Kelda looks at Astoria and shrugs in a, 'what should we do?' way.
"I guess we should wait for him to get settled, then approach him." Lysithia suggests.
Kelda scratches her head, "Well, it's not like I was gonna follow him into the wash room or anything. I'm just...I'm not good at saying things, and I think when he comes back, you and Tori should do the talking? I'd just like to know which way he came from, and what he saw. I'm worried about what our delays might have cost Cooperton."
The halfling emerges from the washroom a short while later and, upon seeing the group still seated at the table, approaches. "Why are you following me around?"
Kelda looks at Lysithia and Astoria, waiting for one of them to explain.
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"Hello. I'm sorry to bother you like this but my friends and I though you might know something about this recent menace. We've met some troubles of late and were interested in learning more about what we're all dealing with." Astoria explains.
The halfling shrugs. "I'm guessing you mean the goblins...There have always been goblins in the valley, but suddenly they became organized. Some of them got smarter too. Whatever happened is tied to something in the forest. I'd wager it being Ardin's Tower. Not that I distrust magic, but I don't necessarily trust it either."
Kelda looks from Lysithia to Astoria, before looking back at the halfling. The tower? Ardin might be a little eccentric, but she didn't think he would do something evil, like aligning himself with the goblins and systematically destroy the valley....he just couldn't. Maybe someone or something dark took control of the tower? There just had to be another explanation.
Unable to help herself she asks him, "I was also wondering what direction you came from, and what it was that you saw? If you don't mind sharing your information with us as well as Duncan? We were supposed to be in a town about a days journey or so from here a few days ago, and I'm concerned about what problems for them, our multiple delays might have caused them." Keld explains,while trying to keel it as short as possible.
"We figure sharing information will help get a better understanding of how the goblins have been affecting the area, and aid in combating them." Lysithia adds.
"Have there been any reports or sightings of the goblins using magic, or just smarter tactics?"
The halfling shakes his head. "If the goblins are after something specific, they travel in warbands, usually with one of the generals. Otherwise, they use scouting groups of around six. If you're not dealing with six, you're dealing with twenty and a general. They've stopped fighting to the death, for the most part. If they're losing, they flee. I haven't heard anything about goblins using magic...yet."
He sighs. "If you're going north, you're guaranteed a rough time from here on out. No guards from here to Vorota because the goblins are raiding the fields to the east and the raids are too frequent for anything short of an army to hold the road."
Kelda nods thoughtfully, a concerned expression on her face as she looks at Astoria and Lysithia before looking back at the Halfling, "Actually, we were headed to Cooperton, we just...kept running into problems. The last group of goblins we came across, were in a group of three. One that could speak common, was riding a wolf and carried a wicked looking blade. He had two friends with him when we ran into each other. I knew things were getting bad, I just didn't realize how bad they had really got." Kelda thinks back to where they parted ways with her family, and hoped they were okay.
"That just means that in places like Cooperton, the situation is more dire than we thought. People without training in magic or with weapons wouldn't stand a chance against these scouting groups, much less a warband." Lysithia replies.
Kelda nods while running a hand through her hair, "Well, that would explain why we've had such a difficult time trying to get there. We have to make it there though. Hopefully, there's still a town left by the time we get there." Kelda sighs, not knowing what else to say.
"I wish you the best of luck," the halfling says. "Now, if you don't mind, I need to speak with Duncan."
He turns and heads back to the innkeeper.
Lysithia nods a farewell to the halfling as he departs. "Well at least we have a better idea what to look out for. Want to go ahead with checking out the supply store now?"
Kelda's features are hard to read as she thinks about what he had told them. It takes her a few minutes to realize that Lysithia is speaking to her.
Nodding she says, "We might as well, I'm not sure there's much more we can learn here."
Your thoughts are interrupted by a piercing scream and you see one of the dwarven guards rush in.
"Goblins!" he bellows. "Get somewhere safe!"
Without a moment to process this, he runs back out, hammer in hand. Duncan gathers his papers and runs to one of the rooms. The innkeeper slams the door behind him. The halfling, likewise, runs to one of the rooms but returns with weapons in hand. He glances at the trio at the table before exiting the inn.
Kelda curses under her breath for leaving their room without her armor on.
Getting up quickly, "We have to help them, but I need my armor. Come on, we have to be quick and stick together. Astoria, make sure you have everything from your room and meet us back here. Let's go."
Taking Lysithia by the hand, Kelda runs as quickly back to their room. She has Lysithia gather up the rest of their stuff, as she puts her armor on as quickly as possible, before running back down to meet up with Astoria so they can help the town.
The howl of a wolf gets your attention as you get up to prepare.
"It's probably that rotten little bastard with the wolf again, the one that damn near killed me." Lysithia says as they run toward the rooms to get their armor. "We'll be ready for them this time."
Kelda nods as she nearly slams herself into their door in her haste, "Let's help each other get ready, it'll be quicker that way."
Kelda helps her love into her armor first, being very careful of the thorns.
Quickly agreeing, Lysithia dons her armor with Kelda's help, turning to help her love put on her own armor when done. Once armored, she grabs up her staff and other combat gear as they head back out to meet Astoria and head out into the street.
Astoria hurries off to her room to gather her things and takes a few extra moments to ensure the safety of her furry friend before rushing back out into the streets to meet the others. "What's our plan then?" She asks once the group is reunited.
