Marvin gives Luna a quick pat on the head before ducking through the doorway.
"On we go!"
Luna gives a snarl that seems more wolf than dog and bounds forward, snapping at the ankle of the skeleton before her.
The energy surrounding Adarion's fist begins to pulse, changing from red to blue to purple and back again. Adarion raises his hand and points at the nearest skeleton, the energy around his fist condenses to a single point above his fingertip before flying explosively at the skeleton.
Krios, watching as the large dog charges into the crypt, follows in quickly behind her. With both is blade drawn, he rushes in to engage the undead.
Once he was in close combat, the swords would move with practiced swings aiming to strike down the skeleton that was before him. His nerves, while tense and shaking, had begun to slowly calm down as he let the adrenaline and the furious focus of combat concentrate his mind.
Taking advantage of their preparation Marvin infuses Luna with divine energies. The wolf charges into the crypt and latches onto a skeletons leg dragging it to the floor. Adarion moves up to get a better angle before casting his spell. Krios follows behind Luna and moves into the crypt, while Noro charges in and punches one of the skeletons in the head, knocking the skull clean off causing the rest of the bones to crumble to the ground.
Krios attacks the prone skeleton and makes a solid strike, but the sword glances off the bone only nicking the undead creature. However, Adarion releases his spell which slams into the skeleton, finishing it off.
The remaining skeleton shuffles toward Noro to attack.
While the skeleton misses with the first attack it scrapes across Noro's flesh with the second.
Nyx grins and looks impressed with the swiftness with which his new allies destroy two of the three skeletons.
Doesn’t look like they really need much help at this time…
Before anyone else even gets an opportunity to act Noro smacks the remaining skeleton with the back of her hand, snapping it's spine in half as it crumbles to the floor.
The sheriff walks up giving you all a bit of applause "Well done! You didn't even need my help." He chuckles before continuing "It seems like you lot may actually be the "heroes" of Sandpoint we need. I will leave it to you to relate what you've found here to Father Zantus, afterwards please come to town hall. The mayor would like to speak with you all." Unless anyone stops him for questions, sheriff Hemlock gives you a nod and then turns to leave.
”Magic?!” asks Nyx to no one in particular as he waves hand, drawing a lighted sigil in the air before him, then holds both hands before him, facing the crypt, and concentrates.
Detect Magic
Adarion turns to the sheriff with a grin, "Of course, you doubted us?" He turns to the rest of the party before saying, "We should probably have a look around. See if we can find anything that might indicate what happened here." With that Adarion looks around the crypt, trying to find anything that might indicate what happened there.
Adarion looks around the crypt. He notices a crumpled up pair of robes in one corner and can clearly see that the main sarcophagus, with a plaque stone that reads Rest in Peace Father Ezakien Tobyn, has been opened and the remains are missing.
The last skeleton fell to the ground, shattered into dozens of pieces, and silence fell upon the mausoleum once more. The sheriff's words of support brought a shy but excited to Krios's face as he straightened up and nodded in agreement with Adarion.
"I-I'll check if there is anything outside to be found. Maybe footprints or something, you know? He was about to walk out, stopping to turn around and nod to them all. "Good job everyone." Krios murmured softly, sincerity in his words. He let his eyes meet every one of them, even Noro's but there was the hint of an apologetic glance in it before he stepped outside.
Krios looks around the outside of the crypt and quickly notices several tracks other than your own. Many look smaller in size but at least one is that of a medium sized humanoid. The tracks lead from the crypt toward the nearby town wall.
Despite his earlier readiness to fight, Marvin seems slightly disoriented by the flurry of combat, only perking up at Krios' mention of footprints. "Oh splendid. Done a fair bit of tracking myself." He calls Luna back to the door of the crypt.
Marvin comes outside to see Krios already examining a trail of footprints. "Nice spotting! That one looks a bit large to be a goblin, wouldn't you say?"
As Marvin and Krios look over the tracks and discuss, it becomes clear that there were 7 sets of tracks. 6 from goblins and 1 of a medium humanoid such as a human or half breed. The tracks come from the town wall to the northwest to the crypt and then back to the town wall again.
Adarion's eyes light up with a faint glow as he looks at the robes in the corner.
"Look, there are some robes piled up in the corner here and they've got a faint magical aura." He focuses on the robes, trying to discern the cause of the aura.
Adarion frowns in frustration, unable to identify the magic. "I can't quite place the magic. Nyx you are knowledgeable about magic, perhaps you could have a look too and see if you have better luck? Or anyone else with the talent, for that matter.
