"Well... I could try to bullshit the frogmen..." Zeds offers with some skepticism apparent in his voice. "Or we explore more and spread discontent and seeds of an uprising?" This is all said quietly, Zeds still quite cognizant of the fact the lizard people are close by and may get mad if they realize the group is hoping to use them as cannon fodder for their own purposes.
"Same old story of we have the last surviving egg from the Greenest raid? Did that camp have a name, where we stole it from?" Zeds asks Krackle in case he remembers.
((OOC: ....Zeds is a little more in favor of a fight we choose over exploring and accidentally ending up in a fight...))
((OOC: Heh. Good point! I guess Ixsas is just worried about starting a fight before we really see the scope of this castle and its defenses. He doesn't want to bring down the whole castle's defenses down on our heads before we discover, for example, that there's an adult dragon hiding in that astronomy tower. It seems like the lizardfolk and bullywugs don't see us as suspicious yet. At some point, this Dralmorrer guy is going to realize that there are non-cultist spies sneaking around and send some guards to get us. Until then, we probably have the freedom to do anything that a regular dragon cultist would: check out the castle, get some food, talk to the guards, etc.))
Ixsas suggests that another possible approach might be to persuade or suggest that a bullywug provoke a fight with the lizardfolk. (Ixsas could suggest that the lizardfolk have stolen something precious to Pharblaxx, for example.) The party could come to the lizardfolk's defense and kill the bullywug "aggressors." That might kick off an all-out fight between the two groups as bullywug reinforcements jump in to avenge their fallen comrades and the lizardfolk jump in to defend the party (and kill bullywugs). If that scuffle grows into an all-out battle, the party might be able to fade away in the chaos and go after Dralmorrer himself without attracting much attention.
We'd just have to wait a little while to give Snapjaw enough time to spread the word among all of the lizardfolk about the upcoming battle to overthrow the bullywugs. While we wait, we could hide in the lizardfolk tower, or we could check out the kitchens, etc.
((OOC: ....Zeds is a little more in favor of a fight we choose over exploring and accidentally ending up in a fight...))
((OOC: Heh. Good point! I guess Ixsas is just worried about starting a fight before we really see the scope of this castle and its defenses. He doesn't want to bring down the whole castle's defenses down on our heads before we discover, for example, that there's an adult dragon hiding in that astronomy tower. It seems like the lizardfolk and bullywugs don't see us as suspicious yet. At some point, this Dralmorrer guy is going to realize that there are non-cultist spies sneaking around and send some guards to get us. Until then, we probably have the freedom to do anything that a regular dragon cultist would: check out the castle, get some food, talk to the guards, etc.))
((I mean... you're not wrong. But then again if there is an adult dragon here we're kind of f'd no matter what we do. Unless it is flee. Now. Quietly and stealthily! But as I see it, it's a 6 of 1, half dozen of the other situation and as such I see Zeds as a may as well die in a blaze of glory type over double checking there's nothing even more dangerous in the kitchen type is all. End of the day I suspect we'll have similar results either way.))
"I think any persuasion or suggesting of the froggers could lead to quite a blow up but it's a risk we may need to take in some form," Zeds responds. "Unless you got something?" he finishes, looking to Krackle.
((Specifically, you got Sleep yes? Do we think that would be enough to put out the Bullwug guards?))
C The Outer Ward The ground here was once hard packed earth but the area in front of G has been churned into mud. There are 3 Bullywugs present here
((OOC: We'd have to check to see whether that's still true since we've been inside talking to Snapjaw. Even with just 3 guards, we'd be lucky to put them all to sleep. Medium creatures would have d8 hit die. Let's say that they're flimsy with only 2 HD each, that's still 6d8 HP across the three guards + CON adjustments. I guess Krackle would need to upcast Sleep as a 2nd or probably 3rd level spell to have even a hope of putting all 3 to sleep. And if they're unusually tough bullywugs, even a 3rd level slot probably won't be sufficient.))
"I don't remember the name of the place... Just that it was where we recovered the town's treasures..." The kobold says with a frown. "As for the gaurds... I could try to put them to sleep if you want" Krackle would reply with a small smile, hoping to be helpful. I can try to cast it really really hard and see if we can put them all to sleep if you want."
"We'll get this mess straightened out for you all," Zeds pops back over to the Lizardfolk guards and assures them. "You're place should not be usurped to placate some measly amphibians! You just be sure you and your friends are ready to step up if need be..."
