He does his best to straighten himself and he considered his options. In a forced calm voice, he says "I am the commander as you say of Castle Naerytar. The point of this place is to funnel money to the Cult of the Dragon. Its but a way station away from prying eyes. Its importance is rather low as I am given only a handful of cultists while the rest I had to make do with the residents of this swamp."
"Greed. Always greed." Thrax says disdainfully, hovering over Dralmorrer. He spares an inquisitive look at the yuan-ti briefly, considering his words, before turning back to their cornered foe.
It takes every iota of restraint to prevent Thraxinthos from caving the commander's face in, to end this in a spray of crimson. Instead, his thick claws grip either side of the cultist's head. "How do you do it? Control the residents?"
As if the words themselves curdle on his tongue, the dragonborn stares distastefully down at the captive, eyes of molten gold. "Tell us. Tell us how to send the guards away. Give us a reason. A reason to spare your life."
The young blonde selûnite takes a nimble step back to not have the prisoners blood and viscera all over her when Thrax's patience was at it's end, which judging by his temper could be at any moment now. She was happy to have the massive red dragonborn continue the interview while she memorized the intricasies of the prisoner's speech pattern and also studying his appearance before walking downstairs again.
"Easy now, big fella..." Zeds says in a placating tone. "He's helping, he's helping. Let him help... Right now we need him to help by staying quiet."
Turning from Thrax to Dralmorrer Zeds puts the gag back in place. "You understand. Can't have anyone hearing your voice coming from more than one spot. So just stay quiet and we'll all get out of this ok...."
The point of this place is to funnel money to the Cult of the Dragon. Its but a way station away from prying eyes.
When Dralmorrer talks about the castle as a way station on the path to funnel money to the Cult of the Draon, Ixsas makes sort of exasperated harrumph sound in disbelief. He interrupts his investigation of the hand cranks to say, "This man speaks nonsense. A 'way station' is a place that's 'on the way' to a destination, but I don't think that this castle is on the way to anything else except more swamp. If they're taking the loot north, then they'll end up back on the Trade Way, and bringing it here just wastes several days to very little purpose. And if they're not taking it back to the Trade Way, then what is its destination? Maybe the dragonborn can wring the answer out of him. Once the loot arrives here, where do they take it next?" Ixsas does not speak to Dralmorrer directly, nor does he attempt to interrogate the half-elf. He just addresses his comments to his companions, especially Zeds.
If the others ask, Ixsas explains his thinking. He's been wondering about it since they first made it inside the castle. The lizardfolk at Carnath House brought a heavily-laden wagon here: the deep ruts were easy to follow. But the castle only appears to have the one gate, and that leads to the same trail that they took on their way to the castle in the first place. They did not pass any other wagons going the other direction, and it doesn't look like the castle has any docks for boats. Ixsas does not remember seeing any other vehicles loaded with the loot since they've arrived at the castle. So...where did the loot from the wagon that they were following go? Has it already left the castle? And if so, how? Another underground tunnel like there was under Carnath House?
He leans away from Thrax "I could order my guards to leave if you would permit me to see them. As to the residents of this swamp I give them a fraction of the treasures that are brought here. For the lizardfolk it's the promise they will be blessed by a great dragon"
He then looks to the Ixsas "The treasures are taken to the caverns underneath the castle and moved. You can see for yourself if you wish. The stairs down are just past the dining hall"
The young blonde selûnite gives their prisoner a scutinizing look as he offers to help them. It would certainly be convenient if he cooperated with them, but it would also be quite easy for him to betray them. She had a feeling this one might not be a true fanatic though.
Insight to determine if Dalmorrer would betray them: 15 + Guidance: 2
Dralmorrer He then looks to the Ixsas "The treasures are taken to the caverns underneath the castle and moved. You can see for yourself if you wish. The stairs down are just past the dining hall"
At being addressed directly, Ixsas turns his bright green eyes to glare at Dralmorrer. He asks the half-elf, "Caverns underneath the castle? Hm. Yes, I would like to see that. We have to go through the dining hall, yes? And then where? Toward the tower at the southwest corner of the castle? Or toward the outer ward and the main gate of the castle?"
