Act 3: Lurred Into Darkness
Scene 2: Mystery of the New Mire
Active Maps: Map of Harenshire
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Though not the stealthiest, Pip manages to circle around the hill to the top overlooking the entrance above the two goblins and readies his crossbow without being detected.
Jelly steps out from the tree line and commands one of the goblins to come to him which seems to have no effect.
Pip gives up his hidden position as he yells for the goblins to not move.
Wolfgang stepped forward and proclaimed himself a powerful mage to the goblins in their own tongue. The goblins looked frightened at his appearance.
Alexander readied his bow to fire on the goblins if they sounded the alarm.
The Slice prepared his daggers if the attempt to parlay did not work out.
The two goblins bluster about this being the mighty goblin camp of Grundlegek and tells you to go away, least they raise a goblin army from below (speaking in common), they are visibly nervous and look frightened as they raise their shields and wave around their shortswords in an awkward kind of way.
Then one speaks back to Wolfgang in goblin.
"With all respect to you Mr. Gang of Wolves. You probably could wipe the two of us off the face of the earth without a problem. But Burukkleyet the great and powerful, Goblin Shaman of great reknown resides below. You have probably heard of him?" they say with their voice shaking, they don't sound so convincing (Intimidate check was a 9)
Jelly used one first level spell slot. (2 of 3 remaining.)
Jelly used one first level spell slot. (2 of 3 remaining.)
"Tell them I've killed many goblins, and other creatures, and that I am not afraid of a little goblin shaman. Also, say that if they don't tell us everything they know, about the flood, and about him, I'll cut of their toes and make the bastards eat them."
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But we will deal with him in a moment. For now, speak to me of this great work you have--What have you done to the water in this area? And for what purpose?
This has caused an imbalance in delicate forces you can not understand, and I have traveled far to bring light here. If you tell me fully, I may yet find a solution in which you, and Burukkleyet, may live to see tomorrow."
Act 3: Lurred Into Darkness
Scene 2: Mystery of the New Mire
Active Maps: Map of Harenshire
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The goblins look at each other confusingly and scratch their heads before answering back.
"We have done nothing to the water. It rises on its own. We pan water out the cave daily. Not our doing. We just want to be left alone. No threat to humans. We not even raid farmsteads. We prowl around, maybe take a lamb here and there but no hurt anyone." the one on the left says.
Then the one on the right speaks "Mr. Gang of Wolves, you say you come to fix the water. We can take you to Grundlegek our leader and you can discuss it with him and our shaman. Lot of goblins in hole but no attack you, if we bring you to chamber. We prove not a threat so you no need to kill us."
Jelly used one first level spell slot. (2 of 3 remaining.)
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"Allow me a moment to discuss this with my comrades."
Wolfgang calls the party together and explains the situation.
"We have a choice before us. We can either start killing them now, or we can try to work with them. I regret this, but we must choose a path now. If we go into their den, then we will be at a disadvantage should it come to combat.
How say you all?
"Be extremely cautious, they are low-cunning and stealthy little buggers. Drop your guard and you'll have a knife in the back of your leg."
"We should go with them. I'll keep an eye on the buggers, just make sure they walk in front of me."
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Wolfgang smiles. "It seems we are in agreement. And that is where you are wrong, Master Alexander. I -would- prefer to kill sentient beings." His smiles takes on a rueful visage. "But it seems since I'm outvoted..."
Wolfgang turns back to the goblins, a bright Smile of Brotherhood on his face.
And, you are all reasonable folk, so I don't need to remind you. If harm comes to me or any of my companions by your hand, I shall slay each and every one of you in a manner which will be told about in years to come as "That Horrible Goblin Death." But we don't need to worry about, you being so trustworthy. So lead on. Ah, pause a moment. I'm going to make myself invincible to your weapons."
Wolfgang snaps his fingers, and his body is covered with a shadow-demon made from greed and envy who will never know peace until it has absorbed enough damage to return to it's realm.
He smiles to the goblins. "Let us go."
