Begrudgingly, the goblin with whom you have tasked to go speak with the boss moves forward and disappears into the dark cave entrance. Quite a few minutes pass before the same goblins returns, this time accompanied by a pair of hulking, 9-foot tall giants with almost exaggeratedly thick necks and torsos. Both are lumbering next to the goblin, and carrying giant, spiked clubs, grunting and wheezing and they walk.
The goblin, who seems to have a new, heightened level of confidence, speaks.
"Boss Hark no come out... he thinks trap, so he sends us for negotiate. He say price is one shiny gold for each villager. Dis many."
He holds up three grubby fingers on one hand and a single digit on his other in an attempt to indicate the proper amount.
"You pay and Boss Hark let village people go free."
Realizing that the goblin needed to be taken down a peg, and more to the point, that they would not be so easily intimidated, Zyllith by all appearances ignored the messenger and walked right past him. Her focus instead was on the two giants that came out with him, looking somewhat like a kid impressed with a giant toy as she cheerfully spoke to the ogres directly, "Oy, look at ye two strappin' fellas! Might impressive muscle ye gots thar'. Real nice clubs two, that yer' favorite killin' stick? Or ye got something even fancier ta whack with?"
Eventually she turns her attention back at the goblin, staring down at him with clear disappointment, "Listen 'ere, mate. Yer Boss is a smart gobbie, but nae tha' smart if'n he's givin' up tha' chance fer propa' negotiating. Had a chance at settin' terms on his home grounds, but instead he's trying ta' haggle wit' proxies? Nae worth it, mates. He's missin' out on so much o' what we call 'nuance. And a rioght fool if he thinks we just gonna accept tha first offer he gives. Gonna need sum back and forth 'ere, or no-one gets what they want. How'd we know he'll send out anyone if'n we jus' up an gave out all tha' gold? How can we be sure they won't try ta start a ransom scheme if we do pay this time? These are jus' sum of tha' questions whot get settled in propa negotiations. You let Boss Hark know we got nae the least bit stinking interest in trappin' or killin' any one, least of all his stinky butt. We got ta' set terms, and haggle on price, so everyone's happy. Savvy?"
From behind a boulder, Belkas watches as Zyllith negotiates. She obviously has skills and self confidence that he lacks, and she apparently also has no sense of self-preservation.
He scans the area and mentally contacts the invisible Crowley, 'Any sign that the goblins are sneaking out of the caves to stab us in our backs? I trust them about as far as I can throw them, which is not at all. Keep a close watch as you fly around.'
---
Perception for Belkas: 4 (although my passive perception is 11)
The two ogres, one of which you realize is female, and quite possibly the ugliest female creature of any species you've ever seen... not that the male is anything less than repulsive, though, regard Zyllith and her quick tongue with nothing more than grunts. The male slaps his club lightly on the ground at his feet as if to accentuate his grunt.
The goblin responds to Zyllith with a frustrated sigh, clearly not understanding everything that she is saying, and perhaps angry that he's now put in a position to go back and see his boss again with empty hands. Looking to the two ogres, he says, "You stay... I go talk to boss again. Watch them... I be back."
He then rushes back into the cave while the two ogres stand there with stupid expressions and hands tight on their massive clubs.
Speaking with his imp familiar, Crowley indicates that at present, there are no goblins sneaking out of the caves.
Arisa waits patiently, but is expecting a less than peaceful solution in the end. “One gold per villager- but he only held up four fingers- is it really that few alive. Or maybe that was his way of saying thirty one? I hope we will find out!”
Nestled under his makeshift shelter Osmord watches the scene unfold from within his shell. So far so good. He had expected a violent reaction to the attempted negotiation, but it seems that words might just win the day here...they might.
Worm circles up overhead keeping an eye on the situation.
Zyllith just smiles and nods back at the goblin, watching them run back into the cave. She then looks up at the ogres and gives them both an encouraging wink, perfectly happy with however they end up interpreting that. She then turns and walks back to the rest of the group without a care in the world.
When she gets close to Arisa, she leans a bit closer and whispers quietly into her ear so no goblin or ogre can hear them, "Tis looking good so far, but thins can go pear shaped rioght quick. Stay ready fer anythin'. Worst case, at least we got 'em ogres separated from tha' rest now, can take care of 'em out 'ere without worryin' 'bout other gobbies in tha mix."
