Goblin Run

(align:"=><=")+(box:"X=")[''GOBLIN RUN''] (align:"=><=")+(box:"X=")[by Matt Barninger] It has been raining for days. Beads of water shoot off the roof in front of you. It races to the ground into a gushing stream that was the main road in the village just two days ago. The misery of the constant thunderstorm is eerily reminiscent of your current predicament. [[Turn the Page.]]

You stand on a narrow wooden porch. On the porch next to you is a napsack filled with meat and water. The river of rain continues to swell the make-shift stream as it runs down the main road through the small village of Blue Tree. You watch it as you wait for an adult to finally come out of the house. You begin to pace. From across the road you see the candle maker, Kevin waving. You wave back. He steps into rain and heads toward you, he skips across the stream in an effort to keep his feet dry. Kevin stops just under the overhang of your home. "Hello there young friend," says Kevin. [[Say hello.]] [[Ignore the candle maker.]]

You smile and wave. Kevin smiles and brushes his wavy brown hair out of his face and looks at you. You sense the sadness in his eyes. "Stevie, How is your mother," asks the candle maker? [[She is fine, thank you for your concern.]] [[Sadly, things are not good.]]

You ignore the candle maker. He attempts to talk to you about witchcraft but you cut him off. [[Um, I think you should talk to my aunt.]]

You smile and turn away from the candlemaker. You are frightened and scared for your mother. To scared for small talk with the candlemaker. Thoughts of your mother invariably lead to thoughts of your father, who has been missing for almost two days. And it just wont stop raining. [[Turn around.]]

"Oh goodness. Tell your aunt that we will be thinking of your mother," laments Kevin. "I will consult with my sister. She is a witch over in Dunburg. With your permission, of course," continues Kevin. [[I give you my permission.]] [[Um, I think you should talk to my aunt.]]

"Oh thank the Patron. You will not regret it my young friend. My sister is one of the smartest witches I know," Kevin beams. He looks at you from the head down to your feet. He smiles and rushes back across the street. [[Turn around.]]

The candle maker brushes his hair out of his eyes. He scowls at you and then walks away. And with that you watch the candle maker wade back across the road. After what seems like an eternity you hear the creaks of rusty door hinges behind you. You freeze out of fear, if you dont turn around...they can't give you bad news. [[Turn around.]] [[Run off the porch into the thunderstorm.]]

You slowly turn around. Your aunt Daniela is standing there, she is crying. Daniela is beautiful, and tall with long black hair stretching down her back. A low murmur escapes from your lips. "My momma." [[Next page.]]

You run off the porch down the steps and out into the night. The cold rain pelts you as you sprint down the road past the blacksmiths shop and the old inn. You look across the road and see the bakers shop. Looking down you see raging water continue to flood into the road as the storm instensity continues to increase. What do you want to do? [[Walk through the stream.]] [[Go left and go around the stream.]] [[Go right and go around the stream.]]

Aunt Daniela hugs you as she looks you in the eyes. After a moment she says, "You're mother, my sister has been bitten by a shade fairy. Your father left two days ago in search of a magical mushroom with miraculous regenerative properties. It can save your mother." Aunt Daniela grasps your arm. She whispers, "No one has seen or heard from your father since he left. We are all concerned for your father but we must focus on saving your mother first." Your aunt feigns a smile, "Your mother has only a few hours before she will succumb to the shadow. Someone must fetch mushrooms from the grotto, along the Red River by the great south road. "Can you do this," asks Aunt Daniela? [[Yes.]] [[Run off the porch into the thunderstorm.]]

"I knew you would accept this quest," she says as she hands you a small package. "What is this," you ask as you take it. "It smells awful," you add. "It's rotten meat. Only a small bit though. Now, first thing you must do is head over to the butcher shop and get a slab of meat. It's to trick the goblins," your aunt says. She leans closer, "Goblins are quick as leopards, strong as gorillas, and mean as serpents. Thankfully for us, goblins are not very smart. In fact they are down right dumb compared to us. Goblins will eat until they pass out. And they love rotten meat." From her apron she pulls out a small gold coin. She hands it to you, "This should cover the cost." Tears run down your face. As you wipe them off you say, "I wont let my parents down." Daniela smiles. You turn around, breathing deeply as you face the night. You step down the steps into the rain. Its cold and stings as it hits your skin. Droplets continue to pelt you in the face as you cut through the storm. You come to the stream that is now running down the middle of the village's main road. What do you want to do? [[Walk through the stream.]] [[Go left and go around the stream.]] [[Go right and go around the stream.]]

