"Probably best I try to scout..." Zeds agrees. "So long as you all don't get too far behind in case..."
Zeds loosely suggests they create a bit of a chain. Zeds would be in front, going slowly and stealthily to scout out the area. Ixsas would stay about forty-five or fifty feet behind, close enough to not lose sight of Zeds but far enough to hopefully not be seen by any foes. Another thirty or so feet behind him would be the new people - Thrax and Sera - keeping whatever light they need as dim as possible... Obviously distances would vary on terrain and such but the concept seems sound enough. Hopefully... If the others agree then Zeds would start exploring westward into area 9, sticking to shadows and trying to be as unnoticed as possible.
(Stealth at Dis: 10 or 9 + 8 for 17+ 2 from Guidance (for the first minute) for 19...)
Thrax gives Zeds a sceptical look, thinking the eighty foot gap between them unnecessarily large. In the event that archers ambushed Zeds, even with the dragonborn's long gait, he might not reach the frontline in time, and Thrax was always far deadlier with his axe than bow or javelin. But strategy was not his strong suit - clever alternatives rarely occurred to the brawny barbarian.
And so he complies in silence, following roughly thirty paces behind Ixsas, alongside Seraphina and just ahead of Krackle. In one hand he holds his axe, the other the bound, gagged and blinded Dralmorrer. The wyrmling remains perched on his backpack, a restless bundle of hunger and scales, occasionally being granted a nibble of the dragonborn's rations to diminish her insatiable appetite.
"Trouble. If there is trouble, stay behind, Thrixlorimorgorus." He murmurs in draconic to the newborn dragon. He isn't sure if the newborn is capable of understanding him yet - dragons and dragonborn had much in common, but not everything was alike.
The ledge dividing area 9 from area 10 is a 15-foot drop. A wooden, crank-powered crane has been set up for lowering heavy items. A wooden ladder is lashed to the ledge for climbing up and down.
The ledge dividing area 9 from area 10 is a 15-foot drop. A wooden, crank-powered crane has been set up for lowering heavy items. A wooden ladder is lashed to the ledge for climbing up and down.
Ixsas nods at the sight of the crane: "For lowering the heavy chests of stolen treasure, I guess."
If the operation of the crane is clear to Ixsas, he suggests that Thrax climbs down the ladder, and Ixsas can lower their bound prisoner (Dralmorrer) to Thrax with the crane. He could do the same for the (trapped) chest from Dralmorrer's room and even Thraxie, if the dragon wyrmling doesn't simply glide down to Thrax on her own.
Assuming nothing attacks Thrax in the lower part of the room, the rest of the party could join him at the bottom of the ladder. Then Zeds can continue scouting ahead to the west before Ixsas and Seraphina bring their lights to the west end of Area 9.
Before Ixsas descends the ladder, he casts Guidance on himself as he walks back toward the east end of area 9. He spends a moment listening for any sounds of pursuit coming from area 1. Perception: 25 + 3 (Guidance) = 28
Thrax agrees to Ixsas' sound plan, and begins descending the ladder, his enormous clawed feet somewhat struggling with the rungs.
Before the titan drops to the floor, he takes a glance around over his shoulder, checking the way ahead is clear and free of any nasty surprises, be they in the form of cultists, their thralls or traps.
"Do we still need the real Drally?" Zeds whispers to Ixsas far away from their hostage. "Seems with Sera being able to copy his face and voice he is basically just luggage at this point."
Whether Ixsas is ready to cast aside the dead weight yet or not, Zeds does what he can to aid the group from getting from here to there. He's still feeling off so perhaps he shouldn't be the one operating the crane but otherwise all should be good to go.
If the operation of the crane is clear to Ixsas, he suggests that Thrax climbs down the ladder, and Ixsas can lower their bound prisoner (Dralmorrer) to Thrax with the crane. He could do the same for the (trapped) chest from Dralmorrer's room and even Thraxie, if the dragon wyrmling doesn't simply glide down to Thrax on her own.
He agrees that Zeds is likely too ill to operate the crane, and Ixsas would rather that Seraphina head down the ladder as soon as Thrax or Zeds confirms that it's all clear ahead. He says that he still doesn't hear any pursuit from behind, but he wants to ensure that they can keep Seraphina protected in the middle of their group. That is, Ixsas would be the last to descend the ladder after he finishes with the crane.
