Descent into the Underdark

Ah, yes. They are a bother but I got rid of those close to my ranch. Haashad looks at you for a moment and continues If you by one of the roth I raise I will tell you the method to hunt them. I will trade for tools, fresh surface food, medicines, potions, and weapons. You discuss the pricing and his initial asking price comes out to about the value of 10 GP
(See the Price guide section Stores spoiler for general goods pricing Normal pricing column) You can negotiate or try and persuade him, with accompanying rolls to get a better deal
success/price 1/9 Gold, 2/7 Gold, 3/5 Gold

Haashad seems disinterested in the coin but very interested in the side of meat. Is this to be cooked or is it acceptable to eat it raw? After some consideration he agrees to trade the of the side of meat for one of the smaller herd animal's.

He then proceeds to explain more on the best methods of darkmantle hunting. The beasts are aware of light but do not use it to hunt, instead they have excellent hearing and can even "see" with it in a limited range. He suggests letting a single member of your party, the hartiest or with the best armor, walk with a torch and the best he just sold to you. The others are to stay out of the light and move silently. The darkmantle are more likely to attack a single or pair of creatures. If you suspect where they might be found then perhaps set up a camp nearby with the bait and single guard in the firelight with the others hidden and still nearby. Once the darkmantle attack you need to beware their ability to generate darkness. Haashad overcame this by using weighted nets with hooks in them that he would entrap the monsters in, taking out one at a time. They will try to flee so if you wish to get the entire colony you will need some way to trap or ground them. Otherwise you can simply repeat the process every couple days be able to catch most. The rest will be frightened off and flee the cave you hunt them in.

Haashad, who has listened into your conversation adds Though bright light does not hurt them they do not like it. If you simply wish to drive them you can fill any side passages you do not wish them to enter with intense light and noise. When they flee they will naturally seek dark and quiet areas. They will enter light to hunt or flee. But remember each can create an orb of darkness once a day to hide themselves of any light.

You can try to combine the effects. Locate and lure out the darkmantle with the animal then drive them away by hurting or slaying as many as possible while controlling where they flee with fire and such things.

The troglodyte seems more relaxed as you discuss your plans but his two headed hound continues to growl anytime anyone gets too close to him or his master.

Haashad does not know where the goblin camp is but suggests it is likely on or close to the surface as there has not been a major shift in the underdark denizens, which a whole tribe of goblins moving into the caves would have caused.

Having concluded your trades you return with your new cave "cattle" to the section of the caverns that the darkmantle have been frequenting.