Venmirl smiles at Syeira. "Oh, a wondering spirit!" He eyes a selection of daggers at one of the stalls. "That sounds exciting. I suppose I am in Sandpoint because I have decided to do some wondering myself."
"Until recently, I have lived my entire life in the hills with my quah...uh tribe. I needed a change, I felt like there was something I was meant to seek. I do not know exactly what yet, but I was sure I could not find it with my people. I had made the journey to Sandpoint with my father a few times, so this was a town I was familiar with, which isn't very familiar at all..." His voice trails off as he looks up from the daggers laid on the table, something catches his eye. It is what appears to be a morningstar, but it's head is made up of a collection of dogslicer blades, and at this angle its silhouette matches the tattoos on Vemirl's shoulders. [b]"How much for that morningstar?" he asks.
Yeah, that has happened to me before. I just type it in notepade before I post. Works for me, he he.
"Ah, so you're a wondering spirit!" He says to Syeira as he looks over a selection of daggers. "I suppose I've decided to wonder as well. I have lived my entire life in the hills with my quah...er tribe. I had many questions about my life, about family's history, and decided that I was to leave to have any chance of finding the answers." Venmirl suddenly realized how open he was being with his feelings. He did not mean to say so much so soon.
As he looked up from the daggers something caught his eye in the merchant's stall. It was a morningstar with a head that was made from smashed fragments of dogslicer blades, and its silhouette looked eerily similar to the tattoos on each of Venmirl's shoulders.
"How much for that morningstar?" he blurtted out before he had time to think.
I had no complaints about her closeness or enthusiasm, and paid the old man watching us only slight attention. I'm no saint. As the song came to a stop, I bowed slightly to her and gave her my most charming smile "None more than you have, Shayliss. I'm known as Zelazny." As the music begins again I extended a hand, saying with exaggerrated seriousness "May I have this dance, m'lady?"
Noting the man was still watching us, I made a mental note to keep an eye on him. He was too old to be a jealous lover, which meant that more than likely he was a father or an uncle or something. I hoped that the good luck I had bargained for would apply to angry relatives.
"That's a pretty good way to describe it, yes."
"Well, Venmirl, I hope you find your answers, but they will have to wait until after today."
"It's a far to beautiful day to wonder what could have been, let's just enjoy what we have."
After Venmirl asks about the morningstar, I ask him:
"Do you like animals?"
"Perhaps there's a merchant around here who sells animals, I've always wanted to have a companion on the road. Something to keep me company on those colder evenings spent under a moonlit sky."
"A cute little monkey would do, I might even be able to teach him some tricks."
Calla and Izbahn
The bald man pushes Calla with all his weight and momentum but the huntress has her feet well planted and manages to stop him cold. He stumbles backward for a few paces before losing his balance and falling on his butt. "Torag's Hammer!" He says as he tries to get back on his feet. "Now you've done it, you little bit..." He stops as he suddenly notices that the children are already out of sight and a lot of the townfolk are now staring at him accusingly. "They were mocking me." He offers as an explication. "They were attashking my reputashtion with theirs rhyme." The sheriff, Belor Hemlock, suddenly appears at the scene, having made his way throught the crowd. "What's the problem here? This is a celebration, you should all know better then to cause trouble."
Syeira and Venmirl
After some haggling, Venmirl manages to lower the weapon's price to 80 silver pieces (or 8 gp). As for Syeira search for a trained monkey, it proves unsuccessful. The only animals being dealt at the festival seem to be small farm animals like chickens, pigs, pigeons and goats.
More pictures! Belor Hemlock, The bald man
Venmirl is quite proud of his bargaining powers. The merchant wanted 120 silver pieces at first, and he would have paid it for such a wonderful piece of work. "Oh, yes, I like dogs myself." he finally replies Syeira. "Sure, they don't make good pets for people in a city such as this, but with my clan they were very useful as well as good companions."
He takes his new prize and stares at it for a bit before attaching it to his belt. "Wait, did you say you want to buy a monkey?!" Suddenly Venmirl doesn't feel so out of place for admitting his fondness of dogs.
Feeling quite lucky about the day's progression thus far, Venmirl takes his new friend towards a few stalls selling common livestock when he notices a large man yelling at some children.
