Kalig kicks over the dog rugs to see if there is anything under them. If not, she presumes the room is just sort of an anteroom or something and is ready to move on.
A sigh flew out of Veryl's lips as he noticed the unmistakable look in Breaca's eyes "Dealing with you strong silent types is always tiring" He walked closer to the warrior and handed her the gown, he had almost missed her stare as he was shifting his glance from Merwyn, Kalig and her "I am sure no one would mind, if you took it" He then tapped the chain shirt sewn into his vest, causing the interlinked metal pieces to jingle.
"Armor is something you can never do without, but its nice to have something beautiful to wear when you aren't spilling blood and splitting skulls" The look on his face betrayed no emotion save for the calmness that returned its features.
"They certainly love their doors" Commented the swords man before he scanned the room and tried to listen to any escaped sounds from beyond the doors that surrounded them.
Horatio glances across to Kalig at the half-orc's statement about 'conquests', as if shaken from a reverie. "Well, I'm sure Ameiko would love this," he chuckles, tossing the necklace into the air once and catching it before tucking it safely in his pack. "And it does seem appropriate for the hero to bring treasure for the fair maiden - its practically tradition." His face and tone suddenly grow more serious as he continues. "But I was actually thinking of someone else... My mother. After I was born, she never had nice things, as she simply couldn't afford them. I never saw her wear any jewellery other than her wedding ring. My parents both lived simple lives so that I could be what I wanted. I guess they never thought I'd be a hero." After staring at his rapier for a moment, he finishes, "Whether she kept it or sold it, I think she'd appreciate it."
Moving on, he takes one of the torches and follows the group, remembering the way the smooth jade beads felt between his fingertips.
Breaca blinks in surprise as Veryl presses the fine garment into her hands. It felt wrong somehow in her hands, alien. "I don't know. I think I am ill-suited to it. Perhaps we can take it and sell it for supplies."
When they make it to the bottom of the stairs, the warrioress takes in the mostly empty landing and grimaces at the many doorways leading off to unknown corridors. She moves to the opposite doors as Veryl, also listening at each door.
Kalig kicks over the dog rugs to see if there is anything under them. If not, she presumes the room is just sort of an anteroom or something and is ready to move on.
Other than a fine selection of fleas, there is nothing of note.
The firstr oom you check has the sound of voices from behing it. Goblin voices definitely and female goblin voices probably. It's funny how a short while ago, for most of you goblins were merely something you'd heard of. Now you can tell the difference between them based on their voices alone.
Shoving the scimitar roughly into her belt until she can arrange her gear more adequately, Kalig looks thoughtfully at Horatio as he explains his wish for the items. After a moment, she asks, "What is it like, to have a mother?"
---
When they note the goblin voices, she merely goes silent and looks at the group, waiting for a plan. She has only one hand free so wasn't about to start charging in.
"Try it on when we get back to the cozy inn we call home He gives Breaca a half smile "You're interested in it, you may not say it outright but I've seen that glance one too many times in my life to know when someone is intrigued by something" He gave the proud warrior a friendly pat on the shoulder "Don't deny yourself something you want, especially when there is no risk involved"
....................................................................
Veryl motioned to Horatio to come closer "Care to translate?" He asked the bard before stepping aside to allow him room by the door to listen.
Horatio is somewhat taken aback by Kalig's question, but he mulls it over as he swaps his boned leather vest for the chain shirt, shimmying into the latter somewhat awkwardly and tugging his shirt-collar around his neck. "It's not something I ever really thought about," he admits finally. "I suppose I just assumed - wrongly - that everybody knew what it was like, that everybody had one. A silly assumption to make, and I always knew that, but I made it nonetheless." He rolls his shoulders, trying to adjust to the feeling of the fine steel links - there was nowhere near as much give in this armour. "It's a good feeling," he continues, adjusting the lacing on his vambraces. "To know that someone's always thinking of you, that someone loved you enough - even before laying eyes on you - to do anything for you... it's comforting. It's a feeling of safety, to know that she'll be there to listen when you need to talk, to hold you when you need it, and to forgive you after every falling-out." He chews his lip, trying to find something else to distract himself with. "It's the truest and most pure form of love," he finishes, finally looking up again and meeting Kalig's eyes. "I know that sounds horribly overpoetic of me, but it's the only way I can think to describe it."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------
Veryl asking for his aid shocks the bard again. This day is just full of surprises, isn't it? he wonders, making his way to the door. Setting an ear against it, he slows his breathing, trying to listen for any useful snippets of conversation.
