Turn 23 -- Still Conversing with Goblins

Turning his head toward his party members, Ortho says strongly, "Red Feather Company! Hold!" Turning back to the goblin chief, "Great Grundlegek! We mean you no harm. We only came to ask you why the swamp is growing." Ortho reaches into a pocket of his tunic and draws out two pieces of hard candy. Putting one in his mouth, he offers the other to Grundlegek. The chieftain takes the candy, eyes it warily and then hands it over to the shaman who eats it.

"You are the chief of these lands. We know that nothing happens here without your being aware. Great Grundlegek, share with this not-so-bright dwarf some of the wisdom that led you to be chieftain of this mighty band of warriors." Ortho motions to the goblins around him. "Tell us why the swamp is growing and we will happily leave in peace."

Before stepping forward into the clearing with the rest of his companions, Beleg sheaths his sword, removes his gauntlets and great helm and takes his shield from his arm. He then removes his backpack and searches inside, retrieving his recorder. He hurriedly slings his backpack and shield upon his back and steps forward with his helm in the crook of his arm and the recorder in his hand. Upon seeing the great warrior step out of the trees, the goblins give out a collective sigh and begin slowly backing up in fright.

"Guttra!" yells Grundlegek to his warriors around him, ordering them to halt. "We no scared of you humans. You come to our land and bother us. Leave us now, we mean no harm."

All the while grumbling to Ras, Kre warily emerges from the treeline, "...if Randor says one thing about being right... I mean just ONE, I'm gonna scream...And giving money to a goblin, such a waste!" Kre goes on grumbling but has no desire to belittle himself by speaking baby language to a goblin, instead choosing to move back into the trees to climb one where he can observe the transaction as he is not needed. As he climbs the tree Ras overhears him, "...stench is so bad, the silly goblins must be mixin' spoiled meat and rotten eggs..."

Gnore stands next to Talimar and whispers something before bowing his head in thought. He then mutters something about Brother Randor being right before he removes his sword, keeping it in its sheath. He then throws it on the ground and raises his hands, "We mean you no harm, eh, friend goblins. As you can see I am no threat any longer." Gnore speaks loud enough for all the goblins to hear him although the words appear to have taken a considerable amount of effort for him to say, especially the part about 'friend goblins'.

Dain slowly moves over to Talimar with his spellbook open to the page that contained his drawing of the orcish shield on it. Intending to show Talimar the sketch and have him ask the goblins about the orcs and offer protection if needed, Dain is waved off by Talimar. Shuddering slightly at Ortho's baby speech to the goblins, Talimar turns to calmly greet the goblin chieftain, "Greetings Grundlegek, we do not plan on staying but the humans of the area have sent us in search of the source of the mire. We have divined that there is bad magic involved. If left to continue, the water will rise to cover the land, including your home. Will you help us with our quest?"

As another mention of the rise of the mire is made as well as the notion of 'bad magic involved', anyone looking at the shaman will see that he is visibly nervous and fidgety every time this is mentioned. It is obvious that he knows something of what is going on, although he is offering nothing.

Grundlegek speaks again to Talimar now, "Please, leave us alone. We no nothin'"