Now do you feel like bashing some orcs? If not, please leave us alone."
Sandros frowns, watching the goblin speaker's movements. "I can't tell if they want a fight or not..."
Proteus looks at the chieftainess coldly.
"I will go speak with my comrades and return with our decision."
"Are you ready to go Royl?"
Proteus waits for Royl and they return to the group together.
Once they are back, Proteus explains the conversation to the group. He then withholds his judgement of the conversation to hear what the others have to say.
"Well, if they're willing to let us through to grab the leader's stuff, we should definitely take them up on it. On the other hand, this stuff about He-Who-Waits... Let's just say that, in my experience, being who gets names like that are best off being kept waiting," Sandros says.
"Well, if they're willing to let us through to grab the leader's stuff, we should definitely take them up on it. On the other hand, this stuff about He-Who-Waits... Let's just say that, in my experience, being who gets names like that are best off being kept waiting," Sandros says.
Proteus laughs heartedly at Sandros' comment about "He-Who-Waits. Then turns serious. "Taking the leader's stuff didn't appear to be an option or I'm thinking they would have offered it as 'restitution.' I don't like it, and with the name 'Orcus' she was throwing around, I think we are best laying the lot of them low and going about our business. Especially since they have openly threatened us and said we aren't safe with them at our backs. I'm not one to wantonly kill but it seems the most appropriate option at this point. We should at least relieve them of their leader."
Roylenna listens to the give-and-take in Goblin, staying uncharacteristically quiet as she tried to follow the sometimes heated conversation. When it's done, she's still standing there for a moment thinking and Proteus brings her out of it to discuss with the others.
"We don't know many warriors they have, but I'm pretty sure they'd be hard-pressed on their best day against us. I have to sympathize with her position -- we did break down their door and wipe out a lot of warriors. Grezzo might have deserved it, but the tribe as a whole...
"Nonetheless, she's given us leave to pass through their chambers and she's given us hints as to what lies beyond. I'm not terribly excited about waking 'he-who-waits,' but I am curious about what's beyond those doors. I can give the goblins the benefit of the doubt - and we can give them the same offer I gave the kobolds above: If one so much as raises their weapon against one of us, the truce is over."
She shrugs, "but it's a party decision. What do you want to do?"
"Well, if they're willing to let us through to grab the leader's stuff, we should definitely take them up on it. On the other hand, this stuff about He-Who-Waits... Let's just say that, in my experience, being who gets names like that are best off being kept waiting," Sandros says.
Proteus laughs heartedly at Sandros' comment about "He-Who-Waits. Then turns serious. "Taking the leader's stuff didn't appear to be an option or I'm thinking they would have offered it as 'restitution.' I don't like it, and with the name 'Orcus' she was throwing around, I think we are best laying the lot of them low and going about our business. Especially since they have openly threatened us and said we aren't safe with them at our backs. I'm not one to wantonly kill but it seems the most appropriate option at this point. We should at least relieve them of their leader."
Ka'kara frowns, "I won't just hack them down without reason. I say we just tell them we are looking for the kings stuff and go get it. If they want to make war over it than she gets a big grin we'll give it too them. Besides, I think your right, it's only a matter of time before they do something stupid." She walks over and stands in the double door looking around the room daring any of the goblins to attack her.
"Look, I'm not one to kill with reckless disregard, either. As I see it, though, there is more to this than just letting these humanoids go on about their business and staying out of their way. First, they obviously are in service to 'he-who-waits' and are actively seeking a method toward ending his idleness. They also, obviously, have the knowledge of what it requires to do so. Taken with her references to Orcus, who knows what evil they will be unleashing upon the world if left to their own devices. Second, she clearly threatened us that if we were in a weakened state, they would attack."
Proteus pauses slightly for affect. "So, think about this, if we are to continue onward and require some downtime to gather our resources after retreat, we would be required to pass through here on our way to any type of respite. That is not sound tactically. If they had been truly grateful for the service we have done them in the destruction of their evil ruler and their future endeavors were mundane, that would be one thing." Proteus voice becomes very matter-of-fact. "But these goblins are obviously seeking the restoration of some sleeping power. Given that, along with her poorly veiled threat, I think we are foolish to continue forward without protecting our backside. It is clear that orcs lie beyond these rooms and it is also clear that it will almost certainly require some rest before, or after, we clear them from whatever rooms lie beyond."
