The Black Knight contents himself with watching and listening for now.  His companions have already spoken, so he will see how the comely half-orc responds to them.  His sword remains naked in his hand, but the point is now lowered towards the ground.

As the conversation begins Hai does his best to avert his eyes finding things on the ground and on the buildings to divert his attention. His height made speaking or even giving the Half-orc female his attention feel a bit inappropriate which brought color to the gnome's cheeks.

shaded = wall
shaded "+" = barred window
shaded "-" = open window
"I" = door (action or reaction to open or close)
. = rubble (difficult terrain)
k = starved kobold (AC12 HP5)
K = halforc woman (AC13 HP15)

R=Risshil D=Ser Desdichado H=Hai Tao M=Ra'Mer

The motherly halforc smiles pleasantly. Even at Ra'Mer, who makes such an accusation. That exposes more of her feminine lower tusks. "Oh, I tried getting out of the slums - Luthic knows I did. But they just wouldn't let me." She waves her hand westward, then south, and north. "Old Norris doesn't want me and the children passing through his turf; the rope guild to the south is unsafe as it is; we have no boat to cross the waters of the poisonous river to the north. Not that Bane's chosen would let us escape with our lives. And going close to the wall of your civilized area means death my arrows. We're driven into a corner, here. I wish there was a way we could escape. Perhaps you can help?"

She smiles at the party. Her eyes going to the gnomish monk, and for a moment Hai Tao has the impression she was about to pull him in against her ample bosom. The kobolds are curiously quiet, listening to the conversation.

"We were intructed to clear the streets, if we take you 'prisoner' and escort you out the gates, would that not be doing our job?"
To Ra'Mer it would be doing the job asked for as well as not involving them in needless battle. But he would wait until the others put in their own thoughts on the matter.

"The streets are clear my friend. It is the building that is not. I see no reason why the city cannot hire them on as workers. It is a win win situation. The city gains workers in this dangerous area and they keep their place of living as well as gain food and a small amount of money." Risshil said plainly. He then slipped back into the draconic tongue so the kobolds could understand better. "I have heard tales of kobold work ethic, ingenuity, and craftsmanship. Would you all be willing to work for the city of humans in order to build and repair these lost areas? I think it would be possible to convince the city to hire you on and allow you a section of the district to live in."

"Failing integration into the work force we could easily talk to the local constabulary and militia about allowing this group to go free. Obviously they mean no harm or they would have attacked up. And it seems clear that this lovely woman wishes nothing more than to protect her friends. I believe we can find a diplomatic way to handle this between the people of this city and these few here."

"While I am loath to cast cold water upon peaceful aspirations during this conflict resolution," Ser Desdichado speaks at last, "I feel it my duty to remind all present that it would be a difficult talk at the best of times to get such a large group through the gates without incident."

The Knight turns towards the half orc woman and tilts his head slightly.  "Is this all of your lively band?  Or are there others scattered around the slums?  Before we consider any real options we need to know exactly what we are dealing with."

Risshil perhaps hasn't thought this out all the way. Actually paying kobolds for working? The very concept of this is sure to make hairs bristle. Kobold work ethics? The litle critters looked at eachother, trying to make sense of the words. "If Mom says we do, we do!" a particularly undainted kobold chirps in draconic. "We can't build a nest here, the ground too hard."

The halforcish woman grins and adjusts her hair as the gnomish monk compliments her. "Why, you are very handsome yourself. As for diplomacy, the humans in the docks are rather fond of shooting arrows at me and mine, so I don't think that would work. There are dozens more children around, scavenging for food, and there is my brother. He should be back from Podol with the groceries soon."

Risshil raised an eyebrow as people talked about getting all these kobolds and the priestess into the city. "I think you misunderstand. My plan means that they don't have to move from here, and that they don't have to enter the city. We shall be their ambassadors for this matter, though I would ask you to come with daughter of Luthic. That way you could be the speaker for your children in the future. My plan is to have you all work for the city doing what you do best, and they in turn make sure you have food and the right to stay here. If I can convinced them on a small monetary spending as well I'd like to, but it's not necessary. This would be a win for both the city and for your family."

"Though I think the idea of the kobolds being able to work with the city and build a better life for both sounds excellent, it may be a bit too ambitious. We know the city has taken a relatively negative view of the kobolds since the attacks. Even with our recommendation and this woman's insurances that they will cause no more mischief I'm not sure they will go for it." Hai shakes his head and sighs, "That being said I'd be will to try."

"If it fails then we move on to the next step, getting them out and someplace safer. There's no problem with trying."

In reply to Risshil (msg # 37):

"Can't hurt to ask else we escort them out ourselves. Guards on the wall can be distracted. "
Either was good, if they were not evil or at least not evil to others then there was no reason not to help. The little ones could help in the cleaning of the city. Someone had to do it.

Ser Desdichado listens attentively to the woman explaining her thoughts, and nods his head.  He gazes around at his other companions.  "So, several dozen of them, lets' assume a nice round fifty, plus her brother and herself.  You'd probably have an easier time hiring a ship to meet them along to river then trying to get that lot past to guards."

"Good woman,"  His attention returns to the half orc, "This Podol, is that a person, or a place?"  He seems to stop for a moment, and then straightens himself before her.  His sword returns to its' sheath with a hiss and snick.  "I apologize.  We are being extreamly rude here.  I am Ser Desdichado.  My companions are Risshil, Ra'Mer, and Hai tao."  He gestures to each of them in turn.  "What name may we call you by Lady?"

