If Amieko says that she does not wish any help with the food, I take my drink and sit near Kiera, "I am not too keen on spiced food, I prefer my food to be more flavourful. There is an alcoholic drink I had a few times when in training; Lost Hills Porter, it was considered a treat to have. It had a nice nutty taste to it and wasn't too sweet."
Volkar settles in, and Ameiko calls for a serving girl to bring a round of drinks for everyone. She is surprised at Daelrics offer, but acquiesces. "Good dwarf, I would not dare to ask for your help.. we have plenty of staff. However, should you desire, I am sure we can find something for you to do. As for spice or no spice, there is plenty of meat here, and not all of my patrons have quite my exotic tastes! There will be plenty of food for all tastes to enjoy."
Aldern to Kiera: "My lady, it shall be as you wish." he says with a laugh. "That was too close for my own pleasure, truth be told, to see you wounded so. It was my duty and joy as well to aid you!" he says with a deep bow.
The party is chivvied into the common room where they may rest and relax for a bit. It will be several hours yet before the evening feast, but Aldern makes no secret of his.. and your.. generosity and word spreads quickly though town of the meat and drink to come this evening. After but a few minutes, however, your relaxation is interrupted in the form of an anxious teenage messenger holding a folded piece of paper out to Kiera. "Pardon me, miss, Tha Sheriff sent fer ye.." he stutters before turning tail and scampering off.
Please meet Mayor Deverin and myself in the Mayors office as soon as you may.
Sheriff Hemlock
********
The party makes their way to the Mayors offices, where you are promptly ushered into a well appointed.. almost lush.. room. Sitting behind a large desk is a middle aged woman of obvious noble breeding. The sheriff greets you as you enter "Hello! Thank you for coming so quickly. I apologize for the abruptness, but needs must, and we are suddenly pressed for time." he says.
Sheriff Belor Hemlock is a Shoanti, and is actually the brother of your innkeep and acquaintance Garridan Viskalai of the White Deer. He is a strong, tall man corded with muscles and lined with scars from the many fights he has been in.
He greets each of you by name, and explains he had spoken with Father Zantus just this morning. "I had hoped Sandpoint could use your services.. but I did not think it would be so soon. Wait.. I am putting the cart before the horse.." he says, turning to the Mayor and introducing you individually.
She replies "Well met, adventurers. I am Mayor Deverin, and our little town is fortunate you happened by.. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the services you have rendered. Please be seated, and we can get to the reason you are here."
As the party takes seats around a large table, an elven woman wearing very battered and bent armour steps forth from the shadows.
Shalelu’s visit today to Sandpoint is unexpected—she last passed through town only a month ago and wasn’t expected until the last week of autumn.
Sheriff Hemlock waves in the direction of the new addition, and introduces her. "This is Shalelu.. you might say she is an "unofficial" member of Sandpoint's town guard." he says. Shalelu just smirks at the epithet, but holds her silence. "Shalelu here is an amazing woodsmen.. er woman.. ah, you know what I mean!" he stutters. "Anyway, she has killed more goblins around here than anyone, and it seems our little encounter was only part of a much larger problem. In short, theres been an increase in goblin related raids all along the Lost Coast Road, in particularly in the dale between Nettlewood and Mosswood. Only A day ago, a farm south of Mosswood was burnt to the ground by goblins. Thankfully, Shalelu was near and was able to deal with the goblins and save the family. I asked you here to speak with her, and because it seems we are going to need all of the help we are able to muster. Shalelu?"
The Sheriff steps back and waves the elf woman over.
“Belor’s told me of your work against the goblins— well done. I’ve dedicated the last several years of my life to keeping them from causing too much trouble around these parts, but they’re tenacious and fecund little runts. Like weeds that bite. “Anyway, there’s five major goblin tribes in the region, and, traditionally,are pretty good at keeping each other in line with intertribal squabbles and the like. Yet from what I’ve been able to piece together, members of all five tribes were involved in the raid on Sandpoint. A fair amount of the Mosswood tribe goblins I dealt with yesterday were already pretty beat up, and there was a lot of chatter about the ‘longshanks’ who killed so many of them. Now that I’ve met you, it seems obvious from their descriptions who they were talking about. Seems like you’ve made an impression. In any event, the fact that the five tribes are working together disturbs me. Goblin tribes don’t get along unless they’ve got something big planned, and big plans require big bosses. I’m afraid that someone’s moved in on the goblins and organized them. And judging by these recent raids, what they’re organizing seems like bad news for all of us.”
