Stupid goblins... I almost feel bad!
If the goblin dies, she'll trun to the others: "Huzzah! The hunt is on!" She waves her hand quickly forming a circular pattern, then exhales as she signs with a clear and high pitch voice: "Celerius Majores!" then moves with lightning speed after the chanter.
Feldspar makes his way to the Keeper and stops a respectful distance away.
"Your pardon, good man, but might I trouble you for a word? We're seeking a woman of Sandpoint, Ameiko, who works at The Rusty Dragon? Word has it that she was heading in this direction. You wouldn't happen to recall seeing her? She would have been accompanied by two men."
He much feared that the trail would be lost, but had to try. If this was of no use, he decided he would have to seek out someone who could read the words on the parchment he'd found.
Tania's spear again finds its mark and finsihses the last goblin off. Uttering arcane words, she again takes on the vestige of speed that the others have come to expect in these chase situations.
With astounding speed she quickly catches the goblin chanter, circling aorund in front of it to prevent it fleeing past her. The creature hisses in frustrated anger, dropping its bow and whipping out a vicious looking blade. Her friends are some distance awaay, and the young woman would need to survive at least a few seconds agains this foe before the others would reach her.
Tania, instead of thrusting her spear at him, steps back, hoping to force the goblin to either open itself as it thrusts forward to reach her, or move cautiously, giving time for her friends to reach her. She taunts it: "Goudih-Goudih-Goudah! Your mother did it with a dog!"
Idrian rushes to help his comrade.
Move to get a clear shot at the goblin.
Composite Longbow: to hit w/fav enemy
Composite Longbow: damage
Add +1 to hit and damage if within 30'
The Sandpoint Cemetary
At Feldspar question, the hunched man stands, revealing his crooked back and protruding shoulder blades, that gave him the distinctive stoop. He turns and offers a derential nod at the two holy warriors before answering.
"Was plenty o' folk as come through recently m;jord and m'lady. Young Ameiko I 'aint seen though. We 'ad some folk as come through last night mind, yellin' and cussin' fit ter make a priestess blush. Beggin' yer pardon m'lady."
He turns a moment, taking thick leather gloves from his hands he rubs them quickly on his tunic before rolling himself a smoke. "'Tis the second time as someone has been in the cemetary doin' wrong. I came out 'o me shack ter chase 'em off, but I cannae move more 'n turtles pace and they was gone afore I got to em. Went through a bad patch in the wall as far as I can tell. Been meanin' ter mend it since the Goblin raid, but taint yet had the time, what with all teh funreals and such."
He lights up his cigarette then, drawing eeply and unleashing a deep billow of acrid smoke.
Feldspar nods. "Would you mind pointing this area they went through? That might well be what we're looking for."
Thanking the man, Feldspar hands him a copper for his trouble and leads the way. As they go, he says to True, "I'm beginning to worry that this is a wild goose chase but if there's any chance that we can track down where they've taken Ameiko, we must see it through."
Once they reach the point where the man has pointed out the strangers had passed through, Feldspar does his best to find any sign of where the men had gone.
Algus rushes as fast as he can to fight the goblin chanter. he stops right before facing it, so that he doesn't get ambushed by any surprise attacks.
"The Hunt"Things happen rapidly once the little chanter starts running. Idrian moves forwards, firing his bow even as he walks. The arrow hisses through the air, skimming past the goblins head so close the little creature jumps a little.
Tania falls back as it is distracted, placing a little more range between her and it in the hopes of catching it with her spear as it moves to engage. Even as she does, she notices the warped form of Algus as he looms up behind the thing. A chanting from furhter back lets her know Jo'No is there to support her as well, but whatever magics he had cast, the chanter seemed unaffected.
It rushed her, lunging forwards with its cleaver in a desperate attack.
Sandpoint Cemetary
The wall here appears to have been recently damaged, as far as Feldspars dwarven eyes can see. Some force broke a section of the stone wall inwards, at a point where the land below it forced the builders to create a weaker section. The breach isn't large, just enough for someone to squeeze through, but it present an openeing in the towns defensive wall.
There are many sets of tracks here, as if a few people have been around there. Unfortunately, they seemed muddled and scattered to both Feldspar and True. Trackiing whoever took Ameiko would not be possibe without far more skill than these two posessed.
