"Well that's the saddest part of all. His wife had died many years previously, and his beautiful daughter perished in the fire. There is no other family to speak of."
"Oh, that's so tragic! But at least we can be thankful that Father Tobyn's mysterious enemies didn't desecrate his daughter's grave as well."
"Oh, that's so tragic! But at least we can be thankful that Father Tobyn's mysterious enemies didn't desecrate his daughter's grave as well."
"We should thank the heavens for that small mercy. Her grave, or rather cenotaph, was untouched."
"Cenotaph?"
"Oh, apologies young lady. Shop talk. It's only a grave if you have a body. Otherwise, the tombstone is just a cenotaph. Anyway, we never found enough of anything to truly call a body to bury it."
He shivers and shakes his head. "Anyway, less of the morbid talk."
"Anyway, less of the morbid talk."
Aylmora shudders involuntarily. "Oh, yes, I agree. Let's speak of more pleasant things!"
Aylmora spends the next several minutes talking with Father Zantus about a multitude of topics: how nice the new cathedral is, with all of the shrines under one roof; how quickly the town seems to be recovering after the goblin raid from a few days ago; how well "The Harpy's Curse," the latest production at the Sandpoint Theater is being received by the public; and the state of Madame Mvashti's health, just to name a few.
As their conversation winds down, Aylmora thanks Father Zantus for his time and promises that she will attend the next service for Desna. As she begins to leave with Cuu and Old Redeye, she turns and asks, "Father, before we leave I think that I would like to visit Father Tobyn's daughter's cenotaph to pay my respects - would you mind showing us the way?"
The Father escorts you from the church into the graveyard and shows you to a simple headstone bearing the name 'Nualia Tobyn.'
It is next to the grave of Father Tobyn, that has been tidied up - albeit it looks odd, a fresh grave for a five-year old death.
Senuset has been in town for a little over a week, staying at the Hagfish Tavern
He ekes out enough of a living to pay for food and lodging with his skills as a jeweler, and spends all the time he has left seeking out local scholarly types to research the ancient history of Thassilon and discuss magical theory.
He was on the outskirts of town during the goblin troubles and missed all of the action, but made a small name for himself helping the wounded in the aftermath.
Aylmora bows her head before Nualia Tobyn’s cenotaph and prays a silent prayer to Desna to keep the souls of the poor girl and her father safe on their journey through the afterlife.
When she is done, she looks at Father Tobyn’s restored grave and then turns to Father Zantus. “Whoever would desecrate a goodly priest's grave must be brought to justice. Father, can you think of anyone in Sandpoint who might have any theories about what these villains who stole Father Tobyn’s remains could do with them?” she asks.
"Dark rituals?" Cuu pipes up, "But goblins not smart..."
Father, can you think of anyone in Sandpoint who might have any theories about what these villains who stole Father Tobyn’s remains could do with them?” she asks.
The priest shakes his head, sighing. "This is outside of my expertise."
He pauses for a moment and adds. "There is someone, perhaps. I don't want to get your hopes up but there is a visitor who has knowledge of death magic. That may not be enough, but it's more than I can offer. He was staying at the Hagfish I believe. I can't remember a name but he has a blond ponytail."
He shrugs as a form of apology. "May you have every success in your ventures. I have a feeling Sandpoint will need its heroes even more now."
"Confused..." says Cuu to his companions once they are out, "Church 'absolutely' no enemies, but building burned and grave robbed. I wish church has enemies, so we can kill them and finish."
Father, can you think of anyone in Sandpoint who might have any theories about what these villains who stole Father Tobyn’s remains could do with them?” she asks.
The priest shakes his head, sighing. "This is outside of my expertise."
He pauses for a moment and adds. "There is someone, perhaps. I don't want to get your hopes up but there is a visitor who has knowledge of death magic. That may not be enough, but it's more than I can offer. He was staying at the Hagfish I believe. I can't remember a name but he has a blond ponytail."
He shrugs as a form of apology. "May you have every success in your ventures. I have a feeling Sandpoint will need its heroes even more now."
