You’ve both found yourself traveling with a caravan to the small town of Sandpoint.
The Caravan consists of 30+ individuals from all around Varisia all excited for the Swallow Tail festival being held in commemoration for new church having been constructed.
Qhisz was often observed with immediate distrust. Though with the aid of his signet and the hireling at his side, most became dismissive.
Endra, however, was seen as an oddity. Her form of dress and greyish skin kept people glancing. Though most would offer a nod to the fledgling hunter in passing.
The Caravan arrived in the morning, around 10am from the northern gate of the town. Once inside, the caravan dispersed quickly.
Many of the more well-to-do folk hurried into The White Deer. An inn where if you have the coin to spare, you can rest in luxury.
Others Rushed to the Rusty Dragon Inn, a cheaper place, but known for its rowdy and entertaining stays.
The town was already packed even before the caravan arrived. Guards are ever present and population is truly jovial with the festival that was nearly upon them. Shops are open until noon, each with a sign stating that they will be closed at that time.
As Qhisz approaches the square, several laborers and officials come into view, busy finishing the final preparations for the official opening of the church.
The Church is beautifully constructed. Made with gray, smooth stone and a heavy ornate door. Its windows are small for a church this size but wondrously decorated with a handful of Golorian's gods.
Alas, Torag is not among them.
Several officals prevent anyone from getting to close.
"A kobold?" One says, nudging a near by associate. "Seems to be that person's companion." He continues, motioning to Qhisz's hireing.
"What brings you and your kobold to Sandpoint?" The other asks, mostly speaking to Quince.
Quince, who wasn't paid to do more then hold the kobold's things, looks to Qhisz with a wearisome glance.
Qhisz spews his words confidently, however, he notices that the duo of officials before him stopped pay attention to his words and began to stare blankly at his face.
To Qhisz surprise, a large booger had leapt from his nose and dangled awkwardly.
The officials looked to each other before waving the kobold off.
"Begone and wait for the start of festival...I'm sure someone else will listen to you."
The Rusty dragon in is bustling with all kinds of peoples.
An older Halfling woman leads a small troupe of human women as servers while another woman shouts laugh laden orders from within the kitchen.
The common room seems to support up to 100 people. a fine size for the establishment, however the capacity has been exceeded.
Many sit outside, enjoying an array of foods.
The bar of the Rusty Dragon is crowded but ever shifting. With a little patience, Endra manages to snag a spot and place her order.
"An Ale and our 'traveler's meal' is it?" Says a human woman boasting a jovial, but stern command in her voice. She seems to bee wearing red, padded armor. At her back she has a lute. In one hand, a ladle still wet with food and the other she offers out her hand, palm up. "2 Silver, if you please." She smirks. Owner of the Rusty Dragon: Aimeiko
"Our lovely little town is mostly dull...save the occational monster hunter and would be start up. However, with the festival soon to start, its quite bustling." She muses. "Once the games start, they'll b plenty to do."
The White Deer is a three-story building, its lowest level built of stone while its upper floors are composed of fine wood. Its rooms are spacious and clean, and its front entrance is flanked on either side by twin deer statues of white birch.
Once the kobold enters, however, many turn to observe. A bit of scrutiny in their eye.
A dark skinned human male beams from behind the bar: "You! Kobold, You best not do anything regrettable. Not a soul here would question your disappearance." His tone is filled with warning and a mild optimism that he wont have to follow up with his words.
Aimeiko laughs, looking Endra over with a smirk.
"Games of accuracy, Strength, speed...Puzzle games, guessing games...and so on." He pauses a moment as he eyes some overt rowdiness build up from the table behind Endra. They quickly settle down.
"I think they try to cater to the tourists." He returned her eye to the fetchling then shrugged. "Regardless, seems the opening ceremony is underway. Best you get going."
Several patrons, at hearing Aimeiko's words, took to their feet and began heading out.
At the White Deer, a surprise catches some of the patrons. A kobold with a vernacular. The dark skinned man rolls his eyes and nods. "Yeah, that'll do." He noted before returning to his idle tasks.
Qhisz's hirely, the ever silent Quince, nudged his master, motioning toward the outside. The main road was beginning to fill with folks headed to the church court yard.
---MOVING ON---
The court Yard is filled with all manner of traders, tourists and excited travelers. Few carry weapons, and even fewer strike you as combat capable. The guards are scares as if disbursed through the town.
At the center of the square, several feet before the steps of the new Cathedral, a large wooden deck has been fully assembled, a small cart is placed before with a variety of Desna oriented scriptures and handouts being passed about.
