GM Sphen Rise of the Runelords: (Clever Subtitle)

Game Master Sphen86

Finishing his prayer, Dol finds a sheet or blanket to cover the body and scoops it up in his arms.

His face awash with sorrow, he heads outside. Handing the bundle to Aventail, he heads over to the weeping Amele and her family. "I am sorry, Amele. There was a goblin hiding in the closet. It must have surprised your husband when he opened the door.

Come, let us take him to the cathedral and put him to rest."

Hearing the commotion die down, Mizzug smiles to the woman.

"See? All be gud now. Jess needed calm down."

Glancing towards the house, Mizzug calls out cheerily. "Kay. Yas kin come out na-ows. Front is safes too."

Razkiv stands alone in the room, 'The goblin where likely only a tool, someone used them. And this is the result.' he kneels to touch the dog.

'When I find who did this, they will burn.' as Raz leaves the house to follow his new friends the flame tattoos on his right arm seem to move like a true fire.

Bumbo crumples to his knees and begins to openly weep, now that the imminent danger is gone and the hopelessness of this situation takes him over. He spends several moments there, unable to go and confront this woman whom he failed in so terrible a way. Toot sniffs about the hole seeking more prey, but finds none and so trots outside to check around the perimeter of the house. Oddly enough, he says nothing to the grieving Bumbo...even the cold-hearted beast is affected by this.

After several moments, Bumbo makes his way outside, his head hung low. He looks up at Amele with tear-filled eyes, and can only choke out. I'm sorry.

Indeed, Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Aventail accepts the profferred corpse with due gravity, and, inscrutable, watches Amele for a moment, as if ascertaining her distress. She inclines her head in a deferential nod then makes her way toward the cathedral.

Loth is tempted to investigate the crawlspace further, but understands now is not the time. He awkwardly takes the goblin's body and carries it out of the house, trying to make sure as little sign of this tragedy will remain once the remaining family returns to the house.

As the group leaves for the cathedral, he walks with Bumbo, in silence, unsure how to console his gnomish travel companion.

@Loth: What do you do with the goblin body?

@Everyone: Does anyone do anything with Petals?

Confronted with the undeniable evidence of the corpse of her husband, Amele goes from barely contained panic to out and out despair. Falling to her knees and wailing, tears streaming from her eyes, the undeniable pain in her cry brings neighbors flocking out their doors to see what has happened. Shouts are raised, and more than a few fists, but Loth's discrete removal of the goblin tells bystanders everything they need to know. Young Aeren stands weeping, clutching at his unresponsive mother who is huddled over the baby in her arms.
It takes friends and neighbors several minutes to get her up and moving, still weeping, following behind Aventail towards the nearby cathedral. Her despair has even alerted those inside, Father Zantus stands solemnly at the main doors with an acolyte, ready to receive this family in their time of need.

A sad part of their lives, to be sure. But they appear to have the support of those around them. What will you all do next?

I toyed with cremating Petals, in my head I equate the Shoanti with Mongols, Once Petals past he no longer needs his body. On the other hand it probably would have been a good idea to remove the body from the kids room

I figure either Loth knows how the town cleaned up the goblin bodies after the attack, or he'll be able to ask someone about it. He'll just follow the same procedure.

After delivering the family to Father Zantus, Dol silently turns and returns to the house.

He sets to cleaning the room of any sign of the struggle. Petals he will bury behind the house. Asking neighbors for cleaning supplies, he will scrub away the blood and begin repairing the floor.

I nearly prepared Mending today...

Bumbo wipes away tears as he helps Dol with the macabre work. As they close, he sniffles, and shakes his head. We can't wait for these guards from Magnimar...or higher walls...or whatever else the Mayor put into action. Every day we do, there's a chance that something like this could happen again. He looks up, brow furrowed with resolve, and even Toot glances over in interest. We have to go see her. We have to do something!

Waiting until the body and family depart, Mizzug finally speaks. "Did 'e die well? Did 'e fight?"

"Only iffen 'e died without defense is sad...yes?"

Shaking her head, a bit puzzled, she joins Dol in scrubbing the floor. "No is gud ta leave blood n house."

The druid sits on the porch waiting for his friends, fuming, when the others exit he stands. "In the Quah this is when a group of angry would form a Дайны үдэшлэг, a war party. But we are not in the Quah, we should go to the sheriff, tell him of our intention and then take the fight to those that caused this."

As Mizzug asks questions, Dol takes a moment, closes his eyes, and breathes deeply.