”Magic!” Nyx gleefully concentrates on the robes, attempting to discern the properties.
Nyx looks slightly frustrated.
Marvin pokes his head into the crypt. "Ah... Krios found some footprints out here. Very interesting.
"We found some interesting things here too. Magical robes that we can't identify and also Father Tobyn's remains have been completely removed from his sarcophagus." He shrugs with uncertainty, "Do goblins normally steal corpses?"
Outside of the crypt, Krios studies the ground for a few moments and comes to see that there was quite the trail leading from there and towards the wall; lots of little feet but a pair that would fit someone of their size.
"It seems...that there was someone bigger than a goblin working with them. Maybe they helped orchestrate the attack?" It was a bit far-fetched in his head but the attack against his home was also strange and unusual. Goblins weren't friendly creatures but they had stayed away from such a busy, populated place up until now. Scratching at his head, he looked back towards the others. "I don't think the goblins did it. They would take shiny things, probably, but not bodies. Not without a good reason."
"Let us see the mayor. Maybe she'll have some more information and we can ask around town if anyone saw anyone lingering by the graveyard these past few days."
Having finished looking things over, the group decides to head off to see the Mayor. Heading down Church St. onto Junkers Way, you finally turn on to Main St. and head toward the town hall, with the town garrison directly across the street. Looking around you see the majority of the ground floor of this two-story building consists of a meeting hall large enough to seat most of Sandpoint’s adults. The upper floor appears to contain offices and storerooms.
After a few moments you are greeted by a young man who apparently already knew you were coming. He asks you to follow him to the Mayor's office upstairs. Once you arrive he instructs you to wait a moment in the reception area. The assistant sticks his head into the room, where you can see the Mayor and sheriff talking, and lets them know you are here. He quickly comes to get you and bring you into the room.
Mayor Kendra Deverin motions for you to come in, sheriff Hemlock stands to the side of her desk as you enter. The mayor address you "Ah, the glorious heroes! Please come in, we were actually just discussing you as well as the recent events." She waits to see what you have to say before continuing.
Adarion smiles at the mayor as she beckons them in. "Thank you. All good things about us, I hope," he says, his smile turning playful. "In regards to one of those recent events, the disturbed crypt that is, we found a few clues as to what happened. We can give you a full report if you'd like?"
Krios enters in with the rest of the party, staying in the back as he looks about the mayor's office. Hearing her address them as such brings a small but cheeky grin to his face as he gives a small nod. "W-we're happy to help, ma'am."
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Noro simply enters, giving the Sheriff a look as she enters. this is not a usual place for Noro, its usually in manacles heading to the jail.
She scans the room for some complimentary drinks, not finding any she plops into a chair, making herself at home. I hope this isn't one of your long winded speeches. she mutters.
The sheriff glares at Noro, but doesn't say anything outright. The Mayor nods to Adarion at his suggestion and smiles to Krios' remark. "Yes, the sheriff was just mentioning there had been a disturbance and you put down some undead. What more do you have to report?"
Both the sheriff and Mayor look at you intently.
Adarion nods, "Apart from the undead, we found three things of note. The first was that Father Tobyn's remains were removed from the crypt and are missing. Next, there was a set of magical robes in the corner of the crypt that we were unable to identify. Finally, some of our group are skilled at tracking and identified 7 separate sets of footprints, 6 from goblins and 1 of a medium humanoid such as a human. The tracks lead from the wall to the northwest to the crypt and then back to the town wall again. I think that was all we found." As Adarion finishes, he looks to the others to see if they have anything else to add.
Marvin nods. "About sums it up." Then he holds up a finger. "Er, all four tombs had been disturbed. Lids askew and whatnot."
As you finish up the sheriff turns to the Mayor "It seems like our fears may be well founded..."
The Mayor nods to the sheriff's words then looks to you all "Yes, we captured a few of the vile creatures from the attack and had little luck with them, aside from the fact that they mentioned some "longshank", as they put it, was in charge of the whole thing." She pauses a moment as she shakes her head in dismay "It is most grave news that someone from town or the local area may have helped orchestrate this incident and we would gladly accept your assistance in tracking down who that may be. Especially considering the disturbance at the cemetery. It makes no sense for goblins to raid a crypt, but if there is someone else involved, leading the goblins, they may have much more sinister motives. All in all, it doesn't bode well for Sandpoint."
