Midori falls into her position, following silently, frustrated at her inability to contribute so far.
Scoria you begin to head south which quick opens into a small chamber that smells heavily of musk. A matted nest of red and black hair sits to the east. The black and red striped cougar rises out of it's nest as you approach.
It begins to growl and hiss at you. But does not move any closer.
Scoria stopped and looked calmly at the cougar, thinking carefully about her options. Any sudden movement and she could have the creature pouncing at her throat. She was certainly not confident in her ability to slay it at range before it got to her. Then again, she also had the protection of her potion, and leaving a cougar at the party's back seemed dangerous.
She would at least endeavor not to kill it outright if possible. It was only defending its territory, and she was only defending her allies. She stepped in, moving towards it as quickly as she could.
As you begin to enter the chamber with the cougar, from the south an old gnarled looking goblin dressed in leather festooned with nature related trinkets steps into view.
"Eh more damn longshanks, and a strange one at that,"and then proceeds to slam the butt of his spear shaft into the ground in apparent disgust.
The cougar quickly comes to the goblin's leg and begins to rub and purr.
Scoria paused, looking at the goblin in surprise, but not lowering her guard for now - the others would be here soon enough. Considering that this creature wasn't outright attacking her yet, and attempting to start a dialogue, she would let Thaddeus deal with him. She stayed silent and still as a statue, ready to act if needed in battle.
Thaddeus moves up to Scoria's position to see what has caused the stop, and why he would be waved forward in this instance.
The goblin looks wearily at the approaching party.
"What do you want longshanks, this be goblin territory, go back to your longspires."
Bel'Tanis maintains a respectful distance, allowing the goblin and Thaddeus to speak on the off chance violence might be avoided. Still, he keeps his scimtar drawn just in case.
Notick decides to take point for Thaddeus and speak up for the group. We maneuvers himself just a pace or so ahead of Scoria to communicate to the Goblin. He speaks in Goblin to show the creature the same courtesy that he had shown them by speaking in common.
"We're looking for someone... Someone Ripnugget has been working with. We have some information for him that could prove useful for him. We do not wish to cause any harm or trouble - but will defend ourselves if necessary. It is of utmost importance that we find this individual we're looking for."
Thaddeus comes out of his stupor when he hears Notick speak to the thing, he was taken aback by the notion of negotiating with the creature. He also decides it would be more prudent to speak to the goblin in its native tongue, to help avoid any miscommunication. "Yes, that is correct. We have seen your tribe acting more reckless by attacking the city of Sandpoint. We think there are longshanks that are pushing you guys to do it, and not caring how many of your tribe you lose in the act. We want to remove the longshanks, and the threat they pose. If we could get your help, we could remove this longshanks from your warren and you and the tribe can go back to the way you were before."
Bel'Tanis leans over to Khrondak and Midori, "Do either of you understand what they're saying?"
The creature thinks for a second on Thaddeus's request. He then reaches down to scratch the cougar at his knees.
"So you longshanks would be willing to get rid of the angelic longshanks infesting the thistletop? And her longshank cronies as well? No more harm will come to the thistletop goblins?"
Oblivious to the content of the conversation in goblin, Khrondak leans over and whispers to Bel'Tanis "I thought they only understood one language", he says, smacking the head of the earth-breaker.
Notick looks side-longed at Thaddeus at his addition to his request. After the goblin's previous statement he'll speak up again in the conversation.
"That is correct - no additional harm, so long as they do not attempt to stop us."
Thaddeus looks askance at Notick, unsure if he had forgotten something, as he was certain the only goblins they had come across have been the tribe they are speaking with now. He tries to make clear the agreement, "If we remove the longshanks, and you leave the town alone, the town will leave you alone. We may even be able to make a deal with the town where you help each other. For now, we just need to find the longshanks and stop them. You help us, we'll help you."
Bel'Tanis nods in agreement with Khrondak, "This is the first goblin I've ever seen bother to talk to tall folk. All the others have been savage masochists. If we can find Nualia without fighting through the whole warren, that'd be a welcome surprise."
