After Hamailii's arrows fly, Talk casts grease under the feet of the giant!
Reflex DC 15.
The giant keeps his feet, as both arrows bounce off of his armor.
Now in a better defensive position, the giant takes a step and attacks Bran. Luck is on the giant's side, and now Bran is on his last legs.
"Bran!" shouts Trellara as the warrior takes two massive blows from the greatsword. "Grab him, I'll Vanish you if you miss!"
Round 6 Party Effects: Inspire Courage +2 (lingering 2 rounds), Bless
Hamailii
Tal'ariel
Giant -56
Trellara
Mikail -64 (invisible)
Bran -90
Still invisible, Mikhail moves towards the giant and strikes at its right flank.
Attack:
Attack:
Damage:
Crit:
Good blessing:
Using both Greater and Improved Weapon, Damage is Good, Vital Strike, Good Blessing (1 minute) and Smite Evil
Whoops..sorry
Confirm:
Mikail's sword cuts the giant deeply, though not in as vital an area as she had hoped.
"Tal, Hamailii, I'll follow your lead!"
"Let's finish this!" Tal'ariel moves into position opposite Bran, attempting to dodge an attack from the giant. She then lashes out with her sword!
;
Tal'ariel tries to get into position, but this time the giant catches her with a backhand.
However, she now is providing a flank for Bran...
Seeing Tal get into position he feels he's on his last legs.
"This is where I feel alive! The Strongman is in me!"
He drops the axe and screams out to Kurgess for whatever strength he can muster up. Jumping high, the brawler swings his huge frame into the larger creature's neck.
Although Bran is a big man, it seems impossible that he should be able to wrestle such a massive foe as a hill giant. The creature stands over ten feet tall, and is heavily muscled. Yet Bran's training, combined with the assistance of his allies, proves the difference. He leaps onto the giant's neck and grabs its arm, preventing it from bringing its gigantic sword to bear.
Hamailii swoops in to heal him. After Bran's passage through the Boneyard, his soul sucks up every drop of positive energy it can, increasing the effectiveness of Hamailii's spell.
Taking advantage of the giant's grappled state, Trellara runs in and uses her last bit of magic to heal Bran further.
The giant slams its free hand into Bran, trying to force him to let go.
Round 7 Party Effects: Inspire Courage +2 (lingering 1 round), Bless
Mikail -64
Tal'ariel -34
Bran -60
Hamailii
Trellara
Giant -103
Getting swung around and beaten was not the ideal culmination of this plan, but he held fast.
He swung the giant to the floor and wrapped himself around one of his arms, cutting the flow to his neck.
Bran's grip tightens, and his towering foe finally falls.
Captain Ulverth and the Lions of Brindol mop up the foes they were engaging, and return to Cathedral Square.
You hear shouts in Goblin of "Kharn is dead! Retreat!"
The leaderless Red Hand troops rout. Some fight on to death, but most scatter.
The Battle of Brindol has ended, and the city stands.
With Lord Jarmaath incapacitated, Captain Lars Ulverth and Lady Verrasa Kaal jockey for command. With the battle largely won, their dispute is not highly significant, except that they take turns interrupting each other to brief you.
Lady Kaal begins. "With Skull Gorge Bridge destroyed, you slowed the horde considerably. That bought us time. And there could be lucrative contracts involved in rebuilding it... perhaps I can see about you getting a cut. Let's talk later."
Lars Ulverth scowls. "Yes, Lady Kaal, sabotage has its uses in dire circumstances. But these heroes also used kind words and diplomacy to convince the old wood giant near Drellin's Ferry to harass the Red Hand . They persuaded Drellin's Ferry to evacuate in time . They secured the aid of the Tiri Kitor "
"For a Captain, Lars, you don't place enough value on their military accomplishments. They destroyed that roadblock . And they destroyed the hatchery of those Razorfiend beasts . Those monsters, from what I understand, would have been devastating foes to fight in this battle."
"That is true, Lady Kaal. And... for the most part... their advice in Council was sound."
"Don't forget, Lars - though I don't know how they did it, and I'm sure you and Goldenbrow would disapprove - these pragmatists somehow reached a detente with the Ghostlord . Had a lich and a ghostly army been present, I don't think we could have won." She looks approvingly at the party. "It is good to know when to strike a deal."
