Gerrard:

Looking over to his companion as he joins the 'front line,' Gerrard says, "Truth be told Master Kei, I'd rather leave negotiations to the experts, but here I am and at least I speak their language--and I thought my formal education wouldn't be useful.  I'm sure my teachers envisioned me speaking with Elven Emissaries and Metallic Dragons though, not lizardfolk.  I will translate as I go and hopefully you and Master Fenwader can keep me from making a fatal misstep."

Dwal

Dwal will wait and see how this plays out. He will call to Bjorn to come to him and have Bjorn land on his shoulder.

Oceanus reluctantly holds his attack as the remaining lizard retreats. Combat is paused for the moment.

One of the lizardfolk pair calls out, in Draconic:

Peri:

I will translate as I go and hopefully you and Master Fenwader can keep me from making a fatal misstep."

Peri looks up at Gerrard, one eyebrow cocked. "I'm not sure what I've done to give you the impression I'm a skilled negotiator, or even that I know what I'm doin'. Most of the time I'm just wingin' it, hopin' things'll work out peaceful, and stabbin' baddies when they don't. I think you're doin' a fine job, Lord Feldern, though I'm not sure my opinion counts for much." He resumes his fearsome(ish) scowl at the lizardfolk.

Gerrard:

"They accuse us of killing fourteen of them the last time we were here.  There must have been another group of humans who attacked them.  There is a Queen, whom they have offered to leave our message for, but they still threaten to kill us unless we leave.  I counsel we leave a message and back off for a little while to give them a chance to come speak with us on their own terms.  What do you guys think?" asks Gerrard.

Seven more lizardfolk file in from the southeast corner of the cavern, gawking at the party. Most hold javelins, although one carries a morning star, and another is empty-handed.

There are now nine crowded on the path at the back of the cave. They leer at you without blinking. 

Two lizards remain asleep. The third, wounded one buries itself in the deep mud of the cavern.

Dwal

Dwal will take a step forward, and holster his Battle Axe. He will reach up and pet Bjorn, if Bjorn is on his shoulder, and then speak in Draconic to the gathered Lizardfolk.

"I am Dwal Fiercehammer and I am Dragon-Blooded. Your clan made a pact with human pirates for weapons. Why are the Lizardfolk preparing for War?"

Gerrard:

Calling out in Draconic after Dwal and then translating for the others, Gerrard says, "Well-said, Brother Fiercehammer". (Help action if a roll is needed from Dwal).

Draconic:

Kei 

"Sheesh. Should've paid more attention to the old soothsayer back in the Styes. He offered to teach me this gutteral language and I scoffed at him. Would've been handy about now." He grumbles more to himself than anyone in particular.

"Make sure to give a signal if things are going sour" he whispers in elvish to Gerrard, figuring the lizards are less likely to speak that than Common. He shifts his weight in discomfort. All this standing around, somewhat exposed, has him a little nervous.

"Drop all your weapons," commands the weaponless lizardfolk, in heavily accented Common. "And we will lead you to talk with the Queen."

Gerrard:

     Looking at the others, Gerrard says, "I am willing to take the chance for peace.  Do you want to come with me, or stay here with your weapons ready so you can rush in if the Queen proves false?"  Taking off his weapon belt, Gerrard hands it to the nearest person (probably Peri or Dwal) and steps forward.  Picking up the Lizardfolk shield, Gerrard starts walking forward into the teeth of the ?enemy? with or without his allies (as they see fit).

Peri:

"You can't go in there alone, and I don't fancy the idea of standin' out here havin' a starin' contest with the lizards -- they don't seem to ever blink. I'll come along. Besides," he says with a smirk, "you're the only one really dependent on pointy things. The rest of us are just about as dangerous without our weapons."

He leaves his spear stuck into the soft dirt. Pointing at it, he calls out in his best Quarterdeck Voice: "If that's moved one inch when I come back for it, someone is gonna be spittin' teeth!"

