GM ShadowLord's Rise of the Runelords Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master GM ShadowLord

Her smile diminishing slightly, Jessica lays a hand on Vivi's shoulder when she hears his tone in an attempt to offer some comfort.

Vivi looks up to Jessica and smiles.

"It is ok. She will be fine on her way... and I can speak from experience when I say that long journeys broaden your perspective. Perhaps it will help her to confront her pain and move past it... keeping her memories but tempering the bad with more good."

Looking a bit deceived Delendir turns to Tal and the guard. "Well, I guess we can go in. The others will probably join sooner rather than later." And so the half-elf accepts the guard invitation and goes in. "If you can find someone and tell them we are in the meeting already, it will be kind from you."
Diplomacy aid: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (10) - 2 = 8

Vivi nods in thanks to the half elf and takes the dress from her.

"Thank you again for your time and your talent. Please excuse us, we need to go... well, I do anyway... I need to try on my new clothes!"

Vivi breaks into almost a childlike grin (the sort reserved for opening your first present on Christmas morning) and sets off to return to the Rusty Dragon (Presumably with Jessica in tow, but not forcing her to come with him either if she wants to stay and chat a bit.)

Her eyes lighting up in delight at the idea, Jessica quickly follows him, "That's a wonderful idea Vivi!"

"Yes, though they might not know we are here. Perhaps you could send the young man at the door to fetch the others."

With big smile in face Delendir says to the elf "Don't worry Tal, I have told to Vivi to come after the clothing shop. They are just probably talking a bit with the keeper, but I am sure they will come in a rush afterwards. They are Vivi and Jess!"

"Good morning Deverin, good morning Shalelu! How have your trip gone this time? Any goblin to breakfast toast?" the half-elf stretches hands with those in the room.

"Well good morning lady Mayor, and Shalelu, you look as ravishing and wild as ever. It is good of you to grace us with your presence."

Vivi waves at Ameiko as he and Jessica arrive.

"Ameiko-san, will you please hold this for Kiley for when she returns from her travels? She forgot to pick it up from the tailor before she left." Presuming that she is willing, she hands the kimono to her. "Oh, and I will be right back."

Heading to his room with a wink, takes off his robes and replaces them with the pants, shirt, and vest and comes back downstairs.

Vivi smiles at her. "Well, when in Sandpoint, dress like someone other than a Varissian caravan and gnome picked out the colors, eh?"

Vivi smiles at his own self-humor. "Well, our companions have not come back which means they weren't thrown out. Lady Jessica, I will wait here for you to change into your normal clothes if you wish. I will go like this I think... I have my kama, so I am ready for whatever goblins, undead or trickster women cross our paths today." As he says this his smile grows darker. And here I thought that coming to a small out of the way town would finally be relaxing... the kami certainly have a certain sense of humor...

"Thank you Vivi, but I think I will go like this. i mean, why get new clothes if you aren't going to wear them?" She smiles at Vivi, "Shall we?" She offers him her arm.

Assuming that he does I am going ahead to arriving at the garrison.

Arriving at the garrison, Jessica looks for someone to point them on their way, "Excuse me, but we are here to see the sheriff. Could you point us in the right direction please?"

Vivi nods and smiles. "Very true. After you then." With a final bow to Ameiko, Vivi follows Jessica out the door.

Ameiko waves amiably to the duo as they leave to head to the garrison. On their way, they see a very young guardsman running towards the Dragon. The man almost passes them by before he stops, out of breath. After a moment, he gasps out. "The Sheriff.....and the Mayor.....want to see.....you at the Garrison." He stands there, doubled over, his hands on his slightly bent knees.

"We were just headed there. Are you alright?"

Once we enter the room so I have it posted.

When she enters the room with Vivi to meet the sheriff, Jessica is wearing her new dress. It is a modest red dress, hugging what curves she has and reaching to just below her knees in a loose skirt with a blue belt cinched at her waist. She is wearing her holy symbol around her neck, and has a pair of feather earrings on that have been died the colors of the rainbow. looking at the assemblage, "Sorry we're late, I am afraid time got away from us."

Vivi smiles. "Yes, it tends to do so when you are experiencing new things. Did we miss much?"

The young man waves Jessica and Vivi on, still trying to catch his breath.

@the Garrison - The group of four is reunited as the Mayor smiles at Jessica and Vivi. "So glad you could join us! As I was explaining to your slightly more overeager friends, we weren't expecting to call on you for a couple more hours, but this will work out nicely. Shalelu has returned, and has some information for us!"

Hemlock scowls impassively as Shalelu starts to speak. She occasionally looks to the door you just used to get in as she talks. "Belor's told me of your work against the goblins-well done. I've dedicated the last several years of my life to keeping them from causing too much trouble around these parts, but they're tenacious and fecund little runts. Like weeds that bite."

