At the mention of dealing with the "orcs" first, Ylga slowly nods. "Its true we have quite a few injured and elderly. While even our oldest members are willing to fight, the orcs would..." She squares her jaw at the thought. "If you'd be willing to defeat the orcs first, before leading the way out, it would certainly improve our chances. But..." She looks at you all in concern.
"The orcs... they're not easily killed. And while I'm not certain of their numbers now, their raiding parties have been half a dozen or more before!"
When you confirm that you're willing to fight them first, she continues with "If you're certain. The few times we've successfully tracked them, they retreated to one of the higher levels. It's an area we managed to breach almost a year ago, in our attempt to continue towards the surface. What we found though, was that the cavern above was filled with some kind of poisonous vapors. We lost two of our clan members when the breached it..." She shakes her head and offers a short prayer to Torag.
"We've seen the orcs heading into that hole we breached, up into the poison filled caverns above. From the way they enter and leave without concern, they must have some magic to be able to breathe up there."
"I'm certain they must have some kind of stronghold up there, from which they send their raids."
Answering AMOSU's question, she adds "All I can tell is that they bring madness and destruction. All they seem to know how to do is laugh, destroy, and kill us. I couldn't begin to imagine what they *want*"
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#LEE! #NOTALLGOBLINS
#LEE! #ALMOSTALLGOBLINS lol
#LEE! Kiv lookin' angry whoa.
#LEE! Anyone else see the Besmara's Crunchies ad during the break? Think Mustachio gets kickbacks?
"So I'm thinking the 'poison' is the surface with its lack of atmosphere, or some sort of exhaust or other chemicals found on the moon in non-huffable doses. Either way, I'm thinking our armor will protect us enough to go on." Nim turns to Ylga. "Can we receive a blessing from your priest before we are led to the breach the 'orcs' travel through?"
After Holsin intones a series of requests to Torag for strength and protection (which unfortunately have no visible effect despite the priest's earnestness), Ylga begins leading your team towards the breach into the poison-filled upper chambers. The path is long and winding, quickly gaining elevation in some sections while dipping up and down in others. As you move, the air slowly becomes more and more hazy, leading Ylga to cover her nose and mouth with a heavy cloth. After about 90 minutes of travel, you spot a hole in the ceiling up ahead that billows with a blue-tinted fog. Ylga stays well away, but gestures towards it.
"This is where they return to. I know not what lies beyond, just that it must be dreadful indeed to serve as the home to these orcs. I-" She puts a hand on her axe's haft. "I'd like to fight beside you, but... up there, no dwarf could survive for long. Please come back safe!"
As Ylga retreats to get further away from the toxic fog, the undead camera crew, Wazasha, and the production crew crowd in to get a clearer picture of the intrepid heroes! While you consider your approach, Wazasha beckons to two of you to be interviewed inside the Booth!
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"Kiv! Many fans have noticed that you haven't been too happy recently, and some particularly keen-eyed viewers are thinking it might be because of the Captain, Mustachio! What do you really think about your pirate leader?"
"After a couple stunning displays of sharpshooting, a lot of our viewers have been complaining that you're never on camera? And hey, that's not because our crew hasn't been trying!" She winks at the camera, all charm. "With your skills, you could easily be stealing the spotlight from Kip and AMOSU. Why haven't you?"
"AMOSU! Our audience polls have voted you second smartest of your group, second only to the lovable rascal Kip, who appears exactly when he's needed and disappears the rest of the time. What do you think of that title? Do you feel you deserve it? What do you think about the intelligence of your fellow group members?"
"Live Exploration Extreme's Readitt has been exploding with theories about those dwarves! Who are they? Where did they come from? Is this asteroid really a long-lost chunk of Golarion?"
"What's your theory? Who are they and what's going on here?"
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"Ylga, see to your people. We shall deal with the goblins... Orcs... Gorcs..." AMOSU takes a moment to collect its thought, "See to your people, we shall deal with this foe and return to your camp shortly. We will see your clan safely to the surface."
AMOSU reviews his gear as it observes noxious fog flow from the hole in the ceiling.
