Dragon's Egg - Act II

[SeverinR]

"That little brat got us deep in the tunnels, then flees in terror when a lizard tries to grab her, taking one that could fight at our side with her. I say we send Nissa to the lizards, go get the brat, trade her for Nissa, then leave and never return again."

"Don't worry, Branwen, I know several "honorable" merchants that likes their meat rare. Just means it takes less time to cook." I say softly.

 

[Steerpike]

((Things seem to be stalled a bit. I'll make an executive decision that does someone does the handwriting analysis (could be Ankari or Mauve). The wall is complete by now. If the party intends to try to wait the lizards out, just let me know how long you're willing to wait )).

The final stones of the wall are barricade are hauled into place, providing the party with a thick, solid structure to use for protection. Throughout the process, the lizards remained silent, with only the occasion head rising above the last debris pile to indicate that they are still there. Most of those rising heads occurred when the party spoke loudly about handing over a hostage, but the lizards take no direct action in response to those comments. They seem content to wait.

As the wall is being completed, the handwriting on the note is analyzed. It is neat and precise, and does not match up with what is contained in the journal. The journal handwriting is also neat, but shows a more flowing script. None of you have the expertise to determine whether it is the same person deliberately attempting to alter their handwriting, but the handwriting styles certainly differ.

After the last stone is put in place, the corridor goes quiet. It is still cold, and moving the stones was tiring. Branwen has fallen asleep at Liadan's feet. Darin stretches his muscles, fingers the haft of his hammer, and says "OK. Now what?"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Darn...not a match to the journal, is it? But it's gotta be human. Oh well.

Darin asks now what. It's not my show, but I'll say my piece.

...quietly!

"I think Nissa can hide her wings as Alin suggested. We can say, 'you want your prisoner? Come and get her.' The question is where we should be when Nissa lights the place.

"I don't think the lizards are going to attack, and even if we offer Nissa as a prisoner, I doubt a large group will approach us. Bear in mind, Nissa can't get close to the trap without her or someone bearing the torch. That would arouse suspicion. I don't know if it's better to have her just fly and light it.

"The only thing I am certain about is that whoever wrote the letter--Aslaug or not--knows Srilkind by name, meaning she knows where Burnbright is.

"If we play the waiting game with these lizards, they win. They're fodder for our blades and the obvious trap may be there to cut us off from a nearby exit that serves as a 'shortcut' to Srilkind. Nissa could fly over and look ahead."

So... that's three options for my involvement.

I know. If I knew which was the best, or at least most likely to be agreed upon, I'd have offered only one suggestion. Once you're out, you have to make your move. I'm more comfortable with you coming out if I know what the party will agree to.

 

[Nihal]

"Who set fire to the temple? I have a hard time believing Aslaug herself invaded the town in the black of the night, or worse, sent troglodytes or warg-riding globins to do the dirty work."

Even to my ears my words sound abnormally calm to the conclusion they're bearing. "They only need time to locate and bring her in. Mayhap they will be discreet and do it in secret, although they can just assemble a mighty force and intimidate the good folk of Srilkind, telling them some truths about the girl's origin. Oh, and do not even think in staying in the tunnels to intercept them, there are other exits besides the temple's—it was completely sealed until we unlocked it."

I scratch my chin, almost smiling at my unspoken conclusion. A second handwriting would explain many things.

 

[Keitsumah]

I look back at the others from where i stand just behind the wall, close enough that Batos can hear anything coming if the lizards try to sneak up on us.

I'm going to stay out of this. I think, stroking Batos's fur absently as he keeps his eyes focused on whatever he can see through the small crack between two boulders. A low growl throbs in his chest, not enough to be audible, but enough for me to feel it where my hand lays on his shoulder.

"You don't like this either, don't you?" I ask him, and he nods. There is something profoundly odd about why the lizards are doing all of this if what Mauve said could simply get them the girl with much less bloodshed. I sigh, wishing for once that we hadn't killed the harpies. If we had somehow managed to communicate with them, they would have gotten a very big meal with no expense on our part.

