Dragon of Icespire Peak ***CLOSED***

The dwarves relax slightly as they glance at one another seeking to confirm their individual feelings of relief at the words of Vaxis and Tabesha’l. Lowering their picks, the elder of the two speaks for the first time:

”Dazlyn of Clan Greyshard and this here is me seventeenth cousin, Norbus of the Ironrunes. Ye gave us quite a fright there friends...the only visitors we get out here are claimjumpers and filthy orcs, so please forgive our alarm at yer presence. What news from Phandalin brings ya all the way out here? Must be damned urgent if that crackpot Wester is payin’ strangers to seek us out.”

“We been prospectin’ fer gold these past few months when we stumbled onto these temple ruins...decided we’d excavate this place instead to see what treasure we find, which up to now has been nothing but trouble! Damned ochre jellys in the alter room just ahead been preventin’ us from going any further. We got too much invested here to walk away empty-handed...we got 97 children to feed!”

”Ya know, the lot of ya seems a bit better equipped to deal with them jellys...if’n ye was to rid them fer us, maybe we split what we find with ye, hmm? I’ll even throw in a pair o’ sending stones if that would help sweeten the deal fer ya! What do you say?”

The entire time Dazlyn speaks, Norbus rolls his eyes to the sky and slaps a hand to his forehead as if he can’t believe his partner is spilling all their secrets. Dazlyn glimpses his partner’s passive-aggressive non-verbals and back him down with a hard stare.

Connak can't help but be tempted by the offer, "How many jellies are we talking about?"

NORBUS IRONRUNE: “There be two of ‘em fer sure that we saw. No idea if there’s more further in...or somethin’ else much worse.  Enter clear out the entire ruins, other wise we are right back where we started when ye walked up!”

Vaxis relaxes a bit as well, his tendrils shudder with relief, the feathers from some exotic birds a stark contrast to the dull colors of the ruins.

"Friends, we would gladly rid your mine of these...Orker Jellies. Evil asks for no quarter, nor shall they have any. But first, please find a safe place until it is having clearness. A dragon is terrorizing this land as of late, no doubt driven out of it's own land due to the aggressions of an older stronger wyrm. Such is the way of things. But a hungry dragon is a dangerous one, and right now, allow us to...eat...these Orker jellies. Do you eat these things? This way you can seek refuge in the ruins."

He licks his lips in anticipation of eating the orker jellies...he thinks they may be moving food.

Brayton stays behind, letting the other talk.  Trying not to stand too tall and impose over the smaller dwarf folk.  He grins as they look over to him.  

Connak is alarmed by Vaxis's proclamation.  "Vaxis, what!?  We don't know how big this temple is, nor would we know if we cleared it all out.  We could break our backs fighting these things for them, then they go inside and see one giant rat that came from who knows where and 'nope, no reward for you'.  That is a horrible deal."

The two dwarves erupt with laughter at Vaxis’ notion of eating the ochre jellys.

DAZLYN GREYSHARD: “You’ll find it pretty hard to be spreadin’ that thing on a cracker ye dolt! But, to each their own! If’n ye got the stomach fer it!”

(TO CONNAK): “Here now, I’m a dwarf of me word! I ain’t making no stink about a damned rat! Just get rid of them bigger, nastier threats and me n’ Norbus can clear out the vermin!”

NORBUS IRONRUNE: “I told ye that was a dragon I heard earlier! We’d all be safe inside the ruins, if’n these brave folks can just make the ruins safe!”

Connak shakes his head, "No.  If we kill a dozen of those jellies and leave barely alive, by your promise you would withhold your payment because there was a thirteenth.  You know there are two of those jellies.  The Sending Stones for killing those two.  Then you take OUR word that we will do our best to clear out that temple to the best of our ability.  And if there's a lot more than two jellies, we can return and renegotiate your deal with better information."

Vaxis grins from ear to ear.

"Come, friend Connak! There is no glory to be had shying from hard-to-spread jelly! Bahamut helps those who help themselves, and grants his favor to those aiding the weak and defenseless!"

He realizes now that his exultations may be...offensive...to the dwarves.

"My apologies, noble dwarves. I mean no offense, of course. Merely wishing for my friend to see the valor of aiding in this bold endeavor."

He looks back to Connak

"Do you wish these dwarves to be the jellied? I cannot sit idly by while these large bearded are in danger on two fronts. I cannot do much at this time to stop the spawn of Tiamat until I find it, and I dare not go find it without having preparations. I can, however, protect you and these large beards. I will go alone if I must, I have done so since I was a bit older than a hatchling, but I prefer the company of friends."

Connak seems taken aback by Vaxis's zealotry, "By all means, you can take point and I'll shoot from the back.  But even arrows cost coin and all we're getting are magical stones.  I somehow doubt Tabesha'l here will want to sell them even though she doesn't need them."

Vaxis looks disappointed.

"You think only of money. Money is not having value in the heavens. We shall be having need of money for equipment, but is that money worth their lives? Chieftans have lived their lives asking that question, only to be denied the glories of their god or goddess. If a few coins and baubles are worth their lives, I would be liking you to tell that that to them. In those words. If you can do so without the feeling of having guiltiness...Then the rest of you can leave, and I will handle this myself. But if you are having feeling of some sense of reponsibility in your words, we go and help."

He adopts a big goofy grin

"Besides, perhaps there may be treasures that will cover the costs of your dragon-stickers there" he says, pointing at Connak's quiver.

CHARISMA (PERSUASION) CONTEST!

Vaxis 22 vs. Connak 4

Connak shrugs and makes a 'go ahead' motion, mumbling in elvish, "... if their lives are so precious, they wouldn't be putting them in danger for worthless money..."

Vaxis looks pleased. Perhaps someday he can convince his new friends to accept Bahamut into their hearts, and together they could champion his great and noble cause.

Baby steps. One sermon at a time.

Vaxis bow his head to Connak, a show of respect and gratitude.

"Then let us begin, friends. I shall lead the way, The Platinum Wyrm's wisdom shall guide us."

He has joy in his heart, and reflects on the conversation. Orker jellies...wait that may not be what was said...

He begins to walk into the excavated ruins.

The temple is smoothly hewn from solid rock. Ceilings throughout are 10 feet high and flat. All doors are made of carved stone with stone pins for hinges. The temple is choked with dusty rubble. Rubble-filled squares are difficult terrain. There are no light sources in the temple.

Vaxis blinks, his eyes attempting to adjust to the darkness.

"To the Hells, I can't see a thing."

Temporarily putting his shield down, he lights a torch. Once it is burning brightly, he grabs his shield and carries on.

Barric glances over his shoulder and sees the last of the group disappearing into the ruins. Cursing, he takes a last glimpse into the canyon and jogs to catch up.

Passing by the dwarves, he gives a quick nod as he stows his bow, seeing the light of Vaxis' torch illuminating further in. He draws one of his swords, a short blade of elven design, better for fighting in close quarters. He calls ahead.

"I thought the plan was to warn the dwarves and perhaps escort them back to Phandalin. Why are we heading into a cursed ruin? Remember all that about the god's wrath and best left buried?"

Brutus walks next to Vaxis as he is holding the torch.  It’s tough to see things down here, I’ve never been in a place like this before.  As he looks around marveling at the stone structure.

(Brutus equips his axe)

Connak once again equips his bow and nocks an arrow, ready to defend himself.  He answers Barric, "Our dragonborn friend is on a holy mission of poverty to cleanse temples so others can get rich looting them.  Because coin is worthless... .for us." 

Perception check for dangers: 10