Thaddeus' face is evident with the look of worry. They made a deal with these foul things, and there is nothing he can tell the goblins about this situation that wouldn't either go against that deal, or be an outright lie. He decides to try a different tack. "Wait! If this horse was here before, it belonged to Chief Ripnugget. Since we beat him, his stuff is ours. The deal was only for the job of Chief. We will be nice. You can feast on his other pet, the large lizard. Very good meat, lizard. You can also keep the fort here on Thistletop. We will be taking the horse that we earned by defeating Ripnugget."
He hopes that what little semblance of Goblin law remains for them to accept the Chief's stuff is theirs by rights.
Bel'Tanis watches as Thaddeus steps forward and addresses the goblins, the expression on his face plainly indicating his lack of comprehension. Though he feels weakened from the shadow's touch, he still remains ready for trouble.
The lead goblin points his dogslicer at Thaddeus, "Hmm lizard meat? Gogmurt say he want horse longshank. But you say lizard is good, yes?"
Thaddeus nods, "Why, yes. The Shoanti of the Cinderlands live primar... oh nevermind. Yes, it is a surprisingly good meat."
The goblin's eyes get wide and licks his lips over the thought of lizard meat. "Good idea longshanks, we goblins have stickfoot, still me hate giving away horsey so delicious, yes."
Bel'Tanis shifts defensively as the goblin licks its lips, but his expression softens at the continued exchange of strange words between it and Thaddeus.
Midori watches the conversation cautiously, silently vowing to learn Goblin the first chance she gets.
Thaddeus shrugs and says, "Well, I personally would much rather eat lizard than horse. If that tells you how much better the lizard meat must taste." He frowns a little as he feels he's pushing the bounds of deception, because he wouldn't want to eat horse regardless of the taste. He will penance himself later for his touch of glibness.
"Meanwhile, we will take the horse, and you do not have to struggle with it."
The goblin scratches his head,"Okay longshanks take delicious horsey, we feast on stickfoot tonight"
Shortly thereafter the horse is untied, it stands around looking wild eyed and starved and appears ready to bolt. The goblins also look at the horse nervously.
Scoria looks at the starved horse, glancing at the others. While she didn't want the animal to be butchered for a meal, she was not exactly good with them. "...Anyone have something to feed it?" She asks the others.
Bel'Tanis shakes his head, not really sure how to calm the creature down.
Khrondak steps forward before the goblins have a chance to change their minds. He gets close to the horse and places his hand on his neck, speaking softly in his native tongue, trying to remember the words used by the horse whisperers.
The horse is unresponsing, and Khrondak curses himself for not paying more attention to horse training back in the Cinderlands. He decides it might be easier to simply ride the horse out of there; with a quick movement, he grabs the horse's mane and pulls himself up.
Seeing Khrondak struggle trying to mount the horse, Bel'Tanis steps forward and clicks his tongues and coos soothingly as he slowly reaches up to stroke the horse's nose.
Talking softly, he tries to lead the horse away. "There, there. Calm down. Caaaaalm down. Let's get you back to town, huh? You can get a good brushing and maybe we can scrounge up some tasty apples too. Would you like that? Sure you would. Here we go. Here we go."
Bel'Tanis you are able to calm the animal, which allows Khrondak to be able to ride the majestic horse.
The goblins look with varying degrees of jealousy as the party makes it way out of the Thistletop.
They were headed back, not defeated but certainly not victorious. Perhaps tomorrow they might finish this, but today they would need to lick their wounds and be tended and restocked. At least they were not leaving empty handed, the prisoner wizard put up on the back of the horse.
Scoria hesitates at the bridge however - the creaky, rickety bridge over a swirling and deadly foam of sea water. She grits her teeth, looking at Bel'Tanis.
"...I would ask you to broker no questions. Carry me across...please." Crossing that thing once in a single day was more than enough for the usually stoic monk. She wasn't sure even her patience and willpower would hold out against it a second time.
