Shalelu gives Haru an approving look. "I think you'll do just fine hunting them down. Stick one in Gutwad's eye for me, would you?"
"It's good to see you though, it has been far too long since we last spoke. How have you been keeping?"
"I've been doing quite well, Marten. Thanks for asking." Koya offers a smile in a (rather obvious) attempt at defusing the tension between the brothers.
"Sandru, i just wanted to thank you again for the kindness you showed me and letting me join your caravan but i need something else I need to feel like I'm helping more people so I'm going to talk to the sheriff about the goblin bounty, and the company in here tonight is putting me off my drink."
Sandru gives Gryf a nod. [b]"No problem, Gryf--I can honestly say I've never seen a more dedicated guard than you. I imagine you'll do just fine kicking goblin ass from the Marsh to Magnimar.
He grins a little, rather unusually proud of his alliteration.
Haru gives Shalelu a kiss on the cheek and blushes as she heads out the door towards the garrison.
Hmm, this looks to be more interesting than I thought he thinks as one of his eyebrows arches ever so slightly while following behind the others.
I think he wants to take his anger out on something and the goblins seem the best target. I should help him do some good here and stop pushing the point. Spending time with him, even chasing away the goblins, will be good for both of us.
He gets up and follows the other to the garrison.
I think I can help. he says when he catches up.
Gryf looks back as the see's others from the bar join him. "Good to see others want to help out, we will set the balance back." He then continues to stride on. So Marten wants to help, at least he'll be of some use out there.
Shalelu looks rather surprised (and a little confused) when Haru pecks her on the cheek.
She briefly touches the spot where she kissed her before shrugging and turning back to the bar.
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By the time the posse arrives at Sandpoint's garrison, there appears to be quite a crowd around the place. There are a lot of locals here, some looking barely out of their teens. The best weapons they have are little more than repurposed farming tools--a pitchfork here, a pickaxe there, at least three rakes, and many more sharpened shovels are just a few examples of the motley 'weaponry' the hopefuls have.
Their armour is hardly any better--there are some locals in the crowd who look like they're wearing actual leather armour instead of the clothes on their backs, but they're decidedly in the minority. To put it bluntly, most (if not all) of the people here are (at best) grossly under-qualified for the job of hunting goblins.
From the sound of things inside, Sheriff Hemlock is aware of this. A sizeable group of grumbling farmers' lads stalk out of the garrison, their axe handles tucked into their belts and their eyes on the road to the nearest tavern.
One of the militia guards notices the party and waves them in.
Looking over the crowd, Valeria felt a touch under-equipped. Her 'armour' (if it could be called that) and staff were at home. She still had her magic, but the only indication of it to anyone was her spellbook. Not that there wouldn't be enough people in the crowd who would recognise her - being the only tiefling in town had some perks; anyone who recognised her would also have heard of her magic.
"Weeeell, I don't know about you, but I feel confident about our chances." Xel commented, looking over the crowd.
"At least they're willing to try, Xel; you're just gonna vanish the moment a goblin looks in our general direction."
Looks like there's plenty of volunteers at least. It's good to see so many want to help the town - though no doubt the reward is a strong motivator too. Marten observes.
Gryf grubles, looking over the crowd. "They would walk themselves to a slaughter, I'm glad Hemlock has some sense to turn them down." Looking around he spots two other people from the bar that stand behind them.
The lean shy artist and then the dark-haired woman who must come from tein like Ameiko. "You two." He points at them. "You seem more capable than most around here, you come for the Goblins too? We should join up no point fighting over them. I'm Gryf rivers.." He then points to Valeria. "This is Valeria, and the other one is my Marten." He nods towards him.
Daud nods to each of the Rivers brothers and Valeria. Hmm, a lovely spellweaver, a loud man with an axe, and a man who smells of herbs.
Haru is still blushing when she reaches the Sheriff's station. "Why did I kiss her? She probably thinks I'm silly now," she is thinking, when Gryf calls out to her, and she snaps out of her private musings.
"What? Oh, yes, that's why I'm coming. Shae... I mean, Miss Andosana has taught me tracking very well, and I will be able to follow goblin tracks with ease."
