Story: The Goblin Priestess
Here-in contains the tale of the Goblin Priestess, whom Captain Drugar of the Royal Guard encountered during the first settlement period of the Territory of Kerrindale.
Goblins are one of the many Monster Races created by Da'rook in the Northern Wildlands long ago. They are considered a dangerous pestilence by the Peoples of the Known World, and no one ever thought the Goblin possessed any redeemable quality, except for one Half-Orc Captain of the Royal Guard named Drugar. He requested audience with the Head Commander of the Royal Guard after the town of Garrenfold was established and the first two Fortresses were built and occupied.
And this was his testimony:
It happened when Captain Drugar and the Royal Guard Soldiers under his command had pressed onto the Green Pass Trail and came across what was then a cave system used by Goblins as a camp. (These caves were eventually converted into the Green Pass Overlook Fortress). The fighting had been difficult up to this point with significant Royal Guard losses due to the Goblins' ability to hide and make surprise attacks all through-out the Coastal Mountains and Dark Forest areas. And once the Guards had started onto the mountain pass, they encountered Hobgoblins for the first time - creatures whose features resembled the Goblin, but instead of the smaller body size (for the Goblin had ancient Halfling roots), these creatures were larger than an average Human, well armored and trained, and fitted with quality weapons.
When the Royal Guard finally converged on the cave entrance and began making strategic plans to continue the assault, one of the Hobgoblin Warriors walked out of the cave, unarmed. In a strong Goblin accent, it spoke in the Common Tongue and called out to Captain Drugar personally. This astonished the soldiers there and disturbed the Captain, and he called back to the creature.
"How do you know my name"?
"The Goblin Priestess calls for you."
At this, they all whispered to each other, wondering what kind of evil trick was happening.
"You may bring soldiers and weapons. We will not attack - the Priestess calls for you."
"Surely not, " replied one of the Royal Guards, "this must be a trap, Captain."
"What assurance can you give us that this is not a trap?", Drugar asked.
"We will send Warriors for you to hold."
"I do not trust them, " said a Guard.
"Nor do I, " answered Captain Drugar, "but I did not know they could speak the Common Tongue, nor that they possess a religion. Much less a Priestess."
"Very well, " he called out. "Send your soldiers and we shall follow you to your Priestess".
And it was so: Four Hobgoblin Warriors came out, unarmed, and were surrounded by the Royal Guard. Then Captain Drugar and three of his men, with full arms, followed the first Hobgoblin who spoke to them. They walked down into the cave system and passed a large company of Goblins, sneering at them and grasping their weapons. But the Hobgoblin calmly walked on and no harm came to the Royal Guards. Then they descended rough-cut stairs into a larger chamber filled with fire light. And there at the far end was a throne, surrounded by a patrol of Hobgoblin Warriors, and on it sat a Goblin Female dressed in dramatic ceremonial clothing and accessories. And she addressed the Captain as he entered.
"Are you Captain Drugar?"
"Yes, and you are?"
"I am Heerdra-Hurn, Priestess of Goblins. I thank you for your audience."
"I am confused," said Drugar. "How do you speak the Common Tongue and how do you know my name?"
The Priestess smiled at him. "There are many things you do not know, but one mystery I will declare to you today: I have seen you in my dreams, Captain Drugar, Half-Orc Commander of Humans, Elves, Half-Elves, Dwarves and Halflings" she said. "and now that I see you, I wonder - though you have the blood of Monsters running through you, I see you leading the Peoples of the Known World and living among them. How is this so?"
"You should know our history, Priestess, for long ago the Half-Orc were slaves to your Orc brethren, and we fought against them and escaped to the North. We pleaded with the Humans of the North to let us settle and they did."
"But they did not accept you as one of them. No, none of the peoples of the Known World saw you as equals."
"Indeed we kept to ourselves for many generations. But then this great kingdom of D'nashk Re'at began, and we have been welcomed with open arms by the Most High, along with all the Peoples of the Known World."
"But not the Monster Races, " she challenged. "We did not receive an invitation."
At this the Captain fell silent. "Well, " he began after a moment, "our great King Fulskatar had to fight a wicked Orc Warlord for freedom, as did all the peoples who lived in the area. As you know, the Orcs held many slaves and were very cruel to them."
"Yes, we know that history, " she said. "But what of Goblins? What have we done to your King that he sends his army here to expel us from our home?"
"Well, " started the Captain again, "you are Monsters from the Northern Wildlands, and you are under the control of the Dark Magic of the Undead, yes? Therefore you are a threat to the citizens who live across the sea from you."
"And that is how you see us? Are you just like the Peoples of the World? Do you see only Monsters?"
Captain Drugar looked around and did not answer her.
"What would you say, Captain, if I told you that this tribe has broken ties with our cruel Master - Ashardalon the Ancient Red Dragon, and have established our home here, and want nothing to do with outsiders?"
"I did not know that, " he answered.
"Of course not! " she exclaimed. "There are many things you do not know!" and she fell silent.
The Captain and his men exchanged looks of amazement and wonder, and he continued. "Priestess, are you wanting to join the Peoples of the World in our great kingdom?"
"Ha!" she laughed. "Your 'great kingdom' indeed! You are invaders in our land. We were here first. We do not have any need for a foreign ruler over us. We will fight you to the death."
The Captain pondered his words. "Then why, Priestess, did you call this meeting?"
She looked into the distance, calmed her voice, and began. "I have seen in my dreams a star rising from the east. And it's light shawn brighter than even the Moon Goddess of the night sky. And there, in it's light, walked a Half-Orc, Half-Man. And the ravens sang his name. And his name was Captain Drugar."
"I don’t know what to tell you, " he said. "I am just a soldier, following my King's orders."
"So it seems, " she said, "but I wonder. I wanted to see you for myself, hoping that some mystery would be revealed to me. I do not understand yet, but I will declare to you that even if you win a battle today, we will not be defeated forever. We will return and we will take back our home. Now, go, Captain, and prepare your soldiers and I will prepare mine."
And so Captain Drugar and his men left the Priestess without trouble, and returned the Hobgoblin Warriors. Then the Royal Guard prepared for battle and entered the caves.
And to their astonishment, not a single Goblin, Hobgoblin or Priestess could be found in all of the chambers.
They all vanished.