Following Taxidea's example, Kraksar shoulders his pack then glares at the halfling. "Lead on," he growls.
Grugnar and Varnak look at each other for a moment. Varnak shrugs his shoulders then dons his pack. Grugnar shakes his head and also puts on his backpack.
Prim replenishes supplies in the market before heading to the fort.
"Excuse me sir", she addresses the guard. "We're trying to recover prisoners of the retreating hobgoblins. We were hoping your scouts might have Intel on their location more accurate than the "north" that we've heard. Primrose Perianth of the New Burgundy Perianths, FDF", and she shows her badge.
"FDF, huh?" the dwarven guard says examining the badge. "You don't look like regular FDF folks to me, but I will allow you and one other to see the captain. The bugbears will have to stay outside, though."
Kraksar growls when the guard says this.
"Hey, Jonson!" the guard hollers into the doorway. "These folks need to see the captain. Could you escort them?"
"Sure thing," replies a small but gruff voice. Another dwarf comes out from the shadows. He has dark black hair, is dressed in full plate armor, and carrying a helmet under his right arm and a battleaxe in his left hand. "Follow me, miss." He turns and begins to walk into the fortress, looking over his shoulder to make sure you are following.
Oskar joins the group after a night of prayer and solace. He quickly steps in with the bugbears to hopefully keep peace.
"Kraskar, what do you know of the land surrounding the town? I'm thinking of ambush sites, hidden paths, sewers, secret entrances, anything that you may have knowledge of that travelers would not."
"...at worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
Kraksar looks at Oskar with a furrowed brow. He thinks for a moment before answering, "Not many ambush sites. Very few trees. Some tall grass and plenty of rocks, though. Plenty of hidden paths and animal trails out there. Most of the tunnels with secret or hidden entrances lead into the mines. Not much of a sewer system here, but there is a dump where the vagreni (gully dwarves) live. Can't think of much else," he says scratching his chin. He then glares at Taxidea after his comment about new friends.
While Oskar, Orion, and Taxidea wait with the bugbears, Prim and Alora follow Jonson through the small courtyard of the fortress to the main keep. He goes to a large set of double oaken doors with wrought iron bands across them. Beside the doors stands a pair of dwarven guards in full plate armor, including helmets with the visors down. They stand still, almost statue-like. Jonson nods to them before opening the door. He escorts you through a short entryway into a large open room with a vaulted wooden ceiling.
At the far end of the room, a dark-haired dwarven man with a longish, well groomed black beard sits in a large throne-like chair upon a raised dais. He wears a chainmail shirt and large brown leather boots and gauntlets. His breeches are an unusual red and black striped pair of tights. Before him stand several other dwarves in plate armor: one bald, one with thick white hair, and two younger dwarves with short beards. Between them and the throne, a humanoid creature sits on its knees with its arms bound behind its back and head bowed so no one can see its face.
"Take this filth to the dungeon," the dwarf on the throne says with a wave of his right hand. The two younger dwarves each grab the creature by an elbow and begin leading, almost dragging, the humanoid away. The two older dwarves step to the side as Jonson approaches.
"These folks are from the Frelian Defense Forces, Captain Dorgrim," Jonson says with a bow. "They wish to speak to you about hobgoblins in the area." Jonson then steps aside and motions to Prim and Alora to approach the dais.
"Ah," Dorgrim replies with a smile from his chair. "Always good to see the agents of the FDF. What can I do for you ladies?"
"Thank you Captain Dorgrim. When the Hobgoblins fled after their seige was broken, they took some of our camerades with them and we aim to get them back. We've heard the Hobs traveled north, but were hoping you might have more detailed information on their movements, and any warnings of other dangers, if any."
Unfortunately, the humanoid was taken away too quickly for Alora to determine exactly what type of creature it was.
