Selaros, when you speak to Ameiko, she makes sure to call attention to you as another hero of the day, then sets about getting you some food. Agustianna embraces you, happy to see you.
"Selaros! I lost track of you earlier. I was worried! I'm glad you're all right. My, earlier was frightening! But, just when things were going poorly, he showed up. The Desna Knight! Word will definitely get around about him now. I'm doing fine. I helped put out some fires and made sure some children got away safely, so I was never in any real danger."
Mary, you make it back to the inn with a couple of minutes to spare. Look is seated on a chair in a cleared out area of the inn, tuning a lute. Lynleera, he nods at you after a few minutes, indication that you should go to him.
"Okay. Don't know if you've ever really worked an audience before! I want you to give me the first verse and chorus before you join in. We've got to get them into the flow of the song, first. Once I get through the chorus they should be ripe for a dance, though. This is a pretty merry tune. Are you ready?"
After you respond, he will smile, then strike a chord, loud and sweet and clear. It brings the conversations in the inn to a halt, and everyone stares over at the bard. He smiles, and begins to play. The melody is indeed merry, and simple. His fingers adroitly pick at the strings of his lute, and even before he starts singing, several people are tapping their feet or fingers to the rhythm. This is a song all of you know by heart, something sang in homes and taverns across all of Golarion.
Lorik's voice rings forward, a lovely tenor, and you all feel different. Bolstered, like the horror of earlier is a dim memory and anything is possible.
I probably shouldn't trust a goblins word but it has made me uneasy, I can only hope the goblin I saw your hero drag away has told the same story, and that he will figurer things out before it get's really nasty. By the way have you had anything to eat yet? I've got a few coins of some goblin corpses."
Selaros starts to dig in once some food is set before him, he is starving from both the fighting and not having a chance to enjoy the treats at the festival. The music soothes him and he feel more relaxed then he ever remembered he has.
Sizma devours the food in-between listening to the bard. Blake, her familiar pops from its confined tattoo form and lands next to her. The young sorceress takes some of the food and puts it down for the large black cat to devour.
Nearly an hour later she slips into the front door and begins mingling, smiling brightly, acting as if she was never gone. With a skip in her step she'd come bounding over, slinging an arm around Sizma as she sat down, much to the chagrin to Blake, letting this rogue-y lass pass his defenses. The food must be just that good to panthers as it is to people, right?
"So, isn't the food and drink just amazing?" She laughed. Her smile showed little sign of ever disappearing off her pretty half-elvish face. It made her sea colored eyes shine. She waved to the others in her congealing entourage. They haven't shared names just yet, however, Mary felt pretty good about the lot of them. And, it felt a little funny, being an orphan and all, but the smile onher face said it all.
"Now, did our elven lady make it on stage yet? I hear music."
Lorik does not disappoint. The tune is lively, and as soon as Lynleera gets the rhythm, she starts to move into a simple country dance. It's simple enough for anyone to follow along, but her movements are certainly elegant. After a while, some of the braver (or drunker) patrons get up and join in, and sure enough, soon nearly the whole tavern has joined in, either singing along or dancing along.
Selaros, Agustianna grabs your hand and pulls you up, dancing merrily with you. The song continues on for a few moments before Lorik wraps it up, and the entire tavern treats him and Lynleera to a round of thunderous applause.
The mood is lifted considerably after that. Lorik finds your table after meeting some enthusiastic fans. He's wearing a smile of pure delight.
"Well, that was fun! I think I made you all wager, yes? Worry not, I'm not planning on collecting just now. I'm sure you're all exhausted from your travails. I'll get my stories later in the week!"
With a wink to Lynleera, Lorik leaves for his rooms.
The rest of the night passes pleasantly. Eventually, sleep is too great a need to ignore, and you set down in your rooms for the evening.
The next morning, when you all make it down for breakfast, Sheriff Belor Hemlock is waiting for you, clad in armor. She's seated at a table, and waves you over as you all come down, wanting to speak to you all.
Selaros hasn't had much sleep and it can be seen slightly on his face, he has tossed and turned his head never being able to relax from thinking on the goblins words. Selaros notices Belor waving him over as he comes down and moves over to sit with her. "Good Morning Sheriff, I was actually hoping to find you today. A goblin from yesterday babbled on about a 'longshank' luring them in with the promise of the gate being open during the festival."
