Colvyn looks at the man, listening to his long speech, expecting some useful information, only to be disappointed when the man was done. Taking a small sip of wine, he looks at the man in the eyes. "So, lot's of words to say that you don't know anything."
"Whatever it is, it would make a fantastic trophy," says Sir Aldern. "Imagine having the head of the Sandpoint Devil on the wall above your fireplace? What a hunt that would be! If you could find the bloody thing."
He raises a glass once again.
"To the death of the Sandpoint Devil, at the hands of these brave souls! The quest has begun!" Aldern drinks again.
"So, lot's of words to say that you don't know anything."
"Well, I'll be the first to admit the damn thing is elusive. Enough people have heard it though. But it's the story that matters, the presentation. For all we know it could turn out to just be a rabid cockatrice or a worg with a glandular problem."
"But I don't think so. It's never that easy. And people have been hearing it for, oh, around ten years now. If it were something commonplace someone would have lain eyes on it by now."
Kargas drains his mead and frowns at the various storytellers, but gives Colvyn a grin when the Erastilian echoes his own skepticism. "Hard to track something that no one has seen and can't even agree on a form for. Even warcats and wyverns leave trails..." the half-orc muses for a time.
"Ha!" Rig takes a long pull off his cup as he pauses his dancing. "I've heard many a tale of legendary creatures such as this where no one has any sure information, nor can anyone recall having clearly seen the beast. I'm afraid that without some shred of proof, you may be hunting a naughty goat! Or perhaps another of our goblins friends. Tell me, what crimes has this fairy tale committed?"
"Worgs... I know worgs. Evil creatures." Colvyn stares at his glass while speaking. "They stare at you with cold calculating red eyes. Studying you for any weakness, then, faster that you can blink, they charge you. With their breath fouled by the smell of death, they go for your legs, pinning you the ground. If you are lucky you might be able to scream before their jaw closes on your throat. Ripping flesh with their knife size teeth. As you lay there, half drowning in your own blood, the pack will gather around you. Looking down as your life escape like your blood pooling on the ground, with each beat of your heart. Then, finally, they will finish you off, tearing flesh from bones and sucking marrow..." The ratfolk voice just trail off into silence while one of his hand is rubbing the back of his lower leg.
"While we investigate the goblins, we can easily do the same for this devil. Maybe it is a fairytale, but perhaps it isn't! There is only one way to find out." Her cheeks glowing, head starting to swim, she lounges casually in her chair.
Colvyn's chilling story sobers her for a moment. "...Colvyn... Did that happen to you?" She asks in a hushed tone. What has this poor fellow gone through?
The polite conversations quickly turned to death and blood making Laurana blanch. She took another sip of her wine to calm her nerves. "It sounds truly fearsome and a worthy trophy for you Kargas." She ventured.
When Ameiko mention about Cade being a connoisseur, he smiles brightly.
Occupational hazards I guess. So you like your drink to be bracing...hmm. Might I recommend...If you do not carry this treasure I suggest acquiring it and it is a very reasonable price. Dultagh Beckerstone's Dwarven Whiskey. This is not for the faint of heart. This is something you take your time and savor the flavor. Enjoy it with your friends. It is aged in Oak Casks for 30 years before bottling it. The nose leads with barley and malt and driven by smokey drafts along with rich spice and honey. Lots of spice and citrus with big oak support. Herbal and rose wood notes. Big and beautifully rounded mouth with chocolate and vanilla. Complex and charming. This...this will keep you warm all night long.
Cyrdak Drokkus Continues to talk about his play.
It will be an honor to have one of your renown to pen and direct such a play....I would ask a favor that the artistic license be limited...please. The great people of this town have just survived a horrible event and it would not do anyone any good to embellish the facts. Would you please keep that in mind.
Cade almost spits his drink out from laughter as Kargas calls him out in a round about sort of way. Still laughing he looks over and up at him.
Yes that is true, but see if one can use words to distract or anger an opponent with a few simple phrases then the contest is over before it even begone. My friend sometimes a witty repartee can win a battle before your meat cleaver ever comes out of its sheaf.....at least that is what my teachers would tell you. More times than not....my witty repartee just gets me into trouble.
Cade laughs some more and he looks Kargas in the eyes all the while he is smiling.
This devil you are after...if you will have me..I will help you in anyway I can.
Colvyn make his thought known on the thespian's tale.
All stories have some truth to them. The trick is to sort through the tangle of lies, half truths, embellishments and facts to find what is needed to see the truth of that story.