AMOSU shares any insights it may have. "Does the team have any means to see within the haze? Or means to address a member who may be exposed to the gas? Our armor should protect us as long as it isn't breached."
"An interesting perception of young Kip. He has been a valuable team member. I have found his knowledge to be an excellent resource, and look forward to comparing theories when we complete our exploration. As to whom is more intelligent, I supposed we would need to engage in some form of testing for an accurate assessment. Though I fail to see much value in such an endeavor." AMOSU tilts its head slightly considering why such a comparison may be worth exploring. "As for the rest of the team I find them all to be most capable in their own ways. Though I must admit I find the behavior of the male Lashuntas most intriguing. My cultural studies did not include examples of such dramatic behavior or unusual mannerisms. I have considered that this may be posturing that many species exhibit in order to attract mates. I wonder if this is so, are they competing for Kiv and Nim as potential mates? Or perhaps to increase their odds of breeding through exposure to your audience... I would like to ask Kiv if this is normal for the males of her species..." AMOSU's thoughts drift into mumbled theories and introspection.
AMOSU snaps out of its thoughts at Wazasha's second question. "That is truly an excellent question! The odds of this moon being a piece of Golarion if highly improbably, but not wholly impossible. I find it much more likely that this moon or similar object captured and converted into a space station, but the purpose of such a station could be anything. Though the current lack of accessible or visible weapons systems would lean to more transport or research intents..." AMOSU brings itself back to the questions... "As for the dwarves, I have considered the potential that their ancestors were brought here either through magical or technilogical means for study, and kept in stasis. When the builders of this place left, systems inevitably failed releasing the dwarves. The 'Quest for the Sky' is the subtle shift the plan to escape to a religious quest... Though the apparent connection to Torag is inexplicable..." AMOSU continues providing points and counterpoints to its theories for as long as Wazasha allows it. It seems lost between its own joy at theorizing what is at hand, and attempting to provide the audience a "correct" answer.
AMOSU returns to the group looking somewhere between satisfied and confused. This expedition is truly and amazing experience. I had not thought the Starfinders would turn out to be so unconventional.
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The operative muses to herself, Maybe the good 'Captain' should stay behind and show off for the locals. Kiv looks up toward the whole and assesses the situation. Well, at least the smoke should give us a little cover.
Well, here we go. I certainly hope this worked.
The operative sits down and patiently listens to the 'controversial' fluff question. Just maintain my cover. "Oh, he believes in his ability very much, as any good officer should. Is he eager? Sure, but I don't think that comes from his inexperience. I can honestly say, of all the Starfinders I have worked with, he is one of them."
For the next question, "Really, I hadn't noticed. It's not like we get to watch the stream while we're working. And I think that's what we ARE all doing, working as a team of Starfinders to explore the complex. And now we get to bring this clan back with us. Talk about an honor. Hey, maybe your viewers can start one of those 'Station-Funding' movements. That would be fantastic. Can you imagine? Maybe they should all tag Star Sugar Heartlove. That would trend so HUGE! Have you heard their new album? Just the best. Ooh! Maybe Zo! could get them to play live during his next live stream. Talk about ratings."
Time to bring this to a close. Kiv continues with a playful wave of her hand, "Now your just fooling with me. Kip is like some kind of genius, and AMOSU?!?! Well, he is a Starfinder agent who is just on some other level. Staying behind and willing to sacrifice himself back at the temple? He's the real hero. Your viewers will be watching rebroadcasts of this stream for years. Maybe one day I'll actually be good enough for Zo! to bring me back on. Seriously, I'm just happy I get to see real professional Society members in action. I mean, let's face it, I have been getting by on luck this whole time. And you know what they say about luck and dates buying the synth-ale, they both run out when you need them the most!"
"There we have it, straight from the team's top analyst, a look at what makes AMOSU tick. Folks at home, be sure that with everyone's permission, we'll be testing the whole crew for their IQs after this mission. Stay tuned to find out!"
Wazasha listens attentively, then returns the mic to herself and looks into the camera "There you have it! So skilled, yet so humble, willing to share the spotlight with her less competent team members."
