At Ameiko's request, Xamarath spends the night recounting in grand detail the battle that had taken place in the shadow of the new cathedral. And to his credit, the Thayvian gives all their due in the tale, rather than claiming all of the glory for himself. The wizard offers high praise to the contributions of his new companions, and strikes well timed somber notes as he recounts the grisly fates of those who were less fortunate—a well timed stark contrast to the heroics of the story that serve to enrich the performance as a whole. As he had done so prior, he enhances his story with ample use of illusory noises to set the mood and punctuate moments of elevated excitement.
As the tale finally concludes, so does Xamarath's day. Despite the applause and considerable gift of libations that rain down upon the Thayvian in the wake of his tale, he is forced to admit defeat to the rigors of the day prior. And so, he eventually returns to his room for some much needed rest.
As the morning comes, Xamarath rises to meet the day in the same manner as usual; studying his arcane grimoire with excruciating detail and practiced method before applying similar devotion to grooming and cleaning himself. When he emerges from his bedroom, he is once more a perfect image of a quintessential Thayvian, though perhaps with a bit more hair than such implies. He is delighted to see that gifts and offerings have been left for him. Glancing through the poem, he offers each item requisite appraisal before stowing them safely in the confines of his pack. At the giggles and ogling directed his direction, the man offers a sly wink before continuing on his way. He takes a quick breakfast, expending a few futile flatteries on Ameiko, before Hemlock's message makes its way to him.
"It seems duty calls, lovely girl. I fear I must inflict blemish upon your day and depart hence to the foreboding gloom of your dear sheriff's place of business." A sarcastic grin betrays Xamarath's composure as he rises from his chair. Crichton bobs merrily upon the red wizard's shoulder as he exits the Rusty Dragon to approach the garrison, as requested.
"Would we not risk overplaying our hand by traveling all together to the cemetery? Maybe a short list of various tasks would not be such a bad notion. While I agree the gravesite should be examined, perhaps it should be done in fewer number."
Xamarath turns to contemplate his new companions. "I only preach caution. People capable of such prickery to the village and its inhabitants might take care to avoid being discovered, after all. Fortunately, being a strange foreigner is an angle I am adept at playing up; I can engage some folks around the site and see if maybe someone saw something worth seeing. Even in such chaos, graverobbing in broad daylight seems unlikely to have gone entirely unnoticed."
Sheriff Hemlock nods and says, "That is all I had to say. I will send for you later if I learn anything or require an update as to any findings you may turn up."
As you all depart the garrison, a young woman approaches and calls out, "Xam...Xamarath? Could I bother you for a moment?"
|
Kala leaves the sheriff's office, ready to get started on her task. However, she still needs to make a few preparations, such as buying a lance now that she has a trained warhorse to ride. She once again visits Savah's and picks out a plain lance, made of red oak and good steel, then visits her room at the stables and drops the lance off. Afterwards, Kala inquires about whether anyone saw anything in the graveyard during the attack.
Eugeni approaches Zoli, "Hey Zoli, can we hang out at your house until tonight? I want to go look at the grave site under the cover of darkness, and you seem like you'd be pretty sneaky. What do you think?" The dogman looks a little nervous that Zoli might reject his companionship since she'd always ignored him with the other townies in the past.
Zoli's first night without her father is fitful at best. At three in the morning she finds she can't sleep at all. Forcing herself to open the door to her father’s bedroom, she stands and stares...until suddenly she’s curled up on his bed, crying.
Shortly after sunrise, she’s surprised to see a hesitant Eugeni at her door bearing rabbit and bread. Weary as she is, Zoli finds the fuzzy hunter a welcome sight. When he offers his words of condolence, she grasps his hand. ”Thank you,” she says simply, and then she excuses herself to cook her breakfast, offering to see him later at the cathedral.
Hearing Sheriff Hemlock talk about the goblins taking orders from a human, Zoli feels herself fuming all over again. Poppa. All our innocent neighbors...What on earth would make someone do this?
When Hemlock asks for her help her heart beat a bit faster. ”The town's defenders”, he said. I like the sound of that. She nods eagerly. ”You can count on Zoli Tileani, Sheriff. I’ll do everything I can.”
Seeing Shayliss approaching Xamarath, Zoli rolls her eyes at Eugeni and whispers, ”You know about her, don’t you?”
