”If there’s a spring under the citadel, I don’t think unflooded underground passages large enough for the lizard are likely. Maybe it was brought in as a baby?” Ragna says to Jonagher. She sheathes her battleaxe and stands next to Highness, ready for her introduction.
"As soon as we can establish a good rapport with them I can help see to their injuries." Shaserai follows suit and stands behind Ragna. "Let's hope we don't enter into a succession conflict."
Irenaeus nods in agreement with Ragna. "That is what I was thinking as well," he remarks. "Perhaps as a... pet of sorts. Or a form of punishment or execution."
"Punishment or execution?" Jonagher mutters, "Eesh...what a way to go." He hefts his pack and draws another arrow for his bow, keeping it in his left hand where he grips the bow in case he needs another one handy as they approach the goblins. "Alright, I'm ready to meet these goblins, if you are. Ummm, Highness? You want to lead the way as an outward sign of peace...you know, just in case they're disinclined to accept our presence here in the citadel?"
One of the goblins nearest the corner suddenly notices the group watching from a distance. He jumps, calls out a warning, and points a trembling finger. The dirge abruptly stops, the goblin woman turning in alarm and some of the rest of the mourners seizing dogslicers or shortbows defensively.
”Ohh look at how cute and tiny they all are!” Ragna practically squeals under her breath. She drops to her knees and spreads her arms in what she hopes is a welcoming, non-threatening gesture. ”Hello, little ones! We’ve been looking for you for two days!”
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Highness glanced over his shoulder at Ragna's antics before centering himself, mentally drawing himself up. Then, walking forward towards the grieving group, hands loose and open at his sides, he began talking in goblin.
"Of Stonescar's many whelps, the strongest of them was Pinch, who had fingers like the talons of a raptor. Stonescar sat on his throne, surrounded by baubles and bangles and the shiny things of kingship and announced that he wanted bacon. And so tumbling out of the warren came a goblins by the dozen with pigs on the brain. The few pigs of Breachill were guarded by a hundred longshanks with dogs and giant horses with evil eyes that loved to step on goblin heads, so instead of bothering Breachill the goblins tumbled out into the woods. Here, there, everywhere goblins roamed, looking for hog."
"Pinch, being a wily goblin, didn't look for pig, but moved quietly out to the edge of the woods and waited in the crook of a tree. The rest of the tribe thrashed and crashed and wailed and whooped and wandered through the woods scaring every animal in the woods into panicked flight as they tried to find a pig."
Highness walked forward, slowly, his hands now moving with the story.
"Out of the woods walked a king's porker, eyes red with rage, tusks like swords, slathering and blowing like a dragon. Pinch, fingers like talons, leapt from the tree shrieking with glee and pinched the pig, both ears, at the same time."
"And the pig ran, Pinch hanging from its ears like goblin earrings. Over hills, bucking, through brush, past logs, the mighty pig ran and ran. Through a night and a day, the pig ran. Beating her mightily against rock and ridge, Pinch held on, until finally the mighty beast fell to the ground exhausted."
"Pinch got off the pig and walked around, bruised, battered and bleeding to the front of that pig, pinched it on the nose and shook its head. "You are mine now piggie." And that pig knew the fear that mighty Pinch would wield like a horsecleaver."
"Pinch climbed up on the back of her exhausted piggy steed and looked around, and realized she had no idea where she was. But she had a mount, and there were woods in the distance, and her fingers were itchy. So Pinch rode into the Chitterwood to find some goblins to pinch."
Highness now stood only a few paces away from the goblin group as he continued. "How Pinch beat Slurpmunch to rule her tribe is a story for another time. For now..." Highness began, staring hard into the faces of the goblins before him, one by one.
"I am Highness, Son of Draggut, Son of Pinch, Daughter of Stonescar, returned to rule over my tribe as I am King of All Goblins."
"The longshanks behind me are my allies in the defeat of the creatures of the fortress, securing the future of my tribe."
Highness returned his gaze to the robed figure. "What has happened to the tribe, why are you so few and what is going on with the beastie below?" he asked commandingly.
Most of the goblins have lowered their weaponry halfway through Highness's story; some cheer when he has finished. The robed goblin-woman, however, watches him with no diminution of suspicion.
"అవకాశం ఉన్న కథ!" she proclaims, but another goblin breaks in to say, "ఓహ్, దయచేసి, రాజు ఘనత, కప్పలు మరియు కోతులు మరియు డ్రాగన్లు మా ఇంటిపై దాడి చేసి, మమ్మల్ని తరిమివేసి, మా అధిపతిని చంపారు, మరియు మేము ఇక్కడ పదునైన ఎండ యొక్క స్పియర్స్లో ఆహారం లేకుండా మరియు క్రిందికి వెళ్ళకుండా బయట పడ్డాము. ఓహ్, దయచేసి, మమ్మల్ని రక్షించండి, మమ్మల్ని రక్షించండి!"
