Gritz is a little slow to rouse in the morning. Truth be told, he'd never expended so much energy channeling the divine might of his patron, so it took quite a bit out of him. By the time Jess returns, Gritz is finally up and ready to go, polishing his glaive meticulously with a dirty rag (the cleanliness doesn't seem to be taking, despite his best efforts). One day, he'd get it looking like the treasured weapon it deserved to be!
When Gritz heads outside, he bundles up his bulbous head with the cloak, nodding graciously to Jess for her concern, before whistled. Through the nearby bushes and thickets, Gubby emerges, having obviously caught his breakfast himself, judging by the small rat in his maw. Wolfing the meal down, Gubby follows along obediently, with Gritz in turn following Jess obediently. She knew the routes around the longshank town better than he did... best to follow her example.
Entering the store, the sight is an oddity for Gritz. It reminded him of Gugmert's horde... except he didn't like sharing. But this was a fascinating concept. You take your shinies and exchange them for... other shinies? So, perhaps, he should collect shinies he has no need of and use them to trade for other things? That made some practical sense, he guessed. While Jess did her shopping, Gritz simply browsed through the other items on display, curious as to what was available.
After Jess ensures that Olmur will delivery the supplies to Brodert today, she pays him the appropriate sum from the coin purse and gathers Gritz to continue onto their final destination. Entering the Rusty Dragon Jess sees that Shea, Hollie and Matthias are already there chatting. She scurries over as she waves "Heya! Appears you all beat us here."
Matthias smiles at seeing more of his friends enter. Friends... this is really nice... He nods with a small grin "I've been here for hours and hours!" Though I was unconscious for most of that... He asks the others what they think of Hollie's idea. "I was wondering if we should follow those tracks now that its light and we're rested. Hollie thinks that it might be too late and we should just help out around town." He shrugs. "Th... th... that's ok with me too! What do you think?" Oh gee... I hope they don't think I'm arguing with Hollie! I'll have to be careful or I'll never keep these new friends...
At Matthias question Jess shrugs "Erm, I'm not really a tracker so I couldn't say whether it is too late or not." She looks to Gritz a moment "Didn't you say you could track things with the help of your pet?" Turning back to Matthias she continues "I mean, if Gritz can track them, we might as well take a look. If nothing comes of it then, definitely, we should help out around town as much as we can. Either way I'm ready!"
Matthias nods. "Tr... tr... tracking them sounds g... g... good to me." But his nervous expression makes it pretty clear that seeking out danger doesn't sound particularly good to him.
Gritz nods, smiling and patting Gubby's head... even as he sits and scratches himself. "Gritz can follow! Gubby has a good sniffer!" And to be fair, he did... he just didn't find what Gritz was looking for yesterday.
He frowned for a moment, before glancing at Hollie. "But... maybe Pretty Dragon Hollie should stay behind. We not even find anything yesterday, and she scared... what happen if we do?" A genuine concern to his tone, to be sure. Weak links were not desirable... and Hollie was pretty, and Gritz's mission was to protect the pretty things of the world.
Hollie sighs and replies, "No...Drax and I will go. I just...I just think that whatever they wanted they got it and have gotten away by now. Keep in mind they have over twelve hours of a head start on us. I don't see how we can catch up to them, and we could possibly help out around here more. Especially with no other leads. Besides...it's not our place. None of us are members of the guard or anything."
Matthias taps his chin thoughtfully. "You might be right, Hollie. Maybe we follow the tracks for a couple hours then if that doesn't seem to be helping we come right back?" He looks around to the others, nervous and hoping no one gets mad at him for speaking up. Oh dear. Why am I talking so much? Usually this gets me yelled at by shopkeepers...
Jess shrugs to Hollie's suggestion it's not their place "Yeah we aren't members of the guard, but we are all citizens of Sandpoint and at least together we seem to be capable enough to try and help get to the bottom of this." She grins as she continues "Plus, it's a good ole' fashion adventure. Trekking through the woods, chasing some foul villain. At the least, it should be interesting."
As Matthias chimes in with his suggestion Jess nods "I think that's a great idea! See what we can find, if it leads no where come back here and help where we can."
Shaedeen, content from the warm bath and tasty meal, stretches languidly like a cat whose current nap is done. "Count me in," she chirps.
Hollie looks at you all with a concerned look. ”Do none of you have any muting related to your jobs that you may get in trouble for? I appreciate everyone of you for wanting to help, but I don’t want you to get in trouble by doing so...”
Matthias scratches his head a little. "Um... Good point..." He scampers upstairs and returns in a few minutes. "Ok I can stay and try to help but I have to figure out my own way back to the Abbey when this is all over." He looks at the others. "That'll be in a day or two, right?"
"I could get fired from my gig at the Fatman's Feedbag," Shaedeen admits with a shrug. "Whether that would be doing me a disservice or a favor is open to debate...."
Jess grins at Hollie's question "For me, research and study can wait." She shakes her head as she continues "Nothing new or exciting in my research as of late anyways."
As you discuss your plans for the day Bethana makes her way to your table with a tray laden with various breakfast foods. As she approaches she cheerily calls out, "For the heroes of Sandpoint, on the hou....ahhh...What is that thing?". She barely manages to keep the tray from falling as she starts at the sight of Gubby.