As Shalelu finishes her story and leans back against the wall, the Sheriff steps forward again. "Because of these new developments, I must take some of my guards and go to Magnimar, that I may negotiate more troops to protect the area. This is where you come in. With this much activity, I cannot hope to make it there alive without taking a sizable escort, and we have few enough fighters as it is. Will you be willing to stay on and protect the town while I am gone? Mayor Deverin and I have agreed to bring you on as paid consultants of a sort. We can pay you each a silver a day, as well as take care of your room and board. We also hear that the young Foxglove has provided you with horses.. we can take care of the stabling for the beasts, as you may end up using them for town business. What do you think?"
I bow deeply to Amieko and help in any way I can, before finally sitting down with everyone. As the boy rushes up to Kiera I smile to myself, "A letter of love from Foxglove, mayhaps?" When the boy hands the letter to her and says that the Sheriff is asking for her I stop laughing and watch her carefully. A bit intrigued and curious but not accusatory. I continue to drink my drink quietly, eyes still on Kiera until she feels ready to share with the group.
Once in the Mayor's office I bow to each of the town officials and take a seat with both the officials and the door within my field of vision. I give a sharp intake of breath as the elven woman walks out of the shadows behind me, then slowly release my breath and raise my fingers to my forelock. I listen to all the talking going on and wait for everyone to finish before saying my part. "I am happy to stay and help, just know that while I will help protect the town from any more threats, my main purpose for being here is to find my father. I am troubled though by what you have said about the Goblins uniting, having fought the critters for so long and not ever hearing of tribes banding before ... it leaves me feeling anxious."
I wait to see how everyone else responds before looking to the 3 in charge, "Do any of you have any idea as to why the body was taken from it's place of rest?"
The sheriff smiles ruefully at Daelric's question. "I can see that Father Zantus got talking.. no, we still have no idea why the body was taken, or what plans the goblins have for it."
After the whirlwind of activity, Kiera says during the meeting, "Well, I'm originally from Magnimar - before I moved to Sandpoint! I'm not averse to making another trip, especially if it might yield us some clues about those goblins and their lair. I won't speak on behalf of everyone else here, but I'm up to the task." She straightens slightly and adjusts her satchel.
She suddenly seems to remember something and adds, "Oh, and with respect to Daelric's quest to find his father... I don't know of any dwarves of that lineage in town, but perhaps the mayor's office might have some paperwork from a census or family records that might help..."
Sheriff Hemlock looks confused for a moment, then understands the problem. "My lady, I thank you for your offer, but I would be going to Magnimar with most of the town guard.. I would need you to stay here and assist with the town defenses and in effect, take over as Sheriff until I return."
Mayor Deverin responds to Kiera's add on with "I am sure we can look through the records for some such. I do not know what we may or may not find, but we can look through official correspondence, files, census and tax forms. Give us his name and anything you know about him and I will set a scribe to the task."
"Oh! My mistake! I understand. Yes, of course, we can help look into the goblin problem locally, I think," she says and bites her lip for a moment with embarrassment.
I stand up and bow deeply to both Kiera and the Mayor in turn, "I shall give you as much information as needed. I thank you both for this assistance, worry not though for even if we find him I shall still offer you my assistance in protecting this town and it's people." I sit down again with a hint of a smile on my face.
The Sheriff nods his head in thanks. "That is two then. What of you others? Will you assist our fair town?"
I can aid this town in your absence, Sheriff, Volkar had listened and was still contemplating the meal and drink at the Rusty Dragon cut short by the Mayor's summons. But, I have to ask, are there any lads or homeguard that we can call upon if suddenly there are more of the cursed green skins that show up?
