“Goblins, Goblin Leaders, & Grommash.”
Adrien, Ellios, and Adonis are back in the grove. A little birdie told them that the leader of the druids in the emerald grove, Kagha, wanted to speak with them. A literal bird, they sent a bird holding a letter to the camp. Adrien thought bringing the entire group of assorted adventurers would be too much to wrangle, and Adonis and Ellios volunteered to join him.
“So, Ellios, tell me about yourself. What’s your home life like? Got any friends? Lovers?” Adonis asks, now severely hungover, but still somehow bright and cheery. “Uh, I guess I have a few friends back in Baldur’s Gate. More acquaintances, than friends, though. And, no lovers. Unless you count the occasional hook up.” Ellios explains, as the three of them walk to where Kagha is.
Ellios and Adonis continue to make small talk, while Adrien ignores the two of them. He’s clearly more focused on what Kagha wants.
Eventually, the three of them find Kagha. “You must be the adventurers who’ve been camping nearby. I have a favor…” Kagha then goes on to explain the ritual being performed that will seal off the grove in giant vines, preventing anything from entering or exiting. She wants the refugees out, but they’d die within hours because of the goblins that are camped nearby. She explained that she thinks there has to be someone leading the goblins, and tasked them with killing them so the refugees can get to Baldur’s Gate without fear of being attacked. Before Adrien or Ellios could say anything, Adonis quickly agreed, and ushered them all away from Kagha before they could protest.
Adrien, Adonis, and Ellios have all returned to the camp, and are discussing the plans to kill whoever is in charge of the goblins.
“Well, what would we get in return? How does risking our necks for weak and scrawny tieflings benefit us?” Astarion asks, clearly frustrated. “Nothing. We save lives, thats what matters. No amount of gold or weapons beats the joy of knowing you helped the needy.” Adonis explains. “Well, unlike you, I don’t ‘save lives’ for nothing. It’s none of our business! Not my circus, not my beasts!” Astarion huffs, and walks off to his tent.
“…Should I go after him?” Adonis asks. “No, I think he’d insult you until you cry or something. Seems feisty. Definitely my type, though…” Ellios mumbles the last part of the sentence under his breath, thinking nobody heard it. Adrien did, though. “Do we even know where these goblins are? How are we going to find it?” Shadowheart asks.
“Well, knowing goblins, they aren’t very quiet. Plus, they smell awful. I could track them down.” Adrien suggests. “Oh, are you some kind of goblin expert?” Shadowheart scoffs. “No, but I am a ‘stuck up bitch’ expert, and I’m talking to one right now.” Adrien insults Shadowheart, and she pulls out her mace, but it’s quickly whisked away by Ellios. “No beating teammates!” Ellios scolds.
Shadowheart turns to Ellios, glaring daggers. Ellios flashes her a charming smile, and hands her back the mace. But, before Shadowheart can take it from him, he pulls it away and gives her a shit-eating grin. “Did your mother not teach you any manners? What’s the magic word?” Ellios asks. “I’m an orphan.” Shadowheart grumbles, and snatches the mace from Ellios.
Adrien clears his throat awkwardly. “Now, we know how to find the goblins. But, we need someone who’s good at tearing up a place. Lae’zel, i’m sure you’re great, but I don’t trust you not to turn the blade on us. Shadowheart, you might have a mace, but you’re better with spells, i’m sure, and goblins’ll probably climb your corpse like a tree before you can cast fire bolt. Adonis is good at combat, but he refuses to kill people, hostile or not. I’m better with bows, but I have no idea how many goblins there are, so i’m not sure if i’ll have much time to draw back my bow before I get my knees axed by a bloodthirsty goblin.” Adrien explains.
“So… do you know a guy or something? Seriously, get to the point.” Ellios says. “I know someone. He’s like Lae’zel, but much angrier and hates anyone and anything. I can’t guarantee he’ll help.” Adrien replies. “Where is he?” Adonis asks. “Far away, that’s for damn sure. Usually, that’d be no issue, but I have no clue if Lucian is even alive…” Adrien answers.
“Well, have you tried calling for him?” Adonis asks, “Who the hells is Lucian?” Shadowheart asks. “Oh! Lucian is Adrien’s griffin.” Adonis says, and Adrien smacks his shoulder. “For the millionth time, I do not own him! He’s my friend.” Adrien scolds Adonis. “Whatever.” Adonis mumbles.
