GM Woran's Rise of the Runelords

Game Master Woran

While you argue at the edge of the graveyard, in the distance you see the sheriff exit the crypt. Father Zanthus is walking towards him, and you can see them have a conversation. After a moment, they both leave.
A short while later, they both return. Father Zanthus carying a smoking censer, the sheriffs arms full with funeral shrouds.
They disappear into the crypt.

"If they get eaten we're going to be blamed for it you know."

"Not if we floss afterwards."

"Proper dental hygene is not a bad place to start, but it's still not the solution to all of life's problems."

Walking back to the Dragon, you notice Sandpoint has started to go back on track. With the service in the cathedral over, most people have gone home and gotten on with normal life.
Washing is hung on lines, streets are being sweeped and debris is cleared away.

A few people still tip their hats to the party, but its definitely less then this morning. It looks most people are trying to lose themselves in the work.

In the Dragon, Ameiko and her staff are busy with prep for dinner, and a few rooms are being cleaned.
With lunch done, and supper not starting, its quiet in the dragon. Only a few patrons are in the common room, and they are keeping to themselves.

Rodrak hrmps approvingly at the quiet common room, and takes a seat on one of the bigger tables so all can sit around it comfortably.

"Right then. Is there anything more to be gleaned from that piece of clothing, magical or otherwise?"

Taj sits at the table, kicking off her boots. "May I see it?"

She frowns at the garment. "So we know someone our size is inciting the goblins, and they waited until the opening ceremony to attack." She turns to Vy. "No one knew we were coming, right? But the attack on the crypt... on the Cathedral... that feels personal. Do you know anyone who hated the church or your first family? Did your sister have enemies, or Father Tobyn?"

She blinks. "It would be so easy to feel alone here, after the Sheriff suspected Vy." She's tired, and without thinking of it, she leans her head on Oskar's shoulder a moment. "Thank you guys for sticking with us today. For being our friends." She looks around the whole group, smiling.

"As much as it pains me to say I believe I've hit the limits of my arcane knowledge on it.. for now. A tailor might have a better if it matches any particular style of clothing or region. Hopefully a more reputible one than the one that sold me this little lord de'brevoy outfit that he assured me was halfling high fashion. Or we could just wait till we're attacked again."

"I wouldn't know who would bear a grudge against the church. I do not feel it's against the church itself, but someone did want to defile those graves and had enough pull to use the goblins as a distraction. Not that that is something hard to do. Give them something that sets something afire and they'll be game. Didn't they day it were long shanks that put them up to it?"

"Also, sister, I'm working on a plan to show my innocence to the people. It takes some...doing to get some...facts straight"

"They did say longshanks put them up to it, but there are so many questions that raises!" She pauses, raising her fingers and counting off. "One. Someone got the trust of that many goblins, all at once? They generally want to eat longshanks, not follow them!"

"Two. You saw how many goblins there were. Goblins fight each other pretty quickly. How did whomever it was get them all to work together? This must have taken a ton of work, time and dedication."

"We're missing something, or someone, here." She reaches out and takes her brother's hand. "Okay, so you have a plan to show your innocence. Can I help you with it? You're my brother. No matter what, I'm sticking with you."

Rodrak hrmps a bit, rumbling off in a bit of a thicker accent then usual.

"Yeh, ye are missing something. Gobs don't trust. Not longshanks, not other gobs, not even themselves. They cover and fear. Look for someone that they feared more then this village, or covet something to overcome their fear."

He cracks a small grin.

"Also, I sticking with ye. But I don't do hand-holding."

"Taj, it isn't enough to show them I didn't do it. There will always be unbelievers. I need to show them it's impssible for me to even conceive of the idea that I...set fire to the church and....killed my sister and father. This plan..it's going to work. But there are proper ways that must be observed before I can show... everyone."

Ameiko comes over to bring you all a few drinks.
"Hey, everything all right? You all look rather glum. Nothing serious I hope? Can I get you heroes anything else? Some snacks maybe?"

