Search Posts
A heartless beast no doubt, with no respect for the dead. I intend to find whoever stole his body and bring him to justice." This day has been out of sorts for Arthur, and he finds himself at a loss for words. He nods. "Might be the goblin knows our language more than he lets on. Perhaps we try a different approach. Some food and ale might loosen his tongue."
Arthur follows behind Chatsworth and Sheriff Hemlock. The streets have his attention, goblin footprints in the dirt, muddy brown blood spots and signs of chaos. When they reach Father Zantus, Arthur gives a reverent bow and bright smile that wrinkles the skin around his eyes. "Better days are ahead, Father."
"My name is Arthur Ashlund, and this lively chap is my dear friend Chatsworth. We slew many goblins this day, but come bearing grave news. The tomb of Father Tobyn has been disturbed, his remains taken. Sheriff Hemlock has led us here in search of answers or direction. We wish to serve the people and return order to Sandpoint."
"Sure as sin." Arthur feels a bit slighted by the comment and the sheriff's general attitude towards Chatsworth and himself after all they'd done. He puts that sour thought out of his mind. The man is stressed. Sandpoint does not often deal with such chaos and violence. I forgive him. "Any idea why that one sarcophagus would have been looted? Who was in there?"
"I may be a lot of things, but I'm no tracker," not anymore at least. "Just as like to get lost out there than to find goblins with a head start. That goblin we captured, she probably knows where they're headed..." Arthur wishes he had a smoke just now. Goblins and robbed graves weigh heavy on the mind. "Having said that, if you go out after them you know I'm with you" He lifts himself up the wall and peers over, trying to spot the tracks.
Not particularly thrilled by Chatsworth's suggestion to investigate the sarcophagus, Arthur obliges his friend.
Over several minutes and too many pinched and smashed fingers, Arthur is able to shimmy the heavy stone cover of the sarcophagus back to reveal its contents. He allows Chatsworth to look inside and stumbles, panting, out of the mausoleum. Looking at corpses in a crypt. HAH. Chat is going to need a fine glass of brandy tonight. "Find what you're looking for, Chatsworth? Enjoying the smell?"
Arthur searches the mausoleum for anything else of interest.
"What does this all mean, Chatsworth? This was a suspiciously sophisticated an attack for goblins. There must be something more. Perhaps we should follow the goblins' tracks, see where they went and what they were after? Or Father Zantus may know more."
"The moon, their mistress, had expir'd before; The winds were wither'd in the stagnant air, and the clouds perish'd; darkness had no need of aid from them."
Arthur takes another swing at the remaining skeleton.
The sound of breaking bones rattles through the stone tomb. After his strike lands, Arthur steps back out of the doorway and looks over his shoulder to make sure no other undead abominations threaten them.
One of the skeleton's claws rakes Arthur below the ear and down his bared neck. His focus is unbroken. The words he knows well continue to form on his lips. "...Ships, sailorless, lay rotting on the sea. They slept on the abyss without a surge. The waves were dead; the tides were in their grave..."
Arthur swings his morningstar against the skeleton that wounded him.
Arthur takes a torch from his backpack and lights it, holding it with the free hand behind his shield. When both adventurers are ready, he steps mindfully around Chatsworth's runes and stands before the door. In the stillness of the moment, much like the eye of a hurricane, Arthur begins to recite a verse. "...The rivers, lakes and ocean all stood still, and nothing stirr'd within their silent depths..."
Arthur uses his full weight to open the heavy mausoleum door.
"Tell Sheriff Hemlock to count on us, friend." Arthur wastes no time following the lead. He is filled with excitement, as if he'd been thrust into a book and the pages turned around him. "It would seem the mystery has deepened, Chatsworth." Uncorking his waterskin, Arthur drinks as the pair make their way to the cemetery. When they draw close he readies his shield and morningstar.
"My friend and I would like to be part of that interrogation, with your permission. She has a certain connection to us now, which can be used to our advantage. It may be valuable to begin shortly so we can assure no more attacks are planned." Arthur stares at the goblin, who looks so small now. A nasty little creature, to be sure, but a living creature no less. "We will make our presence known throughout Sandpoint and help as needed. Feel free to call on us should the need arise." Arthur stands and takes the goblin by the bound arms. "Rian, is it? Please lead the way."
Arthur fights the urge to be offended by the sheriff's reaction. "Yes sheriff, we noticed. This goblin led one of the raid groups. Seven more are dead." Arthur does not mention that one was killed by Alern's dog. "Do you have an open jail cell? This one might have information about the raid." He takes a deep breath and composes himself when he realizes Hemlock's nerves are tattered.
"Sandpoint will prevail, sheriff. My friend and I will make sure of that. My name is Arthur, and this here is Chatsworth. We would like to enlist our service. What can we do to help?"
