Jane takes a closer look at the poultice that the kobold seems so proud of (Medicine: 19) before realizing that the rest are continuing to advance further in. Gripping her shield and quarterstaff she follows through the door and to the right side, following Hogshead's lead in being ready to dodge any sudden attacks but willing to give diplomacy a chance.
Jane - you take the gourd from the Kobold's hand, pulling the cork from the top and smelling the thick viscous liquid inside. Taking a bit of it and rubbing it between your fingers you feel the effect flow into you. It's a powerful healing agent, but the smell worries you - it's....off somehow. You suspect that this potion is why Meepo survived with the Dragon for so long - but also may be why he's covered in scars and is smaller and scrawnier than the other Kobolds.
(OOC - Healing potion does 2d4+4 healing but reduces HP total by 1hp every time you use it)
(ooooo the help is a good call, I'll bot Bree and give it to you)
The Hobgoblin brings his sword down in a decisive movement and the archers lower their bows and spearmen stand a bit more at ease. 'You will need to speak with Durrn. You may pass into the throne room if you wish to parlay'
The armored goblins step to the side in a clattering clumsy display, the Hobgobling scowling and knocking them into place. The archers scamper back and open the large double doors at the end of the hallway and the Hobgoblin steps through calling out as he does 'Visitors to see the great and powerful Durrn! Come, and prostrate yourself before him!'
A circular shaft pierces the floor of this forty-foot-diameter domed chamber. Dim violet light shines out of the shaft, revealing sickly white and gray vines that coat the walls of the shaft. The light is supplemented by four lit wall torches set equidistant around the periphery of the chamber.
A crudely fashioned stone throne sits against the curve of the northwestern wall. A large iron chest serves as the throne’s footstool. A sapling grows in a wide stone pot next to the throne.
Sitting in the throne is a massive Hobgoblin, resplendent in an ornate breastplate, a massive greatsword leaning against the throne. Standing near the back of the throne is an older, shrunken goblin in ceremonial robes leaning on a curled staff. Two massive dog-like creatures are curled up and asleep against the far wall.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Hoghead gives Rantel a nudge and whispers, "Good job buddy. We may still have to kill them all but at least we're giving them a chance." He then follows the goblin and approaches the hobgoblin on the throne. "Hi, we've been hired to find two young adventurers. We followed the trail here and somehow got involved in this mess between you and the kobolds. Honestly, I don't care much but it seems that your people took their dragon and they want it back. So, how about we take the dragon home and you and the kobolds just leave each other alone. Also, I'd appreciate it if you could point us in the direction of the two young adventurers. Whatdya say?"
Durrun leans forward and squints at you all, openly sizing you up and deciding just how much of a threat you pose. Satisfied with what he sees he snorts and settles back into his throne, casually tossing a half-eaten leg of something toward the sleeping beasts. As the roasted meat sails through the air, both creatures spring to life - leaping into the air and snatching at the scraps. As they explode from their sleeping positions you can a clearer view of these monstrosities - something like a combination between a rat and a giant dog. Each is 200 pounds or more and covered in a scaly hide with talons and curled fangs. They certainly don't look cuddly.
'The dragon? That scrawny thing wants his dragon back?!?' His words come out in a rush, his voice a high-pitched whine that didn't fit with his size and bulk. 'Pah! You can have it, if you can master it. We have no use for the foul creature, my men took it for the sport of the thing' a dismissive wave of his hand towards the row of armored Goblins who have closed ranks behind you.
'And the others? Well, you are more than welcome to follow them' at that he gestures to the shaft in front of him, a sickly light emitting from up from around the vines that cling to the edge of the shaft 'They went deeper down, seeking to learn and serve the dark master below. They have not returned....'
Leaning forward once more, his hand drifting to the hilt of his Greatsword, his casual manner shifts and you see the fearsome warrior who rules this tribe through fear 'But in my domain, I will do what I will, and that includes slaughtering those scaly lizard lovers to feed my hounds and keep the Dark Master below appeased.'
SUMMARY AND ACTION Ok - persuasion rolls and your performance against the first wave of Goblins gave you enough standing with the leader for a conversation. Seems you have a couple of choices:
- Go get the Dragon with Meepo and return it, earning the support of the Kobolds (presumably to come back and kill the Goblins) - Go down the shaft after the lost Heirs and face this Dark Master - Fight right here and right now and change your choices :)
Or, of course anything else anyone else might want to do
Jane looks around for Meepo. If he came through with them she will move over to be close enough to speak in a low voice. "Do you think you could get it back home on your own? Here, you can take this berry with you. Eating it will help a little if you get bit or scratched on the way back." She takes out her goodberry from before they entered the ruins and hands it to the small person.
