So, last night Palace Scribe Dortha was scheduled to give a talk in Hibarnhvidar about international trade matters, as well as record keeping techniques. Sadly it was interrupted, and rather than a fascinating insight into a royal scribe's recording keeping innovations, it ended up being a battle in the streets against a troop of goblins.
There's a lot of fighting with black goblins and damaska boars cut out from the log below.
-- Miskton
Scribe Dortha just arrived.
Dortha smiles.
You nod politely to Dortha.
Aislynn makes a chirring noise in Dortha's direction.
Malakye gives a courteous nod and tips his hat politely.
Dortha says, "Hello, gentlefolk. Thank you for coming to visit."
> look dortha
You see Scribe Dortha Arati-Mukpa, a Gor'Tog.
Dortha has an oval face with laugh lines, gold-flecked blue-violet eyes and a straight nose. She has dark green skin and a matronly figure.
She is a bit over average height for a Gor'Tog.
She appears to be elderly.
She is in good shape.
She is wearing a jadeite gwethdesuan, a rugged leather haversack, a long white tunic trimmed with small navy blue waves, some polished thin-edged zills with silvered esoteric filigree and a pair of dark leather ankle high boots.
Dortha says, "We've got clear weather for a change. It's been so very rainy lately."
Malakye nods in agreement.
You say, "Looks like it should hold up for a while, too."
Dortha smiles.
Malakye says, "It's a good thing I sell cloaks and capes, rain helps boost sales."
Malakye chuckles.
Aislynn chuckles at Malakye.
Dortha nods to Malakye.
Aislynn quietly says to Malakye, "Expand your inventory to include beach towels and sunglasses, and you'll see the increase year-round."
Malakye winces.
Aislynn grins at Malakye.
Malakye rolls his eyes heavenward and mumbles, "Why me?!"
Malakye blinks at Aislynn, shaking his head in exasperation before resting his face in the palm of his hand. Ouch.
Dortha says, "Business is always an interesting topic, and indeed, close to one of the topics we're here to discuss."
Malakye raises an eyebrow in Dortha's direction.
Aislynn gazes at Dortha.
Malakye says, "I think I'll need some coffee then."
Dortha says, "Inter and intraprovincial trade issues are always of deep interest, and we could likely spend days talking about the details."
Aislynn nods to Dortha.
Aislynn chuckles.
Raising his mocha coffee to Aislynn, Malakye gives her a toast.
Aislynn grins at Malakye.
Dortha says, "The variations between qualities of the various things we produce, how superior everything from Forfedhdar is, the relative values assigned to commodities and such."
Dortha says, "All important topics."
You grin.
Malakye chuckles.
Aislynn coughs.
Aislynn takes a sip of her coffee.
Dortha says, "The King feels that trade has been a bit soft, of late, and has been looking for solutions to boost our visibility."
Aislynn quietly asks, "Oh?"
You stroke your beard in thoughtful contemplation.
Aislynn takes a sip of her coffee.
Dortha says, "He's tasked me with finding the right people to talk to about increasing revenues."
Dortha nods.
Aislynn points at Malakye.
Aislynn nods.
Dortha says, "His suggestion that simply raising the prices on everything we export seemed, perhaps, simplistic..."
Aislynn chuckles.
Dortha says, "But of course, one doesn't tell a reigning soveriegn such in blunt terms."
Malakye gives a slight nod.
Dortha rummages through a rugged leather haversack.
Dortha frowns.
Dortha says, "Well, I've neglected to bring my notes on exactly which items he wished to raise prices on."
Dortha sighs.
Leader Krobmulg just arrived.
Malakye says, "Typically attracting new business will also bring a new customer base, diversity is important in such a large market with so many facots to consider."
Krobmulg squints.
> look krob
You see Leader Krobmulg, a Black Goblin.
He has red-veined murky green eyes, a cleft chin, and a visible dent along the left side of his skull. His green-black hair is very short and bristly. His skin is dark with a hint of dusky green and he has a wiry build.
He looks old for a Black Goblin.
He has tiny scratches to the neck, deep slashes across the right arm, cuts and bruises about the left arm, tiny scratches to the right leg, faint scuffing to the left leg, faint scuffing to the right hand, deep cuts across the chest area, cuts and bruises about the abdomen, tiny scratches to the back.
He is holding a tattered scrap of smudged paper in his right hand.
He is wearing a padded leather cowl with dark streaks below the eyes, some leather gloves with stained fingertips, a tattered hooded cloak embroidered with swarming rats, a distressed leather hat, a jadeite gwethdesuan, a battered wooden shield sloppily painted with faded insignia, some filthy rags, some faded pants and a tattered black backpack.
Aislynn quietly asks, "It's a matter of demand, I suppose. You could likely increase prices on anything that only Hibarnhvidar offers, certainly... But why would someone from elsewhere make the journey if they can purchase what they need next door?"
Dortha raises an eyebrow in Krobmulg's direction.
Aislynn gazes at Krobmulg.
Krobmulg raises an eyebrow mockingly at Dortha.
You gaze at Krobmulg.
Aislynn frowns.
Dortha frowns.
Malakye says, "Simply raising prices is a crude solution, and it will work, but doesn't solve a larger problem of needing more trade overall."
Dortha asks, "Krob Are you lost?"
Krobmulg scowls.
Dortha shifts her weight.
Krobmulg shows Dortha his paper.
Dortha frowns.
Malakye raises an eyebrow.
Dortha says, "I don't understand."
Krobmulg shakes his smudged paper at Dortha.
Krobmulg shows Malakye his paper.
Krobmulg shows you his paper.
The paper is painted with: A set of stick figures facing each other. One is standing near a pile of something that is only represented by messy scribbles. This figure is smiling broadly while the others wear exaggerated frowns.
