A few of them that aren't brutes and bullies? Avan considered the words he heard from Sybil previously but what he have seen of Orcs made logic hard pressed to convince him that there were exceptions to the ones he grew up around...despite how plausible he knew it was.
"Why would it matter if I thought more or less of you" He began his tone uninterested "As I've said before I am just a man who stops drunks when they get too rowdy...I wonder if the sheriff will give me some hints, he seems to be really good at doing it" continued the martial artist, going off topic unintentionally before walking towards the hooded figure.
Sybil watches Avan depart to speak with the hooded figure with a slight smile on her lips.
Interesting man, I would almost wish for a bar fight to occur simply to see how his aloofness would play out. Oh well. Time to speak with Dao, he must be drunk to volunteer like that at such a time.
Sybil walks up to Dao with the look of an aunt who is going to scold a little kid but is almost succesfull at hidding it under a smile.
"Dao, come down from the table please. I wish it didn't have to greet you in such a way after these long years, but I must say it. Have you thought about Koya before volunteering? What would happen to her if she lost her son so soon after Niska's passing? You have responsabilities toward her! You cannot leaver her like that."says the dwarf in a self assured tone with barely any aggressivity.
She stares at the Tengu, awaiting an answer.
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If one could view an inflated balloon losing its shape while being deflated could compare Galdford to one as the formidable Sybil cuts him down to half her size.........
"Ermmmm.... She would encourage me???" His voice is uncertain.
"She's always saying how it would be nice to travel outside and her tales are always so interesting. I know she'd want me to travel outside and then tell her of what I learnt. Wouldn't you go with me then? Mum will be very happy if you were to do that. Wouldn't she?"
Well it didn't hurt to try afterall she was like an aunt to him.
Hopefully she didn't remember the incident with the colored smoke.......
Ten gold per goblin ear?! I can make enough money to get all the way to Irrisen like that! But.... The danger is great, what if I get found in the wilderness by the hunters?
Apex thinks to herself after the sheriff leaves. When Galford gets up on the table though, she starts, and very, very, uncharacteristically rises.
A group! If a have a group with me, I'll be safe from the hunters!
I'll... I'll join you, sir. I'm a learned Mage from a very prestigious college in And.... Back home. My skills would be valuable. Sandru has seen me in battle more than once. He can vouch for me. My name is Apex. Apex Stormshard. Just promise me Galford, there won't be any pranks like that one trip!
Anyone paying attention can tell that this is the most she's said at once probably in her entire life. She's tense, scared almost, like someone is going to hurt her for speaking. She stands her ground against herself, though, and looks around to see if anyone else stands.
Sybil is surprised to see Apex stand up and join Dao.
She will do this too, this was unexpected.
She turns back to Dao and stares at him for a moment.
Dao, little chick, you are right, she would most likely approve. What is more, your mother would be safer if you diffused the threat of these goblins. interior sight* Koya, I shall do this one thing for you before I depart, make sure that no harm comes to Dao. thinks the dwarf.
A small reappears on Sybils lips.
"You are right Dao, she would approve and I shall go with you to make sure you do not get into troubles and to appease any worries your mother might have."
And it won't be like last time when I had to clean all of the colors on my walls left by the smoke. No, this time, I won't let you out of my sight completes Sybil mentally.
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"Ya!!! Sybil is coming and all those goblins be dropping!!!" Galford sings. He stops and turns in surprise when Apex stands up too.
"Heya Apex, No problem, Auntie Sybil's coming with us. We will be safe! Besides...are you still sore about the toads and flies the last time? I thought you magic types usually have toads as familars right?"
Galdford mood's is infectious and the people around can't help but stop grinning, maybe because with Galford out of town, no pranks will be played on them.
Galford looks around.
"Anyone else?"
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Ameiko stands up and addresses the bar.
"Sit down Galford. All right everyone, I know how dangerous this kind of thing can be. And I know most all of you and I don't want anyone going out on their own and getting killed. What I propose is whoever wishes to partake in this endevor come to me and I will evaluate your abilities and create a group from who I think can handle themselves."
You see a number of patrons nodding their approval.
Apex gathers her pack and staff and goes to Ameiko.
My words from earlier are true. I would be valuable, 'tis the reason Sandru hired me on in the first place. Besides, I need the gold for my... trip.
She nervously grips her staff as she speaks.
Tharjuk scratches hin chin thoughtfully. "While I am not eager to join a fight anytime soon, this goblin problems surely needs to be dealt with, and since I'm not planning on returning to the Shundar-Quah anytime soon, I might very well just come along to ensure nobody gets hurt." He looks at Gao and Sybil. "Especially for Dao, since I am in Koya's dept with my life. This may be a way to start repaying it."
