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"No, Mizzug, 'trap door' refers to any door in the floor of a structure, it doesn't need to be an actual 'trap'"
Turning to the Sheriff, Dol explains the situation. "The tomb was occupied by two apparently summoned skeletons, Sheriff. Whoever broke in appears to have stolen the Father's remains, and for some reason left a robe behind.
Who or what committed this act is uncertain. Do you have a tracker? Perhaps they could find some tracks to allow us to follow along."
@Bubmo: The traces of magic on this cloak light up as you cast your spell. Taking it into your hands to study it, you run it through your fingers and concentrate. The school of conjuration is coming through, and you remember an item called a
@Loth: Don't forget the footprints of a medium humanoid as well.
.
Sheriff Hemlock listens to everything you have to tell him without saying anything, his eyes still scanning the area. A raid of this size wouldn't have been used to cover up such simple grave robbing. This probably a secondary objective. But I cannot think of a reason for it..... His thoughts begin to wander as he ponders this situation. But his attention snaps back when someone mentions a scout. His eyes refocus on Dol as he answers, A tracker? Yes, we employee a tracker of sorts. her name is Shalelu. She went out hours ago to scout for any more goblins advancing on the town. She hasn't come back yet. When she does, I'll send for all of you. With that, he turns and heads back towards the door to the church.
Still somewhat perturbed by the grave-breaking, Aventail gravitates toward the Sherriff, but he seems to have enough to do and is in no immediate need of an over-eager militia wannabe. Hiding her disappointment easily behind her inscrutable faceplate, Aventail returns to help Father Zantus until she is told to leave/rest. And will then find a place to "rest" until sent for.
"I intend to keep digging, I understand if anyone else wants to go back to their lives. I will meet those that wish to keep digging on the stairs of the cathedral tomorrow."
He turns and heads towards his in, "Mizzug, follow me lets get some rest."
You're probably correct. It's been a week.
Aha! Bumbo raises up the robes triumphantly, then goes back to studying him, seeming to forget that no one else has a conduit into his own thoughts. After a few more seconds, he looks up to see attention on him.
Oh...yes, sorry. So, this is a Robe of Bones - a nifty little conjuring item, though it seems spent. When you take the patches off of it, they turn into animated skeletons to do your bidding. Neat, huh? At least we know how they summoned the things...just not sure of the "why"
Toot idly watches the exchanges, but only to pass the time until there's something to hit.
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At the revelation of the robe's purpose, Dol considers the situation for a moment.
"Perhaps it was a deception? Two skeletons in a tomb with two occupants.
If we hadn't examined the daughter's coffin, we might not have realized that the priest's bones were missing.
Leaving the robe behind was just sloppy. The plan is obviously far above what would be expected from a goblin, though the laziness of discarding the robe sounds more like them.
Going to such lengths to cover up the theft of bones, though. There must be something special about these bones.
Sheriff, was the priest human or some other race?"
Loth nods at the others' observations.
"Perhaps the goblins were following specific instructions. Like, go to the tomb, take the bones, use the robe, leave and close the door behind you. Either way, I think we all agree that there's most something behind this with more cognitive ability than the average goblin.
And that would mean there's someone out there with at the very least a raiding party of goblins under their command. And they don't mind sending it Sandpoint's way."
Sheriff Balor answers Dol first; Aye. Human as they come. Nualia wasn't though. Angel blooded, whatever. Can't remember the proper name.
Then to Loth; This was more than just a raiding party. To judge by the numbers, this was more than one clan. And that means someone or something was strong enough to get them all to work together.
"I can prepare magic in the morning that will help with tracking, Maybe if we can find a jumping off point we can find some answers."
"Mayhaps deys gun make weapon of priest bones? Me clan use-ta make 'em outta elders back in days past."
With another loud yawn and a shake of her head, she turns to Razkiv. "I's ready fer sleep iffen we's dun wit widdle ones."
Loth clarifies for Balor.
"I think you mean Aasimar, sheriff."
He then nods to the sheriff's response to his own musings. "All the more reason to take this seriously. Thank you for your time."
Loth will retreat to turn in for the night as well. During the free time he'll write a letter to his family to let them know he'll be gone for a while longer.
"We have no proof that the good priest's bones ever lay in the sarcophagus. And if they did not, then who was responsible for the interment? And, musing further, how do we have any way of determining if his daughter was not also similarly...not interred. Or he buried in her sarcophagus, and she buried elsewhere..."
@Loth: The mail system is rudimentary to non-existent. You can pay for a spell caster to send your message magically through a variety of spells, but that is mostly just used by the wealthy. Most post is delivered by a merchant going from one town to the next and delivered to a designated spot. A large city like Magnimar would have an internal post, a smaller town like Sandpoint would have the letters delivered to the town hall. Most times, the town would collect letters from the citizens until the next merchant coming through and pay a lump sum to get them all delivered. Adds a few days onto things, but the system tends to be reliable.
