@Neya: This lizardfolk has a peculiar scar on its maw. It makes it look like he has a wider smile than permitted by his mouth, and only on one side. You also notice that the creature is grunting a bit. You suspect it won't be long before it awakes on its own.

Denae listens to Utar's suggestions and asks: "I am glad to see you are back to being yourself again, but shouldn't we gather some intel from our prisoner before departing? Or are you suggesting we have recruited a new guide?"

With both Doozey's and Biscuit's ears still ringing from the climatic announcement of the approaching dawn, neither are in much a mood at first to chime in or do anything that didn't involve futilly pawing at the ears or grumbling for a while. But some words had managed to bleed through apparently, as the stoutling eventually looked to Danea with a pained but half-amused grin. "It'll be easier said than done depending on their loyalty, but that'll be on the list of options. First though, we need to see if we can get answers out of'em in general."

Doozey shoots the lizardfolk a glance, and after a bit of studying the lizardfolk, huffs through his nose before fishing out some jerky for him and biscuit to chew on for breakfast. "I tried a bit of draconic during the fight, just as a reminder. But either the dialect I used is a bit too thick for them to understand, they weren't in much a mood ot listen, or they flat didn't understand. So, be prepared to try out other tongues once our friend here rouses... which shouldn't be too long by the looks of it. So on yer guards." On that particular note, Doozey exchanges a look to Biscuit, before the beast lets out a rumbling whine as he headed over to stand behind the lizardfolk, readying to pin him down should there be an immediate attempt to flee.

Utar shrugs in response to Danae's line of questioning. "Depends on what the group decides to do. I'd wager that just asking it what is going on isn't likely to work, although I might have something that can help with that.  I've also got something up my sleeve in case any kind of discussion is out of the question regardless of language but we can come to that as and when it is needed. Oop, looks like we're going to start..."

Following Doozey/Biscuit's lead, Utar positions himself close to the lizardperson and slightly off to one side trying to close off likely options to flee.

Denae nods along with Doozey and Utar and practices a few words in a mystical language, just in case in comes in handy. Doozey recognizes it as Sylvan.

Getting some caveats out in the open, CRAP prepares for the imminent awaking of their prisoner. It takes a bit longer than expected, but the camp can be tidied up and partially packed in the meantime. Eventually, though, the humanoid lizard awakes. He struggles noisily against his bindings, chafing the bark of the tree to which he is attached. His maw snaps toward Neya and then Utar, the first two captors the creature notices. No grunts resemble fully formed words so far, but all aside from Denae pick up on random syllables among the groans that resemble Draconic.

Now that you have a better look at the creature, you surmise he is no standard scout. More robust in physique than the lizardfolk you fought when facing Rythnax, this specimen wears scales not of their own. His armor is made to blend naturally with his own body, but you can now see that he wears the hide of another animal, which has been reinforced with metal in some parts. 

Soon, the prisoner tires himself enough to reduce the frequency and volume of his defiant grunts. He looks at the group with uncertainty in his reptilian eyes.

Despite the urgency of their mission still felt in the bones, Doozey stood by quietly in as much of a relaxed squat, waiting for the lizardfolk to eventually tire himself out. In the meantime, as he trusted between the rest of the party and Biscuit could easily overpower the lizardfolk, he would endeavor to search his own memories for anything on lizardfolks -- their habits, wants, needs, etc -- that might've come about from his varied training as a hunter of both the supernatural and more mundane threats in the world.

-General Intelligence: 14.
(Not sure if this would be a nature, history, or some other skill, so made a general intelligence check for now. But feel free to include proficiency bonus if applicable.)

Returning from reverie as movement began to slow, Doozey fought down the urge to smile, and instead said in a calm and precise manner in [draconic], "You may call me Redrum. Answer our questions honestly, and freedom may be yours again. But if ya fail to do so, well... things may get far more unpleasant for both you. Understand?" He asks, and upon recieving a favorable answer at least on that point, then continues, "What is your name? And what is your tribe called? And why did you try to capture us?"

(OOC: If a persuasion check is needed, see spoiler. Otherwise feel free to ignore it.)

(@Doozey: Let's call it a nature check for a 26.)