You dart across the small river that has developed over the last few days. In bed the other night you listened as your aunt discussed the historic storm with a stranger. It was late and you were in bed in the loft above the kitchen. You didnt see the strangers face but he talked with a lisp you'll never forget. The stranger had a hard time pronouncing his r's. None of the elders could remember it ever raining as much in such a short time, the stranger had said. You snap out of the flashback as you now stand in front of the butchers shop. [[Butcher shop.]]

Heading left you see a long walkway that leads into a covered patio which covers the entrance to multiple stores. Half way down the covered patio sits the butcher shop. [[Butcher shop.]]

You dash around the right side of stream and come to a small curve. Upon coming around the curve you see a set of boards laying on the ground. They are stretching across the stream. What do you want to do? [[Cross the boards.]] [[Continue right.]]

You arrive at the butcher shop and stand just inside the covered patio to avoid the rain. You breathe deeply. Inside you are to ask the butcher for a slab of meat. The meat is to lure the goblins away from the grotto long enough to search for the mushroom your aunt had said. [[Go inside the shop.]] As you reach for the door you hear a voice in the rain. Do you.. [[Go investigate the voice.]]

You attempt to walk across the boards. They creak and moan as you tip toe onto the boards. As the bulk of your weight crosses on to the boards you hear a sharp crack. The boards split apart and shatter under your weight. You jump back and narrowly avoid careening into the stream. You watch the shattered pieces of the board float away. You decide to turn back and go.. [[Continue right.]] [[Go left and go around the stream.]]

You continue right and run in front of various store fronts. After a few moments you come to a small horse stable. You look down to the ground and then at the stream to survey the ground around the stable looking for a way to cross the stream. A horse neighs from within the stable. What do you want to do? [[Check out the horse stable.]] [[Cross the stream in front of the stable.]]

You cautiously approach the stable. Rain pelts your face as you creep around the side of the barn. You step in under a tin awning, grateful to be out of the cold rain. The awning leads into a modest barn. Once inside the barn you see there are four stalls. Two stalls on the right and two stalls on the left. In the back stall along the right side is a large beautiful black horse. It neighs as you walk in, as if to say hello. [[Approach the horse.]] You cant remember ever seeing this barn and dont wont to get in trouble. You have a bad feeling and change your mind. [[Cross the stream in front of the stable.]]

You cross the stream at the lowest point you can find. Jumping from high spot to high spot you manage to stay dry. After crossing the stream you sprint down the road until you are standing in front of the butcher shop. [[Go inside the shop.]]

As you approach the horse a feeling of serenity washes over you. Briefly, you see the horse smiling. You brush the feelings away and walk closer to the horse. On the wall inside the stall is a wooden sign, it reads, Max. You look at the horse and ask, "Max, is that your name?" The horse neighs, as if to say yes. You walk closer. As you near the horse it drops its head and says, "Do you need help on your quest? I will volunteer to assist you since you are pure of heart." Shocked and stunned, you look at the horse and say.. [["I did not know horses spoke."]] [["I have to go."]]

Once inside the shop, you see a large burly man and a slender woman. The man looks over at you and waves. "Can I help you?" The slender woman stops her task and looks up at you too. She smiles and says, "We have specials on Owlbears this weekend." She points towards the back and adds, "On account of our oldest killing one when it ambushed her adventuring party." You approach the couple. When you are in front of their counter you place the gold piece from your aunt down on the counter. The couple look at the gold and then at you. "My aunt sent me to get a slab of meat. She said I will need it to trick the goblins," you say. The large man steps away to the back of the store. He returns a few moments later with a piece of meat wrapped in cow skins. He looks at you and says, "Here is the meat. Do you need instructions on how to set the trap?" He pushes the gold coin back towards you, "Keep it, I like your parents. It's a shame that your father is missing. [[I do need instructions.]] [[No.]]

