Cele's Jade Regent

Game Master Celestine8

Ameiko nods and subtly gestures over to the only other occupied table, a few young Varisian men that Sienna knows are 'friends' with Jubrayl. She speaks in a low whisper, "I heard it from them, but didn't think it was true. You can take the back room or back up to your rooms from last night, whichever you like."A concerned expression passes over her face quickly and disappears, her calm, happier expression returning as she speaks louder, "I didn't think there was much to worry about next to the goblins and the Sheriff has their leader. The issues around here are probably over, finally.

Oh great, so what Sandru says is true. Damn, I thought Jubaryl might have let me off easy. Looks like that won't be the case.

Sienna motions to the back room and walks over to it, waiting for Ameiko to join them. She then continues in a relatively low voice, paranoid of people listening

"So yes, there are unsavory things walking about. Would you know anything about undead in general? This is a shot in the dark I know but we have very little info on them at the moment"

Balthazar follows Sienna and Ameiko, interested in the matter of the undead creatures lurking nearby. This is indeed troubling, and might even hold our travel a bit longer. When Sienna asks about the walking dead, Balthazar tries to remember the monk's teachings on such subject.

Knowledge (religion) 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

Hijiro goes along with the others, also interested in the undead, which he knows little about, but he listens avidly to learn.

Balthazar recalls that undead sometimes spontaneously animate when disturbed or when someone does something that causes their spirits to no longer find rest. Skeletal undead require bludgeoning items to hit them properly and are a very common form of undead that even a novice necromancer can create.

Ameiko closes the door behind them, "Undead are usually given a task by a necromancer or driven by their own single-minded goals, with the more simple types of undead. What type did you notice and where are they? How close to town?"

"Fairly close... apparently close enough to attack the Licktoad village before we did. Doesn't mean they'd be bold enough to come to Sandpoint, but close enough I guess it can't be ruled out, esp. if their task or goal brought them here in time."

Hijiro pauses, thinking to himself a moment... "Perhaps it would be best to deal with them before they come this far?"

Ameiko nods towards Hijiro, "I agree. They may not come this far, as you say, but the undead can be tough enemies. I'll leave you guys to talk about this, but I"m glad to see you back safe." She departs, leaving the group with their food and drink.

"Well look, undead don't just spawn from the ground, I assume anyway. So there is someone who is summoning them. They can't summon anything from inside of town unless they are recently deceased and not buried. So I see the biggest hurdle to this issue is ... well... the fact that a necromancer generally doesn't try to dress for the occasion. So he could be anyone at all, unless we caught them in the act. Just using detect magic spells would not be reliable either as using detect magic on me for example I would not emanate of divine magic. I honestly think we will go on a wild goose chase with this venture. I do care for the safety of the people here but may I wonder why we want to play witch hunter here?" Sienna ends sternly.

Recalling his teachings, Balthazar corrects Sienna. "Actually, some undead do simply spawn from the ground. That's not the case with skeletons, though, so I agree that there must be something or someone behind it. As to why we should look into the matter... maybe because we have enough resources do to do so, whereas the average man in Sandpoint will be helpless against this kind of menace. If this thing grows, it will be worse than any goblin problem. Don't you worry about the well-being of your friends and family in the city?" Balthazar asks in a fatherly tone. "Doing right by others is generally a calling, not an option."

He shares his knowledge of undead with Hijiro and Sienna as he eats his meal.

Skeletons can spontaneously animate and Balthazar does know this, but yes, usually not the case

"Yes, but we are not Sandpoint's protectors. Besides, can you tell me how we would track down an otherwise completely normal looking person that just so happens to practice necromancy? That uses undead with foreign armour?" Sienna sighes "Like I said, I do care for people's well being, that much should've been evident from my recklessness of going after the goblins. However, that is a threat I can perceive and know how to do something about. Undead is far beyond my domain, I feel we will be lead in circles by pursuing this, just because we want to do 'good' here. I've had a talk with mother and despite she being a good cleric generally doesn't fight these things. Wouldn't it be more prudent to seek out, you know, and actual witch hunter to do this? It's not like we have to figure out all of Sandpoint's problems. We'd be here for months and I for one don't want to become the police, if I did I would have signed up with the sheriff ages ago."

