"I think Kelvin is afraid, that a hero is always.... in demand. And if he has human flaws, excuse my pun, they are not accepted or are called damning!"
As the party begins to retire for the night, Sheriff Hemlock visits the Rusty Dragon, "We need to talk in private. This mercenary Orik told me that you fought and chased off the Sandpoint Devil this morning. Please, do not let this be known. For many in the town, it is but a myth. And it must remain so, to avoid a panic. I know it is no myth. I had before spoken to many farmers and herders that lost livestock to this creature. It usually avoids attacking humanoids and horses though. Either way this creatuse needs to be destroyed."
As the town retires for the night, the Heroes of Sandpoint can rest in the comfort and relative safety of the Rusty Dragon.
Day Nineteen
Today is a day celebration. Sandpoint brings out their best in revelry. Even Brathana was dressed in a festive multicolored dress for the day as she serves bacon, eggs, fresh baked bread and hot black wine .
Ameiko serves the throngs that come to the Rusty Dragon this day for breakfast. Young Violet is there early with the hopes of another ride upon Garrath's shoulders. Father Zantus and Mayor Deverin show up too, ready to honor the Heroes this day. Shayliss also shows up looking for Brandark, barefoot, and in a dress that reveals way too much of her assets.
As Elektra readies herself for the day she notices that her hairbrush is missing. A slight whiff of death lingers in the air.
"It has mostly been seen South of the Turandarok River. But since it attacked you North of it, the barren hills of the Devil's Platter along the southern edge of the Turandarok would be my best guess of where it might lair. That would also explain why it is seen so infrequently. No one lives in the Devil's platter save wolves, mountain goats, maybe an Ogre or two," the Good Sheriff responds to Stone's inquiry.
You're right, this thing should be destroyed or chased off. However, I am hoping that you don't mean for us to go in the morning.
Brandark grins
After all, there is a day of revelries planned for everyone.
Brandark goes through his morning routine, and then sits down for one of Brathana's excellent meals.
I intend to partake in the revelries today, and then plan to get rid of what we don't need tomorrow. Anyone want to help me?
"No. No," the Sheriff says looking at Brandark. "The Mayor would be upset with me if I spoiled her plans. She has been planning your return celebration for days. The day after tomorrow would be fine. Afterall, if the Devil attacks anyone else besides your party, the outcome may be regrettable."
Shalelu had come out of her long bath to hear what the Sheriff had to say. The Elf, once again in too small of a towel responds with a sigh, "This creature will be hard to track. It flies everywhere it goes. Plus the Devil's Platter has a myriad of locations where to hide. We may require strong magic in order to find this beast."
"Tomorrow, let's chat with the Mayor," the Sheriff responds to Shalelu. "You know we do not have such magic here. Maybe you can find something in Magnimar."
At some point during the celebration day, the Mayor with the Sheriff, will speak privately with the party in her office, "The Sheriff has told me about the Sandpoint Devil." She whispers the name, though no one else is around but the party and Sheriff to hear it. "We will give you 3000gp for the giant helm you discovered. It will be a fitting trophy for the celebration. Plus an additional 500gp as a token of our gratitude. Maybe with this you can find what you need to defeat the Sandpoint Devil," again she whispers the name.
I have no problems with either of these Mayor
Brandark looks at the others, Any problems with her beastie removal request
As many in the town takes a day off from their normal duties, the local taverns are doing big business. From the White Dear to the North, to the local favorite Risa's Place, to the Hagfish and, of course, the Rusty Dragon, drinks, and good food is had by many.
The Cathedral's bells ring out about mid-afternoon to signal the gathering. The townspeople one-by-one, in various states of sobriety, wander up to the Cathedral's square. The same podium used for the Swallowtail Festival has been erected, singe marks still grace some of the back planks. Next to the platform a familiar-sized object is covered in a giant piece of canvas.
The Mayor addresses the crowd, "Our Heroes and Friends have returned. They have defeated the Goblin Chief Ripnugget and his gathering of Goblin forces. We should not fear another Goblin raid to our fair town anytime soon." The crowd lets out a boisterous cheer!
