We returned with Dayereth to the surface above the mushroom forest, in an effort to move the sky stone as far away from the Woad as possible.  Leaving Dayereth to find a suitable place to keep the stone, we retrieved Brent and returned down the root-hole in the great tree.

When we arrived at the waterfall at the entrance to the valley, Aerandis consulted the spirits of the forest and the Dryad of the great tree emerged.  Speaking in Elven, she told of the poison tree which the Woad had created using the magic of its piece of the sky stone.  She recommended that we burn the tree to the ground.  The sky stone had been depleted enough that the Woad would be unable to re-perform the ritual to create the tree.

The Dryad also told of the ambition of the Wyrm who had entered the valley, to eventually become its ruler (instead of the Woad).  It could be possible to use this information to our advantage...

After learning this, we decided to descend to the valley floor and ford the Kelix river immediately, with the goal of travelling along the northern part of the cliff wall towards the poison tree.  The part of the river near the waterfall was relatively shallow, and had stones placed here and there that one could attempt to walk on. 

Unfortunately, we were unable to cross the river before we caught the attention of a small group of mud creatures.  These creatures were somewhat weak, but had us at a disadvantage since the river was sweeping us toward some rapids.  Aerandis became separated from the rest of the group and Brent was quickly immobilized from pellets of mud from the creatures.  Instead of immediately attacking the creatures, we decided to flee towards stable ground.  This gave the creatures the advantage, but we were eventually able to best them.  The last creature fled underneath the water and we resumed our fording of the river.

The travel along the cliff wall was fairly uneventful.  As dusk descended, we arrived at a section of cliff with enough stones piled up to lower the height of the cliff to 40'.  Luke decided to ascend the cliff face in order to drop a rope (so we could ascend and camp free from the dangers of the valley).  Unfortunately, a trio of plant creatures approached us after he had reached the top. 

Aerandis offered a friendly greeting but received only the equivalent of menacing glares from the creatures.  He proceeded to fire an arrow at the ugliest one.  Needless to say, this devolved into a nasty battle with Brent and Aaron being immobilized by vines immediately.  Luke swiftly descended the rope and charged towards the fray.  The whole party used the most powerful attacks they knew to dispatch the vegetable creatures, and after Brent had been chewed upon a few times by a large plant mouth they managed to do so.

Following the battle, they were all very tired.  The ascended the cliff face to make camp and plot their next move (including how to meet up with Dayereth.)

Aaron knowing that he would have no trouble striking the creature from this distance, he also knows his companions and he would not strike more than once before the Dragon's breath would finish them all.  He stands tall, moving at a normal pace to the sword, reaching out for it in a reverse grip and willing the light be extinguished to only a fraction of of it's ability, still dim as well.  He considers casting its powers out to its full size and power (20 squares and bright light) and use it's power to strike out at the dragon several times before he slowly sheaths the weapon, turning off the light completely as he does so.  Slowly he removes his scabbard from his belt.

Using his diplomatic abilities, +9 , he says, "It is so dark down here that a mere dagger, to you, and it's illumination ability are more important to you then to simply speak to those who might wish to help you...for both their gain?"  not pausing only to extinguish any mixed meaning but still being very close to the edge of being rude, he continues, "I am a mere mortal as are my companions yet we more than understand that with all the power you possess, a bargain might be struck without the need for, removing a treasured possession.  One I might add that would aid me as it has this night against our common foe.  I am sure as well that if the woad were to seek us out or if and when we engage him, such a civilized conversation would NOT be possible as it is with you."  Aaron bows, curtly and formerly then, laying the sword at his feet.

"If you wish to rob me..." he pauses, letting the word hang, then continues, "of the weapon, that would surely aid me and weaken us on our mission, then by all means, please take it.  I doubt now, we would be able to do much against the woad now or his allies at least effectively before he is fully prepared for your strike against him and ours.  I mean we are all here now and his allies were sure to notice all of us here talking together.  When he sees us approach or knows that we still live, he’ll fully believe that you have allowed us to live on as we could only be your allies in coming down here.  In his enraged state, anything either of us said would be misconstrued to the point where he’d attack either of us on sight.  Then we would be dead and then he’d send all of his allies against you and drive you from this beautiful place, if he did not kill you outright that is…”

(I plan to be so diplomatic as to have him not take the sword, side with us, so we can both attack the woad and both go our own separate ways.  If he wishes afterwards to still keep the sword then I will speak to him some more, once he has considered all that I have said to him…)

((Tough to diplomatically call someone a thief... tougher still to walk near a dragons lair at night with a glowing sword and not have the dragon want it.

Hint : "The trick to dealing with dragons is to consider their mindset and remember its almost like trying to talk your way out of a speeding ticket, in a school zone, with a sponge-bob book bag caught in your front grill...."

Still, if its a skill challenge you want we can pick this up on Saturday....))

Aerandis marvels at the gumption Aaron has in attempting to negotiate with the dragon.  In his home forest of Eytherash'ana, an invading dragon of this size would be met by no less than 20 archers and defeated with some loss of life.  His own skills have increased considerably past most of the archers of his home, but the battles of the day have tired him and he resigns himself to a careful inspection of the beast.  No wonder the beast spotted them--it could probably spot a campfire in the woods that lit only the surrounding trees, and the party was fighting in the open with a sword glowing enough to illuminate the cliff face and cast moving shadows of the fight.

Sensing that a fight may be eminent, Joseph steps forward with what little diplomacy he can must and the little knowledge he has of dragons.

"Forgive my friend. He means no ill will to one as majestic as yourself. It is just that....he is very close to his blade. And it's light helps us in our travel through this wood. Surely one as powerful as yourself has little need for such a worthless trinket. Why....I am sure your beautiful and keen eyes could spot a rat sleeping in the root of a tree with little more than a half moons light." Joseph eyes the beast and begins to slightly tremble. "If you would but hear my friend out I am sure some arrangement can be made."

With that, Joseph bows his head with his arms slightly outstretch to show subservience.