Aislynn quietly asks Krobmulg, "What is it?"
Krobmulg shows Aislynn his paper.
You arch your eyebrow.
Krobmulg points at Dortha.
Krobmulg points at himself.
Krobmulg points at a tattered scrap of smudged paper he has.
Aislynn ponders.
Krobmulg nods to Dortha.
(Aislynn points at the smiling figure, then at Dortha.)
You ask, "So... somebody has a lot of something, and that's making others unhappy?"
Aislynn quietly asks, "Her?"
Krobmulg nods to Aislynn.
Malakye nods to you.
Krobmulg points at Dortha.
Krobmulg points at himself.
Aislynn quietly asks, "You think she has something that is yours?"
Krobmulg stretches out a hand imploringly to Dortha.
Krobmulg ponders.
Krobmulg shakes his head at Aislynn.
Krobmulg points at Dortha.
Aislynn quietly says, "Something you want to be yours."
Krobmulg points at himself.
Krobmulg nods to Aislynn.
Krobmulg nods to Aislynn.
Krobmulg nods to Aislynn.
Krobmulg nods.
Aislynn quietly asks, "What is this something?"
Krobmulg shows Aislynn his paper.
Krobmulg points at a tattered scrap of smudged paper he has.
(Aislynn points at the scribbles.)
Aislynn quietly asks, "What?"
Dortha says, "I'm.. not sure what that is."
Krobmulg scowls.
Aislynn ponders.
Aislynn removes a plump velvet gem pouch lavishly embroidered with a pair of cats from her belt.
Aislynn shakes her gem pouch!
Aislynn quietly asks, "This?"
You scratch distractedly at your beard.
Krobmulg traces the scribbles while holding the paper where Dortha can see it.
Aislynn ponders.
Looking uncomfortable, Krobmulg makes a very strange gurgling sound in Aislynn's direction before coughing several times to clear his throat.
Krobmulg points at a tattered scrap of smudged paper he has.
Krobmulg points at Dortha.
Malakye asks Dortha, "Have the goblins made any trade demands of the city lately?"
Krobmulg points at himself.
Dortha blinks.
Dortha says, "We did have a strange goblin reported outside the city. He was demanding metal weapons."
Krobmulg nods to Dortha.
Krobmulg nods to Dortha.
Krobmulg nods to Dortha.
Krobmulg nods.
Dortha says, "But we weren't going to negotiate with someone like that."
You say, "I think I heard something about that. Didn't that end, er..."
Krobmulg frowns.
Malakye raises an eyebrow.
Aislynn frowns.
Dortha says, "I'm not even sure that this .. goblin.."
Krobmulg fixes Dortha with a cold, reptilian stare.
Dortha says, "I'm not quite sure you're someone I could help."
Dortha edges away from Krobmulg.
Malakye moves over to guard Dortha.
Krobmulg growls ferociously!
Krobmulg puts his paper in his black backpack.
Krobmulg gets a tattered scrap of smudged paper from inside his black backpack.
Krobmulg gets a feather paintbrush from inside his black backpack.
Malakye says to Krobmulg, "This is not the proper place to request audience, sir."
Krobmulg paints something on his paper.
Krobmulg puts his paintbrush in his black backpack.
Krobmulg shows Dortha his paper.
Dortha frowns.
Krobmulg nods to Dortha.
Dortha shakes her head at Krobmulg.
Aislynn babbles incoherently.
Aislynn brushes the surface of her platinum diadem and begins to reel! She clutches her head in pain!
Krobmulg clenches his smudged paper tightly until his knuckles go white.
You frown.
Krobmulg shows Aislynn his paper.
Krobmulg shows you his paper.
The paper is painted with: A stick figure lies on the ground, surrounded by crude scribbles. Another stick figure stands over the fallen one, head thrown back in a triumphant howl.
Aislynn quietly asks Krobmulg, "Speak now. Maybe I can understand?"
Krobmulg shows Malakye his paper.
You frown at Krobmulg.
Krobmulg points at Dortha.
Krobmulg points at himself.
Malakye says to Krobmulg, "It doesn't have to be that way."
(Aislynn points at the stick figure on the ground, then at Krobmulg.)
Aislynn quietly asks, "You?"
Dortha says, "I'm simply not able to help you."
Malakye acquaints you with some more tricks of the trade by means of droll commentary and cogent examples.
Krobmulg's jaw opens wide to release a roar so primal and predatory that you could swear it came from a beast!
Aislynn squints at Krobmulg.
Dortha blinks at Krobmulg.
Krobmulg puts his paper in his black backpack.
Krobmulg folds his arms across his chest.
Aislynn quietly says to Krobmulg, "Use your words."
Aislynn takes a sip of her coffee.
Dortha says, "In the first place, I don't know what you want. In the second place, I can't help you. And in the third place, your artistic abilities are lacking."
Krobmulg blinks at Dortha.
Dortha nods to Krobmulg.
You whisper to Dortha, "dortha Do you think we should be looking for some of the city guards?"
Krobmulg looks quite confused for a moment.
Krobmulg rummages through a tattered black backpack with a frantic look of loss.
Krobmulg glances at Dortha.
Aislynn observes Krobmulg with fascination.
Krobmulg gets an ugly stick from inside his black backpack.
Krobmulg beats Dortha lustily about the head and shoulders with his ugly stick! WHAM! POW! WHAM!
Dortha blinks.
Aislynn winces.
> look dortha
You see Dortha Arati-Mukpa, a Gor'Tog.
She has a misshapen head and two pointy tusks. A line of drool runs down her chin. Ooh la la! She had better hope no orcs see her!
She is in good shape.