The Mayor takes a deep breath and continues. The party will note that she does not mention Nualia. "The Heroes have brought us back a trophy, a relic from the long gone days of Thassilonia," she will motion toward Father Zantus standing with a couple of Acolytes. They remove the large piece of canvas to reveal the Giant Gold and Bronze Helm. "We will be mounting it on top of the "Old Light." It should shine for miles in the sunlight as a beacon of hope from the past and for the future." The Mayor has seen terrible things in her town. But she is always positive in her outlook for Sandpoint. She is however totally unaware that the Giant that once wore this helm, also helped to construct what is now called the "Old Light."
At the Rusty Dragon that night, the celebration continues. Ameiko treats the crowd to song after song, many in honor of the Heroes of Sandpoint.
Ameiko and Brathana prepared a dish of curried beef for the night served over Tian noodles.
Shalelu, uncomfortable with all these festivities, takes a bottle of wine upstairs for a nice warm bath.
Orik visits the Rusty Dragon too, this time dressed in the uniform of a Sandpoint guardsmen. He will tell the party that Lyrie is being held in the Sandpoint garrison for further questioning. She is not happy about it. Orik fears she will do something stupid. But that is not something he can worry about now, his shift starts at midnight.
Violet hangs around Garrath until around nightfall, when her mother gathers her up for the evening.
Shayliss Vender attempts to corner Brandark alone and convince him to accompany her to a quiet spot near the lumber mill.
Kelvin's keen sense will detect the odor of an Ulfen that has apparently visited the Rusty Dragon at some point in the day. He will not know if this is one of the Ulfen he has tangled with before.
Otherwise, the day and night goes without incident.
Day Twenty
Brandark joins the festivities, and tries to avoid Shayliss, but to no avail.
Lass, the last time I ran into you, it was a misunderstanding that went bad.
I am going to have to check to ensure that she doesn't take up residence in my room.
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Stone will walk around the fest. And observe the people. He will see Brandark cornered and looking none to happy about it. Brandark I have been looking for you. You know you should not be that close to ladies not after the last time Stone will look at Shayliss and say Sorry miss but sometimes he forgets. But I will take him off your hands. Good day He will then take Brandark by the shoulder and lead him away from the unwanted attention.
Looking relieved that someone noticed his plight
Shayliss, you will have to excuse me, but I have to go
Brandark then walks away with stone, and whispers
My thanks for the assist.
It doesn't take long for other patrons of the Rusty Dragon to pine for Shayliss' affection. The young attractive lass, disappointed at Brandark's rejection, leaves the popular Inn and Tavern, a throng of admirers following close behind.
When Elektra returns to her room for the night, the smell of death lingers in the air. She will notice that a simple hair pin is missing.
Garrath will join the revelry whole heartedly for a while, but eventually find his way up to either the bath or Shalelu's room, carrying a bottle of good wine. Knocking on whichever she's at, he'll call out "I've come to talk about the horse that flies like a bird. I even have brought a gift to help."
Later in the evening, Brandark makes his way to his room.
I hope that Shayliss has not moved in with no one noticing
Kelvin looks at Shayliss and Brandark, and a smile crosses his face. On the way out with them he stays to Stone, "guess she was too much woman for Brandark" as the grin gets even wider.
During the day he just roams the streets, trying to keep inconspicuous.
Next morning Elektra is visibily distracted. If asked she will tell that something is very strange, things are "missing" and that there is a rotten smell in the air.
"Minor things, a hairpin, but it is useable for parity magic.
What is parity magic ?
Taking a deep breath and taking on her scholar face Elektra tries to explain in simple terms parity magic. That you can anchor spells with very personal belongings of people. Curses, but also Divination magic. If you own something personal, be it a truename, a comb, it is much easier to spy on someone.
Sounds complicated, is there any way to beat it?
A bit later after talking with Elektra, Brandark looks over at Stone.
Can you come with me to get rid of this stuff, I won't feel comfortable carrying all the money back.
After selling almost everything, Brandark makes his way back to the dragon, and sits down to divide everything out.
