ORACLE CAVES


Hook: The Lady of Light, known as Ilumiŵra to the Caliborians, Lumenorians, Eversora to the Strixians, and Gŵarda to the old Taryŵnish, is a goddess not just of light, but, of prophecy, too... The Lumenorians brought with them their oracles when they fled Strixia, and their traditions still exist today as Caliborians and Lumenorians continue them. The oracles live in caves, often by the sea or other bodies of water located near larger settlements. Citizens and leaders alike seek their advice. One such cave, located deep in a pocket of wilderness near a large town, has lost its oracle. Goblins, troglodytes, have killed her and taken up residence in her sanctuary. It is fairly common knowledge, now. The caves are located deep in the wood, far enough away from the walls of the town and most think it better to let a new oracle surface rather than cleanse the site. There is, in most places where drinks can be shared, and rests taken, rumours about a reward for any who can kill the troglodytes and reclaim the caves for The Lady of Light. Shrines and temples actively ask warriors and mercenaries to do the same, offering reward for the effort, including whatever it is the goblins carry on their persons, barring it belongs to someone from town, or someone somewhere else who desires an item's return, should the finder meet the owner, or it's a sacred relic belonging to the temple.

Details: The troglodytes moved in a year and a half ago. It's been a serious enough issue that the local landed gentry have all issued reward for the destruction of the warrior band of goblins. Most who would have sought the oracle's advice can now no longer do so... Usually, each oracle has a few attendants from the temple or shrine nearby, or mercenaries of one sort or another standing guard, camped nearby. The goblins have done away with all of them, and use the gear, weapons and armour, the mercenaries and priests possessed. Those of quality they kept. The rest was thrown out (tossed into the stream leading to a river downstream - one of the clues the oracle was in trouble), or put in the storage chamber. The shaman, a soothsayer named Skûlaz, is a priest of The Beast and his own god, Phang. He is wild and large, powerful in presence, and savage. He has a warrior spirit and enjoys inflicting cruelty on others, including his fellow goblins. They were a wandering band looking for a settled location from which to cause trouble. They jumped at the opportunity to claim a sanctuary belonging to the Lady of Light. The goblins cause trouble, generally, sometimes even interfering with local hunting parties. They're not looking to conquer, just live, and make mischief for the good by partaking in savage bullying and murder. They cannot be bargained with, and will kill anyone who visits their caves. They range out a few miles, 3 at most. They'll stay until they can no longer find good game to survive on, or the pressure from humans becomes too great (which, at present, is too much trouble for the locals).

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