Otto’s Goblin Adventure! Pt 1

It was a month since I found myself with an implacable urge to wander, especially convenient since I was no longer employed by King Uthrar I. King Uthrar II was less humorous than his father. Losing a position in court like that made my family disregard me even more. That didn't stop me, but the urge to wander found me in a little village of some pissant little kingdom that I couldn't normally be bothered to stop and use the outhouse in. It drew me to it. Less than a week later I found myself playing in their rundown little tavern for Brenard and his wife. That was until I noticed the Cloaked Stranger. I didn't need to see his whole face to know that the look he now gave me was bad. He left to use the outhouse and I saw fit to make my exit. The villagers had come to enjoy my little strummings and were quite annoyed at my departure. I walked quickly, but the FEELING of someone following me was just too much to bear. I dipped into what I thought was an empty house and was surprised when I was confronted with a middle aged peasant woman stirring a pot. Her dark brown eyes widened and she screamed a hideous shriek, then she threw the spoon full of something that I could only in my drunkest imagination call a stew. I deftly sidestepped the object and rushed to comfort the woman, to provide an excuse as to why I was there.

"My good madam, my name is Darius Var Artra and I am the ROYAL home inspector for the village. Your home has been chosen through a random selection for an inspection. I realize this does come as quite a surprise and my outfit is....unconventional. Forgive me, I was attending a costume party and was called rather quickly so I came as quickly as possible. Most homeowners do tend to go to the tavern to wait the few hours while I complete my inspection." The woman looked confused.

"I ain't never heard o' that." She said quizzicly.

"If you'd like some more information, I'd advise speaking with the Ealdorman, he'll be more than capable of explaining how you were chosen. Although I do warn you it can be rather tedious. As a thank you, you may go to the tavern and put a drink or two on my tab." The woman's brow furled as she thought about my words. She picked the spoon up from the dirty floor, taking it to a small wooden bucket filled with water. I heard the sound of water rushing around as she washed the spoon. She hefted the heavy iron pot off the hook and set it down. Then after a few moments, she untied her apron and walked out the door. I hurried quickly to change my clothes to something more suitable to a common peasant. Part of me felt indignant about the disguise knowing that if my mother could see me now I'd be disowned. Another part of me felt that this was a better idea than to walk around as a court jester. As I was donning my costume, the bottom of my foot started to burn as if I'd stepped on a hot coal and I let out a scream myself. The pain subsided almost as quickly. I dressed quickly and headed out. I walked steadily, but my foot now burned with a dull pain, but I followed the crowd to try to lose my new follower. I hadn't anticipated the resources of my new followers as I was accosted by a drake the size of a large dog. I heard the most terrible roar as the crowd fell away and all of a sudden I was surrounded by giants. I started to shake and use my stick for support. The damned pain that had plagued me for the last few minutes was all of a sudden gone as I now found myself accosted by these giants.

"What can old man Cassius do for you?" I said, mimicking an ancient voice to the best of my ability.

"Cut the act, I know you're not who you say you are." One of them in elaborate armor said to me. Another approached and looked me up and down as I did my best to avoid his gaze.

"That's not a real limp ya got there." He said with a brogue accent.

"I'll have you know, I fought in the wars 25 years ago."

"No you weren't, there hasn't been a war for as long as I've lived." The brogue man said. Without saying a word, one of the men tackled me and pried my left shoe off to see what they were looking for. Two of the tallest picked me up by my ankles and headed toward the tavern and approached the counter.

"Your food is getting cold," Bernard said to the men, taking time to lean down to look me in the eye.

"Weren't you just here?" He asked.

"Oh you know, I liked the service so much that I thought I'd give it another go. Service really turned my world upside down." I said with enough sarcasm dripping from my words to drown a horse. The two men brought me to the small bedroom and tossed me onto the bed.

"Alright, which house was it? You know what, I don't want to know. Just tell your bosses that I didn't go quietly. I don't plan to." The men crowded into the room as I saw a particularly tall dragonborn standing in front of the door.