Bel'Tanis shoots Scoria a quizzical look an then nods, "Sure, Scoria. If that'll help." Stowing his shield and sheathing his scimitar, the young aasimar scoops the oread up in his arms, one arms under the crook of her knees and the other along the small of her back. For someone seemingly made of stone, she was lighter than he'd expected, even weakened as he was. Upon crossing, he bends down and lowers his arm so her feet set down first.
He offers a bright smile and remarks, "There, solid ground once more. Now, let's get back to town."
"...You have my thanks." Scoria says quietly once she's let down on solid ground. "...you...have strong arms."
She walks away quickly after saying that last bit, keeping at the head of the group as they make their way out of the briars to head back to Sandpoint. She didn't want anyone to see the darkening of her marble like face.
Midori follows, relieved that they were able to save the horse without more violence.
"I'm glad we managed to get as far as we did. I just hope our new 'friend' doesn't change his mind about our agreement before we return. Also, Nualia is probably aware of our intrusion and will be prepared for us, so we need to take more precautions when we return."
Bel'Tanis nods at Midori's words, "You're right, of course. We need to be prepared for those shadows as well. We were fortunate to get away."
Thaddeus warns as they head back to town to re-invigorate themselves for the return, "Unfortunately, we do not have long to prepare ourselves. We should be ready to leave town at dawn, or sooner, if possible. Do we know what preparations we will need? I know nothing of the shadow creatures, but could do research this evening. I would also like to see if there is anything I could learn from the woman's spellbook."
"I am ignorant of the nature of the shadow creatures as well, but magic usually works even against monsters that cannot be touched. I shall seek the council of Gorum and select his divine blessings carefully after getting some sleep, and we can leave as soon as we're all rested and well." Khrondak feels his muscles faltering under the weight of his body, and realizes that he might need more than a good night's sleep. "The shadows have weakened me. I'm thinking of looking for Father Zantus for guidance, maybe he can help me regain my strength. Unless anyone wants to join me, I will ride to the cathedral as soon as we get to town. Scoria, I remember you purchased some items for us before we left, do you know of anything else that we need?"
Bel'Tanis nods at Khrondak's sentiment, "Well if Father Zantus can't help us directly, he should certainly know who we can look to." He rolls his shoulders, then grunts, "I'm sore and tired myself, but it's nothing a solid night's rest shouldn't fix."
"I feel weaker - something I can't really afford, either." Midori smiles. "Perhaps when we return we should bring some restorative potions as well."
You arrive late afternoon back in Sandpoint, bloodied and weakend but no defeated. You have the ever mouthy Lyrie in tow as well.
"Ha cowards now Nualia will know who you are, you are all going to die!"
And other tidbits.
"Just wait till I get out of here, I will be rewarded for my loyalty and you will enjoy helping kill all of you slowly."
Father Zantus greats you all at the temple doors, "Children please come in, you all looked a little worse for wear."
"Lyrie," Bel'Tanis turns around to look the woman in the face, wisps of white light pooling at the corners of his eyes, "We are going to stop Nualia. I don't know what she did to you, but we're going to stop her and save Sandpoint from whatever she's planning." His voice is even and confident as he continues, "We have pacified the goblins, turned your partner, bested you, and defeated the outer wards of the ruined halls Nualia lurks within, all in a single day. How much more might we accomplish tomorrow, hm?"
---
"Thank you, Father. We think we might have wakened some kind of undead shadow creatures. I'd never seen such things before and their touch... I've never felt a touch so cold!" Bel'Tanis shivers involutarily at the memory.
Zantus looks at Bel'Tanis, "grim news indeed, the creatures of undeath always seek to have more join their ranks."
"What is it you need of me, I will help in way I can."
"They need their strength restored," Scoria puts things bluntly to the priest. She would have gone with Thaddeus to drop off the prisoner, but she felt that the sergeant could handle that part on his own. Hopefully he would just ignore what the woman had to say.
