"No, that time she was hiding behind you Alara. those who use bows stray far away from enemies to stay out of danger. I keep a bow only to attack those things that stay out of the reach of my sword. Only those who use swords or other close combat weapons can be considered true warriors, or heroes."
Alara's blush is starting to fade. She rolls her eyes.
"Yeah, CLEARLY all her flipping and jumping and shooting goblins point-blank was indicative of her using me as bait. I can't IMAGINE how I could mistake that for cowardice." She says as she returns to her seat.
The memory of Shalelu saving her still remains with her; hearing someone call her savior a coward was enough to strike a nerve.
Piper tilts his head. He writes: "Yeah, Masamune. Shalelu has been protecting Sandpoint for years. She has fought off tons of goblins. We only fought a few. And we were lucky that most of them were wiped out before we got there. Trust me. She's more qualified then us."
He looks at Alara and writes: 'The transfer will be in a couple days. Early in the morning before most of the towns folk are up.'
Alara nods, not saying anything else on the matter.
She leads him back to the Rusty Dragon, for now. Perhaps a drink & a good night's sleep were in order.
Sharrd watches the argument between his brothers without a word. Evidently unwilling to take sides. Deep down, he's troubled. Wow, if Masa thinks using a bow is cowardice, he must not think much of me using magic. Good thing I fought most of those goblins with my spear. But, he decides not to let him bother him as he goes back to embellishing his tale to Ameiko, trying to magically create a crude image of the fight using Prestidigitation but failing horribly.
Returning to the Rusty Dragon with Piper in tow, Alara settles into a table with her boyfriend.
Shalelu's voice causes her to jump. Her face turns bright red.
"Sh-Shae-chan! Er--Shalelu! I didn't hear you come in!" She stammers. Clearly, she doesn't at ALL sound like a giddy schoolgirl. Nope. Of course not. That would be silly.
She rises from her table, clearing her throat. "No, not really. They didn't put up much of a fight, to be honest." She starts toward Shalelu, reaching into her satchel.
"In fact... they were kind enough to leave a few souvenirs." She pulls out the five enchanted arrows taken from Gutwad. "The goblin chief had these, and they're enchanted (or so I've been told), and I... um... thought you might like to have them?" She holds the arrows out, hoping to Desna she didn't just screw it up.
[dice=Diplomacy (Gift Giving)]1d20+8
Shalelu puts a gentle and steadying hand on Alara's shoulder as she settles into the seat next to her. "It is good that the goblins were weakened, but that surprises me. The Licktoads were always smaller than most tribes. That's why they kept to the marsh. Did the cannibal finally decide to fight her exile?"
As Alara presents the arrows, Shalelu examines them close to the lamp on the table. "These are finely made and must be worth a pretty copper. You humble me, Alara. Thank you. Do you know the nature of the enchantment?"
Returning to the Rusty Dragon with Piper in tow, Alara settles into a table with her boyfriend.
Shalelu's voice causes her to jump. Her face turns bright red.
"Sh-Shae-chan! Er--Shalelu! I didn't hear you come in!" She stammers. Clearly, she doesn't at ALL sound like a giddy schoolgirl. Nope. Of course not. That would be silly.
She rises from her table, clearing her throat. "No, not really. They didn't put up much of a fight, to be honest." She starts toward Shalelu, reaching into her satchel.
"In fact... they were kind enough to leave a few souvenirs." She pulls out the five enchanted arrows taken from Gutwad. "The goblin chief had these, and they're enchanted (or so I've been told), and I... um... thought you might like to have them?" She holds the arrows out, hoping to Desna she didn't just screw it up.
[dice=Diplomacy (Gift Giving)]1d20+8
Shalelu puts a gentle and steadying hand on Alara's shoulder as she settles into the seat next to her. "It is good that the goblins were weakened, but that surprises me. The Licktoads were always smaller than most tribes. That's why they kept to the marsh. Did the cannibal finally decide to fight her exile?"
As Alara presents the arrows, Shalelu examines them close to the lamp on the table. "These are finely made and must be worth a pretty copper. You humble me, Alara. Thank you. Do you know the nature of the enchantment?"
Alara is quite relieved to see Shalelu accept the arrows. She chuckles nervously, scratching the back of her head.
"Um... I was told that those arrows were enchanted to work better against animals. Maybe... maybe you could put them to good use out hunting, or something like that?"
She clears her throat. "Actually, the Licktoads were decimated by skeletons before we arrived. Apparently, they found a treasure chest with a lot of goodies inside, so they brought it back to their village. The skeletons followed them and slaughtered many of them until Gutwad gave the chest back." She shrugs. "Not that it helped him much in the end, I'm afraid. We wiped the rest of the village out."
