Farok, you end the bugbear with the first swing. Your sword finds a home nestled in the bugbear's chest. Through it's armor. You pull the sword out, and then immediately return it to the already dead bugbear. It almost cuts the creature clean in half as it falls to the ground, dead. 

The goblins had already surrendered, but they now start to cower away and start to slowly move back after what they just witnessed. "Puh puh Please! No kill goblins! We listen! You free us from Xanathar slavery!? You let goblins run away now?? PEEK? You with life savers? You help save us? Thank you thank you thank you"

The goblins motion like they want to run away, but don't move just yet as they are still scared and will await your next words and actions.

A few of them likely soiled themselves. 

And that will end combat. There are no other hostile creatures around in this moment. 

What will you all do? 

Fril lowers his bow, he is tempted to just let the goblins go back to the surface where they will hopefully grow into relatively ordered members of society, but he knows that Farok was worried that they would run further down to warn Xanathar or whoever resided further down that they were on their way so he just lowers his bow and looks to Farok questioningly as he says, "We are letting them go. I just don't know where to send them, and I don't want them warning others." At this point he stops as an idea hits him, "What if we just let the goblins continue living down here? We just tell them not to hurt any people that decide to come down the shaft and after we finish clearing this floor out, it should make this floor substantially safer for any fools that come down here unprepared. For now, we'll just have them follow us quietly, but once we finish off everything else, we can just let them go and tell them to stay on this floor without hurting anyone."

(OOC: Again... I'm not sure if this makes any sense or has any probability of actually working... But I am just brainstorming at this point. @Klein can tell us if it has a chance of working. Basically, I am saying that we set up a de facto goblin camp on this level that is friendly to anyone who comes down. That would also drastically reduce the number of casualties of people coming down as the first floor would be entirely safe.)

Cami seems interested in hearing the idea, but as Fril starts explaining, her excitement drops, and she's left confused, scratching the top of her head. "That sounds complicated. And like it'd be a lot of work that wouldn't help us much right now. Maybe in the long-term, sure, but what about what we're doing right now?"

"It wouldn't really be that much work... We just have to tell them to stay put and not hurt any people that come down. Besides keeping this place safe could save lives, and I can't think of anything better to do. Can you?" Fril fires back at Cami with an eyebrow raised questioningly.

"If it was that simple, I wouldn't have any complaints. But just telling them what to do is not enough if we're worried about another bugbear appearing to boss them around again. That's a lot more effort than just finding a way for the goblins to leave that's not the bucket. After all, they got in somehow, didn't they? Then we can go back to trying to uncover some new knowledge that may help more people on the surface than the few adventurers who come down here." Cami explains her view, staying calm, as she tries to focus all of her brainpower to making sure her points made any sense since talking wasn't her strong suit.

Cami remembers her cannon on the ground, and she asks Pocket to pick it up. The group was planning to head to the south camp next, as she remembered, so there was another combat approaching soon.

Fril cocks his head to the side as he says, "But if we kill everything else on this level, then we don't need to worry about anything taking control of the goblins anymore. Besides, we aren't planning on leaving any other bugbears alive are we? I see what you're saying about another exit, but I'm not sure that any of the goblins know about another exit. If they do, then I agree, your plan sounds good. Otherwise I don't see any other options." With that, Fril turns to Peek and asks, "Do any of you guys know another way to get out? How did you get in here anyways? It certainly wasn't through the bucket right?"

Peek responds "No. No other way out. Peek would've tried to escape by now. Used to be though. Used to be small cracks in walls. Led to long tunnels up to sunny place. Goblins got in and out. Maybe bugbears, too. Then Xanathar fix cracks. Or, maybe dungeon creator fix cracks? Peek don't know. Lots of goblins trapped down here after that. Goblins decide to work for bugbears in exchange for life. Goblins work for bugbears who work for Xanathar. Xanathar no like people coming down to dungeon to bother Xanathar. Xanathar create guild watches on first level and use bugbears as puppets. Some brain creatures inside, some no. Xanathar guild also fight with bandit gang down here. Goblins SCARED of other gang. Vampires maybe."

(sorry for the run on speech, just wanting to maximize the info, given the challenge of PbP! The conversation of course would be more normal between you all and the goblins, and some of this stuff the other goblins are telling you because Peek doesn't know all of it)

They'd also tell you all that there are horrible creatures to the right, in those caves. "Veeeeery scary monsters. Sometimes they come out. Sometimes not. Hopefully they not hear fight. Hopefully they not hungry."

