As Zen approaches the armorsmith, he is there waiting with the staff and seems quite pleasant and helpful. The conversation is light and airy.
As you go into the town hall your presence is announced to the mayor, and she asks you to come in.
As you come in you see a young man dressed extremely elegant. He is seated, but opens his arms wide as he shakes each of your hands vigorously. He might have held on a second longer upon holding Zen's hands.
He holds out a sack of gold (50gp), and thanks you for saving the White Deer Inn that night especially (as he is staying there) and that he is going to be heading back to his residence in Magnimar shortly, but before he does, he would like you to accompany him on a boar hunt, as the proud heroes, and he would like to talk to heroes such as you and enjoy your company.
He hints that there might be a mount in it for each of you, and the bows, arrows, etc will all be paid by him, as his treat.
He plans on hunting in nearby Thickwood (a pretty safe hunting grounds).
What do you respond to him?
After listing to Brennans tale, "That's incredible Brennan! the sneakin' and throwin' knives! It's a good thing you were there to help those poor folks," Bugsby gets a introspective look, "We were running the other way, to help elsewhere..." The thought that their choice to help in the center of town may have let other innocents get hurt is clearly a thought he hadn't considered yet, and the gnome becomes quiet and a little sad, wondering who else might have been hurt while they were off playing hero. It's clearly a thought he's never had to consider before.
Bugsby picks himself up at some point, letting the stories and laughter of the evening wash over, not through him, his eyes far away. Reaching into the pouch at his belt, where he keep his sling-stones (helpful for scaring off the angry dog behind Bellar's Bakery, or the odd drunkard who get's it into his head stealing a gnomes hat would make a great joke). However he retracts his hand suddenly with a barely stifled yelp, "Yaaahaaa!" Holding his hand up to the light, a bright bead of red sits on his finger. Cautiously now he returns his hand to the pouch, eyes hooded and concerned, but his features brighten into a wide smile and he pulls out the tooth Kerdin had removed for him earlier.
Looking around through the throng of people, Bugsby can't see the dwarf, but he can sure hear him! The raucous sound of laughter and the occasional belch act as a beacon, leading the gnome to his rugged friend. Finding a seat nearby, Bugsby attempts to wait patiently till there's a lull in the laughter or talk, but none seems forthcoming, so he interrupts. "Kerdin. Kerdin! KERDIN!!" Seeing he has the dwarfs attention, "I never got to thank you for getting this tooth out for me! I don't think I'll make the collection you seem to be going for, but it seems to suit me. You certainly know your way around that axe you carry! How did you learn to use it like that?" Bugsby looks expectantly at the scarred dwarf, clearly hoping for a tale.
Bugsby eyes the man, preening a little as he is included as one of the town heroes, a title that seems overly large for him still, but not about to correct the man. As the invitation becomes clear, Bugsby stands up excitedly, "A hunt! That sounds amazing!" He looks around at the others, his excitement plain to see, "Can you imagine it? Us, on the hunt, prowling the woods for the fierce animals of the wild!" Bugsby has drawn a pretend bow and arrow at this point, and has begun to stalk among the chairs and stools of the room, peering carefully around for the attack of the beasts which is sure to come. Stopping after a few seconds, he looks around at the others, most of them probably looking at him, and straightens up with a clearing of the throat. "Ahh, I would like to go, but what will I ride? and might I have sling-stones provided instead of arrows?"
Bugsby eyes the man, preening a little as he is included as one of the town heroes, a title that seems overly large for him still, but not about to correct the man. As the invitation becomes clear, Bugsby stands up excitedly, "A hunt! That sounds amazing!" He looks around at the others, his excitement plain to see, "Can you imagine it? Us, on the hunt, prowling the woods for the fierce animals of the wild!" Bugsby has drawn a pretend bow and arrow at this point, and has begun to stalk among the chairs and stools of the room, peering carefully around for the attack of the beasts which is sure to come. Stopping after a few seconds, he looks around at the others, most of them probably looking at him, and straightens up with a clearing of the throat. "Ahh, I would like to go, but what will I ride? and might I have sling-stones provided instead of arrows?"
