Looking at the abandoned settlement and scanning the skies Rhok nods agreement with Lothlién "We should be cautious and go in quietly as possible. If we come across the beast, perhaps we can get a jump on it."
The ground is mostly stone here, but you can make out some heavy boot tracks in the dust. All of them seem to be going into the ruins. Looking up you only see a couple birds of prey up in the mountains and Lia's owl familiar. No signs of the dragon.
Lia mentally asks her familiar, Sabastian, to fly over the area ahead and let her know what it sees.
Behind the wall with the broken door, Sabastian can see the reamins of stone buildings foundations, with a couple low walls still standing. At the end of the ruined settlement, there is a partially collapsed ten-foot-high wall around a temple facade carved directly in the mountain. The temple entrance is thirty foot high, with a ten foot high open doorway rith in the middle, flanked by two statues.
There are two dwarves in the courtyard, surrounded by piles of rubble. They have a small fire going and seem to be eating dinner. Your owl does not see anyone else.
"Seems clear." Lia tells the others as she opens her eyes again. "Our dwarf contacts are having some down-time by a fire up ahead." She walks confidently forward, heading straight towards where her owl showed her the dwarfs were located.
Rhok follows the group as well, walking normally to not look threatening to the dwarves "As long as the birds are in the sky, I'd say we're safe from the dragon. Once we're within earshot of the dwarves, perhaps we should hail them?"
As Lia walks forward, you get a better look at the ruined settlement between the high wall and the temple entrance. There is an old stone well filled with ruble in the center and you are almost sure that you can spot a few old bones among the debris.
There is a wide opening in the inner wall, you can see the temple entrance. There are two stone dwarven statues, with an evil grin on their faces, looking at you from each side of the door. In the courtyard you see two dwarven miners eating stew out of well worn mugs. One of them spots you and introduces herself "hello travelers, my name is Dazlyn and this is my husband Norbus. You look hungry, would you like to share some stew with us?".
Norbus scoffs at his wife "there you go again inviting strangers into our meal, as if our provisions were to last forever". Dazlyn ignores him and produces a few bowls from a rucksack behind her and starts serving the stew, replying "oh, we have plenty of food and it would be nice to talk to other people for a change".
Rhokgrins and accepts the hospitality "Thank you. I am Rhok, thats Xarroth, Lia, and Lothlién. We have come with a message to deliver to you from Townmaster Harbin. Has everything been ok?"
"Yes, we would love to accept your hospitality." Lia agrees, moving closer to the fire. She sits with the dwarfs and listens to their response to her companions question.
"Of course I can tell you about these ruins" says Dazlyn as she finishes serving stew for everyone "this temple was dedicated to Abbathor, but was buried during an earthquake decades ago. We have managed to uncover the settlement that you see around us and openend the front door of the temple". Norbus eats silently while his wife speaks "we haven't found anything of value yet, but we just reached the altar room. I'm hopeful that the priest chamber will have some real arqueological find".
Norbus finishes his food and interrupts her "we found a monster lurking in the altar room. It didn't have a definitive shape, I tried hitting it with my pickaxe, but the tip started dissolving. We can't risk our tools like that. Would you be able to get rid of it for us?" Dazlyn nods in agreement and speaks "oh, yes, please get rid of it. We can make it worth your while. We have this Sending Stones that we seldom use, we could gift them to you if you clear that room".
Norbus looks exasperated now and whispers to her loudly enought that you can hear "you had to offer them our best means of communication. What have I told you about bargaining?" He turns to you and speaks normally "you mentioned a message from old Harbin, what does he want?"
"Townmaster Harbin sent us to warn you about sights of a White Dragon flying around this parts. I believe it's not safe to be by yourselves out here..." Lothlién pauses for a second and looks to his companions "But I guess we could try to get rid of this thing in the altar room, so you guys can look in there before we leave..."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Rhok nods "Agreed, whatever we can do to help. It's a testament to your work to unearth all of this. How far in is the altar room? Would you be able to provide a map of what you've uncovered? Can you describe the monster?"
"A dragon!" Dazlyn reacts with fear at Lothlién's words "we should flee!". Norbus is not so visibly moved "calm down, woman. This place may be better for sheltering out. If we can rig a strong lock for the front doors this temple would be impregnable".
