As the group talks of going back to town Matsuno realizes that these goblins cannot be allowed to dig in again and wait for the party's return. The towers themselves are far too strong of a defensive position.
These melon heads will just be back in greater numbers, and we will have another hopeless fight on our hands. Time for a lesson gobbos, the wise man doesn't build his house out of straw and sticks.
Slinging his pack from his shoulder he drops it to the ground and produces two bulging skins from with its contents. Walking over to the gate he pulls the stopper from one and starts pouring its contents across the gate, walking to his left and following the wall, a sludgy trail of black snaking across the wood. Doing the same with the second skin he moves to his right until the gate and much of the wood has a thin line of oil across the face.
He steps back, pulling a third item from his pack, a moderately sized flask. "Now would be a good time to get across the bridge" he states, and cocks the flask back, ready to launch the device at the gate.
Thorfinn nods approvingly. "That'll keep them busy with repairs for a mite while we're gone."
Dan chuckles. "Ha. I suggested doing the same thing to the thistles. No one liked that idea." He tightened his grip on his morningstar and his smile fades. "But if they decide to rush us to stop that, we're going to get hurt."
Matsuno looks at the man and nods, "Hence why I said now would be a good time to make for the bridge..."
Matusno stands ready, impatiently waiting for the injured members of the newly formed group to make their way across the swaying bridge. "We are wasting precious time, make for the other side!"
"If we're all across but him--" Thorfinn indicates Matsuno with a quick motion of his head. "--then he can run after he lights it off and we can cut the ropes for the rateaters. See how they like it. He's right, though. Best we get moving."
"Just try not to burn down the bridge, please," the half-elf says with a sigh, reluctantly stepping back onto the wooden deathtrap. He hazards a glance to the water down below before carefully crossing.
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"Right," Ioxeia nods curtly, heading over the bridge as quickly as she can, pausing only to snatch up the wands and the other promising gear from the treacherous goblin Thorfinn cut down.
As soon as she's safely over the bridge she turns to watch, before she collects the rest of her things and withdraws further into the thorny grove with the others.
Dan glances over at Thorfinn with a snort. "He's kind of bossy for a guy we didn't know five minutes ago." The Caydenite watches Ioxeia cross the bridge and shrugs. "Not to say it isn't good advice." He crosses over once the bridge is clear, clearly wary of the hasty repairs.
Seeing the group cross to the other side Matsuno gives the flask in his hand a final glance and then tosses it into the center of the oily mess on the gate. As the flames burst forth from the device he turns and sprints across the gap, stopping on the other side and glancing around for some form of cover.
"I will stay and watch the gates. If any come out or make an attempt to douse the flames I will do my best to stop them." the man says, drawing his bow and staring across the bridge at the outpost on the other side.
As the fire hits the oil the doors busrt into flames, though after a few moments the flames die down from a blaze to a steady burn. They work their way up the doors where the oil is spread. They continue to burn but there is no sight of action from inside.
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As the fire crackles peacefully across the water, Ioxeia feels the last ebb of adrenaline, leaving her all too aware of a dull ache through her whole body that is only bearable because she can’t focus on any one knot of soreness. She closes her eyes and concentrates on breathing until she’s steadied herself to the point that she can let her thoughts drift. Suddenly, an increasingly familiar feeling rises to surface of her thoughts, and she blinks, shaking her head in surprise. A near bowshot from me, and I didn’t notice. How long has it been?
She retraces her steps through the tunnels of overgrown thorns in silence, letting instinct guide her through the shadows. Her heart skips a beat as she passes by the sinkhole where the party mounted its defence only the day before, but feels a tug past it. In another moment a chill grips her spirit as she realizes where she must go. She allows herself to hesitate, but turns past the last doorway.
The birds have been busy with the goblins she and the others encountered here, but in the enclosed space, not as much as they might have. Still, the conclave is sufficiently numerous, and quiet in the whispering background of the surrounding woods, to be sinister. They are mostly crows, tearing desultorily at scraps, but among the few that loom over their smaller cousins, one raven in particular catches her eye, waiting on the ground majestically. If she has just torn a bloody morsel for herself, there is no sign. A lady, Ioxeia thinks bemusedly. I think we’ll get along.
As Ioxeia enters the room, the raven clatters her wings and throws her head back, calling out, “Xei!”
She feels the world twist close for an instant as a new knot is added to adorn the tapestry of fate. She kneels, and the raven hops closer. “ Macha. Tá sé iontach - ach ba mhaith liom a bheith ag súil go mbeadh muid le chéile faoi chúinsí níos sásta.”
