"It is actually a cheap evil neromantic item, the embroidered patches can be torn off by the wearer and when thrown to the ground they'll net you some minor undead. Since there were only two skeletons and the robe we found barely had a trace of necromancy means that the robe was used up before placing the skeletons in the graveyard" Bellamy places his thumb to his chin and looks upward, his gaze interestingly serious "But if I remember correctly anyone can use the Robe of Bones...as long as they know what it is and what it does" He finished and then walked towards the doors of the garrison.
"I'll see you all at the dragon" He gives a single wave and ducks out of the door. A soft breeze brushes past the sorcerer as he looks about himself, noticing a few citizens here and there, he looks in the direction of the dragon, and an impish mask covers his face. In an instant Bellamy was dashing to the side of the garrison, he leaped against it, bent his knees as soon as his feet touched the wall and then jumped to the wall of the building next to it, he repeated the process once more, his hair flowing backwards because of the sudden movement, but his smile was unaffected. Finally he was at the roof of the next building preparing to make his own way to the inn.
"I had already planned on having dinner at the Dragon tonight and more company is always welcome. I am sure you have your own stories to tell, perhaps we could trade tales as we dine?"
"So there might not be a master necromancer running around raising the dead. Goblins could have stole it from someone in the wilderness. That's reassuring, I guess. If there's no other business I have lots of very important things to do."
"I say let's start our watch of the city, I am sure their our bound to be more goblins hiding about the town waiting to create mischief."
Herri heads out the door sword and shield at his side looking for a chance to call upon Iomedae for strength while defending the town of Sandpoint in his name.
"Taking a walk around the city sounds like a good way to start. Does anyone know how good goblins are at digging? I was wondering if perhaps the little buggers tunneled under the wall somewhere and that is why they weren't seen entering the town?"
Zella will follow with Herri for now to search for any lingering goblins in the town.
"Zella, I guess a good place to start is near the walls. Let's see if your digging theory has merit. We can start near the boneyards and work our way around the city. What do you think?"
Herri waits for Zella and heads out toward the walls.
Bellamy manages to rooftop-leap all the way to the Rusty Dragon without a single broken bone. And he has a free pass to do so, to boot!
Elaina let's everyone know about her important business today and remarks how fortunate they are that there are no necromancers hanging around (or are there?????).
Herri and Zella are good little wards of the town and start making their way around, making sure people see them as they inspect the wall. The inspections turn up nothing of note as the hours dwindle away, but the pair do see the townsfolk looking at them as they walk past, with a sense of pride in their stance.
Dropping to the road in front of the inn with a flashy somersault, Bellamy ignored the dust that rose to greet him and opened the wooden door, welcoming the sounds and crowds of that awaited his ears and eyes with a smile "Rejoice everyone the sheriff has failed to catch me yet again!" Bellamy spun and stepped forward with each spin, his arm drawing trails of light and sparks as he cut his way across the inn.
"And the mayor has made me a deputy" Said the sorcerer as he smiled to Ameiko "I would say it is only a matter of time before the sheriff sends assassins after me"
Bellamy leaps off the roof with a flashy somersault, overspinning just a fraction of a degree. No damage is done, but after backpedaling a couple of steps he ends up on his rump. Nonplussed, he gets back up and saunters into the Rusty Dragon, to the delight of most of the patrons. A few, the more law-abiding do-gooders of the bunch, shake their heads, but even they have the ghost of a smile at his words.
"Indeed. Your life expectancy grows shorter by the day, Bellamy." Ameiko chuckles, shaking her head. "You would think you enjoy courting danger so."
Nover heads back to the Rusty Dragon, where he can usually be found. The one thing he was good at was being where everyone knew him. Serving drinks, telling stories, hearing tales, and being a friendly face even in these tough times was what Nover could do best.
Before heading back he tells Elaina "In all likelihood the goblins were either smuggled in, or teleported in. Digging a hole at the walls would take too long and they would have been spotted, maybe they flew in but the only way that I know how to get a goblin to fly would be with a catapult and that hurts on landing. But who in Sandpoint would want to smuggle the goblins in, and who would be crazy enough to use them as a distraction?
"Maybe someone had goblin babies and forgot about them. How fast do goblins grow? The world may never know. I'll see you guys at dinner, I guess."
Elaina returns to her inn, re-dresses, and tries again to reach the theater.
Elaina gets to the theater, only to find Cyrdak in a most awful state.
