Sparlock's Hoard of the Dragon Queen

Darvin makes his way to the courtyard to speak to Nighthill, and see whether he might have any insights about the significance of the odd map they found. "Governor," he says, "we thought you might be interested in seeing this," as he shows him the map. "While hiding from a search party, we overheard them discussing a cave. To me it sounded like they may have a base of operations there, or at least like it has some strategic role to them. If I were to guess, I'd say they were talking about that spot there," he says, pointing to the cave-looking spot to the south. "We are thinking about investigating it, but any insights you have would be most appreciated."

"Yes," Governor Nighthill, "the acolytes were just telling me about this... Apparently Ozxus, a local tiefling brigand, stole it from the raiders. They chased him into the temple where Eadyan gave him sanctuary and hid him. Leosin had said that the cult of the dragon has been searching the city for a magic artifact; that must be where they thinks it is.."

"Ooh, a magic artifact," Darvin says excitedly before catching his tonal miscue and resuming a more somber demeanor. "Erm, did Leosin say anything about what the artifact in question was, or what kinds of ... enhancements we might expect to encounter if we go after them?"

Skiaceq looks exasperated, thinking to himself, ‘Why didn’t he tell us this before!’

He looks to the governor. “You said the Cult of the Dragon? I had my suspicions.” Skiaceq casts a knowing glance to Valji, wondering if the gnome remembers his casual mention from before this skirmish. “Leosin’s correspondence mentioned them often.”

To his companions, he says, “I still believe the fastest way to get to the bottom of this is rescuing Leosin, but I fear their losing the map will not delay them much longer. Do you think we should race them to the artifact? They will surely lift the siege once we leave with it in our possession.”

He catches the twinkle in Darvin’s expression, and looks him directly in the eyes. “Anything the Cult of the Dragon seeks so fervently, you do not want on your person.”

History check: 21

Governor Nighthill thinks for a second, "As I recall, there were some stories many years back of children accidentally wandering into the kobold tunnels, as children are wont to do. Some of them never came back, but those that did told stories of a large network of caves filled with traps the likes of which kobolds build. Poison darts, jars of centipedes. They like natural traps and working with the local fauna and insects. Its been centuries, though. I doubt the centipedes will bother you much. This room, though," he says, pointing to the large room deep in the caverns, "doesn't look like anything I've heard of. I'd be wary of it."

Valji says, "Well, I'm ready to go find magic artifacts! Maybe, while the enemy is out looking for our group from the temple, we can make it unobserved and unhindered to another one of these tunnel entrances! We should study the map, compare notes with the governor here, and make our way to the most likely spot soon! Here, let me look..." the little gnome grabs for the map and checks it out, orienting it to the town around him and comparing the buildings that he sees with the entrances marked. He will concentrate on the ones not marked off, figuring that the cultists had tried these already with no luck in finding the larger, deeper cavern.

Valji sees that the majority of the paths have been checked by the Cult of the Dragon, but that the tunnels continue further south past the other entrance. There may be another entrance in the hills in that direction, but it would be a longer trek through the tunnels.

Darvin shudders at the mention of centipedes, remembering a time when he was a child when two older elven boys, who frequently tormented him for being a "half breed", decided to pin him down and pour centipedes on him, apparently inspired by stories they heard of kobolds using insects in their traps (or whatever centipedes were... did all insects have six legs?). He steels himself, reminding himself that Quarion was the one who was afraid of centipedes; Darvin wasn't afraid of centipedes. Darvin wasn't afraid of anything! He could certainly handle a bunch of insects (or whatever centipedes were).

Shaking himself out of his introspective episode, Darvin steps over behind Valji to look over his shoulder at the map. "So what do you make of it, my diminutive scholarly friend? Where do you reckon we should go?"

Looking around the town once more, Valji mentally checks each of the entrances from the map, and the general direction of the tunnels from the map. "It looks like the cultists have already tried most, if not all, of the tunnel entrances in the town. But, if my calculations are correct, there should be an entrance that way." The gnome points south. "I don't see any other way to get to this larger cavern..."