"There are five major goblin tribes in the region, and, traditionally, they're pretty good at keeping each other in line with intertribal squabbles and the like. Yet from what I've been able to piece together, members of all five tribes were involved in the raid on Sandpoint. A fair number of the Mosswood goblins I dealt with yesterday were already pretty beat up, and there was a lot of chatter about the 'longshanks' who killed so many of them. Now that I've met you, it seems obvious from their descriptions who they were talking about. Seems like you've made an impression."

"In any event, the fact that the five tribes are working together disturbs me. Goblin tribes don't get along unless they've got something big planned, and big plans require big bosses. I'm afraid that someone's moved in on the goblins and organized them. And judging by these recent raids, what they're organizing seems like bad news for all of us."

At this point, a short knock on the door sounds and Shalelu nods, calling out. "Come in, Sunday!

Slim and slouching in a faded longcoat that may have at one time been a resplendent piece for a noble has been worn down from ages of wear is a man just having left his adolescence with dull red eyes and sharp features on dull pale skin, coupled with his accent leaves no doubt that the young man hails from Ustalav. His messy hair is inky black salted with patches of grey and white, although whether this is due to an inordinate amount of stress or some other goings on is anybody's guess.

Before his friends have arrived Tal takes a glas of water and jokingly says "Oh don't mind me, I never object to seeing Shalelu at work."

When Jessica arrives Tal finds it hard to pull his eyes away from her.
"Hi dear, nice of you and Vivi to join us. No sign of Kiley still?" Tal finally says.

At Shalelu's information, Tal nods and adds. "We figured as much from the goblin corpses we slew. At least we put some fear in the little buggers. Are you updated on what we found in the graveyard by the church? It seems someone was after the bones of our late father Tobyn and left us an undead surprise. Any idea who or what might be able to force them working together?"

When the stranger Tal raises his eyebrow at what he sees and waits for the man to introduce himself.

Wobbily entering the room with half-lidded eyes the young man straightens up once he passes the doorway. Placing one arm horizontally across his chest and the other horizontally across his back he gives the group a slanted bow. "Greetings, Sunday Daud, expendable voodsman, at your service. His voice is flat as the floor his upper body is now level with.

As Vivi and Jessica go in, Delendir smiles "That's really impressive, you really got the dress." It turns graver as he listens to the news.

Surprised by the late man's arrival, Delendir returns the greeting "Hello man" he then turns to Shalelu waiting for explanations.

"This you explain to us confirms our worst fears. Have you succeeded whom is behind this tribal collaboration or what are their goals? We need to discover what is going on before Sandpoint is in higher trouble."

Raising back up he takes in the four opposite the room. Elf, elf blood, a man from vho knows vere, Crown of ze World Perhaps? And a follower of Shelyn.

Standing and giving the man a curtsy, Jessica introduces herself, "Jessica DuMorne, priestess of Shelyn at your service." After her introduction, she sits back down next to Tal.

Daud becomes slightly more animated at Jessica addressing him, nodding back at her curtsy. "Pleasure, Milady."

Shalelu shakes her head at Tal & Delendir's question. "No idea, actually. Of course, each tribe has its own champions or chiefs, usually one in the same, but this has never actually encouraged cooperation before. Usually far from it." She shakes her head again in a frustrated manner.

Sheriff Hemlock stands up at this point, scowl worse than ever. "One of the reasons we were going to ask you to attend was this: I am intending on taking a couple of the town guard with me to Magnimar, to secure additional security for the next few weeks while all this dangerous activity is going on. I have asked Shalelu to scout things out, to see if she can learn any more, but while I am away, I would like for you lot to remain around town. Seeing their heroes around will hopefully keep them calm while I am away, and in the odd event of another attack, you have proven yourselves adept at handling things." He sits.

Mayor Deverin remains in her seat, but turns towards you guys, an engaging smile on her face. "So what do you say? Would you babysit the town for a few days while Hemlock is away?"

Craning his head towards the mayor with an inquisitive look on his face. "Are the taverns here any good?"

The Mayor chuckles, nodding. "I might be prejudiced, good Sunday, but I believe we have some of the best in the Varisian heartland."

"The Rusty Dragon, run by Ameiko-san is very good. May I ask you, Daud, what brings you to this town? If you are here for the festival I am afraid you missed it by three days or so."

Vivi smiles at the newcomer and switches to Elven.

Vivi smiles sadly, and switching back to common addresses the mayor.

"It is not common for me to stay in any one place for too long, Mayor. I have already stayed here longer than I originally intended to. That said, I do like it here... and a week or two more will not cause me to gather dust or forget how to travel. I will stay."

He bows to her formally.

Daud nods along as both Vivi and Deverin speak. "Rusty Dragon. Ameikosan. Vill check zat out later. As for me? Milady Shalelu found me passed out in ze voods and kept me from getting eaten so I owe her my gratitude."