Act 3: Lurred Into Darkness
Scene 2: Mystery of the New Mire
Active Maps: Map of Harenshire
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Having agreed to meet with the goblin leader the two guards ready to take everyone in the hole, the entrance has a five foot ceiling so the taller folks are going to have to walk slouched to avoid hitting their heads. Before going inside one of the goblins addresses everyone is common. "No lights inside, goblins prefer the dark, no lights please it might scare our children and rile the clan."
With that the goblins enter the hole waiting for you to follow.
Jelly used one first level spell slot. (2 of 3 remaining.)
Wolfgang has False Life (8 of 8 temporary hitpoints remaining)
"Who should lead who?" Pip asks the rest. He tells Jack to sit outside.
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Wolfgang frowns at the goblins. "Fie on thee! You would begin to make demands now? Before we even start to negotiate? I think I like not your hostile tone!
Still, I would not have the day end in bloodshed over so minor a request. Out of deference to thy brood, we shall keep light to a minimum, but if you think my band will put themselves at disadvantage to blunder about into any traps you may have 'accidentally' lain about, rest safe knowing that I am not so gullible as that!"
He turns to Pip, head low and voice soft. "Light up some torches, but only a couple. Any more and we might insight them. Let's start off on a good foot. Alex should lead, but light a torch yourself and follow him, so he doesn't smack into something."
Louder, he states, "Brave Alex, place thyself in the van. Our honored hosts shall, I'm sure, take us by the surest, and safest, route."
Wolfgang heads in after Pip, into the depths.
Erdann sees better in the darkness than in the light, so makes no complaint at the creature's request.
Act 3: Lurred Into Darkness
Scene 2: Mystery of the New Mire
Active Maps: Map of Harenshire
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Following the goblins into the den the group travels about a hundred and twenty feet straight into the hillside before they came to an intersection with another tunnel branching to the left as they continued straight past it, the smell of goblin filth and wet earth all around them. Looking down the tunnel as they past they saw a cave not far down that had six more male goblins that matched the description of the two they were following.
The torchlight alerted them of your presence as you pass and soon you have them following at a distance. An occasional cry of "human filth", and "pinkskins" can be heard from just out of torchlight behind you.
As you head further down the tunnel a cave opened up to your right this time as you pass and within it were six more male goblins which took to following the procession deeper into the tunnels, staying just out of torchlight to the rear.
Then the party came to a fork in the tunnel, one branch going left and one branch going right. Your goblin guides point to the right path and says "Leaders this way." then hearing the dozen or so goblins behind you one of the guides say "Told you, light was not a good idea. Not that they wouldn't have smelled you anyway."
Turning back toward the right tunnel they began to lead on, after another hundred feet or so you come to a large cave. Inside the cave sitting on a makeshift throne of rock, furs and broken limbs is a large, fat goblin in dirty fur skins with scalemail underneath and as shortsword on his side. Beside him is a gnarled old goblin dressed in hides and wielding a quarterstaff and a shiny gold ring lies upon one of his bony fingers. It bears a seal that is identical to the tattoos that the goblins have upon their foreheads. Two other female goblins in skimpy cloth lie at the fat goblins feet while two males stand on the opposite side of the makeshift throne.
The fat goblin king blusters in perfect common at your appoach "Why have pinkskins come here? We are no threat to humans, why not leave us be?"
At that point your escorts announce in a very official sounding voice (for a goblin) "Grundlegek our king, his two wives and two sons and Burukkleyet our wise and mighty shaman"
The goblin guides bow and then announce "May we present to you the great and powerful wizard, Gang of Wolves. He has requested to speak with you on matters of beneficial importance."
The shaman cries out "What is the meaning of this intrusion? You should have not brought pinkworms down here. They are surface dwellers and wish to do our tribe harm."
Jelly used one first level spell slot. (2 of 3 remaining.)
