"And people do this for fun?!"
I wander over to Aldern and flash him a grin; "I can only assume that this is going to taste very, very nice."
Kenzo smacks Magazin on the shoulder, and says, "Nicely done, priest. Who knew that a boar could be as tough an adversary as a couple of goblins."
The beaters soon join the hunters and seem pleased to see that the hunt was successful. The ride back to town is uneventful, though Aldern keeps up a steady flow of talk, mostly about himself.
Once in town, the boar’s carcass is presented to Ameiko at the Rusty Dragon with instructions from Aldern to ‘roast it right!’
What follows that evening could best be described as a feast. Aldern has apparently invited many to share in the boar meat and the Rusty Dragon is quite crowded with many of the town’s luminaries present.
The mayor, for one is there, and she makes sure to talk to each of the ‘mighty hunter’s.’
“Between Aldern’s boys and the Sheriff’s boys, this town has nothing to fear, does it?” she says to each with a broad smile. It turns out that many in the room are calling the hunter’s ‘Aldern’s Lads’. The reason soon becomes clear as Aldern is overheard saying, “the lads and I make quite a team, don’t we.”
The sheriff makes a brief appearance, looking more worried than ever. He takes the time to also seek out each of the hunters and says to each, “There’s someone I’d like you to meet in the morning and a proposal I have for you. Come to the Garrison first thing if you would in the morning.” What it is he wants to talk about, he refuses to say.
Magazin finds that the story of the hunt is being told and retold, started no doubt by Aldern, and several in the room greet him as, “the mighty boar slayer!” and clap him on the back in congragulations.
Shayliss Vinder, at some point towards the close of the party, catches Eugen’s elbow. “Why haven’t you stopped by the store,” she asks with a mock pout. “I promised Ameiko I would help her tonight but stop by and see me sometime.” Then with a wave, she disappears towards the kitchens.
Rove 26, Wealday
A light rain falls as the sun rises, unseen, over the horizon.
Kenzo, having lived a cloistered life in a monastery, has a good time at the party, although he is chagrined regarding his ineffectiveness with fighting the boar. On that point, he resolves to speak with Sybl privately, and to put in some time working on his sword techniques.
Like his new friends, he is intrigued about the Sheriff's summons and eager to meet with him in the morning. Kenzo is enjoying the role of hero adventurer and excited about what else he can involve himself in. Despite the party and a late night, he is up at the crack of dawn, and eagerly calls on his fellow guests at the White Deer, Rilo and 'Boar Killer' Magazin, before heading to the Garrison to meet with Sheriff Hemlock.
Trying to shake off the effects of the previous day's exertions, both physical and social - in my never ending quest to really actually be a morning person - I follow Kenzo's example and his person, forcing him to wait up for me while I stow my bedding. Together we make our way to the Garrison.
Gyorgy wakes up on a rug in front of the fire, head pounding and stumbles outside just in time to vomit into a garden pail.
It is first light and he carries the pail down to the shore, to wash it out and let the sea air clear his head.
He gazes out to sea and tries to reconstruct the night before; "Why did I stop talking to that pretty girl who liked dancing, she said something about kittens...? Did Aldern really hand me that bottle of rum, or was if that sailor with the beard? Were we dancing in the kitchen, or did somebdy bring saucepans into the bar? Who's jacket am i wearing? Where's my jacket...?"
Gyorgy shambles back to the Rusty Dragon, Lim nagging him for his carousing, and hunts for his jacket - but to no avail. Then goes to bed.
A few hours later Aunt Luba knocks on the door; "Ameiko said you might want reminding of the little word she heard the Sheriff having with you - said you had a lot of fun last night."
A few minutes later Gyorgy is out of the door, slightly freshened up but still wearing the wrong jacket, and his hair still reeking of tobacco smoke. He head to the garrison, occasionaly pausing to let his spinning head settle.