"Oh my dear! I am so sorry, but I just possibly couldn't afford you a proper audience today! My production for this evening has been cancelled, and my star is on her way back to Magnimar without so much as a minute on my stage! Alas for the cruelty of goblins!" He literally starts to cry at this point, sobbing for a few seconds as he puts his hand up, signaling her to give him a minute. After he collects himself, "My dear, it is most unfair of me, but I just wouldn't be able to give you a proper interview. How about this!? You're hired as a stage dancer! For now no main parts or anything, but a chance to show what you've got with the small amount of time you'll have. We won't be ready for a few days, so that should give you time to fulfill your duties to the Mayor and Sheriff." His brow arches and a smug grin crosses his features, he apparently is very pleased at himself for being in the know.
Nover returns to The Rusty Dragon to a raucous cry of "Nover!"
Ameiko grins at the dwarf as he walks in a bit more subdued than Bellamy. "And you good dwarf? Shall I hire for your protection as well, or has only this rascal caused so much commotion with the Sheriff?" She gestures at Bellamy, mirth on her face.
"Ah" Bellamy puts his right palm to his forehead, showing a very feigned and exaggerated look of pain "If only danger was as beautiful as this fair maiden" He motions with his free hand to Ameiko.
Nover returns to The Rusty Dragon to a raucous cry of "Nover!"Ameiko grins at the dwarf as he walks in a bit more subdued than Bellamy. "And you good dwarf? Shall I hire for your protection as well, or has only this rascal caused so much commotion with the Sheriff?" She gestures at Bellamy, mirth on her face.
"Our goblin smashing friend can handle any assassins the sheriff hires, of course...." Bellamy pauses to entice the crowd "I doubt even Nover could protect me or himself from the death glares of our good sheriff" A mock serious and disgruntled came over Bellamy's face, clearly he was trying his hardest to mimic the expression usually seen on Belor's face.
Eyeing the sorcerer Nover smirks a bit.
"You've obviously never met the dwarven matrons in the Five Kings Mountains then. Now there's a look that could put the fear of the gods in the most cold blooded of killers. Alas this one has not caused that much of a problem yet."
"More frightening than the sheriff? It looks like I'll have to pay these mountains a visit" Said Bellamy in his usual calm voice, before finding an empty chair by the bar and occupying it.
Herri tired from hours of wandering the streets with Zella feels that their time has been wasted for they have not even found a trace of goblin existence near the city walls.
Alas Herri is proud that the people of the city are watching as they perform their protection duties.
"Zella, maybe we should go back to the Rusty Dragon and rethink our strategy. Besides I am hungry and maybe we can meet with the others to see what they have uncovered. You ready?"
Herri and Zella are good little wards of the town and start making their way around, making sure people see them as they inspect the wall. The inspections turn up nothing of note as the hours dwindle away, but the pair do see the townsfolk looking at them as they walk past, with a sense of pride in their stance.
Zella waves and smiles at the townsfolk her and Herri pass by while making their round of the town. Occasionally she breaks into song as they walk, keeping to tunes that are bright and cheery in an effort to do her part to keep up the town's morale.
"Well, at least it is a lovely day for a walk, even though we haven't found any clues as to how the goblins got into the town."
"Zella, maybe we should go back to the Rusty Dragon and rethink our strategy. Besides I am hungry and maybe we can meet with the others to see what they have uncovered. You ready?"
"That sounds fine with me. I am getting a bit hungry from all this walking and surely wouldn't mind grabbing a drink as well."
"I could be your star. That's where I'm gonna end up anyways, we might as well start now." She turns away from Cyrdak and sighs loudly. "Very well. I'm staying at the White Deer, so you know where to find me. I'll be around." She leaves the theater and spends the day wandering around, getting to know the city. Not finding any goblin-catapult impact craters, she joins the party at the inn for dinner. "Anyone find anything interesting? I found an old lighthouse. It was alright but I don't think there were any goblins in it."
Back at the dragon Herri now famished looks for a hot meal. Entering the Tavern he calls out the wonderful smells and he looks for Ameiko .
"Good lady Ameiko, I could smell your fine foods from the street."
Upon seeing her he approaches.
"What might I enjoy this afternoon for a good snack before the night's meal? I know you have a fine drink. If you could bring them both it would greatly please. Zella should be right behind me."
"Hello, Herri! I am glad to see my food's delicious aroma is not wasted on you, good sir!" She goes back in the kitchen for a few moments, returning with a loaf of fairly fresh bread, some bowls, and a trencher of soup with a ladle. Ameiko places them on the table, then swiftly returns to the counter, drawing you all a mug of ale. Grinning at Nover and Bellamy, she sets them down and withdraws, allowing you privacy for your conversation.
"Nothing of interest" Replied Bellamy to Elaina "But besides the goblins how did your business go?"
"So did your search of the town yield anything?" Bellamy eyes went from Zella to Herri "I do not think I noticed anything from the roof tops, but honestly I did not focus on what was happening on the streets" He smiles, his back resting against the chair.
