Michael uses the Mage Hand Cantrip to take and unfurl the map so he can look at the map without having to hold it with a hand. Michael looks at the map and says, “This should prove to be very useful,” as Michael asks,  “Can you show us where the Kobolds entered the mine from if it wasn't the main entrance. assuming you know where they came from.” as Michael realizes that knowledge will come in handy when going through the mines to avoid being caught between multiple groups of Kobolds.

  Peter is expecting the extent of the Mayor's knowledge to be 'Kobolds bad! Kobolds do bad things!'.  As it is he is impressed the Mayor even had a map.  "I'd be more interested if this map was up to date, you tend to make more tunnels in mines, and some of them can end up not there anymore or close to it.  Though at least in these few days it is not very likely the Kobolds have dug anything new.  Except perhaps a back entrance in the first place."

Michael nods to Peter and says, “That is what I'm expecting, all I am hoping for is to know where the Kobolds dug into the mine and launched their attack from. If we can take the map with us, we'll update it if we find any areas not on the map. That way we can conduct a better search, and reduce the risk of being attacked from multiple directions at once if we ignore where the Kobolds are likely to come from.”

The mayor says, "They entered through the front. It's the only way in, if this map is accurate. As for the dwarf at the inn? I wouldn't know. What I do know is that the dwarves who are still here in town are not fighters. They are miners. I'm sure their wives and children have more of a say in the matter than they do."

Emerald says, "Is there anything else you can tell us that will help us?"

The mayor sighs, looking hesitant to say. Emerald reiterates, "What you tell us could save our lives."

The mayor says, "....the kobolds attacked alongside a dragon. It was a young one, though. One report said it was only the size of a horse. Still, they are powerful even at that stage. So be careful."

Emerald asks, "Why hesitate to tell us that?"

The mayor says, "When people hear "dragon", they run. I was afraid you wouldn't take the job if I mentioned it."

Joey wears a serious face.

"Those who avoid fighting dragons are wise to do so.  Few are the champions who could survive a fight with even a young one.  I will take the job.  By Antowas' blessing, I am confident I can hold off a young one long enough for a squad of archers to kill it...  If I'm backed  up by a healer or two.  So if you have any healing potions in town, they could mean the difference between life and death.

"That said, because I know Draconic I will attempt to persuade them to leave the mine voluntarily.  I will tell them that I told you that should I not return alive that you would collapse the entrance and call upon the regional lord's troops to finish off any that should manage to dig their way out.  Perhaps such a threat will convince the dragon to make a run for it.  I doubt it will work, but it's worth a try."

Michael chuckles as he says, “I wouldn't run even if you claimed the Kobolds has a Demon with them.” Michael almost sounds as if he is disappointed that the Kobolds don't have a demon with them.

  "Considering the size involved, I wonder if the Koblods are making the dragon work for them.  Fortunately, I am more than capable of keeping a straight face when Joey makes such bold faced lies.  I'd offer to make those claims myself, but I'm not one of the two that know draconic here."

  Peter considers the mayor.  "Of course, I will be very disappointed in you if you have made a 'mistake' in regards to how large the dragon is and I survive.  Considering that many would not take up this task if they knew a proper dragon was involved as you said."

The mayor says, "Our town doesn't have any alchemists or ritualists. So no... we do not have such convenient potions for you." It's a small town. "Go with Antowas." he just gives Peter a sad smile. "Young man... I have no reason to hate you so. If the dragon was any bigger, you would not survive to be disappointed, and I would have no reason to believe anyone I hire would be able to accomplish the task." he looks Michael over. Then Joey. "It's a good thing for me, I have such confident sorts going to fight."

Emerald gives Michael an amused look, but doesn't say anything regarding his comment. To Joey, she says, "I can heal you. I can mend your wounds using magic. So let's get going."

Joey gives a smile and gravelly chuckle at Michael's comment.  He surveys his new allies, pride beaming from his face.

"How fortunate I am to be blessed with such valiant allies!  Thank you all so much for joining me on this noble quest!  Like the mayor said, it's possible we are already too late to rescue the folks in the mine, but it's crucial we deal with this threat before anyone else is killed."

He gives Emerald an apologetic look.  "Please forgive my manners, Emerald.  Ordinarily I would say ladies first, but tonight my shield will go first..."  He at least holds the door open for his allies this time.  "And unless there's some overriding tactical reason to do otherwise, I urge you all to stay back at least 30' once we're inside the mine.  I'm thinking the breath attack of a dragon that size would be about 25 to 30.'"
This message was last edited by the player at 21:04, Sat 12 Nov 2011.

