“Agreed. Safe passage through at least parts of this place would help all of us. Maybe Yusdrayl will have details about the things we are looking for too.” Royan looks back at the Kobold. “I at least will go with you. I have never seen a dragon and we can’t allow the goblins to keep such a fantastic creature.”

Ireniana nods and stares at Meepo. "As long as your boss cooperates with us. Perhaps he can shed more light on the dragon. I am ready to go."

With everyone focus on the kobold, kastix will pick up one of the scales and pull up his left sleeve a bit to compare it to the bronze scales that covers his arm.

Ooc Added survival check in previous post.

Meepo perks up considerably at the possibility of getting his beloved dragon back, and he cheerfully guides the party deeper into the citadel. Along the way, he shouts out something in Draconic that evidently serves as a password, because several armed kobolds emerge along the way, but do not display any aggression to the group. Taking a quick right, Meepo leads the party into a long, large hall that features a double row of relief-carved marble columns, each of which depicts entwining dragons.

Marching down the hall with a growing following of kobolds, Meepo leads the group toward a short throne that stands near the west wall, constructed of fallen bits of masonry stacked against an old altar. On the top of the altar sit a variety of small items. The portion of the altar that serves as the throne's back features a carving of a rearing dragon. A metallic key is held firmly in the dragon's open jaws.

Seated on the throne, and flanked by two guards, is a kobold dressed in a tattered white robe. It waits until Meepo stops and bows deeply, then asks:

Meepo, why have you brought these to us?

Meepo replies: They friends, Yusdrayl. They promise make nice. They promise bring back Calcryx. Fight nasty goblins.

Meepo then backs away to allow you an audience with Yusdrayl.

"Yusdrayl." Royan bows to the kobold. "We were here on business unrelated to the dragon, or with kobolds, but when we heard Meepo's plight we thought that we may be able to assist one another. We are happy to help Meepo recover Calcryx, in exchange for some information about our own issues." 

Royan rises from the bow and takes a step back, allowing the others to have their say.

Kastix bows slightly while keeping eye contact with the kobold "Of course we would also like safe passage through your domain as well. As for the information we need, I just need to know a specific human pass through and if so, where did he go?" Kastix will examines Yusdrayl and the notice the dragon head or more specific the key on it's mouth, "Sate my curisouity but is that a key or merely part of the statue?" 

Persuasion 8

OOC: Maybe I should have told them I was also their gods and give me all your gold.

Yusdrayl listens to the petitions of Royan and Kastix, and then in an unexpectedly eloquent and regal tone (and you can discern that Yusdrayl is a female) she says in Common:

I, Yusdrayl, as the mightiest among my people, have led a brave few to this ancient holy site, where dragons were worshipped long ago. We are their heirs, and this citadel is our birthright. But behold, the goblins and their like, and all those who serve the Outcast, are many, and valiant though we be, we are too few to drive them out.

Four humans passed this way during the last moon. We allowed them passage also, as they pledged to fight the servants of the Outcast, but they never returned. If you wish to take up their quest in their stead, we will allow you the same privilege, and direct you to their path.

At Kastix's last question, Yusdrayl looks up at the key, and back to Kastix. She thinks for a moment and then says:

That is one of our sacred relics. It is true the thieving goblins have stolen our dragon. If you can indeed recover Calcryx, we would consider your service worthy of one of these relics as reward.

Rhayna raises her hand meekly. “Humm... Greetings you majesty, I mean, your highness... I mean... I am not sure what I am supposed to call you. At any rate. Can you tell us more about this ‘Outcast’?”

Yusdrayl replies to Rhayna:

The Outcast, he lives below in the Twilight Grove with his pets. He grows the fruit, which he gives to the goblins, his dragon-thieving servants.

Rhayna raises an eyebrow and looks at Kaylyn. She bows slightly and says “Thank You.”

She opens her Journal and starts to wander around the large hall, but always making sure to stay close to her group. She studies the hall itself, the entwined dragons, the throne where Yusdrayl sits, and, from a respectful distance, the metallic key. She looks for anything interesting that she can annotate in her Journal. She uses her pendant to cast Guidance on herself. (History: 18)

Kaylyn raises an eyebrow at the mention of the fruit.  "The Outcast, he is human, or....?  And what are these pets you speak of?"  She asks.

