His mouth suddenly going dry, Kargas stumbles over his own tongue in his haste to answer. "Oh! Uh, yeah, that would, uh...be...great?" He tries to keep from staring. Ma was right...
Cade stands as Ameiko approaches and bowing in greetings.
Lady Ameiko, it is a pleasure to be of service. Please let me introduce...Lady Gwestiel, Lady Mandulescu, Lord Kargas, Lord Herra and this is Little Brother.
He indicates each person as he mentions their name.
My companions were looking for some food, refreshments and a place to stay. I was hopping that you would be able to help them out. I never expected a reward for us being in the right place at the right time.... Cade takes another bow
..But My lady it is much appreciated and we thank you kindly for your generosity.
Flo giggles into her drink a little as Cade introduces her, Ha! 'tis an amusing day when one such as me is called a lady! Nomadic scholar to royalty in half a day, I wonder who I'll be tomorrow!
"It was our pleasure to help out! Thank you for your hospitality, I really appreciate it! Speaking of the attack, do you know anything about it? We are going to speak with the Sheriff first thing in the morning."
Oh my, does our very own Kargas have a little crush on our host? :) For such a rough and tumble fellow, he sure fell to pieces quickly!
Back at his seat, Kargas is conspicuously careful about how he eats, and keeps stealing furtive glances at the tavern owner, but after a time the mead starts to loosen him up. After requesting a bowl for Little Brother to drink from, he pours half his mead in and gives Herra a wink. "So I know why I'm here, but what brings a lizardfolk so far from home? Or, well, any of you for that matter?"
Herra was impassive for a long time, stroking Little Brother's back. Ameiko was spared little more than a glance, and the large lizardman was hesitant around so many people.
He watched as Kargas gave Little Brother some mead with a blank look. "That could be an error... Hmm, ah, far from home yes. I'm a scholar, trained by a druid, Essendiril" His mouth had to twist around the word, he made sure to pronounce it carefully. "I'm from Garund, but my master lived in Nidal and brought me with him when he returned there. When my training was done I was curious about Thassilonians and their ruins, thought they would be interesting."
Ameiko smiles at you all, "Thank you for your kind words. I don't know why the Goblins attacked like that. It is rather odd if you ask me. Hemlock probably will be on the case, he's a very dedicated man. I'm sure he would like your assistance, you all seemed rather skilled out there. Well I must be going and cleaning up the place, going to take advantage of this slow night."
"Good luck Ameiko!"
Turning to Kargas, "I have been traveling all my life," she says as she clutches the holy symbol of Desna around her neck, "going from place to place, learning what I can. Like Herra, I too am interested in Thassilonian lore. Having grown up in Varisia, the remains of their rule are everywhere and I have fond memories of wandering the ruins. I'm also quite fond of books, which led me to becoming a librarian. There is a wonder of knowledge and stories to be found in them!"
Having caught herself from rambling more, she takes a swig of her drink. "And what about you Kargas? What brings you to this wonderful little town?"
Not answering at first while he watches Ameiko leave, the half-orc starts to offer to help, but a sudden surge of shyness makes him hold his tongue. After she's gone he glances from Herra to Flor, arching an eyebrow. "Thassi-what now? Don't know anything about ruins or stories, I'm here for monsters."
Draining the rest of his mead, he slaps it down on the table and continues. "Like I said before, the Laac-Irgin chose me, but since I'm a half-breed that didn't sit well with a lot of the elders and shamans. They decided I could prove my worth by finding a "great beast" and bringing them its head, to show that I'm worthy of the spirits' blessings. Didn't specify what kind of beastie though, but it should be big and impressive! In Kaer Maga some drunks were swapping stories about the Sandpoint Devil, whatever that it. Sounds like it might impress the tribe, so here I am."
Cade gives a simple nod of his head, a gleam of mischief in his eyes.
Lady Ameiko, if you should need some assistance with cleaning up, I am sure my friend Kargas here would be happy to help you out. He might not look it but he is a wiz when he comes to cleaning.
Eyes growing wide, Kargas blurts "NO! Er, I mean, yes, but I just sweep and...er, actually I don't know anything about cleaning. But I'm happy to help if you need it." Slumping in his chair, the half-orc eyes Cade sullenly and fiddles with his empty mug, muttering. "I think you owe me another round to drown myself in."
