Tamiko returns to the Rusty Dragon exhausted and in a bit of a daze. For all her training, she could never have been prepared for her first fight, not least a surprise attack like that. She spends a while cleaning the blade she'd used of goblin bits and blood, until its shine returns. She also spends some time cleaning herself off as well - a pity, those nice clothes ruined by stupid goblins - though perhaps not nearly as thoroughly. When she's done, she heads over to the main room to join the others who had fought with her that day, her blades still by her side as always.
As the patrons in the crowded tavern chat and drink and generally enjoy themselves after such a stressful day, Tamiko finds her mind drifting off more often than not. She makes a mental note to check the cathedral the next day; it couldn't have been a coincidence that the goblins attacked when they did, with so many people out and about town. Hopefully it fared better than, well, the last time there was a disaster there.
Morgana's arrival brings Tamiko's attention back to her surroundings, and she looks on apprehensively as Morgana and Marissia practically choke on the dwarven liquor. Much as she wants to decline, she feels it would be impolite to do so, and so she proceeds to follow their lead and also choke on it. She'd never been fond of alcohol, but that was awful. And to think people pay incredible amounts of money for it! She can't help but smile through her tears of pain, though, at Morgana's toast. It was nice to finally give back to the city that had helped her so much.
Marissia's comments to Tamiko give her a strange, almost pained expression on her face, though it quickly fades. "Yes, they're wakizashi", she responds, "my father gave them to me as a parting gift. He crafted them himself in Minkai". Mentally, she adds, and I had never planned on getting in a real fight with them.
"I'm sorry to hear that Honani. You're a welcome addition to Sandpoint," Marissia says sadly. "And attractive. Do you often go around topless and sweaty?" Marissia smiles drunkenly and takes a sip of her wine. "And the people here are lovely! Perhaps if you got to know more of them, you would like more of them. You know? It's just... logic! And math and probability and stuff."
Marissia laughs at Honani's assessment of growing up in Sandpoint. "Ha!" she exclaims drunkenly. "I DID have the misfortune of growing up here, Honani! But the misfortune wasn't this town, it was my father. Did you know--did you know my father taught me how to speak Thassilonian before he taught me common? Honestly! Who teaches a toddler a dead language before the tongue of her neighbours! It's madness, I tell you! I went to school for the first time fluent is three languages! Do you think anyone could understand them? Heck, no!" She takes another sip of wine. "And the lessons! Oh, jeez, the lessons! I could recite Thassilonian history for hours, but could I tell you about modern day Varisia? Nope! I thought we had a Runelord! By Erastil's rack, that man!"
Marissia continues to drink her wine and mutter angrily and drunkenly about her father.
"Cares more for dusty old tomes written about the dead than he does real, live, people!"
She shakes her head.
---
"Your father was a wonderful craftsman, Tamiko." Marissia replies, nodding for good measure. "Really. They're beautiful."
As it becomes obvious that the immediate excitement is over, Gudada returns the bow and arrows and the dagger, the practiced, formal smile on his face. "Thank you for the use of the weapons. They are far superior to my juggling clubs for combat."
He starts to turn and head back into town as Morgana extends her, well, demand. "Of course I will be happy to join you to celebrate Sandpoint's victory."
As the others each go about their business, but not until they are well on their way, he sits, no, collapses into a sitting position, on the side of the street, and holds his head in his hands for a while. Thank you, Desna, for keeping me alive through this fight. Thank you, Cayden, for providing those who could keep each other alive while helping others. Please, quit expecting me to risk myself. Let me be a simple Uncle and not somebody's hero. Let me be nobody. In the aftermath, no one notes the sheen of water on his face as he returns to retrieve his jugging tools and heads to his mother's home.
While there, he frowns looking at his possessions before sighing and arming himself properly before leaving again.
'Dada arrives at the Rusty Dragon with his head scarf visible, and a bright piece of red cloth tied around his waist, over the belt. The smile is back, but weaponry and the nearly utilitarian armor make him look like a different man.
As Morgana hands them all the shots, 'Dada smiles amiably. Cayden help me not do this tonight. Not tonight. He drops the shot with a practiced hand, and throat.
"Here's to us, the Heroes of Sandpoint!"
Suddenly, 'Dada's choking on his drink, but he manages to get and keep it down.
The chaos of the day’s event had come to a climatic eruption of violence. Regardless of ones reason for attending, the day had ended in an unforgettable experience. Trinity found herself standing in front of the Academy when the last of the goblins turned to retreat. The pain in her leg throbbed with each agonizing step she took, while the chaos echoed through the town’s streets like an auditorium full of frantic people. Overwhelmed by the whole event, she found herself mentally spinning.
(The fight, is it over? I hear cheers of victory. Someone said something about a drink somewhere, or with someone, I think. People are leaving? Oh my god I feel dizzy.) The young inquisitor thought just before bracing herself up against the nearby building. "Yes..Yes.. Sounds good." She managed to reply to the onslaught of invitations as calmly as she could without divulging the battle fatigue that was quickly beginning to take hold.
After managing a deep breath, Trinity turned from her new found friends and began to stagger slowly down the smoke enveloped road.
