Fiora finally manages to enter the Rusty Dragon. Being on the opposite side of town from the cathedral, she had a lot of difficulty getting there, but she did. As she approaches Gareth, she notices the gloomy looking man having a plate of ham and cheese with bread and tomatoes. There is a cup of hot milk with him as well.
Grael enters the Rusty Dragon, glances around, then heads directly for Gareth's table as well. "Well met, you two. Quite a festival, eh? Ya done well out there. Do ye mind if I sit here?" without really waiting for an answer, the dwarf pulls up a chair for himself.
After a pause he glances back and forth from Fiora to Gareth, and seems only then to notice to young man's disposition. "You alright, lad?"
Ameiko and her helping halfling are kneeling in the tavern's corner as they try to clean some greasy stain on the floor. Meanwhile, outside there's an argument between a man and a woman. Apparently the man was supposed to fix the roof but has been too busy playing cards.
When Grael sits down, Fiora peeks out from beneath Gareth's cloak. "Oh, hi Grael. Shhhh! I'm hiding from our group of rabid fans outside. Yes, we have lots of fans now, apparently! And only for fighting a few goblins! Can you believe it? I'm sure the town watch does much more to keep everyone safe, but somehow the fame stuck with us..."
But then she realizes what the Dwarf actually said, and she looks back to Gareth, confused. He was just about the LEAST gloomy person ever. She could vouch for it herself!
...But it *was* true she was kinda pressed into him and whether that was comfortable or not was probably open to interpretation? "Oh. Um, sorry, Gareth! Are they gone now?"
She swiftly pushes herself away from his lithe body, then very carefully rises above the window pane, where she sees the argument outside. Figuring it wasn't much of a problem and not wanting to go outside that quickly again, she instead looks at Ameiko. "Huh. What are they doing over there?"
"Arguin', sounds like. Marriage is like that...I've heard." Grael answers, distracted and unsuccessfully trying to flag down someone to bring him ale and food. The bushy-eyebrowed dwarf frowns, and while continuing to scan the room for someone to serve him, adds, "Aye, apparently we're indeed a bit popular around here. If'n I have ta listen to one more tale from a farmer with a story 'bout the 'biggest-dire-groundhog-ya'-ever-seen', I'll go batty as Mr. Biggs..."
Mr. Biggs not batty. Mr. Biggs explosive! Hehehehe. The goblin chuckles as he sips on a pint of ale half his size.
Gareth chuckles at his 'kid sister's' histrionics. "Don't worry, I promise I'll not let your adoring fans know you're here." He covers her with his cloak.
However, a few moments later, he says "Oh yes, Fiora's right here, she's hiding from her new found fame."
When the younger priest of Densa peeks her head out, she'll find her 'big brother' is only talking to their allies from last night, and he cracks up laughing. "Sorry kiddo, I couldn't resist."
Ameiko and her halfling helper finish cleaning and life seems to be going on fine, despite yesterday's emotions. The decorations have already been pulled down and lunch is being prepared. The smell of roast meat fills the air.
However, a few moments later, he says "Oh yes, Fiora's right here, she's hiding from her new found fame."
When the younger priest of Densa peeks her head out, she'll find her 'big brother' is only talking to their allies from last night, and he cracks up laughing. "Sorry kiddo, I couldn't resist."
"Waaait! No, don't tell them I'm-"
After shooting from beneath the cloth and finding the fans are not in sight, she glares at Gareth with all her might, pursed lips included!
...Which didn't amount to much more than a cute pout, probably, but still. It was the thought that counted!
"You're horrible. And I trusted you! How could you do me like that?" she grumbles, then turns to the others.
"Oh, hi Grael, and Mr. Biggs! Good to see you here," Fiora says, quickly reverting to a smile. "Good timing, too! See, I'm almost positive that my dad gave me the go ahead to investigate the goblin attack, and help out the local sheriff! What do you think? I'm pretty curious about why this all happened and I don't want to see anyone else get hurt..."
Grael shrugs and grins, "I don't see why not. I'm sure'n our help might be welcome, while the guards here shore up their defenses. Can't hurt ta' ask, an frankly...I weren't doin' much a'fore this, anyways."
