"Uh huh," replies the little voice. "We already killed them. And what tribute do y' have for Doug?"

Peri:

As the others negotiate Peri creeps quietly through the dark until he is directly beneath the treehouse. Hearing that these tree people killed the sahuagin reduces his worry a bit, but just because they're unfriendly with the Eels doesn't mean they'll be friendly to his people. And there's still plenty of potential for things to go wrong. 

So he summons an unseen servant onto the platform near the ballista and gives it the mental image of disarming the ballista. Specifically, he just barely lifts the nock and rests it on the bowstring. Hopefully it won't matter, but if someone pulls the trigger, by accident or on purpose, that first bolt should just get flung harmlessly into the air. He'd once seen a deckhand, all in a hurry to try to shoot some big fish, misfire just this way. Poor salt never lived it down.

“I for one will speak of the prowess of Doug Almighty for any who may doubt him. What higher form of tribute than praise and reputation? It would help if I could gaze upon his… majesty, to better paint a picture. I would, however, like to ask if you knew they were coming, and if they were coming to you. Long walk for them to die in the Realm of Doug.” Boko says. She speaks a healing word on the snake for 6 hp to at least close the worst wounds. More out of respect than utility.

"Doug don't need 'prowess'. Gold or Platinum. No copper, no silver. Diamonds are good. Tribute first, talk second."

Peri begins to creep ahead, toward the underside of the treehouse, as he mentally instructs his invisible servant. (Roll both Stealth and Perception.)

Peri:

Stealth: 8; Perception: 19

Oof -- rerolling that Stealth: 21. For the record, in case the dice roller gets all silly, that was a Nat 1 stealth and a 19 Perception.

Gerard:

Looking for signs of a struggle or at least the cessation of the Sahuagain footprints, Gerrard says, “To properly understand your victory, Doug, we must see the evidence.  Proof first, then we can discuss how best to show you our thankfulness—though I warn you, if you are misleading us and the Sahuagin war party are still alive and getting farther from us, we will be quite…disappointed.”

Perception for the proof of battle/victory:  11

Insight to see if they are lying to us:  13

Yeah Boko is also at this point getting off the Doug train and wants to see if he’s full of scat.

Insight: 20

"I've had about enough of this." Qivys says and casts Detect Thoughts.

OCC: I want to use this spells secondary power and "Detect the presence of thinking creatures" he can not see. Qivys will search the area where the voice is coming from.  (range 30 ft.)
Wis DC: 13
If successful and he locates the "unseen" target Qivys will use the primary ability of this spell to read the surface thoughts of "Doug" 

If he succeeds Qivys will use the spell to go deeper into the thoughts of the unseen creature and try and find out what Doug is and what this is all about.

Silent as a mouse, Peri creeps underneath the treehouse. He then notices a hidden wall in front of him – ropes, thorns, and vines crisscross to make a natural-looking but difficult-to-penetrate barrier which stretches underneath the wooden structure and in both directions. He also notices another shambling mound in the darkness nearby, trying to blend in with the underbrush. It does not yet see Peri.

Reaching out with his mind, Qivys first detects the primitive, alien mind of the mound. Above him, at the limits of his spell he detects four more minds. He reaches inside one of them.

He senses this being's fear and paranoia, its itchy trigger finger. It fears the party, but is greedy for your possessions. It knows the boss will take care of the party the way that it took care of the sahuagin unless they pay the price of admission. You probe deeper. DC13 Wisdom Saving throw: 10

Meanwhile, Gerrard can see little, and neither Boko nor Gerrard can ascertain the truthfulness in the voice.

"The sahuaguin? Your proof is rotting in th' swamp," shouts the little voice to Gerrard. "If you got no business here, you're in th' wrong place. If you want t' see Doug, ye' need a tribute."