"I will bow to the wishes of the group majority, but our options seem clear. We either turn back and proceed along another avenue or we continue forward. If we are to continue forward, then it is part and parcel that we take out this devilish group of goblins; also, ensuring that whoever, or whatever, it is they are trying to awaken stays in slumber."
Hella adds her thoughts, We halflings have many bedtimes tales about fools who make deals with goblins. Most of the stories end with the fool in a large soup pot. On the other hand, I am not a warrior by any stretch of the imagination, and I don't yet have the stomach to slaughter an entire tribe for simply trying to scare us away. I favor Ka'Kara's plan. Walk in, take the treasure. If they try to stop us then we deal with them. Perhaps violence isn't necessary. They were willing to parlay."
"They can reason," Sandros says slowly, "I'll not kill them without cause. They will probably give us one, yes. But we've killed the one who murdered Rana; that's the justice we've earned. I say we make the deal, so far as claiming our rights of war on whatever the chief had. It's clear from what the gobliness said that there's more to awakening this thing than just claiming the sword, let alone putting it into the depression back there. We're not helping anyone, and we don't risk becoming like the goblins ourselves."
He looks down for a moment. "No one deserves to die just because of their birth."
"I agree with young Sandros. You have already killed the one responsible for the death of your friend. What are you likely to gain by killing these creatures when they are willing work with you?" Jior looks around at the group,"Obviously you can't trust them of course but maybe you can make their nature work for you. Can someone truly betray you if you know that they will betray you?"
"I agree with young Sandros. You have already killed the one responsible for the death of your friend. What are you likely to gain by killing these creatures when they are willing work with you?" Jior looks around at the group,"Obviously you can't trust them of course but maybe you can make their nature work for you. Can someone truly betray you if you know that they will betray you?"
"Ultimately, it is not the betrayal that I am worried about, nor am I talking about killing them simply because they are goblins. It is the idea of the awakening of 'He-who-waits' that I am concerned about. It is called the death of one, the chieftainess, for the good of many. She is a follower of Orcus and a minion of 'he-who-waits.' My feeling is that neither bode well for humanoidkind."
Roylenna looks back and forth, her eyes growing larger as she realizes the depth of the disagreement going on.
"I'm with Sandros. We cannot make the first move or we are no better than the goblins... or the kobolds. I don't care for the treasure, for that matter, but I do want to see what's in there.
"If we happen to find whatever it is that releases Whatever-He-Is, it's better in our hands than laying around for the chieftainess to find. I think that's more important than removing her -- there will always be another ambitious chief, but if the key is protected or destroyed, their ambition is for naught."
She's looking at Proteus with some worry at this point.
"Hella, should the worst come, how many of them do you think there are? Women and children?"
Still standing out in the open in the doorway Ka'kara gives a sigh of exasperation, "Look, they aren't doing anything let's go look around. The orcs will be for another day."
"Hella, should the worst come, how many of them do you think there are? Women and children?"
Hella rebuttals: "If I am not mistaken, our initial offer of mercy at the end of the last big battle with these goblins was that all goblins wishing to live would clear out and not return. They have already broken our offer of peace. Obviously, they will continue to be a nuisance and a threat. While Jiro makes a good point about manipulating their natural tendency towards betrayal, I can't see this working out peacefully in the end. While they may not ambush us now, I would be pleasantly surprised if they don't when we return weakened from future battles ahead. I am not of a strong preference for what we decide to do, I will follow whatever decision the party decides to take. I am merely stating my predictions for how they will act, regardless of our best plans and intentions."
Sandros frowns. "Did we make a deal with the goblins? I mostly just remember them running, though I admit I wasn't exactly paying attention right at the end, what with the soul-warping necrotic energies and all..."
Sandros frowns. "Did we make a deal with the goblins? I mostly just remember them running, though I admit I wasn't exactly paying attention right at the end, what with the soul-warping necrotic energies and all..."
