IC II

[shaidar]

Newton

"So there you have it, master Xander, the tale of our exploits. Are you ready for a life of travel, cold and wet nights sleeping outside, blood, combat, pain, excitement and treasure?"

[fireinthedust]

Newton

"So there you have it, master Xander, the tale of our exploits. Are you ready for a life of travel, cold and wet nights sleeping outside, blood, combat, pain, excitement and treasure?"

Xandar

The wizard listens to everything with no emotion, just noting details.

"Indeed, that's why I'm here. A dragon of advanced age, with orcs between us and them? Are the orcs aligned with the dragon or more of a local hazard? And do we have maps of the region, to plan our travels? I have a... project I could use help with, a location I would like to investigate, but I'm not sure where in the region the other threats are compared to it. If the group doesn't mind a possible detour along the way, it could be of vital importance to our fight with this green. I should also like to know as much as possible about our target. Research is vital to surviving fights with more powerful foes, dragons especially. Whatever we can do to plan, from the history of this creature to its habits, and its lair."

[beniliusbob]

Zellar

"It is good to make your acquaintance, Xandar. The arcane arts are an essential fletching in the quiver versus chaos. For my part, life is nothing but a series of happy detours, and if this quest of yours brings us knowledge or materiel in our battle against Burnnkenkrayn, then I am for it."

Zellar suggests that Xandar demonstrate on the party's various maps where this detour lies, and what the object of the quest might be.

[fireinthedust]

“Should we adjourn to a more private room? I know wizards are accused of loving secrets, but I find treasure hunters are far more... ruthless in looking into the business of others. I learned early in my career, when the company I had joined were ambushed by bandits while leaving an excavation site. The rivals of the company leaders had been watching them for a moment of weakness. The map I have Would be very valuable, more so if we did all the hard work for unscrupulous sorts.”

[thirdkingdom]

“Should we adjourn to a more private room? I know wizards are accused of loving secrets, but I find treasure hunters are far more... ruthless in looking into the business of others. I learned early in my career, when the company I had joined were ambushed by bandits while leaving an excavation site. The rivals of the company leaders had been watching them for a moment of weakness. The map I have Would be very valuable, more so if we did all the hard work for unscrupulous sorts.”

A private room is soon arranged by the proprietor of the Strutting Peacock, and the companions are ushered into a small, wood-paneled room with a table that takes up most of the room, lined with benches on three walls. It's quiet and still, but also somewhat hot. It should do, though.

[fireinthedust]

Xandar shows the group his map, carefully opening the wooden case it came in.

[The_Wanderer]

Feargus
"I was under the assumption you were talking more of a detour to a library or a sage to learn of green dragons...this is something different though...what is it? A tomb?"

[shaidar]

Newton

Before the evening is over, Newton takes Tolniel Fer to one side.

"I was wondering, while you are enquiring about green dragons, there is something else which I think would be of use to the group. Could you also enquire about means of preserving harvested creature parts to keep them fresh until we return to civilisation, hides, claws, eyes, that kind of thing. I'd be interested in magical or alchemical options. If we are going to be slaying a green dragon then there is potentially more wealth there than just it's horde."

[beniliusbob]

Zellar

Xandar shows the group his map, carefully opening the wooden case it came in.

"What exactly are we looking at here, good Xandar? I've mapped the astral lanes of the spiritual realm through years of meditation, but physical geography has never been my strong suit."

[thirdkingdom]

The map, according to Xandar, shows the burial place of one Alcazear the Rotund, and who was rumored to have been buried with "gold coins that outnumbered the stars in the sky). The map does not, of course, give directions from their current location, but it looks as though the burial site is some eighteen miles roughly south of "Maknor, the jewel of the north*".

*viewtopic.php?p=457748#p457748
I'm assuming Xandar is sharing this knowledge with his companions:

Treasure Map of Alcazear the Rotund.png (6.53 KiB) Viewed 1909 times

[beniliusbob]

Zellar

"Maknor? I've not heard of this place. Perhaps it is even beyond Kimrid. If this place lies that far north, it may be that we cannot investigate the tomb until we've dealt with Burnnkenkrayn. Though, the tomb might contain ancient magical treasures that would assist us in the defeat of the dragon - in which case we should explore it first.

"This makes me think of another thing. Drakesbane and I learnt from Father Odos that Kimrid and other northern cities have been known to produce veins of magical metal. This metal can be worked into enchanted weapons. If we were to play the long game, so to speak, there might be a number of advantages to be harvested from the northlands before we aid the sideneros with their dragon problem.

"In times of uncertainty, it is my habit to pray to the Mnencir for guidance. But I value your opinion as well, my friends. Do we feel we are ready to deal with this green menace? Or should we do more work to prepare ourselves first?"

