"Hey, 'Gekki! You going out for the festival? Some boys set up a wheel, they could use your bad luck curse..."
When only silence answered his question, the Sczarni hucketer looked across the room, toward Megekki. Crouched and coiled, in comfort, in a corner, it seemed a pile of rags and ropes, with a curiously carved scarecrow's head atop, draped in a hood as though to hide the mask's dripping, molten face.
"He asleep again?", the one Sczarni asked another.
The second shrugged. "He sleeps, he doesn't. Who could tell, under the mask?"
"Is that why he wears it?"
"That's not why he wears it.", the second said, sadly.
And then, the pile of rags stood. The ragged cloth overcloak fell aside, wrents in the creature's thin leathers showing scarred pale limbs. It reached for an overlong spear that had rested against the wall in its corner, and, leaning upon it, hobbled to the bar.
In the shadows of the mask, the Sczarni could only just see the glint of dark eyes, but the rough voice came clearly enough, "Mask to hide, and to show. To protect. Megekki face."
The Sczarni exchanged a look, then a shrug. It was not their way; but neither was it their way to pry. And there was business to discuss.
"So, about the wheel, we were thinking-"
"No wheel.", Megekki said. "Megekki searches. Festival is many people. Megekki searches. For them."
"For who, Megekki?"
"Megekki does not know yet."
"When will you know?"
"Megekki finds them. Then Megekki knows."
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The Swallowtail Festival begins promptly, as scheduled, on the Autumnal Equinox. The square before the church quickly becomes crowded as locals and travelers arrive, and several merchant tents featuring food, clothes, local crafts, and souvenirs are there to meet them.
The turnout for the opening speeches is quite respectable, and the four keynote speakers each deliver short but well-received welcomes to the festival. Mayor Deverin’s friendly attitude and excitement prove contagious as she welcomes visitors to town and jokes about how even Larz Rovanky, the local tanner (and notorious workaholic) managed to tear himself away from the tannery to attend, much to everyone’s amusement (except Larz’s).
Sheriff Belor Hemlock brings the crowd down a bit with his dour mood, his reminder to be safe around the evening’s bonfire, and his request for a moment of silence to remember those who lost their lives in the fire that claimed the town’s previous church several years ago. The next speaker is scheduled to be local nobleman Lonjiku Kaijitsu, but a sudden illness has prevented him from attending the ceremony.
Sandpoint’s own showman Cyrdak Drokkus is more than up to the challenge of bringing the crowd’s mood back up with his rousing anecdotes. He delivers a not-completely-irreverent recap of the long process the town went through to finance and construct the new cathedral. He throws in a bit of self-promotion at the end, inviting everyone to stop by the Sandpoint Theater the following evening to check out his new production of “The Harpy’s Curse,” revealing that the lead role of Avisera the harpy queen will be played by none other than the famous Magnimarian
diva Allishanda!
Finally, Father Zantus steps up to give a short speech thanking everyone for coming before declaring the Swallowtail Festival underway.
Yet even the previous chapel wasn’t the first holy site in this location. The core of both the original chapel and the new cathedral is an open-air courtyard surrounding a set of seven standing stones, which themselves surround a circular stone altar.
The original chapel built here was a collection of six different shrines, each its own building and connected to the others by open-air walkways. Desna’s worship was incorporated into these shrines as part of the peace accord with the local Varisians, but the original builders included five other deities as well. Four of these (Abadar, Gozreh, Sarenrae, and Shelyn) were patrons of the original founders of the Sandpoint Mercantile Consortium, while the fifth, Erastil, was the most
popular among the initial settlers.
When that chapel burnt to the ground several years ago, Mayor Deverin set into motion a bold initiative. Not only would the chapel be rebuilt, but it would be rebuilt on a grand scale. A cathedral would be constructed in place of the chapel, and it would be made of stone and glass. Funding for this project came partially from the founding families, partially from Sandpoint businesses eager to earn favor in the eyes of the gods, and partially from the respective churches. It took years to finish the cathedral, but the end result is truly impressive. To the south, facing Sandpoint’s heart, are the shrines of civilization: Erastil and Abadar. To the west, offering a view of the Old Light and the sea beyond, are the shrines of Shelyn and Gozreh. And to the east, offering a view of the Sandpoint Boneyard and the rising sun, are the
shrines of Sarenrae and Desna.
Numerous games and contests take place during the day, including sack races, games of hide-and-seek, weight-lifting challenges, balance beam
contests, tug-of-war events, and the like.