The day had takin its toll on the young inquisitor. The Adrenalin rush had left her week and somewhat lost. She recalled someone mentioning something about an establishment named the Rusty Dragon, but being new to the city, she wasn’t quite sure where to find the place. To make matters worse, she found herself amid a city full of chaos. The smoke from the fires that burned throughout Sandpoint turned her stomach, while the screams for help started to blend with the voices cheering the city’s victory. Although staggered, she managed to find her way to the Rusty Dragon.
The smell of alcohol radiated strongly trough the Rusty Dragon's doors as Trinity made her way into the establishment. The loud sound of celebration coming from within the establishment didn't help to settle the confusion swirling around the young woman's head. She was, without a doubt, out of place in an establishment like the Rusty Dragon, but the intrigue of talking with those that helped put an end to the fight spurred her forward. Still fatigued, she found herself clumsy and unable to avoid stumbling into a few of the establishment's patrons when the loud voice of the Shoanti man, who fought alongside her earlier, range out in alarm. Immediately upon colliding with the customer, she felt the room begin to spin. Dizziness set in once more as she quickly found herself unwillingly sitting upon the first available chair.
Hand raised high, she beckoned to the Shoanti warrior. “I am OK Honani. It was my fault!” After taking a moment to reorient herself, Trinity stood back up and made her way over to where the rest of the group had decided to sit. After pulling over a chair, she made herself comfortable at the table. “It’s good to see everyone made it. Today was quite an unusual day. Being new in town, I have yet to establish a place to rest, so the invite to join you all here was quite welcome. By the way, I am Trinty Vladu. I am a representative from the church of Iomedae. I came to Sandpoint to witness the coronation of the new cathedral. I arrived in Sandpoint a few hours ago and managed to make it just in time to watch the opening ceremony when goblins attacked. Being from Magnimar, I haven’t witnessed such an open attack by goblins on a city like this. It was quite chaotic.” she says while politely sliding any offered drinks to the next person in line. “Does anyone have any idea why these creatures decided to attack?”
Tamiko responds to Marissia's compliments with a curt nod - it's clear that it's a topic that she doesn't want to broach.
Responding to Trinity, Tamiko wastes no time voicing her thoughts. "I feel it must have something to do with the opening of the cathedral, but I can't figure out why. The last time something bad happened in town, it was the chapel burning down. Though, I doubt goblins would attack like this on a normal day, let alone with such a crowd in town..." She trails off, aware that she's just blathering with no evidence of anything.
"And attractive. Do you often go around topless and sweaty?"
Honani smiles and inadvertently flexes one pectoral muscle, then the other. "Life in the Cinderlads is only for the strong. The weak stay home and make pretty baubles, like my race-sister wears abundantly. I wonder how you would fare?" the muses to himself.
Marissia smiles drunkenly and takes a sip of her wine. "And the people here are lovely! Perhaps if you got to know more of them, you would like more of them. You know? It's just... logic! And math and probability and stuff."
Honani stares at her blankly.
“I am OK Honani. It was my fault!”
Honani offers her a steadying hand. "No matter, you are a respected warrior now. Much honor should be given to you.
Looking back and forth from Tamiko to Trinity, Honani has trouble keeping up with the flow of conversation. The loud ambient noise, the strong drink slowly permeating his wits, and the unaccustomed accents make him lean in extremely close to the two women.
Once they are done talking, he straightens up to his full height, "You think goblins attacked because of religion? The cathedral? I don't understand. I just thought goblins are ignorant, evil creatures who only care about wanton destruction. It might have seemed a good opportunity for them to kill and steal. What would the new cathedral have to do with anything? I fear your city ways confound me." Honani listens intently for his new warrior companions to share the wisdom of the ages with him.
"Oh, of course, Gudada." Marissia says with a smile as he returns her dagger. "There's no reason to thank me. We're all in this together, after all. We're a community. And neighbours look out for one another."
---
"Honani is right," Marissia exclaims drunkely. "Goblins don't attack for clever reasons, they attack for food, and fun and to light s&&! on fire! If the goblins attacked like this for a reason it's that." She takes another sip of wine. "IF they attacked for a purpose other than that--for the cathedral or... whatever," she adds drunkenly. "It's not cause they want to, it's cause something bigger and stronger and smarter wants them to... I learned that from... Damn, what book was that again...?" Marissia wonders aloud.
"Don't matter! I learned it. Goblins fight each other as much as other things, so a big of a group of boglins.... Boglins? GOBlins as we saw might mean..." Marissia suddenly looks confused.
"Where was I again..?"
"Whatever. Point is, goblins like to stab things a burn stuff. That's what they did. Nothing strange about that. But it is a pain in the ass!"
Marissia looks at the bottom of her empty wine glass. "I... am out. It's empty."
Morgana, who spent a lot of the conversation staring at Aldern, laughs when the rather inebriated Marissia complains about being out of wine. Swinging through the crowd Morgana returns with more for the school teacher, who is more relaxed than Morgana has ever seen her.
"You can't say you don't like the baubles though Honani? I suspect if all the women in the cinder-lands were just like the men then more of you would leave!" She rejoins with a wide smile, the alcohol and company serving to loosen her sufficiently that even a jab at her clothes doesn't arouse the usual anger.
"Maybe we'll find out about the goblins one day - but for now, let's enjoy the party - life and liberty are too precious to waste, at least tonight!"
Seeing her wine glass suddenly full again, Marissia exclaims, "Huh. Do I need another one of these? I'm preeeeeeetty sure I don't."