(OOC: I don't have a good mental image of the map, the other tunnel entrances, and the deeper lair we're looking for. So winging it a bit for role play, and rolling Investigation for deducing where we should go...20)

"Well, alright then," Darvin replies. "That way it is, I suppose. I imagine the smart thing would be to go back out through the tunnel and keep to the trees as much as possible."

"Sounds like a good plan to me," Lissandra adds in, placing her hand on Valji's shoulder as feeling of magical inspiration washes over him. "It looks like it's a little bit more to the east there, though. Shall we head off, then?"

(Guidance for 1)

OoC: I don't think Chauntea likes you that much, Valji... Begrudging minimal guidance!

"Ready when you are," says Darvin.

(Let's do this thing!)

"Yes, let's get going. I feel Chauntea wants me to come with you and help secure this artifact," the Priest contributes.

Studying the map over Valji's shoulder, Skiaceq voices his thoughts aloud. "If the cult has searched all of these caves, and they know we have the map, they will follow us. We need to throw them off." He turns to Nighthill. "Can the city watch provide a distraction? If two soldiers enter this cave," Skiaceq indicates one of the few unexplored entrances, "and five keep watch outside, then there should be no attention on the true entrance." After a moment, hoping his intentions aren't too obvious, he adds, "I would aid in the diversion. Any more than five at the cave mouth, and we risk drawing the dragon's attention. Lissandra should join Valji and Darvin. We don't know what may be with the artifact. We will need another cleric or priest for the diversion, since we may need to hold the line for a few minutes. Once those three are inside, we disperse and return to the keep. I will help cover the guards' retreat."

Darvin adds, "We recognize that your personnel are a precious resource with the keep under siege, but now that the cult knows we have the map, they will surely divert resources away from here to find us. It would greatly help the cause if you would be willing to provide us some backup."

Persuasion (I'm assuming Skiaceq is helping on the check): 7

OoC: OMG I ROLLED A 1 AND A 2... ARGHH

"The threat at the castle seems to have subsided a bit, so I think we can spare a few men for you. Lieutenant!" Nighthill says, now addressing one of the guards. "Muster up 6 of the best rested guards for a mission."

In a moment, the guard returns with six fresh faced, strong looking town guards. Collecting everyone together, you head out to through the secret tunnel (Skiaceq presumably flies over and lands near there), and the two parties separate. Valji, Lissandra, and Darvin head further south, seeking out the new entrance they know must lie in that direction. Skiaceq, Eadyan, and the six guards head towards the entrance in the woods.

We'll handle the larger party with Skiaceq first. Esker and Rhanloi will each control 3 of the guards, and then when we switch parties, BlitzKeir can take control of Lissandra. The first tunnel entrance is to the south of the stream in the midst of the woods. You expect it will be guarded since you saw those two urds fly up from that area earlier. How will you approach it?

Lefty, Red, and Delores had grown up together in this town, run the streets and alleys as kids, worked on farms or in lumber as teens, and joined the militia at eighteen. They always stood duty together, and now fought side by side to repel this invasion. Setting off on their latest mission, Lefty and Delores traveled with their shortbows in hand, scanning the skies and the edges of their sightline for enemies. Red had a shield and longsword, and would handle any surprises and leakers that got too close. They travelled in a loose line on the left side of the VIPs they were being sent to escort and protect. Because they knew the town, they took a route that might allow them to travel unseen.

Stealth (+?): 6

Stealth (roll w/ advantage?): 11

Despite their inability to keep quiet as they move through the town and onwards toward where the entrance of the cave is, the group manages to make it close to the cave entrance without issue.

Which way would you like to approach from? If you make a beeline from the keep, you can approach through the stream from the North (left on map), or from the West (bottom of map). You can also circle around to come from another angle or even attack from all directions.

Before the group begins their approach, Skiaceq leans against a tree for cover and gestures for the others to hold, then motions for Delores to come close. Speaking in as low a voice as an Aarakocran can, he asks, "Can you help me study their movements? The closer we can get without notice, the better."

Perception: 18