As he nears the Cathedral Occa slips his holy symbol to the outside of his armor.
Occa, slightly suprised to see a shrine to Gozreh here take a moment for prayer before moving into the courtyard and approachint Father Zantus.
"Father Zantus, my name is Occa, and I am a priest of Gozreh. How can I help?"
"Occa, it is nice to meet you, sir. Thankfully there weren't many casualties. Few people perished during the attack and most of the injuries were minor. There are a few here who could still use some help, if you wouldn't mind." Zantus points you toward a group of injured folk: two men, a woman, and a young boy. The wounds seems to be relatively minor, mostly lacerations across the legs. The boy has a gash on his arm.
Impatient, Stark goes down to see the rest of the group. "Hey guys. You find anything out yet? Is that him?" He says, pointing to the goblin. "Obviously, it is. I mean, has he said anything?"
Hawkeye is closely listening to the dwarf's attempts at interrogations. He wants to learn. Hawkeye has never "interrogated" prey before.
"Occa, it is nice to meet you, sir. Thankfully there weren't many casualties. Few people perished during the attack and most of the injuries were minor. There are a few here who could still use some help, if you wouldn't mind." Zantus points you toward a group of injured folk: two men, a woman, and a young boy. The wounds seems to be relatively minor, mostly lacerations across the legs. The boy has a gash on his arm.
Durvin turns to Skora before entering and whispers "Nice, I see you've already seen the technique. I'll be the nice one then, it will be easier to stay in our roles." Walking in casually, with a smile on his face and sympathy in his eyes, Durvin begins "Oh, my, you poor creature. I'm so glad they let you live. This is just monsterous how they have you bound like this." he leans in to whisper to the goblin, but does it loud enough that Skora knows it's fake "I would let you go, but this here smelly dwarf won't hear of it." he rolls his eyes back in the direction of Skora.
"Now, I might be able to convice them to let you go, but first you have to help me... help you." He begins to pace, "I'm sure you know, that they are curious as to who would order you to attack the city?" He slumps his shoulder, and covers his eyes with his hand "Didn't they know that so many of you poor souls would lose your lives on this suicide mission?"
"If we only knew who gave the orders, we could deal with them appropriately." he leans in close "Maybe if it is possible, you might be able to replace whoever we deal with, as the new leader."
"What roles..?" Skorabor begins but is unable to finish before the halfling has started the interrogation. His eyes widen and it's clear that the dwarf can't belive what he's hearing. "Yer takin' his side in all of this?!", he blurts out eventually unable to control himself.
"I've had enough of this!" Skorabor booms and moves up to the goblin. "Keep yer secrets or keep yer teeth. Yer choice but ye better decide fast or yer tongue will come out to!"
Durvin turns his back to the goblin at Skora's threats, "How dare you be so violent, you beast!" he says to the dwarf, all the while winking to him and giving him a thumbs up hidden from the goblin for a job well done. Before he turns back to the creature he mouths the words "You're doing great".
At Durvin's words the goblin seems to perk up a little bit, the anger leaving his face. He stops snarling his teeth at the group. When Skorabor moves up to the goblin, he cowers back in fear, pulling himself into as much of a fetal position as possible, given the fact that his arms are tied up behind him. "I talk, I talk!"
"We ordered to burn town! We told to do it by you longshanks! I no know his name, I swear on pet toad Wartwog!"
Hawkeye's mind right now is currently exploding while he is observing what Durvin and Skorabor Skalfgrin Boulderback, son of Kargunt Boulderback, the Warlord of Stoneshire's actions and the goblin's reactions. He is wildly perplexed by Durvin's sympathy for the creature and the Dwarf is getting very upset over this. Hawkeye stands in the back, still observing and ponders.
"This is too much! This interrogating as they say... is a dance for chiefs, not shamans. I best sit and wait and only step in if asked."
"Toad? Perhaps I can help afterall."
From the back of the jail, Hawkeye steps forward and asks aloud
"What does your toad taste-like? Surely you have licked your toad for good luck. Speak true and we will take your vile spit for having some truth in the matter."
Knowledge(Nature):
The goblin meekly responds to Hawkeye's question, "Toads don't taste unless you salt them or if they are dirty. Wartwog has bumpy skin and it feels good on the tongue. But sometimes Wartwog makes milky stuff come out that tastes nasty. I still lick though, for luck."
Based on what Hawkeye knows of toads, he believes this is likely true. Toads excrete a neurotoxin when threatened, but this toxin is unlikely to prove too hazardous to a goblin-sized creature unless ingested in very large quantities. The bumps (or warts) on the back are where the toxin is excreted.
"Hmmph. The beast speaks true, everyone. You Longshanks very well could have commanded them. We must track down he who is called You Longshanks and make him pay."
"Psst!" Stark says to the group. "I think he's calling us longshanks. Not telling us a name."
Stark fully enters the room at this point, and looks at the goblin.
As soon as Stark fully enters the room and catches the goblin's eye, the goblin lets out a shriek. "Aaaaaahhh!!!!! Keep it away! That longshank will steal my soul!!!" The goblin yells this while staring directly at all the strange symbolic tattoos on Stark's arms, legs, and face. The goblin stops screaming shortly after and begins to whimper, trying to cower into the corner further than he already is.