You can have all the sling stones that you can carry. You know, in all the haste to invite you, I think I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Aldern Foxglove, and you could say that I am a fan of the great work you have all done here.
As to the horse, I am sure we can find one that is just your size.
Kerdin sits next to fireplace and tells the story of fight against goblins to surrounding people occasionally drinking ale. Changing his voice time to time (the attempt at least to try) and describe what went on. Ya lads! Da was a great fight! Goblins her´and ther´ with their tiny swords and arrows shooting us, sure they did! Me an da Iomede rushing there, Me charging next to them and falling down a two! while Iomede covers mah back and shoots down ta dangerous beasts.
Taking a shot from his tankard and wiping his mouth with his sleeve Kerdin continues But oh ma wer there a bit much them! So me and Iomede went a bit back to gather rest of us and den we continue our attack against da lil buggers! Yar dat was good one, falling dem down. We grouped with Lady Ameiko and banished all da goblins there out!
Noticing Bugsby as he yells his name YA, axe handling eh? Ma Mam was da one to taught me dat. Ma pops is a good but more into a Torag sides and ma ma is more into a swords and axes and others. You learn a lot when one hits you in da head many times.... but well, ma mam never expected me to get on da wiz school, maybe just because of too much banging from the axe hahaha and laughs heartily.
Well, fighting with da giants, trolls and so on teaches you much faster than to fight with others. Mistake and dead so you better grasp which one is da sharp end and which want is da blunt. Sometimes its just da wit axe dat you swing hard, the enemy dies. Simple as dat
Brennan was quick to take the bag of gold from the nobleman, if that was what the man was, and stow it away with a nod to the others. He would split it fairly with them when the time came, and in the meantime, he knew it would be in good hands.
"Well met, Master Foxglove. Hunting's not really my style, but I suppose a ride in the countryside, a chat or two, and sharp objects flying through the air wouldn't be a bad way to spend the afternoon. We're in if the others are." He followed this with a jerk of his head towards Bugsby.
Bugsby is obviously impressed as Kerdin explains his early training, "So your Ma taught you to wield the axe?" He shakes his head a little, speaking to keep his voice heard above the din, "My parents were overjoyed when I wrote them about my abilities, but I think they were hoping for something more than tricks and the like. Dad wanted me to become a Tinker, like him. Making folks laugh always interested me more."
Bugsby smiles, trying to shake off his earlier mood, "I do belive we need a good name for you or your axe now," Bugsby pretends to think for a moment, "Tooths-Bane seems appropriate, what do you think?" He holds both hands up in the air, framing each word with his hands as he speaks it, "Kerdin Tooths-Bane, oh I like the sound of that, plus the town now has a dentist, which should help out quite a bit." The small gnome is struggling not to laugh at this point, and doing a poor job at that.
Laughing now hard and ale spilling from his tankard Tooth-Bane eh? Sounds good. I do have a fair collection but I think dat it is always good to get more and about the dentist... well ya, a knock to the head, a small sleep and when you wake up.. the pain is off.
Lowering himself a bit and whisperign to Bugsby ear Da secret with da techniq is to more pain in da head or da body, less ya feel when the tooth is out.
Sipping ale again and Tooth-Bane.. well ya, ma axe needs to keep hitting more often on ta creeps head than the customers har har
Bugsby tips his hat towards Aldern, purple hair swaying forward slightly, "Well met sir, so what did you think of our Sandpoint festivities? Besides the hordes of viscious goblins and almost getting burned in a fire I mean... and thank you for being so accomodating about the other things too."
"And then we..."*hiccup* As he hasn't quite realized that Ameiko has long since walked away. He sits at the bar staring at the two glasses right in front of him. In a fit of drunken greed he attempts to drink both of them. In a clang they knock into each other spilling their combined contents down his front as he attempts to poor both into his mouth; surprising him and sending him backwards off the stool and straight onto his back. "I'm okay..." He slurs as he weakly points to the chest. Iodem blacks out.
__________________________________________
Iodem can hardly suppress the smile after the mention of a boar hunt. And with someone else's toys! "It would be my pleasure to join your boar hunt. It sounds like a lot of fun."