Lars looks uncomfortable at the thought. "They're not mercenaries, Kaal. They have not asked us for any coin for coming to our aid. These heroes proved their worth in felling the giants that were attacking the walls , putting out the fires of the dragon's assault , and holding the barricade on the Dawn Way . If only they could have caught or killed that sniper."
Trellara Nightshadow speaks up. "My lords, you must not forget the great victories they won against the leaders of the Red Hand. Just a few minutes ago, they brought down Wyrmlord Kharn , and an hour before that the red dragon Abithriax .
In the Thornwaste outside the Ghostlord's lair, they finally defeated the elusive Wyrmlord Ulwai Stormcaller and, at great cost, the mighty behir Varanthian . In the ruins of Rhest, they slew Wyrmlord Saarvith the goblin and the black dragon Regiarix . Of all these events I can tell the tale and sing the song.
And before I met them, they had already slain the bugbear Wyrmlord Koth and the green dragon Ozzyrandion ."
Some remants of the Red Hand try to regroup outside the city in the hour before dawn, but are scattered again by cavalry charges. The hobgoblins break up into small groups and flee to the hills around Brindol.
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Finally, at daybreak, you manage to get some sleep in the Cathedral of Iomedae.
You sleep until early afternoon, somehow sleeping through raucous cheering outside in Cathedral Square. When you awaken, it is still going on.
Many of those you have met over the past few months are there celebrating. Some have fallen, but far fewer than would have otherwise.
You see some of your past allies - Zelligar the Mystic, Gaius, and Thom Oaktall. The gnome bard Shiska is here along with her brother Dingle. Bran and Tal'ariel think they spot Iris Farthingstone for a moment. If Seltazar has survived, or even stuck around for the battle, this sort of celebration really isn't his scene.
Some from Drellin's Ferry have survived the battle. Speaker Norro Wiston still lives, although Captain Soranna Anitah fell defending him. The smith Morlin Coalhewer also fell in battle; a cleric of Torag, he wielded his hammer to great effect against a band of ogres, buying time for others to regroup. Brother Derny was one of the healers targeted and struck down by the hobgoblins, though he was saved by the infantry around him. The stablemistress Delora Zann regrouped with her old adventuring party; the Golden Drakes (sans Aragathos) proved instrumental in taking out a roaming band of Barghests. They survived, with an assist from Zelligar and Sertieren.
Another adventuring band came out of retirement to defend Brindol, the Six Blades. They arrived from their fortified manor in Prosser well-prepared for this battle. Led by the wizard Sardith, this group mostly keeps to themselves, but seems to enjoy the celebration.
Lielle, the priestess of Abadar who was trying to clean up Terrelton, was slain by the elusive Blackspawn sniper. Her body is in the Cathedral receiving the proper rites; a novice priest of Abadar swears to follow in her footsteps and hold the corrupt Merchants Council to their agreement.
Lady Cerila Nesten of Talar survived with most of her ranger followers. She has shed her armor for a proper gown at the moment, and is singing Andoran revolutionary songs alongside Immerstal the Red, who doesn't know the words but is trying to be a good sport.
The Tiri Kitor mostly mill about uncertainly. Trellara tries to bridge the cultural divide by alternating human and elven songs with a group of Brindol's musicians, dragging Killiar Arrowswift and Sellyria Starsinger along. One of Brindol's dwarves seems to be making a significant effort to make the Tiri Kitor feel at home, talking with them in their native language and offering them elven wine. This is Eldremma Axenhaft, a merchant and also one of the Golden Drake Company.
About 2 in the afternoon, Captain Lars Ulverth ascends the stage. "Settle down! Settle down! People of Brindol... I present... Lord Kerden Jarmaath!"
A cheer goes up from the crowd, and thunderous chants of "Jar-MAATH! Jar-MAATH!"
The Lord of Brindol limps up the steps to the stage , waves, and smiles. It takes a good five minutes for the cheers to subside. Captain Lars Ulverth brings up a podium for Lord Jarmaath to lean on.
"Thank you." His voice is hoarse.
"We have won a great victory. You, the people of Brindol. The militia and the Town Guard. The Lions of Brindol and Captain Lars Ulverth." More cheers.
"And let us not forget all those who came to our aid. We opened our gates to the people of Drellin's Ferry, Talar, Nimon Gap, Terrelton, and Witchcross, and they lent their arms to this battle." More cheers.
"The Tiri Kitor came to our aid, though nearly at the cost of their Speaker's life. Speaker Sellyria, I thank you, and I pray to my gods and yours for your recovery." He bows in the direction of the elven matriarch. "May this be the beginning of a strong and lasting friendship!"
