"I didn't know it would attack you on sight, that's good to know. Why don't you stay just behind us and then rush in when you hear combat start? Jalt, why don't you and I don those robes, and with your new mask and my new sword friend, it might at least make the dragon think we're friendly cult members, leading in a platter of food or treasure, secretly carried by Nub and Nate,"Soar says. She'll help carry a giant-sized platter with either some dragonmeal-sized meat from the giant's stores, or if there's nothing, then the bag of treasure that the party had carried all the way from the roadhouse through the swamp, through the teleportation circle, through Parnast, and onto the castle. She prefers the food but either the party kicks the bucket and they lose the treasure, or they defeat the dragon and get to keep it anyway.
As they're getting close in the tunnel she will cast heroism on herself, just as it seems they're about to enter. And she'll work with Jalt on a way to introduce themselves, assuming everyone's good with the plan. "Great and powerful Glazhael, we come bearing gifts. Rezmir is indisposed. We hope you find this satisfactory." she would plan to say as they come into view in the cavern, staying away from the trap.
Nub would cast fire shield on himself before picking up the offering. I assume there are other preparations Nub would make as well...
Agreed, says Blagothkus, and he relays your plan to his friends.
You are able to find plenty of food; Blagothkus sends an ogre to fetch some and he soon returns with large hunks of meat that were clearly intended for the dragon. From kitchen, the ogre explains helpfully as he drops the greasy bloody mess in front of you.
Okay, here's the map. If you want to make any last minute preparations or cast spells, you can do so. If you want to talk, we can say that you did so before entering the tunnels. Blagothkus and the stone giants hang back, as agreed, and let you take the lead.
Let me know when you're ready to go, and please check that your character sheets are fully up to date before we start.
Jalt keeps starting in front of him. He is eerily silent and totally focused. In his mind, this is the culmination of years of training. He is ready to proceed
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Hoard of the Dragon Queen - Jalt Rhogar - Dragonborn Cleric (9)
(If Nub could have the new fire shield spell added to his sheet, and be recharged for a long rest, that would be great! I think his other spells are good.)
Soar is ready to go, after donning the robe, and checking the one over Jalt's shoulders. She's still worried about her old friend, but she trusts his will and resolve to deal with whatever he faces (on his face, or in front of him in the form of a dragon).
She fingers the ring, the gift from their giant friends. hoping it works to protect against the cold. She also trusts that the giants are good to their words. She will cast heroism on herself as they turn the last corner into the room. Not as good as the aid that is helping out the others, but good enough.
This may change depending on what she sees, leading the platter of dragon food into the cavern, but she'll plan to say, as planned, "Great and powerful Glazhael, we come bearing gifts. Rezmir is indisposed. We hope you find this satisfactory."
She keeps an eye open for anything else in the cavern, and is obviously looking for the dragon. On the hoard, down another tunnel, on the ceiling, flying elsewhere. She's only seen one dragon up close, way back, what feels like years ago, on Greenest's keep. And they barely survived. She trusted she had learned enough since then to emerge victorious.
She's also looking for a chance to place her hexblade's curse on the dragon just before they attack. I don't see any sign that this comes with verbal or somatic components, so it doesn't seem the dragon would be tipped off by it.
(OOC: Sorry, I just tried to add Fire Shield and couldn't, because it's a 4th level spell and Nub isn't high enough level to cast that yet. I forgot that I put some level 4 spells in the spellbook that you guys found. We will retcon it so that he copied any other useful spell instead - please take a look at the options and let me know.)
(OOC: very good point! I didn't see that. He can use his reaction to absorb elements. Let's try major image and Nub's new plan is to cast it on the far side of the cavern, or on the tunnel right next to the one we're walking down, to make a band of adventurers sneaking up on the dragon, who will be noticed and hopefully attacked first as they "sneak" and then "attack" the dragon just as we're offering up food posing as the cultists. Does that work for the party?)
Nub sets the tray aside and casts his spell, trying to keep his voice low enough not to attract any attention. A party of four random adventurers, a good mix of spellcasters and melee specialists from what you can see, appears in the tunnel opposite, and then immediately ducks into the tunnel and out of sight. Nub nods in satisfaction, and gives you the thumbs up.