Wolfgang has False Life (8 of 8 temporary hitpoints remaining)
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Alexander steps forward and raises his head "We mean no harm, wise shaman, but we bring common purpose. Our people suffers from the water that flows from down under, our lands waterlogged and our crops rotting." speaks the fighter with honesty "We could have made our way here with the sword, or vould have provocked a cave in using magic... but instead we walked here peacefully to talk."
"Can our people forget past aggressions today and work together to save both?"
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Wolfgang nods at Alex. "My companion speaks true. You may save thy barbed tongue, King Grundlegek, we are not here for you. A clutch of goblin-kind here or there would not stir me to movement. But the rise of waters, turning fertile plains to internal lake, has set off a chain of events which threaten to destabilize works both lengthy and powerful.
Simply give us whatever aid you can muster and hinder us not. Then when this anomaly is set to rights and we shall leave. The dirt-farmers below will again have fat harvests of grain for you to raid...or whatever it is you do.
So, what can you tell us?"
After he speaks, he voice intrudes upon the mind of Burukkleyet. The communication, though in words of Goblin, are set against a backdrop as if spoken across a vast dark chasm which hides a horror the mind cannot grasp.
Act 3: Lurred Into Darkness
Scene 3: Goblins of the Ring
Active Maps: Map of Harenshire
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At the explanation of why the group has come the shaman looks furtive and dis-comfortable as the leader of the goblins answers Alex "We suffer the same fate as you, constantly bailing water to dry to keep our feet dry. Little to eat in the area. Why come to us with a problem that is not of our creation? We just wish to be left alone, we find food where we can; lambs, rabbits, rats, carrion, turnips, moss, grass, mold-anything."
Meanwhile the very uncomfortable looking shaman continues the telepathic conversation with Wolfgang in private.
"I am aware that my ring has some undesired effect on the land. However, the ring was crafted by Maglubiyet" "as a gift to me personally! The other goblins worship me and even the chief is somewhat subservient. The ring keeps my position within the tribe secure. When we broke off from the larger tribe we became 'The goblins of the ring.'"
Jelly used one first level spell slot. (2 of 3 remaining.)
Wolfgang has False Life (8 of 8 temporary hitpoints remaining)
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| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Do we have to roll anything to notice how dis-comfortably furtive and furtively discomfortable is the shaman looking? Because I do want to force some goblin on goblin action with the sudden appearance of Mister Greatsword-to-the-face, a.k.a. me.
By the way, I want to go ahead and say that I fricking lofe Wolfgang's each and every post.... like, seriously, you are my MVP forever.
No roll necessary, it is obvious.
Before you initiate combat please remember that you have 4 male goblins in the room, 2 female goblins, the leader and the shaman.
Right behind you in the corridor is another dozen male goblins blocking your exit.
And a unknown amount down the left tunnel that you did not explore.
If you want to fight an entire goblin clan then do so but I did want to point out the number of enemies currently within 100 feet of you.
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Wolfgang continues to be silent as he communicates with the Shamen.
I acknowledge and respect that it is a Divine gift, but, referring to this realm, let me speak plainly.
If you DO give me the ring, there is no reward which is not possible.
If you want a tithe of grain, cattle, or even silver, from the humans that work these fields, that may be possible. If you want a payment of gold now, that can be done. If you want me to cower in fear from you and beg forgiveness, bowing and scraping from the Burukkleyet the Mighty, in a show that will impress the men and make you desirable to the women, that can be done.
So long as I have the ring, all good is possible.
If you do NOT give me the ring, there is no malevolence which is not possible.
All your tribe will be slain, and then we shall take the ring. I, too, serve a master, and your soul will be delivered unto him to know torment and anguish incomprehensible to the mortal mind.
Even if, by some miracle, you should be saved from my band here, the humans now know of your location, and they will come in the unending tides that humans are known for, for no other reason than to save themselves from the flood that, in their ignorance, they fear is coming.
If I have the ring not, all evil is possible.
Wars are expensive. Peace is profitable. Surely there is some agreement we can come to?"
(Well, we're not out of this yet. =)
Act 3: Lurred Into Darkness
Scene 3: Goblins of the Ring
Active Maps: Map of Harenshire
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The intense silent conversation continues between Wolfgang and the Shaman.