Izbahn curses as he realizes he will be too late to help Calla. After he sees the old bald man slam into her, with no effect, he hurries to the scene, his fists clenched and ready to drop this piece of human filth to the pavement. When he sees the town Sheriff approaching, reason takes a hold of him again, and he responds: Yes sir, I saw this gentleman, and I use the term loosely, plow into this young lady with out cause and completely unprovoked!", shooting the bald man an angry glare.
"A monkey, yes, that's what I said. He'd be a nice addition to my performance."
"But a dog, that would certainly be nice to have on the road. I'll keep that in mind, thanks."
After Venmirl hangs the morningstar on his belt I tease him with a crooked smile.
"I do hope you can swing that nasty looking weapon just as good as you bargained for it."
"I'm starting to become thirsty, how about we go look for a nice place to drink something."
I notice Venmirl looking at the commotion, and when I turn my head, I see a large bald man run into a woman.
Chuckling a bit, I turn to Venmirl and say:
"I bet he didn't expect THAT to happen, do you?"
"Come on, let's go take a look!"
I once again grab his arm and walk over to where the small group is standing.
Calla stammers an apology as she reaches out a hand to help the bald man stand up. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean... are you hurt?... I mean no offense..." Seeing several people, including the sheriff approaching, Calla begins to look rather nervous. She resists the temptation to run and find her brother...
Calla offers her hand to the downed man but he spits on the ground in response. With some effort, he manages to get up on his own.
Belor Hemlock listens to Izbahn's account and nods slowly. "It's true." A nearby woman adds. "Das was furiously chasing some young children. She simply stood in his way and he ran into her." At this, Belor frowns.
"Is that true, Korvut? Why were you chasing children ?"
"Well, n … yesh. See, Belor, that little half-breed and his friends, they were shinging about me, mocking and bad wording me. I wash just gonna teach them a good lesson."
Belor shakes his head. "Das, they are children."
The bald man shrugs. "Doeshn't give them right to spread lies about me."
With a sigh, Belor offers: "I think you had enough to drink. Why don't you return home and sleep it off?"
"No way, the party is jusht getting started." Das Korvut says loudly.
Belor's face harden and he quickly closes the distance with the bald man. "Have it your way." The sheriff says simply as he grabs Das' hands and pulls out manacles. The big bald man seems about to protest and struggle but a hard stare from the sheriff calms him. He lets himself be pulled away. After a few paces, Belor turns back to Calla and Izbahn and points his finger toward the Shoanti woman. "Oh, and you, I don't want anymore trouble, understand? Seems like you had the right of it this time, but my men and I are the ones keeping the peace here."
I nudge Venmirl.
"There's always one who can't hold his liquor."
"Come, let's go find a place to get a drink, I'm thirsty."
"By the way, that sheriff sure looks an unpleasant fellow. I understand he needs to keep the peace ... but does he have to be a sore loser?"
"I think he's just a little jealous that girl stopped the big bald guy flat in his tracks, and not him."
"I wonder what those kids were singing about."
"You've lived here a few months ... do you know?"
I look around for the nearest place to get a drink.
Izbahn watches the sheriff take the bald man Das Korvut away, thinking Well that's one more enemy to worry about. Still that could have ended much worse.. Looking back, he sees the Varisian dancer turn and move away with the other Shoanti warrior in her arm. 'Glad they enjoyed the show.'. He thought to himself sourly.
He turns to Calla, and helps her up."Calla, are you all right? Do you need any help?
Calla listens silently as the bald man stammers his explanation and the sheriff berates her for getting in the way.
"...half-breed..." he had said. Why couldn't people just see past that? It always seemed to taint things.
She simply nods to the sheriff, waiting until he walks away before breathing a heavy sigh and rubbing her right shoulder where she'd taken most of the impact. She turns to Izbahn and says, with a bitter smile, "no harm done." Calla decides to let Galdor enjoy the rest of the festival and have a talk with him afterwards. "I wish they hadn't arrested that man. I do not wish to make any enemies here."
Izbahn replies "I'm glad to see he didn't hurt you. Unfortunately, I fear you have made one of him, and also of the sheriff as well. Outsiders like us rarely get the benefit of the doubt when it comes to these matters."
