The Tribe! 3.5 goblin only with GGM (General Goblin Management)

Feigning indignant outrage, Plink cuffs Skimbibble lightly on the shoulder and stomps his foot. Plink not stupid! Just because squeaky Skimbibble flinches and runs from every leaf and shadow, just because Smoke Lady is scary and Biggers always take advantage. Always WILL keep advantaging goblins if we act that way! They think we are stupid and weak, but we shows them otherwise! He looks around, trying to gauge what the others opinions may be. What goblin never dreams of being Chief? What goblin never dreams of safe, strong place to live, with many foods and many mates? What goblin never thinks of how to make Biggers give us stuff and do what we says? You just mad because Plink took a chance and got a shiny, and Skimbibble runs like always!

In a huff, Plink turns to Gibs. Dat's right, Gibs. Someday, if other gobbos make dinky Plink into Chief Plink, we finds ways to make the Biggers pay, and give Gibs and Skog and Krog many, many conquests, with so many mates, you go on conquest just to get away from them all.. And when you have ouches from conquest, you come back to many many mates, who make Gibs and all his warriors feel better so they can conquest some more! Now, you scaredygobs want to figure out how to make Smoke Lady do what we wants, or you wants to hide some more?

"Skimbimble mad because Plink and Skog and Gibs go make decisions for all tribe and make us in danger. Sneak and look is what we was doing, not scream and hit and tell everyones who we is! Best safe is big scary on top with scared peoples all around, but you gets that from being sneaky and strong.

Is too late. Tribe is minions now. Plink took shinny, Plink." Skimbibble seems resigned, as if arguing was a waste of time in the face of a forgone conclusion. "Smoke Lady too strong to cheat, otherwise humans kill her long ago. This mean Plink has made tribe minions, for now at least. She say Plink to be chief, Plink better be chief when she around at least, otherwise she get mad we ignore her." He gets a thoughtful look in his eye. "Maybe we learns about the shinnies we steal from the humans, makes our own, one day, when she feeling extra safe, we kills her with the knowings we get from helping her. Maybe then we be big scary. Being little scary not too bad, Big Scary got to hurt people who hut you, otherwise stop being scary."

Krog finally speaks up, thudding his spearhaft on the ground.

"Enough talk. We go back to tribe. Decide what to do as whole. Not because of mist-person-made Chieftain."

Gibs

Gibs starts laughing manically, practically interrupting Krog. "Krog! We talk all we want. Sleeping time. Maybe you stop talking yourself?" Then he nods vigorously to himself and then to Chief Plink.

"Maglubiyet say, Plink our chief. Say we need to get stronger and kill deadies too. But ally first then kill deadies. Gibs gonna learn from Skog how fight deadies good like him. Krog and Skimbibble need stop talking crazy now. Or.. o-o-r ELSE!!!!" Gibs ends his rant on a scream and he starts twitching uncontrollably... at first. Then it's like he starts trying to fight his own uncontrollable twitching so as to be more controlled but only barely so. He grabs his arm suddenly as it tries to pull out his Glaive.

He suddenly walks away from the group and climbs back up the tree where he was sleeping.

Spoiler: Next Decision

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Gibs will do whatever decision Chief Plink decides.

Skimbibble looks around, as if just noticing the sky.

"Is open, too much seeing. Chief Plink, we go back now or you want more standing around all see-able and such?"

As the sun sets over the valley, the incessant bickering of the goblin warriors continues into the night, masked by the susurrous of the wind among firs and the naked branches of oak and beech and birch. A light snow falls during the night, conveniently covering the tracks of the wolves, as the scouting party follows the same path back to the caves as they did going out.

At one point, during the second night of the trip, they spot - off across a still-frozen lake - a great, black sleigh drawn by two monstrous white bears. Standing at the helm (or whatever it's called on a sleigh) is a tall, solemn figure. He turns his head once, and despite the distance, more than a full mile, you feel he stares straight at you. But that's patently impossible, you're among the trees, in the dark, quiet, sneakly and goblin-like.

The moon shines down, casting the valley in it's magical silvery light.

Spoiler: OOC

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As before, any detours or rolls you want to make, go ahead. Otherwise you return to base after 6 nights of travel.

Soz and Hekx and a small contingent of speargoblins wait anxiously for the spiders to reply. The three spiders stare at the goblins - and spiders stare really, really well, 24 eyes, unblinking. Then one of them speaks in hizzes and chitters, which to Soz mean: Hellooeess. Us knows not what goblins taste likes. Us will have that one, and if us likes, us will works together. It points one uncomfortably sharp leg as Zurg, who - to the discerning eye - is slightly fatter than the other goblins.

