The old trade road was remarkably old, over six centuries according to some texts. But, despite this, the paving stones were still perfectly fitted and evenly laid. The wagon rolled along to the drumbeat of rain and clopping of the mules hooves. The rain came down in a steady downpour that limited visibility to a mere thirty yards or so.

The wind was mild, however, so the chill wasn't too bad. The sun was high, noon, but the day still carried the gray of early morning. Twice the group happened upon passersby; a small group of farmers driving a small herd of sheep into Kardican and a lonely patrol on horseback crossed their path on its way protecting the King's lands.

The scent of burning pine mixed with roasting pork told them that there was a stead nearby. Possibly one offering a meal out of the rain for them and their beasts. Maybe even a few pints of ale to make the weather more tolerable.

Brengalyn sat high in her saddle, greeting each passerby with a look, smile and a nod as she rode on.

Before the day was out her stomach growled, and she'd lost her taste for travel rations before long, swigging out of her waterskin. The smell of pine and pork caught her attention

"Smells like stopping is in order then. Already the world is looking up for me having slowed myself down for the rest of you."

Without much consultation she turned Velvet towards any signs of smoke or the smell, looking for the source

Barg did his best to keep outside the cart, lopping along at his quick pace rather than riding in the cart. At least after the smell started to get to everyone. Despite laundering, his poorly cured hides continued to reek like the deepest, oldest sewers.

The rain meant no sun though, so Barg was happy. Carefree and happy

"Yes, if there is food, we should go! Barg has eaten nothing and bufo makes Barg hungry."

He turned over his skin of bufo

"And bufo is almost gone!"

Thamkis had strapped down her cauldron in the back and had Penny sit with her in the front as they rode, the wagon bumping along as it went

"If I had the right ingredients, we'd be able to use this time better! That cauldron back there is a magical thing in itself, though it doesn't look it."

Her haversack tipped over, and a creature like a duck came waddling out, clearly perturbed at its confinement. Thamkis looked back at the creature and tutted as it quacked at her, annoyed.

"Well, we couldn't have had you wandering around making a fuss, not after the last town!"

The duck approached Penny, appearing to be made of biscuits and molasses, its feet sticking to the wood of the wagon ever so slightly with each step. It quacked inquisitively at the gnome before trying to get into a belt pouch or haversack looking for food, before Thamkis swatted the creature upside the head lightly

"The cauldron, as I was saying, is properly seasoned for the preparation of more than simply stews and soups. It can brew potions and oils, and with a little ingenuity, I can create even more amazing substances, candies and cakes which have magical effects. I can even-"

She jabbed a thumb at the duck

"-create creatures like Graham here."

Up ahead the shape of a two story building looking to be part home and part tavern began to take shape out of the rain. A covered hitching post ran along one side and sheltered half a dozen horses from the rain. On the wide porch several people sat smoking pipes in rocking chairs with mugs on little round stools close to hand. Music could be heard inside, common lute and fiddle tunes, as they approached. A tall brick chimney was shedding pine smoke seasoned with the scent of roasting meat.

"
Of all my trips around the sun,
Desna blessed it's been a good one,
Finally found some piece of mind,
And how to leave the past behind"
Penny strummed on her ukulele as they moved forward. Keeping her companions entertained and stopping to listen to Slybones periodically. She smiled, eyes wide as she leaned towards the little duck,  "What does he eat? How do you make him move! He's so cute!" Putting her instrument down she scooped up the little duck and cradled it like a child "You're so cute I could just eat you up!"

Graham, desiring not to have his biscuits and molasses become a meal to several quick waddles back with a plaintive squawk.

As the group ambled its way up to the roadside house and tavern, commonly referred to as way house in these parts, a couple of riders came trotting along from behind speaking loud 'we're here, don't attack us' voices.

The tall, skinny human female was saying, "Really. It was just lying there on the table? Do you really expect me to believe that?"

