renau1g's Red Hand of Doom

[s@squ@tch]

Virashil

Picking at her plate of rabbit,"But what exactly is a war party of hobgoblins doing in the area? Is this an annual event? Some sort of ritual?"

She may not have the training of a war general, but even to her sensibilities, a war party of hobgoblins is nothing to ignore -- there has to be a reason behind it.

Especially if they are pledged to the service of Tiamat.

She shudders slightly as she feels the profane shape of the dead priests holy symbol in her pocket.

 

[Graf]

Brodi polishes off his fair share of the rabbits (plus a little bit more) and alternates between patting his full belly and staring at other peoples food.

His contribution to the conversation consists of the remark that Gorges are better without skulls.

 

[EvolutionKB]

Hurrow

Hurrow eats the rabbit more quickly than normal. The woodsman did surely make a fine meal. As he finishes, Hurrow asks, "Have you seen anything else unusual besides the goblinoids? They've probably driven game from the area, have they seen the forest's unneeded destruction as well?"

 

[renau1g]

"The name sounded much more ominous," comments Zazz. "I was expecting a chasm lined with skulls, or some such." He smiles and reaches for another piece of rabbit. "And what about this Vraath Keep? What can you tell us of it? Is it defensible? Easily infiltrated, should it be held by these goblins?"

"Ah not so exciting as that. Adventurers always expecting so much outta life..." Jorr mumbles to himself, before continuing "Well, for the keep, there ain't too much left of the guard towers, giants took care o' them. South wall's got a big hole left over from the boulders as well. It's still standing though so I'm guessing that its still defensible. I'm not sure about sneaking in, you could try, but you probably gotta be real quiet."

Picking at her plate of rabbit,"But what exactly is a war party of hobgoblins doing in the area? Is this an annual event? Some sort of ritual?"

"I ain't ever seen a war party this big, nuthin' I know of 'round here 'cept Drellin's Ferry and the Keep, but that ain't a reason for so many goblins. It ain't no annual event neither, and I don't know 'nuff 'bout no evil goblin rituals." Jorr replies

Hurrow eats the rabbit more quickly than normal. The woodsman did surely make a fine meal. As he finishes, Hurrow asks, "Have you seen anything else unusual besides the goblinoids? They've probably driven game from the area, have they seen the forest's unneeded destruction as well?"

"See that's the weird part, normally ya'd think they'd be cutting down trees or burning 'em. Nothing else besides a few goblins that I ambushed and burned. I took on of 'em alive and asked what he was up to, sneaky little bastard, told me the Red Hand was coming and it would crush me when it came. I cut out its tongue and left it for the animals. Game hasn't really been a problem that I've seen" Jorr says intensely, leaning forward as he speaks.

 

[Rhun]

"Too good of death for a goblin, if you ask me," says Zazz with a smile. "This 'Red Hand' concerns me, though...is that the name of a local goblin tribe?"

 

[renau1g]

"Agreed, but I thought to let the animals have some fun too" Jorr says with a wry grin, "I never heard a' the Red Hand before, I was thinking the sneak was lying to me, that's why I cut out its tongue."

 

[s@squ@tch]

Virashil

"I wonder what that means." she says as she looks pensively out the window.

"Red Hand."

"I wonder if that is the name of a group, or a singular creature."

"You know, thinking back to what the Drellin's Ferry folks wanted us to do -- I think it was somewhat vague -- 'Get rid of all the goblins' -- seems like it could be quite a task, and how do you know when you've gotten rid of ALL of them? They're pretty small and sneaky."

 

[Rhun]

"They're like rats, really," says Zazz. "The best way to get all of them is with a mouser. And you all keep saying I'm as graceful as a cat," he adds with a smile.

 

[EvolutionKB]

Hurrow

"We can investigate the keep without trouble I think. I have ways of scouting while in plain sight. Not much escapes my notice either." Hurrow pushes himself back from the table. "Excuse me for a moment, I wish to speak to your companions." He brings his bowl of stew with him as he walks over to where the hounds are, sitting the bowl down for them to eat.

His form shifts, and Hurrow becomes more aware of everything around him. Most importantly, he can speak to and understand the hounds. His voice to the others becomes whines and growls and he states his questions. "What do you know of creatures in the area? Have you smelled many goblins or anything else of note?"

 

[renau1g]

Jorr jumps out of his chair with surprising speed, drawing the dagger at his hip before you realize what's happening. He doesn't attack but places the table between Hurrow and himself defensively, warily watching the now-shapeshifted druid.

"You ain't one o' them lycans are you?" Jorr asks, eyes darting between all of you.

As for the dogs, one of them walks over and sniffs the newcomer, before returning to its resting postion.

"The goblins don't come near here, master built traps to keep them away. We don't go out into the forest when master leaves, we stay here and guard, like he tells us. There's many tasty rabbits and even a couple of deer around here." the largest dog "says", in a series of barks and whines.