You let go of the butcher shop door just as you had opened it. It glides shut. You turn around, step into the rain, and head towards the voice. Through the storm you hear the voice again. "This would be an excellent opportunity for someone or something to kidnap a child," you mutter. In retrospect you turn back towards the butcher shop. [[Go inside the shop.]] You ignore the nagging feeling of danger. [[Continue towards the voice.]]

You walk around the back of the butcher shop and into the alley behind the shop. You can see the individual who has been calling your name and they are not alone. There are two individuals standing in the rain, they are wearing dark hoods that completely cover their faces. [[Approach strangers.]] You change your mind and head back out of the alley. You run all the way back to the butcher shop front. [[Go inside the shop.]]

As you get close to the strangers you recognise one of them as the candlemaker. He smiles and removes his hood and then points at his companion. "This is my sister i was referring too in front of your home," says the candlemaker. The sister steps forward and removes her hood. She is a beautiful blond haired woman, she smiles at you. Would you like my assistance in healing your mother child? [[Yes, please.]] [[No, thank you.]]

"Well we do. Now whether a human can hear us or not is another matter all together," says the horse. He lowers his head, "Do you need help?" [["What is your name?"]] [["Yes, I do need help."]]

You are unsure of what you just saw or heard. You are convinced that you witnessed dark magic and continue to run back. [[Cross the stream in front of the stable.]]

"I don't need any instructions," you reply. You look the butcher in the eye and ask, "However, I would like to [[Ask about your father.]]" [[You thank the butcher and head on your way.]]

You listen intently as the butcher explains in detail how to place the goblin meat trap. "The trick is to get the meat close enough to the goblin horde that they will smell it. The meat is rancid and rotten which the goblins love," the butcher says. "Once the goblins head for the meat you should have close to an hour to search the grotto," adds the butcher. [[You thank the butcher and head on your way.]] [[Ask about your father.]]

"Thank you for everything," you say as you wave at the generous couple. [[Leave for the Forest.]]

You step towards the butcher and ask. "Do you know what happened to my father?" The butcher stops what he's doing and motions you closer. When you are close enough to count his ear hairs, he whispers, "I dont know if I'm the right person to tell you this but..your father has been abducted." The curious thing is that he went to the same grotto as you are heading too, for the same reason. Only you father didnt take rancid meat this time," He frowns and says, "I think your father may have been tricked or led astray by someone or something." The butcher leans in even closer to you and says, "No way your father would go around a goblin horde without a meat trap." He nods his head as he continues to say, "No way." He leans back and says, "There are even rumors that your father was ambushed." You ask the butcher? [[Do you think my father was ambushed?]] [[Do you think he is still alive?]]

"I do think he was ambushed and abducted, I think it may even be someone we know," replies the butcher. [[Do you think he is still alive?]]

"Yes, I think he is alive. Your father and I grew up together and he would never go into the woods unprepared, especially when your mothers life is on the line. Your father loves your mother way to much to do dumb things. The Butcher leans close and puts his hand on your shoulder. "You can do this young one. Now, stick to the path. Once you place the meat make sure to run and hide in some large bushes until the goblins are asleep." He smiles and points in the direction of the forest. [[Leave for the Forest.]]

The rain continues to pour down as you and the witch leave the outskirts of the village and enter the forest. The road is more of a path now days, briars and vines encroach on the borders of the once majestic road. Roots of giant trees protrude up through the road like anthills on the Talgorian Prairie. Cracks of lighting illuminate the path as ear splitting thunderous waves roll over the trees while the severity of the storm and rain continues to increase. You follow the witch as you creep along the edge of the road. After ten minutes the path veers down and to the right. The path narrows as it winds down. The winding path opens up to a medium clearing. In the middle of the clearing is a large rotted tree that has fallen over. A lone wolf lies sleeping at the base of the old tree. You look around the clearing trying to find a way around the sleeping wolf. Unfortunately, the path picks back up behind the old tree. Behind the sleeping wolf. [[Turn to the witch.]]

