Belor Hemlock watched the crowd mill about the small town he called home, Sandpoint, the largest town along the Lost Coast. The Swallowtail Festival had begun that morning, following speeches by several notable persons including the mayor and himself. It was good to see the city celebrating. They all needed it.
Hemlock had become the sheriff of the town five years ago, following the murder of the previous sheriff by the killer that everyone called Chopper, even though the whole town knew his true identity. Hemlock supposed it was easier to not refer to a man they had all known and trusted, but to the killer that had disrupted their lives. It was just as they had a name for that period of time, the Late Unpleasantness.
A nice way of referring to a time of murder and fire. The fire had ruined several of the local business, totally destroying the old cathedral with Father Tobyn and his foster daughter Nualia still inside.
Now Sandpoint had a new cathedral and a new cleric, Father Zantus. The time for celebration was at hand. Folks that never left their homes or businesses were in town, which was good to see, but also meant that there was chance Hemlock would run into his brother Garridan and that old argument would start up again. There were also several travelers passing through to witness the town’s annual autumn festival.
Hemlock’s eyes had just caught those of Kaye Tesarani when a thunderstone exploded in the center near the cathedral. It was time for Zantus’s speech and the firework celebration. With a nod to Kaye to signify that he needed to return to business, Hemlock started toward the sound of the echoing thunderstone when the first of the screams broke through the night.
*
The cleric Ephaestus stood outside the House of Blue Stones and waited. His journey to Sandpoint had been long, but it would be worth it. Within that building was a library of knowledge that would greatly benefit a follower of Irori such as himself. But they were closed due to the Festival going on all around him. But that was ok, he would wait as long as it took to gain the secrets that must be held within.
When the thunderstone erupted to gather everyone’s attention, the aasimar turned towards the stage where the town’s priest had stood, about to start another speech. When the priest’s mouth open to begin, a scream of terror filled the night. Ephaestus’s eyes scanned the crowd for danger, landing on the body of a dead dog, near a wagon it has just been using for shade. Something small darted through the crowd, rushing passed a scarred fighter whose attention was on the meat he was greedily shoving into his mouth and the mug of ale he was washing it down with. Near the fighter, another small shape moved into action, but this one was dressed flamboyantly with a wide-brimmed feathered hat and wielding a shortbow. The gnome had also seen the blur rush into the crowd.
Epahestus grabbed his mace, certain that he would be needed soon and that his quest to Sandpoint may have been for more than just knowledge.
He joined the crowd, eye searching for the shape that had killed the dog when the sound of shrill voices singing brought his attention to the small images that were invading the town. At once, the cleric knew what had killed the dog.
Goblins.
*
Gnomelody Finetuner had been enjoying his trip to Sandpoint. He loved to visit the town on his travels, spinning tales of adventure for the children and young ladies. He had even heard that Cyrdak Drokkus, owner of the Sandpoint Theater, was about to start another of his award-winning plays. The bard thought the opportunity to audition would do wonders for his reputation. Gnomes were few and far between in Varisia and even Gnomelody could not remember having seen an actual gnome community. He supposed that his whole life had been spent on the road, looking for that chance to write his own story, sing his own song.
When the goblin darted through the crowd, fresh after killing the dog, the bard had no idea that this simple act would be the start of his adventure. He drew his bow but knew that firing into the crowd would not be a choice. So when the other goblins came into view, he opted to take his chances with them.
Reaching for an arrow, he stopped when a flash of magic exploded into the crowd of goblins, downing one of the creatures. At the edge of the crowd, a dark-haired elf in a flowing regal robe moved her fingers as she prepared another spell. Not too far from her, Gnomelody saw a human with a handlebar moustache sneak around the crowd. At first, the bard thought the man was an enemy but a tossed dagger hit one of the goblins and it was obvious he was no friend to the invaders.
The bard put back his arrow, reaching for his whip. The sorceress and the rogue could handle those goblins. He would get the dog-killer himself. He pushed himself passed the armored man that had been nearing him, ignoring the angry outburst that erupted from him. Gnomelody’s eyes were scanning the now dispersing crowd, looking for the goblin. He caught sight of a cleric just seconds before the small creature came into view.
*
Valeros almost had his ale to his lips when the small gnome bumped his leg, pushing past him. “Hey! Watch where you’re going!” he called after the little guy, wondering what could have caught his attention. It was then he became aware of the crowd screaming and running away from the square. The sounds of battle hit his ear and the fighter dropped his food and drink, immediately drawing his two blades. Action. At last.
It had been long since he had traveled with the Band of the Mauler, too long since his last job as a hired sword for that nobleman in Korvosa who was afraid of every corner and every shadow.
He bounded after the gnome who was drawing close to a lone goblin. “Wait up, little guy!” he called when he reached the bard’s side. “Let an expert handle this.”
“My name is Gnomelody,” the gnome replied back, snapping his whip at the goblin who managed to dodge both the bard and the cleric that had stopped to tend to a wounded woman.
