The man steps from behind the barrels and makes his way over to Yelena.
'Thank you! Thank you! he gushes, 'My name is Aldern Foxglove, very pleased to meet you!' He is a handsome young man, clearly one of Sandpoint's wealthier citizens by the cut of his tunic, his fine set of rings, and his (semi) perfectly-coifed hair.
He moves right up to the sorceress, a brilliant white smile on his face: 'Really. I don't know what I would have done had you not come along when you did! I am staying at the Rusty Dragon. You really must have dinner with me tomorrow night. Yes? Excellent!' He finishes, while shaking each of your hands. For Yelena, he adds a slight touch of his left hand to her shoulder before he hurries off in the direction of the Rusty Dragon.
A clearing of a throat behind you draws your attention. Two guards stand in the alley that leads back to the square. 'The Sheriff wants to see you,' one of them says, looking with some trepidation at the goblins, 'best hurry.'
Torillan looks at the guard and says "Lead on, but I suggest you have others take these little beasts and lock them up before the charm that holds them is broken".
Khalad grunts in agreement with Torillan.
'Wheres is Sheriff Hemlock?'
Gimble kneels mournfully next to the dead dog. "You certainly were brave, trying to take on all of those gwarbiilins by yourself," he says sadly as he reaches out to stroke its head. "Just like my poor Sparkle..."
"You probably helped to save that human, too. Holding the vermin off long enough for us to get here. And he didn't even show you any gratitude." The young gnome glares after the retreating figure of Aldern Foxglove.
A clearing of a throat behind you draws your attention. Two guards stand in the alley that leads back to the square. 'The Sheriff wants to see you,' one of them says, looking with some trepidation at the goblins, 'best hurry.'
"Of course," Gimble says as he stands, his expression stern. "But if you could, please make sure that someone sees to it that this dog receives a proper burial. It died a hero, defending one of your own from the goblins."
"I understand that the sheriff wants to see us, but Father Zantus will no doubt need some help in cleaning up after these ruffians. Is there someone helping him now?" Rogar says to the two guards.
The two guards look about in confusion from Torillan, to Gimble, to Yelena, and then to Rogar, not sure which task to attempt first. Finally, the oldest-looking of the two takes the end of the rope and begins to lead the goblins back into the square.
'You'll have your questions answered by the Sheriff, I'm sure,' says the one holding the rope, 'and by the others. They are all over there by cathedral.'
You can see a group of townsfolk surrounding the stage, all talking at once. Their focus is on the persons standing up on the partially-charred wooden platform, whom you can recognize even from here. Father Zantus, Mayor Deverin, and Sheriff Belor are all trying -in vain - to calm the folk down and answer their questions.
Quiet down, all of you! roars the Sherriff in frustration. We don't have any answers! Go back to your homes, make sure all your loved ones are safe. DO NOT go alone, and be careful! We don't know how many of the goblins ran off by themselves to commit more mischief. He finishes with a huff, then seems to notice you approaching.
Stepping down from the stage, he walks over to meet you, the Mayor and Father Zantus in tow. Behind him, the crowd begins to disperse.
'Ah, the heroes of the day, or so I'm told. I'm Sheriff Belor Hemlock. Well met.' He holds out a large hand to each of you.
Khalad takes the mans hand in a sturdy handshake.
'Sheriff, where did those goblins come from?'
Khalad takes the mans hand in a sturdy handshake.
'Sheriff, where did those goblins come from?'
He gives Khalad a dark look. 'There's more to that question than you know. Come with me, all of you.'
He walks off towards the garrison building, without looking back. It's clear he expects to be followed. The Mayor and Father Zantus don't hesitate, but follow after Sheriff Hemlock.
Torillan, intrigued by the possibility of some work, follows the Sheriff. He turns to look back at the others, gives them a plaintive look, and says "Let's at least see what he has to say. I'm in town looking for some work, and we do seem to work well together. What do you say?"
Sheriff Belor leads you through the front of the gray stone building that serves as the garrison for Sandpoint. Guardsmen move in and about the building, some stopping to have a brief word with the Sheriff as he passes. All of the guards stop to look at your group, and some even give you a nod and a smile. The Sheriff never stops for more than a few seconds to hear various reports though, always heading deeper into the interior.
You pass through a set of iron-reinforced doors into a sparcely appointed office. 'Please, sit.' He says gruffly. There are two well-used chairs in front of his desk which he turns towards the center of the room for Mayor Deverin and Father Zantus. Leaning against the desk, he gestures to several benches that line the walls.
'Im sure you have many questions, and I will tell you that I have few answers. The answers I do have, I don't like. So we will begin with the question that Khalad, and everyone else, has. Namely, Where did the goblins come from?'
