This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Well, that certainly complicats things, doesn't it?!" Biscuit lets out a low growl, then nodded along in agreement. "I guess there's that too, Brother." Doozey said with a small smirk, before looking in Raist's general direction. "I was gonna ask if ya had somethin' to give us some added privacy, but by all accounts, we're on crunch time. So-" He turns to peer in Neya's general direction. "I assume ya'll already confiscated any other scrolls or daggers that might be on'em, let's see if we can get a name of his contact and exact location of where this meet'n or ambush s'pose to take place 'fore we mosey on."
With that said, if noone stops Doozey, then the halfling would set about bringing the kobold to consciousness after calling upon one final blessing of the world to guide his words.. "Easy there, friend-" Said Doozey in draconic. "We need to have a word. Cooperate, and we'll see to it that Jeralla troubles you no more."
-Battle Medic Healing to Sharrak. (leaving it to DM, since don't know Sharrak's hit dice numbers, but add a minus 1d2 due to Jenny deal)
With their mark swiftly defeated and apprehended, CRAP begins to exchange the knowledge they acquired separately. Utar translates the Orcish words he heard earlier, Raist ponders on the possibility of other nearby enemies, Neya reveals that Sharrak was using scrolls, and Doozey asks about potential supplies on their captive. To the latter, Sirge responds by making a small pile next to Sharrak's unconscious body: a small blade made of a dragon's fang, and three spell scrolls.
Concluding that Sharrak was the Cult operative Sirge had been hunting, Neya approaches and gags the creature's right mouth.
(@Drache: Tactical Mind not needed in this case, you may keep your Second Wind charge.)
Doozey then applies just enough ointment and curative poultices on the captive for him to blink himself awake. (Sharrak recovers 5 HP.)
Despite being in the hands of enemies, the two-headed kobold seems immediately enticed by the promise of nullifying Jeralla: "What... yes... yes..." is all that the kobold manages to say while he still gradually regains consciousness. (The first "yes" comes out in Draconic, the second in Orcish.)
"Him," the head on the left answers Neya in a monosyllabic fashion while nudging the head on the left. Sharrak offers nothing else except for a question of his own: "Who are you?" He speaks in Draconic.
@Raist: You inspect the three scrolls and notice that they are identical. That means they they all have the same spell recorded on them and that they were written by the same person. Much like your own spellbook, however, they are written in a manner only legible to their author. Decrypting the scroll will either take time (short rest) or some magic of your own (identify).
Utar decides that this is the time to step into the questioning. As the others have, he speaks in Draconic, "Sharrak, where is Jeralla, is she with the humans now? How do we find her?", but then follows up in Orcish, asking the same question. He silently wonders if each head only responds in turn or to what he assumes is their own tongue. As he waits on their reply, a fresh thought jumps to the front of his mind; will eah head respond in the same manner.
Sharrak grunts as Utar ignores his question and asks one of his own. The kobold frowns as he responds: "In her meeting. Long negotiations. They have been at it for some time. They may be closer to an agreement, but I expect they are no closer to concluding their talks. It doesn't matter; it is all futile. They will both lose." He smirks nefariously before repeating his own question: "Now, who are you? You are not with Jeralla, I would know. And you are too clean to be with the Patriots." The left head nods at Sirge: "That one has been freed, so I can only guess you represent a third party. Perhaps the Harpers coming to save their lost puppy? I take it that this means Jeralla doesn't have her prisoners anymore. In that case, it is just a matter of time before you get discovered. Hurry up!"He starts laughing loudly. The gagged head does the same, though the laughter sounds different from that of the other head.
Sensing no duplicity, or at least none so far, Doozey sat back to quietly observe things. And yet, the halfling yet missed it all the same: An opportunity to keep Sharrak distracted from the truth, and all the more pliable. At first, he'd clicked his tongue, but hearing Biscuit growl in warning at the kobold in response to the laughter snapped the halfling back to attention.
