Tug of War? Yea...... let's get Ready to rumble... and with that arthur test his strenght.
Turch and Arthur both grab an end of the rope and the contest begins!
Arthur easily begins to pull Turch towards the middle with his first mighty tug.
Turch fights right back, however, and nearly brings down Arthur with a mighty retaliation!
In the end, Arthur easily manages to best the old sailor, and bring him down with his next burst of strength. The old man goes down, laughing all the way. He says to Arthur:
Aye, laddy! It seems my years are catching up with me! I haven't had a good old laugh like that in a while. How's about an ale, my treat, as your prize?
Sure if you let me buy us 2 spiced hot sausages to wash down all that ale. he replies with a genuine smile. And don't worry there is still lots of formidable strength in you.
Sure if you let me buy us 2 spiced hot sausages to wash down all that ale. he replies with a genuine smile. And don't worry there is still lots of formidable strength in you.
Turch lets out a hearty laugh, "You drive a hard bargain, but I imagine I shall be able to deal with it somehow. I assume you mean two sausages each? , he says with a wink.
Aye, sure indeed, after all since it's gonna be a Pint of ale to wash down... he replies laughing himself also.
Bobbing and weaving through the last few people near the edge of the festival grounds, Thalrik took a moment to straighten his clothes. Braving the ever shifting crowds had not been without its run ins, mostly with excited children. At one point an especially vigourous pack of the little pests had even used him as the centerpeice of a game of tag, circling around his legs, using them to block off pursuit. Straightening out his pants took a little while longer than the rest on that account.
Walking under the tree, he broke the Fathers silent recluse.
"Seems Desna has seen fit to grace the occation with some truly spectacular weather doesnt it?"
Closing the last few feet as the Father looked up from his papers, Thalrik sat down besides the man, no thought for asking if the man wanted company.
"Agonizing over the last few details? I hope it doesnt take too much of your attention. I had hoped to talk at length about the six patron gods of your cathedral, and more importantly, the possibility of being allowed access to your books on the very same subject. I may not be as devout a student of the divine as yourself, the arcane is what holds sway over the bulk of my mental faculties, but all the same it is of great interest to me."
He looked at the Father expectantly for a few moments, before realizing the mans surprise at his sudden intrusion on his privacy. Raising an eyebrow, he pondered the mans hesitation, before realizing he was getting ahead of himself.
"Ah, right, I am Thalrik Korun, apprentice to Rindal Korun, master Conjurer." He grabbed the mans hand a gave it a few shakes, before letting go and wiping his hand on his tunic.
And you are Father Zantus, priest of the Cathedral of Six Gods, and follower of Desna. Now, about my question..."
Certainly startled at first, Father Zantus quickly lets out a chuckle.
My dear friend, you sure gave me a bit of a jump! I apologize for not noticing your arrival, I am not used to being in charge of such a large cathedral, and am a bit nervous to be in front of such a crowd...
I am happy to hear of your interest in the Six Gods, as it is this very reason that I found myself here as acting priest. I am longed to study here long before I became a priest of Desna.
As you must know by now, our new cathedral here is built upon the ruins of the old one that burned down tragically several years ago... But rumor has it that THAT church was built upon ruins even older. Apparently, back before this land was settled much, the Varisians used this site to worship their gods, one most notably was our lady Desna. In the place the church now stands were seven large stones, set about in a circle, each dedicated to their own deity. It is believed that that is why the church still oversees the worship of several different gods.
There is an even older tale that some of the old Varisian folk like to tell. It states that these lands were once a part of the Great Thassilonian Empire, and that this area held some sort of significance. I myself am not an expert of such lore, but Mr. Quink who lives out by the Old Light could surely tell you more.
Now... I would be more than happy to let you read through our library, but I am afraid it is rather lacking at the moment. Much of the old library was destroyed in the fire, and we have not yet gotten caught up on restocking and recollecting the losses... such a tragedy.
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Ferdin roams the festival area. Having assisted Ameiko serve the Rusty Dragon’s fare, he has worked up quite an appetite. He notices there are several vendors with foods, and decides to sample as much as possible!
Certainly, one cannot objectively judge who has the best tavern fare without trying them all! And who knows? Sampling their ales would certainly be required as well!
Having a bit of jingle in his purse, he makes his way around the grounds, captivated by the sounds and smells. At each vendor with food and drink he pauses to obtain a sample of their “best fare”, washing each down with a tankard of whatever beverage they have in stock.
