Rikaku seems a little saddened that Trogg is only interested in his pen and ink, not his Common-learning progress, and the little kobold's shoulders slump a little as he re-pockets the well-loved journal. With the dwarf seemingly occupied, he jumps back downstairs to catch up with what's going on with Varis.
"Do far-move rune-circle take away big-folk and little-folk too?" Rikaku wonders. He eyes one of the goblins curiously. "Rikaku want to drag goblin onto rune. See if he goes."
to Rikaku, Well, it is only a goblin. Just make sure you don't activate the rune yourself.
To Variel, What do you know about these goblins, do recognize anything about them? Are they from a tribe around here? We may be able to ransom them back to their tribe. And if so, then we will know where they are holed up, you know, just in case.
By her description of where she was from she is likely from the forest nearby Chamarel.
Rikaku places one of the goblins on the rune, stepping away nothing happens to the goblin.
Variel says that he has heard stories of goblins near these parts. They used to raid trade caravans when the nobles were still around. Though they since fled. Rumours are the goblins fled to the forest north of the mountain.
"I probably should explain what's going on. After we defeated the mistfiend, I detected an aura, part fey, part undead, coming from the chair. After smashing the chair, I found a book in my pocket with the same aura on it. I can use it to communicate with someone who claims to be a dryad named Denya who used to live somewhere in the forest around here, but is now trapped in dark, winding tunnels with some others. She says there are many mistfiends still out there in the forest, and that they didn't seem malicious though she feels they are masking their true motives.
"What else should I ask her?"
Hearing Variel talk about the goblins raiding caravans sparks that part of Beren's memory that he has been running from since he left home. He becomes visibly agitated and has to move away from the goblins to keep from throttling one of them.
He listens intently to Trogg, trying to bring himself back down under control. "So we have goblins in the woods north of the mountain as well as these mistfiend things. Is there any indication they are working together. I suppose there is one way to find out. Beren then walks back over to the goblins, looking for one that looks more 'intelligent' than the others and using the flat of his axe, knocks him cold. "After a few minutes, someone bring this one back around and we can question him."
I understand a little common, though I am not very good at it. I can definitely give it a go. I am fluent in Sylvan if you'd prefer that either.
The others who were trapped are my friends from the trees, dryads, treants, unicorns. Stolen from their homes and left to wander dark tunnels. I was there with them until they bound my spirit here to this old place. Then you freed me from my binding.
I am sorry I know not much of goblins here, many are afraid to venture into the forests where I used to stay. Although many were curious.
Beren smacks the goblin on the head and he falls over unconscious, after he is roused he still has that blank look on his face. Beren grows a little suspicious of the situation and picks up the goblin. As he grabs the scuff of the goblin's shirt he feels a strange lump in it's chest of it were made of metal. Investigating further Beren finds a small pyramid shaped bronze block sticking out of the goblin's chest cavity. Beren can just about hear a whisper of a voice coming from inside of it.
"What's that, Beren?" Jazz leans in closer as Beren uncovers the block in the goblin's chest. He scrutinizes it carefully, and says softly "What have those big bad mistfiends done to you, little one?" in Goblin.
Knowledge (arcana)
Trogg will examine the block with detect magic and spirit sight after Jazz is done.
Jazz examines the block and finds it to be a mind altering in someway. Trogg can see there is a magic effect binding the block to the goblin though the block isn't exactly magical. His spirit sense can see that there is a spirit of a creature in the block. Jazz makes a link to see that the block likely contains a magical creature affecting the goblin's mind inside of the block. Trogg isn't sure if it is alive or dead however.
As the others investigate the one goblin Beren manhandled, Rikaku goes about checking the other goblins to see if they all have the same strange triangular implant. He'll poke one of the implants a couple of times before trying to speak into it. "Ah, hello? Yes? Who there?"
Beren is taken aback by the discovery of the blocks in the chests of the goblins. He almost feels some pity for the creature.
He backs off to let the magical types take a look at this new development. This place is getting stranger all the time.
Variel is shocked.
I've heard of, let alone seen such... slavery before - even in the darkest of the tales of the Starfall.
He starts trying to see if the block can be safely removed.