A hunt huh. Never been hunting. Might be fun
Laughing now hard and ale spilling from his tankard Tooth-Bane eh? Sounds good. I do have a fair collection but I think dat it is always good to get more and about the dentist... well ya, a knock to the head, a small sleep and when you wake up.. the pain is off.
Lowering himself a bit and whisperign to Bugsby ear Da secret with da techniq is to more pain in da head or da body, less ya feel when the tooth is out.
Sipping ale again and Tooth-Bane.. well ya, ma axe needs to keep hitting more often on ta creeps head than the customers har har
Bugsby pulls out his small knife, looking at it's sharp edge, "I don't know how much head bashing this thing'll do, but I'll make sure the other guy gets stuck with the pointy end!" Bugsby continues, "You know, watching you, Magnhildr, and Zen wade right into those goblins was an impressive sight. I don't think I could ever do that!" He gestures and his small, unarmored self, "If I was face to face with something big and bad, I think I'm just too squishy!"
He ponders this a moment before a loud crash sounds off to one side of the bar. Nerves still a little on edge, he looks over in alarm, to see a heavily 'celebrating' Iodem flat on his back, shot glasses clutched in each hand. Bugsby let out a bark of laughter as Iodem curls onto his side, pulling the shot glasses in close, "Ahhh, he's spooning the cups."
@ Brennan
@ Brennan
@ all -
@ Zen
@Bugsby -
Bugsby tips his hat towards Aldern, purple hair swaying forward slightly, "Well met sir, so what did you think of our Sandpoint festivities? Besides the hordes of viscious goblins and almost getting burned in a fire I mean... and thank you for being so accomodating about the other things too."
I'm just glad that you heroes were there to save the town. What a marvelous bunch of heroes you are. Very heroic.
1485 / 5 = each.
So you all agree to the hunt. You arrange to embark tomorrow morning.
Aldern is dismissed, and Mayor Kendra still wants to speak with you.
As the talk of going on a hunt dies down, she asks you all whether or not she can trust you to keep a secret.
I remember Ameiko telling me that the goblins down by the pier had fireworks. She also said that Iodem got the business end of one of those, as they were launching them at people and crowds.
Ameiko has seen her fair share of battle in her adventures out of town. One thing that she didn't understand is, when they had you pinned down, why didn't they hit you with the other one. Goblins like to watch things burn. Watching people burn would be the best part of their day, but instead of aiming it at you right after a landed blow, the one in the middle shot it straight up.
I didn't know why, until this morning. We have been ... questioning - the few goblins that we caught why their was such a raid on us, including the leaders. The only thing that we could get was that the leader of the invasion was "one of you longshanks" and that the leader had a "secret mission to the graveyard" and their mission was to draw everyone away from there.
This morning, Father Zantus accompanied by Sheriff Hemlock came into my office to report that the grave of our old priest, Ezakien Tobyn, had been disturbed, and that the remnants of his body have been taken from the grave. We don't know any further than this, but clearly we are alarmed at these proceedings.
The goblin was shooting the firework into the air to let someone know that they were drawing the majority of the attention and that the nearby cathedral was clear.
This disturbs me greatly, and as members of the town, and official heroes of the town I would like to call on you to KEEP THIS SECRET SAFE, foremost, and to keep an eye out for any suspicious behavior. I don't need to inform you of the kind of evil person or thing that would want to steal the body of a resting priest, but as to what purpose, I have no idea. Be careful, and cautious. And may whatever gods you pay homage to light and illumine your path. Will you help us find the reason behind this planned invasion and disturbance, and keep it secret from the other townsfolk? I trust you after what you showed me the other night.
Bugsby bids farewell to Aldern, expressing his excitement for tomorrow's hunt. When Kendra asks about keeping a secret, Bugsby's eyes light up, Oh, intrigue! How very interesting! However, other than her reference to them as heroes, the gnomes shoulders droop lower and lower as she continues, and a very real sense of foreboding seems to sit heavily in his chest. With a big gulp, "Graveyards? Missing bodies? Ahhh, what type of 'suspicious behavior' are you thinking we could see exactly?" The gnomes hand has unconsciously come up to his head, pulling at the purple hairs poking up through his hat. His hand brushes the Hero Badge he's fixed to his hat, and he stills at the contact, remembering what it represents. Visibly steeling himself, and briskly shaking his whole body, as if to shake off the dark feelings which plague him. Another thought occurring to him, "Do you anticipate the need to keep such a secret from the townsfolks? Why wouldn't we tell them? No offense intended, but I'd like to understand the situation as fully as I can. As we can."
