Izbahn is caught off guard by the outburst, probably due to the food and wine in his belly. He jumps to his feet and replied in a hopefully calm voice, in Goblin,
Goblin** spoiler omitted **
Darst glares daggers, but clams up.
He takes the journal out of his pouch, and opens it to the page of the beautiful celestial with the demonic arm. "This is Nualia. Pretty easy to recognize I would say. She also is Tsuto's lover."Naomi is shocked to recognize the woman from her dream, at least before her form changed.
Throughout the conversation, the strangest rattling sound can be heard faintly, then suddenly there is the sound of breaking ceramic, and the last dregs of Naomi's tea form a small puddle around the broken shards that once formed her teacup. Her icy blue eyes burn brightly as she glares at the picture.
"I'm going to find her, and when I do, no force on this plane is going to stop me from trying to cut her head off with my mace.."
"You said she was in the tunnel, yes? As soon as we can, I want us to go there and kill everything that get's between us and that Lamashtu worshipping [bad word in any language you can think of]!"
Throughout the conversation, the strangest rattling sound can be heard faintly, then suddenly there is the sound of breaking ceramic, and the last dregs of Naomi's tea form a small puddle around the broken shards that once formed her teacup. Her icy blue eyes burn brightly as she glares at the picture.
"I'm going to find her, and when I do, no force on this plane is going to stop me from trying to cut her head off with my mace.."
"You said she was in the tunnel, yes? As soon as we can, I want us to go there and kill everything that get's between us and that Lamashtu worshipping [bad word in any language you can think of]!"
Izbahn, distracted by Darst's outburst, stares dumbfounded at Naomi, a shocked expression on his face. As he tries to struggle for words, he takes another swig of wine, not noticing he has drained the glass. "Naomi, just what is going on here? Have you seen her before?"
Naomi clutches her holy symbol in an attempt to calm down, but it does little more than show that the bandages match the area of her palm the edges of the symbol are at.
"Erastil.. showed her to me. After.. yesterday, when I left.. I prayed to calm down, and feel asleep. I saw a white stag in a dream, followed it.. saw her standing over Dramen. She turned into a jackal and.. and..."
Naomi breaks off, unable to elaborate on what she saw any more. She just stares at the bracelet on her wrist, thinking about it's original owner...
Izbahn, unsure how to comfort her, instead decides to take her petite hand in his, and says quietly, "Look, Naomi, I don't pretend to understand why Erastil sent this vision to you, but I can promise you we will find this Nualia, and we will help you bring justice, or revenge, in this case to her. This...woman...has brought death and destruction to Sandpoint, and we will stop her."
Darst wracks his brains for anything he heard about this Nualia lady, seeing Naomi's outburst.
But I certainly agree, and will try and stay backseat as much as Darst can stand.
I feel sort of bad now, because it looks like I'm grabbing attention everywhere but actual combat, unless I almost die, in which case attention switches back to me.
Amrunelara watches the scene unfold with curious eyes as she kicks back and lets her food go down. She ignores Darst's elf comment, but is too focused watching the firepelt stalk the unwary goblin to comment This should be fun, she thinks as she waits in anticipation for the inevitable pounce.
She frowns as Venmirl leads the beautiful animal outside. Even the shoanti protects the goblin, this Darst must either be the real deal or the best trickster in all of golarion
Smiling at the hulking shoanti as Izbahn introduces them. It seems he enjoys his food as much as me!, she thinks staring at the piece of pie lodged on his face...only to turn and almost draw her sword as Darst begins shouting in goblin! Watching the curious situation unfold as her delicate hand grasps the sword handle tightly, she wishes she could understand little goblin, Who knows what profanities he is shouting about me! I wonder if the wizard learnt the language for his little friend...
Sheathing the blade as Naomi and Izbahn have their little heart to heart she ponders this too and wonders if they are more than friends.
"Look, Naomi, I don't pretend to understand why Erastil sent this vision to you, but I can promise you we will find this Nualia, and we will help you bring justice, or revenge, in this case to her. This...woman...has brought death and destruction to Sandpoint, and we will stop her."
