Phineas looks about the room, quite nervous at the situation as he prefers more stealthier approaches to this direct effort. A writer at heart, Phineas is a talented with a pen as he is with his twin blades. However, words always tend to fail him when it comes to talking aloud. He awkwardly smiles at the gray dwarf king, scanning the room to assess all the threats and paying particular attention to the spore party going on. To his allies he whispers, "We may effed, my friends."

Xardorok is on his throne about 30 feet away. There are six visible guards in the room posted along the walls watching the verbal exchange, and the creatures in the forge are Quaggoths. On your way into the throne room, there are about another thirty or so Duergar working in the forges and guard posted around. You are clearly outnumbered. 

"Tell then why we're here Kilmus" Rak says as he slaps the man on the shoulder, granting him guidance. 

Phineas grimaces as Rak offers his words of guidance, muttering lowly, "I wish we were anywhere but here. Choose your words carefully, big man. Our very lives likely depend upon it."

Kilmus takes a step forward and holds a hand up in greeting, nodding his head out of respect as he addresses the dark dwarf:

'Lord Sunblight, you and yours threaten the peace and safety of the people of Ten Towns.  We've come to end that threat, to find a way to spare those who live quietly in their homes.  We've come to stop the violence and to break the wheel.'

The paladin turns ever so slightly to make sure his voice carries to all the guards in the room as well

'War is not the only path here, tell us how we can work together to get you what you need without risking the lives of your men or the lives of those who live in the Towns.'

Persuasion: 29 plus Guidance 1

"You are too late." Xardorok declares. "The Duergar do not negotiate. We take, and conquer. First was the discovery of chardalyn. Then, Deep Duerra had spoken to me with a master plan. Yes. Within moments, Ten-Towns will be destroyed, and then - the rest of this icy wasteland. Yes. It was she who told me so. The great goddess of the Deep Dwarves. The promise of power. The promise of wealth. I will make our clan great again! She told me so." he thinks for a moment. "I have no use for outsiders unless you wish to join my cause. I offer the opportunity as mercenaries, or not. Otherwise, I have nothing left to discuss and my interest..and patience, wanes." he laughs triumphantly. After a few moments, he coughs. Then proceeds to laugh triumphantly again until he's out of breath.

'It is never too late for peace, it's never too late to avoid needless death or destruction.  Surely there is something we can do here, surely someone'  he turns slowly and locks eyes with each guard, looking for any sign of weakness or hesitation.  

As he does, he slips his free hand into a pouch and grabs a pinch of sand  ( ready Sleep targeting the guards).

Turning back to Lord Sunblight 'But we will not let the Ten Towns suffer needlessly, and we have no intention of signing on as Mercenaries.'

Phineas’ eyes go wide at Kilmus last statement. “I guess subterfuge is out.” He readies to attack the king if a battle begins. 

Rak just shakes his head a bit at Kilmus's last statement as well. "Shit."

Mica watches his counterpart prepare to attack at Kilmus's last words - he begins reestablishing his FIendish connection and will prepare to tear a hole in the fabric of reality (Hunger of Hadar) if the party is attacked, centered ~5 ish feet from Xardorook so the 20 foot radius stops just before the party. 

"Such audacity!!" Lord Xardorok spits, rising from his throne. "Fool. And what do you and your pathetic band of surface filth plan to do? Perhaps I should make an example of you all - those whom challenge the Lord of the Sunblight."

Phineas sighs, holding his hands up and out. "Pardon us, oh great lord of the Bunslight. You'd have to imagine that we be a bit befuddled in the bask of your greatness," he says, giving a sweeping bow. "Your obvious immenseness has dumbstruck me big friend here. The mouth be moving but, as you can hear, nonsense spills forth. Mayhaps, instead of taxing your.." he pauses taking a sidelong look at the chaos of the furry creatures and their spore hunting efforts, "...obviously quite taken with much more important endeavors. I beseech you, oh great Xanadork, let us go out into the Dale and lay witness to the greatness of your conquest."

The halfling begins slowly backpedaling toward the doors they entered. "We, um, shall spread the word of your mighty deed, sending all those surface-dwellers quivering in their boots and peeing in their britches." He smiles broadly. "What better tribute to your legacy than a little squirt of fear, no?" 

He side-eyes his allies, bowing and moving backwards. At the first sign that his plea goes unheeded, he'll turn and bolt for the doors, swords slashing at anyone who gets in the way.

Persuasion: 10

Initiative, if needed: 18

'Pardon me indeed, I meant no offense at all. We recognize your power, your position and your overwhelming force.  Clearly insulting you or attempting to fight you would be foolish.'

Kilmus holds his ground, but remains ready to release his spell if things go south.

Persusasion 15

Initaitve 16

Mica sighs, bowing deeply. "I apologize for the words of our friend here - his mouth fails him in times of stress. Perhaps we have underestimated the grandeur of your empire - we did not mean any harm, and we certainly do not mean to challenge you. If there is anything we, as former members of the now-destroyed Tentowns - remarkable construct, that dragon is - can do to aid your empire, I would be more than happy to comply. If not, I wish not to take up more of your time than we need, and I pray you allow us to witness the marvelous being you have created."

If things go south, Mica will continue to prepare his spell. 

Persuasion - 11

Welp, not a great roll - looks like we'll need pre-TPK initiative! 7

Insight: 8

Lord Xardorok is about to blow his top when one of his guards speaks. "Oh, for Duerra's sake, kill em already!" a few of the guards yell, bored to tears with the theatrics of bumbling verbal parley. "Blah blah blah! Just DO it!" One of them enlarges.

A spear comes sailing through the air towards Mica.
Attack: 20 Damage: 10 

And with that, the roar of over a dozen duergar fills the chamber, Xardorok having lost control of the verbal exchange, the guards all aim to puncture you. "DEATH TO THE SURFACE FILTH!"

NOW it's time for initiative.

Phineas plants his foot, grimacing and rushes the gray dwarves king.

Initiative: 12

Kilmus lets loose his spell as the spear comes flying towards Mica Sleep targeting the nearest guards

Sleep hit points impacted: 33

If possible, with Phineas intending to rush Xardorok, Mica will divert Hunger of Hadar to the approaching guards, reeling from the impact of the spear, avoiding targeting any of his allies. 

A 20-foot-radius sphere of blackness and bitter cold appears. No light, magical or otherwise, can illuminate the area, and creatures fully within the area are blinded. The void creates a warp in the fabric of space, and the area is difficult terrain. Any creature that starts its turn in the area takes 2d6 cold damage. Any creature that ends its turn in the area must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or take 2d6 acid damage as milky, otherworldly tentacles rub against it. 

Damage: 7
Damage for staying inside the area: 6

The area is difficult terrain (half speed) and they are blinded while in the area.

Using our inspiration dice that I believe we got some time ago to reroll initiative. 23

Rak initiative 18

The gith looks around, counting the guards as well as the savage white beasts..."double shit." He grumbles as he draws his greatsword. Assuming he isnt dead or surrounded before he gets the chance, he would charge towards xandork and attack (I'll wait to actually post an attack since like 18 enemies will be going before me and all lol)

Phineas12, Mica7, Rak1

Kilmus's readied spell goes off, knocking out one of the guards.

Xardorok: 4
Quaggoth1: 10
Quaggoth2: 12
Duergar1: 13
Duergar2: 17
Duergar3: 20
Duergar4: 8
Duergar5: 11
Duergar6: 4
Duergar7: 5
Duergar8: 9
Duergar9: 20
Duergar10: 12

Updating..