Wren stood as the proclamation was made. As much as she wished Orik to be cleared on all accounts, she realized that was doubtful to actually happen. She wasn't happy but nodded, accepting the fact that, although Orik was banished, he would still be alive. She could give him enough gold to ensure his travels would be pleasant and comfortable, while he figured out what to do with the rest of his life. She wasn't sure how the others would take the decision, however.
Kern tries to refuse the gift from Titus, finding the offer a little out-of-the-blue and suspicious (although not saying this aloud). He eventually accepts the gift with a word of thanks and a promise that he will serve the best interests of Sandpoint (being careful not to name any specific families like the Scarnettis, only Sandpoint itself).
At the trial, he nods in satisfaction as the verdicts against Tsuto and Lyrie are read, but he frowns slightly at the verdict for Orik. It was less than he'd hoped for but he concedes it could have been worse. After the trial, he tries to seek out Orik so that he can offer him his condolences and apologies for the banishment. He will also thank Orik for everything the man has done to help them and the town of Sandpoint. "It's unfortunate that they're kicking you out, but at least you have your liberty," he says.
As Titus hands over the bag of gems, "Thank you, Mr. Scarnetti. This will come in handy," he grins as he examines them briefly before putting them away.
After the decisions are made, Victor stands up with a raised fist. "Victory! Victor is victorious! We won! HA-HA!" Victor straightens his clothing and puffs his chest out. "Yes, yes, all in a days work for your humble heroes of Sandpoint. No need to thank us." As he looks around, nobody seems to be paying any attention to him. "Ingrates," he mumbles.
As Victor impatiently taps his foot, rolling his eyes and waiting for Kern to stop yakking, Victor finally speaks. "Well, you survived. You cannot ask for more than that, my warrior friend. Congratulations and all those other types of words. Now, I do not think we really talked much..." he thinks a moment trying to recollect any kind of conversation they might have had. Unable to come up with anything, "...or at all for that matter, but, whatever. You risked your life for Sophy and that is all that was important to me." Victor smiles as he places an arm around his shoulders, patting him. "Let us walk and talk," he says, leading to another issue Victor wants to speak on. Leaning in so as not to be overheard, "You know that bag that Sophy gave you to hold? It was the one that she could have given to me to hold; because I would have held it for her, you know. I would have. But you had to go an ask to hold it for her first. And her being the sweetest most gentle creature one could ever meet, she only responds kindly. You know, I do not think that was very nice of you." As Orik stares at him a bit dumbfounded, Victor realizes he's said too much and gotten way off track. Clearing his throat, "Ummmm, anyway, can I get that back from you?"
When Orik is released, Eponine will ask "Do you have any plans from here? Is there anything we can do to help?"
At some point during the day each of you are approached by the heavy set, Titus Scarnetti. He finds you alone and without the others, and is everything you expect from a head of one of Sandpoints founding families and town council member. After introducing himself he offers a short rehearsed speech, "Congratulations on your recent appointment. My father Alamon gave his sweat, and yes even his blood, to help bring the vision of Sandpoint into fruition. Now you will be an integral part of helping drive what my family has served for the past forty years towards a new and exciting future. I trust you will honor and be committed to the strong and traditional values our community was founded upon. I hope that you will accept this humble reward, from me, for your great service you have done on behalf of our town. Take it as a token of our friendship, as you formally enter into the service of our town I hope you will count me among your friends." He offers you a bag of assorted polished jewels, that at first glance probably value close to a hundred gold coins. Titus refuses any attempt to decline the gift, even from those who are yet to accept any positions with the town.
While two weeks ago Sophy would have been overawed to have been directly addressed by Mr. Scarnetti, her recent experiences with prominent citizens of Sandpoint have left her disenchanted. The man's motivations are a mystery to her, but she is disinclined to look on the gift with anything but cynicism -- no less an attempt to buy her loyalty than the commissions the others had accepted placing them under the authority of the sheriff. When he refuses her attempts to decline the gift, she is forced to accept it grimly but puts it aside, having no intention of keeping it, once he has gone.
When Tsuto's sentence is read, Sophy looks saddened but not surprised. The half-elf had offered no defense and shown no repentance. When Lyrie's sentence is read, she looks shaken. She glances at the elven judge and wonders if he remembers he is dealing with human subjects; fifty years is a virtual life sentence for the woman.