No good has ever come from offical figures keeping secrets from their townsfolk. Least thats my way of thinking. I will keep you "secret" however I will not lie if asked directly about my knowledge of this graverobbery.
"And what good has come from the pandemonium that a mass leak of information without the knowledge behind it turns good people into nothing more than a mindless mob?"
"Entire cities have burned to the ground in the hysteria of much less."
"All I am asking you is to keep this information secure, until WE can find more about the cause of such a thing, without putting the entire city under lock and key for reacting upon rumors and conjectures. I do not intend to keep it silent forever."
"Or would you have us accusing one another, everyone with arms at the ready. Half a swing away from brother killing brother, like it was 5 years ago?"
She looks at you with a pleading, yet stern look. Sheriff Hemlock fidgets a little, and waits for your responses.
"As to the *reasons* they have for this panic, and we have cause for concern. You would need to know our towns history. Let me start at the beginning of what we call the "late unpleasantness."
"Meh. Secrets are like armpits. Everyone's got a couple and they tend to stink. Still, secrets are secret for a reason. No skin off our nose if you want to keep a few. The real questions are: why would anyone take the dead priests' corpse; what history lies behind the deed, and whether or not there is profit in it - for us or for someone else."
Brennan looked remarkably unconcerned about the theft of the priest's corpse, but the thought of a mystery, profit, or both intrigued him. "Please, tell us the story.
Bugsby listens intenstly, adding, "I have no problem keeping this secret under wraps, it just seemed a bit excessive. I do remember so much anger and distrust when I first arrived here, people whispered about the 'unpleasantness' over their ale in dark corners, but I never did hear the tale. Please do share."
At Brennans comment, the gnome can't help but lift his own armpits and give it a sniff, but he looks up a moment later with a confused look. Looking around in mild consternation he see's Kerdin seated just in front and to the side of him. Leaning forward sneakily, he puts his nose close to the dwarfs armpit and inhales deeply through his nose. The next thirty to sixty seconds show Bugsby trying desparately to clear his nose, sneezing, coughing, whilst trying to keep the noise down, and waving for Kendra to continue, "Sorry, please go on, geaa-blhaa!"
The first thing that happened is that the entire town, myself included, woke up with a terrible nightmare one night. Others have told me personally, in confidence, and the late priest came to tell me about this happening, as many had gone to him with the same problem.
THis is the jist of the dream I had: I dreamed one night that I was in a field as a little girl. The field was wide open for miles and miles. Suddenly, a dark cloud appeared on the horizon, and was as dark as any that I have ever seen in my life. This dark cloud was moving at rapid speed toward me. It seemed to have a life of its own. I ran as fast and far as I could, but I could not escape it. In fact, I was running in the same place. So, instead of running, I opened my mouth and swallowed it. Upon swallowing it, I remember hating the world, and wanting to watch it burn. When I woke up, I was near the fireplace with a torch in my hand. I woke up when the ashes started hitting my skin, and I think I heard a screaming from somewhere. I think I heard a screaming from *everywhere.* The feeling that I wanted to watch the world burn faded, and as I regained my senses I discovered that the town was in quite a commotion, and I rallied the guards to make sure the town was safe.
A little over a month later, as some of you in this room know there was a psychotic murderer that went through the town massacring people on a nightly basis. For a town that only had the drunken brawl murder happen every other year, 26 people dead in 29 nights put the entire town on . It seemed that every night there was a new body. The town called the killer "Chopper." Suddenly, people started turning up in the town - on practically a nightly basis - chopped into pieces, with their eyeballs and tongues plucked out, and their body parts would be all chopped up and stacked together at the scene.
