If I can cast my communication spell from my spellbook, I will do nothing but get my one spell back.
If I can’t, I will swap it in for Slow.
Two battles over in one round, when I was expecting a 3-6 round slugging match…
The Sending Spell is not a ritual so do the swap out.
Thoroncir raises his lance and calls out, “Well done yet again, my friends - I congratulate you. This foul beast which attacked us by night proved in the end to be no match for our combined might and skills!” He peers into the drake’s hole and says thoughtfully, “Even afoot, I do not think I am best-suited to explore within. Perhaps the redoubtable Ceol and I might remain here to guard the camp and horses, given our size, while others venture forth into the drake’s tunnel in the morning?”
He asks Gilraen, “Will you remain here as well, my lady, or go within?”
The knight-errant will then speak to the horses and make sure that all are as calm and comfortable as possible, given the weather and the scare any might have suffered from the Cold Drake’s attack.
Would a Cold Drake be edible, or would its meat not be fit for butchering? Probably we have no need to supplement our provisions so early in our journey, in any event.
Hejren is aware that cold drake can be a rare treat. The kidneys are suppose to be a special delicacy reserved for the heroes and their chieftain and the tail makes a wonderful stew.
Come morning, the humans and equines remain in the storm but the smaller folk retreat into the tunnel which shortly warms up to around 55°F. (13°C). They travel about 2000’ and thus far the tunnel is remarkably stable. With some shoring up these cold drakes would be excellent tools for the Hobbits and maybe even Dwarves.
At this point the tunnel they’re following connects into a complex. Bitur figures they’re about 120’ below ground at this point. They spend another 30 minutes tracking the most recent passage of the Drake and find its lair. Its lair consists of a pit of drake poop and a lot of broken marrowless bones. In all almost 3 hours are spent finding nothing more interesting than some antlers.
Assuming that Hejren shares that information before heading down the tunnel, Ceol will turn to Thoroncir. “I have quite a bit of experience in butchering game, and we appear to have some time. Also, the work will help keep me warm.” He gives his fellow knight a grin, and begins working on the carcass.
Thoroncir says, “Thank you, Ceol. I will keep watch while you work, but be glad to help you as needed.”
So the party can feast on Dragon Tail stew for brunch before heading out.
The travel in the 4" of snow is slower, especially as the altitude is significantly higher and trails tougher to pick out. The party manages about 20 miles of progress towards the goal, though they probably travels 30 miles during the day.
As the day went on the warm sun did melt much of the snow into a slush.
Only 10 miles to go. Ghan determines the night should stay above freezing.
The local animals don’t know of any monstrous threats. Their biggest worries are lynxes.
Ghan would like to acquire a set of dragon teeth.
If the expedition goes well, perhaps one of our crafters could make him a necklace…
Bitur has proficiency in Jeweler’s Tools. He could craft you a necklace.
He doesn’t actually own a set of Jeweler’s Tools, though, so we’d need to acquire some.
FYI: You won’t be able to take the equines all the way up to the trolls’ lair, probably a bad idea anyway. So think about how far from the lair you want to leave them. It will have to be at least 2 miles. .
Hoopy, if you have the skill Bitur has the kit.
I’ll switch Slow back in at the first opportunity.
Is there a good spot 2-5 miles away from the troll lair to stash the animals? Is there someone who might be able to stay behind with them while we approach the lair?
Also, we should probably get some good stealthy pre scouting of the lair done. Who’s the quickest and quietest of us?
There is a spot about 4 miles away where the equines could race away from danger with the smart Palafax leading them and Baygir & Leofwin acting as the guardians. The ponies will be in some danger as they’re slower than some wolves, but they’ll be able to race downhill and the 2 warhorses are pretty fierce.
As to the stealthy people: with Ghân’s Pass without Trace
Ghân +16;
Hejren +17;
Gilraen +14 with Advantage;
Felareth is +16 but if without armor +16 with advantage.
Sounds good. Thoroncir will explain the plan to the horses.
Gilraen, “I have one suggestion. Leave the ponies unladen, give them every possible chance to outrun any predators. The gear we can recover or replace, the ponies need every chance to live.”
All the animals will benefit from the Inspiring Leader giving them 8 temp points. As will the party of course.
Ghan can leave Windwing (Golden Eagle), Anca (Wardog) and Fang (Wolf) with the mounts.
(He can also Speak to Animals.)
That’s fine, my bird likely belongs with the scouting party.
Felareth looks up.
"You know, I can make one person invisible for an hour, although this could end prematurely if I am struck.
“I also can’t do it again until we have a night’s sleep.”
Seems like Gwaelur would suggest Felareth or Ghan, or both, should do the scouting. Maybe with a little invisibility and an animal helper. Hejren should probably stay with the party… Where she can be (watched) helpful with planning the actual raid.
Of course he’s open to ideas.
Ghan doesn’t mind scouting (and thinks two people should go) … but doesn’t understand what Gwaelur is saying about Hejren.