Rikaku can see that all these goblins indeed do have these devices. Rikaku tries to talk to the objects but gets no reply.
Variel examines the devices and finds that there are small grooves at the base of each block that seem to be softer than the rest of the block. Pressing them in seems to release a latch that Variel can hear inside the skin of the goblin. This does not seem to be harming the goblin, there isn't any blood seeping out nor does the goblin react to the inspection.
The goblin starts to blink furiously then begins crying, he yells some obscenities in goblin then yell out. "Ahhhhhhhhhhh, how long has eyes be burning awwwww! ow ow ow, it hurts to close dem why, why does it argh!?" The goblin starts to roll around on the ground, somewhat oblivious to where it is. He is too preoccupied with the pain.
Variel flinches as the Goblin reacts so strongly to the removal of the object.
"Well now I have seen it all." Beren gasps as the device is removed from the chest of the goblin. He keeps his guard up in case the goblin decides that it needs to take out his pain on the company.
Jazz moves forward immediately at the Goblin's revival. "Here, drink water and tell us what happened -- what do you remember? We won't hurt you," he says to the creature in its native language.
The goblin stops flailing when he sits up. Stares up at the group, looks around on his own person, then at Jazz's outstretched hand with water. Slowly and cautiously he extends his arm. The goblin snatches the drink from Jazz's hand, takes a few large gulps then sprays the rest on his face. The goblin rubs his eyes furiously before he replies in common.
"Er we we.. promise not to hurt? .. we found rich man walking out in forest. He had pretty horse! Must be rich! We take to trees follow him. Man pressed his hand on mountain side, big doors appear! Opens up mountain! Boss thought he escape, so we jump him!" The goblins arms are flailing throughout the explanation.
"Boss go first, man turns around his eyes starting to make bright lights. Man grabs boss by head and twists it off with one hand! Poor boss, tried his best. The rest of us feel green.. urk, greener than normal, so much fear. All of us run, but man trap us already, we think man did. Walls that we could not see everywhere. Man pick up Krsk first, punches his chest. Krsk fall over and get back up looking.. looking" He points at one of the other goblins. "Like that!! Next he come for me, picks me up. He whispers something in my ear." The goblin rears his head up trying to mimic the voice of nobleman poorly. "Your desire is forfeit" The goblin slumps back down. "Whatever that mean?! Next I feel something in my chest, like song. More whispers.. more whispers, never ending whispers. Then my eyes start burning. Then points gives me drink... " He looks around worried at the party. "That it I swear! Please don't twist head off!" He braces himself for a punch.
Jazz tries to play off the Goblin's fears a bit longer before assuring him he's safe. "What did that man look like, tell me quick now!" he demands sternly.
"I wonder what would happen if we tried to replace the block?" Trogg says to no one in particular.
"We are going to need you to lead us to this door in the mountain. This might be the cave that none of the townspeople can seem to remember." Beren keeps to the back of the group, not getting to close to the goblin.
The goblin peeks through his arms braced around him and says "Man, look like man, human. Quite tall, wearing white with brown cloak. His cloak had shiny gold to tie it to him. Hair dark and short, wears something over his eyes. Those seeing helping things."
He nods at Beren "I can take you there, promise I will."
Rikaku arches a brow at the nervous little goblin but pays him little heed. The rest of the group seems to be considering moving out at this stage, thankfully; the little kobold is already bored with the yabbering and has exhausted all avenues of entertaining himself. "What we do with rest of goblin?" he asks, pointing at the still-stupefied group of them. "Take out gold-box before go?"
Beren does not know what to do about the goblins, if they had been from his homeland he would have killed them without a thought, but the thought of them mindlessly being held against their will is repugnant to him. If he is to let these goblins go however, they will go back to attacking travelers, and he cannot abide that.
"We need to free the rest of these goblins, no one should be enslaved, especially by compulsion magic. Unless someone objects."If no one objects, he removes the objects from all of their chests. Once this is done and they come around to something resembling normal he issues this warning. "Know this, should I hear of any goblin attacks on the people of this town, I will make it my mission in life to hunt and kill all of you."
To the rest of the group, "We should head back to town and gear up to explore the northern forest, and try to find the mountain door."