"Hey Zoli, can we hang out at your house until tonight? I want to go look at the grave site under the cover of darkness, and you seem like you'd be pretty sneaky. What do you think?" The dogman looks a little nervous that Zoli might reject his companionship since she'd always ignored him with the other townies in the past.
Zoli shrugs at Eugeni’s suggestion. ”I...I reckon I have good reason to go to the graveyard anyway. I’d like to go in the day -- firstly to pay respects to my father, and then because I think I’ll be better able to spot clues during the day. I’d be happy for you to accompany me though...as a friend. And if we see a reason to sneak back at night...well, I’ve been known to sneak about from time to time,” she says with a wink.
”As far as my house, you’re all welcome. No one else is there right now.” She sucks in a long breath and then continues, ”It seems we have a few leads worth pursuing: Looking about the graveyard. Talking to Vachedi to see what he gleaned from the goblins, or maybe even interrogating them ourselves. And of course just asking subtle questions in town.”
Looking at the others she says, ”I don’t relish the thought of talking to those goblins, but I’d like to bring some flowers to my to Poppa’s grave right now. And afterward there are friends of mine and Poppa’s that I should talk to, mostly around the theater district. I can put out feelers to see what anyone knows about Father Tobyn, or any unrest.”
Pausing again, she says, ”Having one or two folks with me when I go to the cemetery, people who were there, who understand...that might be nice.”
__________
"We also have this knife," Eugeni says holding up the dagger he removed from the body in the town square. "I'd love to go with you. I can put flowers on Nualia's grave as well."
Eugeni pays a visit to Sandpoint's smith, showing him the dagger from the body and asking if he recognizes it.
As Eugeni enters the smith, the lady behind the desk calls out, "Ah! Another of Sandpoint's heroes! Two in one day! I am honored. Of course, I offer you the same discount I gave your blond friend, twenty percent off anything ya see!"
As she looks over the dagger, she says, "Nope, can't say that I've seen it before. It's very well made though, one of a kind that's for sure! You wouldn't be lookin' to sell it would ya?"
At the graveyard, Zoli lays flowers over her father's grave and talks interchangeably to her poppa, Desna, and Chaldira Zuzaristan for some time. Feeling tired but somewhat more whole after doing so, she pokes about, looking for anything unusual around Father Tobyn's sarcophagus for any clues or oddities that might have been missed by the Sheriff's men.
Then back in town she visits with her own and her fathers' friends. Much of her time is spent talking about her loss and receiving their condolences, but she steers the conversation as subtly as she's able toward people who might have had it in for Father Tobyn, or who had a bone to pick with the church of Desna.
Xamarath considers turning down the young girl's offer given other current duties, but his fondness of redheads gets the better of him.
"Hail and well met, lovely girl. A rat infestation is no laughing matter. In fact, you might be surprised at just how many stories of heroes and grand epics begin in such a manner: bringing to bear both steel and spell against vermin of enlarged proportions."
Xamarath's eyes discreetly appraise the damsel in distress as they walk and talk—a series of subtle glances meant to satisfy not only his lecherous inclinations, but any dishonesty in the girl's tone. While he would like nothing more than to trust a pretty face, that she sought them out immediately after departing the sheriff's garrison could betray an involvement in the affairs of the previous evening. It is a small suspicion, but a suspicion nevertheless. The Thayvian masks his own inquisitive efforts behind a fine veneer of cordiality. He had not yet undertaken a proper tussle with the local talent, and she certainly fit the bill at a glance.
"Of my many travails, I'm afraid conquering a small infestation of rats is far, far beneath me. For one so beautiful, I might have to make an exception, however."
As Eugeni enters the smith, the lady behind the desk calls out, "Ah! Another of Sandpoint's heroes! Two in one day! I am honored. Of course, I offer you the same discount I gave your blond friend, twenty percent off anything ya see!"
As she looks over the dagger, she says, "Nope, can't say that I've seen it before. It's very well made though, one of a kind that's for sure! You wouldn't be lookin' to sell it would ya?"
"No, thanks. Have a nice day!" Eugeni says, leaving the smithy without giving the lady any more grist for her rumor mill. At a loss how he can solve a crime that has no apparent clues, Eugeni returns to Zoli's house to wait anxiously for evil to strike Sandpoint once again.
