So, while the party discusses their plans on how to locate treasure, Twiggy and Myarra park the metal crab inside the foyer of the tower and the rest of you go inside for an early dinner.

No clue. We'd have to test it in a safe place.

Once back inside and probably meeting in the dining area again,

So, we have several options on locating treasure. One is the mine with the Skeleton Dragon, but I think we'll get killed there unless we're prepared. Two is finding these diggers and their Troll problem? Three is using the metal crab to go into the river like Myarra suggested and look for spilled loot that might have fallen out of the ship? Four is digging in the tower again to find treasure. I can identify the shield, the raven figurine and the coin to see if they're worth anything. Five. We go visit Hanns in the library to see if he knows of any treasures. And lastly, we tell HER that we have information on the Dragon Orb and will trade the information for places that have treasure. She might be interested in knowing about that and the fact that we're interested in getting rid of the skeleton dragon in the mine.

Kali, sitting inside at the table had a simple fare of fruit and a light bwine in front of her. Even in this place she was starting to call home, it was clear she was still less comfortable inside than out. Sitting there, she looked stiff, almost formal and uncomfortable.

As Nolan finished, she spoke. "I don't think the mine with the skeletal dragon is an option for now....As much as i hate undead, and they are an abomination to nature itself, if we faced it now, we would die and teh problem would remain."

She took a bite of an apple. I think a day or two here would do us good...speak to this librarian....Hanns, was it? Maybe as that happens Twiggy and Myarra can explore the lake for possible sites. Then we can decide where to go from there. As to telling 'her', whoever it is, that i leave to you all."

Aliana was enjoying a hearty meal, and nodding.
"I'll concede that the skeletal dragon might be something to put off until a later date.  And if the 'her' is whom I think it is, then I definitely don't wish to involve her.  I would vote to help the diggers, but I'll go along with the group."

Byron sits next to Kali as they eat.  His meal more substantial than Kali's as Twiggy tries to steal half of it as well.

I agree the skeletal dragon is going to have to wait.  Hopefully, that is one of the things Hanns can give us some information on to be better prepared for it.  After the library I'm ok with whatever else the group decides.  Although talking to Her and trying to get Her to do anything to help us is something I'm totally against.

Byron swats Twiggy's hand for the third time and glares at him.

Go get your own second meal and keep your hands out of mine.

Byron looks at Myarra.

Can you lock him in that metal crab and leave him there for a long while to find out how much air that thing holds?

And how would you leave him in it when the controls are inside the thing? Anyways, I'm just throwing up ideas for everyone. If we go speak with Hanns, let's come up with some questions to ask him. I really don't want to disturb the Lizard folk living around the area with our presence. We should also wait for Roenthelm before going anywhere.

Twiggy frowns at Byron and sticks out his tongue then mumbles  "See if I let you hide behind my crab." still snatching a piece of bacon before moving over to behind Kali "So who is HER?"

Having wandered off from the others, annoyed at Twiggy and Myarra, Amara went to the room of the viewing crystals. They needed to know more about the undead dragon.

First, though, she took out the vial of honey, at which her little hummingbird flittered out of her robe, cheeped, and then ate. "Flicka, if you think I'm in danger, go get Nolan. I need to scry."

The hummingbird cheeped again, circling her head once, then landing to eat more honey until full, then flitted back into her robe.

Amara went over and touched the crystal, intending to scry on the undead dragon.

HER name is Satin, but that's a name she uses while in Humanoid form. Satin is the largest Green Dragon I've ever seen and she seems highly knowledgeable about things, so I'm thinking she might be a Great Wyrm and probably responsible for the destruction of Myth Jannath or at least had a hand in it. In her humanoid form, she's very beautiful and likes to walk among people like she was one of them. I honestly think she's just bored. She probably knows where everything is in this forest, but if you want to know anything, it comes at a price.

A price that I don't think is worth paying.  I've met the bitch.

Amara PM

Myarra shows far less effects from the tower than she use to.  But then she always had shone a remarkable resistance the tower when it came to stuffing her face with a platter full of meet (after a nice long hot bath).

"People come first.  Let's get Roen safely back with us.  But if that doesn't take all of us, then Twiggy and I can explore the river.  Given the size of the crab, I'd say there's at least enough air for an hour.  Maybe more.  And I think Nolan would be best suited for talking with Hanns, although he shouldn't go alone.

Besides, he and I really should start making plans for the wedding."

Byron chuckles and teases his friend.

Myarra, who are you getting married to?  Twiggy??

Aliana, sipping some water, did a spit take

"Nolan, of course," Myarra replies as if this is the most obvious thing in the world.

Twiggy looks at Myarra, feinting being upset, "I guess that make me chopped liver, not everyones liking. I am so heartbroken. I keep the crab in the divorce though."

After a while, Amara joins the others again. She looks a bit drained as she has the magic provide her with some hearty soup. She sits down with the others, taking a few bites as she listens to them teasing each other. She speaks, turning back toward more serious topics.

"I used the crystal to scry on the mine. They are using slaves - no surprise - but that includes children - dozens. People are already dying from overwork and from injuries. I did not scry long, but in the area I scryed, the entrance where I would assume the most guards would be, I only counted 10. I saw no obvious trace of dragons, but one of the tunnels is big enough for a large dragon.

Is there a reason we should not go now? If we delay, more will die."

"No offense intended, my dear Twigster," Myarra tells the hin with a smile.  "If you'd courted me as relentlessly as Nolan has, I'd have given your proposal just as much consideration."

She turns more serious at Amara's news.  "Nolan thinks we're not ready to take on an undead dragon just yet.   Do you think we could block the dragon's tunnel?  Keep it contained long enough to kill the guards and rescue the people?"

"It seems like something where if we have a fast escape, we might be able to snatch and grab before the dragon is summoned." She gets some paper and a pen, sketching the beginnings of a map. "And they might be able to provide more details that could help us know when we are ready."

See game map U

Married? That can't happen until I reach Tier 4 of the tower and I can't even reach Tier 3 yet. So, if you're willing to wait, sure, I'll marry you. Usually, it's the women being chased by the men, so this is a twist of tradition.

Turning to Amara,

Unless you want to bring Lord Dhelt here and show him the proof, we need to be better equipped to face a Blue Dragon. That metal crab is worthless against it. It might as well be a lightning rod. I'm definitely sorry about the people who are trapped there, but I don't want to be one of them.

Byron looks over at Amara.


Amara, did you get a feel for how many people are actually forced into this situation?  I would suspect the number of guards and "bosses" are a lot higher than 10.   It would just depend on the number of "slaves" though.

Kali, silent for a bit, thought about the cave. I have some.magic that may slow a dragon down, but not enough to slow him enough to give us enough time. to move that much earth to trap him.and delay for saving them..."

She bit her lip in thought

Twiggy smiles at Myarra "I hope Nolan doesn't get to broken hearted when I woo you." the halfling then playfully batts his eyes at her and giggles.

"As for the people and dragon, I am sure it will only emerge if we mess with its operation. We would have to scout around, maybe find some dwarves and gnomes to collapse the tunnels it can emerge from."

Twiggy, you are going to be hard pressed to find a significant number of dwarves or gnomes around here.

"Dozens of prisoners in that area - probably hundreds in total," Amara said. "I'm not talkinga bout necessarily taking on the dragon - I'm talking about a hit and run to get the prisoners out."