He pauses for a moment, looking over a map on his desk. 'The goblins, it appears, came in three groups. One group came in here,' he says, stabbing the map with his finger, 'through the gate, which my men say was left open, despite orders to the contrary.'
Mayor Deverin and the priest exchange worried looks, as the Sheriff continues. 'A second group was hidden in a wagon here! This time three fingers jab the map with an audible thump.
'Both these groups were involved in the assault on the square, which you folks handled expertly. My thanks, again. Unfortunately, there was a third group, for which the first two were only a diversion.' He looks slowly around the room, holding each person's gaze as a he chooses his next words with deliberation.
'The third group, using the assault as cover, infiltrated the town, snuck into the graveyard next to the cathedral, and robbed the grave of Father Tobyn'.
"It would appear that these goblins are quite organized, then, Sheriff. With the chaos of the festival, it would be easy for them to get in the gates hiding in a merchant's wagon, but to have the gates left open on purpose...well, that is a serious matter."
Torillan looks at the mayor, the priest, and the Sheriff in turn.
"As for the grave robbing...Simple enough...goblins looking for loot...but to target a specific grave? Not very goblin like, neh?"
Turning back to Father Zantus, Torillan says "They were looking for something...any thoughts, Father?"
Khalad nods along, trying to ponder out the dilemna.
Rogar looks toward Sheriff Hemlock, "How about a little insight into this Father Tobyn? Not that I need much reason to bash some goblin skulls, but it seems odd that a group of goblins would go through all of this for a priest's corpse."
There is an uncomfortable silence about the room. It seems as though no one wants to speak of Father Tobyn.
Finally, with a sigh, the Mayor speaks. 'Ah Father Tobyn. He was the chaplain of the first temple in Sandpoint, and much beloved by the people. Abstalar here was an acolyte of his...before the fire...' Her voice trails off, and you can see that this is a painful subject. Mayor Deverin hangs her head while she fights the emotions coming over her. Father Zantus says nothing, his eyes red-rimmed with tears. Of the Sheriff, you can determine only that he is holding back a great anger. His knuckles are white where they grip the desk.
When the Mayor lifts her head, it is with some effort. 'His daughter, Nualia, died with him in the blaze. We...couldn't save them...' Again she trails off, and this time the silence is palpable.
'I don't know why someone would desecrate the grave of such a pious man,' says Father Zantus, through his tears, 'but by Desna, we need to find out.'
'Indeed we do, Abstalar,' says Sheriff Hemlock, placing a reassuring hand on the old priest's shoulder, 'and I will.'
The Sheriff stands in front of you all, hands on his hips, as he addresses you. 'Like it or not, you all are the heroes of this day, and I will need you to act like it. Make your presence known about the town while I conduct my investigation. The townsfolk don't know about the grave robbing, and I don't want them to know. Giving them heroes to admire will distract them until I find out what is going on. What say you?'
Rogar laughs, "A lady after me own heart! Torag has brought me here for a reason...don't see no better reason to me than splatterin' some goblins. If it be Torag's will for me to join you, then you have my hammer!"
Torillan nods his head.
"Alright. I'm not too fond of goblins myself, so my sword is yours...". He smiles slightly to the others.
Gimble has been hastily taking notes during the discussion:
'Three groups of goblins - Group One through gate , Group Two hidden in wagon , Group Three in Town Graveyard.'
'Source of goblins? Any information regarding local tribe(s)?'
'Group Three - stole remains of Father Tobyn.'
'Father Tobyn - original priest at former temple, killed in fire that destroyed temple. Daughter, Nualia, killed in fire as well.'
'Why would goblins want Father Tobyn's remains? If not wanted specifically by the goblins, then who would want his remains? And implications of them working with the goblins? Any former enemies? '
'Potential uses for Father Tobyn's remains?'
'The elf maiden - Yelena - eats dogs. Is this a cultural trait of her people? Or the result of being raised in a racially- and culturally-diverse setting?'
"If Father Tobyn's remains were stolen at the behest of an old enemy," Gimble muses aloud as he reviews his notes, "did they disturb the remains of his daughter as well?"
'I will lend my aid to the town, what greater honor.'
Gimble has been hastily taking notes during the discussion:
'Three groups of goblins - Group One through gate , Group Two hidden in wagon , Group Three in Town Graveyard.'
"If Father Tobyn's remains were stolen at the behest of an old enemy," Gimble muses aloud as he reviews his notes, "did they disturb the remains of his daughter as well?"
'That grave, the one next to Father Tobyn's, was undisturbed.' answers Sheriff Hemlock.
The Sheriff lets slip a grim smile as he listens to your pledges.
'Very well.' he says, stepping toward the door and opening it. 'I am heading down to question those goblins you captured. Any of you are welcome to come along. Yelena, I suspect you may have some talent at persuading them to talk. If you are ready right now, that is. Father, Mayor.' He says, taking his leave.
