Ciaran says nothing will Solvail adresses the goblins, glaive resting on his shoulder and an expression on his face indicating that he'll stay put for now, but will not doubt to swing the weapon at them if they show any kind of ill intention.

"We will not harm you, now explain who you are and why are your men stealing the dwarven iron ingots." asks Calid

Silvie keeps her bow aimed at the figure on the wagon for longer than the others, but eventually she lowers it. Not taking her eyes off the goblins, she slowly makes her way to Oona.

"You alright?" asks Silvie once next to her. Silvie's eyes remain on the goblins, ready to shoot if anything happens. "You took a bit of a fall there."

"Look, long-shanks, that dwarf was torn apart when we found 'im! And the sled was just sittin' there, no good to no one 'cept for takin' up space! We just nicked it and were taking it back to our fort, that's all. Times is hard, what with this bloody winter an' all! Not just the Ten-Towns that're struggling. We were hunting for food, supplies, treasure, things like that. Supplies is important, ya know?" The boss crows with a shrug.

The unconscious goblins start to slowly come around, groaning and holding their heads in pain. They don't make any attempts to harm you, they're too disoriented. The goblin boss sighs. "Oh, you didn't kill 'em? That's surprisin'. Thought ya did 'em in. More mouths to feed, then. Great. Come on, ya todgers, get back over 'ere! That iron ain't worth dyin' for."

Perception/Insight DC 12:

 Orixian watches the goblins start to meander away, and he grimaces. He stows his axe and drops his pack, pulling out the ten rations he carried. He approached the goblin wagon, lifting the food and waving to get the leader's attention. "It's not much, but I can spare this. Would it not be easier to trade with the Ten-Towns for food? I'm sure we can find a way to support one another in these hard times."

Unburdened tries to recall any rumors or reports of the Ten Towns' views on goblins

History: 16

Quote from VioletLexy >>

Silvie keeps her bow aimed at the figure on the wagon for longer than the others, but eventually she lowers it. Not taking her eyes off the goblins, she slowly makes her way to Oona.

"You alright?" asks Silvie once next to her. Silvie's eyes remain on the goblins, ready to shoot if anything happens. "You took a bit of a fall there."

"Y-Yes, I'm okay," Oona mumbled, her voice tense. She clenched her fists at her sides, her knuckles whitening as she fought to maintain composure. Her eyes darted away from Silvie's concerned gaze, focusing on an inconspicuous spot on the ground. "I, I, I can handle myself, thank you." Her words trembled, a hint of vulnerability escaping through her defenses. After a brief pause, she added softly, "Um... well... thankfully I don't think any of us got hurt... Doesn't seem like we should bother with these goblins, cause I'm sure that monster would have eaten them alive... right?"

Unburdened: 

 Orixian: The goblin leader blinks in surprise. "What, is this some kind of joke, longshanks? Ya really givin' up all that food?" She asks with a laugh, but then she takes a closer look at your face. "Ya... ya mean it? Ya'd give all that to us? Why?"

The gaggle of cold, hungry, and wounded goblins surround Orixian. They look mesmerized by the bag full of rations, licking their lips. The leader warily comes down from the upper level of the wagon and parts the small crowd to get to Orixian.

"The Ten-Towners don't like us, and we don't like the Ten-Towners. They always go back on deals they make with us! But... if ya think they might change their tune 'cause of the endless winter, then maybe we can try again. I'll run it by Chief Yarb-Gnock, I will!"

"This everlasting rime has been hard for everyone. Though a mutually beneficial trade deal would surely benefit everyone. All we can do is speak to the town official. Is there a way to find you if there is a possible deal. Where do you live?" says Calid now more relaxed as combat has ended and their leader seem amenable. 

 Orixian smiles warmly, despite the nipping chill. "Not a joke. I mean it. I can get myself more food. Or work for it. You are in greater need than I. And I understand that bad blood can be an obstacle. Talk to your chief, then send for me. I will vouch for you if you can abide by a pact: Neither your tribe nor the Ten-Towners shall steal from one another, and neither will attack the other. I can talk to them and see if there is an agreement to be made. Maybe a trade of firewood, or a mineral you all have easy access to that the towns need, in exchange for food and safe passage. My name is Orixian Liadon. I move between the towns to help with jobs, but you can leave word at the Northlook Tavern in Bryn Shander. Also, would you all know of any dangerous beasts in the area? Like a ..." Orixian glances back at Silvie to get a nod he's saying the right thing, "... yeti, perhaps?"

