prismatica | 1st job [voice; open]

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1st job [voice; open]

[ He's not used to speaking to an audience he can't see. Then again, he's not exactly great at talking to people he can see, so maybe that makes little difference. ]

I'm looking for goblins.

[ Shocking. ]

They're an abundant problem where I am from. But I haven't seen any here, and many people say they don't have them in the worlds they come from. But I am looking for them anyway. Let me know if you find any, so I can kill them.

[ His tone is mostly blunt, his sentences direct and to-the-point, but anyone with a keen ear might detect that he sounds a little... strained, perhaps. As if the complete and utter lack of goblins is, in itself, a concern. ]

Also, I would like to know how to access the sewers so I can make sure no goblins have taken up a nest there.

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Yes. Hobgoblins, Goblin Champions, and Goblin Lords. Each are stronger and more intelligent than a regular goblin. Goblin Lords in particular are dangerous because they can coordinate and command large numbers of goblins all at once.

[He can't tell if the man was speaking out of disbelief or not, but he answers matter-of-factly nonetheless. Skepticism doesn't faze him. He would rather put information out there and have it be ignored, than to not try to inform people at all.]

Be careful. Goblins almost never travel alone. If you find one, that's a sign that there is probably a pack of them nearby - and once you engage the group, they must all die right then. None can be allowed escape. Those who survive become more advanced.

Even if you kill them all, tell me where they were.

[Definitely disbelief, but it fades when he continues to speak of them as though they are a well-studied plague on the earth that is serious enough to warrant some amount of alarm.]

I see. I may not know one if I see one if I am being honest with you, but we will see.

[He's not sure he should bring this up, but it can't hurt.]

What will you do if goblins do not exist in this place?

[To be fair, he's the one who's done most of the study. For better or worse he's the frontier's foremost expert on goblins.]

I'll prepare for the possibility that they may arrive. I did not exist in this place until recently. If I was able to arrive here, it isn't hard to imagine that other creatures from my world could eventually do the same.

That's why I want to check the sewers. It's the kind of place where goblins may try to lay in wait until an opportune moment.

[Hanzo can see where he's coming from. Here he is an expert on assassination with no one to contract him for work.]

Have you considered temporarily picking up another hobby?

..After you have checked the sewers, I suppose.

No.

After the sewers I will work my way up to the other levels. Once I have finished that, I will investigate the city outskirts. From there I will travel to the outlying towns and villages to see their condition as well.

This is not a hobby. This is what I do.

Yes, I do understand that, but...

Suppose all of that comes to pass an there are still no signs of goblins existing in this world at all. What then?

[He doesn't know what to even think about that possibility.]

Remain vigilant. Maintain my preparations. Keep looking for a way home.

[He knows that tone. It’s very slight but still a hair defensive. Hanzo can understand why.]

No intentions of settling in to life here? Or accepting the likely scenario that we are never getting back to our homes? Hm. I like that about you, but how long will it last, I wonder.

I can't accept that. My work at home is not done. There are still goblins.

...

There are also some people who would be upset if I did not return. I don't want that to happen, so I can't stay here.

Understood.

If you figure out a way back, will you let me know?

Yes. Who am I speaking to?

Hanzo.

And you are?

I am Goblin Slayer.

[... No, he's not kidding. ]

[Oh jeez, he's not kidding.]

I see.

Is that what you prefer to be called?

It's what I'm used to. I've also been called Orcbolg and Beard Cutter before. You can use one of those if you prefer. I don't care.

Why Beard Cutter?

[He wants to laugh but this is just on the cusp of hilarious and terribly sad.]

What were you called as a child?

According to a dwarf I know, it was the name of a legendary goblin-slaying blade.

[No wonder he's content with that nickname...]

I'm not a child anymore, so it doesn't matter.

[Sorry, Hanzo. You have not invested enough CR Points to unlock his Tragic Backstory]

I see.

[Well, he can't argue with that. He can respect privacy.]

Good luck to you all the same, Goblin Slayer.

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