Her companion, a very muscular hafling male in leather armor replied, "Honestly, as Metto's witness I swear it. That moss agate was just right there on the table when I sat down for some beer and bratwurst. There was a bit of lingering smell, someone needs to burn that tunic."

Barg immediately showed interest in the two riders speaking of the Mossa Gate. Leaping out of the wagon and smoothing his hair down

"Greetings, horse ride people. I cannot help to hear you speak of the Mossa Gate, legend of the gnomes. I would like to ask if you have one of the famous moss stones?"

The gate, Barg reasoned, was a fabulous portal to wealth and snacks. Or tasty moss! And likewise, ages hence it was seal with fabulous moss stones which he would collect enough of to find the gate and raid the snacks!

As Graham struggled to get away and then waddled off, Thamkis brought her mules and cart to a slow outside the way house.

"The Viscount Quackers is what those in the know call a construct, an artificial creature made of inanimate materials. In this case, he has a small soul animating him, one of the many lost which hold no form or memory after death. There is a calling ritual that can be done. Usually it calls a minor demon or fey and clothes it in the body of an animal, but in this case with the right spells and recipes you can create a familiar spirit from baked goods."

Clambering down off the wagon, Thamkis watched Barg approach the riders, bringing her hand to her face in resignation at his need to tempt fate.

Brengalyn swung down off Velvet with practiced ease, her cavalry spurs jangling slightly as she stepped down. She walked with head up to catch up with Barg and try to intercept him so he didn't approach too close to the other travelers. Many would likely see an approaching goblin babbling nonsense and go for a crossbow over seeing if he was speaking words.

"Hello! My companions and I were just pulling in, I hope you don't mind while we get the cart settled? If you'd like to go on in ahead of us we can watch your horses?"

"I, uh, err, no. What the devils."  The woman said as Barg  approached, she wrinkled her nose at him, obviously unhappy at the Goblin's approach. "We were headed to, um, Lichtenfeld."

"Pardon my companion." Said the halfling. "We, ugg, that smell. You! You left that stone?"

"What? The Goblin?" The woman said. Then she burst out laughing. "So, that is who you got the stone from. What, did you filtch while he drunk on the floor?"

"Yah!" The halfling turned in the saddle and spurred his mount away gaining speed in the rain. The woman, still laughing, turned her mount and went after him.

A moment later a small leather bag sailed out of the rain and struck Barg lightly in the chest. It fell to the ground with a tinkle of coins.

From the porch a gruff voice said, "If that runt is going inside let him stand in the rain a little longer. Wash off some the stink."

It was common enough, Goblins having a foul odor. It was more of a running insult among those who were prejudiced than reality. Barg had come too ignore it like so many other things in life.

Penny nodded thoughtfully at Thamkis. She got off the wagon and offered the old halfling a hand out of her seat. "That is not very nice!" Penny called out, upset.

In reply to GM (msg # 11):

Brengalyn watched with some amusement the comedy which unfolded, and gave a wave and a bow as the two sped off to Lichtenfeld

"Safe travels!"

She eyed the coin purse on the ground and edged toward it, wondering if Barg was going to pick it up. She wondered if it was true that goblins had a strange love of gold . . .

Drawing herself back up at the voice she turned to address the speaker

"Ah yes. Dreadful stench, something he was born with, or some aspect of his sentimental aversion to washing. Tell me, are you the proprietor of this here way house? We need stabling and rooms, inquire inside?"

She eyed the gold a second time

In reply to GM (msg # 11):

Coins

Barg scrambled to pick up the coin purse and looked on as the two rider beat a hasty retreat, a disappointed look on his face brightened only by the coin purse in his hand

"Thanks be you! Very kind but Barg is needing moss stone not coins! Mistake is forgiven!!"

When the gruff voice spoke, Barg looked at his clothes, poncho and armour and began to strip then and there to let the rain wash over him

In reply to Barg (msg # 14):

Penny looked at the people riding on "Hello! you dropped... they can't hear me can they?" she sighed. She would have to find them in Lichtenfeld when they were done here and give their gold back.