She lets out a deep breath as she continues, staring out the window in her office "Not only that, but a local ranger, who gives us reports on the surrounding area has come to town unexpected and has, unusually, requested an immediate audience with the sheriff and myself." Turning her attention back to you all she forces a smile "With everything going on we could really use the help of heroes like yourselves. It is my hope that you can see what you can find about these goblins and their leader."
Adarion frowns at what the mayor is saying. "It is troubling to think that a local would aid the goblins in killing their fellow townsfolk. I had come here to study the remnants of the Thassilonian Empire in the area, but I could not, with good conscience, ignore something like this which might lead to the deaths of innocent townsfolk. Particularly when they have treated me so well since I came here. Besides, I can't imagine screaming goblins and guardsmen and the sounds of battle will be conducive to research," Adarion says with a grin.
His face going serious again, Adarion asks, "Is there anyone you can think of that may have a reason to do the town or its inhabitants harm?" At the same time he ponders, I wonder if the ranger has encountered some signs of the goblins or their humanoid ally?
The mayor shakes her head to Adarion's inquiry and looks to the sheriff who shrugs before saying "There are always trouble makers." He shifts his glance briefly to Noro before he continues "But no one that comes to mind that would specifically wish the town ill, especially to the point of working with those little greenskin buggers."
Krios would listen in carefully as the others discussed what was going on, the fear that someone had actually orchestrated the goblin attack of the other day with the goal of using it as a distraction. Much like Sheriff Hemlock, Krios could not think of anyone local who would immediately show up as a suspect; this was outside the usual manner of deviance that occurred here in Sandpoint. The news of a local ranger coming in and requesting an audience made Krios's ears twitch slightly, his head moving to cant to the side before he spoke.
"D-do you think that maybe the ranger's news and our task might be...similar? Something strange is going on, for certain." The young elf mumbled, rubbing his chin in concern as he turned his thoughts inwards. With so many people having arrived at the town, there was an untold number of possible suspects that could be here now. "Where do you think we should start then? With the goblins?"
Nyx watches the conversation between the sheriff, mayor, and his new allies with an odd half-smile.
”The goblins could have been compelled by…” Nyx’s eyes go wild as his body trembles slightly. ”...magic!”
The Mayor nods "Yes perhaps the ranger's news could be connected. I suppose once the sheriff and I have had an opportunity to meet with her we can send her your way if it is related." The Mayor takes out a piece of paper and begins writing before she continues. She signs it and then hands it over to the sheriff to sign. With both signatures the Mayor hands the paper over to you "Here, this writ essentially deputizes you all to assist in this matter. I'm not sure the best place to start, but you are welcome to speak with the goblins we captured. They are being held in the prison at the garrison. I'm not sure you will have any better luck than we did, but you never know. As for the ranger, she always stays at the Rusty Dragon so you can look for her there. We will be meeting with her shortly to hear whatever she has come to tell us."
Marvin tilts his head in sudden recognition. "Curious. Think I passed that ranger this morning. Seemed in quite the hurry." He turns to the rest of the party. "What do you say we take a shot at those footprints?"
"I...I can try speaking to them. The goblins, that is. I-I know their tongue." He had listened to them speak for decades from his hiding spot up on the cliffs. They had seemed so different down there, far away and not dangerous at all. Now he knew better.
"Just show me where they are and maybe I can talk to them. Trick them into revealing something? I don't expect much but...might as well right?" Krios offered with a grin, giving a little shrug at it. This is the most helpful he had ever felt and surrounded by these professionals, he felt like he belonged.
Adarion takes the writ from the mayor and places it in one of his robe pockets. "Thank you. This will make it easier to get assistance from the townsfolk whilst we investigate. Although I don't think we'll need much assistance with most. Everyone suffered some losses because of this goblin raid. I think questioning the goblins is a good place to start. Even finding out a small bit of information is more than we have now."
Adarion turns to the rest of the group. "Both Marvin's and Krios' plans are good ideas. I think we should start with questioning the goblins though. With this humanoid working with them, I'm worried that the goblins could be smarter or better organized than usual. They might have laid traps or an ambush anticipating someone trying to follow them. Some prior information could mean all the difference in avoiding a trap." Adarion's thoughts turn to the usual tactics employed by the dark elves against his people. Damned dark elves!
"It might also be a good idea to have this ranger help us with the footprints as well. Her expertise with the local goblins and the environment would be a big help. What do you think? He looks at the others to see the general consensus.
