"I'll leave you two alone, I think I've heard enough about goblins for a month or two." says Rynshinn before going to talk to other patrons of the inn. Shalelu invites Izbahn to take a seat at her table before she starts with her explanations on the goblin tribes. "Like I said at the meeting, there are five major goblin tribes in the region. The closest to Sandpoint are the Birdcruncher goblins that live in caves along the western edge of the Devil's Platter, although traditionally these goblins are the least aggressive of the five. To the south are the Licktoad goblins of the Brinestump Marsh, pests that are excellent swimmers. East are the Seven Tooth goblins of Shank's Wood, goblins who've secured a place for themselves by raiding Sandpoint's junkyard and rebuilding the stolen refuse into armor and weapons. From what I saw of him, I think the goblin Belor released to your care belongs to this tribe. I don't really know what else I can tell you about him except that his name, Darst, mean 'companion' or something like 'raiding buddy' in the Goblin tongue. But back to the two remaining tribes. The Mosswood, some distance to the east, is home the justly named Mosswood goblins, likely the largest tribe but one traditionally held back by feuding families within their own ranks. And finally, there are the Thistletop goblins, who live just off the Nettlewood coast atop a small rocky island that some say holds a passing resemblance to a decapitated head. So there you have the 5 local goblin tribes. Few goblins live long lives given their nature but the ones that do often achieve some measure of notoriety. I could tell you about these goblins 'veterans', at least the ones I know about. Some of them might have had something to do with the raid."
"I'll leave you two alone, I think I've heard enough about goblins for a month or two." says Rynshinn before going to talk to other patrons of the inn. Shalelu invites Izbahn to take a seat at her table before she starts with her explanations on the goblin tribes. "Like I said at the meeting, there are five major goblin tribes in the region. The closest to Sandpoint are the birdcruncher goblins that live in caves along the western edge of the Devil's Platter, although traditionally these goblins are the least aggressive of the five. To the south are the Licktoad goblins of the Brinestump Marsh, pests that are excellent swimmers. East are the Seven Tooth goblins of Shank's Wood, goblins who've secured a place for themselves by raiding Sandpoint's junkyard and rebuilding the stolen refuse into armor and weapons. From what I saw of him, I think the goblin Belor released to your care belongs to this tribe. I don't really know what else I can tell you about him except that his name, Darst, mean 'companion' or something like 'raiding buddy' in the Goblin tongue. But back to the two remaining tribes. The Mosswood, some distance to the east, is home the justly named Mosswood goblins, likely the largest tribe but one traditionally held back by feuding families within their own ranks. And finally, there are the Thistletop goblins, who live just off the Nettlewood coast atop a small rocky island that some say holds a passing resemblance to a decapitated head. So there you have the 5 local goblin tribes. Few goblins live long lives given their nature but the ones that do often achieve some measure of notoriety. I could tell you about these goblins 'veterans', at least the ones I know about. Some of them might have had something to do with the raid."
Naomi sighs as she half-drags, half-carries the drunken goblin up to Izbahn's room(after being told which one it is). But where to put him? After pulling a sheet off of the bed, she makes a small pallet of sorts and settles the sleeping Darst on his side. That's what you're supposed to with a drunk, right? Other than rob them blind..
Aldern and Syeira are two of the few still remaining in the White Deer's common room late in the evening. They huddle in a quiet corner of the inn, chatting. Eventually, after a silent moment, Aldern brings Syeira close and kisses her. Syeira does little to deter him and they soon find themselves back in the nobleman's room. The two lovers undress each other while heading for the bed.
Izbahn takes out a notebook, and writes all of this down, figuring it is best to be prepared. After jotting it down, he asks her, "So. do you think one of these Thistletop goblins actually organized the raid?"
"No, that's doubtful. I don't think the current chieftain of the Thistletop, a goblin named 'Ripnugget', has the influence or the courage to unite all the tribes. The Mosswood are lead by 'Big Gugmut', a huge goblin. The goblins say his father was a wild boar." Shalelu chuckles at this. "In any case, that one is just a brute, I don't think he has the brains to pull this off. Koruvus is the name of the Seven Tooth tribe's champion but I haven't heard much of him lately. Something must have happened to him; either one of his rival got him or he stumbled on something dangerous. The region has it share of old and deadly ruins. Lastly, there's a notorious Licktoad goblin by the name of Vorka but it isn't her style to lead other goblins. She's a loner and likes to ... eat her own kind." The elf thinks for a few more seconds. "There another goblin, well goblinoid, of note in the region. It's my old nemesis, the bugbear hunter Bruthazmus. Like most bugbears, he usually hunts alone but I know he visits the five tribes to trade the things he steals from his victims. He has a particular hatred of elves, and we have fought on several occasions. Those fights always ended with a draw but I vow he's gonna fall the next time we meet." There's some bitterness and hatred in her eyes when she speaks of the bugbear.