Taj merely raises an eyebrow at Rodrak's comment about holding hands.

Then she turns back to Vy. "I know it's impossible for you to do such a thing! But that's because I know you. I remember when we found you, shivering under that ratty old awning, hungry. And you not charging people because you never thought about asking recompense for your healing, just hoping that they'd toss a few scraps your way."

She frowns. "It's great that you have a plan, but maybe it would be even better if you shared it so we could help you!"

When Ameiko comes, Taj smiles at the friendly face. "We heroes need a lot, but we'll start with some hot tea, some of your great curry, and some advice." Taj tells Ameiko about the accusations. "What can we do to turn the opinions of this town?"

Looks at rataji and narrows his beady little eyes a bit

Wha-a-at? Or do you need me to pinch your cheeks again?

"No. Just a saying, I'm sure. "

He holds up the robe

"I don't suppose this rings any bells or looks familar? Or perhaps you can direct us to a tailor in town. "

"So you want to help me with my plan? Great! After we have eaten let's go around town and see who needs our help. Ameiko can tell us indeed. Let's help the community"

'And while we're doing that we can ask people if the know anything about that cloak. You've checked if it's magical in nature, right?"

Vy casts Detect magic just to be sure.

"There was a lingering trace of necromantic energy about it. I hypothesized that it was either a one use magic item or a variant scroll to raise the undead. I don't suppose your OTHER adopted sister had a thing for skulls and black tatered robes? "

Somehow right at that moment it's like that rare moments where all the conversation seem to stop all at the same time. Vy just stares at the ratfolk male. And from somewhere else you get the feeling some large canine is getting ready to charge, pound and rend.

"No"
You're not quite sure if Vy answered your question, or gave someone a command.

With a serious expression, Ameiko listens to what Rataji has to say.
"Hm. That is serious indeed. While I've known snowflake for a long time, even I was shocked to see him alive. And quite emotional. His return will do the same to others. And if its one thing this town loves, its gossip. And while I do know that snowflake would never attack the town in revenge, it is a strange coincedence. I understand why the sheriff is weary. Coincidences like that mean something is up."

Leaving for a moment, Ameiko returns with a large pot of tea and mugs.
"Curry isnt done yet, but in the mean time Andrea will make you some warm toast and cheese, and I've got some fruits and nuts here for you."

Ameiko gives everyone a big steaming mug of tea and puts a basket of apples, pears and hazel and wallnuts on the table.
"The robe doesnt ring a bell, but if its a magic item of some sort, you could see if Vorvashali can take a look at it. You've already met him. He is the red headed man who talks waaaaaaaay to much. He runs the feathered serpent. Its about as close as a magic shop we have here."

"A mage who talks way too much?" Rataji grins. "Must be an occupational hazard."

Then she smiles pleasantly at the rest of the group, and scoops an arm around Vy. It's her gameface, maybe a little stiff, but still a smile nonethless. "If you guys will excuse me, I need to talk to my brother for a second."

She pulls Snow into Ameiko's pivate dining room, deserted at this time of day. "What the HELL was that? That growling wolfman thing that you did when Justin asked about Nualia? I'm the hothead, not you. So talk. Let it all out before whatever you're stewing over eats you alive."

"Whenever the bullying got too much I would run away to the woods. Sometimes they would follow me. When I got really scared, this wolf would appear and chase them away. He wouldn't appear always and wouldn't stay very long. But he was always there when I needed him the most"

"Now Justin made that awful accusation, and I felt the presence of my friend again. But this time, I felt like I could control it, somehow"

Rataji absorbs the statement, chewing it over a few minutes before talking again. "I've always known you had protective instincts. The only times I've seen you fight is to protect Pateba and me. So... this inner protector of yours? It's a wolf?"

She reaches out and strokes her brother's fur. "Hello Wolf. I'm glad you're there. I'm glad that you protect my brother like you protect others. I'm also glad that I've never given you cause to rise out, because my bro gets a little scary when you get badass."

