GnarlusJun 29, 2014Jun 29, 2014 at 06:55 PM
#1
Chapter 1: Gnarlus Firethief
Tales of Gnarlus: Monster Bringer
Chapter 2: The Deal
Gnarlus led the caravan to the tree. Once there, the goblin reached into a knot in the tree, pulling a chain out. A hidded hatch open at the base of the tree. "Scalebacks go down now." it says. "Nearly dark, monster soon come."
The two lead the Guar into the hatch, the goblin scrambling in after them. They were now in a large expansive tunnel leading in three directions. Mucky water from the marshes above dripped into the tunnels, and roots from the giant fungus reached down the walls. Attached to every second root is some sort of flouristent plant, providing a dim light to the tunnel.
"By the hist, what a sight." Qa'han heard Rune-Claw mumble.
"Does the Shadowscale know of these tunnels?" Qa'han asked, half curious.
"Yes, but we never thought they stood after all these years." Rune-Claw explained. "Despite being from Cyrodiil, I'm sure you know of how the Dunmer oppressed our people." Qa'han gave a nod. "During that time, we Argonians were said to use hidden tunnels that spread throughout the marsh to escape Dunmer Slavers, but over time, it was thought the tunnels collapsed under the marsh and bogs above."
"That why scalebacks live above, goblins live below." Gnarlus said in a what seemed to be a mocking voice. "Scalebacks horrible a diggers. Home broken when goblin found it."
Rune-Claw gave an chuckle. "And I suppose you goblins found a way to succeed where we failed."
Gnarlus gave a full on goblin laugh. "Of course goblins did. Fire and roots."
"Fire and roots?" Rune-Claw and Qa'han repeated.
"Fire." Gnarlus said again. He scooped up some wet mud from the ground. With his other hand, he waves his hand over it, and the mud erupts in fire. The mud instantly hardens, and become solid hard. Gnarlus then throws the now hardened mud at a root on the wall. The mud shatters against it. "and roots." he says.
Qa'han understood, and was fairly impressed. "You used the fire to harden the mud, and the roots serve not only to fortify the tunnel, but to prevent to much moisture from moisturizing the mud. Clever."
Gnarlus took the complement to heart. "Yes yes, Gnarlus extremely clever." he gleefully cackled. "Now follow Gnarlus to chietain."
The four quietly traveled trough the tunnels. The group zigged and zagged through seemingly random tunnels. Occasionally they entered into large commune filled with goblins, and each had the initial hostile reaction, a quick shout from Gnarlus often quieted them down. At one time, another shaman challenged Gnarlus and shot a fireball at him. Luckily for the group, the ring Qa'han gave Gnarlus protected him from the brunt of the attack, and he soon the other goblin was nothing but a smoldering corpse. After that, there were no further problems.
The group soon ended in front of a large stone door. Qa'han reconized it instantly from his time in Cyrodiil as the entrance to an Ayelid Ruins. He looked towards Rune-Claw who gave him a shrug as if to say "don't ask me". Four guards stood outside the door hoisted their weapons upon seeing the group move towards them, but a bark from Gnarlus caused them to stand down.
Gnarlus approached the door, and reached into a hole beside it. The runes adorning the door light up, and the door raises to reveal a large room lit up with Ayelid Stones. Two Ayelid Statues rested in the middle of the room, a stone throne sitting between them. To the right, a stone table filled with treasure, armor, weapons, and the like. To the left were pikes with Crocodile, Sabretooth and wolf heads mounted on them. The most surprising thing to Qa'han rather was not the treasure or trophies however, but the lone Goblin within the room, currently mounting another (rather large) crocodile head to his collection.
"Chieftain!" Gnarlus calls out towards him. "Scalebacks want to talk."
"Tell to talk to Durzog." The Chieftain calls back. "Not worth breath."
"They offer things to Bogmarchers. Already give Shaman powerful ring." Gnarlus says. "They already here."
That got the chieftain's attention. Giving a groan, the battle scarred goblin shoved the crocodile head onto he pike then turns to face the group. "Okalon should cut stupid shaman for bringing more monster to Bogmarcher.
That struck Gnarlus in a way Qa'han didn't understand. Gnarlus backs up and take cover behind Qa'han. "This one didn't bring monsters." Qa'han assured the chieftain. "He brought traders who hoped to broker an agreement with the Bogmarchers, so both can benefit."
It was apparent the chieftain wasn't buying it. "So you take all Bogmarcher things, and we get what?"