"As for SMC, well, we can't talk about future projects... but-" She winks at the camera "Let's just say Zo! doesn't disappoint! All you viewers at-"
Wazasha cuts off mid sentence when the live comment ticker behind the crew begins showing some confused comments.
#LEE! Stream's frozen.
#LEE! Lol, just when we were gonna hear from Kiv.
#LEE! Laaame.
Giving time for the lashunta operative to get away.
AMOSU inspects the toxic mist in the breach up ahead. Though a sample and careful chemical analysis could reveal more about its exact properties, he deduces that the mist appears to be some kind of exhaust fumes. Likely very dangerous to inhale, though not a danger for people with functioning environmental protections.
Your team scrambles up the rubble and enters the mist-filled chamber above.
Above, you find a rocky cavern filled with a forest of stalagmites. A trench up ahead seems to have a depth of 10ft while the stone bridge that crosses it seems to be naturally sculpted from the surrounding terrain. The blue-tinted mist swirls around you, creating shadows and movement at the edges of your sight. The cavern echoes with the sounds of your own movement.
Nim now wishes she brought her flight suit, so Ylga could come along. Nim yet again checks her environmental seals and heads up. Looking around and seeing the mist is here as well, she gets chatty.
"Okay, says Nim. "Do we have any idea if this exhaust is flammable? Do we have to worry about if it will catch fire from the flamethrowers, or the discharge of our other weapons? If we're sure it's safe to fire, no pun intended, the Captain and I should be on opposite sides of the group. That way we can open up with the flamethrowers, and not worry about the exhaust inhibiting our ability to hit things.
"AMOSU, can you get a sample of the exhaust to take back with us? The Society might not have a record of it from their exploration of this 'moon,' and if they don't want it I can add it to my collection of things I've huffed on Salvation's End.
Can someone with better eyesight than me check the structural stability of the bridge? If the goblins created it, it may only be strong enough to carry things their size, or it could be trapped.
Oh, AMOSU, can you get a sample of the exhaust to take back with us? The Society might not have a sample of it, and if they don't want it I can add it to my collection of things I've huffed on Salvation's End. Some people say the fumes on this moon could lead to short-term memory loss and other problems, but I never noticed anything like that."
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... or me name not be Cap'n Mustache.
Kiv tiredly looks over at the envoy, speaking to him through their natural telepathic link. 'But your name's NOT Cap'n Mustache.'
The operative draws her sidearm. The haze makes the sniper rifle ineffective for the moment. Let's just hope that these goblins haven't laid some sort of trap or automated defense. She steps the the end of the crossing and takes a closer look.
Kiv begins crossing the bridge.
The operative holds he position and informs the team.
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Faraeon taps the collar of his carbonskin armor, extending the transparent hard-light enclosure to activate his armor's environmental protections, then draws his static arc pistol and semi-auto pistol. He sets the arc pistol to deliver lethal voltage blasts.
As they approach the bridge, his antennae begin to wave within the enclosure and Faraeon directs his thoughts toward Kiv, "I'll take the left if you take the right. Let's try to stay outta the way of those flamethrowers, though. I don't know who gave the "captain" a flamethrower, but I get the feeling that it was more for ratings than anything."
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AMOSU will turn to Ylga before venturing into the fog, and offers in Aklo "Justice for your people is important to you, I can understand. I can offer you my armor and axe for this battle, it has technol... Er... Enchantments? Yes, that will protect you from the fumes and to pierce the protections of the orcs... goblins. My kind is unaffected by such toxins. We will bring the goblins. Orcs. To justice together. If any should surrender or seek mercy, it must be granted though. They will face justice, not vengeance. We will return them to face trial as fits their crimes." If Ylga accepts, AMOSU will take a moment to adjust the armor to fit her.
AMOSU readies its arms and climbs up the rubble. "Allow me to assess the stability of the bridge."
AMOSU shares any important information with the team. Scanning the mists for any threats. "Employing stealth at this point, further communications will be through the comm." AMOSU readies its Pulsecaster as it attempts to use the fog to conceal itself.