"Perhaps we can just hunt down the undead that are there now and deal with those and only worry about a necromancer if there is one. We can't know for sure until we check it out. But if they are raising undead with what you call foreign armor, and we are finding things from Minkai, it stands to reason these might be recent dead from my homeland. I am curious enough to pursue this further, but I can't do it alone." Hijiro shrugs slightly...

"Of course, I understand if your curiosity isn't aroused like mine, but surely your sense of self-protection and security for the town should be some inspiration to such a venture."

"Again, how do you even propose to do this? Just randomly go out in the woods and look for undead? What proof do we have that they will even attack sandpoint? All we know is that they wanted a chest from the goblins. So I would assume there is a necromancer or something summoning them as what good would valuables be to undead. They are mindless right? So for all we know the necromancer has gotten what he or she wanted and just left." Sienna pauses calming herself before continuing.

"I honestly just feel that playing guardian in this case is going to avail us nothing and put us in needlessly into danger. I'm all for finding ways to ward the town from undead though. That seems a far more tangible goal than going hunting undead without a starting point, other than out there." Sienna waves her hands towards the forest.

"Well, we know they attacked the Licktoad village. Maybe Walthus can help us track where they came from? Plus we have that map - with places marked that we don't know what they are - we might want to check out the marked places on the map. If the Licktoads disturbed the undead and took something from them, it stands to reason they'd have noted the location on their crude map."

"So ... what you are saying is we take wild shots in the dark on a map? That might have something to do with the undead? Why would the Licktoads marked places where they disturbed undead on a map anyway or why would if have previously looted places? I'm guessing that's what you are insinuating? As far as I recall the Licktoads were attacking caravans instead of looting random places. Also as an aside, is that actually a Licktoad map or did they steal it from someone?" Sienna ponders for a bit.

"I'm sorry if I'm being difficult here but I'm not convinced we should try to find these things. I am not curious enough or brave enough for that matter to go after what to me seems like a pointless, dangerous endaevour. Until something more concrete is found I think we will be stumbling blindly in the dark. I feel that we should do something within the realm of reason, if I were to protect Sandpoint I would help set up wards from the undead here. I know we have that capability within Sandpoint and I'd rather do that, it protects the village and doesn't put us at needless risk."

Balthazar ponders for a while, seeing Sienna's point. "That's reasonable. We still have one chance of finding out something more concrete, though. The surviving Licktoads might know a thing or two about the undeads that attacked them, and maybe a hint of who the necromancer is. Irnk is supposed to talk to them soon... maybe we should hurry and take the matter to him so it can be discussed with the other goblins. I can go an sleep there, tomorrow I come back with information. Of course, you're welcome to join me." Balthazar finishes his meal with a large bite and sets his plate aside, ready to go. "Does that sound good to you folks?" Looking specifically at Sienna, he asks "If the goblins can give as a lead, would you be willing to pursue this further?"

Hijiro reaches out to clap Balthazar on the shoulder, then remembers the monk's vow and withdraws his hand. "I'll go with you, Balthazar, no reason you should have to trek into the marsh alone... never know what you might encounter there."

Replying to Balthazar "Well, I like that idea a bit better yes. Then it might not be pure speculation. Though I'd prefer if we do follow any leads the goblins might have to eventually forward the info to clerics that actually deal with undead as opposed to turning ourselves into a would-be undead hunting crew. I shall see you both in the morning then. I shall stay in Sandpoint tonight, I have some other unsavoury business to take care off and probably a message to send out in the morning." Sienna opens the door and walks out, just before she passes the threshold leaving the two men she turns back around. "Stay safe both of you. Good night." She shows a hint of a smile then goes back to the main floor of the inn, the looks around for her family 'friends'.

If she does find Jubrayl's lackies she will pull up a chair and sit with them. Then the rest of that conversation will be in spoilers, this time for secrecy reasons.