((Persuasion 11. Second roll in case of advantage of was a Nat 1. Orixian is earnest but awkward.))

Silvie watches Oona, head titled. "Sure you can. Never said otherwise," she replies confused. Then the last question registers in her mind and her demeanor sombers. "Yeah... they wouldn't be here if they came across what killed Oobock."

She watches Oxirian and Calid speak with the goblins and their leader, her eyes lingering on the one who still has her arrow in his thigh. By the time Oxirian is glancing at her, Silvie is already approaching, arrow back in her quiver and two of her own rations in her hand. She tosses the rations next to Orixian's before replying. "Yeah, a yeti is probably what killed the dwarf." She glances at leader, "Which means that you should probably avoid that place if you can, from now on."

Then Silvie looks up at the sky, trying to estimate how long until nightfall.

Following Orixian and Silvie's example, Ciaran too adds a couple of his rations to the growing pile. While he doesn't fully trust these goblins, he's not completely inmune to the obvious signs of hunger they are showing. And if the paladin is able to pull off this deal, it will alleviate the Ten Town's already difficult situation. 

- Would you help us carry the sled back to Bryn Shander? At least part of the way, if you don't want to get too close to town - the half-elf asks the goblin leader. Though the group would probably be able to carry it themselves, this would certainly ease the way back. - This would make you look good in the eyes of the town's people, and help struck the deal Oirxian has initiated.

(Persuasion: 19)

"Deals don't tend to last when neither side don't trust each other. From what I've heard that, is exactly the case once every 10 years, give or take. Goblins and those in charge of the Ten Towns make a treaty. Sooner or later, someone breaks it," Unburdened chimes in.

The goblin boss shifts a little nervously at Orixian's call for a pact. "Ah, I would, but that's the Chief's call. My band won't hurt or steal or nothin', but we can't say the same for all our kin. But if we get the Chief to say, 'No hurtin' or stealin' from the Ten-Towns,' then all us goblins will listen, right you grubs?" She asks the other goblins, who yap and nod affirmatively. "My name is Izobai One-Ear! And we know about yetis, big nasty brutes! With claws! Big claws! And teeth! Bad news, bad news. We steer clear if we can. Not goin' near the mountain again, that's for sure," She says, waving off in the direction of Kelvin's Cairn.

Izobai shifts her attention to Ciaran, considering his words. "Hm... it could be helpful, leave good impression. We scratch their backs, they scratch ours? Fine. Alright, you maggots, back to the sled! Help the longshanks pull back to the town! You longshanks will help us if things get hairy at the town, yes? Vouch for us, say we helped? Tell dwarves we got their iron back friendly-like?"

- We'll put in a good word for you, right guys? - Ciaran answers, looking at Orixian and the rest - When we are near the town let us go ahead first to warn the dwarves, so they don't get nervous. And ... thank you. We appreciate the gesture.

"Alright let's go back to the fallen dwarf on our way back to town. He should be brought with use so the dwarves can give him a proper burial." says Calid. She then starts moving back the way she came. 

"Should we help move the sled, as well? That way, it will make seem less like we are working from a position above them," Unburdened says. 

Orixian smiles at the possibility of progress being made and nods enthusiastically to back up Ciaran's claim of vouching for Izobai and her crew. He happily gets a loop of rope around him, ready to pull the sled alongside the goblins.

"Y-You do that..." Oona stays clear of pushing the sled, her nose red from the cold. "I... I'll just watch. I'm not all that strong... I'll... keep an eye out or something."

Ciaran too grabs a rope and helps pulling, placing himself next to Orixian. He then says to the paladin:

- I would never had imagined this outcome. You had a good idea with your proposal back there. Let's hope it turns out well.

The fighter displays the beginning of a smile. It was good to have some kind of objective in mind that could distract him from the bitter ruminations he had subjected himself to for the last couple of months.