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Shalelu smiles at Shalewen. "Ah, the marsh, then?" she says, cocking her eyebrows.
She turns to Laurentii "And you, what is your name? For I am Shalelu Andosana, and it appears my charge may be of some use to you in your endeavour."
Shalelu turns to Shalwewn, "...Shalewen, perhaps you would escort the gentle-elf on his trip."
"You are the same Laurentii who favors tien culture, I suppose? The one from a year ago? I have heard rumors from Walthus, you might turn out to be in luck."
"Brinestump is not mapped, but those who know it well have spoken of certain leftover detritus. It appears to indicate evidence of tien works. And then, there is the matter of the fireworks that were found only recently." "Unfortunate business thus far."
She turns back to Shalewen. "Yes, I hope it should be profitable for you both to go. Together."
Laurentii looks down at himself in appraisal and then back at Shalewen, his expression one of quizzical amusement.
"Well, I did leave all my things at the Rusty Dragon. Still, you are right, I do not own bandages. However, I do have some money to buy extras that I might need, the first being bandages. Could any of you suggest anything else I could buy ?"
As he speaks, Laurentii absent mindedly gives some more salmon to Shadow while slowly approaching Shalewen and Shalelu. Once he makes it to within one meter of them(if he can make it without being attacked by Shadow, or Shalewen!), he takes the relaxe paused of someone who is having a friendly conversation with two acquaintances. His body language presents a mix of happy go lucky and strange self assurance, as if he had already been accepted into the group.
Shalewen huffs like a petulant child. Shalelu liked to orders disguised as suggestions. And because she was still reeling from the gaze attack earlier, Shalewen complied. If she was honest with herself she knew she wasn't ready to go alone anyway. Shalelu had much more experience in the field and knew the land far better. So she turns to Laurentii, once again looking him up and down.
"You write?" she stated more than asked. She had seen him taking notes before and knew he had writing utensils. She holds out her hand for him to give her some. Once he does she writes in it for a moment, making a list of survival gear.
Alfonso drifts across to the Mayor's office.
"I wonder why they is such a market for ears all of a sudden. You would think we would have heard something before this."
A fleeting half smile belies the joke at the sorcerers thorn-wood cane taps along the street.
Lou simply gives Ameiko a comforting look, sure thing, just remember, your not really alone here ya know.
Lou heads to the kitchen to gather some things and heads out the back door.
circling around to the front, a licorice root in his mouth and a small sack slung over his shoulder.
he stops briefly to watch the children play, gives a smile as the enjoy the sunny day.
his eye catch sight of the group talking. he wanders over to them, soon he recognizes who they are.
He strolls up to them and stops to listen.
"Good morning Mr. Kasuri. I am just off to the mayors to get the information on these Goblin ears from the horses mouth as it were."
Trig, padding along on Fergus with Alonzo,says to him "You know, I was planning on taking that quest to kill the goblins to pay for lodging at the dragon, I may need some help. If you join me we shall split the bounty if you wish, good sir."
Upon reaching the mayors office and seeing Shalelu he greets her "Good day to you, I do believe that you... ahem ... assisted me with some goblins the other day. I never got to properly thank you for that, so you have my gratitude, miss Androsana. I was going to go into the marsh to get back at those goblins and perhaps earn enough to stay in town."
He looks at Laurentii and Shawlewen "Are you two heading out as well? Perhaps you could use additional support, I served in the military for nearly a decade I'll have you know. What do you say? We can split the bounty." He then looks slightly quizzically at Shalewen, "Perhaps we could also discuss wolves, it appears Fergus here wishes to meet your companion."
Trig, padding along on Fergus with Alonzo,says to him "You know, I was planning on taking that quest to kill the goblins to pay for lodging at the dragon, I may need some help. If you join me we shall split the bounty if you wish, good sir...."
"Killing thinking creatures and mutilating their bodies for money has a long and glorious histor,y but is it something we really want to encourage?"
Alfonso opens his hand and reveals a detailed drawing of a goblin ear on the red leather covering his palm. He closes his hand into a fist.