Redeye groans. "Eh, great. A nehcromencer. Alrigh', may as well ge' it o'er wit'."
Aylmora thanks Father Zantus for all of his help and takes her leave with Cuu and Old Redeye.
"Eh, great. A nehcromencer. Alrigh', may as well ge' it o'er wit'."
"Yes, let's see if we can find this expert on all things dead at the Hagfish," Aylmora agrees with Old Redeye as the companions step out into the square in front of the cathedral. "Maybe we can find Ashbek and Shalelu along the way and have lunch there as well. Kill two birds with one stone, so to speak."
You collect Ashbek and Shalelu en route to the Hagfish.
This is one of Sandpoint’s most popular taverns, especially among fishermen and gamblers. You also remember it boasts an excellent seafood chowder (tasted at the Swallowtail festivities).
As you eneter, you are greated by a roar from the assembled patrons. Hands are offered and shaken and offers of drinks abound.
A one-legged man comes out from behind the bar. "Oi be Jargie Quinn," he says, and wipes a dirty hand on an even dirtier apron before offering it. "Your forst meal is on me. Let's see if oi can finds thee a table fit fer heroes."
He moves to a corner table and jerks his thumb. The patrons occupying the table quickly stand and make it abundantly clear that giving up their seat would be an honour they would never relinquish.
As you sit, you take in your surroundings.
Your eyes first alight on a large glass aquarium that sits behind the bar, evidently the home of a hagfish. Hanging from a nail next to the tank is a bulging leather pouch. You also notice many names carved into the wood, above the tank.
The next thing you notice are game tables, ranging from cards to checkers to dice to darts. There is a bustle here different to the Rusty Dragon.
To anyone in the bar, the scene is effectively reversed. A group that are instantly recognised as the heroes that saved Sandpoint from the goblins enters and one and all seem to want to shake their hand. The owner, Jargie, comes to greet them and settles them at a corner table. From their curiosity with the inside of the tavern, it's evident they haven't been inside before.
Seeing the passion and enthusiasm of the Hagfish, Cuu immediately forgets any official business, procures a mug of ale, and quickly joins a game of darts.
"Hey Ashbek! I saw how you used the javelin, wanna see if you're any good at darts?"
Senuset is at a table by the wall. He is oblivious to the initial commotion, as he is praying intently over his food
Hey guys.
I'm sorry but my internet connection is broken, so i can't post from home, and i only have limited options from work.
I just wanted to let you know that i might be out for some days, but i'm still with you.
A local taps Cuu on the elbow. "I'm surprised you haven't taken the challenge."
At the lack of an instant response, he adds, somewhat drunkenly. "Norah...the hagfish...if you can down a tankard of her water, you get to keep the silver in the pouch up there." His heads bobs towards the tank and the leather pouch. "S'up to you of course, but what with you being heroes."
Now quite a few gamers have stopped playing and are intrigued as to what you will do.
Senuset is at a table by the wall. He is oblivious to the initial commotion, as he is praying intently over his food
Redeye notices the man's holy symbol of Pharasma. "Reckon thet's 'im," he says to the others. He quickly moves over to the man, seeming both anxious to get out of the crowd and nervous about going near the necromancer.
Senuset sees a strange creature approach. A dwarf with skin and hair which are completely white, with bright red eyes. He has a hunchback, and wears an incredibly wide-brimmed hat which the filthy* man now tips up as he addresses him."'Scuse me," he says, "Y'a nehcromencer?"
Redeye notices the man's holy symbol of Pharasma. "Reckon thet's 'im," he says to the others. He quickly moves over to the man, seeming both anxious to get out of the crowd and nervous about going near the necromancer.
Senuset sees a strange creature approach. A dwarf with skin and hair which are completely white, with bright red eyes. He has a hunchback, and wears an incredibly wide-brimmed hat which the filthy* man now tips up as he addresses him.
"'Scuse me," he says, "Y'a nehcromencer?"
