Rhanloi's Romp Through the Sword Coast

The quick attacks and flames make quick work of the trolls! The biggest troll carries a sack, and in it there are three vials of acid and 32 gold pieces. 

Perkas eventually finds the trail again, and the party sets off once more to find the missing patrol. After another 30 minutes or so, you finally catch up to the group making the tracks. About 60 feet ahead of you, the sound of murmuring and hissing voices rises above the droning of insects. Several carts fitted with sled rails are being pulled by giant snails with thick appendages protruding from their heads. Most of the carts carry lizardfolk of various ages and size, but two of them bear cages. Each cage contains four humans, and you recognize four of them, by their uniform, as the soldiers you were sent to rescue. The other four could be a merchant and her caravan guards based on their clothing.

A tall lizardfolk addresses the fifty or so of his fellows, and they scatter, performing the tasks of setting up camp. A larger, bestial-looking lizardfolk moves closer to the leader, as if waiting for directions.

Draconic:

"Any one speak lizard?" Penumbra quietly asks as she looks around the area for a good place to hide until the group can work out a plan.

Stealth: 16

 "Can I have one of those vials?" Perkas asks as the idea for acid tipped bolts plays in her mind not sure if it would work entirely.

Perkas listens intently to the man and nods at Penumbra. She peaks quietly,  "Seems that one is the leader. Feed the prisoners, and rest the group. He's sending that big guy off to scout the swamp for enemies and brig back food."

"There are a lot of them, wait until everyone is asleep then a rescue? That does leave us with large lizard guy to contend with out here.  Ideas?"

Besides the leader and the large lizardfolk, you spot five warriors carrying heavy clubs and javelins patrolling the edges of the camp. They look out to the surrounding swamp, and they look on edge. The rest of the lizardfolk tribe appear to be young, elderly, and other noncombatants. Each of the wooden sleds is pulled by a large flail snail.

(Insight: 22)

’Something seems off here…’ says Manfred, looking at the distribution of lizardfolk. ‘Not many warriors, lots of elderly etc… I’m thinking about going into camp on my own and trying to talk with them, see if I can find out what’s going on and maybe negotiate to release the guards?’

(Mobile)

Wakka passed out 5gp to each Member of the group before joining the others in following the tracks deeper into the swamp.

After hearing Perkas and Manfred, Wakka commented: "I'm not sure how much they're going to want to talk to us, but I agree, we shouldn't be attacking them while there are children and elderly around.  If you think you can make any headway with them Manny, then I'm okay to let you give it a shot."

"It's risky but then again so is every other option. We can stay here but maybe you should tell them that we are here, if those scouts find us while you are talking they could get the wrong idea. Just tell em we didn't want to frighten anyone so we stayed behind. Who knows they might even appreciate the caution. Whatever way you handle it we will have your back if things go bad."

(Great - make a Persuasion roll for me and write up what you would say / do. A good write-up will reduce the DC of the roll =)

Perkas agrees with a nod knowing talking to folks and diplomatic options are not her strong suit. "It's worth a shot to try."

Quickly casting Prestidigitation to clean up his clothes, Manfred readies his lute - very clearly not a weapon - and takes a quick sip of water from his water skin. 'Peter Piper Picked a Peck of Pickled Peppers...' he mutters, loosening up his vocal cords.
'If I scream, come running, but otherwise let's see how this plays out...' he says to the group then, taking a deep breath, he sets off for the camp...

'Hello the camp!' he calls out, modulating his voice to carry without being aggressive, and moving very slowly as he approaches so as not to spook the guards too much. 'I hope someone here can understand me?!' he holds up his lute to show it's not a weapon 'I'm a bard, and I'm here to talk with you all, to find out what's been happening, to hear your tales, to throw soothing balms on troubled waters...' he looks around pointedly 'It seems like you've suffered some recent mishap, perhaps I can be of assistance...?'

He then pauses a moment, paying careful attention to whoever seems to be in charge, and - at 3 feet tall and holding a lute - concentrating on very much not being a threatening presence.

(Persuasion: 13)

The first guard certainly seems surprised when a halfling comes strolling out of the swamp. He stands looking at you, unsure and a little uncomfortable. It also doesn't appear that he understands you. But leader sees Manfred, and seems to understand and comes over to the bard. (Insight: 21) 

"You help us? You too small to get rid of trouble, but maybe you tasty enough to satisfy them for a while. Maybe you sing them to death!" The lizardfolk chief says and then barks with laughter at his own joke. He looks at you for a few moments, sizing you up. A couple of the other guards come closer, but none make a threatening move towards Manfred yet. (With your next post, make another Persuasion check please =)

Manfred gives his lute a gentle strum, in order to break the leader's speaking rhythm, and then speaks into the intervening silence, moving around so as to address the rest of the camp as well as the leader (in terms of inspiring with his confidence, even if they can't understand him)

'Do you think a meek and helpless halfling would just wander into your camp? I am a halfling of some power and renown.' he nods to the prisoners 'They will tell you of the great deeds performed by me, and my friends, in freeing the town of Leilon from evil forces. But let me also remind you of the tale of the Lion and the Flea...' he coughs to clear his throat, and then continues, using his lute to accompany the story..
'The mighty Lion was strutting back and forth through the forest, lord of all he surveyed, boasting of his strength. then one day he heard a small voice "I know you are all-mighty, Great Lion, but I am mightier by far. I could drive you mad, cause you to spin in circles. I have decided I shall be King of the Forest."...'
The story continues with a tale of how the flea is able to out-wit the powerful but stupid lion, driving him to distraction until he relents and declares the flea King of Animals...
'And so, I remind you, dear leader, that not all who are small are helpless. We are far, far more than we appear. Also, I have friends...' he smiles meaningfully 'We will help you with your troubles, and in return you will release your prisoners unharmed, and will treat fairly with the town of Leilon afterwards. Such an agreement will serve to strengthen both your tribe, and the town...'