Rogar speaks to Father Zantus, "I would guess that the church could use some help at this point with the injured and those who did not survive the attack? If so, I will help in any way I can. I even have a knack with working with my hands if any repair work is needed at the church."
Yelena will assist Sheriff Hemlock in interrogating the goblins, using charm person spells and skill in Bluff to elicit their cooperation (I'm guessing less savory methods would be frowned upon by the townsfolk). Afterwards she will retire to her home to continue her meditations and rest for the next day.
Torillan and Khalad find that word travels fast, and that your little band has made quite a name for itself. Everywhere they go, they get a hearty pat on the back, a handshake, and sincere thanks for your efforts against the goblin attack.
Yelena and Gimble descend into the dungeon with Sheriff Hemlock for a frustrating hour interogating the goblins. They are not the brightest of creatures, and certainly not very observant. The results of the questioning being that they were sent to attack Sandpoint during the Festival as part of a diversion, while another group was on a "secret mission." No, they don't know what the secret mission was, 'Dats why its a sekrut mishun!' They CAN tell you that they were put up to the attack 'by one o' yous longshanks'
Gimble finds the grave of Father Tobyn has indeed been dug up, and the remains taken. There are no other disturbed graves in the cemetery.
After some inquiry, Gimble finds "The Curious Goblin", run by Chask Haladan. Which is a surprisingly complete bookstore for this size town, and has the raw materials he needs.
Its late evening, and the Rusty Dragon is full. Somewhat surprising after the day's events, and in no small part due to Sandpoint's newest heroes. Its very hard to actually discuss what you've learned, what with all the drinks and congratulations going 'round, but you manage.
The night is topped off by a performance from Ameiko herself, a haunting melody about an elven town overrun by orcs, where the defenders fought heroically, down to the last, their sacrifice saving the lands beyond. The ballad hits very close to home, and there are few dry eyes in the house, so great is the skill by which it is performed. When the last notes finally fade away, there is silence for moment, broken only by a lone cough from a distant corner. Then Ameiko stands up and crys out "One on the house!' to thunderous cheers.
The latest round, combining with the emotion of Ameiko's performance, brings much attention and adulation to your table, and for a while it is impossible to get any words in edgewise. However you do notice a slim man waiting just on the edge of the crowd around your table. He steps forward and hands Yelena a note. With a bow and a polite 'My lady.', he is gone, the crowd filling in behind him.
I humbly request the privilege of dining with you on the morrow's eve at the Hagfish. You beauty and charm would grace the table at which we reposed, and I would that you join me.
Your servant,
Aldern Foxglove
ps: Oh yes, please bring along your compatriots.
Khalad raises another tankard to his mouth, laughing and singing along with the townsfolk, he takes a large gulp of the refreshing ale.
'It's nice to be heroes, huh?' He shouts over the crowd at his new-found friends.
He winks at the nearest pretty girl and then turns to raise his tankard again, overflowing with good spirits.
"Ah...what fine drink and fine entertainment we have!" Rogar says as he finishes his mug of ale. At this Rogar looks to the party, "So the goblins said they were prompted to attack by someone like us. Any ideas as to who that may have been or any descriptions given?"Just then Rogar notices Yelena reading a note given to her by a sickly looking young man.
Yelena laughs softly as she finishes the note, "Well, well... it appears that our good works will not go unpunished. I have been invited to dine with one Aldern Foxglove tomorrow evening at the Hagfish. You know, that fellow hiding behind the barrels in the alley we rescued. He also mentions that I may bring along compatriots if I so desire." She takes a drink and looks at the fellow heroes from the brim of her cup, "Well, I'd say you are compatriots. Not yet friends, but certainly compatriots." She sets down the glass and re-reads the note, "I hope he knows what he's doing, because I am not a cheap date."
Rogar speaks up, "A meal at the Hagfish? What sort of establishment is this 'Hagfish'?" With eyes intent he says to Yelena, "Just to keep his intentions honorable, maybe it's best if we go along...not that I don't think you could handle yourself, that is evident." At this Rogar laughs, "Come to think of it...maybe it would be in Mr. Foxglove's best interest if we came along!!!"
Torillan grins at Rogar's jest. "A meal is a meal, no matter who pays for it".
He turns to Yelena, his grin morphing into something of a smile. "But I do thank you for the invitation to your...invitation...", he trails off, shaking his head, laughing.
'Free food, I'm in!' Khalad grins widely, raising his tankard to his compatriots.
Yelena spends her day as she usual does; meditation and religious study in the morning, followed by her shift on duty at the town constabulary. The hubbub of the attacks during the Festival has resulted in a temporary drop in crime, leaving her with little work. Leaving the town hall, she will go home and prepare for the dinner with Aldern Foxglove (). She will then head over to the Hagfish.