"Which runt are you talking about sir because I'm afraid I won't be doing any stripping until at least three or four drinks in me" Penny strode into the building, wringing out her dress.

Thamkis moved like a woman of her age through the muck after disembarking, stopping to shield Graham's eyes from the goblin's nakedness. She shook her head and with walking stick in hand ambled up to the porch and inside

"He's going to come into this place naked if you don't tell him to put something on . . . just warning you."

"Ha!" The gruff one guffawed. "That's funny. And, sides to walls, he wouldn't be the first one to wonder here about in a birthday suit. Probably not even for a Goblin."

A round off chuckles followed the remark even as half a dozen men, halflings, and an elder gnome with more beard than face set out three mugs of beer, two cups of wine, and one glass of fiery, red dwarf whiskey.

"Well, lassie, it sure seems these boys want to see what's under those clothes!" The voice continued on, less gruff an more laughing.

An unusually tall elf maiden with full rounded hips and shoulders bespeaking of a human parent in her lineage walked out to greet them with a stern look and straight talk, "Come in to eat, to drink, to sing, and to rest. No fighting, filtching, fornicating, or foul mouthery. Now, what can I get for you?"

A massively bulky Orc walked past the half-elf with a equally massive human just behind him. Both wore plate and chain armor with various weapons strapped to them. They spoke in a clipped, guttural language without rancor or joy. As they passed the girl the man spoke to her.

"Abigail thank your mother for the dried meat." He said in a deep voice. "We'll be back for more in ten days. Fighting those damn orcs and goblins in the valley is hungry work."

In reply to GM (msg # 17):

Brengalyn put two silver pieces on the bar top

"A gallon of ale barkeep. In your own time."

Bringing over the ale herself to the party once they were settled, Brengalyn jumped back up to intercept the two armoured fellows talking about mercenary work

"Pardon me gentlemen, you were mentioning orcs and goblins? May I ask, is that a common issue around these parts?"

"Aye, especially in the valley of the Little Snake river." The man said. "We are in the employ of a free company under Captain Arno Trand. He pays well, expects discipline and devotion, and will damn well sure put your poker in a hot fire!"

The two laughed together. The Orc looked Brengalyn over, smiled a jagged scarred smile, and added, "But you can leave that her. There be no drinking, whoring, gambling, or fighting in camp. It's real soldier's work and not for pretenders or the faint of heart."

The man led his partner out into the rain and the two slipped into large packs laden with dried meat with bundles of arrows tied to them. It looked heavy, particularly heavy. The two simply started marching off into the rain talking. Their pace was impressive and would give a horse difficulty in matching for distance over time.

Penny rubbed her hands together seeing the alcohol and stuck her tongue out at the offending party trying to ruin her fun as she got to work on the wine first.
 "That halfling and elf, the ones who just left, does anyone know who they were? They might be coming back for something they dropped"

In reply to GM (msg # 19):

"Sounds absolutely horrid. The drinking and gambling and fighting I mean. Frankly if all your comrades look like you it'd be less whoring and more alms."

She gave a small, almost sarcastic nod and let the men leave, returning to the table and the others

"Well we have a heading on this Arno Trand fellow. He commands a free company of eunuchs apparently, camped by the Little Snake river. Less than five days, likely no more than two days travel by the looks of those two men."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:39, Tue 14 July 2020.

Thamkis made an annoyed face when Brengalyn brought over ales and Penny plunged into a drinking binge, shaking her head. Youth.

She got up, tip-tapping her walking stick and using it to part people as she clambered to the bar and cleared her throat

"Do you have the means to heat some water?"

She placed a teapot on the bar top, an old and weathered artifact

"I've some tea I'd like to drink."

Barg took to guzzling one of the ales brought by Brengalyn, and then wiped his mouth with the back of his hand

"Barg will be back, must stretch feet."

