Tarithnesti - The Interrogation

01 Deepkolt 349 AC

BACK IN TARITHNESTI

"This is the longest cookbook ever!" Grotto thinks to himself as he finishes reading over a few more pages. The recipes themselves are fairly short, but each comes with notes on the etiquette surrounding their uses, to include occasions suitable for serving them, sides that pair well with each, alternate ingredients, and their origin. The dwarf gathers his things then stand watch around the camp. He looks to the skies waiting on the return of Shadow and company.

Kysek awaits the return of his kidnapping comrades-in-arms. The smell of Grotto’s concoction gives the elven thief a fierce headache. He distracts himself with his spellbook and realizes he needs to speak with the other spellcasters in the group to learn the spells necessary to make “See Invisibility” permanent on both Dusk and himself. He thinks to himself; even if it doesn’t allow us to attack invisibly; it’d still be a good thing to have. Kysek then stands a watch, joining Grotto as they await the return of Raz and Shadow.

About an hour later, the two wizards appear over the forest, goblins in tow, highlighted against the rising sun.

RETURNING FROM THE GOBLIN CAMP

Along the flight back with the goblins, Shadow begins interrogating the goblins. “I am looking to get me a mean Worg when this is over, makes a good mount they say.  Which is the meanest Worg? And what do they like to eat - like as a treat?  I am used to Dragons and riding lizards.”

It turns out that neither Vraggat, Sulk, or Joglu know much about the worgs - they eat meat, they're all mean, and that only the craziest goblins even attempt to ride them. There is one rider, however, that all three claim is the best - even better than their chief, Grak Muckfinger... Bläkmeg Siegebreaker! He's nearly FIVE FEET TALL and capable of great feats of strength. During the razing of Valkinord, it was Bläkmeg's mighty hammer that shattered the gate so the goblins could swarm into the city. When Port Balifor was sacked, Bläkmeg knocked the harbor's watchtower into the Bay. In Goodlund, Bläkmeg ripped the kender apart with his bare hands as they were not worthy of his hammer.

The goblins go on and on about this Bläkmeg, crediting him with ever more improbable feats of strength and combat prowess that make the party's own accomplishments seem tame in comparison, like the time he single-handedly defeated an entire garrison of Solamnic Knights and out-wrestled an ogre.

Shadow keeps trying to steer the conversation back to the worgs and the 400 goblins. “What squad do you want to be in charge of once you’re a hero? Who is in charge now?”

As a whole, the goblins want to be in the group that raids the elven treasury. All three, especially Joglu, talk about how they want to use that wealth to supplant their chief, Grak, and boss Him around for a change. Shadow takes note as he may want to impersonate one or more of these characters when polymorphed, so more info, the better.

Tarithnesti comes into view, the frozen Thon-Thalus River passing just south of the town. Most of the city is hidden by trees and thin plumes of smoke rise through the branches.

Once back in Tarithnesti, Shadow will introduce the goblins to the rest of the “spy ring."

Ra’ziir continues to follow Shadow’s lead. “I can’t wait to see the Dragonriders come in and destroy this place, but I don’t remember when that’s supposed to happen.”

Commander Parnitha unrolls the map and points at it. "We are here. This..." She says while pointing to another spot, "is where we found you. Where are the rest of your, er, I mean, OUR troops?"

The three goblins lean over the map, looking at the representation of the forest kingdom laid out on the parchment.

Vraggat picks at a scab on his skinny neck, looks up and points east. "We dat wey."

This prompts protests from Sulk and Joglu, who both smack him and shout, "NO! DAT WEY" while they point in conflicting directions.

Parnitha covers her face with one hand, shaking her head in frustration. "Goblins..." she mutters. "I am going to send out a pair of patrols. Maybe they will be able to provide us with Useful Intelligence."

The commander departs, leaving the three goblins with Ra'ziir and Shadow.

Grotto, who has been waiting outside, sweeps in, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

EN ROUTE TO TARITHNESTI

Raven has Ornforithalas push the scouts hard, determined to make Tarithnesti by nightfall.

Romulus remains relaxed, mentally reviewing spells that may prove useful in the upcoming battle.

By noon, the scouts begin to flag. Raven moves to the fore, "Press on, Tarithnesti is depending on us. We are the only ones who can save that city, your brothers and sisters, from fates worse than death! March on! Show no mercy to those who would harm your homeland! Mr. Greenbean, give me a cadence!"

The kender pulls out his mandolin, twists the tension knobs to adjust the tune, and begins to play.

🎶 🎵 "Thunder (ah-ah, ah-ah-ah)
Thunder (ah-ah, ah-ah-ah)
Thunder (ah-ah, ah-ah-ah)
Thunder (ah-ah, ah-ah-ah)
Thunder (ah-ah, ah-ah-ah)
Thunder (ah-ah, ah-ah-ah)
Thunder
Thunder
Thunder
Thunder
I was caught in the middle of a forest trail (thunder)
I look 'round and I knew there was no turning back (thunder)
My mind raced and I thought, "What could I do?" (thunder)
And I knew there was no help, no help from you (thunder)
Sound of the drums beating in my heart
The thunder of magic, yeah
Tore me apart
You've been
Thunderstruck..! 🎵 🎶

The song raises the scouts' flagging strength. They stand straighter, eyes narrow with determination, some clap on the word "thunder". The column increases its pace, forging ahead through the elven wood.