Jo'no will return to the market area, and now having had a chance to sample many exotic fruits, will buy a couple more of the most ripest and sweetest.
He will scour the market and fair areas looking for Algus and Tania, greeting them with his arms streched out towards them with the fruit cupped in his hands followed by,"you have got to try these". Jo'no will also pass on the conversation he had with the sheriff, and in particular his warning about not messing with the Creedy boys.
The Creedy boys...
"Creedy Boys?...well, that thug we caught didn't seem too threatening....however, the sheriff should know more about these things. best we trust him." Algus tells to Jo'No once he encounters him. he gladly accepts the fruit, yet doesn't take a bit off it yet.
"we should still be careful, though. if these guys are that organized, they may plan to catch us off guard. we ought to stay vigilant, friend." Algus decides to follow Jo'No, tagging along and calmly eating away at the fruit as they walk around.
Tania -
Hodar's face goes a deep red as the anger creeps over him from his sisters words and obvious snubbing of him. His big hand lunges out and grabs his sisters armoured form, spinning her to face him. A thunderous look has crossed his face but as his sisters eyes meet his, he pauses and the anger seems to drain from him.
His shoulders slump and his head hangs momentarily as he gets himself under control before he suddenly grabs the girl before him in a crushing hug and whispers into her "By Iomedae, we've needed you here these past few weeks. I'm glad you're back!"
True -
Tania is about to talk about the Creedy boys, when Hodar goes into his angst filled bipolar fit. Woa... Tough family life! She then whispers to Algus: "The Creedy's are a bunch of troublemakers, right out of their crib I've heard."
She finally notices the dwarf standing next to True: "Hi there! We haven't been introduced. I'm Tania. Are you from around here?"
Shocked at the actions of True's brother, Feldspar came within a hair of reaching out to haul the man back. When her brother instead backed off and caught her in a hug, Feldspar steps back, confusion plain on his bearded face. He'd heard many strange things about humans in his upbringing and it seemed that they'd be true.
The words of the woman who stepped out of the crowd came as a relief to him.
"Greetings and well met on this blessed day," he says with a broad smile. "I am Feldspar the Flamebeard, Paladin of Torag." He inclined his head. "It is a pleasure to meet you. I am a newcomer to this town."
Jo'no, standing behind Tania, gives a friendly nod towards the dwarf she greeted. "Welcome to Sandpoint", the Shoanti says in an even tone.
"Newcomer?" Algus shifts his view towards the stout Dwarf. "I'm kind of a newcomer to this town too, friend. best you keep a lookout: today's been a shady day and perhaps it could get worse...", he says to the Paladin with his usual calm, polite tone. a look of true concern begins to form on Algus' face, though, for the pieces of the puzzle don't seem to fit. he ponders again for a moment in regards to who would be smart or cunning enough to rally and organize a group of dimwit thugs, the thought plaguing his mind.
However, his mind quickly snaps back as he realizes that he's still staring with his sometimes unnerving mask towards the Dwarf. "Apologies, friend. my mind must've slipped. I've not introduced myself, yes? I am Algus Vordhosbn, traveling Alchemist and knowledge seeker. he outstretches his hand towards Feldspar, willing to give a handshake as customary of him."I apologize if the question is intruding, but where did you travel from, friend*?..."
At noon, Father Zanthus and his acolytes wheel a large covered wagon into the square. After recounting the short parable of how Desna first fell to earth and was nursed back to health by a blind child who 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 a thousand swallowtail butterflies 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 butterflies never quite quick enough to catch them.
Lunch is provided free, at the expense of Sandpoint’s taverns. Each brings its best dishes—this event is a marketing push by the taverns as much to win new customers as it is to feed a hungry crowd. It soon becomes apparent that the darling of the lunch is, once again, 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.
During the festivities, Tania finally catches up with Marcus. The man looks a little worried and his face is scanning the crowd. When he catches sight of her he moves purposefully towards her.
”Tania, it seems there was more to that incident this morning than just some idiots stealing things they shouldn’t have.” his voice is intense, and he keeps looking around for something. ”Banger Green says he and the Creedy’s where paid to take those flashybangs and were meant to drop them in small bundles around the town. We can’t find the Creedy’s and Banger’s not saying more than that.”
He looks up then and sees Idrian as well. ”Seems those boys you stopped earlier weren’t as truthful as they could’ve been either. I’ve found two bundles of fresh made torches placed in alleys and near some of the bigger buildings. The sheriff and I are concerned that people are leaving torches around and others were paid to leave explosives around as well.” His gaze returns to Tania then, a shy smile and slight blush crossing his face ” Keep an eye out for the Creedy’s will you? Only don’t be going after them, just let us know. We’d like to find out what’s going on here.”
