@ Karlan:
The fishermen welcome you to their gregarious round and tell you alot of cock-and-bull-stories. Most of these include a strange fish that is said to live in the Gulf with the name "Old Murdermaw".
Those who pretend to have seen the monstrous fish report that it is a gigantic red monster with a maw large enough to swallow a whole fishing boat.
Karlan stays for a bit longer before he excuses himself thanking the fisherman for their hospitality and promising to return when he can enjoy the tavern proper.
Fishing, he'd honestly never been before. Boats felt a lot like horses, except only its the thing it floats on that's fickle and unpredictable.
He continues going about his duty contemplating hagfish.
Those were enormous...I wonder if there are more of them under the docks.
Nieve peers around for the enormous crabs for a while. Eventually he crawls down on his belly and bends over the edge of the docks, braid dangling down at four feet. He glances at the wildlife in admiration, trying to not fall headfirst into the water.
"Titus eh. Why do you think he would be the hardest?" Gerlick eyes the house in question.
Seeing that Nieve is occupied with being weird, Kanyk continues his search for the Valdemar shipyard, enjoying the sound and the smell of the sea as he walks. Finally arriving at the place he looks around for anyone who seems to fit the title of ropemaker, basically anyone messing around with ropes really.
@ Gerlick:
Naffer harrumphes curtly and says
Mhh, you know, Titus Scarnetti is a man who is not interested in the public welfare, only in the welfare of his money pouch...and since your little endeavour is not going to make his purse jingle, he will be a tough nut to crack. If you could offer him something in exchange, the whole thing would look differently, I assume.
@ Karlan:
After leaving the Hagfish you meet Nieve and Kanyk at the docks. Nieve is lying prostrate on the ground trying to peer through some boards...
@ Harry:
Nieve contemplates bending over the edge of the water when Kanyk calls out to him. Startled, he turns to the half-orc, clutching part of his shirt. "Aah- Mr. Kanyk! I'm sorry, I didn't... I saw crabs. Huge crabs. I-"
Bumbling for a few seconds, he feels like an idiot. Elyn squeaks and runs up to his shoulder. He takes a deep breath.
Calm down.
"I'm sorry, I saw crabs between the cracks."
Kanyk chuckles at Nieve's stumbling speech.
"Ah that makes sense then, we'll have to comeback and try some crab fishing at some point. Crab meat is pretty damn good. I'm sure your weasel would enjoy the taste."
He fishes around in a pocket and retrieves a small piece of pork rind and offers it carefully to Elyn in an attempt to make friends.
"I used to have crab on occasion back in Magnimar, but I've never seen green crabs until today. I do think Elyn would enjoy it. I've never fished before," he admits, halfway embarrassed.
The weasel sniffs the pork rind before savagely snatching it from the half-orc; there's no reluctance from the weasel as he chomps down the gift. Nieve smiles and does a halfway bow, as not to disturb the weasel's bestial reverie.
"You made Elyn happy. Thank you. If I may, where are you headed, Mr. Kanyk?"
He smiles as Elyn rips into the crunchy snack, not at all surprised at the weasel's sudden violent movement.
"I was going to see a man about a dog, but I see our comrade in arms approaches so I may just leave it for the evening."
Kanyk waves at Karlan as he sees him walking down the docks toward them
"Greetings KAnyk!" Looking over to Nieve bent over the docks he looks back to KAnyk. "Is he okay?"
After you have all gathered in the taproom of the Rusty Dragon, Sheriff Hemlock introduces Shalelu Andosana to all of you. She puts her hand forth and exchanges a handshake with all of you, smiling friendly. (yes, even with Gerlick).
Then she begins to tell about the things she found out in the hinterlands in the time since the raid.