When Orik's verdict is read, Sophy is buoyed with hope ... up until the final three words of the sentence. Shattered, she stares up at the platform. What could the Justice be thinking, to separate Orik from anyone who believed in him, anyone who owed him a debt for what he had done, anyone who might hold him accountable for the new commitment he had made and prevent him from returning to bad company and despair. She accepts the note from Bethanna numbly and stares at the words for several moments before comprehending them.
While the other "Heroes" approach Orik while his bonds are being released, Sophy wanders back toward the House of Blue Stones, paying no attention to the excitement in the streets which accompanies the trial and verdict. Taking Titus Scarnetti's jewels, she walks as directed to the bridge at the south of town and waits, gazing into the mirror. Is this how others see me? she wonders idly. She sees a young woman with sad eyes, more cynical and jaded, she imagines, than a week or two ago. She remembers the excitement she felt the last time she spent much time looking in a mirror, the night she had worn the blue velvet dress and earrings to go to dinner and the theater with Lord Foxglove, before the evening had ended in horror and blood. How simple and innocent everything had seemed then. Would she ever feel that hopeful again?
Orik listens to Heroes with half and ear as he looks about for the only one not there. He accepts their congratulations and offers he will probably head south to Magnimar and seek his fortune there. He thanks them for believing in him and he know that he can not repay their kindness.
Taking his leave of them he heads south towards the gates of town and finds Sophy standing looking into the mirror. Interrupting her thoughts he says, "I am glad you came, I wanted to be sure I got a chance to say goodbye and to thank you for believing in me with your whole heart. No one has given up so much for me before." He paces around and moves as if he is about to head out of town before she can respond then he quickly turns back, "Rumor is you have been offered a position building a library. I know you love your books.....but....er, umm...ah, if you wanted, I mean if you cared to. Ah, what I am trying to say is I have to leave, and that is good because I know that what has happened here will not be forgotten and the good folks will always see my face and think of the goblin attack. I would have left even if they did not banish me, but...er I want you to go with me. Come south to Magnimar or someplace else. We can go where ever you want. Come away with me?"
As Orik seems to not be listening, "Terrik?" Victor asks as the warrior walks away without a word. Victor looks to the others questioningly, to see if they know what's wrong with him. Seeing none of the others with any form of an answer, Victor looks back to the ungrateful warrior who happens to be getting farther and farther away and quickly decides to follow, keeping himself at a fair, but not to fair, distance.
As he does, he eventually notices Sophy standing on a bridge. There she is! I wondered where she had gone to. He then notices Orik heading straight for her. What is he doing? Why is he talking to her? And what is he saying?! He thinks to himself as jealousy burns strong within him. I do not like this... this feeling. It makes me mad. And now I want to kill him. No, no, no, now Victor calm down. Killing solves nothing. Oh yes it does! NO. NO it does not. Get out of my head you voice of... voice of... whatever voice you are! I do not like it! And I do not like this Derrik fellow. Not at all. You know, you could be jumping to conclusions. That is true, I could. But I doubt it. Look at the silly way he acts. I know that foolish way, I was that foolish... I was um... let us see... um... you know I do not think I was ever that foolish. Victor concludes as a matter of fact, grinning pompously before his irritation soon returns. But I still know it! I shall watch a moment and see what transpires. Let us see how Sophy reacts first. If he is moving in on her, she will turn him down gently and then I will hunt him down and teach him a lesson. NO, you will not. Yes I will! NO! YES! NO! YES!... His insanity rages on until he he eventually tires of arguing with himself as his attention returns to the events on the bridge.
Kern looks at Victor a bit oddly. "Terrik? Who's Terrik?"
Taking his leave of them he heads south towards the gates of town and finds Sophy standing looking into the mirror. Interrupting her thoughts he says, "I am glad you came, I wanted to be sure I got a chance to say goodbye and to thank you for believing in me with your whole heart. No one has given up so much for me before." He paces around and moves as if he is about to head out of town before she can respond then he quickly turns back, "Rumor is you have been offered a position building a library. I know you love your books.....but....er, umm...ah, if you wanted, I mean if you cared to. Ah, what I am trying to say is I have to leave, and that is good because I know that what has happened here will not be forgotten and the good folks will always see my face and think of the goblin attack. I would have left even if they did not banish me, but...er I want you to go with me. Come south to Magnimar or someplace else. We can go where ever you want. Come away with me?"
