CF - Volo's Adventurers' Guild - PbP Campaign

The other goblin, taking in the force that surrounds them and the ease by which they were taken says, "maybe you get rid of Belak? Get rid of Durnn too? Help goblins, goblins help you."

Banjo will be paying close attention to the goblins.  In particular he watches and listens to see if they try to communicate with each other in Goblin.  Banjo suspects, however cowed they may be, the goblins will try to betray us at the first chance they see.  Perception 15

He will also take in their markings, clothing, and manner of speech when they do talk. 

The party is in the room where they have captured two goblins. Only Banjo was hurt as the caltrop hurt his feet, limiting his walking speed. Based upon Tresvar needing to refill her lantern earlier, the party is somewhere between 6-8 hours into their exploration. The room they are in has a fire pit and some crude places for rest, however it is rather filthy. Also, based upon the sounds which Tresvar noted and identified, there are clearly some others (probably goblins) in the next room doing archery practice of some kind.

Tresvar says “we mean to get the surface worlders back, and recover the dragon.  We will do what needs to be done to achieve that.   Do we want to stop.. here or continue? We clearly have a fight in the next room”. She looks at the group.

"If we are in no hurry and have time for a short rest here I could regain my magical strength." Serena mentions and looks to Banjo and Livia for their thoughts.
"Also, it sounds interesting to get our enemies to fight each other, but seeing as we have allied ourselves with the kobolds now, also allying with the goblins could turn out problematic I think." She says and smirks.

(OOC: I actually stated that Serena opened the next door in post #439 but feel free to ignore that :-)

(Livia doesn't really need a short rest, but Sorcerers don't gain anything from it in general. She wouldn't object if that's what the others want, but honestly, she has no reason to spend another hour doing nothing. I don't know when exactly she cast Mage Armor per DM's time calculation, but it seems it won't be active for a lot more.)

"Must we ally ourselves with only one side? Perhaps we can mediate between them if we ally ourselves with both. That way, we wouldn't have to spill blood, right?" She's optimistic, perhaps, but she can't see harm in trying. Negotiations seemed more benefitial overall than killing everyone around. And, most importantly, much safer.

"Well, I suppose we could try to convince the goblins to leave without a fight. I would't give that much hope, but there's no harm in trying I guess." Serena says, trying to be supportive of Livia's suggestion, now also looking at Meepo for his opinion.

"I do prefer Livia's sense of optimism.  Even assuming these goblin prisoners are inflating their number by 100% to try to fool us... that suggests there are somewhere in the order of twenty five goblins here.  It does seem a waste of life if we much kill our way through so many to save a handful.  Neither the Kobolds or the Goblins here seem to be a threat to the outside world, so if they could be made to co-exist here it would be for the good of all.  If I can offer any assistance in negotiations I will gladly do so."

"What say you, Meepo?  Your leader asked us to punish the goblins for their theft of your dragon.  Can you foresee any way the kobolds would ever accept a peaceful co-habitation of these ruins with the goblinkind?"

Meepo spits out, "Filthy goblins. They invade our sacred space. They not worthy. Not of dragon-kind. Only steal, defile, work with bad magics. Impure! Give dragon back and goblins must go."

One of the goblins seaths under Meepo's words, "Stupid kobolds. This our home now. Belak or no Belak, goblins get tree, get ruins, got dragon. Dragon never go back."

The other goblin tries to silent his companion, but too late.

Meepo screams with rage and rushes at the goblin. It is all the party can do to keep him off.

"Yes, I thought you may say that." Serena says and sighs as Meepo finishes.
"Meepo, wait!" Serena tries to move in and block Meepo's way to the doomed goblin.

"Well.  Diplomacy is a marathon, not a sprint."

"Regarding a rest, I could do with giving my poor feet a chance to recover.  And if we haven't already, we should clear a path through those caltrops in case we need to beat a hasty retreat."  Banjo is prepared either way, for a short rest or to proceed into the next room.

Meepo finally relents, and goes off, glowering at the goblins from the corner, where he sits down to rest.

"A short rest then." Serena says and gags the two goblins before finding a spot by the wall to sit and dream away to the Feywild, regaining her eldritch magic.

“OK” says Tresvar.  She leans against the door to the next room, and sits quietly, her sword on her lap.  It is unclear if she’s awake or asleep.  

Banjo will take a seat, pop off his boots and massage his bruised and battered feet.  During this time he will attempt small talk with both Meepo, and later with the goblins.

