"I dont speak any language i think that will help in communicating with either force. Is it possible the goblins and ogres are at ends with one another. They dont seem to be a coherent force. Could we use one against the other? Ogre's certainly frighten me more than goblins."
He scowled and spat on the ground making it clear what he thought of the situation.
"did you see Mia if the ogres held any weaponry they could use at range?"
"They spent all night setting this up. They could have spent it driving tree trunks into our camp and crushing us to death. Their message is clear: 'keep out.' Our only reason for going in is we hope we might find something to trade with Kelesh. That is not a good enough reason for me to provoke a war, while yet another lies on our doorstep. My priority is the survival of Haven. I do not think at this point trying to enter the ruin will help us--because if we do, they will attack. We have lived across the river for months and they have left us alone. There is no indication they would attack us unless we provoked it, unless green skin or bestial size is alone an indication to you." Kalig ends the final sentence in a bit of a snarl.
"But Francoix you make a good point. We're not sure they are working together. I presumed they were based on the two groups' proximity. You also make a good point about language. I do not speak Goblin or Giant."
"I am versed in both languages actually but I do not claim to have, what you say, charming Panache?"
"I am not sure it is charm that is needed. Strength and straightforwardness more like." Kalig sighs. "Look, I am not sure I am right. But what is the alternative? We came here with a vain hope there was something here worth trading. What is the likelihood anything worth finding is used and spent by the others? Shall we feed us all with ogre scat? Any other ideas?"
She shakes her head. "The irony is, as we have traveled here, I think I have figured out the mystery of a spell that would encourage crop growth. If only I'd managed that two nights go." She groans and crosses her arms.
I'm all for trying to use diplomacy, I.. just don't expect it to be effective. I don't like the thought of leaving these denizens... unaccounted. Goblins have a love of... things that shine... perhaps, um, perhaps we could intimidate them? Many times, predators will rely on intimidation rather than actual force, as its safer and easier to do so. Often times, it works. I.. I'm not good at that though. Um, I'm rather timid. Thankfully, I know all of you.. well, most of you.
She says giving a small apologetic smile to Dargys.
So I feel more comfortable speaking. When its others... its less so. Perhaps we could try both? Show we are um, strong, to be feared? And then offer a deal of sorts? Even if they don't have anything we want, Its likely that the inner ruins have items from the past that could give us something worthwhile..
Her eyes furrow as she thinks for a few moments before it seems a light bulb goes off.
She gives the others an apologetic look for speaking in a tongue only her and Kalig understand.
the wizard chuckles at Mia's apologetic smile, but then considers her mixed approach suggestion even if he sees what others think of it
"Anything is worth a shot I suppose, I dont know how we could begin to intimidate ogres however."
He offered with a little shrug frowning in thought.
"Perhaps we should kill something that is a threat to all, be it us, or ogres, etc, a danger to the area- and lay its body at their feet?"
"Hmm. That's not a bad idea. Still risky, but a wild creature is not entrenched like these folk are--and is unlikely to build traps or cast spells."
"Good, now if only I knew how to find such a threat to them" Sheepish
If we are going to negotiate, we should speak to them now. Perhaps they have a problem we could help with... and thus show our strength.
The wizard nods "Who should do the talking?"
"Well, I'll try. I'm the one who called a halt on this. We will see if they understand me. Francoix, can you back me up in talking? You have an amenable face even if they do not understand you. Dorick, if they attack, lead the charge."
She puts away her flail, though leaves her shield out. She steps out into the open, showing her empty hand to show her unwillingness to fight. Looking around warily, she finds a low wall to step up onto, and shouts. First she simply tests the language she knows, starting with in orc: "Do you speak the language of the orc warriors?", then in common and Hallit, "Of men?", then Sylvan, "Of the wild folk?", then finally if no one has responded so far, she tries Druidic.
She also silently wishes desperately for Soraya to magically appear among them.
If no one responds then it's off to someone else's plan.
"Sure will Miss Kalig."
He began with a nod following the druidess. Seeing her show her empty palm he followed suit, though it was taking all of his focus to not appear frightened... which he was.
