Circle of Life's Red Hand of Doom IC Thread

[Fireheart]

Vaeri tries to move as quietly as possible but whether it's her wings, her clothes, or something else, she is not very quiet.

Her Stealth is 14 w/the bonus and taking 10. :(

~Fireheart

[Sallera]

After checking from the road to make sure the others are well hidden, and correcting them if they're not, Faien does his best to find a location completely concealed from the road, counting on the others for the necessary signal.

Spoiler

Show

I'm assuming we tied the horses well away from the road; they'd probably be even harder to hide than Faien.

Anyway, Faien's going to try and find a spot with total cover from the road, but if he can't, or the attempt gives no bonuses, Stealth result is 10.

[TekHed]

Auran followed along, feeling very wary and exposed so near a hostile force. He let the woodsman lead the way, picking out the most optimal route for their less than optimally stealthy entourage.

Spoiler

Show

Also have a 14 with taking 10 and aid another's.

[PairO'Dice Lost]

An interminably long time passes sans goblinoids. The leaves, dirt, and other camouflage coverings you're using are starting to itch and get on your nerves, but you continue to wait patiently.

And wait.

And wait.

And waaaaait.

Shortly after dusk, just when you think you can't take another minute of it, the soft sounds of several creatures trampling through the underbrush reach your ears.

Auran and Vaeri

Spoiler

Show

It seems the goblinoids are returning the way they left, as the creatures are approaching your location. "Steady..." Soranna says under her breath as the creatures come into better view: four large armored hobgoblins, two bearing swords and two carrying bows. They aren't close enough to see you yet, but they will be momentarily.

[Hobgoblin Perception rolls: (1d20+3)[5] (1d20+3)[17] (1d20+3)[11] (1d20+3)[21]

You have 2 rounds to prepare an ambush or do whatever else; make them count!]

Faien and Roni

Spoiler

Show

It seems the goblinoids are returning the way they left, as the creatures are approaching the other location. The sounds you hear are very faint and coming from the direction of your compatriots' hiding place. If there are any goblinoids heading your way you can't hear or see them yet.

[You have 2 rounds before the goblinoids reach the other location, during which you can stay where you are, run over to them at the risk of being discovered, or do whatever else. Make them count!

[TekHed]

"I will draw their attention. The rest of you circle around to flank them, prevent them from fleeing."

Auran mutters a few incantations to himself, appearing suddenly more noble and resplendent. Slinging his shield across his back, he tightens his grip upon his longspear, preparing to charge.

Spoiler

Show

First round, standard cast Protection from Evil and Swift cast Eagle's Splendor.

Second round... cast Rhino's Rush and charge in (hopefully with surprise), going for one of the armored Hobs. If for some reason charging is not possible, will forgo RR, cast in the second round, and step out in the third.

(Assuming evil, otherwise attack roll at -7 and damage roll at -5)

Longspear:(1d20+17)[34]
Damage: (1d8+8)[14]x2

AC 16 this round.

[Fireheart]

Vaeri nods and pulls out her component pouch. She quickly casts a spell on herself and then readies her spells for the goblins.

Spoiler

Show

First Round:
Casts Watchful Ancestors on herself: can't be flanked, +5 to reflex saves


Second Round:
Waits. - but if Someone engages. She'll cast Magic Missile on that character's creature.

(3d4)[11]

[OMG PONIES]

Roni Quickwing

As Roni watches the goblins' leisurely stroll, he can't silence the little voice in the back of his head that keeps reminding him that those beasts were closing in on his kid sister. The voice whispers at first, then eventually speaks for a moment before it starts shouting; it takes everything within him not to dash to her hiding spot, ambush be damned. Instead, he waits.

