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In reply to RedBeard (msg # 1):
Rolf begins by pouring everyone a drink from the keg that will soon be going to One Thumb. With a grunt, the mercenary leans back on his haunches and takes a long pull from his mug. "Gents, I have to say that was one of hell of a piece of work", raising his mug to Finn and Alihazar, taking another swig. "Between that running our foes into yet another fatal funnel", nodding at Dan Golf, "this turned into just the kind of wanton ass kickery we're going to need to bring down this Xanathar fellow". Looking at a well calloused hand and trying to flex out what is obviously an old injury "That said, from my times on campaign, I believe we should take advantage of our hard bought good fortune and build on our momentum, and I think we have the chance to think big."
"I think we should act before Xanathar realizes what is going on. One thumb and our erstwhile crew of dandies back there", Rolf says with a shake of his head and jerking his thumb behind him "aren't going to last long once Xanathar realizes he has lost control of the first level. Although it will be inconvenient, one crew of hobgoblins with some more of their lot" Rolf casts a gaze at the Ettin sitting on the floor in the other room "will make short work of our newly found allies, and if they keep rolling, will find themselves cutting into our action to block the drink laden fool hardy from coming down here and getting themselves killed". "As such, I think we should consider our options to expand on King One Thumbs's revolt".
"This might require some illusion work on the part of our spell casters, but I see no reason why King One Thumb ought not think of himself as part of something greater. He has a crown now, but why not an empire? I am going to throw ideas out gents, I am wedded to none, and will take no offense at frank responses." Rolf pours everyone another round.
"Here are a couple of options I have been pondering as to how to build on our momentum and undermine Xanathar's hold on his vassals".
"Prophet One Thumb: I don't like to talk about it much, but when I was in a sapper company on campaign in the south, we would often times have to work with less than savory races. That's how I speak passable Orc, and I know the goblins have a fetid little deity named Maglubiyet. They used to beseech him when they were force down the shaft to light fire to the oil laden pitch we had emplaced under ramparts. I know they are a superstitious lot, and they are on the bottom of the heirachy here. The one thing they would fear more than Xanathar and his bugbears and hobgoblins, is Maglubiyet." Rolf wipes the foam from his beard, and points a gauntleted finger in One Thumbs direction. "I think that with the right illusion and a couple of drinks, we could get our newly crowned king to think he is more than that, but actually chosen of Maglubiyet to lead his people out of slavery. With the same illusions and a couple of kegs of this swill" Rold kicks at the keg "it wouldn't be too hard to get the rest of this lot to think the same". Rolf shrugs and drains his mug "I don't see why Xanathar shouldn't have to contend with a religious crusade to free the oppressed led by our very own prophet".
"Vampire Lord: If we don't think One Thumb is up to the task, or we might think unleashing a Goblin holy war might have unforeseen outcomes" Rolf shrugs at that thought as if it really doesn't bother him "it seems to be fairly common knowledge that these Jackasses are here, and they have seemed to convince everyone of their little charade" once again Rolf looks down back toward the actors area. "These goblinoids are a fairly easy lot to intimidate, and the Hobgoblins etc. are always looking for someone to lead them to greater riches, someone more powerful. If we think one of those idiots is up to, we could introduce One Thumb and his crew to his new master, a Vampire lord who has come to depose Xanathar and take up his rightful place as overlord of the dungeon. At the very least, it would be scary and lot those idiots on the second floor might flee or switch sides. Again, illusion would be useful in making these idiots think they're on the new bad guy winning side."
"The Mad Mage Returns: This one a little more dicey" Rold says tugging at his beard "but Dan Golf could take on the persona of the Mad Mage, returned to claim his dungeon. If I was Xanathar and his crew, that would probably cause me to me to piss my britches faster than anything else. We know what he looked like from the mask we obtained, with some illusion work and some pyrotechnics, we might be able to pass of Dan Golf as an avenging mad mage. This might also cause defections, or at least mass hysteria making it easier for us to strike". Rolf pours another drink and says "of course, if the good master hafling is correct, the Mad Mage might still stalk these halls and be in league with Xanathar". Looking with suspect into his mug "but then again, we might find that out fast should that be the case".
"Then again, I may be over thinking this. Maybe the best thing to do is to drive King One Thumb and his minions before us like the cannon fodder they have always been and take these bastards head on." Rolf shrugs and takes a long pull off his mug and winces, looking into the mug again "what say you?"