As you enter the shop and make your way to the basement, you can't help but note how well maintained the place appears. Once in the basement, however, it quickly becomes apparent that Xamarath is in for an entirely different type of encounter as Shayliss slips out of her bodice and into a passionate embrace with the Thayvian. She gently guides him to the back of the basement, where a cot just so happens to be set up.
The two of you are in the middle of your...encounter...when you hear from behind you a deep voice call out, "How dare you! I'll break you in two you snake!"
A large man standing about 6'4" tall with a full brown beard stands just paces away, his face red with anger and fists clenched into large, tight fists. Shayliss quickly covers herself and cries out, "Daddy!" but is quickly quieted by a wrathfull look from her father.
Rising calmly and with as much dignity as a man undressed can muster in such a situation, Xamarath faces the threat of a father's wrath with reservation and a tinge of confusion.
Covering his manhood before the large and bearded fellow seething in front of him, Xamarath begins speaking in an accent laced with far more Thayvian than his voice carried previously throughout the day. "Well, this is awkward! I think I shall skip any protests of ophidian comparisons in the interest of not further incensing an agitated host. Before delivering on any promises and threats of violence, perhaps a moment of discussion to clear the air so that I can at least understand the full measure of what social blunder I have committed so I can avoid repeating it in the future." The red wizard attempts to maintain enough proximity to the angry father's daughter that violence might be dissuaded for fear of striking his own child in error.
"It seems I have given great offense by reciprocating the admiration of your daughter. Had I known it would merit such a response I would have surely done otherwise. I'm afraid the ways of Sandpoint are quite foreign to me, and I to they, you see? As I am no doubt you have picked up on already, I hail from far without the reaches of Varisia. Far without."
The man fumes with rage, but as the red wizard talks, he quickly turns his anger from Xamarath and towards his daughter. He casts a look that would kill Xamarath's way and says, "Get out of here. NOW!"
He then starts yelling at Shayliss as the Thayvian gathers his things. "Not only do I gotta watch yer sister like a hawk, but you as well!? And right here nude me nose! Yer mama would be so ashamed if'n she twer alive taser this!"
__________
Xamarath pauses on his way out, turning to regard the scene transpiring behind him with a bit of pity. The pragmatist afforded him by his father's influence screams at him to get out while the getting is good. Unfortunately, time spent away from the crushing heel of Thay has allowed Xamarath to develop a bit of a moral compass. Even given the girl's promiscuity, he bore equal blame for their misadventure.
"I am not entirely without blame in this, I must say. When the goblin attack took place yesterday, I stood against their number with others. After such heroics, praises and stories were shared that no doubt made their circuit through the entirety of this small village. Of the potential suitors to be numbered among Sandpoint's residents, I can't imagine there are many to rival a "Savior of Sandpoint" Pathfinder and Wizard who comes from a far off star. Perhaps, if you are willing to entertain such a notion, we might repair what damage has been done by finding some mutual arrangement. You strike me as an understanding, if passionate, fellow. And I infer from your ownership of the general store that you have a mind for business and agreements, yes?"
Fastening the last of his buckles and straps and beckoning Crichton back to his perch atop his right shoulder, Xamarath says, "Seeing as I have apparently discovered the wrong way to go about this, perhaps we might explore how to handle it the right way. If nothing else, I must insist that I be allowed to make amends for what slight I have inflicted."
The man stops his scolding of his daughter briefly when he realizes the man who had dared insult him in this way was still here and talking to him. He takes a few heavy steps the mages way and yells, "I thought I told you ta git! Get outta my shop! NOW!"
Xamarath shrugs. "Poor girl; I tried. Come Crichton! Let us endeavor to find more goblins to eradicate." The Thayvian turns and exits the general store the same way he arrived.
He spends the remainder of the evening imposing his exotic charm and mysticisms on various locals, though the bulk of his inquisitive efforts and probing is mostly contained to The Rusty Dragon. He attempts to ask, in roundabout fashion, about what else transpired in Sandpoint apart from the goblin attack during The Swallowtail Festival, particularly interest shown to any suspicious behaviors noted among locals. When what secrets he can glean have been exhausted, he turns once more to subtle advances and flirtations with his gracious hostess.
|
|
"A pleasure to see you as well," Kala begins, smiling, "I need no reward for saving your life, Aldern. It is what the Inheritor would do, and therefore what I strive to do. There is one thing you could do for me, though, I would greatly value any information your remember about the attack. Iomedae would most surely want me to find the root of this evil and destroy it."