"I'm no good at tracking, but I am good at seeing, and not being seen." he manages to add.
The sheriff's office is unusually cluttered today--several stacks of papers can be seen strewn about his desk, with a couple of writing utensils poking out from under the piles. The party catches glimpses of the content of the papers: they appear to be written complaints about the goblin attacks, most of which end with the writer demanding compensation for the damage his caravan sustained in their raids.
Sheriff Hemlock looks up as the party enters his office, his expression turning from sullen annoyance to a more hopeful (but still stoic) look.
"You're here for the bounty too? Well, at least you all look like you know your way around combat. Have a seat." He gestures to several empty chairs set in front of his desk. "Now, tell me how you're qualified to go out into the marsh and hunt goblins down. What makes you think you can pull it off?"
Following the others up to the desk and chairs Friday will remain standing, and also remain silent.
Gryf steps into the office, ignoring the seats he stands looking down at the sheriff. "We haven't come to apply for a job, we're here to take up this bounty. We're here to make this town and the lost road safe." He grits his teeth. "Would you like a reference?" He unslings the axe from his back and places it on the desk. "This is qualification, along with my years as a caravan guard. I don't think anyone of us here are stupid we all know we can hold ourselves in a fight. We've come to let you know this and to ask if you have any information for us?"
Daud closes his eyes and pinches the ridge of his nose. Full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.
"Not a word, Xel, but odds are we're thinking the same thing." she muttered. "Sheriff, I think you remember my qualifications from that thing with the giants years ago." she suddenly looked a bit sheepish for a moment. "I'm, uh, still sorry for almost bowling you over with that floating disc, by the way."
"I'm just a nobody with nothing to my name, especially compared to those before you now, but a nobody is still a body that can get inbetween weapons and people who are somebody." Daud plainly states.
My brother has the right of it sheriff. We are capable people and none among us suffers under the impression that the threat posed by the goblins is anything but serious.
He turns to the tall human beside him.
I didn't catch your name, sir. It is commendable that you want to place yourself in harm's way for the good of others - I can only speak for myself, but I would also like to help, regardless of the reward. My Circle chased out the last of the goblins that dwelt in the sea caves following the attacks on Sandpoint and despite their idiotic nature, their low cunning and ruthlessness still makes them an enemy worthy of respect.
The fact they have somehow armed themselves with explosives only reinforces the point. How did they come upon such items, sheriff, I would find it hard to believe that they created them.
"Daud." he gives to the other man with a slight bow.
Well met. Marten says with a nod.
Miss Andosana, I believe you have walked these woods and swamps since my father's father was young. Do you or your protege know what might have emboldened the goblins?
"Shae... Miss Andosana has been teaching me the ways of the wood and wild for years now. I think I can handle myself... though I must make sure to pick up my compass before we leave town."
"Sheriff, I think you remember my qualifications from that thing with the giants years ago." She suddenly looked a bit sheepish for a moment. "I'm, uh, still sorry for almost bowling you over with that floating disc, by the way."
Sheriff Hemlock shrugs. "It was better than being hit by a giant-thrown boulder, at least."
"I didn't catch your name, sir. It is commendable that you want to place yourself in harm's way for the good of others - I can only speak for myself, but I would also like to help, regardless of the reward. My Circle chased out the last of the goblins that dwelt in the sea caves following the attacks on Sandpoint and despite their idiotic nature, their low cunning and ruthlessness still makes them an enemy worthy of respect."
"The fact they have somehow armed themselves with explosives only reinforces the point. How did they come upon such items, sheriff, I would find it hard to believe that they created them."
"Your guess would be about as good as mine." The sheriff sighs in irritation. "I'd be just as interested in finding out where those fireworks came from as much as you."
Sheriff Hemlock nods and stands up from his desk. "I've seen all I need to--you all look like you can handle this." He moves some papers aside on his desk to reveal a map. "I recommend you seek out Walthus Proudstump's shack in the swamp here." He points out a part of the swamp at the edge of Sog's Bay. "He's a bit of a reclusive sort, but he's quite knowledgeable about Brinestump Marsh--he'll be able to provide you with more information."