"Do we still need the real Drally?" Zeds whispers to Ixsas far away from their hostage. "Seems with Sera being able to copy his face and voice he is basically just luggage at this point."
"You may not have noticed, but when we asked about the stolen treasure, he was vague about how it was 'moved on' from the castle," Ixsas says. "I fear that Dralmorrer knows something that he hasn't told us: a secret exit or a password or something, hoping that we'd leave him behind and then become trapped down here. What if we cannot find the exit or cannot open it without him? Until we have finally left this castle behind, I think that we should drag Dralmorrer along with us. We can cut him loose once we're a safe distance from the castle."
"Besides," Ixsas says, "unless you plan to slit his throat, we must keep him with us so that he doesn't try to raise the alarm. While Thrax holds of him, Dralmorrer knows that calling for help would be the last thing he ever does in this world." You get the sense that Ixsas is smiling behind his headscarf. There's clearly some amusement in this voice, but you're not sure whether it's from the thought of finally killing Dralmorrer or just the image of Thrax dragging Drally around like a sack of potatoes.
Seraphina decides to drop the Dralmorrer guise, seeming more comfortable as herself, and then carefully climb down the ladder. She would nod in agreement with the kossuthan. "Also, that one likely holds a wealth of information about the cult of the dragon queen, and once we have reached safety I believe there is much more to pry from him." She adds with a calm tone, glancing over at the bundle carried by Thrax. "Now, considering what our captive has already divulged, if we follow the treasure I too think we might find a way out of here." The young blond selûnite continues with a warm optimistic smile.
"Hrmgh." Thrax growls suspiciously, upon confronted by the dense blanket of fog that obscures this area. "I do not trust it. Lurk. Bullywugs lurk in places like this."
The dragonborn approaches the soupy murk, as steam begins to rise from his nares. A burbling, roiling sound builds in his chest, as he cranes his head forward. Jaws part, and a torrent of orange and white flame erupts from his throat, searing through the fog in a straight line, hissing as water vapour is touched by fire.
If the flame breath does not reveal any hidden foes, perhaps through screams or shouts, he tells Thrixie to stay with the others, hands Dralmorrer over to Ixsas, and begins moving forward through the fog before anyone else in the company.
ACTION: Attack. Breath Weapon (Fire): When you take the Attack action on your turn, you can replace one attack with a 30 ft. line breath weapon that is 5 ft. wide. Each creature must make a DEX save (DC 14) taking 2d10 fire damage on a fail or half as much on a success. Damage: 4
Thrax walks forward and a bit of fog to his south moves for a moment as if a creature is moving in the fog unseen. You do not hear any footsteps of whatever it could be so most likely not bipedal.
"Something here. There is something here!" Thrax calls out to his newfound comrades, his voice bassy and resonant. "Not a person. Something... something else."
The barbarian draws his great-axe from his back, and tests its familiar heft in his huge hands. Muscles tense as he prepares for what he understands best - unadulterated violence. His eyes strain to make anything out in the opaque grey that surrounds him, but he can trace the movement of air, the flows of mist that billow in a southerly direction. The dragonborn follows the creature, but prepares to hop out the way the moment anything strikes in his direction.
ACTION: Dodge. MOVEMENT: Following whatever caused the fog to stir.
Ixsas climbs down the ladder to join the others, but just as he arrives in the next area with mist-covered floor (area 10), Thrax's fire breath briefly lights up the room. Fearing at attack, Ixsas cautions Seraphina, "Wait here until it's all clear." Dralmorrer said that there's a way out here along the northern passages: the party just has to make it there before they bring all of the castle's guards down on their head.
Knowing that Thrax does not have Darkvision, Ixsas hurries forward toward with his Light. He knows that it'll give away their position to anything hidden in the fog, but it's better that than having the big dragonborn flailing around in the dark! As he moves forward, Ixsas prays for Guidance from Kossuth and then looks around in the light to see what Thrax found. Perception: 15 + 4 (Guidance) = 19
Movement: 30-ft west, ending just to the north side of Thrax. Action: Cast spell Guidance on himself, target may roll 1d4 to add to one ability check before the spell ends. Free Action: Talking. Looking around Area 10.
