[Boneyard, Evening after Swallowtail Festival, Round 3] NOTE - I’m not going to post a battlemap since it’s virtually unchanged since last time, and also because I’m pretty lazy.
Jubrayl finds it easy to knock aside the next sword swings from his skeletal opponent. Smarting from his wound, Jubrayl yells in pain, glaring fiercely at the skeleton, steps back and dons his shield.
Hakak ‘s heavy weapon slices down upon his opponent, who shatters into shards of bone.
At the boneyard entrance, you see your friends running towards you, led by a member of the town guard.
[Rush to the Boneyard]
This is for Ned, Nicholae, Selia, Lleidr and Mervyn. The only goblins you see on the way are dead or dying in the streets. Two especially stand out to your eyes.
First, there’s a drowned goblin, lying headfirst in a cistern with his legs sticking straight up. And, then you see a second goblin sliding off a steep roof shingled in black bark, who ends up smashing himself onto the hard packed dirt of Junker’s Way.
Entering the boneyard, you see Hakak and Jubrayl engaged in a desperate battle with two human skeletons, attired in ragged armor that must be a couple of centuries old. Hakak has just smashed his opponent into splinters and is reaching back for another blow.
[Prelude Hour Two]
Chask shrugs at Mervyn’s query. “A diary of some sort he had order special from Magnimar. Let’s see … “ he pulls out a worn parchment from his satchel, and scans a list. “Ah, it was a copy of the ‘Journal of Ranthar the Bold’, a local explorer of significant repute a couple hundred years ago.
“The writer claims that the Thistletop ruin outside town is a Thassilonian artifact. But, the idea is nonsense. I saw Thistletop years ago, before the goblins there were so thick, and, believe me, it’s just a rock.”
……
Ilsoari nods in agreement. “Well said, my friend. When you get a chance, you should visit my academy. I’ve got a few pieces in my collection that would probably interest you. Good day to you. Enjoy the festival!”
……
Selia, Hakak, Lleidr spend a few more minutes with Ameiko before her booth is busy once again. She definitely wants you all to visit the Rusty Dragon, and to catch her up on all your travels since the last time you were in town.
Ned will quickdraw his greatsword and close with the skeletons.
Junrayl, shield up, will attack the remaining skeleton.
Ned will look around suspiciously for other opponents
Hakak will take the long way around to the last skeleton so he's flanking.
[dice=Attack roll]1d20+4+2
[dice=Critical conformation]1d20+4
[dice=Damage roll]2d12+6
Hakak will then check the bones for clues and equipment.
[dice=Perception check]1d20+3
There is no reason why such skeletons should be here. There are no warriors buried here, that means they were brought here. What was in this crypt?
[Prelude]
Lleidr will make sure to leave her booth with something tasty and a full cup.
"Well, ffrindiau, I feel fortified enough for a game or two. Maybe I can find someone to take a wager on some darts. Will you join me, or will I see you later at the Dragon?"
[Boneyard]
Lleidr, dagger still ready, will move up to the entrance of the crypt and peer in.
As he looks around, Lleidr says, "Perhaps as important, Jubrayl, where has whatever it was gone?"
Ned will take a look for tracks...
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Perlude
After getting a refill on his 2 plates Hakak replies to Lleidr with:
"I'll go with you to the games, but darts have never really been my thing. So from there we can split while I find something to show off my natural strength, but we meet back at the Dragon later and regale each other with stories of these many years."
[Boneyard, Evening after Swallowtail Festival, Round 4]
Jubrayl is assaulted once more by the oncoming skeleton, whose scimitar lances underneath his shield, scoring another hit (3 hp dmg).
Jubrayl tries to return the favor, but his opponent puts up a fierce series of parries.
But, with the skeleton focused solely on Jub, Hakak can come in from behind. He smashes the skeleton into dozens of fragments of decayed bone.
[Boneyard, Evening after Swallowtail Festival, Epilogue]
Ned spies tracks leading from the north wall to the crypt and back. With one exception, all the tracks are from goblin feet. The other set belonged to a medium-sized humanoid wearing boots or shoes. The way the tracks are arrayed suggests that about 6 goblins and this humanoid scaled the north wall, came down to the crypt, and then left the way they came. The tracks are very recent, probably less than an hour old.
Hakak realizes that the skeletons were attired in funerary uniforms of soldiers that died decades ago. Their equipment was very poor quality. Their ironmongery is definitely out of place in this sacred boneyard.
Inside the vault, Lleidr notices 2 things right off that are unusual:
First, there’s a discarded robe in a corner.
