Keun stops rapidly eating his food after hearing this, taking a moment and attemping to wipe the food from his mouth, but spreading it around more. He sits up in his seat and leans over to Larissa. He starts addressing her but pans to look at everyone as he asks, "How about that? Goblins in caves?" He has a very eager smile on his face as he says, "I bet we could take 'em!"

Dverin gulps down his drink and slowly starts sipping at the stew, nodding and enjoying his food.

Turning to the barkeep, he asks, "Well, whether for avoidance or pursuance, wherabouts would this cave be located?"

Eyeing the bartender, he watches intently for truthfulness or information left unspoken. [Insight: 6 ]

"Somewhere out there," he responds waving his arms in a large half-circle.  "There ain't no maps I ever heard tale of, and merchants don't go east of here without heavy guards.  But I warn you, I never heard of no one coming back alive.  And its more likely those other lads ran into some wandering band."

Dverin

 Just then, the door opens and a huge man ducks his head to enter the bar.  Light shines off his suit of plate armor, on his open faced helm is painted an open eye and on his blue tabard, a silver gauntlet with an open eye in the center of its palm.  Across his back is strapped a kite shield, and a massive mace hangs from a hook on his belt.  He is followed by two men, in chain mail, but similarly garmented and equipped.

All conversation in the tavern stops, making the clatter of dishes being cleaned in the backroom, and the bubble of the cauldron unnaturally loud.  As he scans the room, he nods in familiarity to the group before the fire before noticing you.  As one, the three men approach you, and you hear the Barkeep mutter, "Helm preserve us."  Wither it is an earnest prayer to the god, or a plea to the Priest approaching you are not sure of.

"You are the one that brought in my supplies?" he asks in a rumbling whisper.  "Good, good.  My thanks for the service and may Helm watch over you.  Hmm, little early for dinner, but I have some time to join you for a bowl of stew."  He nods to the novices behind him and they move to tables together as the serving maid goes and fetches a large bowl of stew.  Pushing two stools together he sits at the head of the table and motions for you to join him.  The two novices take up positions flanking him, as the unnatural silence stretches on and all eyes watch you and the Curate.

Dverin joins, seating somewhere off to the side.

"So," Dverin clears his throat, struggling to find proper words, "what's going on?"

Keun was in the middle of describing just how he'd skewer a goblin, animatedly throwing his hands around while spraying a wave of stew and bread crumbs. He froze in place as this imposing man entered and remained silent while cowing slightly in his seat. 

Keun finds his composure, slightly, and walks over to join this man. In his efforts to appear calm and confident he almost trips over a chair, but manages to not spill the stew that he is carrying. As the words finish coming out of Dverin's mouth Keun spews out, "Yes we brought your supplies." Uttered so quickly that the words string together and are hard to make out. He tries to smile at this and is watching the man eat, you can see him slowly attempting to imitate him with his own food.

When the Curate removes his helm and gauntlet, you see he is an older man, with the beginning of greying at the temples. 

"I thank you for bringing the supplies, the next supply caravan is not due for another month," he says, then mumbles "If it arrives even close to time."

"The education of the children and the people is our second duty.  Our first being to stand guard against the dark forces of the word which would sweep us away."

To Dverin:  "Going on?  Well, as always we who are faithful to Helm stand ready to defend this Keep against the dark forces of destruction.  But it is not easy.  We are at the very end of civilization and there is not the manpower to tame this country.  Did you notice the lack of farms as you approached?  Bandits, Goblins, and I don't know what else may be in the Badlands to the east, all of these squeeze us here and keep us dependent on supplies from Orlath and Loudwater."

@Dverin

" It's sad that some people find my gorgeous body not attractive. " Dorcas says sadly, rubbing his potbelly. " But that's life. You can't be loved by everyone else. We have to eat,we have to work.

Dorcas enjoys food and drink,listening to the conversation between the barkeep and other adventurers. Goblins down easily. But that doesn't mean they are less dangerous. The dwarf cleric wants no friends to be killed by these green skins. Maybe they should find the mercenaries and ask for some information. 

