Cairn: Crazed Piggie

After a bit of a hiatus, and after switching back to Zoom because of the weather, we have returned to Cairn! Here's last time.

The Knights hear the approaching hoofbeats of a daggertusk, and Rumdiggle notes that its squeals are anguished - the animal is in terrible pain. Russelet, thinking quickly, rallies Snootabur and Ratatosk, and the two marksmen fire rope arrows while the squirrel attaches them at anchor points. This forms a kind of net, which the daggertusk barrels into headlong.

The boar is big and heavy enough that it snaps the ropes, but it's at least slowed down enough that it's not going to be rampaging straight into the farm. Russelet fires another rope arrow between its forelegs, and Snootabur grabs a rope and vaults straight over the beast, hog-tying it (if you'll pardon the expression). Its legs buckle and it falls, but still struggles.

Rumdiggle calls on the aspect of the daggertusk and calms the beast, and Ratatosk sees a viscous discharge on its nose and mouth - it's been poisoned! Ratatosk casts a spell and speaks with it, and the daggertusk says that something bit it on the haunches and now everything hurts. Indeed, the poor thing's flank is dotted with puncture wounds, maybe arrows or darts. Ratatosk rushes off to make an antidote, while Rumdiggle sings to the creature and Snootabur and Russelet keep the inhabitants of the farm back. Some of them, after all, are advocating killing the boar before it recovers and attacks again, but the Knights don't feel this is necessary.

Ratatosk makes an antidote and scampers up to the boar's mouth. He administers it, but the boar's eyes dilate and it lurches to its feet, stumbling toward a couple of outbuildings. Hollan Dawnsong, the weasel in charge of the farm, notes to Snootabur that those are storehouses for food, and Snootabur calls to Russelet. The bat marksman fires a sleep arrow into the boar's flank, and it collapses. 

The Knights take a bit of time to regroup; Russelet finds a trace of the poison on the boar's haunch and Ratatosk analyzes it. It's a toxin made from a plant that grows in the shallows off the coast nearby, mixed with various other ingredients - fungus, spider venom, and so on. This toxin would absolutely have killed the daggertusk, but it would have spent its last moments in a blind rage. It looks as though someone aimed the daggertusk at the farm with the intent to damage or destroy it - and that probably means goblins.

The Knights track the daggertusk backwards, and find the area near the cliffs where it was poisoned. They find some discarded darts as well as goblin tracks, and Russelet notes that the goblins even "herded" the daggertusk toward the farm. They go back to the farm and are confronted with a lot of very frightened Favored, and Hollan invites them up to his cottage to talk this out. 

There, Ratatosk concentrates and confirms that the barrier is still active. They tell Hollan about their discoveries in the Graymantle, and Snootabur outright asks him if he's descended from the Ebonblood family. He admits that he is; he changed his name because his family was known for violence, and he doesn't wish to be part of that. The Knights tell him, though, that his family used violence when necessary to protect others, and show him the history that they found (and completed). He realizes that his cottage is built on the gravesite of his great-great-aunt Meeta Ebonblood. 

He tells the Knights that some people in the farm have been advocating inviting the goblins in and brokering peace, but he feels that is unwise. The Knights advise a meeting with the goblins, but outside the farm. Hollan agrees, and pens an invitation (which he signs "Hollan Ebonblood"), and Russelet delivers it to the goblins on the beach (via arrow, of course).

The next day, the Knights get busy. Snootabur organizes the farmers and has them dig a trench, which she then fills with dry branches and kindling (to act as a barrier if need be). Russelet sets up traps and ropes to box in the goblins if they try anything. Ratatosk creates potions, and Rumdiggle tunes her lute. They are ready.

They head out and meet with the horde of goblins, some riding daggertusks, some on foot. The head goblin sarcastically makes some reference to peace, but Hollan responds: "You have ambushed, terrorized, and killed us. You don't get to talk about peace. You will leave our people alone." 

A tense moment passes. Russelet hears the goblins murmuring among themselves - they fear an Ebonblood. The Knights stand firm, watching.

And finally, the goblin chieftain mounts his daggertusk. "The wilds are ours," he says. "Step off your roads and you will die." And with that they ride back towards the cliffs.

The Knights return with Hollan to the farm to celebrate. He tells them he intends to learn to fight - it's all very well to abhor violence, but one must still be ready for it. They agree, and rest up for their long journey back to Cairn on the morrow.