A search of the vault’s interior turns up two things of interest. First, a robe lies in a corner that apparently had a number of patches on it that have all been removed. Second, and more disturbing, is the fact that the sarcophagus that contained Ezakien’s body has been opened and his remains stolen.
"The body is gone. Such blasphemy..." Ethan shakes his head sadly.
"I know little of goblins, but it is doubtful that they could raise skeletons, or would find value in the remains of a dead priest. Something or someone greater, and more terrible is at work here."
Once it appears clear Runk will begin to thoroughly search the tomb. During this he'll note if any of the other sarcophagi have been opened and are missing bodies which might account for the skeletons. He'll leave the robe for the more magically inclined to take a look at.
"Phew, those went down easily! It's good thing you were here Ethan! Glad to see you are on our side.." says Kesten, whilst pulling back the static electricity around his hand.
After seeing everyone looking around the room: "What are we missi... Oh right, body. Where could it have gone? Does anyone know a thing about tracking? I've heard you could tell a lot by the size and weight and all, but it's not exactly my forte.."
"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 still can't believe he had anything to do with the attack, but I think that's what the dwarf is starting to suspect. If his things are gone, at least we know he didn't get killed by some goblins that were left behind. That was what I was starting to worry. He probably left a note for you somewhere or with someone you just haven't been to yet. We'll look further after this thing."
Zizouket watches the rest dispatch the two skeletons. "Good show!" While watching the others investigate the tomb, he casts detect magic and looks over the tomb himself.
Sheriff Hemlock having seen the skeletons and heard the revelation, rushes into the tomb to verify for himself. He realizes that the remains have been disturbed "By Desna.... who would do such a thing... I'll need to report this to the mayor and Father Zantus at once." He turns to walk off, but then remembers the rest of you "Ah.. thank you again for your assistance. I'll be in touch. Please get some rest, I fear there are much graver things going on than we had expected." He storms off toward the church in a hurry leaving you to your investigation or whatever other tasks you may have.
"Oh guess he's done with us then." Runk thinks to himself as the sheriff hurries off.
"Bunch of goblin tracks...something bigger to."
Runk steps outside to see if he can pickup the trail.
"I hope your right Ziz, I do not care what that dwarf might think...Gorham was not involved." As the searching begins Blake will use his arcane eye to see if he can find any magical clues.
"Odd, this cloak seems to have the taint of necromantic magic." Blake goes over and picks up the cloth and studies it closer.
Kesten observes Blake observing the cloak, unaware that others are observing him.
What is he doing?
Runk wanders about the cemetery for a bit stopping to crouch down from time to time and inspect the ground intently. Eventually he makes his way to one of the walls and stops.
"Six cutters and somethin' human sized. Came over the wall here and went back over again." He pauses looking at the wall and then continues. "Gonna take a look."
With that he scrambles up the wall, checks that there's nothing threatening on the other side and then climbs down the back side. At the bottom he draws his daggers and begins searching around for tracks or anything that might have been dropped.
After a few minutes Runk returns, climbing the wall as nimbly as the first time. Walking over he says "Lost em at the path. Went North." to no one in particular.
"It seems the attack at the Cathedral was a distraction, so they could...steal a priest's remains? It makes no sense. It seems the larger footprints belong to someone with the ability to awaken skeletons, a practitioner of the Dark Arts."
His hand closes reflexively over the symbol around his neck. He turns, and looks to his compatriots.
"Shall we follow the footprints? It will be guesswork beyond the path."
"Sure, but without hounds or an experienced tracker, won't we just be back here in 30 minutes? I trust the little one's skill, and he says he lost them quite quickly. Where could they go, if they are heading North? Blake? Zizouket? You're from around here no?"
"If we lost the tracks, there's not much point wandering around. There's any number of places out there that they could have gone."
"Yeah, I wonder if they were going after Father Tobyn on purpose or if they just wanted some body and choosing the Father was just coincidence." Zizouket looks around to see if there any other tombs might have been closer to the point of entry, or looked easier to get into than this one.
"North is just the Hinterlands, they could be anywhere. Ziz is right, we would have as much luck tracking them down as finding the legendary Sandpoint Devil. Whoever is behind it I do not think they are a master of the undead. The magic of this robe allows a wearer to create a limited number of such creatures when worn. I will have to investigate further, but it may be completely used up if it has been cast aside here. It seems to me, they wanted Father Tobyn's bones otherwise why do it during the festival consecrating the church rebuilding the one destroyed at his death? Why leave these creatures behind to attack anyone who would investigate? This is more than a simple grave robbery I am afraid. Now we just need to figure out who." Blake will fold up the robe and tuck it into his belt to study it more later on.
"Exactly... But who could it have been. Are we stuck waiting for another attack? It's a tactic I'd prefer not to use!"
"Got cutter prisoners, ask them." Runk says with a shrug.
After spending some time discussing the possibilities you note that the sun is approaching midday.
Listening to the mild discussion buzzing about him, the dwarf spent his time compiling the evidence. No doubt, he surmised the half-orc to be the culprit. Viewing his companions, he rolls his eyes at their bafflement.
