Manx looks the various spears over and selects one at random and tests its balance, talking softly to himself, Manx identifies the differences between this weapon and what he has been trained with "Not really my forte, but it's not far from an unbalanced quarterstaff... pointy end towards enemy. Sounds simple enough." Not really planing to use the unwieldy, pointy stick, Manx brings one for form's sake. At some point he will ask about the sportsmanship of using other means to kill a boar.
Avoiding questions directed at his background, Manx will deflect with anecdotes of his time in college.
"There was this one time when Twiddlejin was working on a modified version of a simple mending spell. Unfortunately, he forgot to take into consideration the 7th rule of one-loop functions in chromodynamics, which resulted in a spectacular but surprisingly mild explosion. Due to the beta-function parameters of the lab, the damage was fortunately superficial, resulting in minor surface deformations of several priceless tapestries." Laughing at his own story, Manx finishes, "Of course it took him two weeks to figure out that potato juice was needed to restore the tapestries. Have you ever tried to squeeze juice from a potato?"
Manx has several similar stories that he will happily share while riding to the hunting ground. Durting the ride, he tries to stick to the middle of the group, happy to let Surefoot, his horse, pick his own path.
Anyone that Manx learns has been in Sandpoint for a while will be asked about the Vinder family. He will explain Shayliss' approach, and mention that he has his eyes on another.
Manx maintains prestidigitation, using it to form a crude, but decorative swatch of cloth that floats over his head, providing very little shade from the afternoon sun.
The ranger will take a spear, just in case.
Elransil responds that he has mostly dealt with wild animals and bandits attacking his parents’ caravan. The occasional goblins tried to steal supplies and food during the night when they thought no was looking.
"But there was one time when some goblins tried to ambush our caravan a few years ago. One of them had found a halfling dress, and tried to disguise themselves and pretend to be wounded in the middle of the road. Of course, the goblin couldn't actually speak halfling, so when one of the guards yelled out to him, he couldn't say anything back. We just fired a few arrows nearby and that was enough to make them run off."
He'll keep an eye out for boar while on the hunt.
Radoslav does his best to let the more talkative members of the group occupy the time, saying as little about himself as possible. He'll take a spear and ride as he watches the area.
Perception:
By the time you reach the woods, Aldern seems to have focuses his questions on Erodel, asking various questions regarding his training, his favorite weapons, what does he think he'll end up doing with his life? Fortunately his questions are cut short as Elransil has found some very large boar tracks. Calling for everyone to be quiet, the now silent party follows him down a game trail leading to a small creek. As you clear the trees and underbrush, Elransil calls out again, pointing downstream where you see a very large boar drinking from the creek about 25 feet away.
The ranger isn't that skilled with melee weapons, so he'll ready an action to help give the beast a clean kill if someone else only wounds the boar.
Manx isn't really sure what to do, but mimics the other party members in readying the spear.
Now what?
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Dismounting from his steed, Erodel takes the extra time to free his scarf once more from its prison. Taking a spear in one hand, he makes sure to adjust the sword in its sheath, and his mace on his belt.
"You shoot it." Comes the monotone response, "Then when it charges, you stab it before you get mauled." As he moves in front of Aldern and plants his feet to ready the spear. Turning over his shoulder he intones his head towards the boar. "The first shot is yours, milord."
Ready Action: Brace Spear for Boar
Attack:
Damage: + Dmg from Brace:
This seems inefficient, Radoslav says as he dismounts and holds out his spear, readying an action to attack if the boar comes close.
Attack:
Pik just steps his horse back to observe.
Great work at finding us such a magnificent animal, he will provide us with quite a feast. Grinning widely, he dismounts as do his manservants, one handing him a heavy crossbow and the other two prepared to hand him spears at command.
Aldern's bolt goes a bit wide, grazing the beast's flank and causing it to spin around searching for what caused its pain. Aldern grabs one of the boarspears from his manservant and waves it at the short-sighted animal, encouraging it to come at him. Somehow Aldern and the animal both miss each other, but Elransil and Erodel make short work of it and the animal is soon dead at your feet.
Aldern orders his servants to prepare the carcass for transfer. Great work Erodel, Elransil. Surely the lady Ameiko will enjoy cooking up such a fine beast. I had spoken to her this morning in advance of hunt, so sure I was that we would find a fine animal. She has kindly agreed to cook the beast up and allow me the dinning room of the Rusty Dragon to hold a small feast for you heroes. Please say that you will all come and feel free to invite whoever you wish.
Aldern will lead the lot of you back to town, continuing to talk about the boar hunt and tonight's dinner and how he looks forward to hearing more about your adventures.
Radoslav mounts once again and rides with Aldern back to town.
I will eat with you. I need bring no guests.
