'What was he thinking?' Pulling two blankets off of the bed, Seamus answers. "He was thinking he needed to keep his family safe. But your right, once they were out, he should have gone with them." Holding the blankets up, "we can wrap the bodies in these and take them to the Cathedral."
Laying the largest blanket near Algergast, he tosses the other to Izomandakus. "Here Izomandakus, since you splattered the goblins brains all over, you get to roll it up in the blanket. You can Talk to Amele later."
Focusing on Alergast, Seamus spreads the blanket out, grabbing the legs like Kast said. he nods to his friend. "Ready when you are,"
He looks up in time to see Meg tying the cloth around her face. He gives a weak smile, "Good idea Meg."
"You sure Seamus? I think I am better at taking with her" Izomandakus shrugs though, stashing his staff at his back, he takes the end of the blanked offered and helps to roll the body "Never done this. I thought the Sheriff would have an specialized team for cleaning this stuff"
You hastily make preparations (you do find the poor man’s gnawed head in the hole) and carry the bodies to the church. As it’s late, the few you meet on the street don’t immediately leap to the conclusion you’re carrying death so you make it to the church without incident.
Father Zantus greets you happily as he’s about to close the church for the night, until he sees your bundle. ”Oh dear.” He has you carry the dead man into one of the chapels and lay it on a bench. After ascertaining who you have brought him, he sighs, ”Two small children, right?”
He has you move the body to another chapel, one more in keeping with the families beliefs. ”Best get his wife then, and the kids. They’ll need the finality, though perhaps we’ll keep Alergast covered. Also best report this to the sheriff.”
Kast heaves and hos, trying to get the bodies out the door with dignity and without giving the family any lasting trauma. He will take both to the Cathedral, and then might take the goblin’s body to toss into the Junk Beach for the scavengers.
”Yeah, this is grim business. But there isn’t much we can do,” Kast agrees, and then will go find the Sheriff to report what happened.
Izomandakus just silently follows the directions of his companions and the Father, leaving the body on place.
"I hope the community can do something to take care of the two children, at least help the lone mother" the boy pads Pachemu's head and takes breath heavily "I think I ate as much as I can for today... please let Ameiko know the food was great but I am in no mood for more partying tonight."
After reporting to the Sheriff...
"I think I am going back home" it was difficult to explain but Izomandakus was feeling the need of close family after this last event "At this rate of events, I guess we will see each other tomorrow, but if we get lucky I hope to have the time for just stay home and maybe write something..."
Nodding to Izomandakus, "I'm sure, the kindest thing we can do for her right now is to remove this horrible scene from her house. Can you imagine her bringing her children home to them seeing their father like this?" He shakes his head as he helps roll the body in a blanket. "You can go talk to here once were done. She'll still find out from one of us and you can console her then."
Helping Kast carry the fathers body to the temple, they lay it where the priest indicated. Seamus nods, "Yes, two small children." Nodding with Kast when hs say's there's not much else to do.
When the priests adds someone should get the wife and kids, Seamus looks toward Izomandakus, as he asks about the community doing something. "That's a good idea, You wanted to comfort her, do you want to get her?" He touches his bandolier where he keeps his money, "I'd be happy to chip in some. Not like I don't have some to spare now."
Watching as Kast gathers the goblin body, Seamus asks the obvious, "Are we going to dump the body before or after we report to the sheriff? I don't know if he'd want to see it or not."
When the priests adds someone should get the wife and kids, Seamus looks toward Izomandakus, as he asks about the community doing something. "That's a good idea, You wanted to comfort her, do you want to get her?" He touches his bandolier where he keeps his money, "I'd be happy to chip in some. Not like I don't have some to spare now."
Izomandakus looks at Seamus with shock "I want to help but... I mean, I have great plans and would make them miserable by not having the time to devote to them in the way they do need right now. I will give her good advise though and I am sure she does not need anyone to rebuild her family by replacement, just some material and emotional support" the boy nods, sure, convinced his words carry the truth, yet feeling bad for some reason at the same time.
Meg’s face falls as she remembers the children. Oh Cayden...at least they are not orphans. Hopefully, their mother is better than she was.
She shakes her head, a heaviness now dragging her movements. This bloody business is all too much.
”Let us do our best to keep the gruesome sight away from them. Especially the children. This is all just too much for me. I cannot begin to imagine what it would be like for them.”
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Qetsiyah took it on herself to check on the little family, smaller now by two. The others seemed content to be busy, but as she had stood guard, she'd had time to think through what had gone wrong. And assign a significant slice of blame to herself.
She wore her unhappiness plainly on her face, so Amele was warned of what was to come. "I'm so sorry. Your husband didn't survive the goblin's attack, ma'am. It looks like it had been hiding beneath the boy's closet since the raid." Because of us. Because I called them away from chasing that warchanter.
Kizzy looked at the little boy. "How's your arm doing, little man? Your father was really brave, must run in your family, huh? Even your little dog was too. What was her name? Look, I want you to know that you did right to tell your folks what you saw. And don't feel too bad that they didn't believe at first. Goblins are really good at hiding. I lost my mother when I was young, so I want you to know you can come and talk to me, if you want, both of you. I really want to help however I can." It really is the least I can do. She thought bitterly, tears welling in her eyes.
Kizzy heads back to the Rusty Dragon, so recently the site of so much cheer. She breaks the news to the family, and the poor woman all but collapses in a heap. You and a few other neighbors help guide her to the church and solace with the good Father, who has already consoled so many these past days.
The Sheriff takes in the news with his usual gruffness. ”There’s always stragglers. Damn goblins. Hiding in a closet…” He considers something before getting up and following you back to the church where the now-widow Amele is sobbing over her husband’s body. Seeing that the Father has things well in hand, he then follows you to the house, where he checks the whole place thoroughly, including the closet.
He wipes a little blood with his boot, ”Grim business. Thanks again for seeing to it. He should have waited.”
Sheriff Hemlock dismisses you, putting another member of his guard on the door for the night. ”Kast, don’t forget the market tomorrow.” he adds idly as you depart into the night.
The rest of the night is uneventful, and you rise to a bright autumnal day, if a little brisk. It’s Rova 26, a Fireday, and market day in Sandpoint! The market starts around 10am, though farmers often stay the night before and setup earlier. Kast is due at the market by 9am, and will work to its completion at 3pm, whereupon most of the stalls close up and folks get on the road to go home.
What, generally, do you plan to do with your day?
Kast is at the market by 9am, and will work to its completion at 3pm, whereupon he will watch and help the stalls close up and folks get safely on the road home.
*limp, drag, limp*
All the while he keeps his eyes out for Shalelu, even asking others if they have seen her. And occasionally sending a runner to the Rusty Dragon to see if she had checked in.
*limp, drag, limp*
He is on his feet all day. And after all the carts are done, and people have left. Kast will sit for a bit, outside, and reflect on things. He will breathe and think and wonder and watch. He will be calm.
And then he'll find a quiet spot to work on his spearwork, jabbing and thrusting a mean-ol' tree.
He'll think about the goblin raid, and the townspeople and how he's going to be a Knight of Lastwall. Someday.
