-----However, the adventurers' attention is drawn to a low fire glowing in the fireplace on the opposite wall. There, they can see at least eight humanoid forms armored in leather suddenly rising from a sitting position in front of the mantle. The humanoids turn to face the intruders as they squint toward the sudden brightness invading their lair.
-----Sarah pauses as she catches sight of the humanoids, she notices they haven't taken any threatening moves yet and immediately grasps onto the hope that she can talk to them! She calls out.. "Hello! Who are you? We're adventurers from far away! What are you doing here?"
-----"And apologies about your toads." Sol adds with a sly grin having already decided where this is going to head. Still, it was only polite in times of uncertain identity that the 'other' side make the first aggressive move, so the Gorian took a couple of steps inside with one arm by his side, palm facing towards the humanoids in the universal signal of peace. His other hand reached up to scratch behind his head as he pondered the group ahead.
-----Naturally that conveniently left the hand awfully close to the hilt of his longsword.
-----Raven spreads out from the group and puts a ruined table in between the unknown creatures and himself. Raven motions for the wolf to stay by him. Raven's swords were at the ready when he entered the grand hall, but he keeps them down at his sides for now.
-----The outside light from behind the adventurers begins to catch the glint of reflected light off of sword blades, spearheads and morningstars. The humanoids carefully form a defensive line as they bring their weapons and shields to bear.
-----At this point, it is easy to see that they do exactly number eight as they stand in front of the mantle. Their heavy faces feature reddish skin while their eyes are yellow and menacing staring from underneath their leather helms. They slowly bring their line forward forming a V shape.
-----The lead humanoid brings his sword up and growls at Sarah in some unintelligible speech. The tone is obviously unfriendly.
-----Sol steps right into the path of the wedge, his grin now turned expectant as his own blade hisses out of its leather sheath. He still makes no move to attack, but makes it clear that the humanoids will come no closer without some trouble. Notably, Sol's stance has shifted to a defensive poise as he eyes, then listens curiously to the creature's dark speech to Sarah.
-----The lead humanoid focuses on Sol moving in front of it. Surprisingly, it pauses and sneers evilly at the young warrior.
-----The humanoid then barks something that sounds like a command. The other armored humanoids then carefully begin inverting their formation so that the adventurers closest to the open doors are surrounded. On the right flank, two of the humanoids keep their eyes on Raven where the hunter is positioned behind a table.
-----"Hobgoblins," Garrison hisses over Sol's shoulder. "Careful," the woodsman yells out, "these bastards may have some trap worked up."
-----Just then everyone is alerted by Rinda, still in the entry way in front of the open vine covered doors to the outside. The huntress's yell contains no words although her tone is angry. There, poking their heads through the vines are two large reptilian heads as clawed feet work to push their bodies through the foliage. The huntress then raises her club, poised to strike.
-----The hobgoblin in front of Sol opens its mouth and utters a cruel laugh.
-----Garrison hoists his battleaxe and for a moment looks confused about which way to turn. "Damn," he yells before calling to Raven, "Looks like we found your lizards!"
-----Sarah sighs. "So much for civilized discourse." Moving her hands fast and chanting arcane words she summons three rainbow colored discs into existence and sends them flying at the hobgoblins.
-----For a moment, Sol drops his grin as he eyes the laughing humanoid. The warrior then says in a very controlled voice, "Garrison, Raven, help Rinda wi' th' lizards. Sarah an' I will deal wi' these. Hobgoblins, eh? I thought they looked familiar." In the instance of that last statement, Sol launches himself at the lead hobgoblin, his visage similar to Raven's reaction to orcs. His blows come in as wild overhand strikes as he seeks to utterly destroy the evil being in front of him.
-----Before Sol even starts to speak, Raven has already run over to protect Rinda. Raven's blades twirl and flash in the torchlight as he attacks the lizards. Raven motions for the wolf to attack the same lizard Raven is attacking. Raven growls, "Garrison, take on the other one."