"Thank you. Now we may proceed. I will escort you in to see the master then."
She produces a key which fits into the open jaws of the sculpted creature on the door, grinding open in such a way that it makes the carved coils seem to shift and writhe.
Before she enters she turns back to you. Be warned, there is a trap on the floor in front of the entrance. She points it out so that you can easily step over it and avoid setting it off.
You follow Yuty into the garden.
Stifling hothouse air rushes out, a clinging humidity mingled with cloyingly sweet floral fragrances. A multitude of brightly colored blooms and exotic fruits cling by vines to the walls. Lotus flowers sit suspended on the surface of the open expanse of murky water that laps at raised platforms of stone, glimmering in the shaft of light that streams in through the ruined ceiling. Ancient basins where ceremonial fires burned are now planters for strange herbs. A looming, sinuous statue of an undulating serpent draped in moss after its centuries in the swamp presides over the garden from the far end of the chamber. Every inch of the exposed stone of the serpent has been blotted over with black charcoal, heavy drapes hung up beside it to evoke sweeping wings that vanish into the brooding shadows.
"Nox! We have visitors!" She calls out.
A few moments later water cascades of scales the color of midnight, rushing in a hissing curtain as dark wings unfurl to propel the sinuous form onto the stones at the base of the serpent icon. In the dim light two piercing green eyes stare out, framed by curling ivory horns and set in a skull-like vis- age. Jaws part to bare jagged teeth and caustic drool smokes at it hits stone, the black dragon master of the temple rearing like a cobra preparing to strike. His head would come up to just short of a kobold’s chest.
“Greetings, we have been sent by the people of Mire’s Edge to negotiate peace between the inhabitants of this land. Thank you for entertaining our request for peace.”
Kirinar stands next to Ransyl, his shield lowered and weapon hooked to his belt in a sign of openness and peace. He looks around the interior of the temple, suspicious of a potential trap...
"Ah yes, the people of Mire's Edge. I wish there was a way to make peace with your people. I do not wish for there to be trouble between my people and yours. Unfortunately certain groups within the clan seek to rule and not live in peace and are not easily dissuaded."
You can see that Nox is a rather small wyrmling and is more the size of a large dog than a true dragon might be in size. He drools acid as he speaks with you.
"Yeah, fortunately for you, I think we've pretty much taken care of everyone who would want to cause trouble with us. In fact, every kobold, on foot or with wings, who attacked us is now dead. Oh - except for that one guard in the first building that we spared because he surrendered. So, it seems to me that the Black Claw clan of kobolds is pretty much done making real trouble. Hope the lizardfolk don't find out too soon, or they'll sweep in here and kill the rest of the clan! But we can reach an agreement now that ends the conflict if you are willing to negotiate lawfully."
The fighter was being the stick for these negotiations. He figured he could let someone else present the carrots...besides, that wyrmling's skin would make a nice set of gauntlets, and Kirinar could almost picture it's stuffed head hanging in the Happy Cow tavern in town with his name carved into the wooden base...
"Yes, yes that is a good thing. " he looks to Yuty as if trying get her approval of what he said. In fact you realize that he always seems to be looking to or eyeing Yuty to make sure he is saying the right thing.
When Kirinar tells him of the death of many of the kobolds and how weak the clan may be with the threat of the Stinging Mist lizardfolk he stoops his head down and backs up a bit.
"We will leave your people alone" he starts to whine, whimpering almost like a dog. "But you must help us with the lizard people. They hate us. What can I give you for your aid against them? I have gold and other goods. We promise to be good and live in peace. "
"Because we encroach on their territory and they want the swamp to themselves. They barely tolerated your village. When we moved in we caused more trouble. They attack your people and caravans because they are upset. They are upset because I, Nox, am a dragon and they do not want me loose in their swamp. They seek to wipe my clan out, to capture or kill me. You cannot let this happen. "
Nox is practically groveling at this point, begging you to help.
"I'll give you my treasure if you promise protect us from the lizardfolk. Give us a chance to show we mean no trouble for your settlements. "
You recall what has been happening in the village and surrounding areas. Especially Kirinar as he is from the village.
Skirmishes with the Stinging Mist have resulted in a number of fatalities, and in recent weeks things have only gotten worse as the presence of the Black Claw kobolds in the swamp has made the lizardfolk feel that they need to make a show of dominance in the region. As a result, conficts between the folk of Mire’s Edge and the Stinging Mist have increased, several traders have been badly hurt and even more are threatening to not return to the area. This suits the lizardfolk just fine.
"I do not know where their camp is, I know that they claim the entire swamp as their own and do not want us living here. I do not think they know where we are right now. But my people have run into them and it does not go well. They yell threats of hunting and finding us and try to kill my people."
