As we approach the holding pens for the prisoners I notice several unopened cages holding various beasts that look aggressive as well as some of humanoid monsters that cast venomous glances towards us. Finally as we reach the cages in the back I notice four separate cages holding a single person each. The first holds a passed out tiny person that probably stands about two feet tall, his white robes stained with dirt and blood as his bearded face lays against the bars with blood dried upon the shiny bald dome of its head. In the second cage there sits a pale skinned woman in light leather armor, her hair falls over one shoulder shining the color of freshly grown grass while her pale blue eyes watch our group closely. As I glance at her closely I can see both of her hands are covered in blood and that the fingers on each hand are bent in various angles. The third cage holds a wheezing short man that is covered in bloodied chainmail, his long braided beard hanging on his chest as his dull eyes stare vacantly into thin air. In the final cage is an angry green woman pacing back and fourth while growling like a beast, her eyes glaring at us in a combative manner until she see's Wug appear behind us and she steps back and hesitates before smiling violently. As I inspect them all i see that they're all at level 9 but i pause on the dwarf's info for a second.
(Dwarf Level 9 Status: Controlled(Fading))
While I stare at the dwarf studying him I can see the hint of a mark coming up his neck. While I'm staring i notice out of the corner of my eyes that the orc woman has tensed up and that the elf is starting to stand up while a hint of bloodlust escapes her.
"Mog open the small ones cage and try to heal the head wound then see if you can do anything to help the dwarf. Don't touch the women it seems both of them want to end us for nothing." I say loudly while glancing at both women and smirking as I see surprise lighting both of their faces.
"Wait monster! You can speak common? Why would you help us after your masters took us hostage?" The elf says in a lilting soft voice that carries on the wind like music, her tone carrying suspicion and curiosity as she stares at me.
"Huh so you are civil, how kind of you to ask questions before trying to lunge at me or siccing your orc friend on us. To answer the question the gnolls have been dispersed and the leader is in a pile currently getting turned into useable parts. We came here to pick something up and free who we could, we work for no one. Wug break her cage open please big guy, I don't think she's a huge threat right now." I say as the elf's eyes show a hint of annoyance and skepticism watching as Wug steps forward and squeezes the lock on the door, the screech of bending metal ringing out before the lock snaps and lands on the ground.
Before we can even blink the elf has already rushed through the opening doorway and is heading straight towards me before a shadow blinks into existence next to me and tackles her to the ground. As I watch in amazement I realize the blur was the hobgoblin from earlier and that he's now sitting on the elf's chest with a rusted knife held gently on her throat with a mocking smile.
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"Oh c'mon that wasn't exactly friendly now was it. And to think that I had hopes that I could let ya live but attacking the fuzzy one isn't a mark in your favor elf." Growls the hob before he feels a small hand touch his shoulder gently.
"I don't know your name and I realize your bot of my group, I'm grateful for your help earlier and we know we stand no chance against you but please don't cause her harm. I have questions that they might only know the answer to." I ask gently with sweat trickling down my spine while watching the hobs reaction. As I hold my breath the hob finally takes a deep breath before lifting the knife from her throat, a bead of blood appearing where the blade rested.
"One warning this kid is the reason we're all free and you all owe him your lives. If it was me you'd all be dead because the only adventurer that isn't a threat is one that's not breathing any longer but it's his show so any other funny stuff and you'll join the gnolls." The hob says while looking into everyone's eyes present before getting up and walking towards the cage and leaning against the solid bars.
As the elf follows the hob's movements her fear is evident as her legs begin shaking in fear and the scent of urine can be smelt in the small closed off area. I grimace as I ask Sheer to fine some new clothing for the elf to wear before glaring at her once, then moving towards the small man that Mog has just finished healing. As the man groans and his eyes flutter open he glances at me once before they go wide and he yells out loudly in surprise.
"Gremlin! But how...should be impossible your kind were killed off years ago...the war and those machines....oh great ones did we miss some..." The small man exclaims before muttering under his breath, a look of both fear and curiosity appearing on his chubby face.
"Killed off? Look I'm the only gremlin I've ever seen and know next to nothing about my kind so if your all worried and junk relax. You looked like the oldest plus those robes I figured would be healer stuff so I wanted you up to help everyone too if you'd be willing? Also if the two nasty ones can behave we have a safe place a few days travel from here and I have a lot of questions that i thought you could help with." I say honestly while watching more curiosity appear on the small mans face, his wonderment finally taking over the fear with him nodding once in agreement before walking towards the elf cautiously.
"No. The orc and elf stay in the state they're in until I know we won't be attacked for no reason...again." I say the last word in anger as i glare back towards the elf who can no longer meet my eyes. The orc screeches in frustration before quieting down quickly as Wug takes a step closer to the cage just in case. As the orc woman looks at the ogre a blue blush lights her face as she asks hesitatingly if Wug also speaks common to which he nods once with a gentle smile.
"Understood very fair actually and I do so apologize for Elia's attack upon you, most unprofessional. Well introductions should be done yes? The elf you know, I am Harold a priest of Gathu God of Life, the dwarf is Ogis although he seems out of it for some reason huh. Anyways the orc woman is Tugta although she seems to be acting strangely also very peculiar if you ask me but I digress there are wounded to see to and then we may talk!" the small man, Harold, says in a chipper fast paced tone before moving out of the enclosure towards the wounded creatures outside.
"Introductions huh? If that's the case little man let me do it to. They call me many names but most know me as the wanderer, but I prefer Jeff." the hob says with a smile on his face as everyone stares blankly before I let out a giggling sigh.