Busara breathes out in relief at hearing that there was still time to save the child. She would like to set out right now, but the situation is still delicate and she needs to fully heal the chief in order to gain his trust. Otherwise, all they worked for may be in vain.
With not a lot to do until nightfall, she builds on her previous success of cleaning the chief's wound and gives him (and any other goblins nearby) a basic hygiene primer, as well as explaining to them about various beneficial herbs and roots that can be found in the forest.
If it is alright with Busara and the rest of the bunch, SMAXX would like to do some mounted training exercises with Ollie. Perhaps he can make a beast rider out of the little guy-maybe even teach hime some hand to hand combat.
If it is alright with Ollie, it is okay with me.
Before everyone goes to bed, since she has so many spell slots left at the end of the day, Alis casts Dream Feast on Gibgub, Ollie, and the rest of the party (if they allow it, of course).
Ollie gladly works with Smaxx, although he exasperates Smaxx a bit by continually calling it a 'game.'
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Samxx starts getting a bit exasperated trying to teach Ollie some combat
He pretty much says what the heck and plays a few more games with Ollie to keep him occupied.
Brennus spends his time this evening flitting around the goblin camp, observing the different goblins, looking for factions and other such leverage should the time come he needs it.
Smaxx finds that although mounted combat is completely new (and fun) to Ollie, he does have some training with a blade. He also already knows about flanking.
Busara finds that Gibgub already has a much cleaner instinct than the other goblins, which is why her hut was cleaner. The chief also seems to be relying more and more on Gibgub as his primary advisor.
The chief's wound seems to be healing quickly now. Busara finds that one of the chief's wives seems a quick study in healing, and so is able to leave her with instructions and a supply of herbs for a few days without worry.
The tribe is concerned that they lack a cleric, but considering they served Lamashtu, that doesn't worry you much in the short term.
A bit later in the morning, you hear the sounds of goblins gathering. When you join them, you find they are gathering for the judgement and punishment of Dibdob. The little goblin seems terrified by what he hears. Ollie stands near you and translates, most of the time. When he is called to tell his tale as a witness, he asks another goblin to translate.
The story pieced together during the judgement matches what Gibgub and Ollie told you the night before. When it comes time for punishment, Ollie and Gibgub seem distressed. The sentence handed down for treachery against the chief is something called 'the bag.' Evidently Dibdob convinced the chief to pass a rule sentencing anyone guilty of treachery to the chief to die of some sort of torture with this name. Ollie looks at you, obviously trying to make a hard decision.
"Even Dibdob shouldn't die that way. I want to tell them that, but I'm afraid."
It's okay to be afraid, Ollie, but you need to feel the fear and do the right thing anyway. That's how you learn to be a good person. Maybe some other people agree with you, but they are also scared. If you speak up, then they will have a chance to agree with you, even though they are less brave. ... And we'll be right here to help if anything goes wrong.
"Maybe you should suggest feeding him to Smaxx?" Brennus adds, helpfully, humor glimmering in his little black eyes.
Ollie listens to Alis's words, and gulps. Then he steps forward. "Even Dibdub should not suffer like this. Dibdub betrayed chief, so should die, but should die quickly, not hurty-hurty. Dibdub convinced chief to make new rule because Dibdub like make others hurt, but look where that led Dibdub. Ollie thinks even Dibdub should have mercy of quick death."
Alis wants to let this play out, and for Ollie to have a chance to have the experience he needs to talk it out with the others, but she watches closely, and if anyone responds to Ollie's opinion with physical harm, she will step in.
Azeban watches from above, impressed both with Alis and with Ollie. 'Remarkable.' he thinks to himself. The goblins, while still largely ruled by fear, were displaying more willingness to learn and change than he had ever seen. Azeban could imagine a time when they were able to live alongside others. Of course, it would require that the Fey were not taking advantage of them. It would also depend on what they did next. While watching the scene before him, Azeban begins to wonder what the Fey might even want with human blood - or animal for that matter.
Brennus flies up onto a nearby tree branch to watch the goblins. He still wasn't sure about this whole thing, but he'd help give it a try. Which meant being ready to stealthily interfere with anyone who tried to interrupt it... which would be easier if no one was watching him. He did his best to disappear into the foliage so that he could act unobserved.
Several of the goblins appear ready to attack Ollie for speaking 'against the chief in this way, but the chief raises his hand, and Gibgub yells to them to stop. They do so, confused. Gibgub and the chief talk for a few moments, and then Gibgub motions to you and Ollie to come speak to them.
Alis responds to Gibgub's gesture by joining the group standing with the chief.
Brennus stays hidden. If something goes wrong, he has some tricks to play...
Smaxx will join, drawing close in the most unthreatening manner possible. He is, though, just waiting for any goblin to give him a reason...
