"Forgive me, Father, but I am old and stubborn. Is there another that might be able to perform these prayers in Sandpoint? We are going into the vipers' nest and the more we know, the fewer of us will be joining Tsuto on that final journey."
"Nowhere closer than Magnimar that I know of," Zantus replies, with unmistakable relief.
"Nowhere closer than Magnimar that I know of," Zantus replies, with unmistakable relief.
Gan appears relieved at not having to speak with the shade of Tsuto.
Burn this wretch and be done with it. Let's ride today--the sooner we leave, the less time Tsuto's friends have to gather their strength.
Lamsfel shrugs his shoulders, accepting that his idea won't fly. "Very well. Then we must lay out a plan of attack with what we do know. I believe that Shalelu stayed with Ameiko. I will let them know what happened here - or didn't - and find when we can meet with her. Perhaps at the Rusty Dragon later?" He looks around at the others to see if that idea is agreeable.
Zantus nods, and with Tybus' help, places the body on the pyre, murmuring prayers as he does so. The flames lick around Tsuto's body, at first almost seeming to avoid it, but soon his remains are burning viciously, sending dark smoke into the morning sky.
Tybus stands silently, watching the smoke rise into the morning sky. When the pyre collapses, he turns away with the rest of his companions to make preparations for their journey to Thistletop.
How's Ameiko? he asks Lamsfel as an aside before reaching the Rusty Dragon.
While at the Dragon, Tybus excuses himself for a few minutes.
Begging yer pardon. I've no words to comfort ye, but my heart goes out to ye all the same. >ahem< We're heading out to put Nualia back in the ground a second time. But if I don't make it back, well, here. When Marcelina comes back, could you see that she gets this?
As they walk and talk, Lamsfel's gaze is in the distance as he responds.
"Angry. Upset. But strong. I think she will be fine. So much pain, so quickly - it will take time, but she will be fine."
By noon, you are all gathered once more in Ameiko's office, along with Shalelu, Sandru and of course Ameiko herself. In addition, Mayor Deverin and the just-returned Sheriff Hemlock are present as well, awaiting the start of the "war council."
Lamsfel tells the assembled, "My idea was for naught. The magic I spoke of requires a considerable amount of power. Power which we do not have access to." He shrugs apologetically, "I know little of such matters and did not realize."
"We are left with the information that we already have. Where do we start?"
Good to see you again, sheriff. Lam, don't worry yourself. All we can do is what we can do. He gives a glance at the village cleric, if he's present.
What we can do, though, is take the fight to them before they bring them goblin pyros back to finish the job they tried during the festival. Hemlock, you think your crew can handle an invasion?
"To tell the truth, I'm somewhat relieved, too. Let it come to strength of arms and tactics." He starts counting things off on the fingers of one hand, "What we know - or believe - is that Ameiko's brother Tsuto had fallen in with a crowd that seeks to do Sandpoint great harm. His journal named the leader Nualia, believed dead in the fire that killed Father Tobyn and destroyed the cathedral five years ago. She is the one that has brought these forces together to 'tear Sandpoint down to its foundations,' I believe was the statement."
A second finger raised, "Based on his journal, she has the mark of Lamashtu and has used that to recruit the goblin tribes to be her footsoldiers. She also uses the goblin nest called Thistletop as her headquarters. In addition, she has the services of a sellsword named Orik, a mage called Lyrie, and a hobgoblin of some ability. Would that be the Bruthazmus he mentions later?" He glances at Shalelu before continuing.
Holding up a third finger, "He claims that the goblins prefer the overwhelming attack over land, but Tsuto and the others on the 'main' team preferred to use the smugglers' tunnels under the Glassworks. Hopefully, we have headed off that avenue with the wall we installed, but knowing that to be their route gives the defenders a chokepoint to focus on, either way. The diagrams near this discussion indicate hundreds of goblins in the invading force."
Looking at the sheriff, he says, "I've been rude, Sheriff, knowing you were off trying to bring more manpower back for just such as this, I should have asked this sooner: how many men were you able to bring back with you?"
Hemlock, looking even more like a man chewing rocks than he normally does, nods, albeit with some hesitation. "We'll do what we can. Knowing about it helps, but Mangimar wasn't exactly... well. I have a handful of men and a pocketful of promises, nothing more," he all-but-spits. "I think we could hold, depending on what comes, but we would take losses. If they wait long enough, we might be able to get more reinforcements, but..." He shakes his head. "I gave up believing in fairy stories a long time ago."
