The grass is always Greenest....

"The looted coin and jewelry can be returned to the folk inside. Take the weapons if you need them"


Quain picks up the dragon mask, cloak, and emblem, sizing them up against herself and the other party members.


"Perhaps we could move unhindered if we disguise ourselves as the enemy?"

MAS wrote:"The looted coin and jewelry can be returned to the folk inside. Take the weapons if you need them"


Quain picks up the dragon mask, cloak, and emblem, sizing them up against herself and the other party members.


"Perhaps we could move unhindered if we disguise ourselves as the enemy?"

The masked man, who is still unconscious at Gorlug's feet, is a human. Quain estimates the mask and cloak w\ emblem would best fit Moon, Titus or herself. It would be a little small, but not unreasonable for Gorlug. The cloak would be too long, unless hemmed or cut, for Clyde.

So...

leaving the captive or taking him? if taking him, any restraints or gags?

disguised with straight path or stealthy along the stream?

or anything else you can devise

"Before we leave, perhaps we should question the masked man? I am curious if there is perhaps something hidden in the temple that the ruffians were after. Or, perhaps they were only terrorizing the people."

Clyde strokes his beard in puzzling thought. "So should I use my last spell to heal the masked man, so we can interrogate him? I was saving my last spell for the dragon, but something tells me he is way out of our league. Perhaps the best we can hope for is to save more of the townies from harm."

"Would anyone like to have a...talk with our friend here?"

“Let’s lighten him up and I will carry him to the keep.”

Gorlug removes the mans armor using a kobold dagger. Then he ties him up. Fireman’s carry with a 17 strength should not be a problem.

navyik wrote:“Let’s lighten him up and I will carry him to the keep.”

Gorlug removes the mans armor using a kobold dagger. Then he ties him up. Fireman’s carry with a 17 strength should not be a problem.

No problem to lug him around, unless you need to fight. Then I guess he gets dropped on his head?

Chris wrote:

So...

leaving the captive or taking him? if taking him, any restraints or gags?

disguised with straight path or stealthy along the stream?

or anything else you can devise

which way to the Keep?

anything else?


FYI - family going to the lake all day tomorrow

@chris Does this dragon emblem look familiar?

Moon says, “I can don the mask and cape, use my staff as a walking stick. You all fighter types got your own gear already. What’d ya say?”

Gorlug shrugs. ”okay.”

jasongiglio wrote:@chris Does this dragon emblem look familiar?

anyone can make a Religion or History check if they want upon seeing it

Gorlug religion check:

Result of the throw of dice "1d20 -1" :

11 - 1 = 10

Clyde religion check: Result of the throw of dice "1d20" : 18 + 4 = 22.

Titus goes along with Moon's suggestion for now

I don’t know what the official check is
Local knowledge check 1d20 + 0 = 16

Robyo wrote:Clyde religion check: Result of the throw of dice "1d20" : 18 + 4 = 22.

The Cult of the Dragon has been active for centuries. It operates in the shadows. Few details are known about this secretive cult. Its primary objective is in the creation of undead dragons to fulfill some ancient prophecy. Clyde has heard rumors that its focus is changing to living dragons, but he doesn't know why.

jasongiglio wrote:
Moon says, “I can don the mask and cape, use my staff as a walking stick. You all fighter types got your own gear already. What’d ya say?”

so straight to the Keep, but with Moon disguised as a masked cultist?

Yep, Moon is the masked cultist. Moon turns to the group, "maybe you guys can all look like townspeople?" He pauses, then continues, "what about the townspeople here, we should see if they are okay."

"Yes we should check on the townies. Perhaps one of them knows something. The Cult of the Dragon is no joke. I wonder what could draw them to this fair town?"

Clyde is convinced there is something of value hidden in the temple. He begins searching around.

Kinda waiting on Josh to interrogate this guy.

Moon says, "its weird, like they wanted into the temple? with so many of these scumbags. just to get the townsfolk? Clyde, what do you know of this temple's god?"

Matt, what was the point of stopping him in the first place if you wanted him to still go through with the interrogation??