As the monk switches to Elven though Daud arches an eyebrow while letting a harsh utterance out, silent as a whisper but loud at the same.

"Well, I had never meant to stay even this long, but I will though I would ask a favor of you in return. Since you are going to Magnimar anyway, would you deliver a message to the shrine of Shelyn and to my parents so that they know what is going on for me? I would greatly appreciate it."

Hemlock manages to grace Jessica with a smile as he gives a short, polite bow of respect. "My lady, it is the least I can do for your efforts. Consider it done."

"Thank you sir, let me get those written while we talk. Could I borrow a couple of pieces of paper and something to write with please?" Once she gets those she proceeds to write notes for both her family and her instructor at the shrine of Shelyn, putting the addresses of both on them so the sheriff knows where to deliver them.

Tal nods to Vivi.

"Hemlock, how many of your men will remain in the city? And who will you leave in charge?

Shelyn, what can we do to counter the goblin cooperation? Strike at their champions?"

Tal nods to Vivi.

"Hemlock, how many of your men will remain in the city? And who will you leave in charge?

Shelyn, what can we do to counter the goblin cooperation? Strike at their champions?"

Intentionally confusing Shalelu with the Goddess of Beauty? Well played you Rakish SoB.

"Zat. Ve could also give one of ze clans fireworks, instant infighting between ze alliance vill ensue and ze victors will blow themselves up... Just a zought."

woopsies ;) Let's hope Jessica doesn't see through my supposed spelling mistake :P

I think we can interchange Shelyn with Shalelu, as that was the obvious intention. Unless Tal would like to play it differently. LOL

The Mayor goes to a desk and procures the writing instruments and paper Jessica mentioned as Shalelu shakes her head, scowling. It is Hemlock who answers. "I will be leaving sixteen guards, who will report directly to Mayor Deverin while I am away. As I indicated, I would prefer you take no overt action right now, but instead make your presence IN the town very conspicuous. Once I return, we can discuss a strategy for these goblins at that point."

Shalelu nods, then adds, "If you have any further questions, I would love to dine with your group at the Dragon tonight. Until then, I believe the Mayor, Sheriff, and I have preparations to make."

Smiling at Tal's slip, Jessica can't help but comment, "So have I begun to turn you into a convert Tal?" She laughs lightly, "I am afraid that you wouldn't like Shelyn's suggestion on how to deal with the goblins so I won't mention it."

She finishes her letters, blots them, and then seals them. Then she writes the addresses on the outside. "Here you are sheriff, thank you again." When they mention needing to make their own plans, "I don't have any questions, and I would be delighted for you to join us Shalelu."

"Well in that case, let's roll out another parade shall we? At least that way the folks are aware of our presence." Tal jokes after Hemlocks suggestion of being conspicuous.

After probably receiving a sneer or foul look from Hemlock Tal sticks his tongue out and responds to Shalelu. "Sure Shalelu, we will see you tonight. We have much to discuss concerning those gobsies."

Tal turns to his friends and continues "So what shall we do in the mean time?

"Drink?"

The Sheriff accepts the letters from Jessica, putting them into a satchel on his side. It seems hers is not the only correspondence to leave with the man. Shalelu nods to the group, turning back to her conversation with the other two.

The group makes its way back to the Dragon to await the evening meal and some time with Shalelu.

RP some if you like...I'll move us on later.

Daud will contently saunter along after the heroes wherever they go.

As they talk Delendir nods "Yes, I am to help protecting the city, but I think defensive measures shall be taken. Establishing regular curfew at night and exploring the surroundings regularly for activity near the town is a need. I would also built up defenses on the walls and train a local militia. Maybe a band imposing one man for each family has to prepare for defenseman, just in case. Training a group of people and have them ready to extinguish fires can be particularly useful so it doesn't happen like the other day if the goblins come burning our houses again. " Delendir goes lower voice as the others faces change "I can train people on how to use a crossbow or other simple weapons. "

Hemlock glances at Delendir. "We have no resources for scouting, and you are needed in the town, as already stated. Twice. We don't expect any more trouble to pop up in the few days I am gone, but if it does, a few days of target practice won't make these men any more capable than they are right now. As for your other suggestions, feel free to talk to the Mayor. After we are done here." With a tone of finality, he turns back to the others.

Seeing that Sunday hangs behind us a bit, Jessica drops back to walk by him and loops an arm through his if he lets her. She gives him a quick smile, "You know, you don't have to walk behind us like that. There's no need to be shy, we're all perfectly friendly, though Delendir does tend to be a bit brusque I think he's just not used to people." Her tone is cheerful, friendly, and genuine.

He does not resist, happily taking her arm, though he does straighten as if a bolt of lightning just ran through him. "Oh... My apologies for vorrying you milady. And I can see from his perspective, not being used to friendly people... Or just people period."