War Drum

This article is about the environmental object in the Goblin Camp. For the Miscellaneous item, see War Drum (item). For the usable instrument, see Hand Drum.

“

O sing a song of Elturel, when foes are at her door.

„

— Karlach, after another party member successfully performed on the drum

Involvement

The War Drum is an interactive environmental object located on a high rock at the outer entrance to the Goblin Camp in Act One.

If combat occurs, one of the goblins at the checkpoint tries to reach the War Drum on their first turn and call for help. However, this alerts only three goblins who are feasting at the table westward of the checkpoint; the goblins in the main camp are not alerted.

The War Drum at the checkpoint is the only one in the whole camp (including those in the Shattered Sanctum) which can be played by any party member without goblins immediately considering it a transgression.

Interacting with it grants several options:

• Bang the drum with an open palm.
• [PERFORMANCE] Rap out a simple rhythm. (DC 10)
• [BARD] [PERFORMANCE] Imitate the beat of a popular goblin drinking anthem. (DC 10)
• Tear the drumhead open.

If the player character interacts with the War Drum, it naturally draws attention of the goblin guards, namely, the outpost's chief  Sentinel Olak. Olak's reaction to using the War Drum is quite different depending on the circumstances.

• If the player character managed to sneak around the post and play the drum, Olak always starts the fight, regardless of the Performance check result. As there is no preliminary dialogue, it is not possible to convince him that the player character is a True Soul. Being a Drow (or being disguised as such) does not make him stand back.

• What th-... A lovely rhythm, your lordness. Shame you just raised the alarm. (A Drow player character (or disguised as such) succeeded a Performance check)
• What th-... Lovely beat, that - course you warned half the camp there's killin' to be done. Get 'em, lads! (A non-Drow player character succeeded a Performance check)
• Who th-... A fine entrance, your drowship, but we got orders. Lads, intruder! (A Drow player character (or disguised as such) failed a Performance check or did not use it.)
• Who th-... Hah! Lads, looks like this idiot just went and raised the alarm on theirselves! (A non-Drow player character failed a Performance check or did not use it.)

• If the player character convinced the goblins to let them in via any check except the Illithid Persuasion, or is playing a Drow character, or is disguised as such, the result of interacting with the drum depends on whether the Performance check was rolled and its result:

A character successfully performing on the War Drum

• Careful, your lordness. That drum's for callin' backup. I'll calm 'em down, seein' as it was a lovely rhythm. But, erh, don't do it again. (A Drow player character (or disguised as such) succeeded a Performance check)
• Lovely rhythm, that. Pity the drum's for callin' in backup. Don't worry - seein' how you made us dance, I won't let 'em kill ya - this time. (A player character other than a Drow or a True Soul succeeded a Performance check)
• Ah, your excelness, you weren't supposed to touch that. Sorry 'bout this, but rules is rules. (A Drow player character (or disguised as such) failed a Performance check or did not use it.)
• I let you in and you raise the alarm anyway? Hurts my feelings, that does. Backup's comin'. Reckon I'll tell 'em you were an intruder after all. (A player character other than a Drow or a True Soul failed a Performance check or did not use it.)

• If the player character successfully performed a rhythm on the drum, they can try and do it again, with the same options on the offer, and the same result on succeeding or failing the Performance check.

• If the player character convinced Olak they are a True Soul, he never starts a fight regardless of what they do with the drum, including breaking it. The lines will differ on the second and any further attempt.

• That's lovely stuff, True Soul. Only... we smack that drum so the lads know there's killin' on. Not to worry! I'll set 'em straight. Bit of music never hurt anyone, eh? (Player character used a True Soul option, succeeded a Performance check)
• Eh... beg pardon, True Soul, but that's the alarm. Not to worry, though - I'll handle the lads. (Player character used a True Soul option, failed a Performance check or did not use it)

• Finally, the player character has an option to tear the membrane off the drum. In this case, unless the player character used a True Soul line to placate the guard, Olak becomes hostile always.

Approval and Inspiration

Either slamming the War Drum once or attempting to pass a Performance check causes the following approval changes: -5 and  +1.

Succeeding the  Performance check on the War Drum grants the ⁠Feel the Beat inspiration to characters with the  Entertainer background. Also, any other party member comments on the drum-player's technique.