Nic lets loose an energy missile from his palm, which bends the corner and blasts the goblin.
Kerak
Kus-Kus
Gresgurt
Eleazar
Nicolae
Kus-Kus
Eleazar
"Probably--!!!" Kus-Kus begins to say, but the rest of his sentence comes screeching and wailing out of the closet, hellbent on cleaving him in half. Luckily, Kus-Kus expected this sort of ambush, and deftly brought his longsword around to misdirect the attack.
"-that!" he shouted, shielding his eyes from the Magic Missile's light, before diving after the goblin with his sword. "Get him out of here, I'll deal with this little bugger!"
alright i got him,give the little bastard hell
Not wanting the family see their father unconscious,Eleazar hefts up Alergast and place hims on the bed nearby.
The starved goblin misses another wild swing at Kus-Kus.
Everyone is free to act. Kerak will arrive at the front door on the next round.
Nic keeps a keen eye again for the goblin, fearing Kus-Kus taking too much damage or worse, other goblins bubbling up from below. He readies another Force Missile and when the opportunity shows, he will launch it at the beastie. Damage for . Beyond that he remains vigilant should he be needed.
Eleazar draws his rapier and dagger and and stabs at the goblin with his rapier.
Lifting that guy was hard work. just give me a few seconds to catch my breath.
"Bah! Just stay back! It'll be easier without you all getting in my way!" Kus-Kus quipped back, lunging his longsword again at the goblin warrior.
"Graaaah! It's too crowded in here! Get our 'hero' out of here and get him some help!"
The goblin replies with yet another, swing and a miss!
Everyone is free to act. Welcome Kerak! Not much has happened lol.
Heeding Kus-Kus' aggravated outburst, Nic backs out into the hallway, conserving his energies and allowing Eleazar and Kerak to act as they deem fit.
"I thought a few blasts of arcane energy to be battering down the wee bugger would have been appreciated, neh. Some fighters they must be the one to make the kill, ja, to take the energy of the dying foe. Kus-kus, he must be so believing in this too."
"Dang it, hold still you little runt!" Kus-Kus snapped, ducking underneath another attack by the goblin before swinging back. This would be much more interesting and epic if it wasn't taking place in the entrance of a closet...
Eleazar takes thrusts with with rapier and dagger.
I don't want to cause a panic whn their family sees him limp.
With a swing of his dagger, Eleazar finally kills the little pest.
With the battle over for the moment, Nic will move to examine the father. Heal Check . I do hope we are not having to deliver bad news onto the boy, neh. It is a sorrow enough to have lost his dog, da, a loyal creature what has saved his life these past nights.
Looking over to the others, as they clear the creature from the closet, examining it's hiding place, Do other goblinses hide there? Was this the lost, wait, no, the last survivor, ja?
Unfortunately the man is dead. He's a pretty horrible sight to behold, having been gnawed on quite a bit by a starving goblin.
mwk horsechopper, shortbow, 20 arrows, 1 potion CMW, and he's wearing another set of that stinky makeshift goblin armor.
Realizing the man is beyond hope, Nic moves to the hallway, Watch here, ja, see if there is to be any reasons yes why the goblin hid here for so very long. I will be to return in a moment.
Nic composes himself as he moves outside the peasants' home, looking to the mother. Daimushi, take your chavi please from here, seek Sheriff Hemlock, tell him we have recovered your rommi, your husband and the boy's little jooki. We will be needing his presence right of away. Perhaps you should wait at the Dragon, or do you have a baba, a neighbor yes maybe, for there to seek shelter, until the gavver has confirmed your home is again safe, the scene more orderly. We are truly sorry for you, for these losses, da. Nic traces Pharasma's spiral lightly with his hand, hardly noticed, as he squats down, looking to the boy, Chavi, your bitti jooki was of mighty heart. He stayed faithful to you, and it is by him and your da that we are all safer today. Guard well your ma, take her to the Sheriff Hemlock, ja, he will make her safe.