"The ring keeps my position in the tribe, give it to you freely I think not. However I am sure that we can negotiate something that both appeases me as well and maintains my position within the tribe. I make you an offer. I am no fool. The ring is magical and that I am sure of. Perhaps a magical item in return; a simple exchange.... but I must insist that you provide me with a perfect non-magical duplicate of the ring so that the tribe believes I still have the god-given magic. The magical item could be a weapon; or armor would be acceptable. Be warned, I will know if the item is not magic and a simple illusion. You can leave now and return when you have the duplicate ring and the magic item for me. We are arranging a deal in good faith? Yes? My demands are reasonable yes? I can mentally give you an exact description of the ring so you can make this happen and there will be no bloodshed yes?"
Meanwhile the goblin leader is taken about by the silence of everyone and speaks aloud again "So, I have told you that we are not the cause of this water problem, so if you are done then you may leave us."
Jelly used one first level spell slot. (2 of 3 remaining.)
Wolfgang has False Life (8 of 8 temporary hitpoints remaining)
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Wolfgang mentally convey's the Shaman's proposal to the group.
He adds, mentally, to his companions. 'I have no item to trade, so one of you would need to give something up. Hence, I would not wish to make such a deal without your consent.
We need to leave to have the ring made anyway, and there is a chance that our benefactor may be able to supply something. As he is willing to be so generous with gold, he might also leaven the effort with a minor magical bauble. Hence, we might not have to give up anything, but there is still the chance.
Think on it. Is there aught else you wish to do or say here? I find these goblins repulsive. The sooner we leave the better.'
Also, will someone tell the king something? I'd hate to just show up to a guy's room, say nothing, and then leave. That's just weird. =P
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"We will leave to investigate, oh mighty leader, and will return when we have found the solution.... as both your people and ours can benefit from it." says Alexander to the goblin leader before trying to think for Wolfgang [i]"The orcish shield! It was magic! And I can try to forge a ring, but I will need a forge and a smithy. We should rush, as time is of the uttermost importance to solve this crisis."
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Wolfgang glares at the cleric, but inwardly he gives thanks that such a statement was not out loud. He replies on the party-wide mental channel that he is maintaining. 'The Shaman has not stated any minimums, so that is his burden. And the way things stand the ring seems to be a white elephant, and we shall be poorer for having it, so any item gives them the greater bargain.
We must needs take a leap of faith here, and unless you forget, we are to be paid one THOUSAND gold pieces for the solution to a problem. If you wish to stay here and argue semantics, you do so alone.'
Woflgang turns back and bows to the goblin court. "You have been a most excellent host, your majesty. We retreat now to convey with interested parties, and I am quite certain that when we return, we shall have glad tidings to bear. Do expect us anon."
'Pip, please make certain that your fingers stay flexed. Thee and thy skills shall play a -critical- role when next we come.'
The warlock makes to walk out of the cavern.
Act 3: Lurred Into Darkness
Scene 3: Goblins of the Ring
Active Maps: Map of Harenshire
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Leaving the goblin cave behind and the stench thereof as well the group would need a plan. While Alex had blacksmithing skills it would take more than a iron ring to pull off this, it would require a forge and a jeweler's talent as well, unfortunately they could remember none in the area. And did they want to bother Darius until they had the ring itself and had solved the problem? They doubted the man would give up the 1,000 gold without definite proof of the problem being fixed. The rangers may know of someone or somehow but it was doubtful, Tauster might could do it magically. Who knows, but they need to come up with their next course of action.
They discussed the issue on the way back to Milborne.....
Jelly used one first level spell slot. (2 of 3 remaining.)
Wolfgang has False Life (8 of 8 temporary hitpoints remaining)
I can give up the shield, aye. I prefer my crossbow anyway. Once they are out of the goblin home, Pip says, "I can help in the creation of a replacement. I was a blacksmith for my old company."