"Agreed" says Amrunelara quietly but firmly, "Lamashtu's hand will spread and this Nualia's blight can only bring more death and destruction to the whole of Varisia. But...why revenge?" she says looking at Naomi "What did she do to you?"
"If I'm right about what the dream means, she is the reason my brother is dead. He died during the raid."
She whispers prayers of thanks to Erastil and Desna, for showing her that Dramen's death was not her fault.
"If I'm right about what the dream means, she is the reason my brother is dead. He died during the raid."
She whispers prayers of thanks to Erastil and Desna, for showing her that Dramen's death was not her fault.
Darst looks up. "Lamashtu?" he whispers. "You, um, yes, yes, hmm. Um. Yes. Lamashtu, you says? Lock me in a stable."
Venmirl gets the chills as he hears Naomi tell the table of her vision.
Let's get started then. He thinks I'm ready to run down that tunnel right this instant!. He decides to keep he thoughts to himself. Naomi needs to regain her composure and it was starting to look like they would need the extra help from Kortus after all.
Izbahn pales when he hears the vision from Naomi. This Nualia has a lot to answer for.
He speaks up to the group, "Ok, I believe Nualia is at Thistletop, not in Sandpoint, according to Tsuto's journal. So Naomi, you will need to wait on your revenge for now. Once Kortus arrives, we will pay Tsuto a...visit. We need to know what could be down that tunnel."
Darst is still mumbling to himself. "Lamashtu. Lamashtu, eh? Yes, yes. Um, Lamashtu? Lamashtu. Lamashtu. Yes, yes. Hmm."
"If I'm right about what the dream means, she is the reason my brother is dead. He died during the raid."
"Sorrows for your loss Naomi Fairchild, if my blades can hasten this Nualia's demise then I shall be happy" she says with a smile.
By the way, I actually really enjoy Moonlance being here, despite what Darst says. So far, he's just been the annoying goblin who thinks everybody is his friend. He even sees Naomi as one, even though she hurt him in the battle and specifically told him she was no friend of his. Moonlance changes that, giving him a bit of character development.
Darst is still mumbling to himself. "Lamashtu. Lamashtu, eh? Yes, yes. Um, Lamashtu? Lamashtu. Lamashtu. Yes, yes. Hmm."
"You seem familiar with the mother of monsters Darst, whats wrong? are you a follower??" Amrunelara fixes the little goblin with glaring eyes.
Darst is still mumbling to himself. "Lamashtu. Lamashtu, eh? Yes, yes. Um, Lamashtu? Lamashtu. Lamashtu. Yes, yes. Hmm.""You seem familiar with the mother of monsters Darst, whats wrong? are you a follower??" Amrunelara fixes the little goblin with glaring eyes.
Darst looks up nervously. "Follower. Funny words, follower. See, I's special follower. Kind that isn't killed for being followers. Anyways, what is 'follower' really mean? is it mean, like, 'follower', or, um, sorta worshipping? Yes, yes. Not that I is--um--LOOK, BIRD!" Darst points in a random direction and attempts to make an exit.
Izbahn hides a smile behind his hand, as he watches Darst squirm under Naomi's glare. She should be lucky not to have to sleep in the same room with him.
He turns to Amrunelara and gives her a wink, "I think you are starting to grow fond of him. Don't worry, your secret is safe with me, he he."
Darst looks up nervously. "Follower. Funny words, follower. See, I's special follower. Kind that isn't killed for being followers. Anyways, what is 'follower' really mean? is it mean, like, 'follower', or, um, sorta worshipping? Yes, yes. Not that I is--um--LOOK, BIRD!" Darst points in a random direction and attempts to make an exit.
Naomi glares at him.
"Explain yourself or Izbahn's going to give you another bath. Your quickness in answering determines whether or not I pray for the water spell tommorrow as well."
The goblin shrieks. "Sorry-sorry-sorry-sorry! Yes, yes, I's worships Monster Mother, but she isn't nasties! She keeps us goblins alives, gives us'es hideyholeses and makes the bad peoples goes away. She protectses us'es, isn't nasties!"
