Ethan nods his head respectfully to the mayor and then to the sheriff.
"I am pleased to meet you, Lady Mayor. My name is Ethan Sower, Disciple of Erastil. It is kind of you to say, but I am no hero. Doing nothing would have caused innocents to die."
Runk scans the room specifically noting anyone who's armed as well as other doors and windows before making another sweep with his eyes to note anything that seems valuable. He allows the others to move forward into the room while he quietly leans against the wall near the doorway they entered from.
"Pleased to meet you. Kesten Garesz is the name. Contrary to mr Sower here, being a hero is part of my description." he says while he winks at the mayor, followed by a befuddled look as to why she hasn't completely become wax into his hands yet.
"I'm kidding, I was here at the right time, and I'm glad I was. Those goblins aren't exactly.." He pauses, and thinks.
"In my native tongue, they say 'kittens to deal with without gloves'. Does that make sense to you?"
He will be sure to step aside, let the others do their introductions.
Blake enters looking about for his other friend before saying, "Good morning sheriff, cous...I mean Madam Mayor. It is grand that you have invited us here, but all of us did what we had to do. No cause for pomp and circumstance if you ask me, nothing glorious." With a glance at the door to see if Gorham is coming he continues, "What do you think riled the goblins up?"
Zizouket gives the two officials a wave and a genuine smile, and quietly sits on the edge of one of the chairs in the office, eager to hear anything they have to share about the attack.
The mayor and sheriff nod a brief acknowledgement to each of the new introductions. Mayor Devrin continues on "Well, we captured a few of the vile creatures and had no luck with them, aside from the fact that some longshank, as they put it, was in charge of the whole thing." She looks to Blake and shurgs "You may not expect it or want it, but the town... as well as I... appreciate what you all did yesterday. Without the lot of you, things could have gone much worse and Desna only knows this town needs no more hardship."
She glances around at the others, "It is most grave news that someone from town may have helped orchestrate this incident and we would gladly accept your assistance in tracking down who that may be. Furthermore, there has been a disturbance at the cemetery that the sheriff here would like your assistance with. I'll let him speak more to that. I have some other matters to attend to for the moment so I'll leave you in the capable hands of our sheriff for the time being. See what you can find about these goblins, and thank you again!" Unless otherwise stopped, she will gather a few papers and head out the doors, patting Blake on the shoulder as she departs. Leaving you with sheriff Hemlock, he waits a moment for the mayor to leave and for anything the new found heroes have to say.
As the mayor starts to slip out, Blake steps just out the door with her. "Excuse me one moment. I see you have invited all of those who were fighting on the square, and even a stranger I did not see fighting the goblins, yet Gorham is not here. Is there a reason, he and his..er....companion Boo, were fighting alongside me, Zizouket, and the outsiders."
The dwarf simply quirks a brow at the situation, muttering beneath his breath, "And tha' green skin done left by th'mornin'...curious."
Rolling his shoulders and adjusting his armor, he looks up expectantly at the sheriff. Seeing the man's composure and not wanting to be outdone, the warrior puffs out his chest and sucks in his gut. Hiking his thumbs into his belt, he nods to the lawman and grunts his approval.
Runk spares a glance for the mayor as she passes by but quickly returns his eyes to the sheriff.
With the mayor departed sheriff Hemlock looks you over, obviously measuring you up in his mind before cracking the briefest of grins, finally nodding "Well, as the mayor said there has been an incident at the cemetery. Father Zantus sought me out this morning when he noticed the door to our former priest, Ezakien Tobyn’s vault adjar. I'd like you to accompany me to the scene so we can see what has happened. Worse case, I imagine a goblin got stuck in there after last nights raid, but we'll see."
To his cousin Blake says, "I will certainly do that." Returning to listen to the sheriff he ponders, "What trouble do you suppose the goblins would be causing in the cemetery, specifically the former priests tomb during the consecration events?"
Fofin frowns deeply at the thought of one of the vermin caught inside a tomb, "Like as not, if'n this priest feller were fresh, one'o those grubby lil' terrors fed 'imself full'o carrion! Let's hope tha' ain't th'sich-e-ashun'!" the dwarf embellishes by pointing his thick finger toward the sheriff in an informative manner.
While the day before happened to be the first day he had ever met face-to-face with a goblin, his people had made sure he knew all about them. Granted, some of the dwarven knowledge about the diminutive monstrosities ranged into the territory of exaggeration, much of it proved true. So far as he was concerned, the dwarf was the group's goblin expert and was damn proud of the fact!
ain't th'sich-e-ashun'!
"Of course I will accompany you. I would not want to leave town knowing there could be more of the little fellows left, waiting to strike again. Perhaps it would be good to use a hunting dog or somesuch that can sniff out the goblin? I myself don't own one, but maybe anyone of you does?"
He fidgets with his armor, trying to scratch *that* place without anyone noticing it.
Man, why now? Oh god oh god oh god, it really itches! Bite your lip Kesten, now is not the time. Maybe if I move my weight on my other leg. Well, that didn't work. How long will this meeting go on? Why is everyone looking at me funny?
"Desecration of a grave is a serious matter. I will certainly accompany you to the vault, Sheriff."
