Episode 1: The Salvaged Job

The white-haired goblin leads you further along the dry riverbed, and as you near the base of the unremarkable large mesa, it deviates towards some brush and the base of the cliff. "Leave the wagon here," it says, and almost appears to walk through the rocks.

Upon closer inspection, the rock wall is an optical illusion that masks a cave opening from casual observation. As though to add more camouflage, a heavy tarp colored the same as the earth hangs over the entrance, which you can see resettle once the goblin has gone through.

You enter into a narrow tunnel, tall enough to accommodate medium humanoids, but forcing you to walk single-file. It is dark, but a simple Light spell from Maenor allows you to follow the white-haired goblin. The tunnel hooks right and descends down stairs cut into the stone and buttressed with wooden planks, and spills into a small antechamber bare except for low benches along the walls.

Here, you find a lone figure seated on a bench across the room, flanking the open doorway to the area beyond. They are clad in robes that have seen weeks of travel, but an elegant cut and fine embroidery still speak, perhaps, of noble origin. The hood is up, and an expressionless bronze mask decorated with gold filigree stares at you.

The figure stands, and a wand is held in a gloved hand. "Hold!" says a male voice.

The man falters, clearly not expecting Coda's rebuttal. "Uh, you're with a goblin," he answers, and pauses. "Then you should know the password!" he says, voice bolstered with renewed resolve.

The white-haired goblin says quietly, "I don't know who he is."

The wand is lowered. "What?!" says the man, almost incredulous. "It's not 'password,' how can it...? Is that really a thing?"

At this point, the white-haired goblin speaks, though it is in a language you don't understand. The man seems to, however, as he listens attentively.

Now the man bows, responding in the same language. He removes the mask and lowers his hood, revealing a half-elf with faint reddish blotches on his cheeks and neck. On further inspection, the blotches come from a pattern of red scales just under the skin.

To Kalis, it does seem similar.

The man puts away the wand and speaks to everyone. Unfortunately for you, he speaks in Goblin.

Clearly silence was not the response this man was expecting. He coughs. "Um, sorry. I, uh, thought since you were... never mind. I apologize for the rough welcome. Please."

He steps aside, evidently allowing you clear passage into the room beyond.

The man doesn't miss the gesture, his eyes staring at Kalis' arm. He says nothing, however, and you pass by without further conversation.

You are taken into a large area seemingly carved out of the rock. Mismatched wooden beams keep the walls and ceiling from caving in, and a hodge-podge of simple chairs and tables hammered and lashed together from scrap litter the floor. A few sleeping mats in one corner are just piles of hay covered in leather and animal fur. There are some tunnels leading out across the way.

On one end of the room is a fire pit, where several goblins muck about a large cooking pot. There seems to be an argument... at least as far as you can tell, not understanding the language. At that moment, one of them looks over at your arrival, and the conversation stops.

"Caraw-Chuwk!" the goblin cries, and it runs over to embrace the white-haired goblin. "Caraw-Chuwk!" It is joined by the other chefs, and soon more goblins scurry in from the tunnels as the words are repeated. The throng ends up pushing you away from the white-haired goblin as more and more of its kin come in greeting.

For the moment, it seems that no attention is given to you. Despite the crowd, you are left alone for the time being.

Kalis turns to his companions, "I'm not really sure what to make of all of this..." he says quietly.

The crowd settles as the white-haired goblin motions for quiet. It speaks to those gathered, and gestures towards you. All eyes follow the sweep of the staff and stare in your direction, unblinking. The white-haired goblin speaks again, holding its arms out wide, then resumes a neutral stance. With a murmur, the crowd of goblins disperses, many walking into the tunnels they arrived from. The chefs return to the cooking pot, argument resolved or forgotten.

The white-haired goblin returns to you. "Come, let me show you where you can find rest." It heads over to a 4-foot-long heavy curtain across from the fire pit, parts it with its staff, and ducks through.

Following the goblin, you enter into a chamber with a low ceiling. Despite the height restriction for medium creatures, the room is spacious enough to give you some space. A small table is off to the side, with woven mats as seats. Larger mats are rolled up on the opposite side with enough room to lay out a few bedrolls. Several woven baskets of various size act as containers.

"No one else will use this room," says the white-haired goblin. "Food will be ready in a few minutes, if you are hungry. Otherwise, make yourselves at home.

"I must attend to my people, but should you need me, do not hesitate to ask. Before I go, is there anything else you need?"