He spends the intervening time cleaning himself and then arriving at the meal a few minutes early.
Manx wanders around town for a while. His wandering keeps him generally within a block or so of the general store. If he sees Shayliss leave, he will enter the store.
"I'll bring my family and perhaps someone else."
Elransil will extend the noble's invitation to his family. He'll also tell his sister that Marissa and her family are welcome to attend, as well.
"It was a big boar, so there will be plenty for everyone."
@Manx -After an hour or so, you notice Shayliss leave with a basket of goods.
Manx waits a moment, then crosses the street and enters the general store.
He spends a few minutes wandering about looking at the merchandise. "Mr. Vinder, your daughter Shayliss tells me you have a problem with rats in your basement. I just happen to be without any goblins to route and am available to assist in anyway you need."
@Manx - Rats? What kind of nonsense is Shayliss spreading about now? Off with you boy. My store is clean of any vermin so stay clear of my basement and of my daughter.
The return trip to town is uneventful the lot of you take you horses back to the stable where Aldern informs the stablemaster that he will take care of the cost of stabling all the horses. He then orders his manservants to carry the boar to the Rusty Dragon so that Ameiko can begin preparing it for dinner tonight. Aldern then takes his leave of you, saying how he must go and freshen up before the dinner tonight.
When you all arrive to the dinner, you see that Ameiko has done a wonderous job of preparing the boar. There is barely room for it to sit upon the main table with a large apple in its mouth. A large variety of side dishes arranged around it. There are a dozen chairs at the main table and six around each of the smaller tables in the room. Wine and ale are also provided for all.
Aldern greets everyone warmly and urges you all to be seated and drink up. Noticing that Elransil brought his family, he is sure to bring up his part in the slaying of the mighty boar when he is telling the story of how it ended up on the table before you. None of you who were present during the hunt recall the events quite the same way as Aldern does.
Believe me good sir, I have no ill intentions towards your daughter. I am staying at the Rusty Dragon, if there is anything I can do to be of service to you or yours, I am humbly at your service. Manx will politely bow his head, and retreat out the door.
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Secluded in his room, Erodel will polish his armor to a nice sheen before donning it once more. Making sure he is leaving no part exposed, he takes care wrap his scarf around his neck before viewing himself in the mirror. Satisfied in his appearance, he leaves his room to take part of the dinner feast.
Admiring the decor Erodel will wait for the others to arrive before seating himself at the main table.
Pik enjoys himself during the meal and laughs during Aldern's story. That sounds about right.
Radoslav sits and eats quietly, seeming more interested in observing the others than paying attention to the meal itself.
Manx sits near the back of the room, near the entry to the kitchens, an eye out for Ameiko's daughter. When she comes out to serve, he has a tendency to stop eating and just watch her interactions with the customers.
After the meal itself, he will move near the fireplace and start up his customary entertainment, today providing a stirring story of the day's hunt. He gives an evocative depiction of Aldern's actions, it is his comical, but honorable portrayal of Erodel stomping into place, spear at the ready, head hunched, ready for the boars charge, that brings laughter to the watching patrons. A round of applause comes across when he recites his own actions of mimicking the fighters, by bracing a spear for the charge, only to notice that he is holding it backwards, only to hastily reverse it while dodging a rampaging boar.
plus whatever bonus for being a local hero.
Elransil and his family come dressed in their best clothes, and the ranger introduces them all formally to all of his newfound friends. Once again, they thank the heroes for helping rescue Mary and Elizabeth from the goblins.
Then they sit back to enjoy the meal and stories and clap along with everyone else to Manx rendition of events.
As the hour grows late, Aldern rises and announces that he is going to retire to his room for the night. He encourages every to stay and finish off the food and drink without him. Just as all of you try your best to do so, you hear a woman's frantic cries coming from the front of the inn. As you turn to see what the commotion is, a hysterical woman carrying an infant and dragging a crying young boy rush into the room. The woman cries out, Thank the Gods that I found you here. Please I need your help.
Ameiko rushes to her side and attempts to calm the woman, Amele, please, tell us what's wrong. Amele attempts to recount how her family were present at the Swallowtail Festival, where Aeren, her son, saw a goblin light a cat on fire and then caper around the burning remains—the poor boy really hasn’t been the same since. Every night, his howls of terror send poor Petal into a barking fit, and when we went to investigate, Aeren claimed a goblin came out of his closet. My husband, Alergast checked the closet, but found nothing, and ever since Aeren's complaints about the “closet goblin” have grew more and more tiresome to us. I am ashamed to say that yesterday, Alergast threatened to make Aeren sleep in the woodshed if he couldn’t learn to “be a man” and sleep through an entire night without crying and telling stories.
