Vak has an epiphany and bids a quick adieu.
Savien and Akula quietly confer after determining that both doors seem safe. They decide to try the southern most door first.
The masonry walls of this hall are in poor repair. The far end is especially bad, as it has completely collapsed, filling the southern section with rubble. The western wall is in much better shape than the other walls, and it holds a stone door with a rearing dragon carved in relief upon it. The door contains a single keyhole, which is situated in the rearing dragon's open mouth. The room is dark.
Right now Savien and Akula are right outside the door, the rest of the party stacked up behind them.
I apologise for my Master's attitude to you, and the rest. She is a beauty worth preserving, and knows it. This has... An unfortunate effect on her attitude
The guardsman raises a surprised eyebrow at this but quickly recovers. "Um... yeah, I guess that makes sense. Um... I'm sorry I called you ugly. I didn't... you know." Savien shakes his head and offers his hand to Melaphisto to grasp in a handshake, trying not to grimace at the grotesque creature. Trying, but failing. "I guess you're not so bad?" He doesn't seem totally certain.
Savien leans in without putting his foot in the room and holds the torch forward, lighting the room.
Indeed, Savien does not notice anything in addition to what Akula noticed previously.
You hear a noise. It was almost like a yell and almost like a laugh but kind of high pitched. It came from the door to the Northwest.
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When offered the hand, the wize, but Dim Eidolon just looked down at it confused, making the moment awkward.
When the door opens, Sureliah keeps behind her Eidolon. Melaphisto however stands behind Savien, waiting for something to do.
Sureliah sighs, If everything takes this long for you, I can see why you have such an issue with how fast I'm going. she says, tapping her foot impatiently. I mean, it's not like every room has a spinning blade or undead legion lieing in wait.
"Shhhh... something at the other door! Savien's urgent whisper is quiet but clear. Moving away from the open door, the guardsman beckons them toward the northwest door. "Akula, you open the door and I'll throw my torch in.
I have a feeling that whatever is in there isn't going to be friendly."
Savien then readies himself to do just that.
Blitz readies himself, and waits...
"There have only been two doors. Both hid dangers." Akula said. Then he opened the door...
Savien alerts the others to noises from the northwest. The party repositions itself around that door and Akula opens it slowly. Through the darkness, you see a narrow hallway leading to another wooden door. You also see doors on the right and left side of the hallway. Finally, you notice light coming from underneath the door at the far end of the hallway.
Akula quietly moved forward scanning for hazards, picking up Savian's thrown torch on the way and handing it back to him.
When he neared the door with the light beneath he placed his ear to the door to listen, and checked if there was a keyhole he could spy through.
Akula makes it to the door at the end of the hall without incident. He can't quite make out any noises on the other side of the door however.
Julio follow Akula and listens at the door also.
Savien moves up quietly behind Akula and sets the torch on the floor, drawing out his polearm.
"It's light in there. I'm ready when you are."
His whispered voice is hopefully muffled by the closed door.
When the first door opens without event, Blitz eases up on the grip of the short sword. He then regards his donned scizore and firms his grip on the short sword in his other hand to reiterate to himself what it specifically means when he readies himself, so there is no self doubt in the future of what that entails.
Akula quietly checked the door for hazards and then gave Savien a nod before attempting to open the door.
Akula very, very slowly and quietly opens the door. Crudely executed symbols and glyphs, scribed in bright green dye, decorate this large and irregularly shaped crumbling chamber. A bonfire is burning off to the right towards the center of the room. A metallic cage in the center of the southern wall contains a gaping hole and stands empty. A small wooden bench draped with green cloth stands before the cage, and upon it sits several small objects.
There is a small shape sitting at the fire wrapped in a blanket. It is speaking quite loudly in a language that you do not understand. If you had to guess, you'd swear there was real emotion in whatever it is saying. As the door opens all the way, a single squeak from the hinge causes the thing's head to swing up and look at you.
It quickly says, "Felly, rydych chi wedi dod."
It waits a moment then says"Na, kua tae mai koe."
Not getting a response from your group, it sighs and then says "Així que heu vingut."
Finally, it sighs, shakes its head and says. "So, you have come."
Seeing understanding in Akula's eyes it continues. "Will you be the one to take me out of my misery?"
It has remained seated, only moving its head which you can now see bears a striking resemblance to a lizard. Its scales are a dull brown with streaks of yellowish orange. You can also tell that the creature itself is probably not more than 3 feet tall.
Considering himself an amiable enough lad-especially when measured up with someone like Savien, Blitz steps up.
"Actually sir, we came to these ruins looking for signs of others who supposedly came before us."
He then addresses him in the Dwarven tongue,
"Fy enw i yw Blitz. Ai farwolaeth yr ydych chi'n chwilio amdano? Ac os felly ... pam?"
"I can be if that is what you wish." Akula replied, walking slowly into the room. "I ask for an explanation first."
