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Post by Ezeze on Sept 12, 2018 11:05:04 GMT -8
"I hope we both have more opportunity to get used to it" Katya says.
A second later she remarks "... though I admit I did not expect to see Brakk-Ni free, much less giving council to Ubisek. What has happened over the past months?"
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Post by HorizonsDream on Sept 12, 2018 13:13:49 GMT -8
"We learned, the first time we were out here, that the goblins weren't all that we were told," Ladonna says to Liala. Before she says anything else, she waits for the answer to Katya's question.
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Post by Daos on Sept 13, 2018 11:47:53 GMT -8
"My lord managed to convince Brakk-Ni of the value of his vision," Nak'skree explains. "That the tribes are stronger working together, than against each other. It was agreed that Brakk-Ni could continue leading the Bloody Spear, but only if he, to borrow a phrase from the villkru, 'broke his leg' to my lord."
There's an awkward silence before Ingot corrects, "Bend...the knee?"
"Right, that's it," Nak'skree says. "So Brakk-Ni leads the Bloody Spear, but also follows my lord, which means the Bloody Spear are under Woodfang control now. We went from being one of the smallest and weakest tribes, to one of the largest and most powerful almost overnight."
Liala falls back a bit, and speaks quietly so to avoid Nak'skree overhearing her. "Is this something we should be worried about?" she asks the party with worry. "The goblin tribes fighting each other is what kept them in check. The last time they banded together, the Battle of Buho happened..."
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Post by HorizonsDream on Sept 13, 2018 12:16:56 GMT -8
"It is a valid concern, "Ladonna says softly to Liala, as they are speaking in low tones. "But they wouldn't be in that position if it wasn't for us," she points out. "And Ubisek seems to want to work with us rather than against us. Working with us, building trust, and the like, is what is going to lead Buho to peace."
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Post by Ezeze on Sept 13, 2018 12:21:19 GMT -8
"I do not believe there will be war between the goblins and Buho so long as Ubisek is in charge" Katya says, honestly. "But, Nak'skree, who will be in charge if something happens to Ubisek?"
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Post by Daos on Sept 14, 2018 12:16:44 GMT -8
Nak'skree halts suddenly in thought. "Oh, uh...I'm not sure," she admits. "The old ways say, the strongest leads. So whoever is the next strongest would take over. But my lord has turned us away from the old ways. And I am not sure how that would work with the way he does things now. Then again, if my lord were gone, then likely we would return to the old ways..." She resumes her walk, although more ponderously. "My lord seems to take inspiration from the way villkru do things. How do the villkru determine such things?"
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Post by HorizonsDream on Sept 14, 2018 12:25:24 GMT -8
"Well, our leadership is a bit different than yours," Ladonna says. "Instead of one leader, we have a council," she explains. "The council is the one that runs Buho, with advice from the Reeve and the Kohen," she says. "As for how you get on the council, the head of each family in Buho votes the member on the council. That means that once a seat is free on the council, people sort of...campaign for the seat until it is time for the election."
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Post by Ezeze on Sept 14, 2018 12:39:08 GMT -8
"It depends" Katya tells Nak'skree. "For the big positions, the Kings and Queens and Barons, leadership is 'hereditary.' That means it passes from parent to child. The idea is that a person in a position of power will groom their child from the day they are born to take on the responsibility so they will be ready when the time comes. Positions of less authority often fall to the most respected members of the community. For example, in Buho during peace time villagers bring grievances to our council, a body of several individuals who we trust to resolve matters beneath the attention of our Baron with everyone's best interests in mind. Of course we realize having a council deliberate and discuss matters isn't a good strategy if there is something imminently wrong, so during those times our reeve, Ser Walls, is in charge. She was appointed to that position by our Baron. If something happened to her during an emergency we'd follow Ladonna's father instead" she indicates her companion "since he is Captain of the Watch. If both were indisposed no doubt Kohen Hedra, who is our religious leader, would take control."
"You have to remember, Buho follows Gonto. Order and government are considered very important, so we have many systems in place to ensure order is kept."