Amele then goes on to say that, last night, Alergast didn’t go to soothe Aeren when he had his night terrors. But then, a few moments later, we heard poor Petal cry out in pain and Aeren’s screams turn shrill. This time Aeren wasn’t just having nightmares. Amele pauses, takes a breath, and then shows all of you Aeren’s arms. They’re covered with fresh goblin bites. When Alergast burst into the room, he found a goblin crouched on his son’s chest. Petal was dead, a knife deep in his ear, and the goblin was frantically trying to chew off Aeren’s arm. Alergast attacked the goblin and chased it back into the closet. Alergast flew into a rage, and as he started tearing apart the closet in an attempt to get at the goblin, I panicked and fled the house with my babies to come to you for help. She pleads for you all to go to her house to help her husband as he is not a warrior and she is afraid for him.
I will attempt to help your husband if only to identify this goblin. I am far more curious how these goblins continue to appear without warning. It is intriguing thought to consider.
Radoslav yawns and stands, starting to head out as soon as he gets directions from the woman.
Pik rises at once. Well, what are we waiting for? Let's be off!
We will take care of this pest problem for you! Ameiko, I leave her in your care, see what you can do for her son.Manx jumps up to his feet and grabs his crossbow hanging on the wall. Well my merry fellows, and the rest of you, Manx cocks an eyebrow at Radoslav, a grin on his face let's be about it.
Manx leaves the inn, stops, turns around, where's her house?
The ranger says his goodbyes to his family as he puts on his combat gear and checks his bow and quiver.
"Stay here and we'll return with news when we can," the ranger tells the woman and her family. He gesture at the table laden with food and drink, hoping it will keep their minds occupied.
Then he'll step outside with the others and speak softly.
"Let''s hurry and hope the man has the good sense to hide."
Ameiko quickly gives directions to Amele's house and you all hurry through the towns quiet streets. Once you arrive the first thing you notice is that the front door is still wide open. It is quite easy to imagine Amele, with her arms full with both children, not bothering to shut it as she made her frantic run for help. Standing in front of it, you do not hear any sounds coming from the house.
The ranger draws and notches an arrow, ready to fire at the first sign of a goblin. He quickly glances at the doorway and stretch outside the house to see if the goblin has run off this way or notice anything else important.
Once that's done, he'll slowly go inside the house, letting the martial fighters get in front of him if they want.
@Elransil - You do not see any goblin tracks leaving the house, only Amele's and her son. You do not see or hear anything in the house for now.
The ranger tells the others the goblin didn't escape this way and advances into the house quietly.
Crossbow at the ready in one hand, the other raised to cast a spell, Manx will follow second behind Elransil into the home.
Pik follows the others into the home.
You rush in through the door and find yourselves in the family room of the house, dimly lit by the fire still burning in the hearth. To your right is a doorway leading into the kitchen and straight ahead is a short hallway with three doors. All the doors are wide open and each appears to be a bedroom.
The ranger advances slowly and quietly toward the bedrooms, still ready to fire, as he looks around for the goblin.
Radoslav assumes from the rushing that all stealth has been thrown to the wind. He simply follows behind Erodel, attempting to listen as he can for any sounds of occupancy in the home.
Elransil - You hear some faint sounds coming from the bedroom on your left. Looking through the open door, you see the corpse of what must be Petal, the family dog.
The ranger points silently at the bedroom, indicating he hears the goblin inside. He'll step into the room and move to the side away from the noise, leaving room for others to come in behind him. If he sees the goblin, he'll fire.
Entering the room and quickly scanning around, you do not see any goblin. As you tun to the right, you do notice a pair of human legs sticking out of the closet door. It looks as if Alergast had crawled there and though he isn't making any noise, his legs appear to be moving slightly.
The ranger abandons stealth as he sees the man's legs move and sprints to the side trying to find an angle that lets him see over the husband into the closet so he can fire.
As you attempt to look over Alergast, you realize that he was attempting to crawl into a small hole hacked into the bottom of the closest. He appears to have gotten stuck from the chest up. The faint sounds you heard seem to be coming from in the hole.
"Help me pull him out, quick!" Elransil yells as he runs over to drag out the man.
Elransil and Erodel combine their efforts and succeed in wrenching Alergast free from the hole he was wedged into. You yank him up and out of the closet and when you turn him over onto his back to check on him, you are greeted by a horrific surprise. You find him to be quite dead, the flesh of his face and upper torso eaten away, it's empty eyesockets staring up at you. An instant later, a crazed looking goblin shrieks in rage at its stolen dinner and leaps up out of the hole to attack. It slashes with a makeshift dagger at Elransil's legs leaving a gash down his left thigh.
Surprise Attack
Damage
Initiative