She takes a sip anyway, smiles and tells Morgana, "But after this one, no more."
---
"Yes! To community!" Marissia exclaims, rousing the whole bar to join them in their toast.
"Maybe the goblins knew there was something new to burn down, so they came to do it. I don't know. Didn't say it made sense to me." Tamiko shrugs and falls silent again, watching the others talk and drink.
Marissia nods at Tamiko, agreeing that goblins would TOTALLY do that.
'Dada finds his cup too full too often. He tries to restrain how much he drinks, but, well, the more you have the harder it is to think about not having more.
"Goblins don't work like that. They attack weak targets. Sumthin' pushed 'em. Don't know whut. Fightin' 'gainst norm like that's scary. Need ta figure out why, or they'll do sumthin' else 'gain."
Trinity sat back in her chair while the uneasy look on her face slowly took on a more relaxed expression. “Those little cutters they have did quite a job of finding a way around my armor. I was a little surprised at how effective they could be.”
Breathing a little easier, the young inquisitor turned to one of the servers and placed a hearty food order. Once the order was complete, she turned back to the table and began preparing a spot for the upcoming meal.
It had been a long couple days at sea with only the ship’s provision to eat. The robust fragrance of the kitchen's bounty quickly reminded Trinity that a good meal was long overdue. “I have heard of goblins raiding travelers that frequent the area, but taking it to the point that they openly try and raid a city in broad daylight is a bad sign. I don’t think the city offers anything more today than any other day, so why attack now? There is just as much to burn today as any other time, and as far as I can tell, there isn’t anything available that a goblin would want that hasn’t been her for a while. I am a little new to the city so please correct me if I am wrong about this.”
The Inn’s server seemed very polite when she dropped off a plate of the establishment's roast chicken. The smell of the well prepared bird quickly enveloped the entire table, leaving little doubt that the meal was well prepared. “Thank you," Trinity replied to the young waitress as she slid the over encumbered plate to spot where she could reach it. “This looks good!” With a grin the young inquisitor began the meal by sampling a small side of greens that had accompanied the main dish. “Oh my. Yes this is amazing.”
As the fast friends drink and talk, and drink some more, Honani can feel his field of vision vision narrowing in. Though the Rusty Dragon was full of revilers, he seemed to only be able to focus on his battle-companions. Not a conversationalist by any means, he found himself fascinated with the city-dwellers perseverations with the goblins. He listened to their theory crafting, their suppositions, and their worries. Finally, he spoke up. "You city-dwellers are fascinating. You care so much about something that we cannot figure out, well at least here and now, about something that may or may not matter.
"Who cares why they attacked? All I care about is am I strong enough to defeat them. If I am not, they are the victors and I am either dead, or worse, dishonored.
"Who cares why they attacked? Do you wonder how the brown-crested flycatcher takes to the air? Do you care how the tench swims through the river streams without breathing air? I know that magic can do all that, but the bird needs no magic, the fish needs no magic, and the goblins need no magic to act like goblins.
"Take my advice, be ready, anywhere, anytime, for a fight. Then you either kill or be killed. Simple enough." he slides Marissia's wine glass over as he eyes Trinity's food.
"Actually," Marissia points out drunkenly. "Many great scholars and biologists DO wonder about that! It's not my speciality, of course, but studies are being done in Magnimar right now on how birds achieve flight." She puts her hand to her head and seems to be thinking for a while. "Something about lift and hollow bones? I don't know! I'm not a bird kind of woman. I'm a--"
Marissia looks into her glass and realizes it's empty again.
"I'm out." She sighs. "And THAT means that I am DRUNK." Marissia gets up to stand leaning all over her comrades and her chair as she does so. "I am going home, before I do anything more embarrassing than whatever it is I might have already done!"
Marissia then begins to stumble out of the Rusty Dragon so she can walk home.
"Farewell, friends!" she calls out as she leaves.
Morgana, whose constitution is feeling the excitement/blood loss/alcohol, is slightly steadier on her feet than Marissia... slightly... "I'll walk you home Maris! It's not good to be drunk alone!" She doesn't wobble too much on her way out of the Dragon, but there do seem to be a couple of extra bumps in the road as she 'escorts' Marissia home.
As she wanders, slowly back up to the Deverin mansion, Morgana sings a little song to herself - the song from her performance in the town's next play. If she'd been aware that she was actually singing she'd be mortified, but since she's floating on a cloud of happiness, she doesn't and falls asleep happily!
"Are you sure?" Marissia asks. I don't live far."
"Hey!" she suddenly exclaims, hands on her hips. "You live way further than I do. You've got to leave town and hike up the road to the cliffs! You're the one who needs an escort. I'll walk you home!"
"Well, alright. But we're walking together. I don't need a babysitter. I'm a grown woman, thank you very much!"
Marissia leads Morgana through the town to her flat, and -- presuming all goes well -- bids Morgana goodnight. Marissia manages to kick off her boots, shut and lock her door and then flops onto her bed, falling asleep nearly instantly, still in her dinner clothes.
"My name is Aldern Foxglove my lady." The man responds with a small bow. "and I owe you my thanks for your heroic actions! What can I offer such a beautiful lady?"