Qetsiyah was restless, she hadn't slept well. The terrible end to their evening had seeped too deeply into her subconscious and she dreamed of a goblin in every closet in Sandpoint. And every time she ran toward a scream, she arrived too late, only to be driven onward to another scream and the vicious circle repeated again and again. Sometimes it was Ameiko or one of her new friends, at least once it had even been little Bast. She wakened gasping for breath and refused to go back to sleep after that.
She bathed and dressed in muted tones, save the scarlet dancing scarf she wore in her hair. "I'm going to see if they will bury Alergast today. Stand with the family, if they'll let me. Do you want to come?" She asked Meg before setting out. It was tempting to offer to join her in day-drinking, but she felt guilty for her failures. She did not expect that continuing to fail to lend her help where she could was any way to shake off the cloud of misery that hung over her now.
Meg nods at Kizzy’s offer. ”I would be happy to join you, darling. I would always rather have company than the alternative.” She had indeed been planning on day-drinking, and probably would have easily drank too much on this particular day, should someone have not come for her.
She walks alongside Kizzy, making meaningless yet entertaining pleasantries as she is used to. She can tell that the younger woman is in a bad way herself. She would have assumed so anyways after what has happened. When an appropriate time in the conversation presents itself, she brings up the topic on both their minds. ”You were really good with the children, Kizzy. I appreciate that. I wanted to say something myself, but I just knew I would have said the wrong thing.” Meg throws up a wry smile. ”This may surprise you given what I have told you about my previous life, but dealing with children has never come naturally to me. Every interaction just feels so heavy, full of obligation and importance, and I am not one for such weights.”
Trying to forget about the gruesome events before getting slept that night, Izomandakus scribbles a new parchment into a mage armor scroll and stores it into his scroll case.
For the next day the boy focuses on rereading parts of his spellbook, then goes downstairs and checks with Aneka and his mother if something is needed. If so, he goes to the market to buy it.
Otherwise, he will look to talk that afternoon with the expert he heard that has been researching the Old Light in the last years while he was not at town, Brodert Quink.
Following Kast to the Sheriff's office Seamus lets the miliitia man do all the talking, while he tries not to fidget. As they return to the church, Seamus begins to reach for his lute. 'Blast that's right, I left my gear at the Rusty Dragon.' Staying in the background at the church Seamus follows along as Kast leads the sheriff to the scene of the fight. Once the sheriff is done inspecting the house, assigning a guard and reminding Kast of his task tommorow. Watching as the Sherriff leaves, Seamus comments, talking as much to himself as anyone. "That's right Fireday market, should be merchants from all over. Good day to work a crowd." He nods and smiles to Kast, "See you at the market tomorrow."
Heading back to the Rusty Dragon, Seamus finds his gear had been moved behind the bar. Thanking the barmaid, he gathers his black floppy felt hat with the fancy trim, his dark grey cloak and his lute and leaves. Being too early to head to the 'Kitten' Seamus turns towards Cracktooth's Tavern. Following his usual routine of helping around the bar, playing for the crowd, leaving when Cracktooth locks up and taking the long route home stopping at the cliffs for a bit.
Waking reasonably early, only an hour after the market opens, Seamus cleans up quickly putting on his light green shirt. Eating a quick sandwich on the way, He waives at Kast as he arrives, sitting on a bench in front of the Mercantile League. Dropping his floppy black felt hat in front of him, he adjusts it with his left foot, moving it to the side so he doesn't step on it and begins to play. Planning on playing at the market until it closes, he keeps a keen eye out for his friends.
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You spend the day busy each with your own projects and duties. Kast reports for duty at the market, which is busier than usual. Seems a lot of folks wanted to come to town… to gossip about the goblin attack, and to see the now sanctified cathedral. And gossip they do! Kast has trouble doing his duty as he’s often surrounded by townsfolk, famers, and other guests, asking him to tell his story again, and again. And children... oh so many children! Following him like some pied piper.
Seamus too has a crowd when he finally arrives at the market. They enjoy his playing, but more ask him questions about what happened, and what he did as a Hero of Sandpoint. He finds he makes 5gp over the course of the day, mostly from telling stories!
Kizzy and Meg head on over to the cathedral where Alergast is lying in state. He’s not alone, as many of the others have been buried, but not all. Over the course of the day, the Father and his acolytes are kept very busy indeed. Many are coming to visit the cathedral, farmers and others from the hinterlands who are coming to see it for the first time. Also, those family and friends of the remaining deceased coming to pay their respects. Thankfully the church is large enough to accommodate both groups without too much interference.
The widow is being consoled, but she brightens a bit when you arrive, and thanks you for doing what could be done given the circumstances. She's appreciative, and apologizes for her behavior the night before. "Sandpoint residents are of sterner stock, I'm sorry I was so blubbery," she affirms through red-rimmed eyes.
Though Izomandakus first tries the scholar in his home , not having any luck there, he tries The Curious Goblin , a bookseller. Success! Brodert Quink is there with Chask Haladan (the very elderly owner of the Curious Goblin) chatting away amiably as the morning sun streams through the windows.
The sign out in front of this shop shows a wide-eyed goblin reading an upside-down book nearly as tall as him. Inside, this bookshop is a testament to one man’s obsession with the printed word. His store is surprisingly complete, and while almost all of his wares are far too pricey for any of the locals to shop here with any frequency, a nest egg gathered in his adventurous youth combined with a frugal lifestyle makes the success of his business secondary to his own satisfaction.
The two men welcome you as you arrive, briefly pausing their conversation. When you make it clear you seek Brodert, Chask says he has things to do anyway, and gives the two of you some privacy as he catalogues some new volumes in the back. Brodert Quink is a heavyset man, who seems always on the verge of perspiring. But he has a sharp mind, and he’s always tripping up with his words as if his mind is moving faster than his lips can capture. ”Well, well my boy, a Hero of Sandpoint, and in one so young! WhatcanIdoforyoutoday?”
Later, ‘round about 2:00pm, Kast sees what must be Shalelu (image), crossing through the market. She’s well ahead of him and moving purposefully. Surrounded by adoring fans he cannot quite get free fast enough to catch up before she’s left the market headed north.
Kast, do you abandon your post to follow her?
She walks alongside Kizzy, making meaningless yet entertaining pleasantries as she is used to. She can tell that the younger woman is in a bad way herself. She would have assumed so anyways after what has happened. When an appropriate time in the conversation presents itself, she brings up the topic on both their minds. ”You were really good with the children, Kizzy. I appreciate that. I wanted to say something myself, but I just knew I would have said the wrong thing.” Meg throws up a wry smile. ”This may surprise you given what I have told you about my previous life, but dealing with children has never come naturally to me. Every interaction just feels so heavy, full of obligation and importance, and I am not one for such weights.”
Meg's company proves to brighten her outlook somewhat. Qetsiyah found the lilting tones of her speech soothing, she nodded at her praise, though it was more an acknowledgement than agreement, per se. "Well, you're not wrong that it's important, but you make it sound like dragging your own cross around behind you. It's easier than that for me, but I could just be used to it. I only have one older sister and then the rest (all five of them!) are younger. Olivia would probably say it's easy for me because I'm just a big kid, myself. She could be right too." Kizzy shrugged, "But children need love, joy and laughter like a plant needs water, soil and sun. Giving them what they need doesn't take it out of me, because they give it back in spades." Though Meg had brought up the subject, she didn't seem to enjoy speaking of it. So she diverted the topic, "Besides, Halfling children are rarely heavy." She added, with a wink, finding a bit of her usual mirth.