Second, there’s a sarcophagus lying open, with the lid cast to the floor. The sarcophagus held the remains of Ezakien Tobyn, Father Zantus’ predecessor and Nualia’s adopted father.
Assuming Selia would use Detect Magic, the robe displays an extremely faint magical aura, but it’s enough to identify it as a ‘Robe of Bones’. There are no patches remaining on it.
You all see Sheriff Hemlock coming into the boneyard, waving for your attention. He looks as if he needs to speak with you about something urgent.
Jubrayl winces as he starts to make his way over to Sheriff Hemlock, but he recomposes himself after a couple of steps.
Sheriff. One of the goblins has informed Hakak and I that the goblins were here as a diversion for someone to sneak into the graveyard here. I'm not sure what he was after, but it seems he got away with it.
Ned returns from the north wall, still examining the tracks, "Someone came over the north wall along with six goblins, entered this crypt and then left the same way they came."
"I don't know who did it, but according to Selia's spell, these dark robes are probably how those boney monsters got in here. She says they can be used to create skeletons." With a superstitious shudder, Lleidr offers the robe to Jubrayl or Nicholae. "Perhaps one of you more religious types could deal with this unholy thing?"
Rid of the robes, Lleidr unconsciously rubs the scar on his left hand, looking down at his feet. His voice is unusually serious. "Umm, also, I found out what they were after. You need to see inside the crypt. Ezekian's body's gone!"
Detecting Magic and using Knowledge Religion to see if he has any knowledge of these robes.
Knowledge Religion
Ned will sheath his sword and begins to relax now that combat is over. His flashing eyes and aura of command fade as he stoops over and seems to age before your eyes turning back into the same grandfatherly figure you've always known.
"How very odd. Why would anyone go to all this trouble to steal a body. Even the body of someone as beloved as Ezekian?"
" Hud bedd," Lleider mutters. "Necromancy."
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After realizing who's sarcophagus it is that has been plundered, something flashes in Selia's eyes. If the others could have seen it, they would have recognized it as one of those moments were Selia is beyond determined in a task. Selia surprises herself by suddenly yelling, "We must find the one responsible for this and bring them to justice!" She takes some deep breaths and tries to calm herself.
After a minute or so, Selia looks at the proferred robe and quickly identifies its properties. "Necromantic magic..." She drops the robe in disgust. "We must destroy that, it is the work of an abomination."
"Do we follow the tracks?"
"Now, now, let's not leap before we look. Do you have all your gear? We may be gone for a few days and remember, we won't have access to the general store." Ned counsels sagely.
"You say that now but you'll be singing a different tune when your huddled in a cold, wet, hungry camp. Do an old man a favor and make sure you have all your gear in order."
Upset women and half-orcs? Although Lleider is disturbed by the desecration, too, more immediately he thinks it's best to stay out of the way of the tall ones here around him until emotions are calmer. What are Father Zantus and the Sheriff doing?
Or, if the group is leaning towards Ned's suggestion to gear up and head out, then I'll go recover the weapons I got off the goblin leader and see if I can trade them for some supplies - food and the like - before meeting back up.
"I always keep a pack ready to go as well. I'll accompany you if I may. Will we all meet back here when we're ready then?" Ned will go to the Shady Dragon to get his pack. He'll also pick up his bow (again).
"I always keep a pack ready to go as well. I'll accompany you if I may. Will we all meet back here when we're ready then?" Ned will go to the Shady Dragon to get his pack. He'll also pick up his bow (again).
It's actually the Rusty Dragon. Kinda busy tonight, but I'll have another post for you tomorrow.
Sounds like we're disbursing for the moment. As I mentioned, if I know a couple of merchants nearby, I'd like to sell that masterwork horsecutter and pick up a few items for the trail.
Well, depending on how that goes, I'll give you my purchases. Nothing crazy, a mule or pony with a couple of saddlebags, and a blanket and rope to secure the body when we recover it. With that Diplomacy flub, though, I'll be lucky to get a lame mare.
[Boneyard, Evening after Swallowtail Festival]
Belor Hemlock calls for your attention. “Before you go setting off down the road, have you considered the setting sun? It might be too dangerous to be leaving town after dark. Not to mention, tracking someone is a lot harder when it’s pitch black outside. New moon tonight, after all.
“Listen, folks in Sandpoint are pretty jittery tonight, and it would help to reassure them if you all stayed here for a day or two. If those goblins return, I think the town could erupt into full-blown panic. Yes, we all want to know why the old priest’s remains were taken, but the folks still alive in Sandpoint are the priority right now.”
