On our way back to sandpoint
"CAYDEN'S ROTTEN LIVER!! What the hell is going on!" Kora exploded after they had been on their way for a bit. "How long have these....people been here?!" She pointed both at the place they had left Sylvia and the island. "Nobody's noticed these lunatics before?! Gods! Someone oughta burn those tunnels out before those damn acid-blood things get loose! If they aren't already! Not to mention wrecking that @#$%ing bridge!!"
Deep down she was relieved to have made it through the night with her skin intact, of course.
Elijah simply rolls his eyes at the outburst, "Of course wrecking the bridge would keep anything on the island, or not if they can swim. Fire might be a solution in the tunnels -- but we don't know what all is down there... could be a nice family of dwarves stuck in there somewhere that we don't know about. Probably not, but we don't know otherwise so I like to strike surgically in this case. Beyond that the Sylvia didn't seem that odd -- it's a big world, and there's no way to know what all is out there."
"You are correct, of course, Elijah. I have seen much worse than those acid-blooded monsters. I imagine there is even worse yet out there." Sehkola gives a little shudder as he remembers his brother's death at the hands of ... worse.
" I imagine there is even worse yet out there."
gavrin harumphs loudly hearing this and turns to Sehkola to say "Yeah, they're called people."
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As you enter the outskirts of Sandpoint, one of the boys playing at the edge of town sees you and runs for the inn you stayed at a few night ago. There is a a muted shout and Aurelia burst from the inn running in your direction. Tears streaming down her face she grabs Chayton and hugs tightly. He returns the hug, his little stuffed dragon clutched firmly in his hand. Aurelia turns to you.
"Oh thank you, thank you! I am so grateful for what you have done! Come, come I'll prepare a feast the likes of which Sandpoint has never seen!"
She ushers(more like pushes you) back to the inn, where you are given lavish rooms and hot baths are prepared for you.
Kora had answered Elijah's explanation for why torching the lair wasn't the best approach with a grumpy "Hmpf!" but kept her silence, the rest of the way back.
She felt awkward around the tearful reunion between mother and child, but she fell into the offered feast and bath eagerly. "Might wanna buy some guard dogs for th'place..." she suggested between bites.
On the way back to the Inn Elijah stops by the smithy quickly to see if he can get his hammer fixed, and to look into getting some livery and gear for his goblin lackey.
"Gonna want to keep 'im on a short leash. People in town ain't gonna take too kindly to the sight of 'im." Kora warned Elijah before he took off.
The average townsperson seeing a goblin in the middle of the street would probably call for the guards at best. At worst, pitchforks, hatchets, and snarling dogs could be involved.
"Gonna want to keep 'im on a short leash. People in town ain't gonna take too kindly to the sight of 'im." Kora warned Elijah before he took off.
The average townsperson seeing a goblin in the middle of the street would probably call for the guards at best. At worst, pitchforks, hatchets, and snarling dogs could be involved.
"Yes I quite agree, that's why I would like to get him in livery quickly... if people see he is in my care it might help prevent problems from occurring in the first place." Elijah agrees.
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"Gonna want to keep 'im on a short leash. People in town ain't gonna take too kindly to the sight of 'im." Kora warned Elijah before he took off.
The average townsperson seeing a goblin in the middle of the street would probably call for the guards at best. At worst, pitchforks, hatchets, and snarling dogs could be involved.
"Yes I quite agree, that's why I would like to get him in livery quickly... if people see he is in my care it might help prevent problems from occurring in the first place." Elijah agrees.
People stare at Gip with open anger and contempt showing on their faces, and several pull their children into houses and shops. All of this makes Gip depressed and she stays quiet and close to Elijah(he's the only reason she hasn't been hit with rocks and attacked by dogs).
Luckily, Elijah manages to find some one who will outfit Gip for 5gp. All she needs is to get Gip's measurements and she should be done in a day or two.
"Alright Gip... lets get to your training," Elijah states loudly, "Can't become much of a paladin if you don't start learning the ropes... Kora, will you come get us when the party beings? It's as much Gip's celebration as it is our -- she was instrumental in helping us get past those monsters."
