Ahmose points out what is waiting for her, if Alaka goes North...
Kwiazy shrugs and follows Alaka, not to support her decision so much as to defend her if she runs into trouble she can't handle... he does try to stay as stealthy as he can, but stealth, while he is moderately skilled at it, is not usually his sop.
When Ahmose tells her about the creatures, she whispers (mostly) and says Aren't we here to find some dwarves? Why are *those* guys here?
She sneaks past them if she can
.. but she trips over a rock, and then yells at it, before she remembers she is supposed to be quiet to figure out what is going on.
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Ahmose (almost) giggles at Alaka, as the Cleric stumbles into the chamber of the talking Nagas. Instead the quick-thinking rogue enters right behind her yelling, pointing, and just trying to be the center of attention.
You got it all wrong! This wasn't the way to those stupid dwarves!
Ahmose then looks up at the startled (?) Nagas.
Hello! We represent the Ironfang! We are looking fer dwarves that betrayed us! You know where they are? You will get a reward; or a not a reward, depending on your truthfulness.
Xakroo stands back, holding Zarvak back. He's gonna let Ahmose do the talking, but he's getting mentally prepared in case the Nagas decide they don't want to talk with some random goblins and kobolds that interrupted their meeting.
"Fine, go on through, just leave us alone. I'm surprised the Legion allows such little twirps to do their business."
Twerp, twerp, twerp... it sounds like birds, doesn't it? I like that word.
Thanks, it was nice meeting you! says Alaka as she passes by on the way to the dwarves.
Ahmose ignores the remark. The Blue-scale just smiles, as he walks on by.
Ahmose yells
Good-bye not most helpful of dumbasses!
Xakroo blinked at how...surprisingly easy that was for the others. Long as he didn't have to waste more arrows. He walked on with the rest, making sure that Zarvak doesn't snap at the nagas, and giving said nagas a small nod as he went along.
Kwiazy gives the Nagas a little wink and a half-hearted salute as he walks by following Alaka...
They seem to barely notice you as you make your way past.
You continue on through a magma vault. A stone path curves up the northern side of the immense chamber housing the lava lake. It rises several hundred feet before abruptly stopping at a stone-arched entrance leading into a long tunnel.
+5 if tracking
+4 if hidden
(+ addl 2 to avoid becoming lost)
Ahmose smiles as the group travels down the tunnels. He begins fanning himself a bit. He takes out a Wand of Endure Elements.
He holds it out for anyone else?
"It is getting a bit warm in here... I wouldn't mind if it's okay." He takes the offered wand and tries to make it work. He makes the attempt:
He blinks, looks confused when it fails to operate and gives a little zzzzt sound as it shuts down (for him anyway) for 24 hours.
"It's not supposed to do that, is it? I didn't break it, did I? If I did, I will buy you a new one, I promise! When we get somewhere that I can, anyway."
You continue along the path, into a tunnel, and up stairs. You find yourselves outside a large door. In a pile of dust and rubble, you find a set of magic lock-picks, in a case embossed with the symbol of the Ironfang Legion.
You continue through the door and find yourself greeting by a group of well-armed dwarves. They do not attack, but demand that you stop and answer their questions.
Ahmose looks aghast at Kwaizy's flicking and flipping of his Wand.
You ok?
Ahmose checks the magical lock picks for traps, before placing them in a pocket.
He firstly takes out his Wand of Detect Magic.
He then studies them.
The Blue-scale just smiles at the dwarves, as the group walks nonchalantly in their presence.
Ahmose smiles.
Kwiazy watches them for their reaction to the sudden arrival of party and Ahmose's words, which he actually understands.
Obviously, he's not too skilled at noticing such things... but he's wary nonetheless until the dwarves declare themselves, one way or the other. Wary, but not willing to draw weapons first... He awaits their response.
Alaka takes a look at the Dwarves, trying to determine their affiliation.
No matter what she learns, she smiles and says
What questions did you have for us?