She returns her gaze to Vy's face. "Nualia was your sister before I was. I know you want to protect her memory, but none of us knew her or Father Tobyn. We're going to need to know everything you can tell us, alright?" She sighs. "Shall we return to the others, Vy?"

ratfolk are always highly attuned to the presence of larger things with big sharp pointy teeth. At the impending sense of doom justin pops out of existance and reappears under a stable by the door and scampers out, Robe in hand

"Feathered serpent. Got it. thankyouverymuch"the ratfolks voice trailing off with the doppler effect and distance.

***

"hi..."pant "Robe. Fading necromantic energies. Can youseeanything else?pant

Skittering trough town, draws quite a few stares. Luckily the feathered serpent is only two streets away from the Dragon.
Situated at the point where the Turandarok river widens into the small bay where the harbor is situated, the Serpent is a prime location.

Entering the shop, you noticed its cramped and cluttered and smells of a strange mixture of incense, spice, and dust. A small bell rings the moment you open the door, and from the back you hear a voice call "Just a moment please!"

And indeed, a moment later, the red haired man that talked your ears off at the cathedral comes to the counter, carrying a few small boxes.
"Oh good afternoon master Justin, how good to see you again so soon after we only just spoke earlier. What marvelous discussions we had, and welcome to my shop, the Feathered Serpent. Not everything is for sale you see, I kind of use the space as my personal museum for my research too but if you see something please ask about it. How can I help you?"

You are surprised that at the end of that waterfall of speach, Vorvashali actially is silent, awaiting an answer from you.

"So.. many..... " and drools over an orrery in the corner for a second. "ahem well I see I came to the right place. I was wondering if you could tell me anything about this robe. It was apparently used in a necromantic ritual to raise a few skeletons, but its aura is fading. I was thinking a single use hung spell or some variant scroll in the cloth "

He looks over at the price tag on the orrery

"I should have sold the soap at higher margins."

"Oh, a thing!"
Vorvashali picks up the robe and looks it over. "Lets take it to the lab!"
Motioning you to follow him, you enter a room at the back that is half laboratory, half junkyard. You see several set ups used in preserving old items.
Using some crystals, a weird looking glass and what looks like a tuning fork, Vorvashali goes over the robe.
Scratching his chin, he takes out a book to reference a few things. After some study he holds up the robe again.
"Yes, I think I know what this is. A robe of Bones. Its like a robe of usefull items. But then for necromancers, you know."

"So where are the skull and bo..AHHhhhh" That explains why the skeletons were so clean. either they were conjured or the person who made the robe was conscientious enough to not want to disease their customers...Hey, does the robe make something ex nilo or does it use something that was placed i.. never mind.

Justin is going to regret this, but he does try putting on the robe to see if there were any patches left.

"As much as I'd love to move into your shop and not leave I need to talk to the sheriff. Well maybe you could show me that trick with the tuning fork now.. no. I definitely need to talk to the sheriff. Then tuning fork."

Justin scampers slightly slower back through town to try get back to the inn.

"We need to find the sherrif. " and drops his voice to a whisper "Half the bones are fakes. They swiped the bodies and left other ones in their place. Whatever they're doing with them , it's worse than bringing them back from the dead as a mockery of life, because they could have just done THAT already. "

Vorvashali looks at you seriously. "Its totally not your size you know. Also, I think its depleted. It still caries a left over aura from the patches, but its basically a plain old robe now. Not even a very fashionable one at that."

As you leave the shop, Vorvashali waves goodbye. "Do come again! Our discussions are delightfull! And I love to show you the trick with the tuning fork! Bye!"

"We need to find the sheriff. " and drops his voice to a whisper "Half the bones are fakes. They swiped the bodies and left other ones in their place. Whatever they're doing with them , it's worse than bringing them back from the dead as a mockery of life, because they could have just done THAT already. "

Taj startled at watching the rat run out and then in again, is fascinated. Then what Justin said hits her. She kneels down. "You are one clever fellow. Fast, too. Do you want to run with me to find the Sheriff?"