"So I suppose, if Ubisek wanted to do things the vilkru way, he should designate an heir. Usually that would be his child, but if he doesn't have one he can tell everyone who he expects to be chief if something happens to him."
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Post by Daos on Sept 15, 2018 9:48:02 GMT -8
"That sounds...complicated," Nak'skree comments. "But as far as I know, my lord has not designated any sort of 'heir.' In your culture, what happens if a lord dies and has no heir?" she asks. "Then the title...would pass to...the next oldest...sibling," Ingot answers. "Sibling? Then...I guess that would be Brakk-Ni," the scout says. "That is...disquieting," Ingot adds.
==============
Encounter Roll: (1d100): 3, no encounter
LJwRnBmX1d100 1d100 |
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Post by GravityEmblem on Sept 15, 2018 11:09:00 GMT -8
"Well, your system's worked for you so far," Lillian says. "Governing can be complicated and stressful, and if the way you do it works, no use spending time and effort to replace it with something no better. Of course, if the system can be easily abused, that's another story."
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Post by HorizonsDream on Sept 15, 2018 11:55:52 GMT -8
"Hmm, I don't think Ubisek would leave his brother in charge after all that has happened," Ladonna says. "Or, I at least hope not."
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Post by Daos on Sept 16, 2018 12:42:30 GMT -8
Fortunately, nothing bothers them on their journey to the ruins. After an hour of walking, they come across the ruins of a stone building, covered in vines.
Just outside the entrance is a small campsite. Twelve goblins and two large dogs are here, staying warm by the fire. The goblins are gambling while bundled up against the chill. The dogs are keeping guard, and immediately hear the party's approach. They lower their ears and start to growl in warning, which causes the goblins to drop what they are doing and get to their feet. They are wearing leathers and are armed with short bows and daggers.
These goblins look different from the Woodfang or the Bloody Spear. They seem more feral in appearance. Their clothes are ragged, they have a wild look to their eyes, and their armor is adorned with feathers from a variety of different kinds and sizes of birds.
One of them seems to recognize Nak'skree, and shouts out something to her in the goblin tongue. Although most of the party cannot understand the language, they distinctly hear the words 'Ubisek' and 'villkru' spoken.
"Ubisek's favorite pet! And villkru intruders! Why am I not surprised to see you working together? Neither of you are welcome in this sacred place! Tell that tyrant of yours we will never give up our freedom to be under his corrupt rule again!" |
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Post by HorizonsDream on Sept 16, 2018 15:44:28 GMT -8
"What's going on Nak'skree?" Ladonna asks.
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Post by Ezeze on Sept 17, 2018 9:29:47 GMT -8
Katya lifts her hands in a non-threatening posture. Her speech is stilted and inelegant, but decidedly goblin. "Not looking for a fight" she says. "Not wanting to force you to be Woodfang. Not wanting to disrespect the Great Bird. Can we talk here?" Katya wishes she could say a quick prayer that the goblins are willing to listen. Hopefully if nothing else the novelty of a human speaking goblin will give them pause. |
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Post by Daos on Sept 17, 2018 13:53:47 GMT -8
"They...aren't happy to see us," Nak'skree replies. "Especially me, as they recognize I'm one of my lord's most loyal followers." The tension in the air is thick, despite the language barrier.
Before anyone else can respond, Katya speaks up in the goblin tongue. It's not clear what she says, but Garnet certainly looks surprised by it.
The goblins exchange looks, a bit surprised themselves. But whether it is from hearing a human speak their tongue, or has to do with whatever Katya said, isn't clear. One of them, a female standing on top of a small wooden chest to give herself a bit more height, gives an impassioned speech in goblin.
"Talk? What is there to talk about? Villkru have poisoned the Woodfang and the Bloody Spear with the tyranny of the Bear Queen. Soon, goblins will live in your towns as 'civilized' beings, serving humans as the other races do. But we will not be a part of that. We live free."
('Bear Queen' being the goblin name for Gonto.)
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