Joanna screams as the blades cut open her arm and leg. She staggers from between the goblins, somehow keeping her grip on her sword as she spins around to keep the goblins in front of her. Panic threatens to take her as the wounds burn and her healed leg aches, but Titus' training keeps her mind working. She sings, focusing on the threads of fate around her and plucks one of them.
As her wounds close, Joanna takes in a great, shuddering gasp of air. Her blood still feels hot on her skin, but at least the wounds are gone and no longer burn.
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"Joanna! No! No no no..." Sara looks on in horror as the two remaining goblins stab at her cousin, barely registering the one she just brought down.
She lets out a sigh of relief as Joanna steps back and manages to magically heal the damage she just took.
"Joanna, I'm sorry I couldn't stop you getting hurt. Please, just... Stay close. I... I'll keep you safe from now on."
Moving forward to place herself between one of the goblins and her cousin, Sara strikes at it with her starknife, hoping that her goddess' blessing is enough to ensure she hits.
Bulvarius moves forward with intent and brings his pike to bear on the goblin-rider ;
Audra reloads, and slings another bullet at the goblin in front of her.
Kemras yelps, more startled than hurt at the moment, before scowling. Careless, careless, careless. I have to stay more mobile... Putting thought into deed, he rushes to duck behind one of the crates, then looks out at the combat. Bulvarius can handle that one. I'll aim for the middle.
With a slow draw of his bow, he fires at the unengaged goblin , then curses quietly in Varisian when the arrow misses.
While Joanna heals her grievious wounds, the battle swirls around her. However, most of her friend's attempts to slay the foul goblin invaders go for naught. Sara's furious assault foiled by the slippery goblin spinning away from her strike. Likewise, the goblin rider's mount...a goblin dog?...proved too agile for his attack. Kemras' volley sails over a goblin's head, striking a nearby building.
Only Audra's sure aim, bloodying the forehead of one of the goblins, was a success!
Not appreciating Bulvarius' attention, the goblin rider boots his mount into action, seeking to put some distance in between himself and the big man.
However, as he rode by one of his comrades, Bulvarius' spear shot out and took the rider beneath the arm, lifting it bodily up into the air. With a twist of his wrists, the warrior flipped the lifeless body to the ground!
The now riderless dog growls and sets itself upon Bulvarius, grabbing hold of his arm and biting down.
The goblin facing Sara tries to return the favour, but finds Sara too elusive.
The other remaining goblin , runs to assist the goblin dog with Bulvarius, but in it's excitement , trips over some debris on the ground, it's swing hitting nothing but air.
Global Condition: |Party Condition:
Audra HP: 10/10 - AC: 15/13/12 Status:
Bulvarius: HP: 1/12 - AC: 13/13/13 Status:
Joanna HP: 2/9 - AC: 15/12/13 Status:
Kemras HP: 9/10 - AC: 14/12/12 Status:
Sara HP: 9/9 - AC: 16/15/15/11 Status: Divine Favor 8 roundsNPCs:
Red Goblin HP: -4 AC: 16
Pink Goblin HP: -5 AC: 16
white Goblin HP: -12 AC: 16 dead
Yellow Goblin HP: -12 AC: 16 dead
Riding Goblin White HP: -15 AC:??
Goblin Dog HP:?? AC: ??
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Joanna starts to reassure her cousin that she's fine. Where she'd been wounded still ached, but other than that she felt fine. Seeing Bulvarius get injured again strangles the words before she can say them. They need end the fight quickly. She hesitates for a moment, a bad sign. If does that next to a goblin, she'll only get herself killed. She's afraid, terrified, but even so, she has other ways to help. She can't mend anyone's wounds, but she can help bolster their resolve.
"Axes flash, broadsword swing
Shining armour's piercing ring
Horses run with polished shield
Fight those bastards 'til they yield
Midnight mare and blood red roan
Fight to keep this land your own
Sound the horn and call the cry
How many of them can we make die?"
As the fell creature gnaws upon his arm, Bulvarius winces and steps backward giving himself momentary respite
Buoyed by Joanna's song he steels himself and attempts to skewer the monster!
