Follows:
NINETY FOUR
(I/C)
During the hour, the group had divided up the found gear (Brendon add IRON DAGGER [10], POTION OF STRENGTH [5], POTION OF HEALING [5]. Lannis add SCROLL OF READ LANGUAGES [1]. Kovid add POTION OF HEALING [5]. Wyn add SCROLL OF SLEEP [1]. Abraxas add IRON DAGGER [10], POTION OF HEALING [5], GRILLJAX SKULLCAP [2] – temporarily for now) and Lannis spent the time copying the SCROLL OF LEVITATE to his spellbook.
Wyn also had cast DETECT MAGIC, most everything that was magic (scrolls and potions) came up, but the skull cap did as well. Lannis looked it over with Wyn (Magic User Int>12). “Well, it’s a skullcap of protection!”
“Huh?”
“These runes?” Lannis pointed on the inside. “They accord the wearer some protection from physical damage.”
“Does it have to be worn on the head?”
“Nope, but it needs to be worn somewhere on the outside of a person.” (Skullcap of Protection +1)
As for the questioning of Jowass, he had been placed in the center room for now away from prying ears, while the group discussed options for questioning him and who would be doing it. The feeling ran the gamut from, “Kovid what do you want to do with your new toy” pointing to the dwarf’s hammer, to “I'll leave the questioning of the lizard to someone else. We're it up to me we'd just kill the little dick weed and move on.” And “I don’t have any questions for the lizard-dog, but my hammer does. Let me know when it’s time to ask the final question.”
Lyra was disturbed by way it was going, “Normally I don’t like killing things when they’re restrained. Feels... unethical. I will however not stop anyone else from doing what they want. Aine can guide my hand, she can’t tell any of you what to do with your lives.” However the Cleric, a good listener and tactical thinking was willing to be there during questioning to help verify that the questions being asked and answered were done so truthfully.
This left Abraxas and Wyn as the masterminds of the questions to be asking. It was decided that the kobolds have a negative view on elves and the Fighter with his friendly demeanor and attitude would be talking to the kobold. "Monsieur Salazar, you be best ta do dis. Dey dont 'ate you outright, en dey may not spect much from ye neither, iffin de Gowan interviews show us anytin." "Monsieur Salazar, you be best ta do dis. Dey dont 'ate you outright, en dey may not spect much from ye neither, iffin de Gowan interviews show us anytin."
Kovid had finished his armor adjustments and the party commented on his good job. Around this time Jowass the kobold was able to start to move and Abraxas and Lyra stepped in to talk to him, Wyn being nearby at the door watching, and the rest of the group beyond him in the Mosaic room.
“Señor Hoeass,” Abraxas said, broadly gesturing to the now blinking kobold, “I'm afraid that mis amigos are quite set on smashing you into smaller and smaller pieces, mas pequeño, until there is nothing left.”
“Oh no!” The kobold answered in a piping voice, “That would not be good! I mean didn’t they just smash other kobolds? Aren’t they done smashing?”
“Hmm, you are correct, Senor! They did! Now while that they agree on, the method quieremos usar, the manner of whether to smash in your head killing you instantly, or start with your feet and work their way up, making sure you feel every hit and smash'ed bone, that is where they disagree.”
“Hmm, that is a tough call. If it was me and I was questioning, and not getting answers, I’d start with the small bones of the toes and then work up the feet and ankles.” It looked Abraxas over. “Gotta admit, you are pretty big.”
“Gracias!”
“De nada. I’m big for my people. Strong too. It’s hard when you work the loading docks and the other workers are so much pequeno.”
“Oh,” Abraxas asked with a surprised look. “You are dock worker? I am dock worker!”
“Wait? You’re a dock worker?” Jowass asked, “I’M a dockworker!”
“There are no docks around here.”
“Si. There aren’t, but in Jector there are, big river. Boats come in and we unload to skiff and then pole the goods about. Hard work, lots of lifting. But the pay is good and that’s good enough for me.”
“Umm…I had a whole thing I was gonna say here…Lost my train.”
“Did you look in your shoe?”
“Eh?”
“When I lose something, it’s usually in a shoe.”
(Likeability and personality impact: Jowass <Cha, Green 2. Abraxas <Cha, Blue 1. Both like each other and feel the other is someone they can relate to.)
“Ahem,” Lyra cleared her throat and Abraxas looked over sheepishly.