Mayor Deverin's speech start with a glorious and jovial welcome. She's a middle aged woman with cropped, brown hair though a spark of vigor rings in her voice in spite of her age. Once the speech ends, A dark skinned, sour looking man steps forward. The crowd's joyful hoots and hollers damper considerably as this man's darkened mood further salts the place with warnings of consideration for others and to be safe. especially at the evening's bonfire.
After Hemlock, the mayor steps forward once more, agreeing with his statement about safety but reinvigorating everyone with words involving the fun to be had. She apologizes that some people weren't able to come, including some of the area's local nobility.
Lastly, the final Speaker, Father Zantus takes the stand and thanks everyone for coming. He reminds everyone that the Official consecrations ceremony is at dusk at hopes the games and food will tide everyone over till the main event.
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I made my way out in time to catch the opening ceremony but I am oddly curious about this Hemlock fellow but more concerned about why its not safe around here at night. So I travel around talking with locals to gather information about the area and the goings on such as the important people I need to know about. I would rather not have to pay for information if I can help it!
Endra Gathers information on Hemlock and the evening safety.
Endra spends the majority of the after noon eaves dropping and carrying on conversations about Hemlock and his safety comments.
Over all, the you learn that Hemlock has been very jaded and dreary for about four year now and takes his job seriously.
Sadly, no towns person is willing to give you information on "The Recent Unpleasantness" that transpired back than. A black mark on the community they'd like to forget.
The Town boasts no library. However, it is easy to get pointed in the direction of the town's local sage.
He's described as a balding, elderly fellow with round glasses and kind smile. He's located on the eastern portion of the city next to a large ruin atop the cliff. His name is Brodert Quink.
Arriving at the door of the man's small home, you knock but to no surprise, no one is home. The windows are all shielded by curtains and the door is locked.
"Pardon me." The voice of an elderly man crackles from behind Endra a few feet. "I was told a dark woman was seeking some information that many would prefer to forget..." He chuckled shaking his head. "Tragedy can be painful, I do understand their desire to let the past die." Looking Endra over behind his spectacles, his eyes sparkle briefly with enthusiasm.
"A fetchling." He noted aloud. "Dark days indeed for you people to be coming from the shadow plane...but this festival did call to everyone."
"If its all the same to you, miss, I would rather keep strangers out of my home. I will, however, answer your questions."
---
The market is filled with baubles and objects for the festival. At this point most of the major shops have closed and locked down.
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Well Brodert, may I call you Brodert? I am just wanting to know what happened to cause Helmlock to be in such a dark mood all the time? And what about all this business of it being unsafe after dark? I am a hunter after all and if there is something to be hunted and a reward to be gain well I want a part of it!
Brodert smiles, nodding as he gives a moment to think.
"The young man Hemlock is a jaded soul..." Hearing that the fetching wanted to hunt a monster, he laughed.
"I understand, I understand. Eager and brave...an adventuring sort." He looked to the east, the dimming of sunlight revealing more and more the city lantern being lit.
"The ceremony is about to begin miss. This old man is...tired, to say the least. Tomorrow, we can discuss that black patch on our city. Is that acceptable?"
Endra heads though the main road, passing through the large court yard before the church. Making it through this location is proving slow as most people are in awe as the ceremony is in progress.
Father Zantus stands atop the assembled platform, with the mayor, reciting a Desnaic rite. The glow from the twilight looks like softly burning embers from the north.
Wait... The sun sets in the east?
Alarms in the form of personal horns echo from the north and quickly begin calling from the east as well.
Officials try to take charge of the situation before the people begin to rush...however, just as a couple officials move Father Zantus and The mayor to safety, one of the ground officiators cries out in pain as a goblin blade slices through the top of his skull from behind. A greenish, football headed, goblin dangles from the back cackling feverously.
The people flee and panic as more horns and goblins enter the area...
At last, the court yard is cleared. Leaving is cobbled stone flooring vacant, save for some rolling garbage and wagons.
Endra and Qhisz are the only non-goblin folk left there. The sounds of screams, goblin chants and guards fighting around the city echo from every direction.
Just north of Endra and Qhisz, four goblins chatter and dangle within a fruit cart. They laugh and grunt, making twisted and disgusted faces as they sample the fruit, torches in their hands.
Suddenly, their chatter stops as each of the goblins slowly turn their toothy heads to stare at the kobold and fetching.
One opens it mouth to let loose a shrill shout, the four of them dropping from the wagon and coming at the duo.
------------COMBAT------------
Gobos
Qhisz
Endra
Goblins act quickly! Each them charging dumbly at the dark lady.
