I agree with a hit and run to try and free as many as we can if we go that route.

Twiggy thinks "What is the weaknesses of a undead dragon? Is there any way we can get a better layout of the land before we go? Hit and run is a good idea but if the dragon comes out we have to be ready for that. Plus, dwarves love precious metals and we may be able to enlist some of their help. If we knew where to find them."

"I can try scrying again later," Amara said, though she didn't wish to. She was quite familiar with death - had been raised in the horrors of the Underdark - but she tried to avoid thinking of situations such as those at the mine.

Hit and run tactics will only alert them and bring more guards. They will also try and find us. Do you want them to do hit and run tactics here on the villagers?

Byron glares at Twiggy as he steals another piece of bacon and tries to hide.  However his glare is short lived as he turns to Nolan with some questions.

Nolan, have you ever heard of a sword that was useful against undead dragons.  A long time ago, I remember Amos briefly talking about bane of dragon swords.  I only thought they were a legend, but could one be crafted or does one exist?  I suppose that might be a question for Hanns.

"I have a dragon bane sword," Myarra points out.

"Bunch of dwarven ghosts made it for me."  She pauses then adds, "Seriously.  Nolan can vouch for it.

But it's not like instant death or anything useful, it just makes it a bit easier to carve them up.  And I have no idea if it has any effect on undead dragons.

If we can't do anything now, then let's concentrate on getting to the point where we can as quickly as we can.  I know it won't do them any good if we die in the process, but I'm not thrilled with the idea of doing nothing."

To Nolan she adds,

"Seriously?  You propose to me and then tell me I have to wait a few years?  Seems a bit unkind.  I mean your bridal gifts were impressive enough that I was willing to overlook some of the minor customs, but maybe I should make you go ask my father's permission after all."

"Then perhaps, if we think they will so reciprocate, we make a trap for them here. If they try to hit and run, we find a way to bog them down so we can take them out." Amara replied.

Twiggy listens but has little to add. He is actually worried about fighting such a creature. "We should learn more about this dragon first. Although I want to help these people we still need more time and to be prepared. If we could get the slaves out I could use the water geiser to flood the tunnels and stop the operation."

Myarra, I think our marriage traditions may be a bit mixed up, which is understandable. We come from different places and I've seen a lot in the 700 + years I've been alive. I'm not being unkind and if you wish for me to ask your father, I'm sure the entity in the tower can point me in the right direction. But, like I said, I can't get married until I reach Tier 4 of my wizard career, which will take some time. If you wish to wait, then good. If not, I understand.

Turning back to the party,

I can make all sorts of things that can help us fight an undead dragon. I just need time, money and materials. And remember. The Cult of the Dragon is a powerful organization. They are more powerful than us and have more financial backing than we can imagine. We need to tread lightly or we could lose everything. We may think we know who they are, but they definitely know who some of you are and that's dangerous.

"Then what is your suggestion?"

I think we should plan on taking out the mine and free the slaves. That will put a big dent in the Cults' resources. But to do that, we need to go elsewhere to look for money. And to get all those slaves to safety, we'll need transport. We can't have sick/injured people wandering around in that dangerous area. So, we need money to make items to defeat an undead dragon and money to fix that ship and then learn how to use the thing safely.

Nolan, I'm not objecting to being prepared to take out the mine and free the slaves.  I just hope that we don't spend so much time preparing that we sacrifice them for the last bit of silver or whatever else is being mined in the mine for the coffers of the cult.

"That's a lot of money," Amara responded. "With the iron golems and our other resources, do you not think we could set up a trap here? Hit and run, freeing as many slaves as possible - and perhaps even obtaining some of the silver. Have a trap ready here, and then fortify it further for if they do come after us?"

OK, let me ask this. Let's say we find the mine, kill the enemy and free the slaves. What then? How are we going to take slaves to safety? Just tell them they're free and let them go? Take them back to Triel or Hill's Edge? Hill's Edge is probably the headquarters for this operation so Triel doesn't look bad. This is very risky if we're not prepared.

Twiggy slices a piece of sweet bread and points out "Even worse, if we go about asking questions we will have to be sure they are not agents of the dragon cult. Those turds seem to be placed everywhere."

We could do all sorts of stuff to help the village out, but right now, I don't think the Cult knows where we live. Once they do, we'll need to do something.

Well part of that planning can be done by informing Rufus and Lorrik amongst some other villagers.

Byron swipes the slice of bread out of Twiggy's hand and takes a bite before continuing.

Twiggy does bring up a good point about informants for the cultists being everywhere. That is something we will need to keep in mind as well.

As well as Oona, Khayyim Vedim and Kalur Blackleaf. All three of them, as well as Rufus, have access to the tower if they need to bring the villagers in here. Remember, not even SHE could get in here, so they will be safe if there is a siege on Daak.

I wish Lennox was still here with us to help.  His contacts would be very useful as well.

There are many people I wish were here to help, Byron. You don't know her, but there was a sweet girl named Kimora that was with us for a time. That reminds me. Did anyone find out when Roenthelm is coming back? We really need to make plans.

"I miss Kimmy a lot," Myarra agrees.

"Frankly, I just don't know what to do.  I don't want the slaves to suffer a moment longer.  But if we go now, we'd probably fail, and that would just make matters worse, because nobody else is going to do anything, and then the cult would have a free hand to do whatever they want.

I hate situations that can't be fixed by just hitting them with a sword.

I wish the Mariasha could be fixed faster, but wishes don't have any effect on reality.  Unless you have one of the rings, or a genie. But she certainly would make it easier to transport a lot of people to safety.

While we're deciding what to do, should I talk to the villagers about getting some replacement timber?  We're surrounded by forests, and have some expert woodworkers that might just be willing to help.  It, at least, would be a start."

Kali sat quietly, thinking of the druids she called her family, then looked around. She had another family now....one she would protect.her gaze finishing on Byron, she couldn't help but smile. "People come and go from our lives, but you will see them again. as long as you keep them close, they won't be far away."

Twiggy looks at Nolan "Can you make those dimensional doors that transport people?"

Yes, but it doesn't go that far. I can also Teleport, but I can't transport many people. Only 3 and I'm still having trouble getting to the spot I want.

"Perhaps we need to finish fixing the last Stone of Balance first," Amara suggested. That might help them with transporting to appropriate places.