At the talk of visiting the graveyard, the sheriff shakes his head at the party. "There is no need.. we found goblin footprints and an empty grave. We did not want to cause panic, so we filled in the grave and have kept this as quiet as we can. As for the library, I am sure that you can find all sorts of information on the history of sandpoint, and about Father Tobyn. He was a well loved man in town, it was such a tragedy that we lost him when the city burned."
"Yes, the meeting and then the library would be fine. I am eager to get this over with." Ranna looks at Sarvis, a serious look in her eye. "The dead should be treated with respect. What the creatures did was abomination, but that does not excuse such jests. Among my people, you would be cast alone into the Cinderlands to wander as I did."
The companions finish up with the Mayor, Sheriff, and the Ranger with all due cordiality, and then moves over the the Rusty Dragon Inn. Smaller and slightly dingier than the White Deer, this inn is also much busier. You find Aldern sitting at a table, eating his lunch. When he sees the party, his eyes light up and a great smile creases his face. He is genuinely happy to see all of you, though his eyes go a little soft and cloudy at the sight of Ranna, self consciously peeking out from behind Scipio's shoulder. Aldern immediately stands, and proclaims to the room, "My friends!! You have come! Everyone, I give you.. The HEROES OF SANDPOINT!!! They saved my life.. I was sure to be eaten by those bastard goblins, and out of the smoke and haze, they came running to my calls for help! Sit! Sit! Please, Allow me to buy your lunches. How are you faring?" Aldern continues in this manner for some time, until everyone is seated at the table and he has ordered food for the group. His eyes keep straying towards Ranna, where they will immediately turn away with a blush if he sees her looking at him. Finally, he turns towards her "My lady. You are even more beautiful in the light of day!"
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Sarvis moves to the front and starts boisterously speaking.
"Yeah!!! We are the heroes of Sandpoint! Has anyone seen anymore monsters, foul creatures or goblins?! We are here for you, if you need anything you let us know and we will use our considerable skills to help you out. Thank you Aldern for hosting us here, what a great man!"
Gesturing to his companions as he speaks, keeping an eye on Aldern over his shoulder as he speaks making sure he behaves.
"Er, um yes. Well, Aldern..." Ranna peeks out from behind Scipio. "My, er, my friends wanted to see about the Foxgloves' generosity. They seem to have elected me spokesperson, as they thing it likely you will pay me better than them. Of course, a gentleman like you would never do such a thing, would you?" She smiles a nervous, toothy smile.
"We seem to be faring well, so far. The sheriff has invited us to help protect the town while he is away on business, so we will be here a while yet."
Aldern smiles broadly at Ranna as she talks, delighted at her attention. "Of course not! My word is my honor, and you will be repaid as you choose, though you lot are a bit more direct than I am used to. I am coming to the end of my time here in Sandpoint, and I would enjoy one last boar hunt on the morrow. It will just be a day hunt, starting in the morning, and I will outfit all of you with your own horse and trappings. I would love for you to join me, and we will end the day with a feast of the fruits of our labor. Otherwise, I will pay you 50 gold, all the gold that I have at my current disposal. I will leave the choice to you. I promise that the hunt will not interfere with your duties to the town. You are much too important to be away playing when you are needed here."
Scipio leans forward and says, "Ah, it is merely my companions. For a Magnimaran as you or me, a little bit of bluntness is a decent change of tone, at least in my opinion." He continues, looking at both Aldern and Ranna, with a smile and a watchful gaze. "As for this hunt, where and when had you idea to put that in notion? And, I do sincerely and through all my heart apologise for putting this up, but how would you guarentee that our duties with the town won't be interfered with?" He pauses for a moment's breath, just as Calathes speaks.
"I do admit that I'd be curious to partake on a hunt of the matter, but I'm not the best hunter in the world, much as it pains me to admit it. It would be a pleasure to join you on your hunt, but if it's possible, I'd like to organise some sort of event for the common folk of Sandpoint, so that some of them can too partake in the feast. A boar is a good enough meal for dozens, and if we're lucky, we can provide to many more.", says Scipio, looking at Aldern, who's possible overflown with information.
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"Oh yeah a boar hunt is an excellent idea! We could feed a lot of people and solidify some heroic memories of us by the townsfolk, they could talk about us for years to come, especially when it is connected to the holiday. What is it that you do in Magnimar Aldern? I think I recall you stating business, but what type specifically?"
