Completed The Goblin Sanctuary

[Griag The Goblin King]

The sounds of Goblins yipping and hollering were heard in the distance as bright lights went past the King Griag's chambers. "Move you dogs!" a crack was heard pounding against flesh followed by a cry of pain. "Maintain ranks you maggots!" A deeper voice was heard, a Hobgoblin Warlord marched his miserable troops forward. "You're near the King's room! Keep moving!"

As the small Goblin legion moved away, a Goblin maid entered the King's chambers and approached the Drow: The King's Wife Harianra. "Morning my dearreesss!" she said happily. "How are yousss todayssss?!"

 

[Xunari Auceus]

Xunari had to be the chaperone for her niece, Harianra, because she was both certain that King Griag may ignore the tradition of waiting until after the wedding to take his 'rights' with his wife... and also because Harianra was likely to attempt to escape. It spoke well of her niece that it had taken three seperate fights and escape attempts before she finally settled down and accepted that Xunari wasn't going to let her escape from her duty.

So it was a mildly restricted Harianra that greeted the maid, her wrists bound together by glowing green magics.

"Mmmhmmmmm!"

And a rubber gag in her mouth.

Xunari idly turned the page from where she sat beside her niece, who had been bound by magic to sit upright with correct posture.

"She's eaten a light breakfast already." She idly informed the maid, "And she's ever so looking forward to the day - what is the itinerary?"

 

[Griag The Goblin King]

The Goblin maid began humming and sashaying around "cleaning" the King's chamber's by eating the many cockroaches that were scurrying onto the floor and dumping the shit filled commode outside. A shout was heard "HEY WHAT WAS THAT?!" A Goblin was heard. "Thatttssss your breakfasstttt Hoblet!" The maid said cheerfully turning to Xunari and Harianra.

"His Graccceeee is inspecting the armiessss once moreeesss," the maid said sweeping the floor around the Drow's feet. "He looveeess his armiesss and isss loooking forwarddss toooo doingggg businessssess!"

The maids yellow eyes darted towards Harianra who was tied up. "The misssusess is wrraapppeddd up annndd looking preeetyyy!" she said. "Theee Kingggg wanttsss tooo seee you myyy lladddy. He wanttssss youuuu toooo giveeee onnneeee lassst inspeccctiiioooon beffoooreee theeeeeyyyy marrrrchhh toooo baaattttlllee."

Xunari Auceus

 

[Xunari Auceus]

Xunari was getting numb to the disgusting conditions that the Goblins lived in. That had to be the only reason she didn't react to what the maid was doing aside from a few mental trains of thought about how easy it would be to kill the maid. From what she had seen so far the Goblins that found the body would be more interested in eating it than finding out who did it.

Thoughts for later perhaps.

Inspecting the armies caught her attention and the attention of Harianra too. The struggling against the bonds actually slowed slightly. It seemed that not all of the family's lessons for Harianra had been ignored in favour of, of all things, Maths lessons.

"We would want to join him in inspecting his armies."

She waved her hand and Harianra's bonds that kept her tied to the chair were released but her wrists were still bond together. Beckoning with a finger, she led her niece.

"Take us to the King, wench."

Griag The Goblin King

 

[Griag The Goblin King]

King Griag loudly fluctuated.

The fart echoed throughout the caves of the Goblin Sanctuary, a poor Goblin soul was unfortunately next to the Goblin King when he passed gas. The victim swayed back and forth as his eyes became glassy before collapsing on the floor. Two Bugbears guard Griag was about to wake him before Griag waved them off. "Leave him," he said snorting out a booger the size of pebble. "He was going to take up a lot room for the ride anyway."

Before showing Xunari the army that he promised him, Griag wanted Harianra to feel at home, showing her his chambers. It was located in the middle of the Goblin Sanctuary overseeing the entire city of branching caves and tunnels that have been expanded Griag's ancestors ever since they've conquered the Dwarves who occupied the area during the Age of Wonders. With Goblin's hard work, the Goblin Sanctuary was the most expansive tunnel system in all of Arethril spreading from the racist villages of Vel Anir to the mountainous trade city: Elbion. There was nowhere the Goblins couldn't go.

