Vrek tried to calm the crowd down with a loud "shut up you gobs!" but this time it did not take right away Lurk noticed, he took notice of this and turned around out of sight of the goblins all cheering him. Then Vreks next shout was obayed.

(".. They were briefly to obsessed with my acts to ignore Vrek.. because I was riding high on the goblins mind because of my violent acts, I think i am beginning to understand this evil trait. Its almost just as bad as drama in high school. One bad misstep for a student even if that student was high on the pecking order, would result in the other students collectively disliking that person, shunning them even.. ")

Lurk sat down on the rock, Vrek coming back to his throne (kitchen chair), staring at Lurk as he moved to sit. He began telling how the raid had gone, what they had lost and gained. Mostly this was aimed at the bosses that were not brought along in the raid.

Lurk listened and learned a bit more of the outside world, the recent raid on the fort city nearest the southern entry way into the dark kingdom. How Vrek had moved from their old cave, which made him stare angrily at Lurk again, Lurk wondered why he was angry at Lurk during this moment. But moving to this cave that was closer to the exit out into human lands, had brought this next great success with this raid. The bosses all nodded and grinned at this.

They did not seem to consider the risk or retribution, maybe they did and just did not bring it up in order to not appear weak. But Lurk wanted to check something now that he was in a position of power, seemingly Vrek could not just kill him, Lurk thought that being a shaman was a pretty strong position.

".. What will we do, when they move to retaliate for this raid?.. Is it wise to kick a hornets nest right after its been disturbed and gotten angry?"

The bosses all stopped with their approving nods, breaking the talking of the good Vrek had accomplished. They all turned to look at Lurk questioningly, Vrek stared daggers at Lurk clearly angry at breaking the talk up when the bosses were giving him praise and acknowledgement.

"The Spawnling should be quiet, it knows nothing of the humans" Vrek said angrily towards him, the bosses all sneered too as Vrek admonished Lurk for speaking of things such a young spawnling would know nothing of. This actually made Lurk think how did goblins learn so much information to begin with? They all spoke goblin from birth, they seemed to pick up things pretty fast. No one in the Sun Soakers team bat a eyelid, except Sala because she wanted to teach Lurk and feel wise and stronger than him, over the fact that Lurk already was a functional member of their group right away.

Lurk decided to press on, since goblins seemed to be either born with information or just adapted extremely quickly.

".. I am just thinking from my own point, if some kobolds suddenly came and attacked my nest, while I was away. When I got back, would I not hunt all the puny kobolds down for this?"

The bosses nodded looking at each other, clearly Lurk could understand a little bit. Vrek tightened his lips leaning back in his throne (kitchen chair). Internally he was cursing this upstart of a spawn.

".. But.." Lurk said briefly, the bosses turning to look at him again.

"I cannot deny Vrek accomplished a great deal with this daring raid, he must clearly have a good plan for when the humans come out here to hunt us down."

The bosses looked to Vrek as Lurk had acknowledged him and waited for Vreks next command.

Vrek blinked, he had not suddenly expected Lurk to praise him, even suggest that Vrek knew of a plan, for when the humans would come? But the humans might or might not come, this was not important at all!. It only became important because Lurk brought it up!! Vrek had planned to just lay low here, waiting for the time when Xarn was to return and build his numbers in this nest.

"Yes ..Shaman.. Lurk..." Vrek made a point out of saying Lurks name and title in a mocking way, while leaning forward staring at him.

"We are staying here, waiting for the arrival of Chief Xarn... Then we will meet him at the location he pointed out..The humans will not dare enter the Demon kingdom in their weakened state.."

Vrek said simply and straightforwardly, the bosses looked at Vrek then Lurk. Clearly they wanted Lurk to say more, they did not seem to mind that discord was building up between these two, some of them were even hoping for Vrek to weaken more, so maybe the small chance of them being able to win a challenge against would occur.

".. And?.. Are we putting out scouts near the direction of the entry point in the mountains?..to give warning if the humans appear?"

"That! Is your job as Sun Soaker boss" Vrek immediately retorted before Lurk could say more, Lurk shook his head and spoke again.

"We are only out there for brief moments of the day, I presume the night is properly scouted, but I say we move some goblins out in directions of the entryway, if they see humans coming they return to give warning. The gobs will just have to endure a little light in their eyes"

Some of the bosses nodded at this, but the Goblin with the Helmet did not seem to approve. He quickly spoke up.

"My gobs are not leaving the cave, they are best here for defense.."

This caused the other bosses to sneer at the Helmeted goblin they began to argue, that they had all been on raid and lost gobs from their groups, even Vrek joined in on this and without trying Lurk managed to get them to send goblins out of the cave, plus sow discord between the bosses.

After handling that bit of logistics, if you could call logistics, with the shouting and threatening each other. It was decided that Lurks group would find places for the helmeted goblins gobs to set up scouting camps during the day.

Vrek then called Lurk to follow him after the meeting was done.

"We need your healing to handle the sows we are holding, and for Xarns personal sows too."

Lurk gritted his teeth, following behind Vrek they walked over to the corner where the women were still huddle up closely together, boxed in by three giant goblins, even bigger than Vrek or humans even. Their bodies were massive but their eyes were dim. They did not seem interested in the women at all and just sat there picking at their weapons and food or simply sleeping.

