Gameplay - The Dragon That Opposed an Empress

"Thisss is our trophy!" To what i'm assuming is the disgust of everyone, he holds up the bogey proudly. "Who will doubt our deedsss when we ssshow them thissss?"

Ruby is a little more wounded than she lets one, but you know that you're still in a dangerous position, and there is still the miners to rescue. Looking around, Mavis and Garth find a fair bit of bones tossed idly to the side. The bones are gnawed, split, and still have small bits of flesh, even though the rats and mice also feast. There could be four or five people, but it's hard to tell how many or what they were because of the damage.

There are four exits from the main cavern. The largest tunnel heads uphill and is blocked off by a huge pile assorted debris.

There are two tunnels leading downhill to either side, the one you entered by and a twin on the opposite side.

A fourth leads to what Mavis surmises would be an area for supplies and staging for the mine.

Mavis, you are the expert in mines, we will follow your lead.
Which way should we go?

She whispers to Garth
Ah'll tek recce. Hang back for signal.

Keeping to the shadows Mavis heads off to investigate to the supplies and staging.

"So we're all agreed the bogey is our proof yes?"

Ruby watches Mavis head off, and almost immediately signal her. Wow, she's fast at recon. Ruby heads over to see what the fuss is about -it's possible she is trying to ignore this 'bogey' talk-, trying to sneak on these weird scalie feet and their sharp claws.

Hehsh is fairly certain that the bogey had no intrinsic value in itself, butt it will contaminate anything it comes in contact with reducing their value, so while you're carrying it, your things are less valuable than when you're not.

Mavis and Ruby sneak into the next room. A mess of miners are huddled together, looks like five of them. They don't notice you sneak in, but are paying attention to something else. Something in the shadows.

Perception checks please, with disadvantage.

Mavis pokes her head up for a peek. She points Ruby at the huddle, a quizzical look on her face.

Ruby shrugs in response. For now she'll peer into the darkness as well, curious what has everyone's attention.

Ruby's eyes burst open. She wants to tell Mavis of this development but not ruin the element of surprise. Thinking on her feet she uses her hands to imitate flapping wings, then opens her mouth and pushes her hands forward from both sides of her cheek to recreate breathing fire.

Mavis looks at the mime. A dragon? They're attacking a dragon?! Hell no!

The miners are orcs. They're terrified of the dragon and are watching it carefully.

Mavis taps Ruby's arm, nods her head towards the orcs, then strolls out.

Ey up, lads. Tha wants t' look again at thy shorin'. Ah've seen better props at Goblin's am dram. Shockin'!

Ah' see tha's found dragon. Common problem in badly shored mines. Looks like cave, tha' know, if tha' props are piggledy.

Any'ow - What's proper mine procedure on finding dragon? Anyone? Don't all answer at once!

Seeing that the orc's aren't buying her mine-foreman act she gets ready to peg it. Hopefully drawing them away from the dragon.

The dragon reviews Mavis with disdain, but it's muscles bunch. The orcs do not move.

Black, but a little oddly shaped? Meh, it's really dark

Did she say dragon? Crap. Double crap.

Garth moves up the hall, preparing to cast Guiding Bolt.

What's all this then?