"Greenskins always stick t'gether! Tha' feller ye were with worked magics, aye? Necromancy, a missin' body, a careful distraction. Pah! It's all spelled out fer us!" he points out the others, his arms crossed in a show of decisiveness. "All's I know is we should find the bugger a'fore he summons up somethin' worse'n tha' hairball he had!"
"Community is stronger than the color of skin or blood, Fofin," Ethan replies.
"Blake and Zizouket have known Gorham for years. If they have no doubts to his character, I see no reason to feel otherwise. Interrogating the captured goblins seems to be a reasonable course of action, at this point."
"I don't know Gorham, but we'll see if he's responsible. If he is, we will take appropriate actions to stop him. If he's not, well... It's a dangerous world we're living in, and you can't blame Fofin for not trusting everyone immediately."
Upon the mention of the goblins that were caught: "Yes, why don't we go there. We'll ask them a few simple questions, they won't give us a decent reply but maybe they're stupid enough to let something slip by accident. Let's go!"
While walking: "What we gonna do with that necromantle?"
"Ah ha ha ha ha!" Zizouket can't hold it any longer, laughing aloud at the dwarf's suspicions. "Oh, ho, there are so many reasons Gorham couldn't have been involved in this, much less the mastermind. Ahhh..." He wipes a tear from the corner of his eye. "Yeah, I can charm one of the goblins, see if they can be more specific about the 'longshank'."
"Let's go then!"
Kesten is halfway down the road when he realises not everyone immediately followed him, so he'll look silly waiting for everyone/ someone down the road, trying to whistle but failing slightly.
"Greenskins always stick t'gether! Tha' feller ye were with worked magics, aye? Necromancy, a missin' body, a careful distraction. Pah! It's all spelled out fer us!" he points out the others, his arms crossed in a show of decisiveness. "All's I know is we should find the bugger a'fore he summons up somethin' worse'n tha' hairball he had!"
Sir, I will not let you slander the name and actions of my good friend. You have been in Sandpoint, what a day? Gorham has lived here his entire life and has done more good for this community than you did last night. I will go no further with you unless you summon up an apology!"
Runk listens with amusement to the dwarfs theories about the half orc and the effect they have on the locals. Watching Kesten start wandering off on his own he wonders how far he'll get before he notices the rest are too busy arguing to follow him.
"Quite a way." he things to himself when the man turns back around.
Shaking his head a bit he leans back on a tombstone settling in to see if Blakes righteous indignation or the dwarfs stubbornness will win out.
"Smart money says the cleric catches an errant shot to the gut trying to break things up." he thinks with a stifled chuckle.
Glowering at the magus, Fofin directs a finger at him. His face grows red with a stubborn fury as he raises his voice in reprisal, "Listen here', bud! I don't know much of a damn thing 'bout this place, I'll admit t'that, but I does know m'goblins an' orcs! I damn well ain't apologizin' until some solid proof comes up, so y'ken shove that in yer nearest hole! O'course I might find m'self wrong, but only then will I be tendin' ye with soothin' words!"
With a *harumph!* he turns to wait for things to proceed, unless more words were to be slung.
Damned if I don't find myself ousted from surfacers as well. I'm not sure if this situation is any better than Janderhoff. At least father was familiar enough to argue with.
What is taking them so long, and why is that tall redhaired fellow shouting? Maybe they found this orc they were talking about, and there's a fight going on? Maybe I should go help? On the other hand, I know nothing of the man. Maybe he IS the mastermind behind it all? The gnome seemed to find it ridiculous though. Yet again, that could be part of the ruse? Maybe the orc and the gnome are in league, and want this town to themselves? This could be a quite elaborate ploy to get me to drop my guard.
What about the halfling though. He seems harmless with his needle-sized daggers, but it could be one of those poisoners or assassins from Daggermark? He does have that crazy stare, and doesn't talk much. You reckon that's coz he doesn't want to slip up and give away something we aren't supposed to know, like his true name? If we were to know that, we could control him!
No dumbie, that's for demons. Or devils? I should ask the priest...of...Erastil... Yeah, let's not. He'll try to exorcise me for even mentioning devils.
Kesten looks around, unaware he's been staring into the distance waiting for the others to follow him, since he doesn't know where the goblins are being held.
Oh no, that Runk fella is looking at me again. Why is he raising his eyebrow and leaning on that tombstone? Could that be one of those "signals"? Oh no, and he is smiling. I'm dead!
Kesten shouts: "You guys coming?" as he holds his hand over his eye against the light.
Relax, don't let him sense you're on to him. He'll just strike sooner. Or... ... ...
Maybe he's looking for a partner in crime? Man, I don't want to be an assassin! Those guys always die in horrible ways in the stories the travelling bards tell and sing about.
Ethan extends his hands, palm up, towards Blake and Fofin, as if creating an invisible barrier neither can cross. His voice is calm, but firm and resonant.
