Titus nods as he sees the threads coming together 'Soar is as good a leader for this band as anyone - better than most in fact.  And yes - getting the Council of Dragons to see the size and scope of this threat is critical - that's the kind of boost we'll need if we're to see this thing through.'

Soar is quiet when Lady Silverhand brings up the concept of a leader. She looks to the others. Jalt, Bazavur. Titus and Tobin. She looks for any sign that they have an issue with this suggestion. 

When Titus speaks in reply, she nods her head, eyes closed. If there are no issues that Jalt, Bazavur, or Tobin raise about this idea, she'll accept quietly, but she'll accept it.

When Silverhand turns to the second point, Soar's eyes widen at Elia. They widen more at Elia's words. "Otaaryliakkarnos, it is... good to meet you. Or learn more about you. Jalt... or... Rhogar, of Clan Jalt, knows much more of this than we do. I will listen to his voice and counsel. Does the Platinum Cadre hold any sway with the Council of Dragons? It would be good to know if they have a good relationship," Soar says, and she absolutely listens to Jalt here.

"If I can work on this problem with the skills I have, I will. My mind is open to any wisdom or advice you have to impart. What would help convince your kin to play their part? What would not? I must admit I know little of the metallic dragons. I don't know I've ever met one until today. Again, Rhogar of Clan Jalt is going to carry the most weight here. But if I can help, and if I can speak, I will. I have been able to speak to our Council a few times, and perhaps changed a few minds."

She stands, and begins pacing behind her chair, already full of energy.

"Perhaps they will be moved by tales of heroism. Or calls for aid against a powerful foe. Or a clear demonstration of the danger the world is in. Or something, that I currently do not know, that only they can bring to the fight, and how clearly we need it. Or a charismatic half-elven doomguide who's been through a lot, and is willing to go through a lot more. Your counsel would be helpful. And given they dither and deliberate, we could use a clear plan of what we aim to do," she says, stopping behind her chair and gripping it with both hands. "If you do not have a plan, then perhaps this will do to start: The armies massing here take on the cult's forces while the metallic dragons take on the chromatic dragons at the Well, and some small strike force to take on the leadership of the cult to prevent them from doing whatever they are going to do to release Tiamat."

Otaaryliakkarnos - or Elia - listens to Soar attentively. What you propose will appeal to some. Less so to others, who have their own ideas. But I would warn you - dragons are long lived. What sits foremost in our minds may not be what folk with shorter lives expects. I will help where I may, but you must prove yourselves to my brethren.

She watches Jalt closely, looking for a reaction to her words - and Soar's.

Tobin:

Tobin continues to listen and write.  It is his to observe and record, to purvey knowledge and magic, but not to lead.  He stays silent and listens to the leaders speak, considering the creatures and locations mentioned for further research should it become relevant.

I agree Jalt says as the point of having Soar be the lead is brought up by Lady Silverhand.  Otaaryliakkarnos, meeting someone associated with the Council of Dragons is an honor. We can agree that your presence here clearly means that Bahamut has heard our prayers and has brought you here at this time. I'm not sure if the Cadre has ever worked with the Council of Dragons but I am fully confident that we can come to an agreement on getting them to intervene and join the war against Tiamat. Whatever needs to be said or done, we will do to convince them that this threat isn't just momentary but could cause irreparable harm to all the lands. 

He pauses for a second We have spent much time with little to no assistance and any we can get at this time is monumental. We've already faced a few dragons on our own and we are barely standing here right now having this conversation with you. Whatever we need to gain the trust of the Council, we will do. Whatever words they need to hear, well our story will enlighten them to our path so far.

'There are tales of dragon fighting boons that have been gathered and given and used over the years.' gesturing towards Tobin, 'Titus' continues on 'If anyone knows about them - or how we might find and access them it's our scholar here.  In fact, it's one of the reasons I sought him out to join us'

Looking at Lady Silverhand first and then towards Otaaryliakkamos, the thief continues 'Assuming of course, the goal here is to finish off the threat?'

Sitting down again, Soar is listening actively, and nods in appreciation at the votes of confidence. 

"I would love to hear if you have thoughts on how exactly we should go about proving ourselves to your brethren," she says to Otaaryliakkamos.

When Titus speaks up, she looks at Tobin. Boons would be good. The group had had some boons, which helped a lot, but perhaps they had the wrong ones. If there was a way to go and get their boons back from Neronvain, or locate better ones, Soar would like to do either of those things.

When he asks the question about the goal, she looks back at their two hosts.

To Jalt, 'Elia' smiles. "I met a bold warrior of the Platinum Cadre, during the founding of Tymanther. A pleasant memory, and I will be glad to work with you again. Some of the others have closer, more recent dealings I believe, but you will have to ask them. I believe the presence of a follower of Bahamut will reassure some of the others. At least, it should be so." She sounds a little troubled, and moves on to another subject.

