(retcon:)

While the discussions were going on, Libi will take the time to rest and contemplate the mission.



(current:)

"Do you all think it best for a group as inexperienced as ourselves take on a full fledged dragon?"

~SE++

Aregano, munches on another bite of snow.

"Our friend, the tree goblin, said the dragon is caged. It sounds like the only thing we would be taking on is a bunch more blue goblins. And we seem to be pretty effective at that."

His purple hand points the stick it's holding back behind the group, indicating the carnage Aregano was referring to.

"...and possibly our associates, the orange dragonborn, from the inn. But I'm not quite sure yet what their full involvement here is..."

He falls back into thought, silent again...except for the munching sounds, of course.

You quickly come across the footprints the tree goblin spoke of; a wide, well-stamped epicenter with several pairs of individual footprints leading off through the forest, presumably to the goblins' hiding locations for your ambush. A wider fan of footprints continues toward the direction you were going. The mountain slope eases into the barest of inclines, and the forest density begins to lighten up. Soon, you find you're passing under the low-hanging branches extending from ancient tree trunks, each separated by yards of pristine snow.

Aregano's purple hand jabs the stick into the snow, scoops up a ball of snow, plops it in Aregano's outstretched hand, then quickly gets back to stabbing the snow with the stick.

Aregano sprinkles a little magical flavor over it and takes a bite of this most recent snack. Then with a half full mouth, and slightly cold-numbed tongue...

"Why didn't the goblins attack the orange dragonborn when they delivered the dragon like the goblins attacked us and..."

He appears to be bad with names.

"...your group?"

He says pointing at Nolan.

"And why did the dragonborn deliver the dragon to them in the first place, and then send us, and others..." again indicating Nolan "...after it?"

"Was it to have the goblins slaughtered by someone like us?"

"Or maybe it's not the same dragonborn at all...but then where did the other dragonborn go?"

"Anyone else want to chew on this mystery with me? What do you think, Lucian? Are we walking into a trap of some kind? That tree goblin did give us the information we wanted fairly easily. He could have told us wrong information and we would never know until too late."

Lucian ponders the situation for a minute before speaking. "If it is a trap it's a poorly conceived one. Sit in an inn and send adventure's out to battle goblins and slay a dragon. What would they have to gain by that? I have to assume the Dragonborn in the inn were truthful in their request - they clearly want the dragon dead. I doubt their story about 'monster liberators' however; more likely they simply lost the hatching and are trying to cover their tracks before the weather sours peoples mood against them. As for the goblins I doubt they have anything to do with this other then happening to find the hatching; they are weak, stupid and cowardly. Anyone relying on them to kill adventure's is an idiot. Only fools would fall to such pathetically predictable creatures."

Nolan diverts his attention from his discussion with Lucian to the pointer compulsive eladrin.

"I don't care about the reasons as long as my conditions are met: First, I want to be paid for this job; second, I want real food, and third, and more importantly, I need at least half a dozen goblins to kill."

Nolan looks with curiosity the strange food habits of the eladrin.

"And don't offer snow for me to eat. When I say real food, I say meat." But in his mind he is almost about to ask for some snow.

Aregano nods to Nolan.

"A man after my own tastes. The snow is delicious with my special seasonings...but I agree, I will need a bit more to chew on. That's why I made sure to harvest these steaks back there."

He pats his satchel where he stowed the butchered slabs of goblin.

"Worry not my friend, you will have a hearty meal to chew tonight. Lucian is the one to handle the rest of your conditions."

Lucian, overhearing his name, interjects himself into Nolan and Aregano's discussion. "The eladrin is correct. Unfortunately you were not present during negotiations with the dragonborn and as such you are entitled to no share of the reward they are offering. However, I assure you that this expedition will be worth your time. Hatching or not the only reason a dragon would not simply devour the goblin filth which surrounds it is if they were keeping it satiated with gifts and as a temporary member of the Tower you would be, barring unforeseen circumstance, entitled to an equal share of any treasure recovered while in my service. As for goblin deaths I assure you that there should be enough of their number to fulfill whatever glory and vengeance you need to sooth you aching conscience at failing your previous comrades."

"These are reasonable conditions. I guess I will have to appeal to our hirers' memories of my party contract to get paid from them." Nolan is enthralled by the tiefling's eloquence. He would probably have accepted doing the job for free if he had pushed the issue.

Then he turns to speak to Aregano again.

"But keep this meat in your satchel! What do you think I am? A barbarian?"

Aregano takes another chomp from his snowball, and shrugs off the barbarian comment with a "more for me" grin.

"Lucian, assuming our tree goblin friend was truthful on this point, the dragon should be in a box or cage, and the goblins using it as a tool instead of worshiping it. Then again, they will likely have all of our new friend's old friends' valuables, so there's that..."

He takes a few pensive crunchy chews.

"Also, now that you mention it, if these dragonborn are interested in having the goblins kill us, it may not be in our best interest to actually use those beans they gave us until we can more closely examine what they are and what their effects will be."

Lucian considers Aregano's point for a few moments before responding. "I doubt the goblins have the sense to leave the creature within in cage but if that is the case it will be a much simpler feat to slay the beast. As for the beans you are correct - no point taking an unnecessary risk when we still have a warren of goblins to clear out."

Nolan points in the direction of the tracks.

"I think we should be moving now. More time we waste here discussing the motives, more chances of a goblin that was hiding had to warn the others of our arrival."

Then he lowers his arm and turns to face the adventurers.

"I barely survived through one ambush. I really don't want to face another."

The party ventures forth, following the path beaten into the banks of snow, its surface glazed in ice. As the day progresses, the temperature rises swiftly, almost as if the day itself is defying the onslaught of cold. For a few miles, you feel almost overdressed, sweat pooling on your foreheads, your cloaks heavy, unnecessary.

The density of the forest lessens. Finally, your group follows the path around a tree and, in the distance, you spy a squat watchtower manned by a crossbow-wielding goblin. It doesn't seem to be paying your group any attention, however, as its eyes are jealously cast toward two groups of goblins arguing animatedly over a pile of armor and weapons. Nolan immediately recognizes one suit of slim chainmail held by a goblin, as it once protected the body of a halfling member of his former party.

Further inspection reveals a second tower, also manned by an envious crossbow-wielding goblin. Overseeing the group is a dour looking man, his skin as blue as the winter sky, his beard white and riddled with icicles. A massive maul rests in his belt, and he scowls at the goblins as they squabble over the loot.

Nolan Trueheart

~SE++

Aregano pops the last bite of his snowball into his mouth. His purple hand fades from view as it's stick stays stabbed into the ground.

He moves boldly toward the goblins ahead and positions himself for his next move.

Tovar crouches down and tries to quietly approach, getting ready to cleave off the head of the first goblin within range.

The goblins continue squabbling, unaware for the time being of Aregano's bulky form shambling forward across the compacted snow.

The goblins' squabbling suddenly stops. They, and the Ice Warrior, slowly turn their heads and ogle the robust elf strolling casually toward them. An icicle breaks free from the cave's lip and each member of the party swears they could hear it snap, whoosh to the frozen earth, and shatter.

A grinning Aregano calmly plucks his orb from out of his satchel.

He extends his arm and gouts of flame pulse from his orb and explode amidst the group of 5 goblins setting the area alight and roasting them alive.

He turns to hustle back to safety calling over his shoulder...

"Make sure to roll around some! Wouldn't want any particular side to get over cooked!"