As Colvyn disappears into his own nightmare about worgs...
You can rock me to sleep Colvyn, gee this is the time to celebrate beating back the tide of evil thrust on these good folk. Come now the past is in the past. Death smiles at us all, all a person can do is smile back. Enjoy your life....if not then the next round is on you....
Cade tries hard to make the Ratfolk feel welcomed and make him relax somewhat. He hopes that his smile is contagious and he laughs with his new companions.
"...you may be hunting a naughty goat!"
Cyrdak Drokkus slaps his knee with mirth. "'The Sandpoint Six and the Naughty Goat.' That, my friend, would be an entirely different kind of play." Cyrdak winks at Rig and laughs again.
"...Then, finally, they will finish you off, tearing flesh from bones and sucking marrow..."
Cyrdak sobers up. "A chilling tale. But... the Sandpoint devil is probably not a worg. Very unlikely. So not to worry, then, eh?" He sips at his ale quietly for a moment.
"Tell me, what crimes has this fairy tale committed?"
"The Sandpoint Devil gets blamed for a lot of things," says Ameiko with a grin. "I don't believe the half of them. It's true that livestock sometimes goes missing, and all that is left is some blood and a few patches of skin. But that could easily be any number of things."
"When a person disappears, well, that's more serious. But it still could be any number of things. Without witnesses, who knows?"
"There is something out there though. You do hear it once in a while on foggy nights. Most people have the sense to stay indoors on nights like those."
I would ask a favor that the artistic license be limited...please.
"Oh, come now. All my historical dramas are perfectly accurate! Sure, there are some trivial things, but it doesn't matter that the actor fakes left when you actually faked right. It is the of the event that matters. My job is to give the truth " Cyrdak gestures widely with his arms, as if describing a massive fish he has caught.
A burly, bearded man bursts into the tavern.
"I hear the new goblin-slayers are here!" he shouts. He looks around the room, and strides up to the table where the party sits.
"That must be you!" he says with a grin. "Did you happen to take any of their ears? Very well done by the way. Couldn't have done better meself."
He looks around for a moment, then something occurs to him.
"Oh, right! I'm Daviren. Daviren Hosk. I run the stable next door. It's called 'The Goblin Squash Stables.' Heh. Honored to meet you!"
Kargas listens intently when Ameiko chimes in, both speaker and subject of interest to the young man.
When the bearded man barges in Kargas starts, half-turning in his seat and the man walks up. "Ears?" he rumbles in puzzlement. "I hadn't thought trophy-taking to be something you lot went in for."
Fog seems to be out our best lead... it's a start, but not much to go off of.
Flo's face whitens a little. Their ears? Who would think to cut ears off of a creature? For what purpose? This night is getting a little long for me. After introducing herself, she asks, "What exactly do you wish to do with goblin ears? I must admit that dismembering their corpses wasn't the first thought on my mind."
"What exactly do you wish to do with goblin ears?..."
"Heh. I nail them to the rafters in my stable! I've got a few dozen. I also brand the name of the goblin onto the ear. Well, whenever I can find out what their name was. They hate that! Ha ha ha ha!" Daviren slaps the table a few times as he laughs.
"You're welcome to come and have a look anytime! Well, anytime I'm about, anyway."
"I'm getting a bit old for the goblin fighting business, 's why I got into raising horses, you see. Horses terrify goblins. Hah! But I did win two more ears today, I'm happy to say. Sounds like you lot got more than your share though! Folks around here know that if they don't want the ears, I'm always happy to take 'em."
Mounting goblin ears? Hell, maybe that's WHY they want to attack this place, Rig muses.
Kargas smiles bitterly at Laurana's polite effort. "It's not for me, it's for the tribe, so I can go back home."
Colvyn stops fidgeting with his leg and look at the newcomer. He studies the burly man for a moment. "Nature doesn't take trophies, and neither should you!" Turning to the rest of the group. "Sorry about earlier. Didn't mean to, um, drift into a nightmare." He looks down for a second then back to the group. "I'll, well, excuse myself now. Does anyone need some, ah, healing before I go?" He looks at Kargas mostly while speaking.
After Kargas' confession, Luarana stairs back down at her wine and then Colvyn continued with his odd mannerisms. Grateful for the distraction, she took one last drink and pushed away from table. "I think I may have had a little too much to drink and although I am from here, it would do well for me to spend the night here. Especially with goblins about." She then turned to Amieko, "Miss Amieko, do you have a spare room I could let?"