Arthur takes the goblin prisoner and pulls her up by the arm. "Can you speak common? I know you think I am your enemy, but I can make sure you are treated fairly. These people will want your head - I just want information." With Chatsworth's help, Arthur will bring their prisoner to where they last saw Sheriff Hemlock. Once there, he will help heal anyone who sustained injuries in the raid, helping to staunch bleeding, re-set dislocations, and other minor services.
With Chatsworth by his side, Arthur will walk back through Sandpoint looking for anyone in need of help or healing, and to reclaim the goblin prisoner that he intends to hand over to Sheriff Hemlock. He plays a low tune on his wood flute to break the silence and help restore some sense of normalcy following the chaos.
A thought strikes him, and he pauses. "Surely even goblins are smart enough to have some reason for attacking a populated town such as this? I believe we have ourselves a mystery, Chatsworth. I do love a good mystery." He is silent for a beat, wishing that he still smoked and at this particular moment wishing he had a pipe. "Perhaps father Zantus saw something from his vantage point while releasing the swallowtails?" He places the flute to his lip again and resumes the melody.
Arthur searches through the dead goblins' belongings, then realizes with a start that others may still be in peril. "Will you honor us with your presence at the Rusty Dragon at dusk, Sir? We will look for you there. Just now Chatsworth and I must take our leave and see if there are others in need of aid." Arthur bows, then pats Chatsworth on the shoulder. "Come, friend. We have unfinished business tied up in town."
All the warmth rushes back into Arthur when the dog is revitalized. He scruffs the dog's neck, then stands with his composure restored. Following Chatsworth's introduction, Arthur bows low to match Aldern Foxglove's gesture.
"Pleasure to meet you, Sir. A fine dog you have here, and brave as a lion. A fine coat you're wearing, too. You have impeccable taste. My companion exaggerates my reputation, to be sure, but a story begs to be written about this day. A beginning, I imagine. To adventure, and new friendship." Arthur extends his hand to Aldern with a smile. "I am sure there are many stories to be told about this day. Perhaps we can share them over strong drink?" While Arthur speaks, he also attempts to on Aldern Foxglove, trying to discern the nature of this new acquaintance.
As the goblin coward begins to flee, Arthur yells after him with a voice that carries like thunder. "You better f!#&ing fly, coward! I'LL FIND YOU!" After goblin-dog is dead, Arthur rushes over to the hound that fell protecting his master. His love for animals begins to bleed through as tears well in his eyes, the true source of his anger now evident. "No-no-no-no...." He throws down his arms and kneels beside the dog to try and stabilize it.
"Come on, buddy. Please... Hang in there.. Chatsworth, help!"
Arthur pockets the coins and potion as the scream echos through town. "Drat, more goblins? I need my weapon and shield if we are back into the fray. Are you well?" Without waiting for an answer, Arthur stands and runs to pick up his Morningstar and shield. How many goblins are there? Is this a full scale invasion?
"The fate they had earned," he says, and pats his friend on the shoulder. "I'll take care of it, but first, here. " Arthur casts Prestidigitation to clean the blood and filth from Chatsworth's outfit. "I know you get out of sorts when you're not tip-top." Next he moves to the goblin and removes and weapons, searches for valuables, then tries to restrain her properly.
"My goodness, Chatsworth. I didn't think you had that sort of violence in you." Arthur kneels down next to the Goblin and tries to stabilize her. "Pray we didn't kill her, she must have all sorts of information."
He notices Chatsworth is bleeding. "You're bleeding, Chatsworth. Are you alright? You certainly repaid them in kind."
Would either of you be willing to clarify or weight in on bardic knowledge and the knowledge skill(s)? I had been operating under the impression that all the knowledge skills were combined into a single skill called 'Knowledge (All)' for the bard class, as that's the name of the skill in the class skill list. The Bard class ability Bardic Knowledge states:
So am I mistaken and each knowledge skill must be taken individually, or are they combined into a single skill called Knowledge (All)?
A powerful and impeccably clean man looks on at the grisly scene with a scowl. His left hand dips into a small pouch at his side and takes out a pinch of soft butter between his fingers and casts Grease on the ground beneath the goblins.
His hands are steady as they draw the shield and morningstar. "Sarenrae have mercy on my enemies, because I won't."
Chatsworth and I have been discussing writing scrolls to sell or use during our campaign. I found the following information about using scrolls. -The spell must be of the correct type (arcane or divine). Arcane spellcasters (wizards, sorcerers, and bards) can only use scrolls containing arcane spells, and divine spellcasters (clerics, druids, paladins, and rangers) can only use scrolls containing divine spells. (The type of scroll a character creates is also determined by his class.) -The user must have the spell on her class list. -The user must have the requisite ability score. It looks like I will be able to use scrolls of both arcane and divine type due to my gestalt class combination. The only limitation will be whether or not I have the spell on my class list, right? Even if the scroll was written/created by Chatsworth? I've never used scrolls or played a spell caster before, so this is new to me. |