"Move it, scaleback!" I said as I attempted to bolt for the door. The dragonborn struck me with his massive fists and my head started to spin. The other man with the drake stepped from behind him. He looked down upon me, both from his physical height and what I could assume was him believing himself superior.

"How long have you had that brand?" He asked, his voice low and grumbling.

"I don't know, I only realized that I had such a mark about 5 minutes ago." I shot back. The dragonborn moved once again and a smaller, much paler man stepped out from behind him.

"We're not trying to murder the poor man, we're trying to interrogate him." The man said, his voice softer than most men.

"He antagonized us!" Another man, wearing a worn cloak said as he stepped out from behind the dragonborn. I recognized him almost immediately as the would-be assassin.

He stared me down as the dragonborn moved once again, this time the figure that popped out was the bartender's wife, Alexis. She was a small woman with bright red hair. Her skin was like porcelain and in her petite hands there was a piece of parchment. The assassin turned toward her as she began to speak.

"E-excuse me, sirs, but there was a man who delivered this for you. I didn't get a good look at him, but he was as dark as ink and silent as the night." She pushed the sheet towards the assassin as he gingerly took it from her and began to read it aloud.

"When the moon is full

And your hearts are bright

Come together as friends

Under the full moons light

With hearts combined

And swords together

Your fates entwined

For a magical endeavor

Heroes of Light

And tales of old

Weave between you

Your songs of gold

To fall or to fail

With the widow's wail

Our new heroes rise

To tell their tale" The men around me bore quizzical faces as they pondered the meaning of it.

"Maybe the individual parts meant something?"

"It doesn't make sense, but it does remind me of some other moon cults I've faced in the past," the drake's master brooded.

"Maybe it's some sort of ritual?" The pale one asked. We gathered within the town square and I sat on the criar's box. I strummed a jaunty tune with the drake master as the moon came overhead and started to shine even more brightly. It became clear that we weren't the only performers in the square as it became clear of a woman's singing. A singular beam of moonlight formed the shape of a beautiful and effervescent woman. She looked upon us all and a singular tear slid down her cheek. It landed between the cobblestones that made up the court, from the crag a beautifully pale moon lily grew out of the crack.

"Whether by night or by day, a new threat has come to this realm. Moreso than that we've faced before. My sister's champion seeks to destroy this realm. Go my friends and use the powers within you to fight them for the good of the peoples of these lands." She said with a small, sorrowful smile. She looked up at the moon and gave a brighter smile than the one she just gave us.

"I'm afraid my time is short. Approx 3 miles east in a cave, you'll find your answers, but you'll also find more questions that I cannot answer. My time here is short, and this song cannot keep me here forever." I watched her touch the pale priest, and stared lovingly into his eyes. I squinted to maintain my view of her. I could see her mouth move, but I couldn't hear her. She seemed weightless as she floated to the armored up paladin and gently removed his helmet. Once again I saw her mouth move, but couldn't hear her. I couldn't tell if it was a failing of my hearing or if her words were not meant for my ears. She approached the massive dragonborn and touched his face with her elegant fingers. She floated to the assassin and caressed his face as well. She silently approached me, and I stood up, noticing that I was for once taller than her. She stared into me and chuckled.

"Try not to be so hard on others, yourself included. There's more to you than you know, so live up to that." She said, her voice was as smooth as cream and silk from the forgotten realms. I felt the goosepimples on my arm rise as she began to sing once again. I couldn't understand the lyrics, but I could understand the sorrow of the singer. I felt something fall in my chest as I felt an overwhelming sadness.

"I'm confused, why did I not get touched by the moon goddess?" The farmer asked in his same broguish accent. I ignored him as I stared up into the inky sky at the stars. Thoughts raced through my mind as I thought about what just happened. It was almost imperceptible as I realized that the sounds of the night returned in full.

"We know what we've got to do, so let's grab our things and head out." The giant dragonborn said.

"I just realized, but we're travelling together and no one's introduced themselves to me."