"He died alerting his family to danger. Because he yelled out, the children were able to escape. So, yes, I believe he died well."

Seeking guidance, he attempts to make Mizzug understand. "This man was not a warrior. His family did not expect him to be in harm's way, and thus are unprepared for the loss.

That is not the case for this man's family. The loss is sudden, and it will take them some time to move beyond the grief. The rest of us empathize with the family and feel some of their sadness."

----

Grateful for the assistance of his companions, Dol works with typical dwarven industry, trying to assuage his feelings of helplessness and the survivor's guilt of not being there to protect this family.

Sitting on the ground, after they finish he listens to the declarations of revenge from Bumbo and Razvik. "We, and this town, have been complacent. Goblins are like a weed. If you don't pull out weeds from your garden when you find them, you can't be surprised when you lose crops.

We WILL go and tend to our garden, but let us not do so with anger in our hearts. Such is the way of the goblin. We will bear love and light and root out evil with careful precision."

Still a bit puzzled, "But should always be ready ter potect self and fam-ly." Glancing towards her somber companions, she frowns. "No is gud then."

Upon completion, Mizzug stretches, listening to her companions. Slowly, she raises a hand. "Though she were lookin fer goblins?"

"Wait...yas has garden? I's nevah gardened. Cans you teach me?"

Razkiv responds to Dol with a hand on his upper arm.

"Nay, friend Dwarf. To compare goblins and wolves is a disservice to the wolf."

Dol stands and paces a few times, as he collects his thoughts. He opens his mouth to begin teaching Mizzug the history of creation and the evils of the goblinoid races, then thinks that perhaps there might be a bettet time. "Mizzug, I would do no better at teaching you to garden than I have at teaching you analogy.

Plainly said, I agree that the goblins must be tracked and killed. Not for the purpose of revenge, but so that society may flourish."

Loth nods at Dol's declarations, though he frowns at some of them. "I understand your sentiment, Dol, but I'm not sure if I agree that we're at fault for being blindsided by a goblin attack orchestrated in the shadows. How could we have known?"

Not wanting to argue, however, he follows up with the part that everyone can agree on. "But in the end, it all comes down to getting rid of the heart of the matter: wherever these goblins are organizing from."

Aventail stays at the cathedral, watching with detached interest as the body is pricessed for burial. She then returns to her companions.

Dol sighs loudly and laments at not being able to get his point across. "Goblins will always attack, whether prodded or not.

They should have been hunted and eradicated long ago. No goblins, no attack."

Frustrated, he pounds his fist against the wall of the house.

"Rust and ruin! I feel helpless here, and sitting here wallowing won't make it better. I'm off to walk through town and talk to the people. Maybe I'll hear of some other strange occurrences before they come to death.

Anyone want to join me?"

Alone or with company, that is what Dol will do for the next several hours, at least

Diplomacy(Gather Information): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

...and apparently make a bad job of it

Aventail's head veers from side to side.

"Eradication of the goblins does not end evil. They are a tool, and we find the hand that wields it - crush that, end that small part of evil." The adamantian crouches, a rare show of egalitarian sensibility. Or, at least, a hamfisted attempt.

"I understand your frustration Dol Stormmaul. I will do everything in my power to assist you."

Aventail rises again, then shadows Dol, keeping an eye out for suspicious activity.

Aid Another: Diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Loth considers responding to Dol, but decides not to. The day's been heavy enough without the group falling into argument.

"I'll join, Dol."

Aid Another: Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

I was very pleased to see the number of posts when I checked. Thank you guys for this. I love reading this stuff.

@Raz: I can see cremation being a thing for them. Or if there isn't enough wood for that (since cremation takes a lot of fire), then stone carin.

@Loth: Most of the bodies are taken to a particular part of the cliff the town sits on and thrown over the edge. The bottom of this cliff is the town dump.

@The Party:
As you move through town, most of the talk is actually rumors (many you know first hand to be inaccurate) about what happened to Amele and her family this morning. Everything from a whole goblin invasion targeted at their home to the husband going crazy and killing the dog and then himself. They are easy enough to correct if you choose to do so.

Other than that, the town is in relatively good spirits. The attack was a surprise, but it seems to have been well handled, and most of the credit for that goes to you lot. They know that Father Zantus has healed up the local guards, Sheriff Hemlock has gone for more aide, and Mayor Devrin has sent Shalelu out to find the source of the problem. They feel confident that they will be able to handle whatever comes next. You see many of the previously wounded guards up and moving around town, back on patrol. Universally, they nod to you as you pass, respect and gratitude in their eyes.