Masamune sits in the tavern just nursing a beer when everyone starts arriving.
Masamune nods as Alara hands over the arrows.
"Yes, I think we were all fine with that gift. I mean we are good enough to deal with any threats without magical items, but you on the other hand... Well obviously there is a reason for you being known for being so good at hiding. We can take out goblins without having to get shots off from the darkness."
[dice=Intimidate insult]1d20+8
Shalelu looks at Masamune with a bit of pity in her expression. "Words like that have been spoken about my people for generations by misguided humans. But that bravado is one reason why, when humans go to war, too many of them die as fast as goblins, while the elven people do not."
Alara is quite relieved to see Shalelu accept the arrows. She chuckles nervously, scratching the back of her head.
"Um... I was told that those arrows were enchanted to work better against animals. Maybe... maybe you could put them to good use out hunting, or something like that?"
Shalelu raides an appraising eyebrow. "Animal bane, eh? There are not many. Perhaps I should save them for a more dangerous animal than simple hunting. If the situation presents itself and I am called upon to track down a dangerous animal, would you like to join me and see how these arrows work with your own eyes? Masamune, perhaps you would like to join us as well so you may learn to appreciate the parsimonious elven way of combat. There is much I could teach you."
She seems determined to not rise to Masamune's insult but her own minor imprecation suggests the idea of rivalry is now firmly planted.
She clears her throat. "Actually, the Licktoads were decimated by skeletons before we arrived. Apparently, they found a treasure chest with a lot of goodies inside, so they brought it back to their village. The skeletons followed them and slaughtered many of them until Gutwad gave the chest back." She shrugs. "Not that it helped him much in the end, I'm afraid. We wiped the rest of the village out."
"Skeletons? That is unexpected. But it is still a job well done. They were becoming more than just a possible nuisance to traders coming up the southern roads."
[dice=Sense Motive]d20+1
At Shalelu's compliment, Piper smiles and writes: 'Thank you. It was our pleasure help out. Maybe we can tell you the tale on how we got rid of them sometime. So, you can give us some advice on what to do if we face a larger group of goblins. You are an expert on goblin extermination, after all.'
Alara can't help but snicker at how Shalelu responds to Masamune's taunts.
The idea of being along on a hunt with her savior causes her to blush some more. "I'd love to!"
"Well if Sandpoint is ever threatened by a dangerous animal I'm sure we will be fine with that. Anyways I need to get ready to go hunting for undead tomorrow."
Masamune goes out and makes sure that Duty is properly fed, and groomed before he checks his own kit out.
Duty is well kept at the Goblin Squash Stables by Daviren Hosk and his stableboys. The stables themselves are decorated with goblin ears and, even more grisly, a large jar containing the pickled body of a goblin chief personally killed by Hosk.
It is there that Masamune encounters Sandru Vhiski wrangling one of his own horses and in a foul mood. He catches the tail part of a conversation in which Daviren Hosk and Sandru are discussing care of a splitting hoof.
"Yeah, just rub the oil in a couple times a day. Should help keep it from gettin' worse," advises Hosk.
"You see the trouble you cause me?" Sandru asks the horse (rhetorically).
"Ah, Masamune. I should have known you would be coming by. I saw Duty and knew you must have returned to town. How did Sharrd do? I know Mother Koya worries about him so."
"He was invaluable to us. We were able to completely take Gutwald by surprise because of his magic. I'm still surprised he hasn't grown more confident yet. Do you have any ideas for how to go about that?"
Masamune motions at Sandru's horse.
"What happened there?"
"She lost a shoe returning from Riddleport a couple of days ago and I was unable to stop to repair it properly because of the urgency of our goods. Then it turns out I need not have hurried so because it was just another scheme by my brother Jubrayl to make quick gold." He spits on that last statement.
"It is good to hear Sharrd doing well with his magic. The confidence will come in time as long as that remains true. But what about you? How do you find the adventure of a goblin-hunting life?"
At Shalelu's compliment, Piper smiles and writes: 'Thank you. It was our pleasure help out. Maybe we can tell you the tale on how we got rid of them sometime. So, you can give us some advice on what to do if we face a larger group of goblins. You are an expert on goblin extermination, after all.'
Shalelu, of course, presses for more detail on the sack of the Licktoads and she, in turn, shares some stories about her experiences with goblins and their relatives including the disciplined, militaristic hobgoblins and the stealthy terror of bugbears. Her description of the stalking tactics of bugbear stranglers is particularly vivid - clearly she has personal (and harrowing) experience dealing with them.
Ameiko keeps the drinks coming, this time on Shalelu's silver, pretty much as long as you're interested in holding court at the inn.