We don't taste good, Soz replies, and besides-we outnumber you. Work WITH us and we'll make sure you're fed. Work AGAINST us... she trails off, before realizing that she should probably make the threat clear. And you all die.

The elected spokes-spider seems to mull this conundrum for a long time before once again speaking to Soz.

Outnumber you do. But if you want us work for you, what we get? Us wants foods and deep dark places, safe nestings and many many spiderlings. You give, we give. You not give, us fights.

There is a gnashing of mandibles, and a shuffling of terribly sharp, chitinous legs. It's 12 to 3, but spiders are way more scary than goblins.

Plink reaaaaaaalllly likes the sound of Chief Plink, and his eyes grow wistful as he pictures leading the tribe to immense glory. And food. Lots and lots of hot, sticky food!

But he shakes himself alert.. First, there is much to be done. Skimbibble and Gibs say Plink Chief. Maglubiyet works in mysterious ways.. Maybe he put Smoke Lady there to helps us. But Plink doubts it. Maglubiyet is also tricksy, and sets traps for unwary goblins who forget they are a tribe. Maglubiyet will let Plink know in special way if he is the mate-haver and choice-chooser. We should get home and make plans with the others.

He gets a horrible feeling in the pit of his stomach when the man on the snow-slider looks at them, and urges his wolf to move just a bit faster. Home, home, home, he murmurs, rubbing his new shiny for luck. Hope dey has mushroom stews. But now.. horrified.. he realizes he can't use his vegebibbles for the stew anymore.

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Originally Posted by Kaptin Keen

The elected spokes-spider seems to mull this conundrum for a long time before once again speaking to Soz.

Outnumber you do. But if you want us work for you, what we get? Us wants foods and deep dark places, safe nestings and many many spiderlings. You give, we give. You not give, us fights.

There is a gnashing of mandibles, and a shuffling of terribly sharp, chitinous legs. It's 12 to 3, but spiders are way more scary than goblins.

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We can get you all sorts of interesting food you wouldn't get normally, and can help protect your nesting spots, Soz says. We're here too now-and we're not afraid of you. It's pretty much join or die right now.

Having said that, Soz does her best to NOT look and check to make sure she's telling the truth. She just hopes that, should the spiders attack, her friends won't break.

Hekx looks back and forth between the spiders and Soz, he’s unused and almost unsettled that even though he’d created these creatures and Soz was usually the master of all beasts, they still seemed to be refusing to be obedient.

Being knowledgeable about nature doesn't necessarily mean that spiders are easy to read. Soz does convince herself that the spiders deflate slightly, assuming a more defensive posture, perhaps.

Then we will work with you. Bring us foods, and make nesting places safe, and spinnerfolk will work with you.

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It's a few days later when the scouting party returns. Having no one die, not even by accident, is somewhat unexpected, and is cause for much celebration.

The caves are taking shape nicely.

There are the upper cave, where the goblins live. It has room for more than 100 goblins, but not a great deal more. It is however nice and dry, with a number of natural shelves and protrusions perfect for goblin beds. There is a stream running through, and a tiny lake, then a waterfall into the next cave.

Then, there's the middle cave. It's sort of impractically vertical, with the waterfall from the upper cave joined by streams from various side chambers, cascading down into a big lake (big in the context means about 50x75 feet, taking up half the floor of the cave). It's quite damp, with many stalactites and stalagmites.

The lower caves are wet, with numerous small streams spashing here and there. It's almost marshy, with many green things competing for the light from above, and all sorts of yummy moss and mold and fungus lining floor, walls and ceilings. At the bottom of the third cave, all the water gathers in a small river, which flows out, over a waterfall and into the valley below.

In addition, there are now the spider caves, where an increasing number of mansized spiders spin webs, and dream long dark dreams of plentiful food safely wrapped in silk and stored.

Upon the Scouting party’s return Hekx pulls himself, Soz and the scouting party into a private meeting before the general goblins on either side can get any information. He notably waits for the scouting party to report before making any explanation as to why there are a large number of massive spiders.

Skog is glad to be home, although still slightly annoyed that he didn't get to kill the vampire lady. He notices the spiders. They seem friendly.

Upon being drawn into the meeting, Skog simply says, in his infinite charm:

"Spiders."

Understood. But let's make one thing clear-we find any goblins attacked by your kind, and there will be none of you left in a week's time, Soz says. She turns to the rest of the group, announcing the results. They'll work with us, so long as we help keep their nests safe and help feed them. Don't disturb them, if you can avoid it, but if you get attacked, then we handle them.