She then pauses for a moment, not wanting to lie, but unable to give the full truth due to the nature of her mission. "As to my allies, they are surely about the town somewhere. I am, however, unsure of their current locations."
After the excitement of the initial goblin raid, Morythine finds himself somewhat at a loose end. Although he has the urge to spend more time with his newfound companions, he isn’t really sure what he should say to them. Baern smells too bad, Zoli’s grief makes him uncomfortable, he isn’t really sure whether Eugeni will mark his territory on his leg, and of the red-robed mage and the warrior-woman with all the intriguing weapons, their paths just haven’t crossed.
Whenever he does run into one of the other adventurers, or Sheriff Hemlock, he’s always got the same thing to say. ”Let me know when you’ve got a few more goblin skulls to break. I’ll be ready.”
Otherwise, Morythine spends a lot of time in his room, moving through martial practice routines in the cramped space and poring over a few intriguing sheets of paper he picked up in Kaer Maga a few weeks back. The pages seem to have once been part of a quite considerable tome that somebody somewhere thought fit to destroy. The few leaves that remain could be counted on the fingers of one hand, and large parts of even these are unreadable.
Still what little Morythine can make out fascinates him. The text discusses self-mutilation in exquisite detail, and is full of delicious little notes on how the flesh can be harmed without doing undue damage. Morythine’s fascination with destruction extends to his own form, and he begins to incorporate small elements of self-torture into his fighting drills. Something he can’t really express seems to have awakened in him, a dark and thrilling power which he yearns to express in word and gesture.
As you turn, you see Xamarath standing on the steps of the Rusty Dragon, speaking with the tavern's proprietor, Ameiko Kaijitsu.
Before you can respond, you are called upon from Aldern, "Ah look, another of my saviors has arrived! Please sir, convince this fair lady that it is most proper that I reward the ones who saved me from the Boneyard!"
"Well, Sir Foxglove, I didn't realize I had played such a large part in your daring rescue, but if you insist on the matter I'll gladly accept a reward!" Ameiko replies jokingly.
Aldern looks at her confused for a moment, then laughs. "My dearest host, had you indeed been there I'm certain the goblins would have surrendered without so much as drawing blood, but alas, we were not so fortunate. However, should fair Kala and her companions agree to let me grant them a small token of a reward, perhaps I can find a way to thank you for the fine hospitality you have shown me during my visit here!"
Back at her home, Zoli welcomes Eugeni with a glass of lemonade.
"Ho, Eugeni! Any leads from the smith? I have to say, I thought someone I knew might've heard of someone with a grudge toward Father Tobyn. No dice, everyone seems to have loved him as much as you and I."
"Nope, nothing. I can't think of any other leads right now, unfortunately. I think we just have to wait for the "bad guys" to make their next move, and be ready this time," Eugeni says. "Now that we thwarted the goblin attack, it's probably only a matter of time until they make another move." Eugeni takes a long draw on the lemonade before asking, "How are you holding up, Zoli?" Eugeni looks concerned and empathetic when he asks his question.
Zoli returns a slight smile at Eugeni's concern. "I'm OK. In the course of looking for leads, I talked to a lot of poppa's friends in the theater. It's good to know he's remembered by many."
After a pause, she adds, "And having something important to do -- being seen as one of the heroes who stemmed the goblin attack -- I'll admit it's a welcome distraction. I've told poppa for years that my destiny was to explore, to protect, to live some of the Glorious Stories and not to just read them, or perform them on the stage."
"You did great against the goblins. He would be proud I'm sure," Eugeni says. "So...wanna go for a walk?"
Zoli finishes her lemonade and stands up. "Sure! I was actually just thinking about that knife. Ameiko Kaijitsu tends to know something about all kinds of odd things. Do you know her? I suppose it's worth heading over by the Rusty Dragon and asking her if she recognizes it. Heck, even if she doesn't -- it's a long shot after all -- maybe we can find Xamarath and join him for dinner."
Zoli starts to lock her door, pauses, and goes back inside to grab her coin purse. "Heheheh. Don't want to forget that."