-----------------------------
You move separately around town, helping to put out fires, reuniting parents and children and generally performing good deeds. Morgana in particular makes an effort to re-establish the party spirit and, with the goblins finally driven off, most people seem willing to get back into the swing of things. There have, fortunately, been no fatalities, and people crowd into the Rusty Dragon to toast their good fortune and release the tensions unleashed by the unexpected attack.
Ameiko herself brings Trinity's dinner over and lingers a while to join in the conversation. "Apparently Sheriff Beylor and the guard managed to capture a few of the little vermin but they didn't have much to say. From what everyone has reported their leader was on a secret mission in the graveyard?" The way her voice rises shows clearly how unlikely the Tian barkeeper finds this. "And they were meant to kill, burn and generally be goblins. Maybe Father Zanthus will be able to say more in the morning." Raucous shots come from across the common room and Ameiko leaves you once more to your conversations.
---------------------------
The next morning you wake up, all nursing hang-overs to varying degrees and swearing never to drink dwarven spirits again. The morning however is almost indecently cheerful, sunny and bright, and life in Sandpoint seems largely to have returned to normal. In addition you all find that your names seem to be on everyone's lips. The combination of Honani and Morgana winning the Red Barrow Run and your heroics against the goblins seem to have made you local celebrities.
When Trinity, Honani and Tamiko arrive downstairs for breakfast they are greeted with a rousing cheer from the patrons who have returned for breakfast (or who never let in the first place). Morgana finds Alma Avertin, the local baker, accosting her on her walk down Main Street, forcing a freshly baked loaf of bread on her and clucking about the "Poor girl, so thin! How you're going to manage children I don't know my dear! You need some meat on those bones - eat up!"
Gudada receives smiles and nods everywhere he goes, all the gloom and subdued looks that people have been giving him since his mother's death seem to have lifted and he is once again a friend and neighbor to be greeted. Even Marissia, when she checks in on her father early in the morning is greeted by a slightly distracted. "Well done yesterday dear, I hear you were quite the hero... Have you seen where I put Herbane's beastiary? I have a new theory about how giants were used as builders in Ancient Thassalonia and how their architectural styles are reflected in dwarven mining patterns!"
Soon after these occurances you are all accosted by one of the orphanage's school children who delivers a message in their piping voices. "Excuse me, excuse me! Father Zanthus would like to see you at the Cathedral. He said to say'Assoonaspossbile if it pleasesyou kind sirmadam!'"
---
Marissia sighs. "No, dad. I have no idea where your bestiary is." She sniffs at the air funny, then frowns. "Please leave your house today. That bread on your counter is covered in mold, and it smells like your milk's gone rancid."
As she turns to leave, Marissia calls out "And remember to eat something!"
---
Marissia wakes early and grooms herself, ensuring she smells good with prestidigiation and that her clothes are spotless. She brews herself a proper cup of tea to help with her headache, and drinks it as she studies her magical tomes.
As she walks down the road on the way to Turandarok Academy, she speaks with one of the orphans.
"Well, good morning to you too, Jamie." Marissia looks surprised at the message. "Oh, my... Well, I was on my way to the Academy this morning, but it does sound important. I will speak with Father Zantus right away. Could you please inform Headmaster Gandethus of my absence?" She pulls a copper out of her coin purse and passes it to the child.
"Thank you, Jamie." she tells him, before heading north through town to the Sandpoint Cathedral.
Tamiko has no energy left to discuss, so she simply shrugs at Honani. As the discussion winds down and Marissia and Morgana leave, drunk as Cayden, Tamiko also excuses herself. Once she returns to the room, she practically collapses into bed, but sound sleep is hard to come by. She's haunted all night by nightmares - cries of help, the flicker and crackle of flames, the gleeful chatter of goblins..... Several times, she starts awake, hand flying to the blades still at her side, but she calms down each time as she figures out where she is.
She's still exhausted by the time the sun rises, so she decides to get up, much earlier than usual. Remembering Honani's words, she puts on her armor underneath her clothes - she'd better get more used to wearing it, and it isn't particularly restrictive anyways. She barely registers the cheers as she and the others who stayed the night go down for breakfast, but she greets Ameiko warmly as usual, trying her best to not worry her sis-...friend. When the child comes along, she replies, "Yes, I was just going to go there after breakfast. Thank you for the message". She finishes her food as fast as she can, excuses herself, and heads down to see Father Zantus. I guess that means the cathedral is still standing. I wonder what this is about. Maybe whatever Ameiko said yesterday?
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Gudada rolls out of bed and sits, staring at the final black candle as it sputters, threatening to go out as it tries to burn the last of itself away.
Choosing to ignore it, for now, he washes his face and dresses himself as elegantly as possible, which has more to do with how he arranges his clothes than with selection. He hesitates before strapping on his weapons. If you don't know why they did it, you don't know when they'll do it again. He leaves the armor put away, though. This morning is not an armor kind of event.
He gathers the candle stubs, all the same black, and all nearly fully burnt away, and works them into a loose ball before jamming them down on top of the final stub, working it into the single ball of slightly warm black wax.
Adding only a wineskin to his gear, he moves to the door where he stands for a moment, restoring the entertainer before leaving the shack.
He cheerfully greets everyone, spending time with any children who want it, as slowly he makes his way to the graveyard. On the outer fringe, where the destitute are buried, he finds his mother's grave, still fresh enough that the green hasn't covered it.