"Sigh.. long legged... yes. Mostly because if he's been eaten already i'm going to need an alibi. "

"I could always give you a boost onto my shoulders," Taj grins. "Or maybe you'd just prefer that I run a little slower. Don't be so pessimistic, my friend, and remember Oskar's tips about dental hygiene!"

"I am NOT a child, I will manage to keep up..." the ratfolk seems to have a little extra fluff besides his fluff, but seems to do a pretty good job of keeping up what is, for him, a fast jog.

Rataji sets off on a brisk walk, Justin hurrying to keep up.
Retracing your steps, you go back to the graveyard. The sheriff is no longer at the crypt, but the carpenter working on the broken door tells you that the sheriff is inside with father zanthus.
When you look inside the crypt, everything from earlier this morning has vanished. No broken bones or coffin. Everything has been cleaned up nicely.

Entering the cathedral, its space is now empty and echoing. Only the acolytes are inside, cleaning up the extra benches from the ceremony.
They direct you to father Zanthus his office.

The small building attached to the cathedral is also clearly new. You recall hearing that several other buildings then the old church went up in flames, and the priests lodgings must have been one of them.

Knocking on the sturdy wooden door, you hear a muffled "enter!".
Opening the door, you enter a small but cozy study. There is a small iron stove (not cold), a large wooden desk with a few stacks of papers on top. A small window provides light. A paritally filled book case takes up the back wall of the room.
Father zanthus is behind the desk, sitting in a well used armchair. (you have the feeling the chair is older then you are). The sheriff is sitting in front of the desk, on a simple wooden chair.

Father zanthus stands up to greet you. "Ah, welcome. Rataji was it? And Justin? Thank you for assisting us with the trouble in the crypt. I'd offer you a seat, but as you can see, my office isnt big enough I am afraid. What can we assist you with?"

At the offer of a seat, the panting ratfolk slumps against the wall and slides down onto the floor, sitting on his rump.

"Bones..tomb... fake.. real..stolen...you..transalte..." he adds to rataji.

"Thank you, Father. We don't need seats." Taj nods to Justin, who's carrying the robe. "Justin got the robe analyzed, and then realized something that we need to share with you right away."

It's Justin's discovery, and she doesn't want to steal his thunder, but he's waving her on to continue. "It's a robe of bones -- a necromantic item that will let you pull out undead to work for you, freshly summoned. The bones that we fought in the crypt were clean and well-scoured, but oddly didn't feel old enough to be in the tomb. Justin believes they are substitutes."

She leans in and studies Father Zanthus's expression. "Someone incited the goblin attack on Sandpoint in order to not only disrupt the first ceremony of your brand new Cathedral, but also to steal the bones in that crypt and substitute fakes. Father Zanthus, we believe that whomever is behind these attacks has some nefarious plan for those bodies."

Her hair smoking, she paces the office. "Father, the Sheriff suspects my brother because he survived the previous Cathedral attack. But the planning for this... gaining allies with the goblin tribes, browbeating those tribes into working for a common cause, doing the necromantic magics and planning to steal the bodies of those priests... There is no way that my brother could have been involved, because all of this would have required someone to have made months of planning and effort, mostly in this area. Pateba, Vy and I have been traveling. Last month we were in Korvosa. Before that, we were in Andoran."

She kneels next to the Father. "I think your church and my family share a common enemy. Father, will you help clear my brother so that we can find these necomantic jerks and hunt them down?"

Father Zanthus sits back down, and steeples his fingers. His brow is creased in worry.
"The idea that someone wanted to hurt us by raising our honoured elders as undead was bad enough. But this means that they made off with the remains of four of our priests, and left copies in their wake to confuse us. And seriously harm a poor unwary soul that might have wandered into the crypt. Goblins dont often show talent for magic, let alone creating magic items. And if they do, they tend to be more of a... burning and explosion kind. Necromancy is rare among them as far as I know."