"Let me unite you with your craven rider in the Boneyard oh wretched creature!"
"Almost done here!" Kemras takes a measuring glance at the goblin dog and the goblin beyond it, before deciding to shoot at the former, which is not only closer, but larger. "Stay strong, everyone!"
Even as the arrow flies out, the half-elf takes the chance to look around the area for any other signs of the little invaders. "Always pay mind to your surroundings, even in combat." The words of his uncle come back to him. "If you do, you might just be able to preempt other catastrophes before they happen."
Sara looks worriedly from Joanna, to the goblin in front of her, to Bulvarius facing both a goblin and whatever strange creature was serving as a mount to the other one.
She freezes for a slight moment as she considers her options.
Figuring taking down the beast attacking Bulvarius has to be her priority, she lets Joanna's song guide her dancing stance, and throws her starknife towards it, swiftly drawing another one as she readies herself for another attack from the goblin in front of her.
Bulvarius' strike, coupled with being peppered by Kemras' arrow and Sara's starknife, topples the mangy goblin dog. I makes a unsettlingly dog-like whimper as it falls to its side and expires.
Audra whirls her sling at the goblin approaching Bulvarius...and it doesn't make it to its target, it's skull splitting from the force of Audra's cast!
The last goblin rushes at the injured Joanna...but in it's haste , it swings wilding, missing Joanna by at least a foot!
Global Condition: |Party Condition:
Audra HP: 10/10 - AC: 15/13/12 Status:
Bulvarius: HP: 1/12 - AC: 13/13/13 Status:
Joanna HP: 2/9 - AC: 15/12/13 Status:
Kemras HP: 9/10 - AC: 14/12/12 Status:
Sara HP: 9/9 - AC: 16/15/15/11 Status: Divine Favor 7 roundsNPCs:
Red Goblin HP: -4 AC: 16
Pink Goblin HP: -8 AC: 16
white Goblin HP: -12 AC: 16 dead
Yellow Goblin HP: -12 AC: 16 dead
Riding Goblin White HP: -15 AC:??
Goblin Dog HP:-23 AC: 15
Joanna continues to sing, but her voice pitches up with fear and not a little panic as one of the goblins tries to spill her blood again. Her hurried counter misses the mark as the last little bit of her more powerful magic fills her words and spurs her companions on. Seeing that she's missed, she moves to hopefully set up a flank for her cousin.
Audra continues spinning her sling.
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Mirthlessly Bulvarius pulls forth his pike from the downed goblin mount and shifts backward before ramming his spear into the nearby goblin ;
Sara lets out a sigh of relief as she sees the goblin dog go down from her attack, and then turns to face the goblin she left behind. Her face falls, though, as she sees it going for Joanna instead.
"No! Leave Joanna alone! Face me, instead! Please..."
In a panic, Sara moves behind the creature and attacks, hoping to bring down her cousin's attacker before it can bring her anymore harm.
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With both cold-hearted efficiency and panic-fuels necessity, Bulvarius and Sara take down the two remaining goblins, their shrieks of pain subsiding to mere whimpers as their life-blood seeps away.
As the blood rushing through your ears subsides, everyone notices what Kemras has...the sounds of combat from near and far have ceased, replaced with the shouts of villagers putting out fires, and the occasional sound of people crying out in pain or saddness.
From behind the nearby barrel, the man who was accosted, peeks out and seeing the goblins all slain, stands with a weak smile on his face, "Superb....simply superb! You all saved me....I was done for!" he exclaims dramatically, dabbing at his eyes with a silken kerchief.
He steps out and pats Bulvarius on the shoulder, "Well done, my man! Well done!". But then walks right by the large soldier, and walks right up to Sara, before she has a chance to check on her friend Joanna.
Reaching out, the man grasps Sara's hand and bending low, brings it to his lips for a chaste kiss. Looking up, he says softly, "Aldern Foxglove....at your service, my beautiful champion!"
As Joanna realizes the fight is over, she turns to her cousin and is about to tell Sara that she's alright when the man who'd been cowering stands up to congratulate them and then kisses the back of Sara's hand! For a moment, she looks on, dumbfounded as her mind, already overwhelmed by what's happened, refuses to work. She shakes herself and staggers over to Sara.