Stark is startled at the goblin's sudden outburst, but takes a slight malicious curiosity in what it said. "See. We are longshanks." He smirks as he turns to the group. "Do you want more answers from this goblin?"
"Ahhhh. My mistake. It sounded like a name. So then longshanks are non-goblins? Are they human or elven? Surely longshanks would not include our friend who is called Durvin Tamish."
Skorabor's mind is swirling with the recent developments. "Enough!, he finally shouts. "Ye mean to tell me that ye believe this wretched creature? What kind of civilized creature would strike deals with goblinkin? That's an outrageous notion", the dwarf starts to rant but stops as Hawkeye speaks.
"What did ye just say?" he turns to the man and asks. "Elves... that sounds possible to me. I knew tales of barbaric wood elves that lived far away. Delt with all kinds of witchcraft and alike. Such beings would no doubt strike a pact with a goblin tribe", he says as the pieces of a wry puzzle falls into place within his limited intellect. "We should do a tally of all the children in the village. That's no doubt what their target was. They've eat them ye know. Savages", Skorabor finishes and spits on the ground in disgust.
"Where's this elf friend of yers!" the dwarf says as he grabs the goblin and shakes him.
"Skora!" Stark shouts, "Stop acting like I'm not here. Act like a civilized individual already. Get your act together!" He points to the door with what now appears to be a red scaly claw, "Everyone out! I want to talk to this one alone." He says with an odd look of maliciousness.
"I can see yer fine where ye standin', no need to shout. If ye think ye can pry soemthin' out of this frog licker, then yer welcomed to him", Skorabor says sourly and exits the cell.
"Uncivilized. Me? I'm a Boulderback. That's dwarven royalty, that is! I'm not the one with witchcraft tatoo's all over me body", Skorabor complains to everyone and no one outside the cell. "Inches from crackin' he was to, that wide mouthed insect."
Stark waits till he has the cell to himself, patiently, while looking to the goblin with a grin.
Hawkeye, satisfied with his answers trusts Stark to do what he has to do and wouldn't suspect him of harming a prisoner and leaves. In fact, he rushes for whisper talon and his quiver. He is never letting go of that bow after today.
Stark waits till he has the cell to himself, patiently, while looking to the goblin with a grin.
As soon as they leave the cell, Durvin gushes "Wow, Skora, you were outstanding! I could almost feel the heat of your anger." he adds "I bet the dwarves use the nice guy, mean guy questioning technique a lot" To Hawkeye he explains, "You see, you confuse them by one of us being very nice, and the other very mean. They will speak to the nice guy out of fear for the mean one. Sometimes, if they are tougher, they will speak to the tough guy, to show they are tougher than the nice guy." as an afterthought he leans back in the cell before Stark begins, and asks, "Do you think there is any way to get him to draw or describe the features of this particular 'longshanks' that gave the order?"
"I'll see what I can get out of him, Durvin." He flashes a smile at the halfling before closing the door behind everyone. Once the door is shut, he looks to the goblin, with his claw on his chin as if he's thinking to himself. "Do you wish to keep your soul, my green friend?" Looking intently at him with a vile glare, and smirk on his face.
Sulking Skorabor is replaced with questionmark Skorabor as Durvin begins to speak. Was it all a show? "Mm.. yes", the dwarf lies when asked about this way of interrogating prisioners, not willing to let his surprise show. He relaxes somewhat as the halfing shifts the conversation to Hawkeye before searching his mind for something that would establish him as an experienced interrigator. "An' if they don't respond to that, ye bring in the nasty guy!" he announces. Yes, that sounded credible. For a moment the "wild elf baby eating conspiricy" is laid to rest somewhere deep in Skorabor's mind.
Vachendi remains standing by the stairs leading up. He greets the group as they return to the hallway, "Have you had any luck with the goblin? It doesn't seem to have many wits about it."
The goblin looks up at Stark, his eyes opening wider and wide at each word, until finally he nods his head slowly with a quiet, "Mmm hmmm." He is clearly terrified of Stark.
"Ohhh. My what a strange concept. I know nothing of that where I am from. Where I am from you answer all questions asked by your elders. Liars are severely punished. The Sky Father is greatly displeased when his children lie. This is known! We respect his wishes or he shall return to us like he did in the times of my ancestors. Back then he would take the form of a great eagle named Tal-Rah. He would prey upon the wicked! He has not done this for many many years but my clan pays our respects, give sacrifices, respects the world, and lives as free-men to please him. I'm sorry. I am probably boring you all."
"Then you're going to tell me everything I want to know. Starting with why you decided to attack this city. Who ordered you to attack? What did he look like? Do you know why he told you to attack? And why did you agree to it?" He pauses a second, and points at the goblin with a single red claw, "And don't lie. I don't like being lied to. You have no idea what kind of power I hold with these words." He glances to the tatoos displayed on his arms, then looks back to the goblin.
