(003A) Ambush on the Trail!

[Eris]

The note is written in the Goblin language spoken by all the goblinoids.

Does anyone read it?

Why yes Darrian does.

"Pleased to meet you Darian, and certainly, I'm always interested in learning new things, especially things magical." says the little Magic User with a grin and the offer of a handshake.

Shacking his hand, "Tony, and I am happy to meet you. I'm afraid I'm fairly fresh out of apprenticeship. But distance makes a difference. And I am sure culturally we have different spells we of our peoples like. Would you like to talk after dinner tonight, I'll talk to my cabin master about plans for how long we are here, do you know yours?

Darian

The note reads as follows:

"Take a company of Goblins to the old crossroads and ambush the caravan heading from Hurst to Goblintown. It will be coming through the day after tomorrow sometime about noon, maybe a little earlier, maybe a little later. DO NOT MISS IT! If you can destroy the caravan do it, but if you can't it is important that the Humans know it was Goblins attacking them and that they think they were from Goblintown. Failure means death!" It is signed "The Boss"

Tony says, "I'm still an apprentice, actually. My Master is sending me to Elsburg by way of Goblintown. A have a letter of introduction to Master Hastin who lives in Elsburg, my Master wishes me to study with him for a six month, so I'll be traveling in the same direction as your caravan. The others I am with are also bound for Elsburg by way of Goblintow to trade. In these unsafe times, I'm sure we'd like to travel with you if you are headed that way."

"And yes, I am happy to talk with you about most anything you wish. I am keen to acquire any and all knowledge I can. And you never know, I might have a few nuggets of information that you could use as well." he finishes with a grin.

[Eris]

The bows are not better, in Valerin's opinion they are worse, the swords are rusty, too. He does note that all the arrows the Hobgoblins had have red fletchings.

Valerin collects several of them both to replenish his supply and to have some 'enemy' arrows on hand to use for ruses...

Several of the drivers take note of the arrow fletchings and spit. One says, "More Red Caps! Then the rumors were true about them getting the Snorks on their side out here. I think we might be safer if we don't stop in Goblintown on this trip."

[Eris]

Magdal stays close but does scout a little ahead, moving to take a spot where she can see in the direction the creatures fled. She doesn't expect them to return as they seemed pretty cowardly. But you never could tell, perhaps they would drink a little bravery juice and decide to come back.

Magdal stops at the crossroad and looks north and south. The road is empty now, but the Goblins and the remaining Hobgoblin disappears north up this road. There are boulder fields on the west side of this road, but open space on the east side and the road disappears down a slope and around the rocky ground to the east about 100 yards north of the crossroad. The the south the road goes through a cleft in the ridge with steep sides to either side, over the top of a ridge and disappears further south.

Looking east, Magdal sees that the country ahead begins to open out. There are still some ridges and rocks, but she can see where the road leaves the ridges and goes out onto a plain with rolling hills here and there. There are trees atop the hills, but the flatter plain sports only grasses. It looks like the road to the east stays away from the hills and winds east and south across the grassland.

[bruce.desertrat]

The bows are not better, in Valerin's opinion they are worse, the swords are rusty, too. He does note that all the arrows the Hobgoblins had have red fletchings.

Valerin collects several of them both to replenish his supply and to have some 'enemy' arrows on hand to use for ruses...

Several of the drivers take note of the arrow fletchings and spit. One says, "More Red Caps! Then the rumors were true about them getting the Snorks on their side out here. I think we might be safer if we don't stop in Goblintown on this trip."

Valerin says "That's what the Redcaps want! They want all of you folk on this side to start distrusting each other. If you don't trade with Goblintown, what are they to do? "

He shakes his head, "Besides...if there were danger in the town, do you think they would have hit us out here? " He spits on the ground "They didn't even wait for a juicy target like us....they set upon a few halflings with donkeys. That's not strength, that's weakness"

He continues "They're just a bunch of low-rent half-assed bandits with rusty, bent swords and sticks with strings for bows." He smiles grimly and waves over at the bodies "Dead low-rent bandits..."

[ateno]

"Tony, we are traveling together then, I don't need a spell to know there will be several hours of seeing your face in our future." Smiles. "Excuse me, I need to take care of something."

Darian heads back and grabs the crossbow and heads to the caravan master.
"Your people are rebelling about going to goblin town. Can I address them in a attempt to let them know the truth. Goblintown are not the enemy, it's some orcs and such causing trouble up north. In sure you have someone who reads/writes goblin on your staff that can confirm what this message says." Darian reads it to him out loud for anyone that is lending a ear can hear.

"So can I address the whole group before we head into goblintown?, I won't take long."

[Eris]

"Tony, we are traveling together then, I don't need a spell to know there will be several hours of seeing your face in our future." Smiles. "Excuse me, I need to take care of something."

Darian heads back and grabs the crossbow and heads to the caravan master.
"Your people are rebelling about going to goblin town. Can I address them in a attempt to let them know the truth. Goblintown are not the enemy, it's some orcs and such causing trouble up north. In sure you have someone who reads/writes goblin on your staff that can confirm what this message says." Darian reads it to him out loud for anyone that is lending a ear can hear.