Qivys digs in deeper into the soft mind. He sees Doug – a black, reptilian, skull-like head protruding from a swamp. You know it is highly dangerous. You can smell its acid. Then you see it again in your mind's eye –  huge, flying with batlike wings against a steel-grey sky. This being worships Doug, and yet is terrified of it. It is relieved that one of the strangers' voices (Boko's) spoke in praise of Doug, but is extremely distrustful of the rest of you, and your motives. It knows that Doug seeks useful allies, not like those aggressive, egotistical sea devils. 

"Well that ain't too cheery." Qivys says. "There's 4 of 'em up there an' tha one speakin' has an ichy trigger finger and would like ta take what we got.' He tells the party.

Qivys speaks to those hiding in the foliage.

"Doug is great an' powerful. With one flap of his great wings he'd blow us down like dried leaves. An' from his mouth, certain death. Yer right ta worship 'em." he says to the unseen speaker. "I think Doug would be angered if'n you would harm us an' ruin his chance ta find allies, especially those that hate tha sea devils."  

Qivys pauses to let that sink in.

Gerrard:

     Surprised at Qivys' knowledge of this "Doug" creature, Gerrard allows that the warrior may have capabilities the young noble has, thus far, been oblivious to.  

     "Qivys, do you know if the Sahuagan are dead?  What they were doing here?  If this Doug is truly so dangerous, we are likely best off backing away and leaving the killer of our enemies alone--unless you think he could prove a useful ally to us in the upcoming battle," says Gerrard softly.

"Ta his mind their dead." Qivys says to Gerrard, nodding towards the area where the voice came from. "Backin' off might not be an option as their set on our possessions. As fer Doug...I ain't sure what he is but hes big, reptilian, can fly, an' has tha smell of acid about 'em. I ain't sure we can make an ally like that without comin' out dead on tha other side of it." 

Kei 

"Oh, you said Doug. I thought you said Steve" Kei says with feigned excitement. "Well if it is the Doug then he definitely deserves a tribute. Doug is known from sea to sea as a most revered master. I am honoured to be in the mere presence of his subjects" he bows deeply in a flourish that would impress the finest court herald. "Here take this as tribute to the almighty Doug". As he stands he reaches inside his robe his fingers searching for a particular shape. With a quick tug he rips a patch from his robes lining and places it on the ground. The moment he removes his hand the scrap if material flares with a bright light. As the glow disappears the material is gone and in its place a small heap of gems sits sparkling. "A fair tribute to the most honourable Doug." He backs away 5ft.

Gerrard:

”If the sahuagin are dead, then our business here is concluded.  We have no wish to disturb you or the great Doug further,” says Gerrard, backing away and smiling.

”Whether they came here to recruit a powerful ally or happened across this group by accident, the result appears to be much the same.  Let us be gone from here and complete our mission,” he suggests more quietly to the others, seeing no point in trying to make friends with what may be a dragon or other powerful creature when they have other work to do—and concerned that they risk upsetting a powerful potential foe given their track record.

With a squeak, a trap door opens and a small humanoid clambers down a rope to the ground. Some of you recognize it as a kobold. Grim-faced, it marches hesitantly toward the gems. Leaning over, it pauses to eye you all warily, before picking them up and examining them. 

"Kobolds" Qivys says quitely. "I should have known." 

The nervous kobold finishes examining Kei's gems before gathering them up in its oversized hands.
"Yeh, yeh..." it says positively, and beckons you to follow.
It must have made a signal to its compatriots, because you hear the small voice above call down, "Galax says that yer tribute is sufficient. You can see Doug now. Follow Galax."

Galax heads for a spot just to the right of the treehouse. Who is following him?

Which spells – Peri's servant, Qivys' thought detection, Boko's snake,... – remain active?

Gerrard:

Looking at Kei with bemusement, Gerrard shrugs and indicates that he will follow Kei if he plans to continue along this path.  "Looks like you just earned yourself an audience with Doug, Master Kei.  Try not to get us eaten," says the young noble--with some trepidation and a sneaking suspicion that the treasure outlay may not have been totally authentic...