Ka'kara looks back over her shoulder, "Yes, the deal was if they kept running I wouldn't kill them. The details beyond that get...hazy....or maybe just aren't important." Turning back to the goblin filled chamber she points her greatsword at the new leader, "You, goblin queen! Do you understand the common tongue?"
Turning back to the goblin filled chamber she points her greatsword at the new leader, "You, goblin queen! Do you understand the common tongue?"
The goblin turns round in incomprehension. She indicates that she speaks Orc and Draconic, but not Common.
Turning back to the goblin filled chamber she points her greatsword at the new leader, "You, goblin queen! Do you understand the common tongue?"The goblin turns round in incomprehension. She indicates that she speaks Orc and Draconic, but not Common.
With a look of irritation, "Well, that isn't going to work. You all figure out what in your ancestors names your all doing yet?!?!"
"Yes," Sandros replies firmly. "We're coming to get the stuff from the chieftan's room. If they attack us, we're going to kill them all."
"Yes," Sandros replies firmly. "We're coming to get the stuff from the chieftan's room. If they attack us, we're going to kill them all."
*Sigh* "I think that sums it up. And I think some hope they attack us..."
"Yes," Sandros replies firmly. "We're coming to get the stuff from the chieftan's room. If they attack us, we're going to kill them all."*Sigh* "I think that sums it up. And I think some hope they attack us..."
Ka'kara shrugs, "Not really. At least for myself. If they do, they do." She takes a step into the chamber and seems to be awaiting the rest of the group.
Ka'kara shrugs, "Not really. At least for myself. If they do, they do." She takes a step into the chamber and seems to be awaiting the rest of the group.
Roylenna has walked to the barbarian's side. "What is it you would have me say to the goblin queen?"
Ka'kara shrugs, "Not really. At least for myself. If they do, they do." She takes a step into the chamber and seems to be awaiting the rest of the group.Roylenna has walked to the barbarian's side. "What is it you would have me say to the goblin queen?"
She thinks for a moment, "Show her the key and tell her we seek what it goes too. If she is not going to help tell her we are going to look for ourselves then. If she wants to stop us, well let her try." Than she smiles, "If there is no problem well than we can all look for the keys to the pillars together.....well seperately.....but together.....grrrr.....you know what I mean!"
She thinks for a moment, "Show her the key and tell her we seek what it goes too. If she is not going to help tell her we are going to look for ourselves then. If she wants to stop us, well let her try." Than she smiles, "If there is no problem well than we can all look for the keys to the pillars together.....well seperately.....but together.....grrrr.....you know what I mean!"
In Draconic, with pauses to allow for responses from the Goblin Queen:
"My companions wish to explore further and do not seek to continue our conflict unless they are attacked. I cannot stop them if one of your tribe raises his hand against one of mine."
"What do you know of the keys to the pillars? Have you clues other than the shapes indicated by the pillars?"
"Who is 'He-Who-Waits'? Is he a god? A great mortal hero awaiting rebirth? I'm curious - his name would indicate he is very old."
The goblin lady responds in Draconic:
That would be the key to his room. You can try it if you like, or you could give it to me, and I can bring you his treasure, if that's what it takes to make you go away.
I have a few men working at clearing some rubble north of here. If you bring them greetings from Kissel, they will not attack you. Please don't kill them or interrupt their work. Apart from that, we will not interfere with your exploring.
I don't know much about He-who-waits, but he is said to be an ancient longshank hero, who was betrayed by his own people and trapped somewhere deep under the city. The legends mention a sword and a magic helmet, but I haven't found either. As to the keys you speak of, your guess is as good as mine. I think some sort of rite is necessary to activate the sword's powers, but until I find the helmet, I'm groping in the dark.
In Draconic:
As for Grezzo's room, they will not be satisfied unless they look themselves. We will search his room. Is it that door over there?
If He-Who-Waits is a longshanks, how would he still be alive? Or do you seek his equipment?
Either way, I cannot vouch for the behavior of the rest - I am not their leader - and as you said earlier, it is unwise to trust goblins, so they do not. The less your tribe and mine interact, the more likely there will be no further bloodshed.
Do you know of another route into the city that would avoid your tribes' cave?