To Durrun, "Thanks, that seems completely reasonable. You hear that Meepo? You can get your dragon and take it back. We're going to continue on to pick up the dumb kids we were sent after. Good luck little buddy."
"Just one more thing, Durrun, you mentioned the Dark Master below. Mind telling us a bit more about that?"
Meepo whispers to Jane 'Yes, yes - Caltryx is Meepo's dragon - but Goblins are tricksey. Come, check that there is no trap...'
Duurrn snorts at the beardless dwarf 'He is he who is below, who has harnessed the power of the Guthais Tree to his own will, who even now builds on that power so the walking world above will feel it. Your friends likely serve him now - as will you when you see what he has built.' the hobgoblin gestures at the smaller goblins 'These ones have sent their children to serve him to help in his path'
Jane notices a flicker in the eyes of the shrunken goblin shaman at Duurrn's side at the mention of the Goblin children.
Summary and action
Meepo is sure he can get the Dragon back, he just wants you to make sure the goblins let him get there and leave their area. There is a door to the North that Durrn has indicated when he mentioned the dragon.
Anyone interested give me a DC 15 Insight check for the shaman
"So where is this dragon? Lets see it and send it on its way with the kobald" zerxius speaks suddenly. Head down and hood up not looking at the hobgoblin
He suggests that half the group escorts Meepo and the dragon back to the kobolds' territory while half stays here and waits for them to return. Then the group goes down to investigate the dark master and the missing kids all together.
After trying to puzzle out what the shaman's reaction might mean Jane turns her attention to the chief. "You promise that Meepo here can take the dragon creature all the way back to his clan without any interference from you and yours? And what exactly do you mean, if he can master it?"
Durrn gestures broadly towards a door in the Northeast corner - you hadn't noticed it when you came in because the armored goblins were blocking it. Following his gesture you see the door is heavily and hastily barricaded and barred on this side.
'The dragon is right through there, he's welcome to the thing. It was just a bit of sport to teach those tail-draggers who's in charge here. He's welcome to take the accursed thing back - if it'll listen to him, it tends to eat anything that comes through the door'
Hogshead and Jane see the Shamans face and body language. It's not just the fear you expect inside a goblin clan - the normal pecking order from the large and powerful kicking down on those smaller and weaker - this is different. Her reaction was most extreme when the Hobgoblin mentioned sending the children to help serve the dark master - almost as if the children weren't 'sent' so much as 'taken'.
Meepo is nearly bursting with excitement at the prospect of getting Caltyrx back. He's openly staring at the barricaded door and whispers to Jane 'Stupid brutes, they don't know dragons like Meepo does. Meepo raised Caltyrx, I am the DragonKeeper!'
Summary and Action
Shaft is easy enough to climb down, vines growing up make easy handholds down towards the Dark Masters domain.
The Door to the NE can be quickly unblocked, the armored goblins are ready to make quick work and open it to let you get to the dragon.
"Alright, let's get Meepo his dragon and then we'll go see this dark master fellow. Maybe those kids are down there or we can follow their trail some more."
Meepo scurries over towards the barricaded door, scowling at he armored goblins as he does. He struggles to lift the heavy oaken beams barricading the door in place, but with a little help from the Hobgoblin and the rest of the party he manages to get the doorway cleared and places his hand on the door, looking back over his shoulder at the rest of you....
He pushes open the door and you see - well, nothing really. The room beyond is a trophy room of some sort, dimly lit from a single flicker torch mounted on the wall.
Mounted and stuffed animal heads adorn the walls. The mounting job is sloppy, and the assortment of heads includes cattle, rats, and other not particularly impressive specimens. A few grisly trophies share the wall with the animals, including a couple of kobold heads. Smashed and broken cabinets and small tables litter the periphery of the room, mute victims of some sort of rampage. A rusted iron spike stands in the center of the room, trailing a broken chain. Thin patches of frost coat sections of the walls, floor, and debris.
SUMMARY AND ACTION
The door is open and Meepo is standing at the threshold, peering into the darkened room.
Where are you all and what - if anything - would you like to prepare?
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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Jane takes a closer look at the poultice that the kobold seems so proud of (Medicine: 19) before realizing that the rest are continuing to advance further in. Gripping her shield and quarterstaff she follows through the door and to the right side, following Hogshead's lead in being ready to dodge any sudden attacks but willing to give diplomacy a chance.