He seems genuinely worried and puzzled. With that, he turns and goes to leave, before stopping and saying over his shoulder ”Oh, and thank you all for this morning. Seems I owe you big time for tipping us off to this and stopping those flashybangs from getting out.”
Genuinely happy to see Marcus, but also to hear some words of recognition after all, Tania reassures him: "We'll keep an eye out Marcus. Count on us! I have a signal whistle with me. If you hear it, come quick!"
As to not going after them... It's nice to see that there is still such beautiful innocence left in this town! She smiles as he walks away.
"Well then, it seems we caught something big this morning. I'm going to have a look around. Anyone join?"
Tania will move around the square, looking at the alleys leading to it, along the walls and in niches, hoping to find some torches. If she does, she'll not take them, but leave someone watching them as the rest of whoever is with her keeps looking for other.
"Hm...that's not looking good then. I'll tag along, Tania...it's better to keep a lookout for those Creedy folks...", he tells Tania as he follow suit. beneath the mask there's a look and feeling of excitement that is difficult to hide, even with his usual polite tone.
With his suspicions confirmed he now feels oddly at ease: not because of the fact that there is a a hidden perpetrator in all of this, but because he'll get to finally run a combat test on his Mutagen. even so, he wonders still who would harbor such a grudge towards Sandpoint, and when will he reveal himself.
Happy to leave the crowds behind, Jo'no nods his agreement. "I am quite concerned about this news, and since I got a quick look of the Creedy boys I should hopefully be able to recognize them if we see them. Let's keep an eye open for anything out of the ordinary too, such as any strange bundles in an alleyway or such."
Perception
*Jo'no stumbles on some refuse on the ground he didn't see*
Idrian gathers his things and goes with Tania and Algus.
True answers the hug, carefully in her armour and shakes her head as Feldspar brings to rise. Maybe there is a tear in her eye but its hard to tell.
She sits him down with a smile, "Honny, honny, honny I guess we have alot to discuss. Have a drink. Talk."
Deep in thought, she misses the talk of the Creedy's and even the introductions by the others. True takes the time to include Maree and Feldspar in her conversation though.
Eventually she accompanies the others outside, parceling the talk of family and its problems into a different compartment of her mind until later.
Then she concentrates on the rest of the Swallowtail Festival.
As the lunchtime festivities come to a close and the crowds begin to disperse troughout the township, the small band also moves. However their's is a more purposeful searching of the immediate area, looking for signs of trouble or the Creedy boys.
While the troublesome family seem to have gone into hiding at this stage, the group do find two more bundles of torches near the sware. again seemingly tucked way in out of the place areas.
It is Algus who notes the strange length of cut on the torches, as if they were made for children rather than adults or sconces. Even the wrappings at the end are smaller and more lightweight than normal.
The better part of an hour had gone by in the search for those torches, and waiting around seems to not turn up any more clues in that time either. In the meantime, it is apparent that while the towns numbers are still swolen with visitors, many folk are obvioulsy leaving while enough dayligt remains for them to return to outlying farms and homesteads.
Knowledge Local DC5
While the others are searching, Hodar takes his leave of his sister and promises to catch up again afte the festival. He is much more composed now, and seems determined after their long talk. Maree on the other hand is beginning to look quite pale after her few ales and the spicy meal from earlier. She quietly asks for Tania and Feldspar to take her home. The walk downhill seems to help her recover a little, but when they reach her house, she asks to take their leave saying only [b]"I really just need some rest. My turn from this morning must be catching up to me. Thank you soo much for everything today. It has been one of the brightest days I've had in town.
As the two holy warriors make their way back to where folk are agin gathering for the consecration, a small flock of butterflies circles them briefly, before spiralling higher into the late afternoon sky. The spectacle is beautiful and draws their attention up the hill where they can see the final preparations being made for the concecration. The two pick up the pace a little, trying to ensure they get there on time.
Back up at the main square, the remainder of the group are growing bored with watching the locations of the two bundles of torches and scanning the crowds. They've missed some of the late afternoon fun, though really it was more of the same.
Perception DC14 (for any one who is watching one of the bundles)
Back on the stairs of the chapel, Father Zanthus is about to make his last appearence for the day.
As Maree is taking her leave, Idrian gives her the paper mache' butterfly to help her remember the day. "Besides, if anything happens it would only get in the way." April, May, and June see him give the gift and scurry off in a huff.
Perception +2 v Humanoid (goblinoid)
"The Sandpoint Devil, huh...that does sound like another interesting prospect for more field t-" Algus stops before finishing the sentence, not wanting to veer into selfishness... "I mean, maybe that so-called legend could be related to these things."
but as he begins pondering about his rather childish anxiousness, he begins noticing that the torches aren't quite made for brutes like the Creedy Boys. they seem smaller, as if made to fit a child. he takes one and shows it to his companions. "Either these guys have smaller hands than usual, or there's something we're not aware of, friends..."