"A thousand pardons, Lord Foxglove," Joanna says with a bow of her own as she takes a guess at the man's station. "I fear that we are not through just yet. The goblins may no longer be a threat, but there are still people we need to help. Would you be so kind as to lend whatever aid you can provide," she asks as she stands next to her cousin. In truth, she wants nothing more than to go to bed and pray that this is all a nightmare, but she can't, not while others are still in need.
Kemras slowly relaxes his focus, taking a deep, slow breath. Seems like the attack is mostly over. He glances down at his shortbow, sighing. I thought I could build up my strength if I practiced with this enough, but even the hits I landed didn't hurt them much.
With that thought, he pulls himself back to the present, looking at the man they'd saved - Foxglove? Lord? Does that name sound familiar...? The half-elf shakes his head slightly. "I'm glad you're alright, sir." He says, approaching the group and glancing over them swiftly to assess their injuries.
"Bulvarius, you're hurt the worst. Do you want me to heal you, or should I try to save the spell for any noncombatants we encounter who are badly injured?" The aspirant's answer would tell Kemras a lot about him, whatever it would be.
"I... I..." Sara looks down at the man they just rescued, her panic driven mind slowly calming down as she realises the fighting has finally ended.
As Joanna joins her and speaks up, she nods in agreement, before turning to look back at the nobleman. She gives him a shy smile, as she tries to drive the stressful last minutes out of her mind and slip back into her usual self. "Sara Deverin, Lord Foxglove. I thank you for your kind words. But I fear my dear cousin is right. We need to tend to the people. I... Can't do much to heal them for today myself, but maybe the other priests still have some healing magic left. Your help would be much appreciated."
Bulvarius accepts the noble's congratulations, then sighs inwardly;
Felled by mere goblins. How am I to face the creatures and beasts of legend when mre goblins have the better of me.
He runs a singed glove over his cropped scalp faint leaving streaks of soot.
I fell... and yet I rose. And retribution was mine.
The Hellknight aspirant approaches his companions, attempting to recall what he knows of the Foxglove noble house;
"A touch of healing would be most welcome friend Kemras."
Hearing the noble sweet-talk towards Sara, Audra slightly rolls her eyes.
Flirting amidst an attack on your village? And you're a fair bit older, too.
Though to be realistic, Audra herself was older than either of them, even if she'd only just passed into adulthood for a Sylph.
Foxglove stops a moment as Sara reveals her own heritage. He beams, as if they were a match made in heaven, "Ah...a Deverin, fabulous! " he declares, running back to Sara, once again grasping her hand and leaning over to bestow upon it's back a number of light kisses.
His eyes gleaming, he straightens and exclaims, "I shall hie to the Rusty Dragon and dispatch any priests I see! My Dear..." he finishes softly, giving Sara a courtly bow, before running off towards the Rusty Dragon.
As he does so , he needs to skirt around a squad of watchmen, led by the indomitable Sheriff Belor Hemlock. They spread out into the square, looking a warily around. The Sheriff surveys the bodies strewn here and there, then sees your group off to the side of the cathedral.
He walks swiftly over, noting bloody blades, bloody and burnt limbs and tunics , and of course dead goblins. He nods , "Looks like you lot acquitted yourselves well! You have the towns' and my thanks!"
He watches, fists on hips, as the guardsmen start to drag the dead goblin bodies into the center of the square.
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Something about Aldern Foxglove's affections towards her cousin sends a shiver down her spine. She can't place her finger on the reason why other than it unnerved her for some reason. In any case, it is a relief when he left, though she can't relax yet, it seems as the sheriff and several watchmen approached. Joanna manages a smile as she accepts the compliments from Sheriff Hemlock, though what she wants to do is weep. A special and holy day was ruined by this raid and it seems that a few families will be mourning lost loved ones if what she hears now that the fighting is over with is any indication.
Once they are alone again, Joanna wraps Sara up in a fierce but gentle hug, mindful of the injuries her cousin had received.