Patience, Roni, he hears his father's voice gently chide as he thinks back to the halcyon summer days of his youth alongside the stream that ran through the Quickwing family's property. Roni could still see the splashing figure of young Vaeri in the water, desperately trying to swim. The boy had decided to jump in after her--he had already taken off his tunic and was running to the water in his shortpants. He would have made it in, too, had his father's purple-scaled arm not stopped him. "Some lessons must be learned alone," he said. "She's ready for this." Roni was panicking, but his father remained calm and collected. The eldest spellscale kept both eyes on his daughter and called out, "Remember, Chari, just like I taught you: kick and reach." Roni pushed against his father's arm, but it did little besides cause small scrapes on his bare chest. "If we do not struggle, we can never strive," his father whispered to him. Almost on cue, Vaeri's spastic flailing became a rythmic stroke and she found her balance in the water. "I'm doing it, I'm doing it!" the young girl called out in delight. Her father nodded, beaming with pride as he turned his attention back to his son. "It looks like both of you have learned something today, eh Chen?"

Roni keeps his breathing shallow and quiet as he watches the potential ambush unfold within his field of vision. There would be a time for him to assist, but right now this was not his battle to fight. Okay, sis, he thinks to himself, time to start swimming. You can do this.

[Sallera]

Faien settles into a comfortable wait as the day drags on, half alertness and half meditation. Books and tutors, page after page of ancient knowledge, flicker through his memory, some applied and some discarded. It was where everything he did now had begun, and he had not moved far beyond it in his few years in the field. Foundations, bringing the past into the present; that was the core of his strategies and his magic alike, of everything he relied upon to resolve this unexpected conflict.

Was it the correct source for the situation? Auran claimed to be a war leader, yet his strategies seemed greatly removed from the writings of Galifar or Kaius; even foolish, at times. Had warfare advanced so far since his time? Roni preached deception at every opportunity, and it was not difficult to understand why; it was not something Faien had studied extensively, but even without the constraints of his profession, he could not help feeling that ill-placed, it would do more harm than good. Vaeri seemed eager to learn, absorbing advice and its reasons willingly, but as far as he could tell, had little field experience to build on. No, a former captain of a foreign army she may be, but Soranna was nonetheless the only one he could think of as his superior.

The night is calm and clear, and surprisingly, he has no trouble picking out the sounds of the returning patrol. Heading... for the other ambush. Good; the chances had been greater, and he had assigned the stronger force there for a reason. Now that the trap was sprung, they had only to play their role as reserves. Rising, Faien pulls a sling from his pack and carefully loads a bullet. "Ranged weapons," he murmurs to the others. "Approach with caution, stay within the treeline, and leave the main battle to the others. Focus on bringing down any runners before they can reach the fort."

Spoiler

Show

Going for the stealthy approach.

Wasn't sure how well I was getting across Faien's 'classically educated' persona, so perhaps this will have him make a little more sense. He doesn't have as much practical experience as he might seem to.

[PairO'Dice Lost]

Auran and Vaeri

Spoiler

Show

Soranna nods in agreement with Auran's plan and sends the woodsmen stalking off to the sides with a few hand gestures. She readies her spear and shield and steps up next to Vaeri to defend her, gesturing for the two of them to move more to the side so their targets are more evenly surrounded. The Captain silently counts to herself, then nods sharply to Auran: the woodsmen should be in position now.

Everything happens at once as the hobgoblins step into the open. Auran's spear sinks deeply into the chest of the closest goblinoid as he charges out of cover, and his target goes down with a strangled howl of pain. Arrows whiz out of the foliage behind the hobgoblins and thud into their thick armor without doing any noticeable damage. Vaeri's bolt of magic joins the arrows in attacking the hapless hobgoblin, zigging over his shield and zagging under his breastplate to strike him right in the gut; he's hurt, but still standing.

The hobgoblins may have been taken by surprise, but they react with military discipline to the ambush. The surviving swordsman hefts his shield and his sword warily, while the archers nock an arrow and start scanning the forest for the location of the woodsmen, and all three move closer together to better cover each other.

Spoiler

Show

The woodsmen both attack one hobgoblin
Longbow: (1d20+3)[17]; Damage: (1d8+1)[5]
Longbow: (1d20+3)[5]; Damage: (1d8+1)[2]

Soranna readies an action to attack any hobgoblin who comes within reach.