The elf nods, "I feared as much. All the more reason for us to cut the snake's head off before it can strike. It would appear that the head will be found at Thistletop. The journal indicates that Nualia is distracted by sacrifices she is making to Lamashtu, but that she expects to gain power from her efforts - power enough to not need to be subtle when they attack. "
He takes a deep breath, "I think we have tarried too long. We need to stop her before she completes those sacrifices. Barring that, before she can organize her troops and march on the town. We certainly cannot match them if we meet them on the road here, either. It has to be before they begin to move. Shalelu, this is a foe you are familiar with - we are reliant on your knowledge. What do you suggest?"
"Based on what I saw, I think the idea you and young master Elhezen suggest is the best course: a strike at the leadership now," Shalelu says, nodding vigorously. "The tribes have not yet begun to gather, but they would likely muster at Thistletop for a large assault, making an attack at these bastards impossible. If we go now, we can take them. They won't expect it, and we can use surprise to our advantage. I can lead you there, and we can deal with this threat once and for all." She pauses, then smiles. "And I can finally deal with Bruthazamus once and for all..."
"We are entering into this blind, so an extent, but I do not see a way for us to gain further information. I'm ready to leave as soon as I gather my gear from upstairs. How long do you expect it to take to reach Thistletop?"
"A few hours. Just enough time for it to get dark," Shalelu says, annoyed.
"Let's go then." Tristan looks visibly pale but determined.
The elf sighs, "Darkness is a greater friend to the goblin than it is to us. We'll hustle over there just in time so they can harass our camp at best, kill us all at worst."
Looking around at the rest of them, he says, "Let us stay here and rest in real beds. We'll awaken before the dawn and march on Thistletop. With luck, we will be there in the early morning and still catch some of them asleep."
The elf sighs, "Darkness is a greater friend to the goblin than it is to us. We'll hustle over there just in time so they can harass our camp at best, kill us all at worst."
Looking around at the rest of them, he says, "Let us stay here and rest in real beds. We'll awaken before the dawn and march on Thistletop. With luck, we will be there in the early morning and still catch some of them asleep."
I will be ready at first light. Will we go on foot, or do we need horses?
"Horses will... not do well," the ranger replies dryly. "Best be ready to walk."
"Horses will... not do well," the ranger replies dryly. "Best be ready to walk."
Very well. It is no coincidence that we were brought here now in the town's time of need. We are fated to destroy these creatures and protect the good people of Sandpoint. I will be ready in the morning.
Night or day matters little to me. They scream just as loudly when you kill them in the dark. If the group wishes to wait until the morning, I have no objection
I need only to rest and pray for guidance from the Dwarf-Father, and I will be ready to leave.
"Then we leave an hour before dawn," Shalelu says decisively. "If you must greet the sun with your prayers, priest, we can pause on the road. Until then, ready yourselves and rest. Tomorrow will be a day of blood, and I've no interest in it being ours."
Ameiko frowns, looking uneasily between you all and Shalelu. "This is my fight too," she begins. "Do you think I...," but Shalelu and Sandru both say, almost at the same time, "NO."
It is Sandru who goes on, "You know as well as I do that when you fight with your heart and not your head, people get hurt." Ameiko winces slightly, as though Sandru is referencing something in particular, but she nods in agreement. "Your blade and your song will do great good here, if the attack comes, and you can rest assured, my blade will right beside you." Sandru nods toward you all. "You've champions, my dear, the finest Sandpoint can offer, and one of my best as well. Let them fight for you, and be ready to sing their praises when they return."
Lamsfel sleeps easily that night, comfortable that Desna will watch over 'Ameiko's Champions' tomorrow. Waking early, he limbers up and splashes cold water on his face before dressing and getting ready for the day ahead.
He will go to down to the taproom to wait for the others to emerge, planning to go up and make sure they are awake if they haven't appeared 30 minutes before the appointed hour.
Tybus tosses and turns that night, wishing he was in his bunk on a ship with the rolling sea lulling him to sleep. Too many thoughts running through his head. But eventually sleep overtakes him and morning arrives.
After a few minutes studying his spellbook, Tybus shows up at the appointed time and place, armored and ready to go. He looks around anxiously, like he may be expecting someone. When the group heads out, he sighs and silently joins them.