As the afternoon progresses, his smile becomes more pronounced...
Ferdin liberally enjoys all the different ales and food stuffs he finds through the festival. Unsurprisingly, each meal begins to taste "better and better" and the day (and the ale) go on.
(No hurry guys, just let me know when you all are ready to move on... otherwise we will start moving on anyways ;P)
Thalrik listened with interest to Father Zantus, scribbling some of the story in his book.
"Most interesting Father, even if History isnt one of my prefered fields of study, although I may have to remedy that. I hadnt thought of it before, but in the absence of books, it is likely History that one can most easily aquire knowledge of by..." He sighed audibly "...well, by speaking to the locals."
Taking a moment to get comfortable he added:
The loss of so many books is indeed a tragedy, even if most people do not care as we do. I shall have to approach this Mr. Quink for a chat, but for the moment, might you be inclined to have a discussion on the subject of the Gods instead? We have a few hours still before the ceremony, and I dont have much interest in wasting my time with these frivolous activities.
He gestured at the crowds busying themselves with the merriment.
Having Finished his sausages with Turch, Arthur goes back to enjoying the many activities at the festival.
As the time for the opening ceremony he then follows the crowd toward the cathedral
Young Thalrik, I am most welcome to any sort of theological discussion. Although I have dedicated my priesthood to Desna, the Great Dreamer teaches acceptance and understanding of all beliefs! Our cathedral here welcomes worship of all faiths, yet we primarily focus on six key gods, as we have built six main chapels throughout the cathedral. The current chapels are dedicated to Desna, Abadar, Sarenrae, Shelyn, Gozreh, and Erastil.
Now tell me, what sort of thoughts do you have on your mind? What is it you would like to talk about? How do you feel about the "late unpleasantness" that befell poor Sandpoint only a few years ago? I am truly hoping with the rededication of this cathedral, the town can put all that behind them, and with the blessings of the pantheon, allow them to flourish again!
Thalrik shrugged at the Fathers question.
"I dont feel much of anything about what happened here. I can certainly empathize with the peoples plight, I doubt anyone here was deserving of the ill fortune that befell them. But I do not believe any of it was caused by the Gods. Mortals and random chance are to blame for most of the good and bad things that happen to people. They may see fit to bestow upon those like yourself, the means to make a difference, but at the end of the day, the Gods do not intervene in our affairs unless the need is so dire, only they stand to change the outcome.
He paused a moment to think before continuing.
"As for the rededication, im sure the gesture will do much to reassure the people and help them move on, but I do not believe the favour of the Gods was ever any less than it is now. People tend to think missfortune means the Gods are displeased. But not I. I believe we are all slaves to random chance, and the best we can do it to aquire the means to prepare for any eventuality. I believe aquiring the knowledge to make the right decisions is just about the best preparation one can make."
He noded to himself, satisfied his meaning had been formulated correctly.
"Which is why I am here, in Sandpoint, out in the world and away from the library where ive spent all of my years. To learn everything I can, trivial as well as important information. It may one day prove the difference between fortune or missfortune...or even life or death."
Realizing his speech had turned slightly ominous he quickly added:
"But mostly just because learning new things is my sort of "fun".
He cracked a rare smile at the Father.
"So really Father, all I desire is that you tell me of the Gods, preferable the more obscure and lesser known stories. I may not be a master of theology, but I am familiar with most of the common dogma regarding the Six."
After the Sheriff's speech, Dexter decides to engage in a game of hide and seek for a while.
Perception
Stealth
After about an hour of fun, he turnes in to lunch at the Rusty Dragon, chatting up Ameiko all the while. After lunch he leaves the Rusty Dragon looking for something else to do. With all the people at the festival ready to spend their money, it might b prime time for some busking. He picks a spot a spot under and oak tree not to far from the cathedral, so he can know when the blessing begins. He opens up his lute case in front of him, and begins to play his lute, hoping to earn a few coppers. He also spends some time telling stories about life in growing up in a gypsy caravan.
Perform (stringed)
Perform (oratory)
Invigorated by the spirit of Desna fluttering about among the butterflies, Dexter puts on an absolutely stunning performance. This, combined with his wonderful storytelling, earn him 12 gp and 4 sp for his effots!
Darlin approaches the cathedral as Father Zantus begin to speak about the history. While listening to the lively exchange between the father and Thalrik he smiles and ponders to himself "I'll have to debate with him about her holiness, the lady of fire."