"For the moment, then, it appears that matters are settled. Fofin has agreed to fully apologize for his behavior when evidence is presented that exonerates Gorham. Master Blake, the sooner we interrogate the goblins held captive, the sooner you are likely to receive the restitution you seek. Besides," he says, nodding his head in the direction of Kesten. "Our young friend seems to be in quite a hurry. Let us not come to blows over this matter until the entire truth comes to light."
Zizouket aids in the peacemaking. He steps in front of Blake, with his hands outstretched. He speaks to Blake, but his head is turned slightly over his shoulder, clearly to be heard by Fofin, behind him.
"I think that's about as much as you'll get from him, for now. Best not to press it. We all know how quick to temper every dwarf in the world is, since they're all exactly the same. Press more, and he's likely to go into some kinda dwarven rage and put an axe in your skull."
The broad hand-waving gestures during the points of emphasis make it easier to recognize his sarcastic tone.
"Now, let's go see what goblins like to do when they're not terrorizing dogs and poncey nobles. Probably chat about terrorizing dogs and poncey nobles."
"My Word is my Proof. I will come Ziz, we do not need this hate filled banter to solve this mystery." With a glare at the dwarf Blake spins around and strolls away from Fofin. Joining his gnomish friend to visit the captured goblins. "Feel free too join us Master's Ethan, Kesten, Runk...your insight may be valuable in this quest to learn who is behind the attack."
Was that a burn? I believe that was a burn addressed at the dwarf.
What the hell did I miss?
"Ah, there you are. I was just going left here. It is left, no?" Kesten says while scratching his non-existent bear.
Losing interest once the situation begins to diffuse Runk walks down the road to catch up with Kesten.
On your way, you head back toward town hall and across the street to the barracks and jail. Jarnell, one of the guards, escorts you to the captive goblins. He looks to Blake and Ziz "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 Blake 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 buggers! Knock it off before I bring one of our guard dogs in here to play with you!" He looks back to the others 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.
Ethan looks at the goblins, then back to the group.
"Well, this should prove an interesting endeavor."
Zizouket waves a hand a bit and speaks some foreign words directed at one of the goblins, and then repeats the same to the other.
"Settle down, settle down. What's your names? I'm Zizouket. Will y'all answer some questions about the mission y'all had last night?"
The first goblin spits out a curse at you and charges at the cell to try and grab at you. The other goblin walks up and bonks the first one on the head and tells him to go sit in the corner. They argue for a few moments before the first goblin seemingly gives up, snatches up the cards and goes to play solitaire by himself. The second goblin comes over to talk with Ziz "Hiyas, my bud theres an idiot. Sorry he acts soo bad. I'm Glub, what you want to know?"
"Good to meet you, Glub. For starters, we wanted to know who this 'longshank' was that planned the attack? I guess a 'longshank' would be taller than us? Was he taller than a dwarf, like this guy?" Ziz points toward Fofin, then turns back to the goblin. "Did you ever hear his name? What did he look like? Was he pale-skinned, green-skinned, or something else? He have short hair or long hair? Skinny or heavy? He have pointy ears like mine? Was he a man or woman? You know what a 'longshank' woman looks like? A woman might have bigger lumps on her chest than a man, or they might be skinnier here than here ."
Zizou turns to the others: "Y'all have any other questions for my friend, Glub, here?"
Fofin crosses his arms and glowers at the pair of filthy vermin inhabiting the cell. His gaze seems to drip with the seething hatred he has reserved for their kind. He grumbles incoherently to himself before muttering in dwarven.
"Infernal, fatherless, little scum! There is no sense in taking rats prisoner, even cats know that!" he spits out, eying the miniatures monstrosities with a feverish stare.
Runk watches the gnomes pantomiming with a raised eyebrow and a look of disbelief. Shaking his head a bit at the antics you watches the goblin to see what his response will be.
Ethan kneels down near the cell bars, away from Zizou's conversation, close to the angry goblin sulking in the corner.
"What is your story? Who convinced you and your friends to make a suicidal charge into Sandpoint? Whoever it was must have made either a tempting offer or a terrible threat."
Glub answers the questions in turn, with a whispered voice to avoid the other goblin hearing. "Hrmph... I don' know the longshank, but from what I heard he is some cross breed, definitely never saw the guy. We were jus' spose to make a ruccous, steal what we could and disrupt the party. Said there would be lotsa helpso we could steal and eat lots, but well... you all kinda put a stop to that all."
The other goblin just sits there playing his cards not even paying attention to Ethan.
Ethan sighs, shakes his head, and stands. He moves away from the bars and waits patiently for Zizouket to finish his conversation with the other goblin.
"Well, y'all succeeded. You distracted everyone while he and some other goblins did whatever they wanted to do. You know what they were doing? How about your friend? He know anything?"
"So how'd this guy start leading a bunch of goblins? He just strolled into your village and say, 'I'm the chief, now'?"
Glub shakes his head "I don't think he knows anything else. Chief Rippnugget was the one that sent us out. He's buddy buddy wit' a bunch of longshanks and now with Gogmurt out in the thistles instead of advisin' the chief it seems he only listens to them now."
Blake offers a few questions for Ziz to ask the goblin softly suggesting, "Ask it if the longshanks is residing with the goblin tribes, and where thier lair is."