***

"Meepo, I have been wondering... what exactly is the nature of the dragonling's relationship to your tribe?  Dragons, by reputation, are intelligent, prideful... willful, and powerful beings.  You have harnesses, staps, the cage in the other room.  Is the dragon your prisoner?  I don't ask to judge.  I just wonder what you plan to do when the young wyrm becomes larger, older and stronger.  It may hold... resentment... at being kept in a cage.  Do you not fear your tribe may be playing with fire - er ice, as it were?  There may come a day when Calcryx is no longer content to be the mascot of your tribe and instead become the master.  If that day comes, what sort of master will Calcryx be, do you think?"

***

Later, Banjo will speak with the goblins.  He will do this in common - he doesn't want to tip them off that he understands goblin just yet - but he will watch them as closely as he can to see if they get up to any shenanigans or try to communicate on the DL with one another while the group rests.

"What are your names, fellows?  My name is Jebeddo Thunderdiggles.  I realize you are under duress at the moment, but I really want to believe there is a productive way out of this predicament for you... that way being keeping yourselves truthful, helpful, and not doing anything to jeopardize our mission here.  Still, I am sure you must be concerned that we will only use you for information and then cut your throats and dump you in a corner somewhere.  Allow me to disabuse you of that notion.  My friends and I are folk of our word - particularly the dragonkin there, she's a knight of sorts, if you didn't know - and if you keep your wits and your word with us, we will honor friendly terms made with you.  To pass the time, why don't you tell me a bit about these ruins... what brought your tribe here?  And what of the apples?  I had heard tell of fabulous apples your people brought to trade with the local villages.  Is there a story behind those?"

Meepo sulks for a bit. As Banjo broaches speaking with him, he is at first reticent, but less so than before. It seems that he is at least becoming used to the gnome's presence and questions. This being said, Banjo's questions catch him off guard. He begins to explain that Calcryx is honored above all by the tribe, and that he had felt honored to be her keeper - to protect and preserve her as the tribe's greatest asset. The fact that the goblins were able to capture and steal her seems indication that such protection is needed. As Banjo, continues his line of inquiry, Meepo becomes silent again, seemingly considering the gnome's points. As he does so, his left hand passes over the scars on his right arm - of which there are many such across his body. "You think Calcryx maybe no need our protection? Maybe we can serve her in other way? Kobolds, Meepo, only wish to serve Calcryx. Calcryx no prisoner. Is maybe time to let her lead? Meepo can't speak for tribe, but Meepo could offer Calcryx option... You pretty smart for Gnome..."

((Assuming that Banjo ungags the goblins either singly or together and regags when done talking))

At first the goblins are alternately grumpy and cowering. They keep an eye on Meepo and guard their answers. Banjo slowly uncovers that the goblins came to the ruins after it collapsed. They established a tribe there and used it as a base for raiding the Old Road, until that fell into disuse. They kept to only a portion of the citadel, only skirmishing with the kobolds on occasion. A few years after the Old Road had begun to be disused, Belak arrived, about 12 years ago, and delved into the furthest depths where the goblins had feared to tread. There are areas beneath the ruins which may be even older than the citadel itself. There at the heart is a tree - which the goblins appear afraid to speak of - whispering its name "Gulthias Tree". It is from this tree that Belak gets the fruits which he gives to the goblins to sell. This pleases the goblins for it gains them additional income, but they also delight in the turmoil the fruit seem to spread. It appears there are two different fruit: The midsummer fruit restores spirit and vigor to those who eat it; the pale midwinter fruit steals the same. The goblins seem to delight in fanning any mischief which could come from either. He learns only the nicknames of the goblins - roughly translated to common: "Bearbelch" and "Numbguts".  

Yes, Banjo will see that they are re-gagged afterward, and ask Serena or Tresvar to inspect his work before they set out after the short rest - not having much practice at humanoid bondage.  Banjo is trying to be polite and non-threatening with the goblins, but also play up the power of the others... in his ideal world they may come to see him as an 'advocate' to preserve their well being against the more powerful members of his team.  Again, in Banjo's 'ideal' world... perhaps not in the real world.

To the others, before they set out... "Do any of you recall the story we heard about the goblins selling apples which had unusual, perhaps magical properties?  Well, I was chatting with these two and if they are to be believed, the tree which bears the fruit actually dwells deep underground, below the rest of these ruins.  It is there that this Belak fellow has made his lair, and he gives these apples to the goblins with the express intent that they sell them throughout the countryside.  They say it is called the "Gulthias Tree".  I am scratching my brain to see if that means anything.  Have any of you ever heard of such a thing?"

"Oh.  And the fellow on the left is called 'Bearbelch' and his friend is 'Numbguts.'"

History check to recall any references to the tree?  26 

Serena knowledge check regarding The Gulthias Tree: 11