"Hmmmph .... an elf is it. Well he and I have business to discuss." Barnabus says and walks out on his stumpy legs.
He walks down the village road to the Mysticality and knocks upon the door.
As you are making your way to the Mysticality the people you pass by great you kindly with warm smiles and; “Morning Sir!”
You make our way to find the Mysticality. You try the handle, and it is unlocked. You enter. A soft chime sounds as the door opens. Shadowy illumination provided by a few candles softly lights the inside of the shop. The scent of lilac incense hangs heavy in the air. This front room hods only a small table and three chairs around it.
Moments after the chime goes off a tall elven man passes through the beaded archway. He is wearing brightly colored clothes, and bedecked with numerous scarves, charms, and trinkets. He looks at you through half-closed eyes and smiles knowingly.
“I know why you are here. You, my dwarf friend, have come with questions. I, Thamior, search for answers. One silver piece gives you a glimpse of the future.”
With a flourish of his cloak, he jestures for you to have a seat as he himself sits down.
Barnabus steps in and takes a seat, laying his warhammer down with a thunk.
"Thaimor I presume? I hope your not a diviner by trade, because I don't think you know why I'm here."
"I here to deliver a message and to tell you that you're in trouble." Barnabus continues as he withdraws an official looking letter and slides it across the table to the elf.
"You've got an overdue library book from the college library and I'm here to collect...." he finishes grimly.
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Dalron comes walking down the steps with the goblin in between himself and Lanliss.
Giving the goblin a meal since it was not an issue over the night.
After eating his own meal, Dalron get up.
"Well we better get over to the smithy for proper restraints. Brunner you want to come along so everything fits right?"
"Lets all meet back at Sten's in two hours, ok everyone? And if someone bumps into Barnabus let him know."
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Walking down the road with the goblin between Brunner and Dalron.
"I think you're right, it would be a mistake to bring him back to town. I don't like the idea of just letting him go if he is going to be a problem for this town later. Maybe we could have him convince the rest of his clan to keep to themselves and not bother anyone again, that's if we can trust him that is. Either way we will need to get rid of the current leader.
Another thing to think about is what to do with the young ones if we come across any. Let them go and this town might have problems next year or just put them down?
After this business with the blacksmith, I am thinking of going to the temple. How about you? Need anything from Sten's?"
Thaimor stands and goes back through the beaded doorway. You hear some ruffling of books and some muttering that is just inaudible. Moments later he comes back through holding two tomes. “My humblest of apologies for having these text for an inappropriate length of time.”
He slides them across the table to you an says; “Is there anything else I can do for you?”
As you are making your way to the smithy, the people you pass by make sure to take wide passes from you. Those with children pull them in tight and hastily pass by.
The two of you realize you have been walking around the small hamlet deep in conversation with eachother. You get the feeling you have been past this spot before. Looking around you hear an all to familiar ringing of iron striking iron. You follow you ears to the smithy.
The smithy is less of a building and more of a flat top shed with no walls. Under the covering you see a table and rack of goods that people of the community might need; tools, nails, bits & bridal, simple weapons, etc. You see a large beaded man standing in front of an anvil working a piece of metal. He is standing there with long sleeves, a heavy apron, and covered in sweat. Behind him out of the covering is his forge, and from where you are standing you can feel the heat coming off from it.
The man looks up and sees you standing there “Didn’t know you were standin there. Hope you weren’t waiting long.” Eyeing the goblin, then the two of you “Heard about a group coming to town with a pet. Didn’t believe it at first, had to see it with my own eyes... Well, what can I do for ya?”
Barnabus's eyes light up when he sees the books are still in good condition.
"Excellent, it is good to see that you have cared for them for all of this time. The new head librarian at the school has decided to become more strict in keeping track of the colllections."
Barnabus sits back in his chair, not collecting the books.
"I would ask a favor of you if I could. My purpose here in Barrow's Edge is twofold. First to check on the whereabouts and condition of these texts. My second purpose is to accompany my companions on a side trip to deal with the goblins that have been plaguing the region."
Barnabus pauses for a momemt and then continues.
"I would ask that you keep these books in your safekeeping a little while longer because I would not risk them on our venture into the wilds. Additionally, if something unfortunate were to happen to me, I would ask that you undertake to return them to the library yourself." the dwarf finishes.
After eating a nice breakfast, Scarlet slips out of the inn. He doesn't really have any place he wants to visit so he decides to do some scouting.
He starts with the main entrance of the village and starts going clockwise around the village's parameter. Checking for any signs of goblin activity. We killed some of them, they might think about retaliating against the village.