Izbahn sighs, Maybe I can get a bottle of wine to go. I am going to need it, it looks like. "Both of you settle down. Naomi, no one is suggesting Darst is working for Nualia. Darst, no one is going to blame you for who you worship, right Naomi?"
I hope Kortus gets here soon, at this rate, we won't even survive to enter the tunnel.
"I've lived in Sandpoint all my life Mr. Dwarf. But I presume you mean in this home. I've been here, helping my grandmother, for almost 5 years now. As for her, well she's older then this house. Heck, she was born in a time where no Sandpoint existed and this was only a popular camping spot for roving Varisian Caravans." The Varisian woman continues leading Kortus through the house. As the pass by more rooms, Kortus notices a large cauldron in which something is brewing. The dwarf doesn't think that it's food being prepared, given the acrid smell coming from that room.
The woman opens one last door and leads Kortus inside. He finds himself in what looks to be a kitchen. There is a very old woman here, sitting on a small stool by a table and looking away from the entrance. Kortus can almost only see her wild mane of grey hair. She's current bent over the table and examining the remains of a dead hare. With a sharp knife and a small hook in hand, the woman has apparently opened up the animal's belly and is currently moving the guts around, as if she's looking for something. "Zriorica, you foolish girl! That hare you brought is no good! I can't see anything in these guts." She says, without looking back. "We have a guest, grand-mother. Kortus is his name and he says he's a friend of Jacob the Rover." Responds the woman who led Kortus here. The old woman turns around to look at the pair. Time clearly had its effect on the old Varisian woman. Most of her teeth are crocked or missing, she has very large ears and her face is covered with wrinkles. Still, she seems alert and vigorous enough. She gets up and moves slowly toward the dwarf. "Let me get a better look of you, young Kortus, my old eyes aren't what they used to be. A dwarf? Most percular ..." She continues to mutter a few "I see", "Of course" as well as some other inaudible nonsense as she examines her visitor. "So, mr. Kortus, what brings you here?" She says suddenly, interrupting her examination. "What new of Jacob? Does he still preaches the teaching of Old Dead Eye?"
Izbahn sighs, Maybe I can get a bottle of wine to go. I am going to need it, it looks like. "Both of you settle down. Naomi, no one is suggesting Darst is working for Nualia. Darst, no one is going to blame you for who you worship, right Naomi?"
"..."
"Not at the moment no, but after this is all over I'd like to have a talk with Darst." She glances back at Darst, who still seems quite shaken by her. "Stop quivering like an orc before a dragon, I'm not going to kill you." She is strangely calm now.
Atleast not until I have a good reason to. She thinks as she puts the shards of her teacup back on the saucer.
Izbahn sighs, Maybe I can get a bottle of wine to go. I am going to need it, it looks like. "Both of you settle down. Naomi, no one is suggesting Darst is working for Nualia. Darst, no one is going to blame you for who you worship, right Naomi?""..."
"Not at the moment no, but after this is all over I'd like to have a talk with Darst." She glances back at Darst, who still seems quite shaken by her. "Stop quivering like an orc before a dragon, I'm not going to kill you." She is strangely calm now.
"What's you do's, then?"
"What's you do's, then?"
"Like I just said, when all of this is over, you and I are going to talkwhen this is over. I'll even leave my weapons with Izbahn if it will make you feel better."
"What's you do's, then?""Like I just said, when all of this is over, you and I are going to talk when this is over. I'll even leave my weapons with Izbahn if it will make you feel better."
The goblin nods. "Okay. I is do same for you." Before she can respond, he hurriedly goes on. "I thinks I mights be able to finds out some stuff about what the goblinses found down there. One of them lives, yes? He is talking easier than elfy does, I's bet."
The goblin nods. "Okay. I is do same for you." Before she can respond, he hurriedly goes on. "I thinks I mights be able to finds out some stuff about what the goblinses found down there. One of them lives, yes? He is talking easier than elfy does, I's bet."
