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Selaim

"So the tribes are massing. Are we to go out and hunt these for these big bosses? Is that your suggestion? If so, do you have an idea where the tribes are gathering? Did you see that in your travels?"

Aendell

"Yes", he nods. "We questioned a wounded Goblin from an ambush and he confirmed that. There is a new player on the scene who is promising them all sorts of goodies if they band together."

Catalena

"There was indeed some outside presence that had been using promises and diplomacy to sway the chieftains and some of the tribes did not go along with it," Cat added. "But we don't know anything more about who or what it is."

"It sounds like it might be another human or non-goblin taller race, if they refer to them as a 'longshanks' like us?"

She'll made sure Shalelu was caught up on the attack on the town during the Swallowtail Festival and the details of the inter-goblin skirmish they found yesterday.

Sheriff Hemlock

"I will be taking a couple of guards with me south the Magnimar. I want to see about securing additional troops to station in Sandpoint for a few weeks, at least until the extent of the goblin threat can be determined.

"While I am gone, Shalelu is going to sniff around the Shank's Wood, Brinestump, Mosswood, Devil’s Platter, and other places where goblins live to see if she can discover anything else about what’s going on." He glances at the elf, who nods in response.

"As far as our local heroes go. I would appreciate it if you would maintain a presence here in Sandpoint to keep things calm. The local citizenry has taken a liking to you, and I think it would be a big help in keeping the worries down."

Shalelu

Shalelu then takes over the conversation and offers, "There are five major goblin tribes in the region. The closest to Sandpoint are the Birdcruncher goblins, who live in caves along the western edge of the Devil’s Playyer. Traditionally, these goblins
are the least aggressive of the five.

"To the south are the Licktoad goblins of the Brinestump Marsh, pests who are excellent swimmers.

"East are the Seven Tooth goblins of Shank’s Wood, goblins who’ve secured a place for themselves by raiding Sandpoint’s junkyard
and rebuilding the stolen refuse into armor and weapons. Further east are the Mosswood goblins, likely the largest tribe but one
traditionally held back by feuding families within their own ranks.

"And finally, there are the Thistletop goblins, who live on the Nettlewood coast atop a small island that some say holds a passing
resemblance to a decapitated head."

Shalelu notes "that goblins generally live short, violent lives. It’s unusual for a single individual to achieve any real measure of notoriety, but when one does, it’s well-earned. Currently, six goblins in the region enjoy Currently, six goblins in the region enjoy the status of “hero.

"Big Gugmut is an unusually muscular and tall goblin from Mosswood who, it is said, had a hobgoblin for a mother and a wild boar
for a father.

"Koruvus was a champion of the Seven Tooth tribe, known for his short temper and a magic longsword that the goblin stubbornly keeps as his own despite the fact that it's too large for him to wield properly. Koruvus vanished several months ago after he supposedly discovered a “secret hideout” in a cave along the cliffs, but the Seven Tooth goblins remain convinced he’s out there still, a ghost or worse.


"Vorka is a notorious goblin cannibal who lives in the Brinestump marsh, a “hero” mostly to goblins other than mostly to goblins other than the Licktoad tribe.

"Rendwattle Gutwad is the obese chieftain of the Brinestump goblins, a corpulent monster who, it is said, never leaves his throne.

"Ripnugget is the leader of the Thistletop goblins and controls what the five tribes agree is the best lair.

"And then there’s Bruthazmus, an infamous bugbear ranger who lives in northern Nettlewood and often visits the five tribes to trade things he’s stolen from caravans for alcohol, news, or magic arrows."

Shalelu notes that Bruthazmus has a particular hatred of elves, and they have fought on several occasions. To date, neither
have managed to get the upper hand on the other, but Shalelu bitterly vows she won’t be the first to fall in their private war.

Coral

"So," she posed the sheriff. "You want us to stay here and wait for goblins to come to us? "

Aendell

"We can do that", he nods. "if you'd like assistance in exploring, the sea caves are close to town. We could look for the vanished Koruvus in those caves while still not venturing far away."