The entire town was in absolute hysterics. One night the town Sheriff Avertin, who had been driven to drink heavily by the absolute grizzliness of the frequent murders, and the absolute mystery of who did it, and how well they hid them, stumbled quite accidentally drunk on Chopper finishing off his latest victim - the 24th - in a back alley (now know as Choppers Alley) and was cut down. But in the process, he landing a mortal blow to the psychotic. The night watch, which had grown to the hundreds at this point, found the two bodies quickly, and followed the blood trail to the stairs leading down the cliff. At first they thought the killer was after the old man that they had grown to love so much, but as they filed in to the house, it became painfully clear that this was the place, as a mound of tongues and eyes were decorating an alter of some sort of demon bird, and his own eyes and tongue were plucked out as he was kneeling in front of the altar, as his last act.
Nobody will speak of his true name, that being Jervis Stoot, but he was loved in the town. He carved birds in the wooden structures of people, and did so quite ornately. Then he moved to the isle, "to be with the birds." There his visits grew less and less frequent to the town, even though they built him a staircase to make it easier for him, because they liked him so much. He was something of a celebrity, and an old dear. He was one of the kindest souls that anyone in the town had ever met.
As you can imagine, this occurrence sent a shockwave through the morale of the town, as over the last 15 years of this man being a resident, he was one of the most well liked, non violent person that they knew, and this sudden change as they saw it was absolutely unexpected. The people then went on to remove all of the magnificent sculptings and carvings that he had left throughout the town over the dozen plus years he lived there. There is no real reason anyone can give for this happening, but people have their opinions on why.
We changed the name of the island north of town to "Chopper Isle" instead of Stoot's Rock, and "Stoots lane" became "Chopper Alley."
His name has been associated with bad luck and evil, and oo one in the town speaks his name. His place was burned, the bridge was burned. His body was blessed, cremated, and his ashes fed into the sea (so as to prevent an angry ghost from coming back.
Then, almost exactly one month later the church burned down, consuming everyone in it. Father Tobyn, a few of the helpers there, his daughter Nualia, and fire caught to 4 surrounding buildings, to the north. No one was hurt there, but the buildings were not salvageable and had to be rebuilt. For a town that had existed for 37 years with no troubles to speak of, these two events were catastrophic. The heart and soul of the people was near gone. But we rebuilt the chapel into a grand Catherdral, and the town is gaining it's hope again.
Now, knowing the information that you know... Can you imagine what the knowledge of the priests body taken from a grave, under the cover of a goblin raid, with apparently someone FROM THIS TOWN HELPING TO STEAL THE BODY would do to this town?
There would be blood in the streets and in the houses, and the entire city would be a warzone of unfounded accusations and murderous intentions.
She looks around the room. I am trusting you with this secret, because I know that you aren't behind these plots. But I don't know in this town who isn't behind them.
Can I count on your help, and your silence in this matter, until we know better what we are dealing with, and why?
She looks at each of you and waits for a response.
*ahem*
You hear someone clear their throat from the side of the room and one of the guests in the mayor's office leans forward. "If I might, I would like to emphasize Mayor Kendra's request."
You see a clean-shaven young man with black hair cropped neatly short. His eyes are the color of the ocean, with small flecks of silver near the iris. His skin is very pale and tight against his skin, with years of scholarly study and monasticism evident in his build. He is dressed in a tight-fitting cleric's vestment - a black with silver-trim three-quarter length coat, with breeches, vest, and gloves. He is tall and lanky, with a wiry frame and straight posture.
"Pardon me, I am Brother Virgil. This town is not at resilient as it might seem. We try to keep the people happy and content, but I am afraid that rousing paranoia and suspicions from the... "late unpleasantness" would likely be too much for them. They are simple folk, as are many of us, given toward panic if confronted by such horrors. Even if they reside only inside their own minds." Virgil licks his lips and absent-mindedly rubs an iron holy symbol hanging on a chain around his neck. It bears the sigil of Abadar on its face. "I should know. My own parents were victims of this Chopper and it has come to haunt me. I cannot imagine what it would do to people who witnessed it firsthand. Can you do this for us?"
