Session 22: Masked guardsmen

[istainion]

        

CHARACTER: Streth Evira  
CLASS: Paladin  LVL: 03
LVL PROGRESS: 50%+

  

We are waiting from a distance for the storm to clear. While we were waiting together, I picked up on a story which the people in our group were discussing. The people of Chult were reminded of a story upon closer inspection of the temple. Inete told the rest of us, outsiders, about it.

It is a children's tale in which a man wishes to cross the river and fears doing so. Many crocodiles have made the river their home. Then one of the crocodiles rises from the water and speaks to this man, asking what concerns him so. The man confessed that he wishes to cross the river safely, but he cannot, for the crocodile's brethren made it their home. This crocodile makes an offer to the man that he will ensure his safety to cross this river.

This man agrees, but it was accepted at the condition of the crocodile that he must return something for it, that this man hadn't asked about. As promised, the crocodile granted him the safety to the other side, but then made a similar request in return. He wishes to travel the land, but it is traveled and made home by the brethren of the man. He must carry him also, over the land. Not being able to decline, the man was burdened by the weight of the crocodile for years to come.

It is a children's tale that warns and instructs the young ones to be wary of the promises they make or will make in the future.

That temple appears to remind them of this tale's oath sworn between man and animal. I thought it was interesting, Smuck jokes about it, but Azaka warned him not to make any silly decisions to mimic the tale. She considers it just a stupid children's story. I find it quite inspiring ...

. . .

Time passed us (1 hour) and the skies above began to clear up, the dangerous wind turned into a breeze and rain continues to fall upon us. At the temple, we spotted movement that was finally easier to see. Four masked goblins came from inside to take their positions outside after having scouted the environment.

We discussed our upcoming plans related to it. Undril asked the people if these goblins are indeed dangerous. Taban told her that he was told by his parents, that if he would stray too far from home, that the goblins will eat him. And it was not much different from others. Azaka continuously warns us not to engage with their kind. They are a dangerous species. They are known for their intellectual minds and tricks. Their only goal is to consume our kind.

According to the position these goblins have taken, they have a leader giving them instructions. They are organized, which many goblins aren't known for, which may be an indication for an increased threat. This is where Smuck spoke up to the rest of the group. He claims to be an expert when it comes to goblins, and he may have his way with words to get more information out of them. Our main concern are the potential captives that they may hold inside. Undril is interested in speaking with them and to investigate the surroundings to learn more about the location. When Smuck explains more of his plan, he demands our choice of action before he will reveal some information.

Our decision was to ensure the safety of the people, for that reason, he chose to indeed make that reveal. Only at the condition that no weapons will be drawn and no fight be fought upon revelation. 

He pulled me nearer and touched his artifact that undid his disguise. He no longer stands the height of a dwarf, instead, he stood the height of a goblin. This sight had especially Undril in rage. She accused each of us for traveling alongside his kind, and tossed countless of assumptions in each our direction. We assured her that he is a good man, regardless of race, and that she mustn't fear him. After a while of discussion, she gradually calmed herself down, and more of the plan is discussed and agreed on.

He would head there on his own, after we decreased the distance between ourselves and our foes. And so this plan was set in motion. We watched Smuck from afar as he made his way toward the group.

. . .

The goblins seemed wary at first, and had their bows aimed at him as they spoke, but they didn't shoot. One of them entered the temple to have another join them outside. He appears to be their leader. After their chat, Smuck returned to us and told us what happened.

He seemed enthusiastic about the group, but he made mention of a ritual. An ancient ritual. This leader is a seer of visions that he claims to be granted by all the Gods, not limited to goblin kind. He also confirmed that there are no humans inside, or so the goblins have claimed. They told Smuck that the undead drove them away in the direction of Camp Vengeance instead, and that they, the goblins drove these undead away to take over Camp Righteous.

While all we can do is to believe the words of a stranger, we have our answer. No hostages of human kind are inside. This appeared to be the end of it, regardless of the fact that the goblins expect Smuck to return. They need him to perform his part for the ancient ritual. The seer claimed to have seen Smuck in his vision, and so he is of great value to them. I wonder, however, if he has foreseen the plan Smuck has as well ...

Smuck got away by lying to the goblins that he buried his equipment in the ground, away from prying eyes and needs to reobtain them, which is why he could return to us. But he hadn't confirmed the numbers of goblins inside the temple. 

When I announced my concerns about the ritual and its consequences, I was told not to worry by Gat and the others. Rituals they happen everywhere, and there's no stopping them all. That much is true, I had confessed, however, I said to them that I worry about the location. 

A large temple that none of us holds knowledge about is something we must be concerned with. We do not know what they may do, and if it has anything to do with the death curse. What if it does? And these goblins are fooled to believe that they serve the Gods most divine in their mission?

What is suspicious as well, as previously discussed, is that he receives visions from all Gods. What if this temple enables the tribe's master this power? They might perform a dangerous ritual that might endanger us all, and to walk away from such danger leads to a path of misery and ignorance. In Helm's name, I mustn't let him down! We must investigate!

Undril shared my passion for this investigation, and Smuck came up with a new plan. He suggests to take me along as a hostage, to leave behind my weapon with those who remain behind for when they come to rescue me. By then, I could already be dead. But I agreed, for I must do my part to ensure the safety of the lands far beyond Chult. It is what I have sworn to do, to protect the people! I cannot face away when evil stands before me!

I let Smuck tie me in his rope, it was done lightly, so that I can escape its grasp with ease. He will also let Taban join. I fear that they may make us the enemy, but Smuck assured me that his presence will allow my weapon to be drawn sooner, for he will hand it to me. Together, we strike while the rest comes to our aid.

This task will be most dangerous, but I must hold faith. May Inete's prayers be heard by the Gods, and may our quest result in victory, rather than death. Perhaps an exchange of words can reason goblin kind.