"Let us pause for a moment of silence for the fallen, from Brindol and from all the others."[b]
The crowd quiets down, with any who fail to do so nudged by their neighbors.
[b]"The Six Blades came to our aid - Sardith, Deillyr Starcloak, Artin, Morak, Wilberd the Silent, and Alho Rengate. Your reputation was well-earned, and your elimination of the wyvern-riders was masterful.
The Golden Drake Company came out of retirement - Delora Zann, Eldremma Axenhaft, Uldrina Flamehair, and Evekarr. The Barghests never stood a chance!" Both adventuring companies raise their tankards to loud applause.
"And there is one other group, not so well-established as to have a name yet, though you need one. These heroes have done many missions to weaken the Red Hand and buy us time; there would have been no victory today if not for them."
"Mikail of the Planes! Blessed by Iomedae herself! Captain Ulverth was witness to her prowess in the final battle against Wyrmlord Kharn and his giants!" Lord Jarmaath's voice is quite hoarse now.
"Hamailii Starsinger! Kin of the Tiri Kitor, I am told that it was her bow that slew the mighty red dragon that tried to burn our great city!"
"And Tal'ariel Rhuidon and Bran O'Dimm, who have fought the Red Hand since the first attack on Drellin's Ferry! Who warned many of your towns, and won many great battles. Bran himself wrestled dragons and won! And when one dragon finally did best Bran, and was also about to devour their ally Gaius, it was Tal'ariel who slew the beast and won the day!"
"These heroes' dedication, courage, resourcefulness, and compassion for our people are the reason we stand here today. Huzzah!"
Afterwards, he seeks you out. "I need to speak with you privately."
Bran wakes the next morning after a long rest, he hadn't felt so exhausted at any point in his life until this day. The mighty warrior tried to stay up the night before and help with any reconstruction efforts but found his body failing him and collapsed into a dreamless sleep.
Waking to the sound of the applause and cheering, the once marked slave gets up and adjusts his armor. He still remembers how comfortable it was, and to this day wondered who it belonged to when he took it from that destroyed cart so long ago. Taking stride into the square his nighteyes are awashed in the brightness of it all. Not a brightness from the sun but the looks on the people's faces, the general candor of the area.
Trying to walk through the crowd was going to be a difficult task but he did his best to hide his frame and blend in, but to no avail. He could feel and hear people calling for him but slowly made his way in, he needed some time to absorb it all. The thrill of the ring was one thing but this was something completely different, this was pure, this was what Kurgess wanted.
Listening to the Lord's speech, Bran found himself nodding along, a sense of pride welling up inside for everyone who did all they could to stop the threat of the Red Hand. The familiar sights of the mystical halfling Zelligar, the druid Thom, and even Gauis warmed his heart to see them all alive and well. He knew that there was bound to be disappointment and death, there was always a cost, but he knew that what they had here today was paid in full.
Hearing the general flow of the crowd change, Bran finds himself loosening up, lifting folks who wanted to see the highs, moving kegs around so the party didn't stop; it was a good use of his strength. While talking to a small girl who was showing Bran her kicking skills he was approached by Lord Jarmaath. "Privately? Let me finish teaching this little one a thing or two and I'll meet you there."
As morning turns to afternoon, Tal'ariel awakens to the cheers and celebrations of victory. She closes her eyes and takes in a long, deep breath, counting to ten before she lets out a slow, steady exhale. Her eyes open again, and the celebration is still there, all around. Her small smile becomes a wide grin as she basks in the glow of the great victory they had achieved. She looks to Hamailii, Mikail, and Trellara. "Can you believe it? We won! The Red Hand is burnt toast!"
But as the bodies come into the cathedral, her smile turns to a frown. Captain Soranna. Lielle. Who else did she know. "I have to go, I'l catch up with you all later."
As she exits the Cathedral and walks through the town, everyone seems to want to congratulate her or thank her. She is flattered by the attention, but she has a clear goal in mind. She finally arrives to see Blackthorn, her faithful owl, who she gently brushes as she speaks in the Sylvan tongue. "Thank you, friend. You were the strength behind my sword. I couldn't have done it without you." She gives him a hug, before saddling him up to fly once more. "Will you take me to see the Tiri Kitor?"
Soon, with a view from above, Tal'ariel finds a reluctant set of elves being forced to partake in celebration. Coming in for a landing, she sees one elf in particular.
