At least the dead have a nice view of the River. I never know what to make of... hold on, what's this?
"One of these sets of prints looks... bigger than a goblin."
Alara nodded noting the heavier prints among the smaller goblin tracks, "Yeah, ain't that strange." She was wondering if the heavier tracks where from whoever or whatever put them up to this.
She walker over to the door and listened very carefully, just in case the goblins had left a there was a welcome committee.
After his companions checked the ground and listened, Tessai moved up to the door next to Alara, and peeked inside.
Sheriff Hemlock stands back as the party searches about but his frown deepens as they mention the larger prints. [b["Perhaps a hobgoblin was leading the pack? Or maybe a bugbear? But what would they want specifically here in the Boneyard... It makes no sense."[/b] He grumbles.
Alara doesn't hear any movement within the crypt and soon enough the assembled defenders decide to proceed forward.
The vault door is easy enough to open, but as the they push the door further in two human skeletons burst forth from the tomb to strike!
"What the?! Defend yourselves!" cries Sheriff Hemlock.
"Walking toothpicks?" she wipes her mouth as in the process her smile widens again till it almost reaches her ears, rows of extra serated teeth fill the gaps
Both skeletons lurch forward, their bones clattering against one another noisily as they swing their broken scimitars at Alara and Tessai, both of whom are swift enough to dodge the first blow but were not anticipating the skeletons to follow up with their bone claws gashing along Alara's arm and deeply scratching Tessai's exposed face.
Tessai draws her morningstar and attacks!
Tessai's morningstar crashes down on the skeleton's head, shattering it into little pieces. The rest of the body collapses in a pile immediately after.
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Goblins were a known, albeit infuriating, nuisance, but an animated corpse bursting from a crypt with a rusted blade was enough to make even the most seasoned explorer's blood run cold. Alara hissed through her teeth as the skeleton's jagged, bony fingers raked across her arm, tearing fabric and drawing a stinging line of fresh blood. There was absolutely no way she was going to stand toe to toe with a literal walking nightmare.
Executing a hasty tactical retreat, she stepped diagonally backward, putting much needed distance between herself and the clattering horror. As she moved, her hand flew to her quiver. Her academic mind was still working despite her racing heart, recalling that standard broadheads were practically useless against an empty ribcage. Instead, her fingers closed around the heavy shaft of a blunt-tipped arrow, perfectly suited for shattering brittle bone.
However, knowing the theory and executing it under pressure were two vastly different things. As she whipped the shortbow up, attempting to nock and loose by pure instinct, her hands trembled violently from the shock of the ambush. Her fingers slipped from the nock before the draw was even half complete. The bowstring snapped forward with a hollow, pathetic twang, and the blunt arrow simply tumbled out of her unsteady grasp, dropping uselessly into the churned graveyard dirt.
As Alara's arrow drops uselessly int9 the dirt before her the undead entity surges forward still, unhindered by the true death of its companion, grasping and clawing at the retreating half-elf.
Yaron steps forward into the fray and lashes out with his morningstar. He's fighting the undead, and even in his moments of inexperience and alarm he knows these things must not be allowed to get out into the town.
Alas, his swing against the remaining skeleton is both wild and weak!
Yaron swings valiantly at the skeleton, however, his blow is knocked aside by the wild flailing movements of the undead being before him and smashes into the side of the crypt, chipping the stone.
He bite goes wild, snapping at nothing but air
Rokea's bite makes a resounding snap as she crunches the air before her which is mildly impressive as a show of bite strength but nothing more.
The skeleton surges forward mindlessly chasing after its original victim but as Yaron steps forward to take her place the skeleton's broken blade and claw batter ineffectually against his armor.
Different from her approach toward the goblins, Tessai has no hesitation in simply going for the utter destruction of the skeletons - undead are an abomination and they must be destroyed in all instances!
Tessai once again smashes the skull of the skeletal foe to pieces causing it to clatter harmlessly to the ground. After a moment of pause it is clear that no more undead await the party.
"Well, it is good to know that at least one of you knows how to handle yourselves in a fight, the fact that none of you broke and tried to flee is a sight more than I would expect from your average citizen so I would say you all pass my little test. Though, not all of you with flying colors it must be said." Sheriff Hemlock comments sternly from behind the group and shakes his head.
"But, more to the point. What in the name of the gods were those things doing in there in the first place? This would seem to be no ordinary goblin attack."