Rhayna: You study the long hall with its 7 pairs of columns. Each pair of columns depicts entwined dragons, but as you examine them closer, you realise that one of the figures symbolises a true dragon (which is always depicted in the form of a white dragon), while the other symbolises a mortal being that aspires to dragon-hood in some way, perhaps by assuming the qualities of a dragon, or perhaps by actually partaking of dragonic physicality. The nature of the interaction between the two figures does not necessarily imply descent through reproductive means, but nor does it exclude it. Your expert opinion is rather that the draconic qualities were to be assumed through becoming intimate in some other way with the object of dragon worship, perhaps through ritual means.

As you examine each column closely, you also determine that the 14 columns are not unique, but rather there are seven unique columns in matching pairs. Each one is carved in such a way as to suggest a different quality of dragon-hood that was aspired to by the worshipers. The first contains a greater variety of symbols representing books, study and writing, and implies the quality of draconic intellect or wisdom. The second contains a higher proportion of arcane symbols, and represents the dragon's magic abilities. The third pair of columns emphasises the teeth and claws and symbolises the dragon's prowess and ferocity in battle. The fourth set is more abstract, but the length of the draconic body and the subtle undertones of a venerated face suggest that longevity was the aspired trait. The fifth is also somewhat obscure, but after studying for a few moments you recognise the representations of the quality of guile, such as veiled eyes and forearms. The sixth depiction reinforces the dragon's unique presence that creates an overwhelming awe or fear, represented symbolically by an aura. The final column is easily recognised as revering the dragon's power of flight, with special emphasis on unfolded wings. The carving has been performed by a most skilled hand, and the workmanship is exceedingly fine.

Yusdrayl's throne is little more than a pile of loose masonry stacked against the altar at the end of the hall. The altar itself is of interest, and although it would be imprudent to approach any closer, you can determine that it is the focal point of the worship rituals conducted in this part of the citadel. In combination with your observations of the columns, you deduce that the ceremonies conducted in the hall were a kind of sacrament by which the cultists hoped to partake of the draconic qualities they so revered. Cultists would assemble in the grand hall, with the high priest at the altar. One by one they would come forward and the priest would administer some token to them - most likely something eaten or imbibed - to each petitioner. The token was probably anything sourced from Ashardalon (the dragon of worship), possibly even its excrement. The intent was that by ingesting a part of the dragon, or something that originated from it, the cultists would, over time, in whole or part, assume one or more of the desired qualities.

The key does not appear to fit the larger theme of the hall, and has little to do with the rituals that you have elucidated. It seems to have been placed there some time in the distant past, and has lost both its place and its purpose. Its shaft is curiously worked, but appears to be a typical mechanical-type key. The head has a curious motif and seems to represent a snowflake or an ice crystal, which may relate to the frost-breath of a white dragon.

(That's what you get for rolling 31)

Yusradyl replies to Kaylyn: Whether he be human or no, I know not. The Outcast emerges not from the Twilight Grove, and neither have we yet ventured there. If you have not yet encountered his pets, then you are fortunate - they are everywhere through this temple, as well as on the surface. They move like living creatures, but are created of the stuff of twig and branch. Most irritating they are!

Ireniana nods as she nods at Kaylyn and scans the room. "What does he mean 'created of the stuff by twig and branch?"

"Maybe this outcast is one of those druids type spell casters, fruit woodland familiars and other burnable things," Kastix added in. 

"Yusradyl, where would we find this Outcast and his pets? Could you tell us? Or should Meepo show us the way?"

“By the Moonmaiden... What do we have here...” Rhayna starts to record on her Journal of all the details of her archeological finds in this long hall. “They will certainly drop dead when I show them my findings.”

If anyone calls for Rhayna, she will respond absentmindedly. “I will be right there! Just a moment...” She will continue her work. There could be a Balor or a Pit Fiend next to her now, and she would be oblivious to any of them.

In response to Royan's question, Yusdrayl replies:

The Twilight Grove is far below - there the Outcast resides. We do not go there - the goblins are too strong and my people too few. If you seek to rescue Calcryx, Meepo can accompany you if you desire - it can be his penance and redemption for his shame and folly.

Looking around you at the small host of armed kobolds, you wonder what manner of goblin army must be awaiting you ... not to mention this "Outcast" and his pets.

Ireniana glances at Yusdrayl before turning to Meepo. "Meepo can scout for us in the tunnels. My question is does he know how to fight?" 

If i figured out if the "Dragon" is actually a dragon "Perhaps we should some sleep first before we ventured out to find this dragon and fight through a few goblins, Personally I have enough power for one more burst of magic,"

If it wasn't actually a dragon , "Perhaps we should find this 'dragon', killing some goblins along the way and then some sleep with some kobold guards watching out for us afterwards,"