You need Gobo to catch Gobo! Mr. Biggs say, need to make sure no gobo's hiding in dark places. Mr. Biggs wager some still in the town. All buildings should be searched for sneaky gobo's hiding in corners. Mr. Biggs not want to do it himself though. Mr. Biggs not the best in close quarters or burnable housing... So yes, Mr. Biggs help.
Aleks slides in wherever there's space with his plate and cup. "I'm in if you want me."
Seeing Fiora pout makes the older Desnan laugh even more. He wipes away a few tears while replying. "I had wanted to speak to the sheriff about the tracks I found, so I'll definitely accompany you."
Fiora huffs at Gareth's mirth and playfully punches him in the shoulder!
...Which, as expected, did nothing. She had never really been that physically strong to begin with and probably couldn't have hurt him even if she tried for real. But principles had to be upheld! No way she was an easy target like that. None whatsoever.
Fortunately, with the others joining in and all voicing agreement for heading out to investigate, even the gloomy unsetttling guy she hadn't really talked to yet, she had a convenient topic to fall back on. And no one even questioned her interpretation of her father's support, too!
"Right, then I say we go meet the sheriff! No time like the present. Let's just, ah, avoid the market until the popularity craze wears off a bit? Haha..."
The group sets out to the barracks. They make a longer way there, avoiding the market, but it's of no help. People in the streets recognize the group wherever they are and try to get their attention.
As they get to the barracks, they are recognized and taken to sheriff Hemlock's office. They enter and he seems to be stressed out. He turns to the group and says "Oh, hello. I suppose I should thank you for your help yesterday. So thank you. Can I help you with something?"
"Actually, we're hopin' we might be helpin' you, sir..." Grael gestures over to Fiora to let her explain.
"Yeah!" she follows. "See, I, or we I suppose, were wondering about what could have caused such a large goblin attack and if there was a risk it could happen again. And when I talked to my dad, he said we should ask you if we could help in the investigation."
The sheriff rubs his temples as if recovering from a hangover and says "Well, I don't... It does seem like the attacking goblins have either been killed or captured. The ones in the cells haven't been really helpful. I have been trying to teach my guards how important it is that they keep training and alert, so I'm not really investigating. If you want to, feel free to. You have free access to the prisoners as of now."
"Also, several of them came in from the north gate. I would suggest making sure there's a heavy guard presence there, at least for the next little while. Hopefully we can get some answers from the prisoners, as we have Mr Biggs here as our 'secret weapon'." Gareth chimes in, flashing a grin at the goblin alchemist.
Grael shakes his head and chuckles, "Never thought I'd be happy ta' have a gobbo...er, goblin...along. No offense, Biggs. Ye ain't what I been used to, if ye know what I mean."
Gareth and the others realize that the prisoners are about five goblins who seem to be fighting among themselves.
Fiora, not really used to speaking with wild goblins, nevermind interrogating them, looks to Mr. Biggs first. "So, Mr. Biggs? You have any advice on how we should handle this or is it up to us?"
Fiora recalls that goblins eat whatever is close, not minding if meat is rotten or dirty. They're very much carnivores but won't refuse vegetables.
"Hmmm... actually, can you guys take care of this interrogation for a while? I'll go and get something back home that can help us. Be right back!"
Fiora swiftly makes her way back to her apartment, smiling and waving here and there if the hero-worshipping was still going on. Once there, she retrieves an... 'experimental dessert' from yesterday, and cuts the remains in five equal pieces, ready to feed the goblins!
Aleks tries to remember anything useful he knows about goblins.
Aleksander can only recall the common knowledge about goblins. They are not particularly smart and very violent. However, they can be very stealthy and patient if it means surviving. Goblins are generally afraid of dogs and horses, which is why these creatures are usually the first they try to kill.
Grael, despising pretty much every goblin he sees...other than Biggs...perhaps...stands against the wall outside the goblins' cell, his arms crossed and glowering at the creatures.
Eventually, Fiora makes it back to the group carrying what appears to be a cake covered by a blanket.
"There and back again!" she chirps upon returning. "So how did the interrogation go? Learned anything useful?" she asks the group.
