Dexter gives a rousing performance and finds 13 cp and 7 sp scattered by his feet
Arthur and shayliss walk up to dexter and congratulate him on another fine performance. Arthur introduces shayliss to you. Dexter make a knowledge local check.
Knowledge (local)
Also I will let Thalrik talk the rest of the time. I'm cool heading back whenever.
Dexter has heard some rumor of the vender sisters. Rumor has it that their father believes Katrine to be the trouble maker, but most citizens in sandpoint could tell you that shayliss is somewhat a well known flirt and... Loose
Everyone eventually finds themselves in front of the Cathedral again, being alerted of the ceremony by the bell tower's ringing.
Father Zantus gives a mournful speech, honoring the dead and giving thanks for the living. He thanks the party publicly for all their help, and welcomes them always in Sandpoint. The mayor, and the sheriff both give speeches that recount the same messages.
After the speeches, the church is quickly and quietly consecrated and devoted to the six gods anew. Soon after, the crowd disperses and gets back to repairing the damages to town, and burying the dead.
Well that was a moving ceremony don't you agree? Turning to the other party members I will meet you back in a short bit, i am going to go and pray for a while.
Shayliss, i'll meet you sometime tomorrow, at your house, that is if the sheriff doesn't send us to investigate why the goblins attacked. he says with a nice smile.
Darlin nods upon hearing Arthur. "I wish to offer a few prayers as well in this blessed place. Then we should meet with the Sherrif. Her Ladyship sent me here for a reason, and I suspect that it has to do with the attack. We should find out everything we can about why this happened."
The sheriff told us yesterday that he would come and meet with us. He will come by when he has the time Darlin
Dexter gathers the others, and heads toward the cemetery.
Everyone hurries over to the old Sandpoint Boneyard. They find Sheriff Hemlock and Father Zantus waiting by the gate. Sheriff Hemlock greets you with his usual grim expression and Father Zantus nods hello.
The sheriff says to you: Well met. I am glad you all came so soon, thank you for that... it seems there may be a problem... it is probably nothing, but it is something that needs to be investigated. One of the tombs here appears to have been robbed and descrated during the raid... in fact, the tomb housing the remains of the previous cathedral priest, Father Tobyn.
At worst, I expect maybe a wounded goblin may still be holed up in there, and being such skilled goblin slayers, I wish for your help in taking a look inside.
At this point, father unlocks the gate to the cemetery.
I won't be accompanying you... I fear perhaps if any fighting be done, it best be done by the likes of you
Sheriff Hemlock then begins to lead the way to the desecrated tomb. On the short walk through the cemetery, he asks you all where you are from, and what your plans for the future are.
Well good sheriff i not only came here for the cathedral but also to visit the House of Blue Stones, but i am from a small farm near Whistledown. And as for my future plans i do not have any at the moment except to travel some more and see varisia.
"Well sir, I was brought here by a vision from the lady of fire, so I suspect she has some purpose for me that will be revealed in due time. Until then I am content to help any way I can, though I expected I will eventually leaved standpoint to continue her ministry."
Thalrik stood at the back of the group, clearly displeased at being present. He had quite frankly been looking forward to taking it slow and getting back to reading books, but as per usual, when Rikka wanted him to do something, he couldnt get any peace untill he did.
"I could have chosen a ring or a wand, maybe even a staff, but nooo, little Thalrik wanted to bond with a furball instead." He muttered from behind the two tallest members of their group.
"I guess there has to be some drawback to starting your apprenticeship at age 10." As the others had already come to expect, a small squeak came from somewhere on Thalriks person, as he spoke ill of his companion.
"Where in the world did these people get the idea that we are a group anyway? I mean we are all but strangers still, yet that blasted woman has got us bunked up like members of a barracks! If I didnt know any better id think myself shanghai'd into Sandpoint militia duty! And not a day after I almost get killed helping you people, im at some gods forsaken cemetary, getting ready to walk right into harms way again! He was practically ranting now, although it was clear it was directed mostly at Rikka.
Bringing out Quinks notebook to calm himself, he managed to walk and read for maybe a minute before Rikka started squeaking at him again. He tried to ignore her, but finally he could take it no longer.
"DO YOU MIND!? IM TRYING TO READ! IM HERE AT M'LADYS REQUEST, CAN I ATLEAST READ IN PEACE!?!?"
During his outburst, he had slammed the book shut, raising it over his head and almost flung it out into the cemetary grounds. With everyones eyes upon him, he slowly lowered it again, jaw jutting forward in an annoyed scowl. After a few seconds of silence, Rikka could be heard squeaking again, softly this time.
Slouching with a sigh, Thalrik rubbed his eyes, before straightening back up and looking at the others.
"I hail from a small hamlet, some 80 or 90 leagues to the east. Applebough or some such I think its called, never really bothered enough to remember much about it. Spent most of my time at the tower of Rindal Korun, my grandfather, adoptive father and mentor. Untill a few months ago I had never been more than 10 miles in any direction from the tower, and were it not for my infuriating human legacy, I would be there still, reading my books. But now im here, out and about, and I intend to make the most of it by finding new and exciting things to read about, and aquiring new books to read it in." He held up Quinks notebook.