(yes, technically the goblins could stay on this level and survive and have a pretty good life... as long as everything is cleared out like you mentioned. If not, they will just be rounded up again and put back into service, either for Xanathar or for this other gang. Or just killed. The goblins can tell you general things and might be able to answer any other questions you might have as there are now 6 of them plus Peek, but they really only know limited information and locations in this place. The bugbears made them stay in the guild watches.)

All of this section as well hasn't really been inspected so there's that if anyone desires after the goblin thing is figured out. 

The goblins look relieved right now and for the first time in awhile (or ever for some of them) they have a glimmer of hope for a normal-ish life. Albeit in a dungeon.

Any questions for goblins? Any further discussion? Or, what's next?

Fril holds his hands out to Cami almost as if to say I told you so, but instead he says, "Let's try clearing out the rest of this level first, and if you still disagree, then we can figure out where to send these guys next. Otherwise, it seems like these goblins aren't going to be able to get out and I don't know about you, but I'm pretty sure Durnan will never let these little guys up on the bucket. I think clearing the floor and then leaving them here after they promise not to hurt people that come down is the best way to keep everyone happy. As for right now, I say we just let them tag along. I mean if Peek is any example, they should be alright at keeping quiet so that shouldn't be a problem." With that said, he heads into the room with Farok and motions for Cami to join them in there as well. If they need to do anymore discussion, they can do it while looking through the remains of this outpost. As soon as Fril walks up to the bugbears dead body, his eyes widen a bit. "Wow... That looks brutal," he glances at Farok to see barely a scratch on him and continues, "Remind me never to pick a fight with you."

"I feared that more bugbears would come exactly from where these goblins came from, hence why the exit solution was better. But if it's locked, as they say, my perspective changes quite a bit." Cami answers, with a nod before she continues, "If they can't leave through the exit, no more bugbears can come through the exit either. I'm just concerned about that second gang..." At that point, Fril is already moving to the other room, so she stops talking to follow him.

Her eyes widen, but she stays quiet, feeling that Fril summarized both of their feelings pretty well already. She intends to examine this room for what's there to see or maybe grab.

(I'm unsure, but I'm making a preemptive check.)

Investigation Check: 14

Looking to Peek, Farok first asks, “Do you trust them to not betray us?” Then to the others, “If so, I care not what happens to them. Though they will need to deal with more treasure seekers in the future, who may be less... compassionate... than we are.” Flexing his, slightly weakened arm again he adds “Though not yet... if we need a rest down here perhaps this group could show us a safe place to sleep later.” 

"I agree that some treasure seekers may not be too kind to them, although if these fellows leave them alone, I can't think of a reasonable person that would want to fight a horde of goblins if they could avoid it." Fril shrugs and says, "As long as they aren't attacking everyone that comes down willy nilly and they at least try a peaceful approach, I think this first level will be better off for it." Turning to Cami he says, "This other gang, they are supposedly vampires right? What do you say we take the 'un' out of it and make them just 'dead'." Fril chuckles at his joke before he gets serious again. "I never like the undead always gave me the chills."

Arcana Check: 13 (for knowledge on Vampires. I'll make my own assumptions based on the roll unless the DM has something to say about it.)

"Vampires, yes, according to the goblins. So you already know how to deal with them? I remember them having a few fatal weaknesses, but none that I have a way I can think of that would help us here." Cami answers, taking Fril's joke a little too much at face value, but to be fair, she barely made eye contact as she was busy investigating the room.

Ok let's get this rolling again!

Cami, as you and Fril all gather in that room and the action has subdued, you would've noticed a few things:

- In the center of this room stands a 14-foot-tall granite obelisk with a lidless eye carved near its top on the south-facing side. The bottom half of the obelisk is covered with dirty, bloody handprints. A few of the goblins and also Peek would've said "Dungeon maker watch us through this eye."

- A dozen goblin beds made of bundled rugs and torn fabric surround the statue. Goblins would've said "sleep here, we do."

Farok, Peek would've responded to you "Yes. Yes. Trust friends I do. Bugbears treat us just horribly. Bugbears think goblins dispensable. *sigh*. You trust goblins. You save goblins."

Cami, absolutely you can make your own assumptions about how much you know about vamps based on that roll as you've done. Your post seems bang on to me given the roll. Not an expert, but you know stuff about them. 

The goblins would say "Yes. Vampires. We think. The Undertakers they called. Very mean people. Main reason why goblins listen to bugbears. Because Xanathar guild fight Undertakers."