Rantel give me a persuasion check
Jane - you take the gourd from the Kobold's hand, pulling the cork from the top and smelling the thick viscous liquid inside. Taking a bit of it and rubbing it between your fingers you feel the effect flow into you. It's a powerful healing agent, but the smell worries you - it's....off somehow. You suspect that this potion is why Meepo survived with the Dragon for so long - but also may be why he's covered in scars and is smaller and scrawnier than the other Kobolds.
(OOC - Healing potion does 2d4+4 healing but reduces HP total by 1hp every time you use it)
Rantel persuasion: 19 (in case anyone who hasn't had a chance to post wanted to help, here's an advantage roll: 10)
(ooooo the help is a good call, I'll bot Bree and give it to you)
The Hobgoblin brings his sword down in a decisive movement and the archers lower their bows and spearmen stand a bit more at ease. 'You will need to speak with Durrn. You may pass into the throne room if you wish to parlay'
The armored goblins step to the side in a clattering clumsy display, the Hobgobling scowling and knocking them into place. The archers scamper back and open the large double doors at the end of the hallway and the Hobgoblin steps through calling out as he does 'Visitors to see the great and powerful Durrn! Come, and prostrate yourself before him!'
A circular shaft pierces the floor of this forty-foot-diameter domed chamber. Dim violet light shines out of the shaft, revealing sickly white and gray vines that coat the walls of the shaft. The light is supplemented by four lit wall torches set equidistant around the periphery of the chamber.
A crudely fashioned stone throne sits against the curve of the northwestern wall. A large iron chest serves as the throne’s footstool. A sapling grows in a wide stone pot next to the throne.
Sitting in the throne is a massive Hobgoblin, resplendent in an ornate breastplate, a massive greatsword leaning against the throne. Standing near the back of the throne is an older, shrunken goblin in ceremonial robes leaning on a curled staff. Two massive dog-like creatures are curled up and asleep against the far wall.
Zerxius follows staying towards the back of the group
Laissez les bons temps rouler
Hoghead gives Rantel a nudge and whispers, "Good job buddy. We may still have to kill them all but at least we're giving them a chance." He then follows the goblin and approaches the hobgoblin on the throne. "Hi, we've been hired to find two young adventurers. We followed the trail here and somehow got involved in this mess between you and the kobolds. Honestly, I don't care much but it seems that your people took their dragon and they want it back. So, how about we take the dragon home and you and the kobolds just leave each other alone. Also, I'd appreciate it if you could point us in the direction of the two young adventurers. Whatdya say?"
Persuasion with help 19
Hogshead - reroll with advantage from one of your friends ;)
Persuasion 16
Durrun leans forward and squints at you all, openly sizing you up and deciding just how much of a threat you pose. Satisfied with what he sees he snorts and settles back into his throne, casually tossing a half-eaten leg of something toward the sleeping beasts. As the roasted meat sails through the air, both creatures spring to life - leaping into the air and snatching at the scraps. As they explode from their sleeping positions you can a clearer view of these monstrosities - something like a combination between a rat and a giant dog. Each is 200 pounds or more and covered in a scaly hide with talons and curled fangs. They certainly don't look cuddly.
'The dragon? That scrawny thing wants his dragon back?!?' His words come out in a rush, his voice a high-pitched whine that didn't fit with his size and bulk. 'Pah! You can have it, if you can master it. We have no use for the foul creature, my men took it for the sport of the thing' a dismissive wave of his hand towards the row of armored Goblins who have closed ranks behind you.
'And the others? Well, you are more than welcome to follow them' at that he gestures to the shaft in front of him, a sickly light emitting from up from around the vines that cling to the edge of the shaft 'They went deeper down, seeking to learn and serve the dark master below. They have not returned....'
Leaning forward once more, his hand drifting to the hilt of his Greatsword, his casual manner shifts and you see the fearsome warrior who rules this tribe through fear 'But in my domain, I will do what I will, and that includes slaughtering those scaly lizard lovers to feed my hounds and keep the Dark Master below appeased.'
SUMMARY AND ACTION
Ok - persuasion rolls and your performance against the first wave of Goblins gave you enough standing with the leader for a conversation. Seems you have a couple of choices:
- Go get the Dragon with Meepo and return it, earning the support of the Kobolds (presumably to come back and kill the Goblins)
- Go down the shaft after the lost Heirs and face this Dark Master
- Fight right here and right now and change your choices :)
Or, of course anything else anyone else might want to do
Jane looks around for Meepo. If he came through with them she will move over to be close enough to speak in a low voice. "Do you think you could get it back home on your own? Here, you can take this berry with you. Eating it will help a little if you get bit or scratched on the way back." She takes out her goodberry from before they entered the ruins and hands it to the small person.