(facepalm)

Titus will run this again I guess; he gets rough with the masked guy, points the crossbow at his groin and simply says "talk or become a eunic"

Chris wrote:The back doors of the temple are locked, but the villagers open them when they see it is not kobolds and hoodies. A small group emerges that look scared and tired. A priestess of Chauntea leads 7 others outside. They all talk at once:

Thank you!
By the Gods, we are they attacking our village?
Thank Chauntea!
What do we do now?
Who are they?
What do they want?
Can you save Greenest?
Where should we go?

They appear to be both exhausted and panicked. The party can hear the thumping of a homemade ram on the front door.

MAS wrote:
"Stay down, and quiet, and out of the way, and you will all be safe soon." she assures the clergy.

The villagers were last seen outside. They appeared to be heading towards the back outside wall around the temple, per Quain's instructions, at the direction of the priestess.

Clyde searches the temple quickly, but doesn't see anything of value beyond the meager trappings of a village temple - maybe some small statues, silver candleholders and the like.

whit10 wrote:Matt, what was the point of stopping him in the first place if you wanted him to still go through with the interrogation??

(facepalm)

Titus will run this again I guess; he gets rough with the masked guy, points the crossbow at his groin and simply says "talk or become a eunic"

Intimidation check, please

Roll(1d20)+0:
7,+0
Total:7

lol.... that's actually a 6. Nevermind, I'm sure he probably laughs at Titus (which is why I didn't bother pushing this since he doesn't really have Intimidation)

whit10 wrote:Matt, what was the point of stopping him in the first place if you wanted him to still go through with the interrogation??

(facepalm)

Titus will run this again I guess; he gets rough with the masked guy, points the crossbow at his groin and simply says "talk or become a eunic"

Didn't "stop you" or say don't interrogate him, I requested that you slow down and allow declared actions and play to resolve in an orderly fashion, as you had made 3 declarations to everyone else's single. That is to say, no objection to interrogating the guy, as I stated a few days ago, was trying to keep the order of play clear.

that was an attempt to move forward somewhat quickly. No one was actually doing anything with him.

Whatever, moving on.

The un-masked man sneers at Titus, "You are nothing. This village will be razed and you will be dead before dawn. The world will burn!"

Anyone else want to try Persuasion instead of Intimidation?

Or make for the Keep with Moon disguised as a Cultist?

Or something else?

Chris wrote:The un-masked man sneers at Titus, "You are nothing. This village will be razed and you will be dead before dawn. The world will burn!"

Anyone else want to try Persuasion instead of Intimidation?

Or make for the Keep with Moon disguised as a Cultist?

Or something else?

Gorlug just looks through the sneering mans eyes, imagines a thick steak and licks his chops.
Result of the throw of dice "1d20 +4" :

19 + 4 = 23

Now that Clyde's done rummaging around the temple, he steps in behind Gorlug, within sight of the unmasked man. He grips his warhammer in both hands, and he looks ready to clobber.

navyik wrote:
Gorlug just looks through the sneering mans eyes, imagines a thick steak and licks his chops.  
Result of the throw of dice "1d20 +4" :

19 + 4 = 23

The cultist's bravado evaporates quickly in the face of an apex predator.  His mouth runs like verbal diarrhea, "I just joined the Cult of the Dragon cuz you know if the Queen returns and the world ends its like better to be on the winning side amiright?!  We are raiding all the towns around the area and hauling the loot back to our camp for the great horde that will usher in the return of the Queen so please don't kill me or eat me or anything else unnatural I only joined so i wouldn't die in the first place I just do whatever the purple dragon lady says or the big dragon dude cuz he likes to fight people and I don't wanna die really I don't"

He only finally pauses to take a breath for the first time

“Where is your camp!?”

Waits for answer

“Where are the Purple Dragon lady and the big dragon dude!?”

Waits for answer

“Where are you from?”

navyik wrote:“Where is your camp!?”

He points vaguely south, "that way, south until it gets more rugged"

navyik wrote:“Where are the Purple Dragon lady and the big dragon dude!?”

He looks about, but can't see very far as it is night time and the village is burning, "I don't know.... I can't see them... but they lead the assault."

navyik wrote:“Where are you from?”

He blinks at the change in tactics, "Me? uh... I was born in Waterdeep, but lived in Baldur's Gate most of my life."

He hopes the big ugly is satisfied, "Can I go now? please! "

“We can drag him along or hand him over to the villagers. He should be accountable.” Gorlug checks the bindings and looks to Moon for a decision. Gorlug finds it strange that the farmer seems to be the leader, but it’s better than taking orders from a crooked politician.