"Once folks get the scent of blood, especially if it is not on their hands directly, they tend to get carried away?"
Alfonso opens his hand revealing a detailed drawing of a wolf ear. A finger roll and the drawing changes to a gnomes ear.
"I mean, stranger things have happened. Best to find out what the real problem is."
Alfonso dusts his hands lightly as he walks.
When reaching someone in authority.
"Good day what is this about trouble with our friendly local greenskins?"
Uh oh. Too many people. Social anxiety overruling logic. Shalewen takes an instinctive step back. Then a another. Anyone who knew a thing or two about animals could see adrenaline was building and flight was winning over fight. And the moment their collective attention was not on her she intended to bolt.
many of the people here were pretty much newcomers to the area, Shalewen on the other hand, whether she liked it or not, was known to Lou.
He understood her anxiety and did his best to respect that. this situation was not helping anything.
He circles the group and come up beside the hunter. excuse me, but would please accompany me, there is something I would like to talk to you about. please.
it os pretty obvious that Lou ios attempting to ease her anxiety some and help keep her calm. though he may actually with to speak to her in any event.
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A large stone building at the center of town houses the Mayor's offices. Alfonso leaves the group chatting outside the Rusty Dragon Inn and makes his way through the streets all the way to the building.
With there being no need for a guard outside, he is able to enter into the front entrance hall, where a young woman sits behind a large desk.
"Good morning. You're Alfonso, yes?" she stands up from behind the desk.
"I am Mariel. How can I help you?"
"Oh, the mayor has rescinded the suspension of the bounty. There have been some dreadful attacks recently. Sheriff Belor thinks there may be deaths on the road soon if we stand idly by."
She unfurls on her desk another copy of the missive that was posted up in Ameiko's Dragon.
By the Order of the Sheriff the town of Sandpoint shall remit 10 gold pieces from the city treasury for each freshly taken goblin ear upon delivery to the town hall.
-An additional reward of 300 gold will be issued to anyone presenting the head of tribe "Licktoad"'s chieftan, one "Chief Gutwad".
"I heard him say as much myself. ... Oh, um, did you have some ears for me already? I wasn't expecting any to come in until later on in the day."
She hefts out from under the desk a large wooden crate marked in a stylish hand. The label elegantly reads, "Goblins".
Laurentii reads what Shalewen wrote into his journal, nodding every so often with a smile.
"Many thanks, were should we meet when..." he stops midway when he notices that Shalewen has stepped aside.
After giving her and Lou a puzzled look he turns toward Alfonso and Trig before they leave for the mayor's office.
"Yes, it seems that Shalewen, there, will escort me as we try to find a way to stop the goblin's raids on caravans." he answers to the gnome's inquiry about his plans with Shalewen.
Laurentii stops to look at Alfonso, waiting to see whether he is also interested in the hunt. As the man speaks, Laurentii gives him a crooked smile, half amused by his humour (including the prestidigitation).
"I agree, cutting ears sounds gruesome. However, making sure no man or woman comes to harm is important." turning his head back and forth between Shalewen and Trig he continues "What about meeting at the Rusty Dragon in an hour or two, once I have the required equipment. We can make our plans there."
Finally, Laurentii turns toward Shalelu.
"What about you, won't you join us. Shalewen seems to value your opinion, and, I imagine, your skills."
If there was anything more terrifying than a group of strange people it was the disappointment of her mentor and guardian. The glare stopped her in her tracks cold, preventing escape as well as any hold spell. Even Shadow lowered his tail in surrender. He could sense the presence of an alpha.
She nods at Lou, more than happy to have an excuse to leave for a moment. But Shalelu's parting comment caused her to pause. Of course she wanted to leave without her. For years she had been forced to either accompany her closely or wait at Sandpoint for her return. She was rarely given any freedom to make choices in the field and never without Shalelu's watchful eye judging her every move, commenting, critiquing. It grated on her nerves just as much as it relieved her to know that someone was there in case of emergency. She understood the dangers of the forest. That even goblins posed a threat because of their unpredictability.