After listening to the horrific tale, and the fervent request from Virgil, Bugsby is quick to agree, "You can count on my silence. Those poor people... I'm sorry about your family," the last is said with a look towards the young holy man. He looks up to Kendra's eyes, a thoughtful expression on his face, "Was there any behavior you feel we should watch out for then? Besides cavorting with goblins or grave robbing of course." and quickly following up with another question, "Did the goblin say the 'longshanks' was a local? That certainly narrows the field if it's a local. I always thought they used that term like we say 'all Tians look the same', don't they?" Thinking about what he said he gives a quick, guilty glance around the room, "Not that I feel that way! Erm, yes, moving on please." His look to Kendra is one part expectant, nine parts Please move on quickly for the love of Desna!
"Virgil is of course correct, I remember the events from 5 years ago as if they were yesterday. No one in the town can even speak of it, even today."
"Okay, gruesome murders, got it. Not to make light of the situation, or your loss," he added to Virgil, "but what is it you want from us? To find the thief?"
Virgil nods. "We are assuming that the thief and those instigating the goblins are the same, or working towards the same ends. We do not know what connection goblin attacks and the theft of a long-dead priest have in common, but they are unlikely to be pleasant or for the benefit of Sandpoint." He spreads his hands out in a gesture of helplessness. "We have our hands full maintaining the daily functioning of the town. We need someone who can investigate and explore to find out exactly what threatens the town."
Nodding along the way and agreeing to everything Ya, have ya thought about that some sorta ritual? I dunno about most of da stuff but when ya dig a corpse, ya usually do something with dat, just my few coppers
Nodding in agreement at Brennans words, he turns towards Virgin as the man better explains the towns plight. "Don't get me wrong, I'm all for keeping this place safe, I feel like I've got a home here, so I'm well motivated." He takes a moment to find the words, "Will the Sherrif be assisting us?" gesturing at the hero badge pinned to his hat, "These are only going to garner so much cooperation, and it might help if we had a little more... clout. Like something in writing from the Mayor, or.... something." "I'm still curious if there's any way you'd like us to procede, do you have any leads or ideas who might have done this?"
Looking to Kerdin as the dwarf speaks, "That is a thought I'm scared to consider."
Kendra says "We have connections, and we will be looking into things form the top down, as well. We will advise you when we think we have something solid to go off of. For now, go on the boar hunting trip with the generous benefactor, and see if maybe that hero status of yours can rustle up a few answers. Either with him, or with people in the town in general.
Because we want this kept secret, you are not authorized to do more than a "top of the morning, any news?" sort of inquiry. It is an evil and fowl creature that would dig up the body of a holy man, especially one that perished in the cloth, as he did.
"Father Zantus wanted to help out with the investigation - and no doubt keep an eye on it - so he has sent his youngest acolyte here, Virgil, to accompany you, if he may. I have taken the liberty of inviting him to the boar hunting party, in advance, in the advent that you would say yes.
Keep your wits about you. Sandpoint hasn't been right since the "late unpleasantness, and I don't exactly know why..."
"If we are ready to link the possibility that the incident from 5 years ago is related to the current one; then I believe that we must investigate Chopper's Isle. Best case scenario we can start to rule out that connection." Iodem calmly states from the back of the room, obvious concern written all over his face.
"Any possibility this boar hunt could be more of a goblin hunt?"
Bugsby's face pales a little at the thought of going to Chopper Isle, but he still nods his assent. "I agree, and something that's been bothering me, if they stole the body of the priest Ezakien Tobyn, and we're considering a link between the two incidents, then it may behoove us to look into Ezakien's doings; around the time of the 'late unpleasantness' and life leading up to his death. Why take his body?" Looking over to Kendra and patting the air in a pacifying gesture, "Discreetly of course, we'll keep the torture to a minimum." Bugsby smiles brightly as his own joke, clearly oblivious to the inappropriateness of the comment. "Do we have time to investigate the isle today? and is it even possible to even do that without attracting attention to ourselves? If we start stomping around the island, and it becomes public knowledge, we've may as well announce in the town square that we suspect a link to the 'late unpleasantness'." Stroking his hair distractedly, "After the hunt, perhaps we should try a more subtle approach through the townsfolk, see what people know or what they suspect."