Hopping down, he moved about from table to table, smiling at everyone he saw. Making his way to the bar he pulled himself up beside Thamkis

"Yes, hello, I would like some bufo please! Extra crunchy. And some streats!"

A tall man, lanky in the way of someone who eats too little and drinks too much leaned over the bar. He smiled pleasantly at Thamkis and said, "Grandmother there is a fire in the room to the left," he nodded with his head, "and a water barrel of fresh water just inside the door. Help yourself to both, freely."

Turning to Barg the man held the smile. Astonishingly enough he simply turned and placed Barg's order with someone back in the kitchen. Turning back to Barg he said, "That will be twenty seven coppers. Would you like a bowl of basted fire weevils for only ten coppers more?"

A tune was struck up. Somewhere further into the way house the cords of a song with a quick tempo was being strummed out on fiddle. In moments toe tapping, from many feet, could be heard as well.

In reply to GM (msg # 24):

Thamkis nodded in thanks and began to leave, but stuck around to listen to Barg's odd order.

"Excuse me . . . "

She reached up and four silver coins clattered on the bar top as she disappeared down on the ground again

"For my friend's order here. Give him the fire weevils."

Moving to get the water and start a boil, Thamkis produced some leaves from her belt pouch for making the special tea she enjoyed. She'd never held her drink well, and hadn't drank since her wedding, more than half a lifetime ago.

Barg dug into the bowls of food set before with relish. Nearly immediately after his first handful of weevils he farted a long, loud, and noxious string of flatulent excellence. People roared with laughter, revulsion, or approval. Thamkis could've sworn she had glanced the Goblin lift off his heels nearly and inch.

"Why must we sell those damnable things!" A young woman, maybe fourteen or so, and bearing the same familial features as the serving maid and the barmnan, complained loudly as she went into the kitchen covering her mouth and nose with her hand. "Oh, Baylick's Balls! I got some in my mouth."

The music in the back of the way house stopped, someone yelled, "Riders, riders on spiders. They're back, they're here!"

Out of the dreary and wet came the thud-dud, thud-dud, thud-dud of the double stomps of scampering giant spiders. A sound that drew Brengalyn's attention from just inside the front door. Taking a step back she met the sight of the men and elves on the porch scrambling to their feet as fast moving shapes emerged from the fog and rain a short distance away.

She side stepped at the sound of twanging bowstrings to slip behind the wall. A heartbeat later a pair of arrows passed by flying into the doorway she had just stood in.

Barg was oblivious. The food was good. And it required his attention. Then an arrow flashed by him, smashed his bufo off the counter in a puff, and stuck in the wall. It was a short, thin shafted arrow with a slim iron arrowhead that had hook off to one side. The feathers of night owls, greasy black and fleck with tiny golden spots, were split into fletching running a third of the length of the arrow. Three silver bands several finger breadths from the arrowhead offered a peculiar marking.

It was a Goblin arrow. A Goblin mercenary's arrow. Barg had seen plenty of them; sometimes heading away from him, sometimes heading at him.

Inside the way house someone began tolling a bell as people began to move away from plates and tankards to retrieve swords, bows, and wands or search a place to get out of the way and stay safe. There were too many children and elders to protect them all if the Goblins came in force. Many mothers herded younglings or drug elders along.

Thamkis stared at the kettle. Such were her days, she sighed, considered if it would be best to let the kettle boil while this was sorted out or if she should set it aside and come back after the threat had passed.

Penny hung back to wait for the fighters to get past then stepping out cast a grease spell on the floor in front of the door. She placed a finger in front of her mouth shushing one of the children before walking out of sight of the frame and grabbing her starknives.

Brengalyn reached behind her for her bow and cursed. It was with Velvet. By the time she got to Velvet she'd likely be at swords and knives, not arrows.

Moving to the porch, she drew her ankus, the engraved haft of the lovely goad twirling in her graceful fingers as she shook her hair, strapping her buckler from it's hanging on her hip to her arm.