The next day finds you all rested, but weary and sore muscles make the beginning of your day a slow start. But the sun rises bright and clear, birds chirping ignorantly of the travesty that recently befell this sleepy little town.
@The Cathedral: For those of you there, the open nave of the church is still full of cots and bedrolls, and tired laymen have been moving about all through the night in shifts tending to the wounded. Aventail's tireless assistance has earned the groggy gratitude of those here. Two of the town guards stand watch over the front entrance. When they see you awake and moving about, one of them comes over to inform you (and Aventail as well, of course) that the Sheriff and the Mayor would like to see you at the Town Hall as soon as possible. Shalelu has returned with news.
@The Rusty Dragon Inn: This morning finds you greeted by the owner and operator of the towns more popular tavern, Ameiko Kaijitsu. Of obvious Tien descent, she speaks common without accent and has a wiry frame and sharp eyes. The bandages on her arms and shoulder show that she did not shy away from the fighting yesterday. She greats you as heroes, offers breakfast before passing on the same message the guards at the cathedral gave.
@The White Stag: The stoic Shoanti inn keepers show a rare sign of acceptance, offering you a place at their breakfast table. You know that eating with the family is a thing not often done, especially with outsiders. They too pass on the message about a meeting at the Town Hall.
Does anyone want to do anything this morning before going to the meeting?
Razkiv wakes and during his morning preparations, where be burns incense painting his arms with the ash, he recalls that they never met with the noble for a reward. That thought escapes again after hearing the message about the meeting.
Bumbo mills around the Theater for a bit, making a fuss of checking in on his boss, Cyrdak, and making sure that everything there was back on track. Apparently, the Sandpoint Theater wasn't to miss a beat, as Cyrdak had shows booked that afternoon. It seems that most want to forget the tension of the last day and move on. And, so Bumbo does as well...he was never one to let things linger...lost interest too quickly.
Toot was absent this morning, having asked to return to his home plane when he found out Bumbo would be actually just resting and not fighting anything. Bumbo enjoys the quiet as he answers the summons and heads towards the Town Hall. One shouldn't ever turn down such a well written summons...and from the mayor nonetheless!
When Bumbo arrives, he greets his new friends, happy to see they were all invited as well. His wide jowls break into a wide grin. Morning everyone; slept well?
"Rather well, thank you. How about you?"
As the party gathers to respond to the summons, Loth notices the same people he fought with the day before. "It would seem we've garnered something of a reputation as a party."
Stretching thematically, Bumbo sighs. Ah...nothing like a good meditation to usher one into sleep. I dreamed of lavender feels and the warmth of a summer sun. He stops stretching and winks. But thanks for askin' anyway.
Guess so...I think we'll lean on the idea that it's our performance that did that, and not desperation, eh?
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Before returning to the cathedral, Dol stops by the forge where he worked previously.
Retrieving a bit of wire from the scrap box, he cleans it, heats it just enough to be pliable, and sets about using a small hammer and the anvil to shape it into the semblance of a butterfly. Though plain, the piece comes out rather nicely.
Having communed sufficiently for the morning, he heads straight to the cathedral. Noticing the other party members gathered already, he smiles and heads over.
"Good morning. Apparently the town suffered no further attacks while we were sleeping."
Stepping up to Bumbo, he offers the butterfly pin to him. "I was inspired by the patroness of this cathedral, and had to stop at the forge to create something of beauty to contrast the horrors of yesterday.
Here, do with it as you will."
If the meeting is not yet taking place, Dol will head over to the injured and take a turn tending to their needs.
As you all meet outside of the Town Hall, the door creaks open and out pops a head looking directly at your group. Rumpled brown hair crowns over tired looking eyes from this human's head as he stops mid sentence to yawn, Can I help.......(yawn).... you folks? Wait, are you lot the ones that helped the militia fight off the goblins? He opens the door the rest of the way as he steps out. His clothes are as disheveled as his hair. You must be. They said Aventail was part of the group and Mayor Devrin said to expect you. Come in, come in. He pushes the door all the way open and gestures into the building for you all to enter. The Mayor and the council are meeting right now, just at the end of the hall there, but she asked that you all be sent in right away.
Bumbo gasps at the gift, and his eyes widen comically. He turns it over and around as he stares at it in wonder. Why...thank you Dol, it's magnificent. He grins and nods at the piece, as if having a discussion with it. Why, I think this could well be a symbol of all of the good that can come out of tragedy. I think, if we all take this to heart, we can push through whatever assails us!
"Thank you." Loth nods. He then extends his arm towards the man. "I don't believe we've met. My name is Loth Dalveran."
"Mizzus snores, loudly, it felt like home. I have not slept so well in some time."