"I-I'm sorry," she whispers in Sara's ear. "I-I-I tried to h-help. I tried, and I-I made you worry and got us hurt."
The young noblewoman takes in a deep breath and lets go of Sara. Joanna can't stop the tears rolling down her face, not is she certain she should.
"C-can you help me help the others that still need help," she asks as she wipes away the tears. "I-I'm not much of a healer when all of the magic's gone."
Sara watches as the eccentric man rushes off towards the inn, unsure of what to make of his attentions.
I... Guess it might be his way of... Coping with all that just happened? I... I know I'm still stressed out, too, maybe that's his way of trying to deal with it?
She looks to Joanna, her face a mix of anxiety, worry and confusion, but quickly looks towards the sheriff as he approaches. She tries hard to keep herself together for a little while longer, and straighten herself, but looks down at her feet. She fully expects to be reprimanded for chatting with people instead of being on watch, or her sloppy fighting during the attack.
His words of thanks are a surprise, and she looks up to him, searching for any sign of disapproval as she replies, her voice shaking a bit "Thank you, sheriff. But I... I have to apologise - I was distracted with the festival, I wasn't alert, I... I let this happen. If... If it wasn't for these brave people here with me, who rose up to defend the town with no hint of hesitation, I don't... I don't think..."
She looks for Joanna, and considers her last words to Foxglove as she looks back to the Sheriff. "I... I guess that's not what matters the most right now, though. The fighting may have stopped, but there's still people hurting - we should... We should do what we can to help."
When she's finally alone with her cousin, Sara hugs her back tightly as the tears finally come flooding down her cheeks.
"Oh, Joanna, I just... I'm just glad you're safe. This... This... This was awful. I thought... I wanted to learn how to fight, to protect people... To... To stop things like this from happening. And it all went wrong. Bulvarius went down, you got hurt, and I... I just... I was so afraid I'd lose you, too. And I kept missing, and they kept attacking you, and, and..."
She holds her cousin back tightly and just cries into her shoulder for a bit. As Joanna lets go of her, Sara too wipes away her tears, and nods. "You're right, Joanna, sorry. We... We have to focus on those that still need help" She sighs and looks hopelessly at her bloodstained hands. "I... Never learned much about being a healer, either. Didn't think it would matter, when magic worked so well. I'll try to do what I can for now, though. And I'll make sure to start learning."
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Kemras smiles tiredly at the other man, chanting a quick spell and laying his hand on him and letting healing energies wash over him.
He glances at the nobleman, a brow arching. "Someone has no sense of timing." He mutters to Bulvarius. Seriously, now is not the time. Any further complaints he might've had are forestalled by the Sheriff's arrival. When he realizes that the two local women are still in shock to some extent, he speaks up. "While I won't say it was my pleasure to help, I am glad to have protected your town as best as I was able - which, being honest, wasn't very well. My compatriots here were far more effective than I."
He considers for a moment. "I also must admit, in the spirit of honesty, that it was at least partially self-interest. The goblins were a threat to everyone." His lips quirk upwards in a half-smile, which fades quickly as he looks again at the two women.
Should I help them? He barely knows them, but they were both friendly and personable. Before he can do so, though, their resolves firm, and he nods slightly, tightening his kapenia. "Alright. Sheriff, can you direct us to where we might be of most use?"
The Sheriff waves away any protestations of modesty, stating bluntly, "You acted...that's enough for me. And I think the same for those townsfolk who noticed...", he says noting that some of the townsfolk who had hid in nearby building were slowly coming out.
As they did so some approach, and either for a quick hug, or a hand on the shoulder with a genuine thank you, to show their appreciation for your actions, whether you happen to be local or a newcomer to the town.
The Sheriff looks on with approval, then turns when one of his Watchmen hurries up, and whispers something in the big man's ear. He nods, then addresses Kemras' question ,as he look around, "The gobs are beaten, killed or run off. Looks like the fires are out as well. " he says, noting the dwindling pillars of smoke rising from several locations in the town, "Go, rest, eat...you've earned it." he says, the sentiment echoed by several townsfolks gathered nearby.
Then with a curt nod to each of you, he hurries off with the Watchman.
