Cellblock (days 23-25)

After their fight, the Tropic Thunder returned to the surface to rest and resupply themselves. Pillboxer and Vicros visited Lavinia to inform her that they had gotten into a war with the Lotus Dragons. Lavinia suggested they take the logical route of reporting to the city watch, but Pillboxer and Vicros were suspicious that the watch was corrupted. Since their suspicions of corruption were not based on the best-researched information, Lavinia would not bring up the concern with the Dawn Council, but she did mention such an option if they found proof.

The first unexplored room the Tropic Thunder entered the next day was a remarkably clean lavatory featuring the latest technology in chamber pots.

A long banquet table filled the the next room, leaving barely any clearance on two of its opposing sides. A large cage filled with listless tropical birds stood in a corner.

The floor of the next room was cluttered with partially eaten bones and clumps of dark fur, giving the air the stink of a filthy wet bog.

When the Tropic Thunder entered the next hall they encountered a patrol of 4 Lotus Dragons.

Five prison cells lined the western wall of this hallway. Each cell featured a nasty-looking heap of straw, a wooden bucket, and little more. Iron bars closed each cell off, with a narrow gate featuring a large lock allowing egress from each.

A half-elven man was languishing in these cells. His name was Quarion, and he was sent by the Amedio circle of druids to investigate a group of animal poachers. His research led to his confrontation with the Lotus Dragons, and his subsequent capture and torture by them. Graim opened the lock on his gate, and he joined the Tropic Thunder in their quest.

Training Hall (days 21-23)

When the Tropic Thunder entered the next hall they encountered a patrol of 3 Lotus Dragon thieves. After this encounter the heroes decided to recuperate aboveground and return as soon as possible.

Since the Tropic Thunder ignored their note, the Lotus Dragons arranged an ambush to take place at some point when the heroes were on the streets of Sasserine. They paid a street urchin to pick one of the Tropic Thunder's pockets and then race into an alley. Pillboxer apprehended the kid before he had a chance to run, and when the kid confessed his task, they let him go and went to the alley anyway. There, two thieves fired hand crossbows at the lead heroes while a third unsuccessfully attempted to block their retreat by throwing a tanglefoot bag at them. From their vantage point atop the roofs above, the thieves had cover. Pillboxer clambered up the building walls, but there were no convenient windows or doors into the buildings for the rest of the Tropic Thunder to hide. As soon as two of the thieves were slain and Pillboxer was about to reach the rooftops, the remaining thief fled across the roof, taking a winding route that eventually led to Dead Dog Plaza.

Pillboxer tracked the thief to Dead Dog Plaza, where he dropped into a well in the plaza center, dropping down into the water below.

When the Tropic Thunder returned to the guildhall, the thieves were quick to make sure every door was closed tightly again; this limited their own movement, but also slowed the advance of an invading force.

The Tropic Thunder entered a large room with a floor covered with thick padded mats. Throughout the room stood all manner of target dummies made of cloth and armor stuffed with straw, some of which wore bell-studded coats with numerous pockets, and other of which were studded with manacles and chains hung with cheap-looking padlocks. To one side, a wooden stage sat a foot off the floor. A padded throne flanked by potted plants sat on this stage.

When the Tropic Thunder entered this room, the throne was empty.

There was a closed door across the stage.

Six Lotus Dragon thieves waited here. They took the place of six of the target dummies, disguising themselves so that at a glance, the room seemed to be empty.

The thieves weren't noticed, and waited for the Tropic Thunder to scatter throughout the room before taking action and drawing their weapons. They worked together, flanking foes and focusing initial attacks on Graim and Harold in an attempt to even the odds before facing Cyq and Pillboxer.

Worg

Worgs are sinister wolves that have attained some intelligence and en evil disposition. They sometimes associate with other evil beings, particularly goblins, whom they serve as mounts and guardians. Worgs usually live and hunt in packs. Their favorite prey is large herbivores. Although they typically stalk and kill young, sick, or weak animals, they don't hesitate to hunt humanoids, particularly when game is scarce. Worgs may stalk humanoid prey for hours or even days before attacking, and choose the most advantageous terrain and time of day to do so (during the predawn hours, for example).

A typical worg has gray or black fur, grows to 5 feet long and stands 3 feet tall at the shoulder. It weighs 300 pounds. It has the scent special ability. More intelligent than their smaller cousins, worgs speak their own language. Some can also speak Common and Goblin.

Mated pairs or packs work together to bring down large game, while lone worgs usually chase down creatures smaller than themselves. Both often use hit-and-run tactics to exhaust their quarry. A pack usually circles a larger opponent: each wolf attacks in turn, biting and retreating, until the creature is exhausted, at which point the pack moves in for the kill. If they get impatient or heavily outnumber the opponent, worgs attempt to pin it. A worg that hits with a bite attack can attempt to trip the opponent without making a touch attack or provoking an attack of opportunity. If the attempt fails, the opponent cannot react to trip the worg.

Guardpost (day 21)

The Tropic Thunder captured the taxidermist alive, who quickly turned on the Lotus Dragons and admitted that they have been paying him to act as their eyes and ears. He has been allowing their members to come and go from his guildhall as they need, and showed the heroes the secret door to the hidden hall. He's never been below, but he knows that the "boss lady" has a pet dragon (or something) that he'd dearly love the chance to stuff.

The taxidermist made a good living from his craft, but his real source of income was kickbacks from the Lotus Dragons. In a locked chest under his bed, he's stashed his savings - hundreds of gold coins, dozens of platinum coins, and a small pouch of garnets and bloodstones.

The Lotus Dragon Guildhall is located under Dead Dog Alley, a collection of buildings surrounding a triangular plaza. Most of these buildings are boarded up from the outside and apparently abandoned. An entrance leads down from the Taxidermist's Guildhall.

When the Tropic Thunder entered the taxidermy entrance they encountered a patrol of 3 Lotus Dragons thieves.

A wooden ladder leads down from a trap door through the roof of this natural passageway. Moisture drips from the walls to pool on the rough floor, draining in tiny rivulets to the east. A wooden door beckoned to the west.

The trapdoor in the ceiling here leads up to the hidden hall in the Taxidermist's Guildhall.

Inside, the guildhall itself consists of brick-lined tunnels and rooms; both feature numerous wooden ceiling supports. The exception to this rule is the taxidermy entrance; this area is of unworked stone. The entire place is quite damp, with moisture dripping down the walls to drain away through numerous lead pipes set into the floor. Air quality is serviceable but musty. Doors are made of wood reinforced with iron, and tend to stick. Closed doors required force to open.

The north door of the next room was closed and the south door was left open so the two thieves posted here could keep an eye on the door to the south for intruders. When they saw the Tropic Thunder, they raised a cry to alert the rest of the guild and attacked with arrows.

The following room feels a little drier than the others in the complex, and the air smells slightly less musty. The room itself is furnished as a lounge, complete with stuffed couch and low table.

When the Tropic Thunder broke down the door, this room was empty.

The next room contains two fairly comfortable-looking bunks. The sheets on them sport only a few spots of mildew.

A worg had been placed on the following room with orders to prevent any non-guild members from passing through. He howled loudly as he attacked, alerting the rest of the complex immediately.