"Cover me, they mustn't run before we can drop one. We'll need someone to talk."

Barg looked with horror at his bufo. His bufo! Stuck in the wall!

When he turned back he was not the same goblin he had been these past few days. Well he was, but he was also snarling, angry and bloodthirsty.

Bounding out of the tavern, Barg roared and snarled, spittle flying

In goblin, he shouted a challenge

"Barg is son of barghest, is greatest goblin! You have smashed his bufo! Submit meekly and Barg will only take your ears!"

OOC: Intimidate check 11

To the astonishment of everyone three of the riders pulled up short at Barg's words and seemed genuinely concerned about committing to further action. Brengalyn, followed by two others, descended the steps into the muck and rain to meet the Goblins head on.

"Close in, you kurs! Close in." A Goblin wearing brigandine armor shouted. He was brandishing a spear in a very businesslike manner as well. "Now, now, on them before they can escape the wayhouse."

"But, it is the son of Barghest!" A Goblin replied in turn.

A passing spider rider used a backhanded swing of a hammer to knock the cowed Goblin from his spider saddle and into the mud with a mighty umph of exhaled air. He seemed to move, but slowly and disjointedly.

"Hello friends! Penny Perseus at your service!" Penny waved at the goblins and placed her hands in the pockets of her dress, "Do you mind explaining to us why you're trying to attack these fine people? There's an awful lot of confusion that I think would be fixed if we could talk things through. Maybe if your nice I can even write a little song about this story once we're done" she strummed a few chords on her instrument as she offered to help the fallen goblin up.
ooc 10:36, Today: Penny Perseus rolled 28 using 1d20+10 ((18)). diplomacy
This message was last edited by the player at 14:39, Tue 28 July 2020.

"A song!" A Goblin called out. "A bard, this battle will make us immortal!"

The commanding Goblin guided his spider up next the exuberant Goblin as he spoke about living on through a bard's tale and thrust his spear through the other's torso.

Kicking the skinny body free of his spear to fall in the mud he shouted, "At them, vermin take your hearts, at them."

Several Goblins roared a war cry and charged at Brengalyn and the two men following her off the porch. A spry goblin bound from his galloping spider's saddle to land on the porch in front of the door with a flaming gourd of oil in each hand. When his feet hit the boards Penny's spell instantly sent him to the boards onto his back. The gourd in his right hand was smashed in an effort to catch himself igniting the oil. A moment later there was an explosion as the other gourd burst in the flames of the fire.

The screams of the dying goblin was a terrible as the stench.

Thamkis looked at her kettle and sighed, goblins. The smelly one was bad enough, and apparently had delusions about his importance to match

Taking the kettle off the fire, she walked out as the lead goblin stabbed his fellow

"Tut, that won't do."

Snapping her fingers and gesturing backwards, she focused the heat of the tea kettle and connected it on a path to the goblin's weapon

OOC: burning disarm, Reflex DC 16 or he drops the spear. If he makes the save, he takes 4 fire damage before the spear cools. If the spear is obviously not metal, Thamkis targets a piece of metal he's wearing. If suitably unable to drop it, he gets no save

She took her walking stick in one hand and beat it against her other palm, ready to teach a lesson or two

OOC: initiative 13 for when it matters
This message was last edited by the player at 02:06, Fri 31 July 2020.

"Barg knows only one song . . . is time for you to learn it."

The runt of the Dunwood dropped to his hands and snarled, roaring with frothing mouth as he bounded forward, unchecked and screaming as he barred his teeth and leapt to bite down on the commander.

"Barg is bravest! Barg is boldest! BARG IS STRONGEST!!"

OOC: attack roll 12 (ouch, lowest possible before natural 1), damage 21, grapple if attack hits and damage doesn't kill of 20, initiative roll of 12

Brengalyn watched the small goblin rage and charge

"We need one alive! ONE! Come on people!! I'm only asking for one!"