Valeros laughed. “Let me show you how it’s done, Genome.” He reared back with his swords and struck. “I am the Law Giver!!!” The blades decapitated the goblin with ease and the fighter turned his attention to sound of more approaching goblins. Yes. The day had gotten more exciting indeed.
*
Summerlily Winterbreeze watched as the mustached man was hit by one of the goblin’s dogslicers. She called out for aid and saw a cleric on his way, followed by a gnome and a fighter carrying two blades. Father Zantus also came down from the stage and was making his way to join them.
An explosion rocked the street as the goblins found the wagon filled with fireworks. Seeing this before the rest, the sorceress bolted forward towards the goblins. A goblin bard was nearby, continuing to singe the creature’s ominous battle song. The elf reached for her quarterstaff so as not to exhaust her spells and got caught between four of the goblins, critically hit by one of them carrying a dogslicer while another laughed as she fell and lit her on fire with a torch.
*
Jukka pushed himself off the ground, giving a nod of thanks to Ephaestus before the cleric ran over to put himself between the goblins and the fallen sorceress. He got a look at the assembled crew that had joined the battle and quickly ducked behind some barrels to allow a sneak attack on goblins.
He had just been passing through Sandpoint to gain new contacts and had not expected to get caught up in a fight, let alone an apparent goblin invasion. He was thankful the strangers had joined into the fray so not a lot of pressure would be put on him to play the hero.
The rogue moved cautiously waiting for the chance to strike at the goblins who were distracted by the others. He unleashed a crossbow bolt, striking the bard and breaking his concentration, allowing the fighter who kept screaming, “I am the Law Giver!!” to move close enough to fight side-by-side with the cleric.
Seeing no longer any reason to be involved in the battle, Jukka took in the chaos around them. The sheriff had appeared nearby, organizing a group of guards to fight off more goblins that were invading from a different direction. Father Zantus ran to join them, calling for someone named Monty to help with the bodies.
The goblins were dispatched quickly and Jukka returned his attention to see Valeros arguing with Summerlily about jumping into battle. The elf ignored him and started toward the sound of someone screaming for help.
Nearby, a nobleman was surrounded by goblins and a goblin commando atop a mangy dog. The group arrived just in time to see the commando kill the man’s dog and start to advance on him. Valeros screamed out, “I am the Law Giver!!” bringing the goblins attention to the them.
Jukko move past the man, watching him out of the corner of his eye for any tricks, while Gnomelody came to stand at his side, the noble’s eyes glued to Summerlily as she threw magic missles at the goblins. Valeros charged into battle, only to be struck by the commando, knocked unconscious. Ephaestus moved to aid him but was overcome with an allergic reaction to the goblin dog.
*
Aldern Foxglove watched as the group of adventurers came to his aid, though most of his attention was focused on the elf sorceress. She looked so much like his beloved Iesha, but more than that he wondered if she could possibly help him defeat the depression that had eventually driven him away from his home to find assistance for his trouble. He had only just returned from Magnimar, stopping to enjoy the Festival before returning to his family home to complete the quest set about for him by the Brothers of the Seven..
But, as he watched the group defeat the goblins, Aldern found another excuse to stay in town a little while longer. He offered his saviors a dinner at the Rusty Dragon and decided to invite them to hunt wild boar in Tickwood. Summerlily, much to Aldern’s joy, agreed, as did the assimar cleric, but the others decided to find their own entertainment the next day.
As Aldern left the group to prepare to meet them later, he passed Sheriff Hemlock who came to praise them for their assistance defeating the invaders.
*
“Father Zantus!” The priest looked up from where he was seeing to the wounded. A lot of folks had died in the raid, but it could have been much worse. Hemlock’s men did the best they could, but if not for the small band that had jumped into battle at the square, he was certain that more would have perished.
Abstalar Zantus recognized the young man who was calling to him. It was the caretaker’s helper, Monty. Zantus always had an odd feeling around the young student, though he seemed sincere in his studies. Zantus had asked him to be the Naffer Vosk’s assistant when he showed interest in becoming Sandpoint’s next undertaker but he had shown a great deal of interest in the clerical arts, at least when it came to prayers of life and death. He had also noted how Monty had started hanging around with the town’s resident historian, Quink. Zantus wasn’t sure how he felt about that, but the old man was harmless, just filled with wild theories about the ancient empire that had occupied the land now called Varisia.
“Yes, Monty?” he rose now, moving away from the wounded and coming to stand next to him.
“Naffer sent me to find you, sir,” he said, referring to the caretaker. The young man leaned forward and spoke in a conspirator’s whisper, “Father Tobyn’s bones are missing.”