"Hmm," is Kalig's only reply to Horatio, and she seems to drift away in thought. She catches herself a moment later. "Thank you." She remembers to say, and continues on.
"I agree, Veryl! Breaca, you'd look great in that gown. And you could show the world that not every woman dressed in nice clothing is a damsel in distress! Maybe highway bandits will think twice before robbing a caravan when one in two women in gowns is expertly trained in the art of war."
She pauses and smiles. "And you can't deny that the silver trim will look fabulous, glinting in the sun, as you stand on a pile of enemy corpses."
Breaca smirks lightly and shakes her head. "Maybe... Until I trip over my own skirt and tumble down that pile onto my face. That would be fabulous indeed." She grins and, after a moment's hesitation, stuffs the dress into her packs. Can always sell it later.
******
As Veryl and Horatio listen at the door, the warrioress fits an arrow to string and waits....
You hear female goblin voices, clearly intent on flattering a male. Every now and then you hear the sounds that are unmistakeably male but no sentences are spoken, just sounds that suggest he is being 'pampered.'
Horatio reports back to the others in a low tone. "More goblins inside. Multiple females, and at least one male. Do we go in, swords swinging, or do we want to try to grab someone more... Cooperative?"
"I suggest we barge in, gut the chief in front of them, and grab a more talkative captive" He replied to Horatio as he freed his sword from his sheath "This time you can try your luck with them, use magic, honeyed words or whatever you see fit, as long as you think it will get us results" Continued Veryl before turning his eyes towards the rest of the group "Any other suggestions?"f A neutral expression crept into his facade.
Breaca shakes her head. "Works for me."
"If I could make a request, I would like to be the one to spill his guts." This time, Merwyn's earlier trepidation appears to be hidden behind the glint of gnomish mischief and vengeance in her eyes. "And I think I may have finally found a use for this plunger."
You burst into the room. Your senses are almost overwhelmed by the smell. It is clearly what passes for perfume in goblin circles! Pungent doesn't do the smell justice. If you had to decribe it, you'd suggest a blend of vinegar and rotting flowers.
Realising you have the chief with you it is clear that lying on the dozens of ratty cushions, lumpy pillows, and rumpled dogskin furs is an interloper.
There are four hideous goblin women lying here. The object of their attention is a bugbear - and you presume it's Bruthazmus.
He stands to defend himself but his lack of armour and weapons coupled with his current relaxed (yet aroused) state means he's easily overcome.
Ripnugget looks daggers at the bugbear - this is clearly his harem.
You check the room at your leisure and find:
A potion of cure moderate wounds, studded leather armor, heavy flail, masterwork composite longbow (+4 Strength) with 20 arrows and 4 +1 elf-bane arrows, 6 pp
Veryl has a displeased look on his face as he looks at their captured and bound captives "I wonder which one of you I should bloody kill first" He said to the two chiefs "You for making our lives difficult" He points with his sword at Ripnugget "Or you for making me seriously consider celibacy for a few moments" He moves the tip of his weapon to Bruthazamus, the scowl on his face growing.
"Its your show and stage Horatio, sadly your co-star is a bugbear, but you understand how things are with our budget" He gives the bard an encouraging but rather strong slap across the back "Break a leg, we'll watch over the rest" Said the swordsman as he drags Ripnugget away from the bugbear.
"You know Merwyn, I honestly do not wish to know how you are going to spill his guts with a plunger..." He smiles at the gnome as he hands her his short sword "But if you want to deliver the killing blow, be my guest, I don't see why it would matter which one of us did the deed" He then grabs the bow and lobs it slowly at Breaca "A new bow and a new dress in one day, aren't you lucky?"
