"Well done gentlemen, I think we all deserve a rest now. How about moving back to the last room we left where we hopefully can rest safely for a while." Selene suggests to the others.

Raadox nods appreciatively at the suggestion.  "Yes, milady, I agree.  A proper rest would be very valuable.  I will happily stand guard," he offers.

"Oh, how gallant of you Raadox, but you look like you would need the rest more than any of us, if I may say so."

"I'll be fine," he assures her.  After a large bottle of red and two days in bed.  

Raadox leads the group back to the next safest location where we have come from.

 Selene follows Raadox continuing her conversation with her small scaly friend, Meepo that is. "So what about that distraction Meepo, perhaps we should seek another audience with  Yusdrayl since we are in no real hurry?"

OOC:  Raadox will lead everyone back to Room #25.  We'll stop there for a Short Rest.

"Let me keep watch, I can use the time to practice a bit more with this" Kiori replies to Raadox, pointing at his flail. He feels disappointed having missed that first swing during the last combat.

You are easily able to take a short rest. 

Meepo shakes his head, "No no. Attacking main gate of goblins stupid idea. Get dragon back first. Then maybe we can help more."

The cobblestone floor contains two trapdoors blocked open by iron spikes. The north wall holds a dry fountain carved with an overarching diving dragon. A faint rotten stench pervades the room. The footprints you have been following skirt the trapdoors and go towards the western door. Each of the pits is a 20-foot-deep pit containing only rat bones, rusted metal bits, and filth that have been jammed open. 

"Yes looking forward to that help Meepo." Selene says dryly.

When entering the new area Selene assists any searching done with a help action.

Daerryl goes to skirt the pit along the foot prints.

Raadox will follow Daerryl.

(can I have recast Detect Magic Ritual after our short rest?)

The northern wall of the has a dry fountain very similar to the one you saw in area 26. It has a faint evocation magic coming from it. 

 While assisting Daerryl and Raadox with their investigations of the interior decorations Selene casually continues her conversation with Meepo.

"I´m curious Meepo, did you say you are recapturing the citadel. If you can tell me more of its history I would be most interested. Was it by any chance a stronghold for the Cult of the Dragon and were they in any way in allegiance to the mighty Ashardalon?"

Kiori follows Selene, listening carefuly at whatever information he can gather about dragons from the kobold leading them.

"Yes it was a cult to the dragon Ashardalon. We came here to reclaim it in the name of dragons and brought our dragon to become the next Ashardalon," Meepo says excitedly. 

"And whatever happened to the Ashardalon cult then? Have you found any traces of it or even the great Ashardalon perhaps?"

"It has been a long time since the cult was here. All I know is the legends of Ashardalon. The mighty red dragon once ruled over a massive area surrounding this area. He slew armies upon the Ashen Plain and caused it to never again support life. But legend says he was mortally wounded by a mighty elf. But instead of dying, he slew the elf and moved to the timeless Astral Sea where he lives to this day," Meepo responds getting very excited that someone is taking interest in the history of dragons. 

"So you don´t expect to find any remains of mighty Ashardalon or the cult once you reclaim all of the citadel for the glory of dragons, interesting. I´m sure it won´t be long until Calcryx will spread fear in this region if you just tell us if there is anyting else you might know about the current inhabitants of the citadel. Do you know anything about this mysterious tree the goblins get their fruits from for instance?"

“The Outcast, he lives below. He grows the fruit, which he gives to the goblins. The dragon-thieving goblins are his servants!” Meepo responds, having cheered up a lot since you first met him