Then for added show she turns back to the ogres and gives them both a big thumbs up and a smile.
Belkas uses Minor Illusion to extend the boulder to cover him, recasting it when needed. He plays nervously with the single silver coin sewn into the hem of his cape, hearing distant screams of anguish and pain. 'The darkest battles are fought in our own minds,' he thinks to himself.
'Still no signs of approaching enemies, Crowley? Keep your eyes open.'
The two ogres regard Zyllith with dumb, blank stares that clearly reflect their intellect, but theycontinue to stand there, occasionally grunting, burping, farting and scratching their dirty skin. They don't smell very pleasant, especially when you're up close.
After about 10 minutes, the goblin returns with another goblin in tow, and says,
"Boss Hark says you want negotiate, you come inside for deal making. He no trust you to run off with villagers and not paying gold."
The second goblins chimes in, "Boss think Longo here too stupid for deal making, he don't want back and forth in and out of cave. You come inside and make negotiations. You no cause trouble, Boss Hark no cause trouble, but goblins no trust adventures with shiny swords. Hark not dumb, he want to live."
The other goblin who you are still holding as captive starts laughing and giggling at mention of Longo being stupid. Longo, looks at him and says, sternly, "You shut up, Yek!!! Boss think YOU stupid!!"
Zyllith gives Longo and Yek a big smile, knowing that things were going well now that they had a chance to talk to the boss himself. She turns to the goblins that came with them and gives them a playful wink as she tells them, "Boss's rioght 'bout Longo bein' stupid."She then turns back around and approaches the other two goblins. "See now thin's are movin' in tha' rioght direction. We'd be 'appy ta' talk to yer Boss Hark face ta' face. All nice an' propa'. Lookin' forward ta' makin' deals with yer smart boss."
She looks back at the rest of the party as she adds, "Who ever wanna come wit' now's yer chance. Lets make sure an' bring tha' other gobbies wit' us, not ta' mention our shinies, savvy?"
Vernon will swap back to his shield, but leave his mace on his belt in easy grabbing range, in case anything goes sour. He will avoid saying anything, figuring that the Goblins probably don't trust him much, but internally agreeing that these Goblins are stupid. He hopes nothing changes that impression.
Arisa is pretty nervous about going into the caves on the goblin’s turf. She will be on her guard, anticipating a surprise attack. But she’s ready to go on.
This new goblin makes a gesture at the ogres, and then leads you on towards the large 12 feet wide and 20 feet high cave opening, while Longo and the two ogres bring up the rear. Beyond the cave mouth is a vast cavern with a forest of stalagmites in its center and 10-foot-high ledges along its walls. Water drips from the stalactite-covered ceiling, which rises to a height of 30 feet in the middle of the cavern. Six naturally formed tunnels lead from this central cavern to other parts of the cave complex. The floor is littered with broken spears, broken shields, and drops of bat guano.
You can also see the pool of mud just to the left inside the opening, where the ogre was apparently taking a bath, and Zyllith, Belkas and Vernon can also look up into the darkness ad see at least two or three goblin sentries on the ledges above, just as Crowley described.
Once you're well inside the cavern, and just in front of the stalactite forest, you see a squat, but somewhat more elaborately adorned goblin walk forward, flanked by two female goblins who are armed with shields and scimitars. He is waring a chain shirt, with a scimitar as his side, and he's carrying a javelin, using it like a staff.
He looks you over and then says, "I's Hark, boss of this goblin tribe. Who peoples are you and why you coming here?"
'Crowley, please enter the cave and see if we are going into a trap. Stay invisible.'
Crowley gets ready to follow behind the group, far from the ogres. He notices the serious looks on the faces of his companions, and shares their apprehension.
As they walked in Zyllith continued to think carefully about what she would need to say to make sure everyone got out of there without a fight. They had to get on the goblin's good side, but also stay firm enough to make sure they wouldn't want to walk all over them. The first hurdle would be to convince them that they have no intentions to kill any goblins. That would require a big gesture. Releasing their captive goblins back to them as an opening gesture might just work.
