The Danger Gang Meet With A Boss Of Kachelmik
After a restful night in the Shelter, the Danger Gang once more mount their beetles and return to the air.
They fly past come horses eating dwarf flesh. It's a disturbing sight, indeed. Soon after, they see a walled structure; the city of Kachelmik. They leave their beetles in the shrubs and approach the front gate, nice and friendly like. Some dwarven guards pop their heads over the walls and start babbling at them. They soon find somebody that speaks Greek. The gang is invited in and is soon introduced to a strong ass looking dwarf that goes by the name of Rolof Gravelblood. He is the champion of King Domar Diamonhand. He drops the following knowledge bombs:
- The old man in wolf-skins from yesterday is Thelpur, a self-proclaimed king of wolves. If you don't give him gold, he sends the wolves after you.
- Korrigan and Thurgrim Cavecricket had a falling out, so Korrigan sold the shadow to the Goblins. Now he's hanging out with them.
- The dwarven kingdoms of Albania have five artifacts. Cavecricket's expansionist policies have put him in possession of two, possibly three of them. In addition to the armor and the hammer, he might also have a shield (originally from Hair).
- Emissaries from assorted dwarven kingdoms have gone to Bhijimin to observe the goings on and make sure everything is kosher. There is Prince Laurin from Wintergarden, Fvwindus from Svartalfein, Brunel from Domdaniel, Nothry from Monstoniormaalune, Kratia from Nethermania, and Agafangul from Dwarfholm. There is also a weird looking dude named Caesar Minor from some place called Cilea.
- The black dog that can change into a Goblin was first spotted in Shushmashush about two years ago. At first it was about the size of a terrier, but now it's gotten pretty big. St. Bernard maybe?
- The axe he carries is cursed. It is the relic of Kachelmik. It has cursed him that he may have no heirs, though he wasn't ready to reveal whether it made him impotent or if he had to chop of his own dick or if his kids got SIDS or what. For some reason he doesn't want to talk about it.
This dude seems to think we're on the level when we tell him that all we really want to do is take the shadow and get it out of here. He agrees to help by using some dwarves for a feint against the Goblins so that the Gang can sneak in. It's a classic pincher.
Karl is allowed to take a tour of the underground city, while the upworlders have to stay on the surface. He picks up a little splint mail for emergencies. And for fighting.
Meanwhile, Marty checks in on the Circus de Jerkus. They're fighting some kind of sea giant or other.
Before hitting the sack, Gravelblood explains to the crew that it would take them about two days to reach the Goblin cave. He says that he and the dwarf army he brings might only be able to hold the Goblins for a day or two before they'd have to turn back. He recommends that we leave by then.
Marty sends out a couple of eagles to scout out the land, find the best angle of approach for the Goblin cave complex. Then he sends out a note to the Circus De Jerkus telling them to get their butts in gear and head to Bhijimin to check out this convocation of dwarven kingdoms.