The Sheriff interjects, "I believe what the Mayor is trying to say is that the girl fancies a handsome face, and is as foolish as her age."
"...to put it bluntly," the Mayor mutters under her breath.
Sheriff Hemlock tries to steer the conversation back, "But we have more important matters than flirtations of womenfolk, cousins. Shalelu, it may be true that the 'longshanks' leader is no goblin. But perhaps he is goblinkind. You have spoken of the larger goblinkin, but we must consider all possibilities. Pray, tell what you know of these possible ones, and we may consider."
"Yes, Belor," the elf nods, her serious demeanor never wavering. She had listened silently with the same grim expression even as the tragedy at the Chapel and Shayliss were discussed, but she was back to her area of expertise now, and her confident tone conveyed her devotion to the subject.
"Aside from Big Gugmut, Rendwattle Gutwad, and Bruthazmus, there are others you should be concerned and informed about. Even if none of these is the leader, it is likely most or all are somehow involved in this scheme.
"One such goblin was called Koruvus. He was a champion of the Seven Tooth tribe, as well known for his short temper as he was for his prized possession--a magic longsword sized for a human that, by all accounts, the goblin stubbornly kept as his own. However, I have not tracked him lately. From listening in on goblin rumormongering, I gather Koruvus vanished several months ago after he supposedly discovered a 'secret hideout' in a cave along the cliffs, but the Seven Tooth goblins remain convinced he's out there still, a ghost or worse, waiting to murder any goblin who tries to discover his hideout.
"Another is Vorka, a notorious goblin cannibal who lives in the Brinestump Marsh, a 'hero' to goblins, save for those belonging to the Licktoad tribe. Some old feud between the Brinestump and Licktoad tribe is likely the reason for the Licktoad tribe's opinion. But many goblins are simply insane, and this feud goes back further than the goblins themselves remember. That is not to suggest it is an ancient disagreement, but it predates my protection of these lands, so it may go back nearly a decade. Nevertheless, the other four goblin tribes speak many praises of Vorka.
"And finally, you must consider Ripnugget. He is the savage leader of the Thistletop goblins. I would attribute his success and prestige among goblinkind chiefly to fortune; he controls what all five tribes agree is the best lair. And I must confess it is a rather daunting fortress. I've only viewed it from afar, but it stands out at sea with a high bridge leading to land and a vast thicket surrounding the approach. Nevertheless, just because he was lucky does not mean he is a fool. He is vicious and clever for a goblin and has led a number of successful raids in the past."
