Gameplay - The Dragon That Opposed an Empress

Ruby does not carry any melons, finding them much too hefty. To be so close to the prisoner, it is awe inspiring regardless of their disposition. "You think that's normal metal? Could probably hack through it with a strong saw..." Ruby whispers, eyeing up the prison for any signs of weakness.

If it is like the last one, it was tough. We had to release the stakes.

Ruby is able to get a look enough to recognize that the magic chain net is the same as the last one you saw. This one is bolted to the ground with large eye-hooks.

"Hey, it is like the last one. We can handle it then, too bad we don't have an army to back us up right now." Ruby starts brainstorming ways to buy enough time for a rescue, the trouble is a method which wouldn't invoke a horde of angry brutes.

In draconic: "Hey guard, you're as ugly as a human." Hehsh waits to see if the guard speaks draconic.

The guard doesn't react to Hehsh's words. The dragon does not react as well, but seems incapable of movement or speech.

Mavis professional eye scans the area.

Are any of the buildings flammable, or ramshackle enough to easily collapse? How difficult would a stealthy approach be? Where would be a good place for sniping? What’s the closest overhang to drop down from? Are there buildings close enough which might have cellars under here? How is the dragon fed and watered? Are there barrels near him?

In short (and with Mavis - that’s very short), she’s thinking of going Ocean’s 4’ 3".

No it's all heavy stone construction.
Given that most of the creatures have darkvision 60' and the area is lit by torches, if you came over the wall behind the dragon (the right side wall from the gate) then you should have good access to the tail end. The head end will bring you into view of the gate guards, so the difficulty will be commensurately higher.
The top of the walls would be good. They're not patrolled that you've seen.
It's possible, but unlikely. The keep is a heavy orcish fortification, so one would expect they now about goblin sappers.
There is no sign that the dragon is fed or watered at all. There are no barrels near by.

After looking at the surroundings Mavis focuses her attention on the dragon. She’s no arcanist, but she’s aware that magic is tricksy. She looks for any signs that what she sees might not be real. Perhaps melons can bounce off sufficiently advanced illusions.

Mavis doesn't see any signs that there is an illusion at play. Another group of orcs chuck a hunk of probably-excrement and it hits the dragon, splattering in a way as might be expected.

Ruby will scan the guards for any keys. Sure would be quieter.

Ruby does not see any keys on the front guards. There is a larger group of guards inside and off to the side, but they're too far away for such examination.

You're unaware of whether the keep is closed during the day, but you haven't heard anything saying that it was closed then either.

So. Do we immediately try and free the dragon, or do we wait a day or so and see if we can learn anything of the Empress? Maybe the secret to her power.

Hasan Yawns,
"It may be a wiser choice to see what it looks like during the day. The troops seem to be more active at night?" he offers.

As much as I hate to see the dragon chained up, yes...waiting may be best.

"We could send someone to investigate during the day? Smaller crowd would be good, less guards too. Give me time to make a meal for the dragon, probably could use some energy."

Hehsh whispers to the group. "You know... I can turn someone invisible. Maybe Mavis could sneak in and one other could go with her. do we think that two people could pry loose those chains?"

If they are the same, and they look like it. I had to use a warhammer to knock them loose. It was not quiet.

Now, that was in combat. Maybe if you had time to study them, you could do it more easily. Chains are a noisy thing to work with.

Garth takes a minute to think.

If we could tell the dragon to move a bit so the chain sounds seem to be caused by him...maybe.

"A distraction?" Hehshs mind goes to lighting fires as well. A fire inside the castle seems to be out of the question, based on Mavis's observations, but outside the castle has the air of a building-code inspectors nightmare.

Ah'm off fer rece Mavis whispers and backs away to the alleys.

She slips into the hidden places, the places where garbage is dumped, refuse her refuge. Once away from people, the dwarf climbs for a better view.

She's planning a long reconnaissance - hiding in the rubble of broken-down chimneys, climbing through roofs spaces to peek between the slates. At times like these she feels like a rat, squeezing into forgotten places.

She'll wait until there is nobody around then silently move to another position - working her way between the buildings. She can spend hours like this, days if needed. Silence and patience.