"Thank you for your concern, I might not be a kossuthan but I'm not quite as incapable to handle myself as you might believe." The young blond selûnite says softly with a small smile to Ixsas as she follows along, coming up close behind Thrax and Thrixie, ready to cautiously push on westwards.
Perception: 11 + Guidance: 3 For what it is worth, Seraphina would also use her prestidigitation to create small puffs of wind to possibly clear the way of annoying fog.
"Thank you for your concern, I might not be a kossuthan but I'm not quite as incapable to handle myself as you might believe." The young blond selûnite says softly with a small smile to Ixsas as she follows along
"My apologies", Ixsas says, worried that he was misunderstood. "I do not doubt your power, Seraphina! You are moon-touched and already brought me back from the darkness once. I thank you! But we are not out of danger, and you are unarmored. This -- dabab...how do you say?-- the little clouds on the ground. Thrax is right: it could hide a whole troop of bullywugs or some vicious monster! Better for you to stay back and fight from a safer distance if there is some danger here."
"Besides," Ixsas says, "unless you plan to slit his throat..."
Zeds tilts his head a bit to one side rather noncommittally and gives the briefest of shrugs. "Sometimes not having a plan is better," he says absently while continuing to listen to Ixsas.
"If you think he may still be useful... Well Thrax carrying him is no sweat off my ass," Zeds says by way of dropping the issue.
Zeds climbs down and rests a bit once he has done so, everything is still a bit more taxing than it should be. Still, no point crying about it. He's just reclaiming his feet and starting to move forward when Thrax unleashes his breath weapon. Zeds cringes a bit internally. It's not that they were exactly sneaking through the caverns but still... Calling out Ollie Ollie Oxen Free to tell every critter and creature where you were wasn't exactly in his plan...
"Something here. There is something here!" Thrax calls out to his newfound comrades, his voice bassy and resonant. "Not a person. Something... something else."
And if the breath wasn't enough to grab everything's attention that sure was Zeds figures silently with a facepalm the only signal of his thoughts. Well it is what it is so he hurries up to lend support to Thrax, if needed, but also to grab a bit of cover. Zeds moves forward to try to tuck in behind that bit of outcropping just south of Thrax. He doesn't pull bow or swords yet, but is prepared for either depending on what comes out of the fog...
"Probably best I try to scout..." Zeds agrees. "So long as you all don't get too far behind in case..."
Zeds loosely suggests they create a bit of a chain. Zeds would be in front, going slowly and stealthily to scout out the area. Ixsas would stay about forty-five or fifty feet behind, close enough to not lose sight of Zeds but far enough to hopefully not be seen by any foes. Another thirty or so feet behind him would be the new people - Thrax and Sera - keeping whatever light they need as dim as possible... Obviously distances would vary on terrain and such but the concept seems sound enough. Hopefully... If the others agree then Zeds would start exploring westward into area 9, sticking to shadows and trying to be as unnoticed as possible.
(Stealth at Dis: 10 or 9 + 8 for 17 + 2 from Guidance (for the first minute) for 19...)
Thrax gives Zeds a sceptical look, thinking the eighty foot gap between them unnecessarily large. In the event that archers ambushed Zeds, even with the dragonborn's long gait, he might not reach the frontline in time, and Thrax was always far deadlier with his axe than bow or javelin. But strategy was not his strong suit - clever alternatives rarely occurred to the brawny barbarian.
And so he complies in silence, following roughly thirty paces behind Ixsas, alongside Seraphina and just ahead of Krackle. In one hand he holds his axe, the other the bound, gagged and blinded Dralmorrer. The wyrmling remains perched on his backpack, a restless bundle of hunger and scales, occasionally being granted a nibble of the dragonborn's rations to diminish her insatiable appetite.
"Trouble. If there is trouble, stay behind, Thrixlorimorgorus." He murmurs in draconic to the newborn dragon. He isn't sure if the newborn is capable of understanding him yet - dragons and dragonborn had much in common, but not everything was alike.
Dralmorrer nods and follows along by the side of the massive red dragonborn and his adopted dragon cub.
Area 9
The ledge dividing area 9 from area 10 is a 15-foot drop. A wooden, crank-powered crane has been set up for lowering heavy items. A wooden ladder is lashed to the ledge for climbing up and down.