“Sorry Senorita. Hokay, Senor, I see no reason why we cannot be civil and work together Señor Hoewass... That is how it is pronounc'ed, right? Hoeass?”
“Close, my friend. Jowass. Jowass. With a “Jeh” sound. It’s hard and it’s ok if you get it wrong. At least you are trying.”
“Gracias! Some people get all offended if I misspeak their name.”
“I know, right?”
“Tell me about it. Anyways, if you are willing to work with us, to cooperate, I don’t see a reason why you cannot be allowed to walk out the front door, out to your freedom, just not in this elf castle. So, Señor Hoeass, what do you think?”
“Hmm. No question about it, Abraxas. I’ll cooperate, what do you want to know?”
“Wow. I expected some resistance.”
“Why? I’m one kobold and you and your friends killed Grilljax. Personally? Good riddance! Got full of himself and thought that he could use our dead after they are dead and not as fertilizer. We swear oaths to the chief to serve him until death, not beyond. Pendejo was breaking contract.”
“Sounds like what my companion would call a dickweed.”
“Si!” Jowass settled himself a bit more comfortable and gestured to Abraxas. “You have questions?”
“Ah, bueno Señor Hoeass, very good. So we have a few questions we would like to ask you. I'm sure mis amigos will be very open to hearing what you have to say, and what I have to say on your behalf.”
“Go on, mi amigo.”
Lyra was watching this exchange with some trepidation seeing how the kobold and Abraxas were relating to one another. However, the Cleric (<Discern honesty Wis check, White 3) was pretty damned sure that the kobold was earnest and honest. She would continue to listen.
“Ahem, numero uno. Besides our group, what group in the castle do you hate the most?”
“Hate? We hate elves because they hunt down and kill anyone who isn’t an elf. Kobolds, goblins, hobgoblins, ogres, orcs, salamanders, dwarves…if they aren’t an elf, they aren’t anything. They lie to humans, ridicule Halflings, steal from dragons, and generally fuck over anyone they can – and when there is no one left to fuck over, they fuck over their own people. High elves fuck over wood elves. Wood elves fuck over swamp elves. Grey elves fuck over valley elves.” Jowass sighed. “For a people who claim they are so smart and wise and live so long, they are filled with disdain and hatred for anyone that isn’t and elf. And then with more disdain for anyone who isn’t the RIGHT kind of elf.”
“Huh, I never realized that.”
“It’s alright. They are pretty, and make nice music, and their art is breathtaking. But deep inside they are murdering boogeymen who bath in the blood of their victims.”
“So, elves in the castle?”
“No! They all died long ago, from fucking around with a spell to kill goblins. Screwed up and killed everyone in the castle that was an elf and wiped out a town of 25,000 people.” He shook his head. “Reckless and untrustworthy.” He tilted his head back, “But if I had to think who I might hate in the castle? The Hobgoblins. They are the militant arm of Blessed Corfard and they often abuse his intentions and orders in such a way that adds unneededstrife and problems to the rest of us who came out here looking for a better life for all.”
“Ah,” Abraxas nodded. “Bueno! That leads be to numero dos: Why do you think the hobgoblins would wanted Grilljax dead?”
“Dead? No. Neutered. Grilljax led our small group out here to make a home as best we could. We followed because Blessed Corfard had the right of it, if we can push the elves back from the border of Jector by taking over one of their outposts we should do it.”
“But how do the Roberts figure in?”
“Roberts?” Jowass asked.
“Roberts. Hobgoblins.”
“Ah!” Jowass clapped his hands. “Neat! Roberts! Huh, the Roberts don’t trust Grilljax because he gets his power not from the Blessed Corfard, but from our lord, Nergal, God of rot and decay!”
“Oh.”
“Si! We brought an offering to Nergal with us and have been cultivating it in an old vinegar cask near where we have Warrened. According to Grilljax, this divine piece of Nergal’s will has been cultivated and grown and split and fed for over a hundred years.”
“That is impressive!”
“Si! But don’t get it on you unless there’s a candle nearby or Nergal will take you early. So the Hobgoblins are fanatical in their thinking and they resent that Grilljax has a special place in the Blessed Corfard’s retinue as an advisor and commander, of the kobolds, even though he is not a believer in the Blessed Corfard.”
“Excellente! You are being so helpful, mi amigo.”