Behind them, the grave keeper hawks and spits some tobacco stained phlegm. "The damned goblins was bad enough ter be killin' and raidin' the festival. I dinnae see why they needed ter break in 'ere and defile our old priests grave as well". He draws back on his cigarette, glaring at the hole in the wall through a haze of smoke.
Sucker! Tania's spear dives deep and she smiles as the goblin stares at her in disbelief: "I know, I feel the same way too..."
The hunt
Tania's spear thrust ends the goblin threat in a very permanent way. The chanter writhes on the end of her weapon for a brief moment, forcing the young woman to push it onto the ground and hold it in place until its death throws are over.
With the sounds of battle now over, the group again become aware of the hunting horns and baying hounds from the other party. By the whoops of excitement, it certainly seemed they had found the boars and may have even made a kill.
More immediadtely, the horses and Mauler all seemed a little shaken by the fight and would need some seeing to. They hadn't caught any boar, but killing this band of goblins that were so close to town was most like to garner them fresh accolades with the nobility.
Idrian's inner sense tingled however. These goblins came from two different tribes, and their boldness in attacking a well armed group on horseback was almost unheard of. Something had the goblins in this region stirred up, even after the raid on town itself.
"This is two tribes working together. Looks like we have a big boss and that means trouble. Let's get back to the nobles. The sooner this is over the better."
A slight breeze rustles through the clearing and the brush parts to reveal a beautiful young woman in hide armor, her dark skin in sharp contrast to her silver/white hair.
"It would seem that many of the goblin tribes in the area are being led by something more intelligent. A dangerous thought that does not bode well for anyone in the area."
|
The words of the young woman are spoken just in time to prevent Idrian from unleashing his readied arrow at her. Her appearence, from the scrub and shadows just behind where the goblins attacked, had caught the young half elf off guard. However, her words rang in agreement to his own, and that surely boded well.
The words of the young woman are spoken just in time to prevent Idrian from unleashing his readied arrow at her. Her appearence, from the scrub and shadows just behind where the goblins attacked, had caught the young half elf off guard. However, her words rang in agreement to his own, and that surely boded well.
Tania's squirm is cut short by the woman's appearance. She looks in suspended awe as she fluidly moves through the bushes.
"Indeed. And may I ask who you are? I'm Tania Teg, from Sandpoint", she says with a little curtsy.
She looks at the bodies of the slain goblins: Anything worth saving you think?"
"I would probably not expect to find anything of true value amongst these little critters...", Algus says with a rather distorted, more guttural voice due to the Mutagen. "However, if there's someone more intelligent leading them...maybe the chanter could have something..."
The Alchemist was too busy for a moment, writing down new notes regarding the new Mutagen brew, and so it took him a slight moment to notice the new face. when he did, however, he felt rather eager and happy to chat, for a moment forgetting about his current appearance.
"You must be...a guardian of the forests, yes? my name's Algus Vordhosbn, miss. I hail from Andoran, but that's not important."He says with a rather happy, carefree tone. "You of all people should know of the flora that grows in these woods, yes? do you, by chance, know of any plants of arcane properties in this area, aside from this one?", He tells Mikka as he shows her the Mushroom he had picked up a while ago.
"I am Mikka, and yes I suppose guardian would be an appropriate description. I have been tracking the goblins for weeks now, observing the devastation they leave in their wake."
She looks at the group, almost regal in bearing, yet welcoming and disarming.
"At best goblins are as vermin, laying waste to a region until it
no longer sustain them but this, this is different. They act as if directed, controlled as much as it is possible to control the insane little monsters."
She looks over to Algus smiling warmly,"I would be careful which mushrooms were safe to eat. As far as properties, I know of many things that can enhance the magic of the divine, but arcane is ...a mystery to me."
The Hunt
Typical of goblins the world over, this band pretty much carried nothing of real value. A few scaterred coins amongst them, weapons and armour that nothing other than a goblin would use, and a collection of trinkets and bones of no discernable property.
However, Algus' concept of the chanter having something of use proved accurate. Inside the creatures robe, a small pouch of decent velvet and leather was found. It jingled with obvious coin, but also held a pendant. Carved into the solver and gold of the pendant itself, was the holy symbol of Abadar, god of wealth and civilisation. Most likely this was the only reason the goblin hadn't worn the thing, since it was most likely a blasphemy against their god.
A long, draw out call on the hunting horn of the other party signalled their success. Foxglove and the other nobles were calling them back to the main trail as the hunt was over.
