Miles:

Puzzled by Knox’s disappearance, Miles shrugs and says, “Right, to the Wererat deep gnome leader, then.  Should we attempt to negotiate, or go in swinging?”

Miles leads the way towards the Wererat, listening to suggestions as he goes.

(Are you trying to talk to him?  Or are you going in guns blazing?)

Miles:

Pausing in his walking, Miles turns to Vera and says, "I think we should try talking to them first, Vera.  I am certainly willing to walk in first, but you have a much better way with words than I--would you do the talking?"

"Do you think they'd even be willing to speak with us?  I saw we try to take them while we have even the smallest advantage."  Vera commented.

Miles:

After a long moment when no one else made their opinions known, Miles responds to Vera, saying, “You may be right, Vera, but I am wary of immediately attacking someone who looks like a deep gnome.”

After a moment more, he adds, “How about this, Vera:  You sneak in as you like and get ready.  I come in and try to talk with the leader.  If I am right, we may come to a peaceful solution and work together to eliminate the ooze threat.  If you are right, I will have made myself a good distraction so you can attack with surprise from hiding.  What do you think?”

"Sounds like good plan to Jhazaal." Jhazaal speaks up, even though not asked. He just thinks it doesn't involve him sneaking in, or him trying to talk to the were rat leader, so both items make this a very good plan in his mind.

Vera nodded along as well to Miles' plan.  "Alright.  Let's give it a shot..."  Taking a deep breath, Vera slowly inched forward into the room and tried to find a suitable spot to lay low and watch Miles' plan in action.

Stealth: 12 

Miles:

Giving Vera time and space to sneak, Miles waits a span of 20 heartbeats, then starts walking into the room, saying as he reaches the threshold, “Oozes are attacking the deep gnomes here—who are you and where do you stand in the fight?“

Persuasion:  22

The deep gnome blinks in slight confusion, then growls.

"Aye—are ye blind or a ****in idiot, ay?  Do I not look like a deep gnome to ye?  There, ye answered yer own question."

Miles:

     "You did not answer either of my questions, though you bring up an excellent third question--what are you?  Are you truly a deep gnome, or are you infected with lycanthropy or corrupted by a demon lord into something less than mortal?  For we expected to find oozes to fight here based on Dorbo's concerns," responds Miles.

With a sharp tone, he continues, "And I will answer your rude questions though you have not answered mine--I am neither blind nor an idiot, and I know things are not always as they seem at first.  So I ask again.  Who are you, and where do you stand in the struggle between the gnomes and the unnatural oozes?"

Insight on this guy to figure out what he is up to:  18

The gnome rises to his feet and growls.

"Aye, and I'm not required to answer yer pointless questions.  I'm a wererat if that be what yer gettin' at, but if yer sayin' we're demon spawn you best start runnin' right now.  I'm Chipgrin, chief of the Goldwhisker clan.  Did that old bastard Diggermattock send ye to kick us out?"

Miles:

”Greetings, Chief Chipgrin,” responds Miles, adding, “I am known as Miles.  Thank you for answering my question.  I will do the courtesy of answering yours as directly.”

Continuing, Miles says, “Senni and Dorbo Diggermattock sent us to deal with oozes plaguing this section of the tunnels.  There was no mention of Wererats specifically, though we were immediately attacked by some as we entered this area.”

Chipgrin scowls.

"Aye, oozes.  Tell ye what.  Nothing's free in these parts, but ye seem decent enough.  If ye tell Diggermattock to leave us alone, I got info for ye.  Biiiiiiiig info."

Miles:

”We come to these tunnels asking for help from the deep gnomes, so we are in no position to dictate to them—though I can speak on your behalf and make known your contribution to the protection of the city against the oozes,” replies Miles.  With a flash of insight, he adds, “And perhaps elimination of the ooze problem will benefit your people as well, Chief.”

Deciding to step out of her hiding space and join Miles, Vera added "In addition, saying you aided us could go a long way in improving your relations with the gnomes, or at least help persuade them to leave you alone in thanks."  

Jhazaal continues to cower just outside of the chamber. Close enough to hear, but far enough to be outside of the chamber itself.

Wending I twiddles his thumbs in the corner of the cave(or the closest thing it has to a corner), waiting for the conclusion of the deplomacy.

Chipgrin crosses his arms.

"Aye, exactly.  But ye tell them first.  Ye've given me no reason to trust ye, see?"

Miles:

”Nor you for me to trust you…though someone must go first if progress is to be made.  What about the rest of you?  Shall we carry Chief Chipgrin’s offer of alliance back to the Diggermattocks?” asks Miles.  It is obvious he wants to give this option a chance, though he looks for guidance from his more experienced companions.

Quote from Brian_Avery >>

Tyde's hearing returns to normal as the ringing in his ears stops from the thunderous sound of the spell he just cast.

 (Wrong thread :).)