The goblin looks rather stupified
Uh...what wanna you know?
Solaric looks at the goblin incredulously. "What do I want to know?! Everything, but you can start by telling me your name and your company. What group are you in and how many of there are you? Can you explain to me your command structure. How do you get your orders and what tasks have they assigned to you and your company?"
Cairn chuckled.
Slow down Solaric or that runt's head will spin from too many words. Try one question at a time and keep it simple.
The gunslinger tucked his thick hair behind his ears and watched the goblin intently.
Well, however you formulate your questions it is impressive for a goblin to speak the common language. Most of the goblins only talk their native tongue. Therefore I assume he is not a "standard" version of a goblin. Solaric, you should consider this during your interrogation. And if he does not answer, I we should consider to hand him over to somebody who forces him to answer - for example with magic.
The goblin's eyes widen as he tries to follow Solaric's questions and after that Jo's explanations...in the end his tongue is lolling out for a moment
Uh...me corporal! Headchop is name! We are very many...command structure is: I give commands!
he seems very content with his answers and smiles from ear to ear.
Solaric has little patience for the filthy goblin, but tries to makes his next questions simple and easy to understand."Yes, yes, I have no doubt that you give commands, but who gives you the commands? Who is your boss, goblin?!"
Uh...me corporal! Headchop is name! We are very many...command structure is: I give commands!
By the way Headchop, did I mention the herd of horses...
Sometime in the past on the plane of Air Sterx the III. is flying to his beloved castle, but this time something is different. Although flying in the right direction he do not get closer, in fact the distance increases.
What does this mean? Did the ritual went wrong…...
And suddenly everything goes black and Sterx feels like being behind the scenes. How long does he has to wait in the black…nothing?
Headchop's eyes widen at the mentioning of herds of hroses...the concept of those foul creatures gathering to form large forces is totally new to the goblin officer, but not less frightening.
Commands are given by Bjöldur Frostbeard, big big blue man! Breath like ice, grip like avalanche, ice as icebergs!
Krisaga wanders along down the road headed to Karcau. Talk of an awful plague reached her ears many days back, and feeling that Karcau was as good of a direction to go as any other, she decided to see if she could help the people.
Upon seeing a stopped wagon with several people gathered around, Krisaga approaches with caution. They could be people ill with the plague and needing her help but they could also be robbers or something far worse. She reaches down with her left hand and strokes Sundaymah's fur.
"Well at least we have something, a Frost Giant or the like perhaps?"
At last, some real information!
"Headchop, where is Frostbeard? Do you hear your orders directly from this giant?"
As the passerby stops to watch, Solaric takes notice of the half orc but does not stop his interrogation of the goblin.
When Krisaga gets near enough to see several coffins in the wagon, she moves a little swifter. When she gets within speaking range, she says, "Have you come from Karcau to bury your dead? If any of you are suffering from the illness that is plaguing that place, maybe I can help." She stops and cocks her head to the side, suddenly uncertain of the situation when she sees a goblin thrown over a horse like a prisoner. She stops 20 feet or so away and studies the group while continuing to stroke her tigress' fur.
"Mam," Solaric replies, "I appreciate your offer for help, but healing waters have come to the city and the plague will soon be eliminated. You have nothing to fear from the plague. The coffins here belonged to a group of vampires who have come to see the light of the sun and now their end. We are restoring the holy justice of Iomedae to Karcau and at present we are finding some answers regarding the enemy's forces. You need not worry yourself. I bid you a fine day and may the Inheritor light your way."
"Turns out that the suns rays are a cure for vampirism, who knew?" Victoria offers with a look of naive surprise. "That being said, you no doubt saw the host of creatures ready to lay siege to this fair city and could deduce that a skilled physician or healer of magical means might be in great demand, so if it is service to the people that lights your way then I bid you not wander too far for we will need all the aid that can be mustered when it comes to providing help and assistance to the masses." Victoria looks at the woman and then slides her eyes towards the noble knight Solaric and back again "...and it can be a boon if that help doesn't come attached to certain, social standings" her eyes then slide to the shady Varisians, Sczarni the lot, then back to the stranger "If you follow"
"Victoria, Countess to some, depends on who you talk to" Victoria offers formally, as though greeting a respected guest.
"My dear Countess, I hope you are not implying that I am dismissing this offer of help due to this lady's social standing and racial heritage?! Clearly one with a heritage such as mine cannot possibly show such prejudice! I just know that where we are going the challenges are going to be deadly and the risk of death will be very high. If she wishes to help, I have no doubt that one of the healing houses will welcome her offer with open arms, especially once the battle begins. Forgive my assumptions, your Grace, but I do not presume that any traveling stranger we meet at the side of the road would be willing to put their life at such great risk by accompanying us! Naturally, I did the polite thing and wished her a good day and assured her that the plague was no longer a threat!"