When they arrived at the cathedral and spoke with Amele. "You can worry about being stern when this little beauty starts turning all the boy's heads in town, eh?" She said while tickling baby Verah under the chin. A bit more seriously, she said, "You did everything right, Mamma. You got these kids to safety, that's all that matters now." She reassured her, and then went to check on little Aeren. "How's the arm feeling today? Did Father Z heal it up good as new? Lemme see, show me the muscle!"
Izomandakus looks at the goblin reader, always amused of the strange sense of humor of the bookseller "Hi Chask! Good to see your bookstore is still holding despite the pack of ignoramuses you have for neighbors" the boy smiles the owner and adds before he moves away "I already saw available the biography of Eodred Arabasti II at Magnimar short before I came back home, if you wish I can get it for you next time I go to the city"
Then looking to the older man "You must be Brodert Quink. Can I take a sit? My sister Aneka told me you have been studying the Old Light for good during these last years. I have been attracted to the those old ruins since I was a kid, even saw them sometimes in my dreams. Could I come from time to time to your home and check your research? Maybe I can help you in exchange, I am good at scribbling and drawing, and I can bring cookies in my visits" extending a hand he adds "Besides, I am Izomandakus, the baker's child"
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'Hey that's Shalelu!' Seeing the elven ranger moving at a brisk pace through the square, Seamus stops playing, tucking his lute behind his let arm and grabbing the floppy black felt hat with the fancy trim with his right. 'I'm not going to lose another hat! He starts to move across the square, slipping the money into his bandolier are he puts his hat on, yelling as he runs. Bobbing and weaving through the traffic he yells out again in elvish
Meg nods along to Kizzy's wisdom and laughs at her imagery. "You are absolutely right, darling. I have really been taking myself too seriously lately, and I have always done my utmost to not be a serious person. It is dreadful for the skin, you see." It was always her job to be twice as entertaining to make up for Sapphira's seriousness. With all she has been contemplating and worrying about, she has fallen out of practice simply being herself.
That is not to say that she does not have good reason to be upset, what with her husband turning out to be a murderer, her children and the friend that cared for them dead, her being a wanted criminal, and then getting thrown into a world of combat and tragedy that she has never known. And she cannot truly talk to anyone about any of this. On top of all that, it has been the longest she has been without seeing Sapphira or without planning a party--
Ah! That is something she could do. She should start planning an event, perhaps for after all this goblin nonsense is tied up. She can leave the details a bit hazier at the moment, as she has absolutely no idea how long these types of adventuring jobs last, nor whether everyone will even be in the mood for a party afterwards. It also honestly is probably not a great idea to throw a big party when you are, oh, on the run and wanted for murder, but since when has she let that stop her!
Her thoughts are turned to such matters as she joins Kizzy in giving attention to the children. She smiles at the little baby Verah, then looks to Amele. "May I hold her. Just for a moment? It has been a long time since I held a child."
She stares at the little child, letting the baby's eyes meet hers and holding them as Meg knows how. She wants to make sure the little one listens to what she has to say, tucks it away in the mortar of her still-building mind. "Be whoever you want to be, little one. Do not let any expectations weigh upon you, no matter how small or well-intentioned. You are free. Stay that way." She gives her a kiss on the forehead and turns away, any memory of the stare gone, but the words remaining. She did the same to both of her girls when she first held them. Of all the gifts she could give this child, this was the greatest and most meaningful she could think of. The best gift a parent can give to a child is to not make the mistakes they did, after all.
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Kast sees what must be Shalelu (image).
She looks pretty deadly with that bow. More like She-slay-you, amirite?
Kast smiles to himself because he's pretty damn funny.
* * *
Kast looks at Shalelu and thinks to cry out, but then down at his adoring fan(s).
"Hey, you guys know I can't leave my post, right? But maybe all of you can do me a favor to help protect Sandpoint!? Who also wants to be a hero who helps?!" Kast asks the kids around him.
Diplomacy
"We need to tell all the heroes of Sandpoint, and the Sheriff that Shalelu is here! Who wants to help get the word out!?! We want to find Meg, and Kizzy, and Izo, and Seamus! WHO WANTS TO BE A HERO TOO!?" Kast offers an infectious smile.
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When they arrived at the cathedral and spoke with Amele. "You can worry about being stern when this little beauty starts turning all the boy's heads in town, eh?" She said while tickling baby Verah under the chin. A bit more seriously, she said, ”You did everything right, Mamma. You got these kids to safety, that's all that matters now.” She reassured her, and then went to check on little Aeren. ”How's the arm feeling today? Did Father Z heal it up good as new? Lemme see, show me the muscle!”
The mother appreciates the time you spend, and the child does indeed, after a moment’s shyness, show off his muscles - and well healed arm, thanks to the good Father.
Her thoughts are turned to such matters as she joins Kizzy in giving attention to the children. She smiles at the little baby Verah, then looks to Amele. "May I hold her. Just for a moment? It has been a long time since I held a child."
She stares at the little child, letting the baby's eyes meet hers and holding them as Meg knows how. She wants to make sure the little one listens to what she has to say, tucks it away in the mortar of her still-building mind. "Be whoever you want to be, little one. Do not let any expectations weigh upon you, no matter how small or well-intentioned. You are free. Stay that way."
”But of course," breathes the mother as she hands her child over for a moment. It may be the first time in the last day that she’s not clutched her youngest, and she doesn’t know what to do with her hands at first, but she relaxes in time - even the tension in her shoulders seems to abate, if only for the moment.
The child of course, pees all over you, her diaper not being quite as well fitted as it might be. But as she’s doing it, her eyes are open brightly, she giggles, and a little bubble forms from her mouth and pops - surprising the infant and leading to more giggles.
Izomandakus looks at the goblin reader, always amused of the strange sense of humor of the bookseller "Hi Chask! Good to see your bookstore is still holding despite the pack of ignoramuses you have for neighbors" the boy smiles the owner and adds before he moves away "I already saw available the biography of Eodred Arabasti II at Magnimar short before I came back home, if you wish I can get it for you next time I go to the city”
”Oh yes please. You know I can’t pass up a good volume!”
Then looking to the older man "You must be Brodert Quink. Can I take a sit? My sister Aneka told me you have been studying the Old Light for good during these last years. I have been attracted to the those old ruins since I was a kid, even saw them sometimes in my dreams. Could I come from time to time to your home and check your research? Maybe I can help you in exchange, I am good at scribbling and drawing, and I can bring cookies in my visits" extending a hand he adds "Besides, I am Izomandakus, the baker's child"
”Ah, greetings Izomandakus. Indeed I am the Bodert Quink you seek!” he chuckles and his whole body jiggles a little. A very demonstrative man. ”Well, I don’t know about letting you run amok with my research, but sure, we can, ah, compare notes if you wish. I’ll tell you what, come see me tomorrow morning, no earlier than 9am please. Do you know where I live? Excellent. We can go over what you know, and perhaps I can fill in a gap or two in your thinking.”