To Apex, he says in a lower voice: "You studied at a college? That must have been something, I always wanted to see how the southern schools differ from the way the elders teach the youth in my tribe. If you'd like to share some stories further down the road, I'd be interested. Especially since you carry the mark of one of nature's spirits, which..." he fiddles with his religious symbol. "Which reminds me of home."
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The tengu immediately gets down from the table at Ameiko's request for to deny her was to be denied to her kitchen, a font of heavenly delicacies....no Ameiko cannot be refused.
"My Apologies, I'll report to you now, Ameiko." as he hops off and cleans the table he was on for a good measure and heads off to her, glancing aorund to see if anybody else follows.
Wait till Koya and Sandru hears about this. I'll bet they'll be excited too.
"Hello Aven, you seem to be doing well"
With an overly passive half smile Avan spread his arms in front of his face and then stopped as if something that was binding them together was stretched to its limit "No chains yet" Putting his arms to his sides once more, he took a long breath as if he was savoring this freedom for as long as it would last.
"Seems things in town are becoming a bit more interestin, to bad you are going to lose a bunch of your customers to goblins.
"They're the boss' customers, but your right if she didn't have enough customers she wouldn't have much need for me" Replied Avan, as he looked in the direction of Ameiko, his face fell as she gave the speech; knowing that he would get roped into the whole ordeal. Avan's brow lowered, his eyes half closed and the frown that appeared on his face reflected boredom more than annoyance.
"Are goblins worse than orcs, Shalelu?" He asked as he turned his face towards the woman who saved his life.
Sybil approaches the group.
"It seems that little Dao will have his share of protection. I will go to and ensure that he comes back to his mother."
She looks at Ameiko.
"Miss Kaijitsu, I seems to me that all of us seem well travelled and not so much in need of training when it comes to hunting goblins. Although, I have to say that I agree that slaying countless goblins might not be the best way to go around this business.
She nods in approval to the Shoanti man and goes on talking.
If they are acting up, it must be because something excites them, I believe it would be wiser to find the source and destroy it"
To Apex, he says in a lower voice: "You studied at a college? That must have been something, I always wanted to see how the southern schools differ from the way the elders teach the youth in my tribe. If you'd like to share some stories further down the road, I'd be interested. Especially since you carry the mark of one of nature's spirits, which..." he fiddles with his religious symbol. "Which reminds me of home."
Apex moves closer to him in the excitement of the crowd, uneasy.
Perhaps later... I am glad my.... marking helps you. I was born with it. It is the mark of the wind, wild as the storm and calm as a summer breeze.She rubs the mark on her neck, thoughtfully, after she speaks.
This one, he may be trouble, asking so many questions, but.... I trust him. I don't know why, but I do. I need to be careful...
She stops suddenly and smiles shyly.
I will tell you of my college, when we are in a less... excited place. I, in turn, would like to hear of your training. It sounds.... Fun. A word of advice though. If we end up sleeping in the woods, always check your bedroll. THAT ONE, She gestures at Galford, is apt to put something absolutely horrifying in it when you are not looking.
"Fedatifis..." Irnk's eyes glaze over slightly as he contemplates what Shalelu has said. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, his eyes narrow as he inquires further. "So how many died in this attack? Longshanks or moun ki?"
Goblins.
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@Aven
"Orcs, at least have purpose to their actions. Goblins on the other hand seem to act on whim. Full of violence and evil... Although I have heard a rumor lately of an exception to the rule."
She finishes her drink, and stands up.
Aven, If you want to help this town staying in this bar and bouncing won't take you very far, I think you could do fine with a bit of action. Talk to Ameiko I'm sure she'll let you go on this hunt.
She walks over to the bar and you can see her talking to Ameiko. After a few words she heads for the door and departs.
@Irnk
"No deaths yet but things are escalating, people are getting hurt and Sandpoint is now taking action
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@Everyone at the bar
After you are prepared Ameiko says to you.
"I don't know much about the marsh other than it can be a dangerous place. I do have some good news for you though, it seems we may have found a guide for you, A close friend of mine Shalelu has... acquired help in this manner. She will meet you along the Old coast road tomorrow afternoon.
She looks all of you over
"Good luck and come back alive ok."
Apex gathers her things and heads to her room. She speaks softly to her new hunting companions as she does so.
I'll take my leave then. I'll be here in the morning so we can set off...
Once in her room, she takes the time to add the spell Vanish from the scroll she bought with her last check from Sandru into her spellbook.
Sybil gives a friendly nod to Ameiko, inquires a bit about how she has being doing in the past months and then salutes each of the party members.
