ACtually, The sense motive was for everyone
Pepperclamp:What is new is that the guards are doing requisitions...but as Lord El'druin pointed out, this are unusual times
Continuing, you are finally reaching Tuskkeep. The walled city ins on top of a small hill.
Oh well. I want to warn you though, Looking at me and the wolf riders you might have make the wrong mental image of the goblins of Tuskkeep. You see, to establish a city was a major feat for a goblin, King Ashorgal was not a legend for nothing after all. We still are, well, wild.
"To be honest with you, I was kind of hoping that was the case."
Finally you reach the walls of Tuskkeep. They are way more rustic than the ones in Aldwall but no less strong.
You are stopped and informed that horses can not enter in Tuskkeep, they will be tend in a stable in the outsides of the city.
Before entering, Pepperclamp say a last thing
Whatever you do, never ever mention the word dog to any goblin here...seriously. Well, good luck.
3 goblin powered rickshaws await for you to take you to the embassy
Ammra whispering:Somebody have to go with the carriage to retrieve vralyiya
"I'll go. She trusts me."
"Suit yourself."
@ Sven
You wait until the stable is alone and Vraljyiya can get out. That was terrible...
@ Desmond, Vendrick
You sit on the rickshaws and so you are driven into the chaotic city, the drivers already know to where to take you.
The small and rusty streets are full of movement. Goblins are walking and running everywhere, the drivers of the rickshaws have to shout every time.
After a corner you have to stop because two goblin peasants are fighting. You wait 2 minutes until one of the drives notices one of the combatant is his cousin and then join and then hurries to join the street brawl.
Sven debates with himself on breaking up the fight, but decides it might be more fun to watch for a bit.
If they start taking too long, he'll get frustrated and just start pulling the rickshaw himself.
"I wonder if this is coming out of our fare..."
The ex-driver goes and bite his cousin chin, and with a surprising stamina and jaw strength he doesn't release the chin no matter how violently his cousin kicks. The brawl continue on until they are stopped by goblin guards in rusty plate mails who strike them with macanas
Nothing to see here visitors, carry on
With no other option Sven pull that Rickshaw and follows the other rickshaws.
Your destination is a more civilized neighborhood, where the street are more calmed. You reach the embassy, is very calm there, only one guard is "waiting" for you, he is sleeping supported against a wood stake, his mouth wide open and his helmet covering his eyes.
Desmond whistles loudly at him.
If that doesn't wake him up: "Maybe someone should bite him 'Hello'."
the goblin rise a little bit his helmet to see you and, while scratching his tummy, answer lethargically -Yes?... -
He stares at you for a second like waiting for an answer of your part and then realize something and jumps to stand up letting his helmet to fall.
The longsh...Ahem,... the Human ambassador?
"Well, he's not human, but you've got the right idea."
He gestures to Vendrick. "This is Vendrick El'druin, the new ambassador from Aidwall."
"The two of us are just bodyguards," he adds as he points to Sven.
"Yes. We are bodyguards." Sven flexes for effect.
oh, yeah, I had to call the captain once you came...I think I will do that now - And he does that. 10 minutes later A more disciplined goblins comes.
I'm so sorry for the poor attention, let me introduce myself, I'm captain Saxl Sharplblast - he orders lesser goblins to take your baggage into the house.
This house is for your use Mr Ambassador and for the use of your personal guard. You will find it have everything you need to have in order to guarantee a comfortable life...If I may state an opinion, I'm surprised to see so few bodyguards, I'm afraid that with the last..*cough*.. events, we have to be cautious...If the ambassador so desires, I can offer a small troop for your protection.
"My men are quite capable Sir Sharplblast. The small troop can be used to patrol the area. My men can handle would-be assassins." Vendrick says whilst nodding towards the flexing men.
"A bit eager they are to prove their worth as well. Anyways, where is the previous ambassador? I would like to speak with him before he departs."
Sharpblast:Of course. Mr Giantslayer wanted to talk with his successor anyways, I will send him a message...Well, I hope you enjoy your stay in Tuskkeep, surely King Kayiqard will want to meet with you soon, but I doubt It will be today.
===
You had the house for your own. It is two-floor house with plenty of windows. There is a crew of four human servants and two cooks ready to do their jobs.
Vraljyiya can stop hiding, and it is hungry.
