Hiramat looks at his companions, "yes, north suits me just fine as well"

Archibald has been looking off in tne distance deep in thought touching tne brim of his captain’s hat.  Thinking to himself, “Now is tne time to become tne leader you were born to be.  It’s time to take this ragtime crew and bring them together in victory.  It’s time to lead”.  

Looking up and speaking out loud in the middle of their conversation.  

“To the North!”

You can see two upcoming rooms to the left - AREA 23, along with AREA 24. You can hear talking, not in common, coming from AREA 23. It sounds like lizardspeak.

Archibald sneaks a peak around the corner to area 23.

Stealth: 19

Perception: 14

21, 4

One of the three lizardfolk in the room senses something off, like they're being watched. He gets up and begins to head out the room, looking for the source of what threw him off. You realize in a moment of anxiety that you've most likely been spotted.

Hiramat senses the tension in group and reaches for his sword.  "So, these are what lizardmen look like", he thinks to himself.

Wilmot, wiping the last of the lizard guts from his armor, looks up and then back down at the smeared mess on the end of his staff. "I hope they don't hold grudges...," he mutters, trying to nonchalantly rub the carnage off in the dirt. 

Zmeya shrugs, picking her teeth from a couple bits of lizard. "If they do, let's hope they are as easily taken down as those lizards." She recalls her own time spent watching adventurers run through the cruel tombs and traps the Yuan-Ti set up on their island. Although most Yuan-Ti were incapable of feeling emotion, Zmeya always felt some remorse for them. She hopes they weren't being led into any sort of trap. 

Klaus makes a show of sheathing his sword but keeping his shield strapped on his arm to show that he is not seeking a fight, but prepared for violence, but would prefer a parley:

Persuasion:  24

"Zmeya, would you tell them that we are here to talk and violence is not necessary, but we will kill any who would attack us?"

The three lizardmen round the corner and see you all. They raise weapons and speak - those that can understand draconic can understand a request to identify yourselves and your intentions.

Zmeya places her hands in a nonthreatening motion. It's easy for Monks to do - they don't use weapons. She approaches a couple feet forward, showing she is unarmed. She opens her mouth, revealing similar reptilian features. "We are members of the Saltmarsh town. We are on a mission to discuss peace. Our group has no intention of conflict - we simply have a few questions to ask the one in charge of this colony," she communicates, in a harsh series of hisses and grating sounds. 

The lizardfolk look at each other without lowering their guard. After a few tense moment of looking at each other, and to you, they relax a bit, seeing as how you don't appear to be an immediate threat. In draconic, they announce that they wish to bring you to the Queen, who will hear you out. Should you resist, or make any threatening gestures, you will be murdered immediately.

In draconic "We would be honored oh strong ones.   My apologies for not speaking up earlier.   I was caught off guard by the majesty and overwhelming power of your presence.   Please, please....lead the way to your Queen."

Archibald looks back and mouths..."Sorry..."

Wilmot listens to his two allies and the strange lizard men speak as if somebody had slashed their windbags and hot air was leaking out. When Archie whispers sorry, Wilmot just smiles and dismisses it with a hand wave. "It's ok...we all have a little gas now and then. Better out than in, I hear."

Zmeya turns her head to the party, satisfied with the negotiation. Hopefully a dozen invisible Lizardmen don't materialize this time. "They are allowing us to speak with the Queen. Do not act hostile," she conveys, in Common.

You are escorted through winding tunnels and passageways to what appears to be a tribal drill hall. It's an open area with six floor-to-ceiling pillars that demarcate a central area bare of furniture. In this central area, the earth floor has been packed closer than elsewhere, as if by the passage of many feet. Several wooden benches stand near the north and south walls. A large mattress has been fixed to the center of the east wall. Attached to it is a large target dummy with the head of a fish-like creature atop it. Several lizardfolk are practicing combat against one another or throwing javelins at the dummy. A powerfully built and tall lizardfolk female stands with several of the heavily armored warriors. She observes the training through narrowed eyes. Another lizardfolk stands near the leader, dressed in a kelp-colored robe and holding a long, polished tooth.

The lizardfolk guards who escorted you immediately stop and present you, and the whole room freezes, looking you all over quietly. The lizardfolk are not small or weak creatures, and the queen is an impressive specimen, physically - even attractive by some standard. She slowly strides to you all and looks you over with suspicious eyes. Finally, she speaks, in Common. Her reptilian voice is cultured, and calm.

"I am Queen Othokent." she declares. "Who are you, and why are you here?"

Klaus removes his helmet and throws back his shoulders.  

“Your majesty, we come on behalf of the people of Saltmarsh to ask whether you are preparing for war and to make sure it is not against the people of Saltmarsh.  Judging by your warriors’ training dummies, it looks as though you are preparing to fight something more akin to a fish, but the people of Saltmarsh have bade us find out whether you mean them harm.”

Othokent nods slowly.

"We have no ill will towards you, or your people of Saltmarsh. No. Our situation here is much more dire. We are not preparing for war against Saltmarsh, but against a much more sinister presence: the sahuagin. Just over a year ago, my colony of lizardfolk were driven from our home by an invasion of sahuagin. Forced to find a temporary home, we restored an old lizardfolk stronghold that has been abandoned for decades. This place. Determined to recapture our home, we have been busily purchasing arms and negotiating an alliance with other nearby races. Our main purpose is to form an army to expel the sahuagin and retake our homeland. In so doing, we hope to discourage the sahuagin from ever again intruding on the region. We have not approached Saltmarsh with an offer to join our alliance because I consider humans and other land-dwelling races of little use in a battle to be fought largely underwater.

So, we have spent our time training our troops, and attempting negotiations with ambassadors of other sea faring races: the koalinth, the locathah, and the merfolk - all of whom are present in our lair, here. Members of these races have come together, overlooking their previous rivalries and differences, to negotiate an agreement of cooperation between all of us. But, even as my people strive to hold their alliance together in the face of a common foe, the bonds are beginning to fray. Badly. Your timing here could not of been more perfect. This is where you come in. We could use your help."

Archibald takes note of the strength of these creatures and their meticulous use of their weapons and the the training that is taking place.  Something stirs inside him.  He stands tall and with chest slightly out, and head up.    

In Draconic "Your Highness.   I am Captain Archibald Flying Flame of the Sea Hoe, descendent of the great red wyrm, Balagos.   I and my companions would he honored to aid you and your tribe in your endeavors.  Consider ourselves a swift and efficient weapon used to cut out the heart of your enemies.   How may we serve you and better serve the creatures of this region?"