"Very astute question." The Sheriff replies. "There are a few townsmen that can fight, and I will leave you with two of the town guard that are familiar with the way things are handled, so you are not completely on your own. Between you four, the two I will leave, and the townsmen you should be fine if anything short of a full scale assault happens, but I doubt they will be so bold as to try that again, especially without any festivals to distract us."
Volkar nodded and his right hand found the forebeard bead and began twirling it as the Sheriff spoke. He took a sip of the mead that had found its way to the table. The Sheriff finished explaining the help that may, or may not, exist in his absence.
"Well, then," Volkar said as he extended a hand to the Sheriff. [/b] "I promise to do my best to help out here while you're away."
"I would be happy to assist in whatever what that I can, Sheriff Hemlock."
The Sheriff shakes Volkars hand, and the Mayor comes over to congratulate everyone. "Well, we have that settled now! Sheriff, you can leave in the morning, and we will make sure the townspeople know who to report their needs to."
The Sheriff nods "You have my deepest thanks. I greatly appreciate your efforts for the town. If you will excuse me, I will go make preparations."
As he departs, Mayor Deverin clears her throat. "I will send a not to the White Dragon transferring your rooms to the town coffers, as well as taking care of stabling for your horses at the Goblin Squash Stables. We estimate the Sheriff to be gone around a week, and you will receive your pay when he returns. Is that fair? Any questions?"
Kiera adjusts her headscarf and says, "No particular issues come immediately to mind -- is there a specific part of the town we should be watching? Like, near the old abandoned lighthouse, or the southeast bridge, or anything like that?"
Madam Mayor, could you also ensure we meet the members of the town guard, or at least its officers, be terrible to try stopping a fight only to realize that it was one of them doing their duty," Volkar asked.
"I have no questions, I would like to thank you for providing both food and board. I hope you find what you are seeking while in Magnimar."
Mayor Deverin shakes her head at Kiera's questions. "Not really, no. You should know we are mostly a quiet town.. and patrols have never really been necessary except in extraordinary circumstances." Turning to Volkar, she continues "As there will only be two of the standing watch left after the Sheriff leaves, they will man the main gate and will not leave their posts, but they will be wearing a white tabard with the city crest emblazoned on the front and back. These will be supplemented by volunteers at the two bridges, but once again, they will not leave their posts and will be in uniform. As for the room and board, you are all welcome. It is the least we could do to entice help from such a capable crew. Well, I have taken enough of your time, I assume the feast Mr. Foxglove is throwing should be about ready by now. Should you need anything at all, do not hesitate to come see me or to send a message. I will be at your disposal while you are here." She grasps each of your hands firmly as the party takes their leave. "Oh, one thing more. As the Sheriff is currently packing and will be setting out as soon as he can, You may consider yourselves on duty from this point forward." She smiles at the party as she returns to her office and the concerns of running the city.
The party returns to the feast to find a vast array of sizzling hot foot just hitting the tables. Aldern greets you from across the bar, calling out "And the Heroes return! Grab some food, and lets eat!!" Amiko and the serving girls are busy, and the room is packed, but a path is made for you to join Aldern, and mugs of mead await your arrival at the table.
Volkar followed along through the newly created path to the awaiting mead and found a cold tankard that easily fit his hand. He sipped and enjoyed the delicious treat betowed by Amiko and Aldern on the company. With a look about at the hot food sizzling on plates and chargers, he took a seat and prepared to eat heartily.
"Thank you, Master Aldern, for the feast and for the adventure of the day. The dwarf said before loading a few savory smelling meats onto the plate before him.
I stand beside my brother dwarf and raise my mug up high, then speak with a loud voice, I look over the crowd of confused faces and cough slightly obviously a little embarrassed. I repeat myself loud and clear,
I then take my seat and mumble into my drink before drinking it all in one go and start to bite into the sweet and succulent roasted boar. I savor every mouthful, but still eat a lot, with the grease running down my chin and into my beard, the smell of honey on my breath. I continue to eat for as long as there is food, but will reply to any people who ask me questions. At the first opportunity to talk to one of the staff I ask for another drink and every time once my drink is emptied. I am polite to everyone, especially the bar staff.
Whenever anyone mentions religion or their own family I automatically start to fondle with the green stone that is placed about my neck, caressing the smooth stone my both thumb and forefinger.
