"I think negotiation. They are not mistreating the patrol and it's unusual for them to take interest in taking captives on the High Roadin the first place. I sense a cat's paw. We may be able to convince them that a better trade may be made with us. They are honest enough, and value family. That's common ground enough."
"I am no negotiator, but I can at least facilitate some talks. May I...?" Vandeyr gestures to himself then to the lizardfolk.
(Let me know if everyone else is trying to hide or is also approaching. If you're hiding, please give me a stealth check, with advantage from the storm).
As Vandeyr approaches, the outer guards, not quite having had time to establish lines of watch or approach seem caught off guard, though they quickly snap to, holding shields and spears in a defensive stance, placing themselves between Vandeyr and the other members of the tribe. The non-warriors of the tribe, for their part, react quickly but without panic, stepping behind the warriors and grabbing hatchlings to prepare to run if need be.
Tor, as an experienced warrior and leader, can tell that the warriors are loosely disciplined. Specifically, they show no fear--or really emotion of any kind--but seem more inclined to fight as individuals rather than as a unit. They also appear somewhat lax according to threats, seemingly counting on their number to protect them from all but the biggest threats, failing to set up lines of scouts and just beginning to set up a perimeter.
The tension rises for a moment, before a voice calls out in draconic. "Hold!" The warrior relax slightly, seeming to pull back from the edge of leaping, but still holding their weapons and shields defensively. The chieftain steps forward to be in line with the warriors, he looks around, looking for any others approaching. "I am Chieftain Hissain of the Sweetwater Biters. Who approaches and seeks trade?"
Brother Siegfried consciously changes his cloak of many fashions from a plain garment into the vestments of Chauntea, in earthen tones of green and brown - formal but not overly colorful, hoping that is appreciated by this swampfolk. Then he steps out of the reeds, holy amulet displayed prominently, and moves slowly but purposefully to stand just behind Vandeyr.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Vandeyr steps forward, continuing in draconic, gesturing to himself and anyone who steps out. "I am Vandeyr of Leilon, and the Swords of Leilon. We came searching for a missing guard patrol. Those you captured."
"Chief Hissain, I believe we can be fair neighbors or bitter enemies. We killed the trolls who killed one of your tribe. Consider that a gift of goodwill."
"I believe there is a child here who deserves this." He holds up the partially finished necklace of alligator teeth and glass beads.
"And a mate who deserves this." He holds up the black scale and moves it to his hand with the necklace.
"But I am not sure the Sweetwater Tribe deserves this. Not while they take our people." He holds out the sword.
The chieftain considers. "You wish to be fair neighbors, but these--" he gestures at the guards "--attacked us. This family--" he gestures towards the family in the other cage, "--attempted to cheat us. We were taking what they owed us, when your guards attacked us."
He makes a gesture that you realize is a lizard equivalent of a shrug. "If you wish to trade for their lives. There is something that could be done. And if you are telling the truth about defeating the trolls then you should be able to accomplish it. We have had to move away from our traditional hunting grounds by these rot trolls. If you can kill enough of them, we could return to our hunting grounds and would not have to trade with these humans in the first place."
Vandeyr relays the information to the others what was said.
"Lizardfolk can be odd, but they are not known as deceptive or cheats on the whole. Better to make good neighbors than give friends to our enemies, yeah?"
Rawlings slowly emerges from hiding as Vandeyr talks with the lizardfolk. She eyes all the warriors, making sure no one tries to make the jump on them. Listening to Vandeyr translate their wishes, she groans. Now they were going to have to do the kidnappers bidding? And not only that, they had to fight more of those stinky, disgusting trolls? This was not what she signed up for. But, if she wanted to be part of the Swords of Leilon... she decides to stay quiet and let Tor respond for their group.
Brother Siegfried nods at the news from Vandeyr. While he does not relish facing more of those trolls, their disgusting necrotic nature is the very antithesis of his faith and spirituality. Even if it did not help him rescue these people, his duty to his god would require him to thin the numbers of these abominations.