Sits outside on the white deer inn, looking around the town and trying to draw some inspiration for writing when he sees kenzo and puts his parchment away. "Hail kenzo, have you seen any of the others yet?" Rilo says, pulling himself to his feet
As it turns out, all five of the new companions reach the garrison at about the same time. A new lot of watchmen is heading out of the door and they each greet the five quite warmly. Some of them must have been at the party the night before for at least two of them greet Magazin as “the boar killer!” and clap him on the shoulders.
The sheriff is standing in the front room of the garisson and he gives them what passes for a smile on his face and then motions them through a door into what appears to be a conference room. An elvish woman sits in the room, her heavy booted feet propped up on the thick tabletop. Her green hair is tied atop her head and she is dressed as a woodsman. A bow lies propped against the wall behind her.
“Men,” says Sheriff Hemlock, “This is Shalelu, she’s something of a local goblin expert and I thought you might like to hear what she has to say. And I have a favor to ask of you.”
The woman lifts a hand in greeting and pulls her feet off of the tabletop.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Shalelu." Gyorgy rubs at his eyes and tries to rummage up a smile; "Does this mean we now know why the little horrors attacked the festival?"
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Shalelu." Gyorgy rubs at his eyes and tries to rummage up a smile; "Does this mean we now know why the little horrors attacked the festival?"
“Well actually,” says the Sheriff, “No. We still don’t know why they attacked. Not as such.”
“Good to meet you all,” says Shalelu, with a wry smile, “I hear you five took on quite afew goblins. Good job. But I thought there were six of you.”
“Aldern Foxgloves sends his regrets,” says Hemlock, “He had to return to Magnimar for business. Seems he is trying to repair the family mansion.”
“The Foxglove place? Good luck with that!” says Shalelu with some surprise.
“Shalelu here,” says the sheriff, once more addressing the men and motioning them to seats, “showed up unexpectedly last night and wanted to see me. I knew there was something up. She’s sort of an unofficial member of the guard.”
Shalelu smirks, “Not hardly, but I do patrol the area for goblins quite often. They’re tenacious little runts and you have to keep their numbers low or they begin causing trouble.”
"Do you have a commercial interest in keeping these numbers down?" I ask, trying to understand her angle.
“No, not really,” answers Shalelu, “I just can’t stand the creatures.”
“Shalelu occasionally tracks down… quarries for us,” supplies the Sheriff, “Of more immediate concerns though is the farm that burnt down yesterday.”
“Right,” says Shalelu, “Sandpoint is not the only place to see goblins of late. All along the road from Nettlewood to Mosswood, folks is having problems. Yesterday, I was just south of Mosswood and saw smoke. I couldn’t save the farm itself but I did drive the goblins away and the family, thankfully was not hurt. I don’t think this is a problem that is just going to go away.”
“Tell them about the tribes,” says Hemlock
“No, not really,” answers Shalelu, “I just can’t stand the creatures.”
“Shalelu occasionally tracks down… quarries for us,” supplies the Sheriff, “Of more immediate concerns though is the farm that burnt down yesterday.”
“Right,” says Shalelu, “Sandpoint is not the only place to see goblins of late. All along the road from Nettlewood to Mosswood, folks is having problems. Yesterday, I was just south of Mosswood and saw smoke. I couldn’t save the farm itself but I did drive the goblins away and the family, thankfully was not hurt. I don’t think this is a problem that is just going to go away.”
“Tell them about the tribes,” says Hemlock
"What about the tribes?" Kenzo asks. "I think were all curious as to what's going on, and as to how we can possible help."
“There are five major goblin tribes in the area,” says Shalelu. “The runts I killed yesterday were from the Mosswood tribe, probably the largest of the five tribes. When I questioned a few of them, they told me that they had lost several members of their tribe in Sandpoint recently to a bunch of fierce longshanks that fought as a team. I gather they meant you lot. Good job on that. But they also made it clear they had teamed up with the other tribes in the attack. I checked some of the bodies the sheriff had on hand and there were goblins from all five of the tribes amongst them.”