Lunch is again free at The Rusty Dragon Inn, and while Bethanna is very cheerful and attentive (especially if Loth is there), Ameiko seems minorly distracted (but waves off any questions about it). Aldern Foxglove has indeed checked out and left town, leaving you all a long winded letter that once again thanks you for saving his life and reminding you to look him up if you're ever in Magnimar.

This day will pass otherwise uneventfully. Does anyone have anything they'd like to do before the next morning?

I probably won't check this again until Monday. Just as an FYI. Family coming into town for the holidays and all that.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Bumbo makes sure to correct any of the rumors that implicate the father of this poor family in any way, sometimes vehemently. He will do his best not to scare people in town, but doesn't shy from the truth either. Goblins did this, and the people need to know.

After, Bumbo will check in at the Theater with Cyrdak and see if he needs anything, or if he has Bumbo scheduled to play background for any shows. He dismisses Toot, as the surly pig is itching for another fight.

Soon, friend...soon.

After walking through town and talking to as many people as possible, Dol is still conflicted.

Returning to Savah's he joins her in the forge and helps her out with whatever tasks she requires, serving as an assistant, or forging pieces to help fulfill her orders.

As discussed, Loth gets rid of the goblin in the same way all other goblins have been disposed of.
If Loth catches wind of any embellished rumors about the events at the house, he is quick to correct them.

I don't believe we've asked Father Zantus about this, have we? If not, feel free to ignore the following.

Hoping to get a bit more understanding into the significance of the tomb in all this, Loth approaches Father Zantus during a free moment. He'll ask the father for anything notable about Father Tobyn and Nualia, and perhaps the circumstances of their burial.

People are quick to listen to your stories, and rumors quickly (as such things are considered) all begin to reflect the truth. Some embellishment is always inevitable, but only the most gullible townsfolk are willing to listen to the tale of how the Heroes of Sandpoint stopped an entire goblin army that had tunneled under the town and come up through the poor kids closet.

@Bumbo: Soon. Cyrdak informs you that shows are cancelled for the next few days at least, but he'd consider it a personal favor if Toot would do his best to entertain the townsfolk to help raise their spirits (especially the children).

@Dol: Savah is glad for your help. She speaks little while she's working, concentrating on her craft. You spend the day making spear heads crossbow bolts.

@Loth: You've not spoken directly to Father Zantus about Father Tobyn or Nualia (that I can remember). And while not exactly eager to speak of what has happened, he doesn't hide anything from you. Nor does he reveal anything particularly new to you. He tells you that Father Toby lived in Sandpoint as a child, ran the previous iteration of the church (a large wooden building), Nualia was his adopted child and had celestial blood in her veins, that they were both well liked around town. Zantus was an acolyte under Father Tobyn and was approaching the time he would leave the church to seek another town to minister to when the fire happened. Afterward, he decided to stay here and help the people through the times. A few of the other acolytes died, as well as some parishioners; he seems especially grieved by this and it can be easily inferred he lost someone of particular import to himself in that fire.

________

@Everyone: The day passes (as previously stated) otherwise uneventfully. The town is once again in a mixed mood, most still cheerful at having repelled the goblins, but those who knew the family of the deceased are mournful that such a thing happened after they though they were safe. Houses all over town are checked for holes and no other goblins are found hiding. Ameiko appears slightly preoccupied as before, but still does not talk about whatever is on her mind. Bethana (if asked) says she's probably just worried about Shalaleu as they are old friends and used to adventure together. After most patrons have eaten their dinners, Ameiko pulls out a strange looking stringed instrument akin to a lute and sings along with her playing. The melody is slow and soft, but the words are in Tien.

As everyone heads off to bed, the town begins to quiet, noise dropping off as lights are extinguished. Eventually even the stars fade, and about an hour before the sun peaks above the horizon, Loth is awoken by a loud pounding on his inn room door. Over the sound of a fist banging on the wooden door, Loth can also hear a nervous voice speaking quickly. Open up, open up. Oh gods, please let him hear me quickly.

Loth Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

Mizzug meanders behind the group as they wander through town, taking in the habits of her companions and others. Her bewilderment evident on her face, she keeps quiet for the most part.

'Such strange creatures. Not dangerous tho...'

Upon nightfall, she quickly falls into a restful sleep in her room. The recent events failing to affect her sleep in any way.

