Ithelion, Garnet, and Meepo all go back to Yusdrayal. the rest are in or near the prison. (Play that however you like)
”Something else, I presume? And spare me the judgement - we usually keep the prisoners until we can ransom them back to the goblins but with the new captains this is proving...difficult. Our own warriors are not so lucky and are usually fed to Guthash. Not to worry though, it doesn’t go to waste. It fills our bellies as well as the mushroom soup that Yurrdo seems so fond of.” She grins.
Shere looks at Daemyar and purposely says in goblin and smiles
"I was hoping to see the decisive side of you. But May I offer some advice Ombre? When your working with others that are your equals You ask what they think and want before acting. Course split second decisionsduring battle are different but you still cooperate. But we're all here for the same goal and that is to win. But use alittle tact don't just grab something without making sure that a whole entire race of allies will want to kill you. To put it simple It's like making sure something is not trapped socially The gooshy for instance,
Unless they say they're giving something freely you find out how you get it, if you want it, which usually means some kind of payment. Course sometimes you have to give up cause they wont sell it to you, then you move on."
”Something else, I presume? And spare me the judgement - we usually keep the prisoners until we can ransom them back to the goblins but with the new captains this is proving...difficult. Our own warriors are not so lucky and are usually fed to Guthash. Not to worry though, it doesn’t go to waste. It fills our bellies as well as the mushroom soup that Yurrdo seems so fond of.” She grins.
Ithelion bows again to the Queen, "No judgement, Majesty. And I am pleased that our defeat of Guthash may offer some reprieve to the prisoners that the goblins keep."
"History teaches us that leaders sometimes have to make decisions that are unpopular with their people, or unpopular to the wider world." A thin, bitter smile appears on her face. She continues briefly in Draconic, "It would be disrespectful for me to pretend that I and my kind were above such things. We would both know it for a lie. Only our methods differ." Not always. She swallows, and glances around the room before continuing in common. Oh gods, keep it together! "It is in your capacity as a leader and decision maker -- sometimes the most difficult of decisions -- that I come to you."
"You mentioned ransom. There are three goblins. Yurdo..." she pauses, collecting her thoughts as ancient and recent memories come to the fore. Crude, so crude. "...Yurdo has done his job well with them. Two will likely achieve ransom, especially if they suffer no more harm." She glances at Garnet, hoping she takes that in.
"The third...you probably know the one of which I speak. She will not make ransom, but she also seems to have a hatred of the hobgoblins that we might put to use. I would like to propose that we take custody of her, and take her with us. Given her state, I doubt she will trust your people, but I believe with a little time...and a little cunning...", she smiles again, this time with grim sincerity, "...we will persuade her of the wisdom of helping us."
"With luck, and with her help, our efforts may be hastened and perhaps we can free all the kobolds held by the goblins. Consider it, perhaps, a risk taken for a chance to free the kobold prisoners."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Garnet squashes down her disapproval and pulls herself to her full height and bows her head in respect to the Kobold queen following Ithelion's remarks. " Your highness we seek to travel through unknown goblin territory and ask to procure from you, one of your prisoners as a guide. " She pauses a moment gesturing to the elf at her side.
"As Ithelion has mentioned you ransom these prisoners, and you have one that a ransom can not be attained for." Garnet's voice is clipped and formal a tone she has used before while serving the merchant heads of the upperdark. "Please allow us to take her with us."
Yusdrayal looks coldly at the both of you. "You presume much. You have not returned our dragon - in fact, you have not even found her yet! We have given you shelter and safety, we have given you boons to fight against the goblins, and I have even offered you a guide," she looks to Meepo. "What did they tell you, dragon trainer, when you said you could offer help?"
Meepo looks sheepishly, "They say Meepo not needed. But Meepo need to guard kobold-people."
"Mmm hmm. I thought as much. The ones before you said much the same things and the one that carried the sword - you remind me of him,"she says to Garnet, "was much more certain of our evil." She sighs and gestures to one of the elite kobolds beside her, whispering something into his ear. "Our numbers are decreasing. We used to ransom when the new hobgoblin captains weren't there. Even Durnn would agree to ransom at times. But this exchange hasn't happened in a long time, our messengers sent back to us body-less. I tire of your demands, adventurers. Take the one prisoner if you wish but be careful about returning with empty hands again." She whispers something to another elite guard and this one goes over to talk with the kobold guarding the "secret" way to goblin-land. The elite cuffs the kobold on the head and points to Yusdrayal, who nods. The remaining elite kobold, the biggest you've seen, stands in front of the Queen defensively.