Merwyn whispers to the group. "You know, since these two don't seem to like each other much, we could pit them against each other in a classic prisoner's dilemma. The one that spills the most beans gets to watch the other get killed. What do you guys think? Maybe you'd like to present to them these grim terms, Horatio?"
Breaca catches the bow and immediately tests its draw by pulling back the string to her ear, giving a surprised and pleased grin to find that it took all of her strength to bring it to full draw. Slowly, so as not to snap the string she lessened the tension as she lowered the weapon. "Lucky indeed. I'll put it to better use than it has seen lately. Here, I believe this is yours."[b] She hands Veryl the bow she had been using.
At Merwyn's whispered suggestion, she grins again. Whispering in turn, she opines, [b]"Sounds good to me. You're a rather devious one. Remind me to stay on your good side."
After taking a moment to wish he'd never witnessed such horrors, Horatio shudders, crouching in front of the bugbear. His knees groan in protest, but he ignores his aches and pains, instead shrugging off his cloak and tossing it over the captive's loins. There are some things I'll be happy to never see again, he thinks bitterly.
"So," he begins, "it appears we interrupted you. From one ladies' man to another, I deeply apologize. Horrible timing on our part." His tone is, he hopes, disarmingly friendly and conversational as he nods to the goblin lasses.
"At any rate," he continues, "we're kind of on a mission here. So - Bruthazmus, is it? - we're going to need to know what you know about this place. Of course, the chief also might have information he's not telling us. So, a proposal for the two of you - you tell us everything you even think we might find useful, and whoever tells us more gets to go free."
"So it is, I am glad you had more use for it than I did, would you mind parting with a few arrows?" Asked Veryl as he hung the bow on his left shoulder.
"Merwyn it frightens me to admit this but, you would have been a great gang leader in Magnimar..." Veryl lets out a low chortle as he looks to the gnome.
"Sure." Breaca replies, and hands Veryl a quiver full. "There are more if you think you will need them."
"It's not too late to start one, Veryl." Merwyn beams and whispers back. "The most important thing is results though; I hope it works."
Miro freezes at the sight they've burst in on, but once getting over his initial repulsion he laughs. "They'll never believe this one." He keeps an eye on then for their reaction to Horatio.
You can almost hear the bugbear's brain ticking over as he contemplates the suggestion. Finally a broad smile plays across his face. "Tell you everything you want to know. What you want to know?"
"Where Nualia is, for a start," Kalig speaks up from the back, still hefting the goblin on her shoulder.
"If you're helpful enough, maybe you can decide how this one dies. Even let you do the honors, if you like. It's clear you're the real leader here anyhow."
The bugbear's chest clearly puffs up at Kalig's words. "Nualia moves around. Maybe this level, maybe one below? Kill Ripnugget? Write his name and slit his throat."
The gagged Ripnugget goes wild at this point, muffled cries coming from his mouth.
Veryl walks closer to the bugbear "Who's with Nualia? Her personal guard? Any assassins? A hand maiden or two?" The last part was told in clear jest, but Veryl's eyes were locked in a stern gaze "And anymore goblin chiefs besides this coward?" The swordsman motioned towards Ripnuggest as if he was the least important thing in the room.
"Who else can we expect to find here?" Horatio asks, keeping his eyes on the captive. "Anyone that may be guarding Nualia... and anyone who might be convinced to try to sieze command, given the right push." At this, he rubs his thumb against his fore and middle fingers, in a gesture he hopes the bugbear will understand. "Also, your numbers. How many goblins did you have command of?"
Turning to Veryl, "There's a longshanks with a very big sword, there's a female longshanks wizard and Nualia. There aren't likely to be any goblins down here. If you got this far, you've probably killed all of his followers. Will you kill him now?"
When Horatio speaks, "Once this idiot is killed, the castle becomes vacant and I might be persuaded to take up residence. At the moment I work alone."
