Then bargain. Maybe you can sell us the rest of the prisoners? Make us a good deal. They are only trouble. More of us will come from the fort for them if you keep them.
The six prisoners seem to be four humans, two warriors and a male and female older couple. Two of them seem to be demihumans. One is an orc and one is hard to indentify.
"Well," the hobgoblin motions to the prisoners, "if you have something magic I can take it for the lot. If not, you can take the ones that don't fight. They are supposedly the valuable ones."
I just have wizard stuff, and not much magic. Only this stick. How about gold? And how about we trust each other enough to stabilize those dying right now. You stabilize your's and I mine. No funny stuff. Agreed?
Meztli's lifeblood continues to flow out onto the stone.
Calendir seems to shift around in a fitful coma.
The hobgoblin says: "You will have to make a deal first and back off. That suit of chain mail and huge shield is worth trading." He points to Turk's equipment.
"That should get you the two human prisoners and one of the fighting ones too. They can drag out your friends."
You have already offered me half the prisoners not to kill you. You give me all the humans and I'll give you the shield and leave. Deal?
"So you don't want a way out? In that case you can have all the prisoners, the chief will be rounding up again soon. I'll just keep this elf to you are out of sight."
You are sure Turk is making a move to end this soon. Behind the tower shield he is getting his longsword ready.
And the bleed-out continues.
Zoros allows Lorcan to negotiate, kneeling by Meztli to check her condition.
Zoros begins to cast and the hobgoblin begins to swing and Turk jumps in front.
Turk interposes his massive shield between the hobgoblin and the elf blocking the lethal blow.
Lorcan casts at the hobgoblin.
You are sure Turk is making a move to end this soon. Behind the tower shield he is getting his longsword ready.
Lorcan fires a color spray knocking the hobgoblin unconscious, Turk finishes him off.
Combat over
That was closer than I wanted it to be. Quicjkly Zoros, stabilize Meztli. Lorcan moves to heal Ingrid and then make sure both hobgoblins stay down.
Ingrid gets up,
"Thanks, Lorcan"
Once the party is at least stable, and the hobgoblins down for sure, Lorcan turns his attention to the prisoners, looking over each. He notes their condition and if conscious if they can speak to him. We have got to get you all out of here. he says to the humans.
After he addresses the orc and gnoll, asking each How did you come to be here? And will you fight for us if we free you?
The prisoners have seen little but the torture room and their tormentors. They and the orc know the way out leads farther down the passageway. As you continue to hang around, the prisoners are anxious to leave this place.
The two well muscled humans speak: "We are men at arms that fell in with a caravan. We are the only two left of the original ten."
The orc speaks in accented human: "I will fight the hobgoblins. I have no fight with you unless you provoke me."
The merchant speaks: "They were going to eat me. I belong to the Merchant Association in the Keep."
It takes a while to locate the keys to free the prisoners, but eventually you find the single master key to unlock the irons. Ingrid is now conscious too after some healing. The fallen hobgoblins have suits of armor of chain similar to the one Turk is wearing. A falchion, greatsword, whip, and two shortswords litter the ground.
The men at arms begin to put on the suits of chain mail (assuming they are freed). The group considers releasing the orc and gnoll.
Zoros distributes cures from his wand as needed.
Ingrid
Meztli
Calendir
Turk
Lorcan asks the men at arms about the two humanoids. What do you know of them? I'd prefer not to leave them to whatever end the jobhoblins has planned for them.
To the orc he asks We want you to draw in the dirt any area of these caves you know. For your freedom would you be willing to stay with us for a few days and fight with us? We will feed you and arm you as we can. And we will not ask you to fight against your tribe. In fact, maybe you can help us to make peace and trade with them?
He appoaches the knoll. Can you understand me?
Meztli gets to her feet somewhat unsteadily. Her wounds have closed, but the phantom pain lingers for a moment. However, she recovers quickly and looks about. She sees the orc and gnoll and immediately picks up her halberd, bringing it to a defensive position. She relaxes slightly when it is apparent that the pair are still chained.
It is obvious the orc and gnoll are hurt, having been tortured and beaten over many days. Excluded from healing, they are not in very good shape and the orc has a broken leg.
"We are not in fighting shape." the orc says. "You will probably not make it out of here. As for drawing my cave, it won't be happening."
Looks like you guys could use a hand...
A figure steps out of the darkness and lends a hand where needed. He looks familiar...he was at the inn.
To the orc: I already said I would not ask you to betray your tribe. Not asking for a sketch of your place, except to let us know where to avoid. Don't be daft. Tell us what you do know.
The orc mentions: "I am still injured and only know these caves lead left at the intersection and out. The chief lives somewhere past the exit. I will take much time to heal."
The gnoll does not understand a word.
With everyone but the prisoners, men at arms, and noncombatants healed, the two humans arm themselves with the greatsword and falchion and prepare to head out.
The orc mentions: "I have been tortured for days to tell what I know. For my freedom I could tell you where the big goblins are holed up around here."
The humans men-at-arms grimly prepare to fight while injured.
Lorcan looks to the others before stating. I would free both of these. indicating the orc and knoll. They are not our enemies. Not yet at least. Unless someone objects Lorcan will ask the orc Tell us what you know, and also aware not to fight against us, unless we come against you and your tribe. Do this and I will free you, and give you some of my own food and water.
Meztli shakes her head, obviously distrusting the gnoll. "This one not go free. Not..." she pauses for a moment, trying to find the word, "...trust," she finishes.
Zoros watches the discussion with the humaniods, arms crossed, scowling.
At Lorcan's suggestion that the orc reveal details of the cave system, he grows thoughtful, re-examining the catchetism of St Cuthbert for loopholes that would allow him to assist.
Finally he nods to himself, finding the rationalization that would allow him to intervene: as the curing magic he currently has at his disposal in the wand does not emanate from his faith in St Cuthbert, his admonition to not heal the enemy did not apply.
Stepping forward, he offers formally "Give us the information we desire, and your hurts I will heal."
The orc nods and speaks:"The bigger goblins are a little higher up the ravine on the right past the orc cave where my tribe rules."
"And I'm hoping they are more diplomatic than most.
Is someone going to heal Calendir, or carry him back to town?"
If we can get out of here at all, we need to get these wounded men back to town. The orc at least will help us fight as we retreat out. Let us do that. And I cannot leave the gnoll chained. He goes up and offers the beast water.
"Kill it," Meztli suggests, indicating the gnoll.
Turk executes the monstrous creature and slings the unconscious Calendir over his back.
"We better start moving."
The orc limps along, still injured as you retrace your way to the main passage.