Invite them

You decide that you’d gain the most benefit from trying to get them to join you. At this point intimidating them shouldn’t be too difficult. They were the only ones left of their tribe, and you’d been the one to kill the others. They would hate you, but they would fear and respect your strength; and you would gain some mooks to do menial tasks like further developing your lair.

“Lay down your weapons and I won’t kill you.” You speak from the darkness and the goblins jump as you emerge from the shadows. The moment the chieftess sees you her face darkens in rage. “Trickster wolf! Where goblins you take?”

“You know where they are. Same place as the rest of your tribe.” You gesture around you referring to the goblin corpses that litter the general vicinity. She cries out in rage and begins a chant of some sort. Taking a chance on your newfound strength you palm one of the smooth stones you had left for your sling and huck it at the goblin before she can finish her chant. It strikes her directly in the center of her forehead and she cries out in pain.

“None of that now.” You glare menacingly at the two warriors with her. The threat implied by the gaze enough to stop them from trying anything foolish. “I want to talk, not fight. Unless you’d like to join your brethren?”

The two warriors shake their head and remain still, shaking slightly as they watch for any threatening movements from yourself or any openings for them to flee.

“Good, then join me. I’m building a lair not too far from here. You can join me now, or perish. Its your choice, but its better to be the hunters than the hunted isn’t it?” The question answers itself of course. The two males quickly accept your invitation, twin chimes of consent coming as they acknowledge the dialogues that appear before them inviting them to your pack. The shamaness curses and glares at you muttering threats under her breath before begrudgingly accepting the offer.

You weren’t entirely certain if your packmates could harm you once they acknowledged you as their leader; but you’d have to keep an eye on the has-been chieftess until you knew for sure. With them having joined you spare a modicum of attention to learn their names. The males are Grak and Tak, and the female is Chava. Huh, a goblin with more than one syllable for a name. That was a new one in your experience.

“Perfect, now let’s head for your new home. You’re going to be very busy starting tomorrow.” Grak and Tak nodded eagerly, quickly following you while Chava glared at you for a moment longer before following behind. She would obey for now, but it seems like she is plotting should a chance for **** present itself.

When you come upon the glade its close to midnight. You pick your way carefully through the thorny growth that chokes the floor of the forest and find the entrance through the thorn wall. The goblins manage to get several scratches along the way and you’re amused to see their health drop a tiny bit each time they wail at the discomfort the thorns cause. It seems like they’re going to need some practice moving through the new area if they are to be of any use to you in matters of stealth outside your lair.

When you clear the thorns and enter the clearing at the center of the glade the goblins stop and stare a moment at the view they’re greeted with. It is a striking scene at first glance you guess. The rune triad at the center thrums with power, adding gravitas to the beauty of the star strewn sky that lights the verdant landscape of your lair.

“Sleep wherever, just stay out of my lodge. Tomorrow I’ll start a shelter of some sort for you. Don’t wander. The thorns that surround the edge of this place can do some real damage if you don’t know the way through them.” You warn your new minions before leaving them to their own devices and heading for your lodge. You’re eager for a good night of sleep after the struggles of the day. Still, you think, it has been a very productive day. You’d gained two levels, a heap of basic resources, and three potentially useful (if not loyal) minions.

You swing open the door and halt at the sweet scent that suffuses the lodge. There in the cot once more lies Sylvana. She’s asleep but the bit of prepared food, raw though it is, that’s left on the small table across the room from her shows that she had been waiting for your return. The sight of her draped across your cot unaware and **** sent a shiver through you. You inhaled deeply, savoring the sweetness of her presence before moving towards the food she’d laid out. More mushrooms. Vile things. Still, they did sustain you; and you hadn’t eaten since before the encounter with the goblins. It didn’t take more than a moment for you to wolf down the simple victuals. Momentarily sated, you move towards the bed. A hunger of a different kind calls to you as you look upon your tempting little rabbit of a nymph.

Before you could make a decision a jaw cracking yawn **** its way from you and that’s decision enough for you. Gently you sidle in beside Sylvana and fit your form to hers, quickly falling into a dreamless slumber.