"excitement seems to be making me paranoid. apologies...", Algus says out of nowhere, for no particular reason.
After leaving Maree at her home, Feldspar looks to True. "I really want to talk to Father Zanthus about her as soon as I get the chance. Whatever is happening to her it is quite troubling."
She whispers: "I saw something! Some small and dark presence. It fled! Keep looking!"
"What the heck was that?", Jo'no asks while staring at the alley.
Jo'no approaches the alley and attempts to look for any types of odd tracks.
As Jo'No moves down the shadowy alley way, with Tania looking on behind them, the great bell at the top of the temple tolls once to signal the beginning of the final consecration.
Father Zanthus steps up to the podium and opens his mouth to speak as the last clear note of the bells fades in the cool evening air. His prepared speach is cut short abrubtly by a womans scream and the snarl of angry dog. The dogs snarl is cut viciously short by the sound of a meaty THWAK and a gurgled yelp.
For a moment everyone seems to be stunnded but then the crowd surges, seemingly moving away from the square, screaming nd yelling in panic. On the ground, a dogs body lies in a spreading pool of crimson blood, a great slash across its throat showing where it had been sliced.
Amidst the crowds, small dark shapes suddenly appear, wielding crude metal cleavers and shrieking through sharpend teeth. Their green skin and glowing red eyes immediately mark them as goblin kin! How in the nine hells did goblins get into the town!
Jo'No's surprise is even more confronting than the rest of teh group, for the creature he was trying investigate in the darkened alley suddenly pops up out of the cellar window it had dropped into and stands atop the bundle of torches. Red eyes gleam above a mouth seeminlgy filled with sharp teeth as the goblin eyes the Shoanti with crazed hunger.
"How about we see him as soon as the Festival finishes. I would prefer to do this tomorrow but I can see you can not wait. Fine?" True relaxes with the urgent dwarf.
That all changes in the shock of a scream.
"Goblins!!....no wonder the torches were of smaller dimensions. I guess the combat test will be more careful this time..." Algus mutters beneath the mask. A bright, cheerful smile begins forming in his face at the sight of battle; his eagerness has reached its peak, and he's ready to test out his new concoction.
"Mystery solved! Now remember, we're not supposed to use weapons. Good thing I brought my spear to scratch me back!"
"Goblins! Here? It is a truly insidious time to attack the good people of Sandpoint!"
Where others get louder, Idrian becomes quieter at the start of the combat. He has a personal belief where goblins are concerned; there's no such thing as a good goblin, but the best ones are dead. He intends to make sure they are as good as they can be.
He would prefer to use his trusted bow, but the goblins's proximity makes that a poor option. Instead, he draws his greatsword and steps a bit closer to cleave into one of the troublesome pests.
Algus snaps a bit slowly from his eagerness and happiness, and quickly remembers that they're just goblins after all. using the mutagen would prove counter-productive with such a crowd, he thinks, so instead he decides to use something a bit more...effective. as he moves a bit closer to one batch of goblins, he pulls out a small bottle that begins to glow with a bright energy, as if ready to burst. he throws the bottle at one of the goblins, hoping that it'll be enough to take them down.
True momentarily freezes. This is really happening?
Feldspar sprints forward as fast as his short legs can carry him, tugging free his warhammer as he moves. "How dare you threaten the good people of this community!" He roars as he reaches the nearest goblin and swings the warhammer with all his might.
Although shocked by their sudden appearance, Jo'no locks his glare on the goblin in front of him.
Idrian's response is quick and violent, though not effective enough to strike the little goblin. The big table between he and the ravenous little creature hinders both his movement and his ability to strike at the hated foe.
The three closest to he and Algus screamed in glee and charged madly. Idrians opponent attacke wildly with the horrible little dog slicer the goblins had crafted from scrap metal. His blow was well and truly wide of teh mark though, as the creatures attention seemed to be firmly placed on the table of left over food from teh festival.
The other goblin moved nimbly under the table and the tall hunter heard the swish of its blade as it also tried to attack him, thouh quite unsuccessfully.
The goblin that had killed the dog in the middle of the square charged the closest group of townsfolk, cackling maniacally as it leapt onto the back of a man who had stumbled in teh rush. The goblin grabbed his hair and pulled back his head, screaming into the mans face before sinking its teeth into his cheek. Blood gushed and the scream that followed caused the people near the attack to truly panic.
Feldspars response to the sudden attack is equally as focused and angry as Idrians. The paladin rushes forwards, bringing up his warhamer for a strike but catching only air as his diminutive foe ducks below the swing. The creature hisses its anger at the dwarf, bringing forth its cleaver in preparation to attack.