As Orik turns away, Sophy frowns. 'Given up so much?' It was he who had given up his freedom to see them all home safely. She is opening her mouth to protest when he turns back, and as he speaks, it remains open, in bewildered astonishment. "I-- I don't understand," she stammers at last. "I-- Lyrie is-- I'm sorry about Lyrie. But Wren is beautiful, and Eponine is brave. I've just ... followed the rest of them and tried not to get in the way. I've run away like a coward and said ... oh, horrible things; you don't know. And I don't know you, as a-- as a man," she blushes. "I just know ... I wish you weren't going away, but I never imagined you...." She trails off miserably.
Out of the corner of her eye, she catches a glimpse of Orik's face in the mirror. Please stop to see yourself as we see you! How do the other residents of Sandpoint see him? Does his presence really remind them of the goblins' attack? Or is that only how he imagines they see him? Either way, she understands why he might want to go somewhere to make a fresh start.
But what about Sophy? How does Sandpoint see her? As an orphan, a reminder of the Late Unpleasantness? As the eccentric girl the matrons whisper about? As a hero, no matter how many times she tries to explain she is not? As a librarian? She glances down at Titus Scarnetti's bag of jewels in her hand. Or as a pawn to be manipulated and used for their benefit?
"Orik," she begins again, more calmly, "I don't know you, any more than you know me. When I see your face, I see the man in the doors of Thistletop who turned his blade against the goblins and saved my life and the lives of my friends, just like you somehow see me as ... as a kind of symbol of the choice you made, the last chance you seized hold of. We're both of us less than that, and more. But ... I understand the allure of being among people whose first associations when they see me aren't murder and terror and death. I'll travel with you ... as far as Magnimar ... and then we'll see ... how we see each other." She offers him a smile.
What is happening? What is she saying? Is that a smile? I cannot tell anything from this distance! Okay, that is it. Victor moves up quickly to them both, grinning as best he can. As he nears Sophy, a bit of calm washes over him. She is so lovely. "Hey, Sophy and... Marik. What's going on?" He asks a bit nervously. "You left quite fast, Sophy. Is something the matter?"
Sophy sobers as she turns toward Victor. "I found the sentencing ... upsetting," she replies. "But Orik has just been telling me he intended to leave, even if he hadn't been exiled. Too many bad memories here, on both sides. He wants a fresh start."
Trying to remain as calm as he can, Victor fights to keep his breathing steady. "And what about you, Sophy? Are, are you also intending to, to um... leave?" he asks anxiously, his heart racing in fear of her answer. Please say no, I beg. Please...
"I...," she glances at Orik, "I think I will. For a while, at least. No one's told me I can never come back yet." Her voice takes on an edge of defiance before she smiles. "You ran off to Magnimar," she points out, " and so did Brock, and Wren's traveled, and Eponine's been just about everywhere, I suppose. Even Ameiko went off adventuring for a while."
As much as he thought he was prepared for her response, he was not. As he finds it difficult to swallow, he rambles uncomfortably as he tries to keep his lip from quivering. "But, but, but Sophy...," he starts, having a difficult time finishing as the truth of the situation hits him hard. What about all we have been through? Does that mean nothing? (Victor). The internal struggle begins again but Victor ignores it. I do not want you to go. I WILL not let you go. (Victor). It gets a bit stronger but Victor continues, albeit difficultly, to ignore it. I am sorry but I have made up my mind! That is it! No! He clinches his jaw at his own internal debate, knowing the inevitable is to come. As the knot in his stomach grows, Victor sighs gravely. But this hurts so much. To let her go is to lose her forever. For I know she will not return. There is far too much pain for her here. He reaches up and strokes the side of her face as he feels a tear stream down the side of his own. "I am truly sorry for that, dear Sophy."
Startling himself that he spoke that last line out loud, he immediately straightens himself up and quickly wipes his face. "Um... the sun, you know, it gets my eyes sometimes," he explains terribly, clearing his throat as he quickly continues before it gets more uncomfortable for him than it already is. "And, um, what I am sorry for, Sophy, is that," Victor stops as he stares into her eyes, managing to compose himself as he can't help but feel so terrible for her with all that she's been through, "is that there are so many bad memories for you. I wish there was something I could have done so it would have been better for you. For what it is worth, I am truly thankful for you, Sophy. And I shall miss you terribly." Victor smiles at her, laying a gentle hand on her arm as he leans in and kisses her softly on the cheek before leaning back out, taking just a moment longer to look at her before turning to Orik. "Well, Garik, you better take good care of her, you understand?" He points at him teacher-like as he gives him a stern look before it turns into a wry grin and a nod. Turning his attention back to Sophy, "Well, my dearest Sophy, I do not like goodbye so how about...," he ponders it a moment, "Until we meet again, hm? Yes. That sounds better." Victor bows, rising with a smile that's becoming more and more difficult to hold due to his quivering lip. As he looks at her one last time for what feels like an eternity, yet, is only a matter of moments...
