Sherriff Belor Hemlock's page

"Misgivings?" asks Hemlock. "That's the old manor house off the Lost Coast road out on the point, isn't it? That place has been abandoned for years. You think your ghoul-killer is there now?"

He listens to Cadas speak about the prisoners and the patietns still at the Sanitorium. "Yes, well, you did right bringing them in. They will get their just desserts here. I will contact Father Zantus and have him send some acolytes out to the asylum and see to the prisoners. They will be treated as well as possible, and better than they have, it seems."

As Robin starts to explain about the ghouls running amok in the countryside, the door to the sheriff's office slams open...

After feeding and watering the prisoners sufficiently for real help to arrive, the heroes pile their captives -- the two doctors and the two orderlies -- together and set out back for Sandpoint, driving the prisoners before them.

The trip back is without incident, Dr Habe sniveling most of the way, and the elderly necromancer complaining about his sore knees and feet. Finally, you are within sight of the village again, the broken old lighthouse rising above the town like a church-steeple.

It's not long before you are in the Watch Office, sitting with Sheriff Hemlock once again. "So they were torturing prisoners," he says skeptically. "Is that what you are saying? And then re-animating the corpses? Odd and certainly worthy of more investigation, but what does all that have to do with the murders in the lumber mill? Did you find anything out from Sevilla before he died?"

Darnak and Ahdak

The sheriff gives the dwarf a once over. "Could recommend the White Deer, but i reckon they are full up. Rusty Dragon might suit you. Not the nicest place, but warm, comfortable and the food is good. Looks like this all come to nothing, so go on your way, but be warned, no more brawling in town. Got it." He gives you the proper directins to the Rusty Dragon.

He then turns to Ahdak, speaking rather forcefully through gritted teeth. "Let's get it straight. I am NOT your cousin. I understand your speech, but I do not speak it anymore. I am home, and this..." he points at the gold star on his tunic. ...is all the clan-marks I need. You heard my directions to the dwarf. Follow him, if you like. Don't make trouble again, or I will have you in irons faster than the wind on the Plateau. Understand?"

He pivots away quickly and stomps off toward the center of town, leaving the curious half-orc behind.

"This letter will introduce you as representatives of myh office, giving you all the rights and powers to question suspects or search places. Use it wisely." says Hemlock, handing you a sealed parchment.

"The sanitarium is in a secluded dale, about 4 hours ride south of Sandpoint along Cougar Creek near the Ashen Rise. When you get done with your investigation, come report what you have found."

"Them bodies had the note I already gave you found on them. Seems someone led them to their slaughter."

After you examine the bodies, Hemlock tells what he knows about the survivor of that first attack. "The man who survived, a Varisian named Grayst Sevilla, is at Habe Sanitorium. Turns out whatever happened to him left him a bit...off his rocker. I doubt talking with him will be of much help, but you are welcome to try. I can write you a letter of introduction for Dr Habe if you want."

Hemlock looks disturbed at Robin's suggestion that the dead bodies might rise up again. "We have left them locked in the cellar, but no one has guarded them. I will make arrangement for Father Zantus to bless them, if there is an undead taint, he should be able to remove it."

Hemlock agrees. "I will be releasing Thorn later today, unless you have objections. I will also be releasing Vinder after this interview. He got so enraged when I told him about Katrine's death, that I took him into custody for his protection, more than because I thought he was guilty. His wife can corroborate his alibi -- he was home all night last night, but he is still quite angry, so be prepared..."

He nods to the jailors and they bring Vinder from his cell.

"I will keep things quiet, while you recover and finish at Thistletop," says Hemlock. "But don't tarry to long, it sounds like some sort of conspiracy is afoot and we need to root it out before it explodes into more ritual killings."

I assume you'll spend the rest of this day recovering from wounds, including healing some ability damage. There isn't a lot of loot, but we can sort that out also. If there are any specific activities, purchases, visits, etc you want to make, let's discuss those now. Will you be ready for Thistletop the next morning? Remember you can likely buy Restoration spells at the Cathedral as well...

"So what is your next step?" queries Hemlock. "What was on this letter you found again?"

Heading away from the gruesome crime scene, the investigators return to the City Watch office and descend into the cool basement, where two of the cells are occupied. The sheriff shows you to a interrogation room and then says, "I'll show Thorn in first. He is the other mill worker, partner of the deceased Banny Harker. He was the one to find the bodies. I already questioned him, and there's little I could get useful from him. You are welcome to try again. He is a bit shaken by the whole thing."

"In case you are wondering, I have interrogated Ibor Thorn, the other millworker, who found the bodies like this when he came on this morning. I am holding him in the cells of the town guard, but I don't suspect he had much, if any, to do with what happened here."