If Seraphina can convince the guards to leave them alone for a while, then the party will have plenty of time to talk to their prisoner. Ixsas also does not trust the half-elf, and he wonders whether Dralmorrer is trying to lead them into another ambush. Insight: 10
((OOC: The dining hall is area Q, IIRC. Basically, Ixsas is trying to find out whether Dralmorrer is talking about R/S/T or L/M/N/O.)
As Seraphina ponders the truthfulness of Dralmorrer's words, the dragonborn's eyes narrow with scepticism - a lifetime of bitter experiences with the Cult of the Dragon have shaped his cynicism. He has never possessed the cleverness to untangle their nefarious schemes and underhanded plots, but the barbarian knows Tiamat's followers are as likely to engage in treachery and deceit as they are to be motivated by self-interest and survival.
Thraxinthos forcibly turns Dralmorrer's head in the direction of the telescope that Ixsas had been studying while considering the merits of a second way out, should Seraphina's attempt at fooling the guards fail.
"Hrmgh. This thing... The metal thing. How does it work?" Thrax growls, yanking Dralmorrer to his feet. With little effort, he lifts the commander and carries him closer to the contraption below the closed dome."Help him open it. Explain. Now."
((OOC: @drumdigby - If I understood correctly, turning and aiming the telescope is complex, but just opening the dome is fairly straightforward.))
Ixsas stifles a laugh at seeing their deadly foe lifted up like a doll by Thrax. He says, "Don't worry, Thrax. I already know how to open the dome, but I may need your strength to do it. Then we will see the sky, and we'll even be able to look through this device -- this 'tiliskub' -- to see what it can show us." Ixsas pronounces the word "telescope" with a thick accent, the way it is pronounced in his homeland. He knows that star-gazers use such devices, but he's not sure exactly why. Ixsas does not want Dralmorrer to touch the controls of the telescope. Not yet. It may still be pointed at whatever he was viewing last, and that may give them some clue about what Dralmorrer is really up to.
Ixsas looks at the telescope. Does it seem to be aimed up at the sky or not? If Dralmorrer was using the telescope, maybe he's not using it to view the stars. Ixsas thinks to himself that it might help the half-elf look at other distant things, like Carnath House or the Trade Way. That might explain why this castle is particularly valuable to the cult.
As the dome opens, Thrax seems fascinated by the shifting plates that expose the party to the open air. He moves towards the furthest edge, gripping Dralmorrer by the waist, several feet off the ground. If it is possible to look down, the dragonborn seeks potential routes of escape - a nearby building they might leap to, whether it might be possible to quietly throw a rope down and evade the guards at the door.
He tilts his head as the sounds of muffled thumping make their way to the third floor."Hurry. We must hurry. They will break the door down soon." Reptilian eyes shift in Seraphina's direction. "What will you do?"
"The tiliskub." Thrax says, testing the strange new word in his mouth, failing to put two and two together and unfamiliar with sophisticated technology in general. He glances upward into the night sky, briefly enjoying the rush of wind over his scales after his period of confinement. "What does the tiliskub show you?"
With the impatient shouts from downstairs, the young blonde selûnite gives the massive red dragonborn a small almsot playful reassuring smile before heading down to deal with it. "I will handle it, but I wouldn't mind some company, just in case the gods wants to test us further." She she says with a calm confident smile before quickly and nimbly stepping down the spiral staircase.
"Leave and don't disturb me!! Everything is under control but I need time to interrogate the prisoners, make sure no one bothers me or you will become dragon snacks!" Dralmorrer's voice can be heard clearly through the door. A moment later the door opens and Dralmorrer glares out at the insolent guard outside before the door is quickly slammed shut again.