He looks to Tor, Vandeyr and Rawlings. "I am committed to see this through. And I will bring the full power afforded to me by the Earthmother to smite these foul trolls."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Tor takes in Vandeyr and Siegfried's thoughts. Rawlings didn't share hers, remaining silent, but the look on her face spoke volumes. He drums his fingers on his thigh, thinking.
"I don't like being beholden, but I don't see that we have a choice. We can't take our people back by ourselves. The next choice is reporting back to the Council. They'll send more troops, and I don't like where that ends one bit.
Van, translate for me?"
Tor steps forward, and faces the chieftain eye to eye.
"We'll do it. Not for you, for our people. But we have questions. Where are your hunting grounds? How many trolls should we expect? Will you send any of your warriors with us? Also, I want to speak with our people."
He waits for Vandeyr to repeat his words in the hissing lizard tongue, and for a response. He watches the chieftain closely, trying to see, as much as possible on the scaly face, what his thoughts might be.
Insight: 15
Assuming we have been here more than a minute, he will also have been spending that time getting to Know Your Enemy. Focusing on the chieftain, I would like to know if his AC and HP are higher/lower/the same as Tor's.
Tor takes in Vandeyr and Siegfried's thoughts. Rawlings didn't share hers, remaining silent, but the look on her face spoke volumes. He drums his fingers on his thigh, thinking.
"I don't like being beholden, but I don't see that we have a choice. We can't take our people back by ourselves. The next choice is reporting back to the Council. They'll send more troops, and I don't like where that ends one bit.
Van, translate for me?"
Tor steps forward, and faces the chieftain eye to eye.
"We'll do it. Not for you, for our people. But we have questions. Where are your hunting grounds? How many trolls should we expect? Will you send any of your warriors with us? Also, I want to speak with our people."
He waits for Vandeyr to repeat his words in the hissing lizard tongue, and for a response. He watches the chieftain closely, trying to see, as much as possible on the scaly face, what his thoughts might be.
Insight: 15
Assuming we have been here more than a minute, he will also have been spending that time getting to Know Your Enemy. Focusing on the chieftain, I would like to know if his AC and HP are higher/lower/the same as Tor's.
"The remains of a thin-pink-sweet-skin [human] tower are a half day's travel west and another half day's travel south. Our ancestors lie in a cave at the edge of sight to the west of the tower, beneath the mother tree [an enormous mangrove]. Our hunting grounds spread a day in all directions from the mother tree. The trolls first appeared to the east of our grounds near the base of the broken tower, only one at first, but after killing one, another seemed drawn by its death. They continued to be drawn, until I would not risk our warriors' lives any further. When we left there were at least five of the trolls still alive. Normally trolls do not bother us. They are stupid, but not seeking death. But these... they did not [regenerate] as trolls do, but they were rotten, and killed just by sickness. I can send a guide with you, but I would not risk my tribe by weakening our warriors." Now that you're up close, you can see the chieftain and his people appear tired. Their crests do not rise as stiffly as you've seen among lizardfolk in the past. They are covered in mud and detritus of travel.
The chieftain takes the necklace and black scale from Vandeyr, but looks down at the kukri, "Keep her, at least for now. The Mother will help you if you are helping us. You may speak to the prisoners, so long as you do not attempt to free them until you have completed your bargain."
He turns away and hands the necklace and scale to another lizardfolk--Vandeyr recognizes that the lizardfolk is likely female judging by the fact that she is larger than most of the lizardfolk, but her crest is a simple light green compared to the male's more colorful crests--he whispers some words to her, and she nods at him before placing the items in a bag at her waist, then taking a spear and bone bow from one of the warriors nearby. "This is Vitha. Since you returned her mate's items, she is in your debt. She will take up his mantle and lead you to our hunting grounds." She nods at the party.