She is wearing a jadeite gwethdesuan, a rugged leather haversack, a long white tunic trimmed with small navy blue waves, some polished thin-edged zills with silvered esoteric filigree and a pair of dark leather ankle high boots.
You glance at Dortha and suddenly clutch your stomach, feeling ill.
Dortha looks herself over.
Aislynn quietly says to Krobmulg, "That's just rude."
Malakye gasps!
Dortha frowns.
Dortha says, "I simply cannot tolerate this."
Scribe Dortha goes west.
Aislynn quietly asks Krobmulg, "Why are you wounded?"
Krobmulg growls ferociously!
Krobmulg casually observes the area.
Krobmulg yells something unintelligible.
Malakye fixes Krobmulg with a solid, steady stare.
Aislynn gazes at Krobmulg.
Krobmulg growls ferociously!
Krobmulg beats Aislynn lustily about the head and shoulders with his ugly stick! WHACK! POW! ZOW!
Aislynn sighs.
Krobmulg beats you lustily about the head and shoulders with his ugly stick! WHAM! ZOW! BAM!
Krobmulg beats Malakye lustily about the head and shoulders with his ugly stick! BAM! WHACK! WHACK!
Aislynn quietly says, "That's quite enough of that."
Krobmulg nods.
Aislynn gives Krobmulg a gentle poke in the ribs.
Malakye scowls.
Krobmulg puts his stick in his black backpack.
> look miskton
You are Miskton Ramahk, a Human.
Your head is living proof that Mother Nature has a sense of humor.
You are in good shape.
You are wearing a russet felt hat with a wide upturned brim, some round spectacles with silversteel wire frames, a rugged safari shirt made from chestnut Velakan linen, a rugged taupe leather utility belt with a multitude of thornweave pouches, some heavy titanese work pants with leather knee patches and some mahogany-hued leather boots stitched with runelike symbols along the toes.
Krobmulg makes an odd whistling sound.
Malakye exclaims, "How dare you!"
Krobmulg seems to be waiting for something.
You say, "Right. I think perhaps it's about time we get the city guards."
Aislynn quietly asks Krobmulg, "If you are looking for weapons, might I recommend that you simply learn to make them yourself?"
You glare at Krobmulg.
Aislynn squints at Krobmulg.
Krobmulg yells again, garbled sounds interspersed with grunts.
Aislynn gazes at Krobmulg.
Malakye puts his coffee in his leather toolbag.
Krobmulg mumbles something under his breath.
Leader Krobmulg goes west.
Aislynn sighs.
Zoluren's Shadow Aislynn patters west.
Clothing Specialist Malakye struts south.
You stroll west.
[Outer Hibarnhvidar, Market Square]
Carefully pruned trees on the other side of the low stone wall to provide limited shade and shelter from the elements for those who might like to rest there. Locals, travelers and merchants alike wander in and out of the Traders' tent entrance, attracted by its colorful pennants and the anticipation of a good bargain.
You also see a black goblin, a black goblin, a black goblin, a black goblin, a black goblin and some junk.
Also here: Clothing Specialist Malakye, Zoluren's Shadow Aislynn and Leader Krobmulg.
Obvious paths: east, south.
Aislynn appears to focus her attention on a black goblin.
A black goblin throws a dull iron hurling axe with a sinew-wrapped leather hilt at Aislynn. Aislynn barely blocks with a lumium triangular sipar with a tempered face.
Moving with amazing force and guile, a black goblin throws a dull iron hurling axe with a sinew-wrapped leather hilt at Aislynn. Aislynn completely fails to block with her triangular sipar. The axe lands a heavy strike that cuts deeply into her groin, severely stunning her!
Krobmulg points at you.
You stroll south.
You stroll north.
You also see a black goblin, a black goblin, a black goblin, a black goblin, a black goblin and some junk.
Also here: Clothing Specialist Malakye, Zoluren's Shadow Aislynn who is sleeping and Leader Krobmulg.
Moving with amazing force and guile, a black goblin throws a dull iron hurling axe with a sinew-wrapped leather hilt at Aislynn. Aislynn completely fails to block with her triangular sipar. The axe lands an extremely heavy hit that blasts clean through the right leg with a well-placed swing that throws blood and bone splinters everywhere!
Driving in with an overwhelming assault, a black goblin throws a dull iron hurling axe with a sinew-wrapped leather hilt at Aislynn. Aislynn attempts to evade, taking the full blow. The axe lands a demolishing hit that explodes the right eye with a direct hit! A black goblin snickers ruefully and points at Aislynn's corpse.
The hurling axe lodges itself deeply into Aislynn!
* Aislynn is slain before your eyes!
Malakye grabs Aislynn's body and drags it south with him.
You stroll south.
Malakye stares at Aislynn, a puzzled, horrified look on his face.
You hear the ghostly voice of Aislynn say, "Hmmm. Diplomacy appears to have broken down."
Leader Krobmulg came through a wide ironwork archway.
Krobmulg squints.
Krobmulg sniffs at Aislynn.
You hear the ghostly voice of Aislynn say, "That was very rude, Krobmulg."
You glare at Krobmulg.
Malakye rubs an opaque blue-green crystal medallion hanging from a small ribbon of steelsilk.
You hear the ghostly voice of Aislynn say, "I am disappointed."
Rivulets of cold vapor flow outward from the medallion, extinguishing its blue crystal and knitting together until a cloudy silver spectral reaper emerges.
Krobmulg blinks at Aislynn.
Krobmulg gets a tattered scrap of smudged paper from inside his black backpack.
Krobmulg shows Aislynn his paper.
Krobmulg puts his paper in his black backpack.
Krobmulg folds his arms across his chest.