"Good thinking, Darst. I bet some of those goblins have more info than Tsuto does. When we see tsuto, you go ahead and interrogate the goblin prisoner, I trust you on this, Darst."
Before meeting the Grandmother
~That pot reeks of boiled Auroch droppings. What does she prepare in such a mixture? What manner of friend is she Jacob?~
Holding his questions for now Kurtus responds with a simple affirmative grunt at the younger girl's answer, but once more he wonders what manner of sorcery could keep a woman alive well beyond Erastil's appointed time for her.
~Unless it is his will that keeps her going..~
In the kitchen
Seeing that time had not left the woman unscathed as he was beginning to think, Kortus cleared his mind of his initial doubts and concerns and chided himself for thinking them to begin with.
~Ye daft fool, did ye think she was going t' look like a maiden in the beginning of her bloom? Or perhaps an elvish lass that would beguile the men and have their wives clucking like angry hens? Ye might have spent too long with that cat...~
Stepping forward when she called him to her, Kortus was not prepared for her to suddenly grab his beard and stare into his eyes as she began to mumble gibberish to herself while asking him questions in mid-sentence. Opening his mouth to answer, her bloody fingers suddenly left his beard and braced his mouth open so she could examine his teeth, as one would examine a horse at the market.
When she moved her hand out of the way, Kortus ignored the urge to wipe his mouth and answered her questions.
"Jacob has taken his Final Hunt and is in Elysium with Erastil. While he may not have been the most accepted of The Huntsman's followers, his aim was always true and his word was never broken. He wished me t' come speak with you when the time came and he could no longer act as Rover for these lands, but it was not until the rock biters attacked ye town that I left the woods. I will cry yer pardon for not comin' sooner, but it has been a long time since I have left the woods."
Looking down at the dead hare behind the old woman, Kort tried to recall anything Jacob had ever mentioned about divining fortunes through animal sacrifice.
~There are some that would say such an act as that would be a sin against nature, but there are times when hard measures must be taken...~
Turning his gaze back to Madame Mvashti, Kortus pressed on about the stranger he met and the offer to go after the goblins with them.
"Do ye know of them? Have they really accomplished what he spoke of, or is he riding the credit of someone else? Also, what do ye know of these attacks? Is there something I should know before entering the goblin's den with them?"
"Jacob has taken his Final Hunt and is in Elysium with Erastil. While he may not have been the most accepted of The Huntsman's followers, his aim was always true and his word was never broken. He wished me t' come speak with you when the time came and he could no longer act as Rover for these lands, but it was not until the rock biters attacked ye town that I left the woods. I will cry yer pardon for not comin' sooner, but it has been a long time since I have left the woods."
The old woman has an acknowledging grunt. "Humm hummm ... Yes, I suppose it was his time. Still, it's always a great lost when such a good man dies. Such a seer I am! The mother of my grand-mother would had little trouble deciphering such news in the Cards before they even happened. Such is the way of the Age of Lost Omens." She sighs and turns to her grand daughter. "Zriorica! Clean up that mess and prepare the animal for supper, we won't let it go to waste."
"Do ye know of them? Have they really accomplished what he spoke of, or is he riding the credit of someone else? Also, what do ye know of these attacks? Is there something I should know before entering the goblin's den with them?"
"I know of those you speak of. I've observed them from afar and their hearts seem good. Even their goblin isn't totally malicious. They helped defend the town during the raid and thwarted some goblin plot in the Glassworks. Call it fate or the will of the Gods, but I feel the future of this town seems somehow linked to their actions. I also know that a dark shadow has hanged over this town for many years now. All my divinations have failed to find its source." She takes a pause to lick the blood off her fingers. "I'm sorry but I have little else to offer you other then my wisdom. Perhaps you wish me to give you an Harrow* reading before you go?"
*Harrow is the traditional fortune-telling set of cards used by Varisian soothsayers and seers.
Feeling confident that her reference to "their goblin" must be a hunter who is skilled in the lore and ways of the rock biters, Kortus does not wish to be rude and deny the woman a chance to seek her answers any way that she could.