Her wry tone matches her concealed smile, but looking down on her familiar, Ioxeia becomes aware of a new expansion to her senses, fascinating and yet disconcerting. A massive something brushes against her mind, and she hears as well as feels a burst of animal sympathy. After a moment, the unexpected soothing sounds resolve themselves into answering Sylvan that is rich for all its huskiness. “ Thug mé beagnach suas. Riamh ag súil agam - buille faoi thuairim mé an do lucht déanta an tsaoil seo a bhí ag breathnú.”
There are too many questions to hope to answer so quickly, so the two take each other’s measure in companionable silence. After a while, Ioxeia says, “ Ba chóir dúinn teacht ar na cinn eile. Ní chuirimid ag iarraidh iad a fháil ró-buartha.”
She offers Macha her arm as she gets up, and with a scream of triumph the raven circles a couple of times around the elven woman in the space above her in the grove, before the pair work through the passages to the others together.
Matsuno watches as the fires burn hardily over the doors where the oil was spread, the fire has a much harder time catching onto other parts of the building as the damp sea air seems to have kept the timbers moist enough to avoid any serious damage, even so the flames spread slowly charring the outisde of agreat deal of the dort, though the doors have taken the brunt of the fire damage. Turning to join the others heading back to town the fires smolder on, with no sign of interference from the other side.
Thorfinn is foul company for the hike back to Sandpoint, muttering dwarven curses under his breath. He doesn't seem angry at anyone present (even the newcomers), and at one point bursts out, "I can't believe I even thought about trusting that little maggot!"
Matsuno raises his eye at the sudden outburst, "And which maggot exactly would that be?" he inquires, curious what act would draw the ire of the dwarf.
He makes the trip back stoically. He had only just rushed off from Sandpoint to join the Heroes in their fight against the greenskins of the area, but found himself turning from the fight instead.
Not really what I expected, but by the body count they did indeed put many of the little devils down before retreating. And they lost much in the battle, two of their own gone.
He adds, to the party in general, "You mentioned another of your group who went for help? Where in town would we expect to find them?"
"Hmph. Their priest, or whatever it was. We fought it yesterday outside the main fort, it surrendered, and spun us this sob story about how the mean old longshanks and Bruthazmus were making its king do all kinds of bad things. Said it'd get us into the fort if we promised to only go after the longshanks and the bugbear. Then when we showed up this morning, the gate's barred and they're all waiting for us." Thorfinn gives a satisfied grin. "At least it didn't live to enjoy its treachery. I saw to that."
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Ioxeia looks up from her involved conversation with Macha, thinking of Chimaeryus’ fascination with Ameiko. “I think he might be at the Rusty Dragon, knowing him. He’s not one for the bright light of the outdoors, unless he went searching through town for likely folk.”
Limping a bit, she continues, “I think we might stop by the cathedral first, and appeal to Father Zanthus’ better nature, before we do anything else. It will give us a start on getting our strength back for tomorrow.”
"Good idea. Some of those things hit harder than I'd like."
Syuviel was slightly less reluctant about leaving Thistletop, being more than happy to spend some time in civilization after his wilderness sojourn. He was particularly curious about what Sandpoint was like. Outside of the Mierani, most of his years had been spent in Riddleport.
It was surprising, to say the least. More than once he checked whether the belongings on his belt were intact, but not one cutpurse ran into him. The smaller settlement had a certain charm about it, one that the city had lacked. And of course, there was the Old Light. The half-elf looked up at the ancient structure with a wry grin. He had read about it before, but never had he seen it in person... at least, not this close. If only he could take a closer look...
After Thistletop, he tells himself, nodding his head. After all, there are no books written about that place.
"That would be for the best. I suppose we can purchase some supplies afterward? I do not know my way around here, but I have in mind some things I would like."
With everything that has transpired it feels a little strange as you walk into town. The people go about their lives, blissfully unaware of the mess you just managed to get yourself out of. The streets are starting to clear as dusk sets in, except around any businesses of the night, like the Rusty Dragon Inn.
- Purchase 2 scroll cases @ 1 gp each
- Craft a scroll of mage armor (CL 3rd) @ 75 gp
Total = 77 gp
Dan nods, following along as they head to the Cathedral. "If somebody smarter than me can come up with a way to keep that bridge from falling, we'll have an easier time of it if we have to try it again." He looks at Ioxeia. "Could you..." he wiggles his fingers in an estimation of arcane spellcasting "I don't know, glue the ropes together or something?"
Matsuno nods at Ioxeia, "Indeed. You all are in need of a healer's touch, and he might be able to assist us in that matter."
