The deer ran towards me like a fluffy tidal wave, I managed to drop three of them with the bow before they began passing under me. I may not know how to use this new body well yet but I'm fairly sure falling is still the same. Like a boulder I crashed out of the tree and onto a deer, wrapping my arms around its neck and digging in my claws, I jerked hard to the side taking the deer down and me with it.

When all was said and done we had five deer, the four I'd taken down while Viess and Sazz had managed to run down another. It didn’t take long for Ultai to find us after the commotion we’d made and to say she was ecstatic would be an understatement. She agreed to give us a rest and went back to the cave to gather more goblins to help bring back the meat while me, Viess, and Sazz would begin field dressing the deer.

Once the tribe had returned and loaded up the deer, I instructed any unburdened goblins to load up on sticks and brush while we headed back to the cave. I had to break up a small quarrel between Ultai, Sazz, and Viess when we got back to the cave, about who was going to lead me back down the tunnels. Finding a way to light the tunnels long term was another thing on my rapidly expanding to do list.

Back in the main cavern, I handed off my knife to Viess and had her find the goblins she felt could best skin and butcher the deer. Sazz was to take some of the goblins and using the gathered brush throw together some makeshift bedding for us. After some trial and error I had shown Ultai how to use the hatchet to shape the wood and set her to making goblin sized bows and arrows.

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I’d fallen into the role as the goblin chief far faster than I would have expected, perhaps id been lonelier out in these woods than I had realized. I wasn’t a hermit entirely by choice, but when your taught to wield the aether it’s drilled into you how dangerous the side effects can be. Researching the side effects trying to find any logic or reason behind them, it quickly becomes apparent bystanders are a liability. Now surrounded by an entire tribe, most of whom I don’t even know the names of I can't say I'm happy but the break from the solitude is comforting.

Sazz was the first to finish and proudly showed me what could best be described as a nest but, it would still be better than sleeping on the floor and might give me some breathing room while I slept.

Viess was next to return to my side carrying a cut of venison on a stick for me to cook. She stated simply “Lots meat, furs tanning”. Leave it to goblins to figure out tanning leather before how to make a bow. We sat around the fire and began grilling our dinner.

Halfway through our meal a crude arrow skidded along the floor by us chased after by a giggling Ultai. “Did it” she said holding up her bow and recently retrieved arrow proudly. I passed her the meat and told her to come sit with us.

Looking at the three of them passing the meat around, chatting, and smiling the weight of responsibility sank in. “Do goblins have dreams?” I asked.