A search of the vault’s interior turns up two things of interest. First, a discarded robe is tucked away in the corner. Second, and more disturbing, is the fact that the sarcophagus that contained the former head priest’s body has been opened and his remains stolen.
Tessai perked up a bit at the compliment, but then quickly resumed her humble posture, only nodding at the Sheriff.
"You have me, Sheriff, I'm so green to 'adventuring' or whatever is we're doing it's amazing no one is trying to farm me for a salad." The humor is not his best but he just fought a skeleton that insisted on WALKING.
Alara’s pointed ears burned slightly at the Sheriff’s backhanded compliment. She bit the inside of her cheek, suppressing the immediate urge to point out that her expertise lay in uncovering ancient history and dismantling complex mechanisms, not necessarily in close quarters brawling with animated femurs. She offered Hemlock a tight, entirely unamused smile, deciding to let Yaron’s self-deprecating salad joke fill the awkward silence.
Eager to redirect her focus, and the Sheriff's attention to something she was actually good at, Alara stepped past the shattered bone fragments and into the gloomy interior of the vault. Letting her elven heritage do the heavy lifting, her eyes adjusted rapidly to the dim light, sweeping the stonework with the practiced precision of an archaeologist in her element.
"Mmm look the sarcophagus has been forced open and it's lacking it's former occupant... Sheriff this seems organized to me."
She then walked over to the discarded robe and examined it.
Sheriff Hemlock stares with a deadpan unamused look on his face at Yaron. "Do not mistake my friendly relations with your cousin to mean that I will treat you with any favoritism master Deverin. People have lost their lives, their homes, and their property tonight and now the tomb of our respected former high priest has been desecrated and undead brought to bear. Perhaps you should save your poor attempts at humor for the Sandpoint Theater, perhaps Cyrdak Drokkus will find it more amusing."
He then turns his attention to Alara, a finger thoughtfully under his chin. "I would say that the presence of the undead implied enough for me to assume more than goblin mischief was at play here but the presence of larger footprints and now this grave new that Ezakien Tobyn's remains have been pilfered practically cements the fact... The cloak is curious, however, why would one remove such an item during the middle of their graverobbing?" He sighs in exhaustion. "Perhaps we should keep what we have discovered here between us for now... The townsfolk have been through enough for one night to find out that the beloved former high priest has had his eternal slumber disturbed would be just another burden on their weary minds."
The cloak seems like an ordinary cloak, it isn't dusty though so it must have not been here long.
Sheriff Hemlock stares with a deadpan unamused look on his face at Yaron. "Do not mistake my friendly relations with your cousin to mean that I will treat you with any favoritism master Deverin. People have lost their lives, their homes, and their property tonight and now the tomb of our respected former high priest has been desecrated and undead brought to bear. Perhaps you should save your poor attempts at humor for the Sandpoint Theater, perhaps Cyrdak Drokkus will find it more amusing."
Yaron flushes, "I'm sorry, Sheriff. I never expected nor do I deserve favoritism, I'm just feeling out of my element and have a lot of questions about... new revelations. I meant to fight my insecurity with humor, not to come across as callous. Please accept my apologies" Indeed, he is surprised the Sheriff read it that way and more than a bit alarmed that he was so perceived. Blast it. I'm not sure I deserved that chewing out. Maybe even the Sheriff only wants the 'blessed' boy to look holy and keep his yap shut... just like my family half the time. A deep breath Or maybe he just misread me utterly and I need to smooth it over like a grown up instead of growing sullen. Yes, probably the latter. We're ALL tense, even the Sheriff
Tessai took a moment to look around inside the sarcophagus for any clues of who might have perpetrated this act - maybe something was dropped while moving the body. If she finds nothing, she will move outside and do a circle around the vault, looking for any other signs.
"Bah, everyone is just up tight. A couple of walking toothpicks shouldn't be so bad. Maybe you landlubbers are just spooked. Let's get to the bottom of this post haste, shall we?" she claps Yaron on the shoulder again "Shake all those rattling bones loose"
He nods at Rokea, giving a smile.
"Perhaps we should keep what we have discovered here between us for now... The townsfolk have been through enough for one night to find out that the beloved former high priest has had his eternal slumber disturbed would be just another burden on their weary minds."
Alara understood why the Sheriff might make that suggestion, and in many ways she agreed. Still the question remained, who did this?
"Perhaps we should at that, folks have had a rough day." she replied, "Still I wonder if anyone here is good at tracking footprints? If we're lucky we might find out where the large humanoid went..."