"I am also holding Vin Vinder, father of the deceased girl Katrine. He is my only suspect, perhaps enraged at his daughter's affair with the mill-man Harker. He is known to have a great temper, but again, I believe the murders were committed by someone else. Someone much worse than an angry father."

"You may feel free to question either of these two suspects once you finish here."

In response, to Marcellano's question.

"The star had seven points, I believe just like the one on poor Harker there. The bodies from the first murders are in the ice house at the jail, you can see them for yourselves if you wish."

Hemlock readily agrees to have a adjutant sell off your items and return to the office wiht the coin while he leads you down by the Turandurok River, where the Sandpoint Lumber Mill is strangely silent.

The mill is well-built wooden structure with very thick walls. The roof is of woodens shingles and doors are simple timber and unlocked. The mill machinery has been disengaged. A sizable crowd has gathered in front of the mill, and several nervous looking guards stand sentry at the doors.

Hemlock says, "The mill was working last night, Banny Harker and Ibor Thorn, the two millers, often worked late into the night. It had become a bone of contention around town as the noisy mill and the infernally creaky log splitter kept neighbors awake. But I don't think a noise complaint is at the root of this trouble."

Hemlock skids back his chair and folds his arms as he speaks. "It started the day you left again for Thistletop. A patrol of guards along the Lost Coast Road were assaulted by a deranged man near an abandoned barn at south of town along the banks of Cougar Creek. The man was obviously sick and insane, his flesh fevered, eyes wild, mouth frothing, and clothes caked with blood. The guards subdued him, but when they checked inside the barn they discovered the mutilated bodies of three men. All were far to disfigured to recognize, but one of them carried this."

He reaches for another scrap of parchment, and hands it to Robin.

"Mssrs. Mortwell, Hask and Tabe -- A deal has gone about that I need capital for. It involves property and gold and though I am not at liberty to tell you the exact details, it will make us all rich. Come to Bradley's Barn on Cougar Creek tonight. We can meet there to discuss our future -- Your Lordship."

"From the note, we assume the bodies are those of Tarch Mortwell, Lener Hask, and Gedwin Tabe -- three notorious con men and swindlers, known well to us as troublemakers.I forbade the man from operating in town some time back. I ain't surprised to find them dead, but the star carved in their chest, and the gruesome manner by which they died...well you'll see the similarities for yourself. The three men's bodies lie in the morgue in the basement here. You can look at them if you like, but you'll want to see the mill first, I expect."

"By the way," Hemlock adds as an aside, "The crazy man who attacked the soldiers has been identified as one Grayst Sevilla, a local Varisian muscle thug. He's been given over to Dr Habe at the sanatorium south of town for safe-keeping. You can talk to him if you like, but I wouldn't expect too much."

At the City Watch office, Sheriff Hemlock is happy to see you returned from the latest adventure. He listens a bit to your story about the treasure room at Thistletop and the shadows and tentamort, but you can see his mind is elsewhere.

When you pause he says, "First, let me thank you again for all you've done for Sandpoint. It's fortunate you've proven yourselves so capable, because we've a new problem I think you can help us with -- a problem I wish I didn't have to involve anyone with, but one that needs dealing with now before the situation grows worse."

"Put simply, we have a murderer in our midst -- one who, I fear, has only begun his work. Some of you doubtless remember the Late Unpleasantness, how this town nearly tore itself apart in fear as the Chopper's slayings went on unanswered. I'm afraid we might have something similar brewing now."

"Last night, the murderer struck at the sawmill. There are two victims, and they're...they're in pretty gruesome shape. The bodies were discovered by one of the mill workers, a man named Ibor Thorn, and by the time my men and I arrived on the scene a crowd of curious gawkers had already sprung up. I've got my men stationed there now, keeping the mill locked down, but the thing that bothers me isn't the fact that we have two dead bodies inside, it's the fact that this is actually the second set of murders we've had in the past few days."

"I come to you for help in this matter -- my men are good, but they are also green. They were barely able to handle themselves against the goblins, and what we're facing now is an evil far worse than goblins. I need the help. But I am afraid you'll need the help too. You see, I'm afraid this particular murderer knows you as well"

With that he hands over a blood-stained scrap of paper. The name 'Cadas' is clearly written on the exterior in a spidery tilted hand. The inside of the parchment is also spattered with blood, and there the spidery hand continues "We have spoken of this before, my master. Now it begins, join The Pack and it will end. -- Your Lordship"

"The scrap was left at the crime scene, presumably to implicate you in the murder, but I know better. You were dozens of miles away fighting who knows what, not here slaying townspeople, but you must be cautious. If word of the killings, or your involvement, however peripheral, spread, things could get ugly quickly."

