In a screechy voice he whispers down barely peeking over the edge of the column, "Yes hobby scary. I Scaz, I scout, though whole tribe has gone mad wit goo. Magic man come and go. More go than anything. He take scary dog man with him and goblins grab goo."
what can you tell us about the Magic Man and the scary dog man ? she ask nicely
What happens when a goblin takes the goo? Where do the magic man and dog man come from? Where do they go?
He then whispers to Sareth
As long as he's up there he has no reason to tell us the truth. He's completely safe from any sort of retribution or consequence for lying to us.
Mirage was about to give a proper answer to Ondrea, but the sudden appearance of an enemy has their perks. He takes a look at the goblin, and since one goblin does not make summer, he gives up trying to kill it.
"If you're fighting I'll not kill you, loser." Mirage has a look of pity on his face. "Tell us about these outsiders. I'll help to get rid of them." He really means it.
Sareth whispers back to Arthur:
"I know that but I'm not entirely sure he knows that. I'm open to suggestions on how to get him down."
He then looks back up to the goblin awaiting what he has to say.
Just as long as we're clear we're taking his intel with a grain of salt.
The goblin all but shrieks at Arsil's question, then he hushes himself, "No, no, no we mustn't speak of the magic man for he cursed our tribe if we do we explode."
"Most took the goo and ate it and became stronger, stranger and, and, magic for some." He says with depression and sadness.
He pokes his head out further looking at the hobgoblin, "You make less sense than drunk gobos, I don't..." He seems to be inquisitive and definetely glad that you are not attacking but his limit of common comes to an end and reverts back to goblin.
You think it would take some good effort to topple any of the columns, they are about four feet thick. Likely a strength check of DC 26.
The goblin looks at Arthur and asks simply, "Salt, what of salt?"
Sareth mutters to himself: "Stupid bloody goblins"
Turning to Mirage, he asks: "I assume you understand him. Anything useful?"
Finally, he turns to the goblin: "Look, Scaz, I know you are scared. But you have already spoken of the magic man to us. If the curse was real, you would have already exploded. So, I'm sure you can tell us more."
The goblin seems to be even terrified now, shrieking out, "No! Nooo, I didn't, I... no, you trick me!"
"Hey, hey, hey, Scaz! Calm down. We're not trying to trick you."
Sensing that the goblin is calming down, Sareth continues: "Look, I'm just telling it like I see it. I think the magic man is the one who is tricking your whole tribe. I don't know why or what he is up to, but if you help us, we can get to the bottom of this."
Indeed. We are not here for you. But should we kill the Magic Man and his Scary Dog Man. Than any curse he has placed on you will be lifted. The faster we get to the magic man the faster you can have no more curse.
Mirage keeps laughing at the goblin and talking to it, but this time in a weird language.
He turns to Sareth to add something before waiting for the goblin's reply. "Of course I understand him. Next time study a little more, will ya?"
Sareth bristles a bit at Mirage's comment before letting it go.
I'm afraid the church didn't prioritize understanding goblin in our training. They're very hard to convert.
Scaz nods and stays on top of the column, he keeps nodding to everyone that is talking. He only responds back to Mirage though in goblin.
"He's saying the magic man has come for the last few months and gave them the goo so they would eat it and get stronger. Last month there was a weird dog and some men protecting the goo. Last visit there was also a woman with him, and the boss took them away when he left, leaving the remaining goo unprotected, and it seems some guys took too much of it."
Mirage and the goblin spend a couple of minutes talking, but Mirage tries to translate everything after.
Well we can also try to track their steps from when they last came to the village. Human tracks are different from goblin's from what i know. could you ask him is there was a specific place they meet for the magic goo or even better how they came into contact the first time ?
Mirage asks Arsil's questions, and add another one.
Could you also ask him to describe the dog for me? I doubt he'd describe any typical pet or guard as weird or unusual.
Wait they've been eating that stuff? That can't be good. You'll probably get your count if that's true Mirage. Did Scaz eat any?