Piper just listens on, taking the stories she's telling and taking the advice from them.
Alara listens raptly to Shalelu's stories. When asked for more detail on the defeat of the Licktoads, she's more than happy to tell her of the entire affair, starting with Walthus and ending with how Gutwad was utterly slaughtered.
The drinks cause her to become giggly after a couple of hours.
"I am good with it as it offers me a life outside of Sandpoint, and away from Koya. Not that I don't care for her, but I cannot stand her sometimes. It is the curse of all family I must suppose. You have your brother to worry about, and I have two of my own to worry about."
Piper can't help but silently chuckle at Alara being all giggly. He doesn't partake in drinks, preferring tea and water, due to him not being a drinker. He also throws in his two copper during Alara's recounting of their exploits.
Sharrd really enjoys that evening and retells the assault on the goblin village many times. He doesn't overdrink but he does drink more than he intended. He knows he has had too much when he almost dazzles several of the bystanders while demonstrating the fight. Apologetic, he leaves for the night, reminding everyone that he needs to get up bright and early the next morning. Early that morning he tries to stop by Pilbug's Pantry before leaving to buy a potion.
Piper waves to Sharrd as he leaves. He turns back to Alara, who is quite giddy. Taking note of the time, he writes: 'Do you need help getting back to your room, Alara?'
The next morning, Piper prepares for the next trip to the Marsh. Walking around the market, he sees a finely crafted silver flute. He looks back at his old flute before deciding to trade it in for the newer flute. He recognizes that the newer flute can help improve his craft. After that, he purchases a grooming kit. He sighs in relief. He then joins Sharrd at Pilbug's and purchases a potion as well.
When he returns to the group, he writes to Masamune: 'Would Duty mind carrying my grooming kit and potion?'
Alara rises to her feet after reading what Piper wrote. She sways a bit.
"...mmmmaaaayyyybeeee." She starts toward the stairs. She wobbles a bit, then stops.
"Yes, please." Evidently, she shouldn't drink so much during a celebration of sorts. Her face is flushed.
When everyone else has had their drinks, Ash looks at Ameiko and smiles to her.
"You have done a great job with everything you have done, Lady Ameiko, Sandpoint is very lucky to have someone such as you in our town, I hope you realize that. You are invaluable."
Piper stands and gently provides support. He guides her up the stairs. He signs: 'So, where's your room?'
Alara points to a door on Piper's left. "Right... there. Yep. My room's riiiiight there." She says, leaning on Piper. She giggles a little before putting a hand to her head.
"Ooohhh... room's all spinny." She says as the pair open the door. "Had waaaaaayyy too much."
------------------------
The morning after, Alara buries her head under her pillow as the first rays of sunlight come through the window. Her head pounds like a drum.
"Arrghh... noooo..." She whimpers.
When everyone else has had their drinks, Ash looks at Ameiko and smiles to her.
"You have done a great job with everything you have done, Lady Ameiko, Sandpoint is very lucky to have someone such as you in our town, I hope you realize that. You are invaluable."
"Stop trying to butter me up. I just run an inn. OK, sure. It's got the best food in town and the hostess with the most sparkling personality. But I put my breeches on like anyone else - slow and incredibly sexy," she laughs.
"Seriously, quit that "Lady" business. I'm no Lady and I'll kick your butt to prove it if I have to" she says while giving your a mostly-comical evil eye. "Don't think I won't."
Spoiler:When he heads home, he is not surprised to find Koya up. "Good evening, Mother, I am glad to find you still awake, as it seems I return to the horrors of that swamp again tomorrow."
"Ah, Jacen. It's good to see one of my sons remembers his responsibilities. Did your gifts serve your and your friends well?"
"I am good with it as it offers me a life outside of Sandpoint, and away from Koya. Not that I don't care for her, but I cannot stand her sometimes. It is the curse of all family I must suppose. You have your brother to worry about, and I have two of my own to worry about."
"Yes, going on adventures with your brothers can be a great responsibility." A pained expression briefly crosses his face at this remark. "I pray that you are more successful at it that I was."
Piper opens the door and guides Alara inside. He gently guides her to her bed and tucks her in. He strokes her hair before leaving.
While waiting, Piper takes the time to look over his new flute. Turning it over in his hands, he sees that the flute seems...
Tien in design. Tien script adorns its surface, as well as images of odd looking serpentine creatures and sakura trees. It seems to go well with the fan.
"The seemed to. We were fortunate that few of us received much in the way of injuries, but we came back with none at all, so that is clearly something to be happy with. If we come across undead tomorrow, then I suspect my gifts will be more useful still..." He trails off as he slides into the chair across from her.