Soar and Jalt, in their robes and with the fiendish black mask, stand in front. Nate follows, with Nub behind him, the tray filled with meat carried between them. You step into the cavern, a glittering space of ice with jagged walls and icicles the size of stalactites. This grand vault is split into two levels: an egg-shaped upper level with a sheer ledge overlooking a sunken level 30 feet below, where a massive pile of treasure rests beneath an icy glaze. Clinging to the ceiling above the hoard, wings tucked in tight along its sides with claws gripping the ice, is a huge white dragon. As soon as you enter, a single massive eye fixes upon you.
"Great and powerful Glazhael, we come bearing gifts. Praise be to Tiamat! Rezmir is indisposed. We hope you find this meal satisfactory. Shall we leave it here?"
Soar's voice tries to mimic the general tone of the cultists she's dealt with thus far. Haughty, but also reverent when it comes to all things dragon. She steps three squares to the NW, just shy of the hoard, to allow Jalt and her to get out of the way of Nub and Nate carrying the platter. Nub will nervously try to set down the platter about 2-3 squares into the cavern, and two to the east, and then, knees quaking, retreat to the tunnel again.
(OOC: Can we see more of the rest of the cavern as we move in?)
As he does so, he gets his illusory adventuring party to move backwards through their tunnel and enter the other section of the cavern, the one 30 feet above the other treasure-filled section. They'll whisper to themselves, once Nub is back in the tunnel, "we should take what we can, while the dragon is distracted by the vile cultists!" perhaps a bit too loud.
[I set out the subsequent course of action from Nub perhaps a bit prematurely, because some of this depends on what the dragon does in response to Soar and the platter. His general hope is that the dragon comes to investigate the other party trying to rob him, and the real party has a chance to act.)
Depending on the dragon's reaction, Nate would help Nub carry the platter the 2-3 squares into the cavern, and his knees are likely quaking more than Nub's. He would retreat quickly back into the tunnel.
Soar and Jalt step forward. The treasure hoard is quite breathtaking in the riches gathered here, no doubt from Greenest and a hundred, perhaps a thousand other sources. The dragon on the ceiling does not move, comfortable on its perch perhaps sixty feet above you. The eye remains fixed on Soar as the one who spoke first, and a loud, rumbling voice fills the area, speaking in draconic: Leave the food and begone, slave. I don't care which of you creatures comes, so long as I am well fed.
Behind the mask, Jalt lets out a slight grunt of disapproval. The words and the tone of this white dragon are filling him with rage. It is the attitude and demeanor that his people have always taught him not to adapt.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Hoard of the Dragon Queen - Jalt Rhogar - Dragonborn Cleric (9)
(Can Nub move the platter as far into the cavern as intended, 2-3 squares inside, and to the east? He will do so if possible, knees shaking, and while he does so, try to move the major illusion around as described, to the larger cavern section, with the stage whispers. The noise will happen later than the movement, giving Nub and Nate time to get back inside the tunnel before the dragon hears the illusion. Soar will begin to leave, bowing, after Nub and Nate. The intention here is to get the platter into the room and a bit away from the group, and then get the group back into the tunnel just as the dragon hears the illusion and, hopefully, tries to attack it. And then when it attacks the illusion, then the party actually attacks. Assuming the dragon attacks, Nub will have the fake party slowly run away, hoping the dragon pursues.)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Nub and Nate carry the platter in, and move to the east, and drop the platter of food. The dragon growls impatiently, its attention on the meat piled high.
29 (Not a very perceptive dragon today.)
The illusory party emerge from the tunnel whispering, then whispering loudly. The dragon launches itself down from the roof of the cavern and lands near the platter of food. It is only then that it notices the illusory party and turns to snap at them.
At this point, we will roll initiative please. Let me know if you want to adjust positions in the tunnel.
"I didn't know it would attack you on sight, that's good to know. Why don't you stay just behind us and then rush in when you hear combat start? Jalt, why don't you and I don those robes, and with your new mask and my new sword friend, it might at least make the dragon think we're friendly cult members, leading in a platter of food or treasure, secretly carried by Nub and Nate," Soar says. She'll help carry a giant-sized platter with either some dragonmeal-sized meat from the giant's stores, or if there's nothing, then the bag of treasure that the party had carried all the way from the roadhouse through the swamp, through the teleportation circle, through Parnast, and onto the castle. She prefers the food but either the party kicks the bucket and they lose the treasure, or they defeat the dragon and get to keep it anyway.
