"Please sit, sit. Rest yourselves. That was quite a battle." He gestures to several awkward stumps and benches in the room, not quite ideal for company but suitable.
The old man steps back to the door and peeks out at the others. "Its ok, I'm must less frightening than the creatures out there. Truly, I mean you no harm."
Velshir studies the man stepping about in an awkward gait though capable, using a staff for stability. His intents seem genuinely to bring you in from danger. Something about him reminds you of Sheyla and the thought occurs that perhaps he might be a druid or something similar. There is evidence of a partially made sign in the open space of the building that resembles the one that you saw coming in. The contents of the place don't look sufficient to sustain him for long, just simple items like someone camping for a short time might bring.
Prentiss tries to perch on a stump and nods gratefully to the man. "We are in your debt sir, those things were not as welcoming. Are you a resident here, passing through or looking for something among the ruins? Maybe we could offer our assistance?"
The old man smiles at Prentiss' offer. "Yes, I believe you all could be of help." He waits for the others to enter semi-anxiously until they are all in and shuts the door quickly. "This area has changed much of late. I am Reidoth. I watch over this area in my small capacity to be aware of any threats to the surrounding areas. Since the Twig Blights and Zombies tend to stay in the area, I've been able to avoid them. Now though, I have seen folks in black masks skulking around and what appears to be a Green Dragon has recently moved into the area. I don't live here, but keep a place in Phandalin traveling back and forth to keep travelers away as much as possible from the troubles here. You might have seen my signs."
Then glancing around at the group, something seems to have occurred to him, though he doesn't speak of it. "Soup, I have some small amount of soup should you like some? I always make too much, fond of it as I am. It'll make at least a small portion for each of you."
"Hmm let me check, i can't recall picking it up" Kallen checked to see if has it while at the back following the party! She then looks up and followed the group behind, still better then staying at the dusty ruins of a old tavern.
"You got a nice home old timer, tell me why do you live i such a state and why don't you help us earlier like make a distraction or something?" Kallen replied to the old mna.
Velshir says, “So not only are there blights and the undead, but also masked men and a dragon? Have you determined the intents of the masked men, are they dangerous? I’m assuming the dragon is very dangerous.”
Reidoth glances over at Kallen, "You are right, I should have helped and debated much in doing so. So far I've only watched to be sure they kept to Thundertree and not wandered south, but perhaps I should have found more courage. I did watch, in case you needed help though. I was up on the building north of here monitoring your friend," He says with a nod to Prentiss. "I'm glad to see you've recovered. I hadn't known they could do that." Glancing around the place a bit, "I don't dare stay here much, it is only a watching point for me. I spend much of my time in Phandalin."
He shuffles some things about and seats himself in a previously cluttered spot. "The men with masks seem to be some sort of a cult and might be part of the trouble that was in town with the Redbrands. They're a more recent arrival, before it was only the random Goblin scouts. Then there are the Spiders at the base of the hill. I'm most worried about the Dragon though. It seems a small one but I know little of Dragons. Its just too near the town and likely to expand its territory if it gets too comfortable. A group such as yours might be able to at least chase it off though?" He finishes hopefully the adding, "I know much of the area, maybe I could help you in return in some way?"
Prentiss take sin the news with a growing dread; masked figures associated withe the redbrands sounded like a chance to further punish the bullies of Phandalin, but a dragon? He felt a great conflict within himself at the thought of facing one.
"I think we should take down these masks before they wreak more havoc on Phandalin; any other suggestions?" he asks the group.
Reidoth’s words put a chill in Velshir’s heart. Who knows what havoc a dragon could cause to the surrounding area, maybe even threaten Phandalin?
DM, what would Velshir know about dragons in general, especially with regard to their effect on the surrounding area?
While pondering these things, Velshir says aloud, “I’m concerned about the potential threat here to Phandalin. I do believe we should investigate both problems.”
“No I think that’s the best choice. I have no idea who the Redbrands are, but I know most of the organized law enforcement groups in the area, and they aren’t one of them, so I’m guessing they’re a bandit gang or something of the sort instead?” Brencharis pulls out her deck of cards and begins shuffling it. She points at Cal, specifically at whatever holy symbol is most prominent on his gear. “You’re one of those divine warrior types right? Does whoever your god is give you enough power that you’d be confident fighting a dragon?” (Can Brencharis try and see if she remembers any of the older thieves in her old guild saying anything about dragons?)
Joshua showing an unusual hesitation "Dragons are not something you mess with lightly. Im not sure we are up to taking one on. The masked men on the other hand seem right up our alley."
"Why it has it to be dragons, can they like go extinct or something? And crazy cultist worshipping dragons!" Kallen sighs as the older timer mentions about them.