@Gao
"Go give the news to your mother ..."
He is already gone, that is a bit too much excitement for my own taste.
@Avan.
"Have a good night, be sure to avoid bar fights." says the dwarf with a smile.
@To the shoanti
"Nice to meet you, my name is Sybil Vekker, and you are? ... I have to say, I am glad to see that someone else is more interested in stopping the problem rather than slaying goblins and receiving money. I am looking forward to travelling with a wise man such as you."
@Apex
Oh, she is already gone. It is good to know that someone will get a good night sleep.
@To all
Lets all meet here after breakfast.
Sybil proceeds to rent a room and goes to sleep.
After giving the friendly dwarf a nod and the same wave he'd used to greet Ameiko and Shalelu, Avan inadvertently considered her earlier words once more Strange dwarf, the few I met told me I am quite wise for recognizing that their hate for orcs is warranted...she couldn't be right about those 'exceptions' she mentioned... Once more Avan's logic ambushed him, but once more Avan escaped prefering not to confront the matter any further, this battle of thoughts and feeling wrought a grim frown on his face that slowly moved to the floor.
She seems nice though Thought Avan Most wouldn't care if fights happened in the tavern after they left Turning to his employer Avan gave her a sigh that he knew she had known very well by now.
"Boss, I won't sleep on the job, I'll smile to the customers and I'll even learn the sheriff's trick with his eyes if you let the people of Sandpoint help themselves for once" Pleaded Avan with a voice that sounded anything but persuasive, the scowl that was on his face lessening in depth till it only marked what appeared to be boredom.
The words of Ameiko caused Avan's shoulders to slump and for his head to drop like a child that has just been scolded, finally his left hand snaked its way to his neck rubbing at a nonexistant discomfort And people say I tend to miss the point... With that thought still fresh in his mind Avan walked out of the inn, hoping to catch Galford as per the instructions of his boss.
Tharjuk nods to Sybil and extends his hand. "Tharjuk, of the Shundar-Quah. Nice to meet you in person, Sybil. Koya told me a bit about you, and I've seen you around, so it is almost sad we finally meet under these circumstances." He smiles. "Almost. As for the wisdom you attributed me so kindly with, I wouldn't dare to claim it myself for I know that I have yet so much to learn. That has become quite clear to me since I've stayed in this lovely town."
If Ameiko hasn't seen his lost pouch of herbs, Tharjuk will accept this loss (for now), and buy a new pouch and a few rations from her. He will then go to his room, check his gear, and then go back for a small drink or two with anyone still remaining in the Rusty Dragon.
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@Everyone
Come the following morning you gather at the Rusty Dragon, as ready as you can be to depart.
Ameiko is there to see you off.
"Hey Tharjuk. She says with a smile tossing a familiar looking pouch at you."I found this while I was cleaning up after Aven."
"Everyone, good luck out there. I would love to get back out there and help but someone has to look after this place.
A look of nostalgia crosses he face for a moment but she shakes it away.
I suggest you travel south along the Lost Coast road, A friend of mine, Shalelu will be waiting for you. She's much more familiar with the marsh than I am and she would be your best bet on tracking down the Licktoads.
Headed south on the well traveled road, things are easy going, the weather is clear and warm. It seems that word of the attacks has spread as there is little to no traffic.
As you continue traveling you spot two figures in the distance, a tall cloaked figure seems to be conversing with a small person of some sort.
as you approach you cam make out Shalelu speaking to an oddly dressed Goblin.
Although glad to have his pouch back, Tharjuk will pick a plant or two along the way, if something catches his notice.
"Well, that is unexpected," murmurs Tharjuk at the sight of the goblin. "Is that the help Ameiko mentioned? I didn't even know there were goblins that dress like that."
When the group closes in on the two figures, Thajruk will try to cast detect magic on the goblin, preferably when someone else is talking to him or her.
When Apex sees Shalelu and the goblin, she assumes a quizzical look, and thinks
Well, this is interesting. I didn't know goblins were smart enough to turn on each other. Hmmmm....
"Bye boss" Avan gave a single wave to Ameiko "Oh and the table by the window was used in a fight recently so don't be surprised if one of its legs gave away" He added before turning around and leaving with the group. The sight of Sandpoin't gate's leaving his sight made him feel an unexpected sense of...longing, but the fact that they were off to see Shalelu made some liveliness comes to his usually uninterested gaze.
..........................................................................
Once they arrived Avan noticed a goblin standing next to Shalelu A captive? That was quicker than expected, did she scout ahead and capture him? Avan considered as his fingers ran through his stubble No, no chains so not a captive, a traitor? The poorly dressed man walked towards the goblin and knelt down, trying to stay at eye level of the goblin.