Once the goblins have been revived, Jazz helps gather them all together against one wall with the threatening curve of his sword. Once they've settled down and seem ready to listen, he points at Beren as he gives his speech of warning. Then, he crouches down to their level and looks steadily into each of their large eyes. In Goblin, he says, "Do not tempt your lucky fate. That angry man there," pointing to beren, "quells a rage inside of him against your kind -- a justified, extremely personal rage that he can barely contain. If it were just him in this room, he'd have ripped you apart limb by limb and turned your bones into musical instruments to sing him softly to sleep each night. You are only still alive because we think you deserve a second chance to prove yourselves worthy of life."
He pauses for breath and sheaths his sword, standing back up to his full height. "As my friend says, any word or the slightest rumor of your kind attacking folks in these parts... and your end will be swift and painful. We are going to kill the man who imprisoned you, and that means that we can kill you as easy as nothing if you give us a reason. Consider this a second chance at a good, decent life. You may inhabit this tower for shelter if you keep it well maintained and peaceful. In the end, you might find that a life of goodness and kindness is more beneficial than the troublesome, chaotic lives you've known until now." He lets all of it sink in, and then ends with, "Finally, if you live up to our expectations and exist to help and serve the forces of good and justice, you can expect the reward of my friendship and protection. No living thing deserves the enslavement you've suffered, and in the end we might be able to help each other..."
Jazz quickly translates his little deal to the rest of the group and says, "I understand if any of you'd rather not deal with these little ones in the future, but if they stay and live true to my guidelines then I will take responsibility for them. I don't expect any of you to unwillingly help them, but I am a man of my word and will personally maintain that until they break the rules."
"We should head back to town and gear up to explore the northern forest, and try to find the mountain door."
I agree friend Beren... this seems the most prudent option.
The goblins huddle up in their group scared of the elf and human. After their very real threats one of the goblin shouts at another.
One of the goblins darts out of the tower as fast as he can.
The one who shouted replies to Jazz agreeing to his terms. The other goblin you were talking to steps up and says in common.
"Eheh, so, I come with you to show you.. things .. right?"
To the goblin we first freed, You wait here until we return tomorrow, then you can lead us to the mountain door. I don't need to say how disappointed I will be if you are not here.
Beren leaves the tower, with Variel in tow, and once the group has joined him outside he heads back to town.
On the way back to town, Beren asks Trogg about the book that materialized in his pocket. What is your take on this book, do you think it is safe to use and could it help us find a way to defeat this enchanter who dominated the goblins and Varial?
Entering the inn after a long day Beltzer greets the group. He says he has a message from Ingrid for Sventon. He leaves a scroll on the counter for Sventon to read at his leisure.
The inn is quite empty, when asked about it Beltzer says "All the new folk left immediately for the forest or the mountainside, they haven't returned since. Doubt they will, probably all tracking down that quarry for the reward."
Misha is in the inn and sees that Varis is back, she rushes up to the group pushing past everyone. She gives Varis a mighty hug and whispers loud enough for everyone to hear. "I'm glad you are okay, I thought I had gotten you killed...." Misha pulls away from the embrace and wipes away the tears that are now streaming down her face.
A young human that Trogg and Rikaku recognizes walks up. Misha elbows him in the stomach. "Oh yes.. sorry" He bows. "My name is Flint, I am happy to meet you all on better circumstances. My last encounter with some of your group was a little thorny. Misha had me find our old adventuring equipment for you to have. Considering you got Varis back I think you are more up to the job than us. We will be willing to give you support as much as we can though. The monetary reward for this quest is quite great though that is not why were trying to get to the bottom of the problem. We thus have no qualms in helping a good group of people like yourselves."
Flint takes out a pack, it contains the following:
A tube containing 500gp worth of residuum.
A Fully charged wand of Bull's Strength
A Fully charged wand of Bless
4 potions of cure serious wounds
A pistol with 10 bullets.
Shortly after sifting through the pack a fairly old man walks rushing through the door and approaches Beltzer. You all overhear this conversation. :
Beltzer: "Oh hello there Solstin, here for a general chat?"
Solstin: "No No No! Have you seen Chara, she hasn't been down here has she? Tell me she's been here?"