Goodbye, Miss Sophy.
Victor nods again as he quickly turns and walks away as the tears fall.
As Victor finally gets far out of sight, he stops by a couple of buildings and makes his way in the alley between them so he can give himself time to calm down out of sight of any passers-by. Pacing back and forth, "Okay, Victor. This is not the worst that has happen... no wait, yes it is. Well, second worst. Anyway, just calm down, okay. You are " he states proudly as he wipes his face and gives himself a few minutes before returning to the others. "Look at it this way, the bad news is out of the way. The good news is, there could possibly be nothing else that could make this day any worse. Yes! Nothing! Very good. I am good. I will be good. Okay." After a few more minutes Victor straightens himself up, wipes his face one more time for good measure and proceeds at a bit of a slower pace back to the others, hoping to give the illusion all is fine when he arrives.
"Victor! Welcome back. Saved some fruit for you." Glancing around, she adds "It was just here..." Meanwhile, a banana peel is discreetly pushed out of her pouch by tiny, furry hands; it drops to the floor with a light slapping sound.
If anything is amiss with Victor, it is clearly lost on Eponine.
Seeing the banana peel hit the ground, Victor grins. "I believe the banana has made a daring escape, hm?" he winks.
"So, are they leaving," Wren asks, not noticing anything off kilter about Victor.
Victor taking a moment to find his sense of calm, "Yes," he simply replies as he scratches the side of his face before stroking his beard, trying to think of something else to say. "Well, Warik is freed and we have jobs to do. But I am curious, Eponine. Is everything okay with you? I do not know, it just seemed you were a bit 'troubled' when Kern was speaking earlier," he shrugs, really unsure of what he noticed.
Kern seems a bit surprised by this. "Did I say something wrong?" he asks. "'Cause I certainly didn't mean to. When was this? When I was talking to Orik?"
Looking to Kern as he speaks, "No, no, Kern, it was during the trial, during your testimony." he responds. Turning his attention back to Eponine, "It just appeared you might have been uncomfortable about something, I do not know. Wait! I know! I know what it was that was bothering you." He pounds a fist in his opposite hand. "It was because it really was not a very good testimony. Well, not as good as mine anyway." He says with a bit of arrogance and a smirk to go with it.
"No, no. It was nothing. You were just very... articulate." Again, Eponine flushes a bright red.
After Sophy and Orik departed, Wren took some time to decide as to whether or not she would stay in town. The judicial process had spared her friend's life, so after a bit of soul searching, the Mage decided this place was her temporary home for the time beng. She sought out the Myor and informed him that she would accept the offered position in the town.
"No, no. It was nothing. You were just very... articulate." Again, Eponine flushes a bright red.
Kern grins. "You think so? I was a little unhappy with it myself. Actually, I was kind of worried I'd ruined things for Orik. But I'm glad it went better than I thought. I never realised I could make a moving speech."
Victor looks to Eponine curiously as Kern's response diverts his attention. When Kern finishes talking, Victor can only drop his shoulders, roll his eyes and give an exasperated sigh. I swear. Kern the goody goody annoying goody. Eventually I shall find a way to bring out the true Kern and all will witness the true jerk... ness? I do not know. Whatever. But it will be seen by all. What does it take to affect him? 'I never realized I could make a moving speech', he mocks him within his mind, ignoring the fact that he's mouthing the words.
Straightening himself up, Victor doesn't miss the fact that Eponine still seems slightly embarrassed or something. Hm? I cannot understand what it might have been that Kern said that would bother her so. Another time perhaps. "Okay, well I am going to the Rusty Dragon. I am hungry and feel the need to just stop a moment. It has been a long day." With that, Victor takes his leave.
The role of "Master Arcanist" sat well with Wren. For the first time in her young life, she had stopped traveling the roads, and appreciated a place to call home. She rented a modest apartment in the city near Eponine, and made sure to see her friends as frequently as she could. She researched as much as she could about the goblin stronghold, knowing there was something much more dire in that place, but the others convinced her she might be a bit paranoid, so she released that thought.
She tried to find some new arcane knowledge, and made sure to copy quite a few scrolls to bide the time.