Kiera seems slightly overwhelmed but mostly happy at the feast. She has a couple mugs of ale but seems to have enough presence of mind to remember her new responsibilities, and thus not to drink to excess.
"To friends and family!" she cheers along with Daelric. "My friends, you seem to have made a good impression already. Here's hoping for a continued prosperous future."
Enjoying the roasted boar, the mead, and the company, Volkar ate and drank with pleasure. As the evening passed along, his thoughts continued back to the discussions of earlier in the day.
"Kiera, where would we want to start looking after the City? Should we get familiar with the outskirts of the town?" Volkar asked in when the conversation allowed.
"Um, I suppose that depends on what you want to see," says Kiera. "Most of the businesses like the smithy are in town, of course. But if we were to walk the perimeter, you'd see... let me think... well, on the northwest side, there's the most notable landmark, the Old Light. Most folks think it was a lighthouse way back in the days of some ancient empire. A tumbled, partly-ruined tower of stone, built with construction techniques that you don't see today."
"South side is the Sandpoint Harbor, with a lot of warehouses and some of the low-rate taverns like Hagfish and Fatman's Feedbag. And the Pixie's Kitten, I guess, if you're looking for, er, salacious company."
She blushes slightly and clears her throat.
"Southeast is the Sandpoint Bridge, one of two bridges that leaves the town. Actually you can see it from here, just lean out the front door of the Rusty Dragon and look to the left!"
"Northeast side is the Tanner's Bridge, next to the graveyard and the cathedral. Generally more sedate. Just north of that is the northeastern wall, which has a gate leading to the trade road, near the White Deer - the place we stayed for the night when the festival was just starting. Um, the forest comes right up to the wall, might be worth looking for signs of goblin activity, as there are many tribes in the forests around here, like Shalelu mentioned."
Throughout the night, the feast rages, the food is delicious, and the drinks flow. the company is well worth the time, as laughter and camaraderie abound. The only exception would, perhaps, be Amiko. She seems distracted and forgetful, but that could just be the huge crowd moving through her establishment.
Sometime around 10, a sobbing and panicked woman bursts through the inn door carrying one child and dragging another by his shirt, crying for help. As the new Heroes of Sandpoint, All eyes turn to you, and a path opens between the mother and the party. As she rushes towards you, it is easy to see a hasty and blood soaked bandage tied around the arm of the child being carried. "Please! You have to help me! My husband...!" he cries die away in terror choked sobs..
I have been drinking for most of the night and laughing with everyone, thus far no one has been able to drink me under the table. I am happy and content, still eating bits of food throughout the evening and drinking more mead than I probably should.
As the crowd suddenly grows quiet and a path is formed between the partying people I see the woman with the children and the blood, I take a breath to steady myself and stand up, which surprises some people as they have seen how much I have had to drink. "Where ish your hushband now and whatsh wrong?"
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"Ma'am, what caused your distress," Volkar asked as he pushed himself from the table and moved to intercept the woman carrying the child. [b]"How did the kind get injured?"
The woman is in a state of panic, but eventually you are able to pull the story from her.. in all its grisly and gory detail. "There is a goblin in my house! I don't know how it got there, but it was trying to Verah in her crib! Our dog was barking like mad, then suddenly let out a yelp and was quiet. Then the baby was screaming! We ran into the room, and this goblin was standing over her, biting her arm!! Please, you have to help! My husband was fighting with it when I left but he's no warrior!" The woman is reduced to sobs.
As I hear the womans story I drop everything in my hands, my tankard clattering on the floor to make a metallic cacophony, I draw my axe and immediately start walking towards her in a hurry. It is clear I am angry, the angriest anyone has seen me yet, All signs of intoxication have now faded as I rush out of the building. I follow anyone who is willing to lead me to the house and room in question. I do not think of strategy of causality, my only concern is to get the vile Goblin as soon as possible.
"We need to gather our gear together, Daelric, then follow someone back to where her family lives." Volkar cut in after Daelric's demand to know where the green skin was hiding. He looked about and tried to eye what gear was with him and what may be back at their lodging place.