"Stop the goblins from hurting people. If possible take out the leader." Lysithia says, trying to lock on to where sounds of distress or the howl of the wolf might be coming from.
Kelda takes a look around as well, trying to figure out where they're needed most.
Lysithia and Kelda hurriedly look around. Sitting at the north end of the settlement, the wolf-riding goblin from before is flanked by six goblin archers, their nocked arrows following Astoria as she moves. The rider does not make any attempt to approach. "There you are. Where is your murderous friend?"
Kelda shrugs, "We don't know. He blamed himself for us getting hurt and took off some time early this morning. All he left us was a note, but you calling him "murderous" is a little ridiculous since it is your kind that have been doing all the killing around here. Wouldn't you say? We were just defending ourselves. We stepped into the bushes to try and avoid you, but your damn pet sniffed us out, and we weren't going to just allow ourselves to be slaughtered." She explains matter of factly while gripping her hammer tightly.
"So you assumed that I would kill you because I found you?" the rider asks. "Because I am a goblin? Rather narrow-minded of you."
He looks to the other goblins. "I demand justice for the lives you have taken. Come to where we first fought tomorrow afternoon. If not, I will find you...I will always find you no matter where you hide."
The goblin holds up a scrap of Lysithia's clothes and waves it front of the wolf, which lets out a chilling howl. "In the meantime, I will go find your friend."
"Excuse me, but what else am I supposed to think? Bands of goblins stealing supplies, destroying homes, and killing everyone in their path....what gives you the right to judge me for the obvious conclusion I would come to, or for assuming that you would do anything less than try to kill us?" She retorts, starting to get angry.
"You never tried to say or do anything to let us think any different of you. Are you going to deny being one of the generals that have been leading these murderous war parties against these villages and farmers?" She asks, her knuckles turning white as her grip tightens further on her hammer.
Almost seething with anger, "Where is the justice for everyone that has died defending their homes and farmland from your raiding parties? Those goblins we killed were NOT innocent. They attacked me, my friends, and my FAMILY when we did NOTHING to them. I kill no one for fun or sport, only to protect those I care about. That is why they died."
Without realizing it, she takes a couple steps forward, her rage almost palpable, "This valley is my home, and you are trying to destroy it! How do you expect me to react you stupid bastard!!" She all but screams, just barely holding onto her self control by a thread.
Kelda knows that losing her temper with the green little jerk wasn't going to help their situation, so she starts taking some slow deep breaths to try and regain some of her composure.
While taking a couple minutes to breath and calm down, Kelda looks over at Lysithia and Astoria to see if there was anything they wanted to say.
"No. You won't. You think you can humt us whenever you want? I am working you, the next time your wolf follows my scent, I will take his pelt. You have terrorized this valley, and have people living in fear. No more. You are clearly smart enough to know that its won't end well...fir you.!" Lysithia says in a deadly serious tone, while resting a hand on Kelda's shoulder.
"Says the woman whose blood satisfied my wolf's thirst," the rider retorts. "If you wish to battle now, so be it. But I will not do it here. These...peasants are not who I am after."
Kelda growls low in her throat, "Whatever you say jerkface, I think your pet's head would look good on a wall."
"Fine! We aren't going to sit back and have you continue to terrorize people using us as an excuse. Name the time and place." Lysithia says, glaring at the goblin leader.
"Your boasts ring hollow, dwarf," the goblin says, his intent seeming to indicate (to Lysithia, at least) that he has some personal code of honor. "We shall go a mile north of here. Whomever among you wishes to challenge us may."
He then speaks to the other goblins before they lower their bows. They turn and head away from the town.
Kelda scowls, "That walking pile of dung is really starting to tick me off."
Looking around at those that had gone outside she asks, "So, is anyone else here tired of putting up with their crap, and interested in trying to get rid of some the bastards?"
Lysithia watches the goblin wolfrider, as he speaks to his warband and leaves. Though he seemed to have some sort of personal code, that didn't in any way indicate that he had anything but his own interests at heart.
One of the dwarven guards shake their head. "If we all go, then this place becomes an easy target."
Kelda nods, "It's okay, we understand. This is your home, and you need to be here to protect it. Well, I guess we'll just do our best."
Looking back at Lysi and Astoria, "I guess it's just the three of us. We should probably start heading that way."
The halfling from earlier sighs. "I guess I'll go with you."
Kelda stops and looks back at him, "Sure, if you want to. I'm just tired of these jerks thinking they can do anything they want." Kelda holds onto her hammer with one hand, and holds Lysi's hand with the other as they head North.
The halfling shrugs. "I'm Evert, by the way. Not Everett, just Evert."
"Glad to have you with us, Evert. Wish it were under different circumstances, but here we are." Lysithia says warmly.
Kelda nods as she walks with an angry gait, still visibly upset by the goblin's outlandish accusations.
"Yes, we do appreciate you coming with us. I don't remember the goblins acting this way before, so I can't help but wonder what's changed to make them act this way." Sighing she adds, "Well, I guess the why doesn't matter now, we just need to stop them before there's nothing left to destroy. Sorry for not introducing ourselves sooner. I'm Kelda, this is Lysithia, and our quiet thoughtful friend is Astoria, and her furry friend...we don't know his name yet." She says, motioning to her girlfriend, and Tori as she introduces them in turn.
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