Eponine comfortably takes command of the growing outpost at Thistletop. Her stints in construction and fortifications help guide the effort to set up operations, and her infinite patience helps with training the new recruits. As often as possible, she makes it back to Sandpoint proper to spend time with her friends, enjoying the camaraderie and status amongst the locals. The dark times below Thistletop begin to fade even as the dark scars continue to fade away.
Pleased with the progress of the garrison, Eponine starts to consider what comes next for her.
In the days that followed, an extraordinarily charming emissary sent by the Shoanti arrived to Sandpoint; a messenger from the Shundar-Quah (the Spire Clan). Clearly more of a diplomat than a warrior, the man introduced himself as "Roakkad Tames the Skies", his adult name an honorific as most Shoanti's were.
Apparently, the atypical young man had been sent as a response to an invitation from Belor and the Mayor to discuss the implications of the goblin troubles, but had arrived after they had apparently been resolved. Nevertheless, the man had stayed on, expressing concern once the news was shared with him that a demon was imprisoned inside it. He eventually appeared to move into the fort itself, living alongside its soldiers whilst offering his assistance. He seems to be a record keeper and civil servant in the fort, studying the place intently while doing his best to get to know those in positions of power. Roakkad seemed to know a thing or two about magic as well and assisted in such matters as best he could.
Physically, Roakkad was lean and muscular as Shoanti tend to be, but not especially so. Rumour in the town has it that he is the son of a powerful Shoanti "Shaman", a worshipper of the ancestral spirits of the land. Roakkad has a primal look about him while on duty in the fort; he wears lamellar leather and sports a traditional klar rather than the more modern metallic; made from the skull of a lizard rather than steel.
While not technically under anyone's authority within the fort, he would have made assurances to both Eponine and Wren that he would follow their orders in the case of any crisis.
Redotting.
In the days following the trial the Heroes of Sandpoint begin the transition into their new roles. Sophy and Orik left town immediately, though she does not comment it appears the Mayor was deeply saddened that Sophy refused to take on the librarian commission. A day after the trial, surround by guards Tsuto and Lyrie are transported in a caged wagon out of Sandpoint. As they go the streets are lined with jeering citizens who sling insults and refuse at them as the go. Once the wagon leaves town a mighty cheer rises up, a signal that the troubles of the past weeks are over.
By the end of the week the new Sargents, and the Master Arcanist have been sworn in and officially inducted into the Watch. Over the next few weeks each of you adjust and adapt to the new jobs and assignments. Many recruits arrive and are examined with only the best being added to the new squads.
Eponine is given charge of a dozen foot soldiers, men and women who show promise and dedication. By the end of the month they are permanently stationed at Fort Thistletop where the old goblin fort has already been burned down and a new sturdier structure is being constructed. The new watch follow her instructions well and loyal as they help with the construction and prepare to defend if the goblins should return. So far they have not needed to be called into action.
Wren moves out with her and begins the important task of examining and protecting the magical wards deep underneath the surface. A month after moving out to the fort, she finally figures out the truth. Behind a sealed door in the lowest level of the complex, a powerful brashest is imprisoned. The magical bindings prevent it from leaving the room, but if she ever opens the door it shrieks and howls attempting to satisfy it supernatural hunger. How the creature came to be there and for what purpose Wren can not discern, but she knows it has been an extremely long time. Perhaps even as long ago as the ancient Thassilon Empire. Confident the magical bindings that hold the outsider, Wren still checks them daily. In the first weeks of occupying the complex the members of the Watch complained of unnatural dreams, but once Wren and Father Zantus cleared out all the icons and religious effects of Lamashtu the issues ceased.
Victor throws himself into the work of training and patrolling with his ranging squad of six archers, pushing them hard enough that they are ready for patrol one week earlier then Sheriff Balor expected. Eager to get away of things reminding him of Sophy, and her absence, Victor heads north of Sandpoint to patrol the Lost Coast Road. After a few weeks of rooting out some scattered goblin clutches, and an occasional bandit gang, trouble between Sandpoint and a few miles beyond Thistletop is all but completely illuminated. The presence of Victors squad keeping the peace and the local farmers safe. When not out on the road Victor stations at Thistletop able to reconnect with Eponine and Wren when he is there, but he doesn’t seem to get back to Sandpoint all that often these days.
