As Etriel enters the room, 4 Kobolds pop up from behind the barrels and throw javelins.
Two 19s, one 9 and a 4 to hit. If she doesn't cast shield, it will be a total of 2 damage (1 per javelin). They look at each other in shock and those of you understanding draconic hear one of them say "We shouldn't have all thrown our javelins. Now we are weaponless!" and they then cower and put their hands up.
"The kobolds don't have any more weapons, let me talk to them." Neldak will say to the others before stepping up and saying in draconic. "Sorry for the intrusion, we didn't know you were here in this seemingly abandoned ship. There was an ice troll that attacked us, was that with you? What are you doing here?"
"Oh, you serve Arveiaturace." Neldak gulps and translates for the others, "They serve that white dragon I told you about and are waiting for her return. What should we do?"
Etriel Darastrix gracefully avoids the sudden attacks, barely bringing two scratches to a barefoot.
Eladrin Huntress had had the impulse to react violently to violence, but when Lord Neldak induces the Kobolds to confirm the hypothesis that the ship is, if not exactly the main lair, at least a 'base' of Arveiaturace Ella is happy to have held back.
"If an ancient dragon, famous and dangerous as Arveiaturace can return at any moment" the foreign traveler rapidly reason "we are fighting against time. I propose that one of the families goes out, to scrutinize the skies, so that we discover with a certain notice if a dragon approaches flying. All of us others should probably hurry to dissolve the ice or break it, so as to quickly recover a large part of the treasure and leave. Those who do not have fire spells or ways of breaking the ice quickly, if they want, can complete the exploration of the ship, in case there's something more of interest".
And to give the good example, Etriel Darastrix returns to the frozen treasure and begins to try to dissolve the ice using one Sorcerous Burst after the other.
Idalie knows the same cantrip, so she can contribute in the same way.
[[ OOC: Etriel Darastrix could also use her last Spell Slot to cast Dragon's Breath, if she realizes that the damage burst of the same can be the difference in terms of time - it would allow her to cause 3d6 (10.5 on average) Fire Damage/Round for 10 rounds, for total of 30d6 (105 on average) Fire Damage. ]]
It's not just an adult dragon. It's an ancient one.... And the kobolds will confirm that they don't know when she will arrive, but she always does.
The module does not specify more damage being faster, simply that fire is twice as long as a miners pick. But I would say a magical (non cantrip) fire is a bit faster. Obviously it doesn't last very long though (1 minute) so I would say that with a minute of 'dragon fire' to cancel out dragon ice you can get through half of the first layer. It also doesn't include about multiple people making it faster which it obviously would as you can melt different parts of it. So with that in mind, Etriel and Idalie can get through the first layer of ice in 30 minutes. Or quicker if anyone else helps with melting. Subsequent layers are just as thick so will be an hour each with both of you
Well, if a character with a familiar actually puts the familiar on guard outside, so that an Ancient Dragon can be seen approaching from afar, then Etriel and Idalie start trying to at least melt the 1st layer...
If the 'sentry' warns us of incoming visitors before we're finished, we'll stop and run away.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Neldak looks a little worried about taking from an ancient dragon, but then seeing the others start working on the pile will cast a level 2 shatter on the ice to speed up the process so they can get something then leave.
"A dragon the size of Arveiaturace should be visible from a long way off, Lord Neldak," Etriel Darastrix seems confident. "We should have plenty of warning of its arrival. And if we leave before it returns, we could be headed in any direction... even if it had the will, energy, and time to hunt us, spotting us should be as difficult as finding a needle in a haystack."
"Especially if, as we leave, we threaten the kobolds with severe punishment from us if they reveal our destination" the foreign traveler reason "(which, of course, we'll lie about). The kobolds will surely assure us they'll keep quiet—but instead, in front of Arveiaturace, they'll immediately speak up, also to try to gain forgiveness for not stopping us. And, unwittingly, they'll give the wrong directions. It should buy us even more time. We should be fine".
Cirim is OK going outside with Leo to watch, but before she goes, out of ears of the kobold.
"I have reservations about taking anything from a, living, dragon horde. I'd rather not have an ancient dragon looking for us because we stole some coins from her."
With her voice given, she'll go outside and have Leo comb the skies.
I need a perception check from Leo and Cirim (depending on how risky you are being). Between dragon breath, Shatter and the cantrips, you get through the first layer in about 30 minutes, by which point the dragon has not arrived. Under the first layer of ice are 72 gp, 181 sp, 352 cp, and two pearls (100 gp each). You can see that small art objects and gems lie under the second layer of ice.