Guess I should really look into buying a comm, thinks Nim. But I do need to save up for another upgrade. Oh, well, if AMOSU finds something I'm sure I'll hear the shooting.
If Ylga is able to come I'll offer her my Serum of Healing Mark I, with the caveat that I'll need it back if she doesn't use it.
Despite AMOSU's offer, Ylga shakes her head. "I've seen you fight. I'll only prove a hindrance, I'm sure. My unfamiliarity with your strange equipment will prove a critical weakness as well. I'll put my trust in you all!" She waves you on and retreats to safer air.
----
Up above, Kiv and Faraeon advance, not seeing any dangers. As the two cross the bridge, they hear a sudden scrambling from up ahead. Both of them use their keen ears to judge the sources of the sounds and quickly spot a few forms hiding behind large stalagmites up ahead. You squint, trying to make them out in the mist, and just as the shapes resolve into bulbous heads and spindly arms, they raise pistols to point in your direction!
The center goblin of the three you can make out raises a metal claw into the air and suddenly shouts "GET THEM!"
---
Nim and Faraeon are the first to jump into action at the shout.
||||INITIATIVE||||
Faraeon
Nim
??? Goblin
Gob-Red
Gob-Green
AMOSU
Aazanar
Kiv
Mustachio
Bold are Up
Time to draw fire and set off any traps the goblins have set up, thinks the meatshield of the party.
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True to his word, Faraeon rushes the rest of the way across the bridge, then quickly dodges to the left. He bounds nimbly among the scatter debris and stalagmites, then does a quick side flip to disorient the red goblin before firing at it with his static arc pistol.
The shot is charged with an abundance of energy, and electricity arcs off of the goblin as it strikes. The arcs dance around harmless to the other goblins, however, as they strike against nearby stalagmites.
While Nim maneuvers into position, Faraeon takes down a goblin with a deadly shot of his arc pistol. The electricity overwhelms the goblin's space-suit, sending uncontrolled current through the creature's body. It falls limply to the ground.
The green goblin cackles as he recklessly fires away with his junklaser in Kiv's general direction. The shots fly totally wide. The goblin leader shifts slightly to get Kiv in his sights, then fires his own souped-up junklaser. The shot catches her in the side.
||||INITIATIVE||||
Faraeon
Nim (-6 SP)
??? Goblin
Gob-Green
AMOSU
Aazanar
Kiv
Mustachio
Everyone is up!
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AMOSU moves steadily across the natural bridge, moving between to medium-sized stalagmites. Taking position to have sight of both goblins, while keeping cover.
AMOSU calls out, ” Out of respect for all sentient life I offer all of you this opportunity to surrender.” AMOSU locks its targeting system onto the central goblin and raises its PulseCaster. "Failure to do so, will result in our continued use of extreme force. You have 5 seconds to comply... 4 seconds to comply..."
Did the goblins shoot Kiv or Nim, narrative says Kiv but Initiative says Nim, just want to see if anyone needs help.
Nim will move to the bottom right corner of the giant, black...pit? Stalagmite? Stalactite?...next to her, one row above the lead goblin, leaving her lacking cover, but speeding up play by not having to ask for confirmation on whether certain squares are impassible or not.
"I've never been shot with a laser before," Nim says for the camera's benefit. "It's not that bad."
The lead goblin responds to AMOSU's ultimatum with "Ahaha, no way tin can! We'll kill you and take your bombs! Big Genius Polbak's time is now!!!"
Mustachio's rifle shot between stalagmites glances off one of them and ricochets off into the mist. As does Kiv's shot at the green goblin. Even Faraeon, fresh off his excellent takedown of the red goblin, strikes a stalagmite rather than goblin flesh.
While the camera team hurry across the bridge to catch the action and Nim's cavalier attitude, the two goblins begin retaliating. The green goblin rolls back, trying to find a better shot against Kiv. But his junklaser makes a feeble crackling sound rather than releasing a laser bolt.
