As Adran is about to be attacked by the blackscale again, Victorin's bolt pierces through its neck and it collapses to the ground!

It is the Blackscales's turn! 

The last blackscale leader, as per Silthras' suggestion, is sitting this one out.

It is Ancidus, Erbert, and Adran's turn!

Erbert urges Rufus to move to the west, he takes up position behind and to the side of Silthras, and launches 2 bolts of fire at PD3, “Ignio!” He shouts with enthusiasm.

(In campaign log)

Attack : 25 to hit.   Damage 12 flame damage.  

Adran, seeing the Blackscale he was next to collapse to the ground, mutters "a shame" under his breath. Ever the quick to act, the warhorse Adran sits upon rockets off towards the last remaining threat (PD3), as he uses the momentum to deliver his lance into the lizardfolk with extra force.

Attack 1: 16 (9+7) to hit, 8 (2+6) piercing damage
Attack 2: 25 (18+7) to hit, 15 (9+6) piercing damage

If that doesn't end the fight, then it'll be Ancidus's turn.

Between the two strikes from Adran and Erbert, they make short work of the last remaining lizardfolk. 

We are out of initiative.

The blackscale leader looks straight at Silthras and says something in draconic while indicating toward the temple. Silthras and Ancidus both hear the following:

"Borgesh, licking his wounds. Rozarr, guiding the champion." They understand this to mean, roughly, "Recover from the battle if you need to, then I will lead you to the temple."

Vic strides forward as the last enemy falls, recovering his bolt from the blackscale and inspecting it to make sure that it is still usable before placing it back in the case.  He moves over and checks on the pathfinder.  Finding him dead, he pulls the man’s cloak up to cover the body and grabs the wide brimmed hat, jamming it on his own head. He did admire it earlier.

Ready to move on, he looks over at Siltras, nodding toward the blackscale leader “Do you think we can trust him?”

Silthras nods slowly at Vic's question, "He will do what I have asked as best he can, but when done he will be free to perform any other chosen actions." He locks eyes with Vic, and turns to the others trying to make sure that they have understood what he is really saying: Once free of the compulsion he can attack us or raise the alarm.

He turns to their new guide. "Rozarr, protecting his people; Borgesh, remaining strong." Then, after a moment, "Borgesh below the temple, Rozarr, his duty done."

Translation: "We want to get to the temple and avoid a fight so that no more of his people need to die and we do not tire. Also...our destination lies under the temple, not the temple itself."

Ancidus also makes their way over to the fallen Bel and says a quick prayer before moving to join Silthras, watching the blackscale for any signs that they've shaken off Silthras's spell. (constant therefore passive insight - 17)

Erbert sits on Rufus and starts to listens to the conversation, but can make out none of it.  He quickly casts comprehend languages from his scribe abilities and starts to nod when he hears the directions.  “Rozarr, his arms wide.  When the walls fell.”  He thinks to himself.   “Very good, very good.”  He says to Silthras, in admiration.  He will take a short rest while Ancidus tends to Bel.  

After Adran lays his hands upon his yet-unnamed horse, it walks over so as to be one of the frontmost of the group, ready to continue along the path once all others had recouped themselves from the battle. Adran calls out to Grudnik from atop his mount, "You are quite the fighter! I had guessed as much by seeing the way you hold yourself, but the only way to truly see a warrior is to watch him battle. You felled two powerful enemies in a fraction of the time it would take most soldiers to land a single decent blow. We should discuss some strategies when next we rest. Strength is wasted without preparedness, and I bet we could make a formidable force if we learn one another's strengths."

Grudnik wanders back to the group, but his eyes are fixed on the undergrowth in case of more threats.

Hearing Adran's complimentary words, he responds. "These gath'dar upheld muut, and died in service to their clan", he says simply. "We on the other hand, were unprepared and let our guide perish. We must be more vigilant, assign a scout or lookout. I had assumed the guide was seasoned in this, a mistake I will not repeat. Discussing strategy is a wise suggestion". 

He turns briefly to regard the enchanted Lizardfolk.

"I dislike having an enemy in our midst, one enthralled by magic least of all, but see the benefit of a local guide. Does it understand us?".

After listening to the response of their new guide, Silthras nods and, leading Grudnik a short distance away, calls the others over then speaks in quiet tones. "I agree. We will likely have to kill him before the end -- though maybe not. He will still to the terms I used: 'you should stand down and sit this one out over there, then guide us safely to our destination', I said, so he may well help us find a safe route. Or perhaps negotiate with his people. As to his understanding: I do not know."

"We should get what we can from him before setting off: At least assess the likely reaction of his villagers and the importance of the temple."

“He doesn’t have any weapons on him currently, right?   It would be wise to disarm him if possible before we proceed…”. Erbert walks closer on Rufus.  “We need to be watchful for other sentries and traps on our approach.  Should someone scout ahead?  Or perhaps … we could ask him?”

"He will understand all that I say, due to the nature of the magic infusion in my translation matrix," Ancidus says, "but as Silthras speaks the tongue, he has more flexibility. Civil treatment will only aid us when the current spell on him has ended."

Adran posits, "If we are sending a scout, let it be known that I am difficult to catch by surprise, and I am the fastest of all of us while on my warhorse here. If the idea is to have somebody walk a short distance ahead of the others so that ambushes find them first, I might be the best choice, but if the idea is to send somebody to go to the temple undetected and report back findings, then Victorin seems to be both soft of step and keen of eye.

"I seem to remember the guide mentioning they don't understand the common tongue as well. So we should be able to talk in it's presence, other than yourself with your magic Ancidus. That is good to know", Grudnik replies. "I do suggest some questioning before setting off, but if we disarm it that might raise suspicions. Either course of action would be a risk, but you know your magic best to make a decision Silthras".

Turning to Adran, "Sending a lone scout to the temple is too dangerous. Ka perhaps kaga, two or three, would be ideal, but we do not have the numbers. Perhaps if you ride in front Adran, take the attention of any onlookers, Victorin could skirmish a little off the trail and spot any lookouts or potential ambushes without going too far away from the main group. That and the information from the lizardfolk should suffice", he suggests.

"That makes sense. If possible, Victorin at least should stay within 30 feet of me, so that I can protect him from surprise. We should be going now, no point in waiting to be ambushed."

“Fine with me.  If you can spot them from far away and they are all gathered in a group, I can burn them up in a great ball of fire!”  Erbert says with a fierce look on his face.  He urges Rufus into position, toward the middle of the group.

Adran is somewhat surprised by Erbert's sudden ferocity. "That could be useful, but maybe stick to the less great balls of fire, at least for now. We don't want to draw more attention than is necessary.

"Someone should search our guide's body," Silthras says as an aside while he is in conversation with the reptilian. "Should have the map, and perhaps other items of interest -- at least to his family."

Victorin looks doubtfully into the underbrush skirting the trail.  He was no stranger to the jungle, but he was more comfortable in the back alleys and slums of Newcastle and Adderport. “I will parallel the trail for a bit, but it will be harder as we get closer to the villages.  I will stay close and whistle if I see anything.”  He heads into the undergrowth, disappearing from sight of the others. He stays within 30 feet of Adran and moves silently through the brush, keeping an eye open for any scouts or other danger.

Stealth: 13.

Perception: 11.

.