Alwan shakes Flutterwing awake.

“Wake up!” Airdsgainne shakes Ethic. “A dragon is hauling Aldridge deep into the cave.”

The dragon glides even deeper into the cave, its wingtips even scraping the edges of the cave at times.

(The party may or may not be in “combat” depending what they do, but we'll act in turn. It is the party's turn. Everyone but Aldridge is awake.)
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:26, Thu 13 Aug 2015.

Aldridge sleeps peacefully as he floats weightlessly through the tale he spins through his dreams.

Alwan comments to the groggy Westra, "A dragon has abducted Aldridge. I sincerely apologize if you would have preferred to sleep and let the dragon have him, but I thought you should know."
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:27, Thu 13 Aug 2015.

"He's an ass, but he can be useful." Westra shakes her head to rid it of the cobwebs of sleep. "Furthermore, I don't want to wait around and just leave someone to die. Not anymore. I appreciate the concern, though."

"We need to be careful," she continues. "Maybe the dragon can be reasoned with. Maybe there's a perfectly good explanation for it taking the trader. Can anyone else speak with it besides Aldridge?"

"The fact that it declines to speak in a language we understand does not necessarily mean that it cannot do so. We lose nothing by trying, in any case," Alwan says quietly. Then, more loudly, "Dragon! You told Aldridge that his story would guarantee us safety! The dragons I have encountered were creatures of honor, that held to their word. I exhort you, return him!" (20 Persuasion)

No reply comes from the darkness.

Westra sighs after a while. "Well, we tried to reason with it. Time to rescue our trader in distress. Anyone have a spell for light? I think I might be the only one that needs it, actually, unless I transform into a beast that can see in the dark."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:28, Fri 14 Aug 2015.

Flutterwing speaks up, “Spirits of the watch! Attend!” With that, her armour lights up, shedding light as far as eight paces.

"Excellent," says Westra. "Weapons at the ready, everyone. We don't want to get caught unawares." She begins to creep forward, keeping within a few paces of Flutterwing, and looks out for anything dragon-like or dangerous (Perception 11).

Observing Westra's caution, Flutterwing says, “Perhaps we could move quickly? Unless you can follow dragon-prints through the air?”

"You're right. We should probably go faster, just in case the dragon is eating Aldridge by now." Westra begins to run in the direction the dragon went, hoping the others will follow.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:12, Mon 17 Aug 2015.

Ryudo runs ahead of Westra, listening for the sound of the dragon's wings. (Perception 9)

The party races after the bard and dragon, slowly losing distance, but managing to stay within earshot. Just as the party rounds a corner, there's a steep drop off. Airdsgainne, Ryudo and Westra halt immediately, but Flutterwing, Ethic, and Alwanzatar fly right off the edge. Alwanzatar's spellcasting is much faster than his feet, so with a word, the party begins to float gracefully to the floor, sixty feet below. (Airdgainne, Ryudo, and the fallers have Feather Fall.)

This section of the cave is large and open. The ceiling is higher than the party can see, as are the walls. The floor is smooth, worn by water æons ago.

Westra turns into a giant spider and begins to climb down the cave wall after everyone else (30 ft. climbing speed). (Note: Spiders can also climb difficult surfaces without needing to make an ability check.)

As Westra climbs, Airdsgainne and Ryudo hop safely to the ground under Alwanzatar's power. The team quickly turns to continue, but the sound of beating wings has stopped.

Westra surveys their surroundings with her new darkvision, trying to determine how many paths there are further into the cave (Perception 5 (Nat1 - gross)).

Alwan strains to try to hear any sign of their quarry -- perhaps the beat of a dragon's wings, or the scream of a half-eaten adventurer. (2 perception) After listening carefully for several moments, he concludes that they are in a cave. "Hmmph," he says. "Well, we could follow the wall in one direction until we either find something, or find our way back here." He uses the narrow edge of a sling stone to scratch a crude upward arrow in the wall to indicate where they came from.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:42, Tue 18 Aug 2015.

Ryudo listens as well. (Perception: 17)

Westra agrees with Alwan, though she can't say so, and begins to scuttle close to one wall, keeping an eye out for danger or openings in the rock (perception 20). She lifts a front leg and beckons at her companions to follow.

Aldridge frolicks after the flying rainbow unicorn in his dreams, the wind rushing pleasantly past his face.

Before the party can move very far, the telltale sound of wings flapping in the distance catch its attention.

(The party is now in “combat”. The map is on roll20.net. The party may all go. Aldridge, please post privately to me. Everyone else, just post as usual.)

Message contents private.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:37, Mon 31 Aug 2015.

Alwan quietly steps toward a nearby boulder (Stealth 22) and readies a spell in case something emerges from the gloom.