*
That night, the strangers found themselves treated to dinner at the Rusty Dragon and offered free rooms by Ameiko Kaijitsu. Word had already started to spread in town about their brave deeds during the goblin raid and Aldern was telling tales of how Summerlily had saved him from the goblin commando. Gnomelody added his own tales to the stories told that night, much to the delight of Ameiko, whom the gnome learned had also spent time as an adventuring bard.
Aldern again tried to talk the others into joining the boar hunt the next day, but no one else seemed interested so when morning came, he left with the sorceress and the cleric for Tickwood.
*
Jukka managed to keep his name off of the lips of the townsfolk who were already granting praises to the adventurers as they passed through town. He followed Valeros to a local tavern called the Hagfish. The boastful ex-mercenary took up the locals’ challenge to drink a mug of hagfish water.
Watching the festivities and knowing all eyes were on ‘the Law Giver’, the rogue moved about the tavern, picking pockets here and there from the more drunk patrons.
He finally sat back to enjoy himself a mug of ale, watching Valeros as the fighter did his god proud by not only finishing his mug of fetid water, but also downing every mug of alcohol bought for him by the impressed locals.
Jukka laughed to himself. He could have found worse folks to join with.
*
Much to Gnomelody’s surprise, Cyrdak sought him out about auditioning for the starring role in his new play. The theater owner also wanted the charismatic Ephaetus to audition as well, but the gnome managed to gain all of the man’s attention, possibly even winning the part before he had to audition.
Earning gold and praised for his skills at drama, Gnomelody was as happy as even when he was approached just outside of the theater by a young woman who introduced herself a Shayliss Vinder.
“I’ve heard of your great deeds again the goblins and I wonder if possibly you could be spared to help me with a small problem. You see, my father’s store has rats in the cellar.”
“Your father sent you to kill them?” the gnome asked, knowing the Vinder family by reputation. Ven’s general store was the best place in town to buy some very potent orc rotgut. It was a well-known secret that the general store’s cellar held the best stuff. Rats in the cellar could possibly cause business to go down. Ven. Gnomelody knew, had two daughters, with Shayliss being the younger. Her older sister, Katrine, had a bit of a reputation from the gossip the bard heard the last time he had passed through Sandpoint.
“No,” she replied, explaining that she hoped to make her father proud of her by finding someone to get rid of the rats.
Gnomelody agreed, following the attractive human back to the general store, but once down in the cellar he noted a distinct lack of rats and the obvious presence of a cot. “What’s going on?” he asked, turning to the human in time to see her take off her bodice.
“So what do you think?” she purred.
Gnomelody moved past her as she reached to embrace him. “Um, listen .. I’m flattered...”
“Don’t worry,” Shayliss said, following the gnome as he backed away. “Just because you’re a gnome and I’m a human doesn’t mean things can’t work. After all, size doesn’t matter.”
The bard opened his mouth to respond, backing onto the stairs just as the door above opened.
“Shayliss?!” boomed the gruff voice of Ven Vinder. “What the hell is going on down here?” His clouded eyes looked down, seeing his youngest daughter half-naked and the gnome backing his way up the stairs.
“It’s a misunderstanding,” Gnomelody said, turning to face the old man. “I was told there were rats in the cellar and offered to help.” The words raced out as his attempted to explain to the shopkeeper. Vinder’s eyes darted back and forth between the bard and his daughter before he finally nodded, stepping aside to let the gnome go.
“I don’t expect to see your face in my shop anytime soon,” he said as the gnome passed him. Gnomelody only nodded, anxious to get back to the Rusty Dragon, wondering what his newfound friends would have done in his situation.
*
As night approached and Valeros continued to get drunker than most of the locals, Jukka slipped out of the Hagfish and wandered about town, buying a local map of the city and region and trying to decide what to do. Would he stay near the others and see where that relationship would take him?
He moved through the city, searching for a shop that sold the good equipment, but only the standards were sold in Sandpoint. The expensive stuff, the good magical equipment, would have to be found elsewhere. Maybe if things didn’t work out, he would head to Riddlepoint. There was always use for a good rogue in that town.
While heading towards the only place in town that sounded interesting, the landmark called the Old Light, he encountered a woman screaming and holding her baby while dragging another son out of a nearby building. “Goblins!” she said, explaining that her son had found a goblin in his bedroom and her husband was still in the house trying to drive it out. “Will you help me?”
Jukka looked at her, not really wanting to get involved, but he shrugged his shoulders, entering their home. As he made his way back to where she had told him the bedroom was, the rogue took note of the items of interest the family had kept in them home.
In the bedroom, Jukka found the corpse of a dog as well as a man laying face down on the floor, partially in the closet. He pulled the body out of the door, drawing a dagger as he did so. The man’s face was gone, as if eaten by something.
When the goblin pounced from the doorway, Jukka knew that the thing had been hiding, possibly since the raid the night before and was probably starving in the closet. He threw his dagger, killing it with a wound to the throat.
Turning his back on the dead husband, the rogue made his way from room to room, pocketing valuables before heading outside to tell the woman the bad news.
*