Not waiting for any questions, Zeds turns to his companions and says "Let's go," and aims to hurry them out of the room. He isn't at sure this will work at all but he does know they are surrounded by various and sundry creatures which would happily kill them all if they saw them for what they truthfully are... So speed is probably a good idea.
"We head for this Pharblaxx," Zeds whisper-instructs the others. "We try to take them out quickly as possible. If there's others around we make noise how we are doing it as revenge for SunCaller... Stir up animosity between the two groups. Preferably we do it quietly but..." Zeds shrugs to indicate how often that idea works.
"We then try to get to Dralmorrer... We insist we got important news. Depending how things go the news is the saving of the egg or it's the infighting between the Bullwags and Lizardfolk. Again, preferably we get to him and kill him quietly but if not we rev up this species conflict if possible. Anything to keep the heat off us, eh?"
"Krackle... Ixsas... You two do whatever magic you can to assist, eh? That's your specialty and I'll not presume..."
Serge smiles as it seems the time for action is at hand. He falls in behind Zeds, ready for a fight with the bullywugs but trying hard not to look like he is itching for a fight.
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PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Ixsas nods to Zeds. He scans the outer ward to ensure that if they start a fight, they do it in secret. He briefly consults with Krackle about what they should do. It's important that they get past the bullywug guards as quickly and quietly as possible, but they don't want to go "too big" with 3 bullywug guards since he expects that they'll need their strength when they face the guard drakes, Dralmorrer, and any of Dralmorrer's personal guards.
Ixsas scanning the outer ward for other guards - Perception: 20
((@weathervision - Are there still just 3 bullywug guards, and where are they stationed? Or maybe just post a map of what we can see as we leave room H?
Also, can we make an Insight or Nature check to estimate how tough these bullywug guards are? Just knowing how many HD they have would really help us choose a course of action.))
Once the group comes into sight of the Bullywug guards Zeds asks "Pharblaxx?" calmly and assuredly while pointing past them as if merely just seeking reassurance that the named is indeed in, not as if asking permission to go see them. A lot of bluffing is just about confidence, Zeds is hoping if he acts sure that they will let him and the others through that it may instill enough doubt in them that they do indeed do so... Alternatively, perhaps they will at least try to stop them verbally and thus let on as to what language they speak. Zeds has some hope that he can talk their way past these guards and in to see this Pharblaxx. It's not high hopes as he's not even sure they can talk but it's worth a shot...
To learn more about the Bullywugs in the Outer Ward you can roll Nature Check. DC 15
on Pass
From your careful observation of amphibians, you can tell these Bullywugs seem to be the most common variety and not very tough unless in great numbers.
The Bullywug guard looks intently at Zeds. Even though it was for a moment it felt like hours as the Bullywug scrutinizes Zeds. In the end he gestures to the door and says one word in thick accent "Enter"
Once inside you see G is a Barracks of sorts.
12 bullywugs eye you suspiciously from a room that might have been a tidy barracks once. Now it is largely empty of furniture. Much of the floor is churned into mud, and the stink of bullywugs permeates everything.
You do not see anyone that seems to be the leader of these Bullywugs though you do see there are stairs in this barracks to lead up to somewhere.
Ixsas saw the bullywugs on their approach to Castle Naerytar, but he doesn't know much about them. He is a Calishite, and before he left on the "holy mission" given to him by Kossuth, he spent his life in and around a temple in a city at the edge of the Calim Desert. Swamps and swamp dwellers are entirely foreign to him.
As the group exits the lizarfolk's forge, he whispers a prayer to Kossuth and reaches out to take Serge's wrist, asking quietly, "What do you think of these bullywugs? Tougher than a common orc? About the same? Or a little weaker?" Serge only joined the caravan a week ago, and they've mostly been battling larger threats in the wilds (Hellriders and trolls and wyvern). Ixsas just picked the first creature that came to mind whose warriors are widespread throughout Faerun. He hopes that Zeds is familiar enough with orcs to use them as a reference for comparison.
Movement: Following behind Zeds. Action: Cast a spell Guidance on Serge, hoping Kossuth will help Serge remember anything he's heard about bullywugs. Serge may roll 1d4 to add to one ability check before the spell ends. Free action: Talking to Serge
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Krackle stays close to the group, clutchingg his orb. As he walks he looks over the creatures trying to determine how many he could put to sleep if needed... or if it would be better to try to incinerate them instead..
Krackle standa close to Zeds... hoping to help him persuade or deceive his way into finding this bullywug leader. He tries his hardest to carry himself the way the other kobold cultists had been thst they had encountered in the past.