Gerrard:

Suddenly distracted, an image of Esmerelda springs to Gerrard's mind at Peri's comment and he is momentarily embarrassed.  Changing course, he lays down his weapon belt on the ground and divests himself of his various and sundry throwing blades as well.  Moving forward and picking up the shield, he answers simply, "Good to have you with me, Master Fenwader.  Let's do this."

Oceanus is uneasy. He is willing to stay outside with the weapons and keep watch.

What are Dwal's and Kei's plans?

Dwal

(OCC: Sorry for the delay)

Dwal will sheath everything and step forward a couple of paces. "Ye have not answered my question," he says in common then switches to Draconic. "I propose this." Dwal starts.

?"

Persuasion: 14

Kei 

He laughs out aloud at the tone of Dwal's speach. "Hey Peri, if Gerrard is the good and Dwal the bad, that must make you the ugly!" He continues to chuckle as he faces the lizard folk. "I have no intention on entering your lair, let alone without my weapons. I shall stay here with the Ugly one." He points to Peri and once more starts to laugh. "Sor...sorry guys." he manages to compose himself. "I mean no disrespect lizard people." He bows with so much grace that even Gerrard is impressed. An act, of course.

Deception 28

(OOC: 28??)

Gerrard and Peri step forward. The lizardfolk wielding the morning star prepares to lead the fearless duo deeper into the hillside, using the passages at the back of the muddy cavern. Two of the javelin-wielding lizardfolk prepare to accompany this party.

Kei, Dwal, Oceanus, and Bjorn remain outside on the boggy trail. "I speak with you," says the empty-handed lizardfolk to Dwal, in Common, stepping forward. "I speak with my own mouth." Three lizardfolk stand with him.

(Are these the correct party groupings? Let me know if I misunderstood or you change your minds.)

(map uses 10' squares)

Dwal

Dwal shakes his head as he watches Gerrard and Peri being led away. 

Dwal will turn to the speaking Lizard man. "Good!" Dwal says encouraged. "Dwal will set down his shield, battle axe and pack to the side and step forward. Dwal will look over the Lizardman trying to gauge his status among his people. 

Insight: 18

Dwal will cast Mold Earth and create a raised spot in the earth that is dry and he can sit on.  Once created Dwal will sit. 

'i am Dwal and I am the shaman of my tribe. The humans have asked me and my companions to speak with the Lizardfolk and ask, why are they preparing for war. Is there a threat to the Lizardfolk's clan that they must buy human weapons to protect themselves?" Dwal will ask. 

Gerrard:

OOC:  That sounds like the right grouping to me, although I as a player am worried about splitting the party, it is how I see Gerrard handling it.  As a noble, he just expects the issues to get worked out at an audience with the "Queen" since she is purported royalty.

Peri:

He starts toward the cave entrance with Gerrard and hears Kei's barb. Projecting an air of confident bravado he replies, "Oh I may not be so pretty as you, minstrel, but I've a heart of silver and a golden tongue that serve me well enough. I'll get a snog outta Captain Sal before you do!" He swaggers beside Gerrard, something tickling his brain about what he said being not quite right, but it's out there now so he sets it aside to focus on the task at hand.

He leans toward Gerrard and whispers, "I've never met a Queen before, even if she is a lizardwoman who lives in a cave. What do I do when I get there? I saw that fancy armor you got for the sea-elf and wanted to get a set of shiny scaled pants but I didn't have time; guess it's a good thing I'm not sportin' lizard hide right now. Say, d'you think we should call her like, Your Highness or Your Majesty or somethin' like that? I'd just follow the guards' example but they speak that Dragontalk so that doesn't do me much good. Is this the kind of thing they cover in nobility school? Or are there schools or just private tutors?" He chatters on as they're led deeper into the cavern, which could be taken as a sign of nervousness if he weren't walking in such a supremely confident manner. As soon as he thinks of this, however, he becomes too conscious of his walk and it devolves into a sort of stomping sashay.

((OOC: I agree that the groups look right to me. And Peri is also unsure that going unarmed into the lizardfolks' lair is the best course, but once Gerrard agreed there was no question of letting him go it alone. Besides, leaving the spear still leaves him plenty deadly, as evidenced by the way he almost-singlehandedly plowed through the guard lizards. ;)  ))