Her shriek rouses a few of those sleeping by the hearth who groggily look up in your direction.
”It’s okay, Bethana! I’m sure you’ve heard by now a goblin helped us during the fight. This is him. His name is Gritz,” Hollie says, trying to calm her down.
The halfling starts again as you draw her attention to Gritz. "I..oh..yes..but what is that thing? Out, it needs to go out." She seems stuck between glaring at Gubby, side eyed glancing at Gritz and trying to keep the food on the tray from falling to the ground. Deciding the last of those is most critical she puts the tray down on a nearby table before making a shooing motion at the large rat like creature currently gnawing on a table leg.
At this point Aldern Foxglove descends the stairs in the back of the common room. He seems caught up in his own thoughts before his attention is drawn by the commotion. Noting your presence he smiles and calls out, "Ah if it isn't my rescuers! I'm so happy you took me up on my invitation." and makes his way over to your table.
Matthias sits quietly, happy to avoid the center of attention. Inwardly, he is amused and completely unsurprised Gubby isn't getting a warm welcome in here.
When Foxglove walks up, Matthias nods respectfully but is too nervous to start the conversation with this high-brow stranger.
”Lord Foxglove,” Hollie says as she stands and curtsies. She lets Bethana and Gritz settle up the situation with the rat-dog. Her eyes wander over to see how Shae responds to the nobleman who gave her his attention yesterday.
As Aldern approaches the table his gaze sweeps over all of you in friendly acknowledgement but lingers on Shea a moment or two longer than the rest. Bowing slightly in response to Hollie's curtsy he says, "Ah Hollie, so good to see you and your companions."
Whereas yesterday the man was clearly rattled and a bit haggered from his experience, today he is every bit the image of a regional lord. His clothes are well made and fashionable while his manner is friendly and engaging if seasoned with an aristocratic feel.
When he reaches the table he awaits an invitation to sit before moving a chair next to Shae. Prior to sitting he extends his hand towards the girl.
"Shaedeen might I say you look lovely this morning."
Leaning forward his kisses the back of Shae's hand and then takes a seat, politely ignoring the ruckus with Gubby.
"I'm pleased to see you all look so well. You are truly an impressive group to have dealt with yesterday's...unpleasantness...and to have recovered so quickly. All the happier as I was hoping you might all join me in a boar hunt this afternoon. It promises to be a lovely day and it would be made all the better by such wonderful company."
Gritz blinks as Bethana seems completely caught off guard by Gubby, bolting his ears up and eyes widening when she motions at the goblin dog. Gritz smiled his best and reached down to pat Gubby on the head... and deter him from chewing at the table leg. "It okay! This is Gubby! Prettiest goblin dog ever! He not bite, honest! Gubby just hungry! You have scraps? He eat things longshanks not like! Gubby be your best friend if you feed him!"
As Aldern approached and kissed Shaedeen's hand, Gritz took almost immediate notice. It was an almost childish perception of his duty, but he spotted the makings of romance! And as Shelyn was the goddess of such, he had a duty to help it flourish! "Yes! Yummy Foods Shaydeen like to go!" He piped up quickly.
...at least he was trying?
Bethana is thrown for a moment by the goblins rapid statements but quickly collects herself "Out with him!" she shooes. Looking about something in the corner catches her eye as she heads towards a broom leaning there.
Shaedeen never quite gets around to giving Hollie a straight answer about inquiring about the possibility of employment at the Rusty Dragon . She's grateful for her bath when Lord Foxglove arrives at the table; no need to give herself a smelfie! She mimics Hollie's courtesies to the nobleman, smiling when he kisses her hand and blushing furiously when Gritz accepts the boar hunt invitation on her behalf.
"To be honest, my lord, I've never been on such a hunt. What are the traditional weapons used to bring down the quarry?"
Jess crinkles her nose as everyone gets caught up with the aristocrat. Then blurts out "A boar hunt sounds exciting, but what about the tracks and helping out the town?" Obviously more interested in the tracks, she looks to Foxglove and raises her eyebrow "When is this hunt supposed to happen anyway? Do we have some time to take care of other things first?"
Aldern smiles warmly at Shae, "Ah well then this will quite an adventure! I'm sure you'll..all enjoy it." he catches himself a bit mid-sentence as he breaks from gazing at Shae to once again take in the whole group. [b]"As for the hunt itself I will, of course, provide the horses. The hunt is generally done with spears, bows or crossbows but I'll leave the choice to your preference. The creatures are impressive in their strength and fury however so be prepared."
Turning to address Jess's question he replies, "Ah well it's been planned for just after midday today. Preparations had been made prior to the tragic end of the festival you see. Is that suitable to you all? I could perhaps push it back a day if needed but I'm afraid I don't think I can delay past that. I do hope you're available."
Matthias nods nervously, afraid to turn down the kindness of the aristocrat, especially when it's so rare for him to be invited to things. 'm"Yes we really should follow the tr... Tr... Tracks first. Then maybe we can come to the hunt too! But we should go now then..."
