(Tavern) City of Orussus, The Red Dragon Inn VI

[Patlin]

Trying to politely ignore the dwarf's impaired wardrobe, Tor instead focuses on the mission at hand.

"Anyway, where was I? We went to Monemvassia to hunt goblins. We hadn't even gotten to the city gates when we ran across a group of them brutally beating a dwarf. We were too late to save the dwarf, but we killed three goblins and three hobgoblins, and took their wagon into town. We also met a young woman, she introduced herself as Jezebel, who was in their wagon. We took her for a prisoner, although we're not clear on that now. She wasn't everything she pretended to be, and we're not really sure what the story behind her is, but she's enemy number one. I'll get to that part."

"So is this Jezebel in league with the goblins, then? What have the goblins done, exactly? I assume we're not simply collecting a bounty on them because they *are* goblins... at least, I hope that's not the case. Helping out this falsely accused man sounds like a worthy quest. Do you think the goblins framed him somehow?"

 

[Knight Otu]

"It certainly sounds like Monemvassia is about to descend into utter chaos. If I can do a little bit to prevent this, I would like to help if you would accept me.

Master Tor, while I understand your reluctance to simply kill other creatures because someone labelled them as 'evil', or because they are different, it sounds to me as though these particular goblins assaulted Monemvassia in a time of need. It seems like pure opportunism on the part of the ... what was the tribe's name? Jebli, right?

But it might help to hear from whom you originally received the word that the goblins are terrorizing Monevassia. If it was an agent of the King - I trust Lady Persephone's word that the current one might not be the best person to put your trust in, especially since he apparently uses a fake symbol to legitimize his rule."

 

[Velmont]

"The trouble in that land seems numerous and complexes. Maybe it is the wine that make my mind cloudy, but what do you want to do? Why do you need help, and which kind of help." ask Rinaldo, ebfore taking another sip of wine.

 

[orsal]

Nurlan skips ahead

"So is this Jezebel in league with the goblins, then? What have the goblins done, exactly? I assume we're not simply collecting a bounty on them because they *are* goblins... at least, I hope that's not the case. Helping out this falsely accused man sounds like a worthy quest. Do you think the goblins framed him somehow?"

"She may be working with the goblins. We don't know. We know that she doesn't seem grateful to us for saving her life. She attacked Irene, kidnapped and nearly killed her. So we're thinking maybe her life wasn't really in danger when she was in the goblins' wagon. Then she shows up as a burglar at Kim Tensil's warehouse. Shortly afterwards, a little of the silver is found there. Was she there trying to rob the place or to plant the loot? We don't know. But you have to wonder. Goblins stole the silver. Jezibel was with goblins. Later Jezibel was at the warehouse. Then the silver was found there. It's worth investigating further, wouldn't you agree?"

]"But it might help to hear from whom you originally received the word that the goblins are terrorizing Monevassia. If it was an agent of the King - I trust Lady Persephone's word that the current one might not be the best person to put your trust in, especially since he apparently uses a fake symbol to legitimize his rule."

"A good point. A travelling merchant brought the news of the bounty to this tavern. I don't know if he was anybody's agent. We figured they must be posing a serious threat if there was so high a price on their ears. We didn't know about the stolen silver at the time. Maybe the silver is the only real reason for the reward. We didn't think to inquire more. But they're Jebli. Do you know anything about that tribe? They have a reputation for being especially brutal, even for goblins. I've heard tales. As a travelling minstrel, I've shared songs and stories with many other travellers, and what I've heard of Jebli usually involves kidnapping. So at the time it made sense to trust that there was a good reason for the bounty.

"At any rate, the bounty is a minor concern right now. When we were attacked by the thugs from the Thieves' Guild, and then framed for having attacked them, we forgot about the goblins and started worrying about clearing our own names. Then we couldn't find Irene and started worrying about her. When we caught up with her and learned Jezibel had nearly killed her, we stopped worrying about the Thieves' Guild and concentrated on Jezibel. And then our employer got arrested, and the first task is now to clear his name. But trail leads back to the goblins, and hopefully to Jezibel."

"The trouble in that land seems numerous and complexes. Maybe it is the wine that make my mind cloudy, but what do you want to do? Why do you need help, and which kind of help." ask Rinaldo, ebfore taking another sip of wine.

"We want to investigate further. We want to pay a surprise visit to the goblins' lair. That's too much for the four of us. We met a halfling who was the sole survivor of an ambush there -- he and his friends had come for the same purpose as us, and reported that the enemy was much stronger and better organized than they ever expected goblins to be. Actually, that's one of the reasons we suspect Jezibel and her crew might be connected with them. Jebli aren't noted for especially well-disciplined organization. They're brutal, but usually haphazard in their operations. The halfling was convinced there was another force behind them, he had no idea who but we think we have an idea now."

 

[Patlin]

Tor listens carefully as Nurlan speaks. After some thought, he comes to a conclusion and speaks.

"Clearly, evil is afoot. It will take some work to sort out who all the enemies are, and exactly how each of them is involved, but from what you say there can be no doubt that there are wrongs for heroes to right in this. How soon can we set out?"

The young barbarian clearly has not yet learned over much of patience!

 

[orsal]

Tor listens carefully as Nurlan speaks. After some thought, he comes to a conclusion and speaks.

"Clearly, evil is afoot. It will take some work to sort out who all the enemies are, and exactly how each of them is involved, but from what you say there can be no doubt that there are wrongs for heroes to right in this. How soon can we set out?"

"I don't know. We'll have to wait until Charlarn gets back, and Irene gets in. We could set out tomorrow morning if everyone's ready, but I don't know if everyone's ready. If Irene is too busy studying her books to learn more magic, I'd rather let her take her time. We may need all the help she can provide to defeat the goblins.

 

[Patlin]

"In the meantime," Tor asks, "do you have any advice on anything to do to get ready for the trip? Supplies, for example. I don't have a horse, although I'm a good runner and could keep up with a pony... unless I need to forage, too. How long is the trip?"

 

[Velmont]

"Paying avisit to the goblin. Doesn't looks like the kind of job I am good at. I am a trader. I know why way in civilisation. My words are as sharp as my rapier... I should say better. It is true my cousin have taught me some trick... he is a trader too, but not the kind the who trade on open market, if you see what I mean... but I hardly see how I will be of some help against a bunch of goblin. I can easily see how someone Lady Persephone would be a great addition to your group..."

 

[orsal]

"In the meantime," Tor asks, "do you have any advice on anything to do to get ready for the trip? Supplies, for example. I don't have a horse, although I'm a good runner and could keep up with a pony... unless I need to forage, too. How long is the trip?"

OOC: good question. Manzanita, could you answer this? I don't think we ever said how long we travelled.

 

[Knight Otu]

"After all that I have heard, I have no reason to doubt that Jezibel is in league with the goblins. Apparently, she feared that your involvement would ruin her plans, whatever they might be, and subtly crafted opposition against you that would not create much outside suspicion.

Master Rinaldo, I understand your concerns. You have to provide for your family, and in a combat against a large number of goblins, there is a quite real danger of death. Yet, you survived a combat against a wyvern, and it is possible that a sharp tongue could prove useful. I would like to know you at our side, but with the dangers inherent to this mission, I understand if you decline."