After listening to the back and forth, Darlin heads into the cathedral, for a few minutes of quiet prayers to Sarenrae. "Dear Lady of Fire, bless thing place with your warmth. Shelter it from the cold, protect it from the sun. Warm this cold earth and protect it from dark things. Let your light always live on in the hearts of those who visit here and think of you."
After that he rejoins the crowd and waits patiently to hear father Zantus's final speech.
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Ferdin stands behind the crowd at the cathedral to observe the ceremony. Being a tall fellow, he has no problem seeing over the heads of most of the people gathered there. While he waits, he observes the people and listens to their conversations. In general, they appear happy and excited to witness the dedication of the new cathedral.
Perception: (Just to see if I observe anything that could be of concern, or needing to be brought to the Sheriff's attention).
Dexter packs up, very pleased with his earnings for the afternoon, and heads toward the cathedral to give a quick prayer to Desna and wait for the ceremony.
As the sun begins to set, Father Zantus takes the stage right on schedule. The party finds each other, and they each take up a place in the crowd near each other. Father Zantus strikes a thunder stone against the podium to signal to the crowd that his speech is about to begin, and a loud crackle reverberates throughout the festival with a huge *CRACK* likd the sound of thunder.
A stray dog that had crawled under a nearby stall to sleep suddenly starts awake, and the buzz of dozens of conversations dies down as all eyes focus upon Father Zantus on the stage. The Father takes a breathe and clears his throat, but before he can speak the sound of a woman's terrified screams echo about the entire area.
All of a sudden, the sound of new, not quite human voices are heard throughout the congress: the sound of goblins chanting! After a few moments, another scream is heard, and then another! The crowd parts and the party soon sees many small creatures running about. It is obvious their target is the dog... as it quickly utters one last howl, and then collapses under several crude goblin daggers...
Among the chaos, the party hears a strange song raising up in a crude dialect of common:
GOBLINS SING AND GOBLINS BITE.
GOBLINS CUT AND GOBLINS FIGHT.
STAB THE DOG AND CUT THE HORSE.
GOBLINS EAT AND TAKE BY FORCE!.
GOBLINS RACE AND GOBLINS JUMP.
GOBLINS SLASH AND GOBLINS BUMP.
BURN THE SKIN AND MASH THE HEAD
GOBLINS HERE AND YOU BE DEAD!
CHASE THE BABY CATCH THE PUP.
BONK THE HEAD TO SHUT IT UP.
BONES BE CRACKED AND FLESH BE SERVED
WE BE GOBLINS! YOU BE FOOD!
Here is the map for this encounter... roughly :p
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B1oCkIkAF-wSQkt0RzhWRWV0THM/edit?usp=sharin g
Thalrik had never been in a fight in his life, not with fists, let alone with lethal force. Grandfather Rindal had conjured up summoned creatures for him to practice his spells on, but there had never been any real danger in those situations.
His instincts told him to run away with the rest of the mob as people scattered to the winds, but luckily he wasnt prone to let instinct rule his actions. These people need help, and fighting experience or not, you are amongst the few qualified to give it. Now pull yourself together!
Hands waving intricate patterns, mouth uttering the tongue of dragons, the air around him seemed to swirl with every color of the rainbow.
init
As the crowd begins to disperse in a panic, the party finds themselves formed up outside the cathedral in the now empty festival grounds. You all see seven goblins approaching from all sides. Most of them are singing, stopping to steal some food, chase a dog, and yell at other goblins in their shrill tongue, but some are headed straight for you all with a grim determination. As chaos envelopes everything around you, the party prepares for battle.
1. Arthur - 23
2. Ferdin - 21 =
3. Darlin - 21 =
4. Goblins - 16 =
5. Thalrik - 11
6. Dexter - 6 =
Yelling from the top of his lungs to all:Protect the Citizens, Any one that needs to go take Cover.
To those near him that are drawing weapons:
Spread out, Dwarf take the goblins in the North-Ouest. Drunk guy, take the lone target coming from North East. Once killed Meet me on the South Goblins
Nodding to the robed person and the Gnome stay in our middle and protect each other. And if you can first try to assist the dwarf. I'll go deal with the goblins to our South and South East.
And with that Arthur readies his weapon and shield. Strangely now that the adrenalin rush seems to hit him, he appears to be a little stronger.