He urges you to investigate the crime scene at the lumber mill, which is just inside the town along the Turandurok River.

Hemlock scratches his head. "I am a simple sheriff of a backwater town. I have little experience with monster hunting. Is this creature magical or arcane? Then I would think the Headmaster might be the one to ask -- Ilsoari Gandethus, he runs the local Academy. I hope your poking around in those ruins doesn't awaken this cat thing...That's all we need is a monster attack."

The sherrif looks to Kizzy surprised. "I didn't recognize you in that get up, thought you were one of Lady Ameiko's foreign friends come to call." says Hemlock to the Varisian bodyguard.

"I have holes in my duty roster if you want to come serve the town but..." he looks sternly at the girl. "I know that's not really your style, following orders and the like. You might fall in with this lot," he motions to Cadas, Rogar and the rest. "They have done this town a world of good, and act as irregulars, keeping what they earn from their adventures. They can use a strong sword arm, or a good bow-shot as the case may be."

Turning to the rest of the group, he says, "I recommend Qetsiyah whole-heartedly. I am sure if she were here, Lady Ameiko would also. She would be a good addition to your group, should you still be in the business of adventuring."

The sheriff nods in astonishment at the stir of your deeds. "So the stories of Nualis living all this time and plotting revenge against our town were true. And the attacking on the festival was her idea. Amazing. Glad you lot were able to put a stop to her and her plans. Also glad none of you were lost in the effort, even if some are sorely hurt or worn."

He shifts in his chair. "We owe you a debt of gratitude but I doubr our town leaders will actually pony up for a reward. Would you mind coming to a formal debriefing with the mayor tomorrow morning? I'm sure she'll be quite interested in your tales. For now, I will leave you to your rest. "

"Well it appears you survived your mission to Thistletop after all." exclaims the Sheriff, with what passes for a smile on his normally humorless faces. "It's been days, we assumed your heroics were short-lived, but I am glad to see the rumors of your deaths are greatly exaggerated...Where are the others, the dwarf, and the elfin wizard?"

"I think a climbing kit and rope can be arranged, I am sure Savah will part with them willingly enough. And of course the horse and wagon are yours for as long as you need them. They are borrowed from you friend Davy Hosk at any rate.

"I will send a man to guard the rooms at the Dragon until you return. We'll have no more thievery nonsense on my watch."

The wagon, with feed and rested horse, and a climber's kit stowed in the back, along with two reels of 50' of sturdy hemp rope are stowed in the buckboard when you return from preparing your gear in the Dragon.

Barek and anyone going to visit Sheriff Hemlock

Hemlock listens impassively as you describe the findings and actions at Hambley Farm. When your briefing is over, he nods curtly. "You have done well for Sandpoint once again, ending the threat of the ghouls in the hinterland. It sounds as if your friend Foxglove is at the center of the recent troubles, so I did some checking on him.

Sounds like another road trip in your future, eh? What can I provide to help you along your way?"

It being late afternoon now, are you going to go after the ghouls at Hambley's Farm now? If so, it will likely be dark before you arrive (mu-hah-hah-hah). You can choose to wait until morning to go.

The sheriff says he will speak with Father Zantus about a donation of holy water to the cause, and after several minutes time, he returns with 4 vials of teh stuff.

"That skinflint Zantus would only part with this much of the stuff. He said he would have to consecrate more, but it may be a few days before it was properly blessed. Take it or leave it," says the sheriff dolefully.

He looks grim and shrugs.

"I'll leave it to your judgement, but if there's a small army of ghouls running out in the southern fields, lots more are going to die and die ugly. After you end the "scarecrows" go after the den by all means, but we need to stop the killing first."

The sheriff shows the man out, in care of one of the guardsmen. "The man is clearly drunk as a skunk, but something but the moonshine may be the only thing keeping him going right now. Something terrible is happening in the southern farmlands. Sounds like you think your noble friend Foxglove is behind all of it. And I see why you'd want to head off to the manor house, Misgivings, they call it, and check things out. But I need you to go to the farmlands first and see to this menace. If you're right, then maybe it's ghouls or the like as you suspect, but it sure is something and people are in danger."

He pushes his chair back and sighs. "Like to send the town guard with you, but don't think I can spare the whole troop after last week's attack. Who knows if this is still part of some horrible plan...I can send a squad of 3-4 men if you want or need them. Even that leaves us more exposed than I'd like."