Zella shakes her head. "Didn't see hide nor hair of any of the foul little buggers. No signs of any tunnels or any kind of digging either. So, still no clues about how they slipped past the guards unnoticed."
Zella will go up to the bar for a mug of ale and then return to the table with the others.
"About the same as everything else, Bellamy." She sighs heavily and rests her head on the table. "There are goblins on the beach below the town. Maybe they...I dunno. Tunneled up the cliff and into someones basement. Anyone know how that lady that was set on fire is doin'?"
Bellamy pats Elaina's head consolingly "I would tell you not to worry, but how could anyone not fret with a rival sharing their table" He waves his left arm towards Zella as if he was presenting a performer.
"No need for you to fret, Bellamy. Though Ameiko is very attractive, I usually prefer males. Though for this quality of cooking I could be persauded otherwise."
A deep laugh runs out of Bellamy's mouth "I was speaking of your rivalry as dancers" He points towards Elaina then towards Zella "But thank you for putting my worries to rest, having a rival like you is a recipe for stress" He laughs once more, before taking a swig of his glass of water.
Herri nervous from the banter at the table excuses himself,
"I am sorry but I must go to the chapel for a quick talk with the Father. Ameiko, thanks for a great lunch."
Herri drops a few coins on the table and hurridly heads out the door.
I just had to leave... let me see if I can find a quiet place for a harrowing.
Herri tries to avoid the main roads and travels to a darker part of town, the shipyard, as it reminds him of Magnimar.
Once he has located a really quiet and secluded location he pulls out his harrow deck and begins to place them one after another.
It is all so hazy!
"We're not rivals Bellamy, we don't even work at the same place."
"With your sort of logic Bellamy, you could also say that I am a rival for Herri since I can also read the cards."
"Zella tell my my fortune!"
Ameiko gives a snort of amusement at the conversation. At the mention of rivals, she grins, winking at Bellamy, then at Zella. "Yes, I would also like my fortune told, Zella." Interest lights up her face, along with skepticism.
"Well, it is traditional for you to cross my palm with silver in return for a reading, but we can forgo that this time."
Zella smiles as she draws out her cards and shuffles them before beginning to lay out some upon the table. She studies them for a moment before speaking to Elaina.
"Hmmm, very intersting. It looks like you've recently experienced a bit of conflict and made some new friends. The cards say that you experience more conflict in the future that temporarily interferes with your career. Not to worry though, you will make it through just fine and resume your career. I can see that you will be very famous one day with a great many handsome and wealthy suitors vying for your hand marriage."
Zella will then lay out a new spread of cards for Ameiko and studies them to for a while before speaking to her.
"Well, you already know that you do not lack for suitors around here, so I suppose we can leave that bit out." Zella winks at Bellamy before she continues.
"I can see that you have had a good bit of conflict in your life as well and that it is not over yet. I will have to say that this is being a reoccurring theme with my own readings too. It would be nice to get a reading about tranquility and peace. Anyway, there will be some sort of loss, but whatever it is can't be too bad since I also see a good bit of wealth in your future."
Hearing Elaina mention the goblins on the beach Nover has a puzzled look on his face trying to figure out if goblins could even plan such an elaborate scheme.
"Tunneling up would take quite a long time, if assisted by magic it could be possible. Goblins tend to be rash and impulsive so I doubt that. Unless we find the person whose basement was tunneled into we are out of luck. However maybe someone saw where the goblins came from. Perhaps talking to the people of the town could turn up some new information? I still think they got smuggled in by someone."
He waves goodbye to Herri and cleans up the table a bit.
Ah, fortune telling. I'd rather not know what the gods have in store for me. I respect the art, but knowing my lot in life before it happens doesn't sit right.
Thinking about how many people come into the bar he asks Ameiko if she's heard anything.
"Hey boss, do you have any idea how the goblins might have gotten in? You tend to be here a lot, maybe someone overheard a conversation relating to this sensitive issue? I have my money on smuggled in."
Herri attempts to harrow cast, but the images and ideas that come to him from the harrowing just won't seem to come together into something coherent.
Ameiko listens to Elaina's fortune, then her own. Her expression doesn't change much, just mild interest. Still, she puts on a smile for Zella's benefit. "It is good to know I have such a bright future ahead of me. Perhaps it will aid me as I go through my trials." She chuckles good-naturedly, rising to go back to the kitchen.
She pauses at Nover's question, getting a thoughtful expression. "Hmmm...most everyone doesn't have any idea. Sheriff Hemlock insists they didn't enter through the gates, and no one else has any ideas. Smuggled seems to be an intelligent answer, but who would smuggle in goblins?" She shakes her head at the thought, going to the back to help prepare for the dinner rush. She takes a moment to gift Bellamy with one last lovely smile before she disappears into the kitchen.
"With your sort of logic Bellamy, you could also say that I am a rival for Herri since I can also read the cards."