"And here I thought you were the smart head. We ain't Harpers, but we do have a vested interest in removing Jeralla from the playing field, as it were. You want her gone so bad? Give us something more worthwhile than idle goading, and it'll be done. Like more exact details on when she's supposed ta be making a sacrifice of the prisoners, /where/ exactly is this meeting taking place, and or when might the next time someone's s'pose to check up on'em. Heck, better yet, we caught some of your kin fawning over some big creature that dropped in not too long ago. Care to spill the beans on that one? If not, that's fine too, but it will color whether you leave these caves alive or not." Doozey stated frankly and pointedly avoided looking towards the others. "So, what do you say? You hardly owe her your loyalty at this point. And if she does manage to wrangle the Patriots, that's just more sorry sods dampening the purity of yer cause or whatever, aint it?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Sharrak listens to Doozey, the smirk never leaving his left face. At some point, the kobold interrupts the halfling: "Big Creature?"He thinks for a second and then starts laughing again. "You mean... no... The Scareman? Hahahahaha! You ain't the smart ones, yeh? Maybe you do belong with the Gray Patriots after all. Hahahaha! It is nothing but a pile of hay, wicker, and fur. Add some bits of hide armor and order some of the lads to talk to it every now and then and... Boom... The other camp thinks you have a hulking ogre with you. Makes them think twice before trying anything stupid. That was my idea. Knowing that it fooled you makes it so... much... better!"
He takes another moment to revel on his trickery before taking a more serious tone. "Listen, you caught me. We both want Jeralla out of the picture, right? So why not strike a deal. You kill that heretic and we'll both benefit. You can do whatever you want with the Gray Patriots too; I couldn't care less about that bunch. But leave my kin alone. I'm sure you took some out already when you freed your Harper friend here, but the ones that remain, let them live. Free me and I'll lead them away from here once Jeralla is dead. We ain't gonna bother you after she's kicked the bucket. And that's that. You give me my freedom and I remove the kobolds from your path to... whatever it is you want here. As long as you kill the heretic dragonborn, I care not what you do. Shake on it and I'll tell you where she is and anything else you want to know about her. Do we have a deal?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Leaving the scrolls Raist walks directly behind the 2 headed creature
Placing his hand on its back directly between the two heads and clicking two small lodestones together. "Deisiů" he wheezes and following the spark of magic he then walks away
Neya listens to Sharrak speak and concludes he speaks entirely too much. Naturally distrustful of him dur to CRAP's many run-ins with the Cult, she assesses how much of his rambling response could be trusted, as "should" has long passed.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Though Biscuit looked a touch confused at the action from Raist, a blind Doozey remained largely unaware and mroe focused on Sharrak. ""Hmph! You might be one of /her/ top lieutenants, but that don't necessarily mean all the other 'bolds would be square with a coup. Even if its one in which ya'll stay yer hands and head off to greener pastures once the deeds done. But, if you can maybe do one better and guarantee get'em other 'bolds to keep the Grays at least busy while we deal with her, then maybe there's something to work there." Doozey countered with a bite to his voice. "Otherwise, best I could do for ya is to spare yer kin best we can, but no promises beyond that. As for you, Sharrak, I... well, I see the same thing extended to ya, since you've been at least mildly cooperative."The halfling gives a tight smile.
"But we ain't got a whole lotta time, as you rightly figured, so let's wrap things up. For maybe the last time, you got any more information to share that might sweeten the deal, or is it about time we put you down for a nap and chance things on our own?"
(OOC: Tossed in another persuasion check in spoiler if needed)
-Persuasion: 32. (1d4 from guidance, which still should be active) (17)
The most glaring hole you pinpoint in Sharrak's story is this: you saw him using scrolls and Utar has translated the messages from Orcish. Why would he need scrolls or a language other than his native Draconic to speak to his other head?
The bit about the Scareman seems genuine enough. He seems entirely too pleased with it working on someone (CRAP) for his reaction not to be real.
You are not sure you can trust Sharrak or the deal he is offering. His message was clear: he indeed wants Jeralla taken out of the picture. But he can't get anything unless you let him go. He is masking the deal as mutually beneficial, but you know that he has a lot more to gain than you do. At this point, he needs you to gain his freedom. You do not need him to continue on your mission. He knows this but is trying to lure you away from the confidence that comes from knowing this fact.
Raist then steps up and performs some sort of 'spellcasting'. The kobold seems worried for the first time in this conversation: "What? What is the elf doing? Stop it!"
