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"I wonder what the deal is with that fellow. Are we supposed to take care of him so that he doesn't follow Shalelu around but us instead? I'm not sure how I feel about lugging a drunk about." Tal whispers to the other two men.
"So instead of spending the remainder of the day drinking, perhaps we can try to find out how the goblins came into town so easily. I would have thought the guards would be on the lookout for the sneaky little buggers. They seemed to have infiltrated the city quite well before their assault. Perhaps we could try to question the prisoners or ask around where everyone first saw the goblins appear from." Tal suggests out loud.
"Ok, Hemmlock." Delendir says not very sure on how otherwise keep calm the people.
Delendir follows the elven conversation while looking at Daud scrutinously.
"I don't like it, I've heard tales about people from that place that usually are in business with undead. Perhaps, he is the responsible of Father Tobyn's corpse disappearance and the bones robes owner."
"So, what will you be doing then Shalelu?" and to the others "Is there something else we can help with?"
Hearing a conversation take place in a language he doesn't know Daud will turn in direction to the elf and half-elf, narrowing his eyes back at Delendir. "Vhat?"
"What do you think about undead little weird guy from far lands arrived in bad times?" ask Delendir while he averts his eyes.
Daud adds a scowl to his face along with his narrowed eyes "Zat zey should stay in zeir graves, and leave the living alone."
"There had been little tomb robbers in the town. They had interest in old bones of a priest long time dead. They were using also a bones robe to left us with some animated skeleton present. Do you have any idea about why or how those events happened?" Delendir says in a way all the rest of the room also gets the information clear.
At the accusation Daud's face devolves into a full on snarl. "But of course Senir, as an Ustalav I must keep tabs on all ze Unliving and Necromancers ze vorld over, yes? So I vould most undoubtedly know vat zese specific desecraters vere up to."
Giving Delendir an exasperated look, "Seriously Delendir, you really should learn some tact. You all but accused Sunday here of being involved in the graveyard theft. I have come to expect a lack of people skills from you, but that is a bit ridiculous."
Daud's snarl all but fades away as he turns his head to Jessica. "Zank you, milady DuMorne." Turning back to Delendir a bit of the snarl returns but it remains subdued. "I have grown, somewhat, accustomed to such accusations."
Delendir cross his arms over the breast and looks to other side angry after Jessica finishes his reprimand.
The party, new addition in tow, proceeds back to the Rusty Dragon. A few hours go by without much fuss, and around supper time Shalelu comes in, her confident stalking gait quite distinguishable. She spies you guys at your table and hurries over.
"Good evening, all of you. I trust your last few hours have went better than mine?" A ghost of a smile appears as Ameiko sets a glass of pale yellow wine in front of the elf.
Daud gives a nonchalant shrug. "I got to hold hands vith a a beautiful lady and got accused of being a Necromancer. So not so bad."
Observing Shalelu with surprise, Delendir joins the woman with a beer. "Uf, so what happened Shal? Is it because of the sheriff and the major? I also think they don't get the point about how largely in danger we are." Filling the elf glass with more beer he asks "Is there anything we can do to help you?"
*
The elf looks at Sunday oddly, like she is expecting a second head to sprout. When nothing further happens, she turns her head to Tal & Delendir.
"My counsel with the Mayor and Sheriff is not up for discussion. I actually disagree, Delendir, I believe they understand the situation very well. That is why Hemlock is off to find reinforcements for the near future." She sighs tiredly, sipping at her drink before continuing. "As for you, the best thing you can do is as the Mayor and Hemlock requested and make yourself conspicuous around town to keep morale up."
Sitting next to Tal again, maybe a bit closer than yesterday, Jessica sees Shalelu enter and come to their table, "I'm glad you could join us Shalelu." She indicates a vacant seat, "Please, join us."
Shalelu actually cracks a smile at Jessica, nodding her thanks as she sits before sipping at her wine. It is not hard to tell that the elf is much more comfortable in the wilderness than in a tavern full of people.