"Ok folks, you will want to hear this." He takes a moment to put some thriller in the air, then continues. "He's saying they always come from that cave we we're looking at, calling it the Cave of Death. They always come at the beginning of the month, but he doesn't know when. The dog is half man, with the head of a dog." He stops a second to recollect the information and continues. "They lose their minds when they eat the goo, and start eating only that. He says he had to eat some, but didn't had much. I believe him." He then turns again to the goblin with more comments.
Sareth pauses for a moment while digesting the information that Mirage was translating.
"It looks like we'll definitely have to take a closer look at that cave. Whatever is in there is no longer at rest, I think, if it ever was"
He thinks for a moment longer before continuing: "The question is, do we go back there now, or do we pay a visit to the rest of Scaz's tribe first?"
He points out the smoke he'd spotted earlier.
"I'm guessing we'll find them by the smoke."
So if we're going to start counting, there's one thing you should know. I sometimes get a little bit involved in the fight.
If you didn't understand that bit, I can teach you some of the language eventually, but for now just remember to point at things you want me to notice in the meantime.
Arthur looks concerned.
Do you know if you will recognize your name? Do you still keep your cognitive ability?
I'll make it simple. The goblin has lived up to the bargain that we made. He gave up useful information in exchange for us letting him go. So that the end of that he will get to walk. she pause for a few seconds as she is considering options
Back to the cave it is. Be ready to deal with darkness, evil outsiders and the whole shabang
She will be fine Arthur she is just "paying" for some of the powers she is a conduit for
Mirage is kinda disoriented, now. "Well, I thought we were eliminating the current threat, not the future threat. Are you sure you don't wanna deal with the twisted green and shining goblins that will cause problem to a lot of people soon enough?"
Arthur shakes his head at Mirage's question.
Likely that will be like trying to put out a fire with a blanket when there's a dragon about. You might stop the goblins in one location, but more'll just pop up again later. It's entirely possible that these two men will move their operation soon, and then we'll have lost our only lead on them.
Well we are also going to deal with the rest of the goblin threat this magic man is also part of the problem. We have faced some of these mutated goblins and the one that don't die to the mutation are more worrisome than normal goblins she replied to mirage
And since the case is right here but don't have to walk to far to look for a fight and test the newcomers might against yours she winks at him
Oh I think we should definitely do something about the goblins. Leave evil be and it tends to fester.
Ondrea draws her bow, and looks at a selection of broad shafts.
Better to prune the small evils before they bloom.
She lapses into celestial as her thoughts turn to combat.
As soon as Ondrea will take her bow and look at fire-ring her arrow at the goblin
Arsil will intervene putting herself in the line of fire (if she cant physically prevent the longbow to be fired)
Sensing that the situation was about to escalate, Sareth shouts up to the goblin:
"Scaz! I think you better leave now. We'll be headed to your tribe so don't go that way or this one is likely to shoot you." He points to Ondrea who's got her bow out and ready.
Moving up to her, he puts a hand on her shoulder: "How about we save those arrows, eh? The little one has been most helpful and should get a chance at finding a better path."
Mirage also draws his longbow, but this is not like a regular longbow, in any case. It's made of a dark wood, and has some strange red tribal drawings on it, that seem to shine. Definitely not a mundane weapon.
He notches an arrow, but does not pull. He's looking at Ondrea, and it's clear he's just waiting for something to pull the bow and shoot. "I didn't understand a single word you said, but if you try to kill that useless bastard you're gonna have problems with me."
Arthur does not stand between the people flailing around magical weapons and speaking languages he does not know, instead electing to move back from the group. He doesn't seem worried, though, just not wanting to get involved.
And I guess I was right the first time: unprofessional all around. This is why I work alone.
The goblin not understanding what is going on drops flat against the column again.
Locke knows better and has let the group work out as it works out. Now a rift could easily be starting to form and it is time for him to act. "I think it would be best for Scaz and the rest of us if he stays with us, of course by his choice, then again with the other options I am sure he will stick around with plenty of food and a good possibility of a place to stay. I am sure Mirage would have no issue taking him under his wing. I can also see if some of my magics can cleanse the goblin of the 'goo' but that will have to wait for a body of water."
Mirage listens and nod but does not relax yet, waiting for Ondrea. "Let him be. One day first level adventurers will be looking for some experience and Scaz will do its job."
