In the days following the capture of Gellion and rescue of the apprentices, there is an undercurrent of unrest, but it never manifests in violence or unforgivable words. Father Ildris and Mayor Trinelli do well to calm the towns people while they wait for Gellion's trial. The delay serves Gellion well. Each day, his ramblings are less insistent and less mad. When it comes time for his trial, he almost sounds sane, if a shadow of the clever boy he was before he became infected with demon's bile.
True to her work, Mayor Trinelli speaks on the boys behalf and calls for mercy. Her plea oddly juxtaposed with the historical gallows of Saringallow serving as her stage. She explains your findings as best she can so that the people of Saringallow understand that it was not the boy who did these terrible deeds, but a symptom of a fearsome disease that has been cured. Gellion, himself, shows deep remorse--rumors abound that he tries to hang himself in the jail twice--and makes for a sympathetic accused.
At the end of it, the town concedes to mercy. Gellion continues to be confined in a dormitory at the temple of Erastil where Father Ildris tends to him. While few are allowed to see him, and few want to see him besides his parents, the priest reports that each day the madness fades a little bit more.
You continue your work attempting to gain the proper support and permits to establish a Pathfinder lodge in the region. Some of your companions and called back to other duties, and new faces arrive to help with the work.
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Clutching his amulet in one hand and drawing eldritch symbols upon a skull with the other, an ashen skinned person is sitting at a table in a dark corner of the Pathfinder's temporary lodgings. Face contorted in a grimace, he keeps muttering what appears to be the same incantation over and over and over again. Surrounding the skull is a complex circle of symbols with a lit candle melting away atop of it. The veins in his neck and forehead bulge with frustration at the repetitive failure, but finally, the candle flame snuffs out. A small, faintly glowing, white orb bobs gently within the skull and the person grins. "Brother..."
Content with his work, he cleans up the remains of his ritual and takes a seat in one of the comfier chairs with the others. "I am Faust Alhazred. I've worked in these parts before and darker, more wretched places prior. Aside from the Pathfinder Society, what has brought each of you here? I've heard many would reject a task in this part of Isger." Can't blame them. Not many choose to risk madness for a measly stipend. Raw research materials and further interaction with unspeakable dark forces more than make up for it, yet not all are inclined to such things.
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An aging dwarf with sun bleached hair and strange almost feather-like cutlass at his side grumbles a bit to nobody in particular as he joins his fellow Pathfinders.
"Well I did say I wanted to see the world, first Tian Xia, then Taldor, now Isger."
Otto then looks up from his grumbling to greet Alhazred "Hello 'dere. Name's Otto, Ambrus Valsin thought it's be good for me to get away from the sea for awhile, break my bad luck streak of gettin' sunk. Could be worse I guess."
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Takumi sits silently observing Faust and his work. He is unnaturally quiet, perhaps mulling over the fate that has befallen the young Gellion. Finally, he sighs and shakes his head, as if shaking away the unpleasantness of the previous mission, and puts on a warm grin.
"Welcome, Otto. Yes, Faust, Shalendra and I had quite an adventure, didn't we. All's well that ends well. Hmm, mostly well. My name of Kamizo Takumi (纸像匠), from the mystical lands of Kyonin." He says that last part with a mocking grin. "In your travels in Tian Xia, did you pass through my homelands?"
That might have been a challenge since other than Greengold, my countrymen aren't exactly welcoming of strangers.
A messenger arrives and informs you that Mayor Trinelli is very grateful for the services that you have rendered for the town and would like for you to meet with her at her office.
Golden beams of light stream into this comfortable-but-official room’s picture window, illuminating a cluttered wooden desk and an empty chair pushed haphazardly to the side. Between the window and the desk strides Mayor Sandra Trinelli, who, brow furrowed, has clearly worn a pacer’s path into the plush red carpet. Noticing her visitors, she sighs in determined resignation and steps behind her desk, leaning over it gravely.
“I’m glad you’ve arrived,” she says, a measure of relief creeping into her strained voice. “Our town is dealing with its share of troubles right now, and this unknown menace beyond our walls has me the most worried.”
She takes a deep breath as if composing herself, and sits carefully in her chair, assuming a self-assured posture that seems to come to her much more naturally. “Specifically, we may have a goblin problem,” the mayor continues. “I’ve recently received reports of goblins lurking in the woods outside of town. There have been no attacks yet—only minor damage to fences and some stolen sheep, I’m told—but we can’t afford to let our guard down. Given how we suffered during the Goblinblood Wars, we can’t assume that these scattered sightings are meaningless when they might very well mean that a major warband is about to descend on our heads.