She knew them well though. This was the best opportunity to prove herself. That she was capable of acting on her own. Sort of. There were apparently going to be a number of others. None with the experience Shalelu had but it was probably the best she could hope for after being caught. It surprised her a little, that she was being allowed to go at all. No. Not allowed. She was finally choosing to go. There was a difference. Right? No point in doubting herself now. She was walking away and she wasn't going to look back.
The steady pace of Lou gave her a sense of confidence as she walked. He stepped in to help without hesitation. Generous considering her frigid personality over the years they knew each other. Though she was like that to everyone except Ameiko, Shadow and Shalelu. Today was just an off day for the latter. "Thank you."
After the tense moment, Shadow is more than happy to scurry away with his humanoid packmate. He knew if she had a tail it would be between her legs too.
Lou looked back and forth between Shaleu and Shalewn, he then made his request of his old acquaintance.
Amieko has given me the day off, and tomorrow was my normal day off, I was wondering, would you mind if I, ahh, how do I say this, can I join you? I mean perhaps you could teach me a thing or two. besides, My sister managed to survive, how bad can it be, right?
he seemed a little nervous in asking, but at the same time he was hoping to build up her own confidence some, possibly showing that her talents have not gone unnoticed.
Shalewen cocks her head to the side, curious. Lou had never shown any interest in her line of work before. Or anything close for that mater. He seemed perfectly content to be the Rusty Dragon's cook. He had also never spoke to her nervously like that. The only one he did that around was...ah. So that's what it was. Ameiko was still an adventurer at heart after all.
The corners of he lips turn up just a little as she replies. "Fine." Knowing someone there would make her less uncomfortable and less likely to make a mistake. And anything she killed he could cook."Pack well. One hour." If that is all she leaves to double check her own gear.
"I am Mariel. How can I help you?"
"No, no ears today. A few questions though."
No need to play this out and slow things down.
Alfonso is looking to establish: One, why the gobbos have become a menace now and not earlier? Better organization? Increased population? New toys/leadership?
Two, what other actions have been tried to solve the problem? Buying them off? Talking to them? Kicking the problem upstairs to the local nobility/military/government?
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One: new toys. The fireworks the goblins are bringing to bear can cause serious damage! This could be a REALLY big problem if they've learned how to make their own somehow...
Two: the sherriff and mayor recently sent a team of adventurers into the marsh to suss out the situation, but they're overdue now. We believe they may have met with an ill fate.
Magnimar will refuse to aid us until they see one of their citizens effected. Korvosa sees this as a local concern. The guards, while capable, cannot spare extra men to go into the marsh itself, though they have stepped up patrols on the road. She laughs when you suggest bargaining or paying off the goblins. Oh you are a creative one, sir.
Perhaps the adventurers the mayor's office sent tried to talk with the goblins, but the marsh is too dangerous to send any kind of official delegation right now.
"Ah, nice of the sheriff to let folks know they would be walking in dead men's shoes. I quite pity anyone trying for this bounty. Good day to you."
Alfonso leaves and joins the others (is anyone about?)
Assuming Lou, Trig, and or Laurentii are here.
"The sheriff seems to think Sandpoint is too crowded. This 'bounty' seems more a way to decrease the surplus population than sane policy. It seems the local goblin tribe found some fireworks. These rockets are frightening trade so the powers that be sent a band of rowdies to stop them."
"Now listen close children 'cause this is the important bit, the rowdies never came back. If they were smart they took whatever fee the Mayor offered and right now are living the life in Magimar.
These were however adventurers so their intelligence cannot be relied on."
"This means that whoever walks into that dismal marsh now will be expected. Facing greenskins on their turf is bad enough but this tribe is angry and alert. Unfocused, blitheringly stupid, yes but currently as focused on Sandpoint as their fungus encrusted brains can manage."
"The best plan would be to ignore the problem for a couple of seasons. By then the goblins will have used up their new toys and the survivors will not pose a threat. Either that or simply give them a couple barrels of blasting powder as a gift. The results should be visible from here."
