Ulric Cha: 7

Ulric taps Toc on the shoulder to speak where the lizardfolk can't hear. 

"These are simple workers.  They won't know anything beyond what they've been told or seen.  How many guards have they seen there.  What weapons.  What do the dragon kneelers look like, clothing, trinkets, anything to identify them.   We can either use one to guide us and as a decoy to the castle or take all the boats and let them go home.  They are not an immediate threat."

Toc turns and listens to Ulric, nodding. "Indeed. I believe you are correct. We should learn as much as we can from what they've seen and heard, and then take all three canoes. The only risk they pose is if they warn the cultists."  Toc is going to question them, trying to get as much information about this castle, how many are there, how often they've taken loads of treasure, any identifying features of the leaders, etc. 

The three lizardfolk are not exactly overflowing with information as you question them. One of them does describe a half-dragon that could only be Rezmir though, but says she is not at the castle now.

"Castle has dragon kneelers, bullywugs, and lizardfolk." One of them speaks to Toc dreictly in dracconic. He then gives his fellow lizardfolk a side-ways look and says the following in common. "Want help."

Then, as if he hadn't spoken in common he continues in dracconic. "We are not the only ones who carry crates from warehouse to castle, so we have no idea how much of it has been brought there. We have done this trip many many times though." He then pauses again, glancing at his two companions before speaking again in common. "Speak alone." He eyes Toc directly then, clearly the common was for him, not the other lizardfolk, who have shown no signs of understanding or speaking common.

Toc raises an eyebrow and then turns to the group, "It seems this one can speak common and would prefer we have a chat alone." 

Without moving Toc speaks Draconnic directly into the lizards head with his magic, "Very well. We shall speak like so. You said you want to help us. How can you help?"

Out loud he directs questions in draconic to the other lizard folk, just as a distraction. 

"Nissa will be nearby, in case the lizard will try something," said Taviel in elvish, adding a few melodic notes to the language cacophony around. "But if Rezmir is here, that must be an important place. Do we want to drop by and say hello?"

"My kin have no love for the bullywugs, nor, for that matter, these dragon kneelers." The lizardfolk says back through the message spell. "We would be defeated if we revolt though, as we cannot take on both on our own. If you can even those odds, then my people will likely aid you."

Toc lets the rest of the party know what the lizardman has told him.  "Yes. I believe we must go to the castle. Lest we lose the trail and get no closer to knowing the bigger plot behind these....dragon kneelers. Sounds like if we agree to take on the bullywugs and cultists, that the lizard folk may assist us. I am wary though. They could just as easily betray us at an inopportune moment in order to win favor. If we agree to work with them, we should ensure our plans make betrayal as least damaging as possible." 

"Not necessarily happy with working with Lizardfolk, but it seems the enemy of my enemy and all that. And to be frank, they do not seem to be able to put up much resistance and we can deal with them if need be." Naroth says quietly to the rest of the group so the prisoners can't hear him. "If anything they might be bale to help us get inside the castle without being detected so we can take the heathens out from the inside."

"Sound idea, though, it's not like we can put a geas on them. Guess, watching our backs will have to suffice." Taviel continued in elven in the hope the lizardfolk do not speak that language.

Ulric nods.  "With the forces arrayed against us, having a revolt as a distraction would be very beneficial.  We should check how long the ride via canoe takes.  We have yet to rest and we'll need to have our wits about us."

Germain looks to the lizardfolk, in draconic, "How many are currently at the castle, in total, and is there a quiet way in?" To the others, continuing in elvish, "If this is where the treasure is headed, should we contact our other allies? If we bring in some support, guided by these lizardfolk, we could wipe them out in their entirety, or perhaps allow a few survivors to flee to track them to more strongholds."

2 / 6

None of the lizardfolk respond to Germain. The one who spoke common glances warily at his two kinfolk, then back to Toc. If Toc uses message again, and continues to ask questions, you can learn the below about the castle defenders...

Only a handful of true Cult of the Dragon initiates and officers resides at the castle.

The number of bullywugs around the castle fluctuates. They come and go as they please. On any given day, forty to fifty are camped outside the castle. Thirty-four more plus Pharblex (their leader) live in the castle barracks. Another thirty to seventy are in the immediate area, close enough to respond within fifteen minutes to the beating of the drum in the barbican.

The Scaly Death tribe comprises eighty lizardfolk warriors, both male and female. About half of them are in the vicinity of the castle at any given time; twenty-six live in the castle and the rest in reed huts. The others are away hunting, fishing, patrolling, hauling contraband from the work camp, or visiting their families in the tribal village (a few hours away to the southwest).

Toc asks casually, "What work camp? What is being...worked on?" 

The lizardman looks confused. He responds through the message. "Work camp, where we get crates from strong room, and then carry through swamp back to castle. Likely where you came from to get here. I believe they are rebuilding the road to Neverwinter."

Toc, "Oh, yes, right."  To the rest of the group, "Well, what do we do with them while we long rest? I suggest we bind them and make them wait for us to be ready." 

"Or we can keep watch as usual leaving our new friends free. And by the morning we shall know if they are indeed friends. I suppose we would hear should the battle begins." Not seeing an understanding in Toc's eyes, Taviel elaborated. "Should their offer be genuine, a sign of trust from our side would prove their choice was right. While hostility might indicate that they are about to change one cruel master for another."

Ulric nods in agreement, "While I do not trust them, they have no reason to trust us either.  We did just kill 6 of their comrades.  I can't imagine they are eager to fight us.  We'll alternate watch and let them be as a show of good faith.  Perhaps our new associate will be able to convince his friends the worthiness of our intentions."

Toc nods, "Very well. I was just worried that if even one decides they may gain something by fleeing into the swamp and warning the castle, we will lose any chance of surprise we may have had. But very well, a test of trust." 

He explains to the lizardfolk, "We must rest still. Please stay here. Then we will talk about how best to help each other."  He returns back to their camp spot and begins re-casting his tiny hut with the group inside so that they can resume their long rest.

Germain gathers the lizardfolk together, tracing a circle around them and explaining that he's establishing magical protections for them, provided they stay within the circle.

Alarm