Bogo replies: "There is a bad dragon inside. The map shows treasure in one of the rooms. See this big X. Obviously we can split it. Half of it should be yours for helping me find it. I don't think I could get to it without you."
Nee is slow to trust the primitive creature that was involved in her near-death. She watches him carefully and intently, looking closely at his gear and weapons. A part of her is just fascinated, another is downright impressed at the ferocity she was on the receiving end of...
During the trek to the fortress, Aviari stows her quarter staff on Tarn's back, and takes out her shield and club.
Aviari is curious about the talk about a "bad dragon."
"So there is a dragon somewhere in the iron box? Have you seen the dragon, Bogo, do you know how big it is? We are here to confront a fugitive who has taken residence there with a clan of orcs. Do you know if the two of them might be in league?"
Avi's stunning eyes narrow and flash like blue-green fire, "Or are the orcs in the castle and dragon merely bunkmates?"
Teraldan, why don't you set up a marching order as you're the leader, so that we have a better tactical set up. I think we had a few too many of us drop last time.
Teraldan nods at his dwarven companion, then looks around the group - "Ok then, we should keep a tight formation around Maldor to benefit from his magical enhancement to our defenses" - he looks at his bow - "I have trained most my life to fight with a bow, though it seems I should be taking the front line" - he adds.
"Let us do it like this then" - he finishes.
"What say you all?"
Arya is a wary around Bogo, but is curious to how he knows so much about the fortress.
Bogo, You seem to know quite a bit about this iron castle. Do you know of any way we can get in without attracting any attention?
Arya will try to get a read on Bogo's motivation to see if it is anything more than trying to get the treasure inside.
"Sometimes a few questions may save more lives than a heavy hitting weapon Denlin" - he smiles at the companion travelling at his side - "Maybe this is ont of those situations"
Sounds good to me. Though we might want to do some negotiation on this Bogo getting half the treasure inside.
Aviari grins at Denlin's show of spirit, and then cocks her head for a moment at Teraldan's answer.
"We should try to learn all we can of the castle before we go in. For the present, our enemies have an advantage over us for holding a place they know that is strange to us. We'd be wise to try to counter that. Though I also agree with Malthor- there are presently nine of us in the party, not just two. "
After speaking her mind, hand on a hip, and brow arched, Aviari listens closely to Bogo's response to the questions and comments posed to him.
Yup, sounds good. As you were Captain!!!
If Bogo can get us inside without alerting the orcs, I believe he has a right to a greater share of the treasure. We would be going into the castle pretty much blind without his help. Maybe not half of it but a third sounds reasonable. Does that sound fine Bogo?
Arya talks to her companions. He is also not going to receive any of the reward for completing our mission here, the treasure is secondary to our job at hand. He could be of great help with completing the job so why not let him get little larger cut of the treasure we find.
"I believe all deserve a fair share" - Teraldan adds - "And a fair share, is an equal share" - he then turns to Bogo - "In a group, all play their part - today you show us the map to this treasure, but tomorrow one of us swings a weapon or casts a spell that saves your life, making sure you are alive to reclaim any part of it" - he nods with a serious look - "That is how I believe things should be done, and no other - we are nine, and that should be the division to be made"
While normally of a sunny disposition and unconcerned about money, Ni-Cu supports Teraldan. Being smacked and slashed to within an inch of your life has a way of putting things in perspective.
"Fair in this case means equal."
Aviari's gaze surveys the surrounding. She participates in the conversation while keeping watch, agreeing reflectively with Ni Cu and Teraldan.
"While we receive a map, we provide eight companions to one who for now appears to be alone. Our benefit is mutual, just as trust must be earned mutually. Raiding a dragon's horde is a great risk for all involved, so all should share the spoils equally.
This is the way of balance, and so it is the way of wisdom."
While lending her support to Teraldan and Ni Cu's position in the discussion of treasure, Aviari remains ever alert of the surroundings, looking around with her keen eyes, and listening with her sharp ears as the group walks and talks.
Maldor just nods at the conversation, just happy to be along and alive...
Bogo points to Denlin's insignia.
"So I get a share equal to all. I get to be a Tiger too!!"
He nods:
"I take a share equal to all Tigers in all things. Are we getting paid to do this? How much are we getting paid?"
The newest companion is excited and insistent at the same time.
"When do I get one of those tiger things?"
As you emerge from the forest you get a good look at the fortress. The walls are a full thirty feet high and the shape of the outside looks like a black dragons mouth when it opens it mouth to breathe.
The walls are indeed made of iron. There is a door on the southwest corner.
Bogo say: "See it looks like a dragon. It probably changes into a dragon at night and flies through the forest looking for prey."
The corridor proceeds north from the door about ten feet. After that it opens into a wide area 30' north south by 20'east west that appears empty.
A musical low-pitched female voice fills the air: "Who dares enter the shrine of Elwyn unbidden? Turn back! TURN BACK NOW--for ahead lies certain DEATH!!" The voice breaks off into diabolical laughter.
Aviari listens closely to the deep feminine voice, and attempts to determine its source within the room- by sight if possible, or by sound.
As Aviari homes in on the sound of their mysterious hostess, she turns her head turns to one side and the other. Her eyes are focused, shadowed blue-green, the color of an eldritch forest at night, dark yet alert.