“Even worse, it seems that these goblins are covered in some unholy manner of filth—even more so than normal! If word about that gets out, well, folks might start to panic. We are a superstitious lot here in Saringallow, as I’m sure you know.
“In short, we need to move quickly and deal with these goblins before they become a larger threat. Sending members of the town guard out into the woods, though, could leave us open to attack. I’m sure you see my dilemma.
“This is where I’d like you to intercede, my friends. Find out where the goblins are coming from and who—if anyone—is leading them, then take out the threat. I can offer you a bounty of 5 gold pieces for each goblin you kill, 10 gold pieces for each goblin dog, and an additional bonus of 100 gold pieces if you bring me proof that you’ve destroyed their camp or otherwise dealt with whatever additional threat they pose.
“Most of the sightings have originated from the area northwest of town, particularly near the homesteaders out by Clover Stream. That’s probably a good place to start your investigation. Aside from that, I’m afraid I don’t have much else to tell you. Unless you have any specific questions?”
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Faust walks regally through the doors and stands with a hand casually resting on the pommel of his sword while the Mayor speaks. Trouble and gold, how they always have a manner of going hand in hand...
He begins to pace as he speaks, following the pattern of the worn carpet as he does. "I do not wish to dredge up the mire of your country's Goblinblood War, yet I fear the information you may provide shall reap benefits to dangers inherent to our investigation. Have you any ideas as to the manner of the assaults the goblinoid forces made? Perhaps the weapons they wielded, the tactics they employed, or anything else regarding their combat strengths? Knowledge of the past may yet be our best bet to defend ourselves in the future," he inquires, waiting for her answer and allowing his companions to interject before proceeding down his next line of questioning.
"This filth. Have your reports provided any details as to its import? I find it hard to believe that victims of vandalism with the foreboding fear of violence nibbling at their sanity would bother to note on the cleanliness of the goblins in question without reason." he asserts. Wretched vermin are always covered in filth, they are goblins! Peasants and commoners always like to build up the story, but there is always a few gems hidden away.
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Takumi looks worryingly at the mayor as he shares. Goblins! Heard stories of these creatures from travelling merchants back in Jinin. Are they as cunning and dangerous as the stories say?
"Can it be a coincidence that this filth should make its appearance again?" He looks doubtful though, clearly having drawn his own conclusions.
“Goblins are vicious little monsters that live in the woods, caves, or anywhere they’ve sunk their claws into, really. Alone, they aren’t so threatening—but groups of them are dangerous, and hordes of them are terrifying. The abhorrent beasts seem to feed off each other’s chaos, so things quickly get out of hand when they’re involved. In general, though, goblins hate dogs and fear horses, but they love fire. I also hear that they’re very superstitious about reading—they believe that it steals words out of your head, or some such nonsense.” Mayor Trinelli begins.
"“Almost twenty years ago, hobgoblins—bigger, stronger, more intelligent goblins—surged out of Chitterwood leading armies of goblinoids. They attacked the rest of Isger and overran much of the country before we could muster much of a defense. They even started spreading into Andoran, Cheliax, and Druma. The war lasted four years, but with help from our neighboring nations, we managed to drive the goblins back into Chitterwood. The effort set half the forest on fire, but we wiped them out.”
She shakes her head. "The farmers who saw them weren't specific enough to tell if it is like the bile that plagued our town. I certainly hope not."
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Of course they weren't, gods forbid them to think it prudent to share useful details. "Very well, Mayor Trinelli. I have no further questions. Our investigation shall illuminate the rest of the details in due time," Faust declares.
He turns to his companions. "I have no further preparations to make. We should begin our investigation as soon as possible." The Mayor may not wish that Demon Bile to return, but it's effects on goblinoids would further my research admirably...
You gather your gear and head out into the farmlands beyond Saringallow. The journey is rather pleasant: the weather is mild and the people you meet at the homesteads outside of town are friendly. They direct you helpfully towards the farms reporting the goblin sightings.
Eventually, the dirt roads give way to smaller, worn-down trails. Pastures thick with green grass and dotted with sheep and other livestock replace the rows of wheat and vegetables. Soon, you can faintly make out the sound of running water nearby.
A young shepherd bolts across one of the nearby fields, clearly terrified by something behind him. He shouts and gestures frantically toward whatever he’s fleeing. “I saw them!” he screams. “Goblins! They’re in the woods! They took our sheep! You have to do something!”
