Tyranny of Dragons

Fjordix will hang back with the others, he begins to look for an area where they might climb to and cause an avalanche of boulders if necessary. (Perception: 19)

Fjordix, while you're looking for a way to bring some boulders down on the group, you realize that the camp site is only big enough for maybe 20 medium sized creatures.

As Rex and Arliden walk into the camp, they don't notice anything beyond the 4 humans and 8 kobolds standing on opposite sides of a fire with a few prarie hens roasting above it.

When they notice your presence, one of them says, "What're you doing back that way? I thought the rest of us were all up ahead." He points further down the path you'd been following as he talks. 

“Who knows really. We got orders from Frulam to observe the area back there. Waste of my time. After the dragon did it’s job, there was nothing but ash within five miles of the place! We’ve been out of the loop for a little while now, anything interesting happen?” Rex gripes as he scratches his neck. [If you need deception: 19, second roll if advantage, 8]

 Arliden is content to let Rex do the talking for the time being, so he doesn't really respond.

A look of shock crosses their face. "I thought we were just looting the town, not burning it to the ground. Wow. We must be much closer to finalizing the great hoard to honor the dragon queen than I realized. Frulam must be a bit nervous, though, if she set two rearguards. I could've sworn she only wanted one about a mile down the road."

As he is speaking, the kobolds come up and take a few half cooked hens from the fire and move about 50 yards off.

"Useless kobolds. I still can't believe we've been forced to babysit the worthless things." He throws a stone toward the kobolds as he finishes speaking. 

“Tch. I know what ya mean. Fanatical little creatures. Say, you guys haven’t seen anyone fighting with only their fists, have you? Heard yesterday that a Monk was giving us trouble.”

"A monk? I don't know. There are a few prisoners now. Maybe one of them is the monk you heard about."

[Sorry for the huge delay. It's been a long few days.] 

“Great, Great.” Rex cracks his knuckles, “I’m looking forward to finding him... Hey, it’s been a long couple of days, you mind telling me which way to the prisoners? Haven’t gotten much sleep since we got here, little out of focus.”

Quote from CRich >>

[Sorry for the huge delay. It's been a long few days.] 

"You must really be out of it if you can't remember where the camp is. It's just a couple miles down the way, a little past the rearguard that's waiting to ambush anyone from the town that might be following us. Although, if everything's ash, I guess there's no need for a rearguard, so they're probably not even there." 

Quote from CRich >>

"...a little past the rearguard that's waiting to ambush anyone from the town that might be following us..." 

[Thank you Disguise Self. You are a blessing beyond measure.]

Rex scratches his neck, “Right right... Now it’s coming back to me. Guess the both of us should probably get moving, report back to Frulam and all. Oh yeah, one last thing. Have you guys heard about that Io prophet guy? Rumor has it he took out an entire group with one attack. I dunno what he is, but be careful. You never know sometimes.” And bows and starts leading Arliden out of the camp to where they said the major camp was. Though Rex would like to divert toward our group when we’re out of sight from the cultists.

Arliden follows just a half step behind Rex. He also does his best to make a mental note of where this camp is in relation to the town so they can avoid it if they need to bypass it on the way back. 

Rex is whispering into Arliden’s mind, “HOW DID THAT WORK. HOW DID THAT WORK. HOW DID THAT WORK.”

Arliden mind whispers back...”Because two of the most charismatic people they’ve ever seen just walked into their camp. I mean, how could it not work?” And flashes Rex a snarky smile. 

Rex gives a curious squint back at Arliden and mind whispers, “You know I can’t hear your thoughts, right? It’s one way.” And gives a mental chuckle.

As you walk away from the camp, you hear them say to each other, "Can you believe that guy? If sounds like he actually believes those prophet rumors!" 

"They're not rumors. I saw it happen. Black tentacly things erupted from a black Dragonborn and slew a whole band of raiders. He's right that we should be wary. Now, if you don't start turning those hens, they'll be burnt on one side and raw on the other!"

Their voices fade away as they argue over how best to cook the hens.

Eventually, you make your way back to the others. 

Rex’s illusion drops, “Good news. We found where the camp is and where their keeping the prisoners.”

Quote from JcAndD >>

Rex gives a curious squint back at Arliden and mind whispers, “You know I can’t hear your thoughts, right? It’s one way.” And gives a mental chuckle.

"Rex, how long can you keep that illusion up? I think we need to keep a small group of us in the front so we can spot that camp before they spot all of us, and if they're laying in ambush then I'm sure it will be harder to see them. We could either try to sneak around, or you and I could go for the same play again."