No one is here.
Ixsas nods at the sight of the crane: "For lowering the heavy chests of stolen treasure, I guess."
If the operation of the crane is clear to Ixsas, he suggests that Thrax climbs down the ladder, and Ixsas can lower their bound prisoner (Dralmorrer) to Thrax with the crane. He could do the same for the (trapped) chest from Dralmorrer's room and even Thraxie, if the dragon wyrmling doesn't simply glide down to Thrax on her own.
Assuming nothing attacks Thrax in the lower part of the room, the rest of the party could join him at the bottom of the ladder. Then Zeds can continue scouting ahead to the west before Ixsas and Seraphina bring their lights to the west end of Area 9.
Before Ixsas descends the ladder, he casts Guidance on himself as he walks back toward the east end of area 9. He spends a moment listening for any sounds of pursuit coming from area 1. Perception: 25 + 3 (Guidance) = 28
Thrax agrees to Ixsas' sound plan, and begins descending the ladder, his enormous clawed feet somewhat struggling with the rungs.
Before the titan drops to the floor, he takes a glance around over his shoulder, checking the way ahead is clear and free of any nasty surprises, be they in the form of cultists, their thralls or traps.
Perception: 12
Looking ahead to Area 10
it is covered in thick fog that is 3 ft high.
Thrax does not see anything amiss.
"Do we still need the real Drally?" Zeds whispers to Ixsas far away from their hostage. "Seems with Sera being able to copy his face and voice he is basically just luggage at this point."
Whether Ixsas is ready to cast aside the dead weight yet or not, Zeds does what he can to aid the group from getting from here to there. He's still feeling off so perhaps he shouldn't be the one operating the crane but otherwise all should be good to go.
There is no sound of pursuit, and the crane is easy to operate if anyone wants to use it.
Yes, Ixsas will use the crane to lower down real-Dralmorrer, then the chest, and then (if needed) Thrixie:
He agrees that Zeds is likely too ill to operate the crane, and Ixsas would rather that Seraphina head down the ladder as soon as Thrax or Zeds confirms that it's all clear ahead. He says that he still doesn't hear any pursuit from behind, but he wants to ensure that they can keep Seraphina protected in the middle of their group. That is, Ixsas would be the last to descend the ladder after he finishes with the crane.
"You may not have noticed, but when we asked about the stolen treasure, he was vague about how it was 'moved on' from the castle," Ixsas says. "I fear that Dralmorrer knows something that he hasn't told us: a secret exit or a password or something, hoping that we'd leave him behind and then become trapped down here. What if we cannot find the exit or cannot open it without him? Until we have finally left this castle behind, I think that we should drag Dralmorrer along with us. We can cut him loose once we're a safe distance from the castle."
"Besides," Ixsas says, "unless you plan to slit his throat, we must keep him with us so that he doesn't try to raise the alarm. While Thrax holds of him, Dralmorrer knows that calling for help would be the last thing he ever does in this world." You get the sense that Ixsas is smiling behind his headscarf. There's clearly some amusement in this voice, but you're not sure whether it's from the thought of finally killing Dralmorrer or just the image of Thrax dragging Drally around like a sack of potatoes.
Seraphina decides to drop the Dralmorrer guise, seeming more comfortable as herself, and then carefully climb down the ladder. She would nod in agreement with the kossuthan. "Also, that one likely holds a wealth of information about the cult of the dragon queen, and once we have reached safety I believe there is much more to pry from him." She adds with a calm tone, glancing over at the bundle carried by Thrax. "Now, considering what our captive has already divulged, if we follow the treasure I too think we might find a way out of here." The young blond selûnite continues with a warm optimistic smile.
"Hrmgh." Thrax growls suspiciously, upon confronted by the dense blanket of fog that obscures this area. "I do not trust it. Lurk. Bullywugs lurk in places like this."
The dragonborn approaches the soupy murk, as steam begins to rise from his nares. A burbling, roiling sound builds in his chest, as he cranes his head forward. Jaws part, and a torrent of orange and white flame erupts from his throat, searing through the fog in a straight line, hissing as water vapour is touched by fire.