From back by the door Runk speaks up. His voice a reminder of the quiet halflings presence.
"We getting paid to play bodyguard?
His voice trails off and he raises an eyebrow as Kesten starts twitching oddly.
Zizouket makes a grossed out expression when Fofin suggests the goblin's been eating the dead in the tomb. "Nah. He wouldn't be eating Father Tobyn. He died too long ago. And he died in a fire. I don't even remember if they recovered his body."
"I've got a question about the info you got from the goblins in custody. Are they not cooperating, or does it seem like they just don't know anything more? I might be able to befriend them, if they're not cooperating."
"It's a weird kind of bodyguard, but I assume that's indeed what we are meant to do. Maybe something more like... Corpseguard?" Kesten says aloud, and you can hear a slight gasp for air.
Gods be damned, foot in mouth again. Stupid Kesten, stupid!
No wonder that halfling is eyeing me strangely.
The sheriff responds to questions in turn, "I can't imagine what they were doing there, the little buggers probably just got lost." He shrugs and adjusts his belt.
Looking to Kesten he responds "Hunting dogs would be good, but we don't really have any in town, especially since the goblins seemed to target any dogs they could find in the attack."
Shaking his head at Runk "You'd have to take that up with the mayor. We had hoped, since you so valiantly assisted the town you might be interested in continuing to see it through until we figure out what happened exactly, plus I'd like to see how you lot work together."
To Zizouket "They were as cooperative as you can expect from a greenskin. In any case, they simply didn't seem to know much."
Runk shrugs not pushing the issue. Still feeling the goblin attack was a diversion of some sort he is curious to see what might really have been going on.
That halfling is awfully quiet. Maybe he's one of those mindreaders. Wait? What? Think about a cow, quick!
"So euh... You're a quiet one, aren't you? I figured that the halfling people were as prone to talking as dwarves were to drinking?" Kesten says jokingly while looking at the dwarf.
He then turns to the sheriff yet again.
"Good point about the dogs, poor goggies. Ahum.. When will we be leaving? I figure some might want to collect armor and weapons before going co..bodyguarding duty."
The dwarf tugs at his beard, deep in thought. Perhaps we might find more of those damned, filth-ridden, scabs. We might even pick up on their trail. Besides, a bit of prestige never hurt anyone, especially in a small town like this.
"I'm settled!" the dwarf informs the sheriff along with the rest of the group. "Y'have m'pick on yer side an' I'll be glad with dealin' out s'more pain to any dirty lil' monsters we find!"
"With your leave, Sheriff, I will retrieve my armor and weapons from the inn. Should I meet you here, at the cemetery, or at some other location?"
Blake shoots a glance at the non-townies trying to figure each of them out, and why would the mayor and the sheriff trust them. He slides up next to Zizouket, "What ever you need sheriff we are with you. Let's go check out the cemetery and see what we can discover." He pats Zizouket on the back for emphasis from the locals.
The sheriff claps his hands together and rubs them a few times while smiling "Very well then. We can meet outside the cathedral, the cemetary lies behind it. Once we're all there, we'll see what's what with this tomb the father is so worried about." He starts to walk out of the room, and pauses near the door to see everyone out.
Looking up at Kesten responds, "Or prone as humans are to beating slaves that talk to much." before turning and following the rest out the door.
The dwarf smirks at Ethan as he sets off to get his equipment, tugging a bit at the hem of his mail shirt. Also, he gives a barking laugh at Runk's sharp reply to the human's comment. He nods somewhat approvingly at the halfling before looking back to Kesten with a grin.
As the group filters out of the estate, Fofin inhales fresh air from the gulf nearby, exhaling with an approving twinkle in his eye. Certainly doesn't hold the air of home. No smoke, nor ash...the only earth is that beneath one's feet. Was this the right choice? he wonders to himself.
Ethan makes his way back to the Rusty Dragon at a purposeful pace. He nods briefly, but politely to the staff as he passes. He heads upstairs, unlocks his room, and enters. First, he dons the long leather coat covered in riveted strips of metal; then slips his unopened back onto his shoulders. Finally, he grabs his weapons and houlders his quiver of arrows.
He heads downstairs, and presses a silver coin into the hand of each waitress and scullion he sees. He makes his way across the common to the Cathedral, where Fofin waits, looking oddly self-satisfied.
"What do you find so amusing, Fofin?"
"Touché, little friend. Even though I would like to emphasize I do not approve of those actions, nor have I ever participated at that. The gods should come down on the Cheliaxians, for all I care."
Kesten is off, directly to the meeting place.
As they wait at the cathedral, Zizouket muses about the attack.
"Yeah, I always wondered if all the goblins would get organized and attack Sandpoint some day. But that was such a relatively small force. They're too cowardly to think they could win with those numbers. I guess it makes more sense if someone else was leading them. But still, what was the point of that attack? Distraction, testing our defenses?"
"If others are going to retrieve their personal belongings, I am going to take a minute to run by Gorhan's and see if I can find him. It is not like him to not be around like this, or fail to answer a summons by the mayor." Before heading to meet the others, Blake stops by Gorhan's looking for his friend and fellow Sandpoint Defender.