"So my husband, is he, is he..." The woman breaks down into tears and falls to the ground, holding her children tight. "Yur saying he's dead aren't you." The woman sobs uncontrollably.
Nic stumbles on his words, trying hard to speak in understandable Taldane. I wish I could say it was not so. Your husband, he held back the goblin from you, and from your child. He gave all that he could to save you both. He was a brave man. He places his hand gently upon her shoulder, his grasp giving a soft squeeze. He watches you still I think. I sense him from along the spiral path. Pharasma smiles upon him, and shares her visions of you both. We fFolk have a sense of such things.
Looking around, Nic tries to spy anyone that might take the woman and child, to comfort them and take them from the scene.
Her outcry has caught the attention of many and your glance catches the guard approaching from afar. When they arrive they ask you a couple questions, take a look inside, and try to calm the woman. They ask you to stick around until the sheriff arrives.
"(Not really. Brave and stupid aren't the same thing.)" Kus-Kus muttered to himself, coming out of the house and cleaning off his sword. "Well, next time, you may wish to find a mate who doesn't have such a short temper. Selection can be tricky like that..." he offered, hoping the possibility of a better mate might make her feel better.
Although Eleazar agrees with Kus-Kus, he knows the pain of losing parnts at a young age and tries to comfort the boy. Son your father was great man. While you might not have agreed with everything he did or how he treated you, but his last act showed how much he loved you. You have ask yourself what are you going to with the life your father saved.
|
"Too late? I see..." Kerak consults with Grip in a way that looks akin to a staring contest. Finally, he speaks. "I think these people need our protection for a time. The waterfront will have to guard their own for now." he says to the crab, which almost seems to understand. Or is, perhaps, merely hungry.
When the sheriff gets there his guards fill him in and then he attempts to console the woman. After a few minutes he comes to speak to you all.
"It just gets more and more apparent how lucky Sandpoint is to have you all around. I'm gonna walk Mrs. Barett to the church. Are you all able to meet me over at town hall in about a half hour? There's something I'd like you to be present for."
It was not much only one goblin. It was a shame we did not get here sooner.
The sheriff looks to Eleazar. "Your right, but most folks would get hurt or maybe even make it worse somehow. You guys handled it like professionals, that's something I can make use of. I'm gonna walk Mrs. Barett over to the church and talk to Father Zantus about her staying there for a couple days. I'd be happy to find ya at town hall when I get there though," he says with a smile just before he walks off.
Kus-Kus cocked his head to one side, before rolling his eyes and huffing a bit. "Geez, this 'hero' malarkey is getting to be more trouble than it's worth..." he sighed, shuffling off to the town hall.
Nic likewise is not used to all of the "official" attention. He follows along after the others, his mind thinking back to loosing his own family. "The boy he has his mother. He is better off than some, ja. She must remember to be strong for him."
Normally, the fFolk tend to leave the peoples to themselves. Too much time around the Gavver is never good for fFolk. Always it brings the pravaka, the bad luck, ja.
When you reach town hall your greeted by a woman and asked to have a seat untill the sheriff gets there. after a few minutes he shows and takes you all to the mayors office where she sits in company of an elf in leather armor. The sheriff Introduces you as the folks who helped during the goblin raid. Mayor Deverin expresses sincere gratitude while Shalelu kind gives off an appreciative vibe but prefers to get down to the matter. After but just a moment Hemlock asks Shalelu to repeat what she's already shared with him.
"Belor's told me of your work again st the goblin swell
don e. 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.
"There are five major goblin tribes in the region,
and, traditionally, they're pretty good at keeping
each other in line with inter-tribal 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 number of the Mosswood
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."
After she finishes speaking the sheriff says he's taking a few of his guards south to Magnimar to make an attempt at securing additional soldiers until the extent of the goblin threat can be determined. He asks Shalelu to do some recon. He asks the group to keep a public presence in town until he returns.