"No, sorry, I don't speak Goblin. Though if we're going to keep running into them, I'd best learn it, I guess."
"Hmm yes I can agree to that, If I am chief we will leave your long-spires be. One problem, me not chief, Ripnugget is. Kill him and his guards and I will be chief of the Thisltetop. He is the one that took that longshanks in."
Thaddeus thinks on it, but tries to clarify, this time switching to common so the others know what the conclusion is "Well, you would have to get us past any guards to meet with Chief Ripnugget, and if he refuses the offer, we would be forced to fight. Then you could be chief, and agree to leave the town alone. If we have to fight our way in, though, we would have to kill many of your tribe to reach him. Then there would be no one left for you to be chief of."
The goblin thinks for a moment,"If any offer resistance kill them, they are loyal to Rippnugget. As long as the women and children survive. The tribe can be rebuilt. And all my competition will be eliminated for the immediate future."
The goblin then gives an almost impossible long toothy grin,"So deal longshanks?"
Notick narrows his brow and looks sidelonged at Thaddeus. Something seemed off to him about the entire situation presented to them. Something beyond the obvious, anyways. What was this creatures motivation?!
He holds a hand up to speak aloud his thoughts, "Almost. What do we call you - and why do you want to be in charge so badly?!"
Thaddeus also does not seem pleased with the proposed arrangement, and explains this, in a sense, to the goblin "So, we fight through all the tribe that resists, and remove the chief, so you can have the tribe? You will do or say nothing to help us, until after we do what you want? When we only need your help, to do what you want done. So, why do we need to make an agreement with you? Why don't we just treat you like another obstacle in bringing peace to the region?" He hopes the goblin realizes that unless he helps at least a little, they will have no reason to bargain with him.
"Sergeant." Scoria speaks up quietly, having listened to the negotiations. "He is offering to not take up arms against us in exchange for the lives of the goblin women and children, as well as to keep the tribe from attacking the town in the future. We would be dealing with this Ripnugget going further in at any rate. If we can avoid an obstacle instead of wasting time and effort going through it," She glances over at the goblin with his cat, "Then that should be to our advantage. Though perhaps he can at least point us in the right direction." Certainly cutting down any further pointless exploration would help them out.
"Oh me Gogmurt the Shaman, I have given you a great deal. Us Thistletop goblins are the most powerful. Other tribes will listen to us. Well most anyway.
"With me as chief, we will leave your longspires alone, while I remain chief. Ripnugget that fool brought this on himself."
"You is chief among you, let us seal the pact."
Thaddeus turns and addresses Scoria, almost as a learning point, "We may not have to deal with this specific obstacle, but we would be better served by negotiating a means to have this obstacle remove others concurrently. Given an opportunity to bargain, we possess the capability to circumvent any additional threats, instead of merely accepting the lowliest of arrangements that we have available at this specific juncture." His pauses and choices of wording show that he is trying to talk above the goblin, hoping that he didn't give away his strategy by informing his teammates what he is attempting.
Looking back to the goblin he continues "So, Gogmurt, I would like for us to have peace. We can only do that if we know of any little thing you can tell us that could help get rid of Ripnugget. How many are in the tribe? Are there guards, and where are they at? Will the other longshanks fight alongside the chief? Lastly, is there a hidden way to get to him at all, or a way to get to him that many may not know? If you won't help us, we can not promise we will be able to help you."
Midori nods, following Thaddeus' logic. "I know that goblins are generally regarded as evil and untrustworthy, however, I personally dislike slaying non-combatants. I would be willing to spare the women and children for their leader's oath to leave the town alone. If that means supporting a coup to place a -more reasonable- leader in charge, I'll accept the deal."