Titus just gives the guy an evil grin and says "we can do it the old-fashioned way as well. I can handle it."

"Agreed, the thug must face justice...we can sort out more of these sons a bitches on the way..." declares Quain, cracking her knuckles.

The priestess of Chauntea and the villagers you rescued make their way back into the temple when the fighting there seems over. A few of them have picked up pitch forks, clubs and other crude weapons.

"I will take him." She looks at the villagers who have that mob-mentality look in their eyes. "Governor Nighthill will want to interrogate him as well. He would be safest at the Keep, as would we all. Can you escort us there?"

"of course we will keep you safe. Come then."

Gorlug is watching for anyone resembling a purple dragon lady or a big dragon dude as the company proceeds to the keep.

Correct me if I am wrong....   Moon is disguised as the Cultist.  The real cultist is a prisoner of Priestess.  The warriors are dressed as they are.  The villagers are tagging along.

you are at the temple, circled
I have highlighted the most direct path to the Keep, keeping on the road.

I don't care how you want to get there, but just let me know if you want something different


marching order?  please include the caravan of NPCs

Clyde would have preferred to continue on the more discreet path via along the riverbank, but since we have an entourage now, he will accompany them on the road. He stays towards the center of the throng of refugees, walking with the priestess and inquiring of her about their present situation.

Titus will walk point

Moon inquires, “ need I be disguised still, with this fine group of fired up folks? Are we taking them by storm?”

He continues, “if we ARE to ply dress up, I think some of us need to play the new recruit to the Cult cause. I can’t see it as believable that I captured everyone!” He says with a smile. Moon also would want to know the rank/role of this Cultist he is cosplaying. Would walk upfront.

To Moon: "Maybe you just pretend to be the company rep for the cult, and we're mercenaries, er, independant contractors. But we're also interested in joining your cult." Clyde shrugs. "Meh, it's just an idea. No doubt we will have to cross steel again with these brigands before too long, no matter what you say."

Robyo wrote:Clyde would have preferred to continue on the more discreet path via along the riverbank, but since we have an entourage now, he will accompany them on the road.

you all can still go down to the stream and around, its totally up to you

Recommend move along the stream, under cover of our disguises. Stay on the downlow, try to bluff through if we can, if not fight.

Moon says, "Sure, let's go along the river, you fellows as mercenaries." Moon dons the Cultist garb, sans any armor. Straps sword to belt for show. "I'm not very good at this bluffing, but let's see how far we get!" Moon moves forward to lead the way (trying to remember what he can of this area).

Survival for route:
1d20+4 = 18 + 4 = 22

Stealth for quietness (laying low, not disappearing)
1d20+5= 13+5 = 18

a suggestion: have those with higher Charisma's be the ones to speak to whomever to bluff...

obviously not Titus...

The party and entourage of civilians make their way quietly along the stream.  The village buildings can be seen a short distance away.  It would be idyllic if it wasn't for the burning and looting.





The party believes they are about halfway to the keep, when a cold fear clutches their hearts.  They look about in a panic and notice the dark winged shape of the dragon pass overhead.  It is briefly silhouetted by the moon.



It lets out a shriek that freezes the group in its tracks.




The entourage cowers in the weeds and cries out in terror.  Only the cultist seems unafraid of the dragon.  He sits quietly with a knowing look of satisfaction.  



Everyone needs to make a Wis save for Frightful Presence (dragon fear)  DC17

Moon looks up and gets freaked out as he realizes he has the mask on (makes him a target of that giant thing). Yikes!

WIS save: 14 + 2 = 16

SAVING THROWS
STR +3
DEX +5
CON +1
INT +0
WIS +2
CHA +0

jasongiglio wrote:Moon looks up and gets freaked out as he realizes he has the mask on (makes him a target of that giant thing). Yikes!

WIS save: 14 + 2 = 16

Moon is Frightened of the dragon



Frightened

A frightened creature has disadvantage on Ability Checks and Attack rolls while the source of its fear is within line of sight.
The creature can’t willingly move closer to the source of its fear.



duration = 1 min, but save can be attempted at the end of each turn, but unless you initiate combat with it, it shouldn't be an issue