"All we know for sure," Captain Dorgrim explains, "is that the majority of what was left of the Goblinoid Army went into the mountains between Frelia and the realm of the Dark Lord. Apparently, they found a large abandoned fortress there and have set up a headquarters while they await the arrival or promotion of a new warlord. Many of the goblins who escaped their oppressive hobgoblin leaders have established themselves in small communities between here and there. We have allowed some of them to make a home here in Daruinjak, but most prefer the wild, untamed wilderness where they can do as they please.
"It is rumored that they had access to some sort of teleportation magic which allowed some of the goblinoids to escape and travel to other parts of Nieropa and Salzaria. It is also said that the Dark Lord himself has a way of bringing more of them from the infernal realm of Maglubiyet himself, which explains why so many goblinoids are spreading throughout Niersala.
"So, if you plan on heading north, expect to run into a lot of goblinoid stragglers, including bugbear raiders and squads of goblins led by hobgoblins. The place where the hobgoblins have set up headquarters is just west of due north from here, but there is no road between here and there. You'll have to brave the wild hills where we have had trouble with pigeni (orcs) and anengigateni (hill giants) as well as the goblinoids.
"That's about all we know," Dorgrim concludes. He glances at the two older dwarves, one of whom gives him a reassuring nod. "Can we help you with anything else?"
Alora shifts slightly ahead of Prim with a confident stance.
”The prisoner that was taken away, was it by chance a goblin that might be from the area? If it was may I question them for information? I have methods of getting it.”
"That creature was not a goblin," Dorgrim smiles. "It is simply a something we found in the mines and then mistakenly trusted and allowed to become a citizen of our town. Unfortunately, it choses not to abide by our rules of civilized living. Anyway, it is nothing you need to be concerned about.
"As for a map," he says with a wave of his hand and a snap of his fingers. A previously unseen dwarven cleric in a brown robe steps out of the shadows behind the two older dwarves and steps up to hand a parchment to Captain Dorgrim. He scribbles a few things on the paper, then holds it out to Prim. "This is the best I can do for now."
"If you want to learn more of the goblinoid language," the white-haired dwarf steps forward, "you might want to visit the Goblins' Retreat neighborhood on the other side of the market. Talk to Boss Greb of the Free Goblins. He could direct you to someone who might be able to help. Oh," he says reaching into a pouch on his belt, "and if you get into any trouble there, just show them this." He hands you a small medallion with the picture of a crossed pickaxe and hammer on one side. "That is the seal of my mining guild. Most of the goblins who work the mines are members in good standing. They should be able to help you, too."
Kraksar looks at Oskar with a furrowed brow. He thinks for a moment before answering, "Not many ambush sites. Very few trees. Some tall grass and plenty of rocks, though. Plenty of hidden paths and animal trails out there. Most of the tunnels with secret or hidden entrances lead into the mines. Not much of a sewer system here, but there is a dump where the vagreni (gully dwarves) live. Can't think of much else," he says scratching his chin. He then glares at Taxidea after his comment about new friends.
Taxidea gives Kraksar a thumbs up. "You're doing great buddy."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"...at worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
"Boss Greb. Got it. By the way, any thoughts on Grugnar & his Bugbear buddies?" she asks the Captain before they leave. "Thank you sirs." Prim tells the dwarves as they leave.
"I didn't get a good look at the creature." She tells Alora. "If it was in the mines it might be spying, but I don't have a lot of skill identifying creatures without a specimen to interrogate or dissect."
Once outside:
"The Captain was kind enough to give us a map. Looks like more than a week of travel in difficult terrain, and possible orcs and hill giants as well as hobs and their allies. I recommend foraging to make the supplies last." (She shows the map to those who ask)
"Anyone think we should hire a translator or are you guys (looks at bugbears) up to teaching me how to speak goblin?"
Following Taxidea's example, Kraksar shoulders his pack then glares at the halfling. "Lead on," he growls.
Grugnar and Varnak look at each other for a moment. Varnak shrugs his shoulders then dons his pack. Grugnar shakes his head and also puts on his backpack.
Prim replenishes supplies in the market before heading to the fort.