Rawlings watches the exchange and worries at the thought of more than 5 of those ugly beasts. Once their guide has been named, she looks the female lizardfolk over, wondering if they will hinder their progress or not.
Vandeyr pauses to talk out loud. "Five... So many. I did not think trolls moved in such number, either. This may be unnatural. Perhaps the patrol or the other captives can fill us in on more details."
... Now that you're up close, you can see the chieftain and his people appear tired. Their crests do not rise as stiffly as you've seen among lizardfolk in the past. They are covered in mud and detritus of travel.
(Is this the result of my Insight check or would we have seen that anyway?)
"Let's just hope they aren't sticking together," Tor responds to Vandeyr. "We'll know more once we're there."
He gives the chieftain a casual salute, and returns the nod from Vitha. He then makes his way carefully, watching the surrounding lizardfolk, over to the caged civilian family. He stands at ease, hands clasped behind his back. "Evening all. My name is Tor Baltos. I'm the captain of the Swords of Leilon. I'd like to know exactly what happened here. The chieftain there says they felt cheated in a trade with you fine folk, and tried to take what they were owed. What do you say? And don't lie to me. I'll know."
... Now that you're up close, you can see the chieftain and his people appear tired. Their crests do not rise as stiffly as you've seen among lizardfolk in the past. They are covered in mud and detritus of travel.
(Is this the result of my Insight check or would we have seen that anyway?)
"Let's just hope they aren't sticking together," Tor responds to Vandeyr. "We'll know more once we're there."
He gives the chieftain a casual salute, and returns the nod from Vitha. He then makes his way carefully, watching the surrounding lizardfolk, over to the caged civilian family. He stands at ease, hands clasped behind his back. "Evening all. My name is Tor Baltos. I'm the captain of the Swords of Leilon. I'd like to know exactly what happened here. The chieftain there says they felt cheated in a trade with you fine folk, and tried to take what they were owed. What do you say? And don't lie to me. I'll know."
(That is the result of your Insight)
The family looks tired and soaked through with the rain, but they seem none-the-worse for wear aside from that. As you approach a lizardfolk is handing a pair of large orange fruits and a handful of dried meat through the bars to the family. The male is an Illuskan in his middle years, his brown hair is balding. "Cheated?!" he says, with an indignant tone, "Norbert Ellings never cheated anyone in his life--"
"'Bert," the woman says tiredly, "now's not the time." Her accent and dark brown, almost black hair, marks her as a Chondathan. She turns back to Tor and says, "I think there was a misunderstanding. We were making our way north to Neverwinter, carrying mostly winter fruits," she says with a shrug, holding up the very fruit the lizardfolk had just given them. You recognize the fruit as a minor delicacy that isn't rare, but is somewhat uncommon in Neverwinter, often sold as a feast day treat. "We had stopped for the day, when a dozen lizardfolk seemingly appeared out of nowhere from this swamp. At first we thought they meant to attack us, but they initially just approached and seemed to want to trade. My draconic is not perfect, but I thought they were asking if we had any salt. We had probably a pound or two that we were planning to trade in Neverwinter or along the way, as needed, so we discussed back and forth. They didn't have any gold, so we were working out something to barter--they make jewelry and art that sells very well almost anywhere. We were haggling, and I told them if they didn't like the deal they didn't have to take it, we could sell it to someone else; they seemed greatly offended and started shouting, and before we knew it, there were soldiers--" She raises her chin over at the other cage, "who came to our defense. Unfortunately, there were only four of them and we were captured."
The little girl shakes her head and says, "No mama, that's not what you said."
"What? What do you mean, Nalla?"
"You didn't say, 'if you don't like the deal, we can sell it to someone else' you said, 'if you don't like the deal, we'll just take it.'"
"That's the same thing, Nalla." The woman says.
The little girl shakes her head again, "No mama, you used the wrong possessive and the wrong verb, when you said, 'we'll just take it,' the 'it' meant the tribes' offering, and you used the form of 'take' that means steal. They thought you were going to just try to steal the items if they didn't take the deal."