In the middle of the square, the pile of dead goblins slow grows as watchmen and townsfolk bring them from other parts of the town.
"What about the injured," Joanna asks. "Do the town's healers need help?" As much as she wants to just curl up in a bed after having a nice long bath and a soak in the tub, she'd never be able to relax if she knew others were out there suffering when she could be helping them. True, she'd learned that she can't save everyone when she was still a young girl. It was a lesson her parents and her unofficial uncles had to teach her several times before it stuck. Do what you can for those that you can reach. If you try to save everyone, you'll only tear yourself apart.
But after a goblin attack, someone who can help clean wounds or do some simple healing tasks could help, she told herself. She could bathe and sleep after there was nothing more that could be done for the townspeople who had been hurt by this craven attack.
===
"I... Never learned much about being a healer, either. Didn't think it would matter, when magic worked so well. I'll try to do what I can for now, though. And I'll make sure to start learning."
Joanna actually laughed. A watery, weak laugh, try, but still a laugh.
"We can learn together," she tells Sara with a smile, one that swiftly fades as Joanna feels the last of the adrenaline wear off.
"Sara, we're alright. We're going to be alright. We've lived through this and now we just have to learn from it. Please--Please don't beat yourself up because we got hurt in the process. Doesn't it hurt enough without adding to your scars yourself?"
Kemras shifts slightly, uncertain as to whether to accept the Sheriff's recommendation, but as he casts about the town for any further signs of destruction, he sees none. Slowly, he stows his bow, feeling his muscles ache as the strain of the battles catch up with him.
"Eating sounds... like a good idea, yes." He glances at the two local women, then at the other two alongside whom he fought. A slight distraction seems for the best right now. "Sara, Joanna, could I trouble you two to guide me - and the others, should they wish it - to the restaurant of your choice?"
Bulvarius takes the healing with gratitude and a hard smile;
"My thanks friend Kemras. Next time I shall endeavour not to be set alight and roasted like a hog in iron."
The would be Hellknight does not even cast an eye o'er the loot recovered from the goblin raiders, instead taking satisfaction from the recognition offered by the townsfolk, whilst agreeing with the sentiment of food;
"Good deeds are their own reward... But I would not say no to some fine fare and toast to our victory this day!"
"Sara, we're alright. We're going to be alright. We've lived through this and now we just have to learn from it. Please--Please don't beat yourself up because we got hurt in the process. Doesn't it hurt enough without adding to your scars yourself?"
Sara wipes the tears from her face and lets out a sigh at her cousin's words, and gives her a weak smile. "You're right, we all got through it, somehow, and that's what I should be focusing on. We... We did all we could."
Sara takes a better look at the chaos around them, and her face drops again. "Why did this have to happen, though, today, of all days? I... We... The town was finally putting everything that happened five years ago behind us, and looking hopefully to the future."
She looks back towards Kemras at his question, and back to Joanna, a bit unsure of what to answer him. "I... I'm not too sure if they're going to be open after all this. I guess we could check? The White Deer is the closest... I can take you there, and then maybe make my way back here and see if there's anything else I can do to help. I'm... Not sure I'll be able to hold down a meal just yet, after... After what we all went through."
Joanna looks around as well when Sara asks why today, her face sorrowful as she sees the signs of the ruined festival. The colorful and soot-stained decorations and the smells of smoke and blood.
"I don't know," Joanna answers. As Sara answers Kemras, Joanna looks around. Shouldn't Darius be looking for her?
"I'll go with you. Maybe we'll run into Uncle Darius. He should be around here somewhere."
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Kemras chuckles at Bulvarius' words. "Well, between getting roasted and not being able to hurt any enemies... no, I'd still take the latter, sorry." He grins at the other man. "I'll certainly say a few prayers to Desna to keep you lucky in the future."
He swiftly grows serious again. "Understandable. We've gone through a very... difficult experience." Especially for someone who's never seen serious danger. He adds silently, though he's aware that he's not nearly as experienced as he's making himself out to be. You have to laugh, otherwise you'll break. He muses silently. What was it father always said? "Life's too short not to laugh, but it's also too long to not laugh."