He stands at her feet as he pulls the ball of black wax back out. The candles have all burned out. If you allowed them, they have taken your pain and your anger away, sending them up to the various gods to use or discard as they will. I bury their remains with yours, now, that all can know you have peace. As he runs through the formula in his head, he digs a small, but kind of deep, hole at the foot of the grave before dropping the ball of wax in and sealing it back up. Despite his efforts to remember her smiles and laughter, he can't stop the imagery of her pain and torment at his father's hands from haunting him.
As his tears start, he walks around the grave to her head, opens the wineskin, and begins pouring it onto the grave. Now, I give you the wine you need to celebrate, to begin the festival that Desna will show you in the grandest caravan in the heavens. He stops about halfway through the skin and sips from it before pouring the rest out for her. I join you in celebrating the beginning of your final wandering, and wish you well. One day we will reunite in that caravan. Until then, live, love, and laugh as only a Varisian can. Gudada drops the empty wineskin as he walks away from the graveyard, drying his face and working it back into the public smile.
The orphan standing, waiting outside the graveyard surprises Gudada almost as much as the message. "Well, okay then! I guess the Cathedral is my next stop. Thank you." After they part ways, Gudada checks his bait purse to see if the child was being properly taught. He is disappointed, but goes to the Cathedral anyway.
Trinity peeled away the final piece of grilled chicken from its bone before sitting back and enjoying its succulent flavor. Having finished her hearty meal, the inquisitor finally had time to bask in the Rusty Dragon’s worm environment. With the evening quickly making its way into twilight, Trinity quietly observed as her new companions said their parting goodbyes and tried to make their way out of the inn with their dignity intact. The alcohol had taken its toll on most everyone in the establishment, but it appeared to have had the largest effect on two of the young ladies sitting at her table. Enjoying the situation with a smile, the young inquisitor crossed her arms and giggled slightly as both ladies tried to make their way out of the inn. There was no doubt in her mind that she had made the right decision to pass on the free drinks.
Exhausted, full, and ready for a nights rest, Trinity eventually gathered her belongings and made her way up to the room that was offered earlier that night. After ensuing the room was properly secure, she removed her armor and assessed the wounds that she had received from the goblin’s crude weapon. Two horizontal cuts along her leg began to bleed upon the removal of her leg protection. The pressure of her armor had temporarily reduced the pain from the injury and allowed her to function normally through the fight. With the temporary tunicate now exposed, she finally felt the full impact of the injury. The sharp pain was more than she had anticipated, which left her in a bit of a swoon. While gritting her teeth, she embraced the symbol around her neck and whispered a prayer to Iomedae. In response to the inquisitor’s request, warm energy formed around the two cuts. Soon after, the pain began to subside and the wounds started to heal in a way that only magic could accomplish.
The night had been quiet, allowing Trinity a small margin of catch up from the night before. The ship’s accommodations where tolerable at best and hadn’t allowed her to sleep as well as she was accustomed to. Making the most of the room’s amenities, Trinity spent the better part of the morning praying, cleaning, and preparing herself for a more formal introduction to the city of Sandpoint.
Upon completing her morning’s ritual, Trinity gathered her belongings and made her way down into the inns main room. Happy to see a couple of her newly found friends sitting at a table, she eagerly made her way over to the table and placed an order for a morning meal. Shortly after placing the order, a young child approached the table and passed on information that the Father Zanthus requested an audience with everyone.
“Well it looks like we may have made an impression.” Trinity said while she pulled over a second chair. “Wow, it looks like I ordered way too much food. I don’t think I will be able to eat all this. Maybe you could give me a hand.” The inquisitor stated while gesturing over to the young child that had eagerly brought Father Zanthus’s message. “Look, an extra chair just for you.” She emphasized while pointing at the second chair she had pulled up to the table.
After sharing her meal with the child, Trinity gathered her belongings, once again, in preparation of the trip to speak with Father Zanthus.
As the night comes to any end and some of the group leaves the Rusty Dragon, Honani asks if any would like him to accompany them home, just to have an extra glaive-guisarme if needed.
As he eventually makes his way up to his free room, he carefully places his armor and klar in the corner, and rests his glaive-guisarme near his bed. He begins like all Shoanti warriors, checking his klar for loose rivets, and dents that could impair its functionality. He notices that a bit of the skull was chipped off, but it was only a superficial blow.
Next he removes a well worn rag, and lead bottle of oil. Flicking the cork stopper off of the bottle, he tilts the rag over the mouth to moisten it. He begins to make circular sweeps over his chain mail, inspecting all the links to make sure none are broken.
Lastly, he runs his hand over the shaft of his glaive-guisarme and polishing the steel blade at the end. Satisfied his equipment is still of fighting quality, he rips the bedding off the bed and makes a nest on the floor. Arranging his gear for ease of access in case he needed it this night, he hunkered down. Calming his breathing, he tried to still his mind. He tried to ignore the sounds of the city, the smell of the city, the closeness of the city. He tires to picture the open landscape of the Cinderlands, the bright moon, the loamy smell of the earth. Tossing and turning frequently, he slept poorly and woke up in a tangle of sheets. Doning his armor, he pulled his handmade Shonati clothes on and headed down to the common room of the Rusty Dragon.