Kern and Sargent Blake divvy up the duties assisting the Sheriff in keeping the citizens of Sandpoint safe. Kern is well respected by his troupes and is well liked by the community. Since the goblin raid things in town have settled down a great deal and the most difficult part of Kern’s job now is busting up brawls at the Fatman’s Feed Bag. Kern also spend a lot of time tracking the illicit activities of the Sczarni, a network of Varishian thieves and na’er do wells. Like the Sheriff he is convinced the local leader is Feed Bag regular named Jubrayl Vhiski, but there isn’t enough evidence to prove the suspicions.
Runk is picky about his group of six archers, and the six he chooses to join him make the Sheriff uncomfortable. They tend to lack respect of authority but are loyal to Runk and to protecting the road south of Sandpoint. After only a few short weeks, the amount of banditry they way ceases, but after the winter, rumors start to surface that Runk’s band of archers may be no better than the bandits they have been hired to protect against. Since there are no official complaints the Sheriff allows the group to continue patrols, but has more than once summoned the Halfling to have a talk about the behavior and attitude of the men and women under his command when they are stationed in Sandpoint.
A few days after the trial a Shoanti ambassador arrived in town. The Heroes of Sandpoint were summoned to the Mayor’s office to share with Roakkad who the goblin threat is no more. Pleased to hear the goblin threat is squashed he is ready to return home, but then learns about the demon under the fort at Thistletop. Even though the Sheriff tries to convince the tribesman the threat is contained, Roakkad decides to remain in the area to ensure this potential threat is not a danger to his people. Moving into the fort he offers his assistance to Wren and Eponine assuring them he will follow their lead should something attack from without or within the complex. His presence at the fort is extremely fortuitous and his historical knowledge helps lead Wren to discovering the true nature of the magically bound creature.
Another new arrival in town is Nuri, a devotee of the Mystery Cults who serves the Empyreal Lords. Arriving within weeks of the Goblin raid, she came with a letter of introduction from Lord Aldern Foxglove as an expert on monuments and wards. The Mayor eager to keep the town safe accepted the Nuri’s offer to help and made arrangements for her to be quartered at the newly forming fort. Her knowledge has helped Wren and Eponine understand the spell binding the creature under the fort, and with Roakkad has started helping uncover the true history of the complex. Dating back to Thassilon, the four of them are convinced a Runelord called Karzoug once ruled here in some fashion.
These new arrivals quickly become important members of the community and are well respected by those who they work with and encounter. Well except when it comes to Nuri….Victor is shocked to see her upon returning from his first long road patrol. Now he is dealing with old feelings and new feelings, and the open road always seems the better option than dealing with them.
Several months have passed since the goblin raid, winter has come and gone and the things in Sandpoint are back to normal. Each of you are now comfortable doing the tasks of your new appointments until a messenger brings each of you a summons to meet with Sheriff Hemlock. The cryptic and unusual arrival of the message sets your inner desire for adventure tingling and the next day each of you arrive at the Garrison in Sandpoint. Nuri and Roakkad along with the Eponine, Wren, and Victor come from the fort. Kern arrives with the sheriff and only Runk is missing from the original Heroes of Sandpoint. Once everyone is seated Belor makes this appeal.
“First, let me thank you again for all you have done for Sandpoint. It is fortunate that you have proven yourselves so capable, because we have a problem that I think you can help with—a problem that I wish I did not have to involve anyone with, but one that needs dealing with now before the situation grows worse.
Put simply, we have a murderer in our midst—one who, I fear, has only begun his work. Some of you doubtless remember the Late Unpleasantness, how this town nearly tore itself apart in fear as Chopper’s slayings went on unanswered.
I am afraid we might have something similar brewing now. Last night, the murderer struck at the sawmill. There are two victims, and they are... they are in pretty gruesome shape. The bodies were discovered by one of the millworkers, a man named Ibor Thorn, and by the time I arrived on the scene, a crowd of curious gawkers had already sprung up. Sargent Kern’s men are stationed there now, keeping the mill locked down, but the thing that bothers me is not the fact that we have two dead bodies inside. It is the fact that this is actually the second set of murders we have had in the last few days.
I come to you for help in this matter—my men are good, but they are also green. They were barely able to handle themselves against the goblins, and what we’re facing now is an evil far worse than goblins. I need the help. But I am afraid you will need the help too. You see, I am afraid that this particular murderer knows one of you as well.”