Hemlock nods at you.
"That's much the same story repeated by the ones we captured. It's troubling to think that one of our own might be behind this, but there's no shortage of evil in the world, sadly. But there's enough time for the Goblins later.
A matter has arisen, and I would be glad for some assistance. I'll speak on it more fully when the rest have arrived."
Sleeping in an actual bed was nothing short of awesome. And, Mary got the whole thing to herself! Which is good, because she slept like a cat: her figure strewn over the mattress, torso twisted, with her legs and arms pointed in different directions. Her hair was a poofs mess, and her eyes were heavy, but her smile stretched from ear to pointy ear. It was present when she trotted down the stairs, wearing a long tunic and her legs and feet stayed bare.
"Morning!" she said in a happy sing-song voice.
After nearly going into what could be called a food coma, Sizma recalls Blake back to her body. She stands up to yawn and says to good night to the others before heading to one of the rooms provided to stay in. She kept most of her belongings with her, deciding to send Blake in the morning wit a message to the woman she was staying with.
The bed was rather comfortable and provided needed relaxation that was sourly lacking from the days events. However, the taint of darkness tinged her dreams and Sizma would wake twice that night, dressed in her light clothes, pacing her room before falling back to sleep soundly.
And a good morning to you as well.... Miss? Sizma says dressed in the same clothes as the night before.
As the rest of you make it down, the Sheriff waves you over. After you're all seated, Ameiko is there with a tray full of bacon, both crispy and fatty, fresh mugs of coffee, eggs and fresh baked bread. Simple, but quite good. The Rusty Dragon isn't the fanciest inn in the area, but given the quality of the food and the excellence of it's host and proprietor, it's easy to see why the place would be popular.
Belor sipped from her cup before speaking.
"Though you may have seen me at the festival, you might not remember me. I am Belor Hemlock, Sheriff of Sandpoint. I pride myself on keeping this town safe, so from the bottom of my heart, you all have my gratitude for what you did yesterday. Miraculously, no one was killed, and I think that's all due to your skill. Sandpoint has lacked local adventurers since our esteemed host, Ameiko, got into some shenanigans several years back, and to be perfectly blunt, a group of talented adventurers is a hell of a resource for a Sheriff to have in her repertoire. So, with that in mind, there's something I'd have you assist me with.
In the chaos of yesterday, it seems as though Father Zantus missed something. One of the crypts in the graveyard is...well, the door is open. More than likely it's nothing, but it's possible that a Goblin or two tried to hide in there. My men are a bit spooked after yesterday, so I wanted to ask you if you could help us again. I wanted to see how you operate up close to know if you might be dependable in the future. I can foresee such a relationship being advantageous to all of us."
I would be glad to help you sheriff." she says with a smile.
Her smile never ceasing, Mary wiggled her fingers at Sizma.
"I'm Marilwen, or Mary. Both work." The rogue then stretched, arms high above her head, her elegant back arched. "Sorry about yesterday. I nearly put my nose in your boobs. And I dig your tattoos. I saw what you did with your panther."
She then covered her mouth to hide her yawn.
"Wait. Your men are scared of a few goblins?" She sounded surprised and it was hard not to chuckle. "Sounds like you'll need to deputize us, or get us on the payroll somehow, honey," she chuckled and then yawned again. "But, if it keeps me in a bed, count me in."
It was strange staying at the inn, not his sparse room in a flophouse nearby, but he rose early and streched looking to work out kinks that honestly were not there. Last night had been ...well amusing as soon as he decided to stop being a bit of a stick in the mud. Running fingers through his hair and one more retying it back he made his way down the stairs for breakfast, in a hurry to get to work ... which stopped the moment he saw the Sheriff.
Good morning M'ams."
He began giving a polite incline of his head in turn to both the Sheriff, Marilwen, and Sizma before he offered his hand in a quick shake to Seleros.
When Miss Marilwen lightly made fun of the guardsmen he scowled slightly.
I'm sure they are doing the best they can, I would love to help Sheriff, in fact it would be an honor to check the graveyard and insure that the interred are not being disturbed by dispicable goblins.