Etriel Darastrix muses: "By working together and dipping into our magic reserves, it took us half an hour to retrieve this treasure... Now, with less magic at our disposal, it will certainly take us no less time to reach the next layer; perhaps we should be content and use our time to wander away... what say you, my esteemed traveling companions?"
The foreign traveler's green eyes are already shining with satisfaction at having explored the mysterious ship trapped in the ice... taking part of the dragon's loot was for her a way to ensure herself and the party more resources for future travels, but it's not greed that drives her... for her, the exploration itself was the best possible reward.
[[ OOC: Selling the pearls and dividing that plus money between everyone, that's 58gp, 7sp, and 2cp each, with 2cp remainder. Not exactly adequate loot for an ancient dragon, but OK, after all, this is just one layer—and maybe this isn't its main lair. We're certainly not getting rich... but I'm not sure how much more we want to risk. An encounter with an ancient dragon at this level would mean automatic TPK. ]]
"I agree that we should leave this place a quick as we can. Taking from a still living dragon is not a good idea, but we've done it. Let's leave before anything happens."
You head off, and there is no sign of the dragon. The rolls have been in your favour. Not only does the dragon not show up in the time you were there, but shortly after you leave, a blizzard hits before the dragon arrives, removing any trail you have left (so no need for stealth rolls). Where are you headed to next?
Since the few traveling companions who express an opinion seem to agree with her, Etriel Darastrix proceeds with her proposal...
The foreign traveler 'lets slip' to the kobolds, while he laughs and boasts about the looted treasure, that the party is traveling toward the heart of the wilds, far from civilization, and, indeed, as she departs from the ship, she leads the party in that direction.
Then, as soon as the ship is out of sight, the Eladrin Huntress, albeit circling to stay out of sight, resumes leading the party on the return journey.
[[ OOC: I'd say we just backtrack... we can look for other questa in the towns we simply skipped before ]]
As Etriel enters the room, 4 Kobolds pop up from behind the barrels and throw javelins.
Two 19s, one 9 and a 4 to hit. If she doesn't cast shield, it will be a total of 2 damage (1 per javelin). They look at each other in shock and those of you understanding draconic hear one of them say "We shouldn't have all thrown our javelins. Now we are weaponless!" and they then cower and put their hands up.
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
"The kobolds don't have any more weapons, let me talk to them." Neldak will say to the others before stepping up and saying in draconic. "Sorry for the intrusion, we didn't know you were here in this seemingly abandoned ship. There was an ice troll that attacked us, was that with you? What are you doing here?"
They reply in draconic "We barricaded the door to stop it eating us. We are waiting for Arveiaturace to return so we can continue to serve her!"
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
"Oh, you serve Arveiaturace." Neldak gulps and translates for the others, "They serve that white dragon I told you about and are waiting for her return. What should we do?"
Etriel Darastrix gracefully avoids the sudden attacks, barely bringing two scratches to a barefoot.
Eladrin Huntress had had the impulse to react violently to violence, but when Lord Neldak induces the Kobolds to confirm the hypothesis that the ship is, if not exactly the main lair, at least a 'base' of Arveiaturace Ella is happy to have held back.
"If an ancient dragon, famous and dangerous as Arveiaturace can return at any moment" the foreign traveler rapidly reason "we are fighting against time. I propose that one of the families goes out, to scrutinize the skies, so that we discover with a certain notice if a dragon approaches flying. All of us others should probably hurry to dissolve the ice or break it, so as to quickly recover a large part of the treasure and leave. Those who do not have fire spells or ways of breaking the ice quickly, if they want, can complete the exploration of the ship, in case there's something more of interest".
And to give the good example, Etriel Darastrix returns to the frozen treasure and begins to try to dissolve the ice using one Sorcerous Burst after the other.
Idalie knows the same cantrip, so she can contribute in the same way.
[[ OOC: Etriel Darastrix could also use her last Spell Slot to cast Dragon's Breath, if she realizes that the damage burst of the same can be the difference in terms of time - it would allow her to cause 3d6 (10.5 on average) Fire Damage/Round for 10 rounds, for total of 30d6 (105 on average) Fire Damage. ]]
It's not just an adult dragon. It's an ancient one.... And the kobolds will confirm that they don't know when she will arrive, but she always does.