With an almost disappointed look, Savien goes back for his torch, holding the polearm in one hand. Without moving any closer than the others, the guardsman scans the room for exits. Or more specifically, entrances for potential foes.
He'll leave the talking to the others.
The figure cocks its head and looks at Blitz.
"Creus que sóc un nan?"
It has a look of genuine confusion and interest in your response.
It then looks at Akula and then back to Blitz. "Those that came before..." It sighs. "It seems like we are all losing friends these days."
You notice its eyes stray over to the empty cage.
It shakes its head. "Yusdrayl will know about your friends." A look of hope quickly passes over its face. "Maybe you can come with me and meet Yusdrayl. Maybe we can help each other. My name is Meepo...Keeper of Dragons."
Blitz replies,
"Et considero un nan tant com em considero un. Però, com ho usaves abans de la llengua comuna, vaig pensar que era més el que està acostumat, i vaig sentir que podria proporcionar un cert grau de comoditat en el vostre estat de misèria autodeclarat."
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Sureliah takes a moment, trying to figure out what language that is.
If the creature demands death, why not give it then?
She then waits... Looking at the creature, a little curious. Keeper of dragons? Are you to tell us one of them is around? she lowers her weapon and stands, becoming less threatening.
He looks at Blitz. "Good. I'm glad you realize I'm not a dwarf. I don't know if I could trust you if you were that dimwitted."
Meepo looks at Sureliah, looks at the cage, and looks at Sureliah again. "There used to be one...well I suppose there still is one around."
He sighs deeply. "It's just not our dragon anymore. Anyway, will you come speak with Yusdrayl? Or do you have more questions for me?"
Julio approaches the creature and crouches down next to it. He warms his hands by the fire and in a quiet voice states, "So Meepo, you had a dragon in that cage? Has it escaped or was it stolen from you?
"Who is Yusdrayl?"
The kobold gets to his feet as yet another party member enters the room. "How many..." He then shakes his head and nods at Julio. "We had a dragon. A fierce white. Calcryx is her name. The wretched goblins stole her. As for Yusdrayl...she sits on our thrown."
"Show us." Akula said.
Blitz tightens his grip on the short sword,
You don't sound too thrilled that Yusdrayl holds the throne. Tighten up friends, we may not be walking into a warm welcome."
”Show you what?”
Then to Blitz, ”Is he always so curt? Anyway let’s just say it’s hard to be Keeper of Dragons without a dragon. I either need to get Calcryx back or get a new dragon...or leave. To tell it true, leaving sounds like my best option...but home is here.”
Savien frowns at the conversation. "Is... Yoos-drayal a kobold too? I don't much like the idea of seeking out dragons but if Yoos-drayal might know of the humans we're looking for, then lets go talk to her."
Of course it's a female. This is going to go well... and goblins?
The guardsman grips his weapon tight and walks over to Julio to whisper. "Hold the torch. I'm not sure when I'll need to use both hands." Savien gives his polearm a significant look as he holds out his burning torch to the rogue.
Meepo tilts his head at the big human. "Of course Yusdrayl is a kobold. She commands great respect from the other kobolds. Will you come to meet her?"
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Sureliah goes to the cage and examines it.
From what I've heard, Dragons don't like being kept... she sighs. Melaphisto leans over, watching the Kobold, ready to smash it at the first sign of aggression.
And if goblins held on to it it's not unthinkable to believe that those goblins are now all dead and the dragon out for revenge... But then again this is just guessing. she looks at the Kobold and snears. With all the traps around, how can we be sure this runt isn't leading us into another?
"I am sure that he is telling the truth so far. He is going to take us safely to Yusdrayl. Whether she wants to see us is still up for debate. I suggest we be prepared and let me do the talking when we get there."
Julio pulls out his comb and mirror and checks himself to be sure that he is prepared to me royalty.
For the first time, Meepo's dour expression changes to a sardonic smile. "Calcryx and I had a special relationship. We, Kobolds are their cousins after all. I do not think the goblins are dead, however."
He then looks up at Melaphisto. "Fascinating. What kind of creature are you? Is this elf your master? How did she capture you?" He begins to circle the eidolon, closely inspecting it.
He comes around to Julio, quite clearly not wanting to take his eyes off Melaphisto, "Come then, we will go together. Yusdrayl is not far."
The kobold leads the party toward the door at the western edge of the room.
Julio looks at the torch offered by Savein and then at the sunrod in his hand. "I really don't want to carry two light sources. It would present the wrong impression when I meet with their queen. I can't allow her to think that I am just a torch bearer. It will be important to make the right impression up front."
As they leave the room Julio stops and read the writing on the wall. "Excuse me Meepo but who wrote this? Do you know what it says? It looks like a threat."
Savien frowns and shrugs, holding on to his torch for now. "Sure, whatever makes you feel better."
When Julio points out the writing to Meepo, the guardsman crouches down to examine it as well. "Looks like the kobolds have an enemy that likes to write taunts in Sylvan. I think that's hilarious."
