Isk will go with intimidation, given the use of his glaive as a prop.

Intimidation: 26

Advantage roll in the spoiler of Quasi sees fit.

 edit: No advantage needed!

(My mistake! I shall leave what Reverie would say to Rufus.)

Reverie would bow as a gratitude for his compliment. "We are very pleased of entertaining you with our skills and gives more work to your miners. But just as what my friend have spoken of, we believe we will have the payment promised for our service, my lord. Could we possibly to speak of our promise with you about our payment?"

As Iskander is making his speech to Rufus (post 4332), he draws the attention of everyone in the tent. However, Trimyrai and Reverie notice some subtle motion behind them. Trying to stay concealed to everyone else, the cloaked Clarion has snuck in from underneath the edge of the tent closest to your group.

Now that she has the attention of Trimyrai and Reverie, she points around her, at the rope knots holding the tent together. She mimes ripping or untying something, then points to the tent again. She then holds up her hands, with 10 fingers outstretched. After 3 seconds, she curls one of the fingers, holding up 9 fingers. After another 3 seconds, she curls another finger, leaving 8 fingers outstretched. She then slips back under the edge of the tent to the outside.

Iskander is being polite, but that makes Rufus red-faced with anger. Reverie's words to support Iskander just infuriates Rufus even more (Intimidation roll of 26.)

Even hunched over, the misshapen giant's head is a foot higher than Isk's. "You think you are all high and mighty, looking down on me. You demand a reward? From me? I am the ruler here! My word is law, the words that brings life and death. Do you see any villagers here, the worthless rabble? Around you are my loyal Redcaps, here to give you what you thieves and villains deserve. You claim to be entertainers, but I judge you guilty! Guilty of treachery, of robbery, of trying to murder me. You will die now, for my amusement."

(Rufus has his hand up to signal the Redcaps, but he hasn't completed the motion yet. You can guess that he is looking for fear in your group, and is trying to enjoy the moment.)

OOC - is Isk aware of the message Clarion was trying to deliver?

Quote from Guiltysparc >>

OOC - is Isk aware of the message Clarion was trying to deliver?

(No, but if Trimyrai or Reverie are willing, they could mime/mouth that they need to delay Rufus for a tiny bit.

Although I don't think anyone expects Iskander to challenge Rufus to a dance-off, like in "Guardians of the Galaxy".)

If Trimyrai understands the message correctly, when the countdown is over he will try to tear the tent like Clarion motioned.

"The word of a liar makes for poor law and a ruler who sees his subjects as worthless is not but a tyrant.  And, as all tyrants do, you cower on your throne letting others risk their lives for you."  Isk spits on the ground and points a finger to the redcaps saying, "He would do no different to you.  He would spend your lives to buy his kingdom just as he does the pixies if he needed to. He would build his throne from your skulls and rule over your bones and not think twice about it.  Consider that before making your next move."

"So, lord Rufus, Rufus the Liar, Rufus the corward, scurry back to your throne before you get hurt."

Reverie looks at Clarion in a cloak for a second and then looks back at Iskander, mouthing 'Isk, need more time.' And then gazes back towards Rufus. "Lord Rufus, if I must advice, a good ruler doesn't take someone's live for their entertainment. A good ruler would like to speak more thoroughly to seek for a negotiation. How about showing your hidden intelligence for those who are beneath you and make them look up to you by your deed."

So the recent timeline is:

1. Iskander makes a boisterous speech at Rufus to get him to back down. Rufus is not cowed, but it does make him angry and careless. (The 26 Intimidation has him flustered.)
2. Reverie and Trimyrai get a silent message from Clarion, who snuck into the tent and back out.
3. Reverie came forward to add her voice to Iskander's. While she is next to Isk, under her breath she informs him "need more time". Isk doesn't know why (didn't see Clarion), but he sees that both Reverie and Trimyrai seem to know something.
4. Trimyrai readies his sword to cut at the tent when the countdown is done (another 20 seconds).
5. Iskander decides not to sugarcoat what he thinks of Rufus (tyrant, liar, coward). Reverie is more polite, but after Iskander's blistering speech, her words almost seem patronizing to Rufus. (Jack is around. He would probably add some stirring heroic music in the background as Isk is making his speech.)

Rufus the Fomorian has just lost it. Rather than finish his command for the Redcaps to attack, he goes on a rant. You can make out a few parts like "disrespectful scum" and "murderous thieves", but most of it is confusing rambling.

Rufus finally regains enough composure to be understood again. "You want the truth? (You can't handle the truth!) After I take everything of value from this village, leaving this rabble weeping, I'll leave knowing that your bodies will never be found after I've hidden them."

