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Sapere stares after the others who set off running for a second, muttering "There certainly will be some disturbed things in the graveyard by the time this lot gets there.", but then he takes off after them at a jog. One can never be too careful after all, nor too far from his large meat shields when there are goblins about. Besides, he had hoped to find some help for an expedition and this lot certainly seems talented and gullible enough for such.
"Hey Aylmora," Cuu says playfully as he runs along girl, "do you think your great-aunt can predict which one of us will have a higher tally next time?" He points to the barbarian running besides them.
Aylmora smiles at the half-orc's question as she runs down the street.
"Based on the prowess you both displayed against the goblins, it doesn't take the cards to see that each of you will be hard-pressed to break the tie between you!" she exclaims.
The group returns along the same route it has just travelled until it reaches the square in front of the church.
You are aware that the graveyard is effectively behind the church and there is a small path besides the church that allows access.
As you file along this path, you hear low voices ahead - definitely human. As you tentatively edge around the corner, you see Sherrif Hemlock and a couple of the town militia standing around what appears to be an open grave.
The debris around the site suggests this hole was recently dug and without any due care or attention.
Cuu's going to let his more charismatic companions do the talking (people tend to get intimated when he talks). From the looks of it, the obvious is that there were illegal removing of a body.
"Funny how this happens on the same day as the goblin raid," says Cuu to his Ashbek, "call me paranoid, but I don't think events like these happen together by coincidence."
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Sapere clears his throat a bit and gives a slight sigh at having to deal with these small town bumpkins while still far enough back to not be overheard, and then advances on the Sheriff, taking on his most proper noble airs. He takes in the sheriffs obvious varisian heritage(varisians and shoanti look alike to the pale skinned chelaxian) and decides to make use of Alymora's relative.
"Ahh, my good sheriff, what has happened here? We have been scowering the town to clear it from goblins and we came across Alymora's great aunt, Mvashti. She indicated that the cards told her something important had happened in the graveyard that should concern us. Is there something that could use our help?"
Diplomacy
"Funny how this happens on the same day as the goblin raid," says Cuu to his Ashbek, "call me paranoid, but I don't think events like these happen together by coincidence."
Ashbek hangs back with Cuu.
”Me neither. But they would not have gotten far from here by now. Let the others do the talking, while we search the nearby area” Ashbek suggest to Cuu.With or without Cuu he will move around the perimeter of the graveyard looking for any kind of clue.
Perception
The dwarf rolls his eyes. "'Course it ain't a coincidence. The goblins had some leader, they were too organized for a simple raid. 'Ow else would they have gotten in without us hearing a thing?"
"Yes, Sheriff Hemlock," Aylmora chimes in as she moves to stand next to Sapere, "Aunt Niska said that the Cards indicated that something was amiss here in the graveyard, and said that we should investigate. Can we be of help?"
Aylmora gazes upon the scene of desecration. "Who would dare to commit such a heinous deed?" she asks.
Cuu tags along with Ashbek, but having no training in such investigation, could do discern anything of interest.
The dwarf murmurs a spell to himself.
Sheriff Hemlock turns to face the group, and he bows slightly to Aylmora.
"I trust your aunt is alright? Well yes, of course - you wouldn't be here if she wasn't." The Sheriffs dour tone matches the graveyard perfectly.
The Sheriff gives the group the once over. "You must be the party that the Father was talking about. Single-handedly saved the town according to him." His tone seems less than genuine.
He then breaks into something approximating a smile. "That sounds like sour grapes." He steps away from the two militia and lowers his voice.
"These chaps are OK for sorting out the occasional drunk, but a goblin raid? No, I am glad of your help, really."
"Anyway, your aunt was right, as always. A grave was robbed. Can't tell if it was an opportunistic crime or the real reason for the attack."
"I'd rather you kept this to yourself. No point in upsetting the good folks around here." He winks conspiratorially.
With or without Cuu he will move around the perimeter of the graveyard looking for any kind of clue.
Ashbek and Cuu wander around the graveyard, looking for any clues. Although there are plenty of goblin prints in the soft ground, the trouble they find is that the local militia have trodden over such a wide area that any hope of finding anything useful is dashed.
They are just about to give up when Ashbek spots something shinging on the ground. He stoops to pick it up and finds it's a small silver earring.
Ashbek pick up the earring and turns to Cuu. ”Goblins are using earrings now?”
The dwarf murmurs a spell to himself.
Ashbek pick up the earring and turns to Cuu. ”Goblins are using earrings now?”
The dwarf raises an eyebrow. "Not commonly, but one mighta stolen it. No one even says they were wearin' it, sometimes they just pick summin' up 'cause it's shiny. Or it could jus' be a coincidence."
