Burnt offerings, being part 1 of Reptilian's RotRL campaign (IC thread)
Game Master Philippe Kavanagh

Naomi drinks slowly, savoring the taste.

"Thank you." She looks down at her scroll, a bit of surprise on her face, before taking another sip.

She then looks around the room, staring at random people, wondering...

"Excuse me Lady Ameiko, I have a question. Would you say all the people of Sandpoint visit your tavern sooner or later?"

"Thank you for your hospitality, Ameiko. I hope that you and your friends and family were safe during the attack."

"You're kind but I don't think my family was in any danger today. I thought I would at least see my father at the celebration but he wasn't there. He must have been hiding in his manor. Bloody typical, I guess he just didn't want to see me." she says with a weak chuckle.

"Excuse me Lady Ameiko, I have a question. Would you say all the people of Sandpoint visit your tavern sooner or later?"

Ameiko gives the priestess a confused glare. "Hmmm ... probably not all of them. I can't please everyone for one, and some of the poorer people never come here. But I know almost everyone in Sandpoint if that's what you mean. Why do you ask?"

Seems to me like Izbahn was stuck in a boy's dorm for too long (hehe).

Sense motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19.

Respecting Ameiko's privacy, Calla does not press the issue, but she makes a mental note about Ameiko and her father.

Yay, I got his motivation across! *pats self on back.

Sense Motive 1d20 ⇒ 8

"Well, what Calla is trying to say is who would hate the town enough to go to the trouble to organize the raid"[b]

[b]"Is everything ok with your father?"

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Ameiko gives the priestess a confused glare. "Hmmm ... probably not all of them. I can't please everyone for one, and some of the poorer people never come here. But I know almost everyone in Sandpoint if that's what you mean. Why do you ask?"

"Just trying to put a name to a description of someone who might know why the goblins attacked."

Bluff:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

Oh blessed(cursed?) by Calistria am I!

Ignoring the question about her father for now, Ameiko turns to Izbahn. "Organize the raid? You think this wasn't your usual random goblin violence? I can't think of anyone who would do this." When Naomi clarifies her intention, the young innkeeper looks back and forth at the wizard and the priestess. "Wait ... are you saying a Sandpoint resident incited the goblin attack? That's preposterous!" she says with some shock and outrage.

Feeling his temper rising, but making an effort to keep his voice down, Izbahn replies, Hey lady, I don't mean to insult you, but you just said yourself you didn't know everybody in town! I personally saw several tribes working together, so it is not a reach to say someone had it in for this town. Now we want to help you, but we need more information. Please, can you tell us anything further?"

Izbahn's diplomacy check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Ameiko sighs heavily but calms down somewhat. She still eyes Izbahn wearily. "Well, if what you say is true, someone could be behind the attack. It doesn't necessarily mean that person is from Sandpoint. Then again, 5 years ago, no one believed Chopper to be someone from this town ... Alright, how was it I could help you?"

"Alright, how was it I could help you?"

"I thought you might know the person we are looking for, since you own a popular tavern. We know he has a bow, pale skin, and," she looks at Venmirl, "black hair?"

Izbahn thinks to himself That does it, after this is over, I'm becoming a monk! I've had enough of crazy women!

After he hears Naoni ask the question, he waits for Ameiko to respond , and then asks, "Chopper?"

"I thought you might know the person we are looking for, since you own a popular tavern. We know he has a bow, pale skin, and," she looks at Venmirl, "black hair?"

Ameiko thinks for a moment then shakes her head. "I'm sorry, but this is a little vague. It would seem you are looking for a man, probably of Chelish decent, but that has to be more then a fifth of town. I really wish I could be of more help."

After he hears Naoni ask the question, he waits for Ameiko to respond , and then asks, "Chopper?"