Aventail’s faceplate creases to a semblance of a smile when she is mentioned as the symbolic reference for identifying the group.
”These are the heroes I assisted, yes.” she assures the man with a magnanimous bow. Not realising she needs to be introduced to the tired functionary the adamantian saunters toward and down the hall as directed.
Bumbo watches Aventail, then looks at everyone else, somewhat confused. With a shrug, he rushes away to keep up with the warforged, assuming that's where he was supposed to go. He gives the "come on, come on" motion to everyone else.
As Razkiv goes about his daily ritual, Mizzug looks on with great intrigue. Silently, she traces her tattoos about her face, but says nothing.
With a slight nod, she falls in step with the others. "Razkiv, I kin make yous ma-arks fereva iffen you wish. No need add all day."
"It is the act of merging the ash with my flesh and sweat that is the power, the marks are of secondary import. But if you are an artist I would be honored to have some of your work, I have a kit in my room if you did not bring your own tools."
As you all enter the Town Hall, the mayor's assistant moves aside and you see a pair of (relatively) large double doors at the end of a 40 foot hallway. The man calls out, Go on in, they're expecting you.
Presuming you do so: The doors push open easily, revealing the town council's meeting room. A large rectangular wooden table dominates the center of the room, ringed about with several chairs, and benches line the walls for towns folk to use during meetings. Morning light shines in through the uncovered windows set high on the back wall, and a map of Sandpoint and its environs is spread out on the table with several sheets of parchment surrounding and on top of it. Most of you know that there are only 8 members of the town council, and you see 4 of them here. Mayor Devrin, Sheriff Hemlock, the unnamed Scarnetti man, and an older human man,
Also seated at one of the chairs is an elven woman dressed in traveling clothes and lightly armored.
Seated on one of the benches along the wall, and obviously impatient about it, is another human man, older and angry looking. Most of you would have heard of this man, even if it was just a friendly warning to stay away from him. Davrin Hosk runs the Goblin Squash Stables. He breeds fine horses, but dislikes non-humans. And absolutely goblins.
As the doors open, all heads turn towards you, and the Mayor's face brightens. She, along with everyone else except the elven woman, seem extremely tired (bags under their eyes, lethargic movements, etc). Ah, good. The so called Heroes of Sandpoint. Wonderful, we wanted to speak with you.
No hold up there Kendra. The man along the table interrupts with a glare at you all and a scowl for the mayor. I've been waiting here since dawn to say my piece, and you're going to let these outsiders go before me?! Why, I'm an upstanding--
The Mayor breaks in on top of him, clearly losing her patience with the man. That is Mayor Devrin to you, Goodman Hosk. And the council decides what business it will attend to and when. And if you cannot keep your mouth to yourself, I will have Sheriff Balor escort you from the chamber. Her voice slowly but steadily rises as she goes until she is almost shouting at the man, who seems visibly quelled. Taking a deep breath, she turns back to the group. Now, as I was saying- she cuts a sharp look over at Hosk who seems to be muttering to himself, I'm afraid we can't give you the thanks you deserve for helping to protect our town, especially not right now. We have several disturbing things to discuss with you if you're willing to help. And to agree not to spread these things to publicly. We don't want the citizens to panic. She gives everyone a chance to agree or to leave the room. This is Shalelu Andosana. She.... works with the city. She knows the hinterlands of Sandpoint better than anyone and has taken upon herself to patrol the area to assess certain threats. She is recently back from Hook Mountain where she had been training, but has agreed to set out again immediately to reconnoiter the goblin tribes in the area. she's already seen signs of heavier than normal goblin activity, but she only arrived very early this morning. In the mean time, I've asked Sheriff Hemlock to go to Magnimar to request aid from the city.
I still think someone else should go. I don't like leaving the town like this. Not now of all times. Sheriff Hemlock states.
Sheriff, we've been over this. The request for aid will come better coming from someone with both the title and a badge. The Mayor seems to take this as a foregone conclusion and moves along. In the meantime, the town will be stretched relatively thin. As such, we'd like to deputize you to act as temporary guardsmen until the Sheriff returns. You won't be sheriffs, you'll still need to answer to whom ever Sheriff Balor leaves in charge of the guard, but you won't be put on rotation or patrol. We'll give you leave to go about your business, but I believe the town will feel better having you around in an official capacity.
Anyone who looks over at Hosk sees a look of shock, anger, and disgust.
Mayor Devrin continues, Aventail, I believe the Sheriff has spoken of your training with the guards and has spoken highly of your discipline and your skill. Who among you will take up this call?
Before saying anything, Loth takes a few mental notes on some of these new faces. He then steps forward. "Mayor Devrin, Sandpoint has welcomed me in a way my family has not been welcomed for a while. I will gladly do my part in protecting this town and it's values."