Continuing, and blushing a little, as he walks next to her "Would you like me to get you a drink?"
With the sheriff and Das Korvut gone, calm returns to the cathedral square. The 5 of you and the townsfolk return to the celebration. Zelazny keeps dancing with the young Shayliss while the rest of you browse the stalls.
Some time later, a great crack, like the sound of thunder, is suddenly heard in the cathedral square, coming from the stage. The townsfolk turn toward it to see that father Zanthus is about to speak again. "Excuse the thunderstone." He says with a slight smirk. "Now that I have your attention, let us …" He’s cut short as a severed dog’s head comes flying above the crowd and lands right next to him, leaving a great smear of blood on the wooden stage. There’s a few seconds of stunned silence before panicked screams fill the air. Beyond them, a sudden surge of strange new voices rises—high-pitched, tittering shrieks that sound not quite human. Looking around, you quickly identify the one who must have thrown the dog’s head. A small humanoid with bat ears, a wide head and a just as wide grinning maw is holding a dog’s headless body in one hand and a bloodied slashing blade in the other. Most of you recognize it as a goblin. It seems to you that, everywhere you look, a goblin is gleefully causing some mayhem. The small creatures must have somehow infiltrated the town. Indeed, Galdor and his friends come running back from the south, a goblin behind them. One of the youngster is holding his left arm and blood seeps through his fingers.
Close to you, you see 3 goblins: the one who threw the dog’s head, another that’s creeping out of an alley to the west and the one chasing the young kids to the south. What will you do?
Initiative
Goblins’ initiative:
Yours:
Goblins' first turn
The goblin to the north uses his dogslicer to slash at what's left of the dog. He manages to sever a leg and starts chewing on it.
The one to the west moves out of his alley, spots Syeira, and tries to cut her on the legs. The blow can't penetrate the leather of her armor however.
To the south, the goblin catches up to the kids and tries but fails to knock one of them off his feet.
"By Nethys's fury!" he gasps as the chaotic scene unfolds around him. Seeing one of the goblins head towards the kids, he realizes throwing something at the goblin harassing the children would be risking harming the kids.
Well, Calla may not like wizards but too bad, He thinks to himself as he looses a spell at the goblin attacking the child.
I jump back, surprised by the sudden swift attack by the goblin.
Glad I decided to wear my armor today, I'm spurred into action, grabbing my whip and lashing out at the goblin, hoping to trip his sorry butt.
Also, to make room for Venmirl, so he can put that morningstar to the test.
Izbahn's spell seems to take effect on the goblin at first but he manages to shake his head and clear his mind.
With the grace of a dancer, Syeira swings her whip at the goblin and, with a swift tug, sends him face first on the ground.
Izbahn's spell seems to take effect on the goblin at first but he manages to shake his head and clear his mind.
Izbahn's spell seems to take effect on the goblin at first but he manages to shake his head and clear his mind.
Izbahn's spell seems to take effect on the goblin at first but he manages to shake his head and clear his mind.
Oh, sorry about that. Long day for me as well, he he.
"Galdor, stay by me!"yells Calla. She was slightly slow to react thanks to the drinks she has shared with Izbahn, and, cursing herself, quickly takes up her battleaxe and rushes to the goblin chasing her brother. With a shout of rage, she grips the axe in both hands and attempts to crush the filthy creature's face.
I'd been quite enjoying dancing with Shayliss, but my slight annoyance with the interruption of the speech was quickly replaced with alarm. Flying, bloody dog heads can be a bit disruptive to an evening of fun.
As the gentleman I can sometimes be, I stepped in front of Shayliss, drawing the rapier that had been hanging at my side, looking for the goblin that had thrown the dog's head.
He he, the Tarrasque is nothin', if it was the MITD then I would be worried, lol!
With a shout of rage, Calla grips the axe in both hands and attempts to crush the filthy creature's face. The goblin rises his small shield above his head to block but the force of the blow is just too great. With a broken shield, arm and skull, the small creature stumbles backward where it lays unmoving, apparently dead.
I look at the goblin and yell at it.
"Yihaa ... that'll teach you, you ugly dogface!"
