Disclaimer: I in no way own Harry Potter, although I wouldn't mind one bit if I did.
– Separator –
22: the Goblin Kings Trap
As I glance over the quests I still have to complete I sigh. The quest I want to finish is Luna's pilgrimage. However, I have had no luck in locating the shrine down in the mines, so I decide to explore the latest area my friends and I have found. To that end, Ginny, Luna, and I leave the tavern and head for the trapdoor in the Silvershade Mines.
After a long walk through the mines we finally arrive at the trapdoor leading down into the goblin tunnels. Opening and descending down through the trapdoor we set out for the bridge we crossed earlier.
First, we headed south until we reached the wall and turned east. After a short walk, we turned south onto the Subterranean Road. Immediately we turned west to follow the road. As we walk along the road we are attacked by a Goblin Mystic, 2 Goblin Archers, and 2 Goblin Foot Soldiers. After the battle, Ginny reached level 20.
Ginny wasted no time in placing her attribute point into her willpower. With her skill point, she raises her arctic blast skill to rank 4.
Once Ginny is finished on her level-up screen we continue walking along the road. As we near the bridge I spot a path we hadn't explored before. Deciding to see where it leads we turn south. Once reaching a wall we turn east. As we reach another wall, and just before turning south we are attacked by a Dire Wolf. After dispatching the single beast we turn south and continue exploring. A short walk brings us to another wall before we turn west. After reaching the next wall we turn south. A little bit before reaching the next wall we turn onto a path to the east. At the next wall, we turn north. Reaching the next wall we turn east for a short time before turning south. A while later we reach another wall and turn east for a short time before turning south. After killing another Dire Wolf, and reaching the wall we turn east for a short time before turning north. I can't help thinking "Are we going in circles?" Well, it doesn't, matter. If we are I will simply use my map to find the bridge again. Reaching the next wall we turn east. Reaching the next wall we turn north for a short time before turning west. Reaching the next wall we turn north. As we walk along I spot a goblin tent on our right. Remembering I have more evidence of treachery, I turn toward the tent. Entering the tent I find nothing, so we exit back out to the tunnels and continue north. Reaching the wall we turn east. Unfortunately, it looks like it is a dead end, so I decide to return to the bridge. After reaching the bridge we hurry across to the Goblin King's Palace.
Entering the palace we can see the Goblin King's Audience Chamber just ahead, with his Sleeping Chambers just beyond it. However, I want to explore first, so we start by heading west. As we walk west A heavy door falls shut, blocking our way into the Goblin King's audience chamber. We head north for a bit before continuing west. Along the way, we check several sleeping quarters. As we nearly reach a wall A heavy door falls shut behind us, cutting off the way back. We head north for a short time before continuing west. We pass by a tent flap, which when I glance through turns out to be a kitchen. As we continue another heavy door falls shut behind us, cutting off the way back.
Ginny raises an eyebrow. "Me thinks we're being led somewhere."
Luna nods in agreement.
I shrug. "All we can do is continue exploring."
With that, we continue west. Just before reaching the western wall, another door slams down.
Luna's eyes widen. "We missed our chance to help a goblin that is trapped here."
Ginny and I give Luna a strange look.
Luna isn't fazed. "I don't know how, but I know that helping this goblin would have helped us out a great deal."
I shrug. "I guess we'll be meeting the goblin king sooner than we wanted."
With that, we turned south toward another tent flap. Just past the tent flap to the west, we spot the top of a set of stairs. Upon reaching the stairs we turn south. Walking down the stairs we come to a wall. The stairs turn west briefly before turning north. Upon reaching another turn in the staircase we turn east for a short time before turning north.
Before walking forward I spot the trapdoor just sitting there. "Best get ready for a fight girls", I say tightening my grip on my wand. "I suspect that will be a trap waiting for us."
Ginny nods placing her hand on her "Dolphin Blade.
Luna immediately casts buffing spells on the 3 of us. First, she casts Favor of the Divine. Next, she casts Highly Favored. Then she casts Rest for the Weary. Finally, she casts Regain Focus on herself to refill her mana.
With all that done we walk to the trapdoor. Seeing nowhere else to go we drop through the trapdoor.
Nothing happens immediately after landing from the trapdoor. Deciding to roll with the punches we walk forward. Without warning we walk out into a large, underground arena. Countless goblins peer down at you from box seats carved into the walls. The hideous voice of the Goblin King booms throughout the cavern. "So, the intruder has stumbled into the trap. Ha! And the surface crawlers say we are the stupid ones!"
I frown at the goblin king's words. "Congratulations, you caught us. Can we get on with it?"
The Goblin King looks amused. "Ha ha ha! This one has spirit. It will make good sport. Release my pretty pets! They're hungry!"
To my surprise all that comes out to face us is a single Dire Wolf. It doesn't take long to kill it, however, immediately after it falls 3 more take its place. This fight was a little harder, but we were still able to overcome all 3 beasts. We were given no time to rest though, for a Giant Spider and a Giant Spider Matron next appeared in the arena. This fight was just as easy as the first 1. As the 2 monsters disappear in whisps of light the crowd is silent.
The Goblin King does not look pleased. "Unacceptable! You will pay for your insolence, surface dweller! Guards - attack!"
As guards rush into the arena Luna looks to us. "Stand fast, my friends!"
Ginny gets a manic look in her eyes. "Let them come! I could use a good fight!"