It dawns on you exactly what they mean by assistance. You continue to walk briskly away from the witch and her brother. The village elders said that Blackmagic witchcraft is nothing to dabble in. You glance over your shoulder, the pair are now gone, their dissapearance creeps you out. Oblivious to how close you came to the shadow you dash out of the ally and up the side of the butchers shop. [[Go inside the shop.]]

The rain continues to pour down as you leave the outskirts of the village and enter the Forest. The road is more of a path, briars and vines encroach on the borders of the once majestic road. Roots of giant trees protrude up through the road like anthills on the Talgorian prairie. Cracks of lighting illuminate the path as ear splitting thunderous waves roll over the trees while the severity of the storm and rain continues to increase. You creep along the edge of the road. After ten minutes the path veers sharply down and to the right. The path narrows as it winds down. The path opens up to a medium clearing. In the middle of the clearing is a large rotted tree that has fallen over. A lone wolf sleeps at the base of the old tree. You look around the clearing trying to find a way around the sleeping wolf. Unfortunately, the path picks back up behind the old tree. Behind the sleeping wolf. [[Walk around the edge of the clearing to the path.]] [[Try to sneak past the wolf.]]

"Lonicera Maximowiczii but you may call me Max," the large horse says. You are stunned by the name and the horse and the situation as a whole. You decide to ask Max. [["How do you know about my quest?"]]

"Great," says Max. He walks towards the opening. It's still raining and the wind continues to lash the village. "Get on my back child," Max says as he looks at his back and then to you. [[Ride Max.]]

"My dear child there is much to learn but the time to help your parents is waning like the last rays of an autumn day," said Max. Max nodded his head and the latch to the stall magically glided open. "Stay humble and true and the truth will find you. Now, for the last time. Do you need my help?" [["Yes, I do need help."]]

The rain continues to pour down as you and Max leave the outskirts of the village and enter the forest. The road is more of a path now days. Briars and vines encroach on the border of the once majestic road. Roots of giant trees protrude up through the road like the giant anthills on the Talgorian Prairie. Cracks of lighting illuminate the path as ear splitting thunder rolls over the canopy of trees while the severity of the storm and rain continue to increase. You and Max creep along the edge of the road. After ten minutes the path veers down and to the right. The path narrows as it winds down. The winding path opens to a medium clearing. In the middle of the clearing a large rotted tree that has fallen over. A lone wolf lies sleeping at the base of the old tree. You look around the clearing trying to find a way around the sleeping wolf. Unfortunately, the path pickups back up behind the old tree. Behind the wolf. "Hold on," says Max as he runs head long through the clearing. [[Max and the Wolf.]]

Against the shadows of the trees you creep along the edge of the clearing. You are ever mindful of the sleeping wolf. After what seems an eternity you silently move around the clearing until you are in front of the path. Looking back, the wolf still sleeps. [[Leave the wolf clearing.]]

Being bold and concrned for time you approach the path on the other side of the clearing. You walk silently by the old tree and the sleeping wolf. Just as you get to the path on the other side of the clearing you hear the wolf growl. Looking back you can see the wolf is now awake and is chasing you. [[Run.]] [[Pinch off a piece of the meat and throw it towards the wolf.]]

The wolf running towards you scares you into a frenzied run down the path in an attempt get away. You make it about a hundred yards into the path before the wolf over takes you. As it slams into you, it loses its footing causing both of you to go careening down into the mudd. You slam into the ground rolling before coming to a stop. The wolf has stopped chasing you. You look up to a small section of the meat from the butcher has fallen out of your napsack. The wolf has stopped chasing you to eat the meat. [[Leave the wolf clearing.]]

Without knowing what else to do you quickly rip a piece of the rancid meat off of the whole. You throw it at the charging wolf. It smells the meat and quickly runs to it. Grateful, you back away and run in the opposite direction. [[Leave the wolf clearing.]]

You run down the path as the rain continues. After a few minutes the path begins to go uphill. You continue on the path through the forest until you come to an arched stone bridge shrouded in shadows. A river engorged by the storms flows underneath the old bridge. [[Cross the bridge.]] Uncertain of the shadows surrounding the bridge you scavenge around the ground to find a small stone. Finding one you pick it up to toss it onto the bridge. [[Toss stone.]]