After Kora's answer Elijah will take Gip to the edge of town and start her training.
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"Alright Gip... lets get to your training," Elijah states loudly, "Can't become much of a paladin if you don't start learning the ropes... Kora, will you come get us when the party beings? It's as much Gip's celebration as it is our -- she was instrumental in helping us get past those monsters."
After Kora's answer Elijah will take Gip to the edge of town and start her training.
"Um, what Gip's weapon? Only have dagger from cave home, it okay?"
Gip is grateful to be getting away from all the people looking at her meanly, but is nervous about this 'training' Elijah talks about.
"A dagger is a great place to start actually. However remember that your best weapon -- and armor -- is knowing your mind. You have to think before you do something." Elijah starts, "However I wasn't talking about fighting yet. First the basics -- Armor, how to avoid fights in the first place, and presenting a proper image and attitude."
Throughout this time, Sehkola will mainly reside at the inn, enjoying the nice room and perks. However, he will maintain a close eye on Chayton, watching for any signs of unusual abilities. As a sorcerer, Sehkola knows this is how his powers first showed themselves, although Chayton is much younger than he was, of course. Occasionally, he will make idle chit-chat with Aurelia, to try and ascertain if she's noticed anything unusual.
Kora, will you come get us when the party beings?
"Yeah, sure."
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Gip's training goes well for, despite her heritage, she is a quick learner.
During his talk with Aurelia, Sehkola can't discern if Chayton has shown any magical skill yet, though he cannot tell if Aurelia is telling him everything.
Kora enjoys the perks provided, able to fully relax and forget about the island momentarily.
Gavrin uses the hustle and bustle of the celebration preparation to gain some time to himself, needing to meditate over what has happened. Lashara decides she is going to stay here in town and help Aurelia with the Scale of Colors Inn, since her husband no longer can and Chayton is not old enough.
While Sehkola enjoys the festivities, he is not one for storytelling, and will leave that to one of his companions.
Leaning back in her chair and enjoying the free drink and food, Kora was finally letting herself soak up the attention as well. It had felt uncomfortable at first, but when it became apparent that it was positive attention for once, she welcomed it.
"So yeah, we chased after those little anklebiters after they snatched the kid, all the way out of town to this craggy island. Met some crazy girl on the way, living next to the monsters. Completely out of her gourd, I thought!" She opted to not mention the girl's apparent draconic heritage. The last thing they needed was a mob going in and angering her mother, whatever she was.
"Anyway, we find this cave and we go in, 'cause o' the call o' duty an' whatnot. We get a bit inside, find some goblins, crack their heads, and then we get swarmed by 'em. We're in there layin' down burnin' oil and some of us throwin' spells around and gen'rally makin' a mess in their home when this big bug thing comes crawlin' in on the ceiling. Got a big head and bleedin' acid all over th'place! Acid for blood!"
"So we kill it anyway. We had a goblin survive and surrender, so's that Elijah fella adopts her." She shrugged, not wanted to appear too sympathetic to the decision in front of the crowd even if she had been somewhat grateful Elijah had done so. "Go figure, eh? We go deeper in an' we meet these two complete loons dressed in black. Twins apparently, guy and a girl. They're in there talkin' tough and tryin' to scare us into leavin' the kid behind so they can make more of those acid blood bug things..." she shrugged again, "...an' we're all like 'To hell with that!' and we jump 'em! And we kick their asses! They go runnin' off to lick their wounds, and I think I heard 'em cryin' too! And we continue on our merry way. We find lil' Chayton and..." she caught herself looking at the others who had been with her. Better leave the next part out... "...and we made our way back home. Jus' doin' our part for the town!" She smiled and raised her mug.
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The feast begins, and it is a beautifully made feast indeed. With courses from soup to delicious steaks and even a roast hog. You are seated next to Aurelia at the head of the table, when she asks why Elijah decided to bring back a goblin. Silence fall throughout the inn as everyone looks toward Elijah and Gip(who is seated between Sehkola and Elijah, most likely to keep her from the other guests).