"Killiar! We did it! We turned back the Red Hand!" She rushes over to him, throws her arms around his shoulders and gives him a long, deep kiss. "I'm sorry I was so cold to you. You didn't deserve it. Not at all. Will you forgive me?" Without waiting for an answer, she kisses him once more, fully intending to earn her forgiveness. Tal'ariel then looks up at him, expectantly.
Killiar Arrowswift returns the kiss. "What is there to forgive?"
Meanwhile, Trellara has remained nearby, trading songs with human bards and trying to help the Tiri Kitor bridge the cultural divide.
At the sight of Killiar and Tal'ariel embracing, human and elven musicians turn to each other and begin playing a Shelynite love song. An older human man sings a lower part, two young human women play the lute and percussion, and a Tiri Kitor hunter adds some harmony. Trellara sings the higher part of the main melody. The song switches between Common and Elven as it speaks of the beauty and purity of love and asks Shelyn's blessing.
Killiar steps back, blushing. "Thank you Trellara," he says sarcastically, but there is real warmth in his eyes when he looks at Tal'ariel. The bard smiles over at the pair.
"Come on," Trellara says to the humans, "how about a rousing victory song of Cayden Cailean?"
The attention moves away from Tal'ariel and Killiar and they can have a few more moments before they are once again interrupted...
"It gladdens my heart to see you, Tal'ariel. I had thought your coldness was just you focusing on the battle - and who knew we might make it through together?"
And then the interruption appears in the form of High Priestess Tredora Goldenbrow. The aasimar is spotted at a distance, clearly looking as if she wants to speak to either Killiar or Tal'ariel, but she doesn't intrude.
As soon as you give an indication, she moves up to Tal'ariel.
"Excuse us, Killiar. I cannot thank you and your hunters enough. May I have a minute with Tal'ariel?"
The High Priestess's wounds were grievous, but the healing power of Iomedae is remarkable; Tredora seems to have not a scratch on her.
Killiar steps away.
She smiles at Tal'ariel. "That one does make a fair hero's reward for you... but I am afraid we must ask more of you. Come to Brindol Keep in two hours."
Lady Verrasa Kaal takes advantage of Tal'ariel's distraction to approach Killiar Arrowswift for a conversation, but he entirely ignores her, until Trellara shoos the noblewoman away.
---
Later, at Brindol Keep, Lord Jarmaath addresses the party.
"Thank you again, my friends. I hope the celebration was not too draining... I had to leave to go rest for a while. I am still weak from that sniper's poison."
His voice is entirely shot, barely a whisper now.
"We have spies. We found some documents. And Lady Kaal has 'specialists' who convinced some captives to talk. I didn't ask how and you shouldn't either."
This clearly bothers him, and he pauses. "I would like to be a righteous ruler. I would like to never do or condone anything dishonorable. But I also must protect my people." Lord Jarmaath sounds a bit defensive, but perhaps only against his own conscience.
"Together, these sources of information paint an alarming picture.
High Wyrmlord Azarr Kul, the leader of the Red Hand, was not present at this battle. Why not? Where was he?
He remained at his stronghold, the Fane of Tiamat. This is deep in the Wyrmsmoke Mountains, past Skull Gorge and Cinder Hill. And, as best as we can determine, he has been conducting a terrible ritual there.
Those dragonspawn that we fought? They are just a harbinger of what is to come. Azarr Kul seeks to summon a horde of devils, fiends, and Spawn of Tiamat.
Immerstal the Red and Tredora Goldenbrow are in agreement that such a ritual, if even possible, would take at least a month. That is why he hasn't been leading the horde. Zelligar the Mystic has a theory that the slaughter of the Battle of Brindol - both of the Red Hand soldiers and our many defenders who fell - served as a blood sacrifice to power the ritual.
Based on, uh, celestial alignment I think... something like that... we have less than a week. Even with the owls, you will not have much time to tarry.
We have a good idea of the location of the Fane, more or less. But we can spare no more than a day for preparations. I will need you to head for the Fane of Tiamat tomorrow night, or the following morning at the latest.
I have some items that may be of use. Mostly gathered from enemy soldiers who no longer need them."
He presents 8 Potions of CMW, 3 Potions of Bull's Strength, 5 Potions of Invisibility, 2 Scrolls of Haste, and a Scroll of Fly.