Round 1. All Up
Ekanta
Takumi
Otto
Faust
Shalendra
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Running to catch up with the party, Jack forgoes any pretense of stealth while he rushes towards them just in time to hear the shepherd. I'm not sure exactly why the Archive sent me here, but if has to do with goblins stealing sheep, I fear I'm a bit out of my element... I know... I can threaten them with a book maybe? he chuckles to himself at the thought... he knew goblins were superstitious about written materials.
"Wait for me! I'm Jack and I've been sent from Absalom to assist you all!" He readies a small light crossbow as he runs up to the party, not aimed at them of course, just holding it.
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Faust sighs rather loudly. "You'll forgive me for not being immediately concerned. It is rather convenient that there aren't any signs of them and you ask us to charge blindly into unfamiliar terrain." Nevertheless, he draws his sword as he strolls forward, lazily turning it over and spinning it in his hand. Wouldn't be the first time a group of locals accosted me for being an outsider, different, or both. Luring us out into the woods would hardly be original, but it can be crudely effective to the unsuspecting.
"You would do well to know that I treat those who wish to harm me the same, regardless of their race," he mutters darkly as he passes the shepherd.
The shepherd takes in the visages of exactly who he's speaking with--notably Jack and Ekanta--and runs off screaming. Shortly afterward, three sheep emerge from the woods, slowly following.
Round 2. Bold may act.
Sheep
Ekanta
Takumi
Otto
Faust
Shalendra
Jack
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Did his eyes deceive him? No indeed there was a flash of steel. And that was definitely a goblin leg sticking out from the belly of the sheep. "These sheep have been disemboweled! The goblins are sneaking along with the sheep corpses over their heads!"
He immediately goes through the routine that his team knows all too well, summoning a magical eagle from the celestial plane to aid the party in the battle.
The eagle tears apart one of the goblins-in-sheep (just in-sheep, it's very disgusting) while Faust charges the next one and cleaves both the sheep corpse and the goblin in half.
Round 2. Bold may act.
Sheep (dead, dead, Evil Eye (-2 AC) (7/7))
Ekanta
Takumi & Eagle
Otto
Faust
Shalendra
Jack
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Suddenly, the party hears the rapid clopping of hooves - and an unearthly-looking man, athletically-built yet lanky, beautiful yet somehow off-putting in appearance, skin and hair nothing but a wash of white, grey, and silvery shades, speeds up from behind them, and without a further word or glance to any of them, strikes one of the 'sheep' with a beautiful quarterstaff!
Ekanta knocks the still-hidden goblin into oblivion.
As the dust settles from the goblin attack, the sound of deranged, off-key singing filters onto the field. Three goblins riding absurdly undersized goblin dogs bound over the fence. Despite the goblins dwarfing their mounts, they seem very skilled at riding them.
“Chase them! Chase them! Low and high!
Cut their eyes out, make them cry!
Cut them! Chop them! Slice them up!
Feed them to our goblin pups!”
Round 3. Party Up.
Goblin Riders x 3
Ekanta
Takumi & Eagle
Otto
Faust
Shalendra
Jack
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"More blood shall spill! Come, you filthy beasts, let's see if you fare better than the rest of your brood!" Faust challenges while prowling into the open.
Tapping his amulet of ensnaring tentacles, a swirling black darkness coalesces around his wrist and he winds up his scimitar, ready for the first goblin to answer his call. As much as I hate them, the horrors of the void have their uses...
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Jack considers his crossbow and decides to fire it at one of the goblins. Unfortunately, it hits the tree in the middle of the field. Takumi uses a magic wand to send a bolt of force into one of the goblins' chest, but it is not enough to slay it.
The goblin engaged with the eagle drops his bow and draws his morningstar, swinging it at the celestial raptor with all his goblin might. It crumples back into a folded piece of paper following the strike. The goblin fires an arrow at Faust as the man moves out from behind the tree, but it slows down just before it strikes the dhampir and drops harmlessly to the ground. The goblin to the west has better luck with his bow and grazes Shalendra's arm.
Round 4. Party Up.
Red & Dog
Blue & Dog
Yellow & Dog (goblin -3 hp)
Ekanta
Takumi
Otto
Faust (1 hp absorbed by Mind Barrier)
Shalendra (DC 12 Concentration check vs. lose spell)
Jack
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Knowing he is protected, Faust doesn't even flinch as the arrow is deflected dangerously close to his body. I'll have to deal with that one later... "Bring the fight to you then? As you wish!"