Perhaps shaken by Raist's act, Sharrak more readily admits that Doozey has the right of it: "You are right. There is no guarantee. But note that I said that I'd lead them away from here once Jeralla is dead. Before she is gone, I can't guarantee my kin would abandon her. If you want them to attack the Gray Patriots before then, you have to make them believe that Jeralla is giving them the predetermined signal: light the pyre within the statue’s cup. A fight will break loose and some of my kin will certainly die, but I should be able to order a retreat once you have taken care of Jeralla... as long as I am free." He waits for a reaction form the CRAPers, prodding for one if it doesn't emerge naturally: "How's that for valuable information?"
"Now. I think we have a problem. You say you were speaking with your... other half, let's say. I saw you use a scroll before speaking and he said nothing. We generally know the typical kobold language and dialects. You are quite an intelligent one. Enough to learn other languages.
Neya gestures to Utar, "Our friend, here, fully understood what you said, in his native tongue and gave us that information. You don't need us to remove Jeralla. You have already made arrangements to remove her, have you not? I will ask again, who did you contact? Any further attempts at evading the question giving a misleading answer, and I will be more aggressive in my questioning."
Sharrak facial expression gradually changes to one of fury as Neya speaks. "I don't," he barks at Neya's statement about him not needing CRAP. "They are coming, the orcs are coming. They will raise this place, kill anything that is not a kobold. Narle Shieldbiter is not known for failing his orders." He seethes in defeated anger.
Doozey clicks his tongue. "There's always another angle...."He muttered under breath, then turned look in the general direction of Neya's voice. "Good looking out there. Can't say I don't have more questions, but, well.... no time. What about you, my orc blooded compatriot. Or perhaps better yet, should I be asking if you want certain... 'honors?'"He asks while trying to subtly motion with his head in the rough direction of the Sarrak. "After all, our other friend here has his obligations to see to, and with a shrinking window to do so, it would be in everyone's best interest that he's able to it sooner than later."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"Well, that certainly complicats things, doesn't it?!" Biscuit lets out a low growl, then nodded along in agreement. "I guess there's that too, Brother." Doozey said with a small smirk, before looking in Raist's general direction. "I was gonna ask if ya had somethin' to give us some added privacy, but by all accounts, we're on crunch time. So-" He turns to peer in Neya's general direction. "I assume ya'll already confiscated any other scrolls or daggers that might be on'em, let's see if we can get a name of his contact and exact location of where this meet'n or ambush s'pose to take place 'fore we mosey on."
With that said, if noone stops Doozey, then the halfling would set about bringing the kobold to consciousness after calling upon one final blessing of the world to guide his words.. "Easy there, friend-" Said Doozey in draconic. "We need to have a word. Cooperate, and we'll see to it that Jeralla troubles you no more."
-Battle Medic Healing to Sharrak. (leaving it to DM, since don't know Sharrak's hit dice numbers, but add a minus 1d2 due to Jenny deal)
-Persuasion: 28. (if/when needed)
Plus Guidance for another 3.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
-Battle Medic Healing: 7.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
With their mark swiftly defeated and apprehended, CRAP begins to exchange the knowledge they acquired separately. Utar translates the Orcish words he heard earlier, Raist ponders on the possibility of other nearby enemies, Neya reveals that Sharrak was using scrolls, and Doozey asks about potential supplies on their captive. To the latter, Sirge responds by making a small pile next to Sharrak's unconscious body: a small blade made of a dragon's fang, and three spell scrolls.
Concluding that Sharrak was the Cult operative Sirge had been hunting, Neya approaches and gags the creature's right mouth.
(@Drache: Tactical Mind not needed in this case, you may keep your Second Wind charge.)
Doozey then applies just enough ointment and curative poultices on the captive for him to blink himself awake. (Sharrak recovers 5 HP.)
Despite being in the hands of enemies, the two-headed kobold seems immediately enticed by the promise of nullifying Jeralla: "What... yes... yes..." is all that the kobold manages to say while he still gradually regains consciousness. (The first "yes" comes out in Draconic, the second in Orcish.)
Neya begins the interrogation and asks in Draconic, "Who were you speaking with when we rudely interrupted you?"
Extended Signature
Raist silently inspects the scrolls
Laissez les bons temps rouler
"Him," the head on the left answers Neya in a monosyllabic fashion while nudging the head on the left. Sharrak offers nothing else except for a question of his own: "Who are you?" He speaks in Draconic.
@Raist: You inspect the three scrolls and notice that they are identical. That means they they all have the same spell recorded on them and that they were written by the same person. Much like your own spellbook, however, they are written in a manner only legible to their author. Decrypting the scroll will either take time (short rest) or some magic of your own (identify).