Carefully you approach the bridge. The rain beats down across your face as you step onto the stone bridge. You look around before crossing the bridge. Seeing nothing you walk slowly at first but quicken your step when you hear a wolf's howl. You look back in the direction of the howl pausing, trying to determine the direction the sound came from. Uncertain you turn back to continue across the bridge. Out of the shadows a large hand snatches you up with frightening speed. The air in lungs burns as the giant hand crushes the life out of you. You look up to see a large nosed troll. It must have snuck up from underneath the bridge while you were preoccupied with the howling. [[Trolls]]

You throw the stone and watch as it skips across the middle of the bridge before tumbling down the opposite side of the bridge from you. Suddenly a giant troll leaps up from underneath the bridge. With one large hand the troll grips onto the side of the bridge and pulls itself up onto the bridge. It begins looking around for the cause of the noise. You take the chance to .. [[Dash into a hedgerow.]] [[Scramble along the river bank, trying to avoid being seen.]] [[Dive into the river.]]

"What about the mushrooms? What about my father? Who will save my mother," are the last thoughts that run through your mind as the mouth of the giant Troll closes around your head. Drool drops on to your head as the rotten odor coming from the Troll forces you to gag. [[Troll path.]]

Searing heat and horrific odor are the last things that run through your mind as the Troll bites your head off your body. Sorry, please try again. [[Leave the wolf clearing.]] [[Goblin Run ]]

You quickly run behind a row of hedgebushs. "I can smell you human," says the troll. The ground rumbles as the troll heads straight for you. [[Stay still.]] [[Dive into the river.]]

Frantic you scramble along the river bank. You slip and begin to lose traction in the mud as the giant troll sprints towards you. [[Dive into the river.]]

You dive into the river and the current takes you away from the troll. You can still hear the monster thrashing around and screaming in anguish. After all, no one likes to lose an easy meal. The river flows around three large bends before turning straight again for what seemed and eternity. After a few minutes of calm water the rapids begin to increase and you can see a water fall a few hundred feet away. On the river bank next to the water fall is a small encampment. Half a dozen tents circle around a large bonfire. Behind the tents is a row of poles sticking into the ground. Two of the poles are empty but one of them has a prisoner hanging from it, a human. A hook at the top of the pole holds a rope that is tied to the human's hands forcing them to hang in the air. Multiple humanoids sit around the fire, roasting something on sticks. Even from here you can tell, goblins. [[Get out of the water.]] You decide to float down the river as close as you can. After a few moments you drift withing fifty feet of the goblin horde. [[Creep out of the water.]]

Terrified of the giant troll you choose to remain still and silent. Unfortunately, trolls rely on their keen sense of smell because their eyesight is poor. The ground continues to shake until suddenly it stops. A giant hand thrusts into the bush you are hiding in. It swings around widly trying to find you. [[Move right.]] [[Move left.]]

You move to the right just as the giant troll hand searches the exact spot. The hand grabs you with surprising speed. You try to struggle and escape but the troll is incredibly strong. The air in your lungs burns as the troll continues to squeeze you harder. [[Trolls]]

You move to the left just as the giant troll hand sweeps the ground where you we're sitting. Taking a chance, you dash out of the hedgerow and head towards the river. [[Dive into the river.]]

You tread out of the raging river and climb up onto the dry riverbank. You look around for any goblin scouts and then head into the forest toward the goblin camp. [[Goblin Town.]]

You creep out of the water within forty feet of the goblin camp. You look around as you crawl along the riverbank. You hear a crack from behind you. You turn around to see a.. [[Goblin scout.]]

You sneak through the forest careful to avoid being seen when the lighting flashes across the sky. After a few minutes you come to the edge of the grotto where the mushroom grows. The same grotto the goblins have moved into. [[Place the meat.]]

A giant goblin cleaver crashes down on your head as you turn around. You fall to the ground. A few feet away you see the magical mushroom. It's the last thing you see before you die. [[Goblin path.]]