"I'll take the front Jo'no, by your leave. Now come here you little madmess!"
Tania seeing her friend caught in a bad spot, draws her sword and lets her longspear fall clanking on the floor. With two hand on it, she steps forward, to put herself between her friend and the mad creature.
Tania steps in to protect her more vulnerable friend, brandishing her sword as she does so.
The second set of goblins respond as viciously as thier companions, moving to engage this new threat with eager abandonment. Tanias opponent misses wildly, the bundle of torches under its feet rolling a little and messing with its attack.
Feldspar is suddenly faced with two oppponents. The little creatures able to squeeze into the gap the buildings provide with smll hiderance. One of the sneaks an attack through the dwarfs heavily armoured form, barely hitting but still causing the weapon to bite into his flesh.
The crowds of people rush madly about, moving as fast as they can from the goblin marauders. Mostly this leaves the group of friends clear of innocents, but true is caught up in the press of people fleeing downhill.
The Shoanti barks out in goblinoid to the goblin in front of Tania, "Surrender and you will live", and then relying yet again on his apprentice grimoire, Jo'no casts Daze on the foe. .
Idrian continues to strike out at the pesky goblins.
Greatsword: to hit w/fav enemy
Greatsword: damage w/fav enemy
Jo'No's voice rings out clearly in the evening air in a word of cammand to the little goblin. The creature stiffens and looks confused for a moment, clearly confused and dazed by the Shoanti's magical assault.
Idrian, focused on defending himself is momentarily dazzled when a glowing item sails past his shoulder and lands on the ground where the second goblin was standing momentarily before. The vial explodes with a muffled crump, spreading flames and black smoke in a small burst. Both goblins confronting the ranger scream in pain as they are engulfed in the broiling flames, and the hunter feels teh wash of the hot air from the blast as it pushes past him. He is unharmed though, and very grateful for it. It would seem the man in the mask was full of surprises.
On the podium, father Zanthus begins to call out to the crowd fleeing in blind panic from the goblins. There is a hint of desperate command in his voice, but no one can really make out his words over the din.
The warrior priestess strides through the crowd uphill, her voice ringing out when she stops.
"In the name of St Justina the Serene leave or fight but do so with COURAGE not fear of these vermin!"
True grips her holy symbol and a moment of hope and bravery washes over everyone within 50ft. For some the blessing sustains much longer.
hm...they're still standing. either my brews are less powerful than I thought or these little guys are being driven by something bigger...that's an exciting prospect! Algus cheerfully thinks as he sees the results of his attack. even if the villagers and his new companion were thankfully unharmed from the blast, it remains a distant thought in his head; all he's concerned about is seeing just who is the leader of this raid.
True's blessing washes over the crowds and her new companions, the strong voice of the young woman filling the people with hope. The crowds screaming begins to lessen and their pushing is less panicked and more controlled as they continue to move away from the battle.
At the upper portion of the square, Idrian focuses his hatred of the little goblin into a great strike with his weapon and cleaves his opponent clean in half. Dark blood sprays across the table and the brickwork of the chimney beside him.
The other goblins eyes widen momentarily but its own evil nature and overwhelming hunger force it to continue the assault. It again swings its cleaver at the half elf but the blade strikes into the table above it rather than the ranger. It tugs futilely at the weapon for a moement before it again comes free, but by then the chance to strike has passed.
The goblin between the two groups of combatants swallows its gruesome mouthful before plunging its dogslicer deep into the mans chest and ending his screams for good. It looks around then, red eyes gleaming in the darkening sky before settling on the strannge woman moving up the hill and shouting about the gods. Steel sharp teeth gleam as it rushes towards her.
Feldspar does not waste a moment, shifting his weight and bringing the warhammer around to bear again. "In Torag's name, your blood shall spill upon the ground this day!"
Tania lifts her sword and with two hands, let's it simply crash down: "Yaaaah!"
Tania's longsword swings true, skewering the dazed creature on the point and driving through its spine at the back. The creature merely drops lifelessly to the ground as its nerveless body slips from teh steel.
The remaining two goblins, oblivious to their companions demise continue to press the attack, but both of them seem to be driven to dstraction by the smells of food around them. Their blows a useless against the renewed defenses of the dwarven paladin.
The crowds, now somehwat bolstered by Trues words of blessing continue moving away, leaving teh square empty of people except teh combatants and father Zanthus. The older priest grabs up one of the metal candle holders and begins moving towards the combat, calling on Desna to aid him defend his chosen town as he does so.
Feldspar, seeing his elven companion just north of him successfully cut down an opponent, quickly follows suit. His great warhammer smashes into teh creatures skull, crushing it to pulp while the dwarf steps across to open more room for swinging.