"This isn't the goblins,"Kaede finally speaks up,"It's the one that's leading them. This is too subtle for the goblins. In fact, I would think that the goblins didn't even come down here, otherwise there would likely be filth down here as well.
After a moment of thought, she continues. "They cause havoc in town as a diversion for a raid on a cemetery, only to target the remains of the last high priest. Why steal his remains? They have to be important somehow..."
"Maybe it is just a provocation. Maybe whoever did this just wants a reaction... if there was something special about the High Father, we'd know wouldn't we?", Kaelaah's mood moves from disgust and outrage to bemusement...
Thinking on Kaede's suggestion that goblins were not solely behind the intrusion, "But who? Who would want to do this?"
Further searching doesn't reveal any additional information.
Kaede takes the offending robes from the end of Roakkad's staff and folds it up, so that someone with better skill with magic can examine it. She then heads for the stairs up and out of this part of the crypt.
"Does anyone know how to follow tracks? Maybe we can find out how they came and went." she adds.
Roakkad slowly follows Kaede up the stairs, closing analyzing the stairs for any sign of footprints. Outside the main entrance, he also scrutinizes the area. [b]"It's very difficult for me to say. There are so many footprints, including our own, and they same to scramble in all different directions. Salomae, you are trained in the ways of the hunt, yes? Perhaps you can see better than I."
_____________
As Kaede and the others wander upstairs with the black robe in hand they find Sister Amet'ra soaking the defiled mausoleum walls with conjured water. She turns to them as they arrive and asks, "have you found something?"
"Whomever is attacking the town sneaked in here, used this robe to create the skeletons we were fighting, and stole the remains of Father Tobyn."Kaede summarizes, as she holds up the robe for Sister Amet'ra to inspect.
"So we know what they did, but not why or more importantly, who did it. What purpose would stealing a holy man's bones have? Are there rituals or spells that use them?"
Kaelaah comes blinking into the light, taking huge gulps of fresh air as he leaves the cruel mess of the crypt behind... A barely controlled rage simmers within him as he thinks of the animated dead, the desecration of the tomb and, possibly worst of all, the loss of the High Father's bones.
...someone will pay for this...
Roakkad eyes Kaelaah nervously. Did his tattoos smolder?
"Kaelaah, do not dispair. We will find the source of these troubles. The village's heart will sing once more."
He turns to Sister Amet'ra and Kaede. "I fear I do not know what purpose this dark magic would serve in the worship of faith." He considers a moment, trying to recall details of the deceased priest. "Father Tobyn died before my arrival to the village. Did he have any enemies?"
______
”May ill fortune and despair beset the one who did this… I shall pray that one day they may discover the errors of their ways and seek redemption”, Kaelaah simmers quietly as he waits a response from his mentor, Sister Amet’Ra.
A look around outside confirms what Salomae suspected: the intruders used the stone path out of the cemetery and there is there's virtually no chance that even Shalelu could track them from there.
Kaelaah and Roakkad move past Sister Amet'ra and out into the open air. They watch Sal working as they speak.
Inside the mausoleum, Kaede and Zache show the robe to the priestess. When Kaede asks about rituals she frowns deeply and replies, "I have no doubt that there are... I could not begin to guess what they might be intended to accomplish but profaning the holy seems to be a common theme among the few dark rituals I have heard of."
The sister looks sadly around at the defiled space, and at the stairs leading down to were Father Tobyn's remains had been, and shakes her head. When she overhears Kaelaah outside talking of prayers for redemption she smiles softly. "Come," she says to Kaede and Zache. As she steps out into the sunlight she soaks it in and seems to brighten some. Placing her hand softly on Kaelaah's shoulder she smiles. "This is indeed an unsettling discovery. Let us go and make a report to Father Zantus and Sheriff Hemlock at once."
Roakkad nods silently, acknowledging the wisdom of consulting with Father Zantus and Sheriff Hemlock. He leans heavily on his staff, still in pain from the wounds he received. "Yes, that is a good idea."
Kaelaah walks silently behind Roakkad, lost in thought about events in the tomb and yesterday’s goblin assault… his quiet life prior to the dedication of the cathedral seems a lifetime ago already.
What will Father Zantus have to say about the latest outrage? …and what part will we, the marked, have to play in what happens next?
Kaede breathes a sigh of relief when she leaves the mausoleum, if anything because of the chance to have actual fresh air. "It's like we're missing two or three key pieces to this mystery. The sheriff should have some good ideas about this too.", She adds, as she follows the others back to the cathedral.
Watching Roakkad suffer in silence, however is a little to much to bear. Mystically tagging apart one of her spells, she reaches forward and touches him, imparting a little more healing.