(Using Minor Illusion twice)
Deception: 26 Another roll if help action somehow is provided: 13 + Guidance: 1 Intimidation: 22 Another roll if help action somehow is provided: 24
Ixsas cannot get a read on Dralmorrer. He tells Ixsas the stairs are at S
Ixsas considers the devotees of most gods other than Kossuth to be heretics. He thinks of them as dishonest charlatans or as the foolish dupes of false priests, so he has a hard time taking anything Dralmorrer says seriously. He just keeps wondering why the half-elf would worship some dragon god. What could he hope to gain?
If they can trust Dralmorrer, they now know how to get to the caverns under the castle. But what did Dralmorrer say? The treasure is taken to the caverns under the castle and then...moved? He imagines something like the secret underground tunnel that led out of Carnath House, but that seemed to be a way to divert the stolen treasure without arousing the suspicion of the regular merchants at Carnath House. That doesn't make sense here at the castle. Why hide the transport of the stolen goods from the other cultists, lizardfolk, and bullywugs?
There's something more that Dralmorrer has not told them...
Dralmorrer has an indignant look at being lift as was about to say something when interrupted by Ixsas Thrax
((OOC: @Weathervision - I think that you meant Thrax there. ⤴ I'm also not sure what's happening at the same time in these next story beats. I'm going to assume that the dome was already opened before the latest beating on the door downstairs.))
But when Thrax starts demanding help from Dralmorrer, Ixsas tries to calm the dragonborn. They still need to keep Dralmorrer alive if they hope to get out of this castle! Ixsas enlists Thrax's help, partially just to distract him from Dralmorrer, directing the dragonborn on which hand cranks to turn to open the domed roof. With the roof open, Ixsas can now look through the telescope, which doesn't seem to pointed at the sky but at a spot in the swamp.
Ixas climbs up on the platform on which the large device sits and looks through the telescope. He gasps, and his hand involuntarily clutches the amulet of Kossuth that he wears. He raises his head to look past the telescope, but all he sees are the distant tops of strange trees and bushes growing out of the sodden mud and the shallow pools of the swap -- so strange to one who grew up near the Calim Desert. He does not see the dragons. Looking through the telescope again, he sees the two dragons again.
Ixsas stands and steps back from the telescope. He encourages Krackleor Zeds take a look as he stands there, somewhat dazed. Did he really just see a dragon? Two dragons?! Is that why the cult is bringing the treasure into the swamp? Are they giving it to the dragons? Or do the dragons serve Dralmorrer, flying the stolen treasure to its next destination?
((OOC: IIRC, this is the first time Ixsas has seen a dragon with his own eyes. He has heard the others tell about their earlier encounters with the dragons, but the closest the party has come to seeing dragons again since he joined the caravan was the guard drakes that they recently fought or the wyverns just north of the Trollclaws.))
"The tiliskub." Thrax says, testing the strange new word in his mouth, failing to put two and two together and unfamiliar with sophisticated technology in general. He glances upward into the night sky, briefly enjoying the rush of wind over his scales after his period of confinement. "What does the tiliskub show you?"
Ixsas looks to Thrax and opens his mouth as if to answer, but before he can reply, the pounding on the door startles him. His attention is yanked back to their present crisis by the shouting from below. He nods at Seraphina, agreeing with her plan, before he hurriedly tells Thrax, "Here -- see for yourself. The device can show you things at a great distance, letting you see a lair that's miles away as though you were standing right there yourself. Look through this part, here, just like you were looking through a tube or arrow slit."
Ixsas agrees that one or more of them should accompany Sabrina downstairs in case she needs help with the guards. She probably heads downstairs before Ixsas is done showing Thrax the telescope, but then he can follow right after Seraphina. In particular, Ixsas currently holds Dralmorrer's key to the locked door, so Seraphinawill need Ixsas to open the door so that she can show the illusion of Dralmorrer glaring at the guards.