A soft breath escapes me and i yawn, looking over at Branwen. I pity the little thing. She's just a child -even if she's considered a monster in body, I know it is just her nature to be like her predecessors. Its just the way we are all made, and to change it will be difficult.

"Cân y nos
Cân y dydd
Gadewch i'r plentyn gysgu ei tywyllwch i ffwrdd

Cân o olau
Cân o gysgod
Gadewch sêr llenwi ei breuddwydion
Peidiwch byth â gadael y daioni fod cysgod

Cân o gwsg
Cân o Breuddwydion
Dewch i ni y cryfder felly mae ein bywydau efallai y byddwn yn cadw."

The old lullably rolls off of my tongue easilly, locked into memory from the days when my parents had still been alive. I wish i knew more elven then, but I am glad i have that one song despite the sadness it brings me.

My brother had made it up for whenever he went off to battle, and he had taught it to me.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"Some kind of fire demons were summoned. We don't know if Aslaug is the brains behind this, considering she is remembered as a beloved priestess. Maybe her predecessor turned her into what she is and she'll do the same to Burnbright if she has her way."



I should never have told Burnbright to leave! If anything happens to her…

Don't.



"Anyway, the wall is built…"

((CON check - fatigue))

And, ha! What a work out! I'm ready for anything!

"…so, do we provoke a fight? Offer Nissa as a prisoner? Have her light the hall? Fly over—if lizards run at the sight of her?" I look at Mauve. "She's no mermaid, but a winged nudist might be scary to these guys."



Are you comparing me to a harpy again?

Um… no? Maybe a little.

 

[Steerpike]

Darin considers Baldhart's words, then looks down the corridor for a long moment, as though trying to catch sight of the lizards. "They're just sitting there behind that debris pile," he says. "I don't like it. They brought the fight to us when we first came down here. Ever since we came back down, it's been more fight and retreat, drawing us into the tunnels and dragging out any final confrontation. Now they're just sitting down there like they've got all the time in the world to wait for us."

He looks at each member of the party in turn, holding their gaze. "Their tactics changed about the time Burnbright left the group. I don't like it one bit. Whatever's down there may help us put a stop to the Taint, and I wouldn't back down from this fight even if it meant nothing for the Taint. These lizards need to pay for what they've done to the place. But I've got a feeling that delaying things is only helping one side, and it's not us."

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I look at Darin, sigh and nod. "Then perhaps it's time to be a little more proactive, and bring the fight to them."

Líadan

I stay close to Branwen, watching and listening to the others without speaking. I have little to add to the conversation in any case. Cadell speaks of attacking the lizards, and I reach for my bow again, quickly stringing it. I may not need to use it at all, but I would rather not waste precious seconds for that during battle if it happens that I do.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

"I noticed the change as well. We're fighting the sacrificial pawns. Cadell's right that we need to make this fight happen… but how? No matter what the purpose of the obvious trap, they'll light it if we walk into it. We're not the only ones who know how to hide a torch around a corner."

I suddenly feel the magic drained from my body.

"Darin's right."

Nissa!

"We can't afford to delay this. I'm out now, so if you want my help you have less than ten minutes to decide how I help. I'm capable of making my own decision, but I'll merely make a suggestion or two, then listen… then act.

"The lizards are not likely to walk into their own trap. I can act like a helpless little woman you guys forced to march naked down the hall, but I doubt they'll come forward to retrieve me. It won't be a significant waste time to try, so I'm not against this idea.

"If they see me with a torch, they may flee, but only if there's a danger they'll be burned. If they flee I can move ahead and scout. I may not need to light the area, allowing you to pass through safely, if passing through would do any good.

"If they stand their ground, they likely want you to step into the trap and die easily. In that case, I should just light the place so they can't interfere with your ability to make a hasty exit to Srilkind."

Nissa stands naked, out of the lizards' sight, torch in her left hand hand, my boot knife in her right.

