Sword Coast Rambling

Beetle sees Serak motion to head in so he does slowly. Watching for anything that is out of place or dangerous....

Perception 6

Beetles feet crunch through a scattering of broken glass as he enters the building. The darkness of night does little to help him as he glances around the room, long black shadows shroud the walls. The door hanging off it’s hinges, clearly kicked in by a large human boot. A small campfire, long extinguished sits in the centre of the ash covered floor. Beside the fire, a bed roll and knapsack emptied onto the floor. 

The others join him inside, surveying the scene. Signs of an obvious struggle, recently too. A set of footprints lead northwards along the road, but otherwise very few clues present themselves. 

Serak: Puzzling together what happened, Serak searches for clues and treasure as he says, "Someone slept here... Perhaps taken by the same kidnappers as your friend? Shall we follow the trail?"

Investigation: 8

Perception: 22

Touching the dried embers, Serak estimates that the fire has been extinguished for at least two days. The barred windows  while allowing barely any light inside offer a perfect vantage point for the road leading north and east.

The trail leads north before turning east towards the next crossroads, washed away in parts but still visible. Several booted feet and a set of clawed drag marks. 

"Your a better tracker than me Serak, lead the way and I will stay close behind in case of trouble." Beetle assures his companion.

Serak: Serak nods and begins following the trail, 30ft ahead of the party, halting at any sign of danger.

Perception: 25

Stealth: 17

19,16,13,4,6

Serak:

Serak: Not accustom to being caught, Serak thinks quickly and attempts to devise a plan. Speaking loudly enough for his friends to hear, the bard bows gracefully and says, "Serak The Skald, at your service! A simple traveling musician and I'm a bit lost I'm afraid. Who do I have the pleasuring of addressing? You're rather polite for five armed men in masks."

Deception: 21

Insight: 4

The bard thinks a moment, trying to identify what group wears such masks and cloaks. 

History: 19

Beetle, who was staying close to Serak in case of trouble, hears the bard greet the men and tries to stay out of sight but slowly maneuver to a good position if action is needed.

Beetle Stealth (Dexterity) Check: 6

Serak:

 22, 12

The sound of chain armour rings gently down the road as Beetle struggles to remain hidden. With a smile the cultist holds his right hand outwards, his fingers oustretched as if holding a large sphere. 

 “It is our pleasure Serak. Of course, forgive me. I am Favric.” The masked man reaches for his mask, revealing a human face and releasing his long white hair. “I’ll be honest Sir, you’ve picked a poor place to get lost. This place is quite dangerous. Zombies, blights, bandits.... and even a dragon now I understand.”

Favric peers down the road, gesturing towards Beetle. “Friend of yours?”

As the conversation continues, the other four men slowly reveal themselves - each masked and cloaked in black. Behind them, a bound Dragonborn prisoner, golden in colour, arms as thick as a regular mans thighs. Despite the tired, solemn look on his face, the Dragonborn is strangely handsome, eyes fixed to the ground as he is forced into line. 

Serak: Thinking on his feet, the bard says, "Ah, brother Favric! I see now you are the fellow Keepers of the Hoard we've been sent to assist! Forgive us! We were dispatched to capture Jelenneth, whom you allowed to escape! We have her here. We are to interrogate her and Dayereth. Where is he?"

Deception: 16

Gesturing at the Dragonborn prisoner, Serak asks, "...and who is this? Why do you treat our dragon-brother so?"

Arkhan

insight: 12

upon hearing this person was sent to help the cultists he growls and snarls in the direction of the bard. 

15, 6

Apparantly falling for the bards web of deceit, Favric makes a gesture to his men, speaking to them in a low growling tone, “Kriist tum muz. Nust los fahdon.” The other cultists stand down, sheathing swords of their own.

Arkhan and Beetle:

Stepping forwards, the lead cultist reaches out a hand as he approaches Serak. “Then let me welcome you to Thundertree brother. Forgive my lack of trust, but we have been plagued since starting this quest.” Thrusting a thumb towards the Dragonborn prisoner he continues, “It saddens me so to have a friend tied up in this way, but we believe he intended to STEAL from the magnificent beast in the tower.” A burst of laughter escapes from the men behind as they consider the prospect. Grabbing the Dragonborn by the neck, one gives him a heavy shake. Arkhan snarls back at him, his white teeth almost catching the mans flesh. Favric smirks, turning to leave the roadside, “Come then. Bring your prisoner and let us reunite the two lovers. Who did you say sent you?”

OOC: Arkhan will be played by YoFizz who will be joining us now as discussed. Welcome YoFizz, I’ll send you the link for the campaign!

Serak: Amazed his ruse has worked, Serak pauses as he waits for his companions to get into position.

Approaching the prisoner with a mock expression of disgust, the bard says, "We can discuss all that around the fire later, my friends. You there, prisoner....what beast dwells within the tower? Speak!"

 Serak grips the prisoner's wrists as though checking his restraints. He attempts to slip the dagger on his belt to the Dragonborn, so he may free himself.

Sleight of Hand: 6

Beetle, never being very stealthy, realizes that they have spotted him comes out and catches up to Serak..."What do we have here Serak?" Beetle asks.

Serak uncharacteristically fumbles the dagger, dropping it with a loud clatter onto the floor. As his eyes dart downwards, instinctively searching for the blade, a voice whispers into his ear. 

“My my.... we must have missed this weapon when we searched the prisoner. Thankyou Serak.” Favric plants his leather booted foot heavily onto the shining dagger. “Now.... you were about to tell me who your contact was....”

Beetle starts to sense that this meeting is not going very well and begins battle preparations in his mind....ready to draw Talon at any moment.

Understanding the party was trying to set him free at the dagger fumble, Arkhan decided to make his move. 

“Hey Favric, what kind of idiot ties a Dragonborn up but doesn’t bother to gag him?” Arkhan turns to his captors quickly raises his bond in front of his mouth hoping that his breath would be enough to release him and belches out a 15ft cone of fire onto the captors. 

Dragon breath fire: 10 dc dex save 12 half on success  

 (ooc glad to be aboard btw!)

Serak: Cursing his clumsy fingers in his mind, Serak decides the jig is up. He turns and starts toward Beetle and the others, saying ,"Forgive me, we are but new initiates in the Order, hired to assist you. My friend Beetle here has the contract..."

When safely next to Beetle, Serak turns as the Dragonborn breaths flames upon his captures. The bard releases a bit of sand into the breeze as he says, "Sular du Ananast!"

Cast: Sleep(2nd level) Target: As many cultists as possible 

HP Effected: 24

Seeing the dragonborn and the Serak act Beetle draws Talon and prepares to engage any left standing from his companions attacks....