From a drawer in his desk the sheriff pulls out a bloodstained scrap of parchment. It is folded and on the outside written is blood is a single name…Eponine Inside the bloody message continues…You will learn to love me, desire me in time as she did. Give yourself to the Pack and it shall all end. — Your Lordship
The sheriff explains, “The note was found pinned to one of the sawmill victims shirt by a splinter of wood. Eponine, Victor, Kern, Wren… I need you to investigate this, but keep it quite I do not want the citizens to panic. Nuri and Roakkad, you have both been extremely helpful investigation the complex and I hope your insight can be of use here. Can I count on each of you?”
Wren had changed a bit over the months. Her short temper still remained to some extent, but finding a place she had began to accept as her home had extinguished some of her inner flame. Unfortunately the day-to-day normalcy of her position, was wearing on her. She was used to life on the road, from her time as an entertainer, and the monotony was tough. The newcomers to the village were a nice distraction for a short period of time, but there were only so many times, she could check the magical bindings on the underground complex. It was holding just fine, and would continue to do so, so long as no one unauthorized entered and fiddled with something they did not understand.
When the Sheriff's summons came, the wizard was one of the first to respond to the call. Finally...something to do! She arrived at the briefing and nodded at her friends and acquaintances as she listened. The note for Epi threw her for a loop, though. "Do you know anyone who might be a suspect? Any crazy guys in your background," Wren asks with her usual lack of tact.
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Nuri is very Varisian and shares Wren's experience of coming from a large family; however, since Nuri's family is settled in Magnimar rather than living the caravan life, there's a bit of a disconnect, one that isn't helped by the look of disbelieving amusement in the cleric's eyes when she learns that Sandpoint has sent an evoker to do an abjurer's job under Thistletop. Her open and confident manner is a breath of fresh air after Sophy's timidity, however, even if she does have a city dweller's unspoken disdain for small town life, and she gets along with the women well enough.
The first time Victor stops by the fort after her arrival, however, she is visibly startled to see him; her eyes widen, her face flushes, and she is struck momentarily dumb as Eponine begins to introduce them, an introduction that is clearly unnecessary. She stammers a greeting and makes an excuse to be elsewhere; after he has left, she will say only that she made his acquaintance briefly in Magnimar some time back. Clearly it didn't end well, but she won't elaborate. When they've met since then, she has been more composed but cold in manner toward the guardsman. She does engage warmly with Kern and Roakkad, however, seemingly more so when in Victor's presence.
Initially Eponine plunges herself into the role, working tirelessly at bringing the fort and garrison to a point of self-sufficiency. But as time passes, her focus seems to dim. She spends more and more time looking out to sea, watching the ships heading out along the coast. She starts taking patrols out nearby, and making more and more frequent trips between Sandpoint and Thistletop. Seemingly anything to keep moving.
At one point, she confesses to Wren if this might not be the time for her to move on. Eponine seems genuinely fearful of staying in one place for too long.
When the call comes, Eponine answers eagerly. That is tempered when she sees the note. In response to Wren, she says "I can't think of anyone. I've been so immersed in work, I haven't noticed anything."
The days following the trial, and Sophy's leaving, Victor immersed himself into the task given him by the Sheriff. As much as he tried to hide it, it was obvious that some of the Victor of old was lost that day - he hasn't been quite the same since. He buried himself so deep into his work, he found himself pushing his recruits harder than he ever would have typically. Fortunately for him(and them), they were up to the task and managed quite well.
Victor kept mostly to himself, except for his visits with Eponine and Wren - which always seemed to bring him a sense of 'normalcy'. But with them all being so busy, it seemed like those visits were few and far between.
Hearing of newcomers entering Sandpoint, Victor could only sigh as he wasn't really interested in meeting any newcomers. Mainly because it would mean he would have to stay a bit longer than he cared to within the town that continues to haunt him in now more ways than one.
What he didn't expect was to meet a familiar face. Upon meeting Nuri, Victor's eyes widen with hers, he stumbles terribly over his words to where nothing intelligible comes out, and just does a quick bow of his head before turning and leaving. Hoping that was the last he would see of her... well... unfortunately for him that would not be the case. He did happen to run into her on other occasions and he couldn't keep himself from glaring at her through narrowed eyes with the attention she seemed to give to Kern and this other newcomer whose name Victor can't seem to remember. He didn't dare broach the subject, though, it was just too complicated to speak on.
Victor listening intently to the letter, is a bit shocked by what's in it. But then he becomes even more shocked by the offer to Nuri and the other newcomer. "Wait wait wait! What you are saying is, um, Sheriff, is that you are wanting Nuri and Rockabs here to join us?" he motions toward the others - those being Eponine, Wren, and Kern - along with himself. And just now realizing there is someone missing, "Okay, where is Belril?" he looks around curiously.