If the flame breath does not reveal any hidden foes, perhaps through screams or shouts, he tells Thrixie to stay with the others, hands Dralmorrer over to Ixsas, and begins moving forward through the fog before anyone else in the company.
ACTION: Attack. Breath Weapon (Fire): When you take the Attack action on your turn, you can replace one attack with a 30 ft. line breath weapon that is 5 ft. wide. Each creature must make a DEX save (DC 14) taking 2d10 fire damage on a fail or half as much on a success. Damage: 4
Fire blasts out and no creature seems to be there.
Thrax walks forward and a bit of fog to his south moves for a moment as if a creature is moving in the fog unseen. You do not hear any footsteps of whatever it could be so most likely not bipedal.
"Something here. There is something here!" Thrax calls out to his newfound comrades, his voice bassy and resonant. "Not a person. Something... something else."
The barbarian draws his great-axe from his back, and tests its familiar heft in his huge hands. Muscles tense as he prepares for what he understands best - unadulterated violence. His eyes strain to make anything out in the opaque grey that surrounds him, but he can trace the movement of air, the flows of mist that billow in a southerly direction. The dragonborn follows the creature, but prepares to hop out the way the moment anything strikes in his direction.
ACTION: Dodge.
MOVEMENT: Following whatever caused the fog to stir.
Ixsas climbs down the ladder to join the others, but just as he arrives in the next area with mist-covered floor (area 10), Thrax's fire breath briefly lights up the room. Fearing at attack, Ixsas cautions Seraphina, "Wait here until it's all clear." Dralmorrer said that there's a way out here along the northern passages: the party just has to make it there before they bring all of the castle's guards down on their head.
Knowing that Thrax does not have Darkvision, Ixsas hurries forward toward with his Light. He knows that it'll give away their position to anything hidden in the fog, but it's better that than having the big dragonborn flailing around in the dark! As he moves forward, Ixsas prays for Guidance from Kossuth and then looks around in the light to see what Thrax found. Perception: 15 + 4 (Guidance) = 19
Movement: 30-ft west, ending just to the north side of Thrax.
Action: Cast spell Guidance on himself, target may roll 1d4 to add to one ability check before the spell ends.
Free Action: Talking. Looking around Area 10.
Concentration: Guidance round 1 of 10
"Thank you for your concern, I might not be a kossuthan but I'm not quite as incapable to handle myself as you might believe." The young blond selûnite says softly with a small smile to Ixsas as she follows along, coming up close behind Thrax and Thrixie, ready to cautiously push on westwards.
Perception: 11 + Guidance: 3
For what it is worth, Seraphina would also use her prestidigitation to create small puffs of wind to possibly clear the way of annoying fog.
"My apologies", Ixsas says, worried that he was misunderstood. "I do not doubt your power, Seraphina! You are moon-touched and already brought me back from the darkness once. I thank you! But we are not out of danger, and you are unarmored. This -- dabab...how do you say? -- the little clouds on the ground. Thrax is right: it could hide a whole troop of bullywugs or some vicious monster! Better for you to stay back and fight from a safer distance if there is some danger here."
Zeds tilts his head a bit to one side rather noncommittally and gives the briefest of shrugs. "Sometimes not having a plan is better," he says absently while continuing to listen to Ixsas.
"If you think he may still be useful... Well Thrax carrying him is no sweat off my ass," Zeds says by way of dropping the issue.
Zeds climbs down and rests a bit once he has done so, everything is still a bit more taxing than it should be. Still, no point crying about it. He's just reclaiming his feet and starting to move forward when Thrax unleashes his breath weapon. Zeds cringes a bit internally. It's not that they were exactly sneaking through the caverns but still... Calling out Ollie Ollie Oxen Free to tell every critter and creature where you were wasn't exactly in his plan...
And if the breath wasn't enough to grab everything's attention that sure was Zeds figures silently with a facepalm the only signal of his thoughts. Well it is what it is so he hurries up to lend support to Thrax, if needed, but also to grab a bit of cover. Zeds moves forward to try to tuck in behind that bit of outcropping just south of Thrax. He doesn't pull bow or swords yet, but is prepared for either depending on what comes out of the fog...
No one sees whatever the creature is in the fog.
Seraphina's efforts are in vain as after each puff of air the fog settles back in just as quick.