"I don't get to see a lot of footprints in my line of work" she laughs "So don't be asking me to do any tracking"
Sheriff Hemlock nods, "Apology accepted young master Deverin. Surely, you have much on your mind tonight as well... And I must admit, I am curious about the source of your abilities myself. Kendra had not told me you were a priest. Which god or goddess do you draw your power from? As a matter of town security I would like to know." His tone darkens. "We've had trouble with followers of unsanctioned entities in the past."
"I am not a priest, and I don't know the answers to your questions," He answers honestly, his perplexity showing, "I've always had a problem speaking in tongues when stressed even as a child but the divine magic I've been using? That is new. I don't know much at all, but I have it, it helps, so I must use it. It's.. a noblise oblige thing I suppose."
He bends down for a moment to take a look. He's done a bit of hunting with fellow nobles but mostly no further than a day outside of Magnimar and in the company of more skilled folk... but Yaron tries to recall how they worked.
"Here now, I might be wrong... but the footprints come from that wall over there I think... the goblins probably climbed the wall to get here. The prints seem to lead out of the Boneyard and into the streets."
"Well isn't that strange." remarked Alara, "I wonder if anyone saw them clamber over the wall." Somehow she got the feeling the Sheriff wasn't going to conduct house to house enquiries asking about this on account of not alarming the population. This little outing seemed doomed to an unsatisfying conclusion.
"Climb the walls? Goblins couldn't have done that. Not with bare hands at least. Maybe if they had some tools perhaps... You did say there were the footprints of a larger entity with them so maybe they provided something? But regardless. This means that it's possible that this larger creature is still here somewhere. We must keep our eyes peeled." Sheriff Hemlock muses.
-------
The next day the adventurers awake in their comfy beds within the Rusty Dragon. When they each descend down the stairs they are met with a congratulatory cheer. The townsfolk offer them all drinks and food or discounts at their personal stores for the 'Saviors of Sandpoint.'
It seems that the mood in the town has turned to make comedy of the situation. The townsfolk laugh about goblins falling off roofs and breaking their necks, lighting themselves on fire, drowning in wells, and being trampled by horses.
The sailor girl woke feeling much better from the day before. So by the time she joined the town, she was in a much better mood, smiling and joking along. Even if her jokes were a bit more visceral
The Rusty Dragon was comfortable and welcoming, while he's slept in fancier rooms, Yaron found himself feeling cozy. Yes, and that's not something he often gets in fancier mansions. He heads down the stairs, sniffing the food in the air, when he is offered some he is most polite in his gratitude. He's surprised at the bouncing back the town is doing. Sandpointers seem a resilient folk.
If he sees Rokea, he grins and says "You look a little better. I'm glad."
"I feel better too, that incessantly itchy feeling is gone, I can actually feel my gums again! No more gobbo dogs for me any time soon!" she laughs as she slaps his back again, something she tends to do with anyone who is close and she's in a good mood
"Oof,"Yaron decides healing may indeed be useful around such expressive friends, particularly for his back, "Yes, much better food down here , try some."
"Cooked food does have its own flavour versus raw fish and meat, no argument there. Let's get some drinks too!" as she waves and get them all some drinks
Tessai feels awkward at the accolades, but she makes sure to take her time to greet and thank everyone.
"Why thank you so much..."
"I am Tessai, pleasure to meet you Miss...?"
"I will make sure to visit your shop, not to worry"
"We all tried our best - we are just happy we could help"
Eventually she joins the others for breakfast. For someone like Tessai it was daunting to brave the crowded room, but at the same time... Energizing?
"Everyone seems in a good mood" - she commented to her companions.
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Ameiko greets each of the defenders of Sandpoint with a wave, a flagon of ale, and a hearty breakfast all on the house. "I hope you all found your accommodations nice and coxy after all that work you put in last night."
She scoops out a little extra onto Rokea's plate with a wink. "Eat up, don't be shy now. I hear you got quite the appetite and that you took a bite outa some real nasty little buggers last night. I'm sure you'll find my food a little more appetizing."
And indeed the rice, mackerel, salmon, and assorted pickled vegetables are more than delicious, though a simple affair. You can tell it was made by an expert.
The natto, however, some of the defenders enjoy and others... well the texture just isn't for them.