Michael nods as he makes his Mage hand put the map into a pocket before he lets the Mage hand fade away and says, “Well the longer we wait the less likely we'll find survivors, so let's get moving but I doubt I'll be hanging back that far since it would hinder some of my tactics. But spreading out against a dragon would be a wise choice, but if we are going to fight as a group, we should travel as a group... a lone individual trying to be a hero will likely not live long enough to hear stories of heroic deeds.”

Michael walks over to Joey at the door and has already re-conjured the 'magic umbrella' on his staff for when he heads out into the rain. Michael plans on heading out as soon as the others are ready so the group sticks together.

  Peter nods in response to the Mayor, though he's still pretty sure desperate enough people will do some stupid things.  Even if that opinion can end up wrong.  "Being so far ahead we can barely reach you swiftly is one thing, but we shall be dealing with tunnels.  I would not be surprised if we'd lose sight of you completly half the time if you strayed so far ahead of us."

  Peter heads on out, adding "And if I'm smart enough to realize that you can wait for the obvious guardian to pass out of sight before attacking the rest of us, then the Kobolds would probably have even better ideas."

  Of course, May knows the hard way that even being close to the party, oh wow that can sting.

Emerald heads off with the team, letting Map-Michael lead the way as she pulls her hood over. She smiles and asides to Joey as they move out, "Glad you consider us valiant. But we'll just have to see how valiant we really are after we've faced the dragon. But I agree with the others; We stick together. We are a team, not the cheer leading squad of a lone paladin looking to be ganged up on." that last part said teasingly. Emerald then looks over and up at Michael. "...seriously, you have *got* to teach me how to do those neat tricks of yours." she bites her lower lip, clapping her hands in excitement over the magic. Then says, "So what was your schooling like? Did you learn to do those things as a kid and pull pranks on other kids? Or is it more recent than that and you see it more as a tool than as a toy?"

Michael sighs momentarily when asked about his schooling and magic, as Michael remembers the happier times before the incident that set him upon his current path, but nevertheless he replies by saying as the groups continues to its destination, “I have trained as a wizard, and the magic you have seen so far are just simple cantrips. In my studies I have learned many things, some of which are arcane, and some are not. I have some martial skill as well, for I have taken lessons on leading others in battle as a warlord. Needless to say, there are those in the order I am part of that do not approve of my lack of focus and devotion to the arcane. Yet there are others that appreciate the versatility. Overspecialization breeds in weakness.”

Joey smiles wide as he listens to his allies insist on staying close even after he warned them of the danger of dragon breath.  He raises his eyebrows in surprise upon learning the wizard has martial training but gives an "oh!" nod at Michael's saying he trained as a warlord.  The guy's talk of tactics sure fits his apparent mindset.

"Thank you all so much for your support," he says, "The more I hear the more I am humbled by your noble and true hearts.  If you all will allow me, I would like to trust you with a personal secret of mine that may come up in combat.  Will you keep my secret, please?"

  "Unless it's something that could directly effect our survival odds in our favor if known, I'd suggest such secrets be saved it until after this is over.  Less than selfish intentions or not, I would suspect secrets are much more easily kept after people actually aid each other in battle, as opposed to just talk about it."

  This logic wouldn't hopefully apply to anything about Peter, no, that would be crazy.

  "So, where does this leave your opinion on archers then Michael?  Not that I fall under that category." the displayed sling is definitely not a bow.

Emerald nods to Michael. "Heh... I'm quite versatile myself."

Emerald blinkblinks at Joey. The halfling looks up at him with a helpless smile, squinting as a few raindrops venture too close to her eyes. So she holds a hand up to shield her eyes. "Joey... you just met us. Unless the secret is something as simple as "I like collecting insects" or something, you probably shouldn't tell us yet. Personally, I'd like to hear your secret. But what I'd like more is for you to guard your heart a bit better. But I have to ask you.. what convinces you we're so noble?"

Michael looks at Peter and answers, “As long an an archer is supported properly I have no problems with them. Now I'd not want to lead a unit composed only of archers. When dealing with a group, the individuals within the group should have different skills, if everyone tries to rush into melee to use the same exact ability in the same manner, you'll be crushed by people who can manipulate the battlefield to make that ability useless. When dealing with a group what is more important is that the group can balanced where as each individual can cover for the weaknesses of another. If everyone has the same weakness, then if anyone can exploit that weakness, the entire group will be defeated.”

Michael continues to maintain his 'magic umbrella' as the group travels towards the mine.