Doozey recalls much about the lizardpeople from his hunter training:

He was taught that lizardfolk are primitive reptilian humanoids that lurk in the swamps and jungles of the world. Their hut villages thrive in forbidding grottos, half-sunken ruins, and watery caverns. Lizardfolk deal and trade with other races only rarely. Fiercely territorial, they use camouflaged scouts to guard the perimeter of their domain. When unwelcome visitors are detected, a tribe sends a hunting band to harass or drive the trespassers off, or tricks them into blundering into the lairs of crocodiles and other dangerous creatures.

Lizardfolk have no notion of traditional morality, and they find the concepts of good and evil utterly alien. Truly neutral creatures, they kill when it is expedient and do whatever it takes to survive. They rarely stray beyond their claimed hunting grounds, so their observed behavior here along the Trank River seems strange and suspicious. Any creature that enters their territory is fair game to be stalked, killed, and devoured: they make no distinction between humanoids, beasts, and monsters. Occasions might arise when lizardfolk will form alliances with their neighbors. Doozey has seen one or two lizardpeople who have learnt that humans, dwarves, halflings, and elves can sometimes prove helpful or trustworthy. These lizardfolk went on to forge ties with their outsider friends and become steadfast and fierce allies.

Lizardfolk are omnivorous, but they have a taste for humanoid flesh. Prisoners are often taken back to their camps to become the centerpieces of great feasts and rites involving dancing, storytelling, and ritual combat. Victims are either cooked and eaten by the tribe, or are sacrificed to Semuanya, the lizardfolk god.Though they aren't skilled artisans, lizardfolk craft tools and ornamental jewelry out of the bones of their kills, and they use the hides and shells of dead monsters to create shields. The lizardpeople respect and fear magic with a religious awe. Lizardfolk shamans lead their tribes, overseeing rites and ceremonies performed to honor Semuanya. From time to time, however, a lizardfolk tribe produces a powerful figure touched not by Semuanya but by Sess'inek-a reptilian demon lord who seeks to corrupt and control the lizardfolk. Lizardfolk born in Sess'inek's image are larger and more cunning than other lizardfolk, and are thoroughly evil. These lizard kings and queens dominate lizardfolk tribes, usurping a shaman's authority and inspiring uncharacteristic aggression among their subjects. Still on the topic of worship, lizardfolk speak Draconic, albeit in broken form in many cases, which they are thought to have learned from dragons in ancient times. A tribe that wanders into the territory of a dragon will offer it tribute to win its favor. An evil dragon might exploit lizardfolk for its own vile ends, turning them into raiders and plunderers.

The Lizardman captive has spent all his energy in the initial display of defiance. By the time Doozey explains how the questioning is going to go and follows up with direct questions, the creature has already recognized that he is defeated (persuasion roll indeed used.)

In slow, broken Draconic, he begins answering: "I am Bruuxl, of the Dusk-Dusk Clan. Clan leaders ordered kidnap to please Throstulgrael and become king of Twilight Marsh clans." Feeling he has answered all posed questions as succinctly as he can, Bruuxl pauses and looks at his captives in anticipation of what comes next.

Neya is unfamiliar with the name. It brings up a number of questions that lead her to quick conclusions. But, she knew such assumptions wouldn't help. 

In an effort confirm or debunk her suspicions, she asks, "Who is Throstulgrael? Why does gaining their favor uplift a clan leader to king?"

Utar tries to follow up Doozey's line of questioning with Bruuxl, in draconic he asks, "Did Clan Dusk-Dusk serve Rythnax before?"

(OOC - My post assumes that Neya's question is in common and to the party, rather than to Bruuxl, if I have the wrong end of the stick, then Utar waits his turn and asks after her.)

Doozey's eyes actually widen for a moment at the mention of 'king', before his gaze hardens as he clenched his jaws. Before he can do anything rash however, the stoutling takes a breath to calm his nerves and opts to keep his own council. For the moment, at least. Once Bruuxl finished giving his answers (or lackthereof), Doozey steps again and asks, "Are the captives still alive? And if so, for how much longer? And... do you know of others besides the Lizardfolk clans involved with Throstulgrael?"

 "Great Lizard," is the answer Neya receives. "King rules with Great Lizard permission."

Turning to Utar, Bruuxl snarls: "Rythnax weakling!" 

"Alive, yes, until return feast." That is the short answer given to Doozey. Bruuxl does not seem to have an answer to the halfling's other question.

Bruuxl then resumes his expectant silence. You'd guess that this is not the lizardman's first time being a prisoner.

A lump forms in Utar's throat as the next question comes tumbling out without much further thought; "When is the return feast?"

