ooc - Underdogs
I'll put this here to save cluttering the ic thread and having to stuff around with sblocks.
I'm at a bit of an impasse here. What is the nature of the krel's relationship to goblins in general, and to whatever nearby goblin tribes there are in particular? Assaq has goblinoids as a favored enemy, so I assume there's at least fairly regular conflict, and that Assaq isn't too fond of them. But are they kill-on-sight enemies, or would violence be saved as a last resort? And how strange is it to see goblins here, less than a day's march from the krel? Is it commonplace, or would it be a reason for a call to arms?
I'm leaning towards attacking them first anyways, on the presumption that goblins have no legitimate business being here, but I might change my mind if it's normal for them to be here.
I'm likewise at a little bit of an impasse in need of more information. Particularly, does the krel have precautions against raiding parties of goblins? If we let these slip by, roughly how likely is it that they could cause serious damage? Are there farms and holdings outside the Falls that they could raid? And are they even headed towards the krel?
Hopefully this answers your questions.
The relationship between the grel and the goblins is less than friendly. But not outright hostile. The goblins are something like a persistent low level nuisance. They prefer to steal than fight. Goblin bands are more of a threat to lone travellers or hunters. If there is a chance to kill and loot without anyone knowing they did it, some goblins might take the opportunity. On occasion, the goblins have been known to launch sustained raids on the kingdom - caravans and outlying communities are the most common target. But such actions usually result in a retaliation that leaves the goblins worse off than when they started. So they are uncommon.
Goblins this close to the krel is not unheard of. Goblins also use the forest for hunting. Assaq would likely have had crossed paths with goblins, or the signs of their passing, before. Every year, at least a couple of Falls suffer loses of stock to goblin raids. Mostly on herds being grazed in the higher pastures.
Some in the krel take a 'kill on sight' approach to goblins. Others tend to take a more 'i don't bother them if they don't bother me' approach. Generally, the krel doesn't have any scouts keeping watch for goblin threats. If hunters or woodcutters spot signs of goblin activity in the surrounding area, everyone might be a bit more cautious for a while. But if nothing happens, and usually it doesn't, they soon go back to business as usual. Of course, at the moment (with the gnolls and all), its likely that the krel does have sentries posted and warriors ready. So a band this size would pose little danger. Also, if the goblins following the river downstream, they are unlikely to be heading towards the krel. The river eventually crosses on of the main trade route out of the Kingdom. So following it will take them into the kingdom, and there are human farms and villages that way.
So in a nutshell, the presence of a goblin band of three in this area isn't that surprising and doesn't necessarily pose a threat to the krel. But generally, most would agree that goblins in the area is never a good sign.
doghead
aka thotd