Roakkad sighs in relief as the divine energies of Shelyn invigorate his body. A wave of euphoria sweeps over him, and he experiences a brief moment of peace of mind. "Thanks to you, noble on," he says with a smile.
"Hopefully this next task won't also end with me at Pharasma's gate," Zache mutters, shivering and wrapping a scarf more snugly around his neck. He scribbles a few notes in his journal, thinking aloud as he does so. "So, goblins attack during the biggest celebration Sandpoint's seen in decades. They reveal they were led by a 'longshanks', but think we all look alike and can't provide more details. Sometime during the chaos - we assume - someone broke into the mausoleum, stole the remains of Father Tobyn (Desna guide him), and left some undead guards thanks to a magic robe." He shakes his head, scratching his temple with his inkpen, leaving a black smudge. "You're right, Kaede; this all has to fit together somehow, but there's too much missing."
Sister Amet'ra can't help but chuckle softly at Zache's comment about their next task ending at Pharasma's gate. "Fear not, young one," she reassures with a playful smile, "I shall heal you if things go poorly with Father Zantus and the sheriff."
When the group arrives back at the door into the church they find it slighty ajar. Inside, Brother Faustwick is giving instructions to Tera's roommate and several other initiates regarding the cleaning of the mausoleum. Sister Amet'ra pauses until he has finished then adds, "I have already wet most of the mess; hopefully that will aid your task." Elizabeth smiles halfheartedly at Kaede and Sal as she and the others head out to start scrubbing. Leaving the door to the cemetery unlocked, Brother Faustwick accompanies the group up to meet with the High Priest and Sheriff Hemlock.
Upstairs in the meeting room, Father Zantus rises from his chair and looks over each of the marked as they enter. Once everyone in inside he quickly channels a wave of soft white light that completely heals the few remaining wounds from the encounter with the skeletons. "Well, Brother Faustwick," he remarks, "it appears your suggestion of using a status spell was a wise one. Thank you. Please, everyone, sit; I had Mother bring up tea to refresh your spirits, help yourselves..."
The table has been laid out with tea, fresh scones, and a tray of assorted bite-sized sugary confections. Father Zantus waits a moment for everyone to serve themselves, and for him to serve himself, before continuing, "I have heard about the... defiled state of the mausoleum already; tell me, what else have you learned?"
Roakkad stands nearby, hands folded neatly over the crest of his staff, listening to Salomae share their thoughts. He nods slowly, remembering the "nasty surprise" that Sal speaks of as he rubs his torso where the skeletal claws sunk so deeply. He also remembers his vision--the dark figure engulfing the sky, casting its shadow over all of Kaer Maga.
"We have also spoken of goblin caprice, and the...probability that they are driven by darker, more powerful forces. Someone must guide their wicked hands, Father."
"Unfortunately, while we know what they did, Father, we don't know who or why," Kaede concludes the discussion of what they found in the crypt. "There had to have been a purpose for this attack, but they covered their tracks well enough to elude us." She pours herself a cup of tea and sighs, "Who would hate the town and the churches here to to this? Do you have any ideas, Father?"
Kaelaah, again being questioned as to what he has learnt, finds he has nothing to say... the same thing goes around and around in his head...
...we almost failed... we almost failed... we almost failed...
Uncharacteristically pale, it is all the Shoanti can do to listen for Father Zantus' ideas as to what may be behind all of this...
Father Zantus frowns as Salomae thinks aloud about the status spell. "Truthfully," he confesses with some sadness, "I thought Brother Faustwick was being a bit unreasonable; I only consented to using the spell to humor him. I was very surprised to learn how wise an idea it really was..."
"For what it is worth, Father," Sister Amet'ra offers, "they had succeeded in defeating the skeletons before I arrived."
"Had they now?" the High Priest asks cracking something of a half smile. "Well, that's not nothing, is it? I was beginning to have second thoughts about your hunt, since there will be nobody there to watch over you, but if you can defeat four skeletons one boar shouldn't be too difficult..."
"MmHmm," the sheriff clears his throat and sits up, "I'm sure this talk of hunting has some value, to someone, but let's focus on the intrusion for now. I hear a lot of speculation but what are the actual facts? During the raid some goblins and a person entered the temple crypt and stole Father Tobyn's remains, and left precious little behind as clues. That's not good, but folks are on edge right and we can't afford to have them panicking about necromancers and the like. I'll take that robe and ask around, see if we can't figure out where it came from; in the meantime, I need you all to keep quiet about this, understood?"
When he receives some confirmation from the priests and the marked, Sheriff Hemlock rises, gives a quick, shallow bow and strides swiftly away.