As they're getting close in the tunnel she will cast heroism on herself, just as it seems they're about to enter. And she'll work with Jalt on a way to introduce themselves, assuming everyone's good with the plan. "Great and powerful Glazhael, we come bearing gifts. Rezmir is indisposed. We hope you find this satisfactory." she would plan to say as they come into view in the cavern, staying away from the trap.
Nub would cast fire shield on himself before picking up the offering. I assume there are other preparations Nub would make as well...
Agreed, says Blagothkus, and he relays your plan to his friends.
You are able to find plenty of food; Blagothkus sends an ogre to fetch some and he soon returns with large hunks of meat that were clearly intended for the dragon. From kitchen, the ogre explains helpfully as he drops the greasy bloody mess in front of you.
Okay, here's the map. If you want to make any last minute preparations or cast spells, you can do so. If you want to talk, we can say that you did so before entering the tunnels. Blagothkus and the stone giants hang back, as agreed, and let you take the lead.
Let me know when you're ready to go, and please check that your character sheets are fully up to date before we start.
Nate doesn't say anything else to Blagothkus and the giants after seeing them dismiss him.
He would quietly rub his body like he is shivering and say "brrrrrrrrrrr"
He would respond to Soar "I can help carry the... platter, yes." as he looks at the bloody slop in disgust.
"You got the other side, Nub?"
Jalt keeps starting in front of him. He is eerily silent and totally focused. In his mind, this is the culmination of years of training. He is ready to proceed
Hoard of the Dragon Queen - Jalt Rhogar - Dragonborn Cleric (9)
"Ive heard it both ways."
(If Nub could have the new fire shield spell added to his sheet, and be recharged for a long rest, that would be great! I think his other spells are good.)
Soar is ready to go, after donning the robe, and checking the one over Jalt's shoulders. She's still worried about her old friend, but she trusts his will and resolve to deal with whatever he faces (on his face, or in front of him in the form of a dragon).
She fingers the ring, the gift from their giant friends. hoping it works to protect against the cold. She also trusts that the giants are good to their words. She will cast heroism on herself as they turn the last corner into the room. Not as good as the aid that is helping out the others, but good enough.
This may change depending on what she sees, leading the platter of dragon food into the cavern, but she'll plan to say, as planned, "Great and powerful Glazhael, we come bearing gifts. Rezmir is indisposed. We hope you find this satisfactory."
She keeps an eye open for anything else in the cavern, and is obviously looking for the dragon. On the hoard, down another tunnel, on the ceiling, flying elsewhere. She's only seen one dragon up close, way back, what feels like years ago, on Greenest's keep. And they barely survived. She trusted she had learned enough since then to emerge victorious.
She's also looking for a chance to place her hexblade's curse on the dragon just before they attack. I don't see any sign that this comes with verbal or somatic components, so it doesn't seem the dragon would be tipped off by it.
(OOC: Sorry, I just tried to add Fire Shield and couldn't, because it's a 4th level spell and Nub isn't high enough level to cast that yet. I forgot that I put some level 4 spells in the spellbook that you guys found. We will retcon it so that he copied any other useful spell instead - please take a look at the options and let me know.)
(OOC: very good point! I didn't see that. He can use his reaction to absorb elements. Let's try major image and Nub's new plan is to cast it on the far side of the cavern, or on the tunnel right next to the one we're walking down, to make a band of adventurers sneaking up on the dragon, who will be noticed and hopefully attacked first as they "sneak" and then "attack" the dragon just as we're offering up food posing as the cultists. Does that work for the party?)
Works for me. And Nub is carrying the 'tray' with Nate, right?
(Indeed! I'm assuming that works.)
I envision Nate carrying it at the one end with his arms at his sides, and Nub has the other end on his head supported by his arms :)
Nub sets the tray aside and casts his spell, trying to keep his voice low enough not to attract any attention. A party of four random adventurers, a good mix of spellcasters and melee specialists from what you can see, appears in the tunnel opposite, and then immediately ducks into the tunnel and out of sight. Nub nods in satisfaction, and gives you the thumbs up.