You hear the ghostly voice of Aislynn ask, "Are you the one on the ground? Or the howling one?"
You hear the ghostly voice of Aislynn say, "Pfeh."
Krobmulg throws his head back and howls, sounding remarkably like a real wolf!
You hear the ghostly voice of Aislynn say, "Yes, yes, you're very noisy."
Krobmulg nods to Aislynn.
Krobmulg gets a tattered scrap of smudged paper from inside his black backpack.
You hear the ghostly voice of Aislynn ask, "Who do you need you use the weapons on?"
You say, "Given the followup, that paper certainly seems like a threat."
Krobmulg shows Aislynn his paper.
Krobmulg points to the fallen figure on the paper.
Krobmulg shakes his head at Aislynn.
Krobmulg mumbles something under his breath.
Krobmulg gestures wildly over his head as if indicating someone very tall.
You hear the ghostly voice of Aislynn ask, "You are not the fallen one?"
Krobmulg gestures near his knees as if indicating someone very short.
The eye-like lights of a cloudy silver spectral reaper flare brightly!
Krobmulg squints at a cloudy silver spectral reaper.
Krobmulg sniffs at a cloudy silver spectral reaper.
Krobmulg rubs his snout.
You hear the ghostly voice of Aislynn say, "Krobmulg... I want to understand."
Krobmulg blinks at Aislynn.
Krobmulg points at a tattered scrap of smudged paper he has.
Krobmulg rolls his eyes.
Krobmulg puts his paper in his black backpack.
Malakye says to Krobmulg, "We've tried diplomacy, you've failed us with that."
Krobmulg blinks at Malakye.
Krobmulg begins flapping his arms around wildly.
Malakye fixes Krobmulg with a solid, steady stare.
Krobmulg squints at Malakye.
Krobmulg frowns.
You hear the ghostly voice of Aislynn ask, "Who are you using the weapons on? Your enemies?"
Krobmulg blinks at Aislynn.
Krobmulg nods to Aislynn.
Krobmulg shakes his fist!
You hear the ghostly voice of Aislynn ask, "Your enemies are very tall?"
Krobmulg flails his arms about.
You hear the ghostly voice of Aislynn say, "I blame the axes to the brainpan on the misunderstanding, you know."
Krobmulg points with one finger and jabs at the air at various heights.
You hear the ghostly voice of Aislynn ask, "Right, short, tall. Got that. But who is tall?"
Krobmulg flails his arms about.
Krobmulg grunts with a hint of frustration.
You hear the ghostly voice of Aislynn ask, "Why are you flapping your arms?"
You whisper to Malakye, "Looks like he's got a gweth on, so using them to call for help might agitate him further. Might be best to try to get the attention of the city guard, if one of us can slip away somehow."
You hear the ghostly voice of Aislynn say, "See, I worry that you want to make enemies here in the city."
You hear the ghostly voice of Aislynn say, "Which, of course, is why no one here will sell you any."
Malakye whispers, "Aislynn has his attention. I'm sure you could go unnoticed."
Krobmulg scowls.
You hear the ghostly voice of Aislynn say, "If you can show that you don't want to use the weapons on our friends, perhaps someone will give you weapons."
Krobmulg looks around helplessly.
Malakye says to Krobmulg, "There are proper methods to use when requesting trade, this is not one of them. You're dealing with the wrong people."
Krobmulg gives Aislynn a little prod between the shoulder blades.
Krobmulg blinks at Malakye.
Malakye says to Krobmulg, "You've killed someone whom isn't even from here."
Krobmulg babbles something incoherent at Malakye.
Malakye says, "Yeah, I get that a lot."
You hear the ghostly voice of Aislynn ask, "Are those goblins out there friends of yours?"
Malakye offers Krobmulg a dull iron hurling axe with a sinew-wrapped leather hilt.
Krobmulg nods to Aislynn.
Malakye says, "Here, have that weapon."
Krobmulg accepts Malakye's hurling axe.
Krobmulg sniffs at a dull iron hurling axe with a sinew-wrapped leather hilt.
Malakye says, "Still has some of her blood on it."
Krobmulg mumbles something under his breath.
Malakye pats Aislynn on the back.
Krobmulg gets a dull iron hurling axe with a sinew-wrapped leather hilt from inside his black backpack.
Krobmulg waves a dull iron hurling axe with a sinew-wrapped leather hilt at a dull iron hurling axe with a sinew-wrapped leather hilt.
(Miskton slowly begins backing away, trying to stay out of Krobmulg's direct line of sight as he moves toward the street corner.)
Krobmulg shows Malakye his hurling axe.
Malakye says, "Yes, I know your weapons well."
Krobmulg drops a dull iron hurling axe with a sinew-wrapped leather hilt.
Krobmulg pointedly ignores a dull iron hurling axe with a sinew-wrapped leather hilt.
You hear the ghostly voice of Aislynn ask Krobmulg, "Yours is better?"
Malakye says, "Which is why we don't understand why you need more."
Krobmulg folds his arms across his chest.
You stroll southeast.
<At this point I went wandering off trying to find help without resorting to the gweths, to avoid setting off Krobmulg, but wasn't able to find anyone, and made my way back.>
A black goblin tramps into the area.
> look
[Outer Hibarnhvidar, Market Road]
In the quiet of the evening hours, the sounds of the city's waterwheels carry clearly into the area without the sound of the daytime masses to drown them out. Glimmers of light reflect off the silver characters of the tall stone spire in the center of the intersection. A few desultory travelers trudge southward to East Valley Road, moving deeper into the outer city.
You also see a black goblin and a canvas auction tent.
Also here: the body of Zoluren's Shadow Aislynn who is lying down and Clothing Specialist Malakye.
Malakye grabs Aislynn's body and drags it south with him.