"I suppose it would directly effect survival odds to know what your allies can and cannot do in combat," Joey answers with a sad smile, "Thank you again for your concern for me.  My secret is that I do not have a breath weapon like other Dragonborn do.  It's true my pride would be wounded should news of this get out, but I'm convinced none of you would be the one to let it out.  Why am I so convinced of your nobility?  Because of the direction your feet are pointed.  They are pointed toward danger, not comfort and safety.  That's pretty strong evidence in my book."

He smiles and nods to Michael's line of reasoning.

"I hope that I don't wind up being considered the weak one in your eyes."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:05, Tue 15 Nov 2011.

  "It's more that I don't care, than any sort of nobility honestly.  Also, pretty sure I'm not the only one doing this for motivations that are the same as roadside bandits.  Money is good to have, and violence looks like a fast path to some.  Main difference being the local law sanctioning the potential carnage."

  Peter shrugs "This doesn't mean I'm a bad person either, but I find myself looking at the actions more than the intent behind them sometimes.  We're hired killers.  Even if this comes to a peaceful solution by some miracle, this is the intent with which we were sent out."

Emerald ohs as Joey reveals his secret. "Your secret's safe with me. Though understand... for people like me, hearing you say that is almost like if I told you I'm embarrassed that I can't juggle 10-foot wide boulders. But I realize what it means for you. It's the same as if I had a secret that I can't weave my way through taller people. The pride of halflings, after all, is that we're nimble."

Emerald then looks up at Peter and says, "If you don't care about whether you get hurt or not, Peter, then what do you care about?"

Emerald occasionally eyes the makeshift umbrella. She is avoiding commenting on Michael's answer for now.

Michael smirks at Joey's comment about 'not wanting to be seen as weak in Michael's eyes as Michael doubts that his opinion will truly matter in the grand scheme of things. “Only time will tell.”

Michael then glances to Peter and says, “I'm sure you at least value survival. After all the dead don't have a use for money, can't take it with you wherever your soul goes.”

Joey chuckles at Peter's answer.  "Very well, sir.  Not nobility, just modesty.  And I see your point of irony.  Treatment for chronic pain or no, a barber is still a man who wrenches teeth from people's jaws.  And a surgeon is a man who lops off a foot to save the leg.  Yet he carries no guilt and gets paid to maim and cripple folks.  It is wise to remember these things lest the surgeon become callous and prescribe amputation when a less bloody cure would have worked."

He smiles at Emerald and nods a bow.  "Thank you for understanding."

He hehs and nods in agreement with Michael's logic.  "Good point."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:34, Wed 16 Nov 2011.

  Peter considers Emerald, "Never said I don't care about getting hurt, that's always a hassle.  Just musing on the reasons to risk such a thing.  I suppose my cares are basic, being able to get by in life without being too much of an asshole in the process."  He could not answer which of those two goals is the more difficult one.

  "On that note though, if you take it with you that means nobody else gets to have it.  At least, not until your grave is robbed someday."  The bright side of that inevitability is it does not tend to be your most despised relatives that get your money in that case.

Soon enough, the group spots the site several hundred feet away, sitting upon a small hill. The north and west sides of the map are impassable due to high piles of unstable rubble. The group must approach from the south or east (making it necessary for them to either scale the fence or go through the difficult terrain on the south and east sides of the map). The rain lets up a bit as the group gets closer still, though it's still a drizzle.

Atop a low rise is an excavation site, partially protected by a high wooden fence. Rubble lies strewn about the area. Currently, the group has gone un-noticed so far.

Emerald speaks quietly, "There's some openings in the fence, but it looks like loose rubble. And with the rain recently, we won't be going over that very easily." She pauses to listen. "I think there's someone... no... multiple someones... beyond the fence."

---

Perception Check
DC 10: You can hear the movement of small creatures beyond the fence.

Map is not yet ready. Maybe I'll have time to build it when I get back from the anime convention.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:37, Thu 17 Nov 2011.

Michael nods and grins as he whispers, “Well if there are only two ways to proceed, and one of them isn't feasible for us, how about I create a distraction by using another Cantrip of mine, Ghost Sound to trick whoever it is into thinking someone is approaching from the direction we won't be coming? I can project it up to 50 feet away from us. It wouldn't be likely to buy us much time as I doubt they woulf go rushing over to investigate the sound long enough for us to sneak past, but we could gain the element of surprise.” to the group as he explains a plan he has based on what Emerald has said about the terrain, and that the group isn't alone.