"I know no his name!! I swear on my pet toad! I not even seen him, but Ripnugget did. He said to burn the town. If we don't he throws us down the Howling Hole! Please don't steal my soul!!!"
He's absolutely terrified of you, but you get the feeling he really doesn't know anything more about the person who ordered all the goblins other than that he is a "longshank."
"Tell me, would you like a chance at redemption? To earn your freedom?" He says with a glaring smile.
Skorabor watches Hawkeye with an expression that roughly translates into "These romans are crazy!" as the tribesman gives some insight into Shoanti culture. His eyes snap back into focus as Vachendi speaks.
Vachendi remains standing by the stairs leading up. He greets the group as they return to the hallway, "Have you had any luck with the goblin? It doesn't seem to have many wits about it."
"Just that they where sent by some elf to torch the town. The little saucer eyed freak won't tell us any more, though", Skorabor tells the watchman. His initial reaction that "longshank" equals "elf" have taken a few laps inside his head and transformed itself into a fact.
Durvin looks at Hawkeye and responds with sincerity, "Oh no, your stories are not boring at all. I find that many of the Shoanti tales are almost as entertaining as some of my favorite tales of the sea." At Skora's explanation of events, he corrects "No Skora, he did not say it was an elf, that was what you surmised from his words. If I remember correctly, the term 'longshanks' was used to refer to anyone long of leg. So it could be Human, Elf, Half-elf..." He pauses, before suggesting "Though, probably not Half-orc, as they would have a different name for one with orcish heritage I would imagine."
"As i said, an elf. Or yer right, Durvin. It could also be a half-elf. That wildlin' blood can put queer thoughs in yer head", Skorabor summarizes, his ego having warped the halflings comments into confirmation of his suspicions.
The Goblin nods his head emphatically at Stark's questions, eager to please him lest his soul be stolen. He waits, with fear in his eyes, for Stark to tell him what to do.
"It pleases me I do not bore you. I... am unfamiliar with the stories of those who see the great waters more than the land. I would like to hear them. I will repay you with more stories of my own if you wish."
"So we know the longshank is someone tall. Good. Good. This is a start. This trail may be more fresh than we think!"
"Good. Listen carefully, your life depends on it.." Stark then proceeds to explain to him as carefully as possible, so that the goblin couldn't misinterpret his words, that he wishes for the goblin to rally his goblin brothers and sisters, and find this 'longshank' that told them to attack the city. When they find him, kill him. "If anyone except that specific 'longshank' comes to harm, ever, I will use all my powers to hunt you down and rip your soul from your body myself. Are we understood? Do you know what to do?"
The goblin nods once again, his eyes going wide at Stark's final words. Then he carefully speaks, hoping to avoid Stark's wrath, "Does that mean I can go? You can get me out of here?"
"I will tell my allies about our deal. I'll convince them not to harm you. Just remember what I told you." He glares at the goblin, pointing to him with his red claw. He knocks on the door, and shouts to his companions "Open the door. We need to talk."
Hawkeye is taking the time to examine his bow. "I really could have used you today, friend. Our wise-man let me use his crossbow but it is not the same as you."
He hears Stark's banging and request and opens the door.
"Thanks, Hawkeye." He smiles to his companion, as he allows the goblin to follow behind him. "Here's what's going to happen. Our little friend here has a very special mission. We're going to let him. Until he has finished what I have set for him, I don't want him harmed. Understood?" He looks to his allies.
"He is bait?"
"Not exactly. See, greenie here is going to rally his buddies and find the person responsible for this whole mess for us. Then he's going to take care of him and go back to his home. And if he listened, he'll never be a problem again." He looks to the goblin, "Isn't that right?"
"Hmm."
He calls over to Stark and speaks in his ear. "This person had control of lots of goblins. Certainly he can handle a few goblins and his friends. What is stopping him from just running away and not dealing with the man responsible? I doubt these things are honorable and keep to plans as you hope."
"Let's just say he's a lot more fearful of what I could do to him." He wispers a reply.
Honestly I am afraid of what you can do too.
"Understood."
Durvin thinks on this new development, "Wouldn't it make more sense for him to just lead us to where he meets with this person? We took care of the groups of goblins quite easily, I would think that whoever can propel them to attack, would also easily rid himself of them." he thinks a bit more, "And if they don't succeed, and don't return, how will we know that they didn't succeed?"
"The former is not my problem. As for the latter.." He looks to the goblin, "Did you hear that? How will we know if you succeeded? You will bring me the head of this longshank that told you to attack this place. If I find out it's anyone elses head, just remember what I told you in the cell..." He glares intently at the goblin at that last statement.
He shakes his head, "No, not if they DO succeed. How do we know if they DON'T succeed, and run off instead?" He expounds "If we don't see them again, did they fail or run off? How will we know, can you track them with your magic? Or spy on them, some magic can spy right?" getting more into it, he adds "Furthermore, the fear this one has for you, does not equal the fear the others will have. If he can't convince them to help him, then we have nothing more than one scared goblin." he sighs "I'm sorry, I just see a lot of frayed ends, and no square knots in any of them. It seems like it relies too much on the effectivness of a single goblin's fear."