Shalelu pauses a moment.
“The fact that all five of the goblin tribes were working together is troublesome. They normally do a pretty good job of killing each other for me. In fact the Mosswood tribe would be a worse problem except for their own worst enemy, themselves. It takes a major leader to unite goblin tribes and there hasn’t been a rumor of a goblin that powerful in these parts in the last thirty years. Not even Bruthazmus, a bugbear who lives in northern Nettlewood is strong enough to do it.”
"Well who says it's a goblin at all?" Rilo blurts out, quickly he jots down a thing or two in his journal. Rilo chuckles to himself slightly "How profound a story that would be eh?! some sorcerer or what have you taking control of wee goblins!" gestures a height with his right hand and grins for a moment before realizing the seriousness in the room and smiling again to Shalelu. "Erm, I mean..it's just a thought really."
"Aren't Goblins mostly pack creaturs" I nod to Shalelu after Rilo's statement "wouldn't them working together pretty much tell us that there has been a change in the power structure amongst the different tribes?"
"Could you show us on a map the locations that the different tribes claim as their own?"
“Well, yes… it would,” answers Shalelu, “That’s what I was trying to say. There’s something big brewing. I can get a map…”
“In a moment,” interrupts Hemlock, “It seems clear that Sandpoint could easily experience more attacks. Frankly, I’m undermanned. Magnimar has troops we can borrow and I plan on leaving almost immediately to ask the Lord Mayor in Magnimar to honor our common bonds and send us some men to help defend against further goblins.” I don’t know what your plans are for the immediate future but I wanted to ask you lot to stay in town awhile. People know what you and Aldern did in defending us. They might feel more comfortable if they know that you are available while I am gone.”
“I have to get back out and find out what I can,” says Shalelu, “I’ll spend tonight in town and then I plan on scouting to the east.”
I turn to Sheriff Hemlock; "Well, I'm not going anywhere. I don't mind being in an unoffical posse for a couple of days." Then I push my tangled, unkempt hair out of my face as I turn to Shalelu; "Will you be rushed off your feet today, or might we quiz you a little further?"
"Is there something we can do?"
"Well, I wasn't planning on leaving anytime so, and I don't believe the others were either, at least not for a few days, Sheriff," Kenzo chimes in. "How long will it be before you'll be back from Magnimar?"
"While I share my compatriots willingness to assist this lovely town with its goblin problems, I would feel much better if the town could provide us with some resources to allow us to properly equip ourselves and to assist with our lodging."
“I should only be gone about three days,” says Hemlock, “but… I think I can talk the mayor into paying for a week’s worth of lodging for the five of you. I’ll send her word and she’ll settle with the innkeepers. Good! That being settled I need to get going. Shalelu, let me know what you find out… I’ll send word when I get back. I think the Devil’s platter may be where we want to focus your inquiries. Two cows last month went missing three weeks ago in that area.”
“Probably just the Sandpoint Devil,” says Shalelu with the laugh of one who does not believe in what she is saying.
Without further ado, the Sheriff makes his goodbyes.
After he leaves, Shalelu stands. “I could use a drink,” she says, “since it sounds like you lot have a tab now, who’s buying?”
<laugh> "sounds like an ideal way to cushion against the onset of the day, i'll grab a first round if anybody else is in. somebody want to pick the place and we can discuss out how to take on these goblin sand devils."
<laugh> "sounds like an ideal way to cushion against the onset of the day, i'll grab a first round if anybody else is in. somebody want to pick the place and we can discuss out how to take on these goblin sand devils."
"Ah, but a monk's life is humble and I have little resources. That is unless, of course, the town's hospitality extends to bar tabs. Afterall, Rilo and I still have much to discuss regarding the superiority of monastery brewed ales." With that, Kenzo gives Rilo a wink and a nudge with his elbow, and tips his head toward Shalelu.