"Good heavens. Accommodations! In all the frenzy, I completely forgot. I, too, will be needing a place to stay."
Cade listens intently as the burly men talks. Just when he seems ready to say something, Colvin start to talk about nature. Not wanting to get involved in a debate on the merits of Goblin society, Cade remains silent.
I personally do not care for the ears, would not go with any of my outfits.
Cade looks at the man again..
Daviren Hosk you say and you breed horses, this can not be. I always thought the stories where exaggerated to the point of fiction....but here you are. Just as he describe you....
Cade stares at the man for a few seconds.
sorry...umm..if I am correct you knew my grandfather. Kordon Goodbarrel...Do you remember him? He sometimes went by the nick name Blu.....
"Miss Amieko, do you have a spare room I could let?"
"After everything that has happened, all of you are welcome to stay here. In fact, it's on me, for the whole week. If you're staying longer than that we can figure something out."
"Nature doesn't take trophies, and neither should you!"
Daviren blinks a few times, clearly taken aback.
"Nature doesn't wear hats, either. Or cook food. Or use weapons, for that matter."
"I do know a little bit about nature, little one. I spent most of my youth living off the wild."
"But goblins... well, there's no way to live in peace with those nasty buggers. And people need reminding once in a while that they can be fought, and beaten."
Cyrdak watches the interplay carefully.
"Daviren spent his younger years protecting Sandpoint from goblins. He roamed the area eliminating goblin threats and keeping watch for goblin attacks. So he's one of Sandpoint's goblin experts, you could say."
"It's not a terrible story," Cyrdak winks at Daviren.
"But it gets a little tedious after a while. Daviren, if you have just rescued some noble lady, and married her, that would have made a great ending! Rather than just retiring. Boooooo-ring! Ha ha!"
sorry...umm..if I am correct you knew my grandfather. Kordon Goodbarrel...Do you remember him? He sometimes went by the nick name Blu.....
Once again, Daviren Hosk is taken aback. "Goodbarrel? You're Kordon Blu's grandson?" He stares for a moment.
"Hah! I should 'ave known! I was just a lad when I met Kordon. Just starting out. The Bonegrinder tribe was still around then, but me an' your grandad made short work of them! He saved my life once even!
Say, did he ever tell you about that Taldoran with the big wheel of cheese?"
Kargas' eyes track each person as they speak, struggling to take in everything and make sense of it. He nods at Daviren's comment about nature and hats, but gives his head a small shake at the next part. "Dragons." he pronounces solemnly.
As a thought occurs, he starts glancing around the inn to see if there's a map of the region about.
"You are too gracious, Miss Ameiko." she stated when a room was offered for a week.
Kargas' mention of dragons stopped Laurana in her tracks. "Dragons you say? What do you know of dragons? What kind were they? What colors?" Suddenly her lethargy was turned into excitement.
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His stories tended to run together over the last couple of years, but I do remember him talking about a hunk of cheese with lots of holes in it...
With all the talk of goblin ears, dragons, and cheese starting to swirl in her head she turns inward. Free rooms, eh? I am getting pretty tired and starting to feel the drink... Suddenly weary after a long day, Flo stands from her chair. A little wobbly on her feet, but she steadies herself.
"Thank you everyone for such a wonderful night and exciting day, I am off to bed. I would like to invite everyone to join me in morning prayers to Lady Luck. Even if it is just for a minute, her luck and grace may more easily find you." She takes a pitcher of water in two hands and makes her way to the stairs and her room.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Desna's blessings upon you," she says as she passes Ameiko.
Colvyn walks out into the night. Sleeping indoor in a crowded inn isn't really his thing. Beside, I should go see Phasgan and make sure he's ok. He walks over to where the giant rat was stable and make sure that everything was ok there. Taking a brush out, he cleans its fur and changes the water. "Did they take care of you Buddy? I hope your food was good." Going through the motion, he talks the Phasgan, telling all about his day and the fight. "Why is it so easy to talk to you and not people? I might have made some friends today. But then again, I think I might have, yet again, acted out of order. We'll see tomorrow I guess." Once he is done, he settles himself against Phasgan and tries to fall asleep, reliving the fight in the Ahswood all over again.
Sir Aldern rises as people begin to leave.
"... I would like to invite everyone to join me in morning prayers to Lady Luck."
"Perhaps Lady Luck has already smiled on us, sending you in our time of need." Aldern smiles.
"In any case," Aldern looks around at the group. "As a token of my gratitude, I'd like to take you on an excursion of sorts. All of you. I'll need to make the arrangements... let's say, the day after tomorrow?"