Belor's told me of your work against the goblins – well done. I've dedicated the last several years of my life to keeping them from causing too much trouble around these parts, but they're tenacious and fecund little runts. Like weeds that bite. Anyway, there are five major goblin tribes in the region, and, traditionally, they're pretty good at keeping each other in line with intertribal squabbles and the like. Yet from what I've been able to piece together, members of all five tribes were involved in the raid on Sandpoint. A fair amount of the Mosswood goblins I dealt with yesterday, were already pretty beat up, and there was alot of chatter about the longshanks who killed so many of them. Now that I've met you, it seems obvious from their descriptions who they were talking about. Seems like you've made an impression. In any event, the fact that the five tribes are working together disturbs me. Goblin tribes don't get along unless they've got something big planned and big plans require big bosses. I'm afraid that someone's moved and organized them. And judging by these recent raids, what they're organizing seems like bad news for all of us.
"That fits the story that one of the captives chose to share with us about a 'Longshanks' organising them, though that doesn't explain what their boss wanted with a dead priest and why you'd go to that much trouble to dig up his bones in the middle of an assault"
"Anyhow, where do we fit in with all this for now? Just stay alert or is there a few heads need cracking?"
You mean there is a chance a human is leading them? How strange, I always thought they would loathe humans so much, they would never take their orders. The tribes and their leaders are as follows
The Mosswood-Goblins are led by Big Gugwut an ugly fat hobgoblin, very cunning but lazy.
The Seven-Tooth tribe is under the command of Corruvus. He is said to possess a magical longsword of some quality.
The Licktoad-Goblins of the Brinestump-Marsh have their boss in Vorka an old shaman.
Ripnugget is the chief of the Thistletop Goblins, who live on the Nettlewood coast atop a small island that some say holds a passing resemblance to a decapitated head.
The last tribe, the Birdcruncher Goblins live in caves along the western edge of the Devil’s Platter, although traditionally these goblins are the least aggressive of the five, they are led by Bruthasmus a bugbear ranger who hates elves...or at least me.
Nieve enjoys the smalltalk with Karlan and Kanyk as Harry comes along and drags them to the town hall. He doesn't say anything during the sheriff's briefing, unsure of what to say.
"Chance? It is almost certain. Either leading or hiring, but same difference in the end. Someone has a reason to want to dig up bodies, and for some reason possibly had the town attacked too; sounds like someone with a grudge. Pirates hate people too, but fear and payment are two things that can shift a bit of hate into a bit of compliance and I'd reckon that's what we have here. For me the question still is around 'who?' but until they stick their heads up again I will just have to guess."
Now it's Belor's turn to answer
Harry, you're right. I think we can't do much except wait and hope they show themselves. We can't launch an attack on one of the tribes, that would be too dangerous at the moment. I just wanted that all of you got the latest info on our situation, I think Sandpoint is threatened by something big...
I think Sandpoint is threatened by something big...
"Yes, yes I quite agree" Harry smirks innocently and turns to the Elf, "Miss Andosana, may I call you Shalelu? It is getting awful cold and dark outside, perhaps you might stick around here at the Rusty for the evening? The board of fare is particularly excellent here, and I would love to hear about the hinterlands... Yes, yes my mother was an elf, never took me into the wilds sadly, abandoned as an orphan I was but thats all behind me now...enough of that" He then turns his face to the angle he knows best shows off his chiseled jawline "lets talk about you; I love to listen"
Harry puts on all his charm and smoothness and goes after the elf. She might be a ranger used to stalking her prey in the wild, but this is Harrys favoured terrain.
As Harry turns on his charm, Nieve offers a quick bow and a hurried thanks before leaving the room. As he closes the door behind him he stares blankly at the door. What is wrong with me?
Elyn squeaks softly in his ear, pressing his nose into Nieve's cheek. Nieve blinks, feeling calmer - and he turns away from the door, leaving the town hall, and he sets towards the docks.
What is wrong with me?
Shalelu arches an eyebrow at your unmistakenly amorous offer, then she looks over to the sheriff who doesn't seem to have noticed anything
Hey, umm, Harry, right? I'm not sure about it, but there is a blonde girl standing in the doorway looking at me like Baba Yaga...maybe you already have a consort eh?