Looking at your grimly, he asks, "What say you? Up for another service to our fair town? We could sure use it."

Arriving back in the town late in the afternoon, the heroes muster at the City Watch office, ready to describe all they have learned to the Sherrif.

As they enter his office, they find Hemlock's attention already taken with a mess of a man who is clearly quite upset and likely in shock.

"It were them walkin' scarecrows, I tell ya!" the man shouts. Hemlock does his best to calm the man, who is covered in mud and sweat, wearing a canvas farmer's hat and simple peasant attire.

"I am glad you have arrived when you did. The Watch found his man wandering the streets raving about walking scarecrows. Help me calm him and see if there is anything more to the story."

Hemlock hrumphs loudly. "Don't have no horses or wagons to spare, but I reckon you could sweet talk old Daviren Hosk out of a few mares, especialy if you tell him it's for goblin-killing. Hell, he might offer to join you."

"I also have nothing tying Titus Scarnetti to this, or any other, crime. He may be a slumlord, a cheat, and a scoundrel, but so far he ain't a crook. Follow it up if you think that's a lead, but as of now, I can't bring him in."

Hemlock looks at the group sternly. "You want to hear about the first murders? I will tell you what I know."

He goes on to relate a horrific tale that makes the scene at the sawmill pale by comparison. Two days ago a patrol of guards along the Lost Coast road was assaulted by a deranged man near an abandoned barn south of town along Cougar Creek. The man was obviously sick and insane, his flesh fevered, his eyes wild, mouth frothing and clothing caked with blood. The guards subdued him, and when they checked inside the barn they discovered the mutilated bodies of three more men. All of the bodies were too disfigured to identify but one of them carried a piece of parchment.

Hemlock gives the party the parchment now which is quite bloodstained, but reads: "Messrs Mertwell, Hask and Tabe - A deal has come about that I need capital for. It involves property and gold, and though I am not at liberty to tell you the exact details, it will make us all rich. Come to Bradley's Barn on Cougar Creek tonight. We can meet there to discuss or future -- Your Lordship"

Hemlock believes the note identifies the corpses as Tareh Mortwell, Lener Hask, and Godwin Tabe, three notorious con men and swindlers known well to the Sheriff as local troublemakers. He personally kicked these men, and their shady con games and barely legal operations, out of Sandpoint, and isn't particularly surprised to see them murdered, it was only a matter of time before the swindled the wrong folks after all.

"But after the Sawmill murders, I began to see there was more to this than simple revenge. You see, all three men has the same strange marking carved into their chest as poor Banny Harker, that strange star symbol."

"You can go see the bodies for yourselves, they still lie in the basement of the Garrison, below the jail, keeping cool until the investigation is done. The insane man was identified as Grayst Sevilla, a local Varisian thug. He was sent out to Habe's Sanitorium sout of town. He's a bit off his rocker, and couldn't answer any of my questions. If you want to try, I'll send a letter of introduction for Dr Habe."

As Thorn exits with his tail between his legs, Barek shoulders into the cell block and lets loose an imposing tirade of language that sets Vinder in his place. The man's angry visage starts to break, and then tears begin running down his cheeks.

"They killed my baby!" he cries mournfully, all his anger replaced with sorrow. "They killed her, and I couldn't stop them. Stop them before they hurt someone else, damn you! Stop them!"

The rest is lost in uncontrollable sobbing from the big blustering man. Hemlock guides you out of the hall and back outside, where Thorn awaits.

"He is an angry man, no question, but I don't thnk he had any part in this murder, nor knows anything about it. Let him have face his grief in private."

The artful interrogation of Ibor Horn earns the PC's 100 xp per player. This brings your cumulative total to 7972 or about 49% of the way to Level 5. Thorn at 5413 now, means 78% to level 4.

"Are you ready for me to release Horn? He doesn't seem to have been a part of this other than in the wrong place at the wrong time. Do you want to speak about the first murders now, or question Vin Vinder, who is also in custody down here? I am about to release him as well based on your theory of an undead. You can always find Vinder at his store if you need him later."

"If you want to discuss the first murders, let's go back upstairs to my office."

Hemlock listens to Selena's question. "Expert on undead? Reckon the only one here would be Father Zantus, maybe. We don't have much cause to tangle with undead here; or didn't before at least."

He strokes his chin thinking. "You could also ask the sage or Headmaster Gandethus? They're the smartest felllows in town. They may know something, but be warned, they have some crazy ideas of their own."

There are no magical auras in the area. The players earn 100 xp each for recognizing the Sihedron Rune carved on Harker's Chest. They receive another 150xp for discovering that the murderer may have been an undead creature. Total of 250xp moves your cumulative amount to 7872/10000 or about 46% to level 5. Thorn is at 5313 or 75% to level 4.

