Turn 24 -- Discoveries

As the discussion with the goblins continues, Brother Randor finally walks up and looks at the group, "See, I told you they might be peaceful. If you hadn't listened to me we probably would have ended up killing our only lead on the strange happenings here in the mire." He then turns to the goblin shaman and speaks to him in Common, "We shall not harm any of you without provocation. We are here investigating the strange rise of the bog. You look as if you are hiding something. Please tell us what you know about this strange occurrence since it is definitely magical and you certainly know more about magic than any other in your tribe." After Randor finishes his speech there is a blood-curdling scream from the treeline near where Kre went earlier.

Gnore looks at the priest Randor and rolls his eyes before walking over to where his sword lay and sitting down next to it. He then looks at his companions as well as the goblins before asking, "Has anyone got any food?"

"Ah, Grundlegek, your 'holy man'" says Ortho as he motions at the shaman, "seems to know something which he's not sharing. May we trade for that information, will you give it willingly or should you and I have a little one-on-one contest of battle prowess? Surely this information is not worth putting your tribe in danger. We are here for information only and have no desire to harm you. Yet, our mission is of great importance and we will not let this opportunity to learn something pass." As Ortho speaks his voice trails off to a menacing whisper but still audible to Grundlegek and those near. He also takes two small steps toward Grundlegek for emphasis.

As Ortho completes his oration, Grundlegek takes on a visibly angered expression, there is also what could only be described as shock on the face of the shaman. "How dare you?!" shouts Grundlegek at Ortho as he shakes his great war-axe at him, "You invade our home, question us and then threaten me here, before my tribe! We no nothing of your bog. You will leave us now or we will run you out." As he finishes all his warriors raise their shields and prepares their weapons. Also, another 10 warriors come from inside the cave to take up positions around the group, weapons at the ready.

With the tensions rising between the two groups, Beleg gives Ras a wink and a brief smile before lifting his recorder to his lips. He then begins to play a cheery, fast paced melody all the while slowly moving toward the goblins. He continues to play and walk until he is in the center of the group and within a few feet of Grundlegek and the shaman. While playing the recorder, Beleg uses his innate ability to detect evil in others on the goblins.

Sensing evil in them but no evil intent at this point, Beleg finishes the tune and then speaks to Grundlegek, "Mighty Grundlegek, my friend Ortho hear did not mean to threaten you. He is used to settling some manner of disagreements through a test of physical prowess and he merely meant to honour you with this request." The tune that Beleg played apparently had some measure of calming effect on the goblins as most have lowered their weapons and no longer appear threatened by the group, Grundlegek has also calmed to some degree following Beleg's explanation. Beleg continues, "I believe my friend Gnore here has the right idea. We have been travelling for some time searching this area for clues and are quite exhausted and hungry from our travels. We would be honoured if you and your tribe would feast with us and perhaps we could discuss the situation at hand. We have provisions and would be honoured to share them with you. I'm sure your tribe would be interested in the prospect of having a feast?" As Beleg finishes he spreads his hands before him and awaits the response from Grundlegek.

During Beleg's talk Kersath walks over to Dain and points out the strange tattoo's on all of the goblin's foreheads. "Could they be some type of rune writing?" asks the young ranger.

"I do not know," says Dain, "But you can bet I will find out!"

Grundlegek nods his head at times during Beleg's speech and following it the shaman leans over to whisper something into Grundlegek's ear. "You may feast with us and we will talk. You will be watched. Attack us and you will be killed where you sit and Grundlegek will feast on the meat of your bones." With that he and the shaman turn to walk back into the cave. The party exchanges furtive glances with one another before falling in line after Grundlegek and entering the caves. The remaining goblins take up positions alongside the party and 'escort' everyone into the caves. The goblins make no effort to disarm anyone or seem fearful of the party attacking.

