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"Surely we can come to some accord, young one. You don't want to be hurt, and we don't want to have to hurt you. It would be so much easier for all of us if you told us what we want to know. Then, perhaps, we can discuss, if you're open and honest with you, some form of release rather than turning you over to the city guard. Why did you target us, here in this place... and what is one, such as yourself, doing with this Wayfinder?"
[dice=diplomacy]1d20+7[dice]
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Its takes a few minutes, but eventually Lore is able to get the goblin to open up. And when she does... she doesn't stop.
My name is Ekkie. I am new around here. I am from the swamp far away from the city. But even out in the swamp, we heard stories about the Nightsoil Marauders—a gang of goblins in the longshanks city. When Murg tried to bite off my ear—again!—I left the swamp and came to the city to join up. I met some other goblins outside the city and they sneaked me inside. They took me through the smelly tunnels and made me wait outside their lair. An important-looking goblin with a big, dangly hat came out and stared at me. He said his name was Versevosh. I thought he was the boss, but he said that the big boss is much scarier than him. Versevosh said rude things about me and my tribe and said I’d have to prove myself if I wanted to join the gang. He said I’d have to steal shiny things from a tribe of longshanks in the city. He showed me drawings of what to look for.
Grim checks his bag, his wayfinder is there. Ruprecht pockets the tools, the goblin helpless to argue with her jailor (remember you loose it at the end of the scenario though).
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Can you show me what these things looked like, these items you were to steal? Maybe draw them for me? And tell me, where are these tunnels you were led through? Can you draw a picture of the tunnels as well? I would consider it to be very kind if you would."
Lore smiles at Ekkie, trying to further encourage her to talk.
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Ekkie can only draw the item she was meant to steal- a wayfinder.
Ekkie also adds, The other goblins showed me the way through the smelly tunnels to the horse-killing place. I like that place, ‘cause they cut up horses there and you can see their insides and I got lots of dead horse to eat. The goblins said to steal from the big house then go back to the horse-killing place, then they ran off. It was almost sunrise and I could hear longshanks so I hid. Later I sneaked up to the big house and took some shiny things from the small houses, but then you caught me.
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At Grimdoc's last statement, a loud brash man comes crashing into the foyer of the Lodge. The Kellid pathfinder wants to know where his Wayfinder and Necklace have gotten to. Someone stole them! The Lady Heidmarch, who had been watching your interrogation, informs him of the theft. This is Joadric Heimurl. Joadric, these Pathfinders recovered your stolen items. With a thanks he recovers his Wayfinder, but offers an Everburning Torch as a thank you for his recovered items.
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Ekkie looks at the dwarf and says flatly, I only took why they showed me to take. If they had wanted me to take your knickers, I would have done that! Turning to Ruprecht she claims that she can.
Lady Hidemarch does enter the conversation with you all and wants you to follow up on this gang of goblins. They have been causing some commotion in the city of late and any chance to put them down would be good for Magnimar and in turn shine a positive light on the Pathfinders.
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Many of you notice a small building, a shed perhaps. It is located very close to the knackery, and it was obviously burned to the ground. A quick look makes you suspect that arson was the cause of its burning down.
Once you get to the Knackery, you find a middle-aged man dressed in a dirty smock, covered in dirt and blood. He stops what he is doing and says hello.
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"Hullo, I'm Lore. What happened to your shed? Such a shame... anyway, we don't want to impose on your hospitality but we are just passing through, if you don't mind. We have no intention of disturbing your work. We just need access to the sewer through your shop. Oh, and by the way, have you seen any goblin activity in the area recently?"
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Grimdoc is always amazed at Lore's direct, friendly manner in dealing with common people.
Whispering to nobody in particular "Nice, no beatin around the bush with that girl."
She may not make a good dwarf but she makes a good friend and invaluable member of the team.
He moves up next to Lore to hear the response.
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The man initially blantely defies your accusations (especially about being a goblin!) until he sees Eekie peaking around the corner. He immediately turns violent shouting at the goblin.
After his rage ends, he realizes that his gig is up, and finally tells his story.
What could I do? Those little vermin have got me right where they want me! At first, I tried locks and bars to stop them, but the thefts got worse. If there’s any way in, they’ll find it!. Then
the big, creepy one, at least a foot taller than me, came one night. It put the fear right into me, I’ll tell you, lurking there in the shadows with its snuffling breath and twitching ears. It said it knew exactly where my family lives and said it’d know if I tried to go to the watch. Then they burned down my shed outside to make their point. So I’ve had to go along with them, leaving the best slabs of meat for them and ignoring the scurrying I hear down in the cellars at night. If I don’t, they’ll burn down my home and murder my family
After composing himself, he leads you to a sewer drain in the back of the main operations area of the slaughter house.
Ekkie exclaims, Yes. This were the sewers lead, to the horse killer's place. Down below is where we go!
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Grimdoc checks his wayfinder, but does not light it, preferring to see in the dark.
"Well, I guess we better go finish this. Did I mention I really *ha..* um,I mean I do not like goblins?"
He catches himself in the presence of the goblin that may be the guide.
Bah, I best leave the talkin to the gnome!
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The goblin stays true to her word and leads you through the sewers and about 45 minutes later says you are at the entrance to the goblin guild. She does admit she was never allowed into the complex, but demands to follow you and see this to the end. It seems she has taken up your cause during her extended time as a captive!
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Lore seems fine accepting Ekkie at face value for the time being, but she does keep an eye on her, just the same. Finding themselves at the doorway leading into this guild proper, Lore renews the light spell on her holy symbol. The everburning torch not-withstanding, it doesn't hurt to have a second light source handy. She gives the others a little nod when she's ready to enter the Guild warrens, then whispers, "Anytime you're all ready."
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With some discussion you descend into the sewers. Using the Everburning torch for those without the benefit of dark vision, Eekie leads the party. After about 45 minutes, she leads the party through the confusing, dark, and noxious sewers and then stops. She motions down the dark hall to a goblin talking to someone or something else. The light from the party flickers around the narrow corridors and you can just make out what is likely a sentry tossing a small object in his hands. The goblin catches site of the torch light, screams out an alarm and starts running away.
As you rush down the sewer you come to a narrow corridor where the goblin ran. As you turn the corner, you can see he is joined with two other goblins! The three young goblin males are armed with vicious looking dogslicers (the famed goblin fighting swords) and bows!