The goblin leader flicks a switch on his armor and a pair of jump jets in his boots activate, lifting him into the sky and spraying flames everywhere around him. He angles himself with the boost and lands next to Faraeon. He swings in with his jagged blade-arm, catching the lashunta in the arm.
||||INITIATIVE||||
Faraeon (-4 SP)
Nim (-6 SP)
Big Genius Polbak
Gob-Green
AMOSU
Kiv
Mustachio
Everyone is up!
Nim sighs, having a perfect chance to move and hit the goblin in front of Faraeon with the flamethrower, but not wanting to cook the unconscious one.
"Just wouldn't be right to cook the one that isn't up to fight back," she says aloud for the camera's benefit as she switches to her knife and moves behind the one Faraeon is fighting, as flanking and stabbing someone in the back is totally cool in Nim's book.
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Faraeon looks down at his arm and cries out dramatically (for the cameras of course). His shock is only momentary, though, as he looks back up at BGP and smirks at the goblin. "For a big genius, it wasn't very smart of you to get so close!" With speed and dexterity, Faraeon springs into a backward somersault at the apex of which he brings his weapon up to aim at the goblin and fires off a shot.
The green goblin collapses in a spray of blood and leaking fuel from its stitched together space suit, with Kiv's shot having proved just enough to take it down.
Mustachio, Nim and Faraeon each deliver a set of accurate attacks, with Mustachio's rifle embedding a shot deep into the goblin leader's armor, Nim slicing a corner of a goblin ear off, and Faraeon striking an exposed arm. Despite the punishment, the goblin keeps standing!
"Gwaaaarh! Stop shooting! All this damage is going to be so hard to fix!"
||||INITIATIVE||||
Faraeon (-4 SP)
Nim (-6 SP)
Big Genius Polbak (16 dmg)
AMOSU
Kiv
Mustachio
AMOSU doesn't quite get a clean shot at Polbak before the goblin leader activates his jump jets once more, sending a blast of fire out at Nim before arcing through the air.
The flames singe Nim's armor as he escapes , but his slow ascent gives the Sergeant plenty of time to get in an opportunistic attack!
Polbak wobbles through the air and touches down next to Mustachio, having found Faraeon a far too nimble opponent. He slashes in with his punchslicer, cutting a shallow gash across Mustachio's chest.
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Faraeon (-4 SP)
Nim (-6 SP)
Big Genius Polbak (16 dmg)
AMOSU
Kiv
Mustachio (-7 SP)
Everyone up!
Nim will then go stand next to Faraeon and switch back to her flamethrower.
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"Yarrrrr! I've been hit! Oh ye gods, the pain! The pain! Down I go to Davey Jones's locker... Tell the Starfinder Society... I did my best! Tell them, oh tell them..... gahhhhh."
Mustachio falls over prone and pretends to be dead. It is certainly one of his lamer performances, and for someone who has a long CV of death scenes, this is pretty sad.
While Mustachio "dies" , Faraeon and Kiv combine their efforts and bring down the armored goblin leader, Polbak. As he collapses, he croaks out "No! This was supposed to be a big triumph for Polbak! I am... too smart... to die!" and then loses consciousness.
Combat Over!
With the goblins down, quiet returns to the mists as the camera crew unobtrusively spreads out to get the best possible angles on the 'dying' Mustachio and the armored goblin. While they're getting some dramatic shots, the rest of you have a moment to explore the stalagmite-filled cavern.
You find a massive adamantine-alloy door set into the eastern end of the cavern. The surface is covered in scorch marks and scratches where the goblins must have been trying to break it open (without success). Scattered around it are the casings of various explosives and improvised goblin power tools. Next to the door are half a dozen sleeping bags sized for small creatures.
Other than the massive door, you don't find any other unusual structures within the cavern, nor does there appear to be another exit.
-----
#LEE! That. Was. Awesome!
#LEE! Is the captain going to pull through?
#LEE! #NotAllGoblinsButDefinelyTheseOnes
#LEE! Crazy gob down.
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Mustachio lies there for a good while, before giving a huge groan and sitting up.
"Argghhh. Me head. Is this Heaven? It this the big grand finale for one of the galaxy's most beloved pirate?" He feel his body and head with his hands.