With a soft shrug he repeated her words but in Infernal the harsh gutteral sounds that came out definitely sounded out of place looking at the young man.
The ogres emerge, lumbering from their hiding places among the ruins. Their twelve-foot height is not disguised by the usual stooping gait one might expect from ordinary ogres. Their long, ragged hair clings wetly to their pale green torsos. Anyone else might easily mistake them for trolls rather than merrow.
One of the ogres who steps down from the ziggurat wears a battered iron helmet upon his head. He calls out in bellowing Hallit.
"We are the honor guard for the mighty Barthazar the Azure!" he declares, a thick spray shooting from his lips as he stumbles over his words - especially the Hallit for 'azure.' "We guard his treasures and prisoners!"
He emphasizes this point by thumping his thick fist upon his chest.
"Have you come to pay tribute? Or are you here to get smashed into pulp?"
Umm. I'm not entirely versed in that dialect of common.. but did I hear something about prisoners? Mia whispers to the others, seeming mildly worried.
Kalig gives Mia a sharp glare to be quiet, fearing a show of concern would make them look weak. She then responds to the ogre in the guttural tongue of the northern barbarians. She decides based on the others' talk of a display of might, to err on the side of a tone edged with aggression, while still leaving open an option of peace. If they attack though, her conscience will rest easy that she at least tried to avoid yet another war with yet another hostile people in this godsforsaken land.
"I am Kalig the Tireless, and this is my pack. We are traveling through this realm to hunt and came to see the ruins. Meaning no dishonor to mighty Barthazar the Azure, we did not know anyone of note lived over here apart from pesky goblins scattered in trees---let alone to pay, fight, or take prisoner. We would prefer to hunt, trade, and share stories of war. But we are prepared for battle if you are fools enough to attack us."
He frowned and shook his head ever so slightly. He rested his hand on the hilt of his rapier but feigned a yawn, as if this whole affair bored him. He let his eyes stay hard, a look he had learned on the streets in his youth.
"A shame they dont speak a civilized tongue, We could swap stories I suppose."
He said in common loudly. He did his best to look... dangerous while he reached into his pack and pulled out a loaf of his bread, the one with dried berries ground into the wheat and a hunk of cheese. He moved forward towards the shrotest gap of the river and made a motion for one of them to get closer so he could toss it across.
Francoix and Kalig's best efforts ensure that the ogres at least don't immediately charge forth to render the party into paste. Of course, the raucous, spittle-fumed laughter that erupts as a result is hardly a pleasing outcome either.
"I hears a lot of 'blah blah blah,' but I don't see you offering any loots for tribute," the lead merrow says, hefting his greatspear. "Leave the breads and cheeses, and maybe we lets you walk away with all your limbs."
Kalig translates for Francoix and the rest. "I doubt what pittance of food we have--compared to their appetites--will keep them away from us for long. It does seem they are not merely defensive and are warlike. Leave for now, or attack?" She looks to the others for guidance.
"I didn't understand the language but ..yes, the expressions weren't promising. I don't think they plan on letting us leave from what you say."
Kalig nods at Dargys. "You're right. I had taken their defenses to be an action of a vulnerable people wanting to be left alone. I was wrong. They are a threat, and they are in our way."
She turns back to face the ogres. "Very well. I present my tribute to Barthazar."
Kalig raises the lightning-scarred wood fetish she wears around her neck and summons the power of nature, calling lightning down upon their heads.
Mia speaks a few druidic words before throwing seeds to the wind which carries them towards the ogres. As they fall to the ground the plant life erupts into a twisting jungle of vines and undergrowth as she casts Entangle
"Hooplah" the wizard grins, moves forward some, and then mutters arcane words that tickle the ear then fade from memory as a protective shield spell surrounds him
Kalig's "tribute" overwhelms the demanding ogre, sending his gangling limbs briefly convulsing.
His brutish fellows manage to force their way free from Mia's entangling plants, though it clearly slows them down.
"To battle! For Haven!" Sir Dorick calls, spurring Caragus to gallop around the ruins near at hand in order to reach an advantageous position from which to charge the lead ogre.