"The seemed to. We were fortunate that few of us received much in the way of injuries, but we came back with none at all, so that is clearly something to be happy with. If we come across undead tomorrow, then I suspect my gifts will be more useful still..." He trails off as he slides into the chair across from her.
"And you want the Harrow to see what the future has in store for you? Of course."
She quickly pulls out a subset of cards and sets them out in a fan for Jacen to pick one. It comes up as the Mute Hag, Neutral Evil representative of the Star suit, a suit that best represents questions about the purview of the gods - life, death, and undeath.
"The Hag represents your role in the present moment. She may be mute but her hag eye gives her the power to see into the hearts of men, to understand secrets. Your insights will be called upon in the days ahead."
She then replaces that card and has Jacen shuffle the deck and lay out a 3x3 array of 9 cards.
Ash's Harrow Reading 1
Koya turns over the first column.
"The first column represents the influence of the past. Hmmm… I see emptiness. An identity or destiny not fulfilled. The bodak on The Lost shows this particularly strongly. Someone has failed in their task or duty."
She turns over the second column.
"The second column represents the current state of affairs. Here, I see that the past remains with us and though it might be a past we could learn from under better circumstances, it appears to have a restlessness. A restlessness that will take effort to overcome."
She turns over the final column.
"This column represents that which is likely to come to pass. I see foolishness and greed, but that greed can be averted, the thief diverted to the path of justice, the crow thwarted."
She sits back in her chair. "Now, my son, does that answer your question? The Harrow is rarely explicit in its answer, the cards interpreted in many ways."
"I don't believe that anything from a Harrow reading will answer all my questions, Mother, but perhaps it will help me as time goes by. These readings always tend to mean something important, though I often don't see it until it's staring me in the face," he says all of this with a smile to her and then nods. "Tomorrow is going to be trying, I should rest, but I wanted to thank you for all that you have done for me and my brothers, whether they recognize it or not."
Alara puts up no resistance when Piper tucks her in.
As Piper leaves, she whispers "Thank you."
-------------------
The next morning, after Alara pries herself out of bed, she busies herself with her grooming kit, making herself look presentable. Afterwards, she wanders downstairs to wait for the rest of the party before setting off into the marsh again.
Hearing Alara's thanks, Piper turns, smiles, and nods. He then leaves and gently closes the door.
When Alara comes downstairs, she sees Piper at the bar, waiting for her, ordering some breakfast, and looking over a flute in his hands. She notices that it's in a lot better condition than his previous one. He also looks a lot more presentable. He must have bought grooming kit.
Piper walks in and sits at the bar, waiting for Alara and the others. He writes: 'Morning, Ameiko. What do you recommend for breakfast?'
Duty stand heroically in the way of the door until he hears the mention of his name, and work. He quickly lays down on the ground and looks in at Piper with very large eyes.
"Neigh?"
Masamune slaps Piper on the back with a laugh.
"No problem. Duty would love top carry your stuff."
Sharrd is up and ready to go, having just purchased his potion. He is alert and hyper and ready to kick some skeleton butt.
Piper nods at Masamune before returning his attention to Duty. Rolling his eyes and silently chuckling, he places his gear into Duty's saddlebags. He then gives Duty many pets on the horse's head, tsking and smiling. 'Oh, Duty. What will we do with you? ...Not that you should change.' He then goes back to his flute, taking in the detail in the script, design, and imagery.
Duty piteously moans as he doesn't receive an apple. He pushes his way into someone's path and tries to point them towards the apple cart.
"Neigh?"
Alara takes a seat next to Piper at the bar, eying his flute and hair.
"Ooh! That's a lovely-looking flute. Where'd you get it?" She looks the flute over, admiring its Tian design.
In gearing up for the next foray into the Brinestump, you can buy an appropriate boat for 50 gp. You could also try to commission/rent some's boat for 5 gp per day. You may even be able to find a local fisherman willing to take you there.
Taking Duty along on a small boat, however, may be tricky.
Piper notices Duty pointing and looks to see the apple cart. Piper looks back at Duty before getting up and heading to the apple cart. He purchases an apple and heads back, holding it out to the horse.
Piper looks to his girlfriend and smiles. He puts the flute down and signs: 'I got it at the market. It's of better quality than my old flute. It looks like it could improve my performance when I play it. I'm sure you've noticed that I've also picked up a grooming kit. And about time, if I can say... or, rather, sign.'
He then looks at Alara with concern. He signs: 'How are you feeling this morning, darling? Feeling a tad hungover?'
Piper looks to everyone and writes: 'Do you think we should hire someone to take us around? Or should we buy our own boat? And if we do, what should we do about Duty?'