"Ahh there it is"  Once he has gotten his bearings Medskan goes to the Shrine of Bahamut

OOC Ilya's Cardhouse seems the place for me.  I'll head that way

History 18

 Looking for castles.

History: 9

Taking his turn at the Hobgoblin, Kalman bargains,  "If you think you're going to be let go, you're delusional.  Personally, I think your thumbs should be cut off so you can't ever fight effectively again and you should be pressed into a work gang to help rebuild and maintain the city that you and your kin are so set on destroying.

But personally, I want information.  So I can do my best to either convince the law in this town not to kill you and use you as a laborer, or if they never intended to kill you at all, leave one of your thumbs on your off-hand if you cooperate.  My question to you is, what does Sinruth need with prisoners?"

Persuasion: 12

Balin the Grim and Kalman know that there was a castle owned by the noble family Rivenroar, but that it fell into ruin some 300 years ago. Neither knows exactly where it is but Balin believes it was at the base of the mountains to the north.

Morrik the hobgoblin is quite intimidated by Kalman's bargaining, and offers up as much information as he knows. "He needs them as part of the deal! Our hosts ask us for them, I don't know what they do with them!" He snivels. "Please don't let them hurt me!"

Kalman, sensing some success, continues along the same lines, "Oh, I can't promise they won't hurt you.  You do need to be defanged so you're not a danger if you are to live and that is going to hurt.  And living is not a sure thing yet either... there are a lot of dead people in town as well as those that are missing.  You are complicit in that and many people will want to see you suffer and rot to ease their own pain.

Give me a truthful answer to this one last question, and I will leave to see the mayor and suggest you'd make a better worker than corpse.  The castle you mention, is it the one at the base of the norther mountains, that was abandoned by humans centuries ago?"

Persuasion: 6

And an insight to see if I believe the answers he's given: 

Insight: 14

For my earlier attempt to trick the hobgoblin, I'm rolling Persuasion: 21

OOC: Just realized content sharing happened. OH YEAH. ACTUALLY GOOD SPELLS ARE NOW AVAILABLE TO ME. 

Mikhael convinces Morrik that he really is able to sense his lies. He will be very worried to lie from here on out.

"Yes! That castle, the one an hour's march from Red Rock! Please, please don't let them kill me!"

Kalman is convinced that there is no more pertinent information to be had.  He tells the Hobgoblin, "I'll keep my word and try to persuade the mayor to keep you on as a worker.  Best of luck in your life."

He does go see the mayor and make said suggestion.  Persuasion: 18

He will then regroup with the others at the tavern and relay the information about the castle "one hour's march from Red Rock".

"Wait. Back up... You mentioned hosts, but Shouty Man claims that the castle fell centuries ago. Who are these Hosts and why would a warrior as powerful as Sinruth submit to their demands?"  Mikhael asks. He has a bad feeling about why these hosts might want captives... 

Persuasion: 18

"Morrik doesn't know! They live deeper in the catacombs of the castle than we go!"

(Everyone is now at the Antlers and Thistle tavern I presume, except Medskan who is at the shrine of Bahamut and Galorash who went to Ilya's Cardhouse; they can meet back up with the party whenever they feel ready.)

"Aye, my new best friends!", bellows Durbun Oakblade, "How did yer talk with the goblin go? Did ye fin' out were they be coming from?"

"Some ruined castle up north. May or may not have some undead in it." 

Kalman grumpily complains, "It seems tactically unsound that abandoned fortifications like that castle were left standing after the last war.  It's no wonder Rivenroar is besieged again.

There's nothing left to do now but send a disciplined strike force to go clean out that castle and free those prisoners in time."

"I don't know if the town can afford to redirect any guardsmen away from defense, Shouty Man." Mikhael replies, "As soon as Medskan and Galorash get back, you'll have your strike team. And before you say we're not qualified, let me remind you that a CHILD'S LIFE IS AT STAKE. We. Don't. Have. Time. To. Be. Picky." By the end his voice has taken on a dangerous, cold fury. "Disciplined or not, the councilman hired us to rescue the captives. These marauders will regret harming this town."  After finishing his rant, Mikhael calms down significantly. His expression changes to one despondency. "Sorry...Kalman. I lost my temper. I just... damn it all. I'm worried for those people. I hate being powerless when innocents, especially children, are in peril. " 

OOC: This is mikhael when he SNAPS. He was lashing out because he felt powerless and Kalman's words exacerbated that. I doubt it was intentional, but to Mikhael, who had a harsh childhood, saying "leave this to the professionals" really stung. 

Kalman stares unflinching while Mikhael berates him, "You read too much into my words.  I fully intend to be part of the disciplined strike force, and I'm not part of the town guard or the militia or army or whatever they call themselves here.  So I was not implying Rivenroar deal with it, especially after the mayor made his request of us.

And by Helm and Tempus, you haven't heard me shouting yet.  My name is Kalman."

Jakob chuckles softly. These people are alright. I'll try to stick with them. Always better being with others than being alone...

"I'd enjoy being part of the strike force that rids the castle of monsters. Sounds like fun."

"I apologize. No hard feelings, Sir?" Mikhael extends his hand, "We'll get those people home." 

OOC: The city we're in is actually called Brindol. The Castle is Rivenroar. Just clearing that up. 

"I would love to tag along, if I may. This seems like it would make a wonderful final adventure."

"You'd have better luck convincing me to shave my beard than not be a part of this.  I'm Balin, if I didn't mention it."

"I saw what you two did to that ogre. It would be stupid of us not to ask that you come along." Mikhael turns, right hand still extended, The scales on his arm and right cheek gleam in the light.