Beltzer: "Your serving girl? No not seen her lately, wasn't she chatting up a lot of the adventurers?
Solstin slams his hands down on the counter, looking Beltzer directly in the eye. He slumps into a chair and hangs his head in his hands.
Solstin: "That is the problem... what am I going to do, she's probably lost by now..."
Beltzer: "Here, take this on the house. Business has been very good lately, even for you I bet."
Solstin nods and takes a drink that Beltzer has poured for him.
Solstin: "Thanks old friend."
Solstin then drinks the whole tankard in one swing before lying his head on the counter.
On the way back to town, Beren asks Trogg about the book that materialized in his pocket. What is your take on this book, do you think it is safe to use and could it help us find a way to defeat this enchanter who dominated the goblins and Varial?
"Perhaps and perhaps. There's a chance it's the mistfiend playing tricks on us, but even lies tell us something."
Back at town Variel attempts to learn some new spells not taught to him by his Patron via his familar...
Scroll - Summon Monster II (DC17). Spellcraft
Rikaku stares curiously at Misha's friend Flint, vaguely recalling his face from the other night out near the plantations. "Rikaku sorry to trick you," he says simply. "But big-folk fall for simplest magic trick is funny still." The kobold cackles to himself, gladly accepting the pack of gear and going through it like a child in a candy store.
Rikaku doesn't have much to do overnight, and will spend his spare time preening himself and scribbling in his journal a detailed (and crudely illustrated) tale of the events of the last few days. He details his vision as best he can, writing in Draconic to conserve as much purity to the details as possible.
She draws some of the tunnels she knows it isn't much though. Seems to be a relative straight line with a couple of openings to further tunnels. The corridor ends in a single dead end chamber.
I've drawn what I can, it is only where the creatures personally took me. If you were to destroy the book my spirit would be released to the world and I'd fly away. This is all that's binding me here anymore
Variel takes some time to learn a new spell which he does successfully.
Flint scratches his head seemingly embarrassed. "Oh don't worry, we'll let bygones be bygones. At least you didn't rough me up too bad."
Jazz returns to town with the group and spends much of the early evening asking Rikaku questions about his native language. "I've put a lot of time to studying languages, Rikaku, and I think having you around is a great opportunity to pick up one of the most ancient, cryptic languages I've ever heard." By the end of the evening he was improving and could even begin to form some sentences.
The rest of the evening Jazz pours himself into studying spellcraft and has an epiphany, finally able to form a couple of easier spells but it quickly exhausts him and he falls asleep on a bench outside the bar where he'd been practicing in relative safety.
As for releasing me, I don't know, I might yet enjoy your company and want to stay. We shall see when the time comes. A small drawing of a smiling dryad appears next to the text.
Misha and Flint spend the rest of the evening entertaining the party, it really has quieted down in the inn as it is just the party and the couple.
Solstin stays at the inn for quite a while discussing with Beltzer about possible ideas on what do to. Beltzer tries to reassure him that Chara would be back in no time.
Jazz approaches Beltzer and the newcomer, Solstin, and sits down at the bar next to him. "Beltzer, a drink if you please." When the drink comes, he settles down in the stool and turns to Solstin. "I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but I heard that somebody has gone missing. Perhaps we can help. You said she ran off with some adventurers?"
"Yes, stupid girl dreams of riches and fame. Her name is Chara and she works at my inn the Nosso Lar. We're not usually well off but it pays the bills. Silly girl wanted more and I guess some adventurers swept her off her feet. I might just be dreading the worst really..." Solstin sighs as he looks solemnly into his drink.
"You aren't concerned that it may be something else, what with the disappearances in town recently? How do you know it was adventurers -- did you see them?" Jazz immediately settles down to business, facing the man completely and his drink is temporarily forgotten.
After a bout of successful study with his familiar, Variel enters the bar seeking his friends. Seeing Jazz, he wanders up silently and tries to catch the flow of the conversation.
"Yes, stupid girl dreams of riches and fame. Her name is Chara and she works at my inn the Nosso Lar. We're not usually well off but it pays the bills. Silly girl wanted more and I guess some adventurers swept her off her feet. I might just be dreading the worst really..."
