The goblins cower and bow heads down to the earth crying "YES Boss - Master, Thinker SWEARs!" "Yes don't hurt I SWEAR Cringer serve you good!" upon Grzak's demand.
Cringer glances an eye up at Katherine when she speaks. "Yes Boss Lady, from wagons Yeemik robbed, and Klarg's treasure, you have it now!"
“If not here, maybe Yeemik use?” Thinker says to Grzak.
To answer Alarion, Cringer shudders “Yes, Yeemik took human man to his cave, but many of tribe there!”.
Katherine notices an image of a blue lion on many of the crates and bags. They contain the kinds of goods that merchants trade in, from sacks of flour to bolts of fabric. A wagon would be required to transport it all.
Grzak recognizes his backpack, equipment mostly intact but rations missing. His weapons don’t appear to be in this stash.
Katherine also comes across a roughly build chest with ‘Klarg stuff – keep out’ scratched into the lid.
If the party attempts to open it...
Surprisingly the chest is neither trapped nor locked. Inside are 500cp, 12gp, two potions, and a tiny jade figurine of a frog with golden eyes.
Grzak addresses Thinker, “Now that we are the new leaders of these caves, how many will need to be convinced to follow us? Yeemik is another leader, yes? Is he like Klarg here, a bugbear?” Grzak gestures to the carcass of Klarg. “How many other prisoners are there?”
“Yeemik no bugbear, he just a big bully, he make us work for Klarg. Only one prisoner there.”
“Yeemik gots 5 others who hang out with him, other side of water. But me, Thinker, I smart.” The goblin taps the side of his head with a grimy finger.
“I make dams in room there,“ he gestures towards the northern opening, “and me and Pinky – promise, don’t hurt Pinky – we wanna have family with no bullies to boss our little ‘uns around. Yeeter's in there too. I tell ‘em you new Master, they serve you now.”
“You help with bully… we rob wagons for you?” Thinker tilts his head, looking way up at Grzak.
Grzak wants to sound encouraging yet domineering at the same time.
”All of us” waving to the team, “are your new Masters. You and all of your colleagues must swear to obey each of us together and separately.”
Grzak let’s that sink in, and waits for some sign of acceptance before continuing.
“Thinker, I like you. You’re smart. I like that. Once we deal with your bully, we can talk about future plans for you and your family. How does that sound?”
Grzak once again offers a slight smile, benevolent yet firm.
”So, on this side of the water, we have you and Cringer and Pinky and Yeeter and what’s the name of the one over here?”
Grzak points to the unfortunate goblin who was cold-cocked.
Grzak is forming the germination of a plan. He will instruct Thinker to gather Pinky and Yeeter into our chamber and convince them to be loyal to us while he brings them in.
While Thinker is away, Grzak will offer this germ of a plan to the team.
“If we can recruit these four or five goblins, perhaps we can have one or more of them subtly draw one or two of Yeemik’s goblins at a time into a position (non-lethal ambush) where they will be persuaded that our team is the winning team. And with overwhelming force, we can relieve Yeemik of his responsibilities and free this human that they’re holding. What do you all think?”
"Seems like the best we can do in the situation." Kathrine agrees with a sigh. "I'd rather go in and use diplomacy with this other boss goblin, but I don't think we can risk it with him having Sildar as prisoner. Luring some of the goblins away, and getting their loyalty, will at least cut down the need for conflict a bit."
“Oh… ok Master.” Thinker rubs his head as if it hurts.
Cringer blinks a few times. “Can nice lady be my Master?” he asks, pointing at Katherine.
Thinker slaps the other goblin on the head and says “Shut trap, Thinker talk for you!” Then he bows to each party member in turn, “Yes Masters.”
“Oh that one, he called Meathead. He not right up here.” Thinker points to his head and takes another look at the unconscious goblin. “May be worse now.”
(OOC - again, despite reloading page before posting I only received the last 2 posts after my last post)
Thinker scurries away, and after another blink at Katherine, Cringer follows him into the dark passage to the cave where the sounds of loud rushing water come from.
15 minutes later...
Two other goblins follow behind the two you know.
"This be my Pinky!" Thinker announces, proudly casting his arm around her shoulders. "And that be Yeeter."
"Yeet!" says the other goblin, jumping up and down.
