Jodie courageously steps through the portal first... she feels a sensation almost like falling for a brief instant, before she finds herself on the other side of the portal, in the middle of a dark cavern...



The Bard expertly disappears into the shadows within a split-second of emerging from the portal. And not a moment too soon... for the ancient circle of runes crackling to life has attracted some attention. High-pitched voices speaking in frantic Draconic reach Jodie's ears as six gray kobolds rush to check out the disturbance! Standing back is another kobold that looks like it is probably a female, and apparently the leader of this little squad. She is carrying a basket which is filled with various types of Underdark vegetation.

(Question: how long does everyone wait before following Jodie?)

Quote from Mister_Whisker >>

(Question: how long does everyone wait before following Jodie?)

(OOC: That depends on two things. 

1. What did Lord Akkron tell us about the teleportation circle?
   • Once Lord Akkron activates the circle, are we all supposed to go through pretty quickly?  Or can we wait a few minutes until Jodie scouts around the other side? 
   • Neither I nor Hewelathan know how this kind of teleportation circle works.  Normally, teleportation circle only lasts 1 round, but I guess this is a permanent circle?  Does that mean that we can use it at any time?  Or does Lord Akkron need to do something to activate it each round?
   • Did Lork Akkron confirm that the teleportation circle is one-way?  That is, if Jodie goes through and finds the deep dragon, could she get away by coming back through circle?  Similarly, could the dragon come back through the circle?
2. What does Nickeline report about what she sees in the crystal ball or what telepathic message Jodie relays to her? 

) 

Hewelathan steps back to let Jodie go through first.  Then he squats down next to the circle, ready to go through immediately if Nickeline tells them that Jodie immediately encountered some monster or other foe.  Otherwise, he waits until Nickeline tells them that it's "all clear."

(Note: the use of the teleportation circle here is not strictly RAW; I'm doing a bit of homebrew 'this thing does what it needs to do for the sake of the plot')

1) Lord Akkron did something to activate the circle, but once he gave it that kick-start you have about 5 minutes before it deactivates again. To activate one of these circles, all you need is to expend a 1st-level or higher spell slot to charge up the circle and know the sigil of the circle you are using it to teleport to.

2) Nickeline would be able to see the scene I just described above for Jodie of a small pack of kobolds cautiously approaching the strange magic thing that just happened, but Jodie was able to hide quickly and thoroughly enough that she doesn't appear to be in immediate danger.

Nickeline squats down near the teleportation circle, staring into her crystal ball. "There's kobolds near the arrival point," she says to anyone still in the basement, "but Jodie's okay. She's hidden." Telepathically, she asks Jodie, "You are okay there, right?"

Nickeline will wait up to two minutes for the kobolds to go away or for Jodie to give her the telepathic "all clear" (or "come help") before stepping through the portal herself. She'd rather not risk causing a disturbance near their only known escape route.

Hewelathan reasons, "If the kobolds were so close when Jodie arrived, either the destination must be right by their lair, or they must be guarding that area for some reason.  I doubt that they will just wander away, at least not far enough that they won't notice five more of us arriving, especially if one of us is riding a nightmare!  We need to decide quickly what our initial plan is.  I assume that we don't want to be at war with all of the kobolds immediately, so if they do not attack as soon as we arrive, how to do we want to present ourselves to best impress, intimidate, or bargain with the kobolds?"  Hewelathan thinks for a moment and looks around at the others in the group.  He says, "Kobolds are dragon-kin, right?  Maybe we present ourselves as guards or guides of Tamphalic?  A wizard might bring a 'dwarf' and a drow as guides to the Underdark, plus a scout and a couple of guards."

"Or maybe Jodie should just reveal herself with a bit of fanfare and then make a show of her power by 'summoning' her friends to her side?" 

Hildegard stops on hearing Nickeline's report, and she'll wait as long as the others do, about two minutes, before riding into the circle. But she responds to Hewelathan's ideas, seeming surprised.

"I don't think crafting an elaborate deception is the right choice," she says. "We know nothing about these kobolds, or what's important to them. It's very sensible to have Tamphalic address them first, and make overtures of peace, since, as you say, we are not coming to the Underdark to fight kobolds. Let's find out first how they respond, and what they want, and that will guide how we interact with them, but there is no need to present ourselves or our allegiances falsely. I am prevented by my vows from telling lies, anyway. I think our entrance, all together, will be something of a fanfare no matter what else we do, as we all together will not be able to hide nearly so nicely as Jodie can. As for Perdita, I can send her back to the Lower Hells if needed, but I don't like to."

She pauses thoughtfully. "If we are concerned about the kobolds warning the dragon, and if it is unlikely that we will not seem a threat to them by appearing all at once, perhaps Tamphalic can go through next, and start a conversation, while the rest of us wait just a little longer."

Jodie considers her options and the brief time to act before her friends arrive.  I'm fine. Jodie responds telepathically.  There are kobolds here.  Let me try and scare them off or at least Tamphalic look like a hero.

Jodies finds cover and weaves an illusionary visage of the portal becoming active again.  A membrane seems to thin, on the other side mind flayer attempting to claw through a weak area.  Any attacks appear to go through with no effect (the 'portal' isn't quite open yet!!!). 

