Help! KotS: Dealing with Hobgoblins [Spoilers!]

[Gavinfoxx]

Hi there, I was wondering if Wizards or anyone else has come up with some guidelines on how the player's can bypass or gain the trust or do something to make having the pass phrase to the hobgoblins worth it? Like some kind of skill challenge to be able to negotiate with the hobgoblins, and be able to get their trust, and then murder them in their sleep or something? Did WotC come up with anything regarding what to DO if the PC's actually GET the passcode?

 

[deleteme123456]

I plan to do something where N------- has the password and is actually the secret lover of Paedrig in Winterhaven. I put up a magical barrier that can't be disabled (dc 30 arcana should keep it out of the way) and requires the password to be lowered. When the PCs return to WH because they're stymied (Sir K will also help nudge them) they have to pass a skill challenge to convince LP that N is really behind the problems the town is having at that time (doing the graveyard scene here but not strictly as a combat thing). If they win they can lock N up and find the password in N's personal belongings in the manor. When they give the right password the barrier lowers and then the hobgoblins eye them suspiciously but as long as you don't make any hostile moves toward them, they give you directions on how to pass through their areas (12-14) by the most direct and shortest path, with a warning that straying from their path will result in the hobgoblins attacking them as intruders. If they do pass through on the correct path, award XP and the magic item that they missed (work the item in area 15 or something). Do not double award XP if they later double-back and kill the Hobgoblins. Saves a lot of redundant fighting.

 

[cbbakke]

Our party had both passwords and used both of them. The hobgoblins had that moment of confusion "whats going on? You guys screwing with us?" Our party member made a bluff roll and rolled a crit and down played it as we were "messing with them to make sure they were doing their job and we had business to take care of with the boss so get out of our way"