You stroll south.
[Outer Hibarnhvidar, East Valley Road]
Deep channels on both sides of the roadway contain bits and pieces of many a cart driven off the side of the narrow street by oncoming traffic. Pushed to the far side of one ditch, the bed of an abandoned wagon is full of sprung wheel rims and portions of assorted axles. Residents of the nearby buildings have learned to ignore the sound of splintering wood.
You also see a Khal Gwaerd.
Also here: the body of Zoluren's Shadow Aislynn who is lying down and Clothing Specialist Malakye.
You say, "I see things went poorly."
Malakye says, "Yup."
[General] You hear your mental voice echo, "The city of Hibarnhvidar is under attack by what seems to be a small squad of black goblins."
[General] Your mind hears Witterwell thinking, "Maybe they're on a shopping trip? Not everyone has good manners."
[Personal] Your mind hears Mordimer thinking, "<to you>" "Do you need help? I'm in the Crossing right now, I could get there if there was some transportation arranged."
You "<to Mordimer>" "I think we could use some help, yes. I can see if I can get you with a riftal summons, if you'd be okay with that."
[Personal] Your mind hears Mordimer thinking, "<to you>" "Go for it, I'm always down to help out folks in need."
Flickering yellow-orange radiance erupts from seemingly nowhere, forming a jagged rift in the air. Mordimer steps out from within the light, followed by a gust of chill winds. The rift vanishes as swiftly as it appeared.
You nod politely.
Mordimer nods.
Aislynn makes a chirring noise in Mordimer's direction.
Mordimer flashes a wide grin.
Mordimer says, "Hello, Aislynn."
Mordimer draws forth a kertig schiavona with an intricate basket hilt of polished silversteel.
Aislynn quietly exclaims to Mordimer, "Hullo!"
Aislynn grins.
Mordimer asks, "You guys need some help, huh?"
You say, "They seem to be roaming toward the western and northern parts of the city. Don't seem to be a huge number at the moment, but they're a bit dangerous for those of us here."
A damaska boar gallops into the area with a black goblin perched upon its back.
Aislynn frowns.
Mordimer says, "Are they trying to interfere with the trade discussions? Seems well timed, at least."
You nod to Mordimer.
Mordimer says, "Well, I shall try to go thin the herde."
Mordimer says, "Call on me if you get into a bind."
You say, "Getting a bit more dangerous here."
Aislynn nods.
You say, "Hopefully Mordimer can help encourage them to leave. I can deal with their mounts, I think, but the goblins are likely beyond me."
<Bunch of running around and goblin attacks>
[General] Your mind hears Mordimer thinking, "The northwestern gate is clear, I think it was just some stragglers."
Aislynn quietly says, "I want to look for Krobmulg again."
Aislynn frowns.
You say, "Looks like Sendithu might be clearing some of them out now. That won't go well for them, I imagine."
You say, "I imagine he's still around somewhere. Might be looking for whatever it is they want, while there's a distraction."
Aislynn quietly says, "Very likely. I'm going to field heal a bit."
Aislynn grins.
You nod.
<A bit later...>
A mild flash of light engulfs you as you blink west.
[Outer Hibarnhvidar, Market Road]
In the quiet of the evening hours, the sounds of the city's waterwheels carry clearly into the area without the sound of the daytime masses to drown them out. Glimmers of light reflect off the silver characters of the tall stone spire in the center of the intersection. A few desultory travelers trudge southward to East Valley Road, moving deeper into the outer city.
You also see a black goblin, a canvas auction tent, a black goblin, a black goblin and a damaska boar with a black goblin sitting astride its back.
Also here: Zoluren's Shadow Aislynn, Sunderstone's Zuz'darm Sendithu and Leader Krobmulg.
Krobmulg just missed Sendithu and hit himself! Oh no!
Krobmulg nods to Sendithu.
Krobmulg puts his stick in his black backpack.
Krobmulg folds his arms across his chest.
Sendithu leans on her blade.
Krobmulg points at Mordimer.
Krobmulg points at himself.
Krobmulg stretches out a hand imploringly to Mordimer.
Mordimer glances at Krobmulg.
Aislynn gets a glaes scythe from inside her faeweave baldric.
Sendithu ponders.
You gesture at a black goblin.
You weave the spell pattern into a black goblin's mind, gently forcing it into an enchanted sleep.
Krobmulg pats the goblin gently on one shoulder.
Krobmulg mumbles something under his breath.
Krobmulg gets an ugly stick from inside his black backpack.
Krobmulg beats Mordimer lustily about the head and shoulders with his ugly stick! POW! ZOW! POW!
Krobmulg puts his stick in his black backpack.
(Sendithu scratches a rough image in the dirt. A vaguely goblin-shaped stick figure is skulking, defeated, out of a city while an Elven woman smiles and watches him go.)
Mordimer fixes Krobmulg with a serene, lofty stare.
Sendithu points at Krobmulg.
Sendithu points north.
Krobmulg folds his arms across his chest.
Aislynn begins chortling at Sendithu.
Mordimer whispers, "Who is this guy?"
Krobmulg shakes his head.
Krobmulg points at himself.
You whisper to Mordimer, "Leader of the goblins, it seems."
Sendithu shakes her head at Krobmulg.
Krobmulg makes stabbing motions with his hands.
You gesture at a damaska boar.
You weave the spell pattern into a damaska boar's mind, gently forcing it into an enchanted sleep.
A damaska boar sprawls out limply, its tongue falling sideways from its snout.
Krobmulg babbles incoherently at a damaska boar.
Krobmulg prods at the boar to wake it up.
Mordimer says to Krobmulg, "I'm not impressed with your little squad."
Krobmulg blinks at Sendithu.