"Hmmm it seems my perception of the matter had been misguided" He places his thumb to his chin as he looks to consider the words of Zella.
.........................................................................
Bellamy smiles when Zelladanyia winks at him "And I will battle all other suitors till I am the last one standing" The sorcerer lets out a chortle before looking towards Ameiko, and seeing how she reacts to Zella's words.
She takes a moment to gift Bellamy with one last lovely smile before she disappears into the kitchen.
"I would follow her, but I have perpetual fear of frying pans" He said to the two bards.
Townsfolk start to pile in and the dinner rush is on! In the midst of this, the elf from your earlier meeting, Shalelu, enters. She quickly finds you through the crowd and makes her way towards you, the crowd parting, mostly out of respect for the ranger.
She takes a seat at your table, her manner business-like. "I have heard from the others. I will now have your tale. Anything strange about the raid? Unusual? Anything that stood out?"
"Well, I suppose the raid itself was unusual. I know that I am an infrequent visitor here, but I can't imagine that there are often raids on the town that begin with the goblins suddenly appearing from inside the town itself with no one knowing how they got there or throwing out any kind of alarm."
Frustrated by the inability to read the day and weeks ahead Herri puts away his cards and begins a slow walk back to the Rusty Dragon. He takes in the sights of the shipyard. It doesn't look unusual.
Maybe I could get answers from the Father.
"That is quite the quandary, isn't it? I searched the gates, but could only find prints leading away from town. I don't know of any goblins in the region capable of teleporting or any other magical travel. Which can only mean there is a traitor in our midst."
She sips at her drink, waving at Herri to come sit down with them.
"As we discussed in the meeting, I will be performing more scouting duties for the Mayor and Sheriff. Do you have any questions of me before I take my leave?"
"A stab in the back you say, then yes, I do have question" Bellamy's expression turned neutral "Is there anyone you suspect?" He leaned back in his chair and brought his thumb close to his chin, as he began contemplating the issue.
"While you scout we could speak to this person or if you are feeling very suspicious 'persons'" Bellamy plants his fork into a piece of curried fish and places it in his mouth.
"One more thing" He said after swallowing, his tone still somewhat "You plan to kidnap Ameiko, no?" A clearly exaggerated look came over his face "How else would you be able to eat something you cooked in the wild after tasting this masterly spiced meal" He pointed his fork towards her in the same manner a duelist would point his steel at his opponent, but then he broke into one of his low laughs.
[dice=Diplomacy AKA "please don't shoot me in the eye"]1d20+8[/dice]
"What all should we be looking out for then? Not just signs of any further goblin troubles, but also residents of the town acting acting suspiciously? I find it hard to imagine that anyone could benefit from the town falling to goblins. Are there any towns nearby that are rivals or trade or resources? Or maybe it was just someone with a hatred of Desna since it was her festival that was disrupted? What deity do goblins usually follow and would they have that worship in common with any humans in town?"
"Has anybody been outside of town recently that normally doesn't leave? That or is incredibly out of place outside of the town walls? I understand the wilderness is vast but maybe you've spotted someone? I have a feeling that this was planned by more than just goblins."
"I have no suspects at the moment. I doubt even the Sczarni scum would stoop to such levels." She glances to the side for a bit, lost in thought. "I can't honestly point a finger at a single person in town. In fact, you lot would have been my highest suspects if you hadn't done so well in fending the goblins off."
Again than ghost of a smile appears on her elven face, but no more. "Ms. Kaijitsu has tasted enough of adventure, and prefers her spiced Minkai dishes. As for me, I prefer the taste of justice delivered at the end of an arrow."
"Everyone suspects 'That Annoying Sorcerer'" A sigh escapes Bellamy, then a lazy smile crawls on his face "The sheriff sent you, no? Make it quick" He turned his face away and raised his head in a mock submissive posture, offering his neck to his would be assassin.
"Speaking of figures of authority, do our green raiders have such figures?" He asked as he turned his face towards the ranger once more.
"I don't think the goblins came to kill and burn. They're not...minotaurs, they're goblins. Once the however-many-hundreds of people that live here ran out of places to run they would have fought back. A few hundred bakers and farmers wouldn't have a lot of trouble with a couple dozen goblins. It wasn't an attack, it was something else. " She fiddles with her plate but doesn't eat much. "Unless that's how goblins execute their criminals, send them into a fight they can't win. I mean, what could they have gained from this? They couldn't have seriously thought they would take the town. I dunno. I don't know anything about goblins. Do they usually attack entire cities?"
"This attack becomes less meaningless if we consider the stolen body" Bellamy leans back, encircles the fingers of both hands together and places them behind his head "But that in itself is a mystery" The sorcerer turned his gaze towards the wooden roof.