"Well, the lizardfolk are the most territorial creatures I know. Kinda like bears. They don't mean good or evil - they just protect their territory. If you stay out, they leave you alone. If you intrude - or set up a homestead - they will drive you out. Even the townsfolk know that and generally we stay clear, aside from some few who are able to trade with them. But even that has become hard lately. So my recommendation to you is to move, and avoid their area. And don't be thinking you can attack Mire's Edge later, either. Some folks in town distrust kobolds out of hand - say they can't honor treaties and pacts and should be treated like vermin. Not all of us, but enough to make others turn on you if you pose a threat. So...we might be able to help you move someplace else, someplace away from the lizardfolk. Have you scouted any other potential places?"
The fighter wasn't sure he could trust a black dragon - even a young one - but he was a man of his word and would honestly try to help them relocate. But he certainly wasn't going to fight a lizardfolk clan for them!
"Attack Mire's Edge! No you misunderstand me. We would not do such a thing. But if we came under your protection we could help you. We could guard your caravans from a distance and keep trouble away from your settlements. Yuty and I never wanted to bother your people, that was Wruenele. Now that he is gone we will not pose problems to you. The lizardfolk are our enemy. Where would we go? The mountains? I cannot return to the mountains. "
“We appreciate your attitude toward peace, and while we cannot speak for the leadership of Mire’s Edge on all matters, we can take this idea as a step of faith. Just know that any other attack would cause us to retaliate without mercy!”
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
While the dragonling is talking, Keyleth is watching him suspiciously, eyes narrowed. She is paying careful attention to his facial expressions and intonation as much as to the words he's saying, attempting to assess whether he is trying to manipulate or deceive them.
"So what do we do now? Do I need to come with you to your village and speak with your leader directly? Or can we work this out now? I do not wish to move our clan, we should be able to live in peace in this swamp. What can we do to settle this matter now.
"Ahh, there is the fourth."
Yuty says as Keyelth suddenly appears.
"Thank you. Now we may proceed. I will escort you in to see the master then."
She produces a key which fits into the open jaws of the sculpted creature on the door, grinding open in such a way that it makes the carved coils seem to shift and writhe.
Before she enters she turns back to you. Be warned, there is a trap on the floor in front of the entrance. She points it out so that you can easily step over it and avoid setting it off.
You follow Yuty into the garden.
Stifling hothouse air rushes out, a clinging humidity mingled with cloyingly sweet floral fragrances. A multitude of brightly colored blooms and exotic fruits cling by vines to the walls. Lotus flowers sit suspended on the surface of the open expanse of murky water that laps at raised platforms of stone, glimmering in the shaft of light that streams in through the ruined ceiling. Ancient basins where ceremonial fires burned are now planters for strange herbs. A looming, sinuous statue of an undulating serpent draped in moss after its centuries in the swamp presides over the garden from the far end of the chamber. Every inch of the exposed stone of the serpent has been blotted over with black charcoal, heavy drapes hung up beside it to evoke sweeping wings that vanish into the brooding shadows.
"Nox! We have visitors!" She calls out.
A few moments later water cascades of scales the color of midnight, rushing in a hissing curtain as dark wings unfurl to propel the sinuous form onto the stones at the base of the serpent icon. In the dim light two piercing green eyes stare out, framed by curling ivory horns and set in a skull-like vis- age. Jaws part to bare jagged teeth and caustic drool smokes at it hits stone, the black dragon master of the temple rearing like a cobra preparing to strike. His head would come up to just short of a kobold’s chest.
"Greetings. I am Nox." The dragon hisses.
“Greetings, we have been sent by the people of Mire’s Edge to negotiate peace between the inhabitants of this land. Thank you for entertaining our request for peace.”
Kirinar stands next to Ransyl, his shield lowered and weapon hooked to his belt in a sign of openness and peace. He looks around the interior of the temple, suspicious of a potential trap...
Perception: 9
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
Keyleth fidgets in place, scanning the chamber, instinctively scoping out potential hiding places and sources of danger.
Perception: 24
"Darvin" | Changeling | Hexblade 1 / Swords Bard 6 | Descent Into Avernus (AC 19; PP 14; 52/52 HP)
Anton Chergoba | Human | Battlemaster 4 | Lost Mines of Phandelver (AC 20; PP 14; 36/36 HP)
Perception 9
"Ah yes, the people of Mire's Edge. I wish there was a way to make peace with your people. I do not wish for there to be trouble between my people and yours. Unfortunately certain groups within the clan seek to rule and not live in peace and are not easily dissuaded."
You can see that Nox is a rather small wyrmling and is more the size of a large dog than a true dragon might be in size. He drools acid as he speaks with you.
OoC: Sorry I’ve been gone for awhile. I just got really busy in the past few days.