There he is once again overwhelmed by the amount of people, and the effrontery of complete strangers speaking to him. "Yes, I am a mighty warrior. It was fortunate I was here to save you all, since it appears you are not sure what end of a sword to use. Best continue to be a city-person and hope there are no more invasions. If there are locks on your door, lock them and pray no want what useless things you have. Where did you tell me to put my glaive-guisarme?" Honani looks at his weapon. "I know you city-folk are strange, but there is no way this can go there. Odd."
Seeing some familiar faces that he knows won't say such stupid things, he makes his way over to Trinity and Tamiko. "Can I eat my food here, with you two, who I know are city-folk, but honorable city-folk who know that you can't put ... never mind. May I sit please?"
-------
After the child finished it sentences, Honani looks blankly at his new friends. "I am still poor at speaking your common language. What did he say? Father Zanthus? Sure I will come." Honani quickly places the remainder of his food in his mouth and stands up. Chewing loudly, and largely, some errant bits of food fall out of his mouth. He quickly follows the excitable child and his new friends. "I am sure this will ... CHEW CHEW ... boring."
Morgana wakes in a good mood, until she tries to sit up - at which point she curses dwarves, goblins, humans, beer and the irritating light source in the sky which is making her eyes water.
Resorting to drastic measures Morgana goes for a tried and tested cure. She makes her slow and bleery way to the kitchen, and there asks for a mixture including a raw egg, some very bitter herbs and a shot of Qadiran pepper. Swilling the mixture in its cup a few times Morgana drinks the whole thing down, dunks her head in the large copper which has just been filled for washing, stays under for a full twenty seconds and comes up wet, shivering and far less hungover than she was (although still nauseous).
After enduring a breakfast with Kendra, Morgana escorts her cousin to the town hall and then turns down Main Street intending to walk quietly and enjoy the sun. After being mothered by Alma she is chased down by a small girl with pigtails and receives the message from Father Zanthus.
"Of course Natalie, thank you for letting me know." Morgana thanks the gods silently that the messenger is one of the academy students she actually knows. "I'll go at once. But I can't go with a loaf of bread can I? That would look very silly!" She looks up and down the street in an exaggerated fashion, "Now what can I do with it..." She pretends to catch sight of Natalie bouncing up and down in front of her. "Perfect! Natalie - can you take this bread and look after it for me? And remember, bread likes to be eaten." Handing the girl her loaf Morgana straightens her coat, checks her sword belt is still well fastened around the waist band of her practical trousers and heads for the cathedral.
When you arrive at the cathedral you find Father Zanthus waiting, with a grizzled man who those of you who are local recognise as Sheriff Beylor Hemlock. The sheriff nods politely to all of you and offers Morgana a brief embrace before Father Zanthus steps forward and the meeting is suddenly all business.
"Thank you all for your heroics yesterday," the Priest begins. "You saved many lives and we are all grateful. I know there was a lot of speculation about the reason for the attack. I think we found the cause this morning." As he pauses Sheriff Hemlock takes up the story.
"We found that the Tobyn vault in the Boneyard was broken into at some point yesterday. The gravekeeper saw it early this morning and came to Father Zanthus at once. He in turn came to me, and I suggested we ask you here." The sheriff looks at each of you in turn. "I suspect it's nothing - possibly a trapped goblin at worst, but given what happened at the festival yesterday I felt it wise not to take chances. Would you please come with me?" The tone of his request makes it clear that this isn't really a request.
On the short walk to the Boneyard Hemlock is unusually garrulous, although his attention is mostly focused on Honani and Trinity.
"Unusual to see a warrior of the Cinderlands in our small town. Would you explain why you are here Sir Warrior?"
"I haven't seen you in our fair town before Miss, did you come for the festival?"
"You both seem very handy with your weapons - where did you come by such skills?"
"The people have really taken to you both after yesterday, are you planning to stay here long?"
Despite his questioning he doesn't seem to have any prior knowledge of either Honani or Trinity and much of his conversation seems designed to get you talking about yourselves.
As you approach the vault the sheriff waves you to silence and stops some forty feet away.
"No-one's gone near it. I ordered it left undisturbed until we got here."
The vault is a squat, stone structure, twenty foot wide and deep, the heavy stone door hangs slightly ajar.
"I'm not a tracker, but even I can tell there was somebody man-sized here with the goblins. I'm curious what may be disturbed inside." He looks at the vault opening for a short second. "Anybody bring a light?"
Marissia greets Father Zantus warmly, and then Sheriff Hemlock politely. She raises an eyebrow at the hug that Sheriff Hemblock gives to Kendra.
I wasn't aware they were that close...
At the news of what's happened in the Boneyard, Marissia shakes her head sadly. "Oh, dear, the Tobyn's vault? That family had such bad luck... Such a shame."
Marisa suddenly looks confused. "Oh, my! You'd like us to investigate?" Her confusion quickly gives way to a look of immense pride.
"Oh, of course, Sheriff Hemlock! I would be honoured!"
Marisa casts a spell on herself and proceeds towards the vault, looking at the vault, and the footprints Gudada pointed out.
"Oh, my... That is interesting." Marissia agrees with Gudada, but has nothing new to add.
Those prints all look the same to me.
"Tobyn?" Tamiko looks horrified as she mutters to herself under her breath. Father Tobyn has been dead and gone for years, but still he manages to haunt her. She's sure she saw him in her nightmares last night, and here he is again. And if whoever did this meant to desecrate the tomb of the man who'd given her a place to sleep for most of her life, it's become personal.