"Aye, I would be thankful for it. I have agreed t' seek out the goblins today with them and if the gods wish t' give us aide, I will not deny them their chance."
"Very well, let us get out of here and proceed to the boudoir. Lend me your arm, young man. My old bones are aching today." While Madame Mvashti was once taller then Kortus, age has curved her back forward and the dwarf has little trouble lending her support. She leads him to another room that has no outside window and is only lit by a few candles. The main feature of this room is a large round table at the room's center. This table is covered with a black tablecloth and, on it, sits a pair of candlesticks and beautifully decorated deck of cards. Madame Mvashti sits on one of the many chairs surrounding the table and starts shuffling the deck of cards with surprising dexterity. "So, young man, what question will this Harrowing seek to answer? Which thread of fate to you wish to explore?"
Thinking on the matter for a moment as he sat across the ancient woman, Kortus' gravelly voice seemed to echo strangely in the cramped room.
"I would ask t' know where the lead goblin can be found."
Madame Mvashti nods. "We must first proceed with the Choosing. The card selected here will represent the roll you play on this thread of fate. Pick one of these." She says as she flicks nine cards face down at Kortus. The dwarf hesitates a moment and then turns one of them over.* The card shows a drawing of a great fortress that amazingly stands on a pair of metal clockwork legs. "Ah, very good! The Keep. It is a symbol of quiet strength. It shows that while you can move while needed, you stand firm through the greatest hardship. You will help find the goblin leader despite all obstacles."
With a few murmured words and a slight hand movement, Madame Mvashti casts a simple spell that brings the nine cards back to her. She shuffles them back in the deck and then cuts the cards once. Afterwards, she places nine more facedown cards in front of her, this time in a square formation . "Next in the Harrowing comes the Spread. Time is a path we walk all but blind, glimpsing only the ground at our feet. Looking back, we see shadowy traces of what has passed. Looking forward, there is naught but mist. The Harrow sheds light on the path of time. The cards of the Spread are the stepping stones, which we walk up and down upon to see what has been, what is, and what might be."
"So, before blindly trying to glimpse into the future, let us see what events of the past shaped the answer you seek." She starts to reveal the three cards of the left column of the Spread. The first card, the top one, shows an anthropomorphic rabbit who holds a broken sword and wears a silver crown. "The Rabbit Prince." Says simply Madame Mvashti before turning over the next card. This one shows a dwarf with brass colored skin and flames in the place of hair and beard. "The Brass Dwarf." She says nodding before turning over the last card of the column. It shows a halfling woman that is holding by a leg a blood covered newborn with demonic features. "The Midwife." The cartomancer mumbles continuously while looking at the three cards. After a minute or two, she finally speaks clearly. "The Midwife is usually a positive card, indicating creation, something new and full of potential. But, in this position, it means that whatever was created in the past brought great strife and sadness with his arrival. Yet, the dominant card here is the Brass Dwarf which means that while some fell in this crisis others were immune to its dangers. They remain hale and strong."
"Our next steps take us to the current events as shown to us by the middle cards of the Spread." She next turns the 3 cards of the second column. They show from top to bottom: a man being pulled to the ground by several arms coming out of the soil; a richly dressed woman crying and kneeling in front of a tombstone, the vague outline of crowned man is visible behind her; a creature made of earth that is pushing a cart and its horses down a slope. Madame Mvasti names them in succession. "The Beating, the Empty Throne, the Avalanche." This time, the old Varisian woman takes little time to interpret the cards. "The significance of the Avalanche is obvious. It represents an unthinking, unreasoning thing that destroys all. It must be the goblins and their mad destructive habits. Yet it is not the dominant card, the Beating has more importance here. It is usually a negative card, meaning that an attack is coming from every sides. In this position however, it shows us that hidden strength is revealed in this time of crisis. This could represent this new group of adventurers that have emerge to defend the town."
