(OOC - Please feel free to continue in Phandalin talking to people about the completion of your quests. This thread will take you to Thundertree and can be considered to be a time shift from the Conyberry N Thread)
DM
Having taken care of the business of obtaining the Potions of healing from the Cleric in Phandalin and talking to the old fighter about what was happening on Wyvern Tor and the Old Owl Well, the group gets one good nights sleep in town before heading back out, this time Northward, in the direction of Thundertree. Their goal, to stop an ally of the Spider from forming an alliance with a Dragon there, and also to see if they can find the Druid that the halfling farmer in town mentioned might have knowledge of the area to share.
The trip is overland, off the trails, and skirts the edge of the forest. The group travels quickly, knowing the urgency of the trip, but it still takes a few days of travel.
(OOC - Post any conversations on the road that occur here. No random encounters occur during the journey. I will synch arrivals and notify you when you can join the other thread.)
Although she is still vigilant, with her bow ready in case of attack, it should be clear to the others that something has happened between herself and Davroar. She seems in much more buoyant spirits and the two of them exchange glances and smiles often.
Shortly after distributing the bounteous wealth fromSildar which they had earned so far between them, Kriv had sniffed the air, glanced between Davroar and Jaliera, paused for a while, and then shrugged. Mammals.
For now, once they had gotten underway, he spent his time planning, and inviting discussion as he did.
"Our optimum outcome is recruiting the dragon ourselves. Failing that, eliminate the rival recruiter, persuade it to remain neutral, or in the worst case ensure its recruitment does not become a threat. We do not know how far the enemy recruiter has gotten, nor how much time they have had to work with this individual. Thoughts?"
He can not contain his overall happiness any better than Jaliera, and was distracted until Kriv asks for their opinions on the task ahead of them.
"And ah, what do we have that would make the dragon side with us? I'd think our best bet to deal with whoever the other recruiter is. An easier way I think than dealing with the dragon."
"I know nothing of dragons - other than they are very dangerous. The idea of trying to make a deal with one scares me. Kriv? Do you have any affinity with dragonkind?"
The scaly, fire-breathing, draconic-speaking Dragonborn responded to that question only with a sardonic look.
"I suspect the bulk of negotiations will fall to me, yes, provided we get to a position where negotiation is possible. So, what of our assets are we willing to offer? What potential assurances can we give?"
Gold. It is not unpleasant to look at, but Chandan has seen pebbles in glacier lakes far merrier and more colourful. Yet you could not trade any number of pebbles for goods, whereas traders trip over themselves for gold.
This makes little sense to the old monk, though at present he is viewing the world upside-down.
Having purchased a responsible number of gourds and skins with his gold, Chandan had then filled them with what rations (mead, wine, cider) he could find in Phandelin.
Realising he was overburdened he spent 8 more gold pieces in procuring an ass called Butch, and he is now draped over its hindquarters, facing the wrong way, feeling a warm glow and singing to himself.
His vocabulary is not the greatest as he looks back to Chandan's new ride and says, "Chandan just bought his ass. It's a male not a female ass-ette, and I doubt he'll want to part with it so soon."
After several days of uneventful travel, other than one night with a fierce, drenching rain storm, high winds, and hail that forced Chandan to stay up all night consoling a panicked Ass, you come over a slight rise.
To your left, you can see a bend in a large river, and ahead of you, you can just make out what looks like a small village. It is still some distance off, and the river runs behind it, but you can see the village clusters around a small tower on a hill in it's center. Something is sitting on top of that tower.
It is too far to make out details of the village, although it seems as if it has been overgrown by trees and brush, and you can't see what it is on the tower, other than getting the perception of movement.
It is the morning after the night before the day before that. Or something....
Butch rattles with empty gourds and skins and Chandan is now slumped over its shoulders, keeping one, wincing eye on the trail.
At first he thinks his eyes deceive him, that the tower in Thundertree is wearing a fine hat that ruffles in the breeze. After a short while, his addled brain realises that is unlikely and it's more likely something large and alive, perched atop the tower. Like the dragon they've come to meet.
"Draaag!" The old monk says with a groan, unable to handle a second syllable quite yet.
Upwind of the wine-sotted vagrant, the Dragonborn shielded his eyes and peered ahead at what lay at the top of that tower. Were they on time? Could they convince this powerful creature to choose their side?
"She has very sharp eyes but I don't want t send her too close. I know nothing of dragons except they are dangerous."
She shivers and talks to Whisper, telling her to keep her distance but see if she could see a little more. Jaliera intends to stay with Whisper so that she can watch through her eyes and maybe help to keep her little friend safe.
The group hurries forward, sending Whisper flying ahead to scout. As the group moves it can see the small Owl-shaped spirit get smaller and smaller as it flies off, becoming a tiny dot in the distance.
In the meantime the group is closing the distance to the town, and it's details are growing. Fairly soon a decision about which route to take in approaching the town will have to be made. You are approaching from the south, and there is only a single road, in the southwest, that enters the village from this direction, although you could approach overland and avoid the road too.
After 5 or 6 minutes Whisper wings back to Jaliera and she can communicate with it. You are about 1/2 mile out.
**Big dragon sitting on top of tower. Village looks mostly ruined and overgrown. Big group of people standing at bottom of tower talking to dragon.**
The old monk says a prayer, asking that the dragon's voice not be too loud and booming, then pats Butch on the rump to send him hobbling forwards, following Kriv and the others.
She keeps her eyes out for trouble and also for a safe place for Whisper to wait that would be within contact distance. Ideally this would be with at least a wall between the owl and the dragon. She just can't get the vision of the dragon breathing flame at her friend and it gives her the shivers. At worst a tree maybe?
She does not draw her bow at this stage. Best not to approach looking hostile. She follows the others, happy to stay as rear guard.
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