Xunari as well as his bride: Harianara arrived as well as the maid: Khaf the Clean. The Goblin King frowned noticing that Harianra wrists was bound together. No Queen of his deserved to be shackle like some prisoner from the surface! With a wave of his hand, Griag caused the bonds to immediately dissipate as he looked at Xunari.

"I cannot have my wife be treated like a prisoner!" Griag said taking in his bride and hugging her against his hairy, smelly armpit. It was probably years since he last washed under his pits decades perhaps? He wasn't really counting.

"My lady I know the rules of marriage," Griag said. "Until we are bound together, I will not stake my claim."

The Goblin King then stared at Harianra giving her a simpering smirk. "You are so beautiful," he said. "How did you all find your future Kingdom?"

The Goblin driver waited for the trio as lights were summoned around the stronghold. "Well better check out the army shall we?" Griag said. "But first let's have Harianra wait for me in my chambers. First thing that a husband and wife must have is trust. Let us leave her at my room while you look over my troops."

Xunari Auceus

 

[Xunari Auceus]

Ah the King objected to seeing his bride in restraints... Xunari would have gagged from the sweetness of it if she hadn't been currently occupied with trying not to vomit due to the smell. She wasn't entirely sure what had died but whatever had had been bottled and sprayed around which was new.

It had to have been a tactic for war to demoralize the enemy with such a revolting smell.

She shrugged at the display instead and simply allowed the King to grapple his would-be Queen into his flesh so she couldn't escape. Honestly Xunari cared less about why her niece couldn't escape her duty than he simply doing her duty.

"So long as you uphold your word, you may feel free to stake the claim as soon as the words are binding." she replied with a smirk, "I'm sure my niece is awaiting the day with bated breath."

Speaking of breath, it was only the small movement of the King away from that meant she was actually able to breathe again. Xunari nodded in agreement.

"Lead the way."

Griag The Goblin King

 

[Griag The Goblin King]

Khaf the Clean began to escort Harinra back to Griag's chambers where she'll be safe. The King flashed a smile at Xunari while chuckling ghoulishly. He has made some lofty promises, these Drow sounded like his kind of scum ruthless and unrelenting but hopefully they won't rip him off as Griag had other ambitions beside help Queen Vyx'aria in her crusade against the Drugear. "No time like the present my lady," The Goblin King got on the cart and glared at the driver to get the cart moving.

The cart began to move with an ear piercing shriek before descending down into the dark abyss below. "I love that screeching sound," Griag said giving an airy sigh. "It's the sound of adventure and exploration!" The Goblin King failed to notice his pointed ears bleeding while he was basking in his memories traveling through the mine carts.

Most of the mine cart railings in the Goblin Sanctuary were lost over the years due to neglect or closed off pathways but Griag made sure that his minions maintained the remaining pathways. It was one of the few technology that the Dwarves left behind they might as well put them to good use and it was great for transporting minerals and Goblins around.

"Let's see here," Griag took a piece of parchment from the side of the cart and gave it to Xunari. "So 5,000 of my best and brightest Goblins will be generously donated to your Queen's campaign against Dhunbor!" he said proudly. "2,500 infantry a mixture of spearmen, sword and shield, 1,000 archers they can fire from any angle, we Goblins are like spiders when we cling on to walls we can create our firing range, the enemy won't know what hit them. I used to cling on to walls back when I was younger but the stresses of ruling caused me to gain a little bit of weight."

The Goblin King laughed so hard that he began to cough, spraying some spit on the little Goblin who was operating the mine cart the driver ignored it as it was the thousandth time that he was spit on by Griag accidentally or not. "Speaking of spiders you'll have 850 Calvary: the Spider Riders. The Dark Spiders are birthed from the Spider Queen Shareria who is located in deeper parts the Mountains."

He leaned closer to Xunari. "Trust me," he said. "You do NOT want to know how much I sacrificed to make a deal with her! Anywho! The Spiders are fast and their bites poisonous in fact the spears that the Goblins wield into battle are dipped with the their poison. There are NO antidotes for it and those who are infected will die a painful death."

The Goblin King grinned. "Heh usually they victims normally scream before they shit their pants and convulse while blackened blood bubbles from their mouths. It's a rather nasty poison the Spiders have and it's unique since they inherited it from Shareria herself."

Griag coughed again. "You'll also have 300 Bugbears who will serve as Shock Troops capable of wonton violence and 350 Hobgoblins wielding an assortment of weapons they'll be serving more as a reserve guard but they are my most powerful of troops. They're cunning and are capable of turning a battle around."

