Other than bandaging his wounds, here's how Ixsas spends his Short Rest:
He suggests that maybe someone else should use the Short Rest to attune to Krackle's Ring of Fire Resistance. We considered it to be a "shared" party item that Krackle was using, but it might make more sense on one of the other characters now.
He spends time in prayer, giving thanks to Kossuth for their deliverance and continued survival so that he can fulfill the mission entrusted to him.
He joins the group conversation, sharing stories of the party's recent adventures and learning about Thrax and Seraphina. (But he's clearly disappointed that they each seem to be dedicated to another god and are not good candidates for his proselytization.)
He listens to any conversation with Dralmorrer, but he doesn't speak with the half-elf himself.
At the end of their Short Rest, before we try to leave the tower, Ixsas would like to do a few things first:
Ixsas is interested in discarding his scale mail armor and taking Dralmorrer's armor unless they need him to be wearing it for their next plans. Dralmorrer's armor is probably in better shape than Ixsas's armor, and it may also help Ixsas pass for an officer of the Cult of the Dragon -- at least at a distance.
Ixsas (or Seraphina) could perform a ritual casting of Detect Magic to check whether Dralmorrer's gear or anything else they've found here is magic, including Zed's hat from Phrablex's room.
If they have time, the party should search the rooms on the first and second floor to see whether there's any other useful gear to scavenge.
In particular, if any of the slain guards wears leather or studded leather armor, perhaps Seraphina could wear that.
There's an entire room on the 2nd floor that we haven't explored. If it's locked, we can try Dralmorrer's key.
Ixsas hopes that they have a plan for what to do next by the end of the Short Rest: "I don't think that the guards will leave us alone for much longer."
If Zeds does not find a secret way out, they're going to have to leave the tower at some point, either in force or using some sort of deception. I guess that plan might depend on whether Zeds learns anything else useful from Dralmorrer.
In discussing their plans, Ixsas reminds them that he can attempt to put someone under a Suggestion. He could try to do that on Dralmorrer to guarantee his cooperation. Or, if they need to keep the guards distracted, he could try using it on Snapjaw or the new leader of the bullywugs to re-start the fight between the bullywugs and lizardfolk. That might cause enough chaos within the castle to permit the party to slip down to the caverns with minimal resistance.
Thrax peers through the eyepiece of the telescope suspiciously, and growls in shock at what he sees. He draws back, his first instinct to reach for his axe, but eventually the slow-witted barbarian digests Ixsas' words. Things at a great distance? Miles away? He tentatively draws closer once more, squinting into the viewing lens while holding his breath, awestruck and angered by the sight of these vast dragons.
"Evil magic, this tiliskub." Thrax says to Ixsas, less than enamoured by the instrument and the titans he perceived through it. He attempts to discuss the dragons, but is swiftly interrupted by the Kossuthan priest before he can get any meaningful information out.
Once the opportunity to rest is secured, the dragonborn spends time patching up his wounds as best he can, always keeping Dralmorrer close. He explains the gist of his life story to Zeds, Ixsas and Seraphina - that he was born into the Cult of the Dragon; that he absconded from its clutches after they razed a grove belonging to centaurs and druids who were dear to him; that he wandered for many years until he found a calling in the Order of the Gauntlet, in the name of his patron deity, Bahamut. As part of his mission to fight the Cult, he was ordered to investigate Cult activity in this region.
When he is done resting, he aids Zeds in his efforts to find secret doors or panels. Given that none of the armour they've examined seem fit for him, he will take the Ring of Fire Resistance, unless someone else wants it. He thanks Krackle at length in Draconic for the boon.
Help action to assist Zeds' search for secret passages and whatnot, if he needs to roll for it.
Help action to assist Ixsas' search for useful gear, if he needs to roll for it.
Short rest. Spent all 5 hit dice - back up to 45/55 HP.
Given that none of the armour they've examined seem fit for him, he will take the Ring of Fire Resistance, unless someone else wants it.
(OOC: I think someone else should take it, at least for today.
Doesn't Thrax already have resistance to fire damage as a red dragonborn? I don't think that resistance "stacks," so he wouldn't really gain any benefit from the ring today. It would probably be better if someone else could also benefit from resistance to fire.