"Long shank!" they scream
The first goblin, jumps into the air, but endra knocks the goblin away as she unseeths her blade.
The second goblin attempts to slash at Endra's legs, but just runs passed her with a big SWISH noise.
Goblin three is not much better. He dives after Endra but lands awkwardly behind her.
The fourth goblin gets awfully close to endra's arm, but she's able to deflect it away.
The goblins now stand to Endra's back, sides and front. Each now flanking.
Iniative-Bold goes
Gobs
Qhisz
Endra
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Uses: Star candle Fire work
{When lit, this foot-long wooden tube launches a flaming pyrotechnic "candle" every round for 4 rounds. The projectiles deal 1 point of nonlethal damage and 1 point of fire damage if they hit; on a critical hit, the target is also blinded for 1 round. The projectiles shed light as candles for 1 round and have a range increment of 5 feet. Attacking with a star candle is a ranged touch attack and always has a –4 nonproficiency penalty. Crafting this item is a DC 20 Craft (alchemy) check}
aimed at gobo 4
Gob 4 take 1 fire and 1 non-lethal.
INITATIVE
GOBO 1
GOBO 2
GOBO 3
GOBO 4 (-1HP/-1 NL)
QUISZ
ENDRA
Endra's blade slices through the air cleanly, but the goblin ducks lower than she anticipated. Her blade shimmers just over the goblin's head.
The other three green gobos chattering laughter squee into being, fingers point at gobo four as if mocking him.
Gobo 4 adjusts back to his height, both afraid and angry having entirely forgot he took a firework in the back earlier.
"Longshank missy miss! Longshank dumb!" he shouts in a chattering cry.
Gobo's Go!
Goblin 1 looks to Qhisz and raises his arms in distraction. "Stupid lizzy! Dumb!"
Goblin 2 Slides to Endra's side and swings his dog-slicer(Goblin short sword) at her shins...
But he stopped too soon and slices at the air near her shin instead. He seems confused as he looks over the sharp part of his weapon.
Goblin 3 shifts to flank with Goblin 4 (five foot).
A sharp, jagged pain lands itself up Endra's left Butt-cheek!
"Longshank Bleed!" He chatters.
Inspires by his companion, Goblin 4 laughs and attempts to do the same from the front.
Endra's armor deflects the blade from gobo 4, he shrieks in frustration and defiance. "Dumb-Dumb!"
INTIATIVE
Gobo1
Gobo2
Gobo3
Gobo4(-1hp/-1NL)
Qhisz
Endra (-5hp)
Qhisz throws a bomb next to Green Gobo. He attempts to dodge...
He succeeds, taking only 2 damage.
Endra Targets her ass-goblin's head(Blue)!
The Gobs Act!
Gob Red looks through Endra's legs at the lizard and attempts to run through the fetchling to get to him... Endra gets an attack of opportunity...
...Endra's blade slices cleanly through the goblin like butter. he drops dead, twitching over one of her boots.
Gob Yellow attempts to strike Endra's shins!
His attack is wild and falls short.
Gob blue, continues to flank, think that, if he hit one butt-cheek, he'd try for the other!
...his attack is met by a scrapping of armor. He yells, disappointed.
Gob Green, who was recently toasted, charges toward the kobold! "Lizzy die"
However, Qhisz side steps the goblin, it's dogslicer clanging with the stone work ground.
INITIATIVES (Bold's up)
Gobo (Red)1
Gobo (Yellow)2
Gobo (Blue)3
Gobo (Green)4[-3Hp/-1NL)
QHISZ
ENDRA(-5hp)
Qhisz's dart flies through the air and sails past its target, landing into the wooden base of a kiosk.
Endra slides back and stabs Blue Gobo through the head. It goes limp instantly, sliding off the blade with a bloody thud.
INITIATIVES (Bold's up)
Gobo (Red)1
Gobo (Yellow)2
Gobo (Blue)3
Gobo (Green)4[-3Hp/-1NL)
QHISZ
ENDRA(-5hp)
Yellow, seeing a fellow gob die so brutally attempts to seek retribution!
Striking true, The goblin stabs his jagged weapon across Endra's left hip, shredding flesh.
Green swings its gnarly blade at the kobold with cackling impunity...
...But his weapon is parried by Qhisz's blowgun.
INITIATIVES (Bold's up)
Gobo (Red)1
Gobo (Yellow)2
Gobo (Blue)3
Gobo (Green)4[-3Hp/-1NL)
QHISZ
ENDRA(-10hp)
Endra's shifts back to attack, but it's evaded by the scurrying dance of yellow gobo...who then abruptly explodes in a burst of flame and goblin screams...
