Uh, could you please discreetly gather your equipment. Maybe that marksman with the bow too.
V'Thamuus sends Moninga back into the tavern to chirp at Azoth.
"This sounds serious. Have the goblins returned?
Azoth comes out, blushing and looking embarrassed. "Sorry, I must have spaced off for a bit there..."
You all are being led out of town in the direction of the Boneyard.
The Sheriff is talking to the lot of you.
It has been a very chaotic day today, I would like to personally thank you for all you did to help protect the people of the town. With so many losses today we feel that letting the next bit of newly discovered info stay quiet. People have already lost much today and to learn that the tomb of the previous priest has been broken into by goblin filth would be extra salt in the wound. We feel that there may be some goblins hiding in the tomb, the door has been pried open. With the talents you all showed today we did not think it would impose too much to put you to the task. I would do it myself by on of those little buggers stabbed me good and my sword arm is not healed right yet. You will help us, yes?
It is a bit of a walk and after the initial solicitation of the deed the sheriff is making small talk with everyone. It is easy to see that he is trying to get to know who he has just blindly employed, and what kind of resource you may be in the future. The questions are as follows but in a casual conversation.
What is your name
where are you from
what exactly is it you do
why you in Sandpoint
Certainly we will help. Thim will be honest to a point. But since he never realizes he is being pumped for information because he is mistrusted even as he is being begged for help, that point never comes. He happily babbles about himself the entire walk to the tomb. Moninga shadows him, no more than a few feet away.
"of course we will help!!" Azoth says enthusiastically. He willl also answer all the questions honestly, noot hiding anything.
After a brisk hike to the Boneyard, you find the crypt. It is a 20 foot square stone building with religious carvings decorating the outside. There is a large heavy door slightly ajar that leads into the darkness beyond.
Priest:
I ventured no further fearing how many would be in there.
What would you like to do, also if you need more detailed descriptions let me know.
Everyone but Thim will notice there is many small sized foot prints in front of the crypt, as well as a medium sized set of foot prints.
"Yes, we shall." Thim motions to Moninga to get into the familiar satchel, which he does, then waits for Azoth to take point.
Azoth steps forward to the door and pulls it open. When he does a skeleton jumps out attacking! There is another behind it pushing to get at flesh to tear.
Init Order
Azoth
Tiktaa
Skeletons
Zolarus
Thim
Azoth swings back with his longsword, but misses.
Tiktaa fires, and the bolt barely does damage! However the fire that ignited the rest of the undead spreads quickly burning the unlife from it and leaving a pile of bones in the entrance way.
The other skeleton presses forward to attack Azoth his two sharp boney hands reach forward to slash. The claw finds it's mark and manages to slash at the underarm of his sword arm, it leaves deep bloody gashes. The skeleton pulls his claw up to attack again.
Init Order
Azoth
Tiktaa
Skeletons
Zolarus
Thim
V'Thamuss takes a step back as the monstrosity leaps at Azoth. Blood sprays onto his cloak. In response, he lets out a bone-rattling scream. Everyone's teeth hum in response, but the skeleton's bones crack and splinter.
Thim's scream, in addition to making everyone jump, destroys the last skeleton.
Everyone stands around blankly with the boney explosion. The door now lays ajar, no more undead spilling forth.
What would you guys like to do?
V'Thamuus brushes a few splinters from his shirt and sends four bright torchflames into the open tomb. He smiles as he caresses Moninga's frills. "The unquiet dead are no match for the arcane. Nice work Slow Burn."
Moninga trills for a few seconds and Azoth's blood fades from Thim's cloak. . V'Thamuus steps forward and peers into to open and now illuminated tomb.
A search of the vault’s interior turns up two things of interest. First, the discarded robe lies in a corner. Second, and more disturbing, is the fact that the sarcophagus that contained Ezakien’s (The previous cleric that passed in the church fire five years ago) body has been opened and his remains stolen.
Outside Sheriff Hemlock is yelling in redundant instructions, and Father Zantus is pacing about chanting a small prayer.
Father Zantus
I do not. Pray we might keep this secret to ourselves, the town has had enough injury for the day. What would goblins want with Father Ezakien's remains?
The cloak is a very fine black cloak, with inspection there seem to be some stray threads, as if patches have been torn from it.
"Tikta, would you see if there are any stray dweomers remain attached to this robe? Earlier during the festival fight you demonstrated the ability to see magical auras."
