At Trill's magic, the arrow pops out and the wound closes. He sits up suddenly and gasps as he window around to face the group. After eyeing each of you, leans back casually on the ground and says in a voice you can tell will quickly get on your nerves, "What from Drokki do you need oh those taller than a reed?"
Aimon looks down at Drokki, wondering if it's the rhyming speech that has made him a wanted derro. He quickly sets about tying Drokki's hands behind his back.
"Word has it that you're public enemy number one around here. Bringing you in gets us a free pass out of here," Aimon says. "So what we need is for you to be quiet and come along peacefully."
He frowns and says, "Do you really believe that, you useless prat? Do you think that the Druergar are honest? They probably want to plant a dagger in your chest. If you let me go about my chores and then wait and see, then everyone under the Druergar could be free. It's a revolution we want to start, and I plan to strike them in the heart."
"The Kuo-Toa use us, the Druergar use us," Aimon begins, "and I'm sure given enough time, the Derro will use us, and probably even that frigging dragon will want in. Tell me something we don't know."
He pauses for a moment before continuing.
"Listen. Help us free some slaves and show us a way out of this city afterwards and we'll pretend we've never seen you. You must know ways to move about the city without being seen. If not you would have been caught long ago."
"Hold on." Caelynn raises a cautionary hand towards Aimon, then turns back to Drokki. "You say revolution. The Duergar say cult. How do we know we can trust you?"
He shrugs and says, "How can you know to trust anyone? That's half the fun. And yes, I do some know some ways out, but I think that you are, um... too stout." He cringes slightly at the imperfect word. He then carefully stands up and says, "If I were caught freeing slaves, you'd find my body in a cave. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have places to be."
Oak moves to block Drokki from leaving. Just in his relaxed neutral way that he does. He doesn’t draw a weapon. His shield is stowed.
He doesn’t say anything either. He’s just blocking his retreat, long enough for Drokki to notice, and to give anyone enough time to question him further if need be.
Technically, I guess he’d make sure he’s in melee range, but that’s not particularly relevant yet.
"Cult, revolution, I don't care," Aimon says. "I'm not exactly putting Gracklstugh in the same category as a quaint halfling village. These Duergar happily trade slaves and, maybe these Derro are all a bit off, but I don't think that warrants these slums."
He looks back at Drokki.
"You don't have to free anyone. We're looking for friends and family who may be enslaved here. Show us how to get to them and free them and I don't care what you do."
Drokki rubs his chin thoughtfully before saying, "Hmmmm... While your offer of letting Drokki go is nice, Drokki could easily escape you like mice. How about if I help you find some slaves, you help me just for a little bit to *#&&$?$%!$% those scurvy knaves!" He points up towards the city proper with a stubby finger.
The street has cleared out for the most part. You are the only ones you can see across the whole chasm. Occasionally, you see a timid Derro face peek out from a window before ducking back out of sight.
"Are you willing to work with Drokki to find your crew and maybe your mother?" Aimon asks. "Sounds like the price is bringing the wrath of the city down on our heads, but I kind of figure that was going to happen anyway. Maybe we can swing a deal with that dragon to fly us out of here if things get really bad."
He looks over at Caelynn and holds his hands open while shrugging. "We're going to have to take big chances if we want to acquire the power to deal with whatever your faerie queen wants you to do. Playing it safe isn't going to turn us into demon-slayers."
The way this was turning out, Aimon thought it was getting less and less likely he'd find out what the real story behind his mother's ring was.
Oak ponders the recent events, and then says to Drokki, “Can we get the dragon on our side? Is it part of your rebellion? We do need powerful allies... ... What would that cost us?.. Do you know what it wants?”.
Caelynn sighs and lowers her voice so Drokki can't hear. "I could care less what the city thinks of us. But if whatever Drokki is involved in is hurting people, I don't want any part in it. I... I don't know who we should believe." She pauses for a moment, wringing her hands. "Look. If you think we should do this, I trust you. But if we find out that he's the bad guy after all, then we take him in and get our payoff that way."
Aimon whispers to Caelynn, "Agreed. He's probably as shady as they come and we shouldn't trust a thing he says, but if there's a chance we can get some real help out of him to help Trill and Oak I think it's worth the risk. If he double crosses us then yeah, we tie him up, stick him in a bag and toss him through the captain's front door."
Trill, you can see in the way his eyes flicker nervously and in the way he shuffles from foot to foot that he is worried something is going to happen to him. You haven't detected any lying so far, but talking in rhyme sometimes muffled the intent of his words.
He exclaims at Oak's words, "The dragon! The dragon! Yes, he will play a major part. You could even say of the plan that Themberchuard is the heart. While he thinks he rules the city, he is actually the Druergar's kitty. They use him to light their fires, but to him, the Druergar are secret liars. They have used mind magic against him to warp his will, and in return, he gets gold to fill his till. What he doesn't know is far more insidious. What the Druergar will do is quite hideous. Unknown to him, he is part of a long line of dragons that were slaves to the city. When the dragons would become too powerful for their magic, they would go and find a dragon baby." He grimaces at his inability to rhyme with "city" before continuing. "The Druergar would kill the old one and replace it with the child. What I say next is even more wild." You see an impish grin come across his face as he says, "Themberchuard was supposed to be replaced 7 months ago, but we stole the egg and hid it far below. Now as their magic grows weaker upon his thoughts, we think it is about time he fought."