He turns to Sapere. "'Ey, you, 'yer 'oliness'." He says. "I ain't much o' a judge o' people, but you seem ta think yer real smart. So what do ya think this's about?" He does not even bother hiding the sarcasm.|
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Sapere raises a brow a bit towards the dwarf as he takes in the whole scene. "I prefer to focus my attentions a bit more on classical knowledge, friend dwarf. Ruins, ancient entities, things from your childhood."
He will approach the open gravesite and look inside. "Was the entire body taken, or simply the goods it was buried with? If it was the body, then perhaps there is some sort of rite being performed. If it was whatever items it was buried with, then we should discover what items these were so we can uncover if there is a connection to anyone else as this may give us an idea who may have motivation to have dug this up."
Sapere shrugs his shoulder slightly. "I would not expect a logical answer to any of these questions if it is the goblins who performed this, but I believe our old dwarf may have been correct that there should be someone who is leading them or else the attack on the city would not have been so coordinated, nor would such a robbery be so well timed."
Sapere raises a brow a bit towards the dwarf as he takes in the whole scene. "I prefer to focus my attentions a bit more on classical knowledge, friend dwarf. Ruins, ancient entities, things from your childhood."
He will approach the open gravesite and look inside. "Was the entire body taken, or simply the goods it was buried with? If it was the body, then perhaps there is some sort of rite being performed. If it was whatever items it was buried with, then we should discover what items these were so we can uncover if there is a connection to anyone else as this may give us an idea who may have motivation to have dug this up."
Sapere shrugs his shoulder slightly. "I would not expect a logical answer to any of these questions if it is the goblins who performed this, but I believe our old dwarf may have been correct that there should be someone who is leading them or else the attack on the city would not have been so coordinated, nor would such a robbery be so well timed."
The dwarf glares. "Who're you callin' old, perfessor? I'm only a hunnerd 'n ten!" The dwarf's tone is normal, but it seems that he may be joking.
"An' yer spot on 'bout the robbin'. But there's one thing yer fergettin'! We don't know whose grave this was!"Tipping his enormous hat up carefully, he approaches the gravestone and tries to read the writing.
Cuu watches as the dwarf and the arrogant human argue amongst themselves. "Bet you a meal that this ain't from a goblin," says Cuu to Ashbek. "Speaking of which, I am getting hungry, is it dinner time yet?"
Sapere will wait and watch the dwarf for a moment as he squints at the headstone. "Might I offer a simpler alternative?" He then will turn towards the sheriff. "My good sheriff, do you know whose grave this was?"
The Sheriff observes the banter between the two party members with a look of amusement on his face. When questioned directly, his smile disappears and he coughs, as if to clear his throat.
"Hmmm...well...yes...it wouldn't harm to tell you. It was the remains of Ezakien Tobyn. As far as I was aware, it was simply his body that was taken. I'm not aware of any ancient artifacts that may have been buried with him."
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Sapere nods his head a bit. "And who was this, Tobyn, Sheriff? If it was his body that was taken, I would imagine it was done for either some sort of ritual or because someone had enough of a spite against him personally. I should imagine that if it was the later, you would likely have an idea who would feel that way. If its the former, either there is likely a good reason that he would make a good candidate, or he was buried recently and his body was simply the easiest to dig up. Could you tell me a bit about this man, sheriff?"
He'll glance back towards Aylmora "You are local, lass, did you know this Tobyn?"
He'll glance back towards Aylmora "You are local, lass, did you know this Tobyn?"
"I've only been living here for a few weeks," Aylmora responds to Sapere. "I'm trying to remember if I've heard of Ezakien Tobyn before..."
Knowledge (local) Check:
Knowledge (local) Check: 1d20 + 6
Aylmora now remembers her aunt talking about Ezakien Tobyn. He was the former priest of the Chapel and he died in the fire five years ago.
The fire was the very reason for the building of the new church and indirectly the group's reason for being here now.
"Of course!" Aylmora exclaims as she remembers. "Aunt Niska told me about Father Tobyn. He was the priest at the Chapel before it burned down five years ago. He was killed in the fire, correct?" she asks Sheriff Hemlock.
"Of course!" Aylmora exclaims as she remembers. "Aunt Niska told me about Father Tobyn. He was the priest at the Chapel before it burned down five years ago. He was killed in the fire, correct?" she asks Sheriff Hemlock.
The dwarf raises an eyebrow. "Hmf. If that's true, then there 're more motives. I know li'l 'bout 'ndead, but a priest's body's gotta have some power. An' a priest might have more enemies than most, 'specially among those who might be willin' ta rob a grave. 'Specially 'mong those who'd 'ave the power ta make graverobbin' a real revenge."