Initiative
Hobgoblins: (1d20+1)[15]
Auran: (1d20)[16]
Vaeri: (1d20+3)[17]
Soranna: (1d20+2)[11]
Militia: (1d20+1)[14]

EDIT: Looks like you two get to act first, then the hobgoblins, then the NPCs.

Map--Surprise Round

Spoiler

Show

The purple S is the hobgoblin with a sword, the purple As are the archers. The forest is fairly thick with trees, so you can assume that you have cover from the archers as long as you're more than 2 squares away. The edge of the forest and thus the keep is to the right of the map, while down and to the left is back towards Drellin's Ferry.

Faien and Roni

Spoiler

Show

Your group hustles quietly towards the commotion, threading your way through the trees as fast as you can without risking being seen. Zeke and Baden retrieve their bows as they go, each nocking an arrow as ordered. Suddenly, the sounds of battle arise from your destination, albeit very faint ones: A barely-audible yelp of pain reaches your position and some muddled clunks and clanks follow it.

"By the Six, this is taking too long!" Zeke hisses. "We need to get over there and help them! Are you sure we have to do things this slowly?"

[Sallera]

Faien/Roni:

Spoiler

Show

"I would not have split us up in the first place were I not confident that half of our force could handle an ambush, and the stronger half at that. Have faith, and keep your eyes on the approach," Faien mutters. "If one of them breaks for the fort, that will be the time for haste, but being noticed too soon would only alert them to the danger."

[Fireheart]

Okay. Breathe. Just Breathe.

Vaeri mutters "Let's try something different."

She reaches into her pouch and pulls out an even smaller bag, dumping the colored grains of sand into her hand, she flings out the sand and a cone of color shoots toward the hobgoblins. She moves to one side of Soranna trying to keep herself between her and Auran.

Spoiler

Show

OOC:
She will move up and over to try to get as many of them as possible in the burst. Staying 15 ft away (max range).

Color SprayDC 15
2 HD or less
The creature is unconscious, blinded, and stunned for 2d4 rounds, then blinded and stunned for 1d4 rounds, and then stunned for 1 round. (Only living creatures are knocked unconscious.)
3 or 4 HD
The creature is blinded and stunned for 1d4 rounds, then stunned for 1 round.
5 or more HD
The creature is stunned for 1 round.

[OMG PONIES]

Roni Quickwing

Roni smirks as he sees his sister light up the field of combat with a Color Spray. "They've got this, Zeke," he mutters to the militiaman.

[TekHed]

Auran took a step back, away from the archer, before thrusting his spear into the sword-wielding hobgoblin.

"Move in! Tighten the noose!" Save one for questioning!"

Spoiler

Show

I'm assuming that Auran's evil-dar is going off by now. Auran takes a 5 foot step towards the right hand side of the map, and long-spears the indicated sword-wielder...I had to check but apparently medium creatures with reach weapons can in fact stab things 2 diagonals away.

Attack vs. flat-footed: (1d20+15)[29]
Damage: (1d8+8)[10]

AC 18 vs. evil creatures. Also a +2 to save vs. evil creatures (both have been updated in my character sheet)

[PairO'Dice Lost]

Auran and Vaeri

Spoiler

Show

A bright flash of kaleidoscopic colors explodes in the hobgoblins' midst, painfully bright in the ambient darkness, and both of you and Soranna have to blink away the afterimages. The goblinoids are not so lucky: they cry out in pain as the piercing light blinds them, and they sway unsteadily as if they'd just smashed their head on something hard. Weapons slip from nerveless fingers as they look around blindly and cradle their aching heads.

Soranna reacts a bit too slowly to keep Vaeri covered when she moves up and casts her spell and begins to hustle after her, but when she sees that the spellscale is in no danger of retaliation she changes course and charges the swordsman, while the hidden woodsmen each loose an arrow to cover her. The Captain ends her hustle with a quick step-and-thrust that skewers the defenseless hobgoblin right after Auran does the same; both arrows punch through the hobgoblin's armor, and he drops with four nice, large holes in his sternum.