“Gracias!”
“Numero tres: The Hobs mentioned a vault. Are you guys after it too?”
“Nah. The Roberts are looking for a vault because they were told to find a way to open it. I have never been up on the second floor the Beekeeper wouldn’t let any of us pass except Grilljax.”
“Beekeeper? A keeper of bees?”
“Si! If you are going to get what you need, I assume it’s in the vault, whatever that is, you should have a know of the layout, yes?” He gestured to Abraxas, “Piece of paper, bit of bark? Let me show you.” Lyra handed over a graphite stick and a piece of worn parchment. “Gracias, lady. You are very nice, kind, and patient.” He glanced at her holy symbol. “I assume that is the Morrigaan Goddess, so blessings to her and you.”
“Nah,” Abraxas said, “It’s Annie. Manana, Manana.”
“Ah! Apologies.” Jowass began to draw crudely on the paper. “Now dead elves are everywhere. Here at the table. Go west and you get to my warren and then the Cold wind, take it around and you get to our food larder and then the two waters. One is bad, don’t drink it! The other is good and the goblins have their Four Eats in there. Fun to play with and they eat rats.”
“We’ve seen it.”
“Excellente! Offering cask to Nergal is there, just letting you know.” He rubbed his chin and started drawing north. “Up here is a room of books, we use them to start fires now and again.” From outside in the Mosaic room Lannis grit his teeth and shook his head. Jowass Continued. “Beyond that is lots of walking, and I am happy to say, Grilljax trusted me to go to see the Butcher when we needed meat chopped up. Has a big ice room there too, so the meat is always fresh. Past that, we are not allowed to go, but there is a door there that we can sit at an hear pretty elven music once in a while.”
He continued to draw and Abraxas was looking. “What is this frowny face?”
“Hmmph. Bad zombies. Not Grilljax types. Don’t know where they come from, but we don’t go there.”
“Gotcha.”
“This hall here, door we do NOT go into. Big important door that the Roberts come and do some magic stuff with and then leave once every week or so or less. So no. Beyond that is the room the Spy lives in and watches.”
“Spy?”
Jowass sighed. “Si. Watches everyone and skulks around and reports back to the Jailer who is doing what and not doing what. Then there is a room with more dead elves, then the Beekeeper’s wolf and then…the Beekeeper.”
“Beyond that?”
“Don’t know. Not allowed past. Jailer is there, I know that. Also heard the Roberts talk about an elven woman statue they like to look at.”
“Where is 2nd floor stairs?”
“I don’t know. We are not allowed past the Butcher or the Beekeeper. So maybe either place? Not a thing for me to worry about. I am just a simple kobold, Abraxas, trying to make his way in the world as best as I can without causing undue hurt or woe to others.”
“Good words and way to live, Hoeass!”
“Thanks. You have another questions, mi amigo?”
“Si! Numero quarto: Do you know the word to turn off the statues?”
“Hilva activates them. Grilljax figured that out. They will protect anyone who calls out for them and hunt down anyone else who tried to harm them. It’s been what’s kept the goblins and Roberts away from us for the last 5 months. But they don’t go far and eventually turn around and head back to where they started. We looked around, were probably other statues in castle but they all broke or were destroyed long ago. So we have only set.”
“That’s it?”
“Si! Oh, and Grilljax made sure that we didn’t get accidentally hurt. Cinnamon. If you smell of cinnamon, even if activated, the statues will not bother with you.”
“Ah! That explains the sticks.
“Yep! I want to say, thank you Abraxas for taking the time to talk to me, it means a lot.”
“Muy pleasure, Senor Hoeass. I guess you are free to go.”
Jowass pushed himself up and stretched. “It is a long walk back to Jector, but I for one am happy for the chance to go home. Plying my trade on the river beats rummaging around the garbage of an elven castle for whatever the Roberts tell us to find.” He looked Abraxas up and down. “Senor, you do and be you. Best advice I can give after this experience is to not let someone push you around, live a good life doing what you love, and find someone to make sex with and raise a clutch of eggs.” He extended his hand and the Fighter shook it.
Time now is 9:25
(OOC)
Lots answered. Whats the deal with Jowass now? Abraxas – you truly liked talking to him, and he truly liked talking to you! Both of you pretty much maxed out the CHA rolls. And Lyra – little fucker was brutally honest.
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