The End. Please try again by returning to [[Goblin Town.]] Or you may return to the begining [[Goblin Run ]]

Carefully you pull the rancid meat out of your bag of holding. "Nasty," you think to yourself. You unwrap the meat and place it on the ground near the opening of the grotto. [[Move back.]]

You run back into the forest about fifty feet and hide behind a giant elm tree. After a few minutes the goblins begin scrambling to the source of wonderous aroma. One by one the whole camp finds its way to the rancid meat. Finally, one of the goblins picks up the meat and dashs towards their camp with all the other little blue orange goblins following suit. [[Follow them.]] [[Wait behind.]]

You follow the goblin horde through the grotto until finally they come to a stop at the bonfire. You carefully hide behind the furthest tent and wait for the tainted meat to work its magic. Fortunately, you don't have to wait long. The goblins begin to fall over one by one. You stay behind the tent until you are sure the last goblin has passed out. Finally, you walk into the circle surrounding the bonfire. Goblins are littered across the ground. It looks like a massacre except for the fact that most of the goblins were snoring, loudly, even the females. You kick one lying near you and it just rolls over before rolling back. "Help, me. Is someone there," the prisoner on the pole asks. [[Ignore the prisoner.]] [[Go to the prisoner.]]

You decide to wait behind for a few minutes before following the goblin horde. Finally, you stand up and walk out from behind your hiding spot. A crack behind you causes you to look back to see a... [[Goblin scout.]]

Scared and frightened you choose to ignore the prisoner to continue looking for the mushroom. After a moment you hear a thud behind you. You turn around to see a... [[Goblin scout.]]

You run to the prisoner. Looking the pole up and down you devise how the system works quickly. You untie the rope from behind the pole and the prisoner drops to the ground with a thud. You rush over to the and untie the leather bands holding the prisoners hands. Next, you remove the hood to reveal, your father. He's dirty and beaten but its your father. You hug him tightly. [[Hug dad.]]

Your father embraces you in a warm hug. Gratitude flows from you hold your father tight. "How did you find me," your father asks. You begin to tell him the story of your quest but you pause, the mushrooms. "Dad, listen we have to find the magic...," Your father picks you up, "I have them son, the goblins aren't very smart. They never even bothered to check me after they abducted me." "That's amazing father," you say as tears fall down your face. The pair of you rush home to get the magical mushrooms to your mother. "It's funny how the storm seemed to stop after we defeated the goblins." [[Epilogue]]

You turn to the witch and say, "Do you think you can handle this?" The witch smiles and then whistles. The wolf springs to life, shakes itself off and trots over to the witch and you. It snuggles up to the witch and growls at you. "Gat," has been my animal companion since he was a young cub. Sometimes I lure villagers out here so he doesn't go hungry." The witch whispers something into the wolfs ear. When she is done the wolf trots back to the base of the tree and lays back down. "The path picks up around the backside of the fallen tree," says the witch as she points in the dirction of the path. [[Take the path.]] You wait a moment to see if the witch is joking, she isn't. When the witch isnt looking you sprint towards the woods. "Gat, go eat," says the witch. The wolf leaps up and dashs in your direction. [[Run to the woods.]]

You follow the witch as you walk past the wolf. It growls at you as you walk by. The witch heads into the path and back into the dark forest. After a few minutes the the path turns and begins climbing uphill. The rain continues to cause flash flooding which makes the incline hard to traverse. Once the pair of you round the top of the trail you see a large stone bridge crossing a stream. In place of the stream a raging river swelled by the rainwater flows through the forest. The witch stops at the foot of the stone bridge. "Hector, come out. Hector," yells the witch. From underneath the bridge you hear a plop of water splashing. You can see the ripples of water push out from the underside of the bridge, something big. A large big nosed troll comes wading out of the water. "Hello, ma'am." Hector replies. The troll looks over at you, sniffs the air and says, "The human smells good. Can I eat him?" "Now Hector, we don't eat our guests." replies the witch. "We are trying to save this young childs parents." [[Continue.]]

You sprint through the forest in a mad attempt to get away. The wolf continues to gain on you as the bushes and tree limbs slow you down. A large root causes you to stumble. Jumping up you see wolf just as he barrels into you. [[Wolf path.]]