Gudada spots a human-sized footprint or two near the vault; Tamiko can't make it out herself, but she takes his word for it. "Could this be the secret mission that Ameiko talked about last night, that the goblins were a distraction for? And could the person here be the leader?" It's clear that despite Ameiko's uncertainty, it's been weighing heavily on Tamiko's mind.
Standing quietly towards the rear of the group, Trinity listened intently as Father Zanthus introduces Sheriff Hemlock, who explained why he believed the Goblins chose to assault Sandpoint when they did. Although the information was somewhat inconclusive, it did match up with some of the rumors that where bouncing around the Rusty Dragon. During his explanation he mentioned a location called the Tobyn Vault. Although Trinity was not from the Sandpoint, she seemed to recognize the location.
Although the inquisitor remained silent most of the trip to the Boneyard, she eventually broke her silence when the Sheriff questioned her about her background. “Well Sheriff, I hail from Magnimar. I originally came to Sandpoint to witness the coronation of the new cathedral. You could say that the leadership of my church felt that it would be prudent to have some representation here during the coronation. As far as my plans for the future. Well, I had originally planed on heading back to Magnimar once the ceremony was complete. That being said, I really don’t have any obligation to return to Magnimar quickly. If fate determines that my services are needed here, I believe it would set well with my superiors if I served as an example of Iomedae’s valor.
Upon reaching the Boneyard, Trinity placed her hand lightly on the pommel of her sword and began to survey the area.
“I concur that some of these footprints appear to be of a larger stature than the goblins. It stands to reason that someone may be tasking these creatures to attack the city as some sort of diversion. We need to proceed carefully from here,” Trinity states after removing a lantern from her pack. “I have this lantern we can use as a light source, and in a pinch, I can summon a magical light for a short time. The entrance looks to be wide enough to support two people side by side, although larger weapons like Honani’s might require more room. I am willing to assume any spot in a marching order, but I believe we should workout some details about our combat preferences before we get to fare along. “
After glancing around a bit to insure everyone else felt comfortable with her suggestion, she continued. “For myself, I generally prefer a more direct up front toe to toe combat style. I am capable of ranged attack, but my combat training best serves me in close combat. I am able to cast a couple divine spells a day, as long as Iomedae see fit to grant them to me, but spell casting is not my strong suit. I have, in the past, generally used these spells to augment my defensive capability, but I am somewhat hesitant to utilize them this way unless we have an alternative source of healing. So I am going to ask this question, can anyone else in our group heal?”
"No, I do not heal. I prefer not to fight at all if it can be avoided. People die when weapons are drawn. I prefer it when people do not die." No people to work and make money, no harvest for the Family, and then we would have to work.
"It's definitely possible," Marissia agrees with Tamiko. "And worrisome..."
Marissia raises an eyebrow at Trinity. "I'm a teacher, Miss Vladu. I don't normally go around fighting and killing things. Yesterday was... extenuating circumstances. For the record, I agree with Gudada."
Marissia thinks for a moment. "If you're interested in my skills, you saw them yesterday. I'm a capable spell caster, preferably at range. I'm also decent with a dagger. I'm not a magical healer, if that's what you mean, but I can brew healing potions and am a trained medic."
She thinks for another moment. "Did I answer all your questions?"
Morgana curses quietly as the conversation turns to combat - she's worn her sword today, out of a sense of being prepared, but hadn't thought there was any reason to wear her chain-mail for what was supposed to be a walk in the sunshine.
"I'm trained in fencing, so when I actually have a sword I'm fairly good with it." She smiles ruefully, "I don't normally run around punching people the way I did yesterday... If we're talking tactics then I'm probably best off at the front, Honani's weapon is long enough that he could fight past me. So Honani and I go first, Tamiko, Trinity and Gudada you support us and Marissia covers us from range." She looks around for concensus before continuing. "Is there anything else to be learned from this" She makes a vague hand gesture towards the churned up mud. "Or shall we open this door?"
Trinity looked over at Morgana and then noded. “That order sounds as good as any. I have been taught that having some sense of tactics is a sound idea before entering a place like this. By the looks of it, I am thinking that we will likely come across something unpleasant in there.”
After removing a flask of oil from her pack, Trinity began preparing the bulls-eye lantern for use. It didn't take long before she was able to ignite the lantern’s wick with a flint and steal that she had stored in her pouch. The lantern’s mantel quickly erupted into a bright glow, which become a focused beam after passing through the lanterns front lens.
After carefully lifting the lantern with her shield arm, Trinity drew her sword and then took a few steps towards the vault. “I am ready when everyone else is.”
"I am prepared," Marissia assures her.
The young Varisian looks at the small tomb, thinks about the tactics, and then looks at the tomb again. "I don't think the space is that big, is it? Either way, the only thing I could do to get better prepared would be run back home and put on my armor. I don't think we want to wait that long. Just in case."
Tamiko gives a blank look as all this talk of tactics and orders and whatever flies straight over her head. "I...have a sword, and sometimes use it with magic. No healing magic, though." She nods as the others declare their preparedness, though she doesn't draw her blade. She doubts there's anyone still inside.
At the meeting with Father Zanthus and then Sheriff Belor Hemlock, Honani is grateful that it is short and to the point. He is also gladdened that Marissia, his race-sister, and Gudada who speaks correctly, and all are in attendance too. Listening as best he could, Honani is appalled that someone, even goblins, would disturb the grave stones of the ancestors.