"You haven't heard this one? No, I suppose you haven't; people don't like to talk about those dark times, the Late Unpleasantness as they call it. I had left Sandpoint at that time but I heard enough to give you the basis. Five years ago, there were a series of horrific murders in Sandpoint. People started calling the murderer 'Chopper' but, obviously, no one knew his identity. After killing his twenty-fifth and last victim, the town's previous sheriff, the killer was wounded, followed and cornered in his lair. He was killed by the current sheriff Belor Hemlock. It turned out that the killer was none other then the town's very own eccentric simpleton Jervis Stoot. He used to carved wooden birds to decorate the townspeople's houses. It shocked everyone that someone so close to them turned out to be the literal wolf amongst sheep. I can't imagine this is happening again ..."

Ameiko, looking somewhat sad now, rises from your table. "I'm sorry I couldn't help more but unless you folks want something else, I'll leave you to your drinks. I still have plenty to do tonight."

Izbahn watches her go, a thoughtful look on his face. He sits back quietly in his chair, not saying anything, but trying to figure out whether the Chopper incident is related. But he can find no connection.

Sighing, he turns to his companions and says without much enthusiasm"Well, I don't have any ideas right now, maybe the sheriff has a better idea where this guy is, but who knows."

Venmirl tosses back his mug of ale, it seems the tragic events of the day are better absorbed with drink.

"I agree Izbahn. We should meet with the sheriff and share our information anyway. Maybe he could also shed some light on what he knows. I'm not sure I'll rest easily knowing that whoever is behind this walks freely and could very well organize something else even more dangerous."

"Besides that ... he destroyed a beautiful fair day ..."

Syeira mentions as a matter of fact ... and a bit tipsy.

"Enough ... let's enjoy a drink and a bite to eat."
"Tomorrow is a new day ... And we can all go sea the sheriff."

Syeira is desperately trying to act like nothing's wrong, and hiding her true feelings.
Bluff: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Naomi drinks from her cup again before placing it on the table.

"Things may very well become clearer in the morning, after we have had time to sleep on today's events."

She looks at everyone, trying to place faces and names together, exhuastion and ale on too little food making it harder than it should be.

Sense Motive:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

She notices something seems to be bothering... oh what did Ameiko call her? Syeira! That was it. She reaches over to touch Syeira's shoulder.

"It is not my place to say this, but perhaps you should stop drinking and go to bed early. Do you need help getting to your room?"

Izbahn reples to Syeira "Wiser words have never been spoken. We should enjoy this fine food and drink."

You can't bluff PC's at least not according to the rules, he he

During the meal, he notices Syeira wipe away a tear from her eyes, and guesses something must be bothering her. Not sureexactly why, and also wary of angering her, like he did Ameiko.

After the meal is finished, he says, "Well, I enjoyed this meal, but any more and I will fall asleepwhere i sit. So i nid you all a good evening, and if there is anything you need..."looks over at Syeira "just let me know."

He then leaves to return to the White Deer, and the comfort of his own room.

"I'm ... I'm fine ... but a early night should ... should do me well."

"Goodnight all ..."

Syeira then gets up to her room ... to fall asleep in a dreamless sleep.

"Hopefully we can find more answers tomorrow, then. I will see you all in the morning..."

Calla returns to her home, wondering what the new day will bring and trying not to think of what might happen if the goblins were to return while her family was undefended.

Venmirl is the last to leave. After he finished another drink he wonders back to the church grounds and sits in the cemetery meditating for several hours before going back to his room for the night.

As some of you get up to head for your respective beds, you notice that lots of people in the inn are looking at you while whispering amongst themselves. A poorly dressed man gets up to stop Calla before she leaves. "Excuse me, miss. I won't take lots of your time but I'd just like to thank you for what you did today. My son tells me you're the one that allowed him to escape the murdering goblins. I didn't approved when he started to frequent that brother of yours but it seems I was wrong. You and your friends here must be that group of strangers everyone is talking about. They say you killed most of the goblins. I thank the Gods for sending us such courageous heroes when we needed them." There's a murmur of approval from the nearby patrons of the Rusty Dragon Inn.

Seems like the plan is to go see the sheriff on the next day, no one is going hunting with Aldern?