"Well that was a fun little diversion. I expect Koya has some pointless yet vital task she wants doing. Good morning."
Alfonso nearly bites his tongue off on the last words when something hard bonks him over the head. He turns to see Shalewen walk by with a purpose, her bow slightly askew from when it whacked him as she walked by. "Coward," is her parting quip as she indicates to Laurentii to follow. She leads him to an applicable place to get the goods he needs to survive. If he was coming along she could at least help prepare him. Though her brand of helping consisted of shoving goods into his arms and waiting for him to pay.
Alfonso jumps again as Shadow nips at his heels. Skin wasn't broken but it certainly wasn't pleasant.
Alfonso bears the twin assaults with a smile and continues on his way.
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Our two shoppers are able to execute their search in swift order, finding most of the tools they seek at the Feathered serpent and among market stalls.
Lou and most of you locals know that the "rowdies" sent off to Brinestump involved a halfling szcarni scout, a dredlocked druid, and a stout shoanti fighter. Their names were Vedik, Riverrun, and Kent. They were well enough respected in the area, but hadn't made a real name for themselves yet as mercenaries.
Alfonso finds that Koya is not home for the moment. You remember speakig with her at length about Sandru the last time you saw her in town. He may not be a sophisticate like yourself, but he does his best for your odd little adoptive family clan.
She has tasked Alfonso with examining an encoded vellum scroll. Not for free, of course. You will be paid. Nonmagical, it recently came into her possession via a friend in Magnimar. Mostly written in varisian, from what you know, it takes an intelligence or engineering check to really crack into the thing.
From what you can tell so far, it relates to a very difficult mission undertaken by a pair of elite Pathfinder agents.
An hour goes by, and the party, save for Alfonso, rallies back together to determine how they will go about their next course of action... The rusty dragon is serving lunch. Out front, your only permanent company seems to be Julen, smoking his pipe.
Shalelu, it seems, has departed town for now.
She has tasked Alfonso with examining an encoded vellum scroll. Not for free, of course. You will be paid. Nonmagical, it recently came into her possession via a friend in Magnimar. Mostly written in varisian, from what you know, it takes an intelligence or engineering check to really crack into the thing.
From what you can tell so far, it relates to a very difficult mission undertaken by a pair of elite Pathfinder agents.
...
"No need to talk of payment Koya. Glad to help."
Lou smiles at his new found "teacher" perhaps, if anything, she will open up some and be a little more sociable.
Lou gathers what he needs as well as checking on a few things at the Dragon, Ameiko quickly shoo's him out the door.
Lou glances over toward Julen, well, worked out well for Noro, might as well give it a shot. besides, gonna need to be more than just a cook if...well, you know. he says in response a little embarrassed.
Laurentii smiled upon hearing Shalewen's comment.
"Maybe, maybe not. From my experience, many nobles tend to hide their true intent behind a mask of neutrality. I am sure that mask would stay on even if someone were to be killed by the goblins, yet, inside, they would be troubled. I hope." he says, more playful than serious as he gives a side glance to Alfonso.
Laurentii sits down at a table with the others, arranging his belonging, looking quite enthused.
When Julen speaks, Laurentii lifts his head. After giving a quizzical look to Lou, wondering what could make him embarassed, the elf responds to Julen:
"hummm, you could say that. But I am not a fan of cutting ears, or heads. Just trying to find a way to stops theses attacks. We are about to sit and discuss the subject, want to join us?"
Laurentii looks around at the others, trying to determine what the best course of action would be.
"Lots of strangers, most seem to barely know each other... not really good. Can I trust all of them? Shalewen comes well recommended... Lou is a cook here. What about the gnome and this new man."
After a moment, Laurentii looks at each of the people around the table before speaking:
"First, I think we should all introduce ourselves. I will start, I am Laurentii. I have little experience with wilds, but I am a quick learner. I have some knowledge of fireworks and know Tian. Seeing as the fireworks that were used by the goblins are of Tian design, I think I could be of help. " he looks to the person on his left, waiting to see how they will present themselves.