Elijah looks at her and says, "Gip surrendered. She then offered to help heal us of some of our wounds and showed us a path around several monstrous creatures that were between us and your child. Without her help it is likely we wouldn't be here now... and your child wouldn't have made it back either. She has realized that the way the goblins had been acting wasn't correct and wants to find a better way to live. As such I have taken her as my page and intend to teach her such a way of life. Every sentient creature deserves such a chance."
Surprisingly, Sehkola speaks up (a rarity at the feast). "I must admit, I originally wanted to impale the creature on my spear. However, I am glad I did not. Gip has proven to be true to her word, and as brave as any of us against the foes we have encountered."
"Yeah, *hic*, we're mighty charitable, we are!" Kora raised her mug towards Elijah and Gip in a wobbly toast. She was deep in her cups now.
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"Then it would seem Gip is as much a hero as you are. Gip, I thank you very much for helping rescue my son and would like you to know you will always be welcome here at the inn." She raises a glass to your group, as does everyone else in the room, and proposes a toast. A cheer rises throughout the inn. Gip is a little overwhelmed by all this, and the feast takes on a new level of cheer. It ends as the midnight hour draws near, and you all retire to your rooms for the night(Gip has been given a very nice cot in Elijah's room). As you wake the next morning and go to the main room for breakfast, you find that Gavrin has left, leaving a note saying that he is returning to his home to continue working on finding those who killed his fiance. Despite this sad peice of news your attention is soon drawn to a young man who asks for your help in finding a group of his friends. They were to meet this morning and go hunting, but when he went to their homes to wake them, their neighbors said they had come back from the celebration drunk and seemed to have gone off hunting that night.
"Huh." Kora began as she passed the note Gavrin had left. "No wonder he was so surly." Hell, I would be too, I guess. she thought.
She was still foggy headed when the worried man came to them asking for help. "Huh. Why you tellin' us instead of the gua...oh...right." Damn it! That'll teach me to brag. And drink while bragging. Hell, now everyone's gonna come to us lookin' for help! She looked at Elijah and Sehkola awkwardly, holding in the outburst and clumsily but cautiously stepping up to the task. "So, uh...where were ya supposed to be huntin'?"
She held back the remarks she wanted to make about how stupid the man's friends must have been to go hunting at night while drunk, but she didn't think it would go over well with the others.
That and she had done dumber things while drunk.
Elijah shakes his head, "Moderation people! Moderation! Drinking is all fine and good, life is to be enjoyed but not to the point of folly!"
He then sighs, "Of course everyone here didn't go get drunk and head out hunting... at night, while drunk, so I don't really need to tell you all that. Gip, grab your stuff and stay close, don't want them thinking that you are a invasion force and start shooting at you. If their stupid enough to get drunk and go hunting at night they're libel to be stupid enough to make that mistake too."
Sehkola sighed to himself. He didn't mind helping folks, but was starting to worry the good people of Sandpoint may start to take advantage of him and his new friends.
"Yes, were did you last see your friends? And have you tried contacting a ranger who could track?"
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"We had planned to take the Lost Coast Road into the forest south-east of Sandpoint. We had heard that.. that wolves had been a bit more active lately, and that one in particular was more feirce than the others, attacking whoever it should come upoun without the slightest provacation. We had hoped to kill it before it made it's way into town. The only ranger we could afford to take us safely through the forest was one of my friends I ask you to help. I fear in their drunken stupor they could not fight off the wolf and have been killed."
Well, if you think they are dead, what exactly do you expect us to do about it?, Sehkola thinks silently to himself. He looks to Kora and Elijah, "I know not the area. Do either of you know the region in which he speaks?"
He then turns back to the man. "You will accompany us, of course," he says, more as a statement of fact, not a question.
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He then turns back to the man. "You will accompany us, of course," he says, more as a statement of fact, not a question.