"Good catch Algus! Looks like this hunt is over. We should head back to the Sheriff with the information about the tribes. Idrian, do you think that they have signs on them showing their tribe? If so, maybe we should bring some back to try and identify the tribes that are united."
Jo'no casts Detect Magic and examines the amulet closer to see if he can ascertain its properties.
"I agree, Tania. lets first meet up with the Nobles again...or perhaps I should wait for you all, with my current form and all. Idrian, do you not need any healing?...your wound might get worse later on, friend.", Algus tells his fellow adventurers, looking at the amulet as Jo'no attempts to discern its properties. "Abadar?...I'd think only someone of sufficient wealth and sophistication would even afford such an amulet...it all points towards a noble...could it really be old Kaijutsu?..., he thinks as he does so.
Once Jo'No finishes that, he turns his attention towards Mikka. "perhaps you would like to accompany us to Sandpoint, Miss? your assistance and information will certainly be vital to this endeavor...", tells her, with as soft and welcoming a tone as he can make with his current form.
"I would be happy to accompany you all, I am interested to see the extent of this uprising."
Mikka glides forward across the grass a gnarled twisting length of natural wood ending in a wicked scythe blade held like a walking staff in her right hand.
Feldspar moved around the area with increasing frustration. Finally he sighed and turned back to True.
"I think the trail ends here, until we can find others who are more skilled than we are. At this point..." he sighs and looks across the graveyard to the new temple. "Well, I guess we should see if we can find the Father. Perhaps he will be able to tell us more about this paper we found, or direct us to someone who else does."
The dwarf touches his forehead where the birthmark spreads across his brow in the image of a hammer head and murmurs a soft prayer to Torag and then begins to make his way over to the church.
Having secured what wealth they could, the group gathers their mounts and together with their newly made aquaintance they head to the rondezvous with Foxglove and the other nobles.
The trip is surprisingly short, and the two parties quickly combine at the main pathway.
"Hah! First blood would seem to belong to us then!" Foxglove shouts in glee, seemingly oblivious to the wounds accrued by Idrian and Mauler in their combat with the goblins. "Titus saw the beast first and marked it with his bow. Gave us a good fight though, hey Titus!"
The other nobles look to Foxglove with something close to indignationa nd disdain though, before Titus speaks "Shut up Foxglove, can't you see these folk have seen combat. Tell us what happened"
As arrogant as he may be, Titus Scarnetti was all business and professionalism when it came to the safety of Sandpoint and his business endeavours there.
"While hunting for boar we came across some goblin tracks. We followed them, found the goblins, and killed them." Idrian holds up the six left ears he collected. Then talking more to Daverin, he continues. "There were at least two tribes represented among them so I suspect we have a big boss in the active in the area. Thanks for Mauler. He was a great help." Then in afterthought. "She came after the fight was over. I think she was following the goblin's trail too and heard the fight."
Following Idrian's description, Tania immediately tries to deflect Foxglove's infatuation by presenting a new shiny item to covet: "And allow me to present to you a new acquaintance: Lady Mikka, who's been tracking the goblins and might offer needed support in the face of an organized goblin federation."
Sandpoint Cathedral
True turns to Feldspar as he prepares to head into the church and confides in him that she feels the necessity to check in on her mother. "This investigation has not gone as rapidly as I had hoped, and the longer I leave things, the greater the chance that the "good captain" will hear of our snooping and act. I shall return this evening, all things going well."
With that, the young cleric takes her leave of the Paladin and hurries don the road towards her fanily home.
Inside, the dwarfs eyes quickly adjust to the dim light and smoke from the candles and incense. A young acolyte of Desna moves to greet him, bowing her head into her robes to the dwarf and offering him assistance. At his request to see Father Zanthus, she nods and smiles, walking him to the main chamber of worship where the good father was preparing a sermon. The old priest turns and thanks the accolyte, before placing his full attention on Feldspar.
"Friend Feldspar, it is good to see you again. We haven't had much opportunity to catch up since the raid and I feel the town itself hasn't done enarly enough to thank and welcome you. What brings you to me this day?"
After Feldspar tells him of Ameiko's disapearence and hands him the note, the head priest takes him quickly to his private office. He takes out a pair of reading spectacles and quickly scans over the note, admitting he picked up a smattering of Elvish in his youth.