Finishing off his current drink Daud'll stand and slightly wobbly make his way over to Ameiko. Giving her a very forward bow that almost makes him trip over himself he finally rises back up after a drunken moment. "Sorry to bozer you Miss... Ameikosan? But are zere any house specials you vould recommend?"
"Well, I am not that good performer." Delendir looks at Jessica "But I will do my best, although I am not good at keeping my real thoughts and feelings to myself."
He takes another sip and looks at Shalelu with care "What about you? You seem pretty tired, what are your plans for the incoming days?"
Delendir laughs frankly at Tal's statement "Yeah, we need some real job to do or Tal will start getting to deep slumber half Sanpoint's population"
Delendir doesn't seem to realize about the hand.
Daud cranes his head around with a bemused look on his face. "Vat kind of innuendo is zat?"
The dark-skinned Minkai woman looks at Daud, cocky grin on her face. "I would recommend anything I cook, good sir. We're having spiced salmon tonight with roasted potatoes and bread."
Shalelu sighs, shoulders sagging at Delendir's words. "I will go back out in the wild before dawn, to try to scout and see what these goblins are up to. Maybe see if I can find whoever is in charge of this joining of the clans."
The elf turns to Tal, then Delendir, delicate eyebrow arched, expression neutral. "I was under the impression that keeping a town of a thousand people calm when their main lawkeeper was away was a real job. If you wish for anything else to do, you will have to talk to Hemlock or Deverin. I am here to answer any questions you might have, not cater to your sense of adventure or boredom." At this point she turns to Vivi and Jessica, seeming dismissive of the other two and with Sunday at the bar.
"I cannot vait, milady." With a sincere grin and a slight bow, one he manages to keep better footing of, he makes his way back to the table and retakes his seat. "So, since certain persons do not vish to drop ze matter may I at least be let in on the knowings? Goblins attack city, goblins raid temple, goblins steal reamains. Vhat else is zere?"
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A little frustrated, Tal retorts
"You obviously have me confused with someone who is in the service of Hemlock or the mayor. I am doing the town a favor by offering my aid, but I will chose how to best do that. That will not be spending the next couple of weeks walking around the town with my hands in my pockets until something happens."
Tal sighs, frustrated with the role thrust on them, which he feels is rather useless in the grand scheme of things.
In a calmer voice he continues.
"Could you at least tell us what you know about the tribes and their leaders? If nothing else we can spend our time "maintaining the peace" with some useful planning and preparations for when we do finally go after them."
Scowling, Shalelu turns her gaze to Tal. "Do what you will. As I said, that is between you and those two. I believe your companions at least offered the aid that was requested, and understand the spirit of what was requested."
As he continues, she turns thoughtful. "Let me think..."
Smiling at Shalelu's words, "I, at least, agreed to be present here to help keep everyone calm. There is little we can do until the sheriff returns anyway, and I don't want to leave everyone here alone. I mean, what kind of message would it send if the towns new hero's left when the sheriff did?" Looking to Delendir, "If you feel so strongly about doing something to help prepare the town, I don't believe that you were forbidden to train anyone so maybe you should see if there are those who would like to learn?"
Looking back at Shalelu, "I agree, what can you tell us about these goblins, and do you think they will attack again soon?"
Answering Daud "Well, we had a festival and I won this in the tests..." Delendir shows his silver hip flask to the Ustalavish man.
"We also assisted to a theatre show, where we made a very impressive performance." Delendir looks at Tal and Jessica giggling.
The half-elf turns to Shalelu "Do not misunderstand me please, I am trying to protect and help Sandpoint as the best one, but I don't think I am prepared to deal with people. Animals, plants, beasts... yeah, that's ok, but people... I don't feel like I can do a good job with that. I would rather prefer to follow you and help you in the wilderness, that's where I belong to. I came to the city because I have lost my house and found the city needs me. But I get anxious at not being able to go out of this palisade." Delendir asks for a new beer.
Thinking about Jessica's words, he gets an smile "In fact, I never said to Hammlock I am going to follow strictly his ideas. If we are now at charge, we will have to solve things at our way."
Getting close to Vivi "Oh friend, you are missing Kiley isn't it?" He makes a pause of understanding "Maybe you can help me, you really know how to write and design thinks. I would like to write some notes and stick them around the city to inform the peasants we are to train those that want in the most basic defense rutines."
