Agreed, and by the looks of the cage and size of this little guy, the dragon can't be very old. Maybe we can find the kids or at least learn of their fate, return to town and report what we've found. Wasn't there something said about goblins and magical apples back in town?

In a hushed voice, Portia will add "I think we should agree to help find the dragon for now. Even if we then determine we can't bring it back for our own safety, we won't be attacked by these guys while looking for it. We will just have to watch our for the goblins"

Then to Meepo "If we agree to help, how will all your kind know that we are helping you? We don't want to be attacked becuase they assume we are helping the mean goblins" 

Sound logic Lady Portia, keep your friends close and your enemies closer they say.

Meepo looks at PORTIA, “Yusdrayl willz anser quezshens.  Comez….folloz Meepo.”  (Assuming the party follows Meepo.)

Meepo will head down the open corridor, as he moves and comes upon others of his kind, he calls out, “Ticklecorn!   Ticklecorn!.”  He turns right and then left into a long, large hall with a double row or relief-carved marble columns.  The worn carvings depict dragons.  Meepo continues to utter the word, “Ticklecorn, “as he moves down the double row of columns and approaches a short throne that stands near the west wall, constructed of fallen bits of masonry stacked against an old altar. On the top of the altar sit a variety of small items. The portion of the altar that serves as the throne’s back features a carving of a rearing dragon. A metallic key is held firmly in the dragon’s open jaws.  A small reptilian humanoid in white robes sits upon the short throne.  

Meepo and the sitter on the throne has words with each other in Draconic.  Then Meepo announces, "Thiz iz Yusdrayl. Ze leada ofz ourz clanz."

"Whize are you here top-siders?" The one on the throne ask.

(Map updated.  Arrows show the path to Yusdrayl.)

Looks at Glynt and nods for him to take the lead here, then to Yusdrayl, bows my head slightly and takes a half step back. While Glynt talks with him I survey the room, make note of other kobolds, exits, other items of note - percep roll 19+4=23

RAGDOR will note some of the reptilian humanoids are more like soldiers (full body orange tokens), and others less so (face tokens in gray).  The way in is the sure way out.  No telling where the many doors go.  He will notice the key (see image below map).  The pattern looks like it may be the key to the previous door the party was not able to open.  PORTIA may be able to confirm.

Before we go Does Meepoo know what was in the keg in the water dragon room?

Glynt will motion for the others to show signs of respect so as to not threaten them (and hopefully gain advantage) and he will bow reverntly, speaking to the Kobold on the Throne

"Oh Great Yusdrayl - Meepo has told us of the great crime performed by the Nasty Goblins - they're horrible folk and have taken something they have no claim to.  We are here for other reasons, as we are simply searching for two of our kind who went missing a few months ago and their family are worried about them and want them home - as you would like Calcryx, your dragon home too.  If you might help us in our mission, we might be able to help you in yours?"

Persuasion (take only first roll if I don't have advantage) - 11

(Meepo knows nothing about the iron keg.  He didn't even know there was an iron keg in the room.  The water dragon door was locked and none from his clan was able to enter through the door.  They have a key, but it is not to that room.)

Yusdrayl will stand and approach GLYNT.  Seeing eye-to-eye you sense what could be seen as a smile from this equal in stature reptilian humanoid, "Yez, we may be able to help each other.  Two humans more like him," she points up to XANTH.  "They came through here some time ago.  They went to fight the nasty goblins.  They never returned.  We don't know what happened to them."

"They went to fight the Goblins, I wonder why they did that?"  

"They were looking to find the cause of something they called a "Twig Blight" but the locals didn't really describe it to us in much more details than that.  What they did tell us is that this Blight that has been Killing Cattle around their homes for the last few months, it's been an issue for years but it's been getting worse recently - that's why they came here to see if they could get to the bottom of it.  Do you know anything around that?"

Yusdrayl shrugs at GLYNT when he wonders why the earlier humans would fight Goblins, "...cause they nasty Goblins?"

When GLYNT mentions the Twig Blight, “The twig blights are pets of the Outcast. They are more numerous below, in the Twilight Grove.”

"Who's the Outcast?  If the nasty Goblins don't have the humans we are looking for we might have to go see them, especially if the Blights are his pets as they are causing a lot of trouble upside.  ... and can you tell us what you know about the Twig Blights?  What are they?"

Xanth watches their body langue trying to see if there lying or holding back.

19

insight check

XANTH does not detect any deception from Yusdrayl or Meepo for that matter.

Yusdrayl will say, “The Outcast, he lives below. He grows the fruit, which he gives to the goblins. The dragon-thieving goblins are his servants!”

She thinks about it for a moment, and then responds to GLYNT, "We can only guess that The Outcast harvest the Twig Blights in the Twilight Grove.  We have not seen the Grove, but we have been told about it from captive Goblins."

 Xanth tries to gather the party and whispers "Should we try, and rest here then set out after these goblins we not find a better place?"

I'll quietly reply "Do we need a rest?  I feel a lot better after I took a short rest earlier, not 100% but not terrible.  They may be willing to have us help them and give us safe passage for now, but I fear if we fell asleep around them they might get other ideas in their heads while our guard is down."

Portia will examine the key from a distance, as well as keeping an eye behind them in case this turned out to be a trap. She wants to make sure the room doesn't fill with soldiers. (Investigation, 12 and perception 22)

PORTIA will guess that the key may be a fit for the lock at the door she previously was unable to pick.  As to the reptilian humanoids, they seem more curious than hostile, nor do they seem to be massing for an attack.  (BTW-I know you players know that these are Kobolds, it is likely, but maybe not certain, whether your characters know.  Goblins are more common and venture out to deal with people like at Oakhurst. So your players are familiar with Goblins.  Kobolds may be another matter.)

Yusdrayl will finally make a proclamation, ”The Goblins stole our dragon!  If you return Calcryx to us, I shall grant you a reward.  Meepo can accompany you if you desire.”

I'll quietly reply "Do we need a rest? I feel a lot better after I took a short rest earlier, not 100% but not terrible. They may be willing to have us help them and give us safe passage for now, but I fear if we fell asleep around them they might get other ideas in their heads while our guard is down."

You have a point. So perhaps we should get moving then.