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Well it's certainly impressive Emrys muses, looking up at the tall cathedral walls.
The Elf takes a bite out of an apple and takes an easy stroll around some of the stalls. He stops from time to time to sample some of the local fare or to cast his eye over the crafts on offer. Children chase each other through the crowds, almost bowling one poor woman over. He cannot help but smile. That's what we were like when we were kids.
He had timed his visit well. His sister had written to him to let him know she had seen some interesting pieces passing through the Magnimarian markets lately so he had stopped in Sandpoint on the way, having heard about the inauguration of the cathedral. It was the kind of place archaeologists like himself so would visit in a thousand years time, how could be pass up the opportunity to see history in the making?
Zeriax walks casually amongst the gathered throng, thrilled at the amount of activity going on all around him - the monastery was as reclusive and isolated as one can imagine, but he always enjoyed the few occasions when he was allowed to descend to the closest village to assist in the purchase of supplies.
He always let himself sink in the myriad of voices, sounds and smells, and it made him feel alive!
Not able to dismiss the worries in his head about the increasing signs of giant activity in the wild regions of Varisia, he was thankful to his master when he allowed him to depart the monastery on his investigations - also literate in history, and the common tales of the region, in fact having no real lead to follow, but intent in making sure that what his family had suffered many years before at the hands of giant kin would not befall any others in the region, he took the news of the announced Swallowtail festival as an opportunity to meet with travellers from many regions of Varisia, and gather as much information as possible - perhaps aiding him on his current mission.
Having just arrived, and even though still fully attired for travel, his step is light as he traverses the village taking in all the sights and sounds around him. Lithe but clearly solidly built, Zeriax cannot help but stand out - his greyish brown skin in contrast with his fire red eyes alone would be reason to give onlookers pause, if it weren't for the black tail swinging behind him as if with a life of its own.
Wearing a simple greyish-white coloured outfit with loose breeches, and a loose shirt, all bound together with sashes, finished off by a pair of soft boots, he seems all built for mobility and moves with a natural, unthreatening, but almost animal like poise. All about him are the evidence that this is no simple traveller - at his belt a distinctive crescent-shaped blade, almost a mixture of a sickle and sword, punctured at specific places in the pommel, from which drop short lengths of multi-colored beads. At his back, a quarterstaff is strapped casually along with a backpack and other arrays of travel.
Casual onlookers at this curious creature will noticing him stopping at each and every stall or store in the village, curiously observing all the wares in display, buying a piece of fruit here, some dried fish there, immediately tasting his purchases with a smile on his face.
Benton studies the crowd as he walks through the festival. He is a stranger to the area and his coming was not by choice. Under his priest's robes he wears black leather armor with a symbol of a rose growing out of a pool of blood. He is thin and stands at an average height. He has a shaved head, except for his beard, and a gap between his front teeth.
Why was I asked to come to the festival this year. Usually this is Charlie's territory. It's not out of the ordinary for a priest of Milani to attend festivals of other good dieties, but Milani priests prefer to be in areas where people are being oppressed.
I won't be making much of a name for myself in this peaceful town. A few more days and my task here will be done, he reminds himself.
He sits in the front during the ceremony. An area was reserved for officials and representatives. He kindly smiles and shakes hands with the people sitting near him as he introduces himself and gets to know the others before the ceremony began.
"Equinox?", a child asked a parent.
"Mm-hm."
"What's that?"
The mother stopped, a labored look on her face.
"Equinox.", the voice echoed from behind the mask. Mother and child as one stopped to gawk at the crouching creature. "When the day is as long as the night. And the night is as long as the day. And this time, the night will be longer. And next time, the day will be longer. There is balance, and change, and impermanence. Forever."
The mother stood still, eyes wide with parental caution. The child, lost in the words from the mask, leaned left and then right, squinting, carelessly curiously searching for the eyes behind the mask. Megekki saw the collected contrasts, the discontinuous whole.
Megekki laughed.
The child smiled.
And the mother tugged at the child, pulling her back, and then away, toward the crowd, through the crowd, to safety in the company of many strangers, from the company of one.
The child, towed by one hand, looked back and waved the other at the funny clown. Megekki returned the wave.
And laughed.
Thedrid rode horse down the winding rode leading to Sandpoint. It's been a long time since he had last visited the town of his birth.
Pulling up to the stables, Thedrid notices that there is no one attending to the horses.
"The festival must be in full swing." He mumbles to him self.
"THEEEEEDRIIIIIIID!"