"Smashing! I'll see you in two days then!"
"Dragons." he pronounces solemnly.
"What's that?" Cyrdak perks up. "Dragons can spice up any story. Have you ever dealt with one? The tricky thing is that they are hard to portray on stage."
"Excursion? That's a trip, right? Where would we be going?" Kargas asks the retreating back of the noble, growling in frustration when he doesn't seem to hear.
Turning back to Cyrdak he shrugs. "The ones I've seen--from a distance mind you--cook their food. Didn't stick around to see anything else after they killed a Zagresh Bull." Fearing he's said too much, he gets tight-lipped after that, refusing to answer any questions about the bulls or where such creatures are from.
If Cyrdak is persistent, or if most of the others wander off to bed, Kargas stands and starts collected mugs and glasses and carries them over to the bar, where he shyly asks Lady Kaijitsu if she wants any help with cleaning up.
"Excursion? That's a trip, right? Where would we be going?" Kargas asks the retreating back of the noble, growling in frustration when he doesn't seem to hear.
"Perhaps we can go hunting! I'll have to see if I can obtain permission but I doubt that will be a problem. When they hear I am going with the Sandpoint Six I'm sure that will open doors."
He smiles.
"Don't worry. I'll arrange everything!"
Turning back to Cyrdak he shrugs. "The ones I've seen--from a distance mind you--cook their food. Didn't stick around to see anything else after they killed a Zagresh Bull." Fearing he's said too much, he gets tight-lipped after that, refusing to answer any questions about the bulls or where such creatures are from.
"Ah, I see what you mean! Ha!" He mulls that idea over while he drinks his ale.
"I'm not sure that qualifies as 'nature' though. Dragons are as intelligent as us. Often moreso. And there are so many unnatural abilities possessed by Dragons that I would hesitate to call them a part of 'nature.' They are magical creatures, far removed beyond the realm of plants and animals. That's why they make great villains!"
Kargas stands and starts collected mugs and glasses and carries them over to the bar, where he shyly asks Lady Kaijitsu if she wants any help with cleaning up.
Ameiko laughs. "You're not used to being waited on, are you?"
"Don't worry about it. We'll be busy late into the night, now that the town is secure. A lot of people will need a warm fire and plenty of company to feel like things are going back to normal."
"If you are turning in, have a good night. We start breakfast about an hour after dawn, but there will be leftovers if you sleep in."
She goes back to bustling around the tavern.
Cade watches as one by one his new companions call it a night. Not all of them had the social grace needed to deal with all this attention. Then again he would not survive long in the wilds by himself, but he would at least try. This new found celebrity status was just his cup of tea and he meant to take advantage of it for as long as he could. It is the wee hours when he finally calls it a night himself. Having spent most of his time drinking and having fun, he felt it was time to get some sleep.
need to see Daviren Husk before we go hunting. Want to get some more stories from him before my cup start to refill to much.
Disappointed by Kargas' answer about dragons, "Well, good night then." and then she wandered to her room, sparing a thought if there were more goblins about.
Unless someone comes to disturb him, Colvyn comfortably sleep with Phasgan. He will rise with the sun to do his daily prayers, feed and brushes Phasgan, and then head back into the inn for his morning meal.
The activity in the tavern goes on until about midnight when things die down. Those who are staying in the in are welcome to warm themselves by the fire as long as they like, but at that point Ameiko closes up the bar and the kitchen.
The next morning the smell of breakfast cooking wakes up those staying in the inn.
"Good morning!" says Ameiko as the heroes come down to the common room.
"There's fresh bread, fried eggs, and some ham. There's also porridge and a chicken stew - I had lots of leftovers from the festival stuff. The yellow color is from a Vudran spice." She nods at Rig. "You might recognize it. It's called curry."
"By the way, you folks have a visitor." She nods towards one of the tables.
A dark-skinned man in a guardsman uniform stands as the heroes enter.
"Good morning," he says stiffly.
"I... I meant to come see you last night. I apologize. There was a great deal going on yesterday, and I was tied up well into the night."
"I wanted to thank you for what you did yesterday. It says a lot to me that you didn't panic and did what had to be done. You could have run like most ordinary folks and nobody would have blamed you."
He indicates one of the larger tables and invites those of you who are there to sit.
"As you might imagine, the situation is not good. I lost a number of good men yesterday and I have only twelve real guardsmen left. I want to call up the militia but there's always an uproar when I suggest it."