In the time since the trial, Kern has applied himself diligently to his work. He's always efficient and fair with his duties. However, as the time has passed, he's gotten noticeably less enthusiastic about it. This hasn't impeded his work in anyway--he still does his job effectively and without complaint--but when he's called in to break up yet another bar brawl, there's a look of boredom in his eyes as he does so. He has not interacted with the others much recently, outside of what his official duties may require of him.
Today at the meeting, however, that look of boredom is very much gone. He's not exactly excited, as he certainly doesn't take pleasure in the murder of other people, but he's just a little more alert and interested in his surroundings.
When the sheriff reveals the message for Eponine, Kern looks quite disturbed, and his eyes turn immediately to Eponine, looking for her reaction. After her response to Wren, he says, "It doesn't have to be a crazy guy--not a noticeably crazy guy, at any rate. And it doesn't have to be recent either. Are there any...uh...ex-boyfriends who departed rather angry with you?"
Sheriff Belor relaxes as it appears each of you agree to take up the investigation, it seems he can sense you are all eager for the excitement of the hunt compared to the recent months of routine. It seems he takes Roakkad's silence as acceptance and the Sherif continues, "There is not much information to go on but we have collected some clues and information that might help you get started."
"As I said the most recent murders happened last night at the Mill here in town. Kern, as you know from last nights patrol your men still have the area secure and nothing has been done to the area. Everything should be as it was last night, even the bodies remain undisturbed. I think you should start there, so Sargent Blake and his men can clear it up today and let your patrol get some rest. Ibor Thorn found the body. He is downstairs in the garrison meeting room and I interrogated him already. He seems not to know much and is extremely frightened."
"These are not the first murders it appears. Belril's patrol reported being assaulted by a deranged man near an abandoned barn south of town along the banks of Cougar Creek. The man was obviously sick and insane, his flesh fevered, eyes wild, mouth frothing, and clothes caked with blood. The guards subdued him, but when they checked inside the barn they discovered the mutilated bodies of three men. Although all three bodies were far too disfigured to identify, one of them carried a piece of parchment.” Belor hands it to one of you.
“I know these three, Tarch Mortwell, Lener Hask, and Gedwin Tabe, notorious con men and swindlers and I personally forbade the three men from operating their con games and barely legal operations here in Sandpoint just a few weeks ago. They certainly are trouble makers, and I was not surprised to learn of their death. The bodies are in the chill room down below the cells. The deranged man was a Varisian thug know to hang with less than reputable people by the name of Grayst Sevilla and has been taken to the Saintly Haven of Respite a sanatourim outside of town. Belril had a lead, but he was not inclined to share it with me and he took his patrol further south to investiage. It seems the murder moved north.”
"Our only suspect is Vin Vinder." With a glance at Victor he continues, "Shayliss' father. Ibor seems to think the grocer's other daughter Katrine may have been secretly seeing Barney Harker in a scandalous way. Barny operated the daily operations of th he Mill with his partner Ibor for it’s owner Titus Scarneti. Harker is one of the victims, Katrine is the other. Early this morning I notified Vin of what has happened. He flew into a rage and we had to bring him into one of the cells to cool off. As Victor well knows, Vin has a temper but I do not think he is capable of this sort of violence.”
"One last thing I think you should know, Harkers body was strangely mutilated. An odd seven pointed star was carved into the flesh on his chest. I have no idea what that could mean.” One of the reasons I feel Vin is innocent, this same image can be found on the three other dead men.
As each of you listen, Kern remembers helping chase the three con men out of town, Victor recalls the look of Vin finding him in the cellar with his daughter, and the image of the seven pointed star is familiar. Belril was wearing the medallion that Nualia had, the one with the seven pointed star on it. It was also found in several places underneath Sandpoint.
"Well, we've seen that seven pointed image before. I don't think anything good has ever come with seeing it, to be honest," Wren grumbles.
She turns to the others. "Investigations have never been my strong suit. Who wants to decide how best to proceed? Should we start with the guy here, or go look at the murder scene?"
"We should probably start with Ibor Thorn since he's right here," Kern suggests. "While I'm sure, Sheriff, that you got everything out of him there is, you never know, we might learn something new. After that, we should go to the murder scene."
Eponine nods in agreement with Kern's plan, though she is obviously still distracted and disturbed by the note.