@Dark Cloud Skrik needs a knife, a spear, 5 javelins, and another type of poison. The numbing one isn't likely to be of value against wolves and bears.
@Jangel13, Did gramps have any words for young Skrik?
Yup. And Skrik doesn't know where he is right now anyway. His first hunt is going to be for materials to replace his gear. I'm regretting the gear dependency that I built Skrik up with last time. Need more skills.
Success seemed to remain elusive. Skrik slipped past the last few clumps of brush and back into view of the church. He was a hobgoblin now, something should have changed... but it wasn't enough. He'd been gone for a day and a night but only had a little to show for it. He had one javelin left and he needed to make a new spear. His expression was frustrated and grim as he walked across the cleared space and pushed open the door. He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't notice the young ones at first and just tossed the bundle of loot wrapped in rabbit skin toward the feet of the old goblin.
The bundle that he tossed inside for grandpa gob wasn't as large as usual. There was meat from two horned rabbits, bones and skins from six others, and horns from four. One horn he had kept for himself. One thing was the same as always, the skulls were all missing. He still buried them as he went.
He didn't say anything at first. That old goblin knew by now that Skrik was trying to hunt something dangerous. He would know that this had been another failure as well. Skrik's talent for remaining uninjured after so many failed attempts was probably one of very few notable things about him. And he was starting to get depressed. After sharing a long look with grandpa gob, Skrik took a long breath and looked around. At last, he noticed the young ones.
"All ready to hunt?" He said at last. "Guess I almost missed it." His voice was soft and rough from disuse. He had little reason to talk when hunting alone.
Some of the young brood were showing initiative that was odd, smart, but odd. Butchering with tools before even hunting, forming alliances and talking about traps and strategies. Skrik's eerie smile slowly spread across his face. These would make the tribe stronger... or destroy it. Either way, he needed to keep getting stronger or they'd leave him behind like some of his own generation had. This was no time to be wallowing in self pity. Maybe... he had simply reached a place where he couldn't accomplish his goals alone.
Skrik looked around but quickly realized that the younger generation probably didn't have the strength to help him just yet. His goals were too ambitious for them to bridge the power gap. Maybe later, but not now. He'd need the help of another hobgoblin or two. So far, he hadn't told anyone about the crystal pool or the bear. Maybe it was time to find another hobgoblin interested in getting more power than just bigger muscles and weapons.
He waved at gramps and turned to walk back outside. He'd stop if gramps called him, but otherwise he had gear to replace. He needed more poison, and better ways of carrying it too. One thing at a time. Another spear. He needed a stout wooden shaft to attach his newly acquired rabbit horn to. He might ask later about where that young one got a sword, but for now, his own skills were focused around short blades and spears. Considering short blades, Skrik couldn't help but grimace at the loss of his stone knife. One thing at a time.
Provided supplies to gramps @Jangel13, Possible conversation lead with gramps. Still standing in or near the doorway, available for contact until next cycle.
-Poisoned Light Javelin (numbing) -Horned rabbit horn -Wrist and neck cloth wrapping and tight loincloth.
Goblin Appearance: Skrik’s eyes and smile are more vicious than the average goblin. Combined with his lanky figure, red-gold eyes, and preference for very tight places, he is one creepy looking goblin, even among goblins. Hobgoblin Appearance: Skrik's eyes and smile are largely unchanged but have taken on a more distant and calculating semblance from recent experiences. Lanky as ever, but somewhat better muscled and with a slightly more olive tone to his skin, his evolution to hobgoblin didn't change much aside from slightly lengthening his clawlike nails and giving his features a slightly more refined appearance. Still, refined or not... he's still one creepy looking guy.
Personality: Being betrayed by his best friend in his past life has had an effect on his thinking. He accepts the possibility of treachery and murder, unknowingly becoming more likely to kill other goblins as a result. However, he is still undecided as to whether or not he will be loyal to his own kind. He has a strong sense of need, knowing that everyone needs something and that the one who can provide what is needed has power over the one with the need. Thus, he will always seek to understand the motivation behind the actions of people and creatures. However, this does not help him with a deep seated loneliness that lurks deep within him.
He is also very visceral, being strongly influenced by his physical senses and susceptible to certain social forms of manipulation. He enjoys his food and drink more than most as well as the moment of the kill and the taste of fresh blood.
Past Life History: Studying to become a doctor while working with livestock on a farm can make for an inspiring story… so long as it doesn’t end with your best friend luring your out into a fallow field to beat you to death with rebar because he thought you were looking at his girlfriend too closely.