"So can I address the whole group before we head into goblintown?, I won't take long."

"Yes, and I'll back you up on it." he says, "I've dealt with scum like these Red Caps all my adult life. They have to be stood up to and taken down. You can't give in to them or they will steal you blind. They were behind the attack on the city, too, you know."

[ateno]

"Yes, and I'll back you up on it." he says, "I've dealt with scum like these Red Caps all my adult life. They have to be stood up to and taken down. You can't give in to them or they will steal you blind. They were behind the attack on the city, too, you know."

"Yes, I know, just let me know when you want me to do it."

Darian carefully pockets the note.

[Darithe]

Magdal ponders the distance for several moments before returning to the group, standing silent listening to the conversation.

[bobk2323]

Magdal hated to let the runners keep running but she wasn't the type to shoot someone retreating in the back regardless of them becoming a potential threat down the road (literally). She was mainly content to see how little damage they had done considering the size of the group. She assists in moving the bodies before checking making her way to check on Des, though she was sure Callista had things well in hand. Though an odd duck, she had proven more than reliable. A bit of an odd duck herself, she appreciates that.

The very tall woman in question is in the general vicinity of the halflings at that moment, giving them her usual, absolutely neutral stare. "Hi," she says after a few awkward seconds to the *much* smaller humanoids. "Is anyone else hurt?"

--
Bob K.

[Eris]

"Yes, and I'll back you up on it." he says, "I've dealt with scum like these Red Caps all my adult life. They have to be stood up to and taken down. You can't give in to them or they will steal you blind. They were behind the attack on the city, too, you know."

"Yes, I know, just let me know when you want me to do it."

Darian carefully pockets the note.

"I'll call a general meeting tonight after dinner, you can talk to everyone then." he says.

[Eris]

Magdal hated to let the runners keep running but she wasn't the type to shoot someone retreating in the back regardless of them becoming a potential threat down the road (literally). She was mainly content to see how little damage they had done considering the size of the group. She assists in moving the bodies before checking making her way to check on Des, though she was sure Callista had things well in hand. Though an odd duck, she had proven more than reliable. A bit of an odd duck herself, she appreciates that.

The very tall woman in question is in the general vicinity of the halflings at that moment, giving them her usual, absolutely neutral stare. "Hi," she says after a few awkward seconds to the *much* smaller humanoids. "Is anyone else hurt?"

"Well, Rolly is still a bit wobbly." says the small humanoid turning her head to talk to Callista while kneeling next to the injured donkey, "If you could help him, I'll concentrate on our friend Daisy here.

She turns back to the donkey and lays hands on it, easing it's pain and carefully removing the arrow from its shoulder. You've never seen anyone actually use magical healing on a beast before. It's clearly something the halfling's god approves of, though, as you see a golden glow spreading around the injury healing the animal.

[Darithe]

Magdal watches clearly in awe of Callista's power. Then bides her time until the dinner hour.

[bobk2323]

Magdal watches clearly in awe of Callista's power. Then bides her time until the dinner hour.

The healer herself, on the other hand, seems to react to the miraculous power granted by her deity in the same, emotionally blunted way that she reacts to most things. She gives her new patient a barely perceptible nod once they're healed, and then just goes on with the rest of her day.

--
Bob K.

[Eris]

Magdal watches clearly in awe of Callista's power. Then bides her time until the dinner hour.

The healer herself, on the other hand, seems to react to the miraculous power granted by her deity in the same, emotionally blunted way that she reacts to most things. She gives her new patient a barely perceptible nod once they're healed, and then just goes on with the rest of her day.

As the caravan approaches the site of the ambush, Callista and the halfling cleric have finished their work and both donkey and halfling are getting back up to their feet.

Ross, the caravan master dismounts and looks around, then approaches the group of halflings, "Well, it looks like you pulled the teeth of the goblins ambush for us. We're bound for Elsburg, by way of Goblintown, if you're headed that way, we'd be happy to have you join us. Safety in numbers, and all that."

The halflings agree and join in the caravan, taking a place between the wagons and the settlers. The afternoon passes without any more attacks. The halfling laugh and joke with the settlers' children who cluster around them, as they have never seen grown men their own size before.

As dusk approaches Master Ross leads the caravan off the ridges and down onto the rolling plains that stretch from the mountains to Goblintown and on to Elsburg down on the Els Mere. The plains are called the Dry Lands. To the north the merge into the Broken Lands and the the south are the cliffs that border the Els Mere and the swamp lands that border the western edge of the large shallow lake.

The adventures learn that this is dry area where few rivers and streams flow and only during the brief "wet season" and none reach Els Mere. The only settlement is Goblintown which sit astride the Old Road that runs between Hurst and Elsburg. The only other humanoids on these plains are a few tribes of nomads, Orcs and Goblins for the most part, and herders around Goblintown.

Ross points out a bowl shaped indention next to the road, "We'll camp here for the night. It's sheltered from the north wind, there is a small spring here to water our animals and refill our water bags, and holding the top of the hill is good defense."