3rd of Rova, early morning, light rain.
Izbahn wakes up to the sound of rain hitting the roof the White Deer Inn. Turning his head, he sees a goblin cuddled against him. He jumps back in surprise before remembering yesterday's events. His surprised yelp also has the side effect of waking up both Naomi and Darst, the later with an intense headache.
Syeira wakes up alone in bed and sees Aldern, already dressed, walking around the room and packing up some of his stuff.
Venmirl and Calla both wake up relatively early in their respective homes. In both cases, breakfast has already been prepared by her mother in one case and his landlady in the other.
Izbahn, dreams of beautiful women dancing for him in his mind, their faces and bodies blurring together in a confusing manner. Waking and finding himself cuddled with the goblin, wonders befuddled wonders if this was another prank played on the freshmen at the academy. After realizing what transpired earlier, he comes to his senses, although with a rather painful crick in his neck.
He turns to his roomates, and greets them, in a tired tone of voice "Good morning Naomi...Darst. I hope you both slept well. It looks like we have some rain today.
Darst closes his eyes and whimpers. "I's sick..."
Naomi sits upright at the sudden noise, a dagger raised to attack and.. blinks as she sees Izbahn on the floor next to Darst.
"Oh, it's just you. Sorry for taking your bed, you could have woken me up for a pill- Why is your neck at that angle?"
Darst closes his eyes and whimpers. "I's sick..."
"That's because you had too much to drink. I can't do anything about that but tell you to drink some tea and stay away from ale."
Naomi sits upright at the sudden noise, a dagger raised to attack and.. blinks as she sees Izbahn on the floor next to Darst.
"Oh, it's just you. Sorry for taking your bed, you could have woken me up for a pill- Why is your neck at that angle?"
Darst closes his eyes and whimpers. "I's sick...""That's because you had too much to drink. I can't do anything about that but tell you to drink some tea and stay away from ale."
"It wine, not ale," Darst moans. "That stuff poison. Who make it? They try's to kill I."
Izbahn says to Naomi, "No, that's all right, you looked more peaceful than I have ever seen you before, I didn't want to disturb you. As for my neck, I'll get over it, no worse than some of the hazing rituals I went through at the Academy."
He then turns to Darst, thinking, Well, now he knows what it is like to be human in another way, he he.
"Well, Darst, I hope you had a good time last night."
Darst opens his eyes miserably. "Did you poison wine? You had chance during toast. Is about bath, isn't it?"
Darst opens his eyes miserably. "Did you poison wine? You had chance during toast. Is about bath, isn't it?"Izbahn tries to hide a smirk on his face, covering it up with his hand, and replies, "Oh no, don't put this on me, my friend, you had too much wine, and with your body weight, it takes less wine to affect you. You will recover, just need some time. I hope you learned something, Darst."
Darst is silent.
While Izbahn is talking to Darst and distracted, Naomi quietly walks up behind him, grabs his neck and..
.. with a quick movement, removes the crick.
"It's no problem, I need to keep my mundane skills sharp anyway. They do no good if they're rusty."
She then walks over to the window to gaze out it and pray for her spells.
"At least Darst won't need a bath today..."
Naomi thinks a moment, fingers tracing the metal rune hanging from her necklace, then glances out into the rain.
"I've got an idea..."
Naomi grabs Darst and half-drags the feebly protesting drunk to the Inn's entrance.
"Before you say it, I'm not trying to drown you. Just get rid of your headache."
She pushes him out into the rain.
Naomi thinks a moment, fingers tracing the metal rune hanging from her necklace, then glances out into the rain.
"I've got an idea..."
Naomi grabs Darst and half-drags the feebly protesting drunk to the Inn's entrance.
"Before you say it, I'm not trying to drown you. Just get rid of your headache."
She pushes him out into the rain.
Darst shrieks in horror and leaps back in. Somehow, he's managed to already become soaked. However, his eyes have cleared. "Stop trying to get I wet!" he complains. "Next time I take headache."