Mordimer says, "Especially the boars, they're so tiny."
Aislynn chortles softly at some secret joke.
Krobmulg scowls at Mordimer.
Mordimer says, "The orcs up north have bigger boars."
Sendithu says something in Haakish.
Krobmulg flicks his tongue rapidly twice before uttering a mocking hiss!
Sendithu looks thoughtfully at Krobmulg.
Mordimer smirks.
You say, "I attempted non-lethal measures, but they certainly appear in no mood to back off."
Aislynn quietly says to Sendithu, "So far, he doesn't want to speak."
Aislynn points at a delicate platinum diadem set with glittering black opals she has.
Krobmulg blinks at Aislynn.
Mordimer says, "He definitely understands us."
Sendithu says, "He tried, I just cannot make out the goblin-speak."
Aislynn quietly says to Krobmulg, "Roaring doesn't count."
Krobmulg gets a tattered scrap of smudged paper from inside his black backpack.
Krobmulg gets a feather paintbrush from inside his black backpack.
Aislynn gets a thin sheet of snow-white paper dusted with shimmering glitter from inside her writing box.
Mordimer says, "Oh an artist, that is shocking for a goblin."
Aislynn gets a piece of cylindrical lead with a brown suede grip from inside her writing box.
Aislynn observes Krobmulg with fascination.
Krobmulg paints something on his paper.
Krobmulg shows Aislynn his paper.
Krobmulg shows Mordimer his paper.
Sendithu leans on her blade.
Krobmulg shows Sendithu his paper.
Aislynn blinks.
Krobmulg shows you his paper.
The paper is painted with: A pair of small stick figures center the page, stuck together at the head. One of them seems to be pulling on the tongue of the other.
Aislynn peers quizzically at Krobmulg.
Moving quickly, Krobmulg crumbles up a tattered scrap of smudged paper and stuffs it into his mouth. Chewing madly, he makes several frustrated hacking noises. After several long moments, Krobmulg appears to have been successful and a triumphant expression spreads across his face.
Sendithu chortles softly at some secret joke.
Mordimer says, "Ahhh."
Krobmulg scowls.
You arch your eyebrow.
Krobmulg puts his paintbrush in his black backpack.
Krobmulg gets a dull iron hurling axe with a sinew-wrapped leather hilt from inside his black backpack.
Sendithu asks, "Have you tried healing his tongue?"
Aislynn squints at Krobmulg.
Aislynn quietly says, "I was dead. It was difficult."
Mordimer shifts his weight.
Aislynn stands near Krobmulg.
Krobmulg babbles incoherently.
Leader Krobmulg goes east.
Sunderstone's Zuz'darm Sendithu saunters east.
Aislynn quietly says, "Newp."
Mordimer says to Aislynn, "Exercise caution."
Zoluren's Shadow Aislynn patters east.
Mordimer says, "It might be a trick."
A mild flash of light engulfs you as you blink east.
Krobmulg shakes his hurling axe at Aislynn.
Aislynn quietly says to Krobmulg, "You can't possibly be afraid of me."
Arcane Wraith Mordimer just arrived.
Krobmulg sniffs at Aislynn.
Krobmulg blanches.
Sendithu smirks.
Sendithu hangs her tyrium blade from her frog. It rattles against the tyrium cutlass hanging from her frog, and she adjusts them.
Krobmulg shows Sendithu his hurling axe.
Krobmulg stretches out a hand imploringly to Sendithu.
Aislynn quietly says to Krobmulg, "You're the brat who used the ugly stick."
Sendithu says, "I do not want your axe."
Krobmulg blinks at Aislynn.
Aislynn sniffs at Krobmulg.
Krobmulg frowns.
Aislynn moves a thin sheet of snow-white paper dusted with shimmering glitter to her left hand.
Aislynn moves a piece of cylindrical lead with a brown suede grip to her right hand.
Sendithu says, "And I am certainly not trading you for anything of mine."
Sendithu shakes her head at Krobmulg.
Krobmulg scowls at Sendithu.
Aislynn puts her lead in her writing box.
Aislynn gets a slice of succulent suckling piglet with a plum and bacon demi-glace from inside a gold-plated lunchbox.
Aislynn offers Krobmulg a slice of succulent suckling piglet with a plum and bacon demi-glace.
Krobmulg blinks at Aislynn.
Aislynn quietly says, "Better than a weapon."
Aislynn nods.
Krobmulg shakes his head at Aislynn.
Krobmulg pointedly ignores Aislynn.
Aislynn curls the tip of her tail downward pathetically, giving Krobmulg a wounded look.
Aislynn sniffs at Krobmulg.
Krobmulg scowls.
Krobmulg whistles loudly!
A black goblin mounted on a damaska boar gallops in with a great rumbling sound!
The damaska boar begins to advance on you!
The damaska boar is still a distance away from you and is closing steadily.
Krobmulg nods to a damaska boar.
You gaze up at the sky.
Mordimer glances at a damaska boar.
Sendithu says, "These sad little things."
<At this point I ran off to Boar Clan to buy an axe, with the thought of maybe buying Krobmulg off with a weapon that looked more fearsome than it was. So I missed a bit until I got back.>
[Outer Hibarnhvidar, Market Road]
In the quiet of the evening hours, the sounds of the city's waterwheels carry clearly into the area without the sound of the daytime masses to drown them out. Glimmers of light reflect off the silver characters of the tall stone spire in the center of the intersection. A few desultory travelers trudge southward to East Valley Road, moving deeper into the outer city.
You also see a small grey hematite, a small green sunstone, a dull iron hurling axe with a sinew-wrapped leather hilt, a dull iron hurling axe with a sinew-wrapped leather hilt, a Khal Gwaerd, an embroidery needle and a canvas auction tent.
