Pizazz's Ravenloft and Beyond

Meepo moves to the door and looks up at the big dragon. In Dracconic he speaks...

"Magnificent Bronze." he says as he gives a bow of greeting. "I am called Meepo by my human friends here." He gestures to those with him. "We have come on a quest to free an imprisoned one from captivity. The wizard who once lived in this place bound this being to a book, which only the wizard can undo the binding of. We seek not to steal from you, but only the knowledge of where this wizard might be. Would you allow us to look around and see if there is any clues to where the wizard might have gone, prior to you finding this grand lair of yours?"

Persuasion: 3

Lionel peers about the room surreptitiously. He didn't catch sight of anything particular hidden behind the dragon but did notice the puff of the dragons breath on the pool of water on the floor....the reflections of the dragon in the different surfaces, the vibration in his feet as the thing growled. Lionel was sure this thing was real, and for sure it was irritated at their intrusion, regardless of it's nature. It didn't seem to be trying to block their view of anything in particular...it just...was seemingly trying to protect the entire room from their view, as if seeing the stuff in the room was sufficient. 

Then Meepo steps forward, delivering his draconic heartfelt speech. The dragon rears back and then it's neck snakes down to get a closer look. "Dragon kin to me as a flowers shadow is to the golden pedals of in bloom. I trust you amongst my belongings like I trust a sea lion with my meal. Not at all. Unless perhaps my meal is larger. Such as one of your meaty friends."  He releases a clicking gutteral growl. "This wizard is gone from this place, has not been here since I have. You will begone from this place now. This is your last warning!" 

From Meepo's knowledge of Bronze dragons, he'd guess that this dragon is prideful and greedy, and protective of its domain. All common dragon traits. Regardless as it's 'good' nature, if such a creature feels like its horde is threatened, it is one step from violence. Clearly it does not accept your story as the true reason you've come and has become very territorial, very quickly.

The dragons tail whips back and forth in a display of agitation. 

"Well, on the subject of final warnings..." Mordekai figures the 'bear' has already been 'poked', one last attempt can't hurt. "You would not be the first dragon we've slain, and certainly not the largest either. (Deception: 18) We do not wish to steal your horde, but if you wish it to remain your horde, and not an undefended pile of stuff, ready and waiting for the next dragonling who happens to wander in, I suggest you let us follow up on our only lead."

Intimidation: 30 

Perhaps, Mordekai reasons, the one thing more hateful to a dragon's pride than backing down from a fight, would be the thought of another dragon sitting on their horde.

(Yeah, Mordekai just tried to intimidate a dragon. Therefore, in anticipation... initiative: 19

Lionel still made one last attempt of the peaceful resolution of the situation. "If we fight here among your collection some items could get destroyed - surely you do not want this. We need to locate that wizard and this is the only place that can help with it. Help us to figure out where he went, or let us do it on our own and you will get allies on place of foes. I am willing to donate to your collection to show our honest intends." He demonstrated the magical mace to prove his words.

Persuasion: 15

Meepo gulped as the dragon's ire was raised. Recognizing the threat here, and that this goodly dragon was likely going to defend its territory with tooth, fang, and fire, he prepared to explain to his friends that they might just need to leave this wizard alone after all. Then Mordekai began to speak. Meepo's eyes grew wider, and wider, and then nearly popped out of his head as he heard his friend threatening and outright-lieing to the dragon.

Meepo held his breath then, as he waited to see how the dragon would respond. Meepo prepared his magic, knowing his loyalty lay with his friends, even if that meant defeating this honorable dragon with spell and bow.

Still standing next to Meepo, and seeing/feeling his friend tense up as he speaks this way to the magnificent dragon, Mordekai mutters "Hey, we can always still run, right?"

     “We could just…”  Ketch begins surrenders to the more determined voices.  Alright, he thinks to himself. We’re fighting a dragon!