"Hmm only one way to the Chief, he lives in the fort above the ruins. You must take the wooden bridge to it. Unless you swim and can climb good. But watch out for big fishy in the water. He like goblin and longshanks. The longshanks spend their time in the ruins below. They have not come out since the raid on longspires. One left to go back to longspires, haven't seen him since. The others are plotting a ritual for power."
"If you enter the fort directly though the main door, you can access the throne room, Ripnugget likes to relax there. Kill him and his body guards. The other goblins will then listen to me."
"Oh take care on bridge it is tricky, don't want fishy eating you before you kill Chief."
Thaddeus nods approvingly at the response, "Thank you Gogmurt. With this information we will remove Ripnugget, and you can take over the tribe. This way, we can keep peace between our two peoples. You do not attack Sandpoint, and we will not attack you." He holds out his hand as the sign of reaching an agreement to be upheld with a handshake.
Turning to the others, he addresses what he's learned "There is a dangerous bridge to the ruins. The goblin stay in the building, the others we're after are down below. I can only surmise this means either basement or tunnels of some sort, possibly akin to the ones we found under the Glassworks. If we head straight in through the front door, we should find the chieftan, and removing him and his guards should bring the others in line. Once Gogmurt has taken over, we should have free reign to deal with those that reside below."
Bel'Tanis smiles brightly at Thaddeus, pleased he was able to strike such an agreement with so unlikely a creature. "There's still grim work to be done, but at least we won't have to carve a path of wanton slaughter through the entire warren."
The goblin offers his hand to complete the handshake with Thaddeus.
Afterwards he gives a large toothy smile. "Yes we be allies."
He then points to the Firepelt Cougar still standing at his side. "This Tangletooth, he follow you to the chief, he will let me know when the deed is done. Don't pet, he scratches. hehehe"
Scoria glanced at the cat only a couple minutes prior she'd been prepared to beat senseless in order to keep her allies safe. Now that she was somewhat assured they wouldn't be attacked by it, she could appreciate it's exotic appearance. Shame that petting it would probably get her scratched.
"I will scout out the bridge," She informed the group, heading quietly in that direction. She wanted to see just how tricky it was for herself.
Scoria you advance up the northern path from the goblin shaman's lair. Ahead is the ricketiest rope and wood bridge you have ever seen. Beyond on a small isle lies the squat wooden fort of the goblin chief. No guards are visible.
The stonemason found her eyes glancing at the frayed ropes supporting the bridge, rotten and missing planks showing the lack of attention or care the goblins had for their only passage to and from the island. Compared to the river bridge they'd crossed to get here was like comparing a nobleman's prize stallion with a peasant's dying, sickly mule. Below it was the rocks and sprays of saltwater, the stinging fragrance of the sea assaulting her senses. The churning and hissing foam along with the roar of the waves sounded all to Scoria like a cauldron of hungry snakes and tigers, ready to devour her should she be foolish enough to fall.
She lingers at the bridge's start for the rest of the party to catch up, her lips pursed tight enough to make them all but a line on her face. The monk takes her temple sword in hand and slips it back into place, the gentle ringing of the charms halting their chime as she lets it go. Stepping forward very slowly, she grips the rope railing tightly in both hands before taking her weight on the very first plank to see if it can support her - a flicker of disappointment crosses over her expression as it bears her entirely before once again being replaced by what she hopes is stoic professionalism.
"P-Please wait until I have crossed before sending over anyone else," She speaks quietly to Thaddeus. "This bridge is not safe." Moving at a near glacial pace, the woman starts across the way while doing everything she can to keep herself from making an embarrassing display to the others.
She tried not to think about having to cross back over it when they were done as well.
Thaddeus halts Scoria before she crosses, "I do not like the look of this bridge. Does anyone have any rope we could tie to our stonemason? That way if the bridge does end up being too treacherous we can better offer the possibility of arresting her fall. Once she crosses, if it's safe, she can tie the rope on the other side and offer us a third point of contact to better gather the rest of us safely on the other end."
Scoria, you manage to cross the bridge despite several times you thought it would give way. But the bridge managed to hold.