Stepping forward she swung to hook on of the goblin's legs and pull them out from under them as they moved closer.

OOC: initiative 26, trip 21 (so if it exceeds their CMD, they're tripped and prone).
This message was last edited by the player at 01:32, Sat 01 Aug 2020.

"Withery. Avoid the porch, use the wind, ah damnation!" The Goblin commander shouted. With a reflexive whip of the wrist he pitched the spear in the mud point first where it hissed and sizzle.

"Bah, use the damn windows." He shouted again and drew a sword from a scabbard at his saddle horn. There was a roar and clack of gnashing teeth that drew his attention. He turned his head in time to see Barg hurdle himself in a bough from the mud, grab the spider the Goblin rode by a mandible and pull himself along, just before one hand and seven teeth collided with collided with his throat just above the brigandine.

The pair toppled into the mud with a splatter and roars of rage.

Barg bit down even harder, enraged by this goblin's refusal to admit his strength!

OOC: attack roll 19, damage 15, grapple 25

"ADMIT! ADMIT BARG IS STRONGEST!!"

"Candlelight and moonlight all around us
I look into your eyes
You hold my hand underneath the table
And I can’t disguise the way I feel
I could’ve wished a thousand wishes
For this night, I can’t believe
That it’s finally me and you, and you and me
Just us, and your friend Barg
Do-do-do do do-do do, Barg
Do-do-do do do-do do, leave!
What’s the deal with your friend Barg--
Hey! How's it going?"
Penny strummed her ukelele.
ooc inspire courage +1

Brengalyn brought her ankus up as the goblin fell flat on its back

"Alright, I'll handle the 'one left alive' part of it, I can see you're all too full of the blood at this point"

The ankus hit the ground with a thud though, as the goblin failed to be in line with the swing

OOC: attack roll 12, damage 8

Reaching into her sleeve, Thamkis produced a bit of fleece, rubbing it between forefinger and thumb. The shadows shifted along the ground and a hulking ogre appeared, rising from the ground, as if he was pulling himself up.

The shadows wove a complex dream of an ogre . . . hopefully those goblins who could escape would now that Barg had their leader and Brengalyn was attempting to beat one into a coma.

OOC: silent image, not fancy but it exists, Will DC 15 to disbelieve.

OOC: Goblin Will saving throws
22:31, Today: GM rolled 19 using 1d20.  npc will save.

22:31, Today: GM rolled 14 using 1d20.  npc will save.

22:31, Today: GM rolled 8 using 1d20.  npc will save.

22:30, Today: GM rolled 5 using 1d20.  npc will save.

22:30, Today: GM rolled 5 using 1d20.  npc will save.

22:30, Today: GM rolled 6 using 1d20.  npc will save.

22:30, Today: GM rolled 6 using 1d20.  npc will save.

22:30, Today: GM rolled 13 using 1d20.  npc will save.

Thankis' summoned ogre visage stormed out onto the porch with a bluster and a battle cry. Several of the local defenders turned and ran for the surrounding fields and woods. But, so did seven of the eight remaining Goblin attackers.

Barg twisted, the chords of Penny's song plucking at his heart sent fire coursing through his blood, and with loud, victorious laughing cackle Barg wrenched the Goblin leader's arm around with such fierceness that it was nearly torn from his shoulder. Blood, thick and blue-green, splatter about as the Goblin screamed and then passed out.

Brengalyn's blood was up when the Penny's voice struck her ears. Then she struck the Goblin. She felt the shock into her shoulder. There was sickening crack coming from the point of impact of her blow and the Goblin went limp like a 'boned fish'.

Barg chased after the fleeing goblins, trying to catch another one if he could while his rage still held

OOC: attack roll 15 (17 charge), damage 16, grapple check 20, use only if Barg can reasonably chase after the goblins

"Penny, get those villagers back-"

Brengalyn turned to see a roaring ogre.

