Into the Gray

Session Summary

We put out the fires from the aftermath of our battle with the owlbears at the abandoned goblin village. Upon returning, we see that despite our efforts, something seems to have relit the fire back at the village. It is burning. The goblins decide it is worth negotating with the miners, and they hand Star something in secret. Back at Valdethirsk, Star works on building relations between Tubam and the goblins, where Star reveals the goblin broach he was given to help begin peace talks.

Log

Star and Arachne begin trying to put out the fires. The goblin sprints off into the distance. 

I start helping Arachne because it’s interesting that one can attempt to control fire instead of just wildly creating it.

The goblin returns and is carrying a pump connected to a hose. He connects it to the well and runs over to the building with the hose. Star turns out to be a master pumper and the goblin is even having some trouble controlling the amount of water coming through. It quickly douses the flames on the first house.

Arachne and I have started also throwing dirt on the fire on the house.

The goblin arrives at the second house, and puts out the fire.

Arachne gestures apologies about the burned houses. The goblin mostly looks relieved.

Star looks around the perimeter of the town to look for signs of where the owlbears came from. Wash is wandering around the outskirts. 

The buildings appear to be simple houses. Messy and left in disarray. Many appear to have been wrecked by owlbears coming through. 

Wash and Star argue about whether to look for the source of the owlbears. Star is for and Wash is against. 

The goblin goes into a house and pockets what appears to be a child’s toy. He walks out to wait for everyone to head out.

I sit over near him waiting for everyone else, inspecting my quarterstaff. 

We all head out.

We arrive at the other group of goblins. 

Once there, the goblin guide is communicating with the other goblins excitedly. 

Star uses Comprehend Languages to hear that he is explaining everything that happened, including remembering where the fire equipment was. He says we went far and beyond what was asked of us. 

As he’s talking and pointing in the direction of their town, he suddenly looks confused at seeing something he didn’t expect.

We all look and see a low-hanging cloud of smoke. The goblin wonders if something was burning inside a building and got out. #clues

Star apologizes to the translator, saying we thought we put out all the fires. The goblin guide vouches for us. 

The goblins tell Star that they will spread the good word about our party. Star reminds them he would like to negotiate a treaty with the miner village. #relationships

They agree that we have proven to be trustworthy and are pleased to attempt negotiations. 

I remind Star that there are goblin heads on the spikes outside the miner village. He comes clean with the goblin translator about this. 

This means they’re now afraid of sending anyone over there for negotiations. If negotiations are to be had, it needs to be with one or more of the townspeople who come back to this turf. 

We begin heading back. A goblin calls out to Star. When he turns around, they put something in his hand, saying something the rest of us can’t hear. 

We get back to Valdethirsk in the evening. The doors are repaired and closed. As we walk up we loudly let them know we’re back and would like back inside. Star looks for Tubam. Everyone is behaving much more cautious with security.

Star finds Tubam in the supply area. 

“Did you kill all those goblins?”

Star admits that we did not kill the goblins. He explains that the goblins were being attacked and thought it had to do with this settlement. He explains about the owlbears. He further explains that the goblins are not a direct threat. Then he says he wants to negotiate between the two groups.

Tubam says, “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but if you’re saying that you talked to the goblins and killed monsters and this is the situation, I’ll trust your judgement.” 

She says that full reconciliation is unlikely. 

He suggests that trade will be mutually beneficial. They have revolutionary water technology!

Tubam thinks this is interesting and gets directions to their current encampment.

He hands Tubam the goblin broach. “I hope that this can help you communicate as well.”

I am attuning with my weapon.

Elzara studies her rune book.

Star trains outside.

Arachne attempts meditation and similar activities near the well.

Wash says he has to head out to Gendry for a meeting and assumes we’ll catch up with him there soon. Note that traveling alone is extremely abnormal in-universe.