To Iodem, "What do you mean exactly? Do you think Aldern intends to hunt goblins, or you mean we should follow our own agenda?"
Master Foxglove's hunt invitation will have to wait. I believe that Iodem is correct in that we need to investigate Chopper's Isle today. The sooner we rule out the Isle the soooner we can move on to more possiblities
Bugsby shakes his slightly, "Perhaps the goblin raid has put me too much on edge, but I've been eyeing every strange face with suspicion, and this news about the grave robbery has only heightened it!" Pointing to the door Aldern left through several minutes past, "I'd still like to go on the hunt if only to dismiss another visitor as the grave robber. And I'm skeptical a foray onto Chopper Isle can be done with discretion." He looks at the Mayor, "What do you think Mayor? Is a trip to Chopper Isle going to draw unwanted attention or can it be done outside the public eye?
Bugsby looks down with a look of mild annoyance, "Did anyone catch when this hunt is to take place? I've been assuming tomorrow morning, but now that I think of it, I have no sure idea."
"I would normally be the first one up for a boar hunt, I just find the whole event may be mistimed. Bugsby, I share your concern about discretely investigating Chopper's Isle"
"Bugsby makes sense. If this Aldern is truly 'leaving' after the hunt, this may be our only chance to learn whether he was involved in the raid on the town and the graveyard. Plus, the man is generous with his coin. It might behoove all of us to get close to him, find out what he knows, and earn his favor...assuming he isn't responsible for all this, of course."
Ya! Some hunt and beer! Thats da way I like it. A ribs of boar, mmh, dat is with a bit oiling and roasted yummy. Already thinking of hunting and eating. Kerdin didn´t really pay attention to the stealthy part FOr ma opinion is dat we go, we give a good ol´knack to head and ya suppose teh man will speak quite fast!
Bugsby looks to the others in the room as they speak, "I couldn't agree more Iodem, unfortunately that very 'mistiming' makes me even more suspicious, not that my suspicion is grounds for avoiding another, more logical, investigative method." He nods along with Brennan, who seemed to share his own uncertainties regarding the Magnamarian.
As Kerdin makes his suggestion, the gnome looks at him out of the corner of his eye, the gravity of the situation seemingly lost on the hearty dwarf. But before Bugsby says the first thing that comes to his mind, he considers the dwarfs words for a moment, "While not the method I would endorse, it does sound effective, although I'd feel pretty bad if he's innocent, which he probably is. But I like the idea Kerdin, good thinking." Bugsby is quite sincere.
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"Any possibility this boar hunt could be more of a goblin hunt?"
Kendra tells you:
As to the isle, you can visit it in a days time, easily. A few hours if you wanted to go there, and come right back. It isn't very far away. There is a spot near near Junker's Edge (#6 on the map) that you could "belay" down to it (about an 80 feet drop to the sandy beach below.)
As long as you feel you could climb back up (not impossible with the proper gear), you could make it.
Or you could rent a boat from the harbor and man the coastline to the isle.
Obviously, either one of these is going to draw attention during the daytime. The isle is close enough that I am sure that people would gather around to see what you are doing.
During the night time, well, there are those that say that it is haunted, but those are probably just rumors.
Talking to the sandpoint mercantile league would give you that cover, as they have it up for sale.
- You could also visit the cathedral and talk to Father Zantus to see the grave disturbance
- You can also put out a line of inquiry into the town, or just ask Kendra and the Sheriff, they are friendly enough. Or you can find someone MORE friendly, like maybe one of Iodem's lady friends...
some cover would be good. I suggest we talk to the mercantile league. It would give us a "legit" reason to go out to the isle. After we talk to the league. we could spread the rumor that we want to buy the place and see what ppl think of that?
"I agree with Zen, it may also be easier to get a small group there that way rather than climbing. I wouldn't worry about appearances, I've been hired as a body guard before."
Bugsby purses his lips as he considers this, "I like the idea of cover, lets go talk to the league. How odd can it look, a band of newly appointed town-heroes going off to investigate haunted property to purchase it for unknown reasons." a pause, "I like it! Can I be a body guard too!? Zen, you could be the interested party, you're new in town and fairly mysterious."