Soar and Jalt, in their robes and with the fiendish black mask, stand in front. Nate follows, with Nub behind him, the tray filled with meat carried between them. You step into the cavern, a glittering space of ice with jagged walls and icicles the size of stalactites. This grand vault is split into two levels: an egg-shaped upper level with a sheer ledge overlooking a sunken level 30 feet below, where a massive pile of treasure rests beneath an icy glaze. Clinging to the ceiling above the hoard, wings tucked in tight along its sides with claws gripping the ice, is a huge white dragon. As soon as you enter, a single massive eye fixes upon you.
What will you do?
"Great and powerful Glazhael, we come bearing gifts. Praise be to Tiamat! Rezmir is indisposed. We hope you find this meal satisfactory. Shall we leave it here?"
Soar's voice tries to mimic the general tone of the cultists she's dealt with thus far. Haughty, but also reverent when it comes to all things dragon. She steps three squares to the NW, just shy of the hoard, to allow Jalt and her to get out of the way of Nub and Nate carrying the platter. Nub will nervously try to set down the platter about 2-3 squares into the cavern, and two to the east, and then, knees quaking, retreat to the tunnel again.
(OOC: Can we see more of the rest of the cavern as we move in?)
As he does so, he gets his illusory adventuring party to move backwards through their tunnel and enter the other section of the cavern, the one 30 feet above the other treasure-filled section. They'll whisper to themselves, once Nub is back in the tunnel, "we should take what we can, while the dragon is distracted by the vile cultists!" perhaps a bit too loud.
[I set out the subsequent course of action from Nub perhaps a bit prematurely, because some of this depends on what the dragon does in response to Soar and the platter. His general hope is that the dragon comes to investigate the other party trying to rob him, and the real party has a chance to act.)
Depending on the dragon's reaction, Nate would help Nub carry the platter the 2-3 squares into the cavern, and his knees are likely quaking more than Nub's. He would retreat quickly back into the tunnel.
In what language is Soar speaking to the dragon?
She does know draconic! She'll try draconic.
Soar and Jalt step forward. The treasure hoard is quite breathtaking in the riches gathered here, no doubt from Greenest and a hundred, perhaps a thousand other sources. The dragon on the ceiling does not move, comfortable on its perch perhaps sixty feet above you. The eye remains fixed on Soar as the one who spoke first, and a loud, rumbling voice fills the area, speaking in draconic: Leave the food and begone, slave. I don't care which of you creatures comes, so long as I am well fed.
Behind the mask, Jalt lets out a slight grunt of disapproval. The words and the tone of this white dragon are filling him with rage. It is the attitude and demeanor that his people have always taught him not to adapt.
Hoard of the Dragon Queen - Jalt Rhogar - Dragonborn Cleric (9)
"Ive heard it both ways."
The dragon doesn't appear to hear the grunt. :)
(Can Nub move the platter as far into the cavern as intended, 2-3 squares inside, and to the east? He will do so if possible, knees shaking, and while he does so, try to move the major illusion around as described, to the larger cavern section, with the stage whispers. The noise will happen later than the movement, giving Nub and Nate time to get back inside the tunnel before the dragon hears the illusion. Soar will begin to leave, bowing, after Nub and Nate. The intention here is to get the platter into the room and a bit away from the group, and then get the group back into the tunnel just as the dragon hears the illusion and, hopefully, tries to attack it. And then when it attacks the illusion, then the party actually attacks. Assuming the dragon attacks, Nub will have the fake party slowly run away, hoping the dragon pursues.)
Nub and Nate carry the platter in, and move to the east, and drop the platter of food. The dragon growls impatiently, its attention on the meat piled high.
29 (Not a very perceptive dragon today.)
The illusory party emerge from the tunnel whispering, then whispering loudly. The dragon launches itself down from the roof of the cavern and lands near the platter of food. It is only then that it notices the illusory party and turns to snap at them.
At this point, we will roll initiative please. Let me know if you want to adjust positions in the tunnel.