Following Thorn's advice, the heroes go to brief the Sheriff on their findings. The Shoanti man listens and nods as you corroborate some of the things he noticed himself, and listens with more interest about the footprints.

"It seems I was right to bring you into the matter," he says grimly. "You have already uncovered clues I did not see. Well done. If you want to talk to Horn, he is in a holding cell below. But be gentle with the poor man, he's been through a lot in the last few hours, and I don't believe he's guilty of anything."

Hemlock steps in at this point. "With those ill tidings in mind, I am headed out this morning for Magnimar. Hopefully the city will release a few soldiers to help protect us until we can identify and end this threat. While I'm away, I've asked Shalelu to sniff around Shank's Wood, Brinestump, Mosswood, Devil's Platter, and other known goblin dens to see if she can discover anything about what's going on."

He turns his eyes away from the map, and to your group. "As for you, I'd like you to maintain a public presence in Sandpoint over the next few days. The locals seem to have taken to you, calling you Heroes of Sandpoint even. Having you around town will keep worries down until I arrive back with the soldiers."

"I am leaving as soon as possible, and hope to be back in the next 4 days or so, with a force of men-at-arms. Good luck and keep the Mayor here involved in anything newsworthy that occurs."

With that the Sheriff hastens out of the briefing room and makes ready to depart. Shalelu asks if she can join you for the noon meal in a few hours. She wants to catch a little shut-eye first, as she's been riding all night, but would like to catch up at the Rusty Dragon if possible.

With some fine breakfast in your bellies you set off for the City Watch office. There you find Sheriff Hemlock, and an intense auburn haired woman who is introduced to you as Mayor Kendra Deverin. The mayor thanks you warmly for your part in stopping the goblin raid.

Also in the room is Shalelu Andosana, the ranger for this part of Varisia. She smirks when Hemlock introduces her as an "unofficial member of the Town Guard." He calls your group "Sandpoint's newest crop of goblinslayers."

Hemlock explains "Shalelu has been a thorn in the side of local goblins for many years. Few in the region know as much about them as she does."

He goes on to recap her report about increased goblin raids along the Lost Coast Road, particularly in the dale between the Mosswood and the Nettlewood. Only yesterday, a farm south of Mosswood was burnt to the ground by a group of goblins. Shalelu was nearby, and saved the family driving off the goblins for now.

At this point, Hemlock cedes the floor to Shalelu who unrolls a Map of Sandpoint Hinterlands.

Aldern Foxglove asked you to meet around mid-morning at Tanner's Bridge, which is not far from where you are now. It is about the right time to depart, if you intend to go on the hunt. The bridge is just down the cliff from the graveyard, and the road there heads east to the Tickwood, where he intends to hunt.

"That's all ancient history now." says the Sheriff. "Jervis Stoot, the Chopper, ain't mixed up in this business no how. I finished and burned that demon-lover myself. Ain't enough of him left to fill up a salt shaker I'll warrant. What I can't fathom is why a group of goblins would want old Father Tobyn's body. I'll cogitate on that while you fellows go on your hunt. Maybe when you get back, we can question the prisoners we have, and then tomorrow when Shalelu arrives, she can fill in the gaps for us. Thanks for your help here with the skeleton, and I hope it's not a cult of necromancers or something we're dealing with here."

The Sheriff stomps off towards the Watch office, leaving you to go on your hunt if you choose.

"Not just anyone. It was goblins!" says Hemlock, reminding you of the footprints that went over the wall toward Northgate. "Makes me wonder if the whole attack weren't a distraction from this body-stealing?"

He tells Beromar that Nualia, the adopted daughter of Father Tobyn would've been in her late teen years, maybe twenty, when she died in the fire. "She was a right beauty too, she was. Some say she had blood of angels in here, and that her touch could heal warts and her voice could dispel evil spirits. I don't go in for that nonsense, but yes, I investigated the fire. It wasn't long after I became Sheriff, after the Chopper..."

He goes onto relate, and Viroleth can back up, the story of the Chopper. When Jervis Stoot made clear his intentions to build a home on the island just north of the Old Light, locals paid him no mind. Jervis had already garnered something of a reputation for eccentricity when he began his one-man crusade to carve depictions of birds on every building in town. Stoot never made a carving without securing permission, but his incredible skill at woodcarving made it a given that, if Stoot picked your building as the site of his latest project, you seized the opportunity. "Sporting a Stoot" soon grew to be something of a bragging point, and Jervis eventually extended his gift to include ship figureheads and carriages. Those who asked or tried to pay him for his skill were rebuffed — Stoot told them, "There ain’t no birds in that wood for me t’set free," and went on his way, often wandering the streets for days before noticing a hidden bird in a fencepost, lintel, steeple, or doorframe, which he’d then secure permission to "release" with his trusty hatchets and carving knives.

