I hope you don't mind but I edited my edit to create a new post for it. It seems to flow better when looking back through things.
After I learn he's sickly and after he reveals their numbers and the presence of "The Rotting Man":
[sblock]Primary check Heal + 11. Rolled 10. 21 passes the medium DC.[/sblock]
I gather some river water and set up to boil it over a fire. I make several bags of varying teas for the men, including some ginger root tea for the man with the dieing innards.
"I am a healer. You are ill and your teeth are not the cause of it. This is a pestilence I have seen before. It infests your innards and causes a slow and terrible death. Are all of your people suffering the same?" If he answers in the affirmative, I respond with "have you ever considered that this "Rotting Man" may be the source of your troubles? Tell me of him and leave nothing out."
As he responds I steep his ginger root tea. When he finishes I say; "Drink this, it will soothe your stomach."
I offer some tea to Terilion and his men to partake during our momentary respite.
[sblock]Primary check Nature + 14. Rolled 14. 28 passes.[/sblock]
I take in what he has to say about "The Rotting Man". Assuming I've settled the man's nerves a bit, I'm going to keep him off balance and upturn that disposition by dragging the body of one of his former companions near the water's edge. I'm going to use vocals or chumming of the water with the dead body (whatever is fitting for these creatures) to rouse the interests of the lizards. Once one of them comes and claims the body, I'll wash my hands in the river water and shake them out as I walk back. I won't say anything. I'll leave this little message to his imagination.
"Kennel and larder you say? I assume these are the two tunnels that don't lead to the upper levels of the complex? What will we find there? Are there any living beings in your larder?"
[sblock]Secondary check Insight + 8. Rolled 10. 18 passes the low DC.
Primary check Streetwise + 5 (augmented by + 2 from Insight). Rolled 10. 17 Passes the medium DC.[/sblock]
10s are wild! I've greased his palm by easing his suffering and at least played at being trustworthy. I want to milk him for the relevant info about this settlement:
- Does the river connect to tunnels that will let me access the upper complex? Are they well patrolled?
- I want to know about The Rotting Man's lair. Location, layout, and guards?
- Are there any potential mutineers here that feel their group has become mere thralls to The Rotting Man? Who are they and where may I find them?