"I assure you, we don't intend to take all Bogmarcher things, only things they don't want."
"Bogmarchers want all their things. That why we have things."
Rune-Claw watched the two go back and forth for what seemed like an hour, Qa'han attempting to explain what trade is, and Okalon saying they need stuff. He couldn't believe he was watching this, "negotiations with goblins" was certainly not what he expected when he met this strange Argonian, wanting to hire him for his caravan. He expected fending off crocodiles and bandits, not negotiations with bandits.
Gnarlus also listened with great interest. Never has he heard these terms 'trade' or 'benefit' before, but it was clear to him that this Scaleback was trying to make a deal. A plan was formed.
Shotting a Fireball to the roof, Gnarlus yells out. "Gnarlus have plan!" and all eyes fell on him. "Scalebacks want cra... Cra... Crade, then the crade for chieftain ears."
Chieftain Okalon seemed to considered this for a moment before replying. "Can... Trade be action for ear?"
That got Rune-Claw's attention. "You want us to do something so you would listen to us? It better not be picking up your droppings."
Qa'han glances at Rune-Claw. "Don't give them any ideas." he says, before turning to the chieftain. "This one supposes if you have something that needs to be done, an arrangement can be formed. What did you have in mind?"
The chieftain gives off a frightening laugh and a smirk crosses the scarred face. "You kill large monster brought upon us by Monster Bringer." he cackles. "If you kill monster, you prove friend of Bogmarchers. If monster kill you, then two less Scalebacks and Monster Bringer not bother Okalon anymore. Okalon win either way."
Rune-Claw grins. "If killing a monster is all it takes to make friends with gob... With the Bogmarchers, then I'm in."
"Did you not say this was a bad idea before friend." Qa'han chuckles, playfully punching Rune-Claw.
"You both are finally speak terms I understand. We kill something, he listens."
"Monster Bringer goes with Scaleback. Use as sacrifice to lure Monster out." the chieftain says, pointing at Gnarlus who only lets out a squeek.
"Qa'han will bring Gnarlus with him, but... Not sacrifice him." he says.
"Ahh, whatever, he already bring three monsters now. Just take Monster Bringer away, do what want with him. You take him in trade for this meet. Now go."
And with that, the three left the chamber.
Tales of Gnarlus: Monster Bringer
Chapter 2: The Deal
Gnarlus led the caravan to the tree. Once there, the goblin reached into a knot in the tree, pulling a chain out. A hidded hatch open at the base of the tree. "Scalebacks go down now." it says. "Nearly dark, monster soon come."
The two lead the Guar into the hatch, the goblin scrambling in after them. They were now in a large expansive tunnel leading in three directions. Mucky water from the marshes above dripped into the tunnels, and roots from the giant fungus reached down the walls. Attached to every second root is some sort of flouristent plant, providing a dim light to the tunnel.
"By the hist, what a sight." Qa'han heard Rune-Claw mumble.
"Does the Shadowscale know of these tunnels?" Qa'han asked, half curious.
"Yes, but we never thought they stood after all these years." Rune-Claw explained. "Despite being from Cyrodiil, I'm sure you know of how the Dunmer oppressed our people." Qa'han gave a nod. "During that time, we Argonians were said to use hidden tunnels that spread throughout the marsh to escape Dunmer Slavers, but over time, it was thought the tunnels collapsed under the marsh and bogs above."
"That why scalebacks live above, goblins live below." Gnarlus said in a what seemed to be a mocking voice. "Scalebacks horrible a diggers. Home broken when goblin found it."
Rune-Claw gave an chuckle. "And I suppose you goblins found a way to succeed where we failed."
Gnarlus gave a full on goblin laugh. "Of course goblins did. Fire and roots."
"Fire and roots?" Rune-Claw and Qa'han repeated.
"Fire." Gnarlus said again. He scooped up some wet mud from the ground. With his other hand, he waves his hand over it, and the mud erupts in fire. The mud instantly hardens, and become solid hard. Gnarlus then throws the now hardened mud at a root on the wall. The mud shatters against it. "and roots." he says.
Qa'han understood, and was fairly impressed. "You used the fire to harden the mud, and the roots serve not only to fortify the tunnel, but to prevent to much moisture from moisturizing the mud. Clever."
Gnarlus took the complement to heart. "Yes yes, Gnarlus extremely clever." he gleefully cackled. "Now follow Gnarlus to chietain."