"Well, you five have certainly earned some rest." Father Zantus says as the sheriff's boot-clicks grow faint. "Unless you need something from me, you are free until morning prayers. I'll have mother assign your evening chores to others."
"Thank you, Father." Kaede says as she sips on her tea, letting the scent and taste calm her after the horrid time in the crypt. After a couple awkward moments of silence, she stands and, after a bow of respect to the high priest and the others, she retreats to her room, to change out of her armor and into some less damaged clothes.
"I cannot escape the feeling that you are all somehow already wrapped up in whatever is going on here..." Father Zantus reflects aloud, "I suspect whatever developments arise you will be aware before long."
As Kaede rises to leave he hastily adds, "Oh, and you'll be leaving for your hunt the day after tomorrow."
Roakkad nods respectfully, then prepares to seek out Brother Edrus to check in.
”Thankyou Father”, Kaelaah nods deferentially to Father Zantus and then, finding himself at a loose end, seeks out Sister Amet’Ra.
…maybe I can be of some use to her – if not, it would be pleasing to watch the sun…
As she speaks she leads him into the kitchen. "In fact, you can reflect on that while you work... I actually have a job for which you are very well suited, if you're still offering to help? It is time to clean the chimneys in the kitchens: would you be so kind as to burn the residue out of them? I assure you, they are quite sturdy enough to handle as much heat as you can send up them."
As you enter Vorashali looks up with a great big smile and calls out, "Welcome! Or, welcome back rather... Roakkad, isn't it? It's been a little while since you've been here. Glad to have you back. And what's this I hear about you fighting goblins and saving lives? Of course, I was fighting them too but I had to do so down here; couldn't risk them looting the shop you know... Strange behavior that was though, wasn't it? I've heard whispers that there were goblins from more than one tribe involved in the raid... that's not normal at all is it? Did your people teach you about the goblins growing up at all? Tell me, what's your take on all this?"
"Greetings, Vorvashali. It is good to see you, too. I believe the entire village faced the goblins, together. If lives were spared, I am glad, especially if I played even a small part. I am glad to see your efforts rewarded and your shop unharmed." As he selects from various inks, parchments, and quills, he listens to Vorshali's comments on the goblin tribes.
"Goblins are capricious and fearful beasts, if not very smart. I am not very familiar with these creatures. Of course, there are goblins in Kaer Maga, but the few I knew were, ah, accustomed to city life and preferred drinking strong drink over raiding. I suppose the forest goblins here finally decided that ganging up would give them an advantage against your village. They were misguided, of course. Let us hope that they have learned their lesson and that they will retreat back into the wilds of the hinterlands." He pictures the desecrated mausoleum, but remains silent. Instead, he merely smiles, pays for his supplies, wishes Vorvashali a good day, and departs for the cathedral.
Back at the cathedral, Roakkad will seek out the others to share the gossip he has heard concerning multiple goblin tribes being involved in the raid.
Content to return to the mundane after fihting both goblins and skeletons over the last few days, Kaelaah loses himself in the task of cleaning the chimneys... As it transpires, it is a task that suits him well and he practices shaping the flame as it curls up the flue... bending, shaping and guiding it to his will...
So lost in the work is he, that his recent worries melt away... like ice under fire...
When you arrive back at the Cathedral, dinner is just being set out and there is no shortage of ears in the dining room that are itching for new gossip...
When the conversation turns to Father Tobyn she becomes thoughtful for a moment... "I don't know that I ever really knew him as anything other than a priest... I think he was already an initiate when he came up here from Magnimar... As for what kind of man he was- I've heard that he could be a bit strict when dealing with failure, as is often the case with idealists, but everyone in town loved him. Why do you ask?"
Roakkad jogs toward his room, slowing and adopting a respectful, fast walk when he passes senior members of the church, but then resuming his scurry. He practically throws his supplies in his room as he spins and hustles back toward the common areas, Tsharat squawking in annoyance. He ignores her for the moment. He has other things on his mind.
Kaede, Kaelaah, Salomae, Tera, Zache? His eyes scan the rooms for one of the other chosen. He needs to confide in someone. He doesn't want to bring this up with Father Zantus or the Sheriff. Not yet; it's just gossip, after all, but he'd like other opinions. Although, if the gossip has reached the street, surely the Sheriff would have heard of it, anyway.
Amused with herself but slightly embarrassed, she collects the ten gold from Salomae and bids her farewell.
His duties complete, Kaelaah returns to his room - the setting of the sun is something that he endeavours to watch each day and, from his window, he has a perfect vista of the coast to the west...
...so engrossed is he, watching the glorious oranges and pinks of the passing day, that he barely notices Roakkad coming along the corridor...