Zak:

“So only a couple guard? So there is still a significant guard contingent here? Who will be in charge if there are questions? By maintaining a presence … just stick around and watch for trouble, or as Aendell says, is there something you have in mind for use to look into?”

Sheriff

He looks at Coral, "I want you to stay here and protect the people just as you did on the day of the festival. I don't expect an attack while I am gone, but it seems wise to take precautions."

He looks at Zak. "My hope is you will be a calming influence on the townspeople. They need that right now. Any real fighting should be done by professional soldiers if and when the time comes."

Selaim

Oh this is rich she thinks. From thief to guard in a matter of days. And poor Cat.

"So are we to make patrols or just have our presence known? I mean it is a big town and all."

Catalena

Cat chuckled listening to Shalelu's descriptions of the various goblins of infamy. She'd gotten much of her own understanding of the Tribes from Shalelu herself on previous visits but had not gotten such an encyclopedic overview before.

"I wonder if the Birdcrunchers might be willing to talk," she offered. "Possibly they might not like the idea of all-out war, if their lives are pretty uneventful if not outright peacefully cohabitating the coast. Maybe they would give up info on who and where is the longshanks driving this."

Selaim

"But who would we talk to in town about that, Cat? It sounds like the Sheriff wants us here in case something happens while he and his guards look into the tribes."

Catalena

"Well, the Birdcrunchers are not far," Cat replied. "The western side of the Devil's Platter is only a mile off. Caves."

She shrugged.

"I doubt if anyone in town knows more than Shalelu about goblins, unless they're in league with them, in which case they'd hardly speak of it. My plan for this morning was to visit Madame Mvashti who has far more experience than I in interpreting Desna's wisdom. We could also ask her if it would be a good or bad idea to seek out the Birdcrunchers."

Catalena

"Which reminds me," Cat continued, "I should be along to Madame Mvashti's. I know she takes her rest in the afternoon so best to see her early. You're all welcome to come along if you'd care to see the finest Harrow reader in a hundred leagues ply the mysteries. If she deigns to, of course."

She nodded to Hemlock and added to Shalelu, "You'll be staying at the Dragon tonight, I assume?"

Shalelu

"I have some things to do in town, and yes, I will be at the Dragon this evening. I wouldn't miss it." It was known around town that she was good friends with the owner and adventureress-proprietor Ameiko of The Rusty Dragon.

Sheriff Hemlock

"I appreciate you taking extra care to keep things calm for the town. I will be back in a few days," he says to the group.

Without formally dismissing the meeting, it breaks up of its own accord at this comment. The Sheriff gathers a few men and they mount up taking their leave heading out of town.

The ranger heads into Sandpoint obviously heading to do some resupply shopping and or meeting with folks she knows.

Cat starts to head towards the famous fortune teller and Harrow card reader.

[ooc: Who does what, and or goes where?]

Aendell

"I can go with a few others and talk to the Birdcrunchers, unless you all prefer to wait and go together?"

Coral

"I can go with you, Aendell," the young redhead responded. "I can speak goblin."

Zak

“Alright Kat. I’m with you.”

Selaim

"I guess I'll head out with Aendell and Coral. They are going to a village after all.

Catalena

It was only a short walk to Madame Mvashti's House. The manor was just off the Temple Square and was one of the largest houses in Sandpoint.

"I know I needn't remind you my friend," Cat chatted to Zachergillan as they strolled, "That Madame Mvashti is revered here by we Varisians. She is our eldest and wisest. And though she is not one of the nobles who rule the town, she is at least as powerfully connected. I doubt that it would occur, but if we were to offend her somehow, at least half the town would not welcome our company or business."

The bard took care to adjust her kapenia, the long scarf that traced her lineage, so the whorls and icons were easily visible and then she knocked confidently on the green wooden front door.