System Log
Your group has defeated [Mature Sundew Devourer (Rank 3, Level 42)]
Experience gain reduced by 20% for fighting with a group
Reached Level 49
Danger Sense worked in a strange way. It provided a sort of sixth sense of the level of danger. In combat, it gave me a slight advance warning of any attack. It flared up if I started to cast a spell at the wrong time. Outside of battle, it gave a vague feeling of how dangerous an area or path was. It made spotting the hostile flora, like the Sundew Devourer, much easier.
With the previous day's event in mind. Vel and I steered clear from danger as much as possible. The jungle had grown thicker which awarded us good cover, at the expense of making any fights more difficult. I kept a keen eye on our surroundings.
It seemed that the further we went from the villages, the higher level the monsters became. If I were to hazard a guess as to why, the barrier kept monsters past a certain level out. When a monster inside the barrier grew past that, they were forced out and started to hunt close to the barrier. As they got stronger, they moved further away to find better prey. Due to the penalty, it wasn't worth it for higher level monsters to hunt close to the barrier.
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After a few hours of careful navigation, we stumbled upon something. Alan spotted a group of three green skinned creatures perched in a tree a few hundred meters from us. When I shared his senses, I recognized them.
Goblins.
Unlike kobolds, who were angry cannibalistic assholes, goblins were much more friendly. Most tribes had a nomadic lifestyle. I remembered the village had traded with a group that had passed nearby when I had been younger.
"Goblin scouts," I whispered to Vel, "should we approach?"
"We can try. We can offer some of our monsters."
"Worth a try."
I went first and slowly approached the tree the scouts had made their observation post. With the dense trees and foliage, they spotted us at the same time I caught them in my sphere. One of the goblins signaled their apparent leader and soon, all three were watching us. They hadn't drawn their weapons yet which was a good sign.
I turned towards the leader and waved. "Greetings," I said in common. Most sentient denizens of the jungle knew the language.
"Dark Ones," he greeted in return.
"We wish to negotiate passage."
"What do you offer?"
"Monster carcasses, freshly slain."
The leader raised an eyebrow. Understandable considering how light we were travelling.
"Present them," he ordered.
I made one of the lizard corpses appear at my feet.
"Four more of those as well as two crested geckos."
He jumped down and came to inspect the corpse. The goblin was much smaller than me, the top of his head only reached the middle of my torso. The stasis enchantment on my amulet had preserved it perfectly.
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"Clean kill," he remarked, "marks of magic. You slew the beast yourself Dark One?"
"All of them. We were planning to eat them during our travel but we're happy to share. There's always plenty to be found."
"Indeed, Dark One. One is enough for safe passage. The Elder is always interested in visitors as well, Galzi can bring you to her."
"We would be honored," I said.
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The goblin camp was an hour away. Galzi led us through the thick jungle with practiced ease. Despite his small stature, he had no issues orienting himself. Half-way through, the density of trees started to diminish and after a while, I could see a small hill through the vegetation.
From above, Alan was the first to spot the camp. Big circular tents were placed around the top of the hill. A wooden palisade encircled the whole. Simple guard towers were positioned at regular intervals. At the center was a large dirt area with several smoldering bonfires.
As we approached, Galzi shouted something at the guards in his native tongue. I guessed it was to prevent us from being turned into pincushions. At the gate, the goblin talked to the guards present. A runner left shortly after.
"I am Tilee, welcome to the Sandcrook tribe," one of the guards said with a small bow, "the Elder will be here soon."
"Greeting Tilee," I reciprocated, "I am Liscura and my companion is Velatha of Niu."
"What brings you so far?" She asked.
"We are on our way to Asril village then to the guild."
"Ah, adventurers," she said with a wistful sigh, "I remember my days. It's how I lost my first leg."
"It looks like you got better," Vel said with a smirk.
"Our shaman does weave miracles." She shook her right leg as a demonstration.
An older goblin approached us accompanied by the runner.
"Dark Ones," she greeted, "my name is Klaskee, Elder of the Sandcrook tribe."
Vel repeated our introductions.
"Well, come in. It is always better to talk around a good meal. Kalqa told me you brought jungle lizards from your hunt."
"We did. How many do you want?"
Klaskee laughed.
"Perhaps a feast is in order," she said with a smile, "we would be honored to host you for the night as well if you wish. Guests are all too rare these days."
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Our first stop was the kitchen where I dropped off all of my fresh corpses and added a crate of vegetables on a recommendation from Vel. The chef in charge had a big grin on her face when we left.
The Elder brought us to her tent. The outside was sparsely decorated, it was hard to tell it apart from the rest. Inside was another matter. The center had a small fire pit over which a pot of water was gently simmering. The floor and walls were covered with rugs and pelts giving the place a very cozy atmosphere. Several chests and boxes served as furniture.
We all took a seat on cushions around a low table. Klaskee brought out several cups and filled a pitcher with hot water. She served us tea in silence and I let the leaves infuse patiently. The aroma wafting in the air was divine.
"It is my favorite blend," the elder said.
"I can understand why," I said. The taste was as pleasant as the smell.
"Now, let's get to business. Scouts from Nis visited when we set camp but I have not heard of them since then. I didn’t expect two travelers from Niu to be next."
"Nis and Niu were attacked five days ago", I explained, "A group struck during the night, likely both villages at once, and somehow abducted the entire population in less than a day. It happened during our trial and we escaped by sheer luck. When we returned, the villages were deserted. No trace of a single soul, not even bodies."
"Concerning," the Elder said, "not many have the strength to take on a whole village at once."
"We tracked them down but their convoy seems to have disappeared. I suspect a portal spell was used to move them."
"I am sorry I cannot offer you much comfort. We will pass the word to any we encounter in our travels. I assume you are on your way to alert Asril?"
"Yes."
"Good luck on your travels," she said solemnly.
After that, the conversation turned to lighter topics.
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We briefly met with Luixa the village shaman. She was enthused at meeting two other healers and we talked shop for some time.
"I recognize this spell," Luixa said, "Breknir is still kicking then?"
"He was my teacher," I replied, "gave me some of his spells. I built some of my own as well."
"Interesting," Luixa said with interest in her eyes, "I would be willing to trade. His spells had interesting insights."
"Maybe we can find an arrangement," I smiled.
I transcribed several of Breknir's healing spells and a few of mine for her in exchange for some alchemy materials and several elemental stones.
When night fell, the two bonfires at the center were lit and the festivities started. I got to enjoy several goblin dishes and talk with several of the inhabitants. Several of the children were ecstatic to meet new faces and pestered us with a million questions.
I did a few magic demonstrations and it ended up taking the center stage for a while. Luixa, Vel, I, and a few other mages from the village had friendly duels where we showed off our spells and competed for the applause of the crowd.
"Excellent performance," Luixa smiled, "as expected from one of Breknir's students. I have a feeling you will both go very far in life."
Vel and I shared a cup of berry wine together. We danced with the other villagers around the fire to the sounds of drums. After a while, we retreated for the night to our shelter. Klaskee had provided a place for us to set up inside the walls.
"It was nice," Vel said as she cuddled against me.
"Yes," I kissed the top of her head.
At daybreak, we pack up our equipment and bid farewell to the Sandcrook tribe. A team of scouts escorted us to the edge of their perimeter where we parted ways.
I felt refreshed after a night without watch, the festivities of the evening had also lifted my spirits. Vel and I continued in the direction of the ruins.