To Durrun, "Thanks, that seems completely reasonable. You hear that Meepo? You can get your dragon and take it back. We're going to continue on to pick up the dumb kids we were sent after. Good luck little buddy."
"Just one more thing, Durrun, you mentioned the Dark Master below. Mind telling us a bit more about that?"
Meepo whispers to Jane 'Yes, yes - Caltryx is Meepo's dragon - but Goblins are tricksey. Come, check that there is no trap...'
Duurrn snorts at the beardless dwarf 'He is he who is below, who has harnessed the power of the Guthais Tree to his own will, who even now builds on that power so the walking world above will feel it. Your friends likely serve him now - as will you when you see what he has built.' the hobgoblin gestures at the smaller goblins 'These ones have sent their children to serve him to help in his path'
Jane notices a flicker in the eyes of the shrunken goblin shaman at Duurrn's side at the mention of the Goblin children.
Summary and action
Meepo is sure he can get the Dragon back, he just wants you to make sure the goblins let him get there and leave their area. There is a door to the North that Durrn has indicated when he mentioned the dragon.
Anyone interested give me a DC 15 Insight check for the shaman
"So where is this dragon? Lets see it and send it on its way with the kobald" zerxius speaks suddenly. Head down and hood up not looking at the hobgoblin
Laissez les bons temps rouler
Rantel's got eyes on the shaman. Insight: 8
He suggests that half the group escorts Meepo and the dragon back to the kobolds' territory while half stays here and waits for them to return. Then the group goes down to investigate the dark master and the missing kids all together.
Insight 15
Insight: 18
After trying to puzzle out what the shaman's reaction might mean Jane turns her attention to the chief. "You promise that Meepo here can take the dragon creature all the way back to his clan without any interference from you and yours? And what exactly do you mean, if he can master it?"
Durrn gestures broadly towards a door in the Northeast corner - you hadn't noticed it when you came in because the armored goblins were blocking it. Following his gesture you see the door is heavily and hastily barricaded and barred on this side.
'The dragon is right through there, he's welcome to the thing. It was just a bit of sport to teach those tail-draggers who's in charge here. He's welcome to take the accursed thing back - if it'll listen to him, it tends to eat anything that comes through the door'
Hogshead and Jane see the Shamans face and body language. It's not just the fear you expect inside a goblin clan - the normal pecking order from the large and powerful kicking down on those smaller and weaker - this is different. Her reaction was most extreme when the Hobgoblin mentioned sending the children to help serve the dark master - almost as if the children weren't 'sent' so much as 'taken'.
Meepo is nearly bursting with excitement at the prospect of getting Caltyrx back. He's openly staring at the barricaded door and whispers to Jane 'Stupid brutes, they don't know dragons like Meepo does. Meepo raised Caltyrx, I am the DragonKeeper!'
Summary and Action
Shaft is easy enough to climb down, vines growing up make easy handholds down towards the Dark Masters domain.
The Door to the NE can be quickly unblocked, the armored goblins are ready to make quick work and open it to let you get to the dragon.
"Alright, let's get Meepo his dragon and then we'll go see this dark master fellow. Maybe those kids are down there or we can follow their trail some more."
"Well go get your "pet" little one"
Laissez les bons temps rouler
Meepo scurries over towards the barricaded door, scowling at he armored goblins as he does. He struggles to lift the heavy oaken beams barricading the door in place, but with a little help from the Hobgoblin and the rest of the party he manages to get the doorway cleared and places his hand on the door, looking back over his shoulder at the rest of you....
He pushes open the door and you see - well, nothing really. The room beyond is a trophy room of some sort, dimly lit from a single flicker torch mounted on the wall.
Mounted and stuffed animal heads adorn the walls. The mounting job is sloppy, and the assortment of heads includes cattle, rats, and other not particularly impressive specimens. A few grisly trophies share the wall with the animals, including a couple of kobold heads. Smashed and broken cabinets and small tables litter the periphery of the room, mute victims of some sort of rampage. A rusted iron spike stands in the center of the room, trailing a broken chain. Thin patches of frost coat sections of the walls, floor, and debris.
SUMMARY AND ACTION
The door is open and Meepo is standing at the threshold, peering into the darkened room.
Where are you all and what - if anything - would you like to prepare?