Grobradon's jaw sets with annoyance as Betzolte explains why they should go after the Manylegs first, "You're right. I want Halk dead, chopped into pieces, and those pieces burned, except maybe the head which I might show to my mother." A scowl, "Understand, if Halk somehow gets to my mother again... because I went after Manylegs first.... I don't think I'll be reasonable about it. I know myself, and it's just not in me. That said, I've played loner so long I'm well aware I'm not the best to lead a pack like this. I'll defer to the tactics of others. If more than one of you think Manylegs is the target we should go after next, then I will respect that."
"That goblin, Krosk, said this Halk would be there in the next few days, yes? Could we not deal with the Manylegs and then travel to where Halk should be camping? If we hurry, we may be able to lay an ambush for him," Emerald observes.
"Well, sounds like more than one of you want Manylegs first, and for good reasons. If that's what most of you want, I'll go along, but I don't have to be sweet tempered about it."
"As long as the venom and vitriol are aimed at the goblins, I don't think I can complain, much," Emerald says with what looks suspiciously like a grin. "That said, it's just Betzolte and myself that have said it'd be better to attack the Manylegs first. I must admit, I know very little about the goblin tribes around here. Why are they called Manylegs?"
"They're called 'Manylegs' because they have giant spiders as pets, guards, and steeds... I'm for killing Halk first. He and his people took the elves. It seems to me he is the larger danger... certainly more dangerous than the goblin troops we've encountered so far."
From the way Emerald twitches when Moon mentions giant spiders, you get the feeling that the she really, really doesn't like them. Might she even be afraid of them?
"Wait, what elves," Emerald asks, suddenly very confused. "I thought most of them would be across Lake Encarthan, in Kyonin. Do they have an enclave here?"
"Both groups pose a significant threat to Kassen - and both are unlikely to make a move before the Bloodmoon goblin tribe arrives and they have their war council with Ganny Black Tongue. So, we can assume that we should target both groups and that we have time to do so before they gather for their council." Maidie says.
"Right now, Dik is headed back to the Manylegs to report on what happened with us and Krosk. That's bound to cause some commotion, and perhaps we should give that time to work. If so, there's a case to be made for targeting Halk and his group first. On the other hand, I think Grobradon would be equally upset if his mother was eaten by a giant spider while he was off having a family reunion."
"I think mother would prefer the spiders to Halk" He grumbles. Then looks at Erigga, "What do you think on which we should go after first?"
A glance at Emerald as well, "Spiders are scary, they're efficient predators, many of which bind and poison their prey. If you're nervous about large ones goblins use... you're smart. Still, best to let us know about any such fears so we can adapt our strategies."
"I'm in for dealing with Halk first and I agree with Maidie. The whole point of letting Dik go," aside from the conscience of the group, "was to let him to sow confusion."
"S-spiders don't scare me," Emerald lies as she looks away from the others. "I-I'm a dragon. Why would I b-be scared of spiders?"
"Wait, what elves," Emerald asks, suddenly very confused. "I thought most of them would be across Lake Encarthan, in Kyonin. Do they have an enclave here?"
It’s Moon turn to look discomfited. ”Not an ‘enclave’. Well, maybe an enclave of one – me. I’m a minor daughter of a lesser House and my mother came to see what had delayed my visit… promptly getting caught up in this war. She and the surviving members of her retinue are in Kassen now, relatively safe until the next full moon.”
You get the impression that her House isn’t quite as lesser as she is saying.
"If so, there's a case to be made for targeting Halk and his group first. On the other hand, I think Grobradon would be equally upset if his mother was eaten by a giant spider while he was off having a family reunion."
She takes a sudden turn to change the subject. ”That’s not an answer, Maidie. What’s your vote?”
She takes a sudden turn to change the subject. ”That’s not an answer, Maidie. What’s your vote?”
”Halk and his lot. Of the two groups, they are both the most cruel and cunning. Let’s deal with them, then see what kind of chaos the goblins have managed to stir up.”
"Oh," Emerald says as Moon informs her of what had happened previously, before the young dragon turned human had joined the heroes of Kassen. She gives Moon a curious look, but says nothing else on the matter, though her relief at not having to face the spiders, at least no yet, is palpable.
The decision made, Doffery leads you to where he thinks Halk and his gang will be camping based on the marker on the map. It takes a long slog through fresh snow. The sun does little to warm the Fangwood, and more than once the trek is paused as someone slips and needs help getting back on their feet. After along day, you arrive at a campsite by a stream. No one is there when you arrive, and it appears that another snowstorm is rolling in as the stars overhead are blotted out by clouds rolling in from the east.
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Betzolte nods at the conversation.
"Can see the wisdom of that. I won't say no to making that monster pay for what he did to you mom."
She shrugs at Emerald's question about the fear of spiders.
"Healthy dose of caution when it comes to things smaller than you?" she offers. "Sometimes things like that can mess you up even if you're much bigger than they are. Bards tell stories of dragons who assume a puny adventurer can't possibly overcome them, only to be proven wrong in gruesome or embarrassing ways."
Emerald frowns as Betzolte makes her point.
"I get it, you can stop teasing me," she grumbles as she looks away.
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As the vote turned to getting Halk first, Grobradon was at first surprised, then his features softened.
"Thank you all." he manages, his voice a bit rusty.
"Best strategy here?" He inquires.
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Emerald frowns as Betzolte makes her point.
"I get it, you can stop teasing me," she grumbles as she looks away.
"I'm not teasing you, I'm trying to say it's reasonable!" Betzolte replies.
She turns to Grobradon.
"We got plenty of time to set up an ambush. But if we mess with the camp too much it'd probably give us away."
"Healthy dose of caution when it comes to things smaller than you?"
"Up until the point you mentioned bards, I actually thought you were talking about gut parasites." Erigga shares. "Nasty evil things," she adds, moving her finger repeatedly to mimic the thing's movement, "that tickle your butt-hole from the inside. Not bardic material, though."
---
Erigga watches the place for a bit, before pointing up towards the ravine by the campsite. "You guys think we could get up there? Good place to watch them come back and if we are lucky, we could then drop a boulder or log on top of them when they are cozy by their fire."
Emerald shivers as Erigga goes into far too much detail for her taste.
"Can we please stop talking about creepy things," she pleads.
===
Emerald pants as she leans over and puts her hands on her knees. The trek has been especially arduous for her, and her legs wobble as if made of jelly. She looks up at where Erigga is pointing and shrugs.
"I--I think--*huff*--I think that could work," she says.
Betzolte looks up at the cliff and starts thinking up how to set up such a trap.
With a little bit of time, Betzolte figures that the group can rig up to three boulders to fall onto the campsite. Doing the same for trees would be too difficult with the tools available.
"I like the plan. I'll follow the big rocks with my usual obsidian shower, which should help soften up everyone caught in the blast. After that, I'll summon our rocky friend to help us fight."
When Betz mentions bards, Maidie looks at Emerald and ponders something for a moment. After a brief discussion with the transformed dragon about what abilities and magic she retains in her human form, Maidie suggests:
"Emerald, if you feel up to it, you could help lure Halk and his band into the trap area and make it harder for them to spot what we're doing. You can use your song to fascinate them, distracting them from what's going on above. Once we spring the trap, you can turn yourself invisible and hide. Of course, if you don't fell up to it, you can just stay close to Erigga, she'll protect you with her shield."