"Thinker is such a brain... you gotta see the dam he made. I knew he'd take over the caves someday." Pinky drawls.
(OOC: Grzak is showing signs of mental exhaustion. He was not meant to be the spokesman for the party. He has gotten the goblins to swear loyalty to us separately and together. So my ask is that those of you who are more naturally inclined to lead and direct, do so. His idea of dividing and conquering is more wisdom than intelligence but the exact strategy and timing more properly should come from those with higher intelligence. I apologize if I have overstepped in my characterization of Grzak. He's not a meathead but he sometimes comes across as more eloquent than he probably should. I will try and work on that.)
(Ok, not going to worry, three times worth of no worry, sounds good... lol.)
"Cringer." Kathrine says as the goblins come back in. "I would love to have you as my companion, if that is what you want." She smiles at him as she waves him over. "Now, who do you think we should send in to talk to the others with this other boss goblin? Someone who can bring other goblins out, without rousing any concerns." She realizes that most of this will go over the goblin's head, but is speaking it more for her own companions than for the goblins themselves. She glances to Thinker as she speaks as well. "Thinker, what do you suggest, as I think you likely quite smart..."
"Maybe if we knew the layout of this place it would help? Thinker can you draw a map for us?" Gabriel asks, still not trusting anyone who flips loyalty so fast, but he has no wish for violence.
The goblins cower and bow heads down to the earth crying "YES Boss - Master, Thinker SWEARs!" "Yes don't hurt I SWEAR Cringer serve you good!" upon Grzak's demand.
Cringer glances an eye up at Katherine when she speaks. "Yes Boss Lady, from wagons Yeemik robbed, and Klarg's treasure, you have it now!"
Alarion kneels down to one of the goblins. "We are looking for a human man. Do you know where he might be?"
“If not here, maybe Yeemik use?” Thinker says to Grzak.
To answer Alarion, Cringer shudders “Yes, Yeemik took human man to his cave, but many of tribe there!”.
Katherine notices an image of a blue lion on many of the crates and bags. They contain the kinds of goods that merchants trade in, from sacks of flour to bolts of fabric. A wagon would be required to transport it all.
Grzak recognizes his backpack, equipment mostly intact but rations missing. His weapons don’t appear to be in this stash.
Katherine also comes across a roughly build chest with ‘Klarg stuff – keep out’ scratched into the lid.
If the party attempts to open it...
Surprisingly the chest is neither trapped nor locked. Inside are 500cp, 12gp, two potions, and a tiny jade figurine of a frog with golden eyes.
Opening the chest Kathrine would show the content to the others. She would offer to hold it all until the group could split it later.
"Thank you Katherine, I agree we can split it latter." Gabriel says. He has been sitting back eyeing the goblins in the dim light of the cave.
Grzak addresses Thinker, “Now that we are the new leaders of these caves, how many will need to be convinced to follow us? Yeemik is another leader, yes? Is he like Klarg here, a bugbear?” Grzak gestures to the carcass of Klarg. “How many other prisoners are there?”
Grzak will repossess his backpack and belongings.
Mana - Verdan Bard - Dragon Heist
”I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.” - Douglas Adams
”I’ve suffered a great many catastrophes in my life. Most of them never happened.” - Mark Twain
“Yeemik no bugbear, he just a big bully, he make us work for Klarg. Only one prisoner there.”
“Yeemik gots 5 others who hang out with him, other side of water. But me, Thinker, I smart.” The goblin taps the side of his head with a grimy finger.
“I make dams in room there,“ he gestures towards the northern opening, “and me and Pinky – promise, don’t hurt Pinky – we wanna have family with no bullies to boss our little ‘uns around. Yeeter's in there too. I tell ‘em you new Master, they serve you now.”
“You help with bully… we rob wagons for you?” Thinker tilts his head, looking way up at Grzak.
Grzak wants to sound encouraging yet domineering at the same time.
”All of us” waving to the team, “are your new Masters. You and all of your colleagues must swear to obey each of us together and separately.”
Grzak let’s that sink in, and waits for some sign of acceptance before continuing.
“Thinker, I like you. You’re smart. I like that. Once we deal with your bully, we can talk about future plans for you and your family. How does that sound?”
