And In The Darkness, Rot: The Sunless Citadel (Campaign)

(( Because it sounds good, to me at least: ))

They are a strict martial hierarchy based around physical prowess. Go with that. "You have seen what our champion can do." She nods in the direction of Daemyar, "Shamir called him a coward. Shamir was a fool, and now he is dead. Do you really want to follow the orders of a dead fool? Our champion could kill such as you with a glance."

Daemyar, as you remove Shamir's head from his body, another totem - a carved bone orc tusk - flies from his neck.  You feel as though a heavy burden has been lifted from your shoulders.  These thugs had been responsible - if Adathar's vision is to be believed - for the wholesale selling out and massacre of your tribe.  You can't help but feel good about this.  Shamir's longsword and shield are also a bit ashy and burned but still useable.  A wicked looking dagger remains in his belt.  The long bow and arrows are somewhat destroyed - the bowstring has snapped and the fletching ont he arrows has burned away - but they could be repaired/fixed.  

G3 backs up as far as it can go, terrified.  Sharpie comes running out of the room, careful to move slowly around the caltrops.  "Easy brother," she says steadily, hands up in the air.  "Save yourself, don't attack."

"What you doing?  Why you killin' us?" G3 hisses.  "You traitor?  You kill all?  What we do know 'gainst them kobolds?!?" As it finishes, Stabby also comes out and joins Sharpie.  G3 gasps.  "You still 'live?" he asks.  "Thinks you were meal for them dogs!"  

Sharpie interrupts.  "Listen, we don't have time for this.  The hobs are dead, Durnn will be weaker.  We can take back Durbuluk and have Grenl rule.  'Slike it was in before."  Sharpie does her best to soothe the goblin, who looks doubtfully at all of you.  His eyes settle on Ithelion and looks even more nervous.  

After much prodding, the goblin agrees to surrender and help.  "Me not like them but me not like gettin' the whip!" he says.  "I'm Sticky.  I help.  But Durnn probably never surrender, he dumb proud hobgoblin," Sticky gulps as he glances at Daemyar, who is covered in blood and ash.   "He have big temper, get real mad!"

Combat is over at this point.  When you look in the doorway that the goblins and Shamir came from, you see what looks like a storeroom or pantry.  About 50-feet long and a bit less than that wide, the north and south walls of this chamber are stacked halfway to the ceiling with ill-made barrels, boxes, and crates. A clear path allows easy access between the west and east doors.

You're certain that the commotion you made was heard but the door to the west remains closed.
The dragon room and this new room (where Shamir et al came from) remain unexplored.

What does the party wish to do?

While Garnet can't speak goblin she can tell from everyone's tone that it appears the remaining goblin is no longer interested in fighting. Moving slowly to not startle their tentative new ally. Garnet will walk up to Daeymar and place a hand on his shoulder useing lay on hands to heal him with the last of her ability to do so. She offers  "Good job kid" before dropping her hand away.  She doesn't know the extent of what the dead hobgoblin has done in his life, but it is good that his deeds will end here.

Daeymar +5 health points.

(How old is Daeymar anyway?)

Krom leans against his warhammer, "I don't know about yerselves, but this dwarf could use a rest. I say we take the big dumb lizard back and be callin' it a day."

Ithelion glances back toward the dragon room, curiosity drawing her, but slowly nods at Krom's suggestion, "I think so too. It is time for Dragon Lord Meepo to claim his place and for the Queen to fulfill her side of the bargain." Besides, if the last hobgoblin is like Daemyar, they might decide to counter-attack the queen.

She glances down at Shamir's head, and then at the other dead hobgoblin. "Daemyar, would you mind removing the other's head as well? It's time to send a message." Would be a perfect time for magic mouth. One day!

Turning speculatively to the two new goblins, she speaks in mild tones, the same quiet and matter-of-fact tone she used earlier. "Do you two wish to come with us, or take a message back your people? The choice is yours."

Ithelion looks around at her companions while the goblins mull over their choice, "What does everyone else think? We can press on, taking advantage of our victory, or send a message to the goblins that we have no quarrel with them while we rest and recuperate. Getting the Dragon back to the kobolds is important, I think."

Garnet nods along with Krom and Ithelion's suggestion. "I agree we should haul the dragon back. It will be trouble to contain it and fight additional goblin forces."

Daemyar doesn’t talk to anyone, but he seems calmer than he has up til now. He bends down to rob the decapitated Shamir, before nodding to the others. 

“I am with you.” 

Shere looks around "We need to get the dragon back to the kobolds and take a long rest amigos so I agree."

he looks towards the trio the army they have gained 

"Sharpie, what would happen, if we give these two the heads of the hobgoblins and they returned to goblinville? With our message. I no like the Idea of you dying cause of it."