[The_Wanderer]

Feargus rubs his chin. "Well much like you guys, I've never dealt with a dragon of any hue...I can't be certain that we have prepared enough. It is made more difficult if the dragon is surrounded by the orcs. The would make it so that sneaking up on the dragon would be impossible. We also have possession of one other treasure map (from the trolls, located near Kimrid) and the map to Gardo's mine (I think NW of Kimrid), both of which could provide valuable sources of resources with which to fight a dragon...Ha! To be honest we have more than enough to do. How about we hold off on further escort quests for a while."

[fireinthedust]

Feargus rubs his chin. "Well much like you guys, I've never dealt with a dragon of any hue...I can't be certain that we have prepared enough. It is made more difficult if the dragon is surrounded by the orcs. The would make it so that sneaking up on the dragon would be impossible. We also have possession of one other treasure map (from the trolls, located near Kimrid) and the map to Gardo's mine (I think NW of Kimrid), both of which could provide valuable sources of resources with which to fight a dragon...Ha! To be honest we have more than enough to do. How about we hold off on further escort quests for a while."

XANDAR

"Fair enough. But where is the dragon's lair on your map? And the lairs of the orcs? And these other two locations? I can head to the library and research this green directly, but for the resources needed we'll need to see the dragon's lair's layout. Something clever, like a ballistae that carries a net to stop the drake's wings from carrying them aloft, could be feasible, if there is a place to set up and aim from. See?"

[VonAlric]

Gardo

"Wait, wait... Set up? Nets? Good mage, you are getting way far ahead of me. One problem at a time is all I can deal with. And that problem is orcs. We go smash the orcs first. Then we figure out what to do next. Another thing, how long did we say we had before the main set of orcs figure out that something happened to their surprise party? We may not have long to do any of this library stuff."

[thirdkingdom]

Gardo

"Wait, wait... Set up? Nets? Good mage, you are getting way far ahead of me. One problem at a time is all I can deal with. And that problem is orcs. We go smash the orcs first. Then we figure out what to do next. Another thing, how long did we say we had before the main set of orcs figure out that something happened to their surprise party? We may not have long to do any of this library stuff."

The Baron estimated you had about two weeks before the orcs started to get suspicious. Three days have passed since then.

[shaidar]

Newton

"We need time to prepare for the dragon. The baron estimated a couple of weeks before the orcs become suspicious. We're going to be using most of that travelling here and back to Draea. Once we take out the orcs, hopefully we'll get an idea of where the dragon is and how long it might be before he get suspicious. It might be worth having madame Fleur temporarily relocate to Rhea's Ford, that would make it easier to get I information to us"

[beniliusbob]

Zellar

"I had forgotten we need to strike the orcs before they become aware we have intelligence on them.

"In that case, my recommendation is that we act with all speed. Let us take three days to perform research here in the Ford and hire any mercenaries we can find, or add to our ranks any adventurers who are willing to raise their blades against the dark pulse of chaos. Then we should head north and strike immediately at the orcs. We must take advantage of this opportunity to hit them with surprise while it is still open to us.

"Once we've a better grasp on the situation with the orcs, we can perhaps take a detour to sack a tomb or two - depending how Burnnkenkrayn reacts to our mission, and if we get any further information from the orcs."

[beniliusbob]

Zellar

Assuming Zellar's plan is accepted by the other adventurers, her goals for the next three days are as follows:

• Consult with Reker Nus on the nature and proclivities of green dragons in general, and Burnnkenkrayn in specific
• Consult with Helmmarma of Macever, also on the above
• Survey the local taverns and inns for any swords-for-hire or lone and/or wannabe adventurers available for enlistment

[thirdkingdom]

Zellar

Assuming Zellar's plan is accepted by the other adventurers, her goals for the next three days are as follows:

• Consult with Reker Nus on the nature and proclivities of green dragons in general, and Burnnkenkrayn in specific
• Consult with Helmmarma of Macever, also on the above
• Survey the local taverns and inns for any swords-for-hire or lone and/or wannabe adventurers available for enlistment

Fifthmonth, Fifteenthday
Rhea's Ford

The night passes without incident. It has been awhile, likely, since many of the companions slept in a bed, not to mention one that is part of a private room. The adventurers sleep, thinking of the well-organized plan that Zellar had proposed the night before. Upon rising in the morning and meeting downstairs, they are told by an employee that their factor has left them a mention. "He said to tell you that the deputy seneschal Pord will be able to see you this afternoon." The adventurers must meet with Pord, of course, to deliver the letter they have from Lec and receive their reward.

Other than that engagement, the adventurers have the rest of the day to themselves.

[beniliusbob]

Zellar

Zellar will eat a spartan breakfast before heading out to consult with the sages, asking her compatriots if any of them wish to join her.