I look back at Volkar with a fire in my eyes that any Dwarf who has been under the threat of Goblins since birth would recognise. "I've everything I need, catch up after me." With that I walk towards the door hoping someone will show me wear to go.
Hearing about the distress caused by the lingering goblin, Andrezi grabs his meager belongings a follows the two dwarves out the door.
Volkar shook his head and as they left the Rusty Dragon he took the boar spear that he had used earlier in the day. He shook his head as he turned to follow after Daelric and the others heading off into the streets.
Well, never hunted a goblin with a boar spear before,he thought to himself. This could prove to be interesting.
"Ooof!" Kiera says and swallows hard. "Well this is what the sheriff needs us for, let's go!" She shoulders her satchel and rushes out with the rest.
The party grabs their weapons and gear, heading towards the house at a run. When you reach the house, the woman points it out and cowers with her neighbors as they all watch to see what the heroes will do. You are confronted with a two story wood-over-stone house that is normal in Sandpoint. The house is quiet.. not a sound emits from inside. The door sways in the slight breeze of the evening, left open in the womans hasty departure.
Volkar looked at the door as it swayed in the breeze, he cast a glance at Daelric and said, "Which of us wants to go first? You or I, my friend?"
Volkar moves into a typical peasant house.. you see nothing out of the ordinary..
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Volkar looks about as he walked into the house, a simple home for those that work hard in their everyday lives. "Daelric, seems fines." He said back over his shoulder at the door.
Andrezi listens carefully, trying to hear any sounds.
"This isn't good. Didn't the woman say that her husband stayed behind to fight the goblin? Hopefully the little beastie didn't get the best of him." Andrezi says, following Volkar into the house.
I bent over slightly as I catch my breath from my rush over here and stand looking at the door, trying to listen; to see if I can hear the sounds of fighting from within so I can work out where I have to run to, until my breathing has returned to normal.
I am so focused on what I am doing I completely block out my friends by accident and I only realise what I have done when Volkar calls from within the building. I step inside with my axe drawn ready to decapitate the vermin.
"I agree, silence in this situation is not a worthy gift," Volkar whispered to Andrezi as Daelric stepped into the building.
The room had a set of stairs going up to the house's second level, and a door. He looked at the two men now standing with him in the room. He raised three fingers and pointed towards the stairs, then did the same towards the door, and shrugged. His silent question not revealing to anything in the house his intentions.
Kiera tags along carefully once the others have entered the house. "Could he be in a closet? A cupboard? An attic? Where would a goblin hide?"
I nod at Volkar and raise my axe to point at the door at the top of the stairs and start to head up them. If no one tries to stop me I will open the door and step inside, Axe at the ready.
Volkar smiled with a grin at Kiera and brought one finger up to his lips and winked. He saw Daelric's nod, and pointed up the stairs to Kiera. With his boar spear in his hand he followed Daelric as he climbed the stairs.
Kiera nods and stays quiet once Volkar gestures, her eyes wide as she peers about, wondering when the creature might spring out!
Daelric: You listen to the empty house creak around you, and think you can hear a slight thumping from above.
Daelric then decides on the stairs, moving the party upwards. You find yourselves in a common room with a hallway running down the length of the home. From this hallway are several doors.. and a subtle thumping sound now audible to all.
Kiera follows Daelric and Volkar, staying just a little behind the dwarves and doing her best to move quietly up the stairs.
Volkar looked at Daelric as they crested the stairs into the common room. He looked about, and as he heard a thumping sound he looked at Daelric. With his fingers, he signaled to Daelric that he could continue and that Volkar, as the second in the column would follow him.
I nod at my companions and head forwards down the corridor, slightly cautious, but I push open each door that I come to, in hope of finding the Goblin quickly before it kills the husband. My axe is high and ready to strike the critter if it tries to attack or flee passed me.
Daelric leads the way down the hall, carefully checking the first room on his left as he passes. Finding nothing, he continues, and finds a macabre sight in the room on the right. It appears a peasant man is lying on the floor with his head and shoulders disappearing into the bottom of a closet. One leg occasionally twitches, the boot thumping and scrapping on the floor.