The Bullywug guard looks intently at Zeds. Even though it was for a moment it felt like hours as the Bullywug scrutinizes Zeds. In the end he gestures to the door and says one word in thick accent "Enter"
Ixsas was prepared for a fight to get inside, and he's surprised when the guard lets them in. He reminds himself that he should have more trust in Zeds' charm, even with these muddy creatures, and he hurries to catch up and enter the room.
Ixsas remains at the back of the group, hoping that their "disguise" holds up. He isn't liking these odds, but at least the small building will make it easier to Silence any fight that breaks out. On the other hand, it will make it harder to wipe out all of the bullywugs with a Fireball without hitting the other party members.
Zeds blinks and gulps. Hopefully not audibly. He was not expecting this. Who guards a room full of guards?? They seem to have at least a few words of Common to them, apparently redundant is not one of them.
"Pharblaxx?" Zeds asks again, this time a bit more forcefully as if it was a question and a command. He's regretting some of his life choices at this point but turning and fleeing certainly would not improve their situation.
(Persuasion needed again? Will us Krackle's help if so... 23)
If the name is not enough to get the dozen or so Bullwugs to allow them passage, Zeds adds "Dralmorrer sends us with his reward... Which I am sure he'll share with you all once he has taken his cut."
One of the bullywugs points to the stairs. The party ascends the stairs and sees a more well-furnished room with dilapidated furniture. There are 10 bullywugs in the upper barracks and presiding over these 10 is a larger bullywug wearing a lizardfolk head as a crown. Perhaps its Shaman Suncallers head. In total there are 11 bullywugs here.
"Pharblaxx?" Zeds asks. "Yeah, you are definitely Pharblaxx..." It occurs to Zeds at this point that he has no plan. No idea of exactly how to go about... whatever exactly he is trying to go about.
"How you doing? Living your best life, I see... Hey man, that is a nice hat. I mean really a nice hat. Some people would kill for a hat like that, you know what I am saying??" He hoped he did because Zeds certainly didn't.
"I know this is a bit... unorthodox? But Dralmorrer is getting a lot of grief from the lizard folks. Lizards, am I right or am I right?? May as well just call them Karens, eh??" Zeds continues and approaches the large and in charge Bullywug in a slow, friendly manner. "I mean we all know what had to be done, right? But at least for now Drally needs to keep the Lizards docile... Someone needs to make the weapons, right?"
((I don't want to continue on and on too long for I have a feeling crap may hit the fan before too long? But the goal for Zeds is to talk and drone on long enough to 1) get up close to Pharblaxx himself and 2) allow his teammates time to get ready to do whatever they are going to do before said crap hits said fan... Persuasion once more? 19))
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"Well... I could try to bullshit the frogmen..." Zeds offers with some skepticism apparent in his voice. "Or we explore more and spread discontent and seeds of an uprising?" This is all said quietly, Zeds still quite cognizant of the fact the lizard people are close by and may get mad if they realize the group is hoping to use them as cannon fodder for their own purposes.
"Same old story of we have the last surviving egg from the Greenest raid? Did that camp have a name, where we stole it from?" Zeds asks Krackle in case he remembers.
((OOC: Heh. Good point! I guess Ixsas is just worried about starting a fight before we really see the scope of this castle and its defenses. He doesn't want to bring down the whole castle's defenses down on our heads before we discover, for example, that there's an adult dragon hiding in that astronomy tower. It seems like the lizardfolk and bullywugs don't see us as suspicious yet. At some point, this Dralmorrer guy is going to realize that there are non-cultist spies sneaking around and send some guards to get us. Until then, we probably have the freedom to do anything that a regular dragon cultist would: check out the castle, get some food, talk to the guards, etc.))
Ixsas suggests that another possible approach might be to persuade or suggest that a bullywug provoke a fight with the lizardfolk. (Ixsas could suggest that the lizardfolk have stolen something precious to Pharblaxx, for example.) The party could come to the lizardfolk's defense and kill the bullywug "aggressors." That might kick off an all-out fight between the two groups as bullywug reinforcements jump in to avenge their fallen comrades and the lizardfolk jump in to defend the party (and kill bullywugs). If that scuffle grows into an all-out battle, the party might be able to fade away in the chaos and go after Dralmorrer himself without attracting much attention.
We'd just have to wait a little while to give Snapjaw enough time to spread the word among all of the lizardfolk about the upcoming battle to overthrow the bullywugs. While we wait, we could hide in the lizardfolk tower, or we could check out the kitchens, etc.