Krisaga looks between the two to have addressed her, "I am Krisaga. This is Sundaymah. I go where the winds lead me. If Karcau is still in danger, be it from plague or attack, then Karcau is where I will go." She looks again at the coffins, distaste clear on her face at the mention of vampires. She closes the distance between herself and the group. She looks at the goblin again and then says, "I speak his language. If he is unable to communicate their plans to you efficiently, I am sure that Sundaymah and I can learn what you need to know."
Victoria chuckles at Solaric, "Perhaps you miss my meaning; no inference that you might be making judgments based on the appearance of our guest, but that maybe some of the population might in fact be making some cautious judgments about your fine self - not everyone has your confidence, and perhaps they might be unusually cautious - for no apprent reason - when one of rank and title is about that might be a bit curious about their vocational choices. Perhaps this fine woman might be met with a little less circumspection in her offers of assistance to those folk, who suspicious and cautious as they might be, we both agree are still citizens and our duty to protect... so not about you Solaric, but more about them. Well Krisaga, a nice day to meet you, perhaps there may be tasks you could lend yourself to." Victoria finishes with a smile once more.
Johneric emerged from behind the coach, obviously the sound of the conversation has brought him back from his intellectual world. He turns to Krisaga.
We haven't met yet. My name is Johenric. I was bound to hear your conversation. I am interested: what do you suppose to do with the goblin?
"That depends. What has he done, what are you trying to learn from him, and how cooperative is he being? I have found that Sundaymah is quite capable of convincing people to cooperate."
"Krisga, forgive my lack of manners. I am Solaric Zekkaran, Lord of Karcau." The dark elf politely extends his hand. "I do not mean to brush you off, but I have a great deal on my mind. If you can speak goblin to this creature, I would be most grateful. We are trying to find out as much as we can from the creature. We are looking for their base of operations and information on their command structure. Thus far he has revealed to us that a Frost Giant by the name of Bjöldur Frostbeard is in charge. We could use more information on his whereabouts and the status of their forces."
She accepts Solaric's hand. "A pleasure, M'lord. Place him on the ground, please?"
"A pleasure, M'lord. Place him on the ground, please?"
"Naturally, we could do that." With no further wait, Solaric picks up the goblin and places it on the ground next to Krisga. "If you value your life, I suggest you answer the lady's questions truthfully!"
Krisaga leans squats and speaks quietly into Sundaymah's ear while indicating the goblin now on her level. The tigress roars and approaches the goblin, stopping a mere foot from him. The slightest movement at all from the goblin provokes a growl from Sundaymah. Krisaga stands back up and speaks to the goblin in his own tongue.
"What answers do you seek?" she asks looking back to Solaric.
"Start by trying to find the whereabouts and the defenses of this Frost Giant. If we can strike at the heart of this evil, then maybe we have a chance at victory!"
Spellboundly the goblin stares at the large white fangs of the tigress and gulps audibly as a drop of saliva falls from canine's tip to the ground
Translationed already: Bjöldur has two brothers who command the different regiments of the army. Among the troops it is rumoured that he is immortal as longs as at least one of his brothers is still alive. He wields a massive two-handed warhammer with whiche he can shoot rays of frost and cones of ice. His tent is the largest one, right in the centre of the army, a light blue palace made from polar bear furs. No goblin has ever dared to enter it, only the yetis and trolls do.
After translating what she's learned, Krisaga waits for more questions.
Johenric being a person who has learned to achieve his goals due to diplomacy is fascinated by the methods of Krisaga.
Fascinating.
"This has been most helpful, Krisga. Can you find out the location of Bjöldur's two brothers and the names of their regiments? Perhaps if we can take them down, then we will have a better chance of defeating Bjöldur himself."
Cairn had been staying silent besides answering the murmurings of his kin folk. He'd had a hand on his pistol when the half orc made her appearance but relaxed when she proved to as helpful as she intended... three giants to fell will be no easy feat...
Krisaga bobs her head at Solaric's praise and next set of questions before speaking to the goblin again.
"Our new friend has her diplomatic talents too, what a boon"
Krisaga looks at Victoria and makes a sound that sounds somewhat like a guttural harrumph before returning her gaze to the goblin.
Johenric observes the whole scene.
Obviously these methods are simple - not to say primitive - lets see how effective they are.
The goblin hasn't dared to avert his eyes from the massive cat and stammers
Bjöldur's brothers are Gjöldur and Mjöldur. The latter one is a shaman who commands the powers of the northern wastes, while Gjöldur is master of trickery and deceit, some say he can become invisible at will! Mjöldur commands the ice trolls while Mjöldur is lord of the goblins - both cannot be bested by humans, so you better flee while there is time.
"He says the brothers are Gjöldur and Mjöldur. Mjöldur is a shaman commanding the powers of the northern wastes. Gjöldur is a master of trickery and deceit. It is said he can become invisible at will. Mjöldur commands ice trolls, and Gjöldur the goblins. He warns that both cannot be bested by humans, and so you should flee while there is time."
Krisaga reports the new information to Solaric, since he seems to be in charge of the captive, but looks around at all of the others present after giving her translation.