The Goblin King then gave a simpering smile as they arrived at the military compound. "Ah we arrived at last!" He said as the cart came at a full stop. "Let's go! The troops await us!"

Xunari Auceus

 

[Xunari Auceus]

The cart needed some maintenance.

Or to be replaced by a magical version that didn't require such outdated mechanics but she wasn't going to say that. It would be the King's decision if he integrated some of the technology that the Drugear had at their disposal. She was big enough to admit that even the Drow would be taking on some of their gadgets and inventions.

"It's sounds like the screeching of the nether bats of the underrealm." she admitted with a small smirk, "Reminds me of home."

She rather liked her home - she could miss it just fine.

The breakdown of the troops on offer she dutifully committed to memory. Even if she had two arms she wouldn't have written any of it down as she had long since cultivated a memory worthy of envy. At the bit about the King climbing walls... she did her best NOT to commit that to memory.

The mental image was best left as a one and done.

She raised an eyebrow at the spider riders.

"A very good alliance, King Griag."

It honestly was.

The remaining troops were fewer in number but they were the kind of hardened troops that could make or break a battle or a campaign even. Humming a little bit as they arrived, she nodded.

"I would be very interested in seeing your Bugbears and Hobgoblins first if I may. See how we can integrate them into our forces sparingly but for maximum effect."

Griag The Goblin King

 

[Griag The Goblin King]

"Nether Bats....." a big stream of drool came tumbling down Griag's pimple infested chin and landed on the small Goblin who was controlling the cart. "They are delicacy in the Goblin Sanctuary but the thing is they were soooooo tasty that we kinda hunted them down to extinction around the Spine. Now we have plain ol Bats!"

The Goblin King shuttered. "They taste like Catshit! Once we merge our Kingdoms my lady I would definitely like to open up trade. Starting of course with those Nether Bats!"

The pair exited from the cart, Griag stared at military compound his dark yellow eyes swirling with pride. This used to belong to the Dwarves way back at the Age of Wonders, they've originally built the place as an Airship yard or something Griag wasn't entirely sure. Once the Goblins rebelled against the Dwarves, the first thing Griag's ancestor did was to dismantle this stronghold and remake it as a place where a Goblin military can be trained.

The Goblin army grew over the years, new tactics and units were created in this place. The military stronghold was Griag's pride and joy maintaining the place. He would often walk amongst the Attack Trolls and weaponry caressing them like a lover. Partially out of his love for conquest and raids but mostly out of dreams of revenge against the Halflings. Those microscopic Piglets who somehow overcame the might of the Goblin Horde 225 years ago, who somehow slayed his father. Griag has never forgotten that day, he still dreams of his father's head being lopped off by Halfling defenders.

A large Goblin stood in front of the gates his hands clasped back at attention and his one white eye focusing on Griag and Xunari approaching them:

He was also flanked by two Bugbears: 7 foot hairy beasts who were both wielding rusted Iron Maces. The two Bugbears growled at Xunari while the pale Goblin in the middle muttered something in the Goblin language to shut them up. "Ah Suldrek!" Griag walked closer towards him patting his shoulder before turning to Xunari.

"My lady!" Griag said. "Allow me to introduce to you: Suldrek Whiteteeth! The reason why he is called Whiteteeth is because he maintains them pearly whites! He still refuses to tell me his secret!"

"Brush your teeth my King," Suldrek spoke in a raspy, guttural tone. "Everyday."

Griag looked at Suldrek bewildered before bursting out laughing. "That's a funny joke!" he roared beginning to snort in between laughs. "Suldrek can be have a biting wit at times! Unlike the dullards who all they can think of is shit and fart jokes."

"Yes my King." Suldrek turned his attention towards Xunari recognizing the Drow guest and giving her a respectful nod.

"He's also the strong, silent type! I like him!" Griag said to Xunari cheerfully. "Anyway! Suldrek Whiteteeth will serve as the Goblin Horde's field commander during your Queen's battle at Dhunbor. I know he's not as handsome as me but he is a skillful leader, a cunning tactian and a damn good swordsman! Pitiless, sadistic, merciless. If you want to get some dirty work done, then Suldrek will do it with gusto! But for now he'll lead the 5,000 Goblins into battle!"