Every moment that the stonemason felt the boards creak ominously underneath her feet, her grip tightened fast on the ropes and she felt her heart skip a beat, before continuing to pound at a hundred beats a minute. She had to keep looking up and tried to block out the churning sea underneath her, tried not to imagine it swallowing her whole, helpless to do anything as she sank to the depths while her lungs burned for air...
She actually didn't notice that she'd finished crossing until she had reached the other side and felt not wood underfoot but dirt. She blinked, finally looking down and only sheer willpower prevented her from collapsing to her knees in relief, the most fearsome part so far of this adventure behind her for now. She untied the rope from around her waist swiftly, tying it off to one of the supports - she didn't know if it was coming up short or not.
Letting the others come across on their own accord, she looked around the area carefully while she regained her lost composure.
Scoria, the fort stands before you. It looks to be made of ship timbers. The main doors hang ajar. No goblins are present. It is also possible to go around the fort in either direction.
Bel'Tanis crosses next, the aasimar oddly comforted by the sounds of water breaking upon rock drifting up to him from below. He eases his way over the worn timbers and cracked lines, fearful that a drop into those waters from this height would be fatal.
The monk was thankful to have Bel'Tanis on this side with her now, making a gesture for quiet to him as she looked up at the main doors. It was strange that they were ajar like that - either the inhabitants hadn't expected anyone to make it in this far, or else they were attempting to lead them into a trap.
Once everyone was over the bridge, she spoke in a soft voice, not wanting to cause an alert - and making sure that the rest of the party was between her and the sea. "It's suspicious that the door is unbarred like that. Do you think that we should seek out an alternate entrance, sergeant?" She asked, her voice calm and cool once more now that she wasn't faced directly with her greatest fear.
Thaddeus thinks on it, adding his perspective, "Under normal circumstances I would encourage an encircling of the structure, to check for alternate routes of entrance. However, the directions from Gogmurt, no matter how simple they were, suggested we head straight in the front and through the building to find Chief Ripnugget. I would think we should do just that, albeit as quietly and cautiously as possible, despite how bad I am at such movements." He redraws his blade, having put it away to have both hands free when crossing the bridge.
The floor of the room is hard-packed soil, as if the builders either ran out of lumber after building the walls and roof, or as if they simply never thought about building a floor. A number of poorly preserved horse and dog heads are mounted along the eastern wall, while along the southern wall hang a pair of large black-feathered wings tacked to the wall with daggers.
"I agree with Thaddeus; let's face them head on. So far they haven't proved to be more than nuisances."
Khrondak looks around the room and sneers at the goblins' prizes. "Dogs, horses and birds? Hardly worthy trophies."
It seemed like there wasn't a trap or ambush out here in the main hall of the fort, if you could call it such. The hard packed earth felt better on her feet than wooden planks at any rate. She took a glance around, noting the large double doors that seemed the most likely candidate for leading to Ripnugget - that other goblin had said they could reach him directly from the front entrance, after all.
She approaches the door cautiously, trying to see if she can get a glimpse through a crack or a hole at the room on the other side to confirm the presence of any enemies without giving the rest of them away. Getting their numbers and estimates of their strength would be a good idea.
Thaddeus does his very best to not make a lot of noise and alert all the other goblins. He actually manages to do fairly well, surprisingly enough.
His scimitar and shield ready before him, Bel'Tanis eases forward parallel to Thaddeus, the aasimar proving to be passably quiet as well.
He offers the others a steely but silent nod after he and Thaddeus arrive at the double doors.
Midori falls into her spot in the formation, drawing her bow.
Notick looks over the heads hanging on the wall, frowning slightly at the Horses head. 'What a waste' he thinks to himself. He'll redraw his sword in preparation for the upcoming bouts - but will keep quiet as to not draw any unneeded attention.
You peek inside the north set of double doors. Behind them is a short hall that is fifteen by ten feet. At the end of the hall lies another set of double doors. They are closed.