Intimidation w/magic: 22

As Valji speaks, he lets more flames come from his mouth in an attempt to intimidate the cultist into an honest and open confession. "What do we want? We want retribution for the destruction you and your cult brought down on the innocent people back there! We want loved ones back and destroyed livelihoods restored! But we will settle for answers. Tell us everything you know about your cult - who you take orders from and who they obey in turn. What is so important about the artifact you are seeking, and why do you worship the evil dragons? Finally, where were you all going? Describe it and the cult's interests. Start talking - honestly - or I'll just melt you where you kneel. There will be nothing recognizable of your melted body..."

Skiaceq sidles up to Darvin and mutters from the corner of his beak. "We can't let the others escape. They will tell of this one's betrayal, and then we become the cult's greatest enemy. Keep squeezing him, I'll be back momentarily."

With that, Skiaceq takes flight and speeds toward the fleeing kobolds.

OoC: I don't know if it is technically possible to dash while flying, but Skiaceq will double-time until the turn that he can reach the kobolds without spending his action.

"I don't know anything about an artifact... My group was just looking for gold, gems, and valuables. We are preparing the great hoard to honor the Dragon Queen" the cultist explains with a quaver in his voice. "The Dragon Queen promises power and riches for those who worship her. It is an honor to be called."

Skiaceq, make a Perception check as you look for the Kobolds who have scattered.

OoC: Darvin changed his appearance to a keep guard before they approached the camp.

Perception: 7

OoC: FIxed. Sorry about that.

Skiaceq: With the party having approached the camp from the West, the three kobolds have fled to the south,  east, and north. The northernmost kobold is working his way west towards the road, giving the encampment a wide berth and trying to stay low. The southernmost kobold heads southwest, presumably also headed for the trail. Rhe easternmost had started circling around to the south and west, but appears to have tripped, and lays prone nursing a wounded knee.

Darvin and Valji: The cultist appears thoroughly intimidated. Did you have more questions for him? 

Skiaceq's wings beat furiously to carry him high, then dives toward the north kobold.

Making no effort to conceal himself, Skiaceq swoops low with his scimitar and follows up with a talon swipe as he lands.

Scimitar: 23 Damage: 5; Bonus Attack: Attack: 19 Damage: 5

"What do you know of a bunch of dragon's eggs in a cave?" Darvin says to the cowering cultist, trying to sound calm and non-threatening to counterbalance Valji's demeanor.

"Yeah - and what kind of secret signs or passwords does the cult use? It's not a real cult if you don't have secret signs!"

The cultist looks up in confusion at the gnome. "We have no need for such things. We know our immediate superiors and the rest of our cell. When we work in large groups, this is all the identification we need." He holds out the symbol around his neck. While fairly cheap construction, it shows a multi-headed dragon. "I don't know what you're talking about as far as eggs are concerned... there are caves in the back of the encampment that the rank and file members aren't allowed to approach; that's all I know. Not that you'll ever be able to make it to the encampment, anyway."

While Skiaceq's second attack flies wide, it does not matter as the fleeing Kobold is slashed in two with a sickening moist sound. Skiaceq needs to make another Perception check as he flies back up looking for the fleeing kobolds.

"And why is that?" Valji asks in response to the cultists last comment.

The cultist squirms uncomfortably, eyeing the flames still leaking out of the side of the gnome's mouth, knowing he's said too much. "The... the rear guard. There are rumors of adventurers in town... the Dragon Queen would not want us followed. They're guarding the path to the encampment... set up some sort of ambush."

As his diving slash shears the kobold, Skiaceq rebounds off the ground and banks south. Recalling their positions and the southmost kobold's heading, he dives in that direction again. The last will be easier to find when it reaches the road.

Perception: 24

...or so he thought. The south kobold must have recovered, because it is nowhere to be seen. Skiaceq flies higher and searches with growing concern, but the kobolds are long gone. Dejectedly, he returns to the group.

But as he lands, his expression turns dour. "The problem is dealt with. This is the only one," he says, giving Darvin a subtle gesture that says 'just go with it'.

Deception: 16

"So...You draw us an accurate map of the encampment and where the rear guard will be, and we'll let you go. But if we see you again, you die a slow, painful death. If you try to deceive us and lead us into a trap, my power will find you and choke the life out of you - even from beyond the grave." Valji speaks an arcane phrase and a ghostly, skeletal hand appears in front of the cultist's face and grabs for him, but before it connects it dissipates. "Start drawing."

(Valji casts Chill Touch but doesn't let it actually touch the cultist...don't want him dead yet!)

Skiaceq hides a disturbed expression, genuinely unsure if Valji is bluffing. The arcane arts are horrific indeed.

Darvin gives a nod to Skiaceq, signaling that he understands, then subtly inches away from Valji, not hiding his own disturbed expression.

 The cultist looks in fear at the gnomish wizard and the Aarakokra who had just reappeared while covered in fresh blood. The skeletal hand, grasping mere inches from his face, sends a chill down his spine. "I...  can do my best..." his voice quavered as he sits down and begins drawing on the ground with a finger from memory. (Survival: 8).

The map he draws is entirely unsatisfactory, obviously due to fear and a lack of training. More usefully, he describes a place where the trail winds through the gap between two rocky outcrops... a place which would be perfect for the cultists to ambush any adventurers that might follow.

Ranged Spell: 18

Valji: You're good.

What will y'all do with the information you've gained? Kill the cultist for the subpar map?