Fernus looks about to pick a few books from the shelves, selecting a book about local Sandpoint stories and one of magical history of this part of Varisia.
He seats himself in one of the plush chairs and flips through the books looking at the stories and carefully leafing through the magical history book for a sign of any description of old ruins and such.
I continue to hear the rustling and then the man re-appears and suggests paying my mothers old payment, I go to refuse until he mentions the payment will include a horse of my choosing as we as all of the tack to go with it. I look around the stable until my eyes fall upon the largest stallion in the whole of Golorian! I look around anxiously and see that it isn't the horse in the front stall.
I head over to it and slowly begin to stroke its neck and mane, scratching its forehead softly before whispering in its ear, "So... whats ya'r name?" I continue to get to know the horse and turn around to Daviren, "This strong one 'n' I have a connection already 'n' he seems large enough ta carry me. Ma mother must've really helped ya ta be given such a fine payment."
Well now I can't promise that. Not exactly you may not have what I need or I may not be in town. But I will promise this when I am in town and in need I will check here first before anywhere else... Places the gold in his palm.
Tarinhil holds up his potion, "Yup. That'll make someone feel better.... Wonder if the dwarf will need to see proof about 'arcane healing potions' before she trusts those?"
He then sets about cleaning up and opens both windows to air out his room. Never upset your landlord.... 'specially not when the rent is free.... tomorrow, we make flaming acid.... Or a corrosive shardbag.... Or maybe a flaming tanglefoot bag..... so many ideas...
He comes back down to the common room, then looks around and shrugs, "Guess they're not back yet.", he says aloud.
Bookstore
Stables
Whelp he is yours then. She had quite the kill count that was unpaid. He laughs. Did you want to take him out for a ride?
Yes I am. Under thise conditions if he needs a book he will come here first. Being that its the only game in town he kinda has too I nist didn't point that out lol.
Bookstore
Fernus finds lots of information of magical ruins, all over Golarion. You name it, he found it. But nothign on Thassilonian ruins.
In the local sandpoint book he is drawn to recent history and someone named the Chopper. A mass murderer from only a few years ago...
------
The bookseller takes Zara's coin and goes to wrap up the books.
Red Dog
He takes Eryda's coin with out a word and goes back to his hammering.
It is actually nicer than he has every been to Eryda
I look to Daviren horrified, "...Whelp?! I'll change his name ta Konabos." I look back to the Stallion, "A powerful 'n' noble name for a creature as majestic 'n' holy as ya, what do ya think of it?"
Hearing that I have permission to ride him I look back to Daviren with a large smile on my face and a tear rolling down my right cheek, "Will ya join me for the ride?" With that I wipe the tear away and saddle him up and walk him outside. With that I mount up and wait for Daviren if he is coming, if not I will ride around the town for a bit.
It is quite a sight, a man who is nearly 7 feet tall on a large giant of a horse at just over 17 hands! The horses back nearly reaches my head when I am standing beside him. So atop him my head is nearly 14 feet in the air. If I am on my own I am cantering around, if with Daviren and he wants to go slow, I will be trotting.
stables.
hahahaha. His name isn't Whelp! I said whelp. It's...o nevermind. His name is Oberon
Fernus looks over the pages pertaining the information of 'The Chopper', though not his taste of story he seems to be drawn into the story of the mass murderer, possibly because it is quite recent.
He reads on to find out if the 'The Chopper' was caught and how, also to know the story behind some like him.
While Tiazara is paying the owner of the bookshop, Fernus is sitting in the comfy chair his boots kicked aside and his legs up as he reads on the pages of 'The Chopper' like it was a thriller novel.
He turns to the gnome.
Find anything good Fernus? And we still have the church to check yes?
When Jervis Stoot made clear his intentions to build a
home on the then-nameles s tidal island just north of
the Old Light, many worried that he'd break his neck
climbing up and down the isle's cliffs . Jervis had already
garnered something of a reputation for eccentricity
when he began his one-man crusade to carve depictions
of birds on every building in town. Stoot never made a
carving without securing permission, but his incredible
skill at woodcarving made it a given that, if Stoot picked
your building as the site ofhis latest proj ect, you s eized
the opportunity. " Sporting a Stoot" soon grew to be
s omething of a bragging point, and Jervis eventually
extended his gift to include ship s and carriage s .
Those who asked o r tried to pay h i m for h i s skill were
rebuffed-Stoat told them, "There ain't no birds in that wood for me t'set free," and went on his way, often
wandering the streets for days before noticing a hidden
bird in a fence post, lintel, steeple, or doorframe, which
he'd then secure permission to "release" with his trusty
hatchets and carving knives .
Stoat's excuse for wanting to move onto t h e isle
s eemed innocent enough. The place was a haven for
local bird life, and his claim of "wantin' ta be with th'
birds " s eemed to make sense-so much so, in fact,
that the guild of carp enters (with whom Stoat had
maintained a friendly competition for s everal years)
volunteered to build a staircase, free of charge, along
the s outhern cliff face s o that Stoat could come and go
from his new home without risking life and limb. For
15 year s , Stoat lived on the island. His trips into town
grew less and less frequent, making it something of an
event when he chose a building to host a new Stoat.