((I mean... you're not wrong. But then again if there is an adult dragon here we're kind of f'd no matter what we do. Unless it is flee. Now. Quietly and stealthily! But as I see it, it's a 6 of 1, half dozen of the other situation and as such I see Zeds as a may as well die in a blaze of glory type over double checking there's nothing even more dangerous in the kitchen type is all. End of the day I suspect we'll have similar results either way.))
"I think any persuasion or suggesting of the froggers could lead to quite a blow up but it's a risk we may need to take in some form," Zeds responds. "Unless you got something?" he finishes, looking to Krackle.
((Specifically, you got Sleep yes? Do we think that would be enough to put out the Bullwug guards?))
((OOC: We'd have to check to see whether that's still true since we've been inside talking to Snapjaw. Even with just 3 guards, we'd be lucky to put them all to sleep. Medium creatures would have d8 hit die. Let's say that they're flimsy with only 2 HD each, that's still 6d8 HP across the three guards + CON adjustments. I guess Krackle would need to upcast Sleep as a 2nd or probably 3rd level spell to have even a hope of putting all 3 to sleep. And if they're unusually tough bullywugs, even a 3rd level slot probably won't be sufficient.))
"I don't remember the name of the place... Just that it was where we recovered the town's treasures..." The kobold says with a frown. "As for the gaurds... I could try to put them to sleep if you want" Krackle would reply with a small smile, hoping to be helpful. I can try to cast it really really hard and see if we can put them all to sleep if you want."
"We'll get this mess straightened out for you all," Zeds pops back over to the Lizardfolk guards and assures them. "You're place should not be usurped to placate some measly amphibians! You just be sure you and your friends are ready to step up if need be..."
Not waiting for any questions, Zeds turns to his companions and says "Let's go," and aims to hurry them out of the room. He isn't at sure this will work at all but he does know they are surrounded by various and sundry creatures which would happily kill them all if they saw them for what they truthfully are... So speed is probably a good idea.
"We head for this Pharblaxx," Zeds whisper-instructs the others. "We try to take them out quickly as possible. If there's others around we make noise how we are doing it as revenge for SunCaller... Stir up animosity between the two groups. Preferably we do it quietly but..." Zeds shrugs to indicate how often that idea works.
"We then try to get to Dralmorrer... We insist we got important news. Depending how things go the news is the saving of the egg or it's the infighting between the Bullwags and Lizardfolk. Again, preferably we get to him and kill him quietly but if not we rev up this species conflict if possible. Anything to keep the heat off us, eh?"
"Krackle... Ixsas... You two do whatever magic you can to assist, eh? That's your specialty and I'll not presume..."
Serge smiles as it seems the time for action is at hand. He falls in behind Zeds, ready for a fight with the bullywugs but trying hard not to look like he is itching for a fight.
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Ixsas nods to Zeds. He scans the outer ward to ensure that if they start a fight, they do it in secret. He briefly consults with Krackle about what they should do. It's important that they get past the bullywug guards as quickly and quietly as possible, but they don't want to go "too big" with 3 bullywug guards since he expects that they'll need their strength when they face the guard drakes, Dralmorrer, and any of Dralmorrer's personal guards.
Ixsas scanning the outer ward for other guards - Perception: 20
((@weathervision - Are there still just 3 bullywug guards, and where are they stationed? Or maybe just post a map of what we can see as we leave room H?
Also, can we make an Insight or Nature check to estimate how tough these bullywug guards are? Just knowing how many HD they have would really help us choose a course of action.))
Once the group comes into sight of the Bullywug guards Zeds asks "Pharblaxx?" calmly and assuredly while pointing past them as if merely just seeking reassurance that the named is indeed in, not as if asking permission to go see them. A lot of bluffing is just about confidence, Zeds is hoping if he acts sure that they will let him and the others through that it may instill enough doubt in them that they do indeed do so... Alternatively, perhaps they will at least try to stop them verbally and thus let on as to what language they speak. Zeds has some hope that he can talk their way past these guards and in to see this Pharblaxx. It's not high hopes as he's not even sure they can talk but it's worth a shot...
(Persuasion? 19)
In the Outer Ward has 3 Bullywugs. Each square is 20ft
To learn more about the Bullywugs in the Outer Ward you can roll Nature Check. DC 15
on Pass
From your careful observation of amphibians, you can tell these Bullywugs seem to be the most common variety and not very tough unless in great numbers.