Of course, in a tough fight, won't Thrax be raging? I think that he was using the Bear totem spirit earlier, and that already gives him resistance to almost all damage types. We might want to give the ring to Zeds for now. (Until he finally gets Uncanny Dodge, Zeds spends a lot of time in harm's way with no good way to reduce damage.) And long term, it might make sense for Seraphina to take it. (She has the fewest HP and a very low AC.) It would probably be good to keep the PC who knows Revivify alive!
((Fair enough! I'm just looking for any protection at all, since Thrax basically only has an axe at level 5. Or perhaps something to sell/trade? As he's likely to be engaged in melee with most enemies compared to the rest of the group, I expect he'll be absorbing a lot of attacks...))
((OOC: Yep, makes sense to me. But since it's currently set to resist Fire Damage, I believe that Thrax just can't get benefit from it until our next Long Rest when he could switch the damage type it resists.))
The young blonde selûnite would simply give the kossuthan a small smile as he praises her upon her return to the tilliskub chamber. She then takes a peek at the two black dragons, stepping away with a concerned look. She would then spend all the time needed to talk to their prisoner, and having had the feeling he was already cooperating she would prefer to simply continue asking him questions about the castle, particularly about what other creatures dwell here and where the treasures go after being brought here. She would also inquire about the two black dragons, what their names are and if they are allies.
(Persuasion if relevant with help from Zeds: 28 + Guidance: 4 )
Should the prisoner hesitate to cooperate, Seraphina would ask Thrax to come over with his axe to convince him of the benefits of keeping talking. If that will not suffice she would not be against Ixsas using his own magical powers of persuasion to make the prisoner give them the information they want. Depending on the outcome of the discussions with the prisoner, Seraphina would make a suggestion on how they should proceed. Assuming she has the time needed she would also ritually cast Detect Magic to scan the whole interior of the tower for magical auras.
Sleeping chamber, furnished with a bed, a carpet-draped table with a wash basin and grooming supplies (comb, brush, soap, scented waters), and a stool. Rugs cover most of the floor. A large cage with a raven inside.
"The 2 black dragons are Waervaerendor and Voaraghamanthar. They are brothers and yes allies as well." In regard to the denizens, he again says "The Bullywugs and Lizardfolk make up the bulk of the forces here with a small band of cultists." He then reiterates "The treasures are moved below the castle to the caverns. You can see for yourself if you take the stairs."
Seraphina might have some armor if any of the fallen guards was wearing armor that she could use.
Seraphina is currently concentrating on Detect Magic and has already checked whether any of the loot we've gathered is magical: the hat that smelled of animals from Pharblex's room and Dralmorrer's armor, shield, and longsword.
When everyone's ready, Seraphina should also be able to see any magical wards in this 2nd floor room.
I'll wait to see whether anyone has anything else that they want to wrap up from the Short Rest activities or the conversation with Dralmorrer before we move on to searching the rooms on the 2nd floor of the tower.))
"Magic?" Zeds asks skeptically and sniffs at the hat. "You sure?" He is dubious about the thing and suspects someone is having some fun with him. He ain't never known anything magical to smell like this...
"What's it do? How's it do it?" he asks, still not sold, but finally he shrugs and flops it atop his head. Hell, it's probably not the worst smelling thing he is wearing. Dude Wipes and hot showers won't be invented years and years...
Zeds isn't looking to do anything on the short rest (maybe attune to the hat, if needed? If he found out about it before the rest?) other than what he already stated. With a rest in he is ready to explore more because what choice is there? So if someone else wants to walk first into the locked rooms, Zeds is happy to let them and slink in afterwords to snoop around if snooping around is on offer - ie if combat doesn't break out.
Zeds isn't looking to do anything on the short rest (maybe attune to the hat, if needed? If he found out about it before the rest?) other than what he already stated.
((OOC: Ooh. Yeah, that would be nice! If it's a Hat of Disguise, it might be able to help us avoid a fight between the tower and the caverns.))
The young blonde selûnite raises an eyebrow as she realizes the rogue wasn't aware his own hat was enchanted with magic. "I'm quite sure it is magical thank you..."She says with an amused smile. "....it would seem it carries an illusion enchantment. I imagine you could find out waht it is if you focus on attuning yourself to the magic it has been enchanted with." She suggests with a calm friendly smile. Seraphina would not be in a hurry but is still ready to explore the last part of the tower as everyone else are.