Thedrid is startled by the loud voice calling his name. He turns around to see a young woman, in her early 20s, running towards him waving.
"Annie!" Thedrid exclaims. "It's been so long!"
Annie embraces him. "You still recognize me, even after becoming a famous monster hunter?"
"How could I forget you? Besides, I'm nowhere near famous!" Thedrid chuckles.
Annie frowns for a moment, then smiles almost immediately after.
"You're just in time for the festival!" Annie says. "Come on, everyone will be so excited to meet you!"
Annie grabs his hand and leads him towards a group of people.
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At noon, Father Zantus and his acolytes wheel a large covered wagon into the square, and after recounting the short parable of how Desna first fell
to earth and was nursed back to health by a blind child whom she transformed into an immortal butterfly as a reward for her aid, they pull aside the wagon’s cover, releasing the thousand children of Desna—a furious storm of swallowtail butterf lies that swarm into the air in a spiraling riot of color to a great cheer from the crowd. Throughout the rest of the day, children futilely chase butterf lies, never quite quick enough to catch them.
Lunch is provided free, at the expense of Sandpoint’s taverns. Each brings its best dishes. It soon becomes apparent that the darling of the lunch is,Ameiko Kaijitsu, whose remarkable curry-spiced salmon and early winterdrop mead easily overshadow the other offerings, such as the Hagfish’s lobster chowder or the White Deer’s peppercorn venison.
This Rusty Dragon is a large structure and is Sandpoint’s oldest inn, notable for the impressive (and quite rusty) iron dragon that looms on the building’s roof, doubling as a lightning rod and decoration. Owned and operated for the past 6 years by the lovely and popular Ameiko Kaitjisu, the Rusty Dragon is not only one of the town’s most popular
eateries (made so, in large part, by the spicy and exotic food served here), but also a great place to meet visitors from out of town, since most newcomers to Sandpoint come upon this inn first, as the northern stretch of the Lost Coast Road is less traveled. It certainly doesn’t hurt that Ameiko’s beauty is more than matched by her skill at music, and few are the evenings that pass without at least two or three songs being performed by the talented woman.
In any event, the Rusty Dragon is probably the most adventurer-friendly establishment in town, with its ubiquitous “Help Wanted” board near the bar and Ameiko’s policy of discounting rooms for any who tell exciting adventure stories.
Ameiko and Cyrdak, and one never seems to miss a chance to badmouth the other, but no one in town really understands the reason behind their rivalry.
Of greater concern to Ameiko is her long-running feud with her family—leaving town to become an adventurer scandalized her family enough.
But when she retired from adventuring a year later after a disastrous mission (the nature of which she never speaks of ), she returned to
Sandpoint and bought and renovated the Rusty Dragon—an act that only further scandalized and shamed her father. Ameiko claims not to care about her father’s opinions of her choices, but becomes evasive when anyone asks her why she gave up the adventuring life. Some believe she has a secret lover in town, while others theorize that something happened on her last adventure that took the bravery out of her.
Brenton is new to the area, but one of the officials he sat next to was very loquacious and filled Brenton in on all the local gossip. Brenton, not much for gossip, listened and nodded his head.
KN:local check
"Do you remember Amieko?" Annie asks.
"Yeah, I think I fancied her when I was younger. That was a long time ago though."
Zeriax, totally unfamiliar with the comings and goings of Sandpoint, is pleasantly surprised by the butterfly storm, that simple show enough to make him believe the trip to Sandpoint already worthwhile.
As the lunch meal is provided free, he rubs shoulders with the many people around him, politely making his best to taste a small amount of each different dish being offered, inquiring at each turn from those serving them, details about its confection and the materials used, with a big smile on his face, and thanking for every information provided (thanking actually if even no information is forthcoming).
To his palate, not being a big eater, sometimes even considered frugal, the lighter aspects of the meals are particular appealing, but he cannot help but appreciate immensely the finely cooked heavier specialties.
At the end of one great table, the tall skinny stranger loomed over a plate of festival fete, bent low over the free food, a hanging hood denying a view of his visage to any who might have sought it. Beside him on the table, an upturned molten mask seemed to glower and glare, though of course it could not.
But he seemed to think it could, babbling to it in a pidgin mix of sentient words and animal huffs and sighs, pausing at times as though in polite attention, and occasionally arguing, or laughing. They might have been two old friends, common fellowship in mind, but of course they were just one stranger, an uncommon fellow, and out of his mind.