Stoot’s excuse for wanting to move onto the isle seemed innocent enough — the place was a haven for local birdlife, and his claim of "Wantin’ ta be with th’ birds" seemed to make sense. So much so, in fact, that the guild of carpenters (with whom Stoot had maintained a friendly competition for several years) volunteered to build a staircase, free of charge, along the southern cliff face so that Stoot could come and go from his new home with ease. For 15 years, Stoot lived on the island. His trips into town grew less and less frequent, making it something of an event when he chose a building to host a new Stoot.

Sandpoint was no stranger to crime, or even to murder. Once or twice a year, passions flared, robberies went bad, jealousy grew too much to bear, or one too many drinks were drunk, and someone would end up dead. But when the bodies began to mount five years ago, the town initially had no idea how to react. Sandpoint’s sheriff at the time was a no-nonsense man named Casp Avertin, a retired city watch officer from Magnimar. Yet even he was ill-prepared for the murderer who came to be known as Chopper. Over the course of one long winter month, it seemed that every day brought a new victim to light. Each was found in the same terrible state: bodies bearing deep cuts to the neck and torso, hands and feet severed and stacked nearby, and the eyes and tongue plucked crudely from the head and missing entirely.

Over the course of that terrible month, Chopper claimed 25 victims. His uncanny knack at eluding traps and pursuit quickly wore on the town guard, taking particular toll on Sherrif Avertin, who increasingly took to drinking. In any event, Sherrif Avertin himself became Chopper’s last victim, slain upon catching the murderer in a narrow lane — still known now as Chopper’s Alley — as he was mutilating his latest victim. Yet in the battle that followed, Avertin managed a telling blow against the killer. When the town guard found both bodies several minutes later, they were able to follow the killer’s bloody trail.

A trail that led straight to the stairs of Stoot’s Rock.

At first, the town guard refused to believe the implications, and feared that Chopper had come to claim poor Jervis Stoot as his 26th victim. Yet what the guards found in the modest home atop the isle, and in the larger complex of rooms that had been carved into the bedrock below, left no room for doubt. Jervis Stoot and Chopper were the same, and the eyes and tongues of all 25 victims were found upon a horrific altar to a birdlike demon whose name none dared speak aloud. Stoot himself was found dead at the base of the altar, having plucked his own eyes and tongue loose in a final offering. The guards collapsed the entrance to the chambers, burned Stoot’s house, tore down the stairs, and did their best to forget. Stoot himself was burned on the beach in a pyre, his ashes blessed and then scattered in an attempt to stave off an unholy
return of his evil spirit.

But as fate would have it, the people of Sandpoint would soon have a new tragedy to bear, one that almost eclipsed Chopper’s rampage. A month after the murderer was slain, a terrible fire struck Sandpoint. The fire started in the Sandpoint Chapel and spread quickly. As the town rallied to save the church, the fire spread, consuming the North Coast Stables, the White Deer Inn, and three homes. In the end, the church burnt to the ground, leaving the town’s beloved priest Ezakien Tobyn,and his beautiful daughter, dead.

All that remains today of the once-loved Stoot carvings are ragged scars on buildings and figureheads where owners used hatchets to remove what had become a haunting reminder of a wolf in their fold. The homes and businesses ravaged by the fire have been reconstructed, and the Sandpoint Chapel has finally been rebuilt as well. With the consecration of this new cathedral, Sandpoint can finally put the dark times of the Late Unpleasantness in the past.

Sorry for the big background post, but it's important information (some of it) and the Sheriff just pours it all out at once.

"That was five years ago, about the time of the Chopper murders, you ken? The fire burnt down the old church, and we just now got the new Cathedral open and Tobyn's corpse disappears...No one knows how the fire started, an unattended candle maybe, there'd have been plenty in that old church. But Tobyn died, and his adopted daughter perished also. We found his remains in what was left of his bedroom, but her's...we never found, burnt up in the fire's my guess." the Sheriff says these things with an air of reminiscence and his eyes get a far-away look as he recalls the unpleasant past.

When Bruin asks about valuables buried with the old father, Hemlock shakes his head. "No his will was very clear about that. Since his only living relative also died in the blaze, the church was to sell off all his valuables and donate the proceeds to the church here. It was how the Cathedral fund got started..."