Just then the Curate enters the tavern and breaks tDorcas's thoughts. The dwarf puts down his cheese and greets him. " It is a pleasure and honor to help you, sir.  I'm Dorcas of the Firesoul clan. These are my friends. Young Keun, nimble Dverin and beautiful Larissa. " The dwarf uses his thick finger to indicate his companions one after another. "  These land is truly wild and  dangerous. The stones of this keep told me a lot. And we have just heard the rumor about the goblins of the east cave. The green skins are always troublesome.  My friends were discussing if we can lend a hand to lighten your burden… with reasonable rewards " 

"You speak of what is known here as the 'Caves of Chaos'.  Over the years, many foolish adventurers have gone looking for them, but I know of none since I have been here that have found them and returned.  Though stories say it is an area of many caves which house many dark creatures, more than just goblins.  Unfortunately I cannot tell you more about what you might find or where they might be.  Some years ago, an old priest went north and was not heard from again, and last year an Elf crossed the river to the south and never returned.  And caravans traveling westward along the road have reported attacks by goblins and orcs." 

The Curate shakes his head, "I am afraid it would take a regiment of the Vigilant to clear this area for farmers to move and villages to be built."

"As for reward, it is true the Castellan, Sir Ector, offers a bounty on such creatures.  Usually the left ear suffices."

Keun is sitting bolt upright in his chair as he listens to this. Attempting to hide his nerves and eagerness he looks to the others and says, "It seems we could be of a greater use to these people than delivering goods after all. What say you all? Shall we slay some goblins? Fight the dark creatures in the caves?" He is getting more riled up as he asks this and then remember himself, looking over to the Curate and attempting to say in a more even tone, "Let us venture forth and help those in need." 

"Cave of Chaos…" Dorcas mutters the name as he puts another cheese in his mouth. " My ma is a genius cheese maker. There was a time She made a huge cheese as big as a small cow.  Me and my siblings wondered how we could deal with such a monstrosity.  But in the end, we finished it in less than a month. The key was to keep eating one bite and another, slowly but steadily. Thanks for good advice,sir. You are an experienced warrior. Must know many hunting spots. Let's start from the part where we can bite. If you have any recommendations, tell us please. " 

"Larissa makes a fair point," Dverin furrows his brow, then continues, "I'm trying to get a better picture of these previous adventurers. Were they well equipped, by any chance? Men of eminent worth? If they were, that changes the probability of certain things regarding their disappearance..." He is content to leave his implications ambiguous, and his true intents somewhat transparent.

He continues, "I imagine the goblins have probably killed a great many of noble and great warriors, the bastards..."

"The Castellan and myself have our duties, and though he has sent patrols in force, they have been limited to the immediate area.  As for the previous adventurers, overconfident would be the thing they had in common.  Besides those I mentioned, a few years ago a band of experienced mercenaries went out thinking goblins would be easy hunting.  Not all returned as they were ambushed by goblins and bugbears.  They managed to fight them off, but never found the Caves themselves.  Others over the years were young adventurers, and they faired no better, though the didn't come back through here, I did here from Orlath that a survivor or two eventually made it back."

" Goblins are small, goblins are weak. But they killed more people than all dragons combined." That's the first thing the retired dwarf soldier told him when they started the combat training. And the last thing the old man said when he finished the training. " And bugbears? That's a totally different story. How about starting from the surrounding of the keep so that we can retreat any time if the things turn ugry? Then expanding the area after we get stronger and more confident. Slowly but steadily, just like eating a dragon size cheese. " 

@The Curate

Dorcas takes a big gulp from his mug. He wipes his red beard and says. " Aside from swinging a warhammer and drinking ale, I'm also good at healing people. If you allow me, I can help you with curing injuries. If there's some theological conflict that prevent you from saying yes then I can provide medical treatment which I learnt from my church too. " 

Keun finally seems to hear some of the danger in the Curate's words and though he is still eager and excited turns to Dorcas and says, "Well, that, sounds, very wise..." He turns to the Curate and asks, "Do you have any... smaller cheese?"

Dorcas

"I thank you for the offer, but right now everyone is in good health."

Keun

The Curate lets out a hearty bellow of laughter which seems to rumble the room, drawing all eyes back to your table.  "Smaller cheese!  Ohh-ho, smaller cheese, you say.  I like that."  It takes him a few moments to regain his composure, "Ahh, but no.  I am afraid I do not know of any smaller cheese."

Keun shrivels up a bit at this laughter and turns a little bit red. "Well Dorcas, I think we're going to have to eat the whole cheese!" To stop himself from saying anything else he stuffs some more food in his mouth. It's clearly more than is reasonable but the irony is lost on him. 

"It's a good thing none of us are lactose intollerant, then... Well, I suppose a decent nights sleep is first on the itinerary. Speaking for meself, that is."