When at least they were brought before the boss, Zyllith nodded confidently to the rest of the group before stepping forward to address the goblin leader.
"'Allo there Hark. Honor'd ta' meet ya'. We be a group o' adventurers whot representin' Town o' Nightstone. We come 'ere to get them village folk you got back home nice an' safe." Zyllith said with a smile as she addressed the goblin boss directly. She had a sense this one would appreciate keeping things direct. "I know ye' might be concerned we'd be here ta' make a mess o' things, and I understand why'd ye be worried. But before we start, I wanna set tha' right mood, an' assure you, we're no' 'ere ta' 'urt anybody. In fact we'd be happy as pie if'n we all got ta' go home without anyone drawin' blades. To tha' end, we brought wit' us sum of tha' goblin' whot got captured back in tha' town. We're releasing them 'ere, back to ya', no strings attached. Just to show we mean ye and yers no harm."
Arisa, praying sincerely to Mystra this will work, gives guidance to Zyllith, and also assists with her persuasion check... “we have had enough killing- we just want the villagers back safe. I think you will find you will be far better off listening to us- this can work out for the best for all.”
Belkas moves to put his braver and hardier companions between himself and the ogres, and ideally, some cover to help against arrows. He looks around, identifying archers and any potential spellcasters.
He hopes Zyllith and Arisa continue to be successful with their negotiations and is surprised that things haven't broken down in mayhem yet. It then occurs to him that he could help.
Belkas smiles at the goblin boss and says, "Great Hark, we are honored to meet such a powerful and wise goblin boss." Using Suggestion, he adds, "You can show everyone how powerful and wise you are by taking some gold, releasing the prisoners, and letting us all go free. No one will need to fight and die."
---- Spell DC WIS 13
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”Agreed, let’s send in our negotiators, with a spy. If they don’t succeed we will use the other option”
Begrudgingly, the goblin with whom you have tasked to go speak with the boss moves forward and disappears into the dark cave entrance. Quite a few minutes pass before the same goblins returns, this time accompanied by a pair of hulking, 9-foot tall giants with almost exaggeratedly thick necks and torsos. Both are lumbering next to the goblin, and carrying giant, spiked clubs, grunting and wheezing and they walk.
The goblin, who seems to have a new, heightened level of confidence, speaks.
"Boss Hark no come out... he thinks trap, so he sends us for negotiate. He say price is one shiny gold for each villager. Dis many."
He holds up three grubby fingers on one hand and a single digit on his other in an attempt to indicate the proper amount.
"You pay and Boss Hark let village people go free."
Realizing that the goblin needed to be taken down a peg, and more to the point, that they would not be so easily intimidated, Zyllith by all appearances ignored the messenger and walked right past him. Her focus instead was on the two giants that came out with him, looking somewhat like a kid impressed with a giant toy as she cheerfully spoke to the ogres directly, "Oy, look at ye two strappin' fellas! Might impressive muscle ye gots thar'. Real nice clubs two, that yer' favorite killin' stick? Or ye got something even fancier ta whack with?"
Eventually she turns her attention back at the goblin, staring down at him with clear disappointment, "Listen 'ere, mate. Yer Boss is a smart gobbie, but nae tha' smart if'n he's givin' up tha' chance fer propa' negotiating. Had a chance at settin' terms on his home grounds, but instead he's trying ta' haggle wit' proxies? Nae worth it, mates. He's missin' out on so much o' what we call 'nuance. And a rioght fool if he thinks we just gonna accept tha first offer he gives. Gonna need sum back and forth 'ere, or no-one gets what they want. How'd we know he'll send out anyone if'n we jus' up an gave out all tha' gold? How can we be sure they won't try ta start a ransom scheme if we do pay this time? These are jus' sum of tha' questions whot get settled in propa negotiations. You let Boss Hark know we got nae the least bit stinking interest in trappin' or killin' any one, least of all his stinky butt. We got ta' set terms, and haggle on price, so everyone's happy. Savvy?"
Sylnache Ashrain - 7th Sojourn
From behind a boulder, Belkas watches as Zyllith negotiates. She obviously has skills and self confidence that he lacks, and she apparently also has no sense of self-preservation.