"I thought we had won the day defeating an army of hobgoblins and giants. But fiends? I fought a devil myself, once, with the Knights of the Vale. It was a terrifying experience. I advise you to make sure you have weapons that are blessed, silver, or both. These might help, though they won't last long."
He presents five Oils of Bless Weapon.
"Will you undertake this task for us? Travel to the Fane of Tiamat, stop the ritual, and end the threat of Azarr Kul?"
As the accolades are announced to the cheering crowd, Mikail draws her sword and going down on one knee gives thanks and prayer to Iomedae.
Later when they are in private talking to Lord Jarmaath, Mikail is alarmed that this was not the end of the threat.
"By the goddess I will not give up until this evil has been scrubbed from the land. The fist of Imoedae will crush these demons and dragons back to the hells from which they spawned!"
At the appointed hour, Tal'ariel takes her leave of Killiar. "Hopefully this won't take long. I'll find you again soon!"
Lord Jarmaath's quiet whisper forces Tal'ariel to concentrate when her mind might be elsewhere. When he speaks of some dark summoning ritual, she can hardly believe it. "So this entire battle we fought was a giant blood sacrifice to power this ritual? Of course we must stop them! Do you think they will be expecting us?"
Bran listens and nearly stops in a dead sweat. "Devils?" He expected dragons, some fiends, but to hear about someone allying with the legions of Hell itself made his skin crawl, "You do not need to convince me of anything. I am willing to fight and die to stop this evil, I cannot stand idly by."[b]
He looks at the others, almost certain of their minds, [b]"You have my strength. I aim to put an end to this tyranny of dragons and the Red Hand."
"So this entire battle we fought was a giant blood sacrifice to power this ritual? Of course we must stop them! Do you think they will be expecting us?"
"That's a good question. We think they know the Battle of Brindol is lost, as at least some wyvern-riders escaped. They may expect a counter-attack, or they may not."
|
After the celebration speech, Hamailii grabbed a tankard of ale from Trellara and saluted to Cayden, in the name of Desna of course, celebrating the victory and singing loud elven songs which made most people who understood them blush.
It might have been more than one tankard.
Sweaty with red cheeks and clearly intoxicated by the ale she follows along to the private meeting.
Ouuhh, i thought this would be a different kind of private meeting after such a victory, not more bad news! - hick-
She looks at Bran:
I'm totaly not willing to die and you better don't as well! I'll bring you back again anyway!
Hick - any ritual that needs blood instead of ... attention hihihi is wrong! We'll go and put an end to it! In the name of Desna! Even if they know we come they will not know what will be hitting them! I have just the spells for them!
She sways a bit back and forth.
I'll need someone to bring me to my rooms and assist me in... prayers...
Tal'ariel helps guide Hamailii to a chair, a grin creeping out. "You know, I had been thinking we might leave tonight, but maybe we could use the night to rest and recover!"
Seeing Hamailii soused was not something the champion had thought he would see. Stifling a laugh he remembered that this was what they were fighting for, these simple things.
It helped stave off the weight of the world and the fear.
"We leave at daybreak then." He smiles and looks out the window, This has to end.
Once all your preparations are made, you set out.
You have no certain intelligence about the last dragon. Given that you have encountered a Red, Green, and Black (in addition to the dragon-like Behir), it seems likely that the last is either White or Blue. Of the two, Blue dragons are more powerful and intelligent, and more likely to be found in terrain like the Wyrmsmoke Mountains.
Killiar Arrowswift approaches Tal'ariel. "Tal'ariel," he begins, "My people are headed back to Starsong Hill. I understand you have one more journey ahead of you. May I accompany you? Sellyria Starsinger speaks of devils and fiends. I do not know if I have the ability to face such foes, but I will try."
It is three days' flight to your destination. You cross most of the length of the Elsir Vale, although the direct route takes you a bit north of the Dawn Way. Instead, you fly over the Witchwood, the southern part of the Blackfens, and then past Skull Gorge. The broken bridge is still there, site of one of your first great victories over the Red Hand.
The nights pass uneventfully.
About noon on the third day, as you are flying over the rough Wyrmsmoke Mountains, you see your destination.
A winding ledge along the face of a sheer cliff rounds a corner, and suddenly the vista is one of terrifying beauty. The ledge leads over a ten-foot-wide natural bridge and then continues to wind up the face of the cliff on the other side to a large, flat ledge. The cliffside soars several hundred feet up from this ledge. This vista is dominated by the lifelike rendition of a five-headed dragon carved out of the stone of the cliff face.
