Paul’s POV
Paul stood in front of Shiiraviia’s shrine he had built in the center to the village. It had taken two nights to get it how he wanted it. It also gave some of the goblins the opportunity to work off their anxiety. The shrine was smaller than he had wanted it, but the goblins weren’t very good builders. They were even slow repairing the fire damage to the longhouses.
“This ceremony is called the Twilight Covenant.” Paul said loudly to the goblins.
All the goblins in the village had been gathered together for this ceremony. Paul wanted to make it perfectly clear that the worship of Shiiraviia was non optional and wanted to lead the first of several of the ceremonies himself, before letting the goblins lead the ceremonies on their own.
"Children of the shadows, hear my words. Tonight, we stand at the threshold of a new covenant, a pact with a goddess who embodies the essence of death and undeath, the divine Shiiraviia. In her embrace, we find strength, eternal existence, and the power to shape our destinies."
Paul lifted a dark gem, its facets catching the moonlight, symbolizing their devotion. "Behold, the offering of our desires – gems born of the night, reflections of the power Shiiraviia grants. With these, we forge a connection to the realms beyond, seeking her favor."
The goblins, intrigued, watched as Paul continued, his voice resonating with ancient authority. "Now, my kin, let your lifeblood become the ink that seals this covenant. Each drop offered willingly is a testament to your commitment to Shiiraviia, the dark goddess who watches over us."
One by one, the goblins stepped forward, presenting their offerings. Paul, with solemnity, uttered an invocation. "In the shadows we find strength, in the twilight we find life everlasting. Shiiraviia, hear our words, accept our offerings, and let your influence weave through the fabric of our existence."
As the goblins offered their blood, mystical shadows danced around, and eerie whispers filled the grove. Paul concluded, "Let this Twilight Covenant bind us to Shiiraviia's grace. In her name, we shall thrive, and through her, we shall transcend the limits of mortality."
The village echoed with the collective whispers of goblin devotion, sealing the introduction of Shiiraviia into their pantheon.
In the sacred grove, shadows deepened as the ceremony progressed. Paul continued to weave the narrative of Shiiraviia, captivating the goblin audience with tales of her dark majesty.
"Long have mortals feared the embrace of death, but Shiiraviia teaches us that within the shadows lies not just an end but a beginning—a transformation into something beyond the mortal coil. As we offer these gems, envision them as vessels for our aspirations, conduits to draw forth the essence of our dark goddess."
Paul raised the dark gem high; its facets reflected the combined glow of goblin eyes fixated on him. "This gem, infused with the moon's radiance, represents the bridge between our world and the divine. As it pulsates with the power of Shiiraviia, so too shall our connection with her strengthen."
Goblin elders, Paul convinced to participate, adorned with ancient symbols, stepped forward, each held a relic of the underworld, an artifact that represented the realms of death and undeath. Paul acknowledged them, "These revered symbols connect us to the very fabric of Shiiraviia's influence. Let them bear witness to our devotion and guide our steps on this path of darkness."
As the goblin subjects eagerly presented their offerings, Paul turned to the goddess's teachings. "In the depths of the night, Shiiraviia whispers secrets of immortality. Our mortal forms may fade, but in embracing her, we transcend the limitations of existence. Each drop of blood willingly given is a pledge—a declaration of allegiance to the eternal dance of shadows."
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The moon, cast an ethereal glow over the grove, seemed to respond to Paul's invocation. Shadows flicked, intertwined with the mystical energies unleashed by the goblins. Paul's words resonated, "In the embrace of Shiiraviia, fear not the darkness, for it is within that darkness that true power is found. Let her grace guide us through the night, and in return, we shall honor her with unwavering loyalty."
As the last goblin completed the blood offering, a subtle shift in the atmosphere occurred. Whispers of unseen entities echoed through the grove; the air charged with an otherworldly presence. Paul, with eyes gleaming with newfound power, addressed the goddess directly, "Shiiraviia, hear our words, accept our offerings, and let your influence weave through the fabric of our existence."
In response, the shadows converged, forming a spectral silhouette that seemed to dance with ethereal grace. The goblins, a mix of awe and reverence, watched as the grove becomes a haven of eerie tranquility. Paul, now filled with the divine energies, concludes, "May this covenant endure through the ages, and may Shiiraviia's darkness guide us to heights beyond mortal comprehension. In her name, we thrive; in her shadows, we find everlasting life."
The grove lingered in the aftermath of the ritual, an aura of newfound devotion settling among the goblins. Shiiraviia's presence, though unseen, was palpable, and Paul, having successfully introduced the goddess to his subjects, prepared to lead them into a future shaped by the divine forces of death and undeath.
Paul smiled to himself; it would seem Krelgr’s concerns were for naught. Paul left the shrine and motioned for Krelgr to follow. The old goblin kept his eyes on the shrine while they walked to Pal’s hut.
“Since this will be my new base, you’ll oversee the construction of a for and wall.” Paul said. “I expect that we will have some resistance to my conquest of the Deepwood.”
Having a large army would help protect Paul and Liora from the adventures that killed Alaric. The living could also build larger fortifications than the mindless dead could. They would need more sleep and food, sure, but they were also innovative and clever, well, if he got servants smarter than goblins.
“Yes Master.” Krelgr said halfheartedly.
“And speaking of conquest, I will need to bolster my troop count. Where do goblins bury their dead?”
Paul kicked himself a little for not thinking about this earlier. He could have used the dead from the first village to bolster his small army before attacking this one.
“We do not bury our dead Master. We leave the corpses to the elements after they are stripped of everything of use.”
“Unfortunate.”
Paul stopped walking. He turned and faced Krelgr. The old goblin looked up with sad eyes. They were the eyes of a defeated foe. Grag looked at Paul with awe and fear, mixed with envy. Most of the goblins looked at him like that, almost as if they wanted to be Paul.
Goblins worshipped strength. Strength gave a goblin everything he wanted. To these goblins, Paul’s supernatural strength and speed make him the pinnacle of what they could theoretically be.
Either mentality was good. Both would do as they were told, because in the end, both were afraid not to. This level of obedience warmed Paul’s insides.
He would use this awe and fear to build his new nation. Soon the goblins of the Deepwood would have one master, Paul.
“How long will it take to build defensive fortifications, like a wall around the village, and some towers, and a keep. I want a strong central keep. Every wizard needs a place to put his library.” Paul said.
Krelgr took a moment to think before saying, “My people might be able to make a wall, but I don’t think they can make a keep or towers. I saw a keep and towers when I was younger. It was designed and built by the hobgoblins. They have territory deeper into the Deepwood.”
Paul looked down at the old goblin and clenched his jaw a little. He wanted a castle to keep his stuff in and help defend himself from the adventures. That the goblins couldn’t make what he needed irked him.
“Focus on the wall for now.” Paul told Krelgr. “Also where are the closest tribes to Gravewell?”
“The river turns north a mile or so from here. Just after the bend in the river there is another large village.” Krelgr said. “If we cross the river and go west there is a cluster of smaller villages in a break in the forest. There is also a hobgoblin village further east beyond where our village was.”
It was interesting however, that there was more than just goblin tribes withing the Deepwood. Paul supposed he shouldn’t be surprised, the Deepwood was one of the largest forests he knew about. Hobgoblins were militaristic in nature. Conquering a hobgoblin tribe would get him access to people that could build his fortress.
“Show me this hobgoblin village.” Paul said with a thin smile.