I Become an Integral Part of a Negotiation Between Goblins

Those of us that were to appear before the Queen are told… asked to remove all weapons. They even want Vanii’s component pouch, which he is not happy about at all. We give everything to our companions who will be staying outside and then proceed in. The hut is filled with about a dozen goblin warriors wearing painted masks resembling ants. Cool! And there at the other end is an intricately carved wooden throne. Upon the throne sat Queen Grabstab. She was larger than any of the other goblins we’d seen here. Larger in every way. I’m pretty sure the tribe has not had any issues with food gathering and the Queen has taken full advantage of that. She doesn’t look thrilled to see us. Jhazaali gives a formal bow and begins speaking in goblin. It sounded like the opening was just some basic “your majesty” this and “your amazing accomplishments with the village” that (again, new to speaking goblin so mainly getting the overall gist of things, not the exact words). This acquiescent little speech appears to go over well as the Queen actually stops frowning at us. No smile, but not frowning is good for her. She, the Queen that is, then asks us why we are here. Something about, she knows people travel from afar to see their craftsmanship, but we obviously want something else. She’s an insightful crone.

Crone isn’t a bad thing here. That’s the term for an elder, female goblin – goblette and hag can also be used but the former is generally used for younger females and the latter for more pedestrian members of the society. Hobgoblette and hag work for Hobgoblins, but their powerful elder females go by matron. As for Bugbears, both males and females are called bugbear.

Okay, so the Queen knows Jhazaali and her crew want something and Jhazaali actually looks relieved. She’s a great storyteller but does prefer to get straight to business rather than kowtow to someone she sees as an inferior. Jhazaali launches into a bit of history about how she thinks the Queen’s ancestors ended up here (already mentioned that above) and Grabstab doesn’t seem taken aback by the knowledge. Then it’s down to business. Not sure about all of it, but they discuss the helm and it seems that Queen Grabstab is familiar with the object. Jhazaali talks about gold, gems, weapons of steel, byeshk, and adamantine that could be added to the tribe’s coffers if they agree. Grabstab is continually reluctant and the talk goes on and gets more intense as it continues. I’m kinda losing track of it all as the speed of the discussion increased but I do hear a reference to Jhazaali, a foreigner Goblin, a Bugbear, and a Tabaxi. I then recognize Jhazaali referencing herself, Duusha, and Valii as staying in the village for a… time period (a month or a season or… not sure). She says she cannot speak for the Tabaxi. That’s where I give a bow and ask if it is okay for Jhazaali to clarify to me in another language. Grabstab nods.

Jhazaali turns to me and says it is probably best discussed with my father but explains that the Queen wants one of each us to stay in the village to teach them of the world beyond the jungle. She would have them here until “the rains come” and she asks me about that. Since it rains pretty much every day here, this time reference kinda threw her. I begin to explain that this is the Skyfall’s “dry” season and that the rains begin in the month of Eyre. As we are currently in Rhaan, that would be about seven months from now. I’ve spent enough time talking with Jhazaali to know that this does not sit well with her, but she covers it well.

She turns back to the Queen to explain the need to discuss this with the young one’s father, the Tabaxi leader. Hey! Young one? I guess it’s true, but a little more respect may be nice. I don’t say anything right now, but it will be an item of discussion (not that she’ll care). Anyway, the Queen gives a slight wave of her hand and it appears that this is a dismissal of sorts. Seemed rude, but then I was still perturbed at the young one comment. We bow and exit the hut.

Now the discussion goes down with Trees and dad and neither of them is cool with the request. That’s when I pipe in, “I’ll stay!” This stops the conversation briefly until dad begins shaking his head and says, “No way am I…” and I interrupt. “I want to do this. They are a fascinating culture. Jhazaali, Duusha, and Valii will be here.” I look to Jhazaali for confirmation and she gives a quick nod. “I can learn from them and they can learn from me. You can’t tell me you don’t think the Biting Ants tribe won’t be able to teach me skills and give me knowledge of the jungle that can help me and the Clan of the Red Leaf as a whole. You know this is a time that I am to delve into all manner of life’s experiences to find what it is I am good at, what it is I like to do, and what it is I will do with my future. Please dad, let me do this. For me, for the Red Leaf’s, and for the Dhakaani.”

So, at this point, my dad shakes his head but gets a little smile on his face. He goes on about being proud of me and how I’m right, but we don’t need to go into all of that praise nonsense.