Mildly surprised, T'laren returns the gesture. He already had respect for the man as a guardian of the wilds, but the strange old fellow just climbed in his estimation.

(DM: is there a way for us to determine how deadly a combat with the dragon would be for our party?)

[RE Dragons:  This is tough ground for a DM to tread.  Dragons obviously have quite a reputation as powerful, intelligent and magical creatures.  How would an individual, or group of individuals, believe they would stack up?

Reidoth, for all his experience, is on the record thinking violence is out of the question [though Garrin knows him as a very cautious man].  On the other hand, Droknin was ready to go hunting for a large white dragon at level 2.

It should be known that any dragon is a monumental challenge.  Is it a challenge you think you can overcome?  The answer to that question is probably found more in the individual's opinion of their own abilities.]

((Taking on a dragon is a fair bit outside what T'laren would be interested in tackling without further reasons.))

(As a player I would advocate for caution, but as for Droknin, he's bored out of his mind atm. LOL)

[Keep in mind the party came here to find Reidoth as he might now more about Neverwinter Wood and where to find this 'goblin castle'. 

Also, the party has expressed interest in looking into the White Dragon problem plaguing Phandalin, and both Reidoth and perhaps even the Green Dragon may know more about that issue. ] 

((Yeah, my grasp on T'laren's motivations is admittedly a bit tenuous as he has just sort of tagged along after helping out against the thugs, but he views the others as the leaders, and himself as more support.))

(sigh... There are encounter calculators and challenge ratings, and intelligence checks for a reason man.)

"Let's just go kill the thing. Never put off til tomorrow what needs doing today. And if we die, well I'm old enough." 

"I know we just turned down an offer to parley with the green, but could turning it against the white further goals at less immediate risk?"

Quote from nschrock >>

(sigh... There are encounter calculators and challenge ratings, and intelligence checks for a reason man.)

 

[Fair enough.  I interpreted your question as asking what your characters thought in-game.  Which isn't really what you asked at all.

Any that wish may make either a History, a Nature, or an Arcana check.  Just one.

History would see what, if anything, you know of famous dragons and what they were capable and if/how they were slain.

Nature would see what, if anything, you know green dragons in particular, what their strengths and weaknesses might be.

Arcana would see what, if anything, you know about the dragons in general and what kinds of powers they possess.

From those results we will see how well the group understands the challenge ahead of it if it wants to take on the dragon.]

T'laren Nature: 7

Garrin history 7 

(I think we'll be standing by the ol' "let it rip!" plan then lol)

(And thank you for understanding DM)

(Sorry for the delay. Droknin is ready!!)

T'laren, you're aware that green dragons are notorious for being devious and intelligent.  Its said they see themselves as the most intelligent and cunning of all dragons, though whether that is true or not is debatable.  

Garrin, you recall the tale of Claugiyliamatar, an ancient green dragon that, until recent times, laired in the Kryptgarden Forest.  She was said to possess powerful magic that allowed her to change her form, passing for humans and elves, sowing deceit and discord in cities and kingdoms that bordered her domains.

Seeing you are prepared to confront the young dragon, Reidoth offers a final caution.  "Please Garrin, do nothing rash.  If the dragon will not see reason and things look dire, retreat here."

In the light of day, Thundertree is a grim place.  Despite clear skies and sun, there is a pallor over these ruins, as if a ghost of the old ash clouds still hover over the town, obscuring the light.

Moving towards the tower on the north end of town, you pass a handful of giant spiders, skewered on broken trees like massacred prisoners of war.  Only something large could have lifted the heavy arachnids and positioned them so.  As you draw nearer the tower, there is no sign of the Favric and his cultists, but no signs of violence either.  Despite the roaring you heard earlier, there are no bodies or blood, or sign of conflict.

Before you can get within 50' of the tower, a loud feminine voice calls out in common.

"Halt.  Come no further.  Tell me true; do you serve my vile cousin, the white wyrm Cryovain?  You are not the first assassins she has sent.  Do not bother with falsehoods.  I will know if you are lying."

As the group passes by the defeated giant spiders, Droknin expression changes. “Today is a good day to die my friends.” Says the Leonin. This time though, his tone is of a serious one, something that he seldom does. He does not display fear, for he know that the task ahead will require all his might to overcome.

T'laren gives Droknin a dour look. "I'd rather not, if it can be helped."

He'll look to the others to parley with the creature, he has difficulty conversing with people, much less toothy winged terrors. He'll keep his hands from his arrows for now.

Garrin holds up a hand. "I can't say that I know your cousin, and I've been out of the assassin business for a long time. We met Favric. Strange feller that wanted me to come with him to see you, but I'm not convinced that would have gone well. So I'm here on my own. You met Favric?" 

Keashirryl approaches alongside the others, though she feels increasingly uneasy. Garrin and Droknin seem very comfortable with the idea of death, but she still has unfinished business to attend to. She wasted so much time on futile attempts already.

"Why stay here if your cousin tries to murder you constantly? What keeps you in this place of all places? I heard some dragons have nests near great cities, or blue-grey mountain ranges. If you stay here, you surely hope to take down Cryovain and return." She addresses the creature, careful not to interfere with Garrin's conversation. She tries to hit a nonchalant voice, with mild curiosity, but she sounds more tense than intended.

 Droknin listens to Garrin and Keashirryl. It seems that they intend on facing the enemy with words instead of might. "Very well then." He thinks to himself. In the meanwhile, he checks for signs if the humans passed by this way.

Survival: 21