Trig also introduces "Good day to you all, I Sir Jegman of the order of the beast. I served in the Lastwall cavalry for seven years but I grew up among the druids of the Tusk mountains so I have much experience in the wildlands. This is my faithful mount, Fergus. As I said I am a knight of Lastwall and thus I have considerable combat prowess, for a gnome. I hope I will prove useful in this brief escapade."
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Julen declines to join you, and continues past you. He slides Lou a hint of a knowing nod, a frown on his face.
"Fair Ameiko, I am in need of good fare, good ale, and an ear lent to my ails before I am spent." you all hear him call.
If inside, you watch as he takes a seat next to Shalelu at the bar, bending his head over his ale. The elf seems to be ignoring him.
Meanwhile, Alfonso is buried among parchment. After consulting an old book of codes and an old engineering text, he has a good grasp of the cipher at hand. It seems the pathfinder society has been involved in some local skullduggery. They sent two agents into the swamp - Brinestump - a few years ago.
However that's not all. For the pathfinders sent a szcarni woman in next, and she killed them both. The letter here confirms the fact. Pathfinder officers sending criminal elements after their own, and all of it seems like it has to do with the marsh. Even though no one is actually named, there, right on the page, the words look up at you: "Brinestump Marsh".
You cannot quite piece it together, but it seems odd that the Pathfinders took an interest in the little marsh for so long a time - all without involving the locals.
It was well kept, but it is no longer a secret to Alfonso.
"Shalewen," the hunter says tersely as way of introduction. "Shadow," this time indicating her companion. He currently has his head on the table, closely observing the people around him. More people. Just what she needed. No point in trying to be stealthy when they look into the goblin problem. This many would be hard to hide. "This is my home. I will protect it," she says as way of explanation of her motivation.
If he is there she looks pointedly at Alfonso, daring him to argue.
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Laurentii smiled upon hearing Shalewen's comment.
"Maybe, maybe not. From my experience, many nobles tend to hide their true intent behind a mask of neutrality. I am sure that mask would stay on even if someone were to be killed by the goblins, yet, inside, they would be troubled. I hope." he says, more playful than serious as he gives a side glance to Alfonso.
"Everything dies eventually, you, me, the goblins, this dog. But yes I agree, masks are useful. Good morning."
--------------------------Not sure on the timing here. But I will assume that Our Hero is using the Lizard Oxide's ready supply of stimulants and large tables to work on the cipher.
Seeing as the fireworks that were used by the goblins are of Tian design..."[/b]
Alfonso looks up from the thick book he is reading. "Yes that is strange...Where are the fireworks coming from? If someone is trading these things to the goblins then then we need to convince them to find a better market."
Alfonso continues to simply ignore Shalewen.
Sensing that share time was over, Shalewen gets up and replaces her chair out of courtesy to Ameiko. "May we go," she states more than asks. And, expecting them to follow, she attempts to leave the town once again, only with far more than Shadow in tow. As before, she taps Shadow on the back and he gets down to business. "Fara, she commands.
Elvish: Hunt
Attack Mode: Initiate
Directive: Seek
Shadow bounds off in front of Shalewen, swiping back and forth and periodically sniffing, but remains within bow shot in case of attack.
"We should start by checking the site of the last attack. There may be a trail to follow. Perhaps one of the dogs, or one of you more rural types can track them."
Alfonso gathers his books and papers, returns to Koya to report ciphering success and get any remembered intel, before returning to the Lizard Lounge to pick up the party.
Laurentii nods to Trig and Shalewen as they explain who they are and what their goals are. Once everyone his done speaking, he quickly packs his stuff and heads outside to follow them, only turning his head momentarily to try and hear more about the conversation that his going on in the kitchen.
Outdoor, Laurentii quickens his steps to close the gap between him and Alfonso and walks side by side with him for a few minutes.