"Finally, we look into the chaos that is the future. Let the cards guide us through this Maelstrom of possibilities." Her face is full of apprehension as she reveals the last three remaining cards. The top one shows a bard standing before a giant that is on his back, apparently laughing. The middle one shows a knight confronting a dragon. Yet it all seems fake as if it was the image of a mummers' show or a theater play. The final card shows a sickly woman that is holding a pair of dices in one hand and green onions in the other. Kortus' host once again names them. "The Joke, the Theater, the Sickness." She thinks for a few seconds before continuing. "Ah yes, the Joke is dominant here. It means that what you seek cannot be overcome by strength alone and that guile and wits will be useful allies. The Theater is the card of True Prophecy. It means that the answer to your question was already shown in prophecy and that is what will lead you to your goal. The Sickness warns us of an incoming disease or corruption yet I can't really say how this relates to your question." Madame Mvasti, apparently done, quickly removes the cards and shuffles them back into the deck before placing it back in the table's center, as it was when her and Kortus first entered the room. The cartomancer now looks somewhat less tense then during the Harrowing but she also seems tired. "I would now ask you to leave my house but don't be afraid to come visit again at a later date should you be in need of more of my wisdom."
** spoiler omitted **
Rising from the table, Kortus nods his head in thanks to the Seer.
"I thank ye for the readin' and know ye spoke true with yer words. If the Great Huntsman sees fit, I'll call on ye again when we return. It might be the others that be gettin' the readin' though. I aint one t' tempt the gods by buggin' them too often. I think it is best if I find the others and get t' chasing the rock biters."
Leaving quickly, as well as carefully, Kortus heads in the direction of the Rusty Dragon thanking Erastil that Whisper made finding the right building easy. Patting the cat on the head quickly, Kortus didn't delay long in heading in.
"Good lad. Give me just a few minutes and I will grab ye somethin' t' snack on before we head out."
Opening the inn door, Kortus scans the early morning patrons until he spots Venmirl.
Izbahn sees the dwarf enter the Inn, and realizes this must be Kortus. He gets up, anxious to get away from the sniping of Amrunelara, Darst, and Naomi.
"Welcome to Sandpoint, you must be Kortus! Pleasure to meet you, I am Izbahn, and this is Amrunelara, Darst, Naomi, and you already know Venmirl."
He continues, "I don't know what Venmirl has told you, but we are going to check out a tunnel that runs under the Glassworks building. We think the goblins will use it as a entrance for another raid."
Darst waves.
Izbahn sees the dwarf enter the Inn, and realizes this must be Kortus. He gets up, anxious to get away from the sniping of Amrunelara, Darst, and Naomi.
"Welcome to Sandpoint, you must be Kortus! Pleasure to meet you, I am Izbahn, and this is Amrunelara, Darst, Naomi, and you already know Venmirl."
He continues, "I don't know what Venmirl has told you, but we are going to check out a tunnel that runs under the Glassworks building. We think the goblins will use it as a entrance for another raid."
As the stranger approaches him, Kortus' nodded in greeting a second before his eyes took in the goblin waving to him from the table.
~Shades and sandstone! What is one of them doing in the inn? Could she have literally meant that they have a goblin working for them against his own kind? Do they not realize they can't be trusted?~
Trying to find his words, Kortus has a hard time looking away from the goblin.
"Aye. I have been told ye are seekin' the rock biters out..."
~By your bow Erastil, what have ye gotten me into...~
Izbahn quick eyes note the dwarf glancing at the goblin, and wonders, Will he be one to go after Darst as well. I worry about Darst abandoning us for his own kind, if this keeps up.
"We look forward to having a strong arm at our back, this tunnel is dangerous, and we are counting on you to help us against whatever evil is lairing down there.".
Izbahn quick eyes note the dwarf glancing at the goblin, and wonders, Will he be one to go after Darst as well. I worry about Darst abandoning us for his own kind, if this keeps up.
"We look forward to having a strong arm at our back, this tunnel is dangerous, and we are counting on you to help us against whatever evil is lairing down there.".
Glancing back up to the man in front of him, Kortus nodded his head at the repeated request for help.
"As long as all of this party seek the destruction of those who have attacked this town, Erastil's blessins will be granted. Whisper will also be able t' seek the rock biters in their holes and flush them out like quails."