Ameiko lays out four small sacks on the table which each clink as she sets them down. "These are for each of you. The townsfolk put together a little thank you present for each of the 'Great Defenders of Sandpoint.'" she giggles. "Go on and take 'em then you should head out around town and explore a bit."
She gives Ameiko a wink "You're spoiling a girl here! But I do appreciate the extra! And yeah, I'd rather not think about that meal..." she shakes her head and claps her hands together "May this blessing of the sea be a blessing to my body" almost like a small prayer before she digs in. And half chewing "phank phor ve gipht!!"
Tessai nibbles on the breakfast, usually used to something more hearthy. Not wanting to offend the host, she does partake of the offered food witha smile.
"I was not expecting this" - her eyes go wide at the offer of gold, as she looks around as if trying to find someone to thank - "It was not necessary, but it is much appreciated"
"What a generous people," More and more, Yaron is impressed by the folks of Sandpoint.The sack is no small treasure, even by his family's wealthy standards but more than just the coin, the community effort it represents is... touching.
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Alara glided down the stairs, looking significantly more glamorous than she had the previous night, though the roaring cheer from the common room still caught her pleasantly off guard. Sliding into a seat next to the others, she eagerly dug into Ameiko’s breakfast pointedly navigating around the pungent natto, but thoroughly enjoying the fish. When Ameiko dropped the heavy, clinking sacks of coin onto the table, Alara’s eyes went wide. She scooped up her share, giving it a delighted shake. "Fifty gold? Bless the townsfolk, and bless you, Ameiko! My coin purse hasn't felt this heavy since my last successful excavation. Sandpointers really do know how to show their appreciation."
She listened to the chatter of the patrons, thoroughly amused by how quickly the community had turned a terrifying raid into a collection of hilarious anecdotes about clumsy, self immolating goblins. "Sandpoint folk are resilient like that," she told Tessai and Yaron, leaning back with a satisfied sigh. "Give us twelve hours and a hot meal, and a crisis becomes a comedy. I'm just glad to see everyone smiling and even gladder that our resident apex predator here," she added with a teasing wink at Rokea, "is back to eating cooked mackerel instead of ... well you know!"
Catching Tessai's mention of the cathedral and remembering Ameiko’s extensive mental map of the local shops, Alara set her flagon down with an enthusiastic clap of her hands. "If we're heading out to stretch our legs, you're looking at the best guide in the Varisian Gulf. Whether you want to pay respects at the cathedral, browse the local weapon smithy, check out the museum, or go find our dramatic nobleman friend Foxglove for that 'proper reward,' I know this town like the back of my hand. Come on, Saviors of Sandpoint let me show you the sights!"
Father Zantus greets Tessai and the others at the door and welcomes them inside the cathedral. Inside the impressive structure they see the six shrines set up within. To the south, facing Sandpoint's heart, are the shrines of civilization: Erastil and Abadar. To the west, offering a view of the Old Light and the sea beyond, are the shrines of Shelyn and Gozreh. And to the east, offering a view of the Sandpoint Boneyard and the rising sun, are the shrines to Sarenrae and Desna.
"Welcome Tessai, welcome everyone. Please come in." The older man greets them with a gentle smile. "I must again thank each of you for your assistance last night. Not only in chasing off the goblins mind you but for all the help you provided with the the healing of our many injured, the volume was far to great for me to handle alone. And, of course, Yaron put out that fire that could have seen the cathedral burnt down again." The man nods respectfully at the young Deverin.
"Your new powers are quite intriguing master Deverin. I would be happy to pray with you to explore the source of this miracle you've been granted."
Now to Tessai, "You performed remarkably well and did this cathedral proud last night. I've even heard that some of the townsfolk are petitioning to expand the cathedral to make a seventh shrine for your most worthy goddess!" He laughs.
"Regardless, we'll be holding a much more subdued consecration of this cathedral today. An indoor event. I don't suspect we'll see many in attendance after the events of last night but still, these things must be done." He shrugs. "Now is there anything I can do for any of you?"
She listened to the chatter of the patrons, thoroughly amused by how quickly the community had turned a terrifying raid into a collection of hilarious anecdotes about clumsy, self immolating goblins. "Sandpoint folk are resilient like that," she told Tessai and Yaron, leaning back with a satisfied sigh. "Give us twelve hours and a hot meal, and a crisis becomes a comedy. I'm just glad to see everyone smiling and even gladder that our resident apex predator here," she added with a teasing wink at Rokea, "is back to eating cooked mackerel instead of ... well you know!"