”The ancients were a wily lot, and the clues that have survived the millennia, scant. The Old Light for example. Did you know it was once a powerful war machine? It’s true! It used to spew fire from its peak! I have no idea the range, but can you imagine sieging a castle defended by a tower that shoots fire? No one would want that duty I can tell you.”
He chats on amiably about the Thassilonians. They ruled a vast empire lead by powerful wizards. The sheer size of the monuments they left behind testifies to their power, and the unnatural way many of these monuments have resisted erosion and the march of time testifies to their skill at magic. Most sages place the height of the Thassilonian empire at 7,000 to 8,000 years ago, but Brodert thinks the empire was even older - he suspects it collapsed no sooner than 10,000 years in the past. ”Can you imagine building something that lasts 10,000 years?! That Old Light is that old, and then some!”
'Hey that's Shalelu!' Seeing the elven ranger moving at a brisk pace through the square, Seamus stops playing, tucking his lute behind his let arm and grabbing the floppy black felt hat with the fancy trim with his right. 'I'm not going to lose another hat! He starts to move across the square, slipping the money into his bandolier are he puts his hat on, yelling as he runs. Bobbing and weaving through the traffic he yells out again in elvish
She doesn’t immediately turn, but rather ducks around the corner, keen on her path. However, as you follow her around the same corner, she’s standing right there, facing you, and she has her hands on the pommel of a very fine looking short sword. It is, as yet, sheathed, but she’s ready. ”I’m Shalelu. Who are you and what business do we have together this fine day?”
"Hey, you guys know I can't leave my post, right? But maybe all of you can do me a favor to help protect Sandpoint!? Who also wants to be a hero who helps?!" Kast asks the kids around him.
"We need to tell all the heroes of Sandpoint, and the Sheriff that Shalelu is here! Who wants to help get the word out!?! We want to find Meg, and Kizzy, and Izo, and Seamus! WHO WANTS TO BE A HERO TOO!?" Kast offers an infectious smile.
An infected smile, and perhaps a few coppers, go a long way to motivating a few youth to scatter. You see three chasing each other, somewhat roughly, toward the Garrison, while others fan out, playing a game of hide and seek with real people!
As for the rest of you, in a matter of moments one of the youth of Sandpoint tugs on your sleeve (except Kast of course) and entreats you to meet at the town hall (for convenience). A few ask for a copper or two for the trouble (though a few got coppers from Kast too - working both ends!).
Meg laughs as the dear child pees all over her. ”I see you are already taking my advice, darling. You are going to be quite a little hells-raiser, are you not?” The mess is easily cleaned with her magic. She would hardly be much of a drunk if she let a little liquid mess bother her. She even cleans up the child, with the mother’s blessing, of course.
She passes the messenger children a few coppers for their trouble and gives her apologies to the family. ”Duty calls, darlings.” She waits for Kizzy, then heads off to find the others.
Kast continues at his post, certain that the message has gotten through because he will not leave it until it is over.
At 3pm, he will go find Shalelu and the party and the Sheriff to be sure he knows of things.
"It shot fire? Hmmm... you know... I think that really fits Brodert. I really want to know more about it. I will make sure to visit you tomorrow then. There is a lot more I do have to ask you" Izomandakus does enjoy to talk with Brodert about Thassilion and the old ruins "Those are impressive monuments indeed. Perhaps one day we can travel together to some of them, like the Storval Stairs or Kaer Maga. It sounds like fun. Mmm... there is something more... do you know something about a bubbling pool surrounded by large statues of majestic lords? Do you ever heard if that is something from old Thassilion?"
Izomandakus spends a couple of hours at the Goblin Reader talking with Brodert and checking out books with Chask. Then, as he gets out into the streets, he is quickly find out by some children and pulled to the town hall. "I cannot give you any coin, I need them for serious things, but I can give you some cookies if you wish" the boy smiles and offers a couple of cookies to each child.
Arriving at the Town Hall, Izomandakus looks over Shalelu. He has seen the elf before, but he did not know she was a goblin hunter. He listens attentively to what she, Kast and the Sheriff has to say, acknowledging the other heroes with a nod and a smile.
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'Blast why isn't she stopping?' Following around the corner, Seamus comes to an abrupt halt nearly running into the Ranger. Seeing the huntresses hand hovering over her weapon, he throws his hands up at shoulder height, showing them empty, blurting out. "I'm Seamus Passeri." Holding his left hand still, he gestures slightly with his right. "Um what business do we have?" He looks from her face to her sword. "Ummm not really any..." Realizing that answer didn't help any, he quickly continues. "But you have business with the sheriff and the sheriff has business with Kast my friend." Seamus holding his left hand still, thumbs back to the market with his right. "He has business with me..." Rolling his eyes he realizes how stupid that sounded. "Um, Kast and the others were in a meeting with the sheriff, and I was repairing a bed." Realizing how stupid that sounded as well, he starts over. "Kast is in the militia and the sheriff told him to watch for you. He's supposed to let everyone know when your in town." Still holding his hands in the air, Seamus shrugs. "But he doesn't leave his post until three o'clock." His left hand in the air, he gestures towards Shalelu, with his right. "And your here now and he can't leave his post. So I wanted to catch up to you and ask if your headed to meet with the mayor and the sheriff now." Keeping his left hand in the air, he motions with his right, towards the town hall then back towards the Dragon. "Or if your headed to the Rusty Dragon. That way I can go tell Kast where to find you?" As he finishes, he raises his right hand back with the left, giving his best smile.
As he stands there a little girl with blond pigtails runs around the corner giggling. Stopping she pulls on his dark blue trousers with one hand, holding the other out for coin. "Hero Seamus! Hero Kast told me to find you." She looks up at the pretty elvish lady and waives with the coin hand, looking back to Seamus. "He said to tell you the sheriff and sha-LEE-luu was here!" her smile widens "He said I could be a hero too!" Having held on to his trousers she turns her other palm back up, clearly waiting on payment. Seamus, his hands still up in the air, looks at Shalelu giving a shrug. Keeping his left hand in the air, he reaches into his bandolier finding a few pennies, he drops three coppers into the little girls palm winking at her. Retuning his right hand to it's raised position. "Ok, message received thanks, your the hero now." He then returns his gaze to the ranger as the little girl with the blond pigtails skips back toward the market.
"It shot fire? Hmmm... you know... I think that really fits Brodert. I really want to know more about it. I will make sure to visit you tomorrow then. There is a lot more I do have to ask you" Izomandakus does enjoy to talk with Brodert about Thassilion and the old ruins "Those are impressive monuments indeed. Perhaps one day we can travel together to some of them, like the Storval Stairs or Kaer Maga. It sounds like fun. Mmm... there is something more... do you know something about a bubbling pool surrounded by large statues of majestic lords? Do you ever heard if that is something from old Thassilion?"
”Oh, I travel little enough these days. I find myself some old ruins to study, and stay in place until I’ve fathomed all I can. You should definitely visit the Stairs though, and Kare Maga. Impressive monuments. Hrm. What you describe could be just about anything, anywhere. Have you seen such a place?”