Savien gives the kobold an amused smirk.
Meepo is halfway through the door when Julio calls him back. He tilts his head and says "Kobolds made all of this writing in the language of the dragons." He gestures at the broad expanse of writing. "Sadly, most of it is meaningless without Calcryx. That part there was just a mistake from one of my duller cousins."
When Savien points out that it actually has meaning and is in another language, Meepo tilts his head, kneels down and frowns. "I never knew...Sylvan you say? Come. We will go to Yusdrayl."
Past the door is a hallway leading west. As you proceed that way, you pass one hallway leading north a short ways. Towards the end of it you see columns in another larger area. You also pass two doors to your left and one door to your right. All are closed. You reach a right turn and follow Meepo towards a well-lit area that opens up.
A short throne stands near the west wall, constructed of fallen bits of masonry stacked against an old altar. A small, horned figure in red-dyed robes sits in the throne, and a force of six similar creatures guards her.
The altar's top contains a variety of small items, while the portion of the altar that serves as the throne's back features a carving of a rearing dragon. A metallic key is held firmly in the rearing dragon's open mouth.
The robed creature is currently in conversation with some of her guards. She has seen you walk up with Meepo but is currently ignoring all of you. The guards are clearly on edge and have begun edging in front of the robed figure.
Conceding the talking to the more charismatic member of the party, Blitz stands wary as Julio's second-one step behind and to his left.
Julio steps forward of the group and bows gracefully to the queen.
"All hail great Yusdrayl, queen of the kobolds. We have heard of you in the far off village of Oakhurst. The rumors of your beauty pale in comparison to what I see before my eyes. Please grant us and audience so that we may request information about another group of humans who were headed in the direction about a month ago. Please help us in our quest to reunite them with their family."
Julio really grabs Yusdrayl's attention. "Hello, human."
You think she is smiling. As she turns to face the group, you realize that despite the fact that she is only a few feet tall, she has a sense of gravitas to her.
"Meepo, you grace us with your presence. None of these look like dragons though...So tell me what have you brought me?"
Meepo begins talking in a language that the group does not understand. After a moment, he switches back to common. "They search for the group that came through here before."
Yusdrayl turns to the party, "What is this group to you? Are they your friends?"
Akula raised an eyebrow at Julio's tactics. Humans were extremely unpredictable. He put the arrow that had been notched on his new bow back in his quiver as a sign of good intent. The orc was hardly a diplomat, but he at least knew when to shut up and sheath weapons.
Julio's dazzling display of flattery almost convinces BlitZ of the Kobold's professed beauty-part of him feels like he should have brought Yusdrayl a bouquet of flowers. He fights off the urge to smack himself in the face with his scizore,
"Now that wouldn't be a smart move, now would it? Mar your face in front of this adorable little...wait a second...focus Blitz...foooocuuuus..."
Julio puts a hand on Meepo's shoulder, "Friends? Of course we are all friends here. Friends who wish nothing but the best for each other."
He pulls a bottle of wine from his pack and steps up to the queen, "I suggest that we all sit and share this fine bottle of wine and discuss our futher friendship together."
He hands the bottle to Yusdrayl and continues, "I would suggest that we all sit down right now and have a feast in honor of our friendship. But alas we would be doing a disservice to our other friends that came before us. We must find them so that they can also join us in our feast of friendship. Will you help us find our friends so that they may join us."
As Julio turns his head slightly to pull something out of his pack, the larger kobolds around Yusdrayl tense and take another step forward. Sensing Julio's intent, Yusdrayl holds her hands out to hold her guards back.
"It has been so long since a human has shown such...respect. You will have to excuse my minders. They do not trust you. I will gladly share drink with you. There will be no feast."
After Julio opens the bottle, Yusdrayl takes it and drinks a modest amount straight from the bottle. She hands it to Julio with an expectant look on her face.
"Now we do business. You are looking for other humans that passed through here. They arrived here shortly before we did. They fought the goblins but did not return.
If you would like to pass through to find them, you will need our safe passage. What will you provide to us to receive this safe passage?"
She sits back on her throne and lets her gaze pass over each member of the party. Meepo, for his part, remains off to the side, face neutral.
Entering the throne room, Savien narrows his eyes at the force of tiny lizard-creatures but says nothing. When Julio starts flattering the ugly creature, the guardsman can't help but roll his eyes. Aggressively.
Julio... someday this type of thing is going to get you killed. Definitely. But I guess we try it your way for now.
When Akula returns his arrow, Savien wrinkles his nose at his polearm, but doesn't stow it. He does plant the bottom of it on the ground, however. The closest thing to stowed as it would get with this many potential enemies right in front of him.
In a quiet voice, Savien speaks in a lilting, almost whimsical language that sounds entirely strange coming from his mouth. "Deirim go Dia, Julio, má aontaíonn tú an t-airgead seo a íoc le himeacht, tá sé ag teacht as do chuid."
It's just loud enough to be heard, but not loud enough to interrupt.