Anybody who's heard of him or met him outside the carnival might be surprised, as he normally avoids talking. His voice is certainly raspy, as if it isn't used to so much use.|
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Sapere nods at the dwarf. "Yes, I suspect there could be many rites that involve a priests body, or even the body of one who dies tragically such as in a fire. Sheriff, was the cause of the fire ever determined? Was it an accident, or was it sparked purposefully? The theft of the body occurring on the five year anniversary of the fire does seem truly convenient."
He stops and considers for a moment."Did the priest have any enemies that you may have known about, Sheriff? Someone who may have wished him dead, or who may wish to deny his soul its final rest either as an undead or by using his body in some foul rite."
A small chuckle escapes the cleric for an instant and a slight smirk crosses his face. "Of course for all we know about the situation, perhaps the priest has a mysterious benefactor who is seeking to return this Tobyn to life and needed the body to do so and simply didn't know how to ask."
Sapere nods at the dwarf. "Yes, I suspect there could be many rites that involve a priests body, or even the body of one who dies tragically such as in a fire. Sheriff, was the cause of the fire ever determined? Was it an accident, or was it sparked purposefully? The theft of the body occurring on the five year anniversary of the fire does seem truly convenient."
He stops and considers for a moment."Did the priest have any enemies that you may have known about, Sheriff? Someone who may have wished him dead, or who may wish to deny his soul its final rest either as an undead or by using his body in some foul rite."
A small chuckle escapes the cleric for an instant and a slight smirk crosses his face. "Of course for all we know about the situation, perhaps the priest has a mysterious benefactor who is seeking to return this Tobyn to life and needed the body to do so and simply didn't know how to ask."
"It's been five years, monk. Ain't many who 'ave the power ta bring 'em back from that long. An' seems an awf'ly big coincidence it happens at the same time as this raid. An' none 'o 'ave any wish ta raise this guy'd also be willin' to get people kill'd. O' course, he musta been a priest, so..." He shrugs.
"You're right enough about the Father, Miss Mvashti," the Sheriff says. "As for your friends' suspicions about the fire, well it was an accident, pure and simple."
"The Father didn't have any enemies, he was a man of the cloth!" At this point he turns to Old Redeye. "Like you, I don't believe in coincidences. I don't know if the goblins were a distraction or if this was an opportunistic body-snatch but either way, it smells fishier than Norah's tank."
"Is there a way to track the body snatchers? Cause if there ain't one, and we have no suspects, then all we have going is this." Says Cuu, holding up the small silver earring for everyone to see, hoping it would spark perhaps a hint of recognition. "Unless...we go ask the local goblins. Sheriff, does these pests have a well-known hideout? Like a cave or something? And how much does the town pay for pest control?"
"Is there a way to track the body snatchers? Cause if there ain't one, and we have no suspects, then all we have going is this." Says Cuu, holding up the small silver earring for everyone to see, hoping it would spark perhaps a hint of recognition. "Unless...we go ask the local goblins. Sheriff, does these pests have a well-known hideout? Like a cave or something? And how much does the town pay for pest control?"
The dwarf sighs. "Ev'n if there is a buncha goblins, I don't think they'd 'ave any clue 'bout this. Or 'bout anything."
"On the contrary, I think they might." Says Cuu. "As we have already went over, this raid is too organized for goblins to pull off alone. In addition, we all observed firsthand that there seems to be a hierarchy in the raiders. If we can track down a leader, he might give us more information."
"In any case, I guess we're spending another night here. If you have nothing to add, Sheriff, my friends and I have a dinner appointment to keep."
"On the contrary, I think they might." Says Cuu. "As we have already went over, this raid is too organized for goblins to pull off alone. In addition, we all observed firsthand that there seems to be a hierarchy in the raiders. If we can track down a leader, he might give us more information."
"In any case, I guess we're spending another night here. If you have nothing to add, Sheriff, my friends and I have a dinner appointment to keep."
"Goivins too stupid for atak...goivins has helpers!" Says Cuu as he interrupts the conversation of the "smart" folks, "Ask goivin boss tomorrow. Cuu stomach hungry!"
"Goivins too stupid for atak...goivins has helpers!" Says Cuu as he interrupts the conversation of the "smart" folks, "Ask goivin boss tomorrow. Cuu stomach hungry!"
[ooc]He doesn't have to talk horribly, but the way he was talking indicated more of a college professor than a slightly thuggish barbarian.
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Sapere will nod his head. "The orcblood is correct. It could do well for us to track down any local goblin hangouts and see if we can find the clan that initiated this attack. Perhaps there is a hobgob or some other more intelligent creature leading them that may have a plan for them and we can deal with this then. If not, then they tend to be cowardly creatures when they don't outnumber you. Capture one and we can likely make it talk about what was it that motivated them to launch this attack today. Learning what pushed them to launch their attack will give us a better idea of what wanted the priest."