"What? Well why didn't you say something sooner?!"
The girl lowers her head, "I thought that's what you meant to say. You and papa always tell us to leave you alone and not say anything when you're dealing."
Perhaps this little girl should be running their business, Tor muses. "Well, we are where we are. At least now we know what happened. Mistakes were made, and we all have to live with them." He looks at Nalla personally. "You seem a smart kid. Use those language skills while we're gone, try to start a conversation with the lizardfolk. It can't hurt to be on better terms with your captors. They're not bad people. They just live differently to us." With a nod he moves on to the soldiers.
"Alright lads, good to see you. Everyone in one piece? We saw blood on the way here, where you were captured. Who did that belong to?"
None of the soldiers are uninjured, but none of the injuries appear life-threatening. Their wounds are bandaged and appear mostly clean. There's three humans and a dwarf.
They have been watching you approach, as soon as Vandeyr began speaking. "Sir," One of the humans salutes weakly with his sword arm, his other hand hangs limply in a sling across his chest, "I'm Corporal Rather." He tries to force a smile, "I'm afraid most of that blood was ours. We saw these beasts accosting a family on the High Road and attempted to protect them... well, lets just say there were a lot more of them than us."
One of the other humans clears his throat, "We couldn't quite hear what you were saying there talking with them, Sir. Not that any of us speak their tongue anyway. Are you going to be able to get us out of here? I've heard... stories, about how lizardfolk like to eat humans alive."
The dwarf chuckles coldly, "Nonsense, Boren. Don't worry, they'll boil ya' alive, but you'll be dead before they eat ya'."
Corporal Rather makes a motion towards the two, "That's enough!" He turns back to Tor. "What's the plan, Sir?"
"I think negotiation. They are not mistreating the patrol and it's unusual for them to take interest in taking captives on the High Roadin the first place. I sense a cat's paw. We may be able to convince them that a better trade may be made with us. They are honest enough, and value family. That's common ground enough."
"I am no negotiator, but I can at least facilitate some talks. May I...?" Vandeyr gestures to himself then to the lizardfolk.
Paladin - warforged - orange
(Happy Holidays for whatever you celebrate. Let me know if you want to have more discussion about this or if you have actions you'd like to take)
**By the Light of the Sun, you will burn!**
Previously BENEFICENCE
DM: Storm Lord's Wrath || Syr Valor Dayne: Sleeping Gods || tooltips | guides | dice |
I will take this to be assent and approach the lizardfolk, hands in the open. In Draconic, I say:
"Hello there! I need those captives, please. I am prepared to negotiate."
Paladin - warforged - orange
(Let me know if everyone else is trying to hide or is also approaching. If you're hiding, please give me a stealth check, with advantage from the storm).
As Vandeyr approaches, the outer guards, not quite having had time to establish lines of watch or approach seem caught off guard, though they quickly snap to, holding shields and spears in a defensive stance, placing themselves between Vandeyr and the other members of the tribe. The non-warriors of the tribe, for their part, react quickly but without panic, stepping behind the warriors and grabbing hatchlings to prepare to run if need be.
Tor, as an experienced warrior and leader, can tell that the warriors are loosely disciplined. Specifically, they show no fear--or really emotion of any kind--but seem more inclined to fight as individuals rather than as a unit. They also appear somewhat lax according to threats, seemingly counting on their number to protect them from all but the biggest threats, failing to set up lines of scouts and just beginning to set up a perimeter.
The tension rises for a moment, before a voice calls out in draconic. "Hold!" The warrior relax slightly, seeming to pull back from the edge of leaping, but still holding their weapons and shields defensively. The chieftain steps forward to be in line with the warriors, he looks around, looking for any others approaching. "I am Chieftain Hissain of the Sweetwater Biters. Who approaches and seeks trade?"