Bag 1 - Shalelu 100 PP, 138 gp, 5 sp
Bag 2 - Orik, 100 PP, 138 gp, 5 SP
Bag 3 - Communal 200 PP, 431 Gp, 3 Sp, 3 Cp
Bag 4,5,6,7,8 - Stone, Garrath, Elektra, Kelvin, Brandark 100 PP, 431 Gp, 3 Sp, 3 Cp
He then spends most of the rest of the day, finding the others and giving them their share.
The day after she spends the night with Garrath talking about horses that flies like birds among other things; and after Brandark delivers her share, Shalelu says, "Êl síla erin lû e-govaned vîn."
She then goes to the Jeweler to exchange the 100pp and 122gp for 11 pearls worth 100gp each.
Orik has seen this kind of coin before, particularly in the Gold Goblin in Riddleport, his father's casino. But of late, times had been hard. He is pleased to see some coin again.
"I may need this to bail Lyrie out. She is charged with aiding and abetting Nualia for the raid on Sandpoint. I am trying to convince the Sheriff that she was just hired to help with translating the Thassilonian stuff, just as I was hired as a personal body guard. Neither of us participated in the Sandpoint raid," Orik says with a sigh.
Orik, my sympathies, but she was helping. However, I don't hold that against her.
So best of luck in getting her free.
Brandark offers Orik him a handshake.
Shalelu will look at Stone, "Though talking with the Animals in the Devil's Platter may help, talking with the rocks and stones, no pun intended, may help to pinpoint the creature's lair. If we too could fly, that may prevent it from escaping. Again, powerful magic!" Shalelu contemplates what she just said, then adds, "Maver Hesk is the Sandpoint Jeweler, across the square from the Cathedral."
Orik, my sympathies, but she was helping. However, I don't hold that against her.
So best of luck in getting her free.Brandark offers Orik him a handshake.
Orik returns the handshake, "Thank you Brandark. I don't know what it is. She is surly and obstinate, but I just..." His comment trails off.
"Powerful magic... indeed. I can go and try to find some scrolls.
Elektra makes a trip to the Feathered Serpent, she will discover that scrolls of that power cannot be found in Sandpoint. Proprietor Voon will recommend the Bazaar of Sails in Magnimar, "All manner of things can be found there, though no guarantee that you will find exactly what you are looking for as inventories turn over quickly."
Brandark grabs his cash, and then proceeds to the Goblin Squash Stables.
Afternoon Davern, I was wondering if you would have a horse that is suitable for acting as a pack animal?
The smell in the stables was coming from something far more pungent than horse dung, old Deverin Hosk was boiling and tanning more Goblin ears to add to his collection. He was also just about drunk.
When he sees Brandark he grins broadly, "Come on in here my good Dwarf." He pours a dark purple liquid into a thick clear, but small glass. The contents steam when it hits the cooler glass surface. "It will grow hair on your chest," He hands Brandark the glass with the smoldering liquid, looking a little closer at the Dwarf. "Well, it will grow more hair on your chest."
After Brandark makes his inquiry, "Of course, I have a fine heavy Keleshite draft. It is young and strong though a bit too timid to make into warhorse. For you, I will give tack, harness and bags for 175gp."
Brandark looks at the smouldering liquid.
Aye, I can see how it would be doing that
He then waits until Deverin, takes a good swig of his
Good health, and prosperity he then raises the glass and downs it in one fast swig, and then promptly smothers a coughing fit.
Sm. . oo . . th. .
After the initial offer
Deverin, toss in 14 days fodder, and 4 pounds of oats, and I will round it to 180 golden crowns.
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Shalelu will look at Stone, "Though talking with the Animals in the Devil's Platter may help, talking with the rocks and stones, no pun intended, may help to pinpoint the creature's lair. If we too could fly, that may prevent it from escaping. Again, powerful magic!" Shalelu contemplates what she just said, then adds, "Maver Hesk is the Sandpoint Jeweler, across the square from the Cathedral."
Sounds like we need a Druid. Would you know of any that would help us?