From the prison, you hear the chittering sounds of goblins followed by two "thunks!" and gurgles. You look at each other, eyes widening.
In the prison room (Daemyar, Shere, Yurrdo, Krom (just outside in the hall):
You all turn to look as the door opens. You recognize one of Yusdrayal's elite guards - the one with the wicked looking spear - come in. He stops and looks at all of you before going to the two talkative goblins, grin on his face. They cry out in terror as he runs them through mechanically, methodically. He turns to look at Yurrdo, "Chow," he says as he points to their corpses. He points his dripping spear at the remaining goblin and yips, pointing at Shere and Daemyar. Yurrdo nods and unlocks the goblin's legs and arms but fastening a chain to her neck and holding it out to Daemyar and Shere. He hands the key over as well and begins to work on the corpses.
Yusdrayal looks coldly at the both of you. "You presume much. You have not returned our dragon - in fact, you have not even found her yet! We have given you shelter and safety, we have given you boons to fight against the goblins, and I have even offered you a guide," she looks to Meepo. "What did they tell you, dragon trainer, when you said you could offer help?"
Meepo looks sheepishly, "They say Meepo not needed. But Meepo need to guard kobold-people."
"Mmm hmm. I thought as much. The ones before you said much the same things and the one that carried the sword - you remind me of him,"she says to Garnet, "was much more certain of our evil." She sighs and gestures to one of the elite kobolds beside her, whispering something into his ear. "Our numbers are decreasing. We used to ransom when the new hobgoblin captains weren't there. Even Durnn would agree to ransom at times. But this exchange hasn't happened in a long time, our messengers sent back to us body-less. I tire of your demands, adventurers. Take the one prisoner if you wish but be careful about returning with empty hands again." She whispers something to another elite guard and this one goes over to talk with the kobold guarding the "secret" way to goblin-land. The elite cuffs the kobold on the head and points to Yusdrayal, who nods. The remaining elite kobold, the biggest you've seen, stands in front of the Queen defensively.
From the prison, you hear the chittering sounds of goblins followed by two "thunks!" and gurgles. You look at each other, eyes widening.
Ithelion's eyebrows rise slightly as she shifts her gaze from the Queen to Meepo and back, judging their reactions. Elosa scans the room for threats...including Garnet in that assessment.
Better a quick death than prolonged torture. Ithelion sighs, then looks around the room, taking in anything Elosa has to report. How should I play this? She could not just hand over the prisoner, that would have appeared weak. I expected bargaining -- but that too would have been a sign of weakness. Again, I failed to anticipate instinctive reactions. She glances sidelong at Garnet...
"Your generosity and decisiveness are noted Majesty. I expect my companions will arrive shortly, after which we will leave you to enjoy your feast."
Yusdrayal just looks at you before saying, "Please return our dragon to us. You will receive your rewards."
@ithelion - you don't notice anything different about garnet or the queen. Yusdrayal is clearly frustrated - that's plain to see. Elosa the owl notes the screams behind her, and the other action going on around you. So far, no one is threatening you - in Elosa's estimation.
Garnet's face is grim she hears the screams and knows what has just occurred, she can not bring herself to speak glad that Ithelion continues to do so. It seems people in power are always the same regardless of race. Garnet is not a fool and understands her party's position she grits her teeth and bows stiffly. As mush as she wants to rage at the loss of life and lack of mercy, doing so would just cause more death.
Garnet will head back over to the others looking down at the goblin in chains just for a moment before heading over to the location of the "secret" door they plan to go through now.
(She is just gonna head that way, I assume we are being led there or something to that effect.)