;
Lanliss tries to ask any farmers in town for their experiences with goblin attacks and the different routes out to the old mines. He'll look for these farmers in the inn, first, and then try any market areas in town. Evia is welcome to join him.
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" Tell me blacksmith, if the goblins went back to their peaceful ways, would you trade simple items with them?"
looking at the goblin
"ar daan haar kel or daan kaarthaar, duuch or shac tuuc akhalec daan zel'darlaan ac dhar?"
Glancing At Brunner
"Just seeing if we get rid of the leader would that stop the attacks."
As Dalron speaks to the goblin, Garret gives him a questioning look. The goblin responds in goblin.; “You stop her, we stop attacks.”
Walking the parameter of the villiage you do see signs on goblins. But it is only at the outlying buildings, nothing even as close where the wall is being built. You get to the eastern side and you find recent goblinoid footprints. Standing up and looking out, you don’t see any goblins within view. But, you do see the woods start and run into the mountains...
You make your way about the town and find farmers that are able to point you out in the right direction. You are even able to find one farmer whose dad was a miner when it was still running. “I remember playing in the mines when I was just a boy. That seems like so long ago. Once it dried up the dwarfs went home and this hamlet started to shrink in size.” He tells you exact directions to get to the main entrance. He also passes along that it has been about fifty years since it was in use and he is sure that it has become unsafe and grown over.
Scarlet returns to the main part of the village to inform his comrades what he discovered. He looks for them and will tell all of them of his find.
"I found some recent goblin tracks on the east side of town. They lead into the woods, toward the mountain."
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"Thank you Garret, that should do nicely. My name Dalron and my companion is Brunner."
Handing over the three coins to Garret
After hearing the goblin's response
"Oh really." Turning to Brunner "The goblin agrees, we get rid of the current leader, and I assume those loyal to her, and the goblins will leave the town and farms alone."
"Of course if we are betrayed, I WILL be putting a few arrows into this one."
Turning to the goblin and giving it a big toothy smile.
Barnabus smiles at the elf "I appreciate your cooperation in keeping the books safe. I would hate for them to come to harm while we are tending to this errand."
At his question about magical aid.
"We are fairly well prepared, but we wouldn't turn down any aid. Our group has some coin available if there's something you have that would be of use."
"By chance would you have a scroll of the arcane spell grease?" Barnabus asks the wizard.
Evia smells the fresh air. What a town! We surely can't let it fall to hordes of goblins.
She follows behind Lanliss with a smile on her face. She says to the farm boy, "Well perhaps when we're done here, you'll feel it safe enough that your children might play there one day. We hope to have these forests so clear of danger you could let them very well play anywhere. But that may take some time. There is still a whole lot of danger out there for us to deal with."
As she's walking back to meet up with the others she asks Lanliss, never one to pass up the chance to let her feelings be known, or inquire on the feelings of others, she says, "What do you think of half-elves, Lanliss? I know many elves that look down on my kind. Well, I suppose what I'm asking is, are you one of them?"
"Ha ha, no!" Lanliss begins surprised by the question. "I'm different than many elves, but in the opposite way that half-elves are, actually. I've never known any half-elves terribly well before you, although I have no issue with them. But aside from never feeling completely welcome in elven communities, I understand, half-elves are often driven to strike out on their own. Some say that's because of their human blood, but I hate assuming something of someone just because of their racial heritage.
"Like we're doing with a goblin, apparently.
"As for me, I just like to travel. If I can maintain the means to stay constantly on the road, then I can continue to see new places, indefinitely! This is all I've ever wanted. Most elves, after living for a few decades experiencing different vocations, choose one and then choose to devote their remaining years becoming really good at that one particular thing.
"I guess my vocation is to see new places!" The cleric self-consciously laughs.
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Entering the temple Dalron places a gold coin in the tithe box. (-2gp total)
"Greetings Listra priest of Erastil, I am Dalron a humble servant of Erastil.
"My friends and I have come to give aid to this town with their goblin troubles. We are planing to root them out of their hole and make it so they trouble this town no more. It would mean a great deal to me if you would give Erastil's blessing on this."
[b] “Here you are my friend. That will be 25 gold. I wish you the best on your journey. I have been suffering in my business without travelers coming through for a nights rest. When do you take off?”
“Good morning friends! I hope you slept well at our inn. I have something for you.”Standing up, Sten grabs a coin purse off the counter and walks towards you. “Here you go! This is the payment for the equipment that the goblin had. If you happen to find more I will take it. I am planning a trip to go back home, and if I had a good supply of armor and weapons that would fit my people the trip would pay for itself.”
Sten hands you the coin purse. If you look inside and count, it has 103 gold within. “So what can I help you with today?”
