Tests and Trials Game Thread

Perception: 13

"Do they seem to be threatening, or are they just trying to stay hidden from the dragon's people?"

"Is it the dragon or her kobolds?"
 Once Jaq sees it is actually bugbears, if you are watching him, you will see he relaxes a bit actually, lowering his weapon and looking less tense.

When Cladmir pulls his sword and yells both bugbears start backing slowly up without turning.

They exchange something that Cladmir catches but doesn't understand a word of as the rest of the party begin retracing their steps.

When Cladmir sounds the alarm, Kroshav leaps aboard Ealu and draws Sword from the sheath, making ready to charge.

As the rest of the party turns and retraces their steps to Cladmir they see the pair of bugbears moving away, back into the falling snow and darkness.

Kroshav only sees their dark figures while Ernos and Jaq can make out clearly that they are bugbears. Jaq is pretty sure they are the ones he saw the prior night. At least the one that was closest to him, he isn't super sure about the other one.

((What are people doing now? Attacking? Pursuing?))

"I think we should talk to them.  They were being hunted by the dragon.  They might need help, and if nothing else, they might have information."  He looks to the others to see if they will agree with this.

Kroshav stays his charge when Jaq speaks up. He'll stay mounted on Ealu, but lowers his sword along his mount's flank, turning her to place it on the far side. Out of sight, less outwardly threatening, but ready to go if needed.

"Sure, if you think they can be trusted enough for a chat, go for it. You give the word, or they attack you, and we'll be right there."

"Come back, we mean no harm." Jaq calls in common.  "Can anyone speak goblinoid here?" he asks the others.

The barely visible forms of the bugbears halt on hearing the call. After a few moments, and presumably some words exchanged a throaty, deeply accented voice calls back,

"You stay. No move at us."

Then, after confirming this is complied with,

"Where go?"

Cladmir is, somewhat recovered from seeing the bugbears appearing unexpectedly, also lower his weapon and let Jaq take the lead, although he follows Kroshav's lead to be ready to spring into action if needed.

"We will not move towards you."  Jaq actually puts his bow over his shoulder.  "We would like to talk to you about that dragon.  Is she hunting you?"

Those with darkvision see both figures', seemingly involuntarily, heads jerk upwards despite the very limited visibility.

One of the pair moves further away, now only just visible, but second stays where they are and calls back,

"She hunt. Yes. Where go?"

((Everyone can hear this, not just Jaq. Unless you want Jaq to lead the conversation?))

Kroshav is getting over his initial surprise that he can understand goblin as he's since realized they are speaking common, so is hiding his embarrassment by not speaking.

"A hidden place.  You come?"

There is a long pause as the pair seem converse then a question is asked back,

"Is far? Is big?"

Cladmir is not quite sure about all this but since Kroshav doesn't seem to be saying anything he won't as well.

"Not far, but hidden, and big.  We go in big snow, hide from dragon."

There is more discussion before the reply of,

"I come. Where is?"

One of the figures moves further away until they are no longer visible through the snow and darkness while the other moves near enough that Jaq could tell it was the bugbear he was speaking at the night before.

She moves warily and looks ready to run. She gives an especially wide berth to Kroshav and Ealu but does look down at the lightly steaming hole behind Cladmir.

As the bugbear approaches Sword gently encourages Kroshav,

 ((Everyone would notice the hole at this point as well))