Senuset looks up as he brings a napkin up to dab his mouth, and freezes mid-dab. He looks quizzically at Redeye and raises one eyebrow, slowly taking in all the details. "I am." He pulls out a monocle from his vest pocket and peers closely at the grime on Redeye "And It's quite fortunate you found me - your condition does appear to be quite serious. Tell me, how recently did you rise?"
He mutters softly under his breath "midday, so he can't be a vampire..."
Redeye notices the man's holy symbol of Pharasma. "Reckon thet's 'im," he says to the others. He quickly moves over to the man, seeming both anxious to get out of the crowd and nervous about going near the necromancer.
Senuset sees a strange creature approach. A dwarf with skin and hair which are completely white, with bright red eyes. He has a hunchback, and wears an incredibly wide-brimmed hat which the filthy* man now tips up as he addresses him.
"'Scuse me," he says, "Y'a nehcromencer?"
Senuset looks up as he brings a napkin up to dab his mouth, and freezes mid-dab. He looks quizzically at Redeye and raises one eyebrow, slowly taking in all the details. "I am." He pulls out a monocle from his vest pocket and peers closely at the grime on Redeye "And It's quite fortunate you found me - your condition does appear to be quite serious. Tell me, how recently did you rise?"
He mutters softly under his breath "midday, so he can't be a vampire..."
The man looks at him, appearing utterly bewhildered. "I--wha--of curse I ain't a vampir'!" he blusters.
"Show me Norah's water and I'll show you a half-orc who can drink!"
The man looks at him, appearing utterly bewhildered. "I--wha--of curse I ain't a vampir'!" he blusters.
"Oh! Of course not, my apologies" He speaks his next sentence slowly while quickly jotting some notes down in a journal. "You... certainly... are... 'not'... a... vampire. Now then, what can I do for you?"
The man looks at him, appearing utterly bewhildered. "I--wha--of curse I ain't a vampir'!" he blusters."Oh! Of course not, my apologies" He speaks his next sentence slowly while quickly jotting some notes down in a journal. "You... certainly... are... 'not'... a... vampire. Now then, what can I do for you?"
The dwarf glares. "I ain't 'ny sert o' undead!"
An attractive, smiling young Varisian woman with shoulder-length raven-black hair approaches behind the albino dwarf and lays a hand on his shoulder.
"Excuse me sir," the girl addresses the well-dressed gentleman. "My name is Aylmora Mvashti, and my companion here goes by the name 'Old Redeye.' Father Zantus at the cathedral told us that a person fitting your description who is knowledgeable in...your area of expertise, so to speak... was staying here at the Hagfish."
Aylmora glances around before continuing in a lower voice. "I'm afraid that we are investigating an...incident...that occurred during the goblin raid a few days ago, and Father Zantus thought that you might be able to help us. May we sit and join you?"
"Show me Norah's water and I'll show you a half-orc who can drink!"
"Of course madame. I would be honored if you would join me. Please, have a seat and tell me of this... incident."
He pushes his plate to the side and flips to a fresh page in his journal.
Research Notes, Page 1,
Subject 17. A being, presumably once a dwarf, approached me during my dinner at the Hagfish.
Facts:
-Subject has unnaturally pale skin and hair, but redness of the eyes indicates that he is not albino
-An unnatural degree of filth adorns the subject.
-Subject is corporeal and intelligent.
-Subject has difficulty enunciating, may indicate early stages of decomposition of the larynx.
-Subject denies undead status.
-Subject does not display any difficulty with sunlight (additional support that he is not albino)
-While rather crude, subject is not actively malicious.
-Subject has made physical contact with living humans without negative effects.
Conjecture:
-Subject could be a manifesting ghost, but this is unlikely due to denial of circumstances.
-Subject could be an unwrapped mummy, this would support the theory that mummy rot is transmitted via the wrappings.
-Subject is somewhat likely a zombie with a preserved brain. Is this possible? Research further.
-Subject may be a living creature, cursed with unnatural skin pigmentation and foul hygiene. Investigate possible previous interaction with Fayrie individuals.
Aylmora smiles gratefully as she takes the proffered seat. She glances around again before leaning close to the blond-haired man .