He added in taking a heap of the food being provided, despite the small mountain of food he ate almost daintily, even going so far as to using a fork with his bacon.
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Sheriff Hemlock smiles at you all.
"Well then! Let's eat our fill and be on our way, shall we?"
You finish your meal, chatting amicably, and then are on your way.
The town is certainly more subdued than it was yesterday. People are about, but they're obviously a bit unsettled. Everyone that sees you, though, offers a friendly smile, or a wave, or begins talking excitedly with their companions upon seeing you. Clearly, word of your deeds have already begun to spread.
The morning air is cool and crisp, and the sun is bright as you make your way to the boneyard. Father Zantus is waiting, and he's clearly apprehensive. Sheriff Hemlock speaks first, cutting off any agitated speech from the priest.
"All right, Father. I brought the heroes from yesterday to investigate, just like I promised. You wait here, in case it's dangerous, and we'll go check it out." Father Zantus nods, and you continue on.
The vault in question is a 20 foot square stone structure that stands near the wall. Used to house the remains of previous caretakers, priests, and acolytes who served at the Cathedral, the stone door does indeed hang ajar. The ground around the place is churned up as well.
What do you do?
"Hmpf!" Mary shrugged at Calin, and got up and stretched some more. A few vertebra popped and she sighed relief and made her way to the stairs. "Let me go change, and I'll be back in a jiffy. Tunic is a bit drafty for goblin hunting," she said.
***
Donning her armor and mask Wisp followed her new group to the vault. On the way she chatted with all of them, sounding like some kind of dating profile. By the time they arrived, they new her astronomical sign, what her favorite colors is: red, that she prefers chicken over both beef and fish, and that clowns have given her nightmares since the orphanage. In fact, the last clown she met, in an attempt to cheer her up, jumped out of nowhere and did some funny clownish dance. It had the opposite affect and spooked her, earning him a swift kick between his bright over-sized shoes, the poor man.
Then, when the vault was in sight she ran ahead, hiding.
And observed for clues as she slunk about, making sure things are safe for the rest of the crew and herself.
"Sizma Karnovic, but you can call me just Sizma," she blushes at Mary's reference from earlier, "It's alright, you didn't see me. Thank you. The big cat is my familiar. I call him Blake."
She takes her seat and begins to eat her fill of food.
Walking with the group to the vault, Sizma listens to Mary as she seems to give the whole nine yards of her life. Blake jumps out from her arm and walks alongside her sniffing around for the whereabouts of the goblins.
"There appears to be more than goblin tracks here. I see a bot print or two."
He was quiet when Sizma pointed out the tracks, he had been distracted after telling his boss about the sheriff's request, and he was so distracted by Miss Marilwen's very detailed breifing on her life that he wasnt really looking at the ground. With a slight blush of chagrin he knelt down beside them. The training in Greengold had evidently paid off.
You see here... there are... five.. no six different sets of goblin prints. There are a larger set of prints, perhaps this longshanks they refered too or perhaps a hobgoblin.
He shuddered thinking about that possibility.
They appear to have entered that tomb... then left again, though I cant tell for what purpose.
He ran a hand through his hair tucking a stray strand or two behind his half pointed ears and frowned. He pulled out his flail and unlimbered his shield advancing torwards the crypt. Whatever they went in there for perhaps there was a clue.
"Well then," she crosses her arms, "Whom goes in first?"
"It seems ot be omnious at least, I am quite handy with a glaive but my real strength lies in the starknife toss." Selaros replies to Sizma and adding "So in that case I would perfer to stay at least behind Calin and err... the young half elven woman." He is not great at remembering names so he just refers to Mary.
Selaros thinks a bit about something "When we are done here I should change and go to see Ahbet, he might have seen something, if I can find his camp fast enough."
Also, just so you know, guys, I will probably not be able to post until Tuesday. After work I have an outing to a Dodgers game so I'll be gone all day. If I get any free time I'll be sure to pop on though :)
Exhausted and worn from performance, though upbeat, Lynleera is able to sleep soundly that night.
"Well, we were hoping to have a talk with you sometime today, Ma'am Sheriff. We talked last night and it sounds like our worst fears have come to light - that the attack was a distraction.