Oh, please, Mr. King Highness, frogs and monkeys and dragons attacked our home and drove us out and killed our chieftain, and we're stuck out here in the spears of the sharp sun with no food and no way down. Oh, please, save us, save us!
Jonagher leans over to Ren as he observes the exchange of pleasantries between Highness and the goblins. "What are they saying?" he whispers, "Is everything going well? Or do we need to start planning a hasty retreat? I mean, as pitiful as they seem, they do outnumber us...and Highness could be selling us out to them, right?"
"He is not though," Irenaeus replies in the same hushed tone. "He more or less told them about his lineage -an... interesting tale- and how he is their rightful King. And yes, the K is capitalized. Of all goblins, as he put it."
The mage sighs. " From what I can tell, they tell him of "frogs and monkeys and dragons" that attacked them and drove them away and they are asking for his help. To save them." He pauses for a moment. "But I am not entirely certain whether it is said in earnest or not. The female goblin may be actually asking for his help or she may be mocking him."
"I don't have to speak Goblin to know that lady's not impressed by him," Jonagher whispers back, "She seems like their leader. We might need to prepare for any fallout that results from the appearance...and demands...of his Highness."
While the goblins continue to talk, the half-elf looks around at the walkway and down at the courtyard again. He can still see and hear the lizard-dragon, but he's curious where the frogs and monkeys are hiding.
"By Torag's anvil, this citadels is worse than a zoo, we've already dealt with turtles, wolves, bats..." the priest looks down at the courtyard "We know where the dragon is but that leaves the frogs and monkeys. They might be in the basement level, so we'll have to be careful if we can get in there."
Shaserai gazes over the goblins, trying to gauge the effectiveness of Highness's speech, ready to intervene if things get ugly.
One of the goblins begins to nod her head. "Yes!" she says to Shaserai. "In the basement! That's where we live. They all came up from underground!"
The robed goblin spits at her, "వార్బుల్! లాంగ్శాంక్లతో మాట్లాడకండి!"
"కానీ అవి మాకు సహాయపడతాయి! మేము ఇక్కడే ఉంటే, మేము ఆకలితో ఉంటాము!" She replies to the robed woman, then turns back to the group. "The frogs and monkeys and dragons came up the stairs. We tried to fight them, to defend our home, but they were too big and strong! The dragons gobbled some of us up! They killed Helba!" Her big eyes fill with tears. "So we ran, but the dragons came after us. We ran all the way up here, and the dragon tried to follow us, but it was too big and broke the stairs, and now we're trapped!"
But they can help us! If we stay up here, we'll starve!
Highness maked a swift chopping motion with his hand, "చాలు." he said, simply to end the nattering discussion.
"మరణం మరియు గందరగోళం ఉంది, ఈ రోజు సరిపోతుంది. నేను ఇప్పుడు ఇక్కడ ఉన్నాను, నాకు మిత్రులు ఉన్నారు. ఉడుతలు లాగా పరిగెత్తే సమయం ముగిసింది. నేను ముందుకు ఒక మార్గాన్ని అందిస్తున్నాను, కానీ మీ రాజుగా మాత్రమే. ఇక్కడ ఎంచుకోవడానికి, కోవర్ చేయడానికి మరియు చనిపోవడానికి సమయం ఆసన్నమైంది, లేదా గోబ్లిన్ అయి మీ రాజును అనుసరించాలా?"
"ముందుకు రండి, మీ పేరు నాకు ఇవ్వండి మరియు ఇక భయపడకండి." he said, standing regally, the wind rippling his purple clothes.
"Come forward, give me your name and fear no more."
"Well...if you made your home in the basement, you should certainly be able to help us get there. Maybe we can bargain our assistance in exchange for yours?" Jonagher offers, "We just scaled the outer wall with a bit of climbing gear. At a minimum, I think we can offer you a safe way down so you don't have to stay up here and starve. Long-term, however, something has to be done about that dragon-lizard down there. We were planning to weaken it with a few arrows. And, after that, well...hand-to-hand...with a chance for us and Highness here to prove ourselves true Heroes of Breachill."
”Oh, you poor dears!” Ragna exclaims, still kneeling, her heart going out to the little big-eyed creatures. ”Don’t worry, we’ll help you!”
Highness glanced over at Jonagher for a brief moment, anger plain in his eyes. ”Walk away. This is goblin business and needs to be resolved, without your interference.” he said, his voice clipped and short.