Gritz's ears droop a little as the halfling orders him to take Gubby outside. But, not wanting to cause any ruckus, he does so, ordering Gubby to follow him along outside and ordering him to sit underneath the window. "Gritz be back. Gubby be good until then!"
Returning back inside, the goblin came in just at the tail end of the conversation, hearing about the tracks. His buggy eyes swing back and forth a bit, his little mind trying to rack up a way to make this happen. He had a duty to do so! "...do the tracks lead to the boars? Maybe follow the tracks, and then hunt!"
Hearing the way the conversation is going, Hollie chimes in ”Well then, let’s eat up and then follow the tracks a short way, if we can even find them, and then return to join Lord Aldern here on his hunt. We don’t want to be rude,” she says with a warm smile to the Lord.
"And I certainly don't mean to impose." he replies with a smile. "It seems it's settled though. You shall go off to see to your hero duties and I shall see to the preparations. Shall we meet two hours past midday then?"
The young lord rise and gives a slight bow before wishing you luck on your tasks and making his way towards a pair of men at another table.
With the day moving into mid-morning there's a bit more traffic in the tavern as townfolk come in to break their fast or for a bit of company after finishing their early morning tasks. Many of them take a moment to come by your table and offer greetings, thanks or other pleasantries before going on their business.
After finishing your morning meal the group sets out across town to the temple. You're procession garners a fair bit of notice as people wave or come over to thank you for bravery during the attack. A few hand you tokens of thanks such as a loaf of fresh baked bread, a few freshly picked flowers and the like. Gritz presence seems to put some off but others seem more curious of the goblin.
Eventually you reach your destination and make your way around to the cemetery behind the building. Things are quiet here and the late morning sun shines down warmly. Had you not be involved, it would be hard to imagine the violence that occurred here just the prior evening.
Gathering your bearings you find the spot along the wall where it seems the tracks started and ended. The cut stone of the fifteen to twenty foot high wall is accented by moss along it's imperfect surface. A chill dampness radiates from the stone where the sun has yet to start warming it.
Curious, Matthias checks the stone for any signs of whether the humanoids climbed over it, found a secret passageway, or somehow dug under it.
But this isn't the kind of thing he normally does! He turns to the others "I can't make much of this. Any ideas?"
Hollie steels her nerves as they approach the tomb, instead trying to keep her focus on the task at hand as if it were a task related to someone other than herself. She looks the area over as best she can for tracks and signs of travel...
Looking towards the top of the wall Hollie notices two points where the moss and other growth has been crushed and rubbed off. You would guess that a ladder or similar object was leaned against the wall at that point.
Matthias nods as Hell points it out. "Good observation! Let's check thr other side of the wall at that point? Does anyone have a rope we can throw over the top to mark the spot?" If no one does, he'll just pick up a few clods of Earth and toss them lightly over the wall in hopes they'll make a decent marker on the other side.
Hollie says ”Yeah I have some, hang on...” as she unslings her backpack and rummages through it a moment before producing the rope. She tosses it over the wall there before walking with the group to the opposite side and gathering it back up and returning it to her pack.
Shaedeen follows, shortbow out and an arrow at the ready. She can't help but wonder if her arrows will prove big enough to drop a boar.
Matthias examines the other side of the wall for any evidence of where the group they are tracking might have climbed down.
The group heads back out of the temple grounds, following the wall as it heads into Sandpoint. Eventually it comes to an end and you loop back past Riza's place and towards the Tanner's Bridge. Before reaching the bridge you head northeast along the wall to where the rope is hanging down.
Looking about Matthias doesn't immediately find any tracks.
Jess helps look for tracks on the other side of the wall as well.
Jess's sharp eyes look about and after a moment she taps Matthias on the shoulder and point a few feet to his right.
Hollie and Drax also scan the area for any signs of a trail.
Gritz looks down at the tracks Jess pointed out, kneeling down to check them, before growling a command in Goblin to Gubby, who trots up and sniffs at the ground. After pushing his snout into the dirt a couple times, the goblin dog twitches and looks up, before lowering his head and slinking along after whatever he's found.
Matthias does his best to help Gubby out too, mostly standing out of the way. But he does point out a couple broken sticks that might be relevant.
Shae stays out of the trackers' way, peering around for any hidden dangers with her bow at the ready.
While Jess doesn't know much about tracking she does her best to assist the others in their attempt to follow the tracks.
The party spreads out looking for signs of passage. Here and there you note impressions that might be footfalls but it's difficult to say. At Gritz direction Gubby circles the area a few times before seeming to pick up the trail. His large rodent nose twitching, he makes his way East towards the road.
The group follows along, pausing occasionally as Gubby stops to sniff at markers of particular interest or doubles back to pickup the scent again. Once he bolts off to the left, disappearing into the nearby brush until Gritz retrieves him from the deer corpse he'd found and started eating.
After the better part of an hour you're about a mile away from town. By this point only Gubby's nose is leading you onward.
Jess continues to try and help in their endeavor.
Not feeling overly confident in her aid she looks to Gritz "How do you think this is going? Is your pet making any progress or is it just leading us to whatever it finds interesting. I haven't seen any tracks in awhile."