"Fighting a dragon isn't up to our alley but maybe we could at least learn their plan is and possibly take out their leader or something?" She question and looked at Prentiss "You have draconic bloodline correct? maybe you could be a apprentice of a rivaling dragon or disguise yourself as one of the leaders to chase them off." Kallen suggest the idea of taking out the cultists without any bloodshed, not wanting to risk her life just to get rid of a dragon.
Reidoth does some sort of quick incantation on a stack of cups nearby appearing to clean them, spoons small portions of soup into them and passes them about the group as they discuss. He takes one of these same cups of soup for himself and eats with the group listening. Encouraged some by what he is hearing.
@Velshir please roll a Nature check to determine what you know of Dragons and their effects.
@Brencharis please roll a Nature or History to determine what you know or have heard from your guild regarding Dragons.
ponders for a moment, thinking of what he's heard of Dragons and their effect on the environment around them. He recalls that Green Dragons in particular are comfortable in the forest having longer legs and necks than other types to both walk over tall brush and peer over trees. One of the Evilest of Dragons, they aren't so much about Territory as they are about Power negotiating and dominating lesser beings and are known for patience, scheming and a particular taste for Elves. Captives of a Green Dragon must prove themselves valuable daily or find themselves ransomed or worse.
“Reidoth, could you guide us through this area? Show us the masked men and help us to not stumble right into the dragon’s jaws, or some other danger here. Then we can assess what these strange people are up to. Perhaps they would have an interest in helping us remove the dragon from these parts.”
Prentiss nods at Kallen's suggestion about impersonating a cultist or using his ancestry to placate them. Scratching idly at his scales, he says "That could work, provided they are a dragon cult and not inherently opposed to non-green dragons. My heritage is white dragon, they might just kill me on sight"
Recalls that an old scarred thief once told her a story of a Green Dragon where he'd suffered its poisonous breath and remembered that its green was so light that it must have been ages old. (The lighter in color the older they are)
Reidoth fingers his long beard and stares into the small fire within the structure for a moment. "The Dragon is in the ruined tower on the other side of the brush hedge that you just fought in. The Cultists, for that is what I believe them to be have stayed in the lower right corner of Thundertree. I can accompany you but do little fighting at my age. There are still many Blights within this old town and more of the Ash Zombies, I've done well to avoid them so far so the remaining structures may yet hold treasures. I think the Cultists may be from the Cragmaw Castle to the South."
"Please sit, sit. Rest yourselves. That was quite a battle." He gestures to several awkward stumps and benches in the room, not quite ideal for company but suitable.
The old man steps back to the door and peeks out at the others. "Its ok, I'm must less frightening than the creatures out there. Truly, I mean you no harm."
Velshir studies the man stepping about in an awkward gait though capable, using a staff for stability. His intents seem genuinely to bring you in from danger. Something about him reminds you of Sheyla and the thought occurs that perhaps he might be a druid or something similar. There is evidence of a partially made sign in the open space of the building that resembles the one that you saw coming in. The contents of the place don't look sufficient to sustain him for long, just simple items like someone camping for a short time might bring.
Prentiss tries to perch on a stump and nods gratefully to the man. "We are in your debt sir, those things were not as welcoming. Are you a resident here, passing through or looking for something among the ruins? Maybe we could offer our assistance?"
The old man smiles at Prentiss' offer. "Yes, I believe you all could be of help." He waits for the others to enter semi-anxiously until they are all in and shuts the door quickly. "This area has changed much of late. I am Reidoth. I watch over this area in my small capacity to be aware of any threats to the surrounding areas. Since the Twig Blights and Zombies tend to stay in the area, I've been able to avoid them. Now though, I have seen folks in black masks skulking around and what appears to be a Green Dragon has recently moved into the area. I don't live here, but keep a place in Phandalin traveling back and forth to keep travelers away as much as possible from the troubles here. You might have seen my signs."
Then glancing around at the group, something seems to have occurred to him, though he doesn't speak of it. "Soup, I have some small amount of soup should you like some? I always make too much, fond of it as I am. It'll make at least a small portion for each of you."
Short Rest Hitdie: 11
"Hmm let me check, i can't recall picking it up" Kallen checked to see if has it while at the back following the party! She then looks up and followed the group behind, still better then staying at the dusty ruins of a old tavern.
"You got a nice home old timer, tell me why do you live i such a state and why don't you help us earlier like make a distraction or something?" Kallen replied to the old mna.
Velshir says, “So not only are there blights and the undead, but also masked men and a dragon? Have you determined the intents of the masked men, are they dangerous? I’m assuming the dragon is very dangerous.”
Reidoth glances over at Kallen, "You are right, I should have helped and debated much in doing so. So far I've only watched to be sure they kept to Thundertree and not wandered south, but perhaps I should have found more courage. I did watch, in case you needed help though. I was up on the building north of here monitoring your friend," He says with a nod to Prentiss. "I'm glad to see you've recovered. I hadn't known they could do that." Glancing around the place a bit, "I don't dare stay here much, it is only a watching point for me. I spend much of my time in Phandalin."
