Grobben's Training

*"Surely you don't plan to learn anything from a goblin."*

## Event

*You return to the arena and seek out Grobben.*

*Screams and curses lead you to a training pit where you find Grobben instructing a dryad on basic swordplay.*

*"Keep your shield up!" Grobben snarls, smacking the tree creature square in the face with a wooden club.*

*The dryad is lifted off its feet, landing in a jumble of limbs on the blood-soaked ground. It doesn't move as Grobben turns to greet you.*

*"You're back! Few ever return to this gods-forsaken place and none ever come by choice. What dreadful fate has befallen that would prompt such rash action?"*

1) Deliver package. (only if the player has the Delivery List)

*From the kobold's satchel, you produce a peculiar folded parchment - it is black and brittle, like ash.*
*Grobben throws a rare look of concern and opens it with surprising care.*
*"Rusalka, no?" Grobben gasps. "Lord Veles' love is dead? Then Perun has broken his oath..."*
*No sooner has he finished reading the note the parchment crumbles in a shower of ash in his hands.*
*"I must investigate," he mutters to himself. "He will be furious."*
**The player draws 1 Gain Card.**
*You note that you have X deliveries left to make.*
2) Request training.

*Grobben grins maliciously.*
*"You have ambition, I'll give you that. Not content with just escaping this hellish prison with your life, you seek to claim the title of Master Murderer."*
*"Very well, I will train you. But it will not be easy and it will not be quick."*
*You immediately begin a brutal regime of exercises and fighting with the old troll.*
**The player draws 2 Life Pain Cards.**
*Somewhere among the screaming, the flurry of sword blows and the endless tales of Grobben's wild adventures from his youth, you learn something.*
**The player gains 1 of 2 Blessings.**
*You stand, bloodied and breathless, as Grobben leaves the training pit.*
*After a moment, he returns.*
*"Shall we continue?"*
1) Accept.

*With a deep breath, you ready yourself for more learning.*
**The player draws 3 Life Pain Cards.**
*Somewhere among the screaming, the flurry of sword blows and the endless tales of Grobben's wild adventures from his youth, you learn something.*
**The player gains 1 of 2 Blessings.**
*You stand, bloodied and breathless, as Grobben leaves the training pit.*
*After a moment, he returns.*
If the player has less than 50 Life:
*"You look half dead - I'll not have you die during my training."*
*Grobben looks over his shoulder at the dryad, muttering, "There's enough of that already."*
**Encounter ends.**
Otherwise:
(text)
A) Accept
(text)
**The player draws 4 Life Pain Cards.**
*Somewhere among the screaming, the flurry of sword blows and the endless tales of Grobben's wild adventures from his youth, you learn something.*
**The player gains 1 of 2 Blessings.**
**The player gains this card's Shadow Shard.**
*"Your dedication is... admirable." Grobben admits, glaring at his wooden club. "Farewell."*
B) Decline
(text)
2) Decline
(insert text here)
## Notes

This is an incomplete list of the Combat Blessings Grobben may bestow:

* Ally's Determination
* Cleric's Strike
* Confidence
* Defiant
* Hammer of the Gods
* Justice Served
* Second Wind
* Steadfast Daggers
* Steel Opener
* Swift Justice
* Team Work
* Unwavering Ally