Sharpie shrugs. “I not know. Durnn be angry I guess.  We try but you leave now maybe they fight?  Most warriors gone maybe few left but kobolds have more now. Maybe they attack us now?”

"Maybe we can broker a peace between them? We have leverage." He says to the group as he moves to grab the dragon to carry it

Ithelion shrugs, "Tell your people that we have no desire to kill goblins, but these ...", she kicks the two heads toward the goblins, "...these we do not trust. Take the heads, or leave them here. Their true cowardice -- hiding behind your folk in every battle -- has been rewarded. And they have learned how a true warrior fights" she says with a nod towards Daemyar.

"We will now go back to the kobolds and try to persuade them to return to the old ways..." she turns to Shere at his comment and nods, "They have been weakened by the hobgoblins, I doubt they want to start an all-out war, eh Meepo? Back to the old ways, yes? Or even, perhaps, peace? What do you think?" she glances between Meepo and Sharpie and the other goblins, trying to assess their reactions to the status quo vs peace. If these ones can't be persuaded, then we won't persuade the queen or the goblin shaman.

Insight (hopefully someone more insightful can also roll!): 11

With that, she dusts down her grimy sooty clothing, and glances around at her companions, clearly ready to leave when they are.

Sharpie, Stabby, and Sticky all look at each other and then collect the heads.  Sharpie responds, "Maybe Durnn listen or maybe goblin-people see other way.  Durnn stubborn and not like to look dumb, so don't know how he act....we need to talk to Grenl.  Maybe he have 4 or 5 more warriors.  Maybe she stop him?  We try."  She finishes and takes the heads and walks back down the corridor that Shamir and company came from and stops, "Hope we not be killed!"  

Meepo looks at you, Ithelion, and says, "Meepo think doesn't know how Queen react.  Maybe she sees weakness and attacks?  Goblins kill and eat many kobold-people...but we have dragon!  That what Queen want, so that good for you!  That all she ask you to do."  Meepo tries to move Calcryx.  "Ooh, she heavy!  She eat a lot I guess!"  He looks appreciatively as Shere moves Calcryx.  You don't have to convince them about the benefits of not fighting, and so you gauge them to be acting honestly and in good faith.  Their leaders are another matter, however...

[So, you are all going to head back to Kobold Enclave?  Is your intention to take a long rest?  Short rest?]

Shere grunts with the weight. He says with concern to the goblins "Maybe you three should wait somewhere till we recuperate. Then we'll go together. Unless you know someplace, the crypt is cleared. I no think the Kobolds are welcoming to goblins. We'll be back in about a little more than eight hours"

Yes back to the kobolds

Back to the Kobolds and a looong rest

Alright you all set out towards the kobold enclave. You leave the three goblins in the gloom, heads still at their feet oozing blood. Their doubtful looks are the last things you see before rounding the corner. 
Shere and Meepo carry Calcryx back, the dragon still unconscious. You arrive to the Queens chamber after dropping Calcryx off in the former prison, the cage in Meepo’s training room no longer operational. Meepo stays with the dragon, after stopping off for some rats for her to eat. 

“I must say I did not expect you to be successful,” Yusdrayal begins. “But I have been wrong before, once or twice.  You have our thanks.”  She grins. “And our aid, of course. I expect some of them, like the rats they breed, still infest the area. We will help you cleanse the area and make my queendom clean once more.”

Shere stands there thinking that the balance is off now but hopefully the elf can bs her way so the kobolds don't give their help in killing the goblins. Just let the group rest and recuperate 

Unlike her friendly demeanor in prior visits, Ithelion's face remains impassive while the queen speaks, but she nods in acknowledgement of their completion of the task that was set. The last time the Krom, Garnet and Daemyar saw her like this was at their first meeting with Kerowin.

"Our success came at a price, and we all need a rest. But first ... perhaps you might honour us with a private audience? There are delicate matters to discuss, matters of state."

Yusdrayal looks around, “Price? Did you also lose someone to the goblins?” she asks.  “It seems that you even added to your group!  And we’re we not discussing ‘matters of state’ before?  What better place than my throne room?  Is it about your reward? I have not forgotten, no, no.”

She gets up from her throne - she’s taller than your average kobold and walks with agility - and moves behind to an alter of sorts. She hands you a several items, Which are readily identified:

a Quaal's Feather Token (tree),
A book that has some spells you don’t know yet  (mage armor, spider climb, and knock),
and a small flask that contains three doses of Elixir of Health.  
She also reaches up to her stylized dragon throne and removes the key in its mouth.

“This opens a door to the south, one with a dragon on it.  So you need rest?  Kobold village is there for you. When you wake, you tell us how you want us to help you, yes?  Unless you want to do that now, of course.”

Daemyar goes to speak, and instead closes his mouth and gives Ithelion a meaningful look, staking down at his wounds, and then the others.