Venmirl is the last to leave. After he finished another drink he wonders back to the church grounds and sits in the cemetery meditating for several hours before going back to his room for the night.

Make a perception check please.

Perception1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

I forgot about that. Yes, he will meet Aldern to go hunting.

Calla is stunned when the man gets up and speaks to her. "Oh, I... we... I'm just glad we were in the right place at the right time. But I promise that we're going to try to find out what made these goblins attack, and make sure that they stay away from Sandpoint from now on. My name is Calla and my brother's name is Galdor. If you ever see any more goblins, send for me. Galdor will know where I am."

Calla says to her companions that she would like to go and meet Aldern the next morning- he seemed like an important man and he also seemed truly grateful for the help they gave. Besides, it seemed like several others would be going to find out what they could from the sheriff. Perhaps she could ask the man more about what he had seen of the goblins. The next morning she makes sure to tell her family where she is going, and then she goes to the White Deer inn to meet Aldern.

Sure, I'll bite. :)

The Sandpoint Boneyard is somewhat sinister under the light of the moon but Venmirl still finds the calm place soothing. This night however, he notices something unusual in the distance. Next to a tombstone on the eastern end of the graveyard, the shoanti sees a big pile of dirt. It is possible Naffer already started digging graves but Venmirl remembers that there wasn't any free lots in that area.

Fairly sure he didn't drink enough to be seeing things, Venmirl stands up and makes his way over to the grave with the pile of dirt. Suspicious, he tries to move as silent as possible.

Stealth: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Naomi leaves, not caring for the attention the group seems to be attracting. It made her uncomfortable, knowing people might recognize her later. No one in the Family liked actually.

But after she has left, she remembers her brothers and sisters may have already left, and she would need a new place to sleep. Now she just felt.. alone. She walks the streets, looking around but not really seeing. With a start, she sees she has come back to the statue of Desna. And she is.. tired. So tired. "How long have I been walking? Minutes, hours?" she thinks to herself. The night was warm, she'd only need to put her bedroll on the ground to sleep well. So tempting to just sleep.. and forget.

It isn't long before Naomi has found a comfortable place, leaning against a wall, and sleeps...

She'll join Aldern for hunting as well.

Venmirl slowly creeps closer to the pile of dirt and makes it there without any problem. The pile's source is obvious: the grave in front of the tombstone has been dug up. The earth is still moist so the digging must be recent. Looking down, Venmirl can't see any coffin or other remain in the dark hole; the grave seems empty.

The tombstone reads:
Father Ezakien Tobyn
Beloved High Priest of Sandpoint
May he watch over Abadar's First Vault for all eternity
4650 - 4703 AR

The current year is 4708 AR just fyi.

Bewildered, Venmirl tries to see if he can find any tracks leading from the grave.

Survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

It takes some time to find tracks in this limited light but the shoanti is a skilled tracker, having learned the lessons passed down by his ancestors. He finds the tracks of several humanoids leading to and away from the grave. He doesn't have to follow them for long before they abruptly stop about 2 or 3 feet before the stone wall that marks the Boneyard's eastern end. At this same spot, Venmirl also sees two identical rectangular indentations in the ground. They are about one foot apart from each other. Above the wall, the moonlit pines slowly sway with the coastal wind.

Finding a stopping point at the wall, Venmirl listens for any sounds on the other side.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Making a mental note of the placement of the tracks along the wall, he runs to the opening to reach the other side to see if he can pick up the tracks again.

Survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

The other side of the wall is a wooded area, outside the actual town. The only opening that Venmirl is aware of is the North Gate. When he gets there, he sees that the gate is closed for the night. There's a single watch sentry keeping guard. He is clutching his spear and nodding sleepily.

Venmirl considers working his way past the guard so that he can continue following the tracks. After reminding himself how many mugs of ale he has had and the time of night it is, he decides it is best not to venture off by himself.

He wanders back to the church. Even though it is late, an atrocity such as grave robbing must be addressed. He finds his way to father Zastoran to tell him the horrible news.