"Excuse me sir", she addresses the guard. "We're trying to recover prisoners of the retreating hobgoblins. We were hoping your scouts might have Intel on their location more accurate than the "north" that we've heard. Primrose Perianth of the New Burgundy Perianths, FDF", and she shows her badge.
"FDF, huh?" the dwarven guard says examining the badge. "You don't look like regular FDF folks to me, but I will allow you and one other to see the captain. The bugbears will have to stay outside, though."
Kraksar growls when the guard says this.
"Hey, Jonson!" the guard hollers into the doorway. "These folks need to see the captain. Could you escort them?"
"Sure thing," replies a small but gruff voice. Another dwarf comes out from the shadows. He has dark black hair, is dressed in full plate armor, and carrying a helmet under his right arm and a battleaxe in his left hand. "Follow me, miss." He turns and begins to walk into the fortress, looking over his shoulder to make sure you are following.
Oskar joins the group after a night of prayer and solace. He quickly steps in with the bugbears to hopefully keep peace.
"Kraskar, what do you know of the land surrounding the town? I'm thinking of ambush sites, hidden paths, sewers, secret entrances, anything that you may have knowledge of that travelers would not."
Unless Alora does so, Orion follows Prim to see the Captain. If Alora steps up, Orion will wait with the bugbears and others.
Taxidea will make himself comfortable again. "I'll wait here. Don't want my new friend to get lonely without me." he says with a smile.
"...at worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
Prim follows Johnson.. "Thank you sir."
Alora will follow Prim.
Kraksar looks at Oskar with a furrowed brow. He thinks for a moment before answering, "Not many ambush sites. Very few trees. Some tall grass and plenty of rocks, though. Plenty of hidden paths and animal trails out there. Most of the tunnels with secret or hidden entrances lead into the mines. Not much of a sewer system here, but there is a dump where the vagreni (gully dwarves) live. Can't think of much else," he says scratching his chin. He then glares at Taxidea after his comment about new friends.
While Oskar, Orion, and Taxidea wait with the bugbears, Prim and Alora follow Jonson through the small courtyard of the fortress to the main keep. He goes to a large set of double oaken doors with wrought iron bands across them. Beside the doors stands a pair of dwarven guards in full plate armor, including helmets with the visors down. They stand still, almost statue-like. Jonson nods to them before opening the door. He escorts you through a short entryway into a large open room with a vaulted wooden ceiling.
At the far end of the room, a dark-haired dwarven man with a longish, well groomed black beard sits in a large throne-like chair upon a raised dais. He wears a chainmail shirt and large brown leather boots and gauntlets. His breeches are an unusual red and black striped pair of tights. Before him stand several other dwarves in plate armor: one bald, one with thick white hair, and two younger dwarves with short beards. Between them and the throne, a humanoid creature sits on its knees with its arms bound behind its back and head bowed so no one can see its face.
"Take this filth to the dungeon," the dwarf on the throne says with a wave of his right hand. The two younger dwarves each grab the creature by an elbow and begin leading, almost dragging, the humanoid away. The two older dwarves step to the side as Jonson approaches.
"These folks are from the Frelian Defense Forces, Captain Dorgrim," Jonson says with a bow. "They wish to speak to you about hobgoblins in the area." Jonson then steps aside and motions to Prim and Alora to approach the dais.
"Ah," Dorgrim replies with a smile from his chair. "Always good to see the agents of the FDF. What can I do for you ladies?"
Alora perception check to see if she can determine the creature type. 7
"Thank you Captain Dorgrim. When the Hobgoblins fled after their seige was broken, they took some of our camerades with them and we aim to get them back. We've heard the Hobs traveled north, but were hoping you might have more detailed information on their movements, and any warnings of other dangers, if any."
Unfortunately, the humanoid was taken away too quickly for Alora to determine exactly what type of creature it was.