He bursts into a dead sprint, straight for the goblin by the river. Reaching his prey, he spins into a wicked backhand, aiming to cleave more goblins in two.
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Faust charges the goblin that dispatched the eagle and cuts it in half at the waist. The goblin legs remain attached to the goblin dog, which still seems quite aggressive.
Round 4. Party Up.
Red & Dog
Blue & Dog
Yellow Dog (goblin dead)
Ekanta
Takumi
Otto
Faust (1 hp absorbed by Mind Barrier, -2 AC until next round)
Shalendra (DC 12 Concentration check vs. lose spell)
Jack
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Takumi curses at the quick demise of his summoned eagle, but cuts himself off before he finishes when he realises he has spoken aloud.
He studies the battlefield briefly, studying especially the positions of the goblins and their dogs. He sighs at the wastefulness, and trusting Otto to handle himself, Takumi moves forward to support Faust who stands the risk of being overwhelmed. He then whips out another piece of paper and flings it at one of the goblins , calling into existence another eagle.
Otto charges the goblin cavalier and, not to be outdone by Faust, cuts the goblin from neck to belly button. The dead goblin slumps off of the dog. Another glittering eagle appears and tears the face off of the last goblin, leaving you all with three very angry looking goblin dogs.
Round 4. Party Up.
Red Dog (goblin dead)
Blue Dog (goblin dead)
Yellow Dog (goblin dead)
Ekanta
Takumi
Otto (-2 AC until next round)
Faust (1 hp absorbed by Mind Barrier, -2 AC until next round)
Shalendra
Jack
Suddenly, the sound of a trumpet rings out over the field, becoming louder as its player approaches.
The now riderless dogs snap at their opponents. One dog claps its toothy jaws shut just between Otto's legs. Another dog's bite is repelled by Faust's magical shield. The third dog can't seem to reach the eagle.
There is a great clamor and crashing as a small band of goblins, led by a very angry looking and stronger-than-average she-goblin, emerge from the edge of the woods. She shouts at you in some language that sounds like gibberish.
Round 4. Party Up.
Red Dog (goblin dead)
Blue Dog (goblin dead)
Yellow Dog (goblin dead)
Ekanta
Takumi
Otto
Faust
Shalendra
Jack
Goblin Leader (yellow dot)
Goblin Rider & Dog (red dash)
Goblin Dog (orange)
Goblins x 3 (black, white, blue dash)
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"Haha! Welcome to Isger, where the only thing that outnumbers the orphans are these bags of filth!" Faust replies. Now to snuff their candles our before we are overwhelmed. "Grouping up would be prudent," he comments, suffering a brief moment of clarity before succumbing to his bloodlust again. Unfortunately, the transition is too much for him and he strikes the ground where the beast was. With a snarl, he recovers from the swing and takes a step back.
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Shalendra launches a bolt at the lead goblin, who laughs and bats it out of the air. Otto has more luck, slashing the goblin dog with his spectral blade and then stepping back and telekinetically slamming a branch into it, knocking it out cold. Ekanta charges the dog that Faust was struggling to strike and knocks it out with a single blow.
Eagle-bot tries to hover but cannot quite hold itself aloft. It lands and bites the goblin dog on the nose. Takumi-bot fires a magic missile at the dog from his wand, which knocks the dog into a ditch.
The goblins advance toward the river and unleash a hail of arrows. One arrow graves the Shalendra, but she dodges a second. Several arrows bounce off of Faust's armor. A riderless goblin dog manages to make it across the stream and bites ineffectually at Faust's foot. The leader chucks a small javelin at Takumi with a ferocious scream, but the javelin lands well short of the elf.
Eagle-bot flies after the nearest enemy and bites the goblin dog's ear as it harries Faust.
Round 5. Party Up.
Ekanta
Takumi & Eagle
Otto
Faust
Shalendra (-3 hp)
Jack (can act twice if posted within 5 hours)
Goblin Leader (yellow dot)
Goblin Rider & Dog (red dash)
Goblin Dog (orange) (-3 hp)
Goblins x 3 (black, white, blue dash)
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Faust swings just as the dog recoils from the eagle's bite, slashing his blade through the air. He rolls his eyes and looks at the squid-eyed thing. Not the strangest thing I've seen, but certainly close.
"Looks like you'll be cleaning up after me again," he admits, clearly annoyed. What good is a fight when you stop spilling their blood? Pah!
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