Busara approaches, a protective hand on Ollie's shoulder, nodding to the chief.
"And how are you feeling today?" Perhaps well enough that he might be magnanimous with the punishment, if given the right incentive. As a goblin chief, I can imagine that he doesn't want to appear weak in front of his tribe.'
So Busara, Smaxx, and Alis approach the chief, while Brennus remains hidden. What about Azeban and Bethella?
Azeban swoops down and lands on Alis's shoulder, eyeing the chief with some curiosity.
Bethella also comes to talk to the chief. "Ollie, of course, means no disrespect!" she says. "Offering suggestions for how things should be done to be contemplated by the wisdom of the chief is a way to make the tribe stronger, better."
As all of you but Brennus step forward with Ollie to talk to the chief and Gibgub, the goblins of the tribe look at each other in surprise. The chief looks at each of you, and says, "My new chief advisor Gibgub tells me there is wisdom to Ollie's words. I see that Dibdob was taking us down a path we do not want to follow. What do you have to say on the matter of Dibdob's proper punishment for trying to assassinate me?"
"From my point of view, treason is treason, justifiably punishable by death. I know if I were ever to turn in such a way on sweet Busara, I would expect and deserve no less. It all depends on whether you think his actions were tainted by sorcery, and if you think he is some how redeemable. If you do choose death, it should be quick and painless, otherwise you travel down a road that proves you no better than him. I've heard people say that karma is a death hag...but what most people do not realize is that karma is a two-faced death hag-if you prove yourself no better than the one who has wronged you...you justify what they did to you in the first place!"
Bethella nods. "If it is the tradition of your tribe and your will, then sentence him to death. But I agree with what the others have said; make it quick. Death is penalty enough. He will be judged in Pharasma's Boneyard, where his soul will go on to receive whatever justice it has earned in the Great Beyond."
Alis does not speak, but silently encourages Ollie to stand up for himself.
Brennus waits to see if mysterious voices from the air will be needed.
Gibgub whispers something into the chief's ear. He nods and turns to you. "I have heard what you say. Thank you for your advice."
He then waves you back to where you were standing.
He has Dibdob brought closer to him. "For your treachery, the penalty is death. Choose for yourself how to die. Tell us where to save the human child, and your death will be swift. Refuse to tell us, and your own punishment shall be on your own head."
Dibdob's legs begin to shake. He explains how to find a hidden clearing in the woods, based on some event that happened a few years ago that all the other goblins seem to understand. Ollie nods that he, also, knows what clearing Dibdob is talking about. Dibdob tells you that he took the human child there, and the fae took him.
The chief nods, and several goblin warriors move forward and slice at Dibdob with their dogslicers. It's rather grisly to watch, but it is indeed quick.
The chief announces that Gibgub has been promoted to his chief advisor. He also names Ollie as representative to the humans. Ollie is to go help rescue the human child, and then go visit the human town to see what he can learn. Then Ollie is to come back and teach the other goblins what he has learned.
Busara watches as Dibdob is executed for his crimes, the grim expression on her face belying the embers of hope being fanned to life in her heart. They had come here expecting the worst, but instead these goblins have showed wisdom, willingness to coexist peacefully and even a measure of justice.
And now that they know where to go, she is ready to find these fey and hopefully save the human child. They have Ollie as a guide, but she would feel better if she would be able to discern the location on her own.
Busara can't gather any information from Dibdob's description because it was an event the goblins experienced, but she is able to ask Ollie questions and know the general area they need to travel to. She knows it's about a half day's journey for the least hardy members of her new party.
Brennus little trusts the goblins' show of change, but if the others are willing to give them a chance... well, he's not going to try something on his own. And besides, these fey sound like a worse problem. And so for now he holds his peace.
Alis is glad that Ollie stood up for himself, and that the Goblins made some positive steps, but now that they have a lead on the missing child, she is anxious to follow it.
Thank you, Chief. You are very wise, and we appreciate your help. We must leave now to rescue the human child, but we wish you all well, and look forward to working with you in the future.
Before they leave she also finds the goblin that she promised pie, and tells him that she remembers that she owes him pie, but that she can't deliver them until after they face the faeries. Then she follows Busara and Ollie as they lead the way that they should go.
Bethella says, "Now that that grim business is finished with, let's move on to find the child as quickly as we can."
Agreed. I pray he is still alive.
I'm good to continue.
Ollie and Busara lead the group quickly towards the location Dibdob indicated. Ollie seems to have decided that Smaxx is his new best friend, and happily chatters to him on the way.
Alis keeps an eye out for trouble.
Brennus perches on Bethella's shoulder again after they're out of the goblin camp. He gives everyone in the group a good, hard look.
"Fey are very tricky," he states. "Everyone keep your wits sharp! Don't trust anything that seems even a bit off! But if we're clever, perhaps we can be the ones to trick them..."