Soranna looks the remaining two hobgoblins over quickly, then snaps "Bors! Davis! We want to take these alive, get over here and help us!" The two of them make their way out of the foliage a moment later. "Davis, get your healer's kit, this one's still breathing." The woodsman complies, beginning to dig in his belt pouches with one hand for healing supplies.

Spoiler

Show

Will saves and stun duration:
Swordsman: (1d20)[6]; (1d4)[2]
North Archer: (1d20)[9]; (1d4)[2]
South Archer: (1d20)[6]; (1d4)[3]

Woodsmen's attacks
Longbow: (1d20+3)[12]; Damage: (1d8+1)[9]
Longbow: (1d20+3)[22]; Damage: (1d8+1)[5]

Soranna's attack: (1d20+7)[18]; Damage: (2d6+3)[9]

Hobgoblin attacks, if not stunned:
Swordsman: (1d20+8)[21]; Damage: (1d8+2)[4]
North Archer: (1d20+6)[14]; Damage: (1d8+2)[3]
South Archer: (1d20+6)[23]; Damage: (1d8+2)[10]

EDIT: Davis will be stabilizing the downed swordsman on his next turn and Bors will be getting out some rope to tie any captives up. You two can go ahead and post two rounds' worth of actions since they'll be stunned that long.

Map--Round 1

Faien and Roni

Spoiler

Show

A muted burst of colors flashes from the trees. "Yeah, I guess you're right," says Zeke as everyone continues moving closer, sounding unconvinced; for all he knows of magic, that could have been a distress signal or hobgoblin death spell or something. No hobgoblins come rushing out of the woods, so it seems they're doing fine for now.

Spoiler

Show

Woodsmen attacks, if necessary:
Longbow: (1d20+3)[4]; Damage: (1d8+1)[4]
Longbow: (1d20+3)[6]; Damage: (1d8+1)[7]

[TekHed]

Spoiler

Show

Hmm...an uncharacteristically easy fight from Dice...he must be planning something devious.

Auran stuck his spear into the ground and moved in to kick the Hobgoblin's weapons away from where they'd been dropped.

"Nice work Vaeri. Let us hope that the flash of light did not alert the keep. Let us make haste, and remain vigilant."

Spoiler

Show

Auran isn't very handy with use rope, sorry.

[Fireheart]

Vaeri backs out of reach of the closest hobgoblin.

And then blushes.

"By Lendys, I didn't even think of that." She looks off to the woods toward the keep and then toward where her brother waits. "Maybe they'll think it was a flash from the sun setting?"

Spoiler

Show

OOC: I've never actually used that spell. How cool to see it actualy work! Actual round actions: 5 step back, hold actions.
If something comes up, she'll use her SLA.

2nd Round: Ready spell in case of additional attacks.

[PairO'Dice Lost]

Auran and Vaeri

Spoiler

Show

Spoiler

Show

Hmm...an uncharacteristically easy fight from Dice...he must be planning something devious.

Why, I don't know what you're talking about. I'm just doing what the module tells me, after all.

"Wouldn't worry about that yet," Soranna says in response to Vaeri's concerns. "Probably no one looking in this direction when you cast that. Hopefully." She stands between both stunned hobgoblins, shield at the ready to knock out either one if it looks like they're going to recover before they're secured. Bors fetches some rope from his pack and gets to work tying up the archers, tossing some rope over to Davis to use once he's stabilized the downed swordsman.

Withing seconds the hobgoblins are trussed up tightly. "Compared to roping cattle, these two were easy," brags Bors as he pats one of the archers on the head. Davis isn't quite at handy with the rope, but he doesn't have to be as his patent isn't going anywhere any time soon.

[Taking 10 on Use Rope checks: Bors gets 18 for both archers, Davis gets 13 for the swordsman.]

