4e [Eberron] BnP Keep on the Shadowfell (Yea, though I walk through the valley of th)

Zaram helps to loot the bodies of the kobolds, none too roughly. "Imposters," he says, "kobolds don't even deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence as dragons."

"I am fine, damaged my sense of pride more than my blessed flesh."

[sblock=Actions]Identify idol: Religion: 13Spend two healing surges, full hp. We get an AP right? Also, unless I am reading something wrong, the target of my divine challenge doesn't take damage if they run away, only if they attack somebody else.[/sblock]

[sblock=Stats]AC 20 F: 15 R: 13 W: 14
Basic attack: +7; 1d8+4
27/27 hp
Surges per day/hp healed: 9 of 11/7
1 AP

Radiant Smite(encounter):
Dragon's breath(encounter):
Lay on hands(1/day): Used
Channel Divinity(encounter):
Paladin's Judgement(daily):[/sblock]

OOC: Its the first combat after an extended rest; milestones require 2 after an extended rest. Adain spends three surges to get to full.

Adain rests a moment, reciting the prayers of the Flame. His confidence restored, and a few healing exercises later, he is ready to continue. "We can hunt them to their lair. Best be careful about it."

OOC You're right about the divine challenge. Lets just say he was particularly offensive to the gods. Next scene coming up soon.

[sblock=Identify the figurine]Zaram can easily identify the figurine as belonging to a cult of the dragon below; it's twisting shape and material (natural rock from underground) make him certain that the cultist a member of the Cults of the Dragon below—a diverse group of sects that revere the power of the subterranean
realms, often including the worship of demons.

The specific meaning of the symbol on the bottom eludes you unless you or someone else can hit an Arcana 25 check.
[/sblock]

None of the kobolds seem to have survived the combat. Brock's words about the the oddness of "coincidental" attack seem to jive with a small parchment in one of the kobold's pockets (the skirmisher's).
Several crude symbols seem to suggest the town, and the groups destination. The pc's approximate current position features a large slashing line.
You can't tell much else from the map really.

After a short break and discussion the group continues on to the place marked on the map Elian the farmer made for them.

Despite your wariness you arrive at your destination unmolested. It's a steep sided crater puncturing the wilderness. Near the center of the depression, several humanoid figures cluster around a collection of bones. Two small, dragonlike creatures near the crater rim stand alert and stare at your approach.

As you approach you can see that one of the figures is your friend Douven ir'Staul! One of the rough looking men standing near him nudges him and he turns and makes a cursory half-wave before returning to directing the dismantling of the dig site.

[sblock=Iridian and anyone else with Nature +5 or greater]The dragonlike creatures are really dinosours from the plains. House Valdis has been selling this breed for several years as guard animals. They're quite reliable but they require a lot of training.

You don't recall ir'Staul owning a pair and he certainly couldn't have acquired them in such a short time. Perhaps they belong to someone else at the dig site.[/sblock]

[sblock=Adain and Tyron (Insight 15+)]ir'Staul doesn't seem to be directing people to go back to their jobs. People down in the pit seem... tense.[/sblock]

[sblock=Zaram]You're a bit surprised at all these people working for ir'Staul. You've been working for years to get hired by him and he's been extremely picky about hiring people.
He's said to you more than once "rather carry my own pack than give it to someone I don't trust. And that's the best advice I can give a man, or woman, about anything."

Perhaps there's something here important, such that he'd have to overcome his usual reticence.[/sblock]

[sblock=Everyone]ir'Staul is a noble with an intense fixation on noblesse oblige; the obligation of nobles to always put their best foot forward and act as a model for the common people.
Even if he hasn't noticed who you are at this distance, it seems very much unlike him to not have stopped what he was doing to greet you.[/sblock]

Zaram

"This thing should be destroyed" the scaled one says. "It is an idol of The Dragon Below, a cult that throughly evil, and worships all manners of horrible things that live in Khyber."


"Hold up this doesn't feel right. Let him come to us." Zaram eyes the scaled creatures. He isn't shy about hiding his dislike if they are kobolds.

[sblock=actions]percpetion check on the scaled ones. 13

OOC: Oops I forgot we rested after that first encounter.[/sblock]

[sblock=Stats]AC 20 F: 15 R: 13 W: 14
Basic attack: +7; 1d8+4
27/27 hp
Surges per day/hp healed: 9 of 11/7
0 AP

Radiant Smite(encounter):
Dragon's breath(encounter):
Lay on hands(1/day): Used
Channel Divinity(encounter):
Paladin's Judgement(daily): [/sblock]

The lizard-like creatures are very much animals of some variety. Zaram's not sure about the details but they don't look humanoid or even sentient.

Tyron

"Hm, I'm with Zaram about this, it doesn't look right. Why he doesn't great us? And that humanoids seem a bit... tense. We should approach slowly. Anyone would like to scout the area? If not, we should approach them Brock and Zaram first, then Adain and me. And Iridian hidden in bow reach." Tyron explains to the others as he draws his dagger.

[sblock=ooc]Sorry about sounding commanding, but I took a warlord power

Tyron knows nothing about the symbol
Arcana (1d20+7=12)

[sblock=Stats]AC 16 F: 14 R: 14 W: 16
Basic attack: +4; 1d10+4 (E.Blast)
26/28 hp
0/1 AP
Healing Surges: 5/9 (7 hp)

Powers:
Eldritch Blast (At will)
Eyebite (At will)

Witchfire (1/Encounter)
Commander's Strike (1/Encounter)
Dread Star (1/Day)[/sblock]
[/sblock]

Adain smiles widely for the group gathered, but whispers low to his companions. "These men have ill hearts and unease in their brow. Best we keep an eye on them and get them away from Douven."