"Of course. I did not expect you to go into a region when you are relatively new to Sand Point. Lost Coast Road goes through the middle of town and one path leads into the south-eastern forest. With any luck, we will at least be able to find my friends and give them a proper burial. When you are ready, I will lead the way." He waits.
"Aw hell...we need to get a wheelbarr..." she caught her tongue before completing her callous remark. "...a wagon. You know, in case the worst happened. Or if they're just hurt, ya never know!" she finished with a clap to the man's back in an awkward attempt at demonstrating sensitivity to his plight.
"Be right with ya."
He then turns back to the man. "You will accompany us, of course," he says, more as a statement of fact, not a question."Of course. I did not expect you to go into a region when you are relatively new to Sand Point. Lost Coast Road goes through the middle of town and one path leads into the south-eastern forest. With any luck, we will at least be able to find my friends and give them a proper burial. When you are ready, I will lead the way." He waits.
So we are body retrieval experts, now, Sehkola thinks to himself. He sighs. "I suppose we will be ready as soon as Kora returns with the cart." He gives the man a 'once-over' as they wait for Kora, trying to see if there is anything unusual or that he isn't telling us. Unfortunately, he's distracted by a bright yellow butterfly, and can't even tell what species the man is, and would believe the man's words even if he said the sky was purple ...
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When Kora returns with the mule and wagon, the man leads you through town along the the Lost Coast Road. After about twenty minutes of hard walking, you reach the edge of town. You can tell the part of the road leading into the forest is barely used and fresh tracks can be seen, made by drunks obviously. They leave the trail and lead into the forest, leaving a wide trail for you to follow. As you follow the trail, you think you hear something up ahead...
Kora's head jerked up, listening intently and holding her tongue for the moment.
Sehkola turns to the man. "Perhaps you should call out and see if it is one of your friends that answers back?"
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Sehkola turns to the man. "Perhaps you should call out and see if it is one of your friends that answers back?"
Calling out, the man eyes widen in surprise at the answering shout.
"That's Rin. He left town over a week ago. He was going to take the Yondabakari River to Whistledown for a job, what's he still doing here in the forest?" When you go to help the man, you find a bloody scene. The man cries out as he sees his friends dead from bite marks. Rin is laying on the ground, his clothing ripped and shredded, covered in blood. When he sees you, he manages to moan "Run now, its not a normal wolf. I couldn't leave this forest, I didn't want to lead it into town or the docks at the river. Please run!" Something doesn't seem quite right...
Kora started to mention that someone sounded like they were in pain, but as the man called out to his friend and a shout came back, she rushed off with the others to find the scene of carnage.
"Cayden's sake..." She was expecting to see bodies, but she hadn't steeled herself for this.
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Kora started to mention that someone sounded like they were in pain, but as the man called out to his friend and a shout came back, she rushed off with the others to find the scene of carnage.
"Cayden's sake..." She was expecting to see bodies, but she hadn't steeled herself for this.
1) While his clothes are torn, it's not from wolf bites, though there is one healing on his arm.
2) His eyes are not a normal color, they are yellow.
3) He has no weapons and there is blood under his nails.
Kora coughed abruptly, mumbling "Sehkola, hold up..." and grabbed Elijah's wrist. So far he seemed the sort to throw himself into helping others without any hesitation, and she hoped Sehkola would be suspicious enough to stop and keep his distance without being held back. She whispered furiously into the paladin's ear and then the sorcerer's, "Something's wrong! Guy's got blood under his nails and hardly a mark on him except one bite! Remind you of any old stories!?"
Her other hand was straying towards her sword.
Elijah Frowns slightly noting what she said, then concentrates to see if the feeling of wrongness radiates from the man.
Obviously sensing something seriously wrong with the man, Sehkola readies an action to cast color spray if he does anything aggressive. "All this blood on you, and you are almost unhurt. My first suspicions are that you are the cause of this carnage."
"It's the bite wound... it's infected with evil... I don't think it has taken the man over yet though. He could be saved I think." Elijah offers.