Daud shifts an eyebrow in aproval at seeing the silver flask, waiting for the half-elf to finish he will add, "I agree vith Senir Delendir, vhile I have no problem vith just idling around killing my liver zhe anxiety vill get to me as vell. I do much better vhen I have been given a command, any command, so long as it's not so vague." With that he will look back and forth expectantly between Shalelu and Jessica.
"I didn't think they would attack the town in force to begin with, so I don't know, to be honest. That's why the reconnaissance mission for me."
She looks to Delendir, "I work best alone, Delendir. While I am sure you wouldn't be too much of a liability with your skill set, I don't know you well enough and haven't worked with you to know your quirks."
Vivi simply listens in on the conversations, smiling warmly to Ameiko as she mentions her cooking.
Switching to common again at Delendir's question, Vivi shrugs.
"I can help you make a few signs for fliers if you wish, though how many of the townsfolk would actually be able to read them is something that you, Tal and Ameiko would better be able to answer."
Turning to Shalelu, his face becomes a bit more of a grimace and he switches to Elven.
Here Vivi smiles sadly, then indicates Sunday with a nod and continues.
Vivi looks like he might wish to continue, but stops and waits for an answer.
Delendir shocks his head and laughs at Vivi's idea "Yeah, you might be right. Maybe we can add some nice drawings of us hitting a target with a crossbow."
He nods to Shalelu "I respect your wishes Shalelu. Still, don't get too much into risk... I mean... well... you are skillful, but if something happens going alone... well... take care ok?" and saying so he orders another barrel of beer for the elf and the others.
Hearing Vivi switch back and forth between multiple languages causes Daud to mumble again using those harsh whispers.
Seeing Daud's annoyance over the constant language switching, Jessica decides to express her own thoughts on it, "Annoying when they do that, isn't it Daud? You'd think they would have the decency to speak in a language we could all understand." She keeps her voice free of judgement as she speaks, "Still, I have gotten used to it now."
Daud happily bobs his head in agreement.
Vivi looks at both of them with a bit of annoyance. "I took the trouble to learn what you call 'common' or 'Taldan'. I may not be the most fluent in it, but I still learned it. If you wish to have similar.... undersizing, no... understanding, yes understanding... of Tien or Elven I meekly suggest you follow my example. Though I must say that had I not heard you speaking in that... language... before Sunday I might think you were being affected by a malignant kami."
.... I still am not sure that you aren't, young man....
Smiling a bit more, he continues. "Besides, I only speak in languages that I know the people I wish to speak with understand. Some words are meant only for some ears, languages act as a decent enough gate."
Daud simply gives a small shrug. "It is hard for me to learn a language I have just now heard for zhe first time. And it is more switching mid-conversation zhan zhe language itself." Pausing for a moment to drink from his empty tankard he will then glumly put it back down. "Kami? Is zat some sort of spirit? If so zhen yes, you could say zhat I am afflicted by malevolence. All vho hail from Ustalav are afflicted so."
Glaring at Vivi a moment, "Well, maybe if I came from a family that had the money to send me to a school, or had traveled as much as you have, I would have learned more than two languages by now. I haven't had those opportunities available to me though, I'm a girl from a poor family of artisans, and if I hadn't found a calling as a cleric of Shelyn I would likely never have left home."
Ameiko nods to Vivi absently, clearly studying the newcomer. It is obvious she's not quite sure what to make of him.
Shalelu looks to Vivi, choosing to respond in the common tongue. "Sunday here is well known to me, and is a man of some honor. Although rough around the edges, he is a loyal companion and will stick things out even in the roughest of times."
The elf then chuckles, looking to Delendir. "I am always careful, good Delendir. That's why I'm still alive and hundreds of goblins are now carrion food."
Ameiko brings you all out something to eat at this point, making sure to keep you well supplied in your beverage of choice, as well.