Gavver Belor, I am to be grateful yes, for such an honor. If Sandpoint finds danger, being there I will help. I am to be doing so what I can for the peoples ja, and too for the fFolk. If you ask Nicolae to be peoples, this I cannot do. I am fFolk, I will always be fFolk. I was born Gray, but they are no more. I was sold to be Plamen, and so Plamen I am, but there I am fFolk. I will help Sandpoint, da, say the words and I help. I do not want to be peoples. Let another be peoples and stand as gavvers for the peoples. I am crafter, tinker, scholar. Trade for trade, yeh, I help the peoples, the peoples help me, good deal. You make of me the hero for what I do, ja ok, but I work to earn this trade. Let us keep deal we have now, da. If trouble is here, if Nicolae is here, I help. Sandpoint happy, I am happy, good deal. Da?
"Ask a gypsy to be militia, ask the fox to protect hens. I know what I am, but I am man too. Better to see the road and sleep at inn, than to loose sight of the journey altogether."
As Kus-Kus enters, the sight of Shalelu's bow and pointy ears elicits a groan of frustration from the kobold. "Oh great, our resident show-off." he muttered, completely unaware of the irony. However, as she explains things, he pounds a fist into his little palm, snarling.
"I KNEW that attack was too damn organized! Between that and the old man's bones going missing, something had to be up. This is way to organized for goblins...." he said, scratching his cranium as he paced a little in a circle.
But Hemlock's mention of leaving catches Kus-Kus's attention, and when talking about staying as a public presence, he bites back the urge to laugh uproariously at that. "Whoa whoa whoa...you want us to be your stand-in troops? Pfffftahahaha-- sorry, sorry, that's a little, oh... what's the word I'm looking for... insane! I hope you aren't including me in that, because you know what these people think of me. I'm the little monster people tolerate around here. I am no goblin hunter, symbol of authority, and definitely no hero. I'm sticking around, but I am not playing pretend to keep these folks happy."
Well that confirms my suspicions that somebody must be behind these goblins. Hmm he wants us to stand in for guards. Might as well stay nearby, already got free meals and room at the rusty dragon. Never hurts to have a the sheriff and mayor owe you a favor.
I will gladly help protect this town, i would hate to see anyone one else harmed by those filthy goblins. Eleazar turn to Kus-kus If you want to more than tolerated by the people this might be your chance
"Not stand-in troops Kus-Kus, just stick around in plain sight. The people of Standpoint will feel safer in my absence with you all around. And I'd feel safer myself knowing that if something did happen, you'd all he here. As for you personally, I understand your hesitation, but Eleazar's right. This may very well be your chance."
It seems we are in agreements, ja. We will help Sandpoint when there is the need. Elsewise we are free to be who we are to be. I can abides this very much da. But would it not be better yeh, to seek out the goblinses, to be capturing or to be seeking informations, to find out who it is that is to be leading them? Do we know this much?
"As I said, Shalelu knows the area well and its goblin tribes. She'll be doing some recon and reporting back."
The sheriff thanks you for your continued help and everyone sets out.
Kus-Kus huffed as he folded his arms, turning to the side. "I don't need their approval! Why do you think I left my old tribe before!?" he said indignantly... though it seemed slightly forced. "I'll see how I feel if it happens. I make no promises."
As Hemlock leaves, Kus-Kus leans out the door, shouting after him. "Hear that, Baldy!? No promises!"
Entering the Rusty Dragon you spot a new face. A lone woman with long brunette hair and slim figure has positioned herself in the center of the common room and is absent mindedly running her fingers across the dark wood of her bow laid out along the table.
Hearing the sound of a door shutting, she looks up meeting eyes with the party before she stands and approaches them.
As she approaches you can see a large hammer strapped to her back, a sword at her side and a spiked gauntlet over her left arm.
As she nears she extends her hand to the party at large and says,
"Lemona Engel, Hand of Ragathiel, initiate of the Holy Church of Magnimar. I've been expecting you."
Nic approaches cautiously, trying hard to think if he has offended anyone over the past few months that would send someone after him. "I have not been in Magnimar for well over a year, or has it been two now? My debts and Mvashti's have all been settled. This is not good, no, not good at all I think."