Lamsfel lays a hand on his friend's arm. "Be at peace, Tybus. You need to have your whole mind on the sea you sail today lest you not survive to see port. We will have to trust her captain to keep her safe on her journeys."
Halgor appears in the meeting room, already armed and armored, with a strange smile on his face.
Why so many glum faces? Today is a good day. So many vile creatures getting the justice they deserve. We are truly fortunate to have the strength to fight for good. And fight we will. Together for the town. We will make it safe again. Today is a good day indeed.
Shalelu also appears shortly before the appointed time, readying the last of her weapons and checking her gear with a determined efficiency. After looking you all over, she nods, satisfied. "I think we're ready," and gestures toward the door.
The guards at the northern gate watch you go with a fearful intensity, and though a couple call out shouts of encouragement, they quickly fall silent again under the weight of the predawn gloom and their own fears. Shalelu ignores them, setting a quick pace along the Lost Coast Road, watching the road and the trees for any surprises as you go. The sky is overcast and oppressive, dark clouds hiding the stars and the predawn light from you, and it takes an elf's eyes or the help of magical lights to make your way safely though the shadows.
An hour later, as dawn arrives, you are several miles beyond Sandpoint's walls, following the Lost Coast Road as it cuts through a thick conifer forest. Shalelu calls a halt to allow Halgor time to pray and have breakfast. The slate gray clouds are stubbornly refusing to give way to the sunrise, but daylight still manages to seep through, ever-so-slowly brightening your surroundings. Just as Halgor finishes his meditations and you prepare to move on, the first real sunlight manages to break through the east - but the warmth of that ray is undercut by the thick drizzle that starts at the same time.
Trudging on through the rain, another two hours brings you to the crossing of the Thistle River, where Shalelu turns north, following the river. The Nettlewood, through which the river cuts to reach the Varisian Gulf, is a dense tangle of short conifers and creeping nettles, where nearly every plant has either thorns or sharp needles. Only by staying close to the water's edge can you avoid the worst of it, and still most of you get a few scratches or pricks on your way through. Shalelu is no more immune to this than the rest of you, but she generally bears it unmindfully - occasionally, though, she pauses and takes greater care to avoid the reaching thorns of a particular bush or tree, murmuring, "Careful, now. Poisonous, that one is," as she skirts around it.
Finally you reach the mouth of the Thistle, where a narrow canyon opens out onto a tiny beach; on either side, sharp chalk cliffs cose to 50 feet high march away into the distance. To your left, a couple hundred yards off, a tall rock juts out of the pounding surf, connected to the nearby cliff by a wooden bridge. Atop the rock, a squat building perches unsteadily, but what look like watchtowers and a simple wall indicate the builders had some mind for defense. "That's Thistletop," Shalelu says, perhaps unnecessarily, leading you along the cliff edge toward the bridge.
Tristan is going to be at the front, crossbow at the ready.
Perception:
Lamsfel will run rearguard if no one else volunteers, thinking that elven eyes before and behind is a good idea. As they travel, he will have his bow in hand.
I'd like to be directly in the middle, as squishy as I am. :-)
Perception
if its single file, id like to be up towards the front if possible. im slow, so i dont wanna have to play catch up from the rear. :)
perception:
I've got a bow strung and an arrow at the ready. I'm not great with it, but nothing else matches its range.
Perception
Wow... Tybus really is distracted.
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You make your careful way along the cliff edge toward the bridge that links to Thistletop itself. The rain makes the exposed rock slick, and you must take care to avoid slipping over the edge.
All of a sudden, however, the thicket next to Tristan parts as though it were water flowing around a rock, revealing a goblin in leather armor, a spear on its back and sling on its hip, with a series of strange fetishes around its neck. In one hand it holds what looks like solid flame, curving in the shape of a scimitar, brandished as though to strike out. Lamsfel and Halgor, however, warned by a glimpse through the foliage, are already turning toward the attacker, ready for action.
Lamsfel, already turning toward something he saw out of the corner of his eye, draws back his bow and fires at the goblin that appears to be threatening Tristan.
If he's next to Tristan, and I'm behind Tristan, I'm in melee with him, right?
I just need to know if I'm going to bash him, or drop my mace and acid blast him (with -4 melee shooting penalty of course)
Hold still you little bastard!!!
Halgor swings mightily at the Gobbo, missing miserably. :(