"I agree." Ashbek nods. "First thing tomorrow we should find some goblins to kill.. er.. talk to. But for tonight, let's eat well so our stomachs are full for the hunt."
A loud grumbling noise interrupts the conversation of the others. "I'm sorry!" Aylmora apologizes with an embarrassed grin while holding her stomach. "Your talk of dinner reminded me that I haven't eaten since breakfast!"
"I believe that you all are right, and we do have a date for dinner," the young girl continues. "Did anyone happen to catch the name of our host for this evening? Or where we are supposed to meet him for dinner? Or what time? I'm going to need to get back to the Rusty Dragon to change into something more appropriate!"
"We can go back to where we found him," suggests Cuu, "maybe he's still there? Or if we bump into Father Zantus, we can ask him. I am sure he knows pretty much everyone in this town."
As the group discusses what they can and cannot remember about the encounter you finally agree on the following.
Firstly the young man did not give his name or reveal where he was staying. You can, however, all remember him from The Rusty Dragon - so it would be a wise bet that that's where he is staying.
At the rusty dragon Ashbek will immediately head for the bar to buy Cuu an ale.
"Since we alle seem to get out dinner paid tonight, let me offer you this beverage as a sign of respect"
"Then let me pay for the next round," says Cuu, "and when this goblin mess is over, we'll have a drinking contest!"
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Sapere will nod his head to the others. "Yes, I suspect that he'll show up at the Dragon one way or another." He'll glance towards Alymora looking her up and down with a slight smirk "The man did have quite a good reason to go and look us up in anyway. If worse comes to worse, then I imagine it won't be too hard to track him down. There can't be too many fops of his sort in town."
As darkness falls, you arrive at the Rusty Dragon.
This large structure is Sandpoint’s oldest inn, notable for the impressive (and quite rusty) iron dragon that looms on the building’s roof.
As you make it inside the bar area, you are greeted by a wall of sound. The entire bar appears to be cheering you and the owner, Ameiko Kaijitsu and the hafling barmaid, Bethana press foward - clutching drinks that they force into your hands.
"You don't pay for drinks tonight, and you'll never pay for a room here," says Ameiko.
As you move inside, a nearby group vacate a table for you. As you take the applause and pats on the back, you are aware that this attention won't end any time soon.
Pushing to the front of the crowd is a foppish young man you all recognise. He bows low to Aylmora and says loudly, "My rescuers. Your heroism is already legendary. And I haven't forgotten that meal I promised you."
"YES! PARTY!" Yells Cuu as he gets caught up in the crowd's overwhelming enthusiasm. Taking a drink from someone, Cuu chinks Ashbek's glass and drains the mug in one. Leaving the fop for Aylmora to deal with, the fighter obtains another drink and proclaims, "Who wants to take a shot with me!?"
As he has never witnessed a "civilised" party before Ashbek find himself a corner to stand in. He observes the crowd of the inn with his mouth wide open.
Hearing the mass of patrons packing the tavern before the small party can even open the door, Aylmora quickly hums a few bars of a tune as she passes her hands over her hair, face, arms, and clothing. In the wake of her hands' passage, the young woman's visage and outfit become refreshed - her cheeks bearing a hint of rouge and the bangles and sequins of her outfit displaying an added twinkle that accentuates her presence.
As you make it inside the bar area, you are greeted by a wall of sound. The entire bar appears to be cheering you and the owner, Ameiko Kaijitsu and the hafling barmaid, Bethana press foward - clutching drinks that they force into your hands.
"You don't pay for drinks tonight, and you'll never pay for a room here," says Ameiko.
Aylmora smiles her thanks to Ameiko and Bethana, holding her drink without yet taking a sip, basking in the attention of the crowd as the group makes its way to a table.
Pushing to the front of the crowd is a foppish young man you all recognise. He bows low to Aylmora and says loudly, "My rescuers. Your heroism is already legendary. And I haven't forgotten that meal I promised you."
Aylmora smiles warmly as the young man approaches. "You have our thanks, goodsir," she says with a slight bow of her head as she motions for him to join the group at their table. "You must forgive us! In all of the excitement of this afternoon, we forgot to ask your name! My name is Aylmora Mvashti. And who may I ask does us the honor of playing our host this evening?"
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Sapere will nod to the various villagers and even give Ameiko a bit of a smile. At least something has come out of all this nonsense anyway. He'll pick up a nice glass of whatever the taverns specialty drink may be at the bar before settling back in at the table, sipping from it, watching the others with a bit of amusement. He'll shake his head slightly at Cuu. "I'm afraid that I prefer my drinks at a more moderate pace."
He doesn't comment about Aylmora and the man for once, seeming to try and relax with his beverage and let the two flirt.