"Two horrific occurrences less than 12 hours apart; they must be linked in some way!" he says to himself.

After Syeira goes to her room, she mulls around thoughts of Aldern in her head. He WAS handsome ... and VERY nice.

Perhaps it's a good idea to join his hunt, but first ... sleep.

I'll join the hunt too :)

Venmirl finds Father Zantus in his study, inside the building adjacent to the cathedral. He's reading a book when the shoanti comes to bring him dire news. The holy man is just as shocked and bewildered as Venmirl. "Grave robbing? This is grim news indeed ... Who could do this to the remains of my predecessor? He was a good man, respectful of all faiths and well loved in town. Oh, some had a few disagreements with him since he was a bit strict on certain points but nothing to justify this. I can only pray that he wasn't taken by some foul necromancer. It has just been a terrible day ..." He sighs heavily, appearing exhausted. "You're right, there has to be some link between the two events. Perhaps the raid was just a distraction for those who dug up the grave? In any case, I think we should keep this to ourselves; there's no need to cause even more distraught in the population. I'll inform Sheriff Hemlock tomorrow morning to see if he can make any sense of this mess. Naffer can fill up the grave after that."

"I may take a few of the people who fought alongside me today outside the city walls tomorrow morning and see if we can follow the tracks and get more information." Venmirl tells father Zantus. The Shoanti warrior specialized in tending to the dead with his tribe and having a grave robbery occur is about the only thing more appalling to him than the tragedy of the raid earlier in the day.

"Father, we questioned one of the goblins that we captured during the raid today and he said that a human was the one who organized the attacks. A man with pale complexion and short black hair who wore a bow. Does this sound like anyone you know that could do something like this?"

Father Zantus responds to Venmirl. "It does remind me of several townsfolk but I can’t fathom that any of them would do such a thing. Well actually, there’s that scoundrel Jubrayl Vhiski down at that rough tavern, the Fatman’s Feedbag. I think he has black hair and Sheriff Hemlock is always telling me how he suspects the man to be a local crime boss. However, I don’t see what he would have to gain in doing something like this. That kind of men makes money by exploiting others. They don’t just kill and cause chaos for no reason like goblins do."

2nd of Rova, At the Goblin Squash Stables, early morning
The air is a bit colder this morning and a breeze from the Varisian Bay has brought in a cover of clouds over the town. You find Aldern Foxglove in front of the stables, mounted on a tall stallion. He is wearing hunting leathers and his dark hair is flapping loose in the wind. Aldern is also accompanied by a pair of menservants dressed similarly (even if the nobleman’s garment looks finer). They are all armed with bows and spears. He greets you warmly. "My friends! I’m so glad you could come." He deeply inhales the fresh sea air. "I think we have a good day ahead of us. Come with me inside, we need to rent a few mounts for you."

It’s another day, so you all recover your spells, reserve points and other x/day abilities.

Can Calla purchase a pair of spears that morning prior to the hunt? The two-handed kind you can throw, not the kind with reach. Yay for recovering HP and rage!

"Good morning Aldern, good morning everyone," says Calla as she approaches the others, looking obviously excited for the coming hunt. She keeps thinking of various bits of hunting advice that her father used to tell her, hoping she'll be able to put them to good use today.

Naomi streches as she greets Aldern. Her resting place last night wasn't exactly comfortable.

"Good day to you as well Aldern. Are we going far to hunt these boar? I'd like to know how long I'll be on a horse and if I should find something to do on the way."

Izbahn wakes from a restless night, tormented by several dreams, one involving Naomi dying in his arms, another involving Syeira and himself dancing, and doing other things, which he would rather not think about, and one is of Aldern, curiously.

Man, if a soothsayer tried to make sense of these dreams, he would go mad.

After memorizing a new set of spells, updated memorized spell list., he hurries from his room to meet the nobleman and his friends.

"Good morning, Aldern, Naomi, Calla. This will be a fine day to go hunting, I'm sure.

Ready to go hunting, sure. I have no interest in killing wild boars, I will be hunting something more valuable by far...information.