Leaning over to Calathes, whispering...
"I dont know if I trust this guy exactly, something seems off to me, what do you think of him?"
Moving away from the group to the crowd,
"What do the people of Sandpoint think of some roasted boar tomorrow? Courtesy of the ever generous Aldern!"
"A boar hunt? I have some experience with hunting..." Ranna looks at her new friends, checking if they seem eager. "Of course, Aldern, I would love to hunt again." Still standing just behind Scipio, Ranna perks up as the others express interest in a hunt. Maybe it'll be like before...
@ Scipio: "We would set out on the morrow. Get an early start, and back in time to cook everything up. I love the idea of inviting everyone for the feast; but we will have to bring back several of the beasts in that case. As for your duties, a town runner came through, spreading the word of the Sheriff's trip and that your group was to be contacted if anything were amiss during his trip. It is quite the buzz around town already!"
The townsfolk let out a resounding cheer at the mention of the feast and further proof of the companions magnamity.
@Sarvis: "My family is in trade, and so I often travel around finding good markets in one place, and goods to buy in another. I was here scouting out the market for some textiles and sundries that we were going to try and move up here. My true passion, though, lies in adventuring. I would love the travel and excitement, but my father insists that I be "Respectable" and "Behave appropriately to my station".
At Ranna's words, the besotten man blushes fiercly and smiles with joy. "I am very glad for your company! All of you! We will have a grand old time!"
"So, we hunt, then? Good. I will need to prepare for it. I suppose I will be seeing you tomorrow, then?" Ranna thinks back on the traditions her father instilled in her, and how the Sklar-Quah used to prepare for a hunt. "Hopefully, the spirits of the flame and earth will grant us success."
"Magnificent. Master Aldern, would it be too much of a bother to ask you to perhaps borrow one of your hunting crossbows or a longbow? I'm not the strongest of people, but my aim is surprisingly true and I find myself with no missile weapons. As you may even tell me yourself, a boar is not a beast you want attacking you with its tusks. Though if need be, I'll be the first one to jump to your defense.", says Scipio, looking at Aldern with a shining smile.
As the business with Aldern is concluded, Scipio would love to lead the others to the Library on the quickest route and explain everything there is to know about the town.
Aldern looks overjoyed at everyones responses. "Meet me first thing in the morning at the Goblin Squash Stables. I will arrange for the mounts, and we will spend a grand day out, finished with an amazing feast!"
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Waking up the next day extra early, excited, goes through his usual process of washing up and casting cantrips to finish getting ready. Heading down stairs Sarvis orders his breakfast, chats up with whoever happens to be there early party or townsfolk. Summoning Cornelious and getting his gear ready for the adventure.
Ranna wakes up with the sun, pulling on her ceremonial beaded leathers. She heads down to the common room, but doesn't order any food. "There is no food for the Sun Shaman before a hunt, and since we have no Sun Shaman, I will have to fill that role." Instead, she turns her ruined eyes toward the sun, using shadows to point the way, and stares toward it.
In the morning, Scipio is woken up by the insistent knocking on the door of his room in the inn. He quickly finds the sun, more importantly its position in the sky, and runs downstairs, jumping in one leg of his trousers, bottles flying behind him, startling the young girl on his door.
He dashes down the stairs quickly, , nimbly dashing under the tray of the barwench, trying to put on his left boot, catching the chair of a patron, who spills a bit from his beer. Scipio turns around, conveying apologies, "Escuse me, escuse me!" in his substantial Cheliaxian accent.
Fatally failing to see the just standing up blacksmith and falls to the ground, his boot flying in the air.
As the boot flies toward the blacksmith's fiancee, he catches it by the end, preventing it to land on the table, giving them both an apologetic smile, while shouting "Escuse me, ecsuse me! Sorre!", faster and faster.
Jumping between two tables, he manages to squeeze to the door, , remembering to push, rather than pull, and begins running towards Aldern's place.
Arriving with a slightly short breath, and an unbuttoned shirt, he stumbles on Marshman Jim and Zloster eating next to a fruit cart. "Jim-a! Jim-a! We're late for the hunt!" The tall native looks at Scipio, panting and running, catching stray eyes, bites from his apple and says,
"Yup."