“And, no, I haven’t tried calling for him. It seems redundant, as I have no clue how far we are from Baldur’s Gate.” Adrien explains. “Just try it. I’m sure Lucian is looking for you.” Adonis says, and Adrien sighs. “Fine.” Adrien groans, and holds his hands to his mouth and bird calls. For a minute, nothing happens, and Adrien turns to Adonis with a look reading “I told you so.” Until…
A griffin screech is heard above, and before they know it, Lucian soars into camp, almost crashing into Astarion’s tent. “Bloody hell!” Astarion screams. “SEE! I TOLD YOU SO, ADRIEN! I am never letting you forget this!” Adonis shouts, grinning ear to ear, and then starts shuffling his feet, trying and failing to dance.
Lucian walks up to Adrien and lowers his head in a bow. “Hello, friend. Are you hurt?” Adrien asks the griffin, and he rises his head and shakes it ‘no.’ “Good. I was beginning to worry about you, Lucian.” Adrien sighs in relief, and Lucian just nuzzles his cheek against Adrien’s. “Good bird. I’ll have to set up some mouse traps. You deserve a treat.” Adrien chuckles.
“Well, looks like traveling won’t be too difficult now. I’ll fly out tomorrow, Lucian needs rest. If I catch any of you messing with him, i’ll make sure you won’t have enough limbs to harass a tired griffin ever again.” Adrien commands, and walks off to his tent, Lucian following behind him.
“The more he talks, the more I grow to hate him.” Shadowheart mumbles. “Oi! Be nice. He’s a good person. He’s been through enough!” Adonis says, looking down at Shadowheart with disappointment written on his face. “No one who worships Selûne is good.” Shadowheart replies. Ellios chuckle. “You act like Shar is somehow better. She’s an evil goddess who only cares about herself. I don’t worship any god, but at least I can recognize that Shar is bad and Selûne isn’t.” Ellios replies.
“You speak poorly of my Lady Shar again, and i’ll take your last good eye.” Shadowheart glares at Ellios. “With what?” Ellios asks, smirking. Shadowheart looks at him confused, and starts searching for her dagger, only to look up and see Ellios spinning it. “You’re very easy to annoy, you know that?” Ellios chuckles. “Give me that, you bastard!” Shadowheart huffs, and yanks the knife away from him. “Correct! I am a bastard. My mother was working in a brothel.” Ellios replies, and saunters off, laughing.
“Don’t you think it’s funny that both the rogue’s are like… the same?” Adonis says. “At least Astarion doesn’t find joy in being a nuisance.” Shadowheart grumbles, and walks off to her tent.
“Alright, Lucian. Are you ready? Last I heard, he’s in Waterdeep.” Adrien whispers. It’s early, the sun just started rising, and everyone else is asleep. Adrien mounts up, and gently taps Lucian with his heels to signal him to start flying. Lucian takes off, and the two of them sail through the clouds.
By the time the two arrive, the sun has started setting. Adrien hops off of Lucian. “Stay here. If anyone attempts to mount you, you know what to do.” Adrien orders Lucian, and he nods his head in response. Adrien then runs over to a door and knocks on it loudly. “Lucinda, for the last time, I don’t want your cookies!” A deep, gruff voice shouts from behind the door. “Grommash?! It’s Adrien Sullith. We worked together a few tendays ago. I need your help with something.” Adrien says. Suddenly, the door swings open, revealing a half-orc. He has bags around his eyes, and a long red scar across the bridge of his nose.
He’s wearing a dirty work shirt, and his long black hair is tied up in a ponytail. His eyes are like two bright amber stones. His eyebrows are thick and furrowed. He mouth is downturned into an unhappy frown. Two sharp tusks emerge from his lips, and his skin is a light, muted jade color. His hands are large and rough.
“What’s the pay?” Grommash asks. “You can loot all the bodies, and there will be plenty of bodies.” Adrien promises, and Grommash stops to think for a second, before spitting on his callused hand and offering it to Adrien for him to shake. Adrien hesitantly shakes his hand, quickly wipes it off on his clothes. “Deal.” Grommash agrees, and whistles. Then, a large brown wolf trots over to the two of them, smiling widely and her tail wagging side to side. “Grishna goes where I go.” Grommash says. “Alright. I hope you two aren’t scared of heights. We have a long flight back to my camp.” Adrien explains. “Wait here. Let me gather my equipment.” Grommash says, and slams the door behind him and Grishna.
Grommash walks out, now wearing heavy armor and a large backpack. Inside his backpack is a smiling Grishna. Adrien walks back over to Lucian, and hops on. He offers a hand to Grommash so he can help him up, but Grommash ignores it and gets on by himself. Lucian takes off, and they make their way back to the camp. Little do they know, three new people have joined the camp. A wizard, a warlock, and a barbarian…