Aimon can't help but laugh at what Drokki has just said then looks at the others.
"This should be interesting."
He turns back to Drokki.
"Does Themberchuard know about any of this yet?" he says then pauses a moment before continuing. "And what do you want from us in order to show us how to get to and release the slaves we're after?"
"No, no, he suspects nothing right now. We want him to learn, but how?" He suddenly cackles madly for a few moments before continuing on as if nothing happened. "Drokki will take you to his boss, and they will explain why ignoring us is a loss."
Aimon quickly huddles with the others, speaking in a quiet voice.
"I'm all for seeing where this leads," he says. "Best case we get help finding Trill's crew and Oak's mom and maybe a way to free them. Worst case we're back to working for the captain and figuring out what's going on here and talking to Drokki's boss is a lot of useful currency to renegotiate our deal."
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As Trill passes the downed derro, she calls out a few notes, and chirps "Ooops, it was an accident Mom, I swear!"
Healing Word: 5
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
At Trill's magic, the arrow pops out and the wound closes. He sits up suddenly and gasps as he window around to face the group. After eyeing each of you, leans back casually on the ground and says in a voice you can tell will quickly get on your nerves, "What from Drokki do you need oh those taller than a reed?"
DM- Azalin's Doom
DM- Surviving the Unsurvivable
Aimon looks down at Drokki, wondering if it's the rhyming speech that has made him a wanted derro. He quickly sets about tying Drokki's hands behind his back.
"Word has it that you're public enemy number one around here. Bringing you in gets us a free pass out of here," Aimon says. "So what we need is for you to be quiet and come along peacefully."
He frowns and says, "Do you really believe that, you useless prat? Do you think that the Druergar are honest? They probably want to plant a dagger in your chest. If you let me go about my chores and then wait and see, then everyone under the Druergar could be free. It's a revolution we want to start, and I plan to strike them in the heart."
He sits up and begins to dust himself off.
DM- Azalin's Doom
DM- Surviving the Unsurvivable
"The Kuo-Toa use us, the Druergar use us," Aimon begins, "and I'm sure given enough time, the Derro will use us, and probably even that frigging dragon will want in. Tell me something we don't know."
He pauses for a moment before continuing.
"Listen. Help us free some slaves and show us a way out of this city afterwards and we'll pretend we've never seen you. You must know ways to move about the city without being seen. If not you would have been caught long ago."
"Hold on." Caelynn raises a cautionary hand towards Aimon, then turns back to Drokki. "You say revolution. The Duergar say cult. How do we know we can trust you?"
Iris - Tiefling Cleric | Cassandra - Elf Warlock | Solace - Tiefling Monk | Tempest - Hexblood Monk | Lex - Fire Genasi Barbarian
Lilyn - Triton Ranger | Candor - Changeling Bard | Echo - Changeling Warlock/Bard | Rowan - Fairy Wizard
He shrugs and says, "How can you know to trust anyone? That's half the fun. And yes, I do some know some ways out, but I think that you are, um... too stout." He cringes slightly at the imperfect word. He then carefully stands up and says, "If I were caught freeing slaves, you'd find my body in a cave. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have places to be."
DM- Azalin's Doom
DM- Surviving the Unsurvivable
Oak moves to block Drokki from leaving. Just in his relaxed neutral way that he does. He doesn’t draw a weapon. His shield is stowed.
He doesn’t say anything either. He’s just blocking his retreat, long enough for Drokki to notice, and to give anyone enough time to question him further if need be.
Technically, I guess he’d make sure he’s in melee range, but that’s not particularly relevant yet.
GILLAIN OF ATHKATLA - Human Paladin - Into the Mists PHILLIP THE GRUNG - Grung Eldritch Knight - Tomb of Annihilation
ROBWIN WINDROBE - High Elf Wizard - Dragon of Icespire Peak EVE DARKSHORE - Tiefling Warlock - Rime of the Frost Maiden
ASH OF THE FIRE - Tabaxi Rogue - Ghosts of Marshswamp LIA STARBORN - Aasimar Bard - Out of the Abyss
Aimon looks from Caelynn to Drokki and back.
"Cult, revolution, I don't care," Aimon says. "I'm not exactly putting Gracklstugh in the same category as a quaint halfling village. These Duergar happily trade slaves and, maybe these Derro are all a bit off, but I don't think that warrants these slums."
He looks back at Drokki.
"You don't have to free anyone. We're looking for friends and family who may be enslaved here. Show us how to get to them and free them and I don't care what you do."
Trill pipes up in song.