Skill: Butcher’s Insight: Heightened ability to find vital points, predict movement based on physiology, and get the most out of a carcass.
-Starting Skill: Butcher’s Insight [Heightened ability to find vital points, predict movement based on physiology, and get the most out of a carcass.] Acquired Skills: -Slash (claws)= The goblin has learned how to use his sharper nails to create a slashing attack making it effective in rending flesh. Has no effect on armor; can be upgraded -Pierce (weapon)= The goblin has learned to pinpoint a spot on an enemy and use a sharp weapon to strike hard at it. This allows the goblin to strike a deadly blow with any sharp weapon and when upgraded can pierce through weapons and armor. -Throwing Intuition= This goblin, having thrown enough things, has been given insight when using a thrown weapon. He can accurately guess the distance, wind, angle, and strength of his throws. At higher levels can gain pinpoint accuracy to his targets weak spots. -Rookie Weaponsmith: The goblin has learned through experience what ways to move and create a primitive weapon would be. Gained the skill to craft spears, axs, swords, and knives -dark aim: allows the user to guess a vital point even when visibility is low. At higher levels can strike vital points from darker positions.
I was figuring that Skrik would have been gone for between two and five days at a time. The recent change would be him coming back every day or two, but only to drop things off and make sure that the tribe is okay.
Heh, sharing? Pah. A sheaf of javelins would be for hunting multiple things that are dangerous enough to need more than one hit. Skrik was building up for a bear and/or wolves at the end of the last one. But, I'll take a closer look and make up my mind based on what I see and your instructions. We must not let it be too easy for the younglings... no... we must not let that happen at all... heh.
Edit: To the other Hobgoblins, Skrik had a pattern of hunting alone and didn't spend much time with anyone else before. I'm thinking that that pattern wouldn't have changed much. So, while your characters would probably know him, they wouldn't be used to seeing him much. I believe that he would have been going out to hunt alone and regularly staying out overnight before coming back with rabbits and materials. One point of oddity would be that he never brings the skulls back. Horns, yes. Skulls no. He always buries the skulls near where the prey was. Also, he only started coming back regularly about a week or so ago but hasn't said much. He just drops off food and materials. I'm thinking that he doesn't always stay to sleep either.
Any thoughts or opinions?
I am a mighty goblin... probably. Name: Skrik
Gender: Male
Goblin Appearance: Skrik’s eyes and smile are more vicious than the average goblin. Combined with his lanky figure, red-gold eyes, and preference for very tight places, he is one creepy looking goblin, even among goblins.
Hobgoblin Appearance: Skrik's eyes and smile are largely unchanged but have taken on a more distant and calculating semblance from recent experiences. Lanky as ever, but somewhat better muscled, his evolution to hobgoblin didn't change much aside from slightly lengthening his claw-like nails and giving his features a slightly more refined appearance. Still, refined or not... he's still one creepy looking guy.
Personality: Being betrayed by his best friend in his past life has had an effect on his thinking. He accepts the possibility of treachery and murder, unknowingly becoming more likely to kill other goblins as a result. However, he is still undecided as to whether or not he will be loyal to his own kind. He has a strong sense of need, knowing that everyone needs something and that the one who can provide what is needed has power over the one with the need. Thus, he will always seek to understand the motivation behind the actions of people and creatures. However, this does not help him with a deep seated loneliness that lurks deep within him.
He is also very visceral, being strongly influenced by his physical senses and susceptible to certain social forms of manipulation. He enjoys his food and drink more than most as well as the moment of the kill and the taste of fresh blood.
Past Life History: Studying to become a doctor while working with livestock on a farm can make for an inspiring story… so long as it doesn’t end with your best friend luring your out into a fallow field to beat you to death with rebar because he thought you were looking at his girlfriend too closely.
Skill: Butcher’s Insight: Heightened ability to find vital points, predict movement based on physiology, and get the most out of a carcass.
Starting Skill: Butcher’s Insight [Heightened ability to find vital points, predict movement based on physiology, and get the most out of a carcass.] Acquired Skills: Slash (claws)= The goblin has learned how to use his sharper nails to create a slashing attack making it effective in rending flesh. Has no effect on armor; can be upgraded Pierce (weapon)= The goblin has learned to pinpoint a spot on an enemy and use a sharp weapon to strike hard at it. This allows the goblin to strike a deadly blow with any sharp weapon and when upgraded can pierce through weapons and armor. Throwing Intuition= This goblin, having thrown enough things, has been given insight when using a thrown weapon. He can accurately guess the distance, wind, angle, and strength of his throws. At higher levels can gain pinpoint accuracy to his targets weak spots.
Red Gypsy