With a slight tilt of his head and a chuckle he drew out his light crossbow and took aim at the merrow struck by lighting. If he could keep them distracted from Mia and Kalig they should be able to keep peppering the monsters with magic, which would probably be much more effective than his rapier... cause that meant getting close. Also maybe they wouldnt notice Sir Dorrick setting his lance into place.
"You could have had a meal from an expert baker instead eat a bolt."
He called out as he fired.
The ogres hurl their mighty javelins, with their helmeted leader aiming for Sir Dorick and the other two aiming for Francoix. Dorick ducks out of the way of the missile meant for him, while the nimble innkeeper effortlessly evades the attacks aimed at him.
The two ogres caught among Mia's entangling plants begin to fall back, though one of the two cannot move far enough to escape just yet.
On the verge of the writhing plants, the one ogre finds himself seized by the long fronds of the ensorcelled swamp plants and held in place.
"Have at thee!" Sir Dorick bellows as he levels his lance and spurs Caragus to charge across the water, leaping above the sharpened stakes set in their way.
In a shining testament to his training, experience, and dedication to Haven, Sir Dorick delivers a devastating blow. His lance skewers the leader of the ogres clear through the heart. The brief, sudden convulsion from the slain brute sends the dented helmet toppling from his head before he, too, tumbles to the ground, dead.
Shrieks of fear rise up from the surrounding forest goblins. At first content to simply watch the spectacle, the sudden showing of magic and blood has shaken their already fragile morale. They hesitate, not willing to enter the fray themselves, but also not yet frightened enough to flee back into the depths of their marshy home.
Oh! Thats a good... if gruesome opportunity! Kalig, do you think you can "convince" the goblins to join us? Surely if ever there was a chance seeing their leader felled in a single blow would be the time.
After she speaks, she mutters a druidic word Igni and a ball of flame appears in her hand. She then holds it up and the flame leaps towards the merrow across the water.
"We want the goblins to consider new bosses? is time to break out spectacular!" The half orc's face lights up as he takes a bit of sulfur, a touch of guano, walks closer and lets rip. A small red dot, like a floating ember shoots towards the two Merrow backing away from the writhing plant life, and then that ember explodes!
Dargys laughs like a child at play.... well, at a deep almost beastly register.
He let out a whistle at the effectiveness of Sir Dorick's lance. That was impressive. He strode forward some as the other two merrow reloading his crossbow.
"Do we have any ma..."
He started to call back as Dargys fireball suddenly exploded amongst the merrow. He tilted his head and chuckled to himself.
"That'll do."
He muttered and took aim at one of the trying to flee Merrow.
"The goblins are too far away for a chat; our example will have to do," Kalig says, and calls another lightning bolt down upon the most injured merrow's head.
Dargys' fireball erupts amid the two merrow, scorching them terribly. Although Mia's own fiery spell goes wide, Kalig's lightning and Francoix's crossbow bolt ensure that the merrow free from Mia's entangling plants does not get very far. He is felled and crashes upon the swampy ground with a heavy, wet thud.
The sudden display of magic actually elicits hoots and hollers from the forest goblins perched among the trees as they cheer for the destructive power, so long as it is not turned upon them.
The last merrow furiously rips the entangling plants from the ground, but every time he tears one away, another reaches forth grasp his limbs.
In desperation, he picks up one of the javelins dropped by his slain kin and hurls it at Francois - the nearest foe - but the innkeeper ducks down to evade the missile, its aim thrown off by range and the grasping plants.
Sir Dorick tugs on Caragus' reins to pivot his steed's facing before spurring the horse into another charge. This time catching his foe on the flank, one more powerful thrust of his lance finishes the job begun by Dargys' fireball.
The merrow have been slain, and now the party is just surrounded by a tribe of monkey-like forest goblins chattering away in the treetops.
The Wizard grins, "I love the fireball, it makes me happy." He ahems, "So, the goblins do not seem to be attacking. PErhaps we should see if they want to talk?"
Kalig watches where the merrow came out. "Don't celebrate just yet, this Barthazar may not be far behind."