To Titus, Otaaryliakkarnos says: "Indeed it is. Defining the reality of that threat will be part of your task. Those who reject intervention believe that this is a squabble between rival groups of humanoids. I know the Cult of the Dragon is not the true threat, but not all see it the same way. You should give thought to how you might persuade them otherwise, but again, I counsel you to listen first, to understand the others and why they may be hesitant."

To Soar, the dragon casts her eyes over you. "You have lost much, and there are certainly tools we can share with you. But be cautious of raising this subject with the others. We are dragons, after all, and are ever watchful for humanoid thieves come to pilfer our hoards." She keeps her tone light as she says this, and smiles in a disarming fashion.

To all of you: "Well, I am glad you will come. We should go." She stands quite abruptly, and Lady Silverhand also rises in response, raising a hand, "Please, not so sudden. You cannot ask them to leave without warning..." Elia turns a stare on Lady Silverhand, her eyes intense with a hint of warning, but Laeral Silverhand stands her ground in her own home. "I'm sure it can wait until tomorrow. And they will have time to make necessary preparations." The dragon relents. "Noon tomorrow then, and we will depart. The flight will be two days, so please bring food to sustain yourselves." Clearly the matter is resolve in her mind, and she sits and resumes dessert.

"I take your advice sincerely, and will not raise the idea of sharing tools with your brethren. What can you tell us of the council? Anything you can share will make our task easier," Soar says to "Elia." "I simply wish to make a good impression, if your councilmembers care about such things, and our current state does not show who we are or what we have accomplished."

To Silverhand, she says, "Lady Silverhand, what word or offer or assurance can we bring from our Council? Surely they can see the benefit of working together, and given the stakes, it seems like we could bring word from them, a letter of understanding or alliance, or something you can think of in all your wisdom. You lead the council -- what agency do we have to make or accept offers, or share information, or speak for the council, unless you wish to come along yourself?"

Then she looks at the rest of the party in turn. "It'd be great to learn anything more about the cult's doings, scholarly or practical or otherwise, to bring the best case to the Council of Dragons. Tobin, do you know of books or evidence that could help us? Or any books about the metallic dragons and their council to inform us? Jalt and Bazavur, perhaps you know even more on that front. Titus, could you think of a place in town that might have something to strengthen our position with a council of skeptical dragons, about the cult, or about the dragons' historical priorities?"

"Jalt, do you have a way to perhaps scry or spy on cult members we have met to see what they are up to and gain information or evidence to convince these powerful dragons that we're not just squabbling with other humanoids? Titus, is there a network you know of that'd allow us to spy on the cultists in the city, beyond what surveillance Lady Silverhand just mentioned?"

Soar is happy to help with any of this, and would only go to her chapterhouse to see her mentor if she had nothing else to do, given the timeframe and stakes of this.

I do not want to prejudice you, Elia replies. There is more I can share, but we can talk as we travel.

You speak on behalf of the Council in this, Lady Silverhand replies simply. You are our Champions; Otaaryliakkarnos knows this and will inform the others. She frowns. I can have a letter drawn up, and stamp it with my own seal. This may help. But I cannot replace the official documents from the Council, not yet. Not until you appear before them all once again, and that, if done too soon, may bring up too many problems I wish to avoid.

They both then wait, politely enough, while you continue your conversation amongst yourselves.

Tobin:

”I would be happy to research these topics, and perhaps check out any related tones from the Academy Library for my study as we travel,” Tobin answers.

”As to boons and other dragonslaying items that may be of use against the chromatic dragons, they would indeed be also effective against the metallic dragons, so pushing hard to acquire such items may be impolitic at the Council of Dragons,” he adds.

(Sage class feature—Researcher—should work here since he has access to the academy library, but time is limited).

Tobin, Elia gives a sharp nod of agreement. "Our trust has been abused in the past. We will contribute to this fight, but you must earn the trust of the others first."

The dinner wraps up, and Elia reminds you to meet at the mansion again the following day at noon, to embark upon your journey to wherever the Council of Dragons is meeting.

You walk again through nighttime - though still well lit and populated - streets of Waterdeep, and return to the Grinning Lion. If there's anything you want to do tonight, either with the kobolds at the inn or outside in the city, let me know. You won't have time to venture far, though.

Soar is stunned to silence at the memory of the loss of the papers the Council had given them. She had forgotten they were among the possessions taken from them. A sharp intake of breath and she turns back to her hostess. "Lady Silverhand. Damn my reputation. You must let it be known that those official papers are in the hands of the Cult, and anyone carrying them should not be trusted, should be attacked on sight. Another failure I must rectify. If I could only summon Neronvain to stand in front of me so I could strike him down again and reclaim what was taken from us..." she quiets again. She nods at the point that any request to find items to take on the chromatic dragons must be done with tact before the metallic dragons.