Nicolae Plamen, I am to be pleased to be meeting you, his words a soft question, holding out his hand open and flat towards the warrior, but not close enough to clasp. He approaches no closer than a few feet from the table.
Eleazar approaches cautiously and starts thinking if this could be his past catching up to him.I have been "legit and honest" for little over a year now, I left Magnimar quite some time ago.
Greetings, I am Eleazar Wheelock. It is a pleasure to meet you.
"Hesitation?"
Lemona's eyes seem to look through each and every one of the party, particularly hovering over the kobold for a few seconds longer than most.
"It is good to remember that we are both judged on both or actions, and inaction. Whatever the cause for your concern, let it be at rest. I have come here because of dark premonitions involving this town."
"When I arrived and found it had most recently been attacked by goblins, and one of your priest's bodies exhumed and stolen, it only confirmed my fears. An evil has come to Sandpoint, and I intend to be rid of it. You all are the talk of the town with your heroics lately, I figure who best to seek out."
Lemona looks to her untaken hand, and withdraws it.
Nic speaks up, relieved that some forgotten issue of his past has not reared it's ugly head. He steps up to the table across from the warrior.
I must apologize for this the cold greeting. I am fFolk, sudden greetings unannounced are usually so. There are as you say things that are to be happening that are not good. When darkness comes, you have come. We do not know you, so when you know us, it is not feeling to be right. Now, we know you, you know us, so it is time to be warm, ja. Please, allow me to make it so. Nic holds out his hand, if the woman is willing. I am Nic, tinkerer and arcanist. I am not of Sandpoint, but to them I am of use. So, if you too are of use, then welcome.
Kus-Kus stared out from behind Kerak's legs, before yelping and jumping into full view thanks to another nip from that stupid crab! "Frasky little..." he muttered, caring for his poor abused tail.
"Church of Magnimar? ...Baldy hasn't even left yet. Why are you...?" He cocks his head to one side before walking past her and grabbing a seat at a nearby table, clambering into it. "Heroics? Try dumb luck. We just lost some guy's face to another goblin hiding in a closet. Can't say they're doing so great in that department, eh?"
He kicked back in his oversized chair, quirking a leathery brow. "If you're here to rid the town of... 'evil'..." he said, making air quotes with his claws. "Why come to them? If you know evil's here, shouldn't you be enough? Or perhaps bring some kind of troops who actually know what they're doing?"
Lemona takes Nic's hand before answering the Kobold.
"I've come to you all for information. It's one thing to hear the town gossip, it's quite another to get a story from its source."
"The sect of Ragathiel is but a small part of the Holy Church of Magnimar. We are afforded a freedom from the ceremonies of the greater church that we might seek out evil and see it destroyed, however, this also allows us few resources and many of our number operate alone or with individuals like yourselves."
Releasing the warrior's grip, Nic motions for her to sit and takes a seat opposite, motioning for Kerak and Eleazar to join. He waves to a barmaid, setting two gold coins on the table, his finger circling to signify everyone. Kus-Kus looks too comfortable at his own table to try and coax him from it, but he includes him in the gesture.
If it is information you seek from us, I am afraid you will be to finding the well very dry. We know little more than the peoples. The goblin attack it seemed planned. It caused a maximum confusion, but less deaths than to be expected. It masked I think the robbery for the tomb. Aside from bones, the goodly Father knew little else to be there. A stray goblin it did remain, but has been killed now. The good gavver Hemlock, he goes off to seek helps, but this will little come in a soon time. He has asked us to help if needed, so we wait. I say we look, but we do not know where, so da, we wait. Do you be knowing more than this, ja?
Lemona sighs taking a seat at the table and grabbing a drink from the barmaid when she returns.
"That was the answer I was afraid of. I know of little else either. So I too must resign myself to waiting. With no where to begin to look, I must wait for the enemy to make its next move."
"The townsfolk trust you, if they come to you with any other problems, I ask that you seek me out. If any of you have a question for me I will gladly receive it."