The party enters a cave system that has four central caverns to it. The first cave that is entered appears to be the guard room as there is a fire here and several weapons and armour lying around. Also, six guards break off from the group and stay here with two remaining at the cave mouth to continue to watch the clearing. Upon leaving this room the group sees two caverns off from the main passage, one on each side. The left cavern has a few other warrior-goblins lounging around and appears to be a room for other guards to sleep in. There is trash thrown all around the cavern and a few goblins are sitting in a circle playing some type of dice game. Continuing down the cavern the group passes another cavern to the right that appears to be a place for the young and the women to sleep as there are several female goblins and a few young cowering in the corner of the cave as the companions and their guards pass.

Travelling on down the main cavern, Dain points out a plant on the floor to Kersath, "Apparently they use the extract of that plant to paint their faces." Finally, the group reaches the central cavern of the complex. This appears to be the 'throne room' and sleeping quarters of Grundlegek, the shaman and a few others. The companions and the goblins sit down and in no time both groups are feasting heartily. The goblins apparently will feast on anything as they bring out varying types of 'food' for the companions, ranging from the odd lamb to rabbits, rats, carrion, turnips, moss, or grass. Most of the group holds off from eating any of the goblins food and stays instead with their iron rations which they share at times with the goblins.

Following the meal, Grundlegek asks Beleg to once again play a tune on his recorder and Beleg gladly obliges. He once again plays a cheer melody that is fast-paced and several of the goblins happily dance around the campfire to the beat. The goblins laugh quite a bit and appear to be very relaxed with the companions. As this continues, Talimar finally approaches the subject of the mire with Grundlegek. "Great Grundlegek, we appreciate your hospitality to me and my companions but we must try and find an answer to this problem with the mire." Talimar speaks to Grundlegek in goblin while Gnore translates for any who do not speak the language. "I believe your shaman here knows more than he wishes to tell us," finishes Talimar.

"Burukkleyet knows nothing of this mire problem," says Grundlegek, "We do not wish to interfere with humans. We only want to live peacefully in our cave."

As the discussion continues, Dain notices that Burukkleyet has a ring on his right hand that has a symbol very similar to the tattoo on the foreheads of the goblins. "Friend Burukkleyet," says Dain through Gnore, "May I ask what is the significance behind the ring you wear and the symbol of the clan on their faces?" At the mention of the ring, Burukkleyet stiffens a bit. "Yes, Burukkleyet," says Grundlegek proudly, "tell our guests the story of your ring."

"Of course my leader," answers Burukkleyet tentatively, "The ring was crafted by Maglubiyet our god himself and given to me personally before we came to live in this cave." As Burukkleyet speaks the other goblins make worshipful noises and even the chief looks somewhat subservient. As Talimar and Dain ask further questions about the ring it becomes quite clear that Burukkleyet's story about Maglubiyet crafting the ring are quite preposterous. But he will divulge no further information about the ring as it appears to offer him a somewhat higher status with the tribe.

"Friends," begins Dain, "perhaps you would like to sample some of the firewater that we humans love so much. I'm sure our friends Druckner, Gnore, and Ortho would love to share some with you." With that he hands the dwarves a wineskin and asks them to take Grundlegek off to the side. Grundlegek agrees and takes the skin from Dain and takes a hefty swallow of the wine. He shakes his head approvingly before handing the skin to Gnore.

"Never in all me years did I think I'd be sharin' a skin with goblin scum," says Gnore to Druckner.

"Nor I," replies his red-bearded companion.

"I wish to try the firewater," says Burukkleyet to Dain and Talimar as they take him off to a far corner of the cavern. "Of course," says Dain as he hands the goblin shaman a skin from Talimar, "but first we need to discuss this divine gift of yours."

After a few minutes of discussion with Burukkleyet, Dain and Talimar are able to get him to tell them that he simply found the ring shortly after they arrived to the cave. He knew the ring was magical and so he made up the story about it being crafted from his deity in order to raise his status with the clan. "I did not know it would have any effect on this land. Please do not take it from me," pleads the goblin shaman.