A bit puzzled, Mizzug inquires "Watt be dep-pew-ties? Who wes garden?"
"Any big monstas ter fight? Needen ter make me name."
"Goodman Hosk, I can see that you do not trust me or my fellows, but you remember my brother Bardin, he was there when you needed him a decade ago, and I and these others are here now."
He seems uncomfortable with the attention he has drawn to himself. "Mayor, you can count on me and my ax to help defend your home"
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Dol chuckles self-deprecatingly as the mayor praises them, "Heroes? No, Your Honor, there are no heroes here. Simply a group of people who love their community and wish to keep it safe, strong, and free of goblinoids.
Surely Mr. Hosk is of the same mind, which is why he is so bothered when the safety of the community is threatened.
Like my companions, my shield and hammer are ready to strike at those who threaten the spark of civilization. If you have knowledge of some continuing threat within Sandpoint, point us in the direction."
Aventail fairly beams at being singled out, again, and this time with special attention.
"I concur with Dol. I am yours to command....if you wish me to accompany Sherriff Hemlock to Magnimar I am available, and as I have recently journeyed from there to here I am eminently suitable to complete just such a journey."
@Loth: The Mayor gives you a nod of appreciation to you statement.
@Mizzug: You actually get a response from Balor. Deputies are people authorized to investigate the goings on around town. Stop crimes, break up fights, etc. This isn't a free rein. You abuse it, you'll answer to me when I get back. You can tell this isn't said in a threatening fashion, but with confidence in his facts.
@Razkiv: Hosk cuts his eyes over to you when you speak, but only settles back down onto his bench seat with a glower and a grumble.
The Mayor also nods her head at you.
@Dol: Also a nod, followed by; We know of no threat at the moment. But we will call upon you once we find out the details to what is happening.
@Aventail: The Mayor smiles at you before saying, [b]I appreciate your enthusiasm. But we've decided for you all to stay together and to stay in town. Nothing serious will be asked of you. Simply be here for now and help around town with the Council's blessings.
To the group, the Mayor says
Now then, since you've all agreed, I'll have an announcement made so the people know about your new official status. You may stay if you wish, but we have several more matters to discuss. She turns her head to the Scarnetti man who has remind silent but watchful this whole time. Titus, how much lumber will you be able to turn out per day? We need several buildings repaired......
Nodding slowly, Mizzug smiles. "So sumtin attack town I has town approval ter fight it. Signs me up."
Turning to leave with an awkward half-bow to each leader at the table, she stops suddenly as they new business continues. 'OOOOOOO tis ike post war tribe council! OOOOOOO remind of home!'
Finding a chair at the edge of the room, she noisily drags it towards the table, sitting, she watches the speakers wide-eyed....giggling inappropriately here and there.
Bumbo seems completely taken aback by the praise and he keeps his head low, as if not wishing to say anything that would upset the status quo. As the mayor turns to Titus though, he raises a hand excitedly, as if in a classroom. Ma'am, ma'am? I think you've made a fine choice in these fine warriors here and, well, I'll gladly tag along of course. Should we be digging more into this goblin mystery we have, or merely keeping the peace?
"Mizzug, want to help me track down that dandy who offered the reward? I didn't do what I did for reward. but I would be a fool to walk away from one."
Once outside.
"I have tapped into some nature magic that will enhance my ability to track today if we want to do some scouting."
Loth is inclined to stay for the rest of the meeting, out of some personal interest in seeing how the town is going to recover after this, and also to see if his past experience can help somehow.
Aventail is unsure of whether to stay or go. Mizzug helps by setting an...example. Aventail turns on her heel and walks out, down the long corridor. She waits for Dol to appear.
@Dol: Shalaleu looks intensely at you. It becomes clear very quickly that this is just her normal state, though. In dwarven she replies to you The Dragon of Rusts, hours of 1. You recognize this as a formal version of Dwarven, obviously she doesn't know conversational Dwarven, but you pick up the meaning easily enough. Rusty Dragon Inn, 1 hour.
@Mizzug: You get a disgruntled look from Hosk as you sit directly at the table, and some curious ones from the council, but no one says anything. (The table already is lined with chairs, and the rest of the room is benches, so no dragging needed.) Do you go with Raz when he asks?
@Bubmo: The Mayor answers you directly, Have more faith in yourself, Goodman Gnome. Bravery comes in many forms, and even so simple an act as protecting a stray dog can make someone a hero to others. She has a large, warm smile when she say this. You may investigate as you wish, but I don't think you'll find anything else in town. I'd.... we'd like you to stay in the town limits for now, while Sheriff Hemlock is gone and while Shalaleu is scouting. Once she comes back, I feel we'll have a better grasp on what's been happening.
As the rest of you leave, where would you like to go? Back to the Rusty Dragon Inn to try and find "The Fop"?