Syeira gets up early ... with a little headache ... but hopes to wash it away in a hot bath.

Quickly finishing a small breakfast she says goodbye to Ameiko and joins the hunting party at the Goblin Squash Stables.

Putting away any doubts or bad memories from yesterday, she puts on her loveliest smile.

"Morning everyone, hope everyone slept well ?"
"I know I did ..."

"Aldern, I would like to thank you again for the invitation."
"Perhaps we all can get to know each other a little better, we've not had the time and the ride to the forest should provide us with ample time ..."

Syeira has her full gear with her, and her spell list is updated.

Can Calla purchase a pair of spears that morning prior to the hunt? The two-handed kind you can throw, not the kind with reach. Yay for recovering HP and rage!

Calla knows that Savah's Armory (#12 on the map) usually sells good weapons. When she gets there this morning, the owner, Savah, is very friendly with the huntress. "A goblin killer is welcome in my shop !" She exclaims. Savah sells the pair of spears to Calla for a good price.

Calla can get the 2 spears for 3 gp and 6 sp. Also, a little nitpick: with the reserve point thing, you don't heal any hit points naturally unless you rest for a full day or get long term care. So unless you use a few more rp, Calla should still be at 12 hp.

It's a slow morning at work, so should be able to post more in a bit.

"Good day to you as well Aldern. Are we going far to hunt these boar? I'd like to know how long I'll be on a horse and if I should find something to do on the way."

"No, not too far my fair Lady." Aldern responds. "We'll leave the town and cross the Turandarok river at the Tanner's Bridge then follow it upstream until we reach the bottom of the Devil's Platter." He points to a limestone escarpment to the east, in the distance. "From there, we can ford the river and get into the Tickwood proper. I don't think the ride is much more then 2 miles, so we should be able to get there in less then 30 minutes."

"Aldern, I would like to thank you again for the invitation."

Aldern shakes his head. "No, I should be the one thanking you. You saved my life after all ..."

"Perhaps we all can get to know each other a little better, we've not had the time and the ride to the forest should provide us with ample time ..."

"I'd love that. In fact, this is exactly what I was hoping for." He says with a beaming smile.

Syeira has her full gear with her, and her spell list is updated.

1st level
1) Grease (Memorized twice)
2) Silent Image

A bard doesn't need to prepare or memorize spells. You get spell slots like sorcerers. You can choose either of your spells when casting. You just mark off a spell slot every time you do.

Oh right, I'll just spend reserve points to be at full HP then.

Calla thanks Savah for the spears and gladly pays 3gp and 6sp for them. "Hopefully these will come in handy fighting goblins, if any more of them dare to come about." She smiles, bids the shopkeeper good day, and goes to join the others for the hunt...

"I'm ready when you are, everyone."

Aldern's menservants finish preparing the horses and you all mount up and head toward Tanner's Bridge. None of you are really skilled riders but the mounts chosen for you are all docile enough that you manage without too much trouble. Aldern leads you along a narrow trail that follow the river eastward. Calla knows this trail very well but she usually walks it. The nobleman is the one who talks first, addressing all of you but mainly looking at Syeira. "The sound of running water, the rustling of leaves, the smells of nature ... I wouldn't live out here but it sure is good to get out of the city from time to time. All the hustle and bustle of Magnimar life can wear down on you after a while. But enough about me. What about you, my friends? Where are you from? Have you worked together for a long time?"

Venmirl, you can finish up your conversation with Father Zantus but I'd like to know what you are doing in the morning. You can still join up with the hunting crew if you wish or you can do whatever.

My bad ... I'll keep it in mind :)

"Well, I originally hail from all over the place. I've been traveling for so long ... I've not had a real place to call home."

"It looks as though killing goblins and saving a town seems to bond people together."

After a night of fitful rest, Venmirl rises early the next day to resume tracking the grave robber. Once he gets past the gates he walks along the town wall to the area where, by his estimations, the grave robber used a ladder to climb over the wall. Taking his time, he searches methodically until he finds the tracks on this side.