"Rikka insists I should follow these newfound...companions and let their random traveling whims guide me to new and exciting places...and by extension, knowledge." He looked at the others with thinly veiled disapproval and doubt, his demeanor only softening when his eyes fell on the dwarf.
"I personally think it folly, on more counts than one, but if it can give me some peace. He paused a moment to let that last point hang in the air. "Then I guess I shall have to comply. Now, lets keep moving shall we? The sooner we finish with this grave robbing business, the sooner I can do what I came here to do." He motioned at the Sheriff to continue to lead the way, then opened up Quinks book again to continue where he had left off.
|
I unsheath my sword, and examine the blade for any areas needing attention while we make our way to the cemetery.
Hey, Thalrik! Even though I spent most of my youth in military camps, and over the years have earned a living by the strength of my arm and sharpness of a blade, I have learned to read a bit. Rather proud of that, I am, as neither of my parents could do so. Books are rare and hard to come by, so I am curious. What is in that tome you seem so fascinated with?
A section of the blade seems to have been dulled, and I stroke it with a stone while we walk.
Thalrik looked up and stared at Ferdin with a blank expression "Proud that he can read? Really? Well I guess we cant all live by the same standards...but even so..."
"This particular example is a treatise on the subject of the Thassilonian Empire, with the personal musings on the subject of one Mr. Quink. Im borrowing it from the author himself. Theres no real rhyme or reason to the order in which he touches on different aspects of the subject however, so reading it so far has been less than straightforward. But that really just makes it all the more interesting, a small obstacle or challange to wet the appetite." As he talked, Thalrik got a glint in his eye and an excited expression on his face, both becoming more pronounced as he spoke. When he himself realized as much, he looked surprised for a moment, then annoyed, before settling back into his usual blank expression.
"There, I trust that sees your curiosity satisfied? Although the information must be of little consequence to you. The study of such things is quite frankly lost on the likes of you." For once Thalrik realized his own rudeness without the assistance of Rikka. Wrinkling his nose, he quickly added.
"Those schooled in the making of history as opposed to the understanding of it, that is."
Grabbing a stone and casting light upon it arthur hands it to Ferdin: That should help, as we go downstairs. I trust everyone is ready, and if for those of you who want then lets go in.
Weapons in hand Arthur goes inside the structure.
Darlin chuckles at the wizard and his familiar. "You know, I think Rikka is my favorite person in our newly gathered group" He muses out loud.
As they approach the structure he draws his shield, but otherwise remains relaxed. "I wonder what purpose could have been behind the desecration of father Tobin's resting place. Did he have any enemies in the community after his passing? Hopefully it was just goblins. Those are easily delt with. "
Looking satisfied with everyone's answers, the sheriff shows an obvious smile. He thinks to himself
hmm... It would be wonderful to have some resident heroes... Not sure of this wizard... Looks like he is trying hard to resist the path fate has places before him... No matter. We shall see what sort if men they are soon enough...
You reach the outside f father Tobin's tomb. The door hangs slightly ajar. The ground around it contains the obvious signs of foot prints.
Sighing and groaning at Ferdins airheaded response, Thalrik decided not to justify the comment with a reply.
Everybody except Darlin easily notice the footprints belong to goblins.
Ferdin also picks out two differing footprints, obviously from a larger, humanoid creature wearing boots.
Thalrik sees all the things, and also notices some trampling by the wall, leading him to believe this small band of tomb robbers must have been sneaked in over the wall during the attack in the town. He also hears a strange, quiet creaking sound from inside the tomb, almost like the creaking of bones...
Moving slowly but surely inside...
The inside of the tomb is about 25 feet long and 15 feet wide. It is dark and smells of dust and earth. The only light is that coming in from the open door. In this dim lighting, you can clearly see that the tomb has been opened. Stranger still, it is obvious that the remains have been removed from their resting place. Clearly, the attack in sandpoint was just a diversion so someone could steal these bones... But why?
As you ponder this question. Three skeletal forms jump towards you from the darkness, eerie flames glowing in their empty eye sockets.
Even as the group had edged through the door, Thalrik had muttered a low "Necromancy!" in a hushed gasp, his disgust at the very word easily translating through his tone alone. His face curled into a furrowed angry expression at the utterance.
He did not even have time to elaborate his hunch to the others, before the foul children of the Black Art sprang from the shadows.
"I came ill prepared to face a menace such as this. My most powerful magic prepared for the day shall have no effect on them. It falls to the rest of you to handle these."
He backed into the doorway, acid dripping from his hand.
Round 1
Sure thalric we got this fight covered...
There is definitely also light from a rock. That was always there. And it illuminates most of the room. Tomb. Tomb room.
Dexter stands in the doorway behind everyone and begins singing a haunting Dwarven battle song to inspire courage.
Athur steps up to the nearest skeleton, winks, and then explodes the skeleton to dust with his mighty club.
Thalrik mentions something about not being helpful, and then lobs a blob of acid at another skeleton for 2 damage severely wounding the monster.
"There is no redemption for the dead, only peace. Burn in holy Fire!" Cries Darlin, as he flings a Fire bolt.
Darlin fires a bolt at the injured skeleton, causing him to briefly burst into holy flames and then collapse, a harmless pile of steaming bone.
Thalrik took a moment to sift through his mental library, at the sight of this different skeleton.