A few points to recap when you're all together again, to maybe help you make decisions:
-Yusdrayal is frustrated - she thinks it's taking longer than necessary to return the dragon (this, in her eyes, is your main task) -She hasn't been able to ransom prisoners for a while, at least as long as the new hobgoblins have come, so any prisoners (not many) usually are interrogated and destined for the stew-pot -She hasn't been able to recover many of her people back, the situation will become desperate for her eventually -The secret way, you have learned, is heavily locked and a trap awaits you inside. The door to the goblin area you can assume is locked -The goblin you have taken is not fond of the new hobgoblin captains, a sentiment confirmed by the queen through Yurrdo's motivation tactics -The secret way seems closer to the 'main hall' area of the goblins, according to info you've gleaned
You all stand outside the torture room/prison, with your goblin prisoner and Meepo. To the north-east is the guarded secret room, where the kobold and kobold elite wait for you; to the north is another door you haven't explored; and to the east is the kobold enclave where you acquired the gooshie. To the west is the brooding figure of the queen, alternately whispering to her elite warrior and looking at you. It's only been about 30 minutes or so since Daemyar drank the gooshie, so he still has another 30 minutes of liquid courage left (and 10 temp. HP to boot). The goblin girl looks at you defiantly and says in goblin, "My brave rescuers,"she snorts and grabs the chain, "What now?"
What is the party's next course of action? (the deliberation won't take long in-game time, so feel free to discuss here (in-character) or on the OOC if you wish).
Here's Ithelion's updated map (i've put a legend on there as well)
Ithelion frowns at the incomprehensible words, then turns and bows again to the queen, "We will discuss our next move and return again shortly."
Turning back to her companions and says, "I suggest we return to the entry hall. It is likely the most discrete."
(( ie. the circular room at the bottom right. The goblin could be (possibly) locked in the square room on the south side, where we rested the first night ))
After seeing what is inside of the room, Krom stays nearby in the main hall sitting on the ground. His hands holding the warhammer tightly.
Be excellent to each other, and roll for initiative dudes!
Ithelion, Garnet, and Meepo all go back to Yusdrayal.
the rest are in or near the prison. (Play that however you like)
”Something else, I presume? And spare me the judgement - we usually keep the prisoners until we can ransom them back to the goblins but with the new captains this is proving...difficult. Our own warriors are not so lucky and are usually fed to Guthash. Not to worry though, it doesn’t go to waste. It fills our bellies as well as the mushroom soup that Yurrdo seems so fond of.” She grins.
DM - And In The Darkness, Rot: The Sunless Citadel
DM - Our Little Lives Kept In Equipoise: Curse of Strahd
DM - Misprize Thou Not These Shadows That Belong: The Lost Mines of Phandelver
PC - Azzure - Tyranny of Dragons
you keep both your revulsion and anger smothered but just barely.
DM - And In The Darkness, Rot: The Sunless Citadel
DM - Our Little Lives Kept In Equipoise: Curse of Strahd
DM - Misprize Thou Not These Shadows That Belong: The Lost Mines of Phandelver
PC - Azzure - Tyranny of Dragons
Shere looks at Daemyar and purposely says in goblin and smiles
"I was hoping to see the decisive side of you. But May I offer some advice Ombre? When your working with others that are your equals You ask what they think and want before acting. Course split second decisions during battle are different but you still cooperate. But we're all here for the same goal and that is to win. But use alittle tact don't just grab something without making sure that a whole entire race of allies will want to kill you. To put it simple It's like making sure something is not trapped socially The gooshy for instance,
Unless they say they're giving something freely you find out how you get it, if you want it, which usually means some kind of payment. Course sometimes you have to give up cause they wont sell it to you, then you move on."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reminder for myself. Work together or fail apart. Talk with each other when necessary. Describe how, where, if, your character moved.
The sign on the trail ahead reads "DONT FEED THE DRAGON!" "Working Together" Follow this link please
Ithelion bows again to the Queen, "No judgement, Majesty. And I am pleased that our defeat of Guthash may offer some reprieve to the prisoners that the goblins keep."
"History teaches us that leaders sometimes have to make decisions that are unpopular with their people, or unpopular to the wider world." A thin, bitter smile appears on her face. She continues briefly in Draconic, "It would be disrespectful for me to pretend that I and my kind were above such things. We would both know it for a lie. Only our methods differ." Not always. She swallows, and glances around the room before continuing in common. Oh gods, keep it together! "It is in your capacity as a leader and decision maker -- sometimes the most difficult of decisions -- that I come to you."
"You mentioned ransom. There are three goblins. Yurdo..." she pauses, collecting her thoughts as ancient and recent memories come to the fore. Crude, so crude. "...Yurdo has done his job well with them. Two will likely achieve ransom, especially if they suffer no more harm." She glances at Garnet, hoping she takes that in.