"Well this isn't very fair now. Rip nugget gets his chance to play as well! Your move. Confirming or refuting his information will give you some points, but new information always gets bonus points and he's in the lead!" Merwyn removes the gag.
Ripnugget splutters and offers a few goblin expletives in the bugbear's direction but refuses to talk about Nualia.
Gagging the goblin once more, Veryl grabs him and throws him against one of the walls. Gleaming with what light there was in the room, Veryl's sword shifted from its neutral position and swam in a horizontal arc aimed at Ripnugget's neck.
"No points for you" He replies simply as he watches Ripnugget respond to his wound.
As Veryl, without any warning at all, unexpectedly, suddenly, and violently attempts to tear Ripnugget from Kalig's arms, she snarls at him and holds on tighter--a reflexive reaction from having to protect her person and possessions from all manner of assault from her days amongst the orcs.
She checks herself and takes a breath before saying to the swordsman in a calmer-yet-still-agitated tone, "I thought a gentleman such as yourself would ask before taking something from a lady. Especially a gift he had given her himself, prior. Check your own bloodlust, human."
"Now. Do it right. Write down his name. Then I will hand him to you."
"Do it yourself since you seem so attached to your new gift" Said Veryl, while leaving Ripnugget in Kalig's hands "You'll wish that I have done the deed goblin, my kills are less painful" Walking away from the half-orc, Veryl turned his attention towards Bruthazamus and waited for his interrogation to continue.
"Not so fast. There's more we cold stand to know," the bard continues, trying to get Bruthazmus' attention back on himself. "Malfeshnekor. Do you know who he is?"
"Here's an idea, Mr. Bugbear! If you continue answering all of our questions and being cooperative like this, as well as volunteering information that might be useful to us, then perhaps you might have a chance to cause the death of Ripnugget by your own hand. Wouldn't that be immensely more satisfying than having one of us kill him? And it'd be painful too."
The bugbear looks at Horatio. "It’s some monster that Nualia believes
is imprisoned somewhere below Thistletop. He..."[/b] he jerks his thumb in Ripnugget's dirrection, "Thinks it's a goblin god."
To Merwyn.."You'd let me do that...thank you." He seems genuine in his gratitude.
Kalig nods at Horatio's insistence on completing their conversation with the bugbear, and again at Merwyn's reiteration that they let him kill the goblin.
She looks more concerned at the intelligence the bugbear provides. "So the beast may be here? Where would it be? More specifically than 'below.'"
Breaca makes a thinly veiled look of disgust as Bruthazmus continues to eagerly betray his once employers and comrades. Her eyes narrow and flit from the bugbear to the four goblin women, watching them all in case one should try something. This one is pathetic and cowardly, even for goblin kind. I know it is to our advantage, and his betrayal to our advantage, but I would trust Ripnugget more. He at least has a sort of loyalty.... or is it just that he fears Nualia more than us?
Her companions seemed to have the interrogation in hand, and so she continued to wait, watch, and listen to the proceedings.
The bugbear shrugs at Kalig's question. "Don't go below. Only longshanks go below."
Horatio racks his brains but puts Ripnugget's opinion down to superstition and ignorance.
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"Is it time? Is it time for him to die?" Merwyn pulls out the dogslicer that she picked up earlier and her handy plunger.
"Have you heard anything about 'below' that we should be aware of?"
Once the bugbear answers any other questions to the group's satisfaction, Kalig holds out Ripnugget to Bruthazmus. "To do with as you like." She looks at Merwyn, "You had also offered." To the group, "Unless there are any objections?" She adds to the goblin, "You don't get to object, small and weak thing."
"Oh, and..." If Bruthazmus takes Ripnugget, Kalig takes her spear and with its tip carves into the floor RIPNUGGET.
And once all that is finished, Kalig says to Bruthazmus, "I would get clear of this building if I were you. Your future ambitions aside, I expect our interactions with Nualia or Malfeshkor could get... destructive." She smiles broadly. "And of course, if we see you near Sandpoint later, we will have to kill you. I hope you understand."