Arthur has had enough of this nonsense and refuses to be held up by a goblin of no consequence with no tribe. He turns and shouts to the goblin, his face and demeanor indicating boredom.
I'm of a mind to let her shoot you regardless of what promises have been made to you, no skin off my back if there's another dead goblin laying about. That being said, it's also no skin off my back if you run into the woods to become wolf food and we decide you're not worth the effort to track down. If I were you little one, I'd start running. Now.
Arsil will look at the cave and then turns to everyone once the goblin situation is resolved one way or an other
It looks like i need to repeat myself. We have agreed to you're riding with us for the time being while we reviewed your "applications" to our group currently comprised of Lock, myself and Mirage. We fully expect you to abide by what we decide when there is a need for it. If you can not adventure because of that then i suggest you leave. I will not repeat myself again as i believe with this you're second reminder. You have been sufficiently warned. The next time there will be consequences. I hope this is crystal clear: You coming inside the cave with us means you will follow orders when given.
Her stare turns to icy cold as she gives time for everyone to deceid
The goblin runs... and falls down between the 3rd and 4th column. He quickly gets up and flees. Unless someone puts an arrow in him or something he runs for his life.
"Now that the Scaz issue has been decided," he slightly glares at Arthur for a moment then continues, "Mirage and any others that are stealthy would you be kind enough to scout out the goblin camp for us. We just need to know the best route to attack and their numbers." Locke asks with kindness and the experience of being a speaker for years.
You're right.
She turns and leaves.
Mirage shrugs again. "So, make up your mind! Are we going to the cave or getting rid of the goblins first?" He looks at everyone to see what would they prefer. "I favor the camp."
Sareth looks at Mirage: "I believe that Locke wanted you to have a scout of the camp before we rush in. I'll probably stick behind as discretion is not really my strong suit"
He grabs the rains of his horse and looks for a suitable place to attach them.
"I'll probably leave my horse here for the time being if we are going to fight."
With the answer Mirage shakes his body a little, testing how much noise the full plate makes. "This is quite problematic, but I guess it will do. Who else is coming?"
Arthur ignores the implications of what Locke and Arsil are saying and walks over next to Mirage.
Well, there goes our ranged support. Probably going to need to start picking off stragglers quickly ad quietly now.
I'm decent enough at sneaking about. If it's the two of us let's get moving.
He turns to Arsil.
Mind if we start knocking heads right away if we can get away with it, or are we going to go completely dark, here?
Don't want the boss to get mad.
Mirage accepts the challenge without waiting for Arsil's answer. "Deal. Let's see what we find! We should be back in 10." Slowly but steady he moves toward the camp, paying attention to everything around him to avoid more scouts.
Mirage certainly moves smoothly enough for someone in Full Plate.
Al sat back and watched the proceedings with a bit of an impassive eye. It was an argument of ideals, and hardly worth entering either way in his mind. After all, they were arguing about a goblin. Well, whatever. It's not like it came to blows or anything. He did have to admit he'd miss that cute thing that helped him out once. But it didn't mean he'd follow her like a lost puppy.
As the group seems to decide on a scouting party, Al looks suitably bored. But it wasn't so bad. If they were going to do all the work and still give him a share, he wouldn't complain. He stared off at the retreating figure of Ondrea as she left. "Young people and their ideals... I hope it doesn't get her killed someday."
Arthur and Mirage move out on foot toward the goblin camp. Once you get to the outskirts, about a 500 foot walk, you can see this is not a normal goblin camp. The fires seem to burn high, as if the goblins have collected material to keep a bonfire going. You can see the fire and the dancing goblins around. There are piles of bright green goo everywhere. About a dozen goblins are dancing around the bonfire. Another half dozen seem to be wandering around. The dens of the goblins appear to be caves set in the cliff side, there are ten man sized caves and one big one.
They might not see Mirage in his full plate but they see Arthur. The closest group of something hidden in the foliage, they gasp as they see you but nothing else.
Let's get ready in case they come back with all the greenskins at their heel she says with a smile
so let's see how good is that arthur guy