Also here: Zoluren's Shadow Aislynn, Arcane Wraith Mordimer who is surrounded by seven circling blades of ice, Sunderstone's Zuz'darm Sendithu and Leader Krobmulg.
Obvious paths: east, south, northwest.
Krobmulg nods to Aislynn.
Mordimer laughs softly, trying to hide his amusement.
Aislynn frowns at Krobmulg.
Krobmulg stretches out a hand imploringly to Aislynn.
Aislynn quietly says to Krobmulg, "Not enough. Mine is better."
Krobmulg nods to Aislynn.
Aislynn shows Krobmulg her glaes rapier.
Mordimer gestures at Krobmulg.
Small sparks of electricity dance in the air between Mordimer and Krobmulg.
Krobmulg grimaces.
Aislynn flicks her tongue mischievously at Krobmulg and draws a tiny circle in the air with her tail.
You ask Krobmulg, "Looks, if we give you a weapon, will you and your goblins go away?"
Krobmulg babbles incoherently.
Aislynn hangs her glaes rapier from her frog.
Krobmulg shakes his head at you.
Mordimer says, "You have a good grip, impressive."
Aislynn gets a steel boarding axe with a driftwood handle from inside her hitman's backpack.
Krobmulg ponders.
Krobmulg gives a dull iron hurling axe with a sinew-wrapped leather hilt a hug!
Sendithu says, "He wants to trade. I am not particularly interested in arming goblins."
Mordimer picks up a dull iron hurling axe with a sinew-wrapped leather hilt.
Mordimer nods in agreement.
Krobmulg traces an outline around a dull iron hurling axe with a sinew-wrapped leather hilt.
Krobmulg shows Aislynn his hurling axe.
Mordimer asks, "Perhaps he's trying to make a trade deal?"
Aislynn quietly says to Krobmulg, "It's a lovely axe. I can make better. And I don't even make axes."
Krobmulg nods to Mordimer.
Sendithu says, "Clearly."
Krobmulg blinks at Aislynn.
Aislynn observes Krobmulg with fascination.
Krobmulg stretches out a hand imploringly to Aislynn.
Sendithu says to Krobmulg, "See? Should have taken my trade."
Aislynn quietly says to Krobmulg, "I already told you, not unless you can show me you aren't using them against people I like."
Krobmulg blinks at Sendithu.
Aislynn quietly says to Krobmulg, "And I like alot of people."
Aislynn folds her arms across her chest.
Krobmulg frowns.
Mordimer says to Krobmulg, "Nobody here is going to pitch in to arm goblins who threaten this province."
Krobmulg babbles something incoherent at Mordimer.
Krobmulg mumbles something under his breath.
Krobmulg ponders.
Aislynn quietly says to Krobmulg, "Now, if you and yours are organizing to take down some necromantic cult... Alright, maybe we can come to an arrangement."
Krobmulg cowers away from Aislynn!
Aislynn quietly asks Krobmulg, "No cult-killing?"
Aislynn observes Krobmulg with fascination.
Krobmulg begins an eerie, warbling wail of despair.
Mordimer waggles his fingers mystically at Krobmulg. How nice.
Sendithu says, "So, we are at an impasse. We are not trading with you, your pets do not threaten us but they do harm the smallfolk in this city. Time to take them and go."
Mordimer says, "Someone's scared of necromancers."
Krobmulg folds his arms across his chest.
Krobmulg stands as tall as he can.
Sendithu says, "I have seen taller."
Krobmulg pointedly ignores Mordimer.
Mordimer gestures, and a water ball forms in the air, hovering a hair's breadth above his hand. He gazes at it intently, and suddenly it slides out of his hand towards Krobmulg!
The water ball smacks Krobmulg dead-on!
He is soaked as the water ball explodes!
Krobmulg is stunned!
Aislynn sniffs at Krobmulg.
Aislynn praises Mordimer.
Mordimer says, "You needed that."
Krobmulg mumbles something under his breath.
Aislynn quietly says to Krobmulg, "Relax, it's summer. You'll dry."
Krobmulg lets out one more whistle.
A black goblin mounted on a damaska boar gallops in with a great rumbling sound!
A black goblin mounted on a damaska boar gallops in with a great rumbling sound!
You gaze up at the sky.
Mordimer says, "I'm done with you."
Aislynn mutters to herself.
* Moving with amazing force and guile, a black goblin throws a dull iron hurling axe with a sinew-wrapped leather hilt at you. You badly fail to block with a bronze-trimmed targe embossed with a frothy tankard.
The axe lands a good strike to your back.
The hurling axe lodges itself savagely into you!
[You're bruised, solidly balanced with no advantage.]
Krobmulg scowls.
Mordimer inhales sharply, then violently spits a bolt of churning flame toward Krobmulg! (Warrior Mage: Dragon's Breath)
Some of the fiery breath breaks against his wooden shield.
As flame climbs in dancing streams along Krobmulg's right leg, a myriad of smoking burn marks emerge on the scaled skin.
Krobmulg is lightly stunned!
Mordimer's throat contracts as a faint wisp of smoke rises from his lips.
Mordimer begins to advance on Krobmulg.
You stroll east.
A mild flash of light engulfs you as you blink west.
[Outer Hibarnhvidar, Market Road]
In the quiet of the evening hours, the sounds of the city's waterwheels carry clearly into the area without the sound of the daytime masses to drown them out. Glimmers of light reflect off the silver characters of the tall stone spire in the center of the intersection. A few desultory travelers trudge southward to East Valley Road, moving deeper into the outer city.