Insight: 19
“Of whom do you speak? Wruenele? Unfortunately he did not want to negotiate peace, and he is no longer breeding. Quite unfortunate?“
"Yeah, fortunately for you, I think we've pretty much taken care of everyone who would want to cause trouble with us. In fact, every kobold, on foot or with wings, who attacked us is now dead. Oh - except for that one guard in the first building that we spared because he surrendered. So, it seems to me that the Black Claw clan of kobolds is pretty much done making real trouble. Hope the lizardfolk don't find out too soon, or they'll sweep in here and kill the rest of the clan! But we can reach an agreement now that ends the conflict if you are willing to negotiate lawfully."
The fighter was being the stick for these negotiations. He figured he could let someone else present the carrots...besides, that wyrmling's skin would make a nice set of gauntlets, and Kirinar could almost picture it's stuffed head hanging in the Happy Cow tavern in town with his name carved into the wooden base...
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
Nox nods when he hears of the death of Wruenele.
"Yes, yes that is a good thing. " he looks to Yuty as if trying get her approval of what he said. In fact you realize that he always seems to be looking to or eyeing Yuty to make sure he is saying the right thing.
When Kirinar tells him of the death of many of the kobolds and how weak the clan may be with the threat of the Stinging Mist lizardfolk he stoops his head down and backs up a bit.
"We will leave your people alone" he starts to whine, whimpering almost like a dog. "But you must help us with the lizard people. They hate us. What can I give you for your aid against them? I have gold and other goods. We promise to be good and live in peace. "
“Why do they hate you? There must be a reason.”
perception 9
"Because we encroach on their territory and they want the swamp to themselves. They barely tolerated your village. When we moved in we caused more trouble. They attack your people and caravans because they are upset. They are upset because I, Nox, am a dragon and they do not want me loose in their swamp. They seek to wipe my clan out, to capture or kill me. You cannot let this happen. "
Nox is practically groveling at this point, begging you to help.
"I'll give you my treasure if you promise protect us from the lizardfolk. Give us a chance to show we mean no trouble for your settlements. "
You recall what has been happening in the village and surrounding areas. Especially Kirinar as he is from the village.
Skirmishes with the Stinging Mist have resulted in a number of fatalities, and in recent weeks things have only gotten worse as the presence of the Black Claw kobolds in the swamp has made the lizardfolk feel that they need to make a show of dominance in the region. As a result, conficts between the folk of Mire’s Edge and the Stinging Mist have increased, several traders have been badly hurt and even more are threatening to not return to the area. This suits the lizardfolk just fine.
“Curious... we haven’t run into any of the Lizardfolk accept for at the beginning of our journey here. Where are the Lizardfolk, where do they live?”
"I do not know where their camp is, I know that they claim the entire swamp as their own and do not want us living here. I do not think they know where we are right now. But my people have run into them and it does not go well. They yell threats of hunting and finding us and try to kill my people."
"Well, the lizardfolk are the most territorial creatures I know. Kinda like bears. They don't mean good or evil - they just protect their territory. If you stay out, they leave you alone. If you intrude - or set up a homestead - they will drive you out. Even the townsfolk know that and generally we stay clear, aside from some few who are able to trade with them. But even that has become hard lately. So my recommendation to you is to move, and avoid their area. And don't be thinking you can attack Mire's Edge later, either. Some folks in town distrust kobolds out of hand - say they can't honor treaties and pacts and should be treated like vermin. Not all of us, but enough to make others turn on you if you pose a threat. So...we might be able to help you move someplace else, someplace away from the lizardfolk. Have you scouted any other potential places?"
The fighter wasn't sure he could trust a black dragon - even a young one - but he was a man of his word and would honestly try to help them relocate. But he certainly wasn't going to fight a lizardfolk clan for them!
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
"Attack Mire's Edge! No you misunderstand me. We would not do such a thing. But if we came under your protection we could help you. We could guard your caravans from a distance and keep trouble away from your settlements. Yuty and I never wanted to bother your people, that was Wruenele. Now that he is gone we will not pose problems to you. The lizardfolk are our enemy. Where would we go? The mountains? I cannot return to the mountains. "
“We appreciate your attitude toward peace, and while we cannot speak for the leadership of Mire’s Edge on all matters, we can take this idea as a step of faith. Just know that any other attack would cause us to retaliate without mercy!”
intimidation 21
While the dragonling is talking, Keyleth is watching him suspiciously, eyes narrowed. She is paying careful attention to his facial expressions and intonation as much as to the words he's saying, attempting to assess whether he is trying to manipulate or deceive them.
Insight: 13
"Darvin" | Changeling | Hexblade 1 / Swords Bard 6 | Descent Into Avernus (AC 19; PP 14; 52/52 HP)
Anton Chergoba | Human | Battlemaster 4 | Lost Mines of Phandelver (AC 20; PP 14; 36/36 HP)
"So what do we do now? Do I need to come with you to your village and speak with your leader directly? Or can we work this out now? I do not wish to move our clan, we should be able to live in peace in this swamp. What can we do to settle this matter now.