"Everyone get back, there's an ogre! Get Barg back here, let's see if he wants to prove he's the strongest some more!"

Gripping her weapon firmly the mercenary strode forward, swinging hard at the giantkin's knee. She knew these brutal opportunist creatures well, mercenaries of their own right and proud of their brutal strength-

And her weapon passed through the creature . . .

WHAT?

In reply to Brengalyn (msg # 43):

Penny nodded and ran off ans fast as her little feat could carry her "Hey! Please come back! We need help back there!"
There was no way she could catch up to them so she called out.
OOC casting message Diplomacy 14

The ogre dissolved immediately, falling apart into a thousand slips of shadow that fell apart

"Apologies Brengalyn, I saw a way to save people and I took it."

Thamkis looked around for any goblins who were dying, stabilizing one if she could find one but avoiding stealing Brengalyn's goblin needed for interrogation.

OOC: would take 2 rounds before she stabilized a dying goblin, check results were 10 and 19. If there's only the one goblin (Brengalyn's) I'll wait until we're done with him

Thamkis halted the demise of the Goblin at Brengalyn's feet. She looked towards the Goblin leader Barg had savaged. There was no saving him. No doubt the song of that fight would end with Barg ripping the Goblin's arm off and beating him to death with it within a fortnight.

Brengalyn watched over Thamkis noting that the locals were not only returning but they were using spear, pitchforks, and short bows to kill the riderless giant spiders without mercy. SHe quickly cleaned her weapon without thinking about the action as she took in the scene around her.

Penny was both glad for the threat to have abated and a touch agitated that their efforts had worked to well and scared the Goblin attacker off. She relaxed at the sound of excited, frightened children and their keepers trying to sooth them.

Barg finally slowed to stop. Panting, cursing the the fleeing riders between gasps, and splattered with the dead Goblin's blood he the fire in his blood began to cool. Looking back over his shoulder he could just make out the shape of the wayhouse in the gloom and rain. His stomach growled reminding him of the food waiting for his attention.

Barg looked down at his grumbling stomach as one looked at a treacherous stubborn pack animal

Slapping the offending gut he grumbled, tottering off back towards the way house

Arriving back to the party he smiled wide

"Other goblins learned to fear Barg. Is right."

"Well I'd say that this requires some quick preparations before we set out. The sooner we either get to this elf captain or chase these goblins, the better."

Brengalyn looked to Penny

"Any thoughts on which one we should do? I'm sorry we won't be having much comfort after all . . . "

Penny looked at the folks, the women and children. "Will the goblins be back to attack them again? We need to make sure they aren't hurt again. But we also need to help the elf woman." She sat down and pondered, swishing a pixie away from pulling her hair. "I think we need to continue on to the elves?" it was a question. The gnome was well meaning but very indecisive.

"We do need to continue on, that young woman is counting on us returning."

Thamkis peered at the goblin they'd captured

"Best get this one ready for questions, we need to move quickly"

The goblin seems to be out of sorts, probably from the cracking of its skull and senses, but it does seem to realize the predicament it is in.

The locals gather about. Murmuring and spitting on the ground was the common reaction to the goblin, mainly because of its association and not its race. The people seemed both frightened and angry with these goblins and their mercenary allies.

Barg shouldered his way to the front, approaching the goblin, clearly winded and very sweaty. Wiping his brow with his hand, he licked his hand afterward and made a face almost like he was appreciating a wine's fine bouquet.

"After-battle sweat is sweetest, no?"

His mouth pulled at the corners into the widest, most crooked smile and his beady red eyes fixed on the remaining goblin

"Goblin is only surviving witness to Barg's greatness who did not run like coward. Barg likes smarts!"

Putting his hands on the goblin's shoulders, he shakes him

"Barg's friends want to know why is spider-riders attacking? If answer is good, goblin might get lick of Barg's familiar Crunch!"