Runk walks to the cathedral with the others. Once there he finds a convenient perch to sit on and cleans his nails with one of his daggers while they wait.
"Always be prepared, m'boy! What if'n that meetin' were an ambush? What if'n there was goblins beneath the drapes, kobolds beneath th'desk, an' a dragon on th'roof? Why, y'd be chewed on, poked full'a holes, and cooked like a pig on'a spit!" the dwarf gives off a rowdy chuckle, holding his quivering belly as he does so. He then winks once more at Ethan to show it was all in good fun.
Peering at the gnome's comment, Fofin runs a hand through his bristly, untamed beard. "Some'un leadin' them, eh? Pr'haps like...say, an orc? Mind ye, most of'em are dumb...but once theys gets a shot o' manling blood in 'em, they ken smarten up pretty fast, I reckon. Would explain th'disappearance o' tha' fella what was here yesterday, aye?" he continues to suggest that Gorhan might have some connection, refusing to back down from his suspicions.
Runk gives an uncharacteristic and brief snort of laughter at the dwarfs comments about hidden foes all about the mayors office.
Following Runk and Kesten's exchange, and Fofin's remark about half-orcs, Ethan's hand reaches up to clasp the wooden disc carved with Erastil's symbol that hangs around his neck.
He closes his eyes and offers a quietly whispered prayer where the words, "friendship", "respect", and "cooperation" can just barely be discerned.
The sheriff strolls up and gives the party a look over. "Everyone here? I can't thank you enough for your aid yesterday and I appreciate taking the time to see what mischief may have taken place here. Hopefully we can get through this and put it all behind us." Once everyone is accounted for he will point out the way and let the group lead.
The dwarf marches at the head, making great strides to keep himself before everyone else. A few times, he looks back unsure toward the sheriff to confirm that his course is true. Along the way, he reflects to himself, looks of sincere contemplation evident at times that his face is visible.
So many wishing to be buried near to their place of worship. What involvement did their deities have for them? What about Torag? I don't feel as if he was ever truly involved in my life. All those times I came to clash with kin and clan, where was the Dwarf Father then?
"Hmph!" he says aloud, his mind still turned to the troubles of the past.
"Everybody ready?"
You can tell Kesten is agitated, nervous, as his body makes him ready by releasing extra adrenaline.
Great, like I needed that.. I'm not jumpy enough?
"Erastil, let me hear and heed your wise council this day," Ethan whispers reverently, as he moves with the rest of the group in the direction of the cemetery.
As the group departs Runk sheaths his dagger and hops down from his perch. He walks along with the bulk of the group not challenging the dwarf for the lead. However when they near the tomb he picks up the pace a bit until he is close to the Fofin.
"Hang on a second" he says as he passes by him. He makes his way to the door and takes a minute to check for traps.
His inspection complete he'll step to the side, draw two daggers and signal to Fofin that he can have the lead back.
At first, Fofin peers after the halfling, irritated. Soon, however, he gets the gist of his actions and when Runk moves back from the door he nods approvingly.
"Right then! Weapons an' flashy magics at th' ready boys! If a tide'o basilisks or Asmodeus 'imself comes barrelin' outta there I don' want none'o ye surprised!" he says, hefting his pick with a boisterous laugh.
"I will open the door," Ethan volunteers. "A disturbed grave can have unpleasant and often unholy consequences."
He steps forward, left hand clasping his holy symbol, his right hand reaching to move the vault door.
Once rejoined with the others, and heading through the cemetery Blake slides up next to Zizouket and says softly, "I ran past Gorham's and it seems like he has split out of town. His things are gone and it looks like he left late last night or early this morning, where do you think he would go with out telling us?"
"I'm ready Fofin, and will be standing right behind you."
He lets up a hiccup, and smiles uncomfortably.
Opening the doors you notice quickly that the tomb has in fact been disturbed and instead of goblins as the sheriff predicted, two skeletons now lurk inside.
"Careful Fofin, walking corpses on your 12!"
Kestens earlier nervous behaviour seems to stop as soon as the skeletons became visible. His gaze fixates on them as he mutters a few words under his breath. His hands seems to get charged with electricity as he grasps his spear
Ethan, upon recognizing the skeletons for what they are calls upon Erastil's might.
"Dead-Eye return these dead to the dust!" he cries, as a wave of pale blue light radiates out in all directions from the symbol in his hand.
Ethan channels the divine energies of his deity and the skeletons break apart and crumble to the ground.
"Blast it!" the dwarf exclaimes, rearing much too slow for any good to come of it.
It was times like these that the dwarf wondered whether or not his people's animosity for elves stemmed from jealousy over their lithe forms and quick reflexes.
Good for nothing elves!
Runk pokes his head around to get a look into the tomb. Seeing the effects of Ethans efforts his eyebrows rise in appreciation. Sheathing his weapons he prepares to enter the tomb after the cleric and dwarf.
Blake draws his blade, but as the undead return to dust he lowers it. "Well done there priest, it is good you are along with us today." Keeping the blade at the ready Blake looks around to see if anything else is disturbed in the area.