"You aren't concerned that it may be something else, what with the disappearances in town recently? How do you know it was adventurers -- did you see them?" Jazz immediately settles down to business, facing the man completely and his drink is temporarily forgotten.
Variel tries to recall the girl during his time in the area... or at least the bar.
Trogg spends most of the night in the inn's cellar in quiet contemplation of earth and stone, seeking to become one with the ground and its magic.
The little kobold is a little frustrated at having his quality time illustrating with all the finesse of a five-year-old interrupted, but relishes his chance to show off with one thing he can do well (if only through virtue of being born into a Draconic-speaking environment). Rikaku is a real task-master, unsatisfied with every mistake the rookie Jazz makes but eventually lets him go with only a moderate level of displeasure. "You bad, but not bad bad," he says with a sagely nod, as if that's supposed to be a compliment. "Variel and Jazz accent is filthy with Common-speak. Hard to remove that."
Upon returning to the inn, Beren orders a an ale from Beltzer and sits a discrete distance from Soltin and Jazz, listening to their conversation but not horning in.
He takes some time to examine the loot brought by Misha and Flint. then retires to his room to ponder his mixed feelings at leaving teh goblins alive, he falls to sleep, fingers wrapped around the braid at his neck.
Solstins mulls over Jazz's question. "If it's the disappearances or adventurers it's the same reason isn't it? The adventurers are going after what is causing the disappearances so to the same end she is gone. I guess she was young enough to be taken yes, not that is much consolation to my conscience." He sighs, muttering something under his breath.
"I saw her talking to many of the adventurer groups that came to stay in my tavern. This morning she was nowhere to be found, most of her stuff was gone. Save for a few things. I at first considered that she had been kidnapped by one of the groups but to what end, ransom? There's easier ways for adventurers to make money than attacking a lowly and old innkeeper." He takes another swig of ale, despite the frailty of this man he seems to be holding his drink. Maybe the alcohol isn't enough to drown his current state of mind.
Variel recalls Chara quite plainly. A sweet servant girl who made people's stay at the Nosso Lar quite a happy one. Always chatting with the tenants and raising their spirits. A brilliant cook, she was taught by Solstin that the best way to the heart of men is through their stomach.
Her own past though isn't too happy, her father was one of the many cane men working the fields. Her mother died in childbirth. Her father was killed by a roaming bulette that had wandered too close to town. Tremain the old gnome chased the bulette away before anymore harm could come, though the damage was already done.
Chara would often on her time off frequent the Rum Runner, talking to tourists and just to take a break. You've talked to her a couple of times, she was never without a smile on her face bounding from one wall to the next. Some say she had a think for the Beltzer which is why she stayed around here often. Looking at Beltzer now that might be partially true, he's not tried to contribute much to the conversation and is holding back a bit of anger.
Sad news that Chara was taken... she had a sad life. You Solstin, helped her well after her father passed on.
He waves an order to the barman and nods to Solstin and then frowns. How long ago was she taken? Sorry if I missed it.
Solstin nods recognising Variel "She was gone since the morning. Just up and left with most of her stuff gone. That's all I know unfortunately."
Jazz, any chance of tracking her? Would we even have a chance?
Perception
"Sounds like the girl had a lively spirit. Could it be that she's joined up with a group of adventurers to strike for her own fortune? Doesn't seem likely that if she was kidnapped someone would have gone through the trouble of taking all of her stuff, too."
"Nonetheless -- a disappearance is a possible clue. Maybe we could have a look at things and see if there's anything to figure out. Beren, are you up for a bit of tracking again? I think we should give it a shot, you never know what stories people might leave behind for us to find in the dirt."
"Yeah, we could try to track her down." Beren doesn't mention that if she left with a group, and all the groups left at around the same time, finding her tracks among everyone elses would be nearly impossible. We are headed for the forest anyway, It will give us a objective rather than just stumbling around the woods"
Solstin sighs "Thank you, if you do find out anything please try to contact me. She could have joined up with a group of adventurers yes, but that only worries me more. It would likely get her killed, other than my inn she is all I have left. I don't want her squandering her life on something .." he pauses for a moment realizing what he is saying. "No offence to you all of course, you are more.. suited.. to the job than she is I'm sure." he trails off.