"Father. I understand the need to soften the blow, but the people deserve to know. If not now, then when they are better prepared to shoulder the news. Plus, this has the feel of something personal. The old pastor perished in the flames of the old chapel. Now, his tomb has been desecrated on the day the new was dedicated. Do you know of any who held him in ill-will? Who he may have harmed by his good works? Who may have been made seem less by his example? And if you do not, how about you Sherrif? The goblins may be working with or for someone with a grudge."
The cloak has a fading Necromantic aura, when you look into it later it can be identified as a used up robe of bones.
Father Zantus
They do deserve to know! And they will! But not today there has been enough nonsense for today.
Sheriff
Seems to be in thought with the conversation.
Father Ezakien had no enemies, he had a lovely daughter that also died in that fire. The goblin raid would be a good cover for whatever this is.
Thim looks thoughtful. "Tell me of the daughter and where she is buried. Her tomb might be the next targeted. In fact, if you have a list of all who died in that fire, I think we should look into those graves as well. There might be a connection. The chuch has something to do with this, I have a feeling. And better done tonight than later, I think."
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Nodding he says, "Well said Thim. It is almost as if you read my mind." His eyes widen for a second as a paralyzing thought struck.
Maybe that is why he does not drink spirits?!? It clouds his ability to read minds. Even if I could read minds, I could never give up my wine.. Zolarus unconsciously pats the wineskin hanging from his belt making sure he did not forget it in the tomb.
Sheriff
It was just him and his adopted daughter in the fire, her grave is in that tomb with her father, but there are no remains. Those were the only two that died in the fire.
I need a drink, thank you all for your help, we will call you again if we need anymore help. It is getting late, the father and I will clean this up and lock it up, have a good night.
"Wait. Her remains were stolen? Or her remains were never found?"
The Sherrif seems to want to end this line of questioning.
Neither of the officials are lying or holding back info with those brilliant sense motive rolls.
Sheriff-
Never found, the previous church went up in an inferno. That poor girl was cremated.
What would you guys like to do?
"Thank you Sheriff, Father. The attack was bad enough," Thim hold up the scrap of robes. "But magic beyond what goblins usually wield is at play, and its target seems to be the church. You are tired, I am as well. If greater dangers reveal themselves, I'd like to prepare my arcane talents. The day's tragedies has depleted me greatly."
After the Father and Sheriff move away, Thim returns Zolarus' whisper, "I think the sheriff should be watched. Even if he is telling the truth, he might be under magical influence. The father might be a target, so it would be well if we kept a close eye on him as well. I think the church is the key. You are from here, can you tell us all you remember about the fire and any events, no matter how seemingly inconsequential leading up to it? The fact that the girl's body was never found makes me suspicious. There is something to that. I don't like to assume anyone is truly dead until I have the body before me. Maybe something in the family line is important. Tomorrow, lets look up the history of their ancestors," He grimaces. "Unless those conveniently burned in the fire as well."
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Drinking with the sheriff at the tavern! Who could ask for anything more? Let's do that and perhaps pickup a new companion as Azoth departs. Zolarus is from Riddleport and has been in Sandpoint for about 3 months half the time in jail for pickpocketing.
Zolarus pats Thim on the back and winks. "Sheriff, it would be an honor to drink with you as we continue to ponder this investigation. May we join you? This is a new barmaid that has a crush on you. It would brighten her day to fill your cup."
He chuckles
Better not let the wife hear that.
He winks.
Besides it would be better to talk with you not being caged up in a cell.
He winks again and leads for the rusty dragon.
On your arrival to the rusty dragon the bar owner, Amekio, yells to Zolarus.
Hey lover boy! Where do you want your fan mail?
She is waving a small stack of letters covered in ribbons, lipstick kisses on the envelopes, sealed with wax hearts, and peppered in perfumes.
They keep pouring in, soon I will be drowning in paper love notes.
The barroom has a good laugh that dies down after a few moments.
After standing in thought, idly scratching Moninga's head, Thim waits until Zolarus and the Sheriff are out of sight. He turns to Tiktaa, "Our friend will help to open up the sheriff. If there is anything more to know, I have confidence Zolarus will ferret it out. His experience with carousing is fairly evident." He purses his lips and cups his chin with one hand. "Still, something feels wrong. There is a hand guiding this, not goblin, but sloppy." He hold us the scrap of robe. "We should never have found this. I bet we were to assume the skeletons were the old father's remains. Now we know that his body was taken . . . but to what purpose." He shakes his head. "Well, it's late, and my energy both arcane and personal is spent. I wish you a good night."