♫ "You say you want a revolution
Welllll, you knoooow
We all want to change the world..." ♫
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Drokki rubs his chin thoughtfully before saying, "Hmmmm... While your offer of letting Drokki go is nice, Drokki could easily escape you like mice. How about if I help you find some slaves, you help me just for a little bit to *#&&$?$%!$% those scurvy knaves!" He points up towards the city proper with a stubby finger.
The street has cleared out for the most part. You are the only ones you can see across the whole chasm. Occasionally, you see a timid Derro face peek out from a window before ducking back out of sight.
Aimon looks over at Trill and Oak.
"Are you willing to work with Drokki to find your crew and maybe your mother?" Aimon asks. "Sounds like the price is bringing the wrath of the city down on our heads, but I kind of figure that was going to happen anyway. Maybe we can swing a deal with that dragon to fly us out of here if things get really bad."
He looks over at Caelynn and holds his hands open while shrugging. "We're going to have to take big chances if we want to acquire the power to deal with whatever your faerie queen wants you to do. Playing it safe isn't going to turn us into demon-slayers."
The way this was turning out, Aimon thought it was getting less and less likely he'd find out what the real story behind his mother's ring was.
Oak ponders the recent events, and then says to Drokki, “Can we get the dragon on our side? Is it part of your rebellion? We do need powerful allies... ... What would that cost us?.. Do you know what it wants?”.
GILLAIN OF ATHKATLA - Human Paladin - Into the Mists PHILLIP THE GRUNG - Grung Eldritch Knight - Tomb of Annihilation
ROBWIN WINDROBE - High Elf Wizard - Dragon of Icespire Peak EVE DARKSHORE - Tiefling Warlock - Rime of the Frost Maiden
ASH OF THE FIRE - Tabaxi Rogue - Ghosts of Marshswamp LIA STARBORN - Aasimar Bard - Out of the Abyss
Caelynn sighs and lowers her voice so Drokki can't hear. "I could care less what the city thinks of us. But if whatever Drokki is involved in is hurting people, I don't want any part in it. I... I don't know who we should believe." She pauses for a moment, wringing her hands. "Look. If you think we should do this, I trust you. But if we find out that he's the bad guy after all, then we take him in and get our payoff that way."
Iris - Tiefling Cleric | Cassandra - Elf Warlock | Solace - Tiefling Monk | Tempest - Hexblood Monk | Lex - Fire Genasi Barbarian
Lilyn - Triton Ranger | Candor - Changeling Bard | Echo - Changeling Warlock/Bard | Rowan - Fairy Wizard
Trill cocks her head and weighs Drokki's intent.
Insight: 18
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Aimon whispers to Caelynn, "Agreed. He's probably as shady as they come and we shouldn't trust a thing he says, but if there's a chance we can get some real help out of him to help Trill and Oak I think it's worth the risk. If he double crosses us then yeah, we tie him up, stick him in a bag and toss him through the captain's front door."
Trill, you can see in the way his eyes flicker nervously and in the way he shuffles from foot to foot that he is worried something is going to happen to him. You haven't detected any lying so far, but talking in rhyme sometimes muffled the intent of his words.
He exclaims at Oak's words, "The dragon! The dragon! Yes, he will play a major part. You could even say of the plan that Themberchuard is the heart. While he thinks he rules the city, he is actually the Druergar's kitty. They use him to light their fires, but to him, the Druergar are secret liars. They have used mind magic against him to warp his will, and in return, he gets gold to fill his till. What he doesn't know is far more insidious. What the Druergar will do is quite hideous. Unknown to him, he is part of a long line of dragons that were slaves to the city. When the dragons would become too powerful for their magic, they would go and find a dragon baby." He grimaces at his inability to rhyme with "city" before continuing. "The Druergar would kill the old one and replace it with the child. What I say next is even more wild." You see an impish grin come across his face as he says, "Themberchuard was supposed to be replaced 7 months ago, but we stole the egg and hid it far below. Now as their magic grows weaker upon his thoughts, we think it is about time he fought."
DM- Azalin's Doom
DM- Surviving the Unsurvivable
Aimon can't help but laugh at what Drokki has just said then looks at the others.
"This should be interesting."
He turns back to Drokki.
"Does Themberchuard know about any of this yet?" he says then pauses a moment before continuing. "And what do you want from us in order to show us how to get to and release the slaves we're after?"
"No, no, he suspects nothing right now. We want him to learn, but how?" He suddenly cackles madly for a few moments before continuing on as if nothing happened. "Drokki will take you to his boss, and they will explain why ignoring us is a loss."
DM- Azalin's Doom
DM- Surviving the Unsurvivable
Aimon quickly huddles with the others, speaking in a quiet voice.
"I'm all for seeing where this leads," he says. "Best case we get help finding Trill's crew and Oak's mom and maybe a way to free them. Worst case we're back to working for the captain and figuring out what's going on here and talking to Drokki's boss is a lot of useful currency to renegotiate our deal."