Thaddeus leads the trussed lady prisoner to the jail, and hopes that he has a chance to see Sheriff Hemlock while he's there. He would like to explain the circumstances with the mercenary Orik, and try to fulfill his word about getting the man a decent job. He hopes there is a little time for a nice meal, and to study the captured spellbook. Hopefully the others can get insight to those shadowy spirits so he doesn't need to spend his evening in research.
{ooc]Early Evening.[/ooc]
"Yes of course mason, we will see to the wounds immediately"He then sets about to inspecting the wounds caused by the shadows.
"Hmm, well the good news it is not permanent damage to your body and will naturally over time, however spells would aid in the process."
[ooc]Town Jail
Thaddeus you turn over Lyrie to the jail wardens. She continues to mouth off as they drag her to her cell.
You also find the Sheriff Hemlock is still in Magnimar.
You are also told a man named Orik stopped in earlier, then left for the Rusty Dragon.
"Father, you wouldn't happen to have any potions of this spell available, would you? We mean to return and vanquish those shadows, so if you have any they'd be very helpful."
"Any advice on how to destroy those creatures woul also be valuable. We suspect they might be some sort of undead monstrosity."
Father Zantus looks thoughtfully at Khrondak's question for moment,"Well to destroy those terrible creatures you would need weapons forged with magic, failing short of that you could use holy water."
He then adds, "You could also try calling forth the power of Gorum to smite them."
"Yes Bel'tanis I may have some items I could part with if you need them to battle the creatures. "
"I require potions. Armor of the mage and oils for a temporary enchantment of weapons, manufactured and natural," Scoria requests.
There are few topics in Sandpoint that arouse such sudden silence and cold shoulders as the Chopper murders. Everyone knew someone who died, or who had to bury a family member. The Late Unpleasantness, as it is known, is never far from memory and among those who suffered, it is not a topic they wish to discuss.
Which is probably why nearly the whole town is currently avoiding the thin man standing on the steps of the Cathedral.
He's of middling height, middling weight, a mediocre man in all sense of the word. Except for his questions. He seemingly has no tact, no social grace, no subtlety. His features are of Varisian origin, but even that social group seems to avoid him. He's become, quite simply, a nuisance.
And he's now become the nuisance loudly asking to speak to Father Zantus.
An aid of of Father Zantus to Matthias, "Sorry the Father is currently assisting others at this time. You may make an appointment if you wish."
"Well lass you are in luck I do happen to have the items you are requesting, and I thought you were only a stonemason," Father Zantus says with mirth.
You hear Zantus's aid outside the office talking to another about making an appointment to see Father Zantus.
"I am a stonemason. This is simply for my duty as a deputy," Scoria corrects the man, procuring the coin necessary to pay for the potions.
"Thank you, Father Zantus for the healing. I too would like to add to our stock of potions. I suspect we're going to need them." Midori says. "Let be head back to the Rusty Dragon and retrieve some funds."
She opens the door to step outside, giving the stranger a quick glance to see if she recognizes him from anywhere, then stops, remembering that they haven't filled in the priest on the events and their discoveries so far.
She turns back to the good father, forgetting to close the door.
"I'm afraid we have to confirm Tsuto's ally in this. We were unable to reach her before we ran into these shadows, but her subordinates and the goblins all confirm that the power behind the recent attack is, in fact, Nualia. So far, we've been unable to find any clue to her motivations, though. Or her survival."
Matthias smiles broadly, the smile of a used car salesman. "I simply need a few moments. I have some questions about the fire following the death of Chopper and the deaths of the previous priest and his daughter, Nualia. Simple, quick questions. I have theories as to the fire's origin that I would like to discuss..." Suddenly he hears the name Nualia wafting through the door.
Stepping inside, he smiles at the group, ignoring the aide's protests. "Did you say Nualia? Would you perhaps have any information on the fire? I'm researching the events surrounding the Chopper murders. Maybe I could speak with you for a moment?"
