The BFOAGWGH

Ro squints and tilts her head a little. Without turning around this time she spells out [t-r-u-t-h] behind her back.

"This do no appear to be the whole truth to me. And I'm sure ye just happened across the bugbears and goblins t' serve as a guard. The dwarf had a wound that did look a might like it came from the bugbear's weapons."

He peers into her face looking for the obvious signs of a lie. Insight: 22

"What do be, exactly, this magical item. One ye would kill an innocent dwarf and imprison another t' obtain?"

"I hired the goblins to protect me during my search. Honest work for honest pay. As I said the dwarves attacked us. We defended ourselves. I do not have to explain myself to you people!"

You get the impression that she is getting more distressed by your questioning. What she says seems to be half truth at best.

Ro, frozen in place, signs behind her back again.

[Lie.]

After brief pause she waggles her hand a little bit as if to say "sort of"

"And who do it be, pray tell, that ye do have to explain yerself to?" Tallanvor raises an eyebrow.

"I don' suppose ye'll be explaining yerself t' anyone after we let our goblin friend here cut off 'er favorites pieces. O' course we wouldn't have to resort to such measures." Tallanvor trails off as he touches Ro's dagger which begins to glow a bright red as he casts light. This is shortly followed by the sound of a woman's scream of pain just outside the wagon as he casts Thaumaturgy .

"...if ye'd just answer a few questions." he finishes with a smile. "Are ye searching for the Forge of Spells?" 

"Only my maker can judge my actions. And what would you do if I was looking for it?"

She is growing angrier as you continue questioning her.

Humblodt weighs in, changing tack slightly, “What can you tell us about the forge?”

His tone is neutral and his face a mask.

"Hundred years ago, clans of dwarves and gnomes made an agreement known as the Phandelver’s Pact, by which they would share a rich mine in a wondrous cavern. In addition to its mineral wealth, the mine contained great magical power. Human spellcasters joined with the dwarves and gnomes to channel and bind that energy into a great forge, where magic items could be crafted. The nearby human town of Phandalin prospered as well. But then when orcs swept through the North laying waste to all in their path. A powerful force of orcs reinforced by mercenaries attacked to seize its riches and magic treasures. Human wizards fought alongside their dwarf and gnome allies to defend the Forge of Spells, and the ensuing spell battle destroyed much of the cavern. Few survived the cave-ins and tremors, and the location was lost."

As the elf starts into this last explanation Tallanvor, Humblodt, and Xiao Long all see Ro turn away from the captive to look at Twiglet. The look turns into a stare, and 30 seconds later the pair is still locked in what appears to be a staring contest. It isn't until several seconds after the elf finishes speaking that the pair realizes they've become the center of attention. They look back at each other for a few seconds more and then Twiglet breaks eye contact to address the party.

"I think we should pause the interrogation - Ro needs your attention for a minute."

A moment later everyone in the wagon (including the captive) hears a quiet voice that seems to come from inside their own head. It sounds like a stage whisper meant to travel across the room and despite it being quiet on its own somehow it can easily be heard over the din of the wagon wheels and the horses.

"Can you hear me?

"I is thinking we have wrong idea about the elf maybe"

Twiglet looks at the others to see if they show signs of hearing Ro (I can’t do rolls when posting from my phone) 

If he does see something in Talvanor or Humblodt’s face he will try to explain what he understands as best he can

Twiglet can tell that the goblin is making contact with the rest of the party

“I can hear a voice in my head. I’m thinking that elf-witch has put a spell on us”. Humblodt hefts his staff menacingly and mutters angry sounding words.

 As soon as Ro hears that Humblodt can hear her she runs forward and hugs him as hard as she can, and then starts jabbering about the necklace and the elf. (see Discord)

“Humblodt, NO!” Shouts Twiglet, seeing the dwarf summon his magical club, dark deeds in his eyes

”Its Ro using the necklace thing to talk to us. She’s also using it to hear the elf’s thoughts” then he suddenly stops, realising he might have said too much

Twiglet signs to Ro (Tally can see too) [Does she really want to die? I not understand]

[She very convincing, but I is new with mind-speaking so I is easy to fool maybe.]

"I do agree with the young one. Ter sacrifice Shadowspawn do be one thing, but the elf do be one caught in the grip o the Dark One." Tallanvor addresses the elf "Why sacrifice ones self when ye can fight back? 'The Wheel weaves as The Wheel wills'" He quotes fervently "We can fight back at this master o' yers. And if ye die trying, t'would be a better fate and a chance at retribution. Lest ye simply be a darkfriend at heart." His face twists in disgust at the word. "Then how ye die matters not to me. Just so long as ye do. Cursed Forsaken " He spits as he walks away.

When Tallanvor gets a chance he will explain to Twiglet who the Dark One is and how his followers can twist the minds of good people to bend to his will by holding a loved one hostage, for example. Some, however, simply are evil at heart and would watch the world burn to get to the top. And while one should never relish killing a being, the world would be a safer place. Ridding the world of this one would be one less funeral. Had we done it sooner, the Rockseekers would still have their brother. 

Persuasion: 11

"Many have tried to defeat my master, and all have failed. Lolth (chief goddess of the dark elves) herself could only banish and curse him. You are welcome to try where others have failed."

Ro is still feeling like she's missing something.

"What punishing is so bad that you is preferring death instead?"

Persuasion: 4