"Decide,"​ she says. "I'll give you all a couple minutes to say your piece. If there's a clear agreement among the group, I'll act accordingly. If not, I'll do as I see fit."

 

[Ireth]

Cadell

I stand and watch Nissa, silently weighing the options she presents, and speak after several moments.

"I think we should light the trap and leave. It will put some distance between us and the lizards while we retreat, and if any do follow, we can fight them on our own terms."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

I say to Darin, "Thank you for letting me use your father's shield. If a fight comes now, I believe this will be better in your hands."


Nissa

That's one for light and get out. Works for me, but let's see what others agree to…

I wait.

 

[Nihal]

"Leave? Leave to where exactly? We are only trying to get rid of this trap, we should not retreat to somewhere too far away. Listen, we want to burn it quickly and get over it, and they will not come easily into the trap. I can attempt to trick them into thinking something terrible is coming to get them, like a harpy. I can not guarantee it will work, but it is worthy a try." I wasn't talking too loudly, but lower my voice just to be sure.

"Nissa can hide behind this new wall with a torch and wait. Let's pretend we are leaving and allow them to glimpse Branwen, perhaps even listen her music. I will lag behind, of course. Act like you expected something to come from behind them, maybe someone can foolishly point and someone force his arm down, whatever. I know this enchantment which carries my voice far away, it allows me to whisper a short message and hear something in return. Only the target listens and though I have never tried to use it on some enemy I think it might work."

I throw my hair over my shoulder. "I pick the strongest lizard—or any braver lizard in the back when it pokes it head out to watch us—and hum a part of this song. In the worst case, they flee will back to where they came or nothing happens. This spell is not like the others where I need complicated gestures and say the right words, I only need to point at my target and say my message. I know how to point discreetly." I wink.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

Nissa listens patiently. She seems intrigued by Mauve's plan, but apparently, she intends to listen to what everyone has to say without responding at all.

Finally, I say, "If we're to light this trap and then attempt to pass through this hall…" Darin seems to have the expertise in this area. I ask him, "How long would it take for the fire to burn out?"

 

[Steerpike]

Darin accepts the shield from Baldhart with a nod, then listens as the others talk. When Baldhart poses her question, he smooths his beard thoughtfully.

"The walls are stone. They'll not burn, in and of themselves. Oil burns a long time in a lamp with a wick, but I don't think the thin coating of the stuff on the floor will burn more than a few minutes. If any of it has pooled along the floor, that portion will burn longer. The downward slant of the corridor may favor us here.

"The debris piles will burn for longer, but I expect we can get through those once the floor is safe."

Darin reaches up and touches the flesh of this throat, where Rydh healed him. "I'm not one to turn back. These creatures have harried us, drawn us deeper into their lair, and we have lost some of our number since coming here. I'm for making them pay for all of it. And for finding what clues we may about the Taint, of course."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

I've heard enough.

"Well, if it won't burn for long, the sooner I light this floor, the better. We don't have a good plan to draw enemies in, but as Mauve and I both said of our own plans, it doesn't hurt to try."

I fly up to Mauve.

"I prefer your plan. If the spell fails—no offense—then I can act like a helpless prisoner. If no lizard comes to retrieve me, or if it seems pointless to attempt such a ploy, I'll simply light the floor. Maybe I can fly through and create a little chaos before I get shot down.

"If anyone has a better idea for luring troglodytes into a trap they created and know we are aware of, speak now."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Baldhart

"Darin did mention that downward slant. What if the oil has already reached the enemy where they stand? If that's the case, maybe we don't need to lure them. Just light up!

"In fact, if the oil flowed past the enemy, maybe Nissa can fly over and drop the torch behind them. The fire would force them toward us." I point out the white flag near the lizard's oily footprints. "And who says we need only one torch? We can light this side while they try to outrun the flames behind them!"