The end of the first week in the new valley - the Promised Land - sees the tribe strenghtened by new allies, and a new formal leader. The spiders are set up in a couple of side chambers, where they happily spin nets, and lay eggsacs. Unless you are truly unusually fond of spiders, it is a terrifying place, man-sized arachnids scuttling over every surface, and every surface covered in sticky spider silk.

The scouts know the approximate location of the village of Brooksglade, straight south of the caves, on the banks of the main river flowing through the valley. That's all the information available, though - it's not the main town, and it's not the village they already saw, so it has to be the third one. It's lights can be seen at night, from the vantage point above the caves.

Chieftain Plink is busy-busy, trying to drum up support for his leadership. He does a great job trying to find out what all the goblins want. The results are somewhat disappointing though, as more than one in four wants to be chieftain. However, a pattern emerges: Setting aside the question of who gets to carry the Amulet of Absolute Overlordship (as it's been dubbed, somehow), most goblins envision a future ruling the valley, with riches and food, and a nice, big lair brimming with traps and all the outward signs of goblin cleverness and superiority.

Transition to new leadership is never easy - not even when it's transition from zero leadership to some form of it. Factions quickly form, tensions rise, hostilities erupt. It all culminates in The Battle By Those Three Big Ferns In The Middle Cave, where Plink Loyalists join battle against the Pipzy Revolutionary Council forces. Many are wounded, and some die. Also, Pipzy, the female leader of the revolution, disappears with a small cadre of loyal hench-goblins.

Spoiler: Battle By Those Three Big Ferns In The Middle Cave

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The 'battle' leaves 10 goblins wounded, and [roll0] dead. Pipzy takes an additional 3 goblins and makes herself scarce at the end of things. It's obviously not impossible to track her, if you so desire. If so, roll some rolls. DC to follow her tracks is [roll1].

Oh, well. Pipzy should maybe have outsourced her stealth roll =D

Skimbibble does not fight in the battle. Too risky. But upon hearing we have a traitor on the run he slips off with a wolf.

Spoiler: traitor hunting

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Survival roll [roll0] to find Pipzy's trail (as a ranger I have the track feet).
Wild empathy roll to try and get the wolf to understand what I am trying to do [roll1]

If successful he will ride the wolf to track the tracks (wolf has better movement and scent) otherwise he will footslog it.
Wolf tracking [roll2]
Me tracking [roll3]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by EvilDMMk3

Skimbibble does not fight in the battle. Too risky. But upon hearing we have a traitor on the run he slips off with a wolf.

Spoiler: traitor hunting

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Survival roll [roll0] to find Pipzy's trail (as a ranger I have the track feet).
Wild empathy roll to try and get the wolf to understand what I am trying to do [roll1]

If successful he will ride the wolf to track the tracks (wolf has better movement and scent) otherwise he will footslog it.
Wolf tracking [roll2]
Me tracking [roll3]

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Spoiler: OOC

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Those are incredibly abysmal rolls. That's funny =)

Skimbibble sets off to track Pipzy, quickly finds her trail - so he thinks - then get's lost in on the wooded lower slopes of the mountains. He tries to get his wolf to help pick the trail back up, which - he thinks - it does. The wolf tracks for most of the day, nose to the ground.

After hours of riding, Skimbibble's wolf sneaks up on a creek, bubbling it's way down the lower slopes. There, fishing in the low waters, is a black bear. The wolf, showing every canine sign of pride, looks back at Skimbibble, propably expecting praise and goodies.

Soz will, daily, use a single casting of Speak With Animals to spend time with the spiders. While she's more used to slightly more cuddly creatures (such as Soz Jr.), she wants to, at a minimum, have a good working relationship with the spiders.

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Originally Posted by JNAProductions

Soz will, daily, use a single casting of Speak With Animals to spend time with the spiders. While she's more used to slightly more cuddly creatures (such as Soz Jr.), she wants to, at a minimum, have a good working relationship with the spiders.

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Spoiler: Soz only - you know the drill! :p

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It fairly quickly becomes clear to Soz that these spiders are in essence deadly predators mixed with just enough intelligence to earn an E in their alignment. They can be controlled, even be a sort of shaky allies. But they won't be friends.

In other news, for the cheap, cheap price of the occasional goblin (or, I guess, other sentient), they might be more easily controlled.

A few days in, Soz talks to the Chief. So, the spiders should not be trusted. DEFINITELY no one visits them alone-not even me. If you see me walking in without Junior or someone else, stop me. They're not the kinds of animals that'll make nice with time-they're the kind that will tolerate us so long as we keep them fed.

We should consider setting up firetraps near their nesting areas, in case they decide we're not worth it, she advises. And we might want to look into allies that aren't so... Hungry.