**By the Light of the Sun, you will burn!**
Previously BENEFICENCE
DM: Storm Lord's Wrath || Syr Valor Dayne: Sleeping Gods || tooltips | guides | dice |
Brother Siegfried consciously changes his cloak of many fashions from a plain garment into the vestments of Chauntea, in earthen tones of green and brown - formal but not overly colorful, hoping that is appreciated by this swampfolk. Then he steps out of the reeds, holy amulet displayed prominently, and moves slowly but purposefully to stand just behind Vandeyr.
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Vandeyr steps forward, continuing in draconic, gesturing to himself and anyone who steps out. "I am Vandeyr of Leilon, and the Swords of Leilon. We came searching for a missing guard patrol. Those you captured."
"Chief Hissain, I believe we can be fair neighbors or bitter enemies. We killed the trolls who killed one of your tribe. Consider that a gift of goodwill."
"I believe there is a child here who deserves this." He holds up the partially finished necklace of alligator teeth and glass beads.
"And a mate who deserves this." He holds up the black scale and moves it to his hand with the necklace.
"But I am not sure the Sweetwater Tribe deserves this. Not while they take our people." He holds out the sword.
Paladin - warforged - orange
The chieftain considers. "You wish to be fair neighbors, but these--" he gestures at the guards "--attacked us. This family--" he gestures towards the family in the other cage, "--attempted to cheat us. We were taking what they owed us, when your guards attacked us."
He makes a gesture that you realize is a lizard equivalent of a shrug. "If you wish to trade for their lives. There is something that could be done. And if you are telling the truth about defeating the trolls then you should be able to accomplish it. We have had to move away from our traditional hunting grounds by these rot trolls. If you can kill enough of them, we could return to our hunting grounds and would not have to trade with these humans in the first place."
**By the Light of the Sun, you will burn!**
Previously BENEFICENCE
DM: Storm Lord's Wrath || Syr Valor Dayne: Sleeping Gods || tooltips | guides | dice |
Vandeyr relays the information to the others what was said.
"Lizardfolk can be odd, but they are not known as deceptive or cheats on the whole. Better to make good neighbors than give friends to our enemies, yeah?"
Paladin - warforged - orange
Rawlings slowly emerges from hiding as Vandeyr talks with the lizardfolk. She eyes all the warriors, making sure no one tries to make the jump on them. Listening to Vandeyr translate their wishes, she groans. Now they were going to have to do the kidnappers bidding? And not only that, they had to fight more of those stinky, disgusting trolls? This was not what she signed up for. But, if she wanted to be part of the Swords of Leilon... she decides to stay quiet and let Tor respond for their group.
Brother Siegfried nods at the news from Vandeyr. While he does not relish facing more of those trolls, their disgusting necrotic nature is the very antithesis of his faith and spirituality. Even if it did not help him rescue these people, his duty to his god would require him to thin the numbers of these abominations.
He looks to Tor, Vandeyr and Rawlings. "I am committed to see this through. And I will bring the full power afforded to me by the Earthmother to smite these foul trolls."
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Tor takes in Vandeyr and Siegfried's thoughts. Rawlings didn't share hers, remaining silent, but the look on her face spoke volumes. He drums his fingers on his thigh, thinking.
"I don't like being beholden, but I don't see that we have a choice. We can't take our people back by ourselves. The next choice is reporting back to the Council. They'll send more troops, and I don't like where that ends one bit.
Van, translate for me?"
Tor steps forward, and faces the chieftain eye to eye.
"We'll do it. Not for you, for our people. But we have questions. Where are your hunting grounds? How many trolls should we expect? Will you send any of your warriors with us? Also, I want to speak with our people."
He waits for Vandeyr to repeat his words in the hissing lizard tongue, and for a response. He watches the chieftain closely, trying to see, as much as possible on the scaly face, what his thoughts might be.
Insight: 15
Assuming we have been here more than a minute, he will also have been spending that time getting to Know Your Enemy. Focusing on the chieftain, I would like to know if his AC and HP are higher/lower/the same as Tor's.