Once they arrive back in town Matsuno says, "Perhaps we can invest in some climbing kits, and attempt a different approach?" As the party handles their business in town he will stop by the Rusty Dragon to check in on his cousin and see about securing a room for the evening.
Leaving Kurata tethered outside he makes his way into the Rusty Dragon and tracks down Ameiko. Speaking to his cousin Matsuno says, "Well, that was quick. I made my way to the fort you spoke of, but the Heroes of Sandpoint were in full rout after fighting off a veritable horde of melon heads. They needed to come back to town to lick their wounds, so my plan was to stay the night here if you have a room available." As he notices her preparations for departure he asks, "Are you headed out for the day?"
Amieko smiles at her cousin returning unharmed "Sorry to hear it wasn't as fruitful as you had hoped, but I'm sure you will still be able to help out. At least it is good to hear more of the little buggers have been put down." As she grabs a stack of papers and tosses them in her pack she nods "Yes, back to the manor. With father gone, and the burial ceremonies coming soon there is so much to do and the inn here is in good hands with Bahni watching over it. As for a room, you are more than welcome to stay at the families house. It would provide some extra privacy over staying here and it would be nice to have someone else there with me, other than fathers servants."
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Ioxeia laughs at Dan’s gestures, before a twinge of pain cuts her short, hand pressed against a scabbed wound on her side. “I’m afraid my spells tend to be of rather more aggressive purpose. I might be able to think of something, but it might take more than an evening to work out the details. Although…”
As she trails off, Ioxeia heads toward the cathedral first to seek Desna’s grace of healing, thinking ahead to where she might find someone selling wizardly scrolls thereafter.
When the party gets to the Cathedral, Thorfinn counts out 90 gp for the pastor. "Some healing'd be friendly. Fought a bunch of goblins at Thistletop."
With dusk setting the cathedral is mostly empty. You find father Zantus stacking some books and doing some general cleanup. Seeing your severe injuries he hurries you in "Of course, gather around and let Desna tend to what ails you."
The room fills with a dim light, as it washes over each of you it feels like a crisp nights breeze under an open sky. Your wounds begin to close and bruises disappear
Seeing how injured Ioxeia and Thorfinn still are he calls on the powers of his god one additional time. "Desna be with you. The work you do for the safety of this town is appreciated! I am glad you returned in no worse condition than you already were."
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"Thank you, Father,"Ioxeia says, earnestly, "It was a near thing, but we could do no less."
She hands over another small purse of coins for his services, and, reluctant to depart so mercenarily, pauses for a few minutes to offer a grateful prayer to Desna, holding the feeling of the goddess' healing magic in her mind.
Collecting her thoughts, as she turns to leave again, enumerating the list of things she still has to look into before she can relax this evening, a quibble occurs to her that makes her smile. I suppose it's as they say, that elves pray to Calistria to get into trouble, and Desna to get out of it.
Once on the steps outside again, she turns to the others. "Unless you feel like chasing down scrolls with me, I suppose we could reconvene over drinks at the Rusty Dragon?"
"I'll join you," Syuviel responds, without directly looking at Ioxeia. "There are spells that might be of use once we return to Thistletop... and my collection could always stand to be expanded on."
Dan shrugs. "Any scrolls I could use are probably here," he gestures at the Cathedral, "And anyway, I'm broke. I couldn't buy a scroll to lace my breeches with what I've got on me. I'll meet you at the tavern."
Speaking to Ameiko, Matsune says, "Thank you for the invitation, it would be nice to spend some time there while we are in town." He finds a seat at one of the tables and adds, "I have a feeling we will be headed back out soon, once personal matters are attended to. Once I have a better idea of what our next step is I will stop by the manor to check in on you. Until then, I await the rest of the group."
Everybody heads off on the tasks for the evening.
Seeing Dan enter the tavern, Matsuno gives him a nod and waves him over to the table where he is currently seated. "You're looking much better, I see the priest was able to provide the needed healing you sought?"
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Making her way to the Academy, Ioxeia notes the flickers of new impressions that cross her mind when she thinks of Macha. It’s a bit disorienting, but fascinating, and she wonders what her familiar thinks of her own perspective.
After a few minutes, drawing up before the school’s doors, Ioxeia knocks politely and waits to see if anyone’s about. Stretching a bit to loosen her tense muscles, she makes conversation with Syuviel while they wait. “I’m honestly not quite sure what we’ll find here; I’m new to Sandpoint.”
Looking the building over, she adds, “It’s no Tower of Stars, but then humans have their own traditions, I suppose. They seem like good people here, and it is a small town for them.”
This would be a lot easier if I were back home, she thinks, But then, I suppose that would be cheating.