To Dargys, she says, while eyes are still ahead watching for other enemies to appear, "If you or Mia wish to try to communicate with them, you are welcome. My limited negotiation skills are clearly not what are called for today." That almost might be an expression of defeat or self-pity, if Kalig were to allow herself to show such a thing. "Bear in mind that the Haveners have struggled to find peace amongst another, dwarf, human, orc, and hobgoblin. Success in that area has been very hard won. But introducing goblins, notorious for a love of destruction even if they aren't immediately murderous, is likely to make matters seriously worse. But if you believe you can be successful convincing them to help us, I wish you all the luck in the world."
Oh, I wouldn't want them near Haven. But, I just thought they may be of some use at some point. Perhaps they can be taught to gather specific plants?
"Mm okay, we do't want them living with us, but donn't want them as foes. I will try in own gentle way to explain." And he bellows at the Goblins in their own language.
Just in case Francoix went to each Merrow and made sure that they were stabbed in important places...twice. He didnt have much to say about the goblins truthfully he had never dealt with any and knew them only by reputation...which was enough for him.
He began to search the area making sure to keep the others in sight.
Dargys' booming voice and creative threats command silence from the forest goblins - an impressive feat, given their propensity for loud disobedience. They recognize the party's strength. They will not attack you now, and you doubt they will cause trouble for Haven, at least for a while. Assuming they possess the same short attention spans and thirst for violence as the Avistani goblins that you are familiar with, they may need periodic reminders why it is a bad idea to cause trouble for you.
For the time being, at least, you are able to investigate the ruins without fear of harassment by goblin arrows and spears.
The ruins on the western side of the site, the direction from which you approached, possess sturdier and more intact walls than the ones on the southern side of the stream. Sturdy stone doors secure the north and south wings of the structure, and they show many scratch and scuff marks - evidence that the goblins have continually tried to get inside despite their lack of strength to open the stone doors.
When you push them open - a job that requires the strength of two of you - you find the storehouses for the ogres and their goblin allies. Dried and salted meats dominate the supplies, supplemented by roots, tubers, questionable berries, and fragrant leaves. Actual crates and barrels also sit within the southern portion, bearing Kelish writing upon them, suggesting that they were plundered from passing Keleshite ships.
The southern ruins appear to be the merrows' quarters. Heaps of leaves, vines, and moss have been lumped together to serve as sleeping pallets. Ancient Kaskkari statues have been dragged into the corners to decorate what would otherwise have the decor of an open barn. No other valuables are kept inside, either to deter theft by the goblins or because of theft by the goblins.
Thus, Francoix finds that the merrow kept their valuables on their person, and much of it appears to be more plunder from Keleshite ships and travelers. You find a belt of once-fine leather that has succumbed to wear and the swampy conditions; however, the golden buckle, depicting a stylized image of the sun, remains in good condition. Another merrow wears a heavy torc made of gold, etched with geometric patterns. The third has a number of bracelets and bangles upon his ankles and wrists. In all, you find six pieces of jewelry upon them, and Francoix estimates that each one is worth at least one hundred pieces of gold.
If examined using magical means, none of these items bear enchantments. It seems likely that any magical or especially valuable treasures are stored within the ziggurat, at the behest of their master, this Barthazar.
"Well done," she says when the goblins fall silent.
Once any threat of immediate attack is sure to have passed, Kalig joins the search through the area. She uses her well-trained nose to be sure of the food and items that are actively edible, and checks to be sure nothing's hidden away.
Well.. we can leave some of the food here. It may make the monkey goblins more amiable if we show we are strong and kind... If you find any poorly food, bring it to me I can cleanse it. Though likely Kalig could as well.. Are we going to explore the ziggurat?
"Well done," she says when the goblins fall silent.
"Much to be thanking, I am, how you say, not a skilled orator, but fireballs do seem to be a good icebreaker for conversation I have found."
[QUOE]Well.. we can leave some of the food here. It may make the monkey goblins more amiable if we show we are strong and kind... If you find any poorly food, bring it to me I can cleanse it. Though likely Kalig could as well.. Are we going to explore the ziggurat?