The Bullywug guard looks intently at Zeds. Even though it was for a moment it felt like hours as the Bullywug scrutinizes Zeds. In the end he gestures to the door and says one word in thick accent "Enter"
Once inside you see G is a Barracks of sorts.
12 bullywugs eye you suspiciously from a room that might have been a tidy barracks once. Now it is largely empty of furniture. Much of the floor is churned into mud, and the stink of bullywugs permeates everything.
You do not see anyone that seems to be the leader of these Bullywugs though you do see there are stairs in this barracks to lead up to somewhere.
Nature: 10 (in game log)
Ixsas saw the bullywugs on their approach to Castle Naerytar, but he doesn't know much about them. He is a Calishite, and before he left on the "holy mission" given to him by Kossuth, he spent his life in and around a temple in a city at the edge of the Calim Desert. Swamps and swamp dwellers are entirely foreign to him.
As the group exits the lizarfolk's forge, he whispers a prayer to Kossuth and reaches out to take Serge's wrist, asking quietly, "What do you think of these bullywugs? Tougher than a common orc? About the same? Or a little weaker?" Serge only joined the caravan a week ago, and they've mostly been battling larger threats in the wilds (Hellriders and trolls and wyvern). Ixsas just picked the first creature that came to mind whose warriors are widespread throughout Faerun. He hopes that Zeds is familiar enough with orcs to use them as a reference for comparison.
Movement: Following behind Zeds.
Action: Cast a spell Guidance on Serge, hoping Kossuth will help Serge remember anything he's heard about bullywugs.
Serge may roll 1d4 to add to one ability check before the spell ends.
Free action: Talking to Serge
Concentration: Guidance
Krackle stays close to the group, clutchingg his orb. As he walks he looks over the creatures trying to determine how many he could put to sleep if needed... or if it would be better to try to incinerate them instead..
nature 1
Krackle standa close to Zeds... hoping to help him persuade or deceive his way into finding this bullywug leader. He tries his hardest to carry himself the way the other kobold cultists had been thst they had encountered in the past.
Ixsas was prepared for a fight to get inside, and he's surprised when the guard lets them in. He reminds himself that he should have more trust in Zeds' charm, even with these muddy creatures, and he hurries to catch up and enter the room.
Ixsas remains at the back of the group, hoping that their "disguise" holds up. He isn't liking these odds, but at least the small building will make it easier to Silence any fight that breaks out. On the other hand, it will make it harder to wipe out all of the bullywugs with a Fireball without hitting the other party members.
Zeds blinks and gulps. Hopefully not audibly. He was not expecting this. Who guards a room full of guards?? They seem to have at least a few words of Common to them, apparently redundant is not one of them.
"Pharblaxx?" Zeds asks again, this time a bit more forcefully as if it was a question and a command. He's regretting some of his life choices at this point but turning and fleeing certainly would not improve their situation.
(Persuasion needed again? Will us Krackle's help if so... 23)
If the name is not enough to get the dozen or so Bullwugs to allow them passage, Zeds adds "Dralmorrer sends us with his reward... Which I am sure he'll share with you all once he has taken his cut."
One of the bullywugs points to the stairs. The party ascends the stairs and sees a more well-furnished room with dilapidated furniture. There are 10 bullywugs in the upper barracks and presiding over these 10 is a larger bullywug wearing a lizardfolk head as a crown. Perhaps its Shaman Suncallers head. In total there are 11 bullywugs here.
"Pharblaxx?" Zeds asks. "Yeah, you are definitely Pharblaxx..." It occurs to Zeds at this point that he has no plan. No idea of exactly how to go about... whatever exactly he is trying to go about.
"How you doing? Living your best life, I see... Hey man, that is a nice hat. I mean really a nice hat. Some people would kill for a hat like that, you know what I am saying??" He hoped he did because Zeds certainly didn't.
"I know this is a bit... unorthodox? But Dralmorrer is getting a lot of grief from the lizard folks. Lizards, am I right or am I right?? May as well just call them Karens, eh??" Zeds continues and approaches the large and in charge Bullywug in a slow, friendly manner. "I mean we all know what had to be done, right? But at least for now Drally needs to keep the Lizards docile... Someone needs to make the weapons, right?"
((I don't want to continue on and on too long for I have a feeling crap may hit the fan before too long? But the goal for Zeds is to talk and drone on long enough to 1) get up close to Pharblaxx himself and 2) allow his teammates time to get ready to do whatever they are going to do before said crap hits said fan... Persuasion once more? 19))