The wolf does not go hungry tonight. The End.

Unsure and terrified of this new turn of events you stay silent, for now. The witch smiles and crosses the bridge with the large troll following behind her like a puppy. You stand motionless and shocked. Your desparate for ideas as you near the bridge. [[Dash back.]] [[Dive into the river.]] After a few moments you decide that its probally safest to follow the witch. for now. [[Follow the witch.]]

Hoping to catch the witch and troll off guard, you run back towards the woods and away from the monsters. "Fine. Hector, catch and eat that human," screams the witch. With uncanny speed the troll leaps off the bridge and catches you with his giant hand in four giant gaits. [[Trolls]]

The witch and the troll cross the bridge on the other side and turn left heading through the woods through a worn path. Feeling it unwise to anger the witch you quickly scamper behind the evil duo. A few hundred feet down the path, it winds back to the river. The path stretches for as far as you can see. You continue to follow the witch and troll as they navigate the narrow path. A sharp crack, from behind, breaks the monotone drum of the rain. Glancing back, you see nothing. Another crack breaks through the silence. You look at the Witch and the troll but they continue to navigate the path through the rain. "Crack." This time you pause to look around. [[Look left, look right.]] [[Investigate the noise.]] After pausing, you decide it was nothing and hurry to catch up to the Witch and troll. [[Follow.]]

You look left and then look right, seeing nothing you blast straight off the path and right into the forest. Giant vines, tree limbs, and bushes slap and tear at you as run without abandon trying to lose the monsters behind you. A large roar from somewhere behind you breaks the air. It's met with a high pitched shriek followed by horrible bolts of fire shooting into the air. You dont stop, you keep running. You run for what seems an eternity to a child. Your lungs burn from the cold bitter air. Finally you come to a grotto. [[Goblin Town.]]

You turn back and head in the direction of the noise. After a few moments the path twists back to the left and you follow for about a dozen feet before hesitating. You decide to turn back and catch up with the witch. As you turn... [[Goblin scout.]]

You ignore the noises and your intuition and continue to follow the Witch. After twenty minutes the three of you come to a grotto in the forest. "Hector, lets introduce ourselves to the goblin horde," says the Witch. She smirks at you and says, "Now, you will understand the true reason I wanted to bring you." "Yup, you is bait," laughs Hector the troll. Horrified you try to run. The Witch begins chanting as you try to get away. After a few feet you stop, you feel a warm sensation as if you are floating in your own body. You try to run but your body will not listen. To your horror your body begins walking back towards the Witch. "You are mine now, child. My own little thrall," laughed the Witch. "You had three chances to leave child, but you chose to ignore evil. Which allowed me to bond your soul through blackmagic." [[Witch path.]]

The End. Please try again by returning to [[Follow the witch.]] To start over return to [[Goblin Run ]].

Max, with you on top, gallups through the rain and the clearing. As you race past the old tree the wolf springs awake and gives chase. Max slows up allowing the wolf to close the gap. The wolf lunges and is met with a mighty kick from the great horse. You turn around to see the now dead wolf tumble and crash into a great oak tree. [[Max and the troll.]]

The rain pelts your face as you race through the storm on the back of the magical horse, Max. After what seems like an instant the pair of you come to a large stone bridge spanning a raging river. Max trots up the bridge and races down towards the path. A large splashing followed by a low pitched scream echoes from behind. Turning back you see a large troll splashing around in the water underneath the bridge. [[Max and the Goblins.]]

After a few minutes Max stops. "We are here child," Max says. Climbing off the horse you ask, "Here where?" Max looks around and nods, "This is the grotto. I don't want to alert the goblins. From here on in you are on your own." You thank Max and head towards the grotto. [[Goblin Town.]]

It's been a week since you and your father came walking out of the woods that rainy night. The mushrooms that you brought from the grotto healed your mother within two days. Your father is healing up nicely as well. Good job, Adventurer. ''The End.'' Thank you for playing Goblin Run by Matt Barninger For more adventures please visit Matt@Barninger.com Return to [[Goblin Run ]]