"The third...you probably know the one of which I speak. She will not make ransom, but she also seems to have a hatred of the hobgoblins that we might put to use. I would like to propose that we take custody of her, and take her with us. Given her state, I doubt she will trust your people, but I believe with a little time...and a little cunning...", she smiles again, this time with grim sincerity, "...we will persuade her of the wisdom of helping us."
"With luck, and with her help, our efforts may be hastened and perhaps we can free all the kobolds held by the goblins. Consider it, perhaps, a risk taken for a chance to free the kobold prisoners."
Garnet squashes down her disapproval and pulls herself to her full height and bows her head in respect to the Kobold queen following Ithelion's remarks. " Your highness we seek to travel through unknown goblin territory and ask to procure from you, one of your prisoners as a guide. " She pauses a moment gesturing to the elf at her side.
"As Ithelion has mentioned you ransom these prisoners, and you have one that a ransom can not be attained for." Garnet's voice is clipped and formal a tone she has used before while serving the merchant heads of the upperdark. "Please allow us to take her with us."
Persuasion: 22
(Damn a +6 and I get a 12 -_-)
(( lol...hopefully Ithelion's opening remarks can be regarded as help ))
Persuasion: 21
(Least we wont be on the rack 😁)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reminder for myself. Work together or fail apart. Talk with each other when necessary. Describe how, where, if, your character moved.
The sign on the trail ahead reads "DONT FEED THE DRAGON!" "Working Together" Follow this link please
In the Queen's hall (Garnet, Ithelion, Meepo):
Yusdrayal looks coldly at the both of you. "You presume much. You have not returned our dragon - in fact, you have not even found her yet! We have given you shelter and safety, we have given you boons to fight against the goblins, and I have even offered you a guide," she looks to Meepo. "What did they tell you, dragon trainer, when you said you could offer help?"
Meepo looks sheepishly, "They say Meepo not needed. But Meepo need to guard kobold-people."
"Mmm hmm. I thought as much. The ones before you said much the same things and the one that carried the sword - you remind me of him," she says to Garnet, "was much more certain of our evil." She sighs and gestures to one of the elite kobolds beside her, whispering something into his ear. "Our numbers are decreasing. We used to ransom when the new hobgoblin captains weren't there. Even Durnn would agree to ransom at times. But this exchange hasn't happened in a long time, our messengers sent back to us body-less. I tire of your demands, adventurers. Take the one prisoner if you wish but be careful about returning with empty hands again." She whispers something to another elite guard and this one goes over to talk with the kobold guarding the "secret" way to goblin-land. The elite cuffs the kobold on the head and points to Yusdrayal, who nods. The remaining elite kobold, the biggest you've seen, stands in front of the Queen defensively.
From the prison, you hear the chittering sounds of goblins followed by two "thunks!" and gurgles. You look at each other, eyes widening.
In the prison room (Daemyar, Shere, Yurrdo, Krom (just outside in the hall):
You all turn to look as the door opens. You recognize one of Yusdrayal's elite guards - the one with the wicked looking spear - come in. He stops and looks at all of you before going to the two talkative goblins, grin on his face. They cry out in terror as he runs them through mechanically, methodically. He turns to look at Yurrdo, "Chow," he says as he points to their corpses. He points his dripping spear at the remaining goblin and yips, pointing at Shere and Daemyar. Yurrdo nods and unlocks the goblin's legs and arms but fastening a chain to her neck and holding it out to Daemyar and Shere. He hands the key over as well and begins to work on the corpses.
DM - And In The Darkness, Rot: The Sunless Citadel
DM - Our Little Lives Kept In Equipoise: Curse of Strahd
DM - Misprize Thou Not These Shadows That Belong: The Lost Mines of Phandelver
PC - Azzure - Tyranny of Dragons
Ithelion's eyebrows rise slightly as she shifts her gaze from the Queen to Meepo and back, judging their reactions. Elosa scans the room for threats...including Garnet in that assessment.
(( Ithelion perception (re Queen and Meepo): 11 (Passive 14), Elosa (threats): 8 (Passive 18) ))
Better a quick death than prolonged torture. Ithelion sighs, then looks around the room, taking in anything Elosa has to report. How should I play this? She could not just hand over the prisoner, that would have appeared weak. I expected bargaining -- but that too would have been a sign of weakness. Again, I failed to anticipate instinctive reactions. She glances sidelong at Garnet...