"Just tell them that you have a tab," says Shalelu as she leads the way out the door, "The sheriff will grumble, but he always makes sure the mayor coughs over the angels necessary. Of course I am not suggesting buying drinks for the entire town on your tab."
Shalelu declares she wants to go to the Hagfish. The elf seems to have strong opinions about the various places one can eat in town. It appears she doesn’t really like Ameiko’s family, doesn’t want to offend the sheriff by eating at his brother’s place, and thinks that Jesk ‘Cracktooth’ Berini puts on too many airs. As for Fatman’s Feedbag, she announces that it is run by ‘a couple of thugs.” Thus she prefers the Hagfish.
The Hagfish (33) is a tavern built over the water on the south shore and is one of the more popular watering holes in town, especially amongst the fishermen and those who love a good game. Hallow Decks, checkers and Sun and Moon dice are found on half the tables in the room, which is dominated by a huge glass aquarium behind the bar. A large hagfish, named Norah, swims in the evil looking water.
Even at this time of the day, there are a number of people in the tavern’s main room, many of them eating their first meal of the day. Fish sausage and potatoes seems to be the offered meal this morning. A group of men on the east side of the room are playing darts.
As you enter, the proprieter, Jargie Quinn, hollers over, “Hey Shalelu! What can I get you this morning? Cider and Food? What about your friends? Hey – those are Aldern’s Lads!”
A good number of the men in the room shout their greetings.
I laugh; "Hey, I don't mind fighting alongside Aldern - but I'm not sure I want to fight for him!"
Then I try to find us a table with a Harrow Deck and enough seats and start shuffling cards.
"cider and food sounds great," i say, moving to sit down with the rest. "Shelelu, can you explain the tab business? The staff seems to know you better than the rest of us."
"Yeah, and tell us about the Sandpoint Devil? What's that"
"cider and food sounds great," i say, moving to sit down with the rest. "Shelelu, can you explain the tab business? The staff seems to know you better than the rest of us."
"The sheriff said he would pay for your board for a week," says Shalelu, "Just tell folks that the Sheriff said he would pick up your tab. They'll send him the bill. Of course, claiming the town is going to pick up your tab when you're not actually working for the town is a surefire way of getting thrown in one of the little rooms below the garrison. And he only said room and board. I wouldn't be trying to get the town to pay for gear if I were you."
"Yeah, and tell us about the Sandpoint Devil? What's that"
"Just a fairy-tale that some farmers like to use to scare their kids and those that don't know better. There are some who say that a winged horse swoops down at night and eats the cattle and sheep and children that are unintended. I figure its just folks blaming devils for the work of ogres and goblins. I ain't never seen the beast and I've hunted all along the lost coast road."
After orders have been placed, Shalelu glances over at the hag fish and asks, “So have any of you been brave enough to drink the water? Tried it once myself when I was new in town and was sick for two days.”
“I believe you were asking about the goblin tribes back at the Garrison,” Shalelu says to Magazin, “Wanted to know where they lived. I don’t have a map on me – they’re all in my pack at the White Deer. The Mosswood Tribe of course lives in Mosswood. They’re the biggest and most powerful of the tribes. Big Gugmut and two other goblins are the chief leaders in the tribe. North of them are the Thistletop goblins. They’re not as big as the Mosswood tribe, but they’re well positioned on their little island. Ripnugget is the name of their leader. Closest to Sandpoint is the Birdcruncher’s tribe. Small but good at hiding, the tribe lives on the western edge of the Devil’s Platter. In Shank’s Wood, just north of Tickwood, are the Seven Tooth goblins and then to the south, in the Brinestump Marsh, we have the Licktoad goblins, probably the strangest of the five tribes. Personally, I’ve always thought the Seven Tooth goblins to be the biggest threat to Sandpoint. Their chief, Koruvus has a magic sword and his fighters are always well armed. But I can’t see the other tribes working for Koruvus. He’s not the brightest of goblins.”