Sandpoint was no stranger to crime, or even to
murder. Once or twice in a year, pas sions flared,
robberies went bad, j ealousy grew too much to bear,
or one too many drinks were drunk, and s omeone
would end up dead. But when bodies began to mount
in late 4702 AR, the town initially
had no idea how to
react. Sandpoint's sheriff at the time was a no-nonsense
man named Casp Avertin, a retired city watch officer
from Magnimar. Yet even he was ill-prepared for the
murderer who came to be known as Chopper. Over
the course of one long month, it seemed that every day
brought a new victim to light. Each was found in the
same terrible state: body bearing deep cuts to the neck
and torso, hands and feet s evered and stacked nearby,
and the eyes and tongue mis sing entirely, having been
plucked crudely from each head.
Over the course of that terrible month, Chopper
claimed 25 victims. His uncanny knack at eluding trap s
and pursuit quickly wore on the town guard, taking a
toll on Sheriff Avertin in particular, who increasingly
took to drinking. In any event, Sheriff Avertin himself
became Chopper's last victim, slain upon catching the
murderer in a narrow lane-known now as Chopper's
Alley-as he was mutilating his latest victim. In the
battle that followed, Avertin landed a telling blow
against the killer. When Belor Hemlock, then merely
a town guard, found both bodies (Avertin's and the
penultimate victim) s everal minutes later, he rallied
the guards and they were able to follow the killer's
bloody trail.
The trail led straight to the stairs of Stoat's Rock
At first, the town guard refused to believe the
implications, and feared that Chopper had come to
claim poor Jervis Stoat as his 2 6th victim. Yet what the
guards found in the modest home atop the isle and in
the larger complex of rooms that had been carved into
the bedrock below left no room for doubt. Jervis Stoat
and Chopper were one and the same, and the eyes and
tongues of all 25 victims were found upon a horrific altar
to a vile demon lord of winged creatures and temptation
whose name none dared speak aloud. Stoat himself
was found dead at the base of the altar, having plucked
his own eyes and tongue loose in a final offering. The
guards collap sed the entrance to the lower chambers,
burned Stoat's house, tore down the stairs , and did their
best to forget. Stoat himself was burned on the beach in
a pyre, his ashes blessed and then scattered in an attempt
to stave off an unholy return of his evil spirit.
But as fate would have it, the people ofSandpoint would
soon have a new tragedy to bear, one that almost eclipsed
Chopper's rampage. A month after the murderer was
slain, a terrible fire struck Sandpoint. The fire started
in the Sandpoint Chapel and spread quickly. As the
town rallied to save the church, the inferno expanded,
consuming the North Coast Stables , the White Deer
Inn, and three homes . In the end, the church burnt to
the ground, leaving the town's beloved priest Ezakien
Tobyn and his beautiful adopted
daughter Nualia dead.
Fernus seems to be lost in the books and only replies as Tiazara asks it him a second time.
"Intriguing perhaps. Good? No, definitely not."
He snaps the book shut, steps down from the chairand walks towards the counter.
"How much for these two books my good man?"
He turns towards Tiazara.
"I still want to visit the church, absolutely. Else I'd never leave this place."
He smiles broadly at Tiazara and the owner when saying this.
Chuckles at the jest.
Well once you pay lets be on our way.
Bookstore
He glances at the books 3 gold 8 silver
"Deal" Fernus says as he searches his pockets for the right amount of coins.
"I'll be sure to come here more often, mister...?"
As the pair goes out of the bookshop, Fernus waves goodbye to the owner "See you soon."
"So do you have anything you want to ask the priest Tiazara?"
Bookstore
Oh How rude of me. Chask Haladan at your service.
As Fernus and Zara leave the book store, they will see me galloping down the street, making sure not to get in the way of anyone. Once I see them both I slow down to a trot, then turn around and walk beside them. I look down at them, further than I have ever had to before, a huge smile playing across my face. I seem very comfortable on horseback, probably more comfortable than on foot. "What do ya think of Konabos? He's ma new horse as I'm his new servant."
Not really. But I would like to see the inside.
Those who wish to go make there way to the Cathedral.
It is easily the largest building in the town, dedicated to 6 different religions:Abadar, Desna, Erastil, Gozreh, Sarenrae, and Shelyn.
The doors are shut but not barred or the like.
Fernus walks together with Tiazara and perhaps Aéron to the cathedral.
As they come to the doors, Fernus tries to push one open.
But his short arms fall short of accomplishing anything.
"Must be tired," he says to Tiazara, "Lifted too many books at the Curious Goblin I suppose."
Fernus turns pale as he sees the signs of burning around the cathedral.
This must be the place that burnt down after the Chopper incidents. Intrigued but a bit shaken as well, sits down on a small stone wall along the path to the cathedral doors, his mind a bit troubled by the thought of the Chopper running wild.