"Sure, that sounds great. I like that guy, he's so handsome and weird," Eugeni says as he also stands up. He retrieves his things and follows Zoli to the Rusty Dragon. He makes sure to shorten his steps considerably so as not to outpace the halfling. "So how come we never talked before? We're around the same age right? We've both lived around here for a long time....Am I scary?" Eugeni asks hesitantly as they are walking.
"EXCELLENT!" Aldern exclaims and claps his hands in delight as Kala finally relents to his offer. He turns back to Xamarath, and spots three more of his saviors approaching on the street. "You see, my dear! It was destined that you all gather here for me to reward you! Here come the rest of your friends, and my heroes, now!" Coming down the road are Zoli, Eugeni, and Morythine.
Once you all are gathered, Aldern asks you to follow him to the Goblin Squash Stables. On the way, he says he is going to take you on a boar hunt in the Tickwood. Once you arrive at the neighboring establishment, he purchases each of you, aside from Kala, a horse and tack. While the others are choosing their own horses from the stables, Aldern walks with Kala to the smith and arranges for some fine scale barding to be made for Kala's stallion, despite any protests Kala makes regarding a reward.
After everyone has their own horse, Aldern and three of his manservants ride with you on the two mile ride to the Tickwood. It is roughly a thirty minute ride, during which time Aldern asks you all sorts of questions. Who are you? Where are you all from? How long have you been goblin hunting? Do you have any exciting stories from your other adventures?
It isn't long once you arrive at the woods that Aldern's servants release the hounds and they manage to locate their quarry. It is a rather large boar, and Aldern allows the heroes to slay the creature.
As the hounds baying keep the boar distracted, Kala adjusts her lance and rides forth astride Nightwind and skewers the animal through the lungs. A few desperate kicks are all the animal can muster to cling to life, and the servants quickly collar the hounds to keep them from attacking and marring the animal's flesh with their bites. They then quickly field dress the animal, and it is hauled back to the Rusty Dragon, where Aldern gives the animal over to Ameiko for a feast to be held in the heroes honor.
As dusk begins to settle over Sandpoint, word of the festivities going on at the Rusty Dragon has brought out a nice sized crowd for the establishment. It would seem that you have all become something of celebrities in town, thanks to the rumor mill and the tales being told of your deeds. Ameiko is mingling about the tavern, talking with patrons. Aldern and his servants sit at their own table, but has been socializing freely with any of the guests at the tavern that wish to speak.
Eugeni is happy to go on a hunt. He answers Aldern's questions, telling him he's a hunter who's hunted these woods his whole life. He is quite impressed with Kala's skewering of the boar, and praises her effusively. Once they return to the Rusty Dragon that night, Eugeni approaches Ameiko and pulls her aside for a moment. "Excuse me, Ms. Kaijitsu, I just wanted to ask you a question." Eugeni pulls the dagger out from his bag. "Do you recognize this knife?"
"Sure thing, hun! I'll be right back, enjoy the boar!" she says to the group she was speaking with before joining Eugeni in a secluded portion of the room. She takes the knife delicately in her hands, and looks it over, spinning the blade between her hands to observe both sides. "Nope, can't say that I have."
After looking at the blade one last time, she hands it back and says, "If you'll excuse me, I've gotta go mingle some more. Have fun with your feast! It's in y'alls honor ya know!"
Morythine’s certainly not one to look a gift horse in the mouth! At the Goblin Squash Stables he chooses a light bay gelding with a broad white blaze running from the base of his ears all the way down to his nostrils. As he rides out with Aldern and his companions he ponders a suitable name for the horse, finally settling on Forli. Many animals seem uncomfortable in Morythine’s presence, but Forli appears to bear him with magnanimity, if not enthusiasm.
The art of torture is new to you, however, despite your readings from the few pages you have become enthralled with. You resort to ways you know hurt things, but lack the intricate touch of a true Kuthonite. The goblins give you all the same information they gave the Sheriff, that it was a "longshank" that put it all together, but to them, all you longshanks look the same.