Lleidr, you're finding that all the shop-keeps are closed today, and that their ruined booths & stalls are abandoned.
You've all retrieved your packs and have reconvened, but the sun has set, and the chill gloom of an autumn night seeps through your clothes.
"Well, it could be that you're right. But on the other hand we're talking about people who are dealing in necromancy. I'm sure you will be comfort enough to the fine folk Sandpoint. More so than an old man and handful of youngsters."
"Well, it could be that you're right. But on the other hand we're talking about people who are dealing in necromancy. I'm sure you will be comfort enough to the fine folk Sandpoint. More so than an old man and handful of youngsters."
Hemlock: Well, do as you think best, of course, but the Lost Coast Road will be dangerous tonight.
The goblins were here as a distraction, so they don't really have a reason to come back and attack again. Unfortunately, goblins aren't exactly known for doing things for understandable reasons. I think we should set out first thing in the morning, at the earliest.
Those goblins got smacio pretty hard, Sheriff. I'd be surprised if they wanted another go at the town 'til a new leader's sorted out. But, it is going to be dark tonight. I think that Jub's right. We could spend the night rhag ofn and to let the town sleep a little easier. We can leave out at first light, when we can see the tracks easier.
Ned grumbles a bit, "Well in my day we wouldn't have let a little..."
We know, Ned. When you were a kid, you had to force march barefoot, in the snow, uphill to the dungeon! Us whippersnappers got no idea how easy it is on us these days. Now come on back to the Dragon and have something warm to drink before your gout or lumbago or whatever old timer's thing you got starts acting up.
Protecting the town should take precedence to chasing down these wrong doers and I have confidence on the morrow, your skills will be up to the task Ned
"<grumble>" Follows the group back to the inn.
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Selia looks crestfallen at the groups' decision. She mumbles under her breath, "Tomorrow, Father Tobyn, we will right this injustice and return you to your rest." She follows behind the group back to the inn.
When they arrive, Selia hurries to address the entire group, "I don't suppose we can work out more of a plan than, 'follow the tracks,' can we? If that is the case, I am going to turn in for the night so I can be up at first light."
"Planning is good, but I'm not sure how much we can do until we see what we're getting into."
Between the festival and the goblins, most of the shops were closed today, so I wasn't able to find a horse or wagon or anything like that to carry the body back with. Am y mater, I came into town with a merchant's wagon, so I don't have a pony or even a bedroll right now. Besides those couple of things, I thought I'd see if there was anything particularly useful against undead or magicians. Any suggestions?"
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Before heading back to the inn for the night.
Upon returning to the boneyard you all notice Hakak in a much calmer state, but he seems to be rubbing the knuckles of his right hand as if they pain him. Then you all see a fist sized hole in the back wall.
Hakak will follow you all back to the inn and nurse his hand, but should be back to fighting fit in the morning.
"Now you all make it an early night. We'll be leaving at first light."
[Night in Sandpoint]
The large rusty iron dragon perched atop the inn’s roof is a welcome sight on this chill autumn evening. Fog rolls off the ocean and fills otherwise empty streets, making the orange glow from the Dragon’s windows appear as a series of fiery globs. From outside, you can hear the muffled din of commotion taking place within.
Before you can step inside, you see an elderly but regal fellow step outside and slam the door behind him. His brows are knotted in fury and his fists are clenched tight at his sides. You immediately recognize him as Ameiko’s father, Longjiku Kaijitsu. He steps off the broad porch without giving you all so much as a side glance, and darts down the street at a quick pace.
Inside, the patrons have apparently taken little notice of Longjiku’s anger or abrupt exit. Laughter and song wash over you, and the smells of food send your bellies grumbling.
Dabbing a cloth at her eye, Ameiko comes up to you. “Your rooms are ready, and everyone is eager to get the lowdown on what happened! Make it a good story, because the longer they’re listening, the more ale they’re buying.
“By the way, Hemlock came by here looking for you. He was wondering if you could stick around in the morning. They’re going to try consecrating the new chapel again very early, and it would help with morale if Sandpoint’s new heroes were visible.”
New heroes, she says. Jubrayl says with a wriggle of his eyebrows. Well I doubt it'd hurt for us to stick aroun for the consecration before taking off. I doubt an hour is going to make much of a difference. But perhaps one of you should regale the crowd with stories, I am planning to turn in early. But before that,He gestures to a cut in his side Nicholae, Selia, could one of you you...