Goblin Caves under the Pub

summary:

I didn't mean it - honest!

Goblin Caves under the Pub

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We had escaped the swamp and forest with our lives. There we were in the snug, I was chugging away from a fine tankard of best brewed ale, well - we all were I suppose and Dill was about to pass round his best smoking tobacco when I heard it. The Emporess says she heard it first and I let her have that, but it must have been me … mustn't it?

It was a sort of scraping sound, more like a rustling perhaps and it seemed to be coming from below. Well, you know me … I asked the Landlord for a tour of his cellar which he strangely refused. It was almost as if he thought I might drink something without paying … as if!

Well, we weren't having that. The Emporess and I snuck out without anyone noticing (preens himself with pleasure) which shows what great adventurers we are and tiptoed down the winding stairs. I suggested a lantern but Emporess pooh-poohed my faint-heartedness and strode ahead as usual. One day I will reach her level I hope.

The scratching sounded louder and we could hear some clanging noises too. We looked behind one of the dusty wine wracks and saw some light coming through a crack in the wall. It was a door!

We raced back upstairs and told the others. They made sure we informed the City Watch we suspected Goblins and then we kitted ourselves up and I led the way. Okay, there were others at the front too but what do you want from me? If you want to tell it your own way you are welcome, stop interrupting and let me get on with it.

Cracka, being the fearless knight that he is, flung open the door … we all piled in and started to clear the vermin out. All I was thinking was "where is the watch when you need them".

We were humiliated in defeat, we were carried away by our enemies and pushed out the back entrance by the Chief … if it wasn't used as a latrine it was pretty darned close.

We all came to almost at once - well where do you think the idea of smelling salts came from?

Our illustrious team:
Airtammer
Andrew7981
Cracka
Dill Wood
Emporess_Zia
MystyC28
Raimon
Rastan
Salmonelo
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Goblin Caves under the Pub - The Second

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I am not sure I can even begin this tale let alone give you the full details of where it all started going wrong. It was going to be better this time. We had returned to the Blasted Oak around 10.30am sure the landlord and his guests wouldn't be around the common room.

It certainly looked different in daylight. They had cleaned it, but the soot from the fire and the yellowing tinge to the paintwork from all the pipes smoked over the years … and I almost tripped over a fraying mat by the bar. I guess what I am trying to get across is how it was both bigger and smaller than two days ago when it was warm, cosy and the perfect setting for tall tales.

Emporess Zia contained herself, but I think she was shocked by the transformation. I noticed she didn't touch anything anyway.

Dill explained to me that all common rooms are magical places at night, filled with all the emotions a sentient being could feel. He looked down on me in a kindly fashion, "This is not the worst place you will enter and they do keep it polished". He pointed out the amazing dragon carvings in the high-backed chair in the corner, the glint of the tankards hanging on their personalised hooks (I had wondered why there were ribbons and scrolls attached to the hooks that night but I suppose everyone was conquering their thirst). Dill just has this way with him. Perhaps it is being a bard, perhaps to do with the untold reason he left Dinturn (he always goes quiet when it is mentioned) or who knows. The point is he can change any place and time to something wondrous, he can bring dragons and old heroes to life, you can hear the clashing of blades and the moans of doomed couple in love. That is his skill and what he is.

Airtammer was growing impatient with my curiosity and I suppose I can't blame him, for he must have visited many taverns over the years of wandering this world. He rarely loses it (even in battle) so I must have got to him with my yabbering. He is generally a very patient man as you would expect of a Borderlander with such an artistic side, probably the reason he and Dill get on so well.

So we all went down to the cellar, the landlord hasn't noticed the bricks lying higgedly pidggedly from our last excursion (I wonder if he cleans the pipes regularly) and went in to the cave to seek out the goblins.

It was a disaster.

It was calamitous.

I felt so ashamed!

The whole of our front assault struck down before we left the first level. Being the shade of yellow I am (although I prefer to call it good old-fashioned sense), I suggested we return to the Oak, but Airtammer forestalled me … Cracka agreed and the others were all nodding their heads.
"They must have already called for reinforcements, better to meet them head on" and so we descended to the second level of caves.

It was murkier and the sound of dripping filled the cavern … I still don't understand how it happened, there was a clash, the torches went out and when it finished only Mysty and I were still standing. We couldn't find our way out so went deeper in.

No, Mysty, I did not panic. Racing around like a headless chicken? I'll thank you to show me some dignity and not interrupt this fine tale of derring-do.

We had managed to relight a torch but it must have got wet leaning against the glistening walls … we crept forward together alert for any sounds and then they were on us again. Mysty went first, I managed to get a last hit in before the archer got me.

What happened next and how we came to be sitting here … I remember what Paladin said and roll the beginnings of an idea around my head. No-one seems to think it strange we all got out safely, albeit unconcious. Perhaps this is my own special quest.

The usual suspects:
Airtammer
Conan the Barbarian
Cracka
Emporess_Zia
MystyC28
Raimon
Rastan
Salmonelo
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