As you turn around you realize that Shayliss must have followed you, the odd thing about her facial expression is that she is able to beam at you and simultaneously glower at Shalelu!
Maybe you already have a consort eh?
Harry doesn't miss a beat.
Locking her gaze momentarily, ensuring there was no mistake, his glance leaves it sure that there will be another time...
"Perhaps those stories may have to wait. It seems I am called on about matter from earlier tonight Miss Andosana; it seems that there was possibly a rogue looking to pillage some of the treasures of the Vinder family, I believe Miss Vinder might be here to report on whether anything was found." He looks slightly concerned for a moment "I fear I may have just let slip too much, perhaps I'd best have such talk limited to more private places" his look pensive and authoritarian, strictly business.
He turns to the beautifull blonde,
"Miss Vinder" he bows in a gentlemanly manner "I pray all was well, and your father found nothing I may have missed on my inpection? Come, we can discuss this away from prying ears" He looks around for effect, as though any one of the patrons could be a theif listening in for an easy mark, then looks concerned, "Perhaps we should step outside to be sure"
Bluff
As Sheriff Hemlock observes the situation, he indulges in self-praise and sighs
Oh yes, I have a fine hand in choosing my deputies.
Shayliss' anger vanishes momentarily and as soon as you have left the Rusty Dragon, she whispers
I'd like to know if you are interested in continuing your investigation of the basement...my sis' told me about a place we will surely be undisturbed over night.
Bluff
"Miss Vinder, no, Shayliss... there is nothing more I would adore this evening than continuing where we left off, but you must know that my duty calls. The Sheriff has summoned my comrades and I on dire business, dangerous talk of dark deeds trouble us, and I cannot wander as freely as I would most deeply desire this evening. Should I not be around to answer a sudden call to arms then lives might be lost.. no I cannot indulge myself in such a way to go off following my passions so, I must stand strong against my will."
"Unless...I could sneak you in unobserved through the window of my room in ten minutes?"
Her cheeks blazing with lust and excitement, she nods eagerly and replies
Ok, I'll just wait directly below the window, open it when you're ready!
Harry is as Harry does.
Passing through the door of the Rusty he looks rather fatigued.
He moves back past his comrades waving them good night, and stops before the Elf.
"All was well with the Vinders, though the exertion of chasing through the warehouse has left me more weary than I had thought, or perhaps it was the mixture of it with the wine. I must beg my leave this evening and retire. I only regret that I will be missing your stories of the wilds, and the quarry you seek there... I wish to hear...so much..."
He kisses her hand goodbye, his eyes lingering that extra second with a hint of promise, then turns and politely heads to his room.
Bluff
The door shuts.
"Perfect", he allows himself a self satisfied smile.
Then opens the window, and like a fisherman, hauls in his catch.
Nieve doesn't return to the Rusty Dragon; after wandering the docks and staring out at the sea, he decides to sit down on the edge of the pier, feet dangling down towards the water. Even when nightfall descends he keeps there, gazing up at the night sky.
Like when I was young...
Eager to get introduced to Harry's world of carnal pleasures, she climbs into your room...
Anyway, it's a night to remember and Shelyn has her gaze locked on Sandpoint during the next hours...
Karlan ignores Harry's shenanigans and keeps going with business. "Any idea on the grave robbing? Goblins gathering to do a large raid is not unheard of. What was weird was the purpose and goal of it.
And what do you think th nature of the threat is? I'm essentially a newcomer here so I don't have the instincts or knowledge of the citiy's enemeis like you."
@ Nieve: The low sounds of the rolling waves are nearly hypnotical and soothe your mind.
@ Karlan:
Shalelu seems also glad that Harry has left and she refocusses on the tasks ahead.
Yes Karlan, this is really weird and I don't have any idea what the source for their new archaeological interest could be. The city does not have any open enemies...on a political level, maybe Korvosa, because Sandpoint is allied with Magnimar, but the Chelaxians wouldn't start hiring goblin clans to do their work. On a personal level? I don't know, but there may surely be some.