Catching Tessai's mention of the cathedral and remembering Ameiko’s extensive mental map of the local shops, Alara set her flagon down with an enthusiastic clap of her hands. "If we're heading out to stretch our legs, you're looking at the best guide in the Varisian Gulf. Whether you want to pay respects at the cathedral, browse the local weapon smithy, check out the museum, or go find our dramatic nobleman friend Foxglove for that 'proper reward,' I know this town like the back of my hand. Come on, Saviors of Sandpoint let me show you the sights!"
He smiles at Alara's charming offer of tour guide, "That would be ... most welcome. Thank you. I like Sandpoint for the most part. Magnimar is great, but it can feel rushed."
....
WHen they go to the Cathedral, well, he wipes his feet outside, of course and adopts a respectful manner. It's not fake, he knows the gods should be honored. Though right now he definitely feels conflicted about his new revelations.
"Welcome Tessai, welcome everyone. Please come in." The older man greets them with a gentle smile. "I must again thank each of you for your assistance last night. Not only in chasing off the goblins mind you but for all the help you provided with the the healing of our many injured, the volume was far to great for me to handle alone. And, of course, Yaron put out that fire that could have seen the cathedral burnt down again." The man nods respectfully at the young Deverin.
"Your new powers are quite intriguing master Deverin. I would be happy to pray with you to explore the source of this miracle you've been granted."
Gratitude fills him, "I think I would welcome that, Father Zantus, though I know it's not a priority in these trouble times. In truth I'm not sure how I brought that water down, it felt... instinctive and right. I only knew the fire was a danger and it had to be put out. Life was threatened and..." He shrugs haplessly.
As mention of another shrine for Tessai's deity, he grows curious. Did she mention her god? I never asked. Mmph. I get too focused on myself sometimes.
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Tessai stood quietly within the cathedral, taking in the arrangement of the six shrines with a calm, attentive gaze. Her posture remained humble, hands loosely folded, though her eyes lingered a moment longer on the eastern side where the shrines to Sarenrae and Desna stood overlooking the Boneyard.
At Father Zantus’s praise she bowed her head slightly - "I am honored to have been of service. The night could have gone much worse"
When talk turned to a possible seventh shrine, she blinked once - then a small, restrained smile touched her lips, more at the enthusiasm around her than the idea itself. For a moment, something she did not often allow to settle eased within her; questions of heritage and worthiness quieted, and even the shadow she sometimes felt behind her gaze went still, not answered, but momentarily silenced - "That is… very kind of people to say."
She hesitated a moment before continuing, her tone more practical - "For the consecration today, I would like to help keep watch. After what happened last night"
"Whooo" she then whistles as she takes in the cathedral "Not been in one of these before. Only a shrine or two on the island. And when we come to trade it's not like I had spare time to explore. Fancy!"
Gratitude fills him, "I think I would welcome that, Father Zantus, though I know it's not a priority in these trouble times. In truth I'm not sure how I brought that water down, it felt... instinctive and right. I only knew the fire was a danger and it had to be put out. Life was threatened and..." He shrugs haplessly.
Father Zantus shakes his head and smiles, "No, no I will always have time to see to the spiritual needs of the people of Sandpoint, and as our guest here that includes you as well. Let us pray after the consecration ceremony. Though I suspect you have nothing to worry about since your powers kicked in seemingly to save people."
"For the consecration today, I would like to help keep watch. After what happened last night"
"Of course. I was going to ask if you wanted to be present. Please, your attendance will be a blessing." Father Zantus replies eagerly.
--------------
The ceremony occurs shortly thereafter, it is a dignified and reserved affair but after a few kind words of thanks and blessings put upon the altars everything is put in order and the cathedral is finally consecrated and officially in service.
The ceremony was quieter than Tessai had expected.
She remained attentive throughout, standing near the edge of the gathering with her hands folded before her, eyes occasionally drifting between the assembled shrines and the townsfolk who had come despite the previous night's turmoil.
When the final blessings were spoken and the consecration completed, she bowed her head in silent respect.
For a brief moment she simply stood there, taking in the stillness that settled over the cathedral. The old tension she carried - the awareness of what she was and what she served - felt strangely distant. Not gone, not resolved, but quieter than usual.
At length she looked to Father Zantus and offered a small nod - "Congratulations, Father. I am sure this cathedral will bring comfort to many" - her gaze drifted briefly toward the doors - "And hopefully its next day of service will be less eventful"