"Let's go, then, Hijiro." He bows to Sienna "Have a good night. We'll see you tomorrow."

Hijiro nods to Sienna. "Until tomorrow then. Take care." He grabs his few things and gets ready to set off with Balthazar to find Irnk and the Licktoads.

Yeah, you have no difficulty finding them again, Sienna.

A group of four men sit at a table, all of them armed to the teeth,recounting an amusing story about one of their cousins in Varisian. They stop speaking and greet Sienna when she comes to the table.

So, it would seem that Hijiro and Balthazar meet up with Irnk before the Licktoads get there.

It doesn't take Hijiro or Balthazar long to reach Walthus' cabin in the Brinestump Marsh.

"Irnk, we're back... it's Hijiro and Balthazar," Hijiro calls out as he approaches Walthus' place so as not to surprise the goblin.

He opens the door slowly and pokes his head in. Finding Irnk still alone, he explains their presence. "We need to find out more about the undead and the map. We were hoping when you talk to the Licktoads, we could collect that information. I assume since you're still here that the Licktoad haven't made their appearance yet?"

Even before Hijiro & Balthazar enter Walthus' house, they can hear what they must hope is only Irnk's snores emanating from within. The only possible explanation for such a small body generating such a LARGE noise is that the rumors must in fact be true, their skulls really are as hollow as a drum...
"ZZZZZZZZCHCHChchchchch- ! Wha!? Who?! Oh, you. What are you on about? No, no Goblins yet. If they do abide by what we agreed to, they won't be here until tomorrow morning; if they don't, they likely won't show up until nightfall as that is when they will have the advantage if they are planning something underhanded..."
Blearily blinking his eyes, Irnk gets up from the armchair he was using as a hammock, turning his head back & forth to a chorus of vertebral snaps, clicks & pops. You notice the interior of Walthus' hut is significantly cleaner than it was earlier today. Irnk pours himself some water from the basin in Walthus' kitchen, first dousing his head, then gargling vociferously, and finally drinking a tumbler full. Now once more fully cognizant, Irnk turns back to the two of you. "You want what from the Licktoad? Oh, now you are concerned about the restless dead. I thought Woojie-girl said she could follow their tracks from the village? Wait, what did you do with the map?"

"I have the fan with the map on it. We need to learn what these marked locations are and what, if anything, they have to do with the undead. The Licktoads would be the only ones who might be able to give us that information. That's why Balthazar and I came out here to join you when you meet up with them."

"We are hoping to learn enough so that we can find the undead and eradicate them before they become a threat to the town, assuming that is within our abilities."

"Sienna said something about the undead looking for a chest or something - perhaps the very chest we took from the goblin leader. If that's the case, they will probably go to the town next to get it. Perhaps we can prevent that, and find why undead would want a Minkaian made chest. Sienna seems to think a necromancer is behind the undead, but Ameiko said that undead could just happen without a wizard behind them. Regardless, it would be good to find out and stop them if we can."

Hijiro takes a deep breath and stops talking, not used to so much speaking, and shrugs as if not sure where to go next with all of this.

I thought Woojie-girl said the dead took a chest... Wait, I KNOW the Licktoad said the walking dead left after finding something in the village & took it with them when they left."
Irnk's gaze shifts back & forth between Hijiro & Balthazar, perhaps hoping the older & wiser human might have something to add. "The two of you are free to stay here tonight & talk with the Licktoad when they come... Now I think about it, it'd be good to know if any of them can speak Longshanks..."

Sorry guys, I've been a bit sick lately. I'm not disappearing into the ether.

No worries. Get better, come back. In that order.

I'm well enough now and can post while laying down and trying not to die.

glad to hear you are feeling better

Hope you are well on your way to recovery.

I'm all better now. Just had a bit of a flu

Any conversations between Hijiro and Irnk before the Licktoads show up?

I'm good and ready to move on I think. Irnk knows why we came out here, and now we're just waiting on the Licktoads. I'm sure there would be some small talk between the three characters while waiting, but nothing of any great moment that needs to be played out. At least none I can think of at this time.