While walking over there Lurk made a point out of trying to touch as many goblins as possible, Vrek thought it was odd, it did look odd since Lurk had to wait till the Menu popped up informing it had collected any new info. Since a gentle touch was not enough. Most goblins thought it was weird, but lurk burned a few tiny points of mana making a gentle wind gust at the ones that protested, saying it was a boon he was bestowing them. This made them excited, or scared out of their wits. But there were not a lot of new additions to his menu and he could only touch so many in one go.

[Progenitor Menu]

- Abilities Collected -

[Dancing: Weak]

[Writing: Normal]

[Spear: Weak]

[Husbandry: Normal]

- Traits Collected -

[Long Breath]

[Nimble Fingers]

[Small time Collector Title Earned!]

("What the hell is it with these random abilities and traits... Oh gee thanks Menu I am a collector now??.")

"These gobs sure are big..." Lurk said to distract his thoughts once they got over to the women, he moved closer to one of them and put his hand on the shoulder of one waiting for the Menu to pop up, then following it up as sturdy shoulder pats to acknowledge the strength of the big goblins.

_____________________________________________

[Progenitor Menu]

[Race : Hobgoblin]

Class : Brute Level 5

Name : Gorka

Sex : Male

Age : 11 Months

Status : Son / Father(12)

Father : Xarn

Mother : Clara Summerfield

Children : (goblins): Derk, Soon, Vrok, Voom, Lark - [Open Full list? Yes/No]

(Hobgoblins : Zerk)

[STR] : 50 +30

[AGI] : 20

[STA] : 40 +30

[WIS] : 5 (Penalized -6)

[INT] : 4 (Penalized -6)

[LUK] : 10

Health : 90/90

Mana : 15/15

- Abilities - (only New abilities shown)

[Speech : Goblin]

[Cooking : Medium]

- Traits - (only New Traits shown)

[Hobgoblin Soul]

[Beyond Evil]

[Night Vision]

- Elite Traits -

[Physical Boost - Evolved Goblin : Active/Locked] Cost 5 FBP

Titles : Metal Cruncher

_____________________________________________

("hobgoblins huh..")

A intensely deep growl came from this hobgoblin, as Lurk managed to touch it just long enough for the menu to pick up the information. Pulling his hand back the Hobgoblin reverted back to not caring. but he did get Cooking: Medium and a Elite trait that apparently had turned this goblin into a hobgoblin.. So goblins will accrue these points themselves?.. Something that happens to them naturally?

"Stop annoying the hobs... Now heal these sows.."

Lurk looked at the beyond scared women, huddled up into a corner trying to be as far away from the goblins and hobgoblins as possible. They were covered in scratches and bruises, they had been tortured and raped, but never enough to cause any serious damage. Their legs especially were targeted. Lurk gritted his teeth in rage, he carefully stepped forward towards the women that all began increasing their sobs and pleads. This caused the nearby goblins to cheer from feeling their fear, which caused the women to panic even more.

"Shut up you gobs!" Lurk said behind him and the goblins all quieted down, Vrek looked annoyed at Lurk. The women jumping in fright from Lurk yelling, some of the older ones were trying to calm the other women, but Lurk could not understand what they were saying. The Menu did not give him access to this language? Maybe they needed to have some sort of bloodline Connection first Lurk pondered.

Moving closer looking over them he pitied these women, he wanted to heal them from their wounds, but it would also prolong their hellish life here. He was trapped in a awful position.

He began healing them one by one, until they all were healed. Vrek seemed to grow increasingly more annoyed the more Lurk kept healing. Luck only saw their name and race everything else was locked in his menu for these women. When Lurk Finished Vrek looked at Lurk angrily thinking to himself.

(".. How much mana does this gob have.. He healed them all?..Normally the other shaman would heal them a little.. spreading it out... What is this gob??...")

"Good.. Next are Xarn's Sows. Keep these Sows confined and out of hand till they birth."

Vrek nodded to Lurk and then gave the Hobgoblin orders, they acknowledge him with a grunt or two. Lurk followed Vrek, sighing inwardly, thinking that atleast the women would not be raped or tortured while they were presumably pregnant. Vrek seemed to know not to cause significant loses this way.

Following Vrek over into a different corridor that lead downwards in a almost spiral. They came down to a cave room where 5 women were held captured. Lurk recognized one immediately.

Emily, the human that was lying down next to Mercia back when Lurk was born, she also was reaching out towards the girl covered in wood back then. Perhaps this girl knew about Mercia, Lurk thought to himself.

"Make sure these are always healthy, if they die Xarn will punish you harshly!" Vrek said to Lurk intimidatingly

"Punish us both... Harshly" Lurk pointed out, causing Vrek to growl and posture in front of Lurk angrily.

"You shut your trap you gob!.. Now heal these sows!" Vrek sneered at Lurk and pushed him towards them, Lurk simply looked at the females, they were now covered in rags, had some food it seemed. They were not kept in the same horrible conditions as before being placed in a room filled with blood. They still looked incredibly haggard and worn out from their ordeal, they did not resist as much as the women upstairs. Little energy remained in them.

Lurk moved over and checked them one by one, making sure to leave Emily for last. He healed those that needed it, when he got to Emily he leaned in and said quietly to her in elvish as he healed her.

{"...Mercia..Emily.."}

Emily blinked, her surrendered look in her eyes vanished a little she looked into the eyes of this goblin. Those purple eyes. They reminded her of her best friends calming eyes, but she noticed it was a goblin that was staring at her. She gritted her teeth not understanding what this goblin was doing, trying to move away.

Lurk stood up and turned to face Vrek and with a demanding voice.

"I will claim this one as my second sow"