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The lock picks were just magically enhanced, nothing amazing. It's more interesting that they are proof the Ironfang Legion was here.
Alaka knows the signs point to these being worshippers of Trudd, a lawful good dwarven god of bravery, strength, and defense.
You see one of them immediately use a spell on you, and then look puzzles a moment at the result, then sigh in relief.
They continue to relax. "Who are you, and what are you doing here?"
Ahmose looks at the dwarves as if they may have been underground too long.
The Blue-scale kobold smiles at the group.
"It would be foolish to listen to what only one person says. We are waiting to hear what account the rest of the group gives."
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Okay, those are good questions. I'm Alaka, that impressive dragon is Petrahk, that's Ahmose, that's Kwaizy, Xakroo is over there...
She looks around to see if anyone else is close.
That's all I can see, but there were some other cool hero guys with us, so I'll introduce you if they catch up.
We came down to see how the Legion is getting around, mostly I think... uh, Petrahk, was there something else we were supposed to do? I never remember the details, just the burn the bad guys part.
Let's see. We found these papers that were talking about the bad guys...
She shuffles papers for a minute.
Okay, here are some of the bad guys. General Azaersi, Kraelos, Taurgreth, High Priest Azlowe, Zanathura (I think she is in charge of the morlocks, who seemed okay to me, but they work for a bad guy), uh, hmm... a place called “Onyx Citadel” but we don't know where that is...
Do you know where that is? And wait... are you guys good guys or bad guys?
They turn a bit white when you mention the Onxy Citadel.
"We believe you are probably here on a worthwhile mission. Please come with us to talk to the council."
Their body language makes it clear you are not being given a choice about accompanying them, but they are trying to be polite and respectful about it unless you resist.
Okay. Sounds fun.
Ahmose follows along smiling at every dwarf they pass on the way.
Kwiazy smiles. "Talking to your council sounds like it might be just what we need to prove ourselves and learn what we must know to continue on our mission." He follows the dwarves without further encouragement.
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Petrahk is more than willing to let her minion pyromaniac friend do the introductions -- and she even stands a bit straighter when she's called 'an impressive dragon' despite herself.
As the conversation continues she gives nods and then shrugs when the dwarves pull the "We're taking you to our leaders" card. After all, what's the worst case? There's a traitor in their midst and the party has to regrettably bring them to 'Justice'?
"Not that'd be important or anything, of course. Just happenstance who knows what good might come of it?"
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OK, in this case I'm going to break my usual policy and just copy paste from the adventure a chunk of narration. I think it explains a lot of stuff really well.
The dwarves of Kraggodan are true to their word, and the PCs are escorted peacefully to their temporary accommodations in Clan Greathammer’s stronghold. Karburtin (one of the party who greeted you) feels wasted in the role of babysitter, but soon becomes fascinated with the PCs, their stories, and their habits, asking about every little trait and soon excitedly showing them around the city.
The dwarves of Kraggodan are not the PCs’ enemies, nor even especially hostile or suspicious. Despite the fact that the PCs show up in the middle of the Sky Citadel amid a siege, the dwarves of Kraggodan are more curious than anything. They’ve seen little trade and heard little news from the wider world for years, and visitors—especially non-dwarves—are a new point of interest. As long as the PCs accommodate the reasonable requests of Kraggodan’s curious citizenry, they find themselves treated better than they would be in most surface settlements.
Reactions to these new arrivals are mixed. Some of Kraggodan’s dwarves worry the PCs are Molthuni spies, like the ones who (they believe) raided the vaults years earlier and started this siege. Others worry that the visitors are hapless adventurers who accidentally found their way into the city, but allowing them to leave could eventually lead to Molthune learning of the same secret entrance the PCs discovered. A few cantankerous sorts believe the PCs—like all humans—are looters come to plunder the wealth of Kraggodan’s past, and are now simply making up a wild story about hobgoblin invasions to escape consequence. Finally, more than a few optimistic souls hold out hope that these visitors from outside are official diplomats sent by Nirmathas, who will make an alliance with Prince Greathammer and help break the siege.