Okay, Hijiro and Irnk, I'll move us back up to where we were before. Irnk was discussing the options with a Licktoad goblin. Irnk alluded that there might be other options besides going to the Mushfens. They're speaking in goblin and it's early morning. He seems uneasy around Hijiro, as does his group, but none have done anything aggressive. GO!

I will be repeating myself, first in goblin, then in common. I will also be translating the goblin's words to common so that Hijiro & Balthazar can understand & take part.

"The first thing you must do is something you may have never done before, look from your heart, to that of another. You must state your case to the Longshanks, tell them why you wish to stay here & why they would be better served be your staying. Finally, you must abide by the accord you make with them, learning to speak longshanks wouldn't hurt either."

The goblin scrunches up his face, "We want to stay here because we've always been here. We can stay away. If they send us away or kill us, it's... ummm... bad luck. And we won't let them do that without a fight.

Hijiro listens intently to the translations, but remains quiet on the subject of the goblins proximity to Sandpoint. His own business with the goblins is secondary, though still important.

I hope Irnk can work out some kind of peace between the goblins and humans. That would be the best solution.

Hijiro, you are still in human form, yes?

"Then we will talk with the Longshanks, and we will find something we and they can agree on. It would still help if more of us could speak their language though..."
Turning & pointing to Hijiro & Balthazar, "These Longshanks have promised they would also speak for us, but they are concerned about the dead walkers that attacked your village. They need to know what you know about them." Speaking to his larger companions, "Ask your questions, the more helpful we can show them to be, the better their chances of coming to some kind of accord with Sandpoint."

Yes, Hijiro has been staying in human form around all these people... something he normally does as habit now since there are no other kitsune in Sandpoint

"We need to know where the walking dead came from... and where they went when they left your village... We would like to destroy them all if possible which would be helpful to your people as well as our own. And if you can help us decipher this map, it would be very helpful." Hijiro shows them the fan, opening it to reveal the map. "Perhaps you can tell us, what are these places marked on the map?"

Hijiro, after speaking, looks to Irnk to translate his words.

Yes, Irnk translates everything Hijiro says.

The goblin spits onto the floor,"Dead walkers come for the stuff we took from the witch on the beach. They killed lots of us, including Slorb," he says with a satisfied grin,"Gutwad pushed most of the treasure back out of his home and they took it back with them. They let us keep the cheap stuff. That map shows this house, old witches' home, boat where the bright fire sticks came from and... ummm... a cave. I've never been inside, but that one over there is a cave."

old witch? Maybe Sienna is right about a necromancer making the undead. But isn't this something that should be dealt with? And what's this about a boat? in the middle of a marsh?

"What more can you tell us about this witch? ... and the boat?"

The goblin nods,"The old witch's a longshanks, like the old man, here, but even older. An old woojie. Her house used to be lit up with weird lights at night and strange sounds. Now she's gotten pretty quiet. No more fun scraps laying around her home. The boat is on the beach, right there," he jabs a sharp little finger at one of the marks on the map,"The boat was the home of Vorka. A goblin-eating goblin woojie. She was... weird. Kept mean dogs and a horse. The Licktoad heros killed her and her pets and took the box with the treasure and the firesticks. Gutwad sent Poog, Mogmurt and others to check out the cave and they came back with more stuff. More treasures and-and even MORE fireworks." The other goblins behind him begin to fidget, clearly tiring of the conversation, scanning the home for something to busy themselves with...

Seeing in the goblin's fidgeting the potential danger it is, Irnk turns to Hijiro. "The rest of Gutwad's stuff is in Sandpoint, yes?" Then, turning back to the other goblins as he starts down the trail to Sandpoint. "If you would speak beside me to the Longshanks, come now. If you would return the Licktoad Spear to the village, come with me now. If you have not the courage to speak for your people to the Longshanks, run back to the Licktoad & hope that Goblins with courage will succeed where you fail."

Yes, I also relay to Hijiro afterwards that I am attempting to take these Goblins back to Sandpoint so that we (they & I) can plead their case to the people of Sandpoint.