IC AoW - Encounter at Blackwall Keep (PF) (Take 2)

[DarkOne-Rob]

As the party attempts to round up the straggling survivors, Lydia faces the reptilian druid from where it lies in Jan's Grease spell. She watches attentively as the female lizardfolk drinks a potion and recognizes the effects of a healing potion on the creature. Then, with a hiss the reptile seems to blur and slithers away from the cleric. The motion is oddly snake-like as the druid seems to grow thinner and undulates away. Realizing that capturing (and holding onto) such a creature would be a challenge, Lydia decides to let her go and returns to the warriors trapped in pits near the gate.

At first the reptiles ignore all words spoken-to/yelled-at them, until Amearin speaks. The three lizardfolk in the pit throw down their weapons and respond (in Draconic) in various ways to make clear they surrender. As they are escorted into the keep several of the human soldiers rush forward with heavy chains, muzzles, and cuffs to secure the enemy. It is clear the fort is prepared to deal with the unique threats lizardfolk present, including a manner to safely secure them and protect guards from their natural attacks.

“We will certainly not leave your officers and colleagues to be devoured by their captors, though we must take a few moments, at least, to prepare for more grueling battle.”

"If this... Ssyath has any sway with his former comrades, it'll be easier to barter for your mens' lives if we have some of theirs."

"There are two problems with that - their lair is at least two days solid travel from here. Without a guide it could easily be longer, though tracking them fleeing will be easier than usual. Also, they don't take prisoners to trade...Lizardfolk take prisoners as fresh food. The very concept of trading food for warriors - who cannot win a fight with their food - doesn't make sense to the primitives..." Corporal Howard replies, seeming a bit embarrassed to be explaining such points to those he clearly considers superiors. It is clear that to the men here that those points are common knowledge due to the nature of their duty at this fort. "And Ssayth has asked to be kept apart from his old tribe-members. He says they would not understand what happened to him and wouldn't allow him to return anyway. He isn't in a cell - more of a house-arrest kind of thing - but these ones will be chained up and kept under constant watch until we can figure out what to do with them. This is the first time we have had any lizardfolk prisoners since I have been here..." he scratches his head, obviously thinking about the situation.

At Frederick's request, Corporal Howard responds, "I'll have Ssayth come out and meet you in a moment. First, though, I need to send a team to get out and clean up the battle - while the Twisted Branch was attacking they ate anything that died out there...our horses, their own dead, anything. Now the corpses will attract scavengers, and there is at least one band of ghouls in the Mist Marsh. We need to burn the dead before we bring worse upon our heads..."

The NCO turns to the remaining soldiers and begins barking orders with the confidence of a soldier who has just gone through hell with these men and trusts them to follow orders. Two soldiers lead the captured lizardfolk off, eight exit the fort to begin gathering bodies, and three return to the ramparts to watch for new threats. With a nod the young leader walks into one of the doors off the small courtyard, calling back, "Please remain here until I can send someone to escort you around. I'll be back with Ssayth in a moment."

You captured a lizardfolk barbarian, ranger (favored enemy: human), and un-classed lizardfolk warrior. All are injured, but none are at immediate risk of death from their wounds.

The PCs have about five minutes to discuss plans before Ssayth is escorted to them by Corporal Howard. I am going to assume you explain (in brief) how three of you encountered Ssayth at the very beginning of the campaign.

When Corporal Howard returns he is followed closely by an unarmed, but free, lizardfolk.

Spoiler: Ssayth

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Ignore the sword handle in the picture above - Ssayth is unarmed currently.

Since Frederick, Jan, and Olofire last saw him, Ssayth's scales have darkened somewhat, but otherwise the sleek reptile has not changed. Currently his dorsal crest is down and he walks hunched low so that his head is below the Corporal's. The posture is one of deference and attempting to be nonthreatening. When he sees the party and recognizes the three PCs from several months back Ssayth lowers his head further and averts his eyes as he stops. "You! SSSSSSssss! I did not want to sssee you again, massstersss. Pleassse forgive me - I only wanted to help my clutchmatesss!" he spits as he backs up and takes a defensive posture towards the party.

Ssayth's starting attitude is Unfriendly but defensive. He has a healthy fear/respect (they are largely synonymous in lizardfolk culture) directed towards the three PCs he knows.