 

[Ankari]

They speak, their voices fluttering like the wings of bats circling the last shaft of light. My finger finds the edge of the axe, each stroke promising to shed blood. I stare through the gloom, watching the bobbing heads of the troglodytes as the wait. They wait, and we do the same.

From the swirl of words, wisdom drops like guano. The enemy knows Burnbright is back in the village, with a single druid as protection.

I draw an arrow and wrap a bit of cloth around the end. "We go back to Srilkind. We find the threat to Burnbright, and we make an example."

Dipping the arrow in oil, I set it against the string. "I suggest you make your way back down the tunnel. Baldhart, the quickest way back to the surface would be for you to make that climb in the harpy's room and anchor a rope for us to climb."

I nod down the hallway, conceding the enemy's move. We have taken a lion as prey. It does not surprise me that we now stare at its fangs buried deep in our shoulder. "Be quick. I want to be back in Srilkind and rip the heart from this unknown foe."

The muscles in my arm tense with need.

((Nihal, I had a shocking scene for Mauve concerning the journal, but my lack of participation has robbed me of the opportunity. You'll have to think of another reason to see the journal so I can address it.))

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Nissa

"Shall we burn the hallway at both ends?" I ask Ankari.

It's clear from his arrow that a ploy will not happen. He will rush this. That is fine by me.

I put down the torch and knife, then take one of the bags used to transfer sand. I fill it with as much oil as I can carry in flight, then grab the torch.

"Let me fly to the enemy before you fire your flaming arrow. There's a chance I can force them in your direction. I agree we need to get back to Srilkind, but finish this battle. As Darin said, the fire will burn out in a few minutes. There is surely a faster exit on the other side, and it takes less time for the fire to burn out than it will to walk back to the harpy's room and wait for Baldy to raise you up one by one."

I don't wait for approval. I only need Brynhild's approval. I know I have it.

I fly to the enemy with torch and oil. If they shoot me down, the torch and oil will fall. If I make it to the enemy, I'll fly over their heads and the torch and oil will fall behind them. If the downward slope spread the oil enough, Ankari's arrow won't be needed.


Baldhart

Oh! I see Nissa's moving! I grab the white flag and say, "Here is your prisoner."

Nissa moans, "How could you do this to me?"

"Fly, useless pixie!" I bark.

She flies quickly. Hopefully, our exchange stalls the enemy enough that they hold their fire.

 

[Nihal]

"Well." I shrug my shoulders and move down the tunnel, knowing better than arguing with the ranger. I'm not exactly sad for being denied the chance of attempting my hopeless plan, I'll not need to risk to expose myself to the corruption for now.

I walk back with his words still ringing in my ears, being joined by Nissa's and Baldhart's. "We shall not exit at anywhere the darkness reigns, if in doubt ask Darin again how he and his friends ended here."

Oh, that sounded a bit rude. I shrug again, answering my own thoughts.

Clearing my throat, I throw a last glance at the ranger, the ghost twisting the corner of lips. "The foe in Srilkind might not be so unknown as you think." Turning, I get out of sight as he suggested.

((No worries, she won't give up. Now I'm curious too and for some dumb reason I'm picturing Ankari hitting her with the journal multiple times, hah.))

 

[SeverinR]

I kneel behind my barricade, watching for signs of attack, when it appears Nissa is about ready to ignite the oil I will charge behind the wall.
"I think we should exit where we know the terrain, rather then try to make our way through the taint, travelling a known path is faster, then trying to find ones way on an unknown path. If Baldhart is in danger, we need to make good time back to her."

"If we wanted to scare the lizards, we could have had Nissa fly towards them singing a happy harpy song."

"They have the hostage, lets go get the troublesome girl!" I shout to the group.

I decide to copy Ankari, wrap a cloth around an arrow and dip it in oil. Better to have two shots to ignite the trap rather then count on one.

"But the main trap is 2 arrow shots away. The debris was (estimated) 100 and the main was 200.
If Nissa fails we must run more then 100 ft to get a shot at the main trap, putting us on thier side of the smaller trap."