Ex-ambassador Giantslayer comes to see Vendrick about half an hour later. He is a small and fragile white man in his mid 40, the blonde of his hair is mostly gone and now the silver dominates.
Greetings
"And to you, sir. I was hoping you could get me up to date on whats going on around Tuskkeep."
Desmond stands at the far side of the room, trying to look guard-like.
Well, things have been somewhat tense because, well, you already know I guess. A riot almost happened, but the anger of the goblins was channeled against the "traitors", Goblins are prone to get distracted.
"Traitors?"
"I assume the traitors are those blamed for killing the previous king."
Yes, a handful of goblins of some renown were accused of betrayal. Few would have believed the accusation was true, but alas, two of them confessed publicly before their execution.
"Were they checked for enchantments or other magical influence when they confessed?"
Of course not, besides, more than a few wanted the formed tax collector dead anyways.
Sven can't resist speaking up at that.
"So, basically what you're saying is, everybody just assumed the king was telling the truth...because nobody liked those people?"
"And here I was worried that I wouldn't be able to keep up with all these politics."
"So, what do you think of the new king? Does he seem...oh, how do I put this...competent?"
Replying to Sven
Not everybody I'm sure, but enough, the others were coward...or wise enough to stay quiet. I guess, deep in their mind most goblins don't believe it, but the herd mentality prevailed
Replying to Desmond
Well, he seems cunning, but I don't believe he will maintain the order, that requires more. The former king have some aura of authority, completely necessary to deal with all the chaos of a city filled with goblins...to be honest, I'm happy I'm being replaced, I predict there will be chaos soon
"To be honest, we have reason to believe the King is connected to the murder of the previous king. Any leads on that?"
Shhhh!, you shouldn't speak so loudly. Yes, that is a possibility, but if everything remains as before who cares?
"But of course! We're just trying to get a feel for the political climate here - it's not like we have any personal interest in the matter."
"So, is there anything else you think we ought to know about Tuskkeep? We've been informed already about the dangers of the d-word." He whispers that last phrase, somewhat mockingly.
King Kayiqard will probably want to meet the new ambassador In case you want him to like you, he really likes to be flattered...Well, I have to go to prepare my journey back to Aldwall
"Well, let's go meet him then."
Vendrick sighs.
"I can only imagine what this is going to be like."
"Now, in my experience kings love to hear about how much you love serving them, and this one sounds no different. Remember: We are political puppets who love maintaining the status quo, and certainly have no interest in snooping around in places we don't belong."
"Be on your best behavior, at least as long as the king and his lackeys are looking at us."
The former ambassador leaves. You spent the rest of the day making any preparation you want. Sven can testify that a small group of goblins patrol the area.
In the night, as foresighted by giantslayer, you receive a letter of invitation to the king's abode for a dinner.
Vraljyiya (who tries to be as concealed as possible, and is now using a rudimentary disguise just in case): He didn't gave you much time to prepare, at least the food will not be poisoned...I think
"Bah. Not like a little poison can put any of us down anyway."
"Um, yes...definitely."
"Besides, he won't waste poison on us if we seem harmless."
"I'm sure goblin cuisine will be poisonous enough in it's own right."
Vral raises an eyebrow at Vendrick's words, she seem surprised by them.
Ok, I suppose you go. A couple of rickshaws pick you up and the captain of the goblin patrol that guard offers his goblins to guard you in your way.
Minutes later you are at the gates of Tuskkeep keep. A disorganized collection of walls, towers and other buildings. It is obvious for the naked eyes that the keep was not planified, but instead they add new part every now and then and fit the new part the best they can to the older ones.
"Heads up. That bird is acting suspicious."
Desmond doesn't turn to look.
"And how suspicious would it be if we all suddenly became very interested in that bird? Ignore it for now."
"Likely a familiar of some sort. Cant tell unless Im up close to examine. I hear goblin druids are fairly common and the rare goblin wizards do occassionally come about when one ignores the idiotic stigma these goblins have for reading."
The keep is heavily patrolled, every goblin guard notice your presence and they seem somewhat paranoiac.
A well dressed young female goblin approach:
Greetings, the king is waiting for yo honorable ambassador. But first, as you surely will understand, we need you to leave here all your weapons and offensive magic trinkets
Sven hands over his bow and amulet.
Desmond surrenders his crossbow, dagger, and after a moment of hesitation, his katana.