As the others discuss the subtleties of magics that Thrax has little comprehension of, the dragonborn turns to Dralmorrer."Waervaerendor and Voaraghamanthar. What will you do them? Their plans. What are their plans? Leave nothing out." He growls, shoving the commander of the castle to the sleeping chamber. Once there, he plants Dralmorrer face first on the ground, with a massive foot set upon the bound captive's back. He scours the room for hidden documents, pokes at the cage with the raven, searching for anything to go on.
Perception: 18 ((Not sure if this room was searched or not...))
Perception: 18 ((Not sure if this room was searched or not...))
((OOC: No one had even entered the room yet. I think that we were just trying to make sure that all of the Short Rest activities were resolved first and, in particular, whether Zed had attuned to his magical hat yet.))
The raven in the cage squawks loudly when Thrax comes in with Dralmorrer.
"I have been cooperating. Keep your rough hands at bay" says Dralmorrer angrily. "I belong to the Cult of the Dragon. Is it so strange to have dragons in our midst. The brothers lend their authority to what we do here to keep the denizens in this swamp in check."
For a brief moment there is a smile on his face before the frown returns once more.
Other than bandaging his wounds, here's how Ixsas spends his Short Rest:
At the end of their Short Rest, before we try to leave the tower, Ixsas would like to do a few things first:
Ixsas hopes that they have a plan for what to do next by the end of the Short Rest: "I don't think that the guards will leave us alone for much longer."
If Zeds does not find a secret way out, they're going to have to leave the tower at some point, either in force or using some sort of deception. I guess that plan might depend on whether Zeds learns anything else useful from Dralmorrer.
In discussing their plans, Ixsas reminds them that he can attempt to put someone under a Suggestion. He could try to do that on Dralmorrer to guarantee his cooperation. Or, if they need to keep the guards distracted, he could try using it on Snapjaw or the new leader of the bullywugs to re-start the fight between the bullywugs and lizardfolk. That might cause enough chaos within the castle to permit the party to slip down to the caverns with minimal resistance.
Thrax peers through the eyepiece of the telescope suspiciously, and growls in shock at what he sees. He draws back, his first instinct to reach for his axe, but eventually the slow-witted barbarian digests Ixsas' words. Things at a great distance? Miles away? He tentatively draws closer once more, squinting into the viewing lens while holding his breath, awestruck and angered by the sight of these vast dragons.
"Evil magic, this tiliskub." Thrax says to Ixsas, less than enamoured by the instrument and the titans he perceived through it. He attempts to discuss the dragons, but is swiftly interrupted by the Kossuthan priest before he can get any meaningful information out.
Once the opportunity to rest is secured, the dragonborn spends time patching up his wounds as best he can, always keeping Dralmorrer close. He explains the gist of his life story to Zeds, Ixsas and Seraphina - that he was born into the Cult of the Dragon; that he absconded from its clutches after they razed a grove belonging to centaurs and druids who were dear to him; that he wandered for many years until he found a calling in the Order of the Gauntlet, in the name of his patron deity, Bahamut. As part of his mission to fight the Cult, he was ordered to investigate Cult activity in this region.
When he is done resting, he aids Zeds in his efforts to find secret doors or panels. Given that none of the armour they've examined seem fit for him, he will take the Ring of Fire Resistance, unless someone else wants it. He thanks Krackle at length in Draconic for the boon.
(OOC: I think someone else should take it, at least for today.
)
((Fair enough! I'm just looking for any protection at all, since Thrax basically only has an axe at level 5. Or perhaps something to sell/trade? As he's likely to be engaged in melee with most enemies compared to the rest of the group, I expect he'll be absorbing a lot of attacks...))
((OOC: Yep, makes sense to me. But since it's currently set to resist Fire Damage, I believe that Thrax just can't get benefit from it until our next Long Rest when he could switch the damage type it resists.))
The young blonde selûnite would simply give the kossuthan a small smile as he praises her upon her return to the tilliskub chamber. She then takes a peek at the two black dragons, stepping away with a concerned look. She would then spend all the time needed to talk to their prisoner, and having had the feeling he was already cooperating she would prefer to simply continue asking him questions about the castle, particularly about what other creatures dwell here and where the treasures go after being brought here. She would also inquire about the two black dragons, what their names are and if they are allies.