You notice that the air is a bit breezy for what should be inside a tent. As Rufus was into his final speech, Trimyrai slashed away the cords holding the tent sides together. (Rufus was in full rant, so only noticed after he finished his gloat.) As the tent falls away, you see that your area is encircled by what looks like the entire pixie village. (They were sent to work the mines, but evidently didn't stay there.) They are completely quiet, unmoving. They are all looking intensely at Rufus and his minions.

Isk just smiles broadly as he looks around at the gathered village.

Reverie looks around the gathered village and looks back at her friends, smiling for a moment, before facing Rufus. "That means you have been threat these whole entire villagers with a promise that ultimately was a lie. You promised to the villagers to make them become wealthy but instead you have been controlling them for quite a long time. You once accused us and even now accused us as thieves and liars. But now that everyone in the village have heard your true motive." She pauses before she continues. "You also promised that you will reward us once we get to get rid off that monster, and then everyone wins... If your promise cannot be trustworthy, then your promise to the villagers are also a lie. Liars cannot be stay in this village, according to your rule, but you just broke your rule, Lord Rufus. I advice for you to choose wisely right now."

With the tent gone, Rufus stands up straight (as his deformed body will allow), and puts on an innocent smile (which is unnerving on his misshapen, warty head). "No, no, no... It was only a little joke. You should have a sense of humor. And not take my words out of context."

Trimyrai puts his sword away, and puts a hand on his bow.

Reverie couldn't cease her smile becoming broadly wide. "Oh, I see... Does that mean you are still going to give us a reward? The villagers will be our witness."

Isk snaps up his glaive that levels it at Rufus, "The context of your words was plain for all to hear."  He then turns to the gathered pixies and adds, "Friends, what should we do with this refuse?"

As Trimyrai gets his bow in hand, the villagers lift their mining pickaxes and shovels, and deliberately walk forward slowly, contracting the circle around the tent occupants. The RedCaps snarl angrily for them to stay back, but their bluster isn't working. Then you hear the familiar voice of Clarion from the crowd. "Deceiver! You never meant to honor our laws and traditions." A moment later, another voice yells out from a different part of the crowd. (Clarion again, but lowering her voice to try to sound like a guy.) "He broke his word! We are not bound to obey him anymore!" The villagers then start growling, sounding like an angry beehive.

Rufus looks around, and politely states, "I can clear up these accusations, just give me a moment..." He glares at Iskander with his Evil Eye, attempting to Curse him. Ordering his Redcap guards: "Kill the strangers. Protect me at all costs!"

• For this combat, it will be Rufus the Fomorian and 1 Redcap vs. the party.
• All the other Redcaps are busy fighting the villagers. Froskan will be part of the side battle (with the villagers).
• Jack is fighting with your group, but you have to tell me what he is doing, like stabbing with his sword or using Vicious Mockery. For his bonus action, will give Inspiration.
• If anyone ends their turn more than 15' away from Rufus, you will suffer a Redcap attack (from the big fight around the party).
• For initiative: Rufus goes first, then the party, then the Redcap

Rufus used his Curse of the Evil Eye. Iskander has to roll a DC 14 CHA save. On a fail, he will take 27 psychic damage, and be physically deformed from the curse. (Disadvantage on attack/save/check rolls involving STR or DEX.) With a success, takes 13 psychic damage.

Jack will give combat inspiration (1d8) to Iskander. "Don't let that big oaf get you down!"

Iskander, Reverie, and Trimyrai are up. (Tell me what you want Jack to do.)

Isk's CHA save: 27

edit:  (Isk is on fire!)  Isk levels a steely gaze at Rufus saying, "It seems more than just your political power has left you."

Trimyrai is going to fire his bow at the one Redcap that is fighting along side Rufus.

Attack 1: 20

Damage 1(if it hits): 13

Attack 2: 26

Damage 2(if it hits): 9

If the Redcap survives the attacks, Trimyrai will say to him. "Surrender, you do not need to go down with Rufus."

Reverie runs towards Rufus and slashes with her scimitars. (Maybe Jack can do Vicious Mockery on Rufus??)

Attack, Scimitar of Speed (!!!) - 23 Damage -7
Attack, Scimitar - 20 Damage - 4
Bonus Attack, Scimitar of Speed (!!!) - 22 Damage - 6

Both of Trim's arrows strike the Redcap (22 damage), who is wounded but still still actively fighting. A normal foe might hesitate after taking that kind of damage, but these fey are bloodthirsty madmen, almost like berserkers.

Reverie is still getting used to the changes in her weapon, and only hits Rufus once out of the 3 attempts. If Reverie wants to use a spell slot to add Divine Smite damage to the one hit, please roll the damage.

(OOC: The 2 regular attacks and the bonus action strike are all with the Scimitar of Speed, and should be the same, so they all get +8 to hit and +5 to damage.)

Iskander is up. (Then Jack will go, the Redcap, and Rufus at the start of the next round.)