Having decided to go question to imprisoned goblins the Mayor thanks you once again as the sheriff just shakes his head to Noro's jab and sighs.
You head across the street to the barracks and jail. After preseting your papers and explaining what you need, one of the guards - Jarnell, escorts you to the captive goblins. He looks to Noro and Krios "I heard what you all did to help out the town yesterday. Glad to have folk like you living here. There is only so much the guards can do you know." He nudges Krios with his elbow "I'll bet you'll have all the women swoning over you now." He cracks a smile.
Entering the room with the two goblins you see they are exchanging blows obviously arguing over a game of cards. The guard steps up to the cell to break up the mess "Hey you little monsters! Knock it off before I bring one of our guard dogs in here to play with you!" He looks back to the rest of you "They were so obnoxious we gave them some cards to keep them occupied." He shrugs "So much for that idea I guess." Unless otherwise held up he'll leave you alone with the goblins.
They were deputized. They were officially recognized now by Sandpoint. It may have only been for now but it was still true! What stories would Krios have to tell his father and his mother when this was all finished. There was certainly a skip in Krios's step as they made their way across the street to the barracks and jails where the captured goblins were waiting. Jarnell was a good man, Krios remembered watching him grow from a young boy into the man he was now. Hell, he still remembered when Noro was just an angry, young girl.
Jarnell's nudge and murmured words bring a look of utter surprise to the elf's face, his pale skin immediately flushing red now. "What? I-I don't think-I mean, that wasn't-I-I should just go in." Krios would walk in to see the goblins fighting one another in the cell. They were such chaotic, dangerous creatures. The awkwardness he had felt a moment disappeared as he stepped up to the cell and crouched down onto his heels. "Thanks Jarnell. I think we're fine here." Those wide eyes never turned away from the goblins though. Clearing his throat, Krios would speak up in their strange words.
"Ug twe! Skut an pi paxaupp axattonkien!" The barbaric and vicious language sounded strange with the soft lilt of his Elven voice but it was all correct. Ug'lo feth din fig sleufro. Ug ket caxaudd fupp zo reckskaxants pi whult zom. Zoupp'lo keick te rot zo pegs kot ug. Fut vaxayfo...dib ug whorp vo...Pum caxan cenvinco zom jet te. Ug waxank te kot uk eb wholo, yoaxah?"
The goblins pause a moment at the abrupt words in their native tongue and look at Krios inquisitively, obviously triyng to make up their mind on how to proceed. The smaller of the two shouts back in common "Stupid pointy ear know nothin'! All the longshanks threats... but we still here."
Adarion looks on with interest as Krios spits out the harsh goblin language but has no idea what is being said. When the goblin shouts back to Krios in common a frown forms on his face. He turns to Krios and says, "How disappointing. I guess we'll have to bring back the curry-spiced salmon Ameiko made. All these goblins had to do was answer a few questions to get a delicious meal, but it seems like they've no interest."
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Noro listened to the questioning, she did not understand the goblin language, but she did understand the answer.
she enters the cell looking at the one that answered. she then will grab the other one by the throat. they think they are stronger in numbers. lets fix that. I know you understand me, I can and will inflict more pain upon you than you could possibly imagine.
Noro grabs the one goblin by the throat and he kicks and tries to claw himself free as he chokes under her grasp. The other goblins eyes go wide in fear and he nods his compliance. "K! No hurts us! Whatcha wan' know? We tells you."
Adarion smiles and nods. "That's a good idea. Noro here doesn't like goblins very much. I once saw her punch a goblin so hard their head flew right off!" As he says this Adarion mimics throwing an uppercut and casts prestidigitation, creating a small goblin head which flies off the top of his fist and bursts apart on the ground.
He looks right into the goblins eyes, "If you answer our questions and make her happy, Noro might not hurt you!" He pauses for a moment, letting that thought sink in, before asking his questions,
"Who helped you get into town and why did you attack us?
Why did you and your friends take Father Tobyn's body from the crypt?
We know that there is a...longshanks...that helped you. Who are they and what did they look like?
Where is your camp and did you plan to leave traps for anyone who tried to follow you back there?"
Not able to think of any other questions at that moment he looks at the other party members, asking "Anyone have any other questions?"
Marvin stands back slightly as the others confront the goblins, somewhat uncomfortable with the situation but curious about what they have to say.
Seeing Adarion cast Prestidigitation, Nyx is visibly excited, grinning and giggling softly while bouncing on the balls of his feet.
”hehehe...magic is in all things…”