Before they leave, she will bring up the question of the creatures that made Tobin feel cold and preceded them on the road to Waterdeep. Have there been any sightings of such things? Does anyone know what they might be?

She keeps an eye out for any attention at all on the walk back. She's been ambushed here before, she doesn't want to repeat it. Anything?

Before they get back to the inn, she says, "at the very least, we'll want watches overnight. Last time we were here, the cult attacked us in broad daylight, and we were just told they are here in the city. Titus, do you have any... allies to call upon to help keep an eye on things? I can ask En to do the same from the rooftop, and I will join them for my watch. If there are other arcane tricks we have that will give us protection or powers of observation, I wouldn't say no."

Soar, you can make an Insight check upon Lady Silverhand, if you think Soar would be in a mood to pick up on things...

Tobin:

Promising to meet them at noon at the mansion, Tobin heads back to his chambers at the Academy Library.  He gets a head start on researching that night, then turns in and rests in his own familiar bed.  In the morning, he hits the library again and selects some books to take with him in his portable library.  Heeding the instructions, he moves some of his rations out of the portable hole and into a pouch or two for easy access.  Whichever book looks most likely to be of use he will have on his person as well, although he will check out easily half a dozen to put in his mobile library for perusal as the need arises.

Investigation if needed:  12

Finishing up his preparations late in the morning, he heads to the mansion to meet the others, aiming to be 10-15 minutes early as a courtesy.

(If the others are worried for his safety that evening, he will grudgingly accede to staying with everyone else, but insist he go to the library as early in the morning as is practical).

Soar insight: 20 (rolled in game log)

Titus shakes his head at the inquiry 'Dragons are a bit out of my normal line of work.  Hiding bodies, paying ransoms, covering up someone's indiscretions?  I'm the best in the business.  Slaying ancient beasts bent on destroying the world....well I'm not well versed in that type of work.'  A smile as he stands 'But, I'm a quick study.  Let me ask my network and see if anyone has a lead on anything helpful.  Meet you all tomorrow'

With a respectful bow to their hosts, Titus slips out into the darkness.  He spends the evening working his contacts in the seedier parts of the city, 

(Hoping to use both Thieves Cant and Urban Bounty Hunter Background to tap into whatever Waterdeep's underbelly might have.  Looking for leads on powerful boons or magic items rumored to take down dragons, or similar items being pursued by the Cultists 'You are in frequent contact with people in the segment of society that your chosen quarries move through. These people might be associated with the criminal underworld, the rough-and-tumble folk of the streets, or members of high society. This connection comes in the form of a contact in any city you visit, a person who provides information about the people and places of the local area.')

Lady Silverhand has not heard reports of creatures resembling those you observed on the road.

Soar, you get a feeling of wariness from her when you mention the name Neronvain. She doesn't want to hear the name, and doesn't want others to say it aloud - though it's hard to say why.

Tobin, you are able to find some decent histories of the Cult of the Dragon, and their various activities across the years. It's clear that much of the time they are petty, minor threats - serving the whims of chromatic dragons, some powerful, but many young impudent upstarts who enjoy lording it over humans. They would certainly be willing tools of a powerful dragon threat if one existed - it's hard to say how convincing the evidence is. You find a few heavy books concerning the metallic dragons, at least one which has a chapter about the Council of Dragons, but you don't have time to do more than flick through it so that's one you select to take with you, for later perusal. It's a religious tome more than historical, written by a cleric of Bahamut perhaps a hundred years ago.

Soar is quiet and keeps that observation to herself.

She asked Silverhand if she has any ideas about Gwen, and if not, brings her along to keep her safe.

If the group is splitting up, AND the chapterhouse of the paladins of Kelemvor is not too far from where they are, she will go there to spend the night, seeking out Derayray, telling her all that has happened, and baring her soul figuratively and literally. She won’t sacrifice sleep but she will spend her quiet time in prayer and attempting to reconcile the contradictory feelings in her head about what has happened and what is to come. 

She won’t tarry at her former home, not feeling 100% comfortable there, but she takes the modicum of reconciliation to be found and heads to where the party is planning to meet - the Grinning Lion or Lady Silverhand’s house, first thing in the morning. She converses with En and tells them what the plan is, asking what they wish to do.

Lady Silverhand has no ideas about Gwen but has someone she can ask to take a look at her. She cannot do so immediately though, so it will have to be while you are away at the Council of Dragons - if you leave Gwen behind - or can wait until you return. She does suggest that some dragons are powerful magic users and might be able to assist, though it will still be a risk for Gwen to go with you.

When you reach the chapterhouse you find it is quite late; you are welcomed, and given a place to spend the night, and the following morning you are able to catch up with those you know. You return to the Grinning Lion in the middle of the morning.

En says: "I don't want to travel with you. A dragon sounds fascinating, but hardly more so than this city. I want to stay and explore. If that's okay."