The robed goblin glares the rest of the tribe into immobility. "మీరు రాజ రక్తం కలిగి ఉంటే, నాకు అనుమానం ఉంటే, చీఫ్ తన విలువను అగ్ని పరీక్ష ద్వారా నిరూపించుకోవాలని మీకు తెలుస్తుంది," she snaps back at Highness. "మా శత్రువులను ఓడించి, మమ్మల్ని సురక్షితంగా ఇంటికి నడిపించండి, మరియు మీరు తెగ విధేయతకు అర్హులు."
The goblin who spoke Common edges closer to Ragna and Jonagher. "Mazmord says the Bumblebrashers will accept your friend's leadership if he can drive out the monkeys and frogs and dragons and let us return safely to our home," she whispers. "I'm Warbal," she adds shyly to Ragna.
Highness glanced over at Jonagher for a brief moment, anger plain in his eyes. ”Walk away. This is goblin business and needs to be resolved, without your interference.” he said, his voice clipped and short.
Jonagher leans back as if to re-evaluate their potentially erstwhile friend. "Yeah...I don't think I'll be walking away. And, at a minimum, I'd have to climb or fly away from up here..." the half-elf jokes, "Besides, you're not our king. And goblin business or not, you're going to need my arrows against that dragon-lizard down there if you plan on reclaiming this citadel, much less the tribe. Unless, of course, you want to just leap down there and punch your way thru its gullet by yourself?"
The goblin who spoke Common edges closer to Ragna and Jonagher. "Mazmord says the Bumblebrashers will accept your friend's leadership if he can drive out the monkeys and frogs and dragons and let us return safely to our home," she whispers. "I'm Warbal," she adds shyly to Ragna.
Thankful for the interruption, Jonagher nods to Warbal. "Excellent. There you go. See, Highness? A task befitting a king, as well as a band of heroes. Problem solved. Let's go put down the lizard, and then we can go looking for some monkeys and frogs. And while we're at it, we can also keep searching for Alak's ring."
"I'm Ragnhild. You can call me Ragna if you like." Ragna says, smiling at the goblin. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
Thankful for the interruption, Jonagher nods to Warbal. "Excellent. There you go. See, Highness? A task befitting a king, as well as a band of heroes. Problem solved. Let's go put down the lizard, and then we can go looking for some monkeys and frogs. And while we're at it, we can also keep searching for Alak's ring."
Highness looked at Jonagher for a long appraising moment. "Thank you for your assistance longshanks. Be certain that I will help you every chance I get in every tavern that you visit, as you have been so helpful to me." he says slowly, a toothy grin splitting his face.
"నేను సవాలును అంగీకరిస్తున్నాను. మొదట, మీ భద్రత మొదట వస్తుంది. నేను తెలుసుకోవాలి, క్రింద ఉన్న డ్రాగన్ తవ్వగలదా? మేము తెగను పైకప్పు నుండి దింపితే, ఆక్రమణదారులు చంపబడినప్పుడు మీరు సురక్షితంగా ఉండటానికి మీరు నివసించే ప్రదేశానికి తిరిగి వెళ్ళడానికి మార్గం ఉందా?" he said, looking at the robed goblin.
"Also, I do not lead the longshanks behind me. They are looking for a specific ring that was lost here long ago. Once we are done helping you they would like to know anything you know about a special ring." Highness explained in common.
The goblins confer among themselves.
"అది తవ్వగలదా అని మాకు తెలియదు. ఇది మా తరువాత ఎక్కడానికి ప్రయత్నిస్తోంది, కానీ మెట్లకి ఇది చాలా భారీగా ఉంది."
"ఒక రహస్య తలుపు ఉంది, కానీ అక్కడ అన్ని కోతులు మరియు కప్పలు ఉన్నాయి. మీరు వారిని తరిమికొట్టే వరకు తిరిగి వెళ్లడం మాకు సురక్షితం కాదు."
"Once we are done helping you they would like to know anything you know about a special ring." Highness explained in common.
Warbal answers thoughtfully. "Pib and Zarf might have a ring, but I don't know what happened to them when the monkeys and frogs and dragons came."
There is a secret door, but down there is where all the monkeys and frogs are. It won't be safe for us to go back until you drive them out.
"I'm Shaserai, priest of the Forgefather, Torag. Pleased to make your acquaintance." The elf turns to Jonagher. "I think the first order of business should be dealing with that draconic creature so we can get to the basement." He touches his holy symbol "If you want I can enchant your bow so it sharpens your aim and each arrow is more effective."