"I'd appreciate any help you could give us." He continues. "Even if you don't want to eat, I would like to spend some more time... reflecting on today's events with you all. It might help make things a little less... scarring."
Stowing two bullets that had missed, Audra overhears the discussion about healing, and of dinner.
Not a bad suggestion. One can't function on an empty stomach.
Audra lets the healing up to the professionals. However one little girl she almost bumped into as the child ran with a dirty scraped knee and still nervous face, she couldn't help but want to help. The kid was clearly still upset and looking for her family.
"Hold on little one, that scrape's not too little, and it's dirty."
Audra casts create water to show she can clean the scrape. Washing off any filth in the scraped skin, she sets the child off when it's calmed down.
Audra then catches up her pace with Kemras and the others.
"I guess... I guess that makes sense, Kemras. I... I can see how that might help. If that's what you want, I'll gladly sit down with you." She nods at the man, and tries to put on a small smile as she gestures to the leaving sheriff.
"And you heard the boss: rest and eat. Orders are orders, right?" She lets out a small, nervous chuckle, and then points towards the northeast.
"The White Deer is right over there, at the end of Church Street, on the left. Let's see if Garridan still has some of that delicious venison he was serving earlier today."
Joanna thinks that this day is going to leave scars no matter what. Thankfully, her wounds had been healed and there shouldn't be any scars from that, but the memories? Those will leave scars for sure, and she's not sure any amount of talking will keep that from happening.
She agrees to go anyway. At least she'd be somewhere Uncle Darius could find her. She wonders what he got up to. She figured as soon as the fighting was over he'd come looking for her. Maybe he was helping out. He hadn't told her to meet him somewhere, had he?
Seeing Audra hurrying to catch up, Joanna touches Sara's arm to get her attention and asks her to stop and wait for the other young woman, or at least young looking. She was easily older than both Joanna and Sara, but she couldn't be that much older. Maybe twenty-two?
"Audra, right? How are you doing? Did you get hurt in the fighting," Joanna asks. She doesn't see any injuries, but that doesn't mean the other woman didn't receive any.
"Audra, right? How are you doing? Did you get hurt in the fighting," Joanna asks. She doesn't see any injuries, but that doesn't mean the other woman didn't receive any.
"Yes, it's Audra. But no, i'm unscathed.
The three of you did the heavy lifting. I've not had any training in fighting things up close. Hunting small game like rabbits with a sling, that's the training i got.""But we can still grow."
Sara stops at Joanna's touch and sees Audra rushing up to catch up with them.
"Oh, sorry, Audra, didn't mean to leave you behind." She gives the woman a small smile as she approaches, but lets out a sigh as the conversation turns to their recent combats. "I think we all pulled our weight, for what it's worth. It's... It's all still a bit blurry in my head, to be honest, but I think you hit quite a few of those goblins with your sling."
Sara stops at Joanna's touch and sees Audra rushing up to catch up with them.
"Oh, sorry, Audra, didn't mean to leave you behind." She gives the woman a small smile as she approaches, but lets out a sigh as the conversation turns to their recent combats. "I think we all pulled our weight, for what it's worth. It's... It's all still a bit blurry in my head, to be honest, but I think you hit quite a few of those goblins with your sling."
Audra shrugs with a faint smile. "Less than i'd like, but at least they're gone and dealt with."
Bulvarius walks alongside his newfound companions, nodding at Sara's words;
"Remember Lady Audra it is the final blow that matters. May it be pike, spell or slingstone."
"I think we all did less than we wanted to," Joanna says, feeling cold at what she'd done, and frightened by how close some of the goblins had gotten to killing her. Uncle Darius would not be happy with her when he finds out she got herself hurt after he'd ran off to help.
As the group leaves the festival square, they see a number of wagons being led towards the pile of goblin corpses. From the snippets of conversation between some of the watchmen, the plan is to transport out past Tanner's bridge and burn them.
Heading up Church street towards The White Deer, not much damage can be seen, most must be in Sandpoint proper. Still, when the restaurant appears, a hubbub of activity swirls around the street in front...a makeshift kitchen bubbles and steams as a line of townsfolk await a quick meal. Many are sooty, some injured....but all look tired.