The wagons form a laager with the open to the depression closed by them. The settler's animals are inside the laager and the people make their camp inside the depression. There is a small pool with water trickling into it near the back of the semicircular depression. Plants grow thickly around it, but the rest of the depression is covered with thin grasses and a few small bushes.

"Everyone is gathering for the evening meal." Master Ross goes around telling all the groups, "After the meal, we need to all have a discussion. We'll be entering territory claimed by the Goblins tomorrow and we need to go over some rules and customs."

There is some grumbling apparent, but nothing open.

Ross goes to Darian and says, "You'll have your chance to address the whole company after dinner."

OOC: The water is not poisoned. The camp is set up and guards are posted. Dinner is served and eaten.

Master Ross stands on a box and addresses the company, "Before I speak. Darian, here, wants to talk to all of us about something. I'll turn the box over to him now."

[bobk2323]

OOC: The water is not poisoned. The camp is set up and guards are posted. Dinner is served and eaten.

For those that actually know her, it's obvious by the tiny smile that sneaks onto Callista's face from time to time that she particularly enjoys eating.

Master Ross stands on a box and addresses the company, "Before I speak. Darian, here, wants to talk to all of us about something. I'll turn the box over to him now."

The cleric, as expected, watches and listens dispassionately, with her usual neutral facial expression revealing absolutely nothing concerning her inner thoughts or feelings.

--
Bob K.

[ateno]

Master Ross stands on a box and addresses the company, "Before I speak. Darian, here, wants to talk to all of us about something. I'll turn the box over to him now."

"Good evening everyone, I'm not going to speak like a politician. We are all happy from the meal and want to enjoy down time.

I and the other guards in the last few days have discovered that for the lack of other words, rural goblins are being forced or coerced into working with rebel orcs and others up north.

We have passed confirmed information to to the authorities.

We have more information. Let me read a message that was recovered from one of the dead bugbears from the battle on the downhill earlier today."

Darian reads a line in Goblin, then in Common.

"I read this so those that might be able to follow me can understand I am not making this up."

Darian looks around the gathered group for dissenters, if any.

"I know some of you feel all goblins are a bother, well I feel the way about 'some humans'. We all are being used, we are being told to trade on racism and looking at the goblins or other races as 'them'. Look on them as people, as we all are are.

Darrian opens his arms and closes them.

NONE of the information we have gathered have shown that the residents of Goblintown, urban Goblins, if you may, are part of this conspiracy. I am sure there are agents in the town trying to make the town cut off working with the others. But we need to show Goblintown that we are people that feel they are a town that we stop for for a rest and do business, just like any other town."

Darrian sighs and relaxes.

"I and Kazan will be over on that rock all night, drinking the last of my wine. If any of you have any questions, I will debate or answer questions until all of you are ready to to go to bed. Thank you for your time."

[joertexas]

"I and Kazan will be over on that rock all night, drinking the last of my wine. If any of you have any questions, I will debate or answer questions until all of you are ready to to go to bed. Thank you for your time."

Eodrien sits next to Des as they listen to Darrian. "I hope they listen to him," she says quietly.

[Darithe]

Sits down by Eodrien and Dez, "Very true and well said! But I'm bummed he didn't offer to share his wine." Reaches up and flicks Dez's ear.

[bobk2323]

Sits down by Eodrien and Dez, "Very true and well said! But I'm bummed he didn't offer to share his wine." Reaches up and flicks Dez's ear.

As usual, the tall, pale woman just listens dispassionately, the neutral look on her face revealing virtually nothing concerning her actual emotions or opinions.

--
Bob K.

[Eris]

Master Ross stands on a box and addresses the company, "Before I speak. Darian, here, wants to talk to all of us about something. I'll turn the box over to him now."

"Good evening everyone, I'm not going to speak like a politician. We are all happy from the meal and want to enjoy down time.

I and the other guards in the last few days have discovered that for the lack of other words, rural goblins are being forced or coerced into working with rebel orcs and others up north.

We have passed confirmed information to to the authorities.

We have more information. Let me read a message that was recovered from one of the dead bugbears from the battle on the downhill earlier today."

Darian reads a line in Goblin, then in Common.

"I read this so those that might be able to follow me can understand I am not making this up."

Darian looks around the gathered group for dissenters, if any.

"I know some of you feel all goblins are a bother, well I feel the way about 'some humans'. We all are being used, we are being told to trade on racism and looking at the goblins or other races as 'them'. Look on them as people, as we all are are.

Darrian opens his arms and closes them.

NONE of the information we have gathered have shown that the residents of Goblintown, urban Goblins, if you may, are part of this conspiracy. I am sure there are agents in the town trying to make the town cut off working with the others. But we need to show Goblintown that we are people that feel they are a town that we stop for for a rest and do business, just like any other town."

Darrian sighs and relaxes.

"I and Kazan will be over on that rock all night, drinking the last of my wine. If any of you have any questions, I will debate or answer questions until all of you are ready to to go to bed. Thank you for your time."

Darrian has to field a few questions, but it appears that the settlers are satisfied and the caravan drivers are going to do what Master Ross says as long as he pays them...and he says the caravan is going to Goblintown and then on to Elsburg, so that's what they are going to do.