I move behind Venmirl, looking at him expectantly.
Perception
Seeing the creature rush up to his new friend, Venmirl takes his freshly purchased morningstar off of his belt, takes a step, then swings at goblin laying on the ground.
1d20 + 3 = 12
"Yihaa ... that'll teach you, you ugly dogface!"
As the prone goblin hears Syeirna's insult, his face twists with rage. "Dog no! Kill dog!" He yell in broken common as he crawls toward the bard on all four. Sadly for him, Venmirl is quick to block his way and crushes his head with the new morningstar.
Zelazny, rapier in hand, leaves the crowd and moves next to the dog killer.
On the other hand, Shayliss and the rest of the crowd aren't interested in dealing with rampaging goblins, nor are they equipped for it. They move away from them with some panic, knocking down a food table in their way.
Scared and a bit out of breath, Galdor and the other boys do as Calla said and stay close (for now).
Izbahn, seeing the goblin being decapitated by Calla, mentally congratulates her. Ha, one less goblin to blight the land!. He turns to the children now cowering protectively under Calla's watchful gaze. Now he feels the battle lust enter his mind, no different than what a warior feels, really. One of his mentors lessons takes hold, and he realizes he has little protection against the weapons of the humanoid creatures.
Easy enough to fix. He reaches into a pouch ,and grabs hold of a well cured piece of leather, and murmurs a quick magical phrase. After uttering the phrase, he feels the warmth of the shimmering field of magical force surrounding him.
Now he looks for other goblins trying to hide out of site, like the one the rapier wielding man is moving to engage.
Round 2
As you fight the goblins in the cathedral square, the raucous sound of a strange song begins, chanted from shrill, scratchy voices. Since none of you knows the goblin tongue, you can't really decipher what they are singing about. You doubt it's pleasant, however.
Goblins' turn 2
The dog killer is more then happy to fight Zelazny and lunges at him, swinging wildly. Zelazny easily parries the clumsy blows and, as it contacts his rapier, the poorly made dogslicer brakes in two. The now weaponless goblin stares at his broken weapon, dumbfounded.
Venmirl notices another goblin, hiding under a food table next to Izbahn. The little creature was stuffing himself full of food but now, excited by the fight going on around him, he comes out to attack the wizard. The shoanti tries to warn Izbahn of the new threat, but it is too late.
Izbahn is cut in the back by the goblin. Not a deep wound, but it still hurts. The little freak giggles as he sees the wizard in pain.
stuff
Doh, you guys are too quick.
Izbahn starts casting his spell, and then he feels a sharp pain in the back , and feels his blood start to flow down the back of his thigh. Resisting the urge to immediately retaliate, he finishes getting the spell off and then turns to the goblin now facing him, giggling at his pain. He grips the stout club on his belt and backs away from the grinning beast, knowing Calla is right behind him
Reptilian
I looked at the broken sword, then at the goblin. It did the same thing and I grinned when I met its beady little eyes. I lunged at the hateful little thing, wanting to end the fight before the little monster found some new and inventive way to hurt me. I'm not an inherently violent person, but I'd much rather bloody my blade than risk my own life.
Excited by her succesfull move, and the deadly hit by Venmirl, I move in range of the goblin next of the stalls.
I yell at the goblin standing near the man with the rapier,
"Go crawl back under the rock from where you came, back to your orc mother!"
I pull back the whip and try to trip this one aswell.
Whirling around to see what other goblins lurk nearby, Calla sees the one that just attacked Izbahn . Its evil grin only manages to rouse her anger further, and she charges towards the creature, bring her axe down in a wide arc towards its neck.
One strike and Venmirl likes this morningstar already! As he watches the little beast crumble to the ground, Venmirl looks towards the stage to see if father Zantus needs his help.
Perception
Izbahn steps back and completes a defensive spell. He also grab his club, to be better equipped to face the goblin threat.
Still a bit dazed by having broken his weapon, the goblin facing Zelazny can't dodge his swift rapier thrust. The rapier digs deep into the goblin's abdomen. The little humanoid is badly hurt but not out of the fight just yet.
Syeira tries to trip another goblin with her whip. She misjudges the distance and doesn't manage to get a good hold of the goblin's legs.