”Kast is in the militia and the sheriff told him to watch for you. He's supposed to let everyone know when your in town." Still holding his hands in the air, Seamus shrugs. "But he doesn't leave his post until three o'clock." His left hand in the air, he gestures towards Shalelu, with his right. "And your here now and he can't leave his post. So I wanted to catch up to you and ask if your headed to meet with the mayor and the sheriff now." Keeping his left hand in the air, he motions with his right, towards the town hall then back towards the Dragon. "Or if your headed to the Rusty Dragon. That way I can go tell Kast where to find you?" As he finishes, he raises his right hand back with the left, giving his best smile.
She considers a moment, ”I’m off to see the sheriff. I suppose your Kast can join us when he’s off then.” And with that she nods her head politely, and continues on her way, moving quickly through the crowd.
You all meet at the town hall in due time, and are asked to wait in a small waiting room - really too small for the task of holding all of you comfortably, so a few of you must stand.
Eventually, you join the others in a comfortable office on the second floor of the town hall. Hemlock introduces Shalelu as an “unofficial member of Sandpoint’s town guard” (an introduction that causes her to smirk) and the group to Shalelu as “Sandpoint’s newest crop of goblinslayers.” Hemlock explains that Shalelu has been a thorn in the side of the local goblin tribes for years, and that few in the region know more about them than she does.
”We’ve been chatting a bit. Let me bring you up to speed.” He goes on to recap her report that Sandpoint hasn’t been the only place in the region that’s had goblin troubles. In short, there’s been an increase in goblin-related raids all along the Lost Coast, particularly in the dale between Nettlewood and Mosswood. At this point, Hemlock cedes the floor to Shalelu, asking her to tell the PCs what she told him.
Shalelu begins, ”Belor’s told me of your work against the goblins - well done. I’ve dedicated the last several years of my life to keeping them from causing too much trouble around these parts, but they’re tenacious and fecund little runts. Like weeds that bite.”
“There are five major goblin tribes in the region, and, traditionally, they’re pretty good at keeping each other in line with intertribal squabbles and the like, especially with a little nudge now and then. Yet from what I’ve been able to piece together, members of all five tribes were involved in the raid on Sandpoint. The Mosswood goblins I dealt with yesterday were pretty thinned out, and there was a lot of chatter about the ‘longshanks’ who killed so many of them. Now that I’ve met you, it seems obvious from their descriptions who they were talking about. Seems like you’ve made an impression.”
“In any event, the fact that the five tribes are working together disturbs me. Goblin tribes don’t get along unless they’ve got something big planned, and big plans require big bosses. I’m afraid that someone’s moved in on the goblins and organized them. And judging by these recent raids, what they’re organizing seems like bad news for all of us.”
After Shalelu’s speech, Sheriff Hemlock announces that he’s taking a few of his guards south to Magnimar to see about securing additional soldiers to station at Sandpoint for a few weeks, at least until the extent of the goblin threat can be determined. While he’s out of town, he’s asked Shalelu to sniff around Shank’s Wood, Brinestump, Mosswood, Devil’s Platter, and other places where goblins live to see if she can discover anything else about what’s going on.
He would also like the group to maintain a public presence in Sandpoint over the next few days, if they don’t mind. “The town seem to have taken to you,” he says, “And seeing you around will do a lot for keeping worries down over the next few days. Kast can keep you organized and act as your liaison with Mayor Deverin while I’m gone.”
The mayor nods in agreement, though she’s been quiet for most of the meeting. ”Yes, it would be a great help if you could be a public presence for a few days. Just until we get some troops in here to defend against a possible second raid.”
Kizzy was glad to see that Aeren was responsive and coping well. The little fellow had lived through a nightmare and that kind of trauma could hang over a kid like an ominous storm cloud always directly overhead.
Meg's laugh drew her eye and she burst out laughing herself and turned Aeren to see, "Looks like your baby sister got my friend but good. Ha ha!" It was good to laugh and Meg's good humor about the whole thing made her appreciate her company even more. Grinning, she teased, "I'll bet she doesn't feel so heavy now, huh?"
A trio of boys surrounded Qetsiyah and began clamoring to see her sword. It wasn't much to look at, but the size of it still seemed enough to impress lads like these. She let the oldest try to heft it, but of course the balance was all wrong for his wiry frame. So she surreptitiously lent him a hand without his noticing and watched as his eyes lit up as he lifted the greatsword's blade a few inches off the ground while Kizzy supported the pommel.
She was generous with her coppers, doling out 3 apiece to her messengers and fell in beside Meg as they made their way to the meeting. When she met Shalelu, she extended her sword hand, empty and open in a warrior's greeting. "Well met, it's good to put a face to the name. I believe we have a mutual friend in the Lady Ameiko."
Qetsiyah listened gravely to the report of increased goblin activity all over the area. It was not good news, even if it meant she would have a job for some time yet. "I have a question, if that's alright. Last night we were called on to help a family because one of the goblin warchanters had been hiding beneath their boy's closet. Really terrible business, that. It killed the dog and the man of the house before we could stop it. My question is, do goblins hide-out like that often? Should we be searching the town for more stragglers?" Her night terrors flashed in her mind and she swallowed hard to keep the bile in her stomach from rising into her throat.
Relaxing slightly as Shalelu answers him with words instead of a quick blade, Seamus lowers his hands and nods in understanding. "Thanks, I'll let him know.' Nodding in return, Seamus shrugs, 'Well, that could have gone worse.' Relaxing a little, he pulls his lute back to his chest and begins to play a happy little tune.
As he returns to the Market, he approaches Kast, moving slightly behind his friend, so as not to interfere with his watch. "so I caught up to Shalelu, she's headed to speak with the sheriff now, said you should join them when your off." He smiles slightly and changes the tune he's playing to a children's rhyming song. "And the little girl with the blond pigtails caught up with me. Good idea that." He stops playing long enough to gesture towards the academy, "If you don't mind, I'll hang out behind the academy by Water Street and wait till you get off. That way when you go to the meeting I'll just follow along behind." Reaching out to give his friend a 'lastwall' fist-bump, He heads over towards the corner of the Market Place where Water street departs. Dropping his floppy black felt hat with the fancy trim, he pauses for a moment tuning a string. Then moves behind the hat and to the left so he doesn't step on it and begins to play.
Once three o'clock comes around. Seamus picks up his hat, tucking his lute behind his left arm. he follows Kast to the meeting.
Seeing the crowded room, Seamus gestures towards a seat. "Kast you've been on your feet all day, why don't you take a load off?" Standing in the corner, he unslings his lute and begins to gently strum, more to calm his own nerves than to entertain his friends. Following their guide to the upper room, his stomach growling, Seamus nervously asks; "Do you think they have bread and wine?" Shrugging looking at the others, "Or maybe chicken in honor of their special guest Shalelu?"
Sad to see no refreshments Seamus takes off his hat and Lute, 'Probably wouldn't be good if I started playing in the middle of the meeting.' setting them behind his chair. He listens as Hemlock introduces Shalelu, noting her smirk as he does so. When the sheriff introduces them as 'goblinslayers' Seamus rolls his eyes, but continues to pay attention. Smiling at her description of "weeds that bite." he wonders to himself, 'Is it weird that I like dandelions?' as he starts to fidget with his bandolier. Setting his hands on the table to attempt to keep them still, he listens as she talks about the goblins needing a boss to be really dangerous. 'I wonder if that's why there were larger footprint at the tomb.'