Norbus looks back at Rhok and takes a more businesslike attitude "we haven't drawn a map yet. There is a 20 foot long foyer that goes directly into the altar room. It has two sets of doble doors, one you can see here and the other at the end leads to the altar room, we have already opened them. We found a secret door halfway through the foyer, but it led us into a collapsed room with nothing of value in it." He takes a moment to recall his memories "the altar room is big, probably 40 by 40 foot, with four stone pillars supporting the ceiling. I didn't get a close look at the monster, and the room being dark I was unable to discern the colour of its skin. But it didn't look humanoid and I'm thankful that it did not pursue us outside"
Rhok is convinced that Abbathor is the dwarven god of feasts and beer, and would be pleased to share with you all the treasure that may be found in her temple.
Rhoktakes this information, looks at Norbus, and askes the dwarf, "any windows or forms of light inside? Torches, brazers?"
He pulls out his crossbow, ensures it's in good order, and adjusts his sword belt. Looking at his compatriots, "shall we wait until morning, or do we head inside now?"
"No windows, and I don't remember seeing brazers, but I was not looking for them" replies Norbus "please take care of the monster now! I would feel safer sleeping with a roof over my head if a dragon is around"
"I think I agree with the dwarf." Lia says, getting to her feet. "Dealing with the monster now would let us sleep under a roof tonight." She checks her own gear, then is ready to head inside.
"I can only agree," Xarrothfinally speaks up. His eyes gazing over the the ruins, not able to tear away from having at least a glance. Perhaps when all this trouble is over, this would be a marvellous place of study.
The dragonborn stands cleaning himself with sprinkles of magic. "I suppose we should not waste time; I feel it is of the essence."
He gives the dwarves a bow and even switches to dwarvish, "Thank you very much for the hospitality. Consider the task complete."
"Alright then, let's do it!" Says Lothlién. Seeing his companions getting ready, but not having a lot to do in the same way, he just checks if his arcane focus is in place, and casts some small lights around his hand with Minor illusion, as if testing if his magical powers are working
The ground is mostly stone here, but you can make out some heavy boot tracks in the dust. All of them seem to be going into the ruins. Looking up you only see a couple birds of prey up in the mountains and Lia's owl familiar. No signs of the dragon.
Behind the wall with the broken door, Sabastian can see the reamins of stone buildings foundations, with a couple low walls still standing. At the end of the ruined settlement, there is a partially collapsed ten-foot-high wall around a temple facade carved directly in the mountain. The temple entrance is thirty foot high, with a ten foot high open doorway rith in the middle, flanked by two statues.
There are two dwarves in the courtyard, surrounded by piles of rubble. They have a small fire going and seem to be eating dinner. Your owl does not see anyone else.
"Seems clear." Lia tells the others as she opens her eyes again. "Our dwarf contacts are having some down-time by a fire up ahead." She walks confidently forward, heading straight towards where her owl showed her the dwarfs were located.
"If you say so..." says Lothlién, following Lia.
Xarroth nods and follows. His eyes resting on the colours spread across the sky from the setting sun...
Rhok follows the group as well, walking normally to not look threatening to the dwarves "As long as the birds are in the sky, I'd say we're safe from the dragon. Once we're within earshot of the dwarves, perhaps we should hail them?"
Currently playing: Rhok Skatu - Another Dragon at Icespire Peak
As Lia walks forward, you get a better look at the ruined settlement between the high wall and the temple entrance. There is an old stone well filled with ruble in the center and you are almost sure that you can spot a few old bones among the debris.
There is a wide opening in the inner wall, you can see the temple entrance. There are two stone dwarven statues, with an evil grin on their faces, looking at you from each side of the door. In the courtyard you see two dwarven miners eating stew out of well worn mugs. One of them spots you and introduces herself "hello travelers, my name is Dazlyn and this is my husband Norbus. You look hungry, would you like to share some stew with us?".
Norbus scoffs at his wife "there you go again inviting strangers into our meal, as if our provisions were to last forever". Dazlyn ignores him and produces a few bowls from a rucksack behind her and starts serving the stew, replying "oh, we have plenty of food and it would be nice to talk to other people for a change".
Rhok grins and accepts the hospitality "Thank you. I am Rhok, thats Xarroth, Lia, and Lothlién. We have come with a message to deliver to you from Townmaster Harbin. Has everything been ok?"
Currently playing: Rhok Skatu - Another Dragon at Icespire Peak
"Yes, we would love to accept your hospitality." Lia agrees, moving closer to the fire. She sits with the dwarfs and listens to their response to her companions question.