"May Densa bless you child for your donation child,"as Zantus takes the coin from Scoria.
At that moment a man (Matthias) bursts into Zantus's office followed closely by Zantus's aid. He asks a flurry of questions about Chopper and Nualia.
Zantus's aid looks a bit flustered, "Sorry Father, I told him you were busy at the moment..."
As Scoria pockets the potions, she looks over as a man bursts in rudely, before looking at Father Zantus.
"Do you require him removed?" She asks, cracking her knuckles.
"Whoa, whoa! My name is Matthias Vale and I'm a consulting diviner for the Riddleport guard! I'm simply on sabbatical, doing some research into the Chopper murders. I hope my analysis of the case will aid guardsmen in stopping murders in the future without further bloodshed! I mean no harm!" The wizard holds up his hands placatingly.
"But you do mean to be rude," Scoria states bluntly to the man. "Apologize to Father Zantus. Then I will bring you to the sergeant."
The oread crosses her arm and stands next to the man, ready to enforce her statement to bring him away.
Matthias blinks twice. "Rude? Oh my. I do apologize! I'm sorry, it's just that, well, people generally don't like to talk about distressing topics and I've always found it's best to be blunt, rather than beat about the bush. I meant no harm, I promise! I apologize to you, Father Zantus and your aide. I'm just trying to help prevent future harm!" Matthias looks genuinely apologetic; you get the impression he's much more of a bookish type and not used to real social interaction. "May I make it up to you in some way?"
"Can you scry?" Scoria asks curtly of the man.
"Well, I do have some limited ability at the skill. I'm still learning of course. Do you have need of such?" Matthias seems to perk up at the prospect of being useful.
Bel'Tanis chuckles and shakes his head at Scoria's tasciturn response to Matthias' socially inept entrance. He turns back to Father Zantus and smiles, "Thank you again, Father. If we're still not recovered from the shadows come morning we may return for more aid before we head back to Thistletop. Would you be willing to ask Desna for that spell again during your morning prayers just in case?"
Once the business with Father Zantus is settled, Bel'Tanis grins and excuses himself and the others. "It seems you have another rather eager visitor, Father." He smiles brightly at the newcomer and places a friendly hand on Scoria's shoulder, "Come along, Scoria. Let's allow Matthias here his time with Father Zantus. We'll be at the Rusty Dragon when you're finished here, stranger, if you're looking for friendly ears and a good meal."
If there's no other resistance, Bel'Tanis then excuses himself along with the others.
"We'll see. Come," She directs him, leading him out of the church and towards the sheriff's office and the jail to find Thaddeus. Once she does, she makes the requisite introductions.
"Sergeant, this is Diviner Vale. He wants to be useful. I suggest asking him to scry on Nualia so we will know if she flees Thistletop while we regroup," She tells him. "If you will excuse me, I will go and see how the others are recovering."
Mostly she wanted to check on how Bel'Tanis was doing. It had been selfish of her to ask him to carry her when he'd had his strength sapped like that.
Thaddeus is somewhat at a loss for words when Scoria drags the man to see him, and decides it's best to let her be on her way. He would hate to stall her, given her typically impatient nature. "Scoria, would you be so kind as to advise the others that I will meet you all at the Rusty Dragon shortly?"
After she goes, he returns his attention to the newcomer. "Well met Sir Vale. I am Thaddeus Pruitt of Magnimar, loyal follower of her most righteous Iomedae. I hope your escort, Stonemason Scoria, was not too abrasive? She can tend toward a rather brusque and forthright nature, but she is a valued companion. Now, she mentioned you have come to help?"
Matthias smiles. "No, she was very kind. I was being a bit of a pain, actually. I'm recently in town from Riddleport. While there, I worked with the Guard until I was threatened by a crime boss. Then I thought it prudent to leave for a bit. Anyway, I am a consulting diviner by profession and Mistress Scoria thought I would be of use to you. My research is into the criminal mind; I was researching the Chopper murders."