When shortly he was also out of food, he quite daintily wiped at his mouth (or it could be guessed that was what he did, for the hood still hid all), and then dutifully performed the same service for the mask, three timid little taps at the melted lips, and at each corner of the twisted mouth. This brought more apparent, though silent and invisible, arguement, and more laughter.
Still bent over under the hood, he took up the mask, and put it on, only straightening then. Long loops of braided hair fell out from under the hood, but the masked man tucked them back into the hood and mantle, and took up his long spear from where it had leaned, before gathering plates and trenchers and napkins into a tidy pile with his free arm.
Bringing the pile back to where it was wanted (there are never enough settings...), he gave a faint bow as he passed it to a server. "Megekki.", he said.
"Megek-ki?", the server asked.
"Megekki. Helpful. Megekki."
"Yes, thank you. Very... megekki."
"Very Megekki", the masked man laughed.
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Finally, as the sun begins to set, Father Zantus takes the central podium for the consecration.
A sharp retort, like the crack of distant thunder, slices through the excited crowd as the sun’s setting rays paint the western sky. A stray dog that has crawled under a nearby wagon to sleep starts awake, and the
buzz of two dozen conversations quickly hushes as all heads turn toward the central podium, where a beaming Father Zantus has taken the stage. He clears his throat, takes a breath to speak, and suddenly a woman’s scream slices through the air. A few moments later, another scream rises, then another. Beyond them, a sudden surge of strange new voices rises—high-pitched, tittering shrieks that sound not quite human. The crowd parts and something low to the ground races by, giggling with disturbing glee as the stray dog gives a pained yelp and then collapses with a gurgle, its throat cut open from ear to ear. As blood pools around its head, the raucous sound of a strange song begins, chanted from shrill, scratchy voices.
Chase the baby, catch the pup.
Bonk the head to shut it up.
Bones be cracked, flesh be stewed,
We be goblins! You be food!
Goblins chew an d goblins bite.
Goblins cut and goblins fight.
Stab the dog and cut the horse,
Goblins eat and take by force!
Goblins race and goblins jump
Goblins slash and goblins bump.
Burn the skin and mash the head,
Goblins here and you be dead!
People scream and immediately begin running frantically.
Trained senses immediately coming into place, Zeriax tries to discern patterns among the chaos.
Noticing the cruel creature taking glee from the barbaric act it has just committed, the monk walks in its direction, apparent calm in his semblance, but clear determination in his red flashing eyes.
Murderous, pathetic creature... He whispers softly.
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Ha, wonderful! the wizard cries to no one in particular upon release of the butterflies.
He struck up conversation with a merchant plying crafts of traditional Varisian design. They spoke of the festival, the cathedral and of local affairs - Ameiko Kaijitsu most chiefly. She seemed equal parts town celebrity and embarrassment to her kin. Emrys made a mental note to speak with her. An adventurer of some renown, she may know of some interesting sites in the region.
He did not follow the Desnan faith but the festival had struck a chord with him and he could not deny the skill of the artist. He picked out a small glass butterfly and paid the man with a silver piece taken from one of the many pockets of his rough travelling vest.
Emrys hadn't worn robes since the University - stifling, restrictive things. Little and less use when clambering through the rubble of some long forgotten ruin. He and Asha had inherited their fathers obsession and turned it into their own. His sister had put aside their childish ambitions in recent years. But then, she was the more mature as was to be expected of the elder sibling - even if it was by just seven minutes.
The woman's cry shatters his daydream.
He casts his eye about but can see only the crowds. Until he hears that dreadful song and notices the disgusting little creature with the wicked blade.
Goblins...
"Stay with. Stay together.", Megekki says. "Runs and cuts, won't stand and fight." Deciding that's too vague, he bellows, "All go to Zantas! Many standing, stronger than one running!" Deciding that's too long, he bellows, "TO ZANTAS! TO CHURCH!"
Perception
Annie screams as the goblins sing their song.
"Run!" Thedrid yells to Annie, pointing towards the hooded figure trying to corral the frightened town folk.
Noticing the devious goblin, Thedrid pulls his bow from his back and nocks an arrow, firing
To hit before any cover penalties.
Damage
Brenton relaxed in his chair as Father Zantus climbed the podium. He put his head in his hands in a solemn prayer for only a few seconds before a scream shook him. After a second scream he stood and looked around.
He hears more screams and then the sounds of goblins. He watches as a goblin runs by and kills a dog. He points at the goblin hiding at the wagon's edge. "Men to arms!" he screams as he rushes toward the goblin and pulls out his morningstar.