(So, is the plan then to have all of the goblins follow you to your next destination? Or are they to stay here? They will most definitely tell you exactly where the 3rd and final Xanathar watch post is on this level if that is where you are headed next. Also, are you guys planning to rest? If so, where and for how long? The goblins can also tell you the general area where the Undertakers are, but it won't be exact and there could be other posts that they don't know about.)

Let me know if I missed anything! Happy to get this back going.

Maps are both updated. 

Fril laughs when he hears Cami's response and shakes his head as he replies, "No. I have not had the misfortune of having to deal with vampires before. I've heard some stories from other guards back when I was a part of the Force, but most of them were tall tales I'm sure." As he enters the room he gives himself a quick pat down and shrugs. "I could do without a rest, but I haven't really been hurt so it's up to the big guy." Looking around at the goblins he gives his two cents worth, "I think we take Peek to lead us to the next outpost and tell these guys to sit tight. We can finish clearing out the rest of the dungeon and then let these guys have a free run of the place. What do you guys think?"

"I'll be very clear. This is not what I came here to do." Cami responds, her tone thoughtful, as she tries to make her way through her words without being misinterpreted. "You're trying to pull me in to do something you want to do. Also, I still don't know the bugbears' perspective on this to know that killing all of them is a good idea. But, now that I've apparently made allies, I'd like to keep them. You help me, and I help you. I want to have the time to explore and investigate if we find anything interesting. No rushing me unless there's immediate danger."

“I need no rest quite yet,” Farok replies, looking around the room. Pointing to the eye he asks Cami “Is that magical? Can you know if it’s active?” Finally he adds, “The vampires can come later. Let us free the little ones and let them loose. The chaos they bring could be amusing.”

Fril steps back and says, "Investigate as much as you want, I'm just trying to plan what we are going to do with the goblins when the time comes. We all agreed that we weren't going to kill them, and I was just trying to be prepared for what to do." He steps back and lets Cami do any investigating she wants while he stares at the large obelisk wondering if it is really possible for the maker of the dungeon to watch them through it. As he looks he continues the discussion with Cami, "I have no problem staying down here as long as it takes for you to discover whatever you want. Besides, if we clear all the rooms of danger, we can also make sure to leave no stone unturned in regards to anything potentially interesting. After all, until we look through each of the rooms, we don't know if we are missing something potentially valuable." Turning to Farok he quickly shuts the idea of just releasing all the goblins right now, "That sounds like a plan that will get us into more trouble than the fun that it might be. I think we should just have them stay here and be quiet until we return. After all, what if they run to the next outpost and warn anyone there that we are coming. The element of surprise was key in this fight. There is no reason we cannot repeat the process with the next outpost, or even the vampires when we get around to them."

Arcana: 21

(OOC: I am a bit confused... Is Cami just saying she wants to look around this place a bit? Or is she saying that we should do something else with the goblins?)
(OOC: I think that should resolve the difference of goals... Basically, if we comb through each of the rooms, we have the best possible chance of finding any interesting artifacts so clearing the entire floor benefits them both... Let me know if this still doesn't work out with your characters motivations.)

Fril, from what you take in from the obelisk, you have a sense that this could be magical, as you've seen great majestic statues like this before that have indeed been magical. You can't confirm this without a spell, but with that high of a roll, you basically assume it has some type of magical properties based on what it looks like and the ones you've seen/know about.

Fril, did you (or anyone else for that matter) touch the obelisk when you were looking at it? And it would need to be with your bare hand. Meta of course, but yeah let me know if anyone that has a bare hand would've touched it. Be honest like always!

(It seems the plan is shaping up to leave the goblins here to chill, and Peek comes with the party, yes? If so, I will tell you where the next outpost is if that is where you're headed. Peek will lead. But no rush!!)

"Your idea is a little roundabout way to do what I was planning. Also, the philosophy of 'kill all who'd stand in your way' is not one I'm frequently applying to the way I approach circumstances such as these. Our disagreements are fine, though. You don't need to say anything else for me to work on your side. Isn't that enough?" Cami explains without raising her tone, as she's just exposing her points and opinions. Her eyes are still traveling across the room, and the Obelisk leads her to try to get her own thoughts on it.

Arcana Check: 13

(Cami has gloves, so that's not a problem for Cami regardless of whether she touched it or not.)

Cami, you kind of get the same feeling as Fril. Something that looks like this usually has some type of magical property, but you are not certain.

Ok, if Cami would've touched it, nothing will happen as she has gloves.