Bumbo winces a bit; the last time Toot had done such entertaining had ended in a broken table and a hefty food bill for the snacks he'd devoured. But, for the kids...

Certainly! I'm sure he'd be happy to help! Of course, that was only because Bumbo had explained to Toot that he was teaching the youngsters the way of battle, and that his was a position of great respect among them. It just so happened that the "drills" involved more tickle wars and mud fort creation than anything else.

Loth listens to Father Zantus with intent. "You made a responsible decision, Father Zantus, and a laudable one. You have my thanks for bearing with me as I pried for a bit. Rest assured we're going to do whatever we can to make sure something like the goblin attack will never happen to Sandpoint again."

----

Upon hearing the door, and especially the pleading voice, Loth rushes to the door and opens it. "What's going on, what's the matter?"

@Loth: Bethanna stands in the door frame, fear etched across her face. She's gone. Ameiko wasn't in the kitchen this morning like she usually is, so I went to check on her and couldn't find her and her door is locked and no one is answering. Bethanna moves closer to you, not touching you but huddled down like she's trying to hide and close. After what happened to that poor family over by the church, I'm scared something happened to her too. Bethanna seems to run out of breath at this point and just stands breathing heavily, her eyes wide and darting around in the near darkness.

@Bumbo: How well does Toot take to the children? They would be frightened of him at first, I think. But if he lets them tickle and climb on him, they would swarm around both of you. Some of the older kids would probably even enjoy play fighting with him, to lend your story credibility.

Toot, at first, is stern with the children. But after "teaching" them for a bit, the eidolon figures that he just may have to adapt to their form or learning. Not understanding the tendencies of these odd two-legged folk, he allows them to practice their odd attacks and tackles on him. He corrects their form ever so often, unintentionally tickling them back with his snout or a hoof.

As he has for years Razkiv wakes before the dawn, he does his best to step around his roommate and exit the room with out waking Mizzug. Once he leaves the room he heads to an spot where he can burn his incense in quiet calm and use the ashes to anoint himself.

Loth listens to Bethanna's story patiently. When she's done, he carefully puts a hand on her shoulder (She is a halfling, right?) and tries to reassure her. "I'll start looking right away, and I'll let the others know as soon as they're awake. I'm sure they'll help as well."
He gives her a calm smile. "Ameiko used to be an adventurer, right? I'm sure if some goblin showed up near her, she wouldn't be the one most in danger."

After having hopefully calmed her down a bit, Loth gets equipped and sets out immediately. Before leaving the White Deer, he tries knocking on Razkiv's room to see if he can get Mizzug and Razkiv to help him (and likely having just missed Razkiv as he left the inn).

"ZZzzz *Snort* I kills it. It mine!" calls out Mizzug groggily at the sounds of Loth knocking.

Stretching, the woman rubs her eyes for a moment...a lound yawn escaping. "Hmmm? Does whats Razkiv?"

Slowly gaining her bearings, she dresses and gets to her feet, grumbling to the door. "Bees right dere."

A few moments later

Fully dressed and carrying what she owns, Mizzug opens the door. With a somewhat unassuming expression as Loth explains the situation, she nods. "So...whatscha tink? More widdle ones? Ain't we's spose ta stay in town till lawman return?"

@Loth: Bethanna is indeed a halfling. Maybe the reason why she came running all the way to you......

As you go down the hall to knock, she follows close behind you. Please hurry. I have a spare key to her room for emergencies. We can start there.

What is everyone else doing? "Sleeping" is a fully acceptable answer.

@Razkiv: I'm going to say you hear/see Bethanna talking to Loth so you have some in character idea of where to look for them when your done with your meditating and such.

Mizzug go where be maybe action! RAWR!
Uh...I go with the small people to the big room

Dol is sleeping, unless someone wakes him up.

"I'll get Dol and Aventail, he points down one hall, "you get Bumpo and Mizzug... Just say her name, do not touch her when she is asleep."

Same here; would have dismissed Toot when he was done with the children, and hit the hay

The Druid moves down the hall knocking first on Aventail's door and them moving to Dol's

"Time to rise and begin your dedications to Torag, something is amiss with Ameiko" He will listen for a response from Dol before moving back to Aventail's.

Before Razvik even begins speaking, the door is flung open, revealing Dol in his nightshirt, with warhammer in hand, looking every direction for a goblin invasion.

Sensing Razvik's relative calm, he relaxes a bit.