The two stunned archers are beginning to come to by the time Davis has patched up the wounded one. Their growling subsides and their rapid blinking slows, and it looks like they can once again see around them, though they're not quite recovered enough to move yet. "Dakh? Dakh va...?" one of them murmurs distractedly as his head lolls around on his shoulders.

The Captain snaps, "Gags, boys. Don't want any shouting." Bors pats down his pockets, pulls out some spare cloths, and gags the three captives as Davis stows his healer's kit. "Good. So. Back to the others. Shame about the dead one," Soranna orders, sounding not the slightest bit upset about the dead one, and everyone sets out to regroup with the others. You don't have to go far to find them, as it appears they've been moving in your direction already...which is a good thing, because the hobgoblins are now fully conscious, annoyed, and wriggling for all they're worth.

Faien and Roni

Spoiler

Show

The battleground up ahead is quiet for many long seconds. Too quiet for young Zeke, who begins fidgeting and looking like he'd prefer to rush ahead and check on everyone, caution and stealth be damned. Fortunately, before he does anything rash the other group returns, carrying three bound and gagged hobgoblins who look none too happy with their current predicament.

Everyone

"Mission accomplished," the Captain notes dryly with a wave at the hobgoblins when both groups meet. "Want to interrogate them here or find someplace more comfortable and quiet?"

[TekHed]

Auran paced back and forth, his finned tail thrashed back and forth. He gripped the handle of the warstar hanging from his hip. It was a fearsome weapon; a solid metal haft of the finest elven steel extended for three feet at which it blossomed into bladed flanges extending in every direction from a the dense core. Each of these flanges ended in a wicked point, giving it the countenance of star. So wide and heavy was the head, that an elaborate pommel flared out from the handle to act as a counterweight. Every inch of it was gilt with inlaid vines matching his radiant mithril armor. It was an ancient weapon, of the finest quality, and while it was not enchanted in and of itself, it currently glowed with a pulsing golden light, as had his spear when it pierced their commanding officer.

"These are soldiers. Well-trained. Regimented. It will not be long before it is noticed that they have failed to report in. We do this here, now."

The dragonborn's eyes blazed with molten divine wrath, perhaps the most angry Faien or the siblings had ever seen the Paladin. The fight at the farmhouse had shown him the true nature of these bandits. it explained the dark foreboding that had been gnawing at his since his reincarnation...that sense of dread that had grown stronger ever since they had left the lightning rail. These were the servants of the Enemy.

"Cease your struggling!" he hissed in a barely contained growl. Slowly, with his taloned claw, Auran withdrew the golden amulet from one of his pouches. The Paladin held the symbol, though it brought pain to his skin, and flashed it in the faces of their captives. Five colored gems at the ends of five points.

"I know who you are." he seethed.

"If you try to escape, you will be cut down. If you cooperate you will live to be sentenced by the Magistrate here."

Auran unhooked the warstar from his belt.

"We know you seek the Rod of Tiamat. How many are you, and who is your general?"

[PairO'Dice Lost]

The hobgoblins cease their struggling--for now--as they see that they are not in an advantageous position for escape and that at least the dragon-man with the massive weapon and the angry-looking townspeople wouldn't hesitate to kill them if necessary. And of course the fact that they were ambushed and captured in roughly ten seconds doesn't help their confidence at all. They trade glances back and forth, mostly a set of I'm not gonna talk, you gonna talk? looks.

One of them grumbles a bit and Soranna steps forward to loosen his gag. He spits it out and glares at everyone, then growls "Tän khrun dach dün khrur karlugkhrän!" in what is obviously the goblin tongue. Baden, Bors, and Davis share a not-very-friendly laugh at his pronouncement, while Zeke looks upset that he doesn't speak the language. "I dunno if you city folks speak Gob," Baden drawls conversationally in a deep voice, "but that fella just said he swore he weren't gonna tell us anything, no way no how. Now, pers'nally, that's not the kinda thing I'd tell a big scary angry scaly man with a big scary spiky mace while I was all tied up and helpless right in front of him...but that's just me."