Dralmorrer
He does his best to straighten himself and he considered his options. In a forced calm voice, he says "I am the commander as you say of Castle Naerytar. The point of this place is to funnel money to the Cult of the Dragon. Its but a way station away from prying eyes. Its importance is rather low as I am given only a handful of cultists while the rest I had to make do with the residents of this swamp."
"Greed. Always greed." Thrax says disdainfully, hovering over Dralmorrer. He spares an inquisitive look at the yuan-ti briefly, considering his words, before turning back to their cornered foe.
It takes every iota of restraint to prevent Thraxinthos from caving the commander's face in, to end this in a spray of crimson. Instead, his thick claws grip either side of the cultist's head. "How do you do it? Control the residents?"
As if the words themselves curdle on his tongue, the dragonborn stares distastefully down at the captive, eyes of molten gold. "Tell us. Tell us how to send the guards away. Give us a reason. A reason to spare your life."
The young blonde selûnite takes a nimble step back to not have the prisoners blood and viscera all over her when Thrax's patience was at it's end, which judging by his temper could be at any moment now. She was happy to have the massive red dragonborn continue the interview while she memorized the intricasies of the prisoner's speech pattern and also studying his appearance before walking downstairs again.
"Easy now, big fella..." Zeds says in a placating tone. "He's helping, he's helping. Let him help... Right now we need him to help by staying quiet."
Turning from Thrax to Dralmorrer Zeds puts the gag back in place. "You understand. Can't have anyone hearing your voice coming from more than one spot. So just stay quiet and we'll all get out of this ok...."
When Dralmorrer talks about the castle as a way station on the path to funnel money to the Cult of the Draon, Ixsas makes sort of exasperated harrumph sound in disbelief. He interrupts his investigation of the hand cranks to say, "This man speaks nonsense. A 'way station' is a place that's 'on the way' to a destination, but I don't think that this castle is on the way to anything else except more swamp. If they're taking the loot north, then they'll end up back on the Trade Way, and bringing it here just wastes several days to very little purpose. And if they're not taking it back to the Trade Way, then what is its destination? Maybe the dragonborn can wring the answer out of him. Once the loot arrives here, where do they take it next?" Ixsas does not speak to Dralmorrer directly, nor does he attempt to interrogate the half-elf. He just addresses his comments to his companions, especially Zeds.
If the others ask, Ixsas explains his thinking. He's been wondering about it since they first made it inside the castle. The lizardfolk at Carnath House brought a heavily-laden wagon here: the deep ruts were easy to follow. But the castle only appears to have the one gate, and that leads to the same trail that they took on their way to the castle in the first place. They did not pass any other wagons going the other direction, and it doesn't look like the castle has any docks for boats. Ixsas does not remember seeing any other vehicles loaded with the loot since they've arrived at the castle. So...where did the loot from the wagon that they were following go? Has it already left the castle? And if so, how? Another underground tunnel like there was under Carnath House?
Dralmorrer
He leans away from Thrax "I could order my guards to leave if you would permit me to see them. As to the residents of this swamp I give them a fraction of the treasures that are brought here. For the lizardfolk it's the promise they will be blessed by a great dragon"
He then looks to the Ixsas "The treasures are taken to the caverns underneath the castle and moved. You can see for yourself if you wish. The stairs down are just past the dining hall"
The young blonde selûnite gives their prisoner a scutinizing look as he offers to help them. It would certainly be convenient if he cooperated with them, but it would also be quite easy for him to betray them. She had a feeling this one might not be a true fanatic though.
Insight to determine if Dalmorrer would betray them: 15 + Guidance: 2
At being addressed directly, Ixsas turns his bright green eyes to glare at Dralmorrer. He asks the half-elf, "Caverns underneath the castle? Hm. Yes, I would like to see that. We have to go through the dining hall, yes? And then where? Toward the tower at the southwest corner of the castle? Or toward the outer ward and the main gate of the castle?"
