Chapter 1: Making Introductions

The goblin looks up at Milaki from his spot on the ground. No! I'm not an orc, pinkone. I'm a Zrus of the Darkrock clan! Just pretending to be big dumb orc to get shinies. he whines, but with an underlying note of pride when he mentions his clan.

Zrus struggles against Alan's grip as Esal ties him up.

Zrus grimaces back, trying to sink into the ground away from Alan.

What do you need? What help can Zrus give you that killed Gu'ruck, and Yaelt, and Zr'kahr in moments? he says, voice a nasaly whine.

In the distance, you hear birdsong ringing through the trees and a small deer moves carefully through the underbrush.

Zrus looks around at the lot of you. He opens his mouth to speak as Milaki starts to loot the corpses of his friends. Hey! Hands off their shinies! THEY AREN'T YOURS! he shrieks.

Milaki, you find 15 copper pieces and a cracked egg that's leaking all over the place.

Zrus thrashes when Milaki comes to him. Orcs not even take our shinies. Big orc talk with Lurzook ten days ago. But they don't know our cave. Lurzook smash orc head. he says, voice full of pride. Lurzook know how to find orcs. You need to talk to him. I can take you if you let me live.

Zrus grins a toothy grin when Milaki hands over the copper pieces, though with him still being bound he can't do much with them.

Yes! Lurzook needs more muscles. You help Lurzook, Lurzook make sure you eat too. Untie me, I'll take you to him!

Zrus nods his head quickly, eager to keep his hide intact. Zrus understands you well. You untie, I lead, I don't run. I run, I die. Die like Yaelt died. One shot. he says somberly. I'll lead you there. Just let Zrus live.

You untie Zrus and he rubs his wrists before thanking you quickly. The copper pieces disappear into his pockets and he leads you deeper into the copse of trees until you come to a large oak that had fallen over. The trunk is easily over four feet in diameter and the rootball that is exposed reaches nearly ten feet into the air. Zrus looks around before carefully pulling back some heavy moss near one side of the roots, revealing a dark passage beyond.

Zrus lives here. Come come. he says before disappearing into the darkness beyond.

Do you choose to follow him into the tunnel or do you take other action or leave at this point?