1.2 - Cragmaw Cave

Igrem helps Alex, but does not have it in his heart to comment. He nods at the proposal to scout ahead.

Alex, you quickly check the fallen goblins for anything of value.

There isn’t much. Each of them carries a crude spear, poorly maintained, and between them you find only a handful of gold coins, likely taken from previous victims.

---

The southern passage opens into a larger chamber.

At the southern end, sacks and wooden crates are piled high—looted provisions, likely taken from wagons and travelers. Some are torn open, their contents spilling out in careless disarray.

To the west, the ground slopes downward into a narrow, shadowy opening, descending into the wolves pen that you avoided earlier.

Near the center of the cavern (X14), a large fire pit, sending thin trails of smoke curling upward. It will surely burn someone that steps there.

And... Klarg. The bugbear is broad and thick with muscle, currently wearing a hard leather armor. He is very tall, specially when compared to the goblins.

Beside him prowls a mangy, ill-tempered wolf—W4—its ears twitching, nose low, scenting the air.

Near them stands a single female goblin (G12), smaller, sharper-eyed, watching Klarg cautiously.

As you enter, Klarg mutters loudly to himself—and to her—his voice thick and erratic.

"No! NO! Klarg says this is good cave! Strong cave! Klarg make tribe strong! Klarg conquer all!"

He thumps his chest, pacing as he talks and addressing an invisible audience.

"Klarg is mighty warlord! All goblins follow Klarg!"

The goblin beside him nods quickly.

Alex, they didn't notice you. What do you do?

I crawl back and whisper to Nelly and Igrem, describing the situation. If I stealth back, I can probably get one ranged attack on the bugbear before we start. But it will be a tough fight, I think, especially considering the wolf. It may be a warg for all In know.

"You have not seen any prisoners? and they did not mention any? You are sure?" asks Igrem. After a few seconds, he adds: "You are right, it will be a difficult fight. There is no other way to go, though, I think, from here. I can try to slow Klarg down, or the wolf. Or both. Would that give us enough of an edge?"

No, no prisoners were immediately visible, Alex responds to Igrem. But clear evidence of ransacking caravans, probably including those of our employers, Alex hypothesizes.

So, my friends, are we to beard the bugbear in its den? Wrangle the wolf? Gallivant over the goblin? Say the words and I will sneak in to begin the festivities.

"I think we should concentrate on the bugbear first. I will try to slow down the wolf, then give you a hand in tackling Klar, and the goblin if she intervenes." proposes Igrem, waiting for Nelly's approbation.

All right... Nelly whipsers and walks into the room.Are you Klarg?
Someone kidnapped my people, and some goblin told me that you were the one who covered behind the hostages. I killed them for their cowardice. Klarg is clever and a good leader. He might know where my people are kept safe from the wolves. Yes?
I will take them home, and bring word of mighty Klarg, the goblin king.

"What?! You speak Klarg’s name!"

He steps forward (Y14), heavy footfalls echoing through the cavern. The female goblin moves back (V13), watching both Klarg and Nelly.

"Klarg is mighty warlord," he growls, thumping his chest again—harder this time. "Klarg builds tribe. Klarg takes cave. Klarg crush enemies!"

Ripper, the wolf, lets out a low, rumbling snarl, mirroring his master’s rising energy.

But then Klarg pauses. Tilts his head.

"...But you talk strange. You say your people are here." His lip curls. "You say goblins were cowards."

A sudden bark of laughter erupts from him—loud, sharp, unhinged, insane.

"HAH! Yes! Goblins are cowards! Weak! Klarg beats them! Makes them strong!"

The goblin (G12) flinches at that, her jaw tightening.

"Dwarf came through Klarg’s road. Little dwarf with map. Important map. Klarg knew it was important. Klarg is clever warlord. Klarg took dwarf. Took his things. Sent him away."

Then, proudly:

"Klarg follows orders. Orders from King Grol. Big king. Strong king. Klarg answers to him—and no one else."

A pause.

"You are not King Grol."

Igrem steps behind Nelly, frowning. "Where is the dwarf?" he asks to Klarg, not bothering introducing himself.

Where Nelly’s words fed his ego, Igrem’s tone—flat, direct, almost demanding—cuts straight through it. Klarg voice drops into something colder, more dangerous.

"...No Klarg's name. No respect. No kneel. Klarg does not answer to you."

With a sudden, violent turn, he stomps south toward the pile of crates and scavenged loot. Wood creaks under his weight as he digs through it with one massive hand—tossing aside a broken shield, a sack of grain, a snapped spear shaft—

Then he finds it.

A huge, brutal morningstar—iron head studded with wicked spikes, stained dark from old use.

Klarg lifts it.

The weight of it seems almost comforting in his grip.

Alex watches from the shadows as the palaver commences. Under the circumstances, he thinks keeping himself unnoticed is probably the best action for now.

Is this the leader you want? Nelly asks the goblin.
A fight is inevitable, but against how many is the next question.
We want our dwarf, and this fool will not negotiate. Are you ready to talk business once this meathead lies dead on the floor?

Alexander Simonnet Natalis de Bertier du Puy took one look at the chaotic tableau in front of him and thought just what the doctor ordered! Slipping deftly around Nelly and Igrem, Alex plans his course to slide behind Klarg as he reaches his target [Action 1: Move]. As Klarg reaches the goblin, Alex introduces his short sword to Klarg's kidneys [Action 2: Attack + Vicious Opportunist + Sneak Attack].

A small smile chases Nellys lips as she gets ready to fight for the little guy... litterly