OOC: Diplomacy check 14

"Is it a purple cyclopean frog?" The goblin perks up. "They blessed by the saint of good fortune and thievery, the right-holy Ignatius Greenblood. A like on the back of a purple cyclops is a rare honor indeed."

"Is better! Crunch was once a green frog, but when Barg summoned him a second time after he popped when Barg sat on him, Crunch is now colour that is mix of red and blue! Is like looking at red and blue at same time!!"

Reaching into his belt pouch, he produced a very annoyed looking purple frog with a black mark on its back. If it was a cyclopean frog, Crunch did not reveal its secrets but tried to escape futilely. Barg held the frog out for inspection, proud of his "familiar"

In reply to Barg (msg # 54):

(02:04, Today: GM rolled 15 using 1d20 ((15)). Poison save vs. psychedelic effects of licking an unfamiliar frog familiar.)

The goblin stared the frog for several moments, obviously in deep concentration, and finally nodded his vigorously say, "Deal, present the frog's back for licking."

Everyone watching flinched, squirmed, oohed, blanched, or gasped. The goblin smiled and then made a lemon-sucking squint face. He shook his head several times. Gagged for a moment. Then began giggling and fell backwards into the mud.

"I feel it." The goblin nearly shouted. Then, giggling, whispered as he pointed at his feet. "In my toes."

Rolling his head to one side it was easy to see that the goblins eyes were wildly dilated; one was nearly all pupil while the other was nearly all iris. He smiled a gape toothed smile and said, "What were you saying?"

"The attacks on the village, are they part of some plan? Are you just raiding for resources or are you being directed to raid?"

The annoyance in Brengalyn's voice was clear as she stepped forward to tower over Barg and his new friend

"You've seen what we can do. It doesn't have to come to your people if you stop these raids."

"Must lure them out." He whispered. Then nearly shouting again. "Yes! Lure them out of the valley, get them away from the temple. She is dear to him, draw him out, the Black Company will follow."

He began giggling like a mad Gnome that had consumed Dwarven fire ale until his wits were addled and his nose hairs singed. it was not a glorious sight to behold. Especially when the flatulence heralded soiling of his trousers in a spectacularly foul manner.

"Oops, I seemed to have shat my brains out." The goblin whispered. The giggling stopped as his eyes seemed to lose sight of the world in front of them. "Pretty, pretty elfie princess. Hate to see tied to the stake. Dragons are such messy eaters."

"Ugh"

Brengalyn moved away from the rapidly soiling himself goblin, casting an accusatory glance at Barg.

"This sounds . . . menacing, to be sure. Perhaps even something which needs addressing. Should we try to rescue this 'elf princess' quickly?"

"Hmm. Is difficult. Dragon and goblin traps! Elfy princess."

Barg looked up at Brengalyn

"We should take fight to the enemy! Who cares about stuffy elf captain? Is fight of glory awaiting!"

"I think we should help the elf first too. We will need to come back later to help these people."

In the back of Thamkiss' wagon, bundle under a pile of wool and fur blankets under the canvas bonnet covering the back of the wagon, the Elf stirred. She tried to smile, but it was forced. She was still weak, healing, and vulnerable.

"Barg is a silly little creature, with a big heart, but my husband is a man. He is no prince, but a monster with a big heart like you." She laughed, it was a brittle sound giving away how weak she still was. "You fight his enemies. Here and now, foragers, raiders, and doing the bidding of a dark power."

With that she lay her pretty head back down and retreated into sleep.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:14, Tue 29 Sept 2020.

"Job we took first needs doing first. Just means we'll need to be quick about it."

Thamkis paused when the elf emerged from the cart and said her piece

"Nevermind I suppose! We'll handle this then, at our 'employer's' request."

She looked at the rest of the group and pointed to the drugged goblin

"I'll take care of him, away from the villagers. Don't want them tearing him apart . . . "

Penny rushed to the elf lady and settled her down making sure that she was comfortable and piling on the blankets.