As the sheriff explains that he will be out of town, and he wants them to "maintain a public presence in Sandpoint" Seamus begins to squirm looking toward his friends, trying to judge their reaction. he looks towards Kizzy as she asks about stragglers. Fidgeting with his bandolier, he clears his throat, "I have two questions." He pauses for a moment, looking toward Shalelu, "Well the first may be more of an observation. When we were checking Father Tobyn crypt, we found larger footprints. Could those have been from this goblin boss?" Then he turned toward Hemlock, "Sheriff, what kind of 'Public Presence' are you talking about?" He shrugs, "I mean I'm around town enough, especially late. but in the daytime I usually work." Pausing for a moment, as if remembering something. "oh I guess you could just tell K..." Realizing what he was about to blurt out, He looks from the sheriff towards the others, reaching up pulling at the neck of his double breasted three quarter length, high collared, belted Burgundy leather vest. "Um never mind, I'll sort it out, just tell us what you had in mind."
... do you know something about a bubbling pool surrounded by large statues of majestic lords? ...[/b]"”...Have you seen such a place?”
"I think so... hmmm... but not really... I do not know of any place like that in Sandpoint or Magnimar... but I have seen it... I think... I do not know, it is confusing sometimes..."
---
"But... why they attacked? Have you found any evidence Shalelu?" when the elf seems as lost on this as the group, Izomandakus breaths worried.
The boy nods while the others speak "Yes, Seamus is right. We saw some tracks from a larger humanoid in the graveyard... do you know of any hobgoblin, bugbear, barghest or other kind of human-sized goblinoid in the region that might have achieved that union?"
Izomandakus pads Kast in the back "So... it seems you are the boss now" and smiles mischievously to him. Pachemu oinks at the guardian impressed.
Meg toss a knowing grin to Kizzy. ”Right you are, darling.” She gives an overwrought bow. ”I am humbled before your wisdom, Qetsiyah.” She returns to her usual cocked hips and relaxed shoulders. ”I joke, of course. I would never dream of humbling myself, and certainly not for wisdom.”
A day or so ago, Meg might have worried about the idea of being extra visible around town, but she has already decided that she is going to stop worrying. It will work out. Everything is going fine so far, so why would it not? Yes, it is nothing to worry about.
More importantly, Meg finds this Shalelu quite charming precisely because she is not trying to be charming. She has a serious focus, as though what she cares about is so important that she has no time to care about how anyone else thinks of her. It should not surprise anyone at this point to think of who this reminds her of.
”As someone rather new to this goblin fighting business, I would love to pick your brain for any tips and tricks, darling. You are quite the expert, after all.” Without even realizing she is doing it, Meg twirls a lock of hair around her finger.
"So... it seems you are the boss now"
Kast takes the seat offered by Seamus, glancing at Izo twice after the comment. ”Well yeah, looks like we have our work cut out for us, as they say. But we’ll do our best, day after day, until others come back. It’s only a short while and I’m sure nothing bad will happen.” Kast smiles with confidence. He has a good smile, people have told him, but that’s not why he smiles. He smiles because he wants to. Likes to.
She-slay-you. Kast laughs at something internally.
”And of course if the Sheriff asks me to do something I’ll do it. I’ll be around all next week. Constant patrolling, I will. Gotta patrol to be sure things are safe and as they should be.”
Izomandakus observes as Kast takes comfortable sit on the chair "Humm humm... so... what are your first orders as Acting Sheriff on duty Kast?"
"Might this be a good moment to observe The Hagfish deserts look and taste is clearly criminal boss?" Pachemu oinks asserting with a nod the observation.
When she met Shalelu, she extended her sword hand, empty and open in a warrior's greeting. "Well met, it's good to put a face to the name. I believe we have a mutual friend in the Lady Ameiko."
She smiles, somewhat distantly, ”Quite.”
Qetsiyah listened gravely to the report of increased goblin activity all over the area. It was not good news, even if it meant she would have a job for some time yet. "I have a question, if that's alright. Last night we were called on to help a family because one of the goblin warchanters had been hiding beneath their boy's closet. Really terrible business, that. It killed the dog and the man of the house before we could stop it. My question is, do goblins hide-out like that often? Should we be searching the town for more stragglers?" Her night terrors flashed in her mind and she swallowed hard to keep the bile in her stomach from rising into her throat.
”Sure, their homes are like rat warrens, and not much bigger really. They have such large heads that they sometimes get stuck - something to consider if you need to limit their access to you if you fight them underground or with good cover. They will try to charge right through - and get stuck. In this case it sounds like the dog kept it pinned down until it was half starved. They are rather stealthy by nature though, so it’s possible.”
As the sheriff explains that he will be out of town, and he wants them to "maintain a public presence in Sandpoint" Seamus begins to squirm looking toward his friends, trying to judge their reaction. he looks towards Kizzy as she asks about stragglers. Fidgeting with his bandolier, he clears his throat, ”I have two questions.” He pauses for a moment, looking toward Shalelu, ”Well the first may be more of an observation. When we were checking Father Tobyn crypt, we found larger footprints. Could those have been from this goblin boss?” Then he turned toward Hemlock, ”Sheriff, what kind of 'Public Presence' are you talking about?” He shrugs, ”I mean I'm around town enough, especially late. but in the daytime I usually work.” Pausing for a moment, as if remembering something. ”oh I guess you could just tell K…” Realizing what he was about to blurt out, He looks from the sheriff towards the others, reaching up pulling at the neck of his double breasted three quarter length, high collared, belted Burgundy leather vest. ”Um never mind, I'll sort it out, just tell us what you had in mind.”
Shalelu answers first, ”The Sheriff mentioned you found larger boot prints. It could be that there’s a human working with the goblins.”
The Sheriff follows up dryly, ”I think, being available if the town is attacked while I’m gone would be sufficient.”
"But... why they attacked? Have you found any evidence Shalelu?" when the elf seems as lost on this as the group, Izomandakus breaths worried.
The boy nods while the others speak "Yes, Seamus is right. We saw some tracks from a larger humanoid in the graveyard... do you know of any hobgoblin, bugbear, barghest or other kind of human-sized goblinoid in the region that might have achieved that union?"
”They why is a mystery, and why I think they have a leader. Goblins don’t usually stop to ask ‘why’. None of the creatures you suggest are likely though. From what the Sheriff said, they were good boots - well made and smaller than most of those creatures. More human sized than something as large and heavy as you describe. It’s not impossible though, for a single boot print isn’t much of a clue.”
”And of course if the Sheriff asks me to do something I’ll do it. I’ll be around all next week. Constant patrolling, I will. Gotta patrol to be sure things are safe and as they should be.”
”I’m going to take you off the patrol list Kast. I want you to have the flexibility to be where and when you need to be.” he thinks a moment, ’Just until my return understand.” he adds, almost too himself to maintain some control over the situation.
”As someone rather new to this goblin fighting business, I would love to pick your brain for any tips and tricks, darling. You are quite the expert, after all.” Without even realizing she is doing it, Meg twirls a lock of hair around her finger.
Shalelu nods suggesting, ”Right. I’m headed to the Rusty Dragon for a bath, but then how about supper? I’d like to hear more about you, and I can tell you more about the local goblins. Hemlock’s heard it all already.” she chuckles nodding to the Mayor and Sheriff.