Izbahn quick eyes note the dwarf glancing at the goblin, and wonders, Will he be one to go after Darst as well. I worry about Darst abandoning us for his own kind, if this keeps up.
"We look forward to having a strong arm at our back, this tunnel is dangerous, and we are counting on you to help us against whatever evil is lairing down there.".
Glancing back up to the man in front of him, Kortus nodded his head at the repeated request for help.
"As long as all of this party seek the destruction of those who have attacked this town, Erastil's blessins will be granted. Whisper will also be able t' seek the rock biters in their holes and flush them out like quails."
"Whisper..?" Darst finally notices the cat. "Lock me in a stable! Kitty!" The goblin prances over and tries to pet the cougar.
Venmirl gets up from the table and intercepts Darst before he makes a foolish mistake. He grabs the goblin by placing both of his hands on Darst's tiny shoulders and squeezes him hard, in a somewhat chummy if not too pleasant feeling embrace.
"We are all committed to freeing this town of the evil goblins, even our little friend Darst here." Venmirl squeezes a little bit harder at the end of his statement. Ain't that right little buddy?
Stepping between the goblin and Whisper, Kortus lowers his staff quickly and his voice drops to low growl that mirrors the one coming from Whisper behind him.
"Ye take one more step closer and I won't stop him from tearing ye t' shreds."
Looking back to the one called Izbahn, Kortus' tone doesn't change when he speaks.
"Keep yer pet on a close leash. I don't trust their kind beyond the reach of my staff..."
Venmirl stands and intercepts Darst before he makes a foolish mistake. He grabs him by placing both hands on Darst's shoulders and squeezes him hard, in a somewhat chummy if not to pleasant feeling embrace.
"We are all committed to freeing this town of the evil goblins, even our little friend Darst here." Venmirl squeezes a little bit harder at the end of his statement. Ain't that right buddy?
"Ow! Let's I go!" Darst squirms, looking furiously at Moonlance.
The goblin freezes, hearing the dwarf's words. "Kitties isn't hurts me," he says petulantly, but he keeps his distance. He looks at the druid. "What you's names?" he asks. "You is dwarf, yes? You's smells funny. Like yummies in food, and dirt-mousies."
Stepping between the goblin and Whisper, Kortus lowers his staff quickly and his voice drops to low growl that mirrors the one coming from Whisper behind him.
"Ye take one more step closer and I won't stop him from tearing ye t' shreds."
Looking back to the one called Izbahn, Kortus' tone doesn't change when he speaks.
"Keep yer pet on a close leash. I don't trust their kind beyond the reach of my staff..."
Izbahn turns a cool look on the dwarf, and replies, "Well, at this point in time, I would certainly trust Darst here, certainly more than someone I have just met. As Darst has already earned my trust, I would certainly hope for nothing untowards to happen to him. It would be hard to gain my trust at that point." The last comes out with an edge to his voice.
Yeah, I will definitely need that bottle of wine to go.
"Ow! Let's I go!" Darst squirms, looking furiously at Moonlance.
The goblin freezes, hearing the dwarf's words. "Kitties isn't hurts me," he says petulantly, but he keeps his distance. He looks at the druid. "What you's names?" he asks. "You is dwarf, yes? You's smells funny. Like yummies in food, and dirt-mousies."
Ignoring the goblin's question, Kortus looked at the two men.
"Time is wastin' and Madame Mvashti's cards say that the answer t' beatin' the rock biters will be shown through a vision. I'm not t' know more than that, but maybe ye are t' know more than me."
As Izbahn comes to the defense of the goblin, Kortus' grip on his staff doesn't waiver.
"He be yers and ye can do with him what ye want. The rest we can figure out as Erastil wills."
~No wonder Jacob kept t' the woods. I need a drink...~
"Time is wastin' and Madame Mvashti's cards say that the answer t' beatin' the rock biters will be shown through a vision. I'm not t' know more than that, but maybe ye are t' know more than me."
Fine, let's go then." Izbahn says ungraciously. "We are going to have a chat with a prisoner in the town, before heading to the tunnel."