Wow...

(Halfling luck they say... LOL)

As they search the workshop of the mage, Keashirryl pours through the alchemy supplies.

Arcana: 8  

"Why is that dragon such a... central interest of yours? I know, mighty foes and all, but I still cannot fathom what you want to prove with that" she mutters to Droknin, while tossing a couple books aside, and - after getting an answer, preferably - finally leaving the room.

Finishing there, she also continues to the townmaster's hall to hear whatever the goblin has to say to Garrin's questions. The contents of the letter Sildar showed them previously cannot seem to leave her alone, and standing in the corner, she finds herself wondering about what new world those people want to build that would have a place for the likes of Baker. Funny, she thinks,  if I hadn't picked sides already, maybe they would now tell me the same.

[Hah, lovely, we now collectively have no idea about that arcane stuff.] 

Droknin Arcana 12

(for the heck of it)

(I have no idea why the red banner. I posted and did not edit. Roll was a 12.)

The goblin squirms uncomfortably in the chair.  She looks terrified and her Common is broken and spoken with a thick goblin accent.  "Droop is... guest, maybe?  But if Droop is guest, where are the bugbears?  They are strong... and not good at waiting.  They will be mad if Droop busy being your guest instead of cleaning weapons.  Droop will not get food."

Garrin proceeds to provide food and drink. When he begins to talk, he seems to emphasize his words every second and a half or so with pounding his staff into the ground. "Any guest is welcome to food and drink, provided they respect their obligations in return. Droop, your bug ear friends are food for the worms. I've offered you the guest-right. You can surely see how it's in your interest to distance yourself from them."

The goblin listens to Garrin, but with each pound of his staff she looks down at the floor... then back to Garrin... then back to the floor, as if she is trying to listen to two conversations.  She looks even more frightened and confused.  "Food... you feed them worms?  Oh, they are going to be so mad... please don't tell them Droop is your guest!  Don't get Droop caught up in this worm-food business!"  Despite the concern, she eagerly takes the food and drink, snarfing it down like someone who can't reliably say when their next meal will come.

Drokin does not pay much attention to the conversation between Garrin and their "guest", but he ponders about Keashirryl's question. "Well, to tell the truth, my lady, I haven't really thought of a reason. If one is going to hunt, one should go for the biggest prey, and a dragon sounds pretty big to me." He thinks for another moment. "If I recall correctly, it has been a little after all, there was a call for help regarding a dragon, and here I am. As far as I am concern, everything else is secondary." He uses his big Leonin paw to scratch his chin, thinking of what else he can add to his response, but before he opens his maw, he notices that Keashirryl has left the room already.

T'laren has little interest in befriending or interrogating the goblin, and has been feeling a bit out of sorts since shortly after returning from clearing the caverns. Kind of jittery, feeling as if he might fly apart. He's taken himself to a quiet place and has been meditatively trancing for a bit.

((Just RPing a bit prior to the first time he manifests his echo.))

Quote from Bartjeebus >>

The goblin listens to Garrin, but with each pound of his staff she looks down at the floor... then back to Garrin... then back to the floor, as if she is trying to listen to two conversations.  She looks even more frightened and confused.  "Food... you feed them worms?  Oh, they are going to be so mad... please don't tell them Droop is your guest!  Don't get Droop caught up in this worm-food business!"  Despite the concern, she eagerly takes the food and drink, snarfing it down like someone who can't reliably say when their next meal will come.

 "Damnit, Droop! You are a terrible guest! Now tell me where those bugbears came from or I'll be asking you to leave..." Garrin's tone is a clear threat, as though losing guest-right might be... Most foul...

Droop continues to nibble at the food, but curls on the floor like a scolded dog at Garrin's angry words.  "Bugbears muscle.  They nephews of Big King Grol... King of Cragmaw Clan.  King Grol say they have to come to human town and work with human soldiers.  Droop sent to serve... Droop works hard, cleans hard, follows instructions good."

Her eyes widen in sudden fear.  "Oh... but this big secret.  Nobody know Cragmaw and Redband - Redbrand," she enunciates carefully as though she has been practicing getting this right, "...work together, or big big trouble.  If bugbears learn Droop tells you anything, Droop will get kicked when bugbears done eating your worms."  

Garrin squints at Droop. "I don't know, Droop. I'd be a terrible host if I let some turd hurt you in my house- even if he does call himself king. I have to go take care of King Grol. Where can I find him?"

Its about this time that an amorphous thing appears at Garrin's shoulder. It's ephemeral at first, moving between a few shapes before becoming a tiny devil, an imp. It leans in close to Garrin. 

Garrin for his part only stops to stomp his staff on the ground again. "It's about time you showed up! Not sure I like the shape though..." The familiar just shrugs. 

The Leonin's hair raises when a small devil creature appears out of thin air by Garrin. He lowers to the ground on all fours slowly approaches Garrin from behind, and when he thinks that it is distracted, he pounces it, trying to grab it. (Athletics: 23). "Worry not my friend." He says to the Halfling. "I will make sure this little devil creature shall not trouble you."

The little devil goes limp and stares apathetically at the ground. Garrin blinks at Droknin before he starts a new tirade of rapping his staff on the ground while he speaks. "It's not a devil, you overgrown house cat! It's not really anything, even! It's a spirit of Air and Darkness, and it owes me! It is bonded to serve me. So put those big murder mittens away and pay attention to what Droop, the Messy and Depressy is saying."

With a paw fully clawed about to swipe at the little creature and end its existence, a bewildered Droknin looks at Garrin. "You are telling me this... This thing works for you?" He gets up and leave creature alone. "Well then, it is all yours." He looks at the familiar. "I am keeping my eyes on you little one. One false move and that will be your last." With that the Leonin leave and gets ready for their next destination.

Droop watches the exchange between the leonin, the halfling and the imp with wide eyes... like someone who can't tell if they are hallucinating and isn't smart enough to know if she should care.  Once Garrin returns his attention to her, she gulps down another bite of food.

"Take care of King Grol?  Maybe Droop not clear.  King Grol is a bugbear... and big and extra extra mean bugbear."  She shakes her head, as if to get rid of the very idea of challenging such a monster.  "Besides, Big King controls whole of Cragmaw Clan... goblins, more bugbears... more goblins... Droop... and that's all.  And he is far north in the Cragmaw Castle, out in the big woods.  Droop and bugbears had to walk days and days to get to human town.  Guest-Master would never find Cragmaw Castle, Cragmaw Clan, or Big King Grol."

Droknin mockingly sighs. "Well, I supposed hunting a Big King Bugbear is the best next thing to a Dragon. Perhaps we can set our sigh on this King... Whatever his name is."

"Droop. Tell me how to get to the Cragmaw Castle?" Garrin is getting impatient with the Droop

Keashirryl sticks to a back corner of the room, trying not to interfere with Garrin's conversation for a while. She takes note of the imp, feeling somewhat envious, regretting once again that she gave up on the arcane arts. Nevertheless, she decides not to admit it out loud. 

Hearing the news, she remarks quietly, talking mainly to Garrin, but not intentionally excluding Droknin either: "I think she is telling the truth. What she said so far lines up with what we heard at the windmill. Your friend, Reidoth complains about goblins North of here, then this journey from the forests. If we get confused based on what Droop is going to tell us, we can always pay the hermit a visit around Thundertree. That is, if we want to go."