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Most of the people panic around you. Mothers search frantically for their children who, moments before, were having fun playing various festival games. You see the sheriff running towards watchmen in an attempt to organize them in the face of the sudden crisis. You hear a crash where several goblins have pushed a table of food over. Yet, as each of you prepares to deal the goblin threat in your own way, you also notice others among you who are not running in fear, but preparing to fight along your side.
Combat Begins
50' Brenton (7/7 ),
40' Emrys (8/8 ),
20' Meggeki (9/9 ),
10' Thedrid (12/12 (Shot made earlier will count on this round),
FL Zeriax (10/10 ),
20' Goblin C (Perfect, ), Goblin D (Perfect, ), Goblin E (Perfect, ),
40' Goblin A (Perfect, ), Goblin B (Perfect, ),
Glancing around Zeriax notices that he is not the only one that decided to stand up to the nasty, diminutive critters.
It seems you have made a wrong decision in coming to this peaceful village foolish creatures... Look behind me, as many gather to put you down. His words are calm, almost soothing, in contrast with his immediate actions, as he bursts into quick, precise movements, firing one, then two arrows in quick sucession.
Megekki moves to provide the archer the shade of his spear, elaborate rhythmic motions of the overlong shaft mimicking the sidewinding of a snake, almost as though it were towing Megekki forward, complete with an overloud "Hssss.... Hssss... Hsssss...", as the head of the spear's pendulations seem to settle on one target among the goblins, and the "Hssss..." draws out...
"HAH!", the voice inside the mask shouts, as the spear fairly leaps forward, nearly out of the thin man's hands, but he does retain it, and labors to regain control of it, arguing with it as it continues to seek that same, one, goblin...
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Emrys strides forward from the crowd, ushering several children toward the arms of their frantic parents.
He sees a succession of arrows whistle toward the goblins from a pair of men in the square. Though surely not guardsmen. he has time to think.
Deciding he will help end the threat before it truly begins he moves closer to the slobbering little gremlins, loading his crossbow as he does so. He drops to one knee 30 feet from the creatures and takes aim.
Brenton casts shield and moves up 30' holding his morningstar.
Goblins! This has to end quickly or I'll be laughed out of the priesthood. His face turns red in rage as he approaches. He barely notices the people fleeing in terror.
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Round 1 Party's Turn
Zeriax fires two arrows, felling one of the Goblins straight away. Megekki comes along aside him and hollers at the beasts. Emrys strides forward from the crowd, unshering several children towards the arms of their parents, move forward and prepares to shoot. Thedrid helps Zeriax take down a second one. Brenton moves up holding a morning star. Each of you notice that amounst the chaos, some of you are standing up to this threat, and even standing sholder to sholder with you.
Goblins Turn
The remaining goblin at 20' away sees his friends drop on both sides of him, runs to the nearest table, and scampers to the top of it. He takes out his bow and fires
Thedrid finds a small, yet painful arrow his him in the leg.
The two goblins behind him are fighting over a cooked chicken.
Status
20' Brenton (7/7 ),
10' Thedrid (10/12 ),
FL Zeriax (10/10 ), Meggeki (9/9 ), Emrys (8/8 ),
20' Goblin C (KO'd, ), Goblin D (KO'd, ), Goblin E (Perfect, ),
40' Goblin A (Perfect, ), Goblin B (Perfect, ),
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Keeping up his trained movements like clockwork, Zeriax unleashes a second barrage at one of the closest goblins - Surrender now, and live to defend your case when brought to justice.
.oO{ Justice? Goblin? From a Man? }
Megekki snickers. He continues to gesture wildly at the goblins, again seeming to single one in particular out, negotiating with the spear in his hands over how deeply and how many times it will be plunged into the goblin.
"OK, one in the belly, one in the heart, one in the face... No no, is no good, wants the skulls... OK, belly, heart, belly lots. Oh, wait! Belly belly belly, and watches it die? Watches is good fun. OK, is a deal."
Brenton continues to charge at the goblins. He moves past the fallen goblins and approaches those fighting over a cooked chicken.
Seeing how easily the goblin was felled, Thedrid sacrifices accuracy to fire a barrage of arrows
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Round 2
Zeriak fires a couple of more arrows, but misses. Emrys hits the front one square between the eyes, and the little bugger falls to the ground. Megekki move forward and grows while Brenton pushes in front to get within striking distance. Thedrid shoots the goblin on the left, hitting twice, causing the little guy to drop dead. Since he was in a tug of war over a cooked chicken with the other, his sudden release causes that other one to go flying to the ground, as the chicken goes flying.