My apologies, I was having a little fun at your expense. I would be honored to get the next round.
Cade lets his smile linger for a bit and then he just starts laughing.
Flo joins in on the laughter and hands some coin to the nearest server for the next round.
"You're too much Cade! What about you Gwestiel? What brings you all the way to this little town in Varisia?"
Gwestiel cocked her head, considering.
"A dream. I dreamed of a grain of sand grasped tightly in a demonic fist. The third part of the trees were burnt up. The ocean had been blasted dry. When I woke I knew that it would start here, today. If we are to stop whatever evils are conspiring, we must be vigilant. This won't end with a goblin attack, mark my words."
Half-grinning, half-alarmed, Kargas glances at Flor, then Herra, then Cade, then back to Gwestiel. "You came to this town because you had a bad dream? Heh, so what, a demonic army is going to come and steal the sand? Even if that were true, what makes you think you could stop it?"
Gwestiel shook her head.
"It is difficult to explain to one not versed in the magic of dreams. I do not think it is, literally, a demonic presence. My view of that in my dream is merely what I would most readily associate with evil. My interpretation was also that these forces may be slow to gather, giving us time to become more powerful as well. There is great opportunity here; for wealth. For power. To do the right thing. But I do believe that the tides of fate brought us all here for a purpose."
"Dreams can be powerful things, the shamans of my clan often wandered in dreams looking for truth."
Little Brother gave a brief hiccup as he finished the mead that Kargas had given him. Herra watched his saurian friend for a moment before turning back to the others.
"Wealth and power can be as ruinous as demons, we must tread lightly." the lizard considered a moment, tongue flicking, "For now we should rest, and see what comes next. We don't have enough information yet to act."
"If you're so sure about this dream of yours, why not tell a powerful wizard or a king? Someone who could do something about it?" As he speaks Kargas leans over and pokes Cade, throwing a meaningful glance at Little Brother's empty bowl and then back to the halfling.
Taking a sip from the new round Flor bought him, he sizes up his new drinking companions. "No offense to anyone here, but I don't think we look like much. We killed some goblins, but so what? Any fool with a sharp stick can kill goblins--hell, goblins can kill goblins! I have no complaints about wealth or power, but vague sand-thieving evils need more than dreams. Anyone here talk to the local spirits? You're a local shaman Flor, what do the spirits here think?"
Flo takes a sizable swig from her mug before responding.
"Hopefully the dream was more symbolic than anything. Fighting something that can steal a beach sounds particularly difficult to thwart..."
How worrisome, Gwestiel's dream sounds grim indeed. I hope Desna grants us the strength to persevere.
Starting to feel the drink affect her a little, Flo throws an overly serious look at Kargas, "My good sir, I am no spirit talking shaman, but an esteemed cleric of Desna who," her stern looking beginning to crack, "is held in the highest regard!" Finishing her proclamation with a burst of giggles.
Regaining control of herself, she answers more seriously: "There might be a slight misunderstanding between what I can do and what the holy figures of your tribe can. I am unable to commune with spirits, local or otherwise. Eventually I will be able speak with the dead and even bring them back from an untimely demise, but communicating with local spirits is not something traditionally taught. At least in my faith. This dream worries me, however, and I will take some time tomorrow to scour the local churches for those who may be able to do so. When I pray for more spells in the morning, I will ask Desna for her thoughts as well."
Flo then stands up, using the table to support her a little, "With that said, I must bid you all goodnight. I have gone slightly past my limits and it sounds like we have a long day tomorrow. Sleep well and may the Tender of Dreams bless your sleep!" Letting off a couple of bursts of healing energy to heal any remaining wounds her companions may have before making her way to her room to retire for the night.
"Because, as you implied, I am no one of consequence. Not yet. But the smallest of beginnings can make for auspicious climbs. Today, yes...a few Goblins. Tomorrow...who knows? Perhaps I shall one day become powerful enough that kings beg for me to interpret their dreams. We shall see."
Gwestiel rose, draining her drink and bidding her new allies a good evening before finding her room and bedding down for the night.
Cade listens intently while he continues to drink.
Starting to feel the drink affect her a little, Flo throws an overly serious look at Kargas, "My good sir, I am no spirit talking shaman, but an esteemed cleric of Desna who," her stern looking beginning to crack, "is held in the highest regard!" Finishing her proclamation with a burst of giggles.