Stepping forward Daud nods as he tries to memorize as much of the map as possible.
Sheriff Hemlock hands the map off to Friday. "Feel free to hold onto it. Make whatever preparations you need for this--we're counting on you."
He nods and sits back in his seat. "Anything else?"
Hesitating for only a moment Friday will nod and take the map, then promptly offer it to Haru. At Hemlock's question he will merely look between the others present.
Taking up his Axe he slings it over his shoulder. "Walthus Proudstump it is then, we understand the importance of this Sheriff don't worry about us." He then takes a step and turns to the other. "We should kit up and meet at the gate then head for Walthus hut. My brother and I are good trackers we wont have any problem getting lost in the swamp, the map will help a lot too." Taking a look at his brother. If i wishes to come he'll have to work.
One moment, Gryf. Marten says, a hand hovering in the air. Sheriff do you have any idea of the numbers of goblins involved, were there any witnesses that could give you an indication of the size of their tribe?
Gryf frowns and clenches his teeth. "Their numbers mean nothing, their Goblins dumb and thick headed. We dont have time to pray to the trees for guidance on this Marten we can't let nature decide for us, we move and we deal with it." He with a pointed finger at Marten.
Marten frowns but his voice is level and calm.
Gryf I'm not suggesting we do anything other than deal with it. Goblins are undoubtedly a menace and if they have grown bold enough to attack caravans then they have now become a threat.
Anger can be like the flame. It can be a wonderful tool but if left unchecked it can consume everything
But the best weapon we have against the goblins won't be your axe or my magic, but preparedness.
Friday merely stands and watches the brothers argue with a bored expression on his face. Preparedness earns you nothing if you have no weapons with which to defend yourself... Likewise blindly charging into the unknown never results in favor for the attacker... Espicially if you underestimate your enemy.
"Hey you two... if you're going to be part of this expedition, we need you to handle your sibling rivalry in a way that won't cause problems for the rest of us. We don't need one of you getting pissed off and rejecting a good idea just because it was proposed by the other. You don't have to like each other, but be civil, alright?"
Haru turns back to the Sheriff. "I'd like to know any intelligence about the goblins you may have gotten from the caravans that were attacked, as well."
We won't hinder you. We just want to help. Marten replies.
Gryf frowns. "Don't worry about us. We won't let anything get in the way of this." He talks back to Haru, while taking a step back and leaning again the wall.
"'You' and 'he'. Not 'we'. You two disagree too much to be 'we'."
Wolf cubs fight, Mr Daud. Marten says, matter of factly. But when it comes to the hunt, the prey takes precedence over everything.
He's right though. At one time we would finish eachother sentences, now it doesn't seem like I can say anything right. Still, this was never going to be easy.
Perhaps this Walthus has seen something of the increased goblin activity since he makes his home in the swamp.
"And when the rabbit is in one jaw leaving the other empty?" Daud counters also matter-of-factly.
When the hunt is a success, the pack never goes hungry, Mr Daud. Or else it is no pack at all.
He puts his hand on Gryf's muscular shoulder, a movement that is as natural as breathing.
We are twin brothers. We might have some difficulties, but nothing is stronger than that bond.
And whatever has gone before, that much remains true.
Sheriff Hemlock impassively watches Gryf and Marten argue. "Gentlemen, if the two of you have a problem, I suggest you work it out elsewhere. As it stands, there's work to be done."
"I'd like to know any intelligence about the goblins you may have gotten from the caravans that were attacked, as well."
"The goblins typically attack in parties of five--two with fireworks and the rest serving as a first line of defence as well as cannon fodder." The sheriff turns to Haru. "Walthus would know more about the whereabouts of the goblin's home--I suggest you make contact with him as soon as you can."
"Make whatever preparations you need to. This is in your hands now." The sheriff waves his hand. "On your way."
Thank you sheriff, this task is in good hands I feel.
Marten nods to the others and strides outside into the bright sun of the day.
We could all probably do with some time to prepare. Should we meet at the Rusty Dragon tomorrow after dawn, or are you ready for immediate travel?
"I just need to get some of my gear."
Daud simply raises up his spear.