"Where did you find a willing goblin traitor Shalelu?" Asked Avan, his question sounding awfully genuine.
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The day before
A Jubilant Galford skips home and rushes into his modest home, his eagarness to see his foster mother overwhelming. His beak chitters and and snaps with an audible snap upon seeing her.
"MUM!!! You won't believe what else happened today as I rode to the sheriff. You're fine right? Best to sit down as I tell you what happened today."
It didn't take long for Galford to regale Koya with the tales of what happened today and even as his brother Sandru listens, Galford springs his news.
"And so I decided to go and hunt down these goblins as well. Aunt Sybil will be with us and that Mage Apex? She'll be along as well and others so I thought that I would go too and experience what Mum has being telling me and bring back my stories for her as well."
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The morning, Galford bids his family goodbye, his weapons slung and corded around him for easy drawing. he follows the rest out through the gates and shivers with pure excitment.
Upon seeing Shaelu, he is puzzled that there is a goblin and they're not claiming his ears? Does he look familar?
This morning
Sybil bids farewell to Ameiko assuring her that she will make sure that her bouncer comes back in one piece.
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On the way
On their way to meet Shalelu, Sybil stays with Dao. She tries to calm the tengu down and gives him tips on how to hide well. Unfortunately for the scout, these are all things he already knew, making the trip one boring lesson.
As they reach the meeting point, Sybil is as surprised as her companions. Actually, a bit more since she is speechless for a short moment. Once she recovers from her shock she adresses Tharjuck and Apex.
"It seems to me that the most surprising is that Shalelu is not in the process of killing him. You must be right miss Stormshard, this goblin must have turned on his kind."
Sybil approaches Shalelu and the goblin, giving a quizzical look to the elf before stoping her gaze upon the goblin.
What price could possibly have made such a creature loyal to the elf, does she really trust him enough to send him with us?
Following Avan's question, she looks at Shalelu, awaiting her answer.
Taking a closer look, you see an unusually clean Goblin, probably male. Equally odd, his armor seems to be an actual fitted suit of studded leather, rather than the usual patchwork of scavenged oddments. Finally, a crude pendant of a drawn bow with arrow hangs from about his neck. He has a shock of slate grey hair, pulled back into a scraggly braid. None of you are experts on goblin facial expressions, but you're pretty sure his went sour at the phrase 'goblin traitor'.
"Trayi Jezi?.." He mutters to himself before preempting Shalelu's reply. "Ou anpil yo pa trè entelijan ou ye? Ou gen gen yon kalite anvan ou kapab trayi yo."
"Ou menm tou yo pa twò janti, mwen se dwa isit la ou konnen. Jare tipik pou elèv wo..."
"You lot aren't very smart are you? You have to have a kind before you can betray them."
"You also aren't very polite, I'm right here you know. Typical Longshanks..."
"I don't know, he looks annoyed though...maybe Shalelu threatened to use him as target practice" Said Avan turning to Galford momenterally before facing the goblin once more Sybill seems smart...maybe she studied different tongues Avan's eyes found the blond dwarf next, his expression bordering on complete passivness.
"You look like you know a lot of things, would one of them be the goblin tongue?"
I don't speak goblin, friend of Shalelu. Perhaps you can speak our language so we can better communicate?
Sybil, still eyeing the goblin and Shalelu, sligthly turns to the bouncer in order to answer to his question.
"Unfortunately, I do not. Although, it truly seems that calling him a traitor might have spurred him to speak goblinoid instead of Taldan."
She pauses for an instant.
"So, if you are to be our guide," she looks to Shalelu then turns back to the goblin "would you tell us your name and speak common so we might understand each other."
To all who have met Sybil, her tone is much less friendly than it usually is and, surprisingly, she does not state her name or reaches to gives the goblin a handshake.
"Sa se te ale sou kòm byen ke ta ka espere." The goblin mutters to himself.
Scrubbing the rheum from his eyes with forefinger & thumb, he arches an eyebrow as he responds to the first person to actually address him. "I talk sid, yeah. No guarantees that means we're," a broad sweep of his arms takes in all of you, including him & Shalelu, "goin' ta' communicate."
Grinning broadly & toothily, at Sybil, he adds, "Irnk, I'll answer to Irnk, Jare pa konsa pou sa wotè, and I think you & I'll understand each other just fine..."
"You're pretty skinny for a Dwarf. That what happens when you shave?" He adds, cocking his head approvingly.
"Southern"
"Not-so-longshanks"
Well, if you'll be our guide, then there is no sense in being impolite with each other. My name is Apex, Apex Stormshard. Nice to meet you.