Utar decides that this is the time to step into the questioning. As the others have, he speaks in Draconic, "Sharrak, where is Jeralla, is she with the humans now? How do we find her?", but then follows up in Orcish, asking the same question. He silently wonders if each head only responds in turn or to what he assumes is their own tongue. As he waits on their reply, a fresh thought jumps to the front of his mind; will eah head respond in the same manner.
Sharrak grunts as Utar ignores his question and asks one of his own. The kobold frowns as he responds: "In her meeting. Long negotiations. They have been at it for some time. They may be closer to an agreement, but I expect they are no closer to concluding their talks. It doesn't matter; it is all futile. They will both lose." He smirks nefariously before repeating his own question: "Now, who are you? You are not with Jeralla, I would know. And you are too clean to be with the Patriots." The left head nods at Sirge: "That one has been freed, so I can only guess you represent a third party. Perhaps the Harpers coming to save their lost puppy? I take it that this means Jeralla doesn't have her prisoners anymore. In that case, it is just a matter of time before you get discovered. Hurry up!" He starts laughing loudly. The gagged head does the same, though the laughter sounds different from that of the other head.
Sensing no duplicity, or at least none so far, Doozey sat back to quietly observe things. And yet, the halfling yet missed it all the same: An opportunity to keep Sharrak distracted from the truth, and all the more pliable. At first, he'd clicked his tongue, but hearing Biscuit growl in warning at the kobold in response to the laughter snapped the halfling back to attention.
"And here I thought you were the smart head. We ain't Harpers, but we do have a vested interest in removing Jeralla from the playing field, as it were. You want her gone so bad? Give us something more worthwhile than idle goading, and it'll be done. Like more exact details on when she's supposed ta be making a sacrifice of the prisoners, /where/ exactly is this meeting taking place, and or when might the next time someone's s'pose to check up on'em. Heck, better yet, we caught some of your kin fawning over some big creature that dropped in not too long ago. Care to spill the beans on that one? If not, that's fine too, but it will color whether you leave these caves alive or not." Doozey stated frankly and pointedly avoided looking towards the others. "So, what do you say? You hardly owe her your loyalty at this point. And if she does manage to wrangle the Patriots, that's just more sorry sods dampening the purity of yer cause or whatever, aint it?"
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Sharrak listens to Doozey, the smirk never leaving his left face. At some point, the kobold interrupts the halfling: "Big Creature?" He thinks for a second and then starts laughing again. "You mean... no... The Scareman? Hahahahaha! You ain't the smart ones, yeh? Maybe you do belong with the Gray Patriots after all. Hahahaha! It is nothing but a pile of hay, wicker, and fur. Add some bits of hide armor and order some of the lads to talk to it every now and then and... Boom... The other camp thinks you have a hulking ogre with you. Makes them think twice before trying anything stupid. That was my idea. Knowing that it fooled you makes it so... much... better!"
He takes another moment to revel on his trickery before taking a more serious tone. "Listen, you caught me. We both want Jeralla out of the picture, right? So why not strike a deal. You kill that heretic and we'll both benefit. You can do whatever you want with the Gray Patriots too; I couldn't care less about that bunch. But leave my kin alone. I'm sure you took some out already when you freed your Harper friend here, but the ones that remain, let them live. Free me and I'll lead them away from here once Jeralla is dead. We ain't gonna bother you after she's kicked the bucket. And that's that. You give me my freedom and I remove the kobolds from your path to... whatever it is you want here. As long as you kill the heretic dragonborn, I care not what you do. Shake on it and I'll tell you where she is and anything else you want to know about her. Do we have a deal?"
Leaving the scrolls Raist walks directly behind the 2 headed creature
Placing his hand on its back directly between the two heads and clicking two small lodestones together. "Deisiů" he wheezes and following the spark of magic he then walks away
Deception: 21
Laissez les bons temps rouler
Neya listens to Sharrak speak and concludes he speaks entirely too much. Naturally distrustful of him dur to CRAP's many run-ins with the Cult, she assesses how much of his rambling response could be trusted, as "should" has long passed.