The next morning dawns bright and early, and after a hearty breakfast you meet Aldern at the stables. Waiting for each of you is a fully outfitted horse, and leaning up against the wall is a stack of curiously fashioned spears. The spears appear to be regular spears, but they have an odd crosspiece fashioned to the haft, about a foot behind the blade. As you are looking over your horses and choosing who gets what, Aldern comes out from inside the office smiling and welcoming you. "Good Morning! These are yours, take your pick and we will get moving. Also, if anyone would like a Boar spear, be my guest. They are very handy for taking down some of the monsters that roam the wilds out here." As Aldern sees Ranna, his smile gets brighter and he approaches her as she is looking over her horse "My lady! How are you this morn? You grow more beautiful every day!"
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"Let us get this show on the road so to speak, we have a lot of mouths to feed and only so many hours," looking down at Cornelious, "Lets get going Cornelious this could be quite the day indeed!"
Sarvis keeps going through his things making sure everything is available should he need it, looking around at everyone over and over, obviously very excited for the hunt.
"Who needs a horse when you have a frog lads" says Jim laughingly, entering the stables. He is very happy to be going out in the wild, hunting. He takes a spear and sets it in the quiver on Zloster's back, waiting for the others to get ready. "Do we have a tracker ready, or would you like me to take point ?"
Scipio grabs a spear, weights it a bit, and notices how it's rather heavy for him, but stays relatively quiet, seeing how late he was.
He then shoulders the weapon and heads for the horse, looking at a rather tame-looking mare, before realizing that he's probably the best rider out of the people who are riding horses, and instead goes for a rather big black stallion. "What a magnificent beast you are! It truly is great a gift, master Aldern, and I promise you with both hands on my heart that I'll look after him to all extends of my power. Now, let's give the people of Sandpoint something to talk about!", he says, climbing on the horse.
Ranna takes the mare Scipio chose not to. "I imagine hunting in the woods will be quite different from the plains on the Storval Plateau. Is there anything I need to know about that we do differently?" In response to Aldern's comment, she looks at the painted leathers she's wearing. "This is not designed for beauty, but for practicality. Thank you for your words, though." She guides the mare closer to Scipio before turning back to Aldern. "You realize it is impolite among my people for one to act as you do without telling me more about yourself. All I have is a name to know you by."
EDIT:
Aldern returns a bow to Scipio's exclamations. "Indeed, I know that you will, Master Scipio. Is everyone ready? Shall we be off?"
"Yes, moving about in the woods will be a bit different from the plains, but I imagine that you will catch the hang of it soon enough! We will not actually hunt on horseback, when we get to the woods, we will dismount, and my retainers will flush the boar out into us."
"Nay, Lady! It was just last night that I told you where I am from, and about my family, such as it is. I promise that we will speak later, more in depth."
As the troupe mounts up and starts heading out into the wild lands, Aldern keeps a running commentary going; chitchat, small remembrances, etc. He moves his horse through the party, talking with everyone for a bit before moving on. Generally, you can tell that he is basically an inexperienced boy that has not quite grown into his boots yet. Looking at the warriors around him in admiration and obviously seeing himself decked out in armor and receiving accolades of his own, he slowly drops back through the line until he is next to Ranna. "My Lady! You mentioned improper behavior before. If I have offended you in some way, please, speak! If I may yet salvage your regard, ask any question that you wish, and I will tell you all that you wish to hear."
Scipio, going back to his role as a chaperon, looks at Ranna with a wide smile, and then begins answering to Aldern. "Milord Aldern, I believe that, while perfectly understandable from anyone's point of view, Milady Ranna feels uncomfortable by your advances, since the way you're performing them isn't familiar to her tradition. Of course, a misunderstanding in the many wonderful and different traditions of our lovely area is sadly something inevitable, therefore I believe that what you're doing is simply due to misunderstanding. If I may say so, I would suggest you speaking to M'lady Ranna and merely educating yourself about the ways of her people, rather than giving compliments, which, while completely true in her case, are apparently regarded in a different way." Scipio completes his entire speech with a smile, hoping to educate and analyze, rather than critique.
He then looks at Ranna and expects her response.
Ranna gives Scipio a smile before looking at Aldern. "Yes, that is basically what I want. With the clan, everyone knows each other and their families. You said you were involved in trade, but of what? Do you have siblings? A mother?"