"Given a pearl and an owl's feather, I could determine the veracity of the shaman's ring. Other than that, I have little to contribute unless we aim to dispute his claims that he will see past illusions."
The Slice listens to the conversations in silence. Taking in all the information before replying.
"We must tread carefully here. I've yet to meet a goblinkind I could trust, and I don't trust these. Is there some way to use illusion magic to trick the Shaman into giving up the ring? If so we could get what we need, and if they choose to press the matter... well we could react in kind on our terms".
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Jelly pauses for a minute to address the issues here. We can make peace with the goblins, but what about with the rest of the humans. Not to mention, do we know how long it will take to make the ring? And what exactly do these goblins want? Obviously they want a trade and he wants them to think he is a god, but this tribe seems to be different. Like, I wonder if they are fighting another goblin tribe, or have real enemies, not us and not the town. And obviously they are probably lack on food and water due to the situation. It seems odd to say all they want is a duplicate ring and a magic item. I think they might have some real troubles we can help them with.
"I can create all manner of sounds and images, though nothing that would pass the test of touch."
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Wolfgang muses on the recent happenings, and replies to the party.
Oddly, his mouth does not move, and he replies with mind-speak. It's almost as if the recent actions have set him onto a habit he is reluctant to break. Or the energy of forming words is now something he considers obsolete.
[to all:]'The rest of humankind's relations with demihumans is not our concern. We wield neither power nor influence sufficient to alter the planet. But with luck we may be able to solve the crises in front of us.
So too, the shaman feels his sense of importance comes from the ring. Methinks he shall use the new ring and the other magic item to continue his charade of having Power. This is of no matter to us. He has extended a pact that we can satisfy. So too, the exact nature of the ring seems irrelevant: It is the thing that causes the water to rise.
I disagree that this might be a ruse. If we have the ring and the water remains I shall personally lead us on a siege to slay each and every one of them. But I believe he knows this and would not play us so falsely.
Yes, let us see Tauster and seek his council. If Tauster has a minor bauble that we can have, so the better, but methinks this will change nothing. We have the shield, we have blacksmiths. That seems an Alexander-esque solution to this Gordian Knot.
Let us give off this talk of creating a False ring. The few coins needed in the thing's creation are not worth the trouble we would get if discovered. With a payday of this magnitude looming, what matter a few coins?'
Since I have a perfect mental image of the ring, I'll start sharing the details with Pip and Alex. How much does it look like we'll need in materials?
Act 3: Lurred Into Darkness
Scene 3: Goblins of the Ring
Active Maps: Map of Harenshire
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Arriving back in Milborne late in the evening the group had decided that the blacksmiths could make a ring of gold simple enough, but the designs in the ring were another story entirely. They would need the services of an expert jewler to do the engraving. After staying the night in Milborn the group headed to Thurmaster to council with Tauster, after telling there tale of the goblins of the ring, Tauster responds:
"The intricate carvings on the ring is no small task and I would have to send off for the ring to be made in Waterdeep. But the cost might be prohibitive as the ring would cost 100 gp to be made. And will take ten to twenty days to arrive. Perhaps you could return to Milborne and pick up some more barge duty to keep you busy in the meantime."
"Or you may be able to convince the goblins to move somewhere that the water logging won't be a problem and let them keep the ring. The Eelhold comes to mind, a small lake known as the Eelhold has been created artificially by a log dam across the south-flowing Oldscutt River, causing water to gradually fill the shallow valley in which the lake now lies. The dam was built nearly 50 years past by the Carman family to regulate river flow and prevent flooding further south, where the Oldscutt meats the Churnett."
"Certainly plenty of nice fish up there to tempt the goblins with, however there are two unusual inhabitants, a temperamental water elemental and a nixie, friends of Shiraz I believe. If you wanted to go that route then Kuiper can probably arrange a meeting between all of you and the woman ranger to see if they would be in agreement to such a move."
"So what will it be? You want to have the ring made or try to relocate the goblins?"
"Or I guess you could take the ring my force, probably the most risky of all the options, I suppose. Don't really see what harm the little creatures are doing. Haven't heard of any goblin raids. The strange tattoos and ring is peculiar however. I wonder what the ring does?"