You also see a black goblin, a dull iron hurling axe with a sinew-wrapped leather hilt, a black goblin, a dull iron hurling axe with a sinew-wrapped leather hilt, a black goblin, a black goblin, a damaska boar with a black goblin sitting astride its back, a damaska boar which appears dead, a damaska boar which appears dead, a small grey hematite, a small green sunstone, a dull iron hurling axe with a sinew-wrapped leather hilt, an embroidery needle, a canvas auction tent and some junk.
Also here: Zoluren's Shadow Aislynn and Arcane Wraith Mordimer who is surrounded by seven circling blades of ice.
Aislynn mutters to herself.
Leader Krobmulg just arrived.
Leader Krobmulg goes east.
Arcane Wraith Mordimer drifts east.
Mordimer just arrived, dragging the body of Krobmulg behind him.
> look krob
You see Leader Krobmulg, a Black Goblin.
He has red-veined murky green eyes, a cleft chin, and a visible dent along the left side of his skull. His green-black hair is very short and bristly. His skin is dark with a hint of dusky green and he has a wiry build.
He looks old for a Black Goblin.
He appears to be dead! Other than that...
He has tiny scratches to the neck, deep slashes across the right arm, cuts and bruises about the left arm, a severely swollen and deeply bruised right leg compounded by deep cuts across the right leg, faint scuffing to the left leg, faint scuffing to the right hand, deep cuts across the chest area, a severely bloated and discolored abdomen appears oddly rearranged compounded by a completely destroyed abdomen with nearly all flesh and bone torn away revealing a gaping hole, tiny scratches to the back.
He is bleeding with discoloration in the right leg and slightly from the right leg.
He is holding a dull iron hurling axe with a sinew-wrapped leather hilt in his right hand.
He is wearing a padded leather cowl with dark streaks below the eyes, some leather gloves with stained fingertips, a tattered hooded cloak embroidered with swarming rats, a distressed leather hat, a jadeite gwethdesuan, a battered wooden shield sloppily painted with faded insignia, some filthy rags, some faded pants and a tattered black backpack.
The substance of Krobmulg's body shimmers, as if covered by a veil of crystal tears. A moment later he fades away, leaving nothing but empty air where his body had once lain.
Mordimer asks, "You okay?"
You nod.
Mordimer says, "Aislynn needs help."
Arcane Wraith Mordimer drifts west.
Mordimer says, "He was just going to continue on with calling reinforcements."
Aislynn hums to herself.
Aislynn quietly asks, "Did he rot away?"
Mordimer nods.
Aislynn nods.
Mordimer says, "Thick-headed goblin, it didn't seem to understand."
Aislynn quietly says, "I'll make copies of his... errr.... art."
Aislynn shrugs.
Mordimer says, "Very intriguing way to communicate for a goblin, it's obviously not educated enough to make arm deals."
Aislynn glances at Mordimer and suddenly clutches her stomach, looking ill.
Mordimer looks thoughtfully at Aislynn.
Aislynn chuckles.
Mordimer sighs.
Mordimer asks, "Did he hit me with an ugly stick, really?"
Aislynn quietly says, "Should've traded him a pointy stick for his ugly stick."
Aislynn hums to herself.
Mordimer says, "He didn't drop anything, not even his axe."
You say, "If a single trade would have gotten them to leave peacefully, I might've tried it. Thought I'd try to grab a weapon that looks more impressive than it is."
You grin wryly.
You get a fearsome battle axe from inside your researcher's backpack.
Aislynn nods to you.
You wave your battle axe around.
Mordimer says to you, "That might have had political consequences though."
Aislynn laughs!
Mordimer says, "Trading with a local adversary, at least."
Aislynn nods at Mordimer, obviously agreeing with his views.
Mordimer says, "They might take it as a slight, no matter what your endgame was."
Mordimer shrugs.
Mordimer says, "Though it would of probably worked."
Mordimer says, "You could of just made him an empty promise too."
Mordimer exclaims, "Hey, follow me to the ferry. We have loads of axes being brought in, you can have them instead!"
Aislynn quietly says, "His opening gambit was that Dortha had all of the weapons, and he didn't have any."
Aislynn chuckles.
Mordimer says, "Then push him overboard."
Mordimer smirks.
Aislynn winces.
You say, "At the very least, better to fight them outside of the city. Though HAS someone given them anything? It seems like they've tried this multiple times now."
You put your axe in your researcher's backpack.
Mordimer looks thoughtfully at you.
Mordimer says, "Interesting theory."
Mordimer says, "It would seem likely."
Mordimer says, "They have to have a reason for coming here in the first place."
Mordimer says, "Maybe someone is arming them already, someone here in Hib."
You stroke your beard in thoughtful contemplation.
Mordimer scans the area briefly.
Mordimer says, "He wasn't likely to give us any answers."
You say, "You'd think they'd try the same person, but maybe they have trouble telling people of other races apart."
Mordimer nods in agreement.
Mordimer asks, "Perhaps it's a question for whoever was discussing trade issues earlier?"
Mordimer says, "I wasn't here for that part."
Aislynn quietly says, "Dortha? She didn't understand him, either. He beat her with the ugly stick, too."
Aislynn blanches.
You say, "That didn't last long. Just some news that the king is trying to boost trade, and was thinking of raising prices on some exports. Then the goblins came and things went south."
Mordimer says, "Ah, then maybe there is nothing there at all. Goblins just being goblins, perhaps."
You say, "Well, things seem to have calmed down for now. I think I'll be heading off."
You say to Mordimer, "Thank you for coming to help."
Mordimer nods in agreement.
Aislynn hugs you.
Aislynn glances at Mordimer and quickly averts her eyes, looking embarrassed.
Mordimer chuckles.
You nod politely.
Mordimer says, "I'm gonna go find a cloak with a hood."