When it appears no one has taken any action, she frowns, confused. "So... you were all just standing here this whole time...?"
Aftter getting a response, or a lack of one, she moves to the goblins behind bars herself. "Right, um, hello to all you goblins! I'm Fiora, and I'm here to ask you why you attacked our town. Did someone tell you to do it? Answer honestly now, and I just might give you all a delicious treat!"
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Mr. Biggs looks to Fiora.
Mr. Biggs not best talky. But Mr. Biggs can help and translate.
Mr. Biggs waddles up to the other goblins before starting to shout in their native tongue.
Okay you know Mr. Biggs killed your boss gob. So now that make Mr. Biggs boss gob! Now, you listen Mr. Biggs and you may live. Mr. Biggs not want you be killed! Answer pretty ladi- er, longshanks questions and you not only survive but get nice snack to! Ahem. First question, why and who order attack on town!?
although he thinks he already knows the type of answer he will get to those questions.
Gareth will lay a calming hand on Mr Biggs. "Maybe not, but you're a valued member of our group, and we trust in you." The young man says reassuringly, and small surge of divine energy courses through his goblin friend.
The goblins shy away from Mr. Biggs, but one of them seems to want to act on the situation and says in Common "Boss is longshanks! It tell us to attack, that it be easy, plundering and killing!" He has his eyes wide and nearly watering at the sight of Fiora's treat.
The goblins shy away from Mr. Biggs, but one of them seems to want to act on the situation and says in Common "Boss is longshanks! It tell us to attack, that it be easy, plundering and killing!" He has his eyes wide and nearly watering at the sight of Fiora's treat.
"Very good! What kind of Lonshank? A man? a Woman? Is your boss human?" she asks, then breaks off a piece of the cake and holds it for the golbin to take (well out of biting range, she hopes!)
The goblin munches on the cake and says with his mouth full "Longshanks, yes! It looked like you! And you! And you!" He points to Fiora, then Aleksander, then Gareth. It seems he can't really tell gender or race apart from longshanks...
The other goblins see the cake eating with envy but don't dare approach.
"Okay... my mistake, maybe that was too hard! Let's start with the basics. Um... Does this longshank boss have breasts, like me?" she takes off her leather armor and motions over the shape of her 'assets' beneath her tunic and underclothes - just to make sure the goblin knew what they were. "Or does this longshank boss NOT have breasts, like him?"
She motions at Gareth and pats his flat chest to emphazise the difference, then gives the talking goblin another, though smaller, piece of the cake.
The goblin thinks hard to a point he almost faints, but finally he says "No brets!"
The goblin thinks hard to a point he almost faints, but finally he says "No brets!" and munches on the cake proud of himself.
Fiora smiles. "Good goblin! Thanks." she hands him another small piece. "So this longshank boss, how tall is he? About that tall?" - she raises her hand from the ground to to the top of Gareth's head - "Or that tall?" she repeats the process to just above the much shorter Grael, being the dwarf.
After getting an estimation of the height, she continues to another topic. "Hmmm... and what about his ears? Did the longshank boss have round ears, like mine, or pointy ears, like you goblins and elf longshanks? ...Elfshanks?"
It seems Fiora broke the goblin, as he just says "Yes, yes, yes!" and tries reaching for more cake. She gets the sense that he has already strained his mental capacity too much.
With the first goblin broken and not getting much more information out of him, she hands him a final small piece turns to the others. "Can any of you tell me where we can find your Longshank Boss, so we can talk to him? ~You'll get a nice chunk of cake!~" she adds in a sing-song tone, waving the platter back and forth before the bars, so close yet so far out of reach...
All of the goblins step forward trying to get a piece. None of them speak Common, all of them Goblin. Mr. Biggs translates it to you. In essence they all swear they know where the boss is, and it is in their tribe home, spread out across the varisian golf.
Seeing as how he's more or less a local, Gareth tries to puzzle out where the goblin's base might be.
Still scowling, Grael gives a dark chuckle of appreciation for Fiora's ability to persuade the goblins into confession, such as it was. He bites his tongue, however, not wanting to break the diplomatic young woman's cake-driven 'spell' over them.