 Biscuit gives Bruuxl a warning growl for snarling at Utar. But with a raised hand from Doozey, he grudgingly settles down again. The stoutling then canted his head to the side and asks, "... You've been a prisoner before, or something like that, yes? By who or what aside from us?" He pauses for an answer(or lacktherof in the moment), before continuing on, "Hmm... And, uh... where is return feast to be held?"

A couple of questions nag at Neya, and she's compelled to ask, "You said 'clan leaders.' Does that mean your clan has more than one leader? Or does it mean that other clans are involved?"

"When Throstulgrael returns," Bruuxl tells Utar, before flinching in reaction to Biscuit's growl.

Neya's question is next. "Other clans. Rootwater. Muckmarsh. Dusk-Dusk."

Turning his attention to Doozey, Bruuxl answers his first question: "By Rootwater clan. Escaped." A moment later, in response to the next question, the lizardrman points south. "In the marsh. I take you, yes?"  

Utar looks back to the others, and, speaking common instead of draconic, offers "This was much easier than I thought it would be... Kind of feels like a trap though, right? Bruuxl brings back the four adventurers that four of their number couldn't. More meat for the feast."

 "Well, the thing is, from what I know of lizardfolk-..." Doozey proceeds to deliver a far more truncated version of his knowledge on about Lizardfolks and their culture over the next couple of minutes. But if pressed for more specifics, he'd spare Bruuxl an almost apologetic look before filling in the more grim details upon request.

"So, not entirely impossible, especially given he knows the terrain far better than we do." He continues in common. "And trust me again when I say that there are plenty of dangers aside from the 'folk they can lead us to out here. But on the bright side, aside from the possible dragon and merged clans, it doesn't sound as if they are being directly aided by kobolds, humans, or others that might've led to, uhm... different sort of challenges."

Doozey then turns on Bruuxl and initially apologies for the wait, and assures him that both the matter of his freedom would come after guiding them. But before then, he had a few more questions...

"What's with the drumming throughout the night? What does it mean? And this, uh... Great Lizard Throstulgrael, uhm... what's the color of his scales? And how big would you say he or she is?" At this point, though he'd keep up the appearance of a sympathetic yet somewhat stern warden, Doozey is watching Bruuxl very closely going forward, trying to detect any hints of deception. Not that -- apart from survival tactics -- he'd honestly expected any real deception from the primal folk. But given the strangeness of their recent activities, one couldn't be too careful.

-Insight: 19.

Bruuxl stares at Utar as the half-orc switches to common. It is clear the lizardman does not understand a word of it. Denae, on the other hand, can finaly participate again: "What? He offered to lead us to the prisoners? If so, I agree with Utar here. I don't like the stink of it."

When Doozey delivers his opinion, Denae replies once more: "Knowledgeable, you are, about these creatures. Are you saying that we should accept his offer despite being almost certain that swampy dangers will certainly find us?"

By then, the conversation has turned to Draconic once more. It is Bruuxl's time to talk. He is as brief as ever: "Drums guide raids. Great Lizard... I not see never. But will return. For the Feast." The disappointment in Bruuxl's eyes seems genuine to Doozey. It seems this particular lizardman has not laid eye on Throstulgrael.

 Doozey starts to answer Denae, but seeing an opportunity in Bruuxl's words, the stoutling opts to strike while the iron is hot. "Do not look so disappointed, Bruuxl. For if you guide us well when it is time, making sure we reach we're we want to go alive and well, then... maybe we can help Bruuxl and his clan gain great favor from Great Lizard. Think about it." He suggest in draconic to the lizardfolk.

Afterwards, he turns to Denae and finally answers, "What I mean to say is that with the right motivations, which we can work on, we can convince him away from the usual and more troublesome tactics. Making it so that -- at worse -- whatever betrayal might come about will at least be in a form in which we live in the end, as we'd make for better sacrifices to their Dragon, rather than shooed away or left to die to some random danger of the marsh."

"I don't know... He might be genuine, but he also might be saying anything just to survive this situation." Neya says in common as she studies the prisoner's expressions and body language.

"He knows the swamp much better than we do, which also means he has the potential to lead us to any hidden trap that may exists between here and there."

Insight: 11

"From the sounds of it, those folk might not have all that long or have another couple of tendays, best to see about a rescue sooner rather than later.  Bruuxl is our best chance of finding them, and, if we know it might be a trap, is it even a trap?"