"That blow... I thought I was done for... I thought that was it. The gods must be smiling down on me. Perhaps it was this "Torag" the dwarves speak of... Yarr.... I must pirate on... I must be strong."
Mustachio slowly rises to his feet, and looks heroically into the distance as the camera's swirl about him. He doesn't even realize that his eye-patch got accidentally switched to the other eye.
Nim will examine the door to see if there is any way to activate or override it that the goblins missed due to their fondness for explosives. Or if there are any sensors, as Nim has a theory
"Hey, does anyone else remember a story about a subterranean vault with adamantine doors, and how a group of heroes retired from adventuring after selling those doors? Just me? OK."
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Once Nim is sure that the cameras are on her she turns toward the Captain, and in a casual voice says ”That performance was so hammy it would be a hate crime to show it to a vegetarian.”
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AMOSU snickers at Nim's comments... Hammy... Vegetarian...
AMOSU goes to any of the goblins that may still be alive and attempts to stabilize them. Once treated, he'll use items from their campsite to bind and secure them. "They may know more about the moon than we suspect, and they should face an judgement for the crimes against the dwarves."
AMOSU will move to inspect the door, and determine if there is any mechanism or method to open it.
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Before the captain gets back up, he runs over and slides up beside the "dying" lashunta, "Captain! You have to hold on, captain! Don't leave us alone. How will we carry on with you?" Slowly, as the captain recovers and gets to his feet, Faraeon joins in the scene and feigns weeping happy tears. "Oh, Captain! I'm so glad you're alright. Now, let's go see what those gobs were up to!"
When the team approaches the large metal doors, Faraeon joins in the effort to get it open.
"I wonder if Ylga would know anything about this?"
Nim, Kiv, AMOSU and Faraeon work together and locate a hidden manual override panel for the door. With some quick work rewiring the panel, the massive motors behind the door spin to life. The doors slowly grind open, slow enough for Wazasha's crew to set up an over-the-shoulder angle for the action.
Finally, the doors part to reveal an elevated metal-clad walkway extending into a massive artificial chamber. The walkway hugs the walls of a horizontal cylindrical space that’s several hundred feet in diameter and that extends as far as the eye can see to the right and left. At several points along its visible length lie heavy doors like the one you just opened. Most notably, though, you spot a glowing digital terminal on the interior side of the door you just opened. When you approach, its glowing alien text that quickly cycles through various forms before stopping on Common.
SIMULATION #20,553 - Dwarven Quest for Sky
PLANET GOLARION
Circa -4,900 Absalom Reckoning
(simulation local calendar approximation)
Status: Simulation Ongoing.
ALERT: ERROR! Immediate repair required.
ERROR! External Influence detected.
ERROR! Control measures enacted.
Looking down the length of the massive gallery, you can see that each of the other doors along the way have similar terminals. Each one glowing with alien text...
----
A siren begins to ring inside the chamber you just left, and as you watch, the strange blue mist is vented through the open door and up into some scrubbers in the chamber's ceiling, clearing the chamber of hazardous gas. Wazasha raises her hand and calls out
"-Aaaand Cut! A perfect cliffhanger. Excellent. Let's get a promo shot to wrap this up."
Most of the film crew lower their cameras dutifully and stand at ease, but a couple of them rush forwards at Wazasha's direction to ready themselves for the final shot. Wazasha turns her attention to you group and adds "Excellent work. Let's get a final action shot, all together, while there's still some of this mist to make for some drama." She waves for you to take on your poses as wisps of mist flit by.
Is it like this on every mission on this moon? Deva vu, thinks Nim as she calls on her mercenary knowledge to take a good action pose.
Wait, are the Second Seekers in on this as well? I really do have to hate everybody in the Starfinder Society, don't I?
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Mustachio scratches his head. What the hell is going on? Are these dwarves actors, or is someone messing with them? If so... that is f$%%ed up, man.
"Yarr?"
Mustachio tries to make a final dramatic pose for the camera, but his mind racing like a snail to make sense of the situation, and he doesn't manage more that a piratey-glare.