He scans the area and mentally contacts the invisible Crowley, 'Any sign that the goblins are sneaking out of the caves to stab us in our backs? I trust them about as far as I can throw them, which is not at all. Keep a close watch as you fly around.'
---
Perception for Belkas: 4 (although my passive perception is 11)
The two ogres, one of which you realize is female, and quite possibly the ugliest female creature of any species you've ever seen... not that the male is anything less than repulsive, though, regard Zyllith and her quick tongue with nothing more than grunts. The male slaps his club lightly on the ground at his feet as if to accentuate his grunt.
The goblin responds to Zyllith with a frustrated sigh, clearly not understanding everything that she is saying, and perhaps angry that he's now put in a position to go back and see his boss again with empty hands. Looking to the two ogres, he says, "You stay... I go talk to boss again. Watch them... I be back."
He then rushes back into the cave while the two ogres stand there with stupid expressions and hands tight on their massive clubs.
Speaking with his imp familiar, Crowley indicates that at present, there are no goblins sneaking out of the caves.
Vernon is standing with the main group, his lance in the upright position, his shield on his back, staring between the Ogres, hoping this plan works.
Arisa waits patiently, but is expecting a less than peaceful solution in the end. “One gold per villager- but he only held up four fingers- is it really that few alive. Or maybe that was his way of saying thirty one? I hope we will find out!”
Nestled under his makeshift shelter Osmord watches the scene unfold from within his shell. So far so good. He had expected a violent reaction to the attempted negotiation, but it seems that words might just win the day here...they might.
Worm circles up overhead keeping an eye on the situation.
DM - Warlock of Firetop Mountain
Zyllith just smiles and nods back at the goblin, watching them run back into the cave. She then looks up at the ogres and gives them both an encouraging wink, perfectly happy with however they end up interpreting that. She then turns and walks back to the rest of the group without a care in the world.
When she gets close to Arisa, she leans a bit closer and whispers quietly into her ear so no goblin or ogre can hear them, "Tis looking good so far, but thins can go pear shaped rioght quick. Stay ready fer anythin'. Worst case, at least we got 'em ogres separated from tha' rest now, can take care of 'em out 'ere without worryin' 'bout other gobbies in tha mix."
Then for added show she turns back to the ogres and gives them both a big thumbs up and a smile.
Sylnache Ashrain - 7th Sojourn
Belkas uses Minor Illusion to extend the boulder to cover him, recasting it when needed. He plays nervously with the single silver coin sewn into the hem of his cape, hearing distant screams of anguish and pain. 'The darkest battles are fought in our own minds,' he thinks to himself.
'Still no signs of approaching enemies, Crowley? Keep your eyes open.'
The two ogres regard Zyllith with dumb, blank stares that clearly reflect their intellect, but theycontinue to stand there, occasionally grunting, burping, farting and scratching their dirty skin. They don't smell very pleasant, especially when you're up close.
After about 10 minutes, the goblin returns with another goblin in tow, and says,
"Boss Hark says you want negotiate, you come inside for deal making. He no trust you to run off with villagers and not paying gold."
The second goblins chimes in, "Boss think Longo here too stupid for deal making, he don't want back and forth in and out of cave. You come inside and make negotiations. You no cause trouble, Boss Hark no cause trouble, but goblins no trust adventures with shiny swords. Hark not dumb, he want to live."
The other goblin who you are still holding as captive starts laughing and giggling at mention of Longo being stupid. Longo, looks at him and says, sternly, "You shut up, Yek!!! Boss think YOU stupid!!"
Yek keeps laughing and pointing at Longo.
Zyllith gives Longo and Yek a big smile, knowing that things were going well now that they had a chance to talk to the boss himself. She turns to the goblins that came with them and gives them a playful wink as she tells them, "Boss's rioght 'bout Longo bein' stupid." She then turns back around and approaches the other two goblins. "See now thin's are movin' in tha' rioght direction. We'd be 'appy ta' talk to yer Boss Hark face ta' face. All nice an' propa'. Lookin' forward ta' makin' deals with yer smart boss."
