Manhunt for Cookie

[*Er_Nano_Infame]

''quite so *checks the direction of the wind in regard of the mountain's position so that their scent isn't brought toward the mount, possibly* let's move then *starts to stride off sneakily nimbly and not losing the tracks*''

[*Er_Nano_Infame]

as the two runs thru the land , jall takes some moments to check onto all those trees stumps.
''cut down for the feast, you think?'' *looks around* ''quite razed land...also, no other vegetation...better give these devastated plants a closer inspection. ''
*looks at the mountain again* ''is that a volcano?''

after analizing the trees jall checks the tracks again: see if those who left them are running or walking, restrained or free in their movement, if burdened, if accompained by beasts or means of transport, if their layout suggests anything...

[*Lucereflame]

*it Dosent appear that any of the trees wood have been harvested though a few of their tops are singed. occasionally Collassal half Footprints would be soon in the area though what made them could not be decifered. as for the smoke who knows if its from a volcano or not*

[*kitteninablender]

"Red Dragon" mused Rith. "Big one too. Makes sense. Red Dragons oftentimes intimidate or enslave "lesser" races into doing their bidding. I also happen to know they find the taste of Orc disgusting....hence why it hasn't simply eaten the Orcs. This could be bad. Real bad. We'll need to proceed with extreme caution. I've taken down Dragons before, I know how tough they can be."

Rith would begin to pull out a pair of Solanian Truesteel Kukri, a twin-set of blades he had come to refer to as Deimos and Phobos. He also searched his bag of holding for any potions of Resist Energy that he could, placing them into pockets on his potion belt so they could be quickly drawn.

"I haven't fought a Dragon in ages....this should be fun."

[*Er_Nano_Infame]

jall takes that possibility with a bit less enthusiasm...
''wha???'' *shots wide eyes at rith* ''you really think is about a dragon?''
*she promptly takes out a collection of scrolls, which includes spells of energy immunity and many other spells of all kind, mind blank included. if anything, they'll be warded more than decently at least. plus the various arsenal and simple but useful spells she knows from her varied training*

''don't be idiot, these potions are just silly. at least get a proper immunity to fire and such'' *hands him some of said scrolls if he needs them. then adds a few potions* ''these are potions of improved agility, endurance and insight. my brew. will kick you better than magical equipments usually do, for a good bunch of hours''


*looks at the mountain again unamusedly*

''this doesn't bode good...can we really sneak under the nose of a dragon?'' *looks around, at the singed tree tops and frowns* ''burnt, sigh...how old you think it is this possible dragon? and don't think to proceed without a decent plan beforehand, ok?? ''
*scowls while looking at rith, preparing a special bow optimal against beings of evil, and adamantine arrows to use with it*

takes some moments to rest then checks the footprints better to verify if they really belong to a dragon. after all she has met some dragons already, but never fought one in such a small numbers as she and rith only are.

[*kitteninablender]

"It makes the most logical sense." said Rith.

"Red Dragons make their homes on the top of mountains...precisely where we're headed. They scorch the vegetation at the base with their Breath Weapon so that approaching enemies won't have anything to hide behind.

They are exceptionally territorial, so it makes sense that the Orc's "God" would demand Tribute.

The claw marks are sporadic, indicating the creature is capable of Flight, and Red Dragons are notorious for their pension for trying new exotic tastes.

As for sneaking by the nose of a Dragon...it'll be tough, won't lie. Thing about this environment though: Our smells will be overpowered by Cookie's cooking as well as that of the numerous Orcs. If anything, the Dragon will just think it's the smell of another entree.

The trick is to get close enough to the "feast" to let our smells blend in. If I know Cookie he's probably cooking a wide variety of foods to satiate the Dragon's palette. We should be able to slip in unnoticed."

Rith Grimaced

"The biggest problem is getting Cookie out of there without drawing attention. We'll have to wait until the Dragon is busy gorging itself, then slip him away. Of course, if I know Dragons, he's likely going to let Cookie fix the appetizers....then eat Cookie as the Main course. Assuming, of course, he doesn't plan to enslave Cookie as his personal chef the rest of his life. This plan will require cunning, planning, and patience. Wait for the Dragon to eat....and then we get Cookie out. I don't want to fight that Dragon, especially one that big, if we don't have to."

[*Lucereflame]

*as the two continue down the path they would notice a large Crate to the side Marked with the Cookies Famous Food logo. It appears to have been pried open and Stripped clean of its Contents and visibly aged... other then that if they continue to the base of the mountain they find a path Carved into the side. the Air now Filled with the smell of Freshly Grilled meats and peppers*

[*kitteninablender]

Rith sniffs the open air.

"We're getting close. Peppers don't have much of a smell, naturally, until they are heated. We need to be careful Jall. You get the ground...."

Rith's form would begin to twist and shift, shrinking. Feathers would grow from his pores and his feet would become Talons as he began shapeshifting himself into a Raven.

"...I'll get the air." As he flies off to scout ahead.

[*Lucereflame]

*as rith flys up to scout if he reaches the top he Sees a large flat surface that is Covered in housing for a multitude of Races. a large hole in the Center. The whole would Reach down into a large hollow Cavern system a bright light glowing from below the Rich smell of Cooked food wafting out from it. a large gathering of humanoids appear to be sitting around the rim. looking down inside Each wearing a medallion of a Spoon crossed over a Fork. a Few of them Also wearing a White cheft hat Dirtied with blood.*

[*Er_Nano_Infame]

she nods, nervous at the idea of lurking in a dragon's lair alone, but she'll do it, holding her stomach thight. after making sure no one is at range of hearing she casts mindblank, then non detection, pass without trace, fire immunity, and something akin to heroism or higher resistance eventually. then hands him some extra potions and scrolls, mind blank included, if he accepts them.

''uhm, know if dragons are immune to poisons? i bet we both have our own poisons, at least, i have plenty,and even if the mass of a dragon sure numbs its effect, we may constantly mix the meals with such, and hope in some gradual and cumulative effect on it''