Even I could not say that with a straight face...
Staring into his mug, his smile is gone.
I do not begrudge anyone their own personal beliefs...whether it is fate, the gods, or even a huge purple dinosaur. I make my own choices and I chose to step up and defend this town. I chose to help those that needed it. We as you might say are not much...true, but when it came time to act...we chose to help each other. We did that.
Cade looks up at each of his new companions, empties his mug
and I would do all over again if I had to. Let's follow this through to the end.
Cade refills his mug, LB's Bowl and raises his mug in the air
to the Sanpoint six, adventure, good food and good drink!!!
Herra brow knitted in confusion and he reluctantly raised his mug, "To the Sandpoint Six. Now, how do you know about the Father of Childhood Nightmares? I did not know anyone outside of Garund knew of his purple splendor."
Without missing a beat, Cade tells his story
When you work in a tavern most of your childhood life, you hear all sorts of stories. I never paid much to the purple guy ones, other than it was very annoying.
Cade looks at Herra
Sorry but that was what I got from the stories. That and he likes children...I mean like A LOT. Always preaching love and games. Not sure what but I got the impression that he was a god of children and misfit toys.
Raising his mug in silent assent with the toast, Kargas drains it, then pushes back his chair as he stands. Collecting the various empty mugs and plates, the half-orc carries the lot over to the section of the bar nearest the washtub. With a shy grin at Ameiko, Kargas manages a quiet, [b"Thanks for the food and mead. P-pleasant dreams!"[/b] and trudges upstairs to his room.
Cade bids good night to his new companions. He will stay downstairs at the tavern for another couple of hours before he head up to bed.
Finding himself alone in the common room, Herra tidied up the table and collected the Little Brother's bowl before trudging upstairs. Little Brother was unsure of the steps for a moment but followed happily.
The night is silent. Everyone rests without any disturbances and you all get a full nights rest. It's now 7 am in the morning and the towns folk are starting to set up their shops around town and open for business. The sun is out with a few clouds, minding us of the Fall season. Downstairs sounds awake and bustling with the morning patrons.
Arising with the sun and dressing quietly, Kargas comes downstairs lugging the bag of goblin-gear. Upon seeing Ameiko he breaks out in a bashful grin and orders breakfast, eating while he waits for the others to come downstairs.
"Morning, I suppose we should pop in to the see the Sheriff then? He might reward us for our mighty deeds, and we could sell off some of... he gives the bag of looted weapons and armor a skeptical shake, "this junk. Maybe the local smith or armorer needs some scrap material? When you're done eating, of course."
Kargas walks by Cade's room with all that gear as the door bangs open. He looks over with a start to see Cade standing in the doorway. He is rubbing the sleep from his eyes and is completely naked.
What the hell is going on here? Kargas?????...keep it down, some of us are trying to sleep. Cade scratches his head, yawning all the while. A smile creeps onto his face and in a matter of fact tone.. Now be quiet or I will shove that junk right up your f@#$*&% a@*.
Cade turns and walks back to his bed and a female figure...the door slowly closes behind him.
Cade comes down the steps wearing a white shirt with a black doublet and red pants that are tucked into the tops of black leather boots. His weapons belt is strapped around his waist and his black and gold traveling coats is on him as well. He is carrying the shirt he had on the day before, the shirt folded with the blood stained cut on top. He stops a server and places an order for food.
Good morning my lady, Would it be possible to get some fried eggs, bacon and some potatoes...if you can that is. If not I will be happy to take what you are serving this morning. oh and some wine please. Thank you
He looks at the others as he sits down.
Good morning to all of you. When are we going to see the sheriff? I would like to replace this shirt before or after the meeting..it is not a priority.
Herra was found just outside the tavern sitting on his knees facing the morning sun. His armor and gear off to one side, he was finishing his morning prayers as Kargas came down. Beside him, Little Brother luxuriated in the fresh sunlight.
Once he finished, the lizardfolk garbed himself and went to talk meet with his newfound companions and eat. His meal was simple, a hash of whatever leftovers remained from the festivities with a hunk of meat for the thunder lizard at his side.
"A reward would be nice, staying in town is pricey." Herra cast a sidelong look at Little Brother, "I can fix the shirt if you can find a way to clean the blood."
Gwestiel nodded.