Grzak once again offers a slight smile, benevolent yet firm.
”So, on this side of the water, we have you and Cringer and Pinky and Yeeter and what’s the name of the one over here?”
Grzak points to the unfortunate goblin who was cold-cocked.
Mana - Verdan Bard - Dragon Heist
”I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.” - Douglas Adams
”I’ve suffered a great many catastrophes in my life. Most of them never happened.” - Mark Twain
Grzak is forming the germination of a plan. He will instruct Thinker to gather Pinky and Yeeter into our chamber and convince them to be loyal to us while he brings them in.
While Thinker is away, Grzak will offer this germ of a plan to the team.
“If we can recruit these four or five goblins, perhaps we can have one or more of them subtly draw one or two of Yeemik’s goblins at a time into a position (non-lethal ambush) where they will be persuaded that our team is the winning team. And with overwhelming force, we can relieve Yeemik of his responsibilities and free this human that they’re holding. What do you all think?”
Mana - Verdan Bard - Dragon Heist
”I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.” - Douglas Adams
”I’ve suffered a great many catastrophes in my life. Most of them never happened.” - Mark Twain
"Seems like the best we can do in the situation." Kathrine agrees with a sigh. "I'd rather go in and use diplomacy with this other boss goblin, but I don't think we can risk it with him having Sildar as prisoner. Luring some of the goblins away, and getting their loyalty, will at least cut down the need for conflict a bit."
“Oh… ok Master.” Thinker rubs his head as if it hurts.
Cringer blinks a few times. “Can nice lady be my Master?” he asks, pointing at Katherine.
Thinker slaps the other goblin on the head and says “Shut trap, Thinker talk for you!” Then he bows to each party member in turn, “Yes Masters.”
“Oh that one, he called Meathead. He not right up here.” Thinker points to his head and takes another look at the unconscious goblin. “May be worse now.”
(OOC - again, despite reloading page before posting I only received the last 2 posts after my last post)
Thinker scurries away, and after another blink at Katherine, Cringer follows him into the dark passage to the cave where the sounds of loud rushing water come from.
15 minutes later...
Two other goblins follow behind the two you know.
"This be my Pinky!" Thinker announces, proudly casting his arm around her shoulders. "And that be Yeeter."
"Yeet!" says the other goblin, jumping up and down.
"Thinker is such a brain... you gotta see the dam he made. I knew he'd take over the caves someday." Pinky drawls.
(OOC: Grzak is showing signs of mental exhaustion. He was not meant to be the spokesman for the party. He has gotten the goblins to swear loyalty to us separately and together. So my ask is that those of you who are more naturally inclined to lead and direct, do so. His idea of dividing and conquering is more wisdom than intelligence but the exact strategy and timing more properly should come from those with higher intelligence. I apologize if I have overstepped in my characterization of Grzak. He's not a meathead but he sometimes comes across as more eloquent than he probably should. I will try and work on that.)
Mana - Verdan Bard - Dragon Heist
”I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.” - Douglas Adams
”I’ve suffered a great many catastrophes in my life. Most of them never happened.” - Mark Twain
(No worries. I've been a bit busy lately, but when I get a chance, Alarion can step in.)
(No worries. I've been a bit busy lately, but when I get a chance, Alarion can step in.)
(No worries. I've been a bit busy lately, but when I get a chance, Alarion can step in.)
(Ok, not going to worry, three times worth of no worry, sounds good... lol.)
"Cringer." Kathrine says as the goblins come back in. "I would love to have you as my companion, if that is what you want." She smiles at him as she waves him over. "Now, who do you think we should send in to talk to the others with this other boss goblin? Someone who can bring other goblins out, without rousing any concerns." She realizes that most of this will go over the goblin's head, but is speaking it more for her own companions than for the goblins themselves. She glances to Thinker as she speaks as well. "Thinker, what do you suggest, as I think you likely quite smart..."
"Maybe if we knew the layout of this place it would help? Thinker can you draw a map for us?" Gabriel asks, still not trusting anyone who flips loyalty so fast, but he has no wish for violence.
(OOC I want to try again to post images in forum, unfortunately afk for at least a few hours now!)
Cringer scampers up to Katherine, eyes wide. "Pretty lady. There is guard on bridge. Don't know who there now."