Roylenna turns to Proteus (in particular, anyone can listen) to relay that "Kissel indicates that He-who-waits is not a god or a demon, but a banished 'longshanks' She claims to not have any more information about him or the rite to revive him, but expects his legendary gear to enlighten her.
"She just wants us to go away. I told her that if they threaten us, it will not go well for them, and that some of us do not trust them, as she herself advised. The key should fit Grezzo's door, over there. There is a crew of goblins clearing a tunnel that way. If we go that way and tell them that Kissel sends greetings, they will not attack us. I will believe it when I see it, but I'm not against trying it.
"She retains the benefit of the doubt, for me. Let's go on in!"
Nodding to Roylenna, Ka'kara will enter and begin heading toward the door watching carefully for any sign of treachery by the goblins.
Proteus will go last, to keep an eye on those in front of him.
You proudly march past the goblins, all tense and ready to pounce on you at the slightest sign of weakness, led by the goblin queen. She stops and indicates a locked wooden door, and true enough, the key fits.
The walls of the room you entered have been painted with crude images of Orcus ruling over his minions and defiling the good. Against one wall is a small wooden bed and an iron side table upon which is a shrunken human head. There is also a small writing table and chair against the opposite wall. On the table are four sheets of vellum and a quill pen and ink. The vellum is blank.
Beneath the bed there is a small unlocked wooden chest. "Help yourselves", the goblin chieftainess says in Draconic in a sarcastic tone of voice.
Will you be taking the chest and vellum with you or do you prefer to open it here?
A look of disappointment crosses Ka'kara's face and then indicating the goblin chieftess, "She's lying about not having some of the items to wake up this He-Who-Sleeps or whatever he's called. The bugbears said the now deads goblin king used a greatsword at times to burn and punish the goblins. They said it left marks on them. Where is the sword?"
"Good question," says Sandros, who then repeats it, in Draconic, to the chieftainess.
"Good question," says Sandros, who then repeats it, in Draconic, to the chieftainess.
She frowns as she answers :
"She says Grezzo didn't have the sword, that he could never have used it even if he did," Sandros reports, frowning. "Someone is lying, but I honestly don't think it's her..."
Draconic to the chieftainess:
In Draconic:
Do you want to retreat or try to pass through?
"Well, it seems that we've worn out what little welcome we had to start with. Let's go somewhere."
Leaning toward the halflings, "Watch and see if you notice any strange burn marks on the goblins as we head out." She will look carefully at the goblins as we pass by.
Ka'kara shoulders the chest and you carefully make your way out of the goblin den. The tension is tangible, but you manage to get out unscathed.
Where do you want to rest?
"Yes, let's go see Grosh again! We can tell him about the dragon!"
Almost as an afterthought, "The goblin queen said she didn't know where we might find the bugbears that lied to us - or didn't. We were welcome to 'send them to Orcus' when we next met them. I was hoping they might be able to tell us of the greatsword they claimed Grezzo had."
You return to your ogre friend, who is a little bit disappointed that you leave him out of all the fun. In return he has Roylenna tell him over and over again how you defeated the dragon. Every time she reaches the end of the story he laughs and claps his hands. Evidently he held a grudge against the dragon.
You can spend some time resting and Jiro can practice his new moves. Where next?
You return to your ogre friend, who is a little bit disappointed that you leave him out of all the fun. In return he has Roylenna tell him over and over again how you defeated the dragon. Every time she reaches the end of the story he laughs and claps his hands. Evidently he held a grudge against the dragon.
You can spend some time resting and Jiro can practice his new moves. Where next?
"He-Who-Waits can wait longer. Lets see what else is up on this level now that the water devil and dragon are gone. Well I think the dragon is gone. Hmmm, maybe we should go back and check to make sure. Then we can explore from it's cave. What do you all think?'
[ooc]Oh, oops. If anyone else (I already used my Heavenly Fire on Ka'kara, I think) needed a little healing, I could have/would have used my Fire on them as we returned to the Grosh's cave.
Proteus will treat any remaining wounds as they rest.
Proteus also finds it amusing that everytime the Royl tells the story it gets more harrowing, the dragon is scarier, and the groups efforts are ever more bold.