"So for starters, if any of you want jobs as members of the guard, I'd love to have you. I'm willing to pay double the normal rate. In particular, I would pay a premium for anyone who wants the night watch and can see in the dark."
He gives Kargas a knowing look.
"I'm also supposed to tell you that a meeting of the Sandpoint council is scheduled for the day after tomorrow. Really, there's no reason they couldn't have it today, but the council members seem to want time to 'prepare.' It's a pain in the... regardless, you are invited to attend. The mayor herself asked me to invite you."
Having led the morning prayers to Desna, Flo is seated at a table devouring a bowl of chicken stew. Leaving to manner of flavor behind, she sops up anything her spoon can't reasonably handle with a hearty slice of bread.
"Ameiko. This. Is. FANTASTIC! You must share the recipe with me. Rig, you know of this spice? It is quite unlike anything I've ever had!" She continues eating her fill until Constable Hemlock makes his entrance.
Twelve guards for a town as big as Sandpoint? Things may begin to take a turn for the worse around here... "Constable Hemlock, I would be better off aiding another in a fight, but I can stand watch like anyone else. Count me in on the nightshift, if you'll have me. I am a member of the local temple here too, I'll put a word in and see if any others will rise to uphold the safety of our home."
"When and where will this meeting take place? Should we prepare anything?" We lucked out, Lord Aldern's excursion will be tomorrow and then the meeting the following day! Could have been an awkward situation for us...
________
Kargas gets up early and attends another of Flor's prayers. Dawn seems like a weird time to worship a goddess of stars, but I'm no priest. He even participates a little, towards the end.
As the Constable finishes his piece Kargas grunts. "A goblin raid that caught you by surprise, right in the middle of town, and the folk here still won't go for a militia? Color me unimpressed. Still, I could use the coin, and night watch sounds easier than hunting goblins out in the wilds. Sure, I'm in."
Heading back tp his table, he eagerly enjoys his breakfast and makes a few clumsy attempts at complimenting Ameiko and the food. "So what do we do today?" he asks as he gathers up his dishes and carries them over to the wash-basin.
Laurana also attended Flo's morning prayers out of respect for her new friend.
She also decided to try the curry but as the first drop hit her tongue, she immediately flushed pink and then red, with eyes watering she managed, "This is a little spicy for me." as she coughed to clear her throat and went straight for the pitcher of water. "I think I will stick the vegetables and steamed chicken."
At the offer to join the watch, "I'm sorry Sheriff, I dont think I am watch material, but it sounds like you are having success in your recruitment efforts." She tried to end on a high note so he wouldnt be disappointed.
"It's the turmeric that gives it that color," he says to Floredana. "I'm not much of a chef myself, but I always appreciate fine cuisine. And this, Ameiko, is excellent! Very authentic."
Rig eats heartily, savoring every bite. As he listens to the Constable's words, he whispers to Laurana, "Try some milk, it'll help more than water."
"I could certainly provide an extra set of eyes and some company to Kargas and Floredana. I'm a bit of a night owl anyway."
He gathers with the others after the constable takes his leave. "Well, how about a little tour today? I still haven't had the chance to look around. And we seem to have some knowledgeable locals. Hopefully the goblins haven't entirely spoiled the festival."
Who the hell cast a light spell in my room. That is not cool. Not cool at all.
Waking up at a bit past brunch, Cade gets himself cleaned up and dressed.
Looking dapper and neat in his attire, his clothes all pressed and weapons polished. Cade carries the studded leather armor from one of the goblins and his shirt and traveling coat are folded neat on top of the armor.
Morning all. Good to see everyone again. I hope everyone had a good night sleep.
Cade orders food and mead. As the others look at him when he orders the mead.
It is never to early to have good mead. It is cocktail hour somewhere in the world.
When Cade notices the food color
I have heard that the Vudrani flavor the curry with food. Now me, I am a mild spice type. I like spice but I do not want them to overpower the adventure of the meal. You should enjoy it as a whole and not just one part of it. The flavors should compliment each other and escort your pallet from one course to the next...keeping your mind, mouth and stomach in a state of anticipation...wanting to evolve with the next bite.
So what is on the agenda this day.I am off to see my tailor. I hope I survive the appointment, she is not going to be happy with the work I will be giving her. She spent a long time on this shirt and she will be angry with me for not taking care of it. I hope she can fix my coat as that was made by a Halfling tailor back home and I am not sure she will know how to mend it. The armor needs a cleaning something fierce. It smells so bad that it makes me wonder if it is worth taking.