Klale strides forward. As for me, no I don't. Nor do I know what you most value. However, I prize life and peace highly. Perhaps you do also. Suppose this "old gaffer" promises to suggest peace between his kind and yours...each to enjoy an area undisturbed...and ask that a delegation be sent someplace to work out terms?
This message was last edited by the player at 02:26, Mon 11 May 2015.

Sensing something is not quite right, Toben pulls an empty hand from his pouch.

"Descendant of the mighty Smaug, you say? Over the past several months, I have come to believe in many impossible things, but I still prefer to barter face to face. Show yourself son of Smaug, so that we can do this conduct this business properly."

There is a long silence, then a low rumbling fills the cavern.  Small rocks begin to fall from the ceiling.  The lava splashes in small, angry waves -- not enough to spill over the walkway, but enough to cause concern.  "You dare challenge me!  I will see your carcass roasted in the fire before I consume it at my leisure!"

Still the drake does not show.

Toben scans the surroundings for any sign of the drake. "I wouldn't dream of challenging the offspring of Smaug. Consider this more of a good faith effort to peacefully conclude a business deal."

08:28, Today: Toben Ironsprings rolled 19 using 1d20+2. sense motive vs. the drakes demeanor and threats.

"Sir drake, while we prefer to resolve matters peaceably, I have seen these doughty warriors slay things that I would have not thought killable. I will also vouch for the fact that Klale is quite stubborn; and surely you know the reputation of the Gonnhirrim. If you would be so kind as to meet us face to face, I'm sure it will help speed us to a mutually satisfactory resolution."

09:00, Today: Phineas Highwood rolled 13 using 1d20+8. Diplomacy.

Toben takes a step forward to stand beside Phineas.

Ano remains quite though out the conversation between Phin and the drake.  Only when the others spoke up did he start to tense as the situation seemed to be devolveing into something dangerous.   The longer he listened to the drake speek the more uneasy he felt.  Ano begins to scan thr cavern walls, giving their surroundings a hard look.

The rumbling stops and a hiss escapes from the column like a sigh.  A small amount of movement appears at the top of the column and makes its way down to the bottom.  There is something small, the size of a cat perhaps, on a spur of rock jutting out from the column at about head height.  It is a rather small lizard-like creature with reddish-orange scales, black spines on the back-ridge and head.  It has the beginnings of wings on its back, but may not be able to fly yet.  If this indeed a spawn of Smaug, it hatched only recently...relatively speaking.

When the drake speaks from the spur, it is not the echoing, booming voice from before, but the tired, meek voice of one defeated.  "I would still have you honor your bargain and pay the toll of the two gems you offered to pass."

Toben smiles a bit when he see the creatures diminutive stature. "Without honor, we would be no better than the Valaraukar we are fighting. I am willing to honor our agreement. These are no ordinary gems, as they have been touched by the ways of old. A being such as yourself, I assume you have sensed as much."

"My name is Toben...", he says placing the butt of his staff firmly on the stone floor. "... by what name should we address you?"

He props himself up on his staff and relaxes his stance a bit.

And my name is Klale Tsolo. The two gems, aye; but perhaps something more. We will be traveling the wide world. What say you about being companions?

The drake's brows rise, showing two thin white streaks highlighting them a bit more prominently.  "You...you wish me to come with you?  I..."  The drake seems at a loss for words for a moment, then tilts his head.  "Whedabedar'kornari, son of Smaug the Fire Drake.  I'll come with you, but I'm not riding on the shoulders of a dwarf.  It might be nice to get out and see the surface of the world I intend to eventually rule."

Phineas laughs, a bit ruefully, though not unkindly. "You make impressively good use of what assets you have, Whedabedar'kornari. As long as you honor your promise not to eat us," he winks, "we will honor ours." He holds out the promised gems to the little drake.

"If you would join us, I would be glad for your company."

In an interesting and unexpected turn of events, Toben welcomes the young drake. "Perhaps this will be a great opportunity for you to learn about the world we come from, and us to learn about yours. However, e should take care if you intend to travel with us. If the stories be true, there could be many who do not accept your presence. Let us hope the son does not bear the sins of the father."

He glances around his surroundings one last time, "So, what calls you to this place? I know very little about dragons... were you recently born here?"

Ano steps forward with the others and stares hard at the central mass of rocks.  He continues to remain silent as the others talk, the feeling of unease remains.  After a few moments he turns to Telchar and whispers "You said this drake is one of the Valaraukar, how sure are you that he is aligned with tose dark forces?  I get the felling that wr are still not seeing the drake as he truly is, but only as he wants us to see him.

"You may call me Kornari.  My full name on your tongue is a travesty."  The drake looks away with what might be disdain.  "Come boy, you may carry me," he says haughtily to Phineas.

Telchar leans in to whisper to Ano.

Toben eyes the interaction between Ano and Telchar for a moment, but turns his gaze back to the drake and awaits a response.

"Shucks, thanks!" says Phineas, with the barest hint of an eye roll. He adjusts his armor to be sure his shoulders are well-protected, then lifts the drake to perch there. "Comfortable, Kornari?"

Ano looks on warily as Phineas picks up the drake.  He keeps his body tensed up and stands near to the young man and the drake waiting.

Phineas, please set Kornari down. Kornari, here are some magic words you may be unacquainted with: Please, Thank you, and You're welcome.

They are used like this:

You say to Phineas, "Please pick my up so I may ride on your shoulder." When he grants your request, you say, "Thank you."

He will then say, "You're welcome."

You might find that doing things this way makes life more pleasant for everyone; and, if you come to rule the world, you'll find that your onerous work will be easier if you treat others with politeness and respect.

The drake allows itself to be picked up and placed on Phin's shoulder.  It adjusts a few times finding just the right place, then stills.  He purposefully ignores Klale.  "Quite.  Now.  We should leave."  To punctuate his statement, the room trembles again, this time more intense than those before.  Several large boulders splash into the lava around the cavern, none near enough for concern.

Toben smirks at the lack of response from the drake. "I know a few other magic words if those prove to be ineffective, Klale."

Ano looks up sharply as the cavern begins to quake and then turns towards the exit "I think we should be going."

Klale laughs. Quite.

The group, plus one small drake, passes around the great irregular column and starts down the path on the other side to the exit.  Ano ahead with Telchar in wary contemplation, followed by Toben and ferret.  Phin comes next engaged in a witty repartee with Kornari.  Saris keeps her distance from the drake and a gap opens between her and Phin.  Ok leads Klale at the rear by a step or two, his diminutive size and demeanor of mistrust toward Kornari slowing him considerably.

As the group moves away from the column, another larger tremor runs through the cavern.  More rocks plunge into the lava, some near enough to turn a head or two.