Malthor casts detect magic and looks at the room for any signs of magic.
[Earlier] Nee smiles at the enthusiasm of Bogo.
"Equal from here Bogo. Our prior engagement did not include your good self, though I will put in a good word for you if you prove useful and survive. You are a Tiger in name now, if not insignia."
[Now]
Somewhat intimidated by being actively swallowed by the black dragon, Ni-Cu keeps an eye on the rear.
Bogo nods and points to the map:
"My prior partners left me with the map and the arrangements were made prior to you. So we will make my treasure on the map for me. The rest we do an equal split then. Your prior arrangements seem similar to my prior arrangements. We are partners on all OTHER things then."
Nee smiles at the canny bargaining.
"Sounds fair, but I'm sure Teraldan will decide. By the way Bogo, do you have any javelins?"
Bogo shakes his head and appears to have no weapons of any kind as Aviari tries to detect where the voice is coming from. She only determines that there is some sort of magical sound effects in force. The lingering aura of illusion magic is detected by Malthor.
Aviari is silent for a moment as her eyes scan the room, looking all around, listening intently and finding no natural source of the sound.
"This voice is made by magic- there is origin to it in the room. It is possible that our enemies may be able to watch us from afar, somehow, if they can send a disembodied voice to greet us as we enter the castle," she warns.
She then proceeds to look around the room, and get a sense of the area, any dangers within, and the best way forward.
She silently glances back at Bogo, to see if he has any advice on which way to go next, and then to Teraldan to lead the way.
As the party moves into the fortress, Bogo stays near the rear of the group. When you move into the interior, suddenly....behind you is a resounding BOOM!!
Turning behind you is a solid iron door has descended into the passageway blocking your escape. A small panel in the east wall opens with a keyhole that seems quite well made. No amount of tinkering with it seems to reveal a way to open it beyond the key--which no one has.
The open area thirty by twenty ahead has a raised pedestal of dark color two by three feet made of solid marble with a black bell on top of it.
The corridor continues to the north out of sight.
Bogo says: "THey say those that enter never come out. But I am sure you have a plan."
"They also say that those who never enter never come out either." Nee whispers back to the troglodyte.
"Well, there is nothing for it now but to press on." Nee peers ahead, seeing the pedestal and bell.
She smiles wanly.
"I'm guessing the bell is for ringing and summoning the minions of Elwyn?"
Malthor grumbles a bit then casts detect magic to see if the bell is magical and looks around
"I wonder... have we stumbled into a trap, or is this the usual greeting for guests of the castle?" Aviari muses dryly to no one in particular.
She continues to search the room.
Well i guess entering unnoticed is out. The only way out I see is onward. We probably should probably get moving before we are greeted with their full force. So where too Boss?
"There appears only one way to go - continue along this passage. I wonder what this bell is for?" the mage muses as he approaches the pedestal.
There is no light unless you have brought some. Detecting magic reveals no magic in the area.
Nothing looks spectacular about this bell. You wonder 'Can this be it--can this be so easy?'
Aviari draws a twig out of her hair and clasps it in one hand, and casts light on it. As the twig begins to glow bright as a torch, the soft light illuminates her face and places a gold fire within bright blue-green eyes.
"This should help a little." She looks at the bell not sure what to make of it. "This place seems strangely unguarded considering it appears our enemy was expecting us. What do you think Quill? With the aid of my light, are you able to perceive any traps in the area?
Who else has a keen eye for such things?"
Holding up her new light source, Aviari begins to wander further toward the Northern corridor and then stops after about 20 ft.. She looks back to see if any others are following.
As she advances she continues to keep a keen out for any details, especially traps.
Arya will cast dancing lights and have the float a few feet away from her.
Arya will take a look at the bell checking if the bell has a clapper. Arya will try to determine if this the bell they are looking for.
I remember that bell being we are looking for being described as platinum and magical. This bell is most likely a ruse and a trap.
Nee has completely forgotten that they were here to look for an object. She keeps this new revelation to herself...
This bell appears to be a normal bell with a clapper. It does not seem trapped in any way, just placed to tease you.
The party moves inevitably forward--using magical light along the way. As the group approaches the meet a group of priests praying. As they turn to you, you realize they are up to no good.
"Elwyn's flock I take it," the half-elf mutters to herself, as she readies for combat.
"I don't like the looks of them..." Maldor mutters as he looks at the priests ahead. "Better safe than sorry, I suppose." he thinks and sends out his protective ward to cover his comrades for the anticipated battle.
Arya takes a look at the priests and gets ready to draw her weapon.
Arya looks for a possible ambush.
Lets not get too cocky. There could be orcs somewhere nearby
Malthor looks around and tries to figure out who these are priests of.
Nee senses her allies' tension and prepares for the possibility of combat.
"Maybe we can reason with them, and convince them to leave" - Teraldan retorts at Denlin - "But I doubt it"
The praying figures have take an inverted their holy symbols so they are upside down and marked them with an X using a red substance.
Bold always mean you are up!!
Order of action
ROUnd 1
Malthor
Maldor
Teraldan
Ni-Cu
Bogo
Acolytes
Rogue
Denlim
Aviari