(Kyrian hit dice: 12 )

Kyrian looks thoughtful "In a straight up fight, do you think we could win? I am new here, I don't exactly know the power level of the group."

"Fighting seems like a bad idea," Naivara says, "I was hoping to negotiate."

"Agreed - I'd definitely prefer to avoid a fight. The sheer number of us should dissuade the dragon from attacking, at least, or provide significant resistance should it go after us. I think we'll be fine."

"Some work on group tactics couldn't hurt -- I nearly got skewered by the trolls when a couple folks moved out of melee but opened up opportunities for the trolls to flank me." Her tone isn't accusatory, simply passing on insight. "I know not everyone's used to combat, even with our activities in our past lives, and things happen quickly in a fight. But it's good to remember all the moving parts, and what you can do to help someone else is just as important, if not more important, sometimes." She finishes putting her armor back on. 

"Avoiding a fight would be best," she agrees. "An ancient white dragon could kill most of us with only a pass or two of its icy breath. Plus, recall that he knows some magic. Stealth is likely not an option any more, but we should proceed as if we still have a chance there, and prepare to negotiate."

Kyrian nods "A bargain. It always comes down to a bargain with dragons" He glances at Persus "No offence. Never the less, it is a good idea, however the number one rule of bargaining is have something that the other-side wants more. I don't know about you folks, but I have nothing a dragon would want."

“I, for one, am curious to see how far our influence goes with dragons here. I know we’re regaining the power we once had, so likely we wont be able to just command it to give us what we want, but I feel rather certain that negotiation is a far better idea than an all out brawl.” Leto adds to the discussion while he looks around the room in which he recently appeared.

"Ya well the trolls didn't really give us a chance to sit and negotiate," Naivara says, a little miffed, "thanks for the help by the way."

Kyrian lets out an unexpected laugh, but quickly stifles it, his hard expression returning as he clears his throat "No, Trolls are not known for their rampant generosity." 

"And besides, we're the Dragonlords, not the TrollLords." Kierro says with a bit of a smile.

Latrius snorts.

"Aye.  I'm a bit beat up already myself, I doubt tussling with a white dragon is going to do much for my health."

Kyrian smiles unconsciously "It seems trying to get yourself killed is an occupational hazard of a Dragonlord."

Palvin frowns at all of this talk of Dragonlords, but shrugs it off. "White's are not known for being all that much more chatty than trolls are." He points out. "If you wish to try talking though, I'll do what I can to aid you in that, but I am doubtful of having the chance."

Persus shrugs. "I am here to observe, more than anything." he says. He glances at the trolls with a slight smile. "Wish the trolls had known that fact though..."

Higgul nods at Honor's talk of tactics. "Every battle you survive is a good one, and can help you do better in the next one, learning from your mistakes is key though."

Morgan gives Vilana a grin. "We are here now, and I doubt if trolls are as dangerous as the dragon is likely to be."

Once everyone's wounds are patched up, Kierro moves toward the entrance passage. "Everyone ready? Let's get going."

Vilana looks at the rest of the group. She was used to being able to wield powerful magic and simply will it into doing as she commanded. But she felt like going and trying to talk to a white dragon was a bad plan, if ever she heard one. Not only were they little more intelligent than the trolls they just defeated, but it also had the power to overestimate itself and decide to attack, because it was hungry, or bored, or whatever other reason. While as a group their chances stood pretty good, it was likely the dragon would claim one or two of their number...

"What if we made the dragon believe that it was blind, and we offered to give it its sight back? I can create a magical darkness even the dragon won't be able to see through, and with some convincing, we might make it believe that it has turned blind. We could even go so far as suggesting that the vilalgers above tried to poison the dragon and that that's the reason it's now losing its sight... Then we could demand compensation for our help. And even if we can't convince the dragon, it won't be able to do much against me within the darkness. What do you think?"

"Telling it the villagers poisoned the dragon would very likely lead to it wiping all of them out once we leave." Kierro replies.

"An interesting idea." Leto says "Though flawed. Whites are dangerous, and rarely respond to anything other than shows of strength. Also, how long would your darkness last on it? If the attempted negotiations went long we would immediately lose. Though the mention of the villagers above is interesting. If there were some way to lure the beast out we wouldn't need to deal with it at all if we could be in and out quickly." He then looks to the imp flitting around behind him, nods his head, and the imp disappears. "Perhaps I can learn something of what is happening ahead of us while we discuss."

"I believe dragons have blindsight," Honor points out. "Would you be able to counter that? Let's see how far we can go on stealth. Possibly also there might be a way we can prove our strength to the dragon, short of a fight with it." She doesn't sound too optimistic at this last.

Latrius rises to his feet, wincing slightly at a faint pain in his leg.

"Onwards to death, eh?"

He does his disappearing act in the shadows, becoming invisible in darkness to those relying on darkvision.

Stealth: 23 (whoops, been using the wrong stealth bonus this whole time.  That should be a 20.)

"I can keep the dragon in the dark for ten minutes each time I use my magic to create darkness. And Honor, I'm actually counting on the blindsight, because that way the dragon will know we're there, but as it realises we aren't there to attack it, it might give more credence to what we're saying. Since the effects won't last very long though, we would need to convince it fairly quickly, or try and fool it into believing the source for the blindness stems from outside, and causing it to leave its lair. I for one don't wish death on the villagers, but the chief was ready to poison us, so if they get the fright of a lifetime when the dragon emerges, I'm all for that."

Leto's Imp...

As the invisible imp flies up the ramp, it passes the tunnel the group previously used to get down this far. (Assuming the others told Leto enough about their path to know they had already come from that direction...) The Imp continues ahead, going up the ramp to the North. At the top of the ramp he finds a large open cavern, with a single ice troll standing guard just inside, but around the corner from the entrance, so it is out of sight of the ramp up to this area. The troll does not spot the imp.

This large cavern is empty though, but has a passage leading to the North and another leading to the East. Which way does the imp check out first?