The dragon is massive—easily a hundred fifty feet tall—and carved to look as if it were perched upon the wide ledge and emerging from the stone itself. The dragon’s five serpentine necks arch up and then back down. The heads protrude from the cliffside, each leering down as if to challenge any who dare to approach. Each head is that of a different dragon, and each has a mouth agape in an eternal roar.
At the base of the cliff, under the dragon’s belly, a huge pair of closed stone double doors are set into the cliff. Each door is six feet wide and twelve feet tall. The motif of the five-headed dragon is repeated here, although this time only the dragon’s necks and heads reach out from around the door’s frame. Each of these heads seems crafted from a different type of stone—obsidian, alabaster, soapstone, malachite, and marble—corresponding to the coloration of each head.
"Well, that's an impressive fortress. Carved into the side of a cliff. Only one obvious way in. I'd normally suggest scouting ahead, but I'm wondering if that's possible here. . . "
Tal'ariel looks to see if there's some path by which she might be able to sneak ahead without being seen. Maybe under the natural bridge?
Impressive was one word for it. Bran looked at the fortress and a part of his stomach dropped, "This looks more than a fortress... This is a giant temple to a dark goddess." His eyes were drawn to all of the stone, the near ritualistic carvings and the echoes about the blood that needed to be spilt.
"We need to operate under the impression that they are expecting us. I doubt there will be another easy entrance but we should look before we kick down the front door."
You don't see any aerial forces patrolling around the Fane.
As to stealth, you have been flying on your owls. It doesn't seem like there is much cover to approach the fortress itself.
For the time being, let's say you are 500' away.
|
|
Hamailii gives a amused look to Bran.
Can't wait to get into the fray again, can you?
You have a point though. They will probably somehow know. We don't know a lot though, neither how many or what kind of defences or forces they have there, nor what we can really expect. When i look a that dragon thing i expect the worst though. I don't have enough spells to defend us from 5 different dragons! It's a terrible sight!
"I don't immediately see guards. I think it might be time for us to just fly up and see what we can find. What do you think?"
Tal'ariel looks to Killiar, who has fearlessly joined this quest. "Kiliar, I'm really glad you came with us. I don't think we can bring all the owls into the temple. And their loyalty lies with your people. Will you watch over them once we enter? And if the worst happens . . . make sure Lord Jaarmath knows."
Just looking at this fortress-temple puts a sour feeling in Mikail's stomach. The feeling of evil is almost palatable coming off the building in waves.
"Perhaps we should simply go up and knock?" she jests while looking around the lands for any hidden threats.
Killiar nods. "Yes, Tal'ariel, I can do that. If you cannot dispatch the foes inside, I think I would make little difference - inside a fortress is not my environment, I am sorry to say."
Looking at the fortress-temple, you see another feature. The giant carved blue dragon maw seems to contain a cavern. This is about 150' above the double doors and somewhat to the right.
"Look--another entrance! Seems like a sneakier entrance than those massive double doors. We should head there and see if we can find other entrances as we get closer." If anyone agrees, she will lead the way in!
"No, it does seem like a place you'd have to fly into. But we are dealing with dragons here. What's the alternative? If we don't want to go now, we can approach by cover of darkness."
Bran shakes his head, "Dragons, hobgoblin, fiends... They all see perfectly fine in the dark. We would be hurting ourselves for little gain." He stares at the hole they pointed out, "If we go in from there there's a good chance it's where some creature lurks; but it would be better than those massive doors."
"Down the gullet of the dragon...hmmm, interesting. Not sure if they would be expecting that!"
The Aasimar looks up at the temple and gives a shiver...
Bran thinks and looks at the heads of Tiamat, "Well considering what we've faced already, what is left? I don't really know..."
"Blue dragons call forth electric energy," notes Tal'ariel.
"We might see more when we get closer. Maybe even other entrances." Tal'ariel leads the way forward.
How close are you going?
No map for this part. The cave is 140' above the ledge, so you'd have to be on owl-back or using a Fly spell. How far from the opening? How many of you scouting it out? Any prep spells?
"Can we fly the owls to the ledge then? We can call a retreat for them as soon as we land... It's do or die it seems." Turning towards the others, "Into the dragon's mouth then? I don't think we should separate here at all."
"Yes, let's hit them hard and fast!" agrees Tal'ariel enthusiastically.
She'll use her Shield wand when they're about two Rounds away from the entrance.