"All we know for sure," Captain Dorgrim explains, "is that the majority of what was left of the Goblinoid Army went into the mountains between Frelia and the realm of the Dark Lord. Apparently, they found a large abandoned fortress there and have set up a headquarters while they await the arrival or promotion of a new warlord. Many of the goblins who escaped their oppressive hobgoblin leaders have established themselves in small communities between here and there. We have allowed some of them to make a home here in Daruinjak, but most prefer the wild, untamed wilderness where they can do as they please.
"It is rumored that they had access to some sort of teleportation magic which allowed some of the goblinoids to escape and travel to other parts of Nieropa and Salzaria. It is also said that the Dark Lord himself has a way of bringing more of them from the infernal realm of Maglubiyet himself, which explains why so many goblinoids are spreading throughout Niersala.
"So, if you plan on heading north, expect to run into a lot of goblinoid stragglers, including bugbear raiders and squads of goblins led by hobgoblins. The place where the hobgoblins have set up headquarters is just west of due north from here, but there is no road between here and there. You'll have to brave the wild hills where we have had trouble with pigeni (orcs) and anengigateni (hill giants) as well as the goblinoids.
"That's about all we know," Dorgrim concludes. He glances at the two older dwarves, one of whom gives him a reassuring nod. "Can we help you with anything else?"
Alora shifts slightly ahead of Prim with a confident stance.
”The prisoner that was taken away, was it by chance a goblin that might be from the area? If it was may I question them for information? I have methods of getting it.”
Prim pauses while Alora talks with the Captain, then:
"Do you have a map we could use? Even a hastily drawn one. And a phrasebook of goblinoid language? Looks like we'll need one."
"That creature was not a goblin," Dorgrim smiles. "It is simply a something we found in the mines and then mistakenly trusted and allowed to become a citizen of our town. Unfortunately, it choses not to abide by our rules of civilized living. Anyway, it is nothing you need to be concerned about.
"As for a map," he says with a wave of his hand and a snap of his fingers. A previously unseen dwarven cleric in a brown robe steps out of the shadows behind the two older dwarves and steps up to hand a parchment to Captain Dorgrim. He scribbles a few things on the paper, then holds it out to Prim. "This is the best I can do for now."
https://inkarnate.com/m/88NqVX-frelia-sketch-map/
"If you want to learn more of the goblinoid language," the white-haired dwarf steps forward, "you might want to visit the Goblins' Retreat neighborhood on the other side of the market. Talk to Boss Greb of the Free Goblins. He could direct you to someone who might be able to help. Oh," he says reaching into a pouch on his belt, "and if you get into any trouble there, just show them this." He hands you a small medallion with the picture of a crossed pickaxe and hammer on one side. "That is the seal of my mining guild. Most of the goblins who work the mines are members in good standing. They should be able to help you, too."
Taxidea gives Kraksar a thumbs up. "You're doing great buddy."
"...at worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
Kraksar replies to Taxidea with a snarl.
Alora thanks for king for his assistance. Letting Prim take the medallion. As they leave Alora will quietly ask her.
”What do you make of that creature?”
"Boss Greb. Got it. By the way, any thoughts on Grugnar & his Bugbear buddies?" she asks the Captain before they leave. "Thank you sirs." Prim tells the dwarves as they leave.
"I didn't get a good look at the creature." She tells Alora. "If it was in the mines it might be spying, but I don't have a lot of skill identifying creatures without a specimen to interrogate or dissect."
Once outside:
"The Captain was kind enough to give us a map. Looks like more than a week of travel in difficult terrain, and possible orcs and hill giants as well as hobs and their allies. I recommend foraging to make the supplies last." (She shows the map to those who ask)
"Anyone think we should hire a translator or are you guys (looks at bugbears) up to teaching me how to speak goblin?"
"Bugbears?" the captain questions you as you prepare to leave. "Can't stand the creatures."
"I'd be careful," the bald dwarf comments, "if you have any dealings with them. They can't be trusted."
Outside:
"I'd be more than happy to teach you our language," Grugnar says with a toothy grin.