Tamphalic listens to the suggestions

"I can go through and see if I can bargain with them. Maybe I can see if they go away if I offer this Crystal." He says as he takes a crystal from his backpack, this one not shaped like a dragon as the one on his chest. "They are supposed to like getting a good deal and getting a Crystal for just leaving quietly seems like good a deal as any."

The kobolds stop in their tracks as a mindflayer appears before them...

The six kobold warriors back away slowly, twirling slings and preparing to pelt it with a hail of rocks if it makes a hostile move towards them. The female kobold gasps in shock, her little mouth dropping open... then she shuts it as if something has occurred to her.

She stands still for a moment, then suddenly exclaims something loudly in Draconic. She sounds both surprised and relieved. The other kobolds all look a lot less scared, but still extremely guarded as they begin to fan out and search the area surrounding the teleportation circle. Based on their reactions, it seems likely that the female kobold somehow realized that the mindflayer is an illusion.

Though Jodie has done an incredible job of disappearing into a crevice of a rock, it is nearly inevitable that they will find her sooner or later if they do a thorough search of the area.

As no one seems to object Tamphalic proceeds to use the teleportation circle and get to the other side. Where he doesn't notice the mindflayer illusion (as I assume it is behind me when I get out).

He sees the kobolds searching for Jodie and calls out in Draconic

"I come in peace, please don't attack me"

Tamphalic's greeting surprises the kobolds. The warriors all look to the female for guidance, and she also seems a bit confused. But eventually she answers the greeting.

"Who are you?" she asks in Draconic. "What are you doing in the lair of the great and mighty Cynurrarth? Who would be so bold to venture into a dragon's lair? And if you come in peace, why try to frighten us with the image of the mind-eater?"

(I'm going to need either a Persuasion or Deception check, depending on what you tell them)

Hewelathan stands and shifts from foot to foot and starts moving his arms around, getting warmed up in case they need to race through the portal and right into a fight.  He listens to whatever Nickeline relays to them, but he waits until she says that Tamphalic or Jodie is in trouble or until Tamphalic signals them to go join him.  

Similar to Hewelathan, Nickeline does not take action herself without a signal from Jodie or Tamphalic, merely relaying information between each side of the teleportation circle with her crystal ball. (Though if she could understand Draconic, she would desperately want to telepathically tell the kobolds something like, "because the truth behind the illusion is much more terrifying!")

Tamphalic looks back at the portal, surprise not showing up on his face thanks to the mask

"Oh that, that wasn't meant to scare you. It was only meant to scare away monsters that aren't smart enough to see it was a image instead of a real one. We, my friends, who are at the other side still, and I, hoped it would give as a save arrival here. Now for why we are here, that's not really something I'd like to share with anyone. Note, however, we are not here to hurt, or even investigate, Cynurrarth. This place just happened to be the spot where the teleportation lead, and is only meant as a point to pass through, not the final destination."

Perc/Deception are both +1; 17

Jodie puzzles for a moment on the kobolds response to her illusion, but clearly the lead kobold is smarter than the rest.  If I were to charm her, she would prove a valuable ally to navigate this area... 

Jodie is happy to see Tamphalic arrive as she listens closely and peers at the exchange from her hiding place. She notes the unmistakably harsh sound of Draconic. Jodie considers intervening, but without knowing what is being spoken she can only watch the body language and prepare.

Kobold's Insight: 14

The little kobold still looks suspicious of the strange man who just appeared. But... everything he said is true, and she seems to sense that to be the case.

"How many friends do you bring to the lair?" she asks after a moment (still in Draconic). "If seeking passage through the lair of the mighty Cynurrarth you are, then you will need to convince the Great Wyrm Zolgu that you are worthy of safe passage..."

Understanding the suspicion, but happy she seems to accept his explanation as the trurth it is, Tamphalic relaxes. 

"We are with 6 in total, not counting my friend's fiery horse." Tamphalic says when he feels a scratch at his heel, he looks down. "Oh sorry Whiskers, and I forgot to mention my cat. How would we go with showing that we are worthy of passage? Is it a payment with coin, with knowledge? Or do we need to show our worth by performing a test of some kind? And would you be fine with signaling my friends that they can come? btw, do you also speak the common tongue? As not all my friends speak our language."

The kobold considers the new information and the questions for a moment... then, she answers in Common.

"Yes, Ruby can speak the common tongue," she says proudly, though she has a thick accent. "Ruby cannot say for sure what the Great Wyrm asks of travelers... perhaps knowledge, or perhaps service, or maybe treasure. You will need to ask him yourself; but Ruby can bring you to meet the Great Wyrm Zolgu so that you can make your plea to him. Bring your friends... and no trying anything funny. If Ruby and the warriors do not return, the tribe will not rest until knowing what happened to us."

Once Nickeline gives them the "all clear," Hewelathan suggests that Hildegard go through the portal first with Perdita, followed by Korba, Nickeline, and then Hewelathan.  He's hoping that between the Nightmare and a drow, no one will pay much attention to the "dwarf".  Then Hewelathan can come through the portal last, keeping Nickeline surrounded so that none of the kobolds can get too close to her.

Also, is the chamber with the kobolds lit somehow?  Or once the party arrives, is the only light coming from Perdita?