"So, if there have been no changes to the Goblin tribes, then there is no reason for them to have attacked, but if there has been a change to the tribes, then the Mosswood tribe is probably the culprit?"
"So, if there have been no changes to the Goblin tribes, then there is no reason for them to have attacked, but if there has been a change to the tribes, then the Mosswood tribe is probably the culprit?"
"I don't know," says Shalelu doubtfully, "The ones I fought yesterday seemed to suggest that they had gone along with the raid willingly enough, but they didn't brag enough to make me think the idea came from their camp. That's one of the things the sheriff wants me to figure out after I leave this afternoon. I'm going to start with the Mosswood tribe and then probably the Seven Tooth tribe and try and figure out what is going on. If you need to get ahold of me Daviren Hosk at the Goblin Squash stables is the one to see. We're pretty good friends, likely because we have such a similar interest - have you guys seen his 'collection.' Heh. Goblins for fifty miles are scared of that man. Afraid he'll steal their souls."
"And how do we fit into all this, should we stick our noses in somewhere or is this still the stage for delicate work?"
" 'Steal their souls'?! Blimey! What does he do to them?"
"Didn't you know. He doesn't just fight goblins. In his day he would watch them for weeks before striking. Learn their names. And then after he killed them, he took their ears, nailed them up in his stables and wrote their names underneath. Goblins think that writing things down steals a part of your soul. Writing down a goblins name is the worst you can do to a goblin. Of course he made sure to leave a few alive to make sure they told others what he had done. Daviren Hosk has a mean streak when it comes to goblins."
"And how do we fit into all this, should we stick our noses in somewhere or is this still the stage for delicate work?"
"I'm hardly one to tell you how to live your lives," says Shalelu with a laugh. She pauses for a moment as drinks and food are delivered to the table and then continues, "Of course the sheriff said he wanted you to stay around town for a few days."
"I'm hardly one to tell you how to live your lives," says Shalelu with a laugh. She pauses for a moment as drinks and food are delivered to the table and then continues, "Of course the sheriff said he wanted you to stay around town for a few days."
"Well, that's easily enough done," I say, taking another drink of cider, "I've got no pressing plans. Let me know if there's anything else we can do if it crosses your mind, I wouldn't the wasting of town money on my conscience." I notice myself grinning broadly at my own joke, and then hope nobody took me seriously.
Shalelu converses with the men for a while, as they eat, and the conversation drifts naturally to goblins, a subject upon which the elf maiden is quite conversant. She tells them some funny stories involving goblins that died because they thought stoves were good hiding places. She makes it clear that goblins hate dogs and horses, love eating and singing, and that they, in her opinion, are evil, twisted, monsters and that it would be better for all involved if they were wiped off of the face of Golarion.
Following the meal, Shalelu says her goodbyes and promises to be in touch. Then, without much further ado she is gone, leaving the five companions to their own devices in the Hagfish.
Some time later in the afternoon, a young guardsman, his face vaguely familiar to you, comes looking for "Aldern's Lads." He is out of breath and his face is flushed from worry and excitement.
"There's a woman looking for you lot in the Rusty Dragon. She's with your aunt." The last is directed at Gyorgy. "I didn't know whether to go get Sergeant Trent or come get you, but she asked for you guys specifically."
"And Hemlock barely out of the door!" I exclaim, rising to my feet; We'd best get over there then. Aunt Luba is not one to be kept waiting by a mere nephew."
(I follow after as well)
"C'mon," Kenzo says to the others as he heads after Eugen.
There is a small crowd forming in the Rusty Dragon. A crying woman, holding her son close to her and a baby to her bosom, is the center of attention. Some in the crowd are young guardsmen. All eyes turn as the five enter.
Gyorgy's Aunt rushes forward, "Took you long enough. This poor woman has goblin problems. Her husband is still in her home, you need to go help him."
"Can somebody take us there?" I ask in a voice that i hope is loud enough to be heard.