Come, this is what I have found so far He then indicates what bodies have already been gone through. Those piled at the end of the streets have already been searched. Lets work together to get this grisly task over with.
Great. Getting anything interesting's going to be harder with him looking over my shoulder. Of course, if he's showing me what he's found so far, maybe that'll be worth it.
"Sure," Ionacu replies, walking toward the swordsman. "The more hands the merrier."
The goblins look at both Duru and Ethan without concern, their faces showing confusion. Then, they snort and snicker with laughter amongst themselves at the interrogation. They've little to say except to insult their captors and giggle with glee.
The bodies quickly grow into a macabre pile, and the stench soon becomes nearly overwhelming. Still, Vladislav and Ionacu manage to create quite a pile of goods that may be useful as they throw out the random goblin trinket like dried ears, dog tongues, and necklaces of teeth.
Masterwork Horsechopper (goblin-made halberd)
67 arrows
4 small bows
2 small sets of studded leather
6 small sets of leather
Whip
15 dogslicers (goblin-made short sword)
1 short sword
37 GP
1 Potion, CLW
When the task has been completed Vlad carefully counts the items. He then turns to Ionacu, and any of the others nearby. As none of us are small enough to use this equipment, perhaps we can sell it to the local smith to melt down and reuse...
Ethan looks at the giggling little monsters with disgust.
"Your vile actions and the absence of remorse within your blackened, polluted souls leaves me with the solemn duty to mark you for your crimes, and hand you over to the people you have wronged for punishment!
Ethan touches each of the goblins on the forehead in turn and inscribes a single word on the head of each in turn: Murder, Mayhem, Arson, and Assault. The words burn into the goblins' skin, eliciting cries of pain.
Ionacu gives a shrug. "Sure," he says. "I'm all for getting a little coin in return for this cut. I need a new shirt now, after all."
I have a needle and thread! Vlad says laughing. You should save the coin
"So, find yourselves marked for death. I offer one last chance to speak, and perhaps, earn some amount of mercy. Who sent you? Why did you attack the town?"
"Perhaps I will. So how does a tailor end up with a sword like that?" Ionacu asks the big man, with an ingratiating smile.
And more importantly, do you know how to use it. Always best to not get on the wrong end of one of those things.
I'd make for a poor tailor. Vlad replies amused by the thought. It's good to make modest repairs and sew up wounds in a pinch. What of you? What is it that you do for a living? he asks quickly turning to conversation back to Ionacu. Surely you are not from such a little place with so little money. He states rather than asks.
A horrified look crosses Ionacu's face. "I'm certainly not from here," he exclaims. "You could say I'm ... exploring my options, I suppose. Seeing what the world has to hold. I just may be ... stuck ... here for a time."
And work for a living? I think I'd rather stay in Sandpoint for the rest of my life than have to do that, he thinks to himself.
Vladislav heaves another stinking goblin onto the pile.I figured as much. You don't have the mannerisms of the common folk. He then crosses the street, takes a seat on a overturned crate, and pulls a corn cob pipe and tabacco from his belt pouch. Come friend take a rest He then strikes a tinderwig and lights the tobacco. The air fills with the comforting aroma of his pipe.
"Talked me into it, friend. Resting is one of my favorite things to do. I take it you're also not from Sandpoint? How'd you end up here?"
After working closely with Duru helping to heal several injured or frightened townsfolk, he shakes his head in disbelief.
Duru, ya continue t'amaze me with yer actions. I'm beginnin' t'think that I'll be suspendin' my hatred fer yer kind. Just fer you, mind ya. How'd ya come t'be so different?
Vlad takes a long draw on his pipe and leans back. No, I am not from here he says, smoke blowing out his nose as he talks. My "family" resides in Restov. There is nothing there for me so when I graduated from the fighting school I left. Chance alone brings me here. Pipe clenched in his teeth Vlad pulls a flask from his vest, uncorks it and takes a long swig. He then hands it to Ionacu. How about yourself? What brings you to this place?
Your efforts in the aftermath of the battle are widely noticed among the townsfolk, who yield acceptance (though grudgingly) even to Duru. Father Zantus works alongside you throughout the night, and his gratitude is evident even though he can barely stand upright before everyone who can be helped has been helped. He finds you at the end of the work and sits down with a heavy sigh.
The gratitude of these folks, and myself, is hard to impress upon you, my friends. Know, though, that you're always welcome here in the cathedral and, I'm sure, in Sandpoint itself. I don't mean to be forward, but are you staying in town? I'd hate to think that tonight's incident would give you ill feelings about Sandpoint. Also, your presence would be a great boon to the fine folks trying to mend their wounds from this night.
The goblins shriek out in pain - both real and imagined - as the brands are placed upon them.
"Friend Duru, do you understand them? What are they saying?" Ethan says, pointing at the shrieking goblins.
|
"If I'm not mistaken...they're claiming that a human ordered them to burn down the town." Aleister turns his attention toward Father Dantus. "I can't say how long I plan to stay but would be grateful for any hospitality. I'm embarrassed to say I've fallen on some hard times as of late."
Aditionally there seems to be more to this raid than meets the eye. My curiosity is encouraging me to see this through."
Duru, ya oughta' get some more outta' 'em afore I butcher 'em.
"A human?? Man or woman? Old? Young? Fat? Thin? We need a description of the fiend that would hatch such a vile plot!"