She looks back at the rest of the party as she adds, "Who ever wanna come wit' now's yer chance. Lets make sure an' bring tha' other gobbies wit' us, not ta' mention our shinies, savvy?"
Sylnache Ashrain - 7th Sojourn
Vernon will swap back to his shield, but leave his mace on his belt in easy grabbing range, in case anything goes sour. He will avoid saying anything, figuring that the Goblins probably don't trust him much, but internally agreeing that these Goblins are stupid. He hopes nothing changes that impression.
Arisa is pretty nervous about going into the caves on the goblin’s turf. She will be on her guard, anticipating a surprise attack. But she’s ready to go on.
Osmord has a bad feeling about this but he follows, staying a clear distance away from those ogres and their wicked clubs.
DM - Warlock of Firetop Mountain
This new goblin makes a gesture at the ogres, and then leads you on towards the large 12 feet wide and 20 feet high cave opening, while Longo and the two ogres bring up the rear. Beyond the cave mouth is a vast cavern with a forest of stalagmites in its center and 10-foot-high ledges along its walls. Water drips from the stalactite-covered ceiling, which rises to a height of 30 feet in the middle of the cavern. Six naturally formed tunnels lead from this central cavern to other parts of the cave complex. The floor is littered with broken spears, broken shields, and drops of bat guano.
You can also see the pool of mud just to the left inside the opening, where the ogre was apparently taking a bath, and Zyllith, Belkas and Vernon can also look up into the darkness ad see at least two or three goblin sentries on the ledges above, just as Crowley described.
Once you're well inside the cavern, and just in front of the stalactite forest, you see a squat, but somewhat more elaborately adorned goblin walk forward, flanked by two female goblins who are armed with shields and scimitars. He is waring a chain shirt, with a scimitar as his side, and he's carrying a javelin, using it like a staff.
He looks you over and then says, "I's Hark, boss of this goblin tribe. Who peoples are you and why you coming here?"
'Crowley, please enter the cave and see if we are going into a trap. Stay invisible.'
Crowley gets ready to follow behind the group, far from the ogres. He notices the serious looks on the faces of his companions, and shares their apprehension.
As they walked in Zyllith continued to think carefully about what she would need to say to make sure everyone got out of there without a fight. They had to get on the goblin's good side, but also stay firm enough to make sure they wouldn't want to walk all over them. The first hurdle would be to convince them that they have no intentions to kill any goblins. That would require a big gesture. Releasing their captive goblins back to them as an opening gesture might just work.
When at least they were brought before the boss, Zyllith nodded confidently to the rest of the group before stepping forward to address the goblin leader.
"'Allo there Hark. Honor'd ta' meet ya'. We be a group o' adventurers whot representin' Town o' Nightstone. We come 'ere to get them village folk you got back home nice an' safe." Zyllith said with a smile as she addressed the goblin boss directly. She had a sense this one would appreciate keeping things direct. "I know ye' might be concerned we'd be here ta' make a mess o' things, and I understand why'd ye be worried. But before we start, I wanna set tha' right mood, an' assure you, we're no' 'ere ta' 'urt anybody. In fact we'd be happy as pie if'n we all got ta' go home without anyone drawin' blades. To tha' end, we brought wit' us sum of tha' goblin' whot got captured back in tha' town. We're releasing them 'ere, back to ya', no strings attached. Just to show we mean ye and yers no harm."
Sylnache Ashrain - 7th Sojourn
Arisa, praying sincerely to Mystra this will work, gives guidance to Zyllith, and also assists with her persuasion check... “we have had enough killing- we just want the villagers back safe. I think you will find you will be far better off listening to us- this can work out for the best for all.”
Belkas moves to put his braver and hardier companions between himself and the ogres, and ideally, some cover to help against arrows. He looks around, identifying archers and any potential spellcasters.
He hopes Zyllith and Arisa continue to be successful with their negotiations and is surprised that things haven't broken down in mayhem yet. It then occurs to him that he could help.
Belkas smiles at the goblin boss and says, "Great Hark, we are honored to meet such a powerful and wise goblin boss." Using Suggestion, he adds, "You can show everyone how powerful and wise you are by taking some gold, releasing the prisoners, and letting us all go free. No one will need to fight and die."
----
Spell DC WIS 13