"The 10 Attack Trolls and the Wrym are also ready my King."

"Oh!" Griag slapped his forehead so hard that one of his boils burst. "How can I possibly forget?! My lady you'll also have 10 Attack Trolls and a Wyrm by your side. Please take care of them especially the Wrym his name is Wilbur. Raised him meself since he was just a little grub of 5 feet!"

"The troops are also awaiting you my King," Suldrek his voice stern yet respectful.

"Ah yes!" Griag coughed. "Come on my lady! Let's not keep them waiting!"

Xunari Auceus

 

[Xunari Auceus]

Oh?

Well that was something she could count on - for Griag to focus on thinking with his stomach and his pride. It was either a Goblin thing, a King thing or a male thing and she wasn't experienced enough with any of those things to actually know which one it was.

"Then I'll make sure we bring enough of them to feed us all for the wedding feast."

She grinned.

"And trade shall flow my friend, it shall flow."

Trade was something that every civilized society in the world recognized as a good thing. Sure, there might not be a market for some of the good Goblins could provide but they could be traded to others if the Drow couldn't use them. Someone, somewhere, always wanted to something after all.

The goblin who stepped up to meet them was more in line with the fearsome reputation of the Goblins than Griag. Honestly even Xunari raised an eye and nodded a little bit; he looked big, dumb and ceaselessly violent and that made him perfect.

Xunari flashed her own teeth in a wicked grin.

"Pleasure to meet you Suldrek - I'm sure we shall get to know each other better wading through the dead."

... she probably needed more lessons on social cues she was beginning to realize. Shaking her head, she gestured with her one arm for Griag to continue to show her the way.

 

[Griag The Goblin King]

The Goblin Sanctuary had major ties to The Shallows: The crime underworld of Alliria. Griag made some deals with the major crime bosses some 100 odd years ago that they'll be allowed access to the underground tunnels of the Sanctuary in exchange for a modest tax of one third of the coin and goods that they'll smuggle in and out of their tunnels. Of course there were protests but given that Griag held all the cards considering that the Allirian guard and the Allirian Rangers were cracking down hard on crime they relented.

"Glad to hear it! If you hold your end, I'll connect you with some good friends of mine in Alliria! They have access to areas of great interest to the Queen." The Goblin King laughed giving Xunari a good slap on the back. His dark yellow eyes grew in fear as he realized that the pus remaining from the pimple he popped when he slapped his forehead transferred on to the Drow's back. Gulping, Griag coughed hoping that she wouldn't notice as the climbed the stairs. The howls and growls of the Goblin horde echoed inside the chamber, Suldrek and the two Bugbears followed Griag and Xunari to the top of tower.

A smile spread across Griag's face as he smelled the stench of blood and steel. The yells and croaking only got louder as Griag, Xunari and Suldrek reached the top and looked down below at 5,000 strong Goblins yipping and shrieking but immediately fell silent as soon as Griag waddled towards the podium and raised his scab filled arm.

"LOOK ALIVE GOBLIN HORDE!" Griag's face swelled with pride and tears threatened fall from his face. Well trained, well armed Goblin horde ready to march onto war. The Goblin King felt the strong desire to mount up his Giant Scorpion and join them as they raid and pillage Dhunbor, the first of many conquests on Griag's pathway to revenge.

"HAIL TO THE KING!" The Goblin Horde screamed in unison. It was a good thing Griag was a Goblin, a lesser species say a Human or an Elf, that roar would've been deafening.

Which is why he hoped Xunari covered her ears.

"WHERE ARE WE HEADED?!" Griag shouted shaking his clawed, slimy fist some of the yellow slime fell all the way to a Goblin infantry who eagerly gobbled it up.

"TO BATTLE!"

"WHAT THE FUCK DO WE WANT?!"

"VICTORY!"

"THIS I LIKE!" The Goblin King nodded rapidly, his quintuple chins wobbling in all directions. The Horde then began to curse and jabber like a Gibbering Mouther. Some roared: "Griag!" while others said: "Die Grey Dwarves! Die!" But they were one unit ready and willing to fight for the Dominion for Queen Vyx'aria . She damn well better keep her promises because Griag will be asking favors soon enough.

"Magnificent are they?" Griag whispered to Xunari as he looked over the Horde like a proud father.

Xunari Auceus