Venmirl tells his landlords of his adventures the day before while eating his breakfast. He also tells of his new responsibility given to him and his friends by the mayor.
"I may need to go out at night sometime. Don't worry about me if I'm gone for a day or two." he tells them.
Marran, your landlady, eyes you with a mix of admiration and apprehension. "You're a good man, Venmirl. Someone needs to take care of these goblins and whomever is leading them. If you need anything, I'll try to help you, as much as an old lady like me can. I just ... well, be careful young man. I'd hate to see your tombstone in the boneyard you're so fond of."
Aldern finally notices that Syeira has woken up. "Oh, you're up." He speaks with some hesitation. "I would have woken you up earlier but you seem so peaceful in your sleep. Listen, I ... last night was fantastic and I'd love to continue this with you but I've already spent too much time in Sandpoint. There's something I really need to take care of and it involves going back to Magnimar. It's business, you understand? It might take me a week or two, three maximum. And once that business has been taken care of, I'll return here, to you, as quickly as I can."
As Naomi puts the goblin outside in the rain, one of the inn's patron comments. "Ha, yeah that's it, put the vermin where it belongs. It might help with the smell too."
Calla arrives at the White Deer Inn not long after Darst's 'soaking'.
"I no vermin, I goblin!" Darst says miserably. He actually seems wetter than he did when Izbahn tried to bathe him. He's giving off a scent similar to that of a wet dog.
As Naomi puts the goblin outside in the rain, one of the inn's patron comments. "Ha, yeah that's it, put the vermin where it belongs. It might help with the smell too."
Naomi turns to the patron, smiling.
"I may have no love of the goblins around here, but to call them Vermin? No, that would make us no better than demons talking about us. No offense, but you sound more like a dretch than a human." She doesn't wait for a reply.
"Hello Calla, how was your night?"
"Hey Venmirl, how are you this nice day?"
"Good morning Izbahn, Naomi. It was good to get some rest. I hope our new companion wasn't too much trouble.... I promise I will take my turn watching him soon." She smiles slightly at the soaked goblin and says, "I find the rain peaceful... but I see that you do not!"
Darst sits down, sulking. "I no like water."
A short and hooded figure enters the inn not long after Venmirl. After shaking some rain off her shoulders and throwing back her hood, she reveals herself to be an elderly halfling woman. Her back is slightly bent forward but she still seems somewhat vigorous despite her age. Most of you have seen her working at the Rusty Dragon Inn, either serving drinks or tidying rooms. It's easy to see that she seems upset about something. "There, you are! They told me I might find you here." She exclaims. "You must help me, the sheriff left town early this morning and I don't know where else to turn..."
Once you're all inside Izbahn's room, the elderly halfling opens up, a bit frantically. "Like I was saying, my mistress she is ... well, she is missing. Ameiko, she's very dedicated to her own business and she's always the first up in the morning, starting the breakfast. But, this morning, her door was still closed when I woke up. I knocked and got no response. Against my better judgment, I got the key and went into her room. It was empty and the bed was un-slept in. And there was this note on her bed." She hands the group a small parchment covered with small and unusual symbols. Only Izbahn reconizes these as the alphabet of the languages of distant Tian Xia but he still can't decipher the meaning of the note. Bethana continues. "That's Minkai, the language of my mistress' ancestors. She was wise enough to teach me the language over the last few years and I was able to translate it." She hands the group another message on a small piece of paper and this one is easily understandable.
"Hello, sis!
I hope this letter finds you well, and with
some free time on your hands, because we’ve got
something of a problem. It’s to do with father.
Seems that he might have had something to do
with Sandpoint’s recent troubles with the goblins,
and I didn’t want to bring the matter to the
authorities because we both know he’d just weasel
his way out of it. You’ve got some pull here in
town, though. If you can meet me at the Glassworks
at midnight tonight, maybe we can figure
out how to make sure he faces the punishment he
deserves. Knock twice and then three times more
and then once more at the delivery entrance and
I’ll let you in.
In any case, I don’t have to impress upon
you the delicate nature of this request. If news
got out, you know these local rubes would assume
that you and I were in on the whole thing too,
don’t you? They’ve got no honor at all around
these parts. I still don’t understand how you can
stand to stay here.
Anyway, don’t tell anyone about this.
There are other complications as well, ones
I’d rather talk to you in person about tonight.
Don’t be late.
Tsuto"
"It was probably written in Minkai to keep prying eyes from reading it. Since Ameiko wasn't there this morning, I fear that Tsuto might be up to no good."