After emerging victorious from the insurrection, Plink congratulates and glorifies his loyal followers, ensuring that all of the wounded (even Pipzy's misguided ilk) are being taken care of, their wounds tended and their daily chores suspended until they recover. The dead of Pipzy's faction are fed to the spiders, if they want them. (after being stripped of any valuables) The loyal warriors who gave their last measure of devotion for Plink are to be given a hero's funeral (commensurate with goblin culture, that is). Upon learning that Pipzy and her three lieutenants fled, Plink takes action. He goes to the nests of Pipzy and her ilk, gathering anything that might carry a scent. Then he goes and looks for Soz. Soz, we needs you! Pipzy mad because not enough gobbo's want Chief Pipzy. They knows our plans and where we make cave home. They needs to be found. You can talks to wolves, yes?

Plink holds out the collected leavings of Pipzy and her gang. You can has the wolves sniff this and finds them, yes? Big favor time, can't do without wise Soz! You help the tribe?

Plink then exhorts his tribemates, insisting that tribal honor demands that the traitors be found and brought back. He paints a bleak picture of the worst case scenario, wherein Pipzy betrays the tribe to the biggers in the towns and brings them back armed with swords and fire. He grows sad describing the broken corpses of the entire tribe scattered throughout the caves. He calls for volunteers, especially among the elite (PC) ranks, looking to Skog, and Krog, and Gibs to be the point of his proverbial spear.

Spoiler: Not sure if this needs a roll, but in case it does

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It's not exactly a bluff, he has genuine concern.

Diplomacy [roll0] (if Bluff is the correct option, just add 1 to the total).

Spoiler: IF Soz agrees to help

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Plink would like to take a force of goblins, at least 10 to track down Pipzy. Preferably, many of them would be the other PC's. He would like to have the entire party wolf-mounted, for speed.

Hekx has completely ignored the uprising, instead trying to focus on brewing more venoms and poisons. He also spends time trying to figure out how to ride Silkwhisper and throwing small furry animals to him to keep his hunting instincts on point. He’s doing so,e sort of arcane research to but it’s more trial and error than anything else.

When news breaks that there are renegades Hekx ponders it over, he’d certainly not shed a tear no-matter who was displaced from the top, but these actions seem ready to become interruptions and he feels like Silkwhisper deserved some proper expierience and a treat to. Thus he quietly followed the hunting party out when they tracked down the other ambitious ones.

Soz will agree to help, but will not go personally-she'll be keeping an eye on the spiders.

Spoiler: Wild Empathy

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Feels appropriate to make the check here.

[roll0]

Spoiler: Pipzy

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Well, you cannot argue with a nat20 - but I do need to know how you go about this search. Who goes, how do they travel, and so on.

Although still somewhat suspicious of Plink's sudden rise in status, Krog stands by him during the insurrection, reasoning that one fool clearly in charge is better than dozens of fools all claiming to be in charge. Decrying the treachery of their fellows, his is one of the first to volunteer to join the hunting party.

"Bear friend" the idea popped into Skimbibble's head and lodged itself there. It was risky, but imagine if he turned up with a bear in tow. It might make people think he hadn't run off like an idiot.

Wild Empathy [roll0]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by EvilDMMk3

"Bear friend" the idea popped into Skimbibble's head and lodged itself there. It was risky, but imagine if he turned up with a bear in tow. It might make people think he hadn't run off like an idiot.

Wild Empathy [roll0]

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Spoiler: Wild Empathy

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That is a glorious roll!

Let's see your initiative then: [roll0]

Who could have known, really, that the bear - seemingly so at ease, happy and content, fishing for salmon in the creek - would explode right from mellow to murderous fury. The instant Skimbibble showed himself, it let out a roar to shake the roots of the mountains, and charged full tilt at him.

Gibs

Gibs stands by his chieften through it all. When the two factions met by the three ferns in the middle cave, it was Gibs who opened the first traitor goblin's neck. Probably the second and third too until Chief Plink called him off. Like a loyal dog, Gibs ran back to his chief but growls insidiously at those betrayers goblins. Especially when they take off and escape!

Gibs is by Chief Plink's side whenever he needs him. His sanity, however, is still no where to be found. When Plink departs on his wolf, Gibs is by his side.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kaptin Keen

Spoiler: Wild Empathy

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That is a glorious roll!

Let's see your initiative then: [roll0]

Who could have known, really, that the bear - seemingly so at ease, happy and content, fishing for salmon in the creek - would explode right from mellow to murderous fury. The instant Skimbibble showed himself, it let out a roar to shake the roots of the mountains, and charged full tilt at him.

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Skimibble [roll0]
Wolf [roll1]