(Persuasion if relevant with help from Zeds: 28 + Guidance: 4 )
Should the prisoner hesitate to cooperate, Seraphina would ask Thrax to come over with his axe to convince him of the benefits of keeping talking.
If that will not suffice she would not be against Ixsas using his own magical powers of persuasion to make the prisoner give them the information they want.
Depending on the outcome of the discussions with the prisoner, Seraphina would make a suggestion on how they should proceed.
Assuming she has the time needed she would also ritually cast Detect Magic to scan the whole interior of the tower for magical auras.
1st floor
no hidden entrances and nothing of note
2nd floor
The key works and opens the door.
From the doorway
V
Dressing Room
W
Sleeping chamber, furnished with a bed, a carpet-draped table with a wash basin and grooming supplies (comb, brush, soap, scented waters), and a stool. Rugs cover most of the floor. A large cage with a raven inside.
Do you enter?
Dralmorrer
"The 2 black dragons are Waervaerendor and Voaraghamanthar. They are brothers and yes allies as well." In regard to the denizens, he again says "The Bullywugs and Lizardfolk make up the bulk of the forces here with a small band of cultists." He then reiterates "The treasures are moved below the castle to the caverns. You can see for yourself if you take the stairs."
((OOC: This is after we finish our Short Rest?))
(Yes, after short rest)
((OOC: OK. That should means that:
I'll wait to see whether anyone has anything else that they want to wrap up from the Short Rest activities or the conversation with Dralmorrer before we move on to searching the rooms on the 2nd floor of the tower.))
Zeds hat is magical from the illusion school of magic.
Telescope is magical
After spending time with Dralmorrer's armor you realize it is rather light as its Mithril Scale Mail.
Nothing else appears magical.
The dead cultist has leather armor.
Seraphina would share with the others what she observes is magical around them and then be ready to explore the last part of the tower.
"Magic?" Zeds asks skeptically and sniffs at the hat. "You sure?" He is dubious about the thing and suspects someone is having some fun with him. He ain't never known anything magical to smell like this...
"What's it do? How's it do it?" he asks, still not sold, but finally he shrugs and flops it atop his head. Hell, it's probably not the worst smelling thing he is wearing. Dude Wipes and hot showers won't be invented years and years...
Zeds isn't looking to do anything on the short rest (maybe attune to the hat, if needed? If he found out about it before the rest?) other than what he already stated. With a rest in he is ready to explore more because what choice is there? So if someone else wants to walk first into the locked rooms, Zeds is happy to let them and slink in afterwords to snoop around if snooping around is on offer - ie if combat doesn't break out.
((OOC: Ooh. Yeah, that would be nice! If it's a Hat of Disguise, it might be able to help us avoid a fight between the tower and the caverns.))
The young blonde selûnite raises an eyebrow as she realizes the rogue wasn't aware his own hat was enchanted with magic. "I'm quite sure it is magical thank you..." She says with an amused smile. "....it would seem it carries an illusion enchantment. I imagine you could find out waht it is if you focus on attuning yourself to the magic it has been enchanted with." She suggests with a calm friendly smile. Seraphina would not be in a hurry but is still ready to explore the last part of the tower as everyone else are.
As the others discuss the subtleties of magics that Thrax has little comprehension of, the dragonborn turns to Dralmorrer. "Waervaerendor and Voaraghamanthar. What will you do them? Their plans. What are their plans? Leave nothing out." He growls, shoving the commander of the castle to the sleeping chamber. Once there, he plants Dralmorrer face first on the ground, with a massive foot set upon the bound captive's back. He scours the room for hidden documents, pokes at the cage with the raven, searching for anything to go on.
Perception: 18
((Not sure if this room was searched or not...))
((OOC: No one had even entered the room yet. I think that we were just trying to make sure that all of the Short Rest activities were resolved first and, in particular, whether Zed had attuned to his magical hat yet.))
Focusing on the hat Zeds discovers it is a hat of disguise
The raven in the cage squawks loudly when Thrax comes in with Dralmorrer.
"I have been cooperating. Keep your rough hands at bay" says Dralmorrer angrily. "I belong to the Cult of the Dragon. Is it so strange to have dragons in our midst. The brothers lend their authority to what we do here to keep the denizens in this swamp in check."
For a brief moment there is a smile on his face before the frown returns once more.