"I watched his scorched bones go into the box myself, I can tell you there was nothing valuable put in there at that time. Nothing in poor Nualia's crypt either." he says indicating the other, undisturbed crypt. "The girl's coffin is completely empty, as her remains were never found after the fire."

Sincerest apologies for my prolonged absence from posting for the last week or so. I was quite busy with work and the purchase of a new home, and was trying to finish my PFS obligations before the current Gameday expired. That is all behind me, at least until the move, and I am ready to get back to posting with a pent-up fervor. I am stuck in hotels the next few nights, so let’s get this thing rolling again! Again, I apologize and seek your absolution. You make take your frustrations out on the many monsters I plan to throw at you going forward! On with the game!

Upon closer examination, the rags in the corner turn out be a robe of some kind. Several holes are ripped in the fabric, and the outline of some vaguely humanoid patches are seen in two places on the remaining material.

Crowding into the now-safe vault, Sheriff Hemlock looks incredulous. "Why would someone want to steal the coffin of old Father Tobyn? The goblins did this? Why?"

Just as you say that perhaps you need the Sheriff, the door to the hut opens and two members of the watch arrive, followed closely by Hemlock himself.

"Just what in the blue blazes is going on in here?" the Sheriff shouts seeing the dead man and dog sprawled on the floor. "Send for Father Zantus, the family will be distraught over this bloodshed, and they will need a place to stay."

One of the guardsmen turns and rushes off to to find the chief priest.

"Any explantion of what happened here?" asks the Sheriff to the assembled group of heroes.

"Thank you, Father, Vosk. It appears you have done the wise thing. These men and I will take it from here. Please stand back safely out of the way, while we investigate."

He leads you forward toward the indicated crypt and you can indeed see that the door is open a bit, perhaps 6-7 inches inwards.

As you approach it is easy to see the ground is churned up a bit around the crypt.

As you finish looking at the ground, the Sheriff calls you over. Standing near the crypt steps, he asks "So what's your plan? Someone has to open that door and see what's what..."

"I half-expected you lot to slink out of town in the night like the rest of the festival goers. Couldn't blame ya, with the goblin attacks and all. Perhaps yer made of sterner stuff than I reckoned."

"I sent word to our local Ranger, Shalelu Andosana this morning. She's a bit of a goblin expert, usually out protecting the environs around Sandpoint from trouble. If anyone knows what's stirring up them goblins it's her."

"Funny thing that. There's been goblins in these parts for years, since the town was founded even, but they've never gotten up and attacked the village before. Maybe way-lay a caravan on the road, or burn a farm, but never an full-force attack on our town. Something had them stirred up, sure enough. What's more, we found these on several different goblins."

He drops a few small items onto the table. Looking closely, you see a dead and dried frog, a bird egg, a string of teeth, a strange symbol painted in blood-red pigment, and a moss-covered pinecone.

"Several of each of these kind of items were recovered from goblin killed in the attack. We think they are some kind of tribal totem, but don't know much else about them."

"We do have two goblins, captured alive, in holding cells down at the City Watch. Can't get either of them to say two words to us, but maybe they know something? Maybe you "Heroes" want to go see what you can do?" He sort of sneers the word, but you can tell he respects your prowess and your bravery coming to the town's aid yesterday.

"'fore that, though. I'd ask yeh to join me on over to the Cathedral. Seems the sextant found one of the crypts broken into this morning. Wasnt' disturbed yesterday, yeh ken, just found today. Maybe one of the goblins broke in, or maybe one's still inside. Not sure, but I'm headed to the Boneyard now to check it out. Want to join me?"

While the goblin-set fires still smolder across Sandpoint and the grieving and wounded are still being tended to by the acolytes of the Cathedral, the Sheriff and high priest come to tend to you directly. Healing any injuries to full, and removing the allergic reaction from Viroleth.

"It looks like the fighting is at an end. My men are mopping up and have started searching the town for any goblin hold-outs. You did well helping here, your heroes really! I'd like to talk with you some more about what you did and saw here. Say early in the morning?"

He leaves you to your clean-up including looking at the bodies of the fallen goblins. The riding goblin had goblin-quality small-sized studded leather, a horse-chopper, a small shortbow and a handful of arrows. He also carries a small vial that detects as magical.

The warriors that accompanied him also had dog-slicers, leather armor, and shields all of poor goblin make.

Goblin weapons and armor are of poor quality or below. They will not sell if salvaged, for any more than 1/4 the list price, and then mostly to be melted down and used for something else. Someone was going to log loot, I think. Well, here is the first bit...