Thim bows with his hands behind his back and leaves for the Rusty Dragon for some needed rest, Moninga hopping along behind him.
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While Tik agrees with Thim about something odd going on here she does not agree with turning in for the night.
"I'll sleep later, want to explore a bit of this town, continue my observations and let Horse hop around some near the water's edge."
Igniting her walking stick Tik meanders along the streets of Sandpoint toward the northern shore.
Thim would you like room a or b? You hear the laughter about the love notes on your way upstairs, you turn in without any issue.
Tik, the streets are weird tonight. Just walking down the street several homes yell "who goes there", or "I have a big nasty dog and horse in here", or "next goblin I catch is going to be made into a stew!". Besides the uneasy people on guard the walk is quiet and the Northern Shore is vacant. It is a clear night out, Autumn leaves blow across the dunes in small whirlwinds that make you check over your shoulder once or twice. No wonder this time of year has so much negative mysticism, it gets Damm creepy at times. The breeze is nice and the stars burn bright in the cool night air.
Thim settles into room B
Tik is out and about enjoying the night air
Zolarus what would you like to do, would you like the fan mail?
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On your arrival to the rusty dragon the bar owner, Amekio, yells to Zolarus.
Hey lover boy! Where do you want your fan mail? She is waving a small stack of letters covered in ribbons, lipstick kisses on the envelopes, sealed with wax hearts, and peppered in perfumes. They keep pouring in, soon I will be drowning in paper love notes.
Zolarus grins ear to ear and nods approvingly while taking the stack of letters from Amekio. He also gives her a wink and says, "Yes, I was expecting those. However, I doubt their beauty and passion could compare to yours."
He has a long wine soaked conversation with the Sheriff needling him for additional details about fire, church, old father, daughter and any unique relationships they shared with other townsmen that are still alive today. Afterwards, he entertains him with bawdy songs about blonde virgin maidens while playing his flute. His mind was distracted however by the large pile of love letters.
Zolarus excuses himself to his room after entertaining the sheriff. He carefully unties the ribbons and handles each letter with delicate importance. He soaks in each expression of love, sweet aromas and promises of physical affection. It is my duty to bring joy to the hearts of these women no matter how fleeting. For it is better to lose love than never to find it. With only one night free, I will call on three lovely women that don't mind the extra company. But first, I need several candles, scented oils and flowers for my room. Lots of flowers.
Please let me know if I need to make any rolls. I will take 10 if possible.
@Zolarus
Amekio is not impressed.
Sheriff conversation- he will not have the discussion in the common room as to not upset anyone, the two of you find a quiet corner to talk.
It was sad, he was a good man, trusted, kind, honest. His daughter was a beautiful young girl, such a shame. No one knows how the fire started, that wooden church went up so quick nobody in the town could make it in to help. Seven Hells, it was all during the horrible few weeks, the 'unpleasantness' or whatever it is being called now. It was right after we caught the murderer, or just before. Damm you got me drunk. Either way the murderer had killed himself and then a few days later the church burned down. Dammit we should talk tomorrow, I am not much of heavy weight when it comes to drinking anymore. See me tomorrow.
He will joke a little while with you, he is drunk, he also enjoys the bawdy songs. After a few drinks he seems embarrassed.
This is not like me, you sir have a serpent's tongue! I never drink this much, need to set examples and keep the peace. I will be turning in now good night.
He stumbles slightly as he gets up and stumbles a little on his way out the tavern, some local snicker, this will most likely end up a gossip tomorrow.
The letters are nice, some fragrant, many addressed from 'Your Secret Admirer', or 'Lover from a distance'.
I am assuming you go to 'Room A' for some privacy, Thim is in 'Room b'.
@Tik, which room do you go to sleep a or b.
23nd Rova 4707 AR (day 2)
The night was uneventful, no more goblin mischief happened during the night. Today the clouds look like they are moving in and it may be light showers by mid morning, it is warm for an Autumn day. Oatmeal, apples, bacon, bread, cheese, and beer are being served downstairs.
What would you like to do?
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Zolarus will make purchases of flowers, candles and scented oils and begin courting three different ladies in his downtime. However, he will share what he learned from the sheriff with his companions at breakfast. Once they decide the next course of action, he will follow.
"Tiktaa darling. If you ever find a sock hanging on our room's door, would you mind finding another room for the evening. I will reimburse you for the expenses. I believe it is the universal sign for having a guest sleepover. I'm afraid the noise will keep you from a good night's sleep. I will ask that lovely women Ameiko to install a curtain between us for some sort of privacy."