The sheriff is rubbing his chin toughfully. "There is the matter of the 'longshanks' the goblins were talking about. Now, they generally arent very specific in using that term. Most of the time they cant tell the difference between a human and an aasimar."
He looks at Rataji. "A bugbear for example could intimidate the goblins well and true enough that they might do something like this. There are some up in the Nettlewood, and occasionally some of the young males that end up on the low end of the pecking order, try to get some goblins to bully around. Which works, for a time. Untill they all get too overconfident and get themselves killed. But I've never seen one stir the gobs up this badly."

When Rataji keels, father Zanthus is quick to help her up. "Now now dear, no need for that. I understand you are concerned for the wellbeing of your brother. And all this happening is certainly concerning. There is evil afoot, that is for sure. But I discussed everything with the sheriff. While this coincidence of you and your brother arriving is certainly strange, you are right that we have not seen you here before, and neither your brother. That you are behind this, well, its a slim chance. But someone might try and blame you all for this, which is much more likely. Those touched by the planes, good or otherwise, generally make excellent scapegoats for the people. So we do want to keep an eye on you, understand? Having you as 'suspects' makes it easier to observe you, in case someone overplays their hand."

There is a little fire in her eyes as she looks at Father Zanthus. "You want us to stay 'suspects'. You want us to be 'scapegoats' to make it easier to catch the real criminals?"

"It's a good plan. Whoever's doing this has some way of knowing what's going on in town.. or is someone in town. It might get us lynched, but that doesn't mean it's not a good plan."

Taj sits down, heavily. "The problem with this plan is that once under suspicion, your name never gets truly cleared. I like Sandpoint. I wanted my family to finally have a place to settle in and call home. But if Vy and I are your scapegoats... We'll never fit in."

She turns to Zanthus. "Do you have any idea how hard you're making this on my brother? On me? Or how about on our teammates? Rodrak, Justin, Oskar, Eldira... None of them exactly blend into a crowd. We've acted as heroes, and you're using us." Taking a deep breath, she works hard on self-control, banking her fires. She will not be a hot head right now. She will NOT, no matter how much this hurts. "No wonder Nualia was unhappy here. I thought... I thought this town was better than this. Apparently, I was wrong."

She stands up to her full height of barely over five feet, and gives Father Zanthus a cold bow. "If you're going to use us as your sacrificial pawns, the least you can do is keep us informed. Have you told us all you know of the Cathedral, its enemies, and its history? What have you left out?"

Father Zanthus looks shocked. "Oh no my dear, you must have misunderstood me. We dont want to use you as scapegoats. We think someone else wants to. Your brother arriving here just when this all happens is a little too convenient for our tastes. Someone must have known you would come here, someone who knows your brothers history. He would be all too convenient a scapegoat. But if we pretend we are falling for that, and label you a suspect, we have a reason to observe you, and we hope that whomever planned this will overplay their hand. Because for now, its just that, a coincidence. Happenstance that your brother is here. Some rumors no one knows who started. If they want this to stick, they will need to do something else. And then we can catch them."

With a sigh Father Zanthus sits down. "I know its not an elegant plan. Or a nice one for you and your brother. But we are grasping at straws here. We are missing too many puzzle pieces. I have a feeling whatever was set in motion yesterday, will continue rolling, so to speak. This was too well coordinated to be a simple raid. And what they did at the crypt makes it all the more troubling."

Father Zanthus appears lost in thought after mentioning the crypt.
The sheriff stands up from his chair, and puts it back in a corner. He takes the robe from justin and looks it over for a moment before speaking.
"Dont worry about the people of sandpoint. Two thirds have already made their mind up."
He holds up three fingers, and counts them down. "One third already thinks you are heroes. They saw your actions at the square and owe you their lives, or the lives of their loved ones. That we suspect you of being involved wont make a difference for them.
One third will suspect you no matter what. We have some... old fashioned families here in town. Sadly, they are also wealthy, and that makes them opinionated and greedy. They dont like you because you are foreign, and you are too smart to be made a profit from. They will see you being a suspect as justified, and even if we did not, they would see you as one anyway. Its just the way they are.
And the last third will be on the fence. They heard more good things about you then bad, so they will give you the benefit of the doubt. Innocent untill proven guilty. And if we catch the guilty party, they will nod and go on their way, as they will have more pressing matters in their life then worry about some old accusation."

