Helgarr signs her name.
By popular vote, the group gets signed on as the Goblin Snatchers. Mayor Deverin happily signs her name and wishes you the best of luck.
Ali and Azeri sign their names when prompted, Ali with all of the grace and finesse of a Clerk, Azeri with, well, a bear.
Ali turns to the group and smiles slightly before speaking. "Well Snatchers, should we go hunting?"
Azeri shakes his head and turns to the group. "I think our time would be better placed in breaking up the gear we have acquired and properly outfitting you all. A well equipped team is a strong team!"
Ali shrugs and makes a dismissive gesture "Plenty of time to work, but for now let's hunt!"
Cleo thinks the idea of a ride in the woods to be a splendid idea, after all they've seen over the last few days. And will follow the enthusiastic summoner.
Going for some pork sounds good, been a while since a good sit down dinner was had.
Her eyes go wide I'd completely forgotten. she frets How long do we have? If it can wait til tomorrow we can talk the others into helping, then split up and investigate each in singe day? she looks unsure.
If yea are going to hutn boars, get some spears with a crossguard so it won't get a shot at you when it gets spears. Brace the spear like this and get yer hands here. Furnok gives tips on spear handling.
Ali grins at Furnok but shakes his head. "I'll use my crossbow thanks. Spear is too close for me!"
At the stables, the new Goblin Snatchers find Aldern Foxglove along with another man. They are both dressed in hunting leathers trimmed with silver, with fancy saddles and weapons. The unnamed man carries a boar spear and a composite bow, while Aldern carries naught but his trusty rapier.
"Ah my good friends, it is so wonderful to see you again! A fine day for boar hunting, no?"
"Don't worry, you two, there's still plenty of time. I understand if you're feeling pressed, but you still have half a week to go."
I got a good bow and my hammer so I'm all set.
"Excellent, Mr. Furnok! I wager that it shall be you who will catch our prey. I would like to introduce Mr. Maxwell, he is my personal butler and ranger for today. Well, come come now. Time is money. Let us be off to the tickwoods."
As you all saddle up and begin riding to the tickwood, Aldern asks you a number of questions.
1. "So how does it feel to be the heroes of Sandpoint? What with your defence against the goblin raid, investigations, and even rescuing the tavernkeeper! How does it feel to be regarded so highly by the populace?"
2. "Mr. Hosk informed me that no one has taken up his bounty of goblin ears. Not surprising of course, as carrying goblin ears in a sack would be most disgusting. Does his ways seem as crude to you as it does me?"
3. "What is your perfect Sunday?"
4. "Is there a particular deity that you enjoy following? I grew up knowing Abadar, but sometimes I find him too stuffy. All these rules and regulations and whatnot."
5. "If you could travel to any other place within the Inner Sea, where would you go? I must say, I have a particular fondness of Kintargo, in Cheliax. It's the opera, above all else, that I enjoy."
Answering #1, overwhelming. she answers with a sigh we did nothing others wouldn't, we were just there at the right time. Doesn't make us any better.
number 4 was too obvious for our cleric to answer.
#2
Well I reckon that he'd go broke pretty soon considering there are so many goblins.
Ali paused for a second and frowned before speaking. "Well technically I was raised worshipping Erastil but I felt the call of the Eternal Rose when I was younger and shifted my worship. There is so much beauty in this world, far more beauty that we can percieve beyond what we can see, that how could I not be drawn to the Goddess who embodies that? I am not a Holy Man, in the sense that my abilities are gifted to me by the Goddess, nor am I a Priest or Preacher, I am just a man who worships his Goddess as best as he can!"
Azeri ranged a little ahead of Ali, Glaive lying across his shoulder as he stared out in to the trees, keeping an eye out for game and for tracks alike. He refrained from answering any questions however as none were directly aimed at him.
Cleo smiled at Ali's answer, She is beautiful she says a little wistfully, But I can't imagine changing my faith. Family is... she remember briefly the constant mock fighting of her many brothers, her father's muttering disappearance to the workshop at the earliest possible time, and her mother's yell, sharp and hard, bringing them all to heel. ... complicated. But they are mine.
"Ah yes, family. My parents passed away when I was quite young, so I grew up in Korvosa with my two siblings. We each received a small inheritance of 100 platinum. Still, we managed well, got our own businesses running and whatnot." He sighs in nostalgia.
The ride to the Tickwood passes mainly is silence, broken occasionally by the odd question from Aldern when his curiosity is piqued. He seems quite pleased with himself as he rides expertly into the forest. Here in the tickwoods, the trees are spread out, making horseback riding fairly easy. There are plenty of bushes and shrubbery, and the Turandarock river crashes only a few meters away.
"So my friends, whatsay you we sweeten the stakes? How about a prize to the one who kills the boar? Perhaps ehmm... well I shall purchase something in town for you. Surely there is a fine sword or magic wand that you have your sights set on? Or perhaps some fine clothing to suit your new ranking in the world, eh?"
Cleo bows out of the bet, having no confidence she is able to take down a boar. At home they hunted, but deer mostly. Tanners need hides.
Well now, that would be most generous. Furnok think a bit and knwos the group needs a little healing help. Maybe a wand for Cleo.
though magic armor would mean getting hit less and needing healing less as well. In hopes at least.
Aldern nods "Well at least Maria and Mr. Furnok are interested. I suppose that will have to do. Well, let us begin shall we?"
After a bit of time riding through the forest, some of you hear a rustling in the bushes.
As they ride and Foxglove addressed her, Helgarr ponders the mans words for a moment.
"So how does it feel to be the heroes of Sandpoint? What with your defence against the goblin raid, investigations, and even rescuing the tavernkeeper! How does it feel to be regarded so highly by the populace?"
"Heroes?" - the barbarian actually smiles - "Far from it, at least the way I see it" - comes the almost immediate answer - "The people in town may recognize the value of our actions, but we are all aware that in spite of the good things accomplished, heroes are so much more than that" - she shakes her head - "It is good to be honored by others nonetheless"
-----
As for the prize to the one who kills the boar, Helgarr simply silently agrees with a nod - "It is a deal"
Aldern is happy to reply "Many heroes come from humble beginnings, my lady Helgarr. I truly believe that you are onto something here, like beginning great tales and stories of your own! Think of it - Helgarr the giant slayer, or lord mayor Furnok the great. Who knows?"
Later, Helgarr also spots a rustling in the bushes.
"There" - Helgarr warns the others, urging her mount to the front - "Stand ready"
Furnok dismounts at Helgarr's alert and pulls his hammer.
Cleo stays on her pony, but readies her bow just the same, kind of unsure about being mounted and trying to shoot something, but feeling better about that than being on the ground when a boar charges.
Ali settled in to his saddle and levels his crossbow, ready for the creature that would burst through the undergrowth.
Azeri crouched low over the neck of the heavy horse, the claws on his left hand sliding free, his eyes focused on the gap before him.
hit
hit
While the arrows of Cleo and Ali fly into the distance, and Azeri's horse spooks, a single boar runs away from the large group of hunters at full speed. Although Furnok misses his chance, Helgarr and Maria hit it square on.
"Onward! Onward! Don't let him get away!" yells Aldern happily. He and Maxwell leap forward on their steeds to begin chase. The boar leaps over a fallen tree trunk before racing further into the forest.