"Ameiko? Trouble? Of course. I'll begin my prayers right away."

I think that takes an hour, so Dol won't participate in the initial investigation. If you need to leave to follow a thread, just leave a note and he will follow as soon as he is done.

Swapping out Read Magic and Create Water for Guidance and Mending

Avential opens her door, seemingly ready at once.

"I am ready." is all she says.

"Thanks for getting up so fast, Mizzug. Like Bethanna said, for now we're starting at her house." Loth explains. Following Razkiv's plan, they then head for Bumbo's place. As he has a bit more familiarity with him compared to Mizzug and Raz, Loth has no reservations of loudly pounding the door. "Bumbo! Get up, Ameiko's gone missing!"

Having quickly gathered those who are ready from here and there, you find yourself in a small hallway in the back of the Rusty Dragon Inn. A single door comes off this hallway, made of thick wood. Bethanna pulls a small key ring and flips through it nervously until she finds the one she wants. She opens the lock with a click and slowly opens the door, peeking her head in as she does so. With a sigh, she pushes the door the rest of the way open.
This is what I was afraid of, she says, gesturing into the room. She's not here. She never just leaves. She loves this bar. She's got to be in trouble.

Bethanna begins searching the room for clues, and presuming someone helps, she mumbles to herself the entire time in a worried voice. The bed is made, the sheets are cold. No signs of a struggle or break-in. The only window is closed and latched from the inside. Eventually, you find a note tucked into one corner of a book.

It reads: You're GM is lazy and didn't want to type it all out, so here's a hyperlink.

Whoever finds it first, however, ends up having to hand it over to Bethanna as it is written in Tien and she can read it. She does so (obviously), out loud in an increasingly distressed voice. Turning to Loth, she says Tsuto! Please go check on her. The Glassworks is on the southern edge of town, by the cliff. Plese, make sure she's safe.

@Dol: Amazingly, this investigation took just enough time for you to finish your prayers, grab your stuff, and reach Ameiko's room at the Rusty Dragon Inn. By sheer and pure coincidence.

What's the next step? Obviously the trail (rails) leads to the Glassworks. But does anyone want to do anything else first?

”So the father’s absence at the ceremony is somewhat explained. He’s involved in goblinry. Curiouser and curiouser.” Aventail intones. ”If Ameiko has attended this meeting, and not yet returned then mayhap something untoward has eventuated. Let us not tarry.” the adamantian finishes with many antiquated and archaic turns of phrase.

Bumbo snorts awake, sounding much like Toot on a charge. He pops up with sudden energy as usual, mostly because morning means breakfast. Rushing out, he tries to get details out of Loth on the way to the Rusty Dragon, to no avail of course.

After reading the letter and hearing Aventail's take on it, Bumbo pauses to puzzle out the wording. Goblinry...yeah, that's a good word for it. He nods resolutely and looks to the others. I agree with Aventail, this goblinotritude has to stop! Let's go!

His stomach growls as soon as he mentions doing anything but finding some sweet and gooey breakfast confection.

Loth nods, accepting Tsuto's note as a confirmation of his suspicions of the Kajitsu patriarch. "I agree, we should hurry, but we should also be careful. If something happened in the Glassworks, it might be dangerous."

As the situation is explained to him, Dol frowns.

"I don't know... the wording seems too... casual for the inflammatory content. It is almost as if the author were enticing Ameiko with the obvious danger not taken quite seriously.

It smells like a honey pot to me."

Looking to Bethana, he asks, "What is Ameiko's relationship like with her brother?"

@Everyone:
As you travel across town, Razkiv spots you easily in the almost empty streets and joins you, Bethanna trailing nervously and wringing her hands as she goes. In the very early dawn, you share the streets only with stray animals and the orcs and half-orcs paid to gather up the town's garbage, each of them pushing a bright red wheelbarrow as they do so. Reaching the Glassworks is easy, everyone in town knows it, and at least two dozen people work there. It is a long, stone building, dotted with thick glass windows, all of which are shuttered and/or curtained. There are three doors. First is the customer entrance (A1 on the east side of the room. The map is tilted so that North is to the left.) The second is the employee entrance (A16). Both of these entrances are thick, seasoned wood and appear to be locked. Last is the loading doors, a pair of large wooden doors at A18. They are the same thickness as the other doors, but much larger and apparently on rollers. There is a path down the cliff to the beach from those doors.

There is your situation folks. How would you like to approach it?