Tiazara can see the colour very slowly returning to the halfling's body, though Fernus still looks a bit dazed.
Knocks politely on the door....
A moment after Zara knocks the doors open outwards.
The Father stands there. Ah heroes! Well some of you at least. I am just saying prayers over the fallen. What can I do for you?
Tarin, you are likely in the common room still, the tiny dragon creeps up on you, not really trying to be sneaky. Then he circles you to be in front of you.
A moment later Eryda comes in, and he looks that way before he can say anything.
Ah Father we are here to pay our respects and ask a few questions. And of course myself as a follower of Desna to pray. He bows his head slighty..
When Tiazara walks in, Fernus jumps off the wall and follows him inside.
"Hello Father, I come here for the same reasons and one extra. I wondered if you had a few stories you might share about this cathedral and perhaps Sandpoint if you know them."
He bows slightly as well.
"I didn't know you were a follower of Desna as well Zara."
I walk with both Fernus and Zara to the cathedral, but once they go inside I turn around on Konabos and head back to the stables. Once there I dismount and brush the stallion down while he drinks some fresh water and eats some hay. I nod and smile to Daviren and take my leave, heading back to the tavern.
I walk through the door, ducking as usual and see Tarinhil sitting at a table, I walk over to the bar and order some drinks, then head back to Tarinhil, "Mind if I join ya? I've a drink for ya."
Rusty Dragon
Tarinhil heads down the stairs for a late lunch just in time to see Eryday head in, at the same time. He turns and in front of him is the dragon. It cocks its head and letshis tongue flicker.
Eryda calls out to Ameiko, who pops up from behind the bar. Well young Tarinhil and Draken are here. Not sure where the others are, but I believe they were heading to the bookstore and the cathedral today. Ah and there is our mountainous friend! She says as Aeron strolls in.
Cathedral
This way young sage. Zantos gestures towards the shrine to Desna for Zara.
Stories. Well not many, but this Cathedral was built after the last one burned down, taking with it the last Cleric and his daughter as well as others of th etown. But from the ashes has arisen tthis masterpiece. Here we allow the worship of most any, though of course only the main 6 are official. Off in the far room we have a blank alter which we allow those who worship other goodly and neutral gods worship as they see fit. Not much of a story really, unless you wantedd to hear of Desna? He askes somewhat hopefully
Tarinhil smiles broadly and exclaims, "Well hello again, little friend!" He starts digging in his pack from some dried fruit when he sees it peek around him and look to the door.
He turns his head and then turns back to the dragon, offering him the dried cassonberry.
He hears the dwarf call out, and looks at the giant and then shrugs, "We shouldn't be rude...", and stands on his chair with a wave, "Over here, doubting dwarf!"
Accidental alliteration. How fun!
He sits back down and takes up his tankard of cider, Of course, that may be the end of the fun for a while...., but then brightens as he sees Aéron enter the room.
"You're most welcome, friend Aéron, though let me just...", he quickly downs his half-full cider, slamming down the empty mug... "...there, now I can take that from you."
hours
I laugh loudly Tarinhil as he downs his drink and I pass him the next one. I then place my hammer on the floor beside the chair I will be sitting in, place the drink on the table and turn to him, "What'd ya like ta eat?"
Once I have the order I go over to Ameiko and order a meal for myself (something filling and hearty) as well as Tarinhil's order. I then sit down beside him. "What've ya been up ta then, ya'r cooking?"
"Well I'm always glad to hear about Desna, Father."
Before the priest can speak again or gets overenthusiastic, Fernus continues.
"She has been with me ever since I've left my home, I know she has, that's why I came here to pray and thank her as well."
He looks around the cathedral in awe at the majestic sights, but then falls back in nearly silent contemplation.
"To think all this beauty and splendor comes forth from such immense tragedy."
He looks back to Zantos and hopes he did not hear him.
Fernus then goes to the shrine where Zara was praying and gives up a quick prayer and thanks towards Desna, asking her for a continued safe journey.
No I have been running an underground assassin guilde.
She says as she puts out a bowl of lamb stew and leg of lamb for Tarin and aeron respectively
cathedral
Zantos starts to speak but stops at Fernus reply. As Fernus wanders he inclines his head and heads back to his duties
I look up and nod at Ameiko when she brings over the hot food, "Thanks, smells nice." I look to the Dwarfess, "We've still got these, but we can have those ones after if ya like? I've been ta see a friend of ma mother, Daviren Hosk. He's even given me a War-Horse as payment for ma mothers previous work. Yarself?"
it seems like Eryda has barely ordered before the drinks arrive.
|
A surprised Eryda accepts the drink from Aeron and takes a mouthful. She listens to his story and nods along. That seems convenient. Is that how humans usually are? Passing on good deeds in such a manner? She broods over the concept while taking another mouthful. I've been over to the smithy where I used to work at. Rented the forge for a month's worth of nights to smelt stuff.