If Seraphina can convince the guards to leave them alone for a while, then the party will have plenty of time to talk to their prisoner. Ixsas also does not trust the half-elf, and he wonders whether Dralmorrer is trying to lead them into another ambush. Insight: 10
((OOC: The dining hall is area Q, IIRC. Basically, Ixsas is trying to find out whether Dralmorrer is talking about R/S/T or L/M/N/O.)
As Seraphina ponders the truthfulness of Dralmorrer's words, the dragonborn's eyes narrow with scepticism - a lifetime of bitter experiences with the Cult of the Dragon have shaped his cynicism. He has never possessed the cleverness to untangle their nefarious schemes and underhanded plots, but the barbarian knows Tiamat's followers are as likely to engage in treachery and deceit as they are to be motivated by self-interest and survival.
Thraxinthos forcibly turns Dralmorrer's head in the direction of the telescope that Ixsas had been studying while considering the merits of a second way out, should Seraphina's attempt at fooling the guards fail.
"Hrmgh. This thing... The metal thing. How does it work?" Thrax growls, yanking Dralmorrer to his feet. With little effort, he lifts the commander and carries him closer to the contraption below the closed dome. "Help him open it. Explain. Now."
((OOC: @drumdigby - If I understood correctly, turning and aiming the telescope is complex, but just opening the dome is fairly straightforward.))
Ixsas stifles a laugh at seeing their deadly foe lifted up like a doll by Thrax. He says, "Don't worry, Thrax. I already know how to open the dome, but I may need your strength to do it. Then we will see the sky, and we'll even be able to look through this device -- this 'tiliskub' -- to see what it can show us." Ixsas pronounces the word "telescope" with a thick accent, the way it is pronounced in his homeland. He knows that star-gazers use such devices, but he's not sure exactly why. Ixsas does not want Dralmorrer to touch the controls of the telescope. Not yet. It may still be pointed at whatever he was viewing last, and that may give them some clue about what Dralmorrer is really up to.
Ixsas looks at the telescope. Does it seem to be aimed up at the sky or not? If Dralmorrer was using the telescope, maybe he's not using it to view the stars. Ixsas thinks to himself that it might help the half-elf look at other distant things, like Carnath House or the Trade Way. That might explain why this castle is particularly valuable to the cult.
Seraphina
Yes, Dralmorrer would betray you. So far, he has not lied to you.
Ixsas cannot get a read on Dralmorrer.
Dralmorrer
He tells Ixsas the stairs are at S
The party hears loud banging on the door below with muffled yelling "Open this blasted door or I will do it for you!"
Dralmorrer has an indignant look at being lift as was about to say something when interrupted by Ixsas
The dome shutters are now opened, and the telescope is not pointed at the sky but towards a point in the swamp.
Looking through the telescope, you see a large cave entrance with not 1 but 2 adult black dragons.
As the dome opens, Thrax seems fascinated by the shifting plates that expose the party to the open air. He moves towards the furthest edge, gripping Dralmorrer by the waist, several feet off the ground. If it is possible to look down, the dragonborn seeks potential routes of escape - a nearby building they might leap to, whether it might be possible to quietly throw a rope down and evade the guards at the door.
He tilts his head as the sounds of muffled thumping make their way to the third floor. "Hurry. We must hurry. They will break the door down soon." Reptilian eyes shift in Seraphina's direction. "What will you do?"
"The tiliskub." Thrax says, testing the strange new word in his mouth, failing to put two and two together and unfamiliar with sophisticated technology in general. He glances upward into the night sky, briefly enjoying the rush of wind over his scales after his period of confinement. "What does the tiliskub show you?"
Perception: 8
With the impatient shouts from downstairs, the young blonde selûnite gives the massive red dragonborn a small almsot playful reassuring smile before heading down to deal with it. "I will handle it, but I wouldn't mind some company, just in case the gods wants to test us further." She she says with a calm confident smile before quickly and nimbly stepping down the spiral staircase.
