"You run away once. Next time I don't let you run away. Give coins me answer!"

In the dim light, Stardust eyes the lizard, ready to launch his arrow, but watching to see what happens between it and Tool. He hears Sairn, but remains still, always watching. 

"Deal. Now give us answers, kobold."

The kobold settles on the ledge, which is about six feet off the ground. "Toss coins" he holds out one hand, the other still holding the large rock, ready to toss. "Coins then answers."

Seeing the rock in throwing position, Sarin decides he has to speak up. "Kobold! You will get your coins but we know nothing. How can we trust you?" The elf's eyes narrow, "My friend here has offered you coin and you have only given us threats. I do not take kindly to that."

"You give two coins; I answer one question. One free. No one enter cave but kobolds and you. Now give coins and ask next question."

Tool tosses four gold coins to the kobold. "Four coins for two answers. First question: has anyone come through here with a chest or stolen goods? Second question: what are your kind doing here in this cave?"

The thief's footprints led us to this cave. If no one but the kobolds, and us, entered these caves... then it's highly likely they stole our chest.

Insight check on the kobold: 4

The kobold catches two of the coins in one hand, tosses the stone behind it on the ledge, and grabs the other two coins with that hand. "Ohhh" it says and with its sharp claw, starts scratching the surface of the coin. After a few seconds it smiles. "Gold! Good Gold!." 

It puts the gold in a small pouch that is tied around its leg. 

"Yes, chest came through here. Kobold Chest now." It holds up one jagged clawed finger and smiles. It then holds up another. "Cave is mistake, walls fell, opens to kobold home. We guard it now, bring chests through here. Set traps! Many kobolds here. Chest is ours now. You go now! My gold. Or more questions? more gold..."

It bends over and picks up the rock. While very happy to get you gold, it doesn't seem to be letting down its guard, or its confidence.

Sairn taps the shoulder of Tool  and slips away, sliding the spear back into its sheath. Concealing yourself in a space like this takes expertise. The Elf stays low where his shadow is limited. He must be quick or the Kobold will see him and get spooked. Lifting up his dark cloak, Sairn uses his darkvison and runs quietly  to jump across once again.

Stealth check to make the jump unseen: 22

Athletics check: 18

(If Sarin succeeds, can I have the advantage on a sneak attack?)

"We've more questions, kobold. Which means more gold for you. However, could you wait there for a minute while we talk amongst ourselves? Here's a coin for your patience." Tool then tosses a single gold coin to the kobold, ideally far away from where Sairn has skulked off to.

Tool then turns their back to the kobold, begins casting message towards Sairn, and whispers a message only the two of them can hear. "Don't kill the kobold, yet. I think it's best if we try to get our stolen chest either through diplomacy or trickery, not through combat. I doubt we can fight our way through a cave full of kobolds. However, if we do end up fighting this kobold, could you try to knock out the little cretin?".

Tool then turns to Stardust on Stone and whispers. "What do you think? We obviously can't fight our way through an entire cave of kobolds and come out alive. There's only three of us. Should we try to get our chest back through diplomacy or deception? Or should we head back and ask the others for help? Dorai, the dragonborn knight, could be of use."

Right away, the Elf knows that the Kenku is using magic to communicate , his pointed ears wiggle under the cloak and replies, a little irritated. "I will try my best to not kill but I must get in position. if we do this properly, then we can get to the cave and make a plan of attack without any of us getting hurt. That should be the goal. I am not bloodthristy, Kenku. Just logical."

Tool sends a Message back to Sairn. "My apologies, Sairn. I thought revenge might've clouded your judgement, since the cretin nearly killed you. Your position is good. Stardust on Stone and I will stay here and try to figure out our next course of action."

"We can try diplomacy or deception," Stardust on Stone replies using Tool's Message spell, "but I don't want us to find ourselves surrounded by kobolds. Will this kobold bring us our chest? Can you persuade it to do that?" He continues watching the lizard, ready to attack it if necessary. 

Where are you trying to get to Sairn? here is the map of the area.

(I'm thinking if possible that the Kobold is distracted with Tool, so I jump to the left looking down at the map, the Kobold is looking to the right, wouldn't be paying attention to me)

This is how I see the curren situation, as far as positions. I know you all are discussing what's next. I just want to be clear of Sairn's plans before we progress! :)

(okay, then I think I'll stay on that side and try to hide in the shadows, with my spear ready if I can hit the Kobold? I thought I was with Stardust and Kenku and I can sneak attack the kobold if needed but this can work too.)

The kobold grabs the gold coin tossed at it and quickly puts it its pouch.

It continues to stare at you all, allowing you to turn your back to it and talk, as long as you stay out of the room, or at least on the edge and throws it coins, the kobold seems content waiting. But the rock is still in its hand. Its eyes are alert.

Tool whispers to Stardust on Stone. "We can't offer anything for our chest. So, I doubt diplomacy will work. Hmm... but fear might. I'll say that the chest is cursed and they must give it back to us. If the kobold doesn't buy our lies, try to knock it out."

Tool tosses two gold coins toward the kobold. "Listen carefully, kobold." Tool's says with false concern. "That chest your kind stole? It and its contents are cursed. Those who are near it are marked with death. In fact, I can sense the curse's mark on you."

Tool pulls out a blank sheet of paper and holds it up as if its some holy relic. "This sacred artifact reveals the curse. A black skull appears if you are marked. Hold still, kobold."

Tool then casts Prestidigitation on the paper, and a terrifying black skull appears on the page.

"It is as I feared. The curse has marked you for death! However," Tool waits for a moment to raise tension, "you can still be saved! Bring us our chest and we'll take it far from here. Once we purify it, you will be freed from the curse."

"Refuse... and a painful death awaits you and your kind. Choose wisely, kobold."

Deception check: 16

[BOOM! 21 baby]