Garridan, the owner of The White Deer spies Sara as he's ladling food into a bowl, "Ah...there's our saviors! Everyone, let's give them a cheer! " he bellows , as the townsfolk turn an recognize you all. News travels fast in a small town! A cheer and clapping rises up from the tired townsfolk, their tired faces lighting up with approval and joy!
A little boy detaches from his mother's hand and runs up to Bulvarius, reaching out and taking his big hand in his small one. Looking up , he asks, "Is it true...you and your friend killed 30 goblins? "
Bulvarius stoops with a broad smile;
"30 wretched Goblins... It could have been lad, we did lose count in the midst of battle... Our hands were gripping swords, loosing bows and casting spells... No time to use them to count up the horrible goblins we felled."
He chuckles and ruffles the lads hair with a gloved hand;
"Next time we'll keep count... just for you."
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The praise and the cheering surprises Joanna. A part of her wants to find someplace to hide and sleep, but good manners trumps her sense of fatigue. Many of them likely have the same questions and worries that Sara has, and that Joanna herself has for that matter, and having some hope, something beautiful to latch onto after something so horrid and hateful as the goblin raid, will go a long way towards helping them recover. She remembers that was how her family had gotten past the kidnapping attempt, finding the good despite all the bad.
So, despite her weariness and her own budding worries, Joanna smiles, she grins as the crowd cheers. Truly she doesn't know how to accept their praise and cheers, so she does so as graciously and humbly as she can. She gives the others, especially Bulvarius and Sara, as much credit as she can for slaying goblins and keeping them on their feet.
"We did lose count," Joanna confirms, her focus on the young boy as she prepares to regale the crowd with the other's exploits. Though she's no trained orator, she has a natural charm, and the crowd's apparent appreciation of the band of heroes has given her a second wind and a bit of inspiration.
"When the goblins launched their cowardly attack, these brave heroes rose to the challenge and bested it," she begins, sweeping her arms wide as she works the crowd, lifting their spirits even as she lifts the others up with praise. "Bulvarius the Brave and Sara of the Starsong lead the charge, defending Sandpoint and her people from the vile wretches as Kemras the Learned and Audra the Traveler lay into them with sling and bow."
For the next few minutes, Joanna tells the story, polishing away their blunders and enhancing their strength, cunning, and bravery. Bulvarius being downed turns into a heroic stand to defend Sara and herself while they in turn bolster his strength and constitution. Sara's desperate attempt to defend Joanna after the noblewoman had gotten in over her head becomes a cunning tactic to harry and distract the goblins. It's not wholly true, but it is true enough. It's the truth of the story, the one that inspires others as it lifts their spirits. She's certain that others will know what really happened, but she hopes that they will understand what she is doing.
Sandpoint at this moment needs heroes, people that they can look up to and strive to be like as they recover. The truth will come out, those that are trained in the arts martial will see through the polished story to the grim and desperate reality beneath, as will those that were there. That doesn't matter now, because these people need the tales of heroism more than the truth of reality, at least until the pain and grief have a chance to pass.
After finishing her tale, she slips over to the stewpot and finally gets something to eat and drink.
"Thank you, Master Garridan," she says quietly so that only he can hear. "Both for the food and hailing them as heroes. I think the town needs that right now. I know Sara does."
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Kemras nods gravely at Joanna's words. "Yes. I don't think anyone's particularly satisfied with how it went. Still, we all survived, and the goblins are... well, I don't want to tempt fate, but I think they're gone."
He falls silent for the rest of the walk, simply keeping his eyes open for the signs of battle and loss that almost invariably follow in goblins' trails. How did they even get in without notice? Lapse of the guard? Some sort of wall damage? He shakes his head. I don't know this town, I shouldn't jump to conclusions so quickly.
The cheering welcome sets Kemras back on his heels. Heroes? Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. He glances at Sara and Joanna as Bulvarius overstates their work to the inquisitive child. Will they be alright with this?