Wolfgang has False Life (8 of 8 temporary hitpoints remaining)
They can make the band with no problem, if someone in the group is proficient with Jeweler's tools then I would say they could complete it in about 10 days.
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Then he could roll and add his Dex, but not get to add a proficiency bonus. And he only needs to get it "good enough". It's not like the goblin is gonna put it under a loupe and stare at it for half an hour looking for imperfections.
I'm sorry, I'm not trying to be difficult, it just seems like we could all pull together and get this done in the 2(1?) days that we have left, and do it "in-house" so we have more gold to spend.
And, yes, I am dying to get a look at that ring. My curiosity is killing me. =)
What do ya, say, Pip? Ya up for it?
(Also, it seems like the a ring could be made cheaply. I mean, a decent ring usually doesn't weight more than 4 ounces. So we melt down 4 gp and give it a go. Whadayasay? =)
"I'll try this." Pip rolls up his sleeves and cracks his knuckles. "Get me a fire, and some tools if you can." He then sets to work, forging, engraving, and smelting, hopefully with Ander's help. "Slice, give me a hand with engraving!"
What rolls should I make, DM?
"Though the creation of a false ring is the first plan, we must also consider the time the farmers will need for their crops, if they can even salvage a crop this year, should the waters recede."
"Well, I think we should try and relocate them for now. A bit of pay will help, what do you think?"
"Well I'd just as soon sneak into their lair, and cut off the finger with the ring on it and take it myself, but I'll go along with whatever the group decides".
Act 3: Lurred Into Darkness
Scene 3: Goblins of the Ring
Active Maps: Map of Harenshire
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After returning to Milborne and informing Garyld of their plans, he arranges a meating with Shiraz who is an expert on the Eelhold and what is happening there, a day later Shiraz meets with the group and Garyld and Kuiper at Kuiper's farm as Shiraz refuses to meet in any type of city or village and even refuses to enter the farm proper, instead she meets outside...
Shiraz is tall for a woman at (5’10”), slender, and fit; she has sun-bleached hair, brown eyes, and a deep tan. She is 30 years old.
Shiraz seems quite claustrophobic and untrusting when she explains to the group about what is happening at the Eelhold.
"I will not have a bunch of goblins relocated to a place that is in turmoil. It would be foolish. The Eelhold has two unusual inhabitants who have managed to prevent any recurrence of the disaster of seventeen years ago when the dam broke. A water elemental is tied to the lake by a sympathy spell, and a female nixie named Shenjurath with some power of command over the elemental lives in the lake itself." she states bluntly.
"I am a frequent visitor to this lonely but lovely spot. Shenjurath the nixie has told me recently that her control over the water elemental is weakening; the sympathy spell, she fears, must be wearing off. I am greatly worried, for if the elemental becomes out of control the dam may be at risk." she continues.
"The only reason I have agreed to this meeting is that after talking to Shenjurath about the goblins I am convinced that this ring that the creatures have may be more than it appears. She believes it to be a water ring. A ring that can gain power over water itself but somehow the ring has malfunctioned. If this is the case, then the ring is a legendary item and only a few are known to exist anywhere in the world. How this goblin came to posses it and to break it is a mystery."
"If the ring is truly what the nixie believes then we must first get a better look at it. Do you think you could get this shaman to part with it for a few days?.... Without slaughtering them? If we could confirm that the ring has such power and the nixie could fix it, then we could relocate the goblins to the caves in the Blanryde overlooking the Eelhold and let the shaman keep the ring, with the understanding that I could borrow it on occasion to strengthen the hold Shenjurath has over the elemental."
"This would offer the goblins plenty of food from the fat eels of the Eelhold as well as a protected spot that they could be worry free of both human and beast."
"Fixes two issues with one stone, does it not?" she adds.
"But again, can you get the ring long enough to confirm this?"
Wolfgang has False Life (8 of 8 temporary hitpoints remaining)