As Desdichado introduces him, Hai Tao bows respectfully to the woman. He was inspired by her facing such daunting odds yet still willing to help those less fortunate that herself. Hai became even more determined to find a peaceful resolution to this problem. The city members would just have to put away their hatred and intolerance and see reason.

The halforcish woman nods, smiels and bows. She's all too eager to take the party up on the offer, particularly if they suggest hiring a ship. She points out that the only place to dock is the northern shore of the slums, because the Rope Guild fills the southern approaches to the seashore.

She introduces herself as Mila, a wise woman and caretaker. Soon enough her brother arrives with a load of groceries. He is Markus, and he likes his axe. The kobolds are curiously quiet. After a few exchanges, Mila excuses herself and returns to the house to fix the kobolds' meal. The little pests follow her inside amidst a newly reignited burst of yipping and chatter. Markus remains outside with the party to answer other questions and plan the escape.\

(does anyone peek inside the house?)

Ra'Mer, admiring the curves of Mila will allow his gaze to follow her inside. Even stepping around to get a good look of what the inside looks like.
If questionedonit he may blush a bit but will confess only to seeing what the little ones were up to.

Ra'mer can't fail to notice several corpses of humans, elves and a dwarf strung from hooks upside down along the inside walls of the building, a carcass or two still tripping blood into a bowl. The other significant furnishing of the building is the big table, around which the kobolds sit and slurp noisily.

Mila notices Ra'mer checking her out, and offers him true fanservice. Bending over and accidentally turning in a way to accent her curvy figure and large rack. Oh my.

This was not good, why was it always the hot ugly chick's that were cannibalistic freaks? No time to think over it more and since barbarians were not entirely renown for subtleties he blurts out his finding.
"The city folk won't take any offers with these table settings."
He points into the building to emphasize his point.
"All sorts of people hung on the walls like butchered cows."
With practically no effort his weapon is in hand and shield already strapped to his arm Ra'Mer awaits an answer from anyone.

Ser Desdichado stops moving when Ra'Mer makes his announcement.  His hands do not move as his eyes instantly take in the surroundings and the locations of his companions and this Markus.  An ambush would be a poor way to repay the faith the group had shown.  His voice is even as he addresses Markus.

"Your explanation for this?"

The halforc shrugs while his sister comes closer again, wiping her hands in her apron. She makes eyes at Ra'mer.

"They were already dead when we found them. No sense in letting the meat go to waste, is there? Nothing else edible around here anyways. Those groceries took sneaking over to Podol to get, and that marketplace is quite a bit away through hostile territory. Awww. Just look how the little ones like it. Silly little buggers." She looks at the half-starved kobolds fondly as they gorge themselves. "Really, they only need some direction."

Still hoping Mila might be 'normal' enough Ra'Mer asks one more thing...
"What do you and your brother be eatin'? Same thing the little ones eat or these groceries?"
He had not seen what the groceries actually were but assumed for the time it was different that what is displayed upon the walls and the like. Ra'Mer could go for a less attractive girl and even a good 'n big one but if he might turn up on the menu....? Well it was too tribal. Oh, there were barbaric people that might but he could not bring himself to do it. Suppose he would avoid her cooking at least until she was out of the city.

Hai Tao shifted from one leg to the next as he did his best to keep his breakfast down. Being a monk he had sworn off meat early in life but he never faulted others from eating the animals raised and sold in the market. But eating other sentient life was abominable. Certainly it was possible these people could have fallen before Mila and her group had gotten to them and in moments of extreme need cannibalistic tendencies have been forgiven. Yet here her brother had come with items supposedly taken from the marketplace so they did have other options. Also Mila being incredibly nonchalant about the hanging bodies gave Hai an increasingly uneasy feeling that had him quietly pulling his shortsword from it's sheath. His understanding nature that extended to those different than himself was being sorely tested.

"Then it is safe to assume that their diet, and yours as well, will change once a more stable food source can be found?" Risshil asked, his eyes narrowing a tad. While he held some measure of trust and respect for Mila knowing her goddess as one of the non-violent orc gods, a half-orc who loves his axe still brings a racial nervousness about that puts him on edge.

The Knight looks to his companions to gauge their reactions.  For some reason he finds it difficult to give up on the idea of diplomacy completely  Risshil and the others had wanted to try, and he was content to continue to try, until it was clear beyond a doubt that they would not succeed.  So, he remained silent, and watched the ax-fond Half Orc instead.  Perhaps he would surprise them.  Perhaps.

"It'd be unfair to serve the poor kids something we wouldn't eat ourselves." She flashes a smile at Ra'mer, misinterpreting his unease as attraction. "Times are lean, and we can't choose what to eat. You get used to the taste, after a while.  I could care less for the taste of elf or dwarf, however." The male halforc grunts in agreement, an expression of distaste on his face. "The children don't seem to mind, though."

Meanwhile the kobolds gorge themselves on the stew. They are voracious and done with the meal in but a dozen seconds or so. A chorus of yipping makes Mila turn around and yell. "You'll just throw up if you overeat! Be good children and take a walk, the next meal is in two hours!" There is much grumbling from the "children", but they obey.

Hai Tao drawing his shortsword is not seen as a threat, apaerently. After all, everyone is friendly, no?

Markus grunts again at Risshil's question. "I'd give my left nut to not have to eat dwarf ever again. Gruumsh's hairy balls, they taste worse than crap."