Apex is clearly trying to make amends, and calm everyone down. The tension has made her uncomfortable, and her body language suggests that she only wishes for everyone else to talk to each other so she can fade into the background. She holds her small hand out for Irnk to shake.
"Si m 'te atake ta gen san sou wout, zwazo a." Irnk mutters, shaking his head. At Apex' mollifying words, he straightens, nodding to her.
Maybe it's some kind of disease, made him waste away & his beard fall out...
Probably not nice to remind him of it. Oh well, too late to apologize now.
So he knew how to speak common, but was not doing it so he can say what he wanted about us without worrying about retribution? Avan stood up, his height of six feet of height a clear contrast to the goblin's stature, despite the slumped stance the blond man adopted Does he think himself smart? Avan's left hand rubbed at his wild uncombed hair.
Rough words escaped Avan's mouth that usually supplied the ears that listened to his voice with passive almost uninterested words, and the look that came on his eyes didn't show anger or hate, simply coldness; their stare was so apathetic, it almost seemed like they wouldn't blink even if the world burned around them. The only thing that changed was that his moved from his shapeless hair and fell to his side.
"Anyone can do what you just did, so if you believe that you're being clever ***" As the Orcish word rolled of his tongue, he pointed at his temple loosely with his right "You're deluding yourself...and boring me" He yawned not bothering to put his hand over his mouth, his tongue and teeth were bare for all to see, when his eyes opened once more they morphed back to their previous self; their lazy, unconcerned stare looking at everything and nothing at the same time, his lips somewhere between an uninterested frown and a passive line.
"I respond to kind, in kind, Longshanks." Irnk replies, his own visage now as blank as Avan's. It occurs to you that as ugly as Goblins are, you like their faces even less when they show...
nothing.
"Don't take offense so easily, Avan." Tharjuk doesn't step forward, but he is leaning on his quarterstaff with the weary expression of someone seeing something familiar. "Imagine the roles were reversed, would you simply back down from a group of bigger people coming up and talking about you in the third person?" He nods to Irnk. "I believe we have a misunderstanding here, partly due to the fact that we all are on our way to... deal with the recent goblin problems of Sandpoint, so finding one right here on the road was probably the last thing anyone here expected I guess. Name's Tharjuk, of the Shundar-Quah."
Tharjuk doesn't change his posture or wave his hands, but looks at the goblin with a quiet smile on his face, curious how he'd react.
Avan's left eye brow raised at Tharjuk's words "No, no I wouldn't, I had not done so before...I would not do so now Said Avan his eyes seeming to stare at something that is not only miles but years away.
Stepping back, his feet not making much sound as his sandals Maybe we look like bullies and brutes to him... Avan only stopped when he was standing next to Tharjuk, his slumped way of standing seeming not as unprepared as one would expect.
"Your words are wise...its pretty hard to believe that someone that wise would lose anything" Said Avan, his compliment sounding genuine despite his latter words and his left hand that pointed at the herb bag Tharjuk was carrying.
Eyes flicking back & forth between Avan and Tharjuk, a smidgen of expression bleeds back into Irnk's visage. With a sniff of exhalation, he interjects, pointing at Shalelu with his thumb. "Lanmò ki rayi here says Licktoads have gotten themselves a pack of fedatifis & gone an' made themselves...
troublesome."
"I haven't been this way in..." Trailing off, he glances up at Shalelu briefly before continuing on. "It's been a while & leave it at that, but there's only so many places you Longshanks drive moun ki out of. You have your 'farms' picked out?"
For an instant you see a look of pure venomous hatred directed at the Elf, and something else.
fireworks
Goblins
"No" Answered Avan "When will it be my turn to pick?" The martial artist's voice was devoid of any sarcasm, in fact his tone was quite serious, his eyes showing a surprising amount interest.
Blinking briefly, Irnk shakes his head in self-derision. "Graves, I meant graves. Do you have your graves picked out."
"Stupid Taldane mo. Stupid different words for things..." He mutters under his breath.
A frown drew itslef on Avan's face, his iris' were cast downward "And here I thought I'd get to own a farm..." Avan turned towards the goblin, his brown eyes casting him with a disappointed stare.
"Wait...do goblins have farms?" Asked Avan, his interest rejuvenated once more.
"No Longshanks, moun ki on farms."
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Galford shuts his beak since their bantering seems to fly off his bird brained head and because they were boring. The fact that they were speaking in different languages didn't bother him since he couldn't understand them but he made it a point to note the naunces of their words. It could come in useful one day.
His idle eyes note the herb bag, the wayside grass, the rocks at their feet and then as their footwear...........