"Drüc akleth? Nuul khrur...dör tukh dögan!" the hobgoblin shoots back. "Says he doesn't know anything about no rod and wouldn't tell us if he did," Baden translates. "And he insulted your mother."

[TekHed]

Auran's slitted pupils contracted into thin lines.

"Clearly you understand the common tongue, so understand this. I would assume the penalty for banditry and war crimes, is death. Is that correct Magistrate? So...if you will not cooperate, I will be forced to turn you over to the law. If however, you answer our questions, to our satisfaction...we will leave you here to be found by your commander...if he or she lets you live, you may tell them of what transpired here today."

Spoiler

Show

So, assuming they count as enemies and that the deal I am offering them is unfavorable, but not horrible, or at least better than being executed for war crimes on the spot...I am going to assume a Diplomacy DC of around 30ish, depending on their level, and their highest wisdom...

Diplomacy: (1d20+17)[21] :/


Anyone else have any ideas? Maybe if five other people chimed in, to aid another...

[Sallera]

As the others emerge from the trees with three prisoners, only one of whom appears to have been wounded, Faien nods deeply, his approval clear on his face. "That was well-executed. An excellent job."

He lets Auran vent his fervour on the disgruntled hobgoblin, stepping forward with a disdainful frown once he is cued. Reaching down, he slowly draws his blade from a point in the air a few inches in front of the hobgoblin's face, and plants the tip in the ground with a sigh. "I dislike interrogating corpses, and I doubt any of us wish to waste the time in bringing them back for hanging. If a swift execution is what these minions would prefer, that can be carried out here. On the other hand, we have no proof of their direct involvement in banditry. If they were to demonstrate their goodwill by telling us what we need to know about yonder fort and its inhabitants, then I am sure a lighter sentence could be arranged."

[PairO'Dice Lost]

One of the hobgoblins who hadn't spoken yet mumbles something in Goblin through his gag, and the first goblinoid responds in kind, rolling his eyes and jerking his head in your direction. Baden crosses his arms and drawls, "Now, I gotta say, I don't like playing translator for foul-mouthed sons-o'-wolves like you. You can start talking Common like the nice paladin asked, or you can let the nice people execute you. Your choice." The first hobgoblins chuckles. "Dün akulaac ghalaan dar dakegän, zu--" and Baden cuts him off: "Yes, I would just let them kill you. Who here's had a friend die to hob attacks?" All the Drellin's Ferry natives raise a hand, anger in their eyes.

The captives narrow their eyes and look hard at everyone assembled, judging their intentions. Apparently convinced that everyone is serious about killing them, the un-gagged hobgoblin shrugs as best he can while tied up and replies in a gravelly voice, "Kill us, then, cowards. Torture us. It won't matter. We won't talk. Nothing you can do matters, next to what he would do to us for talking." He sneers smugly, daring you to go through with it.

[Sallera]

"As you wish." A faint curl of distaste twists Faien's lips, but it does not slow his blade; a sudden rush of solidity snaps the sword into focus as it whips across the prisoner's throat. With another sigh, he flicks the blade up to the next hobgoblin's gag, slicing through the fabric to allow it a chance to speak.

"Would you like a chance to reconsider before I continue? It is not as though he will know you have spoken to us."

[Fireheart]

Vaeri listens as the others threaten and try to coerce the hobgoblins to talk. She watches with interest as all the other villagers raise thier hands. Each of them had lost someone to the hobgoblins.

Stunned, she takes a step back when Faien mercilessly kills one without hesitation. Suddenly, she smiles and with a quickly whispered minor spell, alters her looks, emphasing the blue in her scales and hair.

Spoiler

Show

OOC: I think Prestidigitation will do this. I hope. It's not quite an Alter Self effect and it does say it can "color".

"Wait." She says and holds up a hand. She takes a very slight step forward and lowers her hood. Shades of blue and silver scales surround her eyes. Her ice blue eyes focus on the next hobgoblin and she raises her chin haughtily. The blue streaks in her silver hair seem even bluer than before.