     Ketch reminds himself to keep a relaxed grip on his axe, to keep his shield arms loose, and to be ready with the healing prayers… 

Mordekai steps forward and begins orating, though...aggressively.  Mordekai can feel the energy in his words, see the dragons eyes and the meaning of his arguments reaching an intelligent brain. Meepo's eyes are bulging, Lionel is ready to start adding more convincing words...and Ketch is just getting himself ready. Ulthan is trying to figure out how to teleport away and twenty skeletons are piled up in the hallway and room behind them. Meanwhile, the hook of Mordekai's threats are taking seed. He feels he has him......but...the dragon is already reacting. The thing, in a foul distrustful mood doesn't let Mordekai finish, doesn't let him complete his convincing and bullish argument. Perhaps if he hadn't just given Meepo his 'final ultimatum' to leave...he may have given Mordekai the few moments he needed to try and convince him....but as it was, the temperamental beast was already moving to strike.

Roll initiative. 

Bronze Dragon : 22

Meepo, to describe the map for you.  There is a 15 foot hallway that opens up into this large cave. At the other end of the 15 foot hallway is the room with 4 feet of water in it. Meepo and Mordekai are just inside the room's door, with Meepo sitting upon a skeleton. Ketch, Lionel, and Ulthan are in the hallway just behind, in that order, a bit squished together. Two of your skeletons are just inside the far end of the hallway, with the other 17 crowded around the entrance to the hallway, mostly standing in 4 feet of water. 

If anyone would like to make minor tweaks to their position let me know.  (eg.  5 feet to the right.  Not, 'i'm back in sigil enjoying a beer'.) 

Ketch initiative: 19

     Position wise, I thought Lionel was closest to dragon, having opened the door.  Then Ketch moved up and spoke.  The others tried to talk to it but I’m not sure Lionel or Ketch would have let them move past?

     But… DMs decision is fine.  I’m sure you’re paying closer attention to details. :)

Ulthan was still struggling to move past all the skeletons out of breath range. At 14 he continues to do so unless there's other reason to such as dragon not-surprisingly has had enough of us.

(Yeah, I think in my head Lionel and Ketch moved in first, with Meepo and Mordekai following up as "conversation" went on, but I don't think it'll make a huge difference at this stage - whatever order we're in, we're all about to take a blast of dragon breath!)

Positions updated, Lionel out front with Mordekai and Meepo just behind in hallway, and Ketch behind them, with 3 skeletons, Ulthan is out of the hallway back around the corner in the water room.

Initiative : [Dragon 22, Ulthan 21, Ketch 19, Mordekai 17, Meepo+Skeletons ?, Lionel ?]

(( Ketch was talking to the dragon too - he was second. And Lionel was moving aside in the room to look behind the dragon. :-D  Not very important, of course, we are all within the range of everything ))

Lionel Initiative: 16

Meepo initiative: 4

The glittering bronze scales of the creature slide over each other as it unfurls itself, it's wings expanding to take the entirety of the room as it interrupts Mordekai in mid-threat. "BEGONE!" it roars and lowers its face right down towards the group and opens its mouth. But it's not fire or lightning that emerges but...a wave of force that slams into everyone. 

Everyone but Ulthan, DC 19 Strength saves.  (including 6 skeletons please Meepo). 

(Don not forget +3 to the save from Lionel's aura - at least Ketch and Mordekai can benefit from it)

Lionel Strength save: 16

If the group decides to attack, Ulthan will support the group even though it seems like a bad idea. Arrows will fly out while he tries to find a better and farther away nook or cranny in the natural rock so he can still have view inside the room to the dragon, but out of the way of any other blasts, magic, claws, tail, wings, etc. Cat is like wise ordered to stay behind and hide for now, ready to pounce from any ledge above either this entrance or the other.
Arrow 1: 13 Damage: 12
Arrow 2: 31 Damage: 14

Mordekai DC19 STR save: 5

Ketch Str save: 23 - includes aura.

     Ketch does his best to bring up his shield and allow it to take the brunt of the breath weapon.  Admittedly he was expecting a different expulsion from the beast, but shields help against most everything…

     Eyeing the dragon, Ketch smirks and says “I’m your huckleberry,” ((casting Hunter’s Mark )) as he stalks towards the dragon and swings his battle axe! 

Axe Attack: 19 Damage: Unable to parse dice roll. plus 5 damage from Hunter’s Mark, plus 8 damage from Divine Strike…

     “Umm, we are attacking back…  right?”

(Just waiting for Meepo to make a save for himself and skeletons, then i'll describe the result and prompt next actions. We can use the rolls you've used when it's time, if your action is still appropriate.  If he doesn't get to it by later today I'll make the rolls for him.)