Ethan looks back and forth from Aleister to Duru, hoping one of them will obtain the answers from their captives.
Ionacu shrugs resignedly at Aleister's words to the priest. Great, not only crazy, but broke. Guess I won't be getting anything out of him after all.
"I think I'm stuck here," he says with a shrug after Aleister's words. It's clear the idea doesn't thrill him.
"Wow, you really have to be some sort of sick twist to favor goblins over your own kind. I've seen some low things in my life, but that may be a new one," Ionacu says, his voice far from its usual slightly-laughing tone.
Father Zantus nods quickly. Of course, my friend - there is always a place for you here, and I'm sure that the town would gladly accept your help in discovering what motivated these little creatures to attack us. You should seek out the sheriff soon...tonight or in the morning even, and he could surely share what information he has. Just don't let his...severe nature put you off; he has the town's best interests at heart.
The goblins look from Ethan to Aleister and Duru, then back. They quite obviously have a healthy fear of Ethan and his potent brands. Seeming to pick up on some of the words, they speak to Aleister.
Duru stands with Aleister as the goblins plead their case. "They say it was a man, going to visit the dead something or other? Does this make any sense to you, Father Zantus, where would the dead be laid to rest around here? If the raid was a distraction, then I fear it was successful, we've spent the day dealing with the wounded."
Duru turns back to the goblins, speaking their language.
Duru grins, this time not caring if the lettuce in his teeth is showing.
"Father Zantas, does Sandpoint have a cemetery, or catacombs nearby? Where are those who have passed on laid to rest?"
Ethan seems genuinely concerned.
The goblins look at each other as if each waited for the other to respond. One looks up at Duru, then glances aside at Ethan with undisguised fear.
Abstalar winces and glances about in sudden worry. Well...my, of course. There's the cemetery directly behind the cathedral there - many call it the Boneyard. It is managed by a man named Naffer Vosk...come to think of it, I didn't hear the church bells at dusk, and he's usually the one who rings them.
"Friends, to the boneyard!" Duru starts moving to the cemetery, provided that his new friends do the same.
Ethan looks to the townspeople and Father Zantus. "We will go investigate the Boneyard. Do not take your eyes off these creatures. You have already seen what they are capable of."
Ethan nods to his comrades, the hurries after Duru.
Dorin joins the others in route to the boneyard.
Might as well go along. Who knows, maybe they'll give me some reward ... I mean, some reward better than getting to stay in this town.
With that mental shrug, Ionacu follows the others, a short spear in hand.
Father Zantus nods solemnly at Ethan's words, and several acolytes and a nearby guardsman stand over the goblins, armed and threatening.
Set in the shadow of the Sandpoint Cathedral, the Sandpoint Boneyard is accessible via a gate to the north. The cemetary is expansive and overlooks the Turandarok River. Stone vaults, presumably owned by the more affluent members of the town, stand near the cemetary's edges and at its center, while dozens of humble plots, each marked with a simple gravestone, sit amid trees and shrubberies.
The Boneyards looks to be well maintained, though the gate now stands open and a cobbled walkway leads into the cemetary. Along the side of the walkway, fust a few dozen feet inside, is a small building that could well be the caretaker's home. It's door, also, is ajar, and a faintly flickering light can be seen inside.
Vlad draws his weapon once more and cautiously approaches the building.
Ethan his staff at the ready, and moves cautiously towards the open door. He stops outside, a step to the right side of the door frame.
He pauses, and listens carefully.
Ionacu waits for the others to approach. No sense rushing in and getting myself hurt, he thinks as he looks around.
Duru lets the humans approach the caretakers hut, not wanting to startle the man with his presence. Instead, he draws his scimitar and peers around the graveyard for any signs of movement or disturbances.
Dorin approaches the opposite, left side of the door from Ethan with his Longhammer drawn. He peers into the open door.
Perception:
He notices that his armor is pretty dirty after the day's work, and he may want to clean that soon.
The graveyard seems silent as you approach...as any good graveyard should. The path looks quite well traveled, its stones rounded and scuffed more often than not. Undoubtedly, thousands of mourners have passed through this very gate to see their loved ones put to rest, or to visit their remains after their passing.
"There's something in there," Ionacu hisses as they approach the hut.
He moves behind the dwarf, hoping to use the burly warrior as a living shield.
"Someone watch the back of the building, the rest of you be ready, in case I am attacked," Ethan whispers. He takes a slow deep breath, then calls into the shed.
"Who is in there? In the name of the people of Sandpoint, show yourself!"
He hold his staff in guard position, prepared to block.
Vlad nods to Ethan, and sprints behind the building looking in windows if he passes them and searching for another door.
There's a moment of silence after your call, and then a large shadow shows in the doorway a moment before a head pokes out from the other side of the door jamb. An ugly, middle-aged man with a receding gray line of thin hair looks out at you with two eyes that seem a bit too far apart. Grime and what looks like dried blood cakes one side of his face.
Well...yer not goblins, I'd guess. Lucky ya called out, else ya would've found my cleaver 'tween yer eyes. Who are you; ya with the watch?
"Do we look like the watch?" Ionacu asks rhetorically. "You look like you've seen some difficulties lately."
Duru starts to step forward, then decides this man is better engaged by his human companions. Instead, Duru keeps up a vigilant watch in the graveyard.
"My name is Ethan, one of Erastil," Ethan replies, touching the holy symbol around his neck. "Are you the caretaker here?"