"Well, to get straight to the point," she says with her voice lowered, "during the goblin raid someone broke into the graveyard and stole the remains of Father Tobyn, the priest who died in the fire that destroyed the original temple five years ago. Father Zantus insists that neither Father Tobyn nor the Church had any enemies. So we were curious, why would someone want to steal the remains of a holy man? What could they do with them? We were hoping that someone versed in the arts of death magic would be able to help us figure it out."
Senuset leans back slightly, attempting to preserve his personal space.
"I know it's theoretically possible to make some particularly foul types of undead out of holy individuals, but someone with that much power wouldn't have left evidence behind or needed goblins as a distraction. It's possible that there are some rituals that might require holy remains, but nothing springs to mind"
"Based on that, my suspicion is that it would have to be someone who was after him specifically, rather than just the remains of holy person. It may not have been malicious - someone may have simply desired to speak with his spirit, or even attempt to resurrect him."
He pauses for a moment, thinking.
"If you would show me the grave-site, there is a slim chance I may be able to learn more.
Ashbek eyes the tank of water and let his stare go back to Cuu. "That's right, damn it!" he yells ()
"This guy here.." he put his arm around Cuu and point a finger in his chest ".. Is the meanest son of an orc whor..." he stops himself mid sentence and look at Cuu as he remembers his new friends heritage ".. oh.. Well.. of course he can do it!" he finish his boast with a cheer and pushes Cuu forward.
As Senuset folds up his notebook he pauses and glances over towards the commotion "Ah, perhaps we should wait a moment before departing M'lady Mvashti, I suspect my more mundane medical skills may be needed for a moment."
Cuu approaches the bar, the combination of Ashbek and the locals cheering him on. The hagfish in the large aquarium swims around, as if sensing the occasion and her movement stirs up the water that appears even through the glass as thick and slimy.
The barman grabs a silver tankard and dips it into the water. As he hads the container to Cuu, those nearby recoil at the stench.
In one swift motion, Cuu knocks back the liquid. It goes down slowly, like drinking molasses - only this is faintly green in colour and tastes like the inside of a cesspit.
As Cuu triumphantly turns the tankard over to show he's finished the drink, the crowd cheer and plenty of back-slapping ensues.
The barman hands Cuu the contents of the leather pouch that was hanging next to the tank. . "Aye, well done," Jargue Quinn booms, heading over to you. "It couldn't ha' been won by a more fitting hero. I'll carve your name up there meself." He points to the roll of honour and gives Cuu a wink.
As a group. you head back to the grave-site but find nothing of any interest that would answer any questions.
You then return to the Hagfish for the promised meal and Shalelu asks you, "So, what do you want to know about the local goblins? The tribes? The heroes? Facts about goblins, or all of it?"
"Heroes!" Say Cuu with a belch, "Uh...I not feel so good for drinking hagfish water..."
Senuset is quite surprised when Cuu, Ashbek, and Shalelu accompany us to the graveyard, but then belatedly makes the connection that you are the group widely hailed as the saviors of the town. He spends most of the walk inquiring about your deeds during that time. He is extraordinarily polite and very interested in all of your exploits, but despite that obvious interest he seems incapable of presenting a demeanor that isn't cold and impersonal.
At the grave-site, he wanders around for about ten minutes staring closely at things through his monocle, but never actually touches anything directly. He seems mildly discouraged at the suggestion of returning to the Hagfish, but will ultimately agree (perceptive characters may note that he is upset by the Hagfish part of the suggestion, and not so much at the lack of evidence).
He recoils a bit at Cuu's belch, but then goes to the bar and orders a glass of water (casting Purify Food and Drink on it on the way back to the table). He pulls out a few tiny leaves from his pack and sprinkles them into the water. "Here" he says as he passes the glass to Cuu "this will help settle your stomach"
Thanks!
Thanks!
If that intervention is a fast-forward to dinner, Senuset would definitely suggest a change of location.
Shalelu asks you, "So, what do you want to know about the local goblins? The tribes? The heroes? Facts about goblins, or all of it?"