The module does not specify more damage being faster, simply that fire is twice as long as a miners pick. But I would say a magical (non cantrip) fire is a bit faster. Obviously it doesn't last very long though (1 minute) so I would say that with a minute of 'dragon fire' to cancel out dragon ice you can get through half of the first layer. It also doesn't include about multiple people making it faster which it obviously would as you can melt different parts of it. So with that in mind, Etriel and Idalie can get through the first layer of ice in 30 minutes. Or quicker if anyone else helps with melting. Subsequent layers are just as thick so will be an hour each with both of you
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
Well, if a character with a familiar actually puts the familiar on guard outside, so that an Ancient Dragon can be seen approaching from afar, then Etriel and Idalie start trying to at least melt the 1st layer...
If the 'sentry' warns us of incoming visitors before we're finished, we'll stop and run away.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Neldak looks a little worried about taking from an ancient dragon, but then seeing the others start working on the pile will cast a level 2 shatter on the ice to speed up the process so they can get something then leave.
"A dragon the size of Arveiaturace should be visible from a long way off, Lord Neldak," Etriel Darastrix seems confident. "We should have plenty of warning of its arrival. And if we leave before it returns, we could be headed in any direction... even if it had the will, energy, and time to hunt us, spotting us should be as difficult as finding a needle in a haystack."
"Especially if, as we leave, we threaten the kobolds with severe punishment from us if they reveal our destination" the foreign traveler reason "(which, of course, we'll lie about). The kobolds will surely assure us they'll keep quiet—but instead, in front of Arveiaturace, they'll immediately speak up, also to try to gain forgiveness for not stopping us. And, unwittingly, they'll give the wrong directions. It should buy us even more time. We should be fine".
Cirim is OK going outside with Leo to watch, but before she goes, out of ears of the kobold.
"I have reservations about taking anything from a, living, dragon horde. I'd rather not have an ancient dragon looking for us because we stole some coins from her."
With her voice given, she'll go outside and have Leo comb the skies.
Danon says "Well lets get to it then.." and he starts to help by casting fire bolt repeatedly at the ice, even though it is slower...
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
I need a perception check from Leo and Cirim (depending on how risky you are being). Between dragon breath, Shatter and the cantrips, you get through the first layer in about 30 minutes, by which point the dragon has not arrived. Under the first layer of ice are 72 gp, 181 sp, 352 cp, and two pearls (100 gp each). You can see that small art objects and gems lie under the second layer of ice.
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
Etriel Darastrix muses: "By working together and dipping into our magic reserves, it took us half an hour to retrieve this treasure... Now, with less magic at our disposal, it will certainly take us no less time to reach the next layer; perhaps we should be content and use our time to wander away... what say you, my esteemed traveling companions?"
The foreign traveler's green eyes are already shining with satisfaction at having explored the mysterious ship trapped in the ice... taking part of the dragon's loot was for her a way to ensure herself and the party more resources for future travels, but it's not greed that drives her... for her, the exploration itself was the best possible reward.
[[ OOC: Selling the pearls and dividing that plus money between everyone, that's 58gp, 7sp, and 2cp each, with 2cp remainder. Not exactly adequate loot for an ancient dragon, but OK, after all, this is just one layer—and maybe this isn't its main lair. We're certainly not getting rich... but I'm not sure how much more we want to risk. An encounter with an ancient dragon at this level would mean automatic TPK. ]]
"I agree that we should leave this place a quick as we can. Taking from a still living dragon is not a good idea, but we've done it. Let's leave before anything happens."
You head off, and there is no sign of the dragon. The rolls have been in your favour. Not only does the dragon not show up in the time you were there, but shortly after you leave, a blizzard hits before the dragon arrives, removing any trail you have left (so no need for stealth rolls). Where are you headed to next?
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
Since the few traveling companions who express an opinion seem to agree with her, Etriel Darastrix proceeds with her proposal...
The foreign traveler 'lets slip' to the kobolds, while he laughs and boasts about the looted treasure, that the party is traveling toward the heart of the wilds, far from civilization, and, indeed, as she departs from the ship, she leads the party in that direction.
Then, as soon as the ship is out of sight, the Eladrin Huntress, albeit circling to stay out of sight, resumes leading the party on the return journey.
[[ OOC: I'd say we just backtrack... we can look for other questa in the towns we simply skipped before ]]
Cirim Perception: 11
Leo (w/advantage on sight/hearing): 22