"We'll, I suppose it is a good thing that I am not human then, because these three clearly need besting! Krishna, see if you can find out any weaknesses or ways to strike them right in the heart. By finding the heart of our enemy, we find victory!"
"Krisaga. Not Krishna. You can call me Kris if that is easier."
She turns back to the goblin.
The interrogation is inturrupted by the sound of a galloping horse reverberating across the road.
A single rider, armored and armed canters up to the motely group before him.
Helmet tied to his saddle, the warrior inclines his head to the beautiful lady, raises an eyebrow at the sight of the drow half-breed with Imodea's device so prominently displayed; his eyes glance over the others, the open coffins in the wagon , to finally rest on the prostate goblin being questioned.
"An interesting tableau to find on the road to Karcau. A tale worth telling, I'm sure. Please, do continue, don't let my sudden arrival hinder your discussion with yonder gob." he drawls , leaning forward on his saddle horn.
"Krisaga. Not Krishna. You can call me Kris if that is easier."
"I beg your pardon, my dear. Krisaga it will be. I must admit, I am most impressed with your translating. I don't think we would have received half of this information if it was me trying to rip it out of him."
As the rider approaches, Solaric greets him politely. "We'll met, Sir. If you have a helmet, I would recommend you wear it. Karcau is not as safe as it use to be, and there are many enemy about as you can well see."
Krisaga smiles, "Then perhaps it is good I came when I did."
As the rider stops...
Obviously Pharasma's filaments have led you here. I am sure there is a reason to. Are you willing to share your name with us?
Short break and before the rider can answer, Johenric adds.
Apologies, where are my good manners. My name is Johenric.
"Well met, indeed." the rider states formally, his face then relaxes some and he continues "Loric... Bentha, at your service." he says nodding to Johenric, "You may be right in that, for I was on my way to Karcau to find....something interesting to do now that my..." here he pauses, his face changing as if a cloud had passed over it "let us say, I've been occupied these last few years with family business, and now find my self at a fork in the road , so to speak"
The last name Loric provided isn't a common name, in fact it's a word from the dialect of herdsman in the Hex mountains, meaning "no-one".
The half orc calling herself Krisaga was surprisingly lifting quite a bit of usefull information from the gobo but a part of Cairn still doubted some of the dirty creature's words.
...that man's hiding something as sure as Auntie Jenelva makes the best blackberry pies...
The young Sczarni eyed the man on horseback warily and he turned to his uncle while slyly tugging on his left eye's lower lid before moving through the crowd to get closer to the conversation.
...strangers are becoming as thick as fleas and our city is one mangy mutt right now...war is truly upon us...
Typically Cairn would've let one of the elders speak first but time was quickly becoming a commodity the group didn't have.
Well met Sir Bentha. Did you get a look at any of the army at our threshold on your journey to Karcau's gates? In particular did you see nay giants?
Johenric waits for the answer.
Victoria leans over quietly to Krisaga.
[spoiler=In Goblin]"Not a bad translation, very accurate if I do say. Your Goblin tongue is very good" Victoria offers assuringly.
To the new arrival "Well met stranger, the pending battle draws many out who wish to seek fortune fame and glory, which is it you seek here?"
Sense Motive
Sense Motive
If Loric notices the Sczarni's subtle message to the older man, he gives no indication, instead merely nodding at the question "While my journey took me through the wooded lands to the southwest, I did see signs of foraging but no troops as such....and no giants were in evidence. "
With a creak of metal and leather, he turns to regard Victoria "I am proficient in the meteing out of violence and death, whether fame and glory will stem from such....time will tell." he says with an edge of sadness.
As he turns his body, all notice that there was once a family crest graven into the metal of his breastplat,above the heart. Now there is just a roughly circluar area of scraches and gouges.
Confused by the compliment, but further so by the fact that apparently the Countess can speak Goblin herself but was letting them question the goblin in Common, Krisaga raises an eyebrow, "Thank you?" She holds her questions on the matter for a later time.
"I'll wager there will be no shortage of death or violence in the next little while, and both fame and glory will no doubt be quite abundant. Don't be sad, for this is the stuff honour and chivalry are born of - a chance for the very best in us all to shine forth, and a time for the tree of life to be trimmed of dead wood"
"Now, what to do with the Goblin?" Victoria steps forward and appraises it, pulling on its sundry parts as she squints her eyes and looks it over - somewhere between a horsetrader examining livestock, or perhaps a butcher weighing the quality of meat, her eyes sit cold and sharklike in stark contrast to the pleasant frame of her face.
"It can come with me, I have a task needing done and it shall be the perfect tool"
Victoria looks distracted momentarily, as if an inner dialogue is playing out "I need a few hours back in town, a job to be done"
"It can come with me, I have a task needing done and it shall be the perfect tool"
"Dare I ask what you have proposed with this goblin? I cannot imagine what further use you have for it, unless of course you are you sending it back to its boss with a message to deliver?"