"You think "He" can do more to you than SHE will? It is HER Rod that has been stolen. It is HER that you will face in the afterlife for your transgressions. You think this so called leader of yours could do worse than HER?"
She glances at Auran with a frown... "And before you ask, sometimes one makes sacrifices for the Dark Queen."

She turns back to the Hobgoblins. And in Draconic, hisses. "Now, tell us about this Master of yours."

Spoiler

Show

OOC: Bluff :)

(1d20+6)[20] Vaeri is trying to make the Goblins think that she Serves Tiamat.

[OMG PONIES]

Roni Quickwing

The elder spellscale is torn between emotions. He doesn't know whether to smirk at his sister's well-played deception or stand aghast at Faien's lawless act...slaying an enemy combatant was one thing, but a helpless one? Now was not the time to debate morality, but the time to spring into action. Luckily, Roni always fancied himself a master improviser and decided to join in with the others. As the goblins spoke, he muttered a quick spell like his sister, but the effects of his were much more subtle. He steps forward and puts his hand on the shoulder of the living captive.

Spellcraft DC 16 to open:

Spoiler

Show

Roni casts Comprehend Languages

"I apologize for addressing you in Common, but I don't speak Goblin half as well as I understand it and I don't wish to slight your uniquely beautiful language. You've already met my friends Bad Cop, Murderous Cop, and Wyrmkeeper Cop, but you've yet to meet me. I'm Good Cop. What's your name, friend?"

Roni waits for the goblin to respond to his question before continuing. "I want us to consider your options for a moment, okay? Option A you already know, unfortunately," he says with a gesture toward the dead goblin. "Option B, you tell us what we want to know and you go back to your disappointed Master. I know a thing or two about awful bosses, and I can only imagine the net result to you would still be much like Option A, which neither of us want. In the end, neither A nor B seem particularly beneficial to you.

But what my friends haven't mentioned is option C. You can defect. Claim political asylum. My friends here will escort you back to Drellin's Ferry where you'll serve a jail term for your crimes, but you'll be protected from the blade of your Master and my magistrate alike. Granted, you may ask what prevents you from being given the sword anyway on the way back to town or as soon as you're locked up, right? I know I'd ask if it were me in your shoes.

Simply put, information. The more you can tell us about that keep and your terrible boss that dwells within, the better. Each piece of useful intelligence is like a coin in your purse...keep 'em there and you'll die a rich goblin. But there's a saying that goes 'you've got to spend money to make money,' right? Take out enough of those coins of knowledge and give them to us, you can buy a shortened sentence or even total freedom far from the reach of your boss." Roni looks back at those assembled and nods to them, "as while some of us may have had a momentary lapse in judgment we are all still bound by the laws of our land, which include granting asylum and exchanging information with former enemies of the state who have determined they have more to gain by joining us, aye?"

Roni turns back to the goblin. "Now I know I just tossed a lot at you, so take a moment to chew on it and let me know if you have any questions, yeah? I'm not gonna try to bend your arm, but allow me to sweeten the pot: if you go with option C I can drop a little lie to your boss that you're already dead, so there's no chance he'll ever know you helped us or come hunting for you. And that's really all I'm doing...asking for your help, which benefits you just as much as it benefits us."

Diplomacy - (1d20+18)[30] boosted with Cunning Knowledge.

[TekHed]

"Hmph." Auran snorted. "These are beings of evil intent; it radiates from them with a palpable viscosity. Do not expect them to adhere to your standards of ethics or morality. Even if these particular Hobgoblins had not participated in the raids against Drellin's Ferry, they are part of the same force, willingly following their commander's orders. In times of war, martial law must be instituted, and the Magistrate is acting well within the limits of jurisprudence. Do not assume they can re rehabilitated into regular humanoid society..."