She pauses for a moment, taking a breath to center herself. "I will begin, I suppose. I am Ranna Feels-the-Embers. My father was the Sun Shaman of our clan, and I was being raised to be one of the shamans in the clan as well. My brother was one of our greatest warriors, and I was handbound...I suppose it would be engaged here...to Korgat Breaks-Rocks. I am here because I failed the clan at a crucial moment and caused several deaths, including, most likely, that of my mother, though she was alive when I left."
As he listens to Scipio talk, comprehension dawns on his face as he realizes his transgressions and errors. "I am indebted to you once again, Master Scipio!" Turning to face the young woman, Aldern bows his head "MiLady, I do apologize for any affront that my advances have caused. Know that they were made in ignorance of your customs, not from maliciousness or contraryness."
After listening to her reply and questions, he remarks "My family trades in just about anything that my father can buy cheap and sell higher. Textiles and house wares are most of his business but he has been known to dabble in other areas if he finds the right seller and buyers. I have a mother.. the proper aristocrat that she is. She runs my fathers house and does the family books and the accounting for the business. My siblings I have not seen for some time, as I believe that my father thinks my free spirit may corrupt them from their unquestioning acceptance of the family and the rules."
Allowing Ranna to reply, he is aghast at her tale. "By the gods, I cannot accept that one such as you could be responsible for such a travesty. If I may, what happened?"
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Following Aldern and Ranna's conversation, Calathes introduces himself to the hunt's host during the ride to the woods.
"Again, thank you for the horse, Master Foxglove. I am Calathes Neverion, arcanist and scholar of the Pathfinder Society. I am afraid my own story is not as nearly interesting, or sorrowful, as Ranna's. I grew up not all that terriblly far from here, in Crying Leaf before leaving to study at the Grand Lodge in Absalom. Fortunately, the Society has seen fit to send me home of sorts to begin more in depth study of my field of interest, the Thassilonian Empire."
Ranna nods through Aldern's tale, shaking her head slowly as he asks for more details about her own. "I am sorry, but it is uncomfortable to talk about. They were right to banish me, but I cannot say it does not hurt." She looks at Sarvis, grateful for the chance to change subjects. "And these boars, they must be quite different from those in the Cinderlands. I assume the spear is for them, but how does it work?"
Scipio rides on his horse, drawing in line with Sarvis.
"So, my friend, I must say, you seem like quite the interesting fellow. I have to say, I never seen a creature... being, sorry, like Cornelius. If I may ask, how did you two come to meet? I do apologise profusely for my lack of knowledge in such manners, but it's just a natural curiosity of mine. It's the scholar's plight, if I may say so."
As you proceed through the wilderness, the retainers that Aldern brought begin to fan out and ride ahead. You soon reach a clearing in the woods, and Aldern reigns his horse over to the side and starts to dismount. "This looks to be a good spot. The men will flush everything this way, and we can set an ambush here. I suggest that we spread out and get ready.. it should not take long." With these words, he sets to finding a good vantage point and a spot to set his spear.
With a massive explosion of underbrush, two massive specimens of porcine uglyness hurtle out of the heavy growth and stop dead at the sight of the companions. Snorting and tossing their heads, they hesitate between fighting forward, and running back.
Calathes:
Marshman:
Ranna:
Sarvis:
Scipio:
Aldern:
Boars:
Bold may post
Boar Left
Boar Right
Scipio
Calathes
Marshman and Zoster
Aldern
Sarvis
Ranna
As the beasts and people stare at each other, a cutting horn sounds from deeper in the forest. The beaters are hard at work. Unfortunately, this sound galvanizes the overgrown pigs into action, and pushes them straight for the party.
Boar Left vs Marshman:
The boar practically jumps straight out of its skin as it gets close enough to see the giant frog.. and its attack is ruined before it could begin.
Boar Right vs Aldern:
Aldern is just able to jump out of the way of the beast as it rushes in to gore him
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Click the spreadsheet link, and one of the tabs at the bottom is labeled map.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Charge pouncing the same boar,
Ranna steps to Jim's side, thrusting in the boar's general direction with her spear. Unfortunately, that's about all that can be said for her attack.
Scipio shouts, "I'll move behind it! Stab it's flank!", commanding people around as he shifts behind the boar.