Enemy Turn
The remaining goblin falls to the ground with a "Thud." He looks up at Brenton with a look of worry, and then a big toothy smile. "No hurt. Me good! Me good goblin!!"
Status
10' Thedrid (10/12 ),
FL Zeriax (10/10 ), Emrys (8/8 ),
5' Meggeki (9/9 ),
35' Brenton (7/7 ),
40' Goblin A (Perfect, Prone), Goblin B (KO'd, ),
Brenton brings the morningstar down on the goblin.
He looks around for others.
He gets something in his eyes.
Approaching Brenton, Zeriax is quick to add: I believe we should spare this one my friend - He is clearly defeated, and I would much like to hear from his mouth why they have set themselves on such foul deeds... If a reason exists besides being a goblin...
Stay right there wretch! Zeriax speaks to the goblin calmly, but in a commanding tone, his fire red eyes sparkling in stark contrast with his greyish brown skin.
Then turning to Emrys, he offers a short bow - Thank you, and also for your assistance. It seems we have been able to avoid any more injury to the townspeople... His head turns around to survey the area, for any further commotion.
As he looks around, his black tail is clearly visible, swinging behind him as if with a life of its own. A further look at this half-breed, wearing a simple greyish-white colored outfit with loose breeches, and a loose shirt, all bound together with sashes, finished off by a pair of soft boots, shows he seems all built for mobility.
All about him are the evidence that this is no simple traveler - at his belt a distinctive crescent-shaped blade, almost a mixture of a sickle and sword, punctured at specific places in the pommel, from which drop short lengths of multi-colored beads. At his back, a quarterstaff is strapped casually along with a backpack, other arrays of travel and two quivers in easy reach.
In his hand, he still holds the longbow he has used to fend off the attacking goblins.
"Haha! You weren't a bad shot yourself!" Thedrid says to Emrys
"I'm Thedrid." He says as he holds out a hand towards Emrys.
Thedrid is a human male. He wears a brown leather trench coat over leather breeches and a white shirt with a collar. Atop his head rests a large hat that shades his eyes from the sun. A bow in his hand and a quiver on his back show you his weapon of choice.
-<("Goblin promise is coin of cheese."), Megekki argues with his spear, as he moves among the fallen, crouching low, tangles of brown braids failing to conceal from attentive or informed eyes that he is trying to keep those not already dead from bleeding to death. "Spend it soon." From within a ragged tunic he produces a pouch of dried moss, or a small flask of strong vinegar, or other destitute-looking devilry, or deliverances. The dead goblins are ignored, except for being spoken to in
Megekki picks up the nearest food ruined for humans, perhaps that chicken, and throws it to the goblin. Then he rushes toward him, glaring through the melting mask. "You! All dead! You dead, soon! Or talk!"
I am Zeriax... The tiefling absent-mindedly introduces himself, distracted by Megekki's actions.
He approaches the cloaked figure as it rushes towards the goblin but stays silent, watching his actions.
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The Elf takes Thedrids hand and shakes it briefly.
Emrys. he says simply in reply and to the others.
The wizard is tall, standing a few inches over six foot. He wears a leather vest with many pockets (that are plainly stuffed with numerous small objects) over a white cotton shirt. His green travellers cloak is pinned back with a simple broach in the shape of a mask, half black and half white. Similarly, his sandysandy brown hair reaches to the muddle of his back and is held out of his eyes by a circlet of shined bronze.
In truth, at first glance Emrys looks little like a traditional wizard, no flowing robes or gnarled staff. His movements are swift and even now he cannot keep still, pacing slightly back and forth as his brow furrows. He looks like a man chewing over a difficult quandary, idly fingering a signet ring on his right index finger.
Are you local? He asks the human bowman. Is the insurgency of these vermin commonplace?
I am Zeriax... The tiefling absent-mindedly introduces himself, distracted by Megekki's actions.
He approaches the cloaked figure as it rushes towards the goblin but stays silent, watching his actions.
Turning (farther than usual, owing to the mask) to look at Zeriax, Megekki pauses just a moment. "Zeriax", he repeats. Then holding his longspear aloft in one hand, he shouts, "MEGEKKI!"
"They've always been in the area, but a large group like this has never gotten into the city." Thedrid explains. "What I do know, however, goblins are never 'good'"
Thedrid walks over to helpless goblin and fires an arrow into head.