Absolutely agreeing to accompany them he is suddenly thrust back into an awkward conversation one that these city-folk enjoyed so much.
Honani looks behind him as someone is addressed as Sir Warrior. He looks to his race-sister, but he knows she is not a Sir. The only other Sir was the man that threw things up in the air. Guessing it must be him, he turns to look at the Sheriff, "I am here because I wished to learn something, about my father. And I learned it. I do not plan on staying in your city longer than I need to.
Honanii can feel the anger rise in him. To disturb the bones of the ancestors was such so dishonorable that one would be expunged from the Sklar-Quah, or any Shoanti tribe. "Though I am not of the Skoan-Quah, I will accept this quest to investigate. My race-sister speaks correctly, she and I will go first. Trinity, I fear that I posess no magical skills to harm or heal. I did win a potion fishing that will heal me. But I will rely on my klar and armor to protect me, and my glaive-guisarme to keep my enemies away.
"Are we agreed? I am ready." Honani pulls his klar from his back and levers his glaive-guisarme. Nodding at Margana he walks to the crypt door.
Father Ezakien Tobyn was the religious leader in the Varisian town of Sandpoint until his death.The Desnan cleric died in the fire that destroyed the town church—part of a series of events that came to be known as the "Late Unpleasantness".
Morgana and Honani open the front door together, prepared for anything that may come their way.
As soon as the door opens and the light shines into the tomb, two humanoid skeletons lurch out towards you.
Party Average = 12.17
Skeleton average = 17
The Skeletons, clearly waiting just on the otherside of the doors both lash out at the people standing in front of them.
Honani's catches the red skeleton's blows on his Klar preventing any damage, but Morgana was not as quick to react and the skeleton scratches at her torso.
Morgana collapses onto the floor - her last thought being, typically, Oh no! Another good shirt ruined!
Surprised by the suddenness of the attack, Trinity staggered back slightly. After regaining her composure, she sat the lantern on the ground and then placed a hand lightly on Morgana’s shoulder and began whispering a prayer to Iomedae. As the last of her prayer quietly faded away, a faint glow began to surround Morgana’s form. Satisfied that Morgana's life was stable, Trinity looked up just in time to fully appreciate the skeletal abomination looming in the entrance.
Gudada Reaches down and grabs Morgana by the shoulders, dragging her away from the skeletons and opening the space for another to move in.
"Either let them out so more of us can reach them at once, or somebody fill that hole!"
As the companions prepare to enter the tomb, Honani nods at Morgana and opens the door. As the skeletons advance, he crouches weathering the blows on his klar. He can see Morgana fall in his periphery, he silently curses. Such a strange battle tactic from my race-sister, falling down injured.
He cautiously steps back, then thrusts out with his weapon.
His worry of Morgana causes him to ground the end of his glaive-guisarme into the ground.
Tamiko freezes as skeletons loom out of the darkness of the crypt and drop Morgana...again. That's definitely not the work of goblins. She belatedly draws her sword - the other one, this time - then with a foreign phrase and a point of her hand, shoots off a ball of acid at the skeleton that had attacked Morgana, hoping to draw its attention away, but again she misses badly, the ball hitting the ground harmlessly near its feet.
"Look out!" Marissia exclaims as the skeletons lunge forward, but she was too late. Morgana falls to the ground unconscious, hat crumpled and bent. Marissia steps forward to where Gudada dragged Morgana to safety.
"Thank you, Gudada!" she remarks, grateful that she can safely heal Morgana instead of getting stabbed like last time...
Marissia pulls a potion from her belt and pours it down Morgana's throat.
While preparing for the approaching skeletons, Trinity turned to the group and started sharing what information she knew about the animated undead. "Be aware these things are mindless magically animated undead. They are weak to any kind of budging damage and are immune to the effects of cold and any mental based magic. Any form of positive energy will destroy them the quickest.”
Through Trinity and Gudada's efforts Morgana is dragged out of the way, to a safe distance - where Marissia, in a situation that has become distressingly common in the past 24 hours, pours a healing potion down the aristocrat's throat.
Honani and Tamiko attempt to cover the groups retreat with blade and spell but neither are able to target the skeletons within the dim light of the crypt.
Sheriff Hemlock steps up, drawing a stout truncheon from his belt and stands beside Morgana. "Kendra would never forgive me if I let you get hurt girl," he mutters, eyeing the skeleton's warily.
The skeletons stumble out of the crypt and Honani is unable to recover his glaive quick enough to strike as they close in.
Both skeletons lash out with sharpened nails, one at Trinity and one at Honani. Honani once again deflects the blows but Trinity takes a slash to the ribs.
Seeing Morgana's eyelids flutter open and her wounds close, Marissia smiles in relief. She stands, and turns her attention back to the skeletons.
"Can't feel the cold?" Marisa mutters aloud at Trinity's advice. "Oh, dear."
Marissia raises a hand to caress her mother's necklace hanging at her throat. The intertwined gold and silver bird necklace glows under her touch. She waves her other hand at the nearest skeleton.
"Incantius estar!" She exclaims. As she flicks her wrist a missile of magical energy flies at the goblin, reminiscent of a bird in flight. Its strikes the goblin solidly in the chest.
force damage.