With that the mayor rises and thanks you all, ”If it weren’t for brave folks such as yourself, things would be a lot tougher out here. Thank you for making our lives easier and town safer. If there’s anything I can do, please don’t hesitate to call on me.”
Shalelu rises and exits quickly, clearly eager for that bath. The sheriff rises too, but lingers behind to speak to the mayor before leaving town to get more help.
You’re out on the streets and have an hour or so before dinner in case you wish to do anything in particular with the time.
'Being available... well, that's sort of vague, I guess I can do that. I guess I'll just need to keep the new weapons nearby.' Nodding, Seamus finally just puts his hands under his legs, and sits on them so he stops fidgeting. Trying to pay attention to the questions everyone is asking, he realizes they are dismissed when the Mayor rises and thanks them. When Shalelu mentions she will bath and invites them to supper, Seamus nods, looking towards the others quickly. Gathering his hat and lute as they leave, he nods to the sheriff and mayor, joining the othes outside.
Tucking his lute behind his left arm, "So it sounds like were meeting at the 'Rusty Dragon' for supper." He rolls his eyes, "And another person who 'wants to hear our story'." He smiles slightly, "Maybe I should make something up so when people ask it sounds more impressive than; "I grew up in the local brothel then my mom married a Sczarni." He shakes his head, "It's late enough I won't make anything playing at the market."[/]b Looking toward the others. [b]"Anyone doing anything interesting to kill an hour?"
Qesiyah looked increasingly anxious over the answer she received from the Elven ranger. Apparently, the warchanter had not been an aberration. And moreover, they should have expected such a thing, had they known much about goblins.
When Seamus asked about killing an hour, she turned to the others. "I think I want to try and look into whether any more goblins have gone to ground in a building somewhere. I've half a mind to get the word out that it's still possible some are lurking about. But I don't want to make folk afraid to be in their own homes... What do you all think?" She asked and then chewed her bottom lip anxiously while they considered.
"I need some ink and parchment to replace the ones I have been using into crafting my scrolls, I guess I will just spent my hour going to get that at Sandpoint's General Store, if you wish to join, you are welcome. Perhaps we can even find a goblin or two in our way there" Izomandakus smiles at Kizzy.
The boy startles blinking at Seamus "Wait, are you a Sczarni? My mother says they are all thieves, rabble and dangerous people in general."
Meg brightens as Shalelu not only accepts the invitation for a chat, but then turns it into a dinner as well. A youthful excitement bubbles up into her chest, and she is not really sure why. There is just something about a confident, take-charge woman that gets her heart pounding. "I look forward to our chat, Shalelu." She takes a moment to remind herself that actually, the others will be there, too. "Ours as in all of us, of course." A touch of disappointment makes its way into her expression without her even noticing.
Meg sobers ever so slightly at Kizzy's mention of the goblins. Honestly, she has no idea whether that would be a good idea to tell people and search the whole town, and she is even less interested in being held responsible for such a choice. "I think we should defer to the expert, Kizzy. Maybe ask her at dinner? We could do some investigating on our own in the intervening time, should you so desire."
Rolling his eyes at Izomandakus, Seamus responds, "She married a Sczarni, he's a glorified accountant." Shrugging, "He taught me a few things, like how to use a knife." Looking from Izomandakus to Kizzy to Meg, Nodding his head at Meg, "That's a good idea, we can ask Shalelu."
He looks towards Kast, "So are we going shopping with Izomandakus or something else."
"I’m going to take you off the patrol list Kast."
Kast tries not to look too disappointed, because to Kast patrolling was how one finds the trouble that one is supposed to be protecting Sandpoint from.
But, after thinking it over, he nods in acquiescence. He'll follow orders and trust others to alert him to any dangers in town.
"Yes, I will be available. I will patrol walk up and down the main streets in case anyone as need of me. Yes, and also, I'll get some nice whistles so those that need them can blow them," Kast says, thinking ahead. What do the knights of Lastwall do to announce the raids of the orc hordes? Probably whistles. Yes, that makes good sense.
Kast smiles at a totally correct internal conclusion then continues his outward monologue.
"I need some ink and parchment to replace the ones I have been using into crafting my scrolls, I guess I will just spent my hour going to get that at Sandpoint's General Store, if you wish to join, you are welcome. Perhaps we can even find a goblin or two in our way there"
"Oh, I should come with you, Izo. I need to pick up some whistles. Just in case, you know?" Kast rises to follow Izo out. "We can meet you at the Rusty Dragon for dinner. After. You know?" He looks to confirm Seamus' dinner plans.
Izomandakus smiles back at Seamus "Ah, so it was your father. I was worried mom would think walking around with a Sczarni would be a bad influence to me. She is a concerned woman, you know? But glorified accountants are ok, I think. Do you have any brother or sister?"
The boy nods to Kast "Signal whistles are a great idea Kast! Look what I do have" Izomandakus produces a warhorn and shows it proudly "Aneka showed me how to use it some time ago. Look, we can make a signal like... one blow is friends coming, two blows is enemies coming, three blows is goblins coming, and four blows is Lord Floxglow coming" he does wink an eye at Kizzy and attempts a soft blowing of the warhorn.
"But let's go buy to the general store now, or the dinner time will stumble over us"
Raising an eyebrow at the flurry of questions. Seamus responds, "He's my step-father. I was ten when mom stopped taking other customers, Then we moved into one of his places. After a fight, when mom threatened to go back to the 'Kitten,' they got married." He rolls his eyes at Izomandakus' mothers concern. "Well if I see you walking around with any Sczarni I'll tell your mom. She's right, their bad news, even the accountants." Shrugging "Brothers and sister? I don't have clue, my dad left before I was born, abut mom and Zandu never had any."
Looking at Izomandakus, he gestures down Main Street towards the general store, "We may a well head that way. If the general store doesn't have whistles we should try the Boutique. Hayliss has all sorts of toys and her shop is down by the Rusty Dragon so it won't be out of the way."
Turning towards Mega and Kizzy, Seamus asks; "Are you ladies coming with us?"
Izomandakus produces a warhorn and shows it proudly.
Kast looks at Izo, then at the warhorn, then back at Izo.
"Where have you been keeping that? And why have you been carrying it around?! Are you expecting to lead a warparty? Or planning on joining that goblin drummer in a hoedown?" Kast seems very perplexed by the sudden appearance of the warhorn.
Kast follows Seamus, still puzzling over the warhorn.
"Well, can I hold it?" Kast eventually asks, hoping to get a feel for the blowing instrument. "Do you have training with this?"
Meg sobers ever so slightly at Kizzy's mention of the goblins. Honestly, she has no idea whether that would be a good idea to tell people and search the whole town, and she is even less interested in being held responsible for such a choice. "I think we should defer to the expert, Kizzy. Maybe ask her at dinner? We could do some investigating on our own in the intervening time, should you so desire."
Qetsiyah nodded, maybe the elven ranger could suggest something she hadn't thought of. "Sure, alright." She nods and follows along behind the group with her eyes turned toward the wooden foundations of the houses and buildings they passed by. She kept Shalelu's comment about the size of a goblin's head in mind and looked for gaps big enough for them to squeeze through. Only peripherally did she listen to the group's talk, frowning slightly at the mention of Aldern Foxglove.
