"Elyria speaks wisely, perhaps it would be best to utilise our combines talents and travel down together? The ability to breathe beneath the surface would be a useful boon indeed, thank you." Lilianna rushes off towards the lake, uttering "Come Pythagoras" in Sylvan as she runs ahead of the group, scouting the terrain.

Perception: 21

You notice nothing until you get closer to the lake, whereupon you can see the outline of the drake. A huge dark figure, 50 ft long at least, all coiled up at the bottom of the lake, surrounded by silt accumulated over decades.

Rahkeshi looks out into the water at the dark form of the drake. "So, what is our plan?  Drake is there.  Seems to be sleeping.  Unless that airship suddenly appears..."  She glances toward the sky. "I'm not sure we want to go down there.  Isn't there a saying about letting sleeping drakes... well, stay content laying in the silt?

Bryant stands at the shore of the lake, dumbstruck by the sight of the drake. "This mighty creature does not need our protection." He says rather matter of factly. "We should explore one of the raid sites though doing so at night would not be terribly efficient. I suppose we could travel toward one and wait for daybreak? I am not much of a strategiest though and shall leave the decision to you all."

As he waits for a plan he continues to stand and stare into the water. The world is truly magnificent he thinks to himself. It as if his eyes have been opened to the wonders of nature for the first time.

"Two votes for stay, two votes for go, eh?" remarks Aurelius. "You see, Bryant? This is why leaders are helpful.  My vote would be to stay here at the lakeside, and send whatever 'friends' or familiars you have available to scout the sacked village.  Our mission was to protect this town, and it would be tragic if it were razed while we were off exploring.  I will accept the will of the majority whether to stay or go.  Perhaps one of you who speaks their language could poll our new friends to see what their opinion might be." He gestures toward the blink dogs.

He pauses, a twinkle in his eye, "Or we could just toss Rahkeshi in the air, if she lands heads we stay, tails we go... do half-orcs have tails?"

Rahkesi bristles at the comment from Aurelius. "Wouldn't you like to know!  Well, I'm not showing YOU!"  Her voice is gruff, but there is actually a somewhat playful quality to her words. "And good luck tossing ME!"

She stands with hands on her hips,  continuing to give Aurelius a challenging look.

Aurelius laughs, and starts to blow a kiss to the defiant druid, but then glances at Elyria and changes his mind.  Instead, he starts whistling cheerfully again, waiting for the group's decision.

At Aurelius Bryant just shrugs still staring out over the lake, "The sword shall lead us, have faith in the blade and all will be well."

A faint smile comes to Rahkeshi's face as Aurelius seems to back down a little - at least in her mind. 

As Bryant speaks,  she turns to him.  She looks a bit confused.  "Which sword are we following? Aurelius' sword?"

She glances at Aurelius again, not seeming to show him any hostility - at the moment.  "Did you say something about sending friends to this Needle Mountain? Do you mean our blink dogs?"

She gives Sozi, her own blink dog, a look. Then she says softly, "I'm not sure they'd want to go by themselves."

"Ah, no.  I believe Elyria mentioned she had some sort of 'friends' that she could call upon to do her bidding, aside from Aelric.  Perhaps I misunderstood."

Bryant continues to stare out to the lake Rahkeshi's words not registering his mind. As he does this he opens his mind to the world around him. He will cast Detect Thoughts to probe the area for creatures around him other than those in his presences to make sure they are not being watched or followed. If he does not sense anyone he will the probe the surface thoughts of the drake. If he does sense another creature besides the party he will read their thoughts.

"Yes I can Aurelius, but I was talking about sending them to investigate the lake. They could possibly investigate that raided settlement but they would have to know their way there to begin with. Do we know where it is?" Elyria asks the others while glancing at Bryant.

"Only in general terms.  So, what I am hearing is that my idea of sending surrogates to the raided village will not work, correct? Then let us do the opposite, leave some 'friends' here that we can communicate with, and take our journey to Neadle's Peak. I do not mean to usurp command, but somebody has to make a decision here at some point," states Aurelius calmly.

"Also, I was serious about asking our fey friends.  They may have some insight or perception not available to us. Or not."

"I guess Aelric could stay here and come fetch us if the flying ship approaches, but how long is it to Neadle´s Peak and will we find our way there?" Elyria asks, waiting for Aelric to report in again.

Rahkeshi nods to Elyria's suggestion. "That sounds reasonable. Hmm, I think I still have those papers from the Deputy. We can see if it shows where Neadle's Peak is at. Wonder what Giantic thing they had."

She shuffles through her pack and pulls out some pages.   Now thoroughly dry,  they seem to have gotten wet at some point somehow. 

(if needed to look through the papers,  Investigation Check: 9)

Neadle’s peak is about a day’s journey and is very easy to find. You look North and there it is, a big mountain in the distance. Aelric lands on your shoulder, and instantly falls asleep. He’s been on his wings almost all day and he didn’t get that month-long rest you guys got.

1

Roll perception for me again?

Relieved that group is alone but somewhat disappointed to not get a glimpse at the dreams of a drake Bryant reluctantly turns his eyes from the lake and heads off with the party. Neadle's Peak is as good direction as any.

Perception: 28

Quote from Alsdad >>

Relieved that group is alone but somewhat disappointed to not get a glimpse at the dreams of a drake Bryant reluctantly turns his eyes from the lake and heads off with the party. Neadle's Peak is as good direction as any.

Perception: 11

 Oh yeah, forgot you cast that. Yeah, you only sense the Drakes dreams of treasure.

You hear only a small rattling in the distance.

"It would be a bit risky to go as far as Neadle´s peak if Drakeriver should get attacked, but it´s our only line of inquiry so I suggest we go, all of us. Since we have no way of getting back in time to protect the town should it get attacked why we were away I see no real point in leaving Aelric here. Anyway he needs to rest now. Shall we go now or wait until dawn?" Elyria asks the others while searching the dark skies for flying ships.

Aelric Perception before going to sleep: 15
Elyria perception:20
Acorn perception looking for squirrels:6