In awe, Green Gobo stares, "OOOoooooooooh." he chimes. doing nothing for his turn.
INIATIVE
Gobo Yellow
Gobo Green (-3hp/-1NL)
Qhisz
Endra
Endra moves to stab the goblin with the business end of her stabby stick...but the goblin scuttled back.
Qhisz then, with acidic gusto, melted the golbin to muscle and sinew with a toss of an acid flask.
Blood seeps from Endra's wounds. Goblin laughter and chatter come from all directions. as does the shouting of common folk and guards trying to protect them.
Qhisz begins to search through the goblin corpses for goods.
Aside from their Dogslicer weapons, 4 of them the armor each of them wear are tattered.
Coming up from the south, a familiar face waves you down. Its father Zantus. He's accompanied by several women and children. His cloths are stained with blood and show signs of being slashed, as do many of his group's closed, yet almost no wounds are present.
Looking to the Scavenging Kobold and the heavily wounded Endra, Zantus approaches, holding a hand to keep his group back.
"Friends! I see your fighting, thank Desna." He eyes Endra's wounds. "I know you hurt, but may I ask you to keep fighting...I've drawn on nearly all my powers to keep my small flock here alive... I offer the last of my healing abilities if you-" He finds himself cut short as another group of goblins appear just south of your position, bumbling over a card of meats. Without another word, Zantus motions his group toward the Church. Their movement doesn't seem to distract the goblins from their chittering chatter over meats, something Zantus is thankful for by the look in his eyes as he looks back to Endra.
"Please, I beg of you. Fight on." Placing a hand to Endra's hip, Zantus floods the last his healing powers into her wounds.
The light from the healing catches the goblins attentions. Three of them. One of them wearing more armor and holding a whip in hand. It begins singing in a cackling croak seemingly inspiring his troop with combat prowess... Zantus rushes to catch up with his flock, unlocking and opening the church door, shutting it behind them. "I pray you succeed!" He shouts as the door latches.
----Battle----
Gobo Red
Gobo Purps
Qhisz
Endra
Gobo Blue
Gobo Red, inspired by the singing goblin and its raspy melody, Charges forth!
The goblin leaps up, his tiny momentum enough to cause Kendra deflect attempt to falter enough for a large wound up her arm.
Gobo Purps moves forward only slightly, maintaining her song while stuffing a pack full of meats.
Gobo Red
Gobo Purps
Qhisz
Endra
Gobo Blue
Qhisz Bomb explodes on to puple who, despite the pain, continues her screeching song!
Endra jumps back and stabs red...who promptly dies after being skewered.
Gobo Red
Gobo Purp{-4hp)
Qhisz
Endra(-5hp)
Gobo Blue
Blue, in an attempt to protect Purple, Charges wildly at Qhisz! Though the platform causes him to loose momentum at one point, he still swings his jagged weapon...
Qhisz Evades the swing, though the fast swish of the goblin weapon would have hurt..."Dumb-Dumb, Don't move!"
Gobo Red
Gobo Purps(-4hp)
Qhisz
Endra
Gobo Blue
The singing Goblin Continues her inspiring, singing tune. In her hand she lets loose a whip, the crack of the stringy, goblin made lash flings at Qhisz...
...though the attack fell short and the snapping crack merely caught yelping attention of blue.
Gobo Purps(-4hp)
Qhisz
Endra (-5hp)
Gobo Blue
Blue not only explodes, but his effort to jump away from the explosion, he lands neatly into the business end of Endra's poky stick. Blue dies silently, a look of surprise locked on his face.
Purple
Qhisz
Endra
Purple, who's song stops as she realizes she's alone, books it south. Despite the debris, she scuttles away with gusto...
---Combat over--- for now..
The Goblins are strung about in heeps.
you each gain 235Xp.
Folling deeply ingrained instinct... Qhisz begins sifting through the corpses for loot and helpful things.
Aside from more goblin weapons...
COINS: 104GP-23SP-11CP
-Masterwork Studded leather armor (Small creature)
-Potion (its silvery in color)
TRADE GOODS?
-A 200lb anvil.
-Bag of Salt
-A box of carving chisel's (11 of them)
-A 100lb iron box
-Bread loaf
-A pair of Oars
-Pouch of Tabacco
-Salted Ham
-10 needles
The sound of combat continues around the square. The chattering of goblin laughter is both near and far...often being cut short following and explosion.
The potion is Magic Fang.
--- ---
The sound of civilian shouts come from the north, toward the northern gate. A loud CRACK is followed by a brightening glow that can be seen from the square.
The cries for help can be heard followed by the sound of more concentrated goblin chatter.