”That is an excellent idea, Shaserai.” Ragna stands, no longer worried her size might frighten the goblins. ”The rest of us can take up a place where the grauladon is most likely to climb, if it can, and ambush it while it’s still on the ledge. Maybe push it back off.”
"Sounds like a plan. Let's find a good spot where I'll have a clear field of view to fire on it. The rest of you keep it occupied or at least focused on you and the goblins so it stays in my sight. Shaserai, any enchantments you and the Forgefather wish to bestow is fine by me. If you can do it repeatedly for each shot, I suggest you stay alongside me."
Shaserai shakes his head "I'll place a rune of power on your bow. After a minute or so it will fade, but in the meantime your weapon will remain enchanted and impart its magic on your arrows."
The priest inspects the courtyard and the stairs that lead to it. "It might be a good idea if Ragna stands at the ready on the stairs, in case the creature manages to climb the rubble. If that's the case I can give her divine protection against the beast, and in the meantime I can harry it with my fire, helping to take it down."
"A rune of power, you say?" Jonagher nods as Shaserai describes his magical boon, "Is that something you learned from living among the dwarves?" He holds out the bow and waits for the priest to call upon Torag to bless it. "Everyone get ready," he calls out, "I'll shoot from here. Make sure the beast doesn't climb any higher or tear down the wall. If you can keep it focused on you, I'll keep firing as long as I can."
"Doesn't seem very sporting though." Ragna says, peering over the battlements at the not-dragon in the yard below. "Maybe I should try to fight it alone first."
"Sporting?! I wouldn't give that thing a sporting chance even if we had an entire army to field against it," Jonagher quips, "But if you want to head down and keep it occupied, I'll happily fire a few arrows into it from this far safer perch...while also defending these poor goblins and seeing to their safety."
Ragna grumbles and takes a position where the grauldon is most likely to climb the wall. ”You goblins should move to the other side of the yard. The muddy ground over there will stop the monster from being able to climb that part of the wall.”
"Come." Highness says in goblin and common motioning to the small group of goblins.
Irenaeus stays mostly silent as he mentally goes through his repertoire of spells. He does have a shielding spell just in case, but he is more than a little certain that lightning and acid will see more than their fair share of use.
The staircase looks like the most likely way for the lizard to gain access to the battlements, if it manages to climb the pile of rubble, so Ragna and Alak station themselves there. Highness leads the ragtag group of goblins past them to the relative safety of the south end of the battlements.
Highness led the ragtag band of goblins around to the southwestern battlements, motioning them for silence and to stay in place. He eyed the tower door, curiosity warring with caution, and losing. There will be time later to poke around...lizard first... he thought, mentally shaking himself.
Highness poked his head out over the edge of the battlement for a moment, taking in the scene, mind whirling with chaotic possibilities the way that only a goblin's could.
Someone is going to end up down there with that thing, accidentally or otherwise...likely me! Going to need to have the rope to escape, or swing away from the wall and land on it...
A maniacal grin cracked across Highness' face and laughter started burbling up as the goblin started hauling the rope up from the exterior wall to drop it down into the interior of the castle.
Highness begins pulling up Ragna's rope, hand over hand.
Alak hunkers down behind the crenellation, leaving space enough to swing his large sword if the lizard gets too near.
Irenaeus wastes no time. A quick word of power to shield himself and a mere gesture to send his staff flying towards the dragon-like beast, the mage occupies his mind not with the casting of more complex spells but with trying to recall anything he may know about such a creature that will help him and his companions to defeat it.
Ren shields himself, then sends his staff flying, with supernatural range and force, to deliver a solid knock to the lizard.
Shaserai holds his holy symbol aloft in his left hand, and with his right he traces a rune over Jonagher's bow. "By the power of the Father of Creation, may your weapon strike true and with deadly force." As the priest finishes the prayer the rune he has traced glows softly form the bow's riser.
Following Ren's lead, Shaserai also shields himself in anticipation of any trick the creature may pull off.
Shaserai blesses Jonagher's bow with Torag's power before providing a modicum of protection for himself.
Jonagher nods and draws an arrow. As he pulls back his bowstring, he can feel the wood thrumming with the divine power infusing it. "Let's make these count..." he mumbles and lets fly.
"Or...not!" he gripes, "Ugh...this height's throwing off my aim..."
Despite Shaserai's blessing, Jonagher's arrows are unable to penetrate the beast's thick hide.
The lizard's attention has been drawn, however, by the sharp rap delivered by Ren's staff. It hisses in fury and scrambles with dismaying alacrity up the pile of rubble. From there, it leaps to the dangling stairs and begins laboriously to scale them, chunks of masonry clattering to the cobblestones below under the strain.
Since Irenaeus was the only one to hit the beast, Ragna moves to protect him.