[Sallera]

Faien smiles slightly at Roni's routine; it seemed he had the same idea, only stated in twenty times as many words. Keeping silent, he plants his blade in the ground once more, a visible reminder of the options provided. Some bandits he had dealt with were like the first hobgoblin; either fanatically devoted to their causes or so thoroughly intimidated by their leaders that they refused to turn even if offered a chance to live. Others, he had found, became rather less eager for martyrdom when the results were bleeding out beside them. And while he had never visited, he would not be at all surprised if the penalty for banditry in Darguun had much in common with the same in Karrnath - something the remaining two no longer had reason to doubt.

[PairO'Dice Lost]

The surviving hobgoblins are speechless as Faien makes good on his threat. The formerly-gagged hobgoblin mutters an approving comment regarding the soft human keeping his word, before looking intrigued and somewhat frightened at Vaeri's threats and Roni's offer.

"Unbind him so we can talk," the un-gagged hobgoblin demands, jerking his head toward his comrade. "And move him away," he adds with a jerk in Baden's direction. Soranna merely raises an eyebrow.
"We need to talk. Privately. About...."
"Surrendering? Confessing?"
"...Well...."
"So close enough. Fine. No tricks. Try anything, we'll decapitate you too."
She slices off the other hobgoblin's gag with the tip of her spear and leaves it close, hovering right around the goblinoid's neck. She waves Baden back out of earshot and he leaves, looking put out.

The second hobgoblin eyes the speartip at his throat suspiciously, then starts talking to the other hobgoblin in their native tongue: "Dec dür tän der hal'darkhec..." "Khraagär. Dec drarluuc...?" "Khruun. Rhor, ghakaan...."

Goblin

Spoiler

Show

"They don't seem to be working together...."

"Not all of them. The dragon-blesssed? They're together. The paladin, he's with the weaklings."

"Do you think the dragon-blessed actually serve the Goddess? I'm not convinced. Working with a paladin?"

"It can't be a coincidence. The only dragon-blessed priestess and intendant pair for miles around, and she has blue scales? After Koth? And the Kulkor Zhul?"

"Mmm, true...but, why would they be against him?"

"Five positions to the tükluch'täch--and only one of them blue."

"Ahhh. Hmm. You don't think...?"

"Maybe. If we play our cards right...."

"So should we--?"

"I think so."

"He can come back now," the first hobgoblin says with another head-jerk in Baden's direction. "We have agreed: we will tell you what you want to know about our master and his direct servants. We will not betray the--the rest of us. And we will seek sanctuary if she" he motions to Vaeri "can guarantee it."

[Sallera]

The corners of Faien's mouth curve up into the ghost of a smile; it seemed Vaeri was moving up in the world. Not mocking, but not entirely serious, he lets his blade fade away and takes a half-step back, turning to Vaeri with a slight bow.

"I think their terms are quite acceptable," he says. The mere knowledge that 'the rest of them' existed would be quite informative if one assumed that they were a force of comparatively greater magnitude than what these two eventually described. "We wait upon your word."

[OMG PONIES]

Roni's face betrayed no emotion, but inwardly he smirked. So, religious types, eh? Always fanatical, always looking for the next step up the Ladder to Heaven. His thoughts then begin to wander; do evil creatures believe they will go to a Paradise of their own upon death, or do they relish the thought of eternity in Hell? Not now--idle thoughts for an idle moment, he reminds himself. For now, his sister needed his support. He scanned his brain, trying to connect the dots of the Goblin he picked up from the conversation. Neither Koth nor Kulkor Zhul rang any bells at first, but Roni was convinced that they were important names or places.

Knowledge Local - (1d20+5)[20]

The elder Quickwing drops his countenance and plays along with Vaeri's ruse. "What say you, Mistresss?" he hisses. "These ones show the cunning and courage of Draconic blood. Perhaps they will find favor with the Avariciousss?" Roni turned away from the hobgoglins; it was all he could do to keep himself from laughing. Perhaps the hissing was a bit melodramatic, but if they wanted to see something draconic he was damn well going to give his audience what they wanted.

Bluff - (1d20+15)[26] to sell himself as a servant of Tiamat.