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Post by Ezeze on Sept 8, 2018 18:55:33 GMT -8
Katya says nothing, though she agrees with Ladonna. Frankly, it's probably safer for her around the goblins than around many of the people in Buho.
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Post by Daos on Sept 9, 2018 12:19:28 GMT -8
The party is led through the forest by the goblin, their breath visible before them as they walk. The trees are bare of any leaves, and the expected noises of various critters like squawking birds and chattering squirrels is notably absent. The former has likely flown south for the winter, while the latter is probably hidden in their homes, waiting out the winter's cold. This does, however, give the forest a bleak, and sort of ominous feel to it.
Eventually, the party are led to a small cave. Ladonna recognizes it immediately as where she fought that bear, months ago, after having first struck a deal with Ubisek and his people. There are two armed guards standing at the cave's mouth, protecting it. Their escort gestures for them to wait, then enters the cave. A short while later, he returns along with Ubisek, Nak'skree and Brakk-Ni.
"Ugh, these villkru again," Brakk-Ni laments. "Well, at least they left behind the brute and the thief." He absently rubs his finger where he once wore that golden ring that he insists was stolen from him.
Ignoring the wizard's remarks, Ubisek says, "My men say you need to speak with me. The first snow of winter will be upon us within weeks, if not days, so I assume this is not a social visit. What brings you to Woodfang territory this day?"
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Post by HorizonsDream on Sept 9, 2018 12:43:21 GMT -8
Ladonna doesn't seem so pleased upon seeing Brakk-Ni, but his punishment isn't up to her. "We were just recently told about an old ruined temple that was deep within your territory that followers of Crizza set up long ago," she explains. "We desperately need to get to this temple."
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Post by GravityEmblem on Sept 9, 2018 13:34:16 GMT -8
"The town has been stricken with a terrible illness," Lillian elaborates. "And our reeve believes that there may be a potion or artifact that can help cure it."
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Post by Ezeze on Sept 9, 2018 13:37:19 GMT -8
Katya has nothing to add.
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Post by Daos on Sept 9, 2018 13:54:18 GMT -8
"I see," Ubisek replies. "I know of the ruin you speak of, but there is a slight...complication. Allow me to explain. I am the rightful heir to the Woodfang tribe, as the son of Gressek. Nobody could deny this. But...there were a number of people who did not much like the changes I've made since coming into power."
"Harrumph, to say the least!" Brakk-Ni interjects.
"The more radical members of this group eventually deserted the tribe and went deeper into the woods," Ubisek continues. "This small group was of no serious threat to our tribe, so I let them go in peace. From the most recent reports I've heard, they have taken residence in the ruined temple you speak of. They call themselves the Rabid now, and are quite...unpredictable. They may welcome you or may attack you on sight. Regardless, they have no respect for me or my authority, and thus I cannot stop them from giving you trouble, if they choose to do so."
Nak'skree adds, "They are only a dozen in number, but they are quite clever. Expect traps, ambushes, and hit and run tactics. My own scouts have learned to keep a wide berth from the ruin. But as there is nothing of value there to us, this hasn't been much of a problem until now."
Ubisek nods. "Nak'skree is my best scout, so I shall send her to show you the way there. But I'm afraid safe passage is all I can guarantee you. The Rabid are beyond my control now."
"Pah, traitors all, if you ask me," Brakk-Ni says, despite the fact that nobody had asked him at all. "Feel free to put them all to the sword and save us the trouble. Perhaps that will sate your innate bloodlust for our people so you don't feel the need to kill any of us while you're here."
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Post by HorizonsDream on Sept 9, 2018 14:06:24 GMT -8
"We appreciate whatever type of help you can provide us," Ladonna says. "Who is the leader of the Rabid?" she asks.
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Post by Ezeze on Sept 9, 2018 14:25:00 GMT -8
"Have the Rabid taken to worshiping Crizza?"
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Post by Daos on Sept 10, 2018 12:39:05 GMT -8
"I don't believe they have a leader," Nak'skree answers. "They seem to scorn all authority and leadership."
At Katya's question, Brakk-Ni asks, "What, exactly is a 'Crizza?'"
"The villkru word for the Lying Crow," Ubisek responds, rubbing his chin. He looks back to Katya. "And you said this ruin used to be for Crizza? I hadn't put it together, but now that you mention it, it makes sense. Perhaps they found something in that ruin that converted them? I can only speculate. But it would explain their unpredictable behavior and their hate of leadership."
"Then even as a ruin...that accursed temple...is still spreading the Mad...God's lies," Ingot muses. "I wonder if we...should consider destroying it...once we are done there."
"In my vision, the temple was made of stone," Garnet says. "Destroying it wouldn't be easy. Probably why they left it intact the first time."
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Post by Ezeze on Sept 10, 2018 13:12:46 GMT -8
"If they had it couldn't save us now" Katya points out when Garnet speculates as to why the temple hadn't been demolished.
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Post by HorizonsDream on Sept 10, 2018 13:13:33 GMT -8
"I don't think destroying it is really within our realm of options," Ladonna says. "And despite the fact that they are followers of Crizza, it seems, I don't really want to kill these goblins either. I would rather not repeat the actions of our ancestors. We are going to have to see how this plays out once we get there."
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Post by Daos on Sept 11, 2018 11:10:15 GMT -8
"This is true...perhaps it was also...part of Gonto's plan," Ingot muses. "Perhaps we are meant...to show these goblins...the error of their ways..."
"That's probably easier said than done," Nak'skree mentions. "In any case, I've got my gear and am ready to go, whenever you all are. Just give the word, and we can set off."
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Post by HorizonsDream on Sept 11, 2018 11:47:00 GMT -8
"I think we are all ready, so lead the way," Ladonna says.
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Post by Ezeze on Sept 12, 2018 7:58:36 GMT -8
Katya is silent, watching Ladonna.
How interesting.
She will walk next to Nak'skree when it is time to leave.
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Post by Daos on Sept 12, 2018 10:58:16 GMT -8
With that said, the party follows Nak'skree back into the woods. The goblin scout looks quite different from when they first met her. Her injuries have healed, she's no longer emaciated in appearance, and she is wearing crudely made leather armor, with several daggers on her belt.
"Well, that was...an experience," Liala notes once they are out of earshot of the rest of the goblins. "It was surreal to be standing around all those goblins, and not one of them was trying to kill us."
"Believe me, it's just as strange an experience for my own people," Nak'skree says from over her shoulder.
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