"Leave and don't disturb me!! Everything is under control but I need time to interrogate the prisoners, make sure no one bothers me or you will become dragon snacks!" Dralmorrer's voice can be heard clearly through the door. A moment later the door opens and Dralmorrer glares out at the insolent guard outside before the door is quickly slammed shut again.
(Using Minor Illusion twice)
Deception: 26 Another roll if help action somehow is provided: 13 + Guidance: 1
Intimidation: 22 Another roll if help action somehow is provided: 24
Ixsas considers the devotees of most gods other than Kossuth to be heretics. He thinks of them as dishonest charlatans or as the foolish dupes of false priests, so he has a hard time taking anything Dralmorrer says seriously. He just keeps wondering why the half-elf would worship some dragon god. What could he hope to gain?
If they can trust Dralmorrer, they now know how to get to the caverns under the castle. But what did Dralmorrer say? The treasure is taken to the caverns under the castle and then...moved? He imagines something like the secret underground tunnel that led out of Carnath House, but that seemed to be a way to divert the stolen treasure without arousing the suspicion of the regular merchants at Carnath House. That doesn't make sense here at the castle. Why hide the transport of the stolen goods from the other cultists, lizardfolk, and bullywugs?
There's something more that Dralmorrer has not told them...
((OOC: @Weathervision - I think that you meant Thrax there. ⤴ I'm also not sure what's happening at the same time in these next story beats. I'm going to assume that the dome was already opened before the latest beating on the door downstairs.))
But when Thrax starts demanding help from Dralmorrer, Ixsas tries to calm the dragonborn. They still need to keep Dralmorrer alive if they hope to get out of this castle! Ixsas enlists Thrax's help, partially just to distract him from Dralmorrer, directing the dragonborn on which hand cranks to turn to open the domed roof. With the roof open, Ixsas can now look through the telescope, which doesn't seem to pointed at the sky but at a spot in the swamp.
Ixas climbs up on the platform on which the large device sits and looks through the telescope. He gasps, and his hand involuntarily clutches the amulet of Kossuth that he wears. He raises his head to look past the telescope, but all he sees are the distant tops of strange trees and bushes growing out of the sodden mud and the shallow pools of the swap -- so strange to one who grew up near the Calim Desert. He does not see the dragons. Looking through the telescope again, he sees the two dragons again.
Ixsas stands and steps back from the telescope. He encourages Krackle or Zeds take a look as he stands there, somewhat dazed. Did he really just see a dragon? Two dragons?! Is that why the cult is bringing the treasure into the swamp? Are they giving it to the dragons? Or do the dragons serve Dralmorrer, flying the stolen treasure to its next destination?
((OOC: IIRC, this is the first time Ixsas has seen a dragon with his own eyes. He has heard the others tell about their earlier encounters with the dragons, but the closest the party has come to seeing dragons again since he joined the caravan was the guard drakes that they recently fought or the wyverns just north of the Trollclaws.))
Ixsas looks to Thrax and opens his mouth as if to answer, but before he can reply, the pounding on the door startles him. His attention is yanked back to their present crisis by the shouting from below. He nods at Seraphina, agreeing with her plan, before he hurriedly tells Thrax, "Here -- see for yourself. The device can show you things at a great distance, letting you see a lair that's miles away as though you were standing right there yourself. Look through this part, here, just like you were looking through a tube or arrow slit."
Ixsas agrees that one or more of them should accompany Sabrina downstairs in case she needs help with the guards. She probably heads downstairs before Ixsas is done showing Thrax the telescope, but then he can follow right after Seraphina. In particular, Ixsas currently holds Dralmorrer's key to the locked door, so Seraphina will need Ixsas to open the door so that she can show the illusion of Dralmorrer glaring at the guards.
Great time for some fantastic rolls! Hopefully, that buys us at least a Short Rest!