"Anything you can tell us, really," Aylmora responds to Shalelu's questions. "You said that you feared that someone has moved in on the goblins and organized them. Do you have any ideas of who could or would do such a thing? Or what might be the best way to break up this apparent alliance between the goblin tribes?"
Shalelu nods at Aylmora's words. "OK, it's probably best I tell you all I know about the goblins. And I'd also like to take the opportunity to introduce you to a fellow traveller that has been helpful in piecing together some recent information."
Shalelu points to an lef sitting at a nearby table and beckons for him to join you. "Tashik here has a way of obtaining information that you may find useful in your exploits."
Tashik grabs a nearby chair and sits down, an infectious grin on his face.
"Proper introductions later," Shalelu says. "For now, the goblins."
"I'll start with some basic facts. Firstly goblins excel at riding animals, but they don’t quite get horses. In fact, their hatred of all things horse is matched only by their fear of horses, who tend to step on goblins who get too close.
"Although goblins raise horrible rat-faced creatures called goblin dogs to use as mounts - and I think you've met one already - their hatred of
plain old dogs nearly matches their hatred of horses. The feeling is mutual. If your dog’s barking at the woodpile for no reason, chances are he smells a frightened goblin hiding in there somewhere.
"If there's garbage pits, gutters, sewers… in fact anywhere there’s garbage, you can bet goblins are nearby. Goblins are weirdly adept at crafting weapons and armor from refuse, and are fond of killing people with what they throw away.
"Not so many people know that goblins love to sing. Unfortunately, as catchy as their lyrics can be, goblin songs tend to be a bit too creepy and disturbing to catch on in polite society.
"Goblins is sneaky. An excited or angry goblin is a noisy, chattering,
toothy menace, but even then, he can drop into an unsettling silence in a heartbeat. This, matched with their diminutive size, makes them unnervingly adept at hiding in places you’d never expect: stacks of firewood, rain barrels, under logs, under chicken coops, in ovens…
"Don't forget, they're a little crazy. The fact that goblins
think of things like ovens as good hiding places reveals much about their inability to think plans through to the most likely outcome. That, and they tend to be easily distracted, particularly by shiny things and animals smaller than them that might make good eating.
"Given enough supplies, a goblin generally takes nearly a dozen meals a day. Most goblin tribes don’t have enough supplies to accommodate such ravenous appetites, which is why the little menaces are so prone to going on raids.
"They like fire. Burning things is one of the great goblin pastimes, although they’re generally pretty careful about lighting fires in their own lairs, especially since goblins tend to live in large tangled thistle patches and sleep in beds of dried leaves and grass. But give a goblin a torch and someone else’s home and you’ve got trouble.
"They get stuck easily. They have have wiry frames but wide heads. They live in cramped warrens. Sometimes too cramped.
"And finally, goblins believe writing steals your soul. The walls of goblin lairs and the ruins of towns goblins have raided are littered with pictures of their exploits. They never use writing, though. That’s not lucky. Writing steals words out of your head. You can’t get them back."
Shalelu pauses for a moment to let it all sink in before continuing.
"Now, as far as the goblin tribes are concerned, there are five major
goblin tribes in the region. The closest to Sandpoint are the Birdcruncher goblins that live in caves along the western edge of the Devil’s Platter, although traditionally these goblins are the least aggressive of the five.
"To the south are the Licktoad goblins of the Brinestump Marsh, pests that are excellent swimmers.
"East are the Seven Tooth goblins of Shank’s Wood, goblins who’ve secured a place for themselves by raiding Sandpoint’s junkyard and rebuilding the stolen refuse into armor and weapons.
"Further east are the Mosswood goblins, likely the largest tribe but one traditionally held back by feuding families within their own ranks.
"And finally, there are the Thistletop goblins, who live on the Nettlewood coast atop a small island that some say holds a passing resemblance to a decapitated head.
"Then there's the Goblin Heroes. Goblins generally live short, violent lives. It’s unusual for a single goblin to achieve any real measure of notoriety, but when one does, it’s well-earned.