(Persuasion: 25)

The leader is impressed by the story and Manfred's performance - while the rest of the camp just liked the music and song even if they didn't understand the words. The younglings especially warm up to the halfling bard, enthralled by the music but none brave enough to leave their mother's sides. Only the guards seem unaffected - or perhaps they are just disciplined enough to maintain their lookout!

"Yesss...if you strong and have strong friends, this deal I make. You kill rotting troll monsters , who eat lizardfolk and drive us from homes, and we give you these hue-mons. Monsters kill everything in their path - must be destroyed!"  You find out there are three of these things in the swamps - they hunt alone - plants and animals wither and die around them - they are voracious and eat constantly.

No sooner do you get any further information and strike the deal, when one of the guards on the far side of the camp makes a series of sharp snapping sounds that silences all other noise in the camp! The lizardfolk grab their children and run to the center of the camp, with the wagons forming a crude circle around them. "One comes. You kill!" the lizardfolk chief says in fear and points to the northern side of camp. The guard there is pointing off into the distance, never taking his eyes off the approaching threat. You hear a crashing noise in the distance - something large is approaching!

(Roll initiative. You have 2 rounds to make a plan and get into place. Visibility is about 30 feet, you are on the south side of camp, and the monster is coming from the north. Any questions? Monster Init: 2)

‘I’ll call my friends to help us.. We’ve already killed some trolls…’ says Manfred, before giving a loud whistle to bring the others into camp. ‘They’re allies, and we have incoming!’ he shouts out, before heading towards the north of the camp to see what approaches…

(Perception: 16)

(Initiative: 12)

Perkas nods to the others  with a smile after hearing manfreds whistle and the threat of incoming. "Looks like we're up" and she heads in. 

She doesn't want to spook the Lizard folk so she goes in with lil' bess across her back and surveys the situation. 

{Let me know If any of this wouldn't work. My idea would be to lay down a cordon of arrows 10 ft in front of the circle of the villagers toward the north where the guard is pointing. Kind of like 15 min of a clock section. I would designate  (it says any) ourselves and the villagers (including leader and warriors) as safe and not in danger of crossing those. I assumed draconian was Lizard speak, but I am not sure on that, but if it is I would try to reassure the scared villagers in the center that we will do whatever is in our power to keep them safe.

Position wise I want to try and stay ranged, so I was thinking on top of on of the wagons in the circle.

2nd action would be as soon as I see the creature I would hunters mark it}

Initiative: nat 20 for a 23

(Mobile) 

Wakka gave the others a "Looks like we're up" look before getting up and heading towards the direction of the approaching sound.  On his first turn,  Wakka activated his magical shield (Bonus Action) and got into a hidden flanking position (Stealth:26) before waiting for whatever it is that's coming to appear.  (If he could hold an attack action for round 2, he'd do that too.  Otherwise,  he'll continue to wait)

Initiative: 20

initiative: 21

Penumbra and Droop split up to either side of the camp and move north just short of 30 feet from Perkas' cordon and search out good hiding places. (So they will be in flanking positions when the creature approaches and hopefully able to get in a surprise round off just as it enters visual range of their companions.) If the creature approaches directly towards the cordon of arrows as I believe we expect, Penumbra and Droop will wait until it passes them and then attack with arrows. If it appears that the creature might go around, or if they are spotted, Penumbra will reveal herself and try to bait it into following her into the trap.

Penumbra Stealth: 30

Droop Stealth: 13

Perkas :: Penumbra :: Droop :: Wakka :: Manfred :: Rot Troll

You have just enough time to complete your preparations when you see the head and shoulders of a large troll above the trees and tall grasses coming directly towards the camp. You've seen trolls before, but this one seems to be rotting away! As it gets within range, you see a trail of withered plants 10'wide where it passed. It is focused on the large collection of potential food and passes right by Penumbra, Droop and Wakka hiding on either side of it. (Perkas, make your ranged attacks. The hidden characters get to attack with advantage, and Penumbra will add sneak attack damage. Everyone gets to attack first due to initiative order. And go!!)

 'Well this is different' perkas thinks to herself as the troll come out of the trees. She carefully aims her bow at the large troll as he barrels toward her and the villagers.

Cordon of arrows  (3/6/3/2)

Hunter's mark bonus action

Bolt 1 to hit 19 /damage  7+5(hm)=12

Bolt 2 to hit 17 / damage 11+4(hm)=15

Penumbra lets loose her arrow.

Attack: 19 Damage: 8

Sneak Attack: 13

Droop sends two arrows.

Attack: 14 Damage: 4

Extra Attack: 25 Damage: 4