DM - Storm King's Thunder
DM - Torosevia (WIP homebrew world)
Kelytha Meliamne - Matti Silverstorm - Silver - Star-Setting-In-The-East - Tor Baltos
Vandeyr makes a translation for content rather than wording, then makes a questioning gesture before taking a step towards the captives
Paladin - warforged - orange
"The remains of a thin-pink-sweet-skin [human] tower are a half day's travel west and another half day's travel south. Our ancestors lie in a cave at the edge of sight to the west of the tower, beneath the mother tree [an enormous mangrove]. Our hunting grounds spread a day in all directions from the mother tree. The trolls first appeared to the east of our grounds near the base of the broken tower, only one at first, but after killing one, another seemed drawn by its death. They continued to be drawn, until I would not risk our warriors' lives any further. When we left there were at least five of the trolls still alive. Normally trolls do not bother us. They are stupid, but not seeking death. But these... they did not [regenerate] as trolls do, but they were rotten, and killed just by sickness. I can send a guide with you, but I would not risk my tribe by weakening our warriors." Now that you're up close, you can see the chieftain and his people appear tired. Their crests do not rise as stiffly as you've seen among lizardfolk in the past. They are covered in mud and detritus of travel.
The chieftain takes the necklace and black scale from Vandeyr, but looks down at the kukri, "Keep her, at least for now. The Mother will help you if you are helping us. You may speak to the prisoners, so long as you do not attempt to free them until you have completed your bargain."
He turns away and hands the necklace and scale to another lizardfolk--Vandeyr recognizes that the lizardfolk is likely female judging by the fact that she is larger than most of the lizardfolk, but her crest is a simple light green compared to the male's more colorful crests--he whispers some words to her, and she nods at him before placing the items in a bag at her waist, then taking a spear and bone bow from one of the warriors nearby. "This is Vitha. Since you returned her mate's items, she is in your debt. She will take up his mantle and lead you to our hunting grounds." She nods at the party.
**By the Light of the Sun, you will burn!**
Previously BENEFICENCE
DM: Storm Lord's Wrath || Syr Valor Dayne: Sleeping Gods || tooltips | guides | dice |
For Tor,
The chieftain has more hp than you do at present, but not more than your max hp. His AC is lower than yours.
**By the Light of the Sun, you will burn!**
Previously BENEFICENCE
DM: Storm Lord's Wrath || Syr Valor Dayne: Sleeping Gods || tooltips | guides | dice |
Rawlings watches the exchange and worries at the thought of more than 5 of those ugly beasts. Once their guide has been named, she looks the female lizardfolk over, wondering if they will hinder their progress or not.
Insight 8
Vandeyr pauses to talk out loud. "Five... So many. I did not think trolls moved in such number, either. This may be unnatural. Perhaps the patrol or the other captives can fill us in on more details."
Paladin - warforged - orange
(Is this the result of my Insight check or would we have seen that anyway?)
"Let's just hope they aren't sticking together," Tor responds to Vandeyr. "We'll know more once we're there."
He gives the chieftain a casual salute, and returns the nod from Vitha. He then makes his way carefully, watching the surrounding lizardfolk, over to the caged civilian family. He stands at ease, hands clasped behind his back. "Evening all. My name is Tor Baltos. I'm the captain of the Swords of Leilon. I'd like to know exactly what happened here. The chieftain there says they felt cheated in a trade with you fine folk, and tried to take what they were owed. What do you say? And don't lie to me. I'll know."