"It would seem to be a letter to Ameiko from someone claiming to be her brother Tsuto. He left town about 3 months before I arrived I'm afraid. Something to do with a fight with his father over his mothers tragic suicide."
He frowns in concentration as he goes on to read the note, paraphrasing for Feldspar as he does. "It's been some time, but I believe Tsuto has made claims in the note that their father was behind the Goblin Raids, and that he wanted to meet Ameiko in regards to the problem. The foolsih boy has stated they shouldn't see the authorities, as he believes the local townsfolk would blame them as much as their father. It mentions the Glassworks in here as well, something about obtaining a key for Tsuto so he can do some snooping on the quiet."
Zanthus places the parchment down and looks over his galsses at the Paladin. "Well, this doesn't bode well at all. And now you say Ameiko has gone, most likely against her will. I think the Sheriff should be told of this."
Aldern Foxglove looks the young druid over briefly from his seat upon his fine gelding. He smiles briefly in greeting at ther, before turinign his full attention back on Tania.
"You were in anther fight!? How dreadful. Come, you must regale us with your tale while we taste of the boar that Titus brought down." He brings his horse in close to the young bard, calling the attention of the others so they can follow him back to town.
Titus and his men look around the woods grimly, as if expecting more trouble from the goblins. They jump slightly as Algusfinally rejoins the group, the full effects of his mutagen now worn off. The snobby noble looks to say something more to Idrian, but is revented on doing so when Daverin takes the Half Elf aside and starts discussing the fight.
Idrian identifies the two tribes as the Birdcrunchers and the Mosswood tribes. Normally goblins that would bicker and squabble over hunting and salvage rights, now fighting together. Daverin shakes his head at such news, then sets his two helthy hounds to range wide from the group as they return home. Mauler he keeps close by, having tended to his wounds while teh group swapped tales of their day.
Mikka greets the nobles and others in the hunting party pleasantly, providing information when asked and answering questions about goblin behavior as she knows it.
Sense motive
She smiles quietly as she is introduced and grins even wider as the young noble continues to apply his attentions to the bard.
Tania decides to let go of her dislike for the man, at least for the ride home, and goes on telling the tale of the goblin attack, making it as thrilling as she can.
Feldspar nods worriedly. "This is also further evidence of Longjiku's involvement. I fear that Ameiko will be in some danger. I will go speak with the Sheriff immediately."
Thanking Father Zanthus for his help, the dwarf leaves for a to visit the sheriff.
"My apologies for startling you, sir.", Algus tells the startled Scarnetti noble. "I was scouting the area for any signs of more Goblins, but found nothing."
On the way back to Sandpoint, Algus makes small chatter with the Scarnetti noble.
"I believe you've noticed Idrian's wounds from our most recent encounter with the vermin, yes? I would like to humbly request your help in that regard, Sir Titus: our healing supplies are always on a shortage, and if what he said is correct, we may be facing a more organized band of little critters.", he says with utmost politeness and respect.
"I realize this may sound like a steep request, but I am only asking for what you may wish to donate, sir. any surplus of supplies you may have, or similar. it would be very much appreciated."
"Its good to meet you Mikka. I have met many druidic shaman during my time with the Shoanti on the Plateau, and I greatly admire your talents and connection with nature."
" A pleasure to meet you as well Jo'no, the shamen of the plateau are dear to my heart, their connection to the weaters is amazing."
Mikka answers Jo'no's questions enthusiastically.
Together again
The trip back to town proved to be tense for the most part. Both rangers spent most of their time off mount checking for any more goblin sign, while the hounds ranged freely around the party.
Tania's tale seemed to light a fire in Aldern's eyes, and by the end he was practically fawning over he beautiful bard. Even the other nobles looked to the group with a higher regard after the telling of the tale.
Due in part to Tania's tale, and most likely to look magnaminous in fron of his fellow nobles, Titus agrees to offer a healing potion to the party as reward for clearing the goblins from the Tickwood.
Tensions seem to ease as the group nears Sandpoint and its high wall can be seen across the rolls of hills. Seemingly oblivious to all the fuss, Jo'no and Mikka continued their discussion about local flora, fauna and the forming landscape, completely caught up in themselves for the moment. The stark contrast between Jo'no's concise accademic bent and Mikka's "feel" for nature certainly didn't prevent the two of them getting along.