Lothlién nods politely while grabbing the bowl, leaving room for the answer.
While sitting at the campfire, Rhok glances around at the camp site and ruins
Perception check 9
"Can you tell us a little about these ruins? An old dwarven temple?" and engaged in further chit chat
Currently playing: Rhok Skatu - Another Dragon at Icespire Peak
"Of course I can tell you about these ruins" says Dazlyn as she finishes serving stew for everyone "this temple was dedicated to Abbathor, but was buried during an earthquake decades ago. We have managed to uncover the settlement that you see around us and openend the front door of the temple". Norbus eats silently while his wife speaks "we haven't found anything of value yet, but we just reached the altar room. I'm hopeful that the priest chamber will have some real arqueological find".
Norbus finishes his food and interrupts her "we found a monster lurking in the altar room. It didn't have a definitive shape, I tried hitting it with my pickaxe, but the tip started dissolving. We can't risk our tools like that. Would you be able to get rid of it for us?" Dazlyn nods in agreement and speaks "oh, yes, please get rid of it. We can make it worth your while. We have this Sending Stones that we seldom use, we could gift them to you if you clear that room".
Norbus looks exasperated now and whispers to her loudly enought that you can hear "you had to offer them our best means of communication. What have I told you about bargaining?" He turns to you and speaks normally "you mentioned a message from old Harbin, what does he want?"
"Townmaster Harbin sent us to warn you about sights of a White Dragon flying around this parts. I believe it's not safe to be by yourselves out here..." Lothlién pauses for a second and looks to his companions "But I guess we could try to get rid of this thing in the altar room, so you guys can look in there before we leave..."
"We are here anyway." Lia agrees with a nod. "Just as well have a look at it."
Rhok nods "Agreed, whatever we can do to help. It's a testament to your work to unearth all of this. How far in is the altar room? Would you be able to provide a map of what you've uncovered? Can you describe the monster?"
religion check on Abbathor 4
Currently playing: Rhok Skatu - Another Dragon at Icespire Peak
"A dragon!" Dazlyn reacts with fear at Lothlién's words "we should flee!". Norbus is not so visibly moved "calm down, woman. This place may be better for sheltering out. If we can rig a strong lock for the front doors this temple would be impregnable".
Norbus looks back at Rhok and takes a more businesslike attitude "we haven't drawn a map yet. There is a 20 foot long foyer that goes directly into the altar room. It has two sets of doble doors, one you can see here and the other at the end leads to the altar room, we have already opened them. We found a secret door halfway through the foyer, but it led us into a collapsed room with nothing of value in it." He takes a moment to recall his memories "the altar room is big, probably 40 by 40 foot, with four stone pillars supporting the ceiling. I didn't get a close look at the monster, and the room being dark I was unable to discern the colour of its skin. But it didn't look humanoid and I'm thankful that it did not pursue us outside"
Rhok is convinced that Abbathor is the dwarven god of feasts and beer, and would be pleased to share with you all the treasure that may be found in her temple.
Rhok takes this information, looks at Norbus, and askes the dwarf, "any windows or forms of light inside? Torches, brazers?"
He pulls out his crossbow, ensures it's in good order, and adjusts his sword belt. Looking at his compatriots, "shall we wait until morning, or do we head inside now?"
"May Abbathor grant us a great feast!"
Currently playing: Rhok Skatu - Another Dragon at Icespire Peak
"No windows, and I don't remember seeing brazers, but I was not looking for them" replies Norbus "please take care of the monster now! I would feel safer sleeping with a roof over my head if a dragon is around"
"I think I agree with the dwarf." Lia says, getting to her feet. "Dealing with the monster now would let us sleep under a roof tonight." She checks her own gear, then is ready to head inside.
"I can only agree," Xarroth finally speaks up. His eyes gazing over the the ruins, not able to tear away from having at least a glance. Perhaps when all this trouble is over, this would be a marvellous place of study.
The dragonborn stands cleaning himself with sprinkles of magic. "I suppose we should not waste time; I feel it is of the essence."
He gives the dwarves a bow and even switches to dwarvish, "Thank you very much for the hospitality. Consider the task complete."
"Alright then, let's do it!" Says Lothlién. Seeing his companions getting ready, but not having a lot to do in the same way, he just checks if his arcane focus is in place, and casts some small lights around his hand with Minor illusion, as if testing if his magical powers are working