The four quietly traveled trough the tunnels. The group zigged and zagged through seemingly random tunnels. Occasionally they entered into large commune filled with goblins, and each had the initial hostile reaction, a quick shout from Gnarlus often quieted them down. At one time, another shaman challenged Gnarlus and shot a fireball at him. Luckily for the group, the ring Qa'han gave Gnarlus protected him from the brunt of the attack, and he soon the other goblin was nothing but a smoldering corpse. After that, there were no further problems.
The group soon ended in front of a large stone door. Qa'han reconized it instantly from his time in Cyrodiil as the entrance to an Ayelid Ruins. He looked towards Rune-Claw who gave him a shrug as if to say "don't ask me". Four guards stood outside the door hoisted their weapons upon seeing the group move towards them, but a bark from Gnarlus caused them to stand down.
Gnarlus approached the door, and reached into a hole beside it. The runes adorning the door light up, and the door raises to reveal a large room lit up with Ayelid Stones. Two Ayelid Statues rested in the middle of the room, a stone throne sitting between them. To the right, a stone table filled with treasure, armor, weapons, and the like. To the left were pikes with Crocodile, Sabretooth and wolf heads mounted on them. The most surprising thing to Qa'han rather was not the treasure or trophies however, but the lone Goblin within the room, currently mounting another (rather large) crocodile head to his collection.
"Chieftain!" Gnarlus calls out towards him. "Scalebacks want to talk."
"Tell to talk to Durzog." The Chieftain calls back. "Not worth breath."
"They offer things to Bogmarchers. Already give Shaman powerful ring." Gnarlus says. "They already here."
That got the chieftain's attention. Giving a groan, the battle scarred goblin shoved the crocodile head onto he pike then turns to face the group. "Okalon should cut stupid shaman for bringing more monster to Bogmarcher.
That struck Gnarlus in a way Qa'han didn't understand. Gnarlus backs up and take cover behind Qa'han. "This one didn't bring monsters." Qa'han assured the chieftain. "He brought traders who hoped to broker an agreement with the Bogmarchers, so both can benefit."
It was apparent the chieftain wasn't buying it. "So you take all Bogmarcher things, and we get what?"
"I assure you, we don't intend to take all Bogmarcher things, only things they don't want."
"Bogmarchers want all their things. That why we have things."
Rune-Claw watched the two go back and forth for what seemed like an hour, Qa'han attempting to explain what trade is, and Okalon saying they need stuff. He couldn't believe he was watching this, "negotiations with goblins" was certainly not what he expected when he met this strange Argonian, wanting to hire him for his caravan. He expected fending off crocodiles and bandits, not negotiations with bandits.
Gnarlus also listened with great interest. Never has he heard these terms 'trade' or 'benefit' before, but it was clear to him that this Scaleback was trying to make a deal. A plan was formed.
Shotting a Fireball to the roof, Gnarlus yells out. "Gnarlus have plan!" and all eyes fell on him. "Scalebacks want cra... Cra... Crade, then the crade for chieftain ears."
Chieftain Okalon seemed to considered this for a moment before replying. "Can... Trade be action for ear?"
That got Rune-Claw's attention. "You want us to do something so you would listen to us? It better not be picking up your droppings."
Qa'han glances at Rune-Claw. "Don't give them any ideas." he says, before turning to the chieftain. "This one supposes if you have something that needs to be done, an arrangement can be formed. What did you have in mind?"
The chieftain gives off a frightening laugh and a smirk crosses the scarred face. "You kill large monster brought upon us by Monster Bringer." he cackles. "If you kill monster, you prove friend of Bogmarchers. If monster kill you, then two less Scalebacks and Monster Bringer not bother Okalon anymore. Okalon win either way."
Rune-Claw grins. "If killing a monster is all it takes to make friends with gob... With the Bogmarchers, then I'm in."
"Did you not say this was a bad idea before friend." Qa'han chuckles, playfully punching Rune-Claw.
"You both are finally speak terms I understand. We kill something, he listens."
"Monster Bringer goes with Scaleback. Use as sacrifice to lure Monster out." the chieftain says, pointing at Gnarlus who only lets out a squeek.
"Qa'han will bring Gnarlus with him, but... Not sacrifice him." he says.
"Ahh, whatever, he already bring three monsters now. Just take Monster Bringer away, do what want with him. You take him in trade for this meet. Now go."
And with that, the three left the chamber.