Common citizens look on with some wonder, but they also keep their distance, while Kraggodan’s artisans are eager to show off their wares and learn of the newest styles and innovations, competing for the PCs’ attentions as they explore the city. The dwarves of Kraggodan are always eager for trade, and while the PCs’ ultimate fate within the Sky Citadel has yet to be decided, representatives from the businesses of Runesmith Alley hear of their arrival. These enterprising trade-minded dwarves present themselves to the PCs and offer their crafting services in the form of magical arms and armor, including further enhancements to equipment the PCs already possess. These traders promise that any purchases made will be honored, even if the PCs are forced to leave the Sky Citadel.
Karburtin mentions the history of the siege to the PCs over the course of their preparations— that Molthune stole the Onyx Key, an artifact of incredible cultural significance to the dwarves of Kraggodan (though its existence is known only to a handful of scholars and politicians anymore). He is skeptical of any claims that an outside agent stole the object, and he dismisses any hobgoblins involved as “mere flunkies for Molthune’s
machinations,” in the face of the evidence they have implicating Molthune.
Ahmose actually seems to be enjoying all the fawning, talking, learning.
The Rogue does take an interest in this Onyx Key story. He frowns at the response to their explanation, but he does not try to persuade them further than the assistance provided.
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Ahmose takes a deep breath then launches into the explanation for these dwaves to understand that the stupid Ironfang Legion is responsible for the theft of this Onyx key!
Now, these are the findings of our investigation.
-General Azaersi rules the Legion with an iron fist, but much of the day-to-day operations are left to her commanders. Kraelos commands military operations. Taurgreth directs the Legion’s special forces, such as scouts and spies. High Priest Azlowe sees to the Legion’s spiritual needs, casts divinations, and oversees their army of faithful. A fourth advisor, Zanathura, works outside the command structure and seems greatly disliked by all except Azaersi herself.
-General Azaersi has been consolidating her power for 2 years, ever since meeting the witch Zanathura in this same valley and learning from her how to open the Stone Road and maneuver her troops unseen.
-Several letters speak of a place called “Onyx Citadel” as a central location from which the Legion launches its attacks, but nothing mentions the citadel’s location.
-Phaendar, now Fort Phaendar, continues to consume huge amounts of resources and appears to have a well-supplied garrison defending it from any possible counterattack.
-Zanathura’s morlock servants dwell in caverns below the collapsed dwarven ruins at the far end of the valley.
"What you are saying is interesting, but we found definite evidence it was the Molthune who did this."
"Perhaps the witch Zanathura was working with or using the Molthune to do her bidding and steal the key?" Kwiazy asks as a casual musing, watching Karburtin's reaction to the concept...
As for the artisans and crafters, Kwiazy is eager to learn what they have to offer and perhaps upgrade his gear, and will talk to as many of them as he can.
"Pthhh, I'm sure it's more that Molthune used the witch. As I said, we have evidence it was them."
"Would you be willing to share, I mean show us, or tell us more about this evidence you have? We would like to know as much as we can before we proceed."
"I can certainly arrange a chance for you to look over the evidence."
Of course; any evidence that will assist us as to our next approach would be most welcome.
The Blue-scale follows the dwarves.
Xakroo gives a nod, Yes, anything that will help will be an invaluable asset.
Alaka says
Thanks, that would be nice of you.
He takes you the next day to see the evidence.
The dwarven investigations were cut short when gugs attacked, but even in
searching the first chambers of the Reliquary of Ascension, they uncovered Molthuni coins and equipment left behind when the thieves fled. Magical divinations also traced all the recovered equipment to Molthune, and recognized human soldiers as the last to wield them. Altogether, three masterwork longswords, a trio of cloak pins, a scrap of fabric from a military uniform, and 516 gp implicate Molthune in the crime.