DM - Storm King's Thunder
DM - Torosevia (WIP homebrew world)
Kelytha Meliamne - Matti Silverstorm - Silver - Star-Setting-In-The-East - Tor Baltos
(That is the result of your Insight)
The family looks tired and soaked through with the rain, but they seem none-the-worse for wear aside from that. As you approach a lizardfolk is handing a pair of large orange fruits and a handful of dried meat through the bars to the family. The male is an Illuskan in his middle years, his brown hair is balding. "Cheated?!" he says, with an indignant tone, "Norbert Ellings never cheated anyone in his life--"
"'Bert," the woman says tiredly, "now's not the time." Her accent and dark brown, almost black hair, marks her as a Chondathan. She turns back to Tor and says, "I think there was a misunderstanding. We were making our way north to Neverwinter, carrying mostly winter fruits," she says with a shrug, holding up the very fruit the lizardfolk had just given them. You recognize the fruit as a minor delicacy that isn't rare, but is somewhat uncommon in Neverwinter, often sold as a feast day treat. "We had stopped for the day, when a dozen lizardfolk seemingly appeared out of nowhere from this swamp. At first we thought they meant to attack us, but they initially just approached and seemed to want to trade. My draconic is not perfect, but I thought they were asking if we had any salt. We had probably a pound or two that we were planning to trade in Neverwinter or along the way, as needed, so we discussed back and forth. They didn't have any gold, so we were working out something to barter--they make jewelry and art that sells very well almost anywhere. We were haggling, and I told them if they didn't like the deal they didn't have to take it, we could sell it to someone else; they seemed greatly offended and started shouting, and before we knew it, there were soldiers--" She raises her chin over at the other cage, "who came to our defense. Unfortunately, there were only four of them and we were captured."
The little girl shakes her head and says, "No mama, that's not what you said."
"What? What do you mean, Nalla?"
"You didn't say, 'if you don't like the deal, we can sell it to someone else' you said, 'if you don't like the deal, we'll just take it.'"
"That's the same thing, Nalla." The woman says.
The little girl shakes her head again, "No mama, you used the wrong possessive and the wrong verb, when you said, 'we'll just take it,' the 'it' meant the tribes' offering, and you used the form of 'take' that means steal. They thought you were going to just try to steal the items if they didn't take the deal."
"What? Well why didn't you say something sooner?!"
The girl lowers her head, "I thought that's what you meant to say. You and papa always tell us to leave you alone and not say anything when you're dealing."
**By the Light of the Sun, you will burn!**
Previously BENEFICENCE
DM: Storm Lord's Wrath || Syr Valor Dayne: Sleeping Gods || tooltips | guides | dice |
Perhaps this little girl should be running their business, Tor muses. "Well, we are where we are. At least now we know what happened. Mistakes were made, and we all have to live with them." He looks at Nalla personally. "You seem a smart kid. Use those language skills while we're gone, try to start a conversation with the lizardfolk. It can't hurt to be on better terms with your captors. They're not bad people. They just live differently to us." With a nod he moves on to the soldiers.
"Alright lads, good to see you. Everyone in one piece? We saw blood on the way here, where you were captured. Who did that belong to?"
DM - Storm King's Thunder
DM - Torosevia (WIP homebrew world)
Kelytha Meliamne - Matti Silverstorm - Silver - Star-Setting-In-The-East - Tor Baltos
None of the soldiers are uninjured, but none of the injuries appear life-threatening. Their wounds are bandaged and appear mostly clean. There's three humans and a dwarf.
They have been watching you approach, as soon as Vandeyr began speaking. "Sir," One of the humans salutes weakly with his sword arm, his other hand hangs limply in a sling across his chest, "I'm Corporal Rather." He tries to force a smile, "I'm afraid most of that blood was ours. We saw these beasts accosting a family on the High Road and attempted to protect them... well, lets just say there were a lot more of them than us."
One of the other humans clears his throat, "We couldn't quite hear what you were saying there talking with them, Sir. Not that any of us speak their tongue anyway. Are you going to be able to get us out of here? I've heard... stories, about how lizardfolk like to eat humans alive."
The dwarf chuckles coldly, "Nonsense, Boren. Don't worry, they'll boil ya' alive, but you'll be dead before they eat ya'."
Corporal Rather makes a motion towards the two, "That's enough!" He turns back to Tor. "What's the plan, Sir?"
**By the Light of the Sun, you will burn!**
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