Belial (https://orcpub2.com/pages/dnd/5e/characters/17592305287974)'s back presses against the cool earth of the burrow wall, perhaps being the only thing keeping them standing. They've hardly had time to process the swift and brutal slaughter of the hires she'd brought on to assist in sneaking into the dragon's lair. Then again, neither did they.<br/>Engulfed by the imposing presence of the dragon before them, the bubbling panic up Belial's throat threatens to overwhelm them as the hot, noxious breath of Verzanth washes over them, even at their distance. Her tail has long since wrapped tightly around her leg in fear as the dragon's full attention is upon them as it speaks. Belial is stricken with the poignant recognition of their own insignificance and fragility; how their arrows would just be complimentary toothpicks for the mighty dragon before her.<br/><br/>Scraping together any sense of composure they can manage, and doing their best to dispel the quaking in her knees, Belial offers a small smile, slowly letting the light crossbow that was in her hand at her side go, and putting their hands up.<br/>"Great dragon, with all due respect, I assure you my smoky flesh is more sulfuric than what would appeal to your taste." Belial begins, keeping their voice steady despite the circumstances, speaking with careful respect and<strong>persuasion</strong><sup>1</sup>. Steeling themself after finding themself still alive, Belial continues with the same steady coolness.<br/>"I came not to do something as foolhardy as to steal from you, but to bring a gift, and perhaps strike a deal with you. A deal with a devil, if you will." Belial smiles a little bigger at their own joke, and<strong>tries to swallow back the fear</strong><sup>2</sup>that's threatening to overrun them.<br/><br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">1</div><div class="spoiler_body">Persuasion check; disadvantage from <em>Frightful Presence</em><br/><ul class="bbc_list"><li>Natural 20, +5 = <strong>25</strong></li><li>17, +5 = <strong>22</strong> </li></ul>Outcome: <strong>22</strong> </div></div><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">2</div><div class="spoiler_body">Saving throw against <em>Frightful Presence</em><br/><ul class="bbc_list"><li>11, +1 = <strong>12</strong></li></ul></div></div>