Shalelu sighs contently, leaning back in her chair. "About the tribes...the closest tribe are the Birdcrunchers, who live on the Devil's Platter. They're generally the most docile of the goblins, though. Then there's the Licktoads of Brinestump, the Seven Tooth goblins of Shank's Wood. The Seven Tooths are the main scavengers of this regions, turning Sandpoint's junk into low-grade armor and weapons. The Mosswood goblins are further east, and are the largest tribe. Inter-family warfare usually keeps them in line, though. Then there are the Thistletop goblins, who live on the Nettlewood coast."
She closes her eyes a moment, lost in thought, then opens them, continuing, "As for powerful personalities, you have Big Gugmut from the Mosswood, who is very muscular and tall. Rumors abound about his heritage, but he is just a large goblin. There is Koruvus of the Seven Tooth tribe, who had a short temper and a magic longsword. He has not been heard from for several months now, so hopefully he is dead. Vorka is a cannibal goblin in the Brinestump. Ripnugget is the leader of the Thistletop goblins, who have arguably the best lair of the tribes. Rendwattle Gutwad is the chief of the Licktoads, who is so fat he supposedly never leaves his throne. Then there is Bruthazmus, a bugbear ranger who associates with the goblins. He hates elves, as I can attest to. We've gotten into a few scrapes before, with neither of us gaining an advantage."
Hearing Jessica speak Daud's mood immediately lightens. "You are a priestess of The Eternal Rose? She is zhe Goddess of beauty and love, correct?"
At Shalelu's comment he will happily add on, "Yes, honorable like adorable loyal little puppy. Only slightly mangy."
Delendir listens carefully to Shalelu "That makes for five tribes. Do you have any idea where will you be starting?" The half-elf thinks for a while "I have only had previous experiences with the Licktoads before... When can we expect to see you again in town? Perhaps we can find a way to keep us updated about your findings."
Delendir looks at the elven woman with a mixture of adoration and envy "You are wild and brave Shalelu."
Shalelu thinks for a moment, "I'll probably start with the Licktoads. They are the most aggressive of the bunch. But I'll be scouting all of them. I don't expect to be back for at least a couple of weeks."
She chuckles at the socially awkward man's compliments. "Thank you, Delendir."
Vivi nods to Shalelu, satisfied about her answers both about the goblins and Sunday, but grows a bit more visibly frustrated at Jessica's response.
"I had no money growing up in my monastary either. I did have opportunities to learn by being exposed to individuals willing to teach me, which you perhaps lacked until now, but I also choose to seek them out and take advantage of them as well. If you wish I can tutor you in Elven... presuming, of course, you aren't already having private lessons from Talwin."
That last bit he says with a bit of a smirk and a wink to the mentioned elf.
Although his face is blank Daud's eyes shift from Vivi to Jessica to Talwin and then back to Vivi starting the cycle anew. So those two are a couple?
Delendir starts giggling stupidly at Vivi's backstab "Well, well, I would say we had been speaking a lot of elven around lately."
Turning to Shalelu "In that case I don't know when do you plan exactly to depart, but just enjoy of the day!" Delendir raises his beer cup and makes a greeting for everybody "For our elven amazon and the unwilling heroes of Sandpoint! Let gods guide us in our respective missions!"
"Vhatever zhey may be." Daud raises his tankard/cup/glass.
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At hearing that Shalelu might be away for multiple weeks Tal starts to slump in his seat mumbling "You get to have all the fun..."
"Ah the benefits of being long lived, lot's of experiences and knowledges to share." Tal smiles.
At Delendir toast Tal weakheartedly raises his glass and lets out a very sarcastic "yeeeeeey"
Finishing his drink in one long draw he'll put the container back to the table before looking to the others. "So vhat does one do for fun or to pass zhe time around here? Or are zheir any more leads ve can follow up on?"
Shalelu smiles grimly at Delendir's words. "No rest for me, I'm afraid. I am going to plan where I am going first, get a brief rest, then head out under the cover of night. Good luck to you all! I rather do hope you will be bored these next few days, as the alternative would be much worse for the Town." The elven woman gets up and heads to a room.
Ameiko visits shortly after to check on you. "Everything alright, guys? Need anything?" Her gaze rests on the monk a bit longer than anyone else.