Totally. It takes a standard action to start your bardic performance, but it is a free action to maintain it each round, so say round 1 you start a performance, round 2 you can maintain it and also cast a spell. In short, you can cast and play at the same time but NOT the same turn you start a new performance.
I think the CRB also says something about bards casting their spells with some sort of audio component... like bards use music to actually cast their spells and cannot cast if they would otherwise be denied their musical ability.
(PRD says "A bard casts arcane spells drawn from the bard spell list presented in Spell Lists. He can cast any spell he knows without preparing it ahead of time. Every bard spell has a verbal component (song, recitation, or music).")
Also... there is a feat called Spellsong that changes/improves all this.
Darlin draws his hammer at the chanting and upon hearing Arthur's instructions heads toward the north east goblins. "Bard, help me distract them!" he calls to Dexter.
Trying to draw their attention, he starts yelling a mockery of their song at them, his anger at the muderous midgets growing.
"Goblins sing and Goblins shout,
Hit those Goblins on the snout!
Goblins scream and Goblins squeal
When you grind them with your heel!
Goblins turn and Goblins run,
When there's dwarves around, they're done!
Come and taste my blade you imps!"
Darlin positions himself defensively, and prepares to get swarmed.
Arthur takes a five foot step and casts Alter Self, further increasing his strength. He then prepares himself for an incoming attack as one of the goblins runs up and attempts to slash him with his crude blade.
DIE HUMAN SCUM!!
The blade just barley connects, causing Arthur 1d4 (1) damage.
Ferdin bravely charges one of the incoming goblins and fells it in a single, mighty blow. It dies laughing and choking upon its own blood.
Darlin steps up and readies himself against two incoming goblins. (.) The first one gets distracted by an unattended pie sitting on a food stall, and then precedes to viciously eat it while squealing with joy.
The second goblin lunges at the dwarf but the blade swings wild and barely misses the mighty cleric.
Thalrik circles around and unleashes his Color Spray on the two goblins south of Arthur, careful to make sure his new ally is not caught in the blast.
Will saves:
Both goblins shriek in terror as they are hit by the spray. They both immediately fall unconscious (and blind and stunned) for 2d4 (5) rounds!
The rest of the goblins start charging forward, still continuing their haunting song. The sounds of screams and battle can still be heard throughout the town, indicating that fighting must be going on all throughout Sandpoint.
Dexter takes a step behind Arthur, shielding himself from two of the goblins. He takes his lute out of it's case, and begins to play a fearsome war tune, clashing with the goblins song, which seems to lift your spirits and make you strike truer than before.
(+1 saving throws against charm and fear effects, +1 on attack and damage rolls to all allies who can hear me)
Two coming from the east!
Darlin swings his blade with the burning fury of the goddess herself, yet his misjudges his tiny opponent and his swing sails just over the goblin's fat head.
Round 2
Club
Nice kill there drunk guy. We are doing fine over here. Please go assist the dwarf
Darlin grows frustrated with goblins swinging at him. "Burn with the wrath of the Lady of Flame!" he calls as as he steps back and releases a bolt of fire at the goblin nearest him.
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Ferdin does a double move straight south to X13 to hopefully block the two goblins in the southeast section of the area. He yells (in Common) and tries to intimidate them, in order to demoralize them and decrease their willingness to fight.
Come here and taste my wrath!
Intimidate:
The intimidate success should mean both goblins are Shaken for at least one round (-2 on all rolls), plus one round for every 5 by which Ferdin's 26 beat their DC of 10+HD+WIS modifier.
Drawing his dagger, Thalrik moved over to the nearest unconcious goblin, reading himself to stab the repulsive creature in the heart. He didnt relish the thought of the act, but then again, neither did he the fighting. He did what he had to do, and the though reassured him.
As he moved, more draconic spilled from his lips, a snap of his finger causing a translucent suit of armor to form around his body.
A thought then occoured to him.
Should I tie one of them up for questioning?
Darlin grows frustrated with goblins swinging at him. "Burn with the wrath of the Lady of Flame!" he calls as as he steps back and releases a bolt of fire at the goblin nearest him.
Actually, a 16 totally hits a goblin <P (Especially with a ranged touch attack)
If you can do it fast mage, because there are goblins all over town, not just the few in front of us. After having dispatched these we need to move as in other part of town good people need our help.
Darlin, did you take into account the +1 to attack and damage rolls from my bardic performance?