"So, you are coming with us. I am surprised... I guess that recounting how you found a ring of Tian firework smugglers who sold their wares to goblins could make for an interesting story while you drink cognac by the fireplace..." he says with a crooked, yet friendly, smile "Oh, and good idea to start with the site of the last attack. Do you know where it is [ooc]Do we know dear GM?[ooc]"
Listening to the answer, Laurentii watches Shalewen who is a few dozen feet in front of them.
Hard to believe there is someone more eager than I am....
Trig, following Shalewen and Laurentii runs out the door shouting at Ameiko, "I shall have the payment for my room ready by sundown Miss Ameiko. Now, Fergus, Taistil! Onward!"
Sylvan: Ride
He hops on Fergus who runs along to catch up with the others.
Shalewen asks the guards at the gate if they knew about where the attack was on the road. "A caravan came in. Attacked by goblins. Do you know where?" she asks in the same direct and cold tone most knew her to use.
"So, you are coming with us. I am surprised... I guess that recounting how you found a ring of Tian firework smugglers who sold their wares to goblins could make for an interesting story while you drink cognac by the fireplace..."
"You have an active imagination.
The idea of Tien smugglers is only slightly more believable that the idea the Greenskins are rolling their own. No, a ship sank and a crate meant for some noble's wedding or a party at a high end bordello washed up in the swamp.If the town considered this a problem they would hire a few dozen mercenaries and sweep the Brinestump clean. But until they do this is a good a method as any to flush the adventures out of town.
But it is a nice day for a walk and I have nothing pressing."
Alfonso slides a folded sheet of paper into an inner pocket.
"Hmmm...If I were a suspicious type I might suspect our Mayor of wanting to escalate the Licktoad issue. A 'hideous goblin threat' might mean more resources from Magimar and more trade on the coast road. Were I a suspicious type I might wonder if the 'Tien' fireworks have Magimar tax stamps. Easy enough to abandon a cart on the road. Goblins get flashy new toys, couple of folks die. Merchants scream to The Council of Ushers, Sandpoint gets a military detachment and everything settles down once the fireworks run out.
At least that is what I would think if I were of a suspicious persuasion.
Mind you for this plan to work you require some convenient fools to walk out into the swamp and be messily killed. But the Mayor might see it as a way to get rid of some undesirable hotheads. "
Alfonso leans on his stick as he watches Shalewen badger the gate guards.
"So, you are coming with us. I am surprised... I guess that recounting how you found a ring of Tian firework smugglers who sold their wares to goblins could make for an interesting story while you drink cognac by the fireplace...""You have an active imagination.
The idea of Tien smugglers is only slightly more believable that the idea the Greenskins are rolling their own. No, a ship sank and a crate meant for some noble's wedding or a party at a high end bordello washed up in the swamp.
If the town considered this a problem hey would hire a few dozen mercenaries and sweep the Brinestump clean. But until they do this is a good a method as any to flush the adventures out of town.But it is a nice day for a walk and I have nothing pressing."
Alfonso slides a folded sheet of paper into an inner pocket.
"Hmmm...If I were a suspicious type I might suspect our Mayor of wanting to escalate the Licktoad issue. A hideous goblin threat might mean more resources from Magimar and more trade on the coast road. Were I a suspicious type I might wonder weather the 'Tien' fireworks have Magimar tax stamps. Easy enough to abandon a cart on the road. Goblins get flashy new toys, couple of folks die. Merchants scream to The Council of Ushers, Sandpoint gets a military detachment and everything settles down once the fireworks run out.
At least that is what I would think if I were of a suspicious persuasion.Mind you for this plan to work you require some convenient fools to walk out into the swamp and be messily killed. But the Mayor might see it as a way to get rid of some undesirable hotheads. "
Alfonso leans on his stick as he watches Shalewen badger the gate guards.
"You talk too much," Shalewen says ignoring the wizard.
"You talk too much," Shalewen says ignoring the wizard.
"Yes, it is a character flaw. A stain on my otherwise flawless facade. I really should get around to apologizing for it some day."