"That's a good idea about the whistles, Kast. Here, for mine plus some more to give out." Kizzy gave him 5 gold to chip in on the purchases. But she didn't go in to shop, using all her time to look for areas of possible concern.
"Well, it seems just good then she left your father Seamus" Izomandakus pats the elf back and fights his curiosity to ask more questions. For now at least.
"Oh sure! But it is not for keeps, ok?" Izomandakus let's Kast hold the warhorn "This was Aneka's gift after our brother died. She just insisted I should carry it always with me, specially at night, and if someone dangerous comes up I should blow it very hard from this side. She said the Chopper would not have killed Casp if he would have used one" the boy suddenly goes into sad mood after answering Kast.
Once at the shop he does greet whomever is on the counter with a serious look "Hi. I need parchment and ink."
Izomandakus and others head out to the Sandpoint General Store where a fine selection of, well, one kind of whistle is available. But it’s shrill and loud, and Ven has a half dozen of them, so you can easily pick up 5 if you wish, for a few silver. He can also pick up ink and parchment at the usual rates (with discount of course).
Kizzy finds an abundance of nothing, though she sees several tight spaces a goblin might fit through though. Lots of dark corners.
You meet back up at your old watering hole, the Rusty Dragon. You don’t have long to wait before Shalelu, again geared for battle, but without her pack at least, descends from her room above and joins you. Dinner options include warmed Ham and Swiss mini-sandwiches with plenty of hot mustard, and the whole thing warmed in the oven until the cheese melts down the side of the freshly baked bun. Small sandwiches, they’re intended as an appetizer, or a main meal if you eat enough of them. They’re almost bite-sized, and insanely delicious. There is, of course, other food to be had as well - this is just her evenings specialty today.
Shalelu joins you at your table. ”Greetings. I won’t call you ‘goblin slayers’ if you don’t call me the ‘watch’.” she grins and takes a seat. Beings somewhat focused, and not at all adept at small talk apparently, she jumps right in and starts talking about goblins, even before the drinks are ordered and brought.
”As I mentioned earlier, there are five major goblin tribes in the region. The closest to Sandpoint are the Birdcruncher goblins, who live in caves along the western edge of the Devil’s Platter, although traditionally these goblins are the least aggressive of the five. To the south are the Licktoad goblins of the Brinestump Marsh, pests who are excellent swimmers.”
”East are the Seven Tooth goblins of Shank’s Wood, goblins who’ve secured a place for themselves by raiding Sandpoint’s junkyard and rebuilding the stolen refuse into armor and weapons. Farther east are the Mosswood goblins, likely the largest tribe but one traditionally held back by feuding families within their own ranks. And finally, there are the Thistletop goblins, who live on the Nettlewood coast atop a small island that some say holds a passing resemblance to a decapitated head.”
She stops for breath and a drink, though it’s clear she plans to plow on…
"Oh sure! But it is not for keeps, ok?"
Kast is a bit too entranced with the fancy warhorn to notice Izo's mixed feelings about it.
"Yeah, of course. I just...I just have never held one before," Kast replies. "I just want to hold it. And see it. And uh, yeah, I won't blow it. I just want to know it." Kast gingerly takes the warhorn as if he is handling Izo's soul.
He holds it carefully, and examines very end (there are two). "Wow, okay, thanks. So...you can blow this loudly? You know how to make it work? What are the signals? Four blows good? Eight blows bad? What should we know that they mean?"
Kast hands the horn back to Izo.
Meg listens intently to Shalelu as she sips on her wine, stealing glances when she can. She wishes she could turn the conversation more to the ranger herself, but she knows that part of keeping a person engaged is knowing which topics they are interested in and leaning into those. ”And the Glassbreakers, right? We encountered them along the way here. Just from a distance.” She takes another sip to give herself a moment to finish a thought. ”If they like to break glass, does that mean the Licktoads lick toads and the Birdcrunchers...crunch birds?” She nods to herself as she finally makes a connection. ”Oh and they must like breaking glass because so much travels from here, what with a glassworks right here, after all! Unless I am totally out of my depth.” She keeps her demeanor attentive and curious, which has become increasingly easier as she starts developing a genuine interest in the subject. Faking it is often the first step to making it, after all.
”It is truly impressive how much you know about them. How long did it take you to learn so much about them?” Just slip that little personal question in there to creek that door open slightly.
As Kast asks Izomandakus about the 'hunting horn.' Seamus smiles. 'At least were not talking about my family anymore.' Seamus follows along, casually browses the general store as Izomandakus investigates the whistles. Once they leave he asks, "So was there a good selection of whistles?"
Walking past the large rectangular table that was used for the 'boar party' 'We don't need or want all the attention like Lord Aldern did. Let's find someplace out of the way with a corner where Kast can put his longspear.' Smiling to himself, 'But where we can still see the stage in case Ameiko plays.' Seamus finds the group a smaller round table in a back corner. Sitting near the wall, Seamus drops his hat, cloak and lute behind him, and looks momentarily at the stage. When the waitress comes around and explains the specials, he smiles mentally counting the coins earned to day. "I'd like a small ale, and a half dozen of the ham sandwiches." Seeing the glances when he says 'a half dozen' he raises an eyebrow, "What? Playing the Lute is hard work!"
Since the sandwiches arrived at almost the same time Shalelu does, Seamus listens as he eats. 'Thank the gods.' Raising his first sandwich he toasts Shalelu with it, "Then you will never hear me call you the 'watch'" he takes a bite of the sandwich, setting it back on the plate. As the ranger begins to talk about the different types of goblins, Seamus listens while he re-arranges the sandwiches on the plate. First putting then in two lined of three, 'So it was the Seven tooth Goblins I would watch from the cliff.' Taking another bite of the sandwich, he puts the half back on the plate, 'Tough to call it 'stolen' when we through it away.' Realizing a half of a sandwich ruined the line pattern, He moved the sandwiches to the edge of the plate making a circle, then taking a third bite from the sandwich and washing it down with a gulp of the small ale.
Nodding as Meg mentions the glass breakers, he adds, "Nick and Nichole filled glass bottles with alchemical fire, when they broke the bottles they caught themselves on fire." Taking the fourth and last bite of his sandwich, Seamus readjusts the other five sandwiches around the plate, then continues listening to the conversation.
Qetsiyah joined Seamus in ordering the ham and cheese sandwiches and soon they had a dozen between them. She asked for whatever drink Ameiko had paired with the meal but only sipped it to get the compliment of flavors. She dipped too generously in the mustard at first and then more sparingly once she'd downed half her drink to wash down the heat.
When the elf arrived she chuckled at her greeting, "Don't worry, I think everybody liked the sound of your name too much to call you anything else." She said with a grin at Meg and Kast. She listened to Shalelu's speech about the different tribes of goblins and gave a slight shudder at the mention of a decapitated head, flashing back on poor Alergast and her nightmares. She waited for a pause to interject her question. "So which tribe was it that raided the town, then? Is there a way to tell?"
Later, she brought up what she had asked her friends. "Assuming there were still goblins hiding here among the shops and homes, how would we go about finding them and flushing them out before they harm more people?"