Gameplay - The Dragon Who Took Too Little

"Oh. Well I suppose we'll just have amass a larger army, unless we can infiltrate the camp and dismantle the entire operation." Ruby responds earnestly, as she doesn't have experience dealing with the particulars of large scale armed conflict.

"Big army, or small army, it is still too large a problem for us to deal with at the moment. The best we could hope to do is cause a temporary disruption. Which might be worth doing, but I agree with Ruby. In order to fight an army, you need an army." He turns to the pixie king. "Where in the dessert, and the sky and the rivers can we find these people. Those descriptors cover a wide swath of land. Can you help us narrow down our search."

Hasan points over his shoulder. "I believe that counts as a desert?.

"Wouldn't the messengers be quicker have them send representatives to partake in a quick town meeting and have the milita mobilize?"

"I agree. It would save a lot of time."

MystWynd says, "We did send messages to all the groups. These three are the only ones that refused. We think that you will have better luck meeting them in person and convincing them. It won't take that long, you bigs can cross this valley in a day. The desert people are nearby, too."

"Well then there's not a moment to lose. Let's go! Desert first."

The pixies cheer, which involves fireworks, flutes, and the sound corks popping. But in a few seconds it is over. Their shamans ask to heal all your lingering wounds, and fill you with vigor to march. Everyone gains Inspiration.

MystWynd leads you back through the woods, angling along the edge of the ridge that separates the first from the desert. This turns to more hills add then low mountains. Another path leads up over between two mountains and you find yourselves looking down over the sandy desert.

MystWynd says, "I cannot leave the valley. I am forbidden due entirely to a misunderstanding. But go down and look for a red rock on a pile of rocks, lift it, and crash it down. Then wait. They will come. I will wait up here for your return."

"Smash rocks on rocks.. Strange but ok."

Hasan sets down the path.

"I suppose everyone needs a hobby."

Your group, save the pixie travels down the rough slope, along the barely discernable path to the desert. Hot sand bakes, with no wind for a break. Heat rises like translucent fog around you, obscuring distances. Out into the sand, several hundred yards, you see an odd formation, like a stone cache.

"Think thats the stone pillar the were undergound about?" Hasan asks reaching for his almost empty waterskin.

Do we see the mysterious red rock the pixies mentioned?

Maybe? You'd have to get close to it first to make out such details.

"I can't quite tell yet, if only we had a spyglass." Ruby uses her hand to block out the sunlight as she scans horizon for danger.

Focusing on the pattern of the shimmering heat waves, Ruby sees through it and spies a red stone on top of the stone pile.

"Nevermind." With a twirl she points her staff towards the rocks. "Found the spot. We should still invest in a spyglass though." With a small "Hup!" She takes a few steps toward their destination.

"I once met a man who had a spyglass strapped to his head. So intent was he on what was in the distance, the spyglass took his eye out when he tripped and fell."

"His eye became the eyeglass?" Hasan says wiping the wet from his mouth before moving on.

In spite of himself, Hehsh chuckles a bit. "You see the stone Ruby? Why don't you do the honors?"

Ruby physically winces at the story. Luckily Hehsh quickly diverts her attention. "Why thank you, I just hope we don't get mistaken for enemies."