Hemlock shakes hands with Shalelu and he also makes ready to leave town. "I am not sure a house-to-house search will do much to calm the population or if it will bear any fruit, but if you must then you must. Please do not get any grand ideas to go on a pre-emptive strike against the goblins yet. While I am gone, the town needs you here, in case something else goes awry."

"Do you need anything before I make for Maginimar? The sooner I am off, the sooner I will return with a detachment of soldiers."

The Sheriff sighs as he hears this briefing and looks at the mayor. "As I was afraid of Your Honor. We don't have the men or defenses to make a stand if the goblins attack us again, and if they're going to raid the hinterlands, we need more soldiers to stop them."

"With your permission, I want to journey to Magnimar and ask the gendarmes there to spare some men to aid in our patrols and defense."

He asks Shalelu to sniff around Shank's Wood, Brinestump, Mosswood, and the Devil's Platter, looking for the goblins and trying to discern their plans.

He asks you to stay in Sandpoint, and make a public presence of themselves. "The locals seem to have taken a liking to you, and seeing you in town will keep worries to a minimum over the next few days. I shall return in 4 days or so, hopefully with a company of well-trained soldiers."

Qorinae, so it is. Sorry I forgot that part from prior to my involvement. It is indeed the same lass, so you can re-enact the scene, but still she leaves before any new action happens.

You follow the Sheriff to the Town Hall. Up in his office you find the mayor, Kendra Deverin, a proper auburn haired woman and the elven ranger Shalelu Andosana whose icy demeanor puts you on the defensive almost immediately.

Hemlock introduces Shalelu as an "unofficial member of Sandpoint's town guard", which causes the elven ranger to smirk. He then introduces you as "Sandpoint's newest crop of goblin killers."

"Shalelu has been busy lately. A day ago, a farm south of the Mosswood was burned to the ground by a group of goblins. She was nearby and was able to rescue the family and drive the goblins off. Obviously our goblin problem isn't going away."

As you begin to filter down and eat, the Sheriff addresses you. "Sorry for the early morning, I know how heroes need their beauty sleep and all. But Shalelu Androsana, the local ranger is here this morning, and I thought you might like to attend her briefing. She'll tell us all about the local goblins and any trouble stirring in the hinterlands. Grab some grub to go, and let's get moving. Shalelu is not patient, as you'll see for yourselves."

"Hey you!" shouts the Sheriff. "Nice work with those goblins. I think we've got them..." he words are punctuated by a loud cry of help and fierce barking of dogs from near Northgate. Sheriff Hemlock points to you again. "Go see what that is all about, we have some mop up to do with these little buggers. I'll send a troop your way as soon as I can!" he points around the corner where the ruckus is coming from.

Near as you can tell, the heavy stone lid of the sarcophagus was removed using the same pry bars you found earlier. The pry marks are apparent to anyone with an eye for them along the edge of the stone vault. The other vault appears not to have been disturbed at all and still looks in pristine shape.

No other items are found in the crypt.

"FAther Zantus says no one at the Church saw anything. They were at the Swallowtail Festival just as you were, and then when the attacks started, they were busying tending to the wounded and dying. No one noticed anything amiss back here until late today, when the caretaker, Naffer Vosk, saw the crypt standing open."

"If they, the goblins I mean, really took the old priest's bones, why? Why would those anarchical little beasts do that? We captured two last night and they are in lock up. Want to go see them?"

Looking around the now empty vault, you see the two sarcophagi, again. The right-hand one has had the lid removed and it lies smashed into large chunks of stone on the floor. The second is undisturbed, far as you can tell. Looking inside the open crypt reveals that the interior coffin, is missing.

A tattered black robe lies discarded in the far corner of the room, lying among the broken masonry.

That's...well that's Father Tobyn's crypt, but his coffin, his remains...their...gone!" says a breathless Sheriff Hemlock. "Who in the Nine Hells would want to steal the old Father's body? And why?"

Alerted by the sound of fighting and the call of Tiberiu, Hemlock rushes to the stairs, drawing his longsword. However, he cannot get close enough to take a swipe at the creature.

"Out of the way, lads, and I'll take it on."

delay till after Uuli to see if a space opens up to get into melee

The Sheriff agrees that it appears there have been goblins in the boneyard, and it looks like they have been near the crypt. He suggests that we take a peek inside, and see what is what.

The iron door hangs slightly ajar, but the sliver of light that goes inside does not illuminate much except a dusty, cobwebbed wall.

"I think I'll stand guard here behind you heroes," says the Sheriff with a wry smile. "Keeping watch in case something comes up behind us."

Another homemade map link. Try to keep the rude comments to a minimum. Someone needs to open the door more and take a peek.