******
Elsewhere, Feldspar moved through town towards the jail. He thought over all that had ocured that day and wondered at the confrontation that was obviously going to occur when Kaijitsu was confronted. As he came to the road leading down hill to the jail, he caght sight of a great commotion coming from that part of town. A large band of mounted people were milling around the front of the jail itelf. One of them looked to be clutching a wound in his side, and with mounting alarm, Feldspar realised that the rest of them were armed. Some of them had blood on their weapons!
The Paladins pace began to pick as he rushed towards the group, his senses picking up danger as he closed. A large man walked out of the jail finally, a bloody sword in his hand. He looked around town and shouted something that Feldspar missed due to the distance and noise. He vaulted into the saddle of a horse and the group wheeled as one, rushing towards the southern exit of town. Feldspar's eyes tracked the group and he watched as a man dressed in the uniform of the town watch rushed out to stop the group, but he was ridden down by nearly a dozen horses. Now the screaming began, and Feldspars legs pumped even faster.
*****
The hunting party came in through the northern gates, riding triumphantly through with heads held high. At least the nobles were, all of them seemed to transform the moment the townsfolk were able to see them. Foxglove seemed to come out of a daze as they entered town and he pulled his mount slightly further from Tania's. He smiled awkwardly at the young bard, before uging his mount forward to ride with Titus.
All the pomp had no effect however, as it seemed the majority of folk were rushing towards the centre of town, near the jail. With some annoyance, Foxglove and the others led the party down hill to see what was occuring. A large crowd had gathered outside the jail but were being held back by what seemed to be every towngaurdsman available. Sherrif Hemlock strode out of teh building, a look of feral anger on his face. Beside him was Feldspar, blood covering his armoured chest. Soemthing had gone terribly wrong.
*****
Feldspar realed at the suddeness of it all. He had rushed past the jail to where the guardsman had been ridden down. With a start he realised it was young Marcus Blunt, the man who had seemed so taken with Tania. Feldspar could tell by the shattered face and swelling chest that there wasn't much hope for the man, but he picked him up and carried him back to the jail anyway. When he got there, Sherrif hemlock had rushed forwards from whatever job had kept him from teh place that day. His eyes widened with shock at the sight of Marcus and he suddenly burst in through the jail dor, weapon drawn. Feldspar followed, looking to find a place to lower the limp form of the town so he could minster to him properly. The scene that greeted him was pure carnage. Three people lay butchered in the main foyer, including another guardsman. From here, Feldspar could see blood pooling near the cells further down the hall. Hemlock screamed in rage at the sight, moving further in to the cells to chekc everyone.
The Paladin gently lay the form of Marcus down on teh table in the main room, checkng his vitals and finding him still alive, though for how long was anyones guess. He did waht he could to stabalise the young man, then followed the sherrif outside to see if he could find hlep. Ahead of them a large crowd had gathered, and wih some relief, Fedspar noted his friends had finally returned frmo the hunt.
"Feldspar! what happened here?...", Algus asks the paladin. "That blood...are you wounded? or did someone else suffer any wounds?"
Unsure about what to do, Algus awaits Feldspar's response, thinking that perhaps old Kaijutsu had finally found out about the Creedy boys still being alive...
"Jo'no." Idrian calls, "the sheriff has this in hand, we should go check on your mother."
Tania watches Feldspar walk towards them with a sense of dread. She turns to Jo'no: "Jo'no, the Creedys... Your mother!"
She prepares to send her mount running to her friend's old house at his notice.
Jo'no approaches the scene at the jail with curiosity, unsure what to deduce what occured. While waiting for others to sort out the situation, Jo'no hear's Tania's words.
Jo'no arches an eyebrow while a sudden panick washes over him as his face slighlty whitens. Reacting more on instinct and less on cognitive thought, Jo'no calls upon the power of his staff to summon forth great speed.
The voices around him seem only like a murmur of undistinguishable whispers in the back of his head as he sprints forward, going the fastest route possible to his house.
"I'm with you! Guys, follow us!" With that she also goes through the arcane gestures that would increase her speed. Faster than a horse, she starts after her friend.
Mikka breaks into a run alongside her new companions certain only that someone dear to one of them was in need of protection.
Feldspar sets his worries aside and approaches his companions.
"A great deal has happened since you've been gone. Don't rush off too fast! You might be followed. The attack just occurred and they didn't find what they were looking for because they don't know where to look!"