"Currently, five goblins enjoy the status of 'hero.' Big Gugmut is an unusually muscular and tall goblin from Mosswood who, it is said, had a
hobgoblin for a mother and a wild boar for a father. Koruvus was a champion of the Seven Tooth tribe, who was as well known for his short temper as he was for his prized possession—a magic longsword sized for a human that the goblin stubbornly kept as his own (despite the fact that it was too large for him to properly wield). Koruvus vanished several months ago after he supposedly discovered a 'secret hideout' in a cave along the cliffs, but the Seven Tooth goblins remain convinced that he’s out there still, a ghost or worse, waiting to murder any goblin who tries to discover his hideout. Vorka is a notorious goblin cannibal who lives in the Brinestump marsh, a 'hero' mostly to goblins other than the Licktoad tribe. Ripnugget is the current leader of the Thistletop goblins and controls what the five tribes agree is the best lair. And then there’s Bruthazmus, an infamous bugbear ranger who lives in northern Nettlewood and often visits the five tribes to trade things he’s stolen from caravans for alcohol, news, or magic arrows. He has a particular hatred of elves, and we have fought on several occasions. To date, neither of us has managed to get the upper hand on the other, but I vow that I won’t be the first to fall in our private war."
Shalelu sits back now, all of her information no doubt revealed.
Aylmora looks thoughtful for several moments as she digests all that Shalelu has told them. Finally, she asks, "This Bruthazmus; you say that he visits all of the tribes. Could he be the force that is causing the five tribes to work together against Sandpoint?"
Tashik idly plays with his hands while half-mumbling, half-humming some goblin song he'd heard long ago, Goblins chew and goblins bite....Goblins cut and goblins fight..Goblins race and goblins jump...goblins slash and goblins bump....
Tashik snickers at a few of the rules Shalelu list. Addressing the group with a sly grin, Tashik introduces himself, "Oye! We's be fightin' Gobos, then? Dem's tricky bastards, need to be taught a lesson for their assault on Sandpoint, as I understand it. "
Tashik idly plays with his hands while half-mumbling, half-humming some goblin song he'd heard long ago, Goblins chew and goblins bite....Goblins cut and goblins fight..Goblins race and goblins jump...goblins slash and goblins bump....
Tashik snickers at a few of the rules Shalelu list. Addressing the group with a sly grin, Tashik introduces himself, "Oye! We's be fightin' Gobos, then? Dem's tricky bastards, need to be taught a lesson for their assault on Sandpoint, as I understand it. "
The albino dwarf nods. "Yeh. They've a lo' ta answer fer." He tips his hat further down over his eyes, eying a nearby window with distaste. "Them windows," he mutters, "aughta be filled in. Way too danjruss."
He looks back up. "Eh, raht. Wull, yera reg'ler tex'book, ma'am. Bru'zmus, I dunno. He dasn't rin' right. 'E's a loner, no leader. He got na real ambition. Runs 'round, tradin' whate'er 'e got fer beer an' more ways ta kill? Nah, 'tain't a bugber we's lookin' fer, 'less I'm missin' some'in."Ripnugg't, now, I thenk he soun's likely. He's got the 'bes' lair'. Don't know what goblins think theht 's, but 'f 'e ken getit, he must be clever or tough. 'Sides which, 'e's tha 'nly champ who's leadin' a tribe, which means 'e 'as real ambition, 'nlike tha other ones. I thenk 'e's the guy."
Senuset has been writing all of this information down in his journal. He mutters to himself "resembles a decapitated head, I wonder if that could be an old ruin?"
He looks up "If whoever took Father Tobyn's body is connected to the goblins, and not just a very lucky opportunist, Thistletop is where I would expect to find them. Shalelu's description could indicate that the island is an old Thassilonian ruin. But even if it isn't, necromantic rituals tend to go better when they can be performed on distinct pieces of geography, like an island." -pause- "If you plan on investigating this, I would like to accompany you. These goblins are not good news for city, and I would like to help if I can."
"I say Bruthazmus," says Cuu, giving Senuset a much appreciated nod for his herbs, "He friends with all goblins, so he must know something. Beat the truth out of him!"
Turning to Shalelu, "How far Nettlewood from here?"