At the stables, Xamarath is a bit out of his element. Dealing with animals—aside from Crichton—is not a skill he's ever picked up. As such, selecting which horse should have the honor of bearing his weight on their little hunting foray ultimately falls to the Thayvian's preference based on appearance alone. It takes little time for him to settle on one of the steeds: a stocky blue dun acquired from an Ulfen breeder in the Ironbound Isles. The horse's hind quarters bear small and elaborate scars in the shapes of runic knots that are nearly concealed by the shaggy coat the beast sports.
When it comes time for the hunt itself, Xamarath is merely along for the ride. No doubt the thrill of the chase and the kill itself is much of the purpose to begin with. Lobbing about torrents of arcane energy would no doubt ruin the entire event for all involved. Given this, the red wizard spends much of the evening bantering and cracking jokes with the others who are joining in on the activity.
At the celebratory feast, Xamarath revels in the attention being afforded the heroes for their defense of the town. His versions of what transpired seem to grow in exaggeration with each telling, which often elicits sarcastic reprimands from Crichton, who remains permanently affixed to the Thayvian's right shoulder. Xamarath indulges a little heavily on several flagons of Halmyran Infernal Stout—an extremely thick beer with a creamy head and subtle hints of coffee. Fortunately, the drink's name is derived from allusions to Cheliax rather than any actual Hellish properties. Such is how the wizard passes much of the night: sharing in bravados and tales at various tables while attempting to live up to the celebrity status being afforded him for the time being.
|
|
Kala is very appreciative of Aldern's gift, though rather oblivious to his exceedingly oblique flirtation. On the ride to the hunt Kala basically tells Aldern the bare bones of her life's story: her Sarkoran/Ulfen heritage, growing up in the Linnorm region, her devotion to Iomedae, training with weapons, traveling to Mendev to help the crusade, and finally traveling to Sandpoint.
Kala is very pleased with the results of the hunt itself. Her successful slaying of the boar would be regarded as a great achievement among the people of her homeland.
At the tavern, Kala mixes easily with the people of Sandpoint, and tries to tell the tale of the fight without embellishment. She still doesn't seem to notice Aldern's flirtation.
Zoli thanks Aldern for his gift, selecting a Galician pony with thick chestnut fur and a white muzzle. "I think I'll name him Rondo, after Halizar's horse in Vergun Vess's classic play, The Halfling Who Stole The Moon. May be lead me on equally glorious adventures!"
Zoli competes in earnest in the competition -- even getting an early nick in with her rapier -- but in the end has no knack for fighting by pony-back. Still, she enjoys the diversion roundly, whooping and shouting as though she hasn't a care in the world, and cheering Kala when she slays the boar.
Back at the party she is still in good spirits, enjoying the attention they are getting as heroes, as well as a chance to indulge in roast boar and ale. She relishes in trying to one-up Xamarath's tale spinning. At least for now, her naturally cheery halfling disposition seems to be returning.
At the celebratory feast, Morythine struggles to feel at ease with all the company. Still, the strange reb-robed wizard amuses him, crimson being a colour Morythine is also fond of. The boar's a little overcooked for his tastes (memories of its heartblood gushing down Kala's lance shaft still causes him to lick his lips), and beer a coarse, vulgar drink, but Morythine nonetheless let's his hair down (well, he takes off his hat) and finishes two glasses of wine, the consequences be damned!
As the party starts to wind down, a woman's screaming and cry for help can be heard just outside the Rusty Dragon. A woman comes bolting in the back door of the Tavern, a baby in one arm and fearfully holding her son in the other. The boy's arm is bleeding badly.
"Someone help! Oh, thank the gods! The goblin slayers! Quick, a goblin attacked my son at our house! My husband is trying to fight it but he's just a fisherman! Please, you have to help us!"
Zoli spins around, dropping her beer mug roughly onto the oak table and pauses for only a moment to make certain she really has her rapier with her.
"Please then, there's no time to lose. Lead us to them!"
Completely unnoticed as she runs out onto the streets is the dagger she'd been using to eat the roast boar, stuck into the table beside the bones and gristle on her wooden plate.
Eugeni runs after Zoli and the woman, totally failing to notice that she'd forgotten her dagger. "Don't worry mam, everything's going to be okay." he says to the woman while they jog, trying to calm her.
"That's one hungry goblin," remarks Morythine, glancing at the child's savaged arm. He then swipes Zoli's dagger from the table and dashes after Zoli and Eugeni. His longer legs quickly catch the halfling, and he throws her little knife to her as they draw level.