The sheriff shrugs. "We dont have a grand sceme where we parade you out on the village square. For now we have gossip at our side. Your reaction at the graveyard was sincere and all we needed to get the locals mouths blabbing. If there is something this town excels at, it would be gossiping. By working with me I have more then enough excuses to talk to you, even if the people dont know what we are doing. Seeing me talk to you is enough. They will fill in the rest with what they want to see. A few patrols passing by the Rusty Dragon, and the ruse is complete."

The sheriff shrugs again, altough you think you see a bit of sadness in his face, but it is gone in an instant. "And as for Sandpoint being better then this? It is what it is. We are not high society. We are people making a living, sometimes barely scraping by. We try for justice and equality. But its hard to come by if your children are starving or dead. This town has suffered a lot in recent years, and not all of its scars have healed well. Just remember that."

Putting the robe on the desk, the sheriff bids his goodbye to everyone and leaves, leaving you with father Zanthus in the room.

"I'm not about to become witness to a murder am I? Because if i am i can leave with the sheriff..."

"No. You aren't." Taj, still literally fuming, gets up. "Thank you for your time, and your blunt explanation. At least you were honest with me."

With the sheriff leaving, father Zanthus breaks out of his thoughts.
"Thank you very much for your assistance with the crypt. I hope we can find out who's behind this and apprehend them before more people fall victim."
His brow is creased with worry. "I know I wont convince you of our intentions. But please tell snowflake that he is welcome in the temple anytime. I dont blame him for what happened. And of course you and your friends are welcome as well."

Father Zanthus stands up, and gets a bag from behind his desk.
"I do have to go now. I have got some house visits to make. Let me see you out."

Father Zanthus leads you out of his study. "You can keep the robe if you want for further study. And please give Ameiko my regards."
He leads you trough the cathedral and out trough the open front doors.
"I wish you a good day, and thank you again for helping us."
Father Zanthus hurries off, his brow again creased in worry.

Taj returns back to the Inn and updates the others on the conversation with Zanthus. "Neither Father Zanthus nor the Sheriff actually believes you're guilty. But they want the real guilty parties to think that they've gotten away with it, so we have to remain suspects for now." She frowns. "Much though they don't deserve it, let's follow up on Snow's plan of doing good in the city. It'll help us get a better lay of the land and show people we're not skulking in the shadows."

"Well yes, I have further plans to obfuscate our discovery that just happen to require keeping the robe... thanks..." it's already in the ratfolks clutches. I'll do a few laps with this around town till nightfall, make it look like we haven't figured it out. After that I can start searching the rubble for things people are missing or just cleaning up the place.

In a low voice, Oskar says, "So if I got this right, we think you two're bein' framed by some hidden mastermind, and we're gonna act like we're not onto that fact so we can catch him in the act, even though we didn't see any of this comin' the first time?" Oskar pinches the bridge of his nose for a second. "I keep thinkin' of my Uncle Henrik sayin', 'A bad plan is still a plan.'"

His face goes serious after that, and he stares at both Vy and Rataji. "I promise you, if any of the the sand-eatin' yahoos in this town tries givin' either of you any shit they're gonna have to come through me."

Just a little something to get posting again. :)

Rataji hugs Oskar. "Thank you! For someone who just met us, you're being awfully supportive, you know."

Then she looks at Vy. "So, when are we starting your grand new plan of helping the town? Tomorow? Or do we have time left to do something still today?"

I've lost track of what time it is in game, GM!

its close to suppertime. There are some delicious smells coming from the kitchen and more people are entering the rusty dragon