little attention whilst resting. He gathers his things and idles up to Kethra's side. "The Light will bring life back to this damned place. And we shall be the ones to shine it!" The comment, seemingly from nowhere but clearly directed at the warrior woman, hoping to portray his admiration of her skills and tenacity.

He waits ready to move when the rest do.

((SR taken))

Quote from LordShadowthorn >>

Around you is also the pyramid courtyard which appears empty, and the large fancy looking building you walked around to get where you are.  Do you still plan on just going back to the surface?

(Sorry, I'm feeling a bit confused. So the building we are trying to check out now the party had actually automatically walked around? And is this the same 'double doors' building you had described earlier? Are there any dark places for Rubin? If we could get a map that would be nice.)

(Yes, this is the same building you walked around and didn't check yet.  And also the same double doors building.)

(Didn't really have anything to recharge, but SR taken too.)

While Tude is more interested in checking out the structure of the building, Xanranzan takes it upon himself to have a listen at the door if noone else beat him to it(18). Then, he looks about ready to have a peek inside if the doors can be opened. But if they can't because its locked, he'll glance to the others, gestures to his foot, and then over to the door along with some accompanying nods and a grin. 

Rubin moves up to the double doors and grins at the gestures made by his companion. He nods, ready to support anyone who opens the door, his hand crossbow ready.