We are then attacked by 3 Goblin Archers. The fight is quite easy. As the archers fall we are then attacked by another Goblin Archer, and 2 Goblin Foot Soldiers. This fight was just as easy as the last 1.
As the 3 goblins fall the Goblin King looks angry. "The surface crawlers are too strong! Run, hide! But know that we will have our revenge upon you, and all your filthy kind!" With much screeching and scurrying, the goblins abandon the arena, leaving us alone.
Deciding to see if I can find a way out of this arena we walk around until we spot a sloping ramp to the east leading north. We follow the ramp, passing empty box seats, until the ramp turns west. We continue to follow the ramp west until the ramp turns south. We continue following the ramp until we reach the Royal Box seats. Passing through where the Goblin King was sitting we find a tent flap that leads out of the arena. As we exit the arena we find a ladder that leads back up to the palace.
We find ourselves outside the Goblin King's sleeping chambers. While exploring it we find a tent flap that leads to the Audience Chamber. As we enter the audience chamber we spot a pedestal. Upon examining it we see a piece of parchment lying on the pedestal. It must have been left here by the Goblin King. Thinking this could be evidence for Adrianus I pick it up.
As I pick up the parchment Ginny looks at it in curiosity. "What is that? Is that what we came for?"
After examining the parchment I nod. "I think so. It looks like part of a treaty."
Ginny looks surprised. "May I see it? I have some experience reading diplomatic documents."
I hand the document to her and watch as she looks it over.
Ginny's eyes widen in shock. "I can't believe this. Someone actually formed an alliance with the goblins... And this rhetoric, it's... compelling. This was written by a skilled statesman."
I look down in puzzlement. "Any guesses who it could be?"
Ginny frowns. "I'm not sure. The style seems familiar, but..."
I place a hand on Ginny's shoulder. "It's alright. Let's get back to town and show this to your father."
Despite my words, I decide to see what else we can find here in the palace. Remembering a set of stairs that we passed just before 1 of the doors slammed down we make our way back to those stairs.
Heading north we enter the stairs. Reaching a wall we turn west. Reaching another wall we turn north. At the next wall, we turn east. A few feet later we turn south. A little farther we turn east. At the next wall, we turn north. Walking forward we enter a dungeon landing. As we explore the landing we can hear a voice. We walk up to a cell and spot a man. I decide to talk to him.
The man's eyes widen. "I can't believe it. You're no goblin. Quick - get me out of here!"
I frown. "Who are you?"
The man calms himself. "My name's Wilhelm. I'm a miner - or at least, I was - working in Silvershade Mine."
I blink. "What are you doing in a goblin dungeon?"
Wilhelm sags in his cell. "When the goblins first attacked the mines, some of us tried to fight them off. They killed most of us, but a few were taken prisoner. We were the unlucky ones. Look, I don't want to be rude, but we don't have time to talk. We need to get out of here."
I examine the cell bars. "Any idea how I can get these bars open?"
Wilhelm shrugs. "The cells open remotely. I heard one of the guards mention something about a gatehouse - maybe the controls are in there?"
Wilhelm looks determined. "I'm willing to take my chances. But if you can cause some sort of distraction, that would certainly make it easier to slip out unnoticed."
I nod in agreement. "I'll see what I can do. Sit tight."
Wilhelm smiles. "Thank you, friend. I won't forget this."
As we continue north toward another set of stairs I hear another voice to my left. Turning west I spot a goblin in a cell just like Wilhelm. Deciding to see why a goblin is locked up I approach the cell.
The goblin looks up at my approach. "You there - surface dweller! The mighty Rogarr Rabgurg demands your assistance!"
I give Rogarr a strange look. "Why would I want to help a goblin?"
Rogarr scowls. "Because I command it, you surface-crawling worm!"
I just give him a deadpan look. "If that's how you feel, maybe I'll just leave you here."
Rogarr looks crafty. "Wait! Insolent worm! Rogarr will not beg, but he is prepared to pay—yes. Pay invaluable knowledge."
I just stare at him. "What knowledge do you have that would be worth anything to me?"
Rogarr looks pleased, I think. "Rogarr knows secret paths - paths the surface-crawlers do not know. Help him, and he shall grant you this knowledge, to aid you in your travels throughout the mighty goblin kingdom."
I nod at his words. "That sounds fair. What do you need from me?"
Rogarr grins, showing rows of sharp teeth. "Rogarr was falsely imprisoned - framed for the murder of the chieftain's eldest son. If he returns to his village without proof of his innocence, he will be flayed alive and his head will adorn a pike in the chieftain's garden."
I stare at Rogarr. "So you need me to prove that you're innocent?"
Rogarr nods in approval. "For a surface worm, you are surprisingly astute. Many trophies were taken from the desecrated body of the chieftain's son, and planted in Rogarr's tent - but the prince's talisman was not among them. Find it, and you will discover the killer."
I give Rogarr a look. "Sounds easy enough. Where should I look?"
Rogarr's eyes sparkle. "Rogarr's village lies south of the Great Bridge. Search there. Rogarr can mark the way on your map."
– Separator –
An: and that's where this chapter comes to an end. I wanted to find Rogarr before taking on the Goblin King's trap, but I accidentally walked too far causing a door to block off my access to the dungeon stairs. Because of this, we didn't get to what I wanted to take care of this time, and it also made this chapter longer than the others.
Next chapter the party will really explore the palace, and we will head for the village Rogarr spoke of.
As always if you have a comment or questions you can leave me a review, or send me a PM. I hope you are enjoying this story, and I will see you all /next time.