After close to two hours, Nieve gets up from his quiet reverie, ready to go back to the Rusty Dragon for some actual sleep. He ignores the hunger in his stomach as best he can.
Karlan thinks for a moment before speaking. "So what's the next step? Open conflict is as you say dangerous, but, we simply can't wait for the next attack."
The sheriff adresses you, raising his hands in a defensive gesture
You have most probably the most experience in such matters Karlan. You are a trained soldier, not only a fighter like me. You know tactics and how warfare works, what are your suggestions?
The sheriff adresses you, raising his hands in a defensive gesture
You have most probably the most experience in such matters Karlan. You are a trained soldier, not only a fighter like me. You know tactics and how warfare works, what are your suggestions?
Again Karlan smiled cheerfully before answering. "More of a guardsman than a soldier these days. But since you asked I think the only real thing we can do at this point is use the weapon of diplomacy. Seems like someone should be resenting the fact they have to work with their hated enemies. We can use that. We can find out more while undermining their already weak political structure.
It's difficult to swallow but we'd likely have to make a few concessions depending on what's going on. Either their leader offered them something or gave them something to truly fear so we have to be prepared to deal with that. I think the trick would be how to get to their leaders to negotiate without having to wade through their little corpses."
Gerlick spends the entire time with a combination of glowering and pondering. He keeps thinking about what he is going to do in regards to the other families. When Harry leaves to be with his wench, Gerlick tries his best to sneak out without drawing attention to himself, and heads back to the graveyard.
Don't even know why they dragged me to the meeting. I am not a deputy! he thinks to himself.
Belor Hemlock needs a moment to fully understand what you have just proposed
Mhhh, diplomacy with goblins? Has anyone ever tried that? Do they know the concept at all? Anyway, I will speak to the mayor and check out her opinion on that matter. Until then I think everything is said.
He rises and after bidding farewell, leaves the Rusty Dragon. Karlan, Kanyk, Shalelu and Ameiko spent the rest of the evening together in the taproom. Shalelu tells you about her experiences in the wilderness, the native animals of the Storval Rise and Plateau and so on... and Ameiko knows lots of strange and exotic stories of her homeland in the far east to tell. It's already about midnight as everyone becomes tired and you all depart for your rooms.
You all are already asleep for several hours, as you suddenly
Slowly invading your dreams you hear the desperate voice of a woman
Help! Help! It has eaten the dog, help!
:
Elyn senses that something is wrong and wakes you up by nibbling at your ear.
Gerlick spends some time in the evening sitting out in the open cemetary, watching the stars. He seems to be thinking, hard, about what to do. "This clinic could be a huge help...and something that I can stand for." He says aloud to no one in particular.
"I think I will ask Harry for his help. I mean, he has a way with the ladies he should be able to handle a man." Gerlick stays out in the open till he falls asleep, curled up in his cloak.
Nieve squirms when the nibbling commences on his ear, mumbling under his breath. "Mmph, stop it, that's too much..."
He opens an eye and sees the ceiling in dull monotone. He hears a woman's frantic calling and he sits up, trying to figure out where the screams are from.
The screams must be coming from the marketplace in fron of the Rusty Dragon. You don't hear any other noise in the Rusty Dragon though, maybe you are the only one awakened by the woman.
Not good, not good!
Hurriedly, Nieve slips into his clothes and his sandals, grabbing Elyn around the waist; the weasel lets out a soft protest as he rushes out into the hallway... and realises he doesn't know where Mr. Kanyk or Mr. Harry has quarters.
I can't do this on my own, how do I...
He blanks out for a few seconds before the idea strikes; he begins hammering at each door in turn, calling: "Wake up! Somebody's in peril! I can't help her on my own!"
Kanyk jerks awake at the hammering on his door, instinctively grabbing for his knife before realising he isn't wearing it. A few seconds later he bursts from his room, hammer in hand, hopping a few steps before finally managing to get his second boot on. Now that he is awake he can clearly hear the cries for help and not waiting for the others he thunders down the narrow stairs to the tavern and heads for the front door.