Gameplay - The Dragon Who Took Too Little

You gather your gear and supplies and reconvene at the mayors. The last two tributes are still in the tribute cave, and the mayor has obtained a wallhanging he thinks may be suitable. It is a woven piece, made with strips of carefully color matched exotic woods resulting in a simple geometric pattern.

You have four obvious destinations to start with. The clandestine conservation cave (three hours), the Plover farm (5 hours direct travel, or 3 hours from the conversation cave), the tribute cave (2 days inland, 1 day if you do a forced march), or the area on the map where the mayor believes the lair is (a half day further than the tribute cave). Or you could zigzag and hit all forr in that order.

Gathering your gear, you head out of town. It's a warm summer day, with only a few dappled clouds lazily floating overhead. You walk down the street, and can hear the industriousness of the townsfolk in their homes and workshops... the pound of hammers and chisels, the scratch of saws, the mixing of paints, the bending of wood. And some housework as well, but after the conversation with the mayor, this town dues seem inordinately predispossessed with crafting things.

The semi-tropical wilderness beyond the town, home to a number of small orchards and lush gardens, gives way to thicker brush. The hoots and chirps of lizards, birds, and insects, displeased at your presence, obscures the sounds of your own movement, but further into the jungle you find out more bearable. At least the road had been kept clear. Hasan knows that travelers often carry machetes and hack a little bit at the growth during each trip.

It is dark when Hasan tells you you're close to the Plover ranch. You've passed a few farms, much larger than the simple ones near town. Wagonloads of produce are produced by each, destined for the barges and ports beyond. The Plovers maintain one such, growing several acres of a rich, sweet fruit particularly prized for brandies.

The road bridges a small hillock (you've been slowly gaining altitude as you move inland), and slowly you creep around the last beyond and look down on the dark ranch. The house sits beyond the six foot tall bushy crops, and beside it, a warehouse and two utility sheds. The low moonlight gives little away, but you see no lights or hear any unnatural sounds.

What do you do?