Joanna's response gives him some comfort - she, at least, won't crumble under the people's reverence for such a traumatic experience. Maybe it'll remind them both that they did a good thing to save people like these. He sighs. Or it'll make them feel worse. The half-elf is more than aware that he's hardly the best at reading people, so he can't tell whether or not Joanna's putting a good face on her own difficulties.
Still, his lips quirk at Joanna's description of him. 'Learned?' I suppose I can accept that. I'd probably choose 'Learner' for myself, but that sounds less heroic. Kemras takes a quiet breath, scanning the crowd for anyone who seems to be paying him or the others more attention.
Sara is surprised at the hero's welcome they receive, and looks worriedly at Joanna as they come near the stall. As the kid approaches Bulvarius, however, she kneels down next to him and smiles kindly.
"Doesn't really matter how many they were... The important thing is that we got them, and kept you all safe."
She tries to keep her focus on the kid, not really wanting to face the rest of the crowd, as Joanna starts recounting their recent battles, adding her spin to it to make them come out as brave and cunning heros.
She stares at her in shock and is about to voice her objections, when she realises what her cousin is trying to do.
Always ready to raise everyone's spirit when they're down, be it mine, or the whole town. Thank you, Joanna.
So she keeps from saying anything and instead looks to the crowd, still smiling, trying to present herself as the hero her cousin is making her out to be.
Even as she tries to put on a brave face, her smile is clearly forced, and there's a hint of worry on her face as she scans the crowd. As the adrenaline wears off, it's starting to dawn on her that others might have not been as lucky in escaping or fending off the goblins, and she's looking for those she's closest with, to make sure they're safe - her father most of all.
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As the group face the crowd, Bulvarius listens to the words and praise with pride.
Bulvarius the Brave. I like that. It befits.
He looks to his companions...
... his gaze lingering on Sara.
The big Hellknight aspirant places a gloved hand on her shoulder with a reassuring squeeze;
"Worry not friend Sara. Share your troubles and the burden will be lighter."
Noticing her cousin's worry, Joanna stays close to Sara as the priestess starts looking for those she's close to.
Audra kept to herself. The whole experience was still a bit overwhelming and dying down. But the two cousins still alive together, eased her mind.
Still, not all families would have been that fortunate, she realized.
But she knew the look in Sara's eyes, for not too long ago she felt that very same way. To quickly see if family is still among the living.
Kemras' inquisitive look at Sara leaves him slightly suspicious. She seems to be fine, but he very much doubts she is. Putting on a brave face, probably. He's forced to conclude.
"Let's find a place to sit and relax a bit." He says softly to the others. "Ideally in a place where we won't get... heckled."
The little boy looks up at Bulvarius and Joanna, mouth agape, until another child grabs his arm and drags him away. As they roll around and tussle, they and the others in the area slowly still as Joanna tells the story of the festival square, heads tilted as they listen, absorbing the exploits described by her words, their spirits uplifted, if but for a moment.
When she finishes, they cheer and many advance to give hugs and pats on the back to the new heroes.
Garridan hands each of you a bowl of stew and a piece of fresh bread, "That was well told, you have the makings of a fair skald, Joanna! " he declares, then sensing Sara's mood, says more quietly, "Your family's safe, dear. They're down at the docks last I saw them, your cousin the Mayor as well. "
The stew is rich and hearty,the bread warm and buttery...filling your bellies , allowing the memory of the attack to fade slightly as the hunger that often follows battle overcomes you for a few moments.
The townsfolk give you your space, but continue to talk about Joanna's story, looks of admiration cast your way from time to time.
Off to one side, the children play fight. You can overhear them fighting among themselves, deciding who would pretend to be Mighty Bulvarius, or the beautiful and brave Joanna, Sara or Audra...or the clever Kemras!
As incredulous smiles twitch at the corners of you mouths, and the last of the stew passes your lips, your moment of peace in interrupted.
The young Tiefling, Tot, pushes through the crowd and spots you, "Ah...there you are. Ameiko sent me to find out if you survived! Well, of course you did! The Lord Foxglove wouldn't shut up about what you did ! Is it true....you slew an ogre?" she asks excitedly, her voice rising in pitch and speed and volume.