Peering in, Lynleera sees very little, sadly. Frowning, she looks among her fellows. "Well, the extra footprints you mention might be that 'longshanks' that we learned of yesterday. As for who goes first, mayhaps Calin and I?" Pulling her rapier free, she holds it up in preparation. "That is, of course, unless there are objections?"
"Not from me I would prefer to not going in there at all. I hate small and dark places." Selaros responds to Lynleera
Lynleera nods and moves towards the front ranks. "Alright, let's steel ourselves everyone. With that, the elf begins to hum softly, almost as if to steady her own nerves more than anything.
You are able to easily open the door. The light shines in, and you see a coffin in the middle of the crypt. Before you can take note of anything else though, you hear a clattering from the dark corners of the room. As you turn to look, two skeletons come out of the darkness, lunging for you!
As the skeletons careened towards them, Wisp sighed and shook her head, laughing. "They must have heard your humming Lynleera. You're so talented even those without ears are fans!" Still giggling she gave the elf's ribs a poking with her elbow. The mask hid her cheeky, crooked smile. "But wherever will you leave your autograph?"
Selaros has never seen the undead rise with his own eyes, he heard stories but thought them only stories. "How in the nine hells are we going to defeat skeletons, there are no flesh to slash or organs to pierce."
He tries to toss his starknife after them seing if it does any kind of damage on them.
Good throw, Selaros, but you're right...no flesh or organs to pierce. The starknife hits the skeleton square in the forehead, but bounces off without doing any apparent damage.
Sizma draws her mace while Blake moves infront of her and the nearest skeleton.
Mary, then Calin, then Lynleera!
On Lynleera's turn, she will cast Magic Missile at the nearest one.
"I don't find this humerus at all! Let's show these numbskulls what's what!"
He actually chuckled at Lynleera and stepped forward doing his best to make sure the only path to the others was through him. He wasnt afraid of a few skeletons. . .He advanced and swung at the closest of the foes.
Seeing Selaros attack fail said it all. Her weapons were just not going to cut it. So, she got in the way of the skeletons. Bobbing and weaving through the boney twosome, Mary tickled the ribs of one of the skeletons, using her futile attack to aid her comrades that do have smashy weapons.
"Nice joke, Lynleera!" She giggled.
What can I say? I have a good funny bone!"
Calin simply smashes one to bits. And I was out all day so I didn't have stats in front of me, but Lynleera's Magic missile takes care of the other.
Once you move inside, you can see on the ground a black robe. The coffin in the middle of the room has its lid open, and there is no body inside
Lynleera steps in and over the skeletons. "I believe that they are supposed to be occupied, yes?" She looks around some.
The Sheriff speaks from the back.
"You're not wrong. Ezakian Tobyn's body should be interred there."
The only things to see in the room are the open coffin and the black robe.
Mary looked at the robe and held it up,and sniffed it. "If the body was wearing this, doesn't that mean those goblins are carrying a naked corpse?" Suddenly, an idea struck her and she gasped in delight. "Or,"a dramatic pause, "a zombie! A naked zombie," she smiled. But, as she thought about it that grin began sinking, and she shuddered in disgust. "Ew! Zombie wang! Gross!"
"Why would a body be stripped?"
"But what if the body supposed to be here never really was here and the rope and some kind of magic item, was all that was inside the coffin? Who is this Ezakian?" Selaros says rather serious, while he steps inside to collect his weapon from the shattered bones of his adversary.
What sort of disturbing foul thing would they need with a dead preists body?
He asked frowning, pulling a torch from his pack and lighting it to get a more accurate look of the disturbed tomb. Something seemed fishy.
Ezakian Tobyn was the former leader of the church of Desna. In the fire that destroyed the old Church, Father Tobyn, as well as his daughter Nualia, died. Father Tobyn was quite well respected.
Raising a hand towards the cloak, Sizma mutteres a few words in what was to those whom new Draconic. She concentrates for a awhile as Calin holds the cloak up, inspecting it.
(Using Detect Magic)
"It's magical but fading. Necromantic in origin. I know of something it could possibly be but I'd have to take a time to figure it out. Maybe it was used to create the skeleton folk."