The Wizard seems less interested in corrupt food and looks over the items "A moment, I wish to see if we have magic in the collection forming thanks to Francoix."
And he casts detect magic
"Remember, Mia, the reason we came out here is because we feared we would not have enough food to survive the assault from the Galt Rebels or turn the hearts and minds of those conscripted by them. I respect your wanting to keep the goblins disinterested in us, but Citizen Borjan is the greater threat, as are the empty bellies of our own people." She pauses, and looks at her fellow druid. "I know we frequently disagree, but I hope you trust that I am trying to keep the safety of our people at top of mind."
She shrugs. "Yes, we should explore once we have finished here. I am confused. I do not know if one of the ogres we fought was this Barthazar or if he still dwells somewhere within this area. Probably best we do not leave him at our backs."
Most of the food remains quite edible. Kalig is able to attribute this to the use of Rat's Tail, a root often used by poor communities as an alternative to salt for preserving and seasoning food. She and Mia also know well that, when pickled, the root can be used as a medicine to treat a number of maladies, including Blackscour Taint. If Rat's Tail is plentiful in the Sogg, it may be worth hazarding additional expeditions into the swampy forest in the future.
Darygs first turns his magically attuned eyes upon the jewelry worn by the watery ogres, but finds none of their treasures to be enchanted. However, on a whim, he pokes his head back into the storeroom, and it is here that he picks out magical auras.
Near the shattered remains of what was once a sturdy box - made from what Mia and Kalig identify as very rare wood from a tree native to Vudra - Dargys finds four nails that once secured the box's lid. At first they appear to be made of blackened iron, but some esoteric snippet from Francoix's education informs him that these nails are made from adamantine.
The other item with a magical aura that catches his attention is a long, low teakwood crate. Although it bears the dimensions of an ordinary shipping crate, it has been designed and crafted with the same elegance of a coffer. Opening it, you find it is filled with a variety of rare fruits that would be quite valuable in an Avistanti marketplace. Even after removing a few, you cannot see the bottom of the crate, which seems to hold far more fruit than its exterior dimensions would suggest.
When Sir Dorick translates the Kelish writing upon the broken box and the magic crate, he discovers that they belonged to a very wealthy merchant house that employed magic in their shipping business.
"Hoopla!" The wizard beams at the magical and shares what he knows of them "these are grand finds"
Whilst the party examines the spoils of battle, Sir Dorick dismounts from Caragus and climbs the stairs to the ziggurat's summit. Though it is not as large as the one that sits outside of Haven, it still affords a view over the surrounding treetops. Within the ruined shrine at the top, he looks down the stone stairs from which the lead merrow had emerged. The passage into the old monument is thick with moss and ivy, and the air within is damp.
He asks whether the rest of his comrades want to investigate the interior, or if you think it's better to return to Haven for now.
"Which of you is normally making these choices?" The wizard asks
Mia shrugs.
Though, I don't see why we shouldn't look since we are this close already... Save perhaps for fear the goblins will try to take the spoils here.. though I could perhaps leave my new friend here....
The juvenile mkembe stands beside the waterways running through the site, occasionally jabbing its head down into the water with the speed of a spear fisher. When it pulls its long neck back, it usually has a wriggling fish caught in its small but sharp teeth. This idle grazing serves to reinforce the idea that Mia's companion could be a suitable deterrent against the forest goblins.
"So far Dargys my new friend, we've discussed things and went from there. I don't think any of us is well a leader. If there is a question about nature or the like well i would expect we would listen to Mia or Kalig's thoughts mostly. Matters of War and combat I put weight into Sir Doricks words. Not that Im proud of it, but if its a matter a stealth or sneaking somewhere, I hope everyone would weigh my words with due emphasis. You are a user of the arcane arts, if a question of magic arises trust me when i say I will take your words to heart."
He paused took a quick glance torwards the goblins and almost chuckled.
"I dont see why we shouldnt keep exploring, as long as we are not gone too long I dont think those goblins will get any closer to us...not with the speed in which we eradicated the monsters here. There might be more things to discover here and i doubt there will be a chance to return this way again... But Im good with getting back home too."