"Your generosity and decisiveness are noted Majesty. I expect my companions will arrive shortly, after which we will leave you to enjoy your feast."
Yusdrayal just looks at you before saying, "Please return our dragon to us. You will receive your rewards."
@ithelion - you don't notice anything different about garnet or the queen. Yusdrayal is clearly frustrated - that's plain to see. Elosa the owl notes the screams behind her, and the other action going on around you. So far, no one is threatening you - in Elosa's estimation.
DM - And In The Darkness, Rot: The Sunless Citadel
DM - Our Little Lives Kept In Equipoise: Curse of Strahd
DM - Misprize Thou Not These Shadows That Belong: The Lost Mines of Phandelver
PC - Azzure - Tyranny of Dragons
Daemyar comes out with the goblin on a chain.
Paladin - warforged - orange
Shere follows with solemn silence he wonders what is next
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reminder for myself. Work together or fail apart. Talk with each other when necessary. Describe how, where, if, your character moved.
The sign on the trail ahead reads "DONT FEED THE DRAGON!" "Working Together" Follow this link please
Krom disapprovingly shakes his head at the whole thing.
Be excellent to each other, and roll for initiative dudes!
Garnet's face is grim she hears the screams and knows what has just occurred, she can not bring herself to speak glad that Ithelion continues to do so. It seems people in power are always the same regardless of race. Garnet is not a fool and understands her party's position she grits her teeth and bows stiffly. As mush as she wants to rage at the loss of life and lack of mercy, doing so would just cause more death.
Garnet will head back over to the others looking down at the goblin in chains just for a moment before heading over to the location of the "secret" door they plan to go through now.
(She is just gonna head that way, I assume we are being led there or something to that effect.)
A few points to recap when you're all together again, to maybe help you make decisions:
-Yusdrayal is frustrated - she thinks it's taking longer than necessary to return the dragon (this, in her eyes, is your main task)
-She hasn't been able to ransom prisoners for a while, at least as long as the new hobgoblins have come, so any prisoners (not many) usually are interrogated and destined for the stew-pot
-She hasn't been able to recover many of her people back, the situation will become desperate for her eventually
-The secret way, you have learned, is heavily locked and a trap awaits you inside. The door to the goblin area you can assume is locked
-The goblin you have taken is not fond of the new hobgoblin captains, a sentiment confirmed by the queen through Yurrdo's motivation tactics
-The secret way seems closer to the 'main hall' area of the goblins, according to info you've gleaned
You all stand outside the torture room/prison, with your goblin prisoner and Meepo. To the north-east is the guarded secret room, where the kobold and kobold elite wait for you; to the north is another door you haven't explored; and to the east is the kobold enclave where you acquired the gooshie. To the west is the brooding figure of the queen, alternately whispering to her elite warrior and looking at you. It's only been about 30 minutes or so since Daemyar drank the gooshie, so he still has another 30 minutes of liquid courage left (and 10 temp. HP to boot).
The goblin girl looks at you defiantly and says in goblin, "My brave rescuers," she snorts and grabs the chain, "What now?"
What is the party's next course of action? (the deliberation won't take long in-game time, so feel free to discuss here (in-character) or on the OOC if you wish).
Here's Ithelion's updated map (i've put a legend on there as well)
DM - And In The Darkness, Rot: The Sunless Citadel
DM - Our Little Lives Kept In Equipoise: Curse of Strahd
DM - Misprize Thou Not These Shadows That Belong: The Lost Mines of Phandelver
PC - Azzure - Tyranny of Dragons
Ithelion frowns at the incomprehensible words, then turns and bows again to the queen, "We will discuss our next move and return again shortly."
Turning back to her companions and says, "I suggest we return to the entry hall. It is likely the most discrete."
(( ie. the circular room at the bottom right. The goblin could be (possibly) locked in the square room on the south side, where we rested the first night ))
"The way you wish is fine."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reminder for myself. Work together or fail apart. Talk with each other when necessary. Describe how, where, if, your character moved.
The sign on the trail ahead reads "DONT FEED THE DRAGON!" "Working Together" Follow this link please
Krom follows the group keeping close to Garnet.
Be excellent to each other, and roll for initiative dudes!