Insight: 27
Extended Signature
Though Biscuit looked a touch confused at the action from Raist, a blind Doozey remained largely unaware and mroe focused on Sharrak. ""Hmph! You might be one of /her/ top lieutenants, but that don't necessarily mean all the other 'bolds would be square with a coup. Even if its one in which ya'll stay yer hands and head off to greener pastures once the deeds done. But, if you can maybe do one better and guarantee get'em other 'bolds to keep the Grays at least busy while we deal with her, then maybe there's something to work there." Doozey countered with a bite to his voice. "Otherwise, best I could do for ya is to spare yer kin best we can, but no promises beyond that. As for you, Sharrak, I... well, I see the same thing extended to ya, since you've been at least mildly cooperative." The halfling gives a tight smile.
"But we ain't got a whole lotta time, as you rightly figured, so let's wrap things up. For maybe the last time, you got any more information to share that might sweeten the deal, or is it about time we put you down for a nap and chance things on our own?"
(OOC: Tossed in another persuasion check in spoiler if needed)
-Persuasion: 32. (1d4 from guidance, which still should be active) (17)
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
@Neya (insight):
The most glaring hole you pinpoint in Sharrak's story is this: you saw him using scrolls and Utar has translated the messages from Orcish. Why would he need scrolls or a language other than his native Draconic to speak to his other head?
The bit about the Scareman seems genuine enough. He seems entirely too pleased with it working on someone (CRAP) for his reaction not to be real.
You are not sure you can trust Sharrak or the deal he is offering. His message was clear: he indeed wants Jeralla taken out of the picture. But he can't get anything unless you let him go. He is masking the deal as mutually beneficial, but you know that he has a lot more to gain than you do. At this point, he needs you to gain his freedom. You do not need him to continue on your mission. He knows this but is trying to lure you away from the confidence that comes from knowing this fact.
Raist then steps up and performs some sort of 'spellcasting'. The kobold seems worried for the first time in this conversation: "What? What is the elf doing? Stop it!"
Perhaps shaken by Raist's act, Sharrak more readily admits that Doozey has the right of it: "You are right. There is no guarantee. But note that I said that I'd lead them away from here once Jeralla is dead. Before she is gone, I can't guarantee my kin would abandon her. If you want them to attack the Gray Patriots before then, you have to make them believe that Jeralla is giving them the predetermined signal: light the pyre within the statue’s cup. A fight will break loose and some of my kin will certainly die, but I should be able to order a retreat once you have taken care of Jeralla... as long as I am free." He waits for a reaction form the CRAPers, prodding for one if it doesn't emerge naturally: "How's that for valuable information?"
"Now. I think we have a problem. You say you were speaking with your... other half, let's say. I saw you use a scroll before speaking and he said nothing. We generally know the typical kobold language and dialects. You are quite an intelligent one. Enough to learn other languages.
Neya gestures to Utar, "Our friend, here, fully understood what you said, in his native tongue and gave us that information. You don't need us to remove Jeralla. You have already made arrangements to remove her, have you not? I will ask again, who did you contact? Any further attempts at evading the question giving a misleading answer, and I will be more aggressive in my questioning."
Intimidation: 5 (5)
(Tactical mind: 10) (10)
Extended Signature
(@Drache: Tactical Mind charge used.)
Sharrak facial expression gradually changes to one of fury as Neya speaks. "I don't," he barks at Neya's statement about him not needing CRAP. "They are coming, the orcs are coming. They will raise this place, kill anything that is not a kobold. Narle Shieldbiter is not known for failing his orders." He seethes in defeated anger.
"That confirms a few things," Neya nods. "Again, that says we have a time limit, of which we do not know how long we have."
"Does anyone else have any further questions?"
Extended Signature
Doozey clicks his tongue. "There's always another angle...." He muttered under breath, then turned look in the general direction of Neya's voice. "Good looking out there. Can't say I don't have more questions, but, well.... no time. What about you, my orc blooded compatriot. Or perhaps better yet, should I be asking if you want certain... 'honors?'" He asks while trying to subtly motion with his head in the rough direction of the Sarrak. "After all, our other friend here has his obligations to see to, and with a shrinking window to do so, it would be in everyone's best interest that he's able to it sooner than later."
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"What?" Sharrak seems more nervous following Neya's and Dozzey's response. "What does that mean? What honors? I thought we had a deal!"
Raist chuckles lowly as he moves back into the creatures sight
Laissez les bons temps rouler