He shuffles some things about and seats himself in a previously cluttered spot. "The men with masks seem to be some sort of a cult and might be part of the trouble that was in town with the Redbrands. They're a more recent arrival, before it was only the random Goblin scouts. Then there are the Spiders at the base of the hill. I'm most worried about the Dragon though. It seems a small one but I know little of Dragons. Its just too near the town and likely to expand its territory if it gets too comfortable. A group such as yours might be able to at least chase it off though?" He finishes hopefully the adding, "I know much of the area, maybe I could help you in return in some way?"
Prentiss take sin the news with a growing dread; masked figures associated withe the redbrands sounded like a chance to further punish the bullies of Phandalin, but a dragon? He felt a great conflict within himself at the thought of facing one.
"I think we should take down these masks before they wreak more havoc on Phandalin; any other suggestions?" he asks the group.
Reidoth’s words put a chill in Velshir’s heart. Who knows what havoc a dragon could cause to the surrounding area, maybe even threaten Phandalin?
DM, what would Velshir know about dragons in general, especially with regard to their effect on the surrounding area?
While pondering these things, Velshir says aloud, “I’m concerned about the potential threat here to Phandalin. I do believe we should investigate both problems.”
“No I think that’s the best choice. I have no idea who the Redbrands are, but I know most of the organized law enforcement groups in the area, and they aren’t one of them, so I’m guessing they’re a bandit gang or something of the sort instead?” Brencharis pulls out her deck of cards and begins shuffling it. She points at Cal, specifically at whatever holy symbol is most prominent on his gear. “You’re one of those divine warrior types right? Does whoever your god is give you enough power that you’d be confident fighting a dragon?” (Can Brencharis try and see if she remembers any of the older thieves in her old guild saying anything about dragons?)
Joshua showing an unusual hesitation "Dragons are not something you mess with lightly. Im not sure we are up to taking one on. The masked men on the other hand seem right up our alley."
"Why it has it to be dragons, can they like go extinct or something? And crazy cultist worshipping dragons!" Kallen sighs as the older timer mentions about them.
"Fighting a dragon isn't up to our alley but maybe we could at least learn their plan is and possibly take out their leader or something?" She question and looked at Prentiss "You have draconic bloodline correct? maybe you could be a apprentice of a rivaling dragon or disguise yourself as one of the leaders to chase them off." Kallen suggest the idea of taking out the cultists without any bloodshed, not wanting to risk her life just to get rid of a dragon.
Reidoth does some sort of quick incantation on a stack of cups nearby appearing to clean them, spoons small portions of soup into them and passes them about the group as they discuss. He takes one of these same cups of soup for himself and eats with the group listening. Encouraged some by what he is hearing.
@Velshir please roll a Nature check to determine what you know of Dragons and their effects.
@Brencharis please roll a Nature or History to determine what you know or have heard from your guild regarding Dragons.
Nature 17
@Velshir
ponders for a moment, thinking of what he's heard of Dragons and their effect on the environment around them. He recalls that Green Dragons in particular are comfortable in the forest having longer legs and necks than other types to both walk over tall brush and peer over trees. One of the Evilest of Dragons, they aren't so much about Territory as they are about Power negotiating and dominating lesser beings and are known for patience, scheming and a particular taste for Elves. Captives of a Green Dragon must prove themselves valuable daily or find themselves ransomed or worse.
Velshir:
“Reidoth, could you guide us through this area? Show us the masked men and help us to not stumble right into the dragon’s jaws, or some other danger here. Then we can assess what these strange people are up to. Perhaps they would have an interest in helping us remove the dragon from these parts.”
Prentiss nods at Kallen's suggestion about impersonating a cultist or using his ancestry to placate them. Scratching idly at his scales, he says "That could work, provided they are a dragon cult and not inherently opposed to non-green dragons. My heritage is white dragon, they might just kill me on sight"
He shrugs "But I'll give it a go"
History: 8
@Brencharis
Recalls that an old scarred thief once told her a story of a Green Dragon where he'd suffered its poisonous breath and remembered that its green was so light that it must have been ages old. (The lighter in color the older they are)
Reidoth fingers his long beard and stares into the small fire within the structure for a moment. "The Dragon is in the ruined tower on the other side of the brush hedge that you just fought in. The Cultists, for that is what I believe them to be have stayed in the lower right corner of Thundertree. I can accompany you but do little fighting at my age. There are still many Blights within this old town and more of the Ash Zombies, I've done well to avoid them so far so the remaining structures may yet hold treasures. I think the Cultists may be from the Cragmaw Castle to the South."
"Do you have a guess as to what these cultists might be doing out here?"