Erastil blessings upon you. Word has traveled to me that you have come to protect us from the goblins. We are forever indebted to you and your companions. I would be honored to bless your endeavor.” She raises her hands and says a prayer of the hunt over you two.
“Is there anything else that I can do for you today?”
Brunner and Dalron enter Sten Goodseller’s Emporium, and before them they see a crowded shop. Crowded with both goods and with people. Within he sees Scarlet, Lanliss, and Evia talking to Sten and looking at goods.
Sten sees the two newcomers “Well today is a good day. It has been a long time since I have had this many adventurers within the shop. I was just telling your companions that if you find any more smaller sized equipment that I would take them. I am planning on making a trip home and they could use all the armor and weapons I can bring them. I gave them the gold for the weapons and armor you wanted to get rid of.”
You ask about a lock “I have a few different locks depending on what you would like. But, this simple lock would probably do. Take a look around, if you need anything let me know. I am going to continue to unbox these crates.”
Scarlet smiles at Sten, "Thank you. If we fine anymore armor and weapons we'll definitely bring them to you."
He puts the bag of coins into the group's pool.
"Where is 'home' for you, Sten? Is it in danger?"
Shaking her head, Sten says; “Oh heavens no, its just that we don’t have that great of crafters, and some how it seems that these goblins have some decently skilled people in the tribe. When do you think you’ll be taking off? Is there anything you need from me before you go? Don’t forget, you have some credits with me. You wouldn’t want to get out there and realize you have forgotten something.”
Barnabus answers the elf: "I think we will be heading after the goblins in the morning."
"I'll fetch you the gold from one of my companions who is carrying the money we took off of a goblin spellcaster yesterday."
Barnabus tracks down Scarlet and fetches 25gp from the party treasure.
When he returns, "Here you go my friend. I'm sure it will come in handy when we face down the goblins."
"Do you buy magic as well? If we come across any magical treasures in the possession of the goblins, would you be interested in them?"
"Are we going to wait until tomorrow morning to track down the goblins or go now. It is still early in the day after all."
Evia listened to Lanliss's words. She'd never talked with an elf before, at least not as long as this discussion. Normally it was enough time for them to scoff and be on their way. But Lanliss seemed genuinely different. She nodded at the man's devout love of the road. In that she felt they shared something in common.
She said, the idea coming to her, "I've always loved the road as well. Perhaps you can teach me a few prayers to guide travelers on their way and I can record them in my books!"
Evia asks Sten, "Would you have a map of the area, one to aid in finding our way through the surrounding environs?"
She then turns to the others. "Otherwise I think I am ready to go face this threat."
Sten is glad to be able to help everyone with all their purchase needs. “Brunner, the lock and chain will be 25 of your credits. It should be strong enough to hold the goblin from breaking free but light enough not to cause issues during travel.”
Turning towards Evia, Sten replies; “Unfortunately we do not have any maps of the area made up... But, if you were to make one up as you travel I am sure it would be something the people would want. What do you say, I would be able to offer you some gold for your work?”
Lanliss happily agrees to teach Evia more about Desna and her teachings. Lanliss is ready to leave, this morning.
After finishing with Thaimor, Barnabus rejoins the others.
"Picked up a new trick from the elf in the purple house. Might come in handy if we get stuck in a tight spot."
"I am all set to go."
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"Ok, everyone let's head out. And keep an eye out. Yesterday the goblins set an ambush for us and we walked right into it.
So let's not do that again.
The main reason for our attack is to get rid of their current leader. This one "
Pointing to the goblin.
"says that once the leader is gone. The attacks will stop. So this is not some murder spree, we will defend ourselves, but many of the goblins could be loyal to the leader. How we tell them apart, I do not know, but an unconscious goblin is a safe goblin. We will try and save who we can,
Looking at Brunner
but some may have to die"
"Let's get this done and everyone back in one piece."
Scarlet gets a gleam in his eyes as the group seems ready to go for the 'hunt'. "Alright. Lets go and see who 'she' is and deal with her."
The group gathers their belongings and start off to explore the mountain side. As you start getting into the woods at the base of the mountain the trail starts to become overgrown, and even completely disappears.
Lanliss laughs out loud, for some reason.
"Anyway, one of the farmers in town knew the way. Evia, do you remember what he said?"
Evia tries to think back at what the farmer said, but can't quite remember what he said.
"Hmm," Evia says, "I don't remember what he said. Dalron, do you want to take a stab at tracking the goblins?"
Looking down at the tracks that Dalron points out. "Another wolf. Feel sorta bad about the wolves being enslaved by the goblins."
He draws his bow and starts heading the way the tracks are leading.