"A bit of coin would not be unwelcome. Perhaps we should unload this extra equipment and then see the Sheriff?"
Rising with the sun, Flo has already done some errands. You find her in a corner of the tavern perusing a tome of respectable size, "The Trials and Tribulations of Sandpoint: A History," carefully written on it's cover. She is also wearing fresh clothes and has a basket of bread that, judging by the steam still rising from it, was only recently removed from the oven. A plate of eggs rests nearby.
"Good morning everyone! That sounds like a wonderful plan to me!" Flo says, briefly embracing her new friends before returning to her readings.
So we are off to find the sheriff?
FLo eats the rest of her eggs and stands up, ready to go "Let's be on our way then!"
Gwestiel leaves to find the Sheriff.
Cade gets up and follows Gwestiel.
As the group heads out to find the sheriff they notice the town is busting with citizens cleaning up and setting up shops. Some of the folk don't look as chipper as usual though. As you find your way to the garrison, you see the sheriff as he is exiting the building. He stops to look at you all, "Hello?"
Clearing his throat, Kargas sets down the canvass sack full of goblin gear and straightens his shoulders. "Hi, my name is Kargas Stormscar, and these folks behind me are some fellow-travelers who were at the festival yesterday." After introducing the others, the half-orc gestures at the bag and then vaguely at the buildings around them as he continue. "We scrapped with some goblins during the attack yesterday, and we wanted to let you know that, if you need any extra hands to help out with the little blighters--or anything else for that matter--we'd be happy to assist."
He looks down at the sack, "Ah so you're the ones Ted told me about. He said you showed up yesterday searching for me. We are very fortunate to have your assistance and we greatly appreciate all you have done." He looks down at the sack again, "You can keep that stuff there, if you don't want it just toss it in the Garrison and one of my men will deal with it. Thank you again, I'm off to get some reports from the locals. Keep your eye out for any Goblin activity, was very unusual of them and we are still scratching our heads."
Herra's tail flicked uncomfortably as the sheriff talked, "Do we know how many goblins attacked? A town this size shouldn't be a target for a small tribe to raid, or it wouldn't be in Garund anyway."
"I am Floredana Mandulescu. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance!" She smiles as she introduces herself to the Sheriff, her eyes twinkling. Listening to what he has to say about the goblin attack, she speaks up again, "Is there anyone else we can talk to who may know more? If not, we could explore the surrounding areas to learn what we can about the surrounding goblin tribes." Anything would be better than waiting! We can't just sit around and just hope for the safety of these people.
"I am afraid I can't be of much use to you, we really don't know much about what happened. It ended just as soon as it started. Goblins are known to be in the area but they never have attacked. Of course, if you like to explore the surrounding areas that is of your own free choice. We don't have a lot of funds and can't employ you. Once I get some statements from the locals I might have a better assessment of the situation." He pauses for a moment. "Perhaps I'll seek you all out if something comes up."
Watching and waiting as the others talk to the sheriff and once they are finished.
Good Sir, We thank you for your time. You and the guards are doing a job that not many would willingly attempt. I just wish to repay you for your service to this fair city. If you are in need of aid in any form please seek us out. I am sure we can come up with some arrangement as to payment. Perhaps if we were to investigate any leads you have on the attacks, we could just simple retain anything we find in our search. The spoils of war as it were...just a thought.
Cade extends his had to the sheriff
Thank you again and please do not hesitate to find us if you are need of help.
Scratching his jaw thoughtfully, Kargas's eyes wander in the direction of the local marshlands. "Giving the countryside a few sweeps doesn't sound so bad actually. Something worth hunting might turn up, and it never hurts to get to know the lay of the land."
"Perhaps we should check the city as well? If the guard is as underfunded as the Sheriff suggests, perhaps some of the Goblins have escaped detection and remain here."
Flo nods in agreement, "We can spend a day or two doing each while the Sheriff does his own work. By the time we are all done, surely something will have come up! Any preferences on which to do first?"
"Well we're already here..."
Agreed, we are here in the city. Let us see what we can find out and what aid we can give to those affected by the goblin attack.
"There are several taverns and other hubs in town, let's visit them and see what we can dig up. Certainly people will be needing help after the damage the goblins did. Maybe some people may even have information about the goblin tribes in the area!" Flo begins to walk towards the nearest tavern, keen on doing more than standing around waiting for the Sheriff to return.