Seeing the boars bust from the thicket Ashbeks smiles and dismount his horse, prefering to hunt on foot. He draws a javelin for a throw at the boars.
Initiative
Init roll: 1d20 + 2
Cuu dismounts Sting and closes in on the boars, drawing his sawtooth sabres as he goes.
Initiative:
Seeing the two boars enter the clearing, Aylmora initially considers casting a spell to put the creatures to sleep. "On second thought," she thinks to herself, maybe I shouldn't. I wouldn't want to deprive the boys of their fun. Let's see if I can distract those boars, though."
Aylmora hums a bit of a tune under her breath as she makes a slight motion with her hand toward the boars. The sound of a few men shouting suddenly emanates from the bushes directly behind the boars.
The action is decisive, swift and something of an anti-climax.
Spooked by the sound of men behind them, the boars turn 360 degrees before stampeding towards the horses and riders.
As Ashbek and Cuu dismount and draw their weapons, the boars panic and run under the hooves of the horses.
In a few seconds the squeals subside and there are two very dead boars on the road.
Aldern Foxglove throws his head back and roars with laughter. "Your reputation precedes you. Even out here the boars have heard of you and would rather take their own lives than face an encounter."
"Well, that was easier than I thought, we should go boar hunting more often!" Exclaims Cuu to Ashbek as he puts away his twin blades.
Ashbek stares wide eyed at the dead boars, not knowing how to react.
His jaw tightens as he look at the guilty horses and for a moment it seems he is about to lunge himself at them, but he settles on thrusting his javelin into the ground in outrage.
"This was no hunt" he answers Cuu coldly.
The group travels back into town with mixed spirits. Foxglove seems happy with the outcome and you suspect it was the travelling and more importantly the company that was top of his agenda for this little jaunt.
As you return to the inn, Foxglove faces the group. "I presume nobody minds if we had these over to the inn's patron? I believe her name is Ameiko? A pretty young thing..." He blushes at these words and turns his attention to Aylmora. "But not as pretty as one I could name."
He turns towards the inn's main entrance and says loudly over his shoulder. "These two will make for a fine dinner on my last night here before I return home."
"Great, another free meal, I am beginning to like this place..." mutters Cuu as he walks in after Foxglove, one boar over his shoulder.
Ashbek rolls looks at Cuu and roll his eyes at Foxgloves latest praise to Aylmora. He then walks after the others, still in a grumpy mood from the supposed hunt.
Sapere tilts his head slightly, catching Aldrens last words and realizing that if he is going to have an expedition financed he will need to work quickly. "You leave tomorrow, Foxglove? To return to Magnimar?"
Foxglove looks at Sapere as if for the first time. "Indeed. Do you know the city?"
Old Redeye is sitting in the tavern. When he sees the group enter he looks at them moodily. "Those boars look pulv'rized. 'ad fun?"
Ashbek just answer Old Redeye with a cold stare before walking to the bar and order a large ale.
Sapere opens his mouth but catches himself before he points out that Magnimar is the country cousin of his countries bastard child Korvosa, instead giving a small shrug of his shoulders. "Very little."
Foxglove pats Sapere onnthe back. "Well if you ever make it to the big city, make sure you look me up. I'm sure I can remedy your knowledge."
Cuu orders an ale and sits next to his pale Ashbek, "Come on chum, why the long face? It's nobody's fault that the pigs got ran over. I say we forget this and go on another hunt some other day. Maybe you can show me how to hunt for real huh? What do you say?"
Ashbek looks at his mug for a couple of seconds, then takes a big sip of it. ”There was no honor in those kills.” he smiles at Cuu's sugestion and raise his mug in a cheer ”I would like that.” he says befor draining the rest of his mug. He motions the bar staff for a refill. He seems to be falling into his own thoughts when he suddenly looks at Cuu and ask "Have you ever been to the plateau?"
"Plateau?" Said Cuu, "I lived in a city practically all my life...I don't believe I have been to the plateau. What is it?"
"The Storval Plateau, where my people roam and hunt. It's a shame. You really should visit it sometime, i think you would like it. Maybe when we are done with this little goblin problem here, we could go there." he says before adding "If you don't slow me down" giving Cuu a wink.
"Now, I do believe i still owe you for our little competition. Let this one be on me." he motion to the staff once more, this time indicating Cuu.
This is the most lively and talkative you have seen him so far.
"The Storval Plateau huh...that does sound fun! Hurrah to our future hunts there!" Cuu raises his glass and chinks it with Ashbek's.
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Sapere eyes Foxglove a bit. "The big city? Oh, um, Magnimar. Of course. I will be sure to visit should I find myself in such a cosmopolitan locale."
Giving a slight shake of his head when the noble isn't looking, he will move to join the two bruisers in their talk. He may not understand them very well either, but with the noble looking as if he isn't going to be much help to anyone but the pretty lass with them, it seems that making friends with the two meat shields who would most likely be able to guard him on one of his excursions is the best tactic.
Blinking as he catches the last bit, speaking of the fun the plateau promises. "Storval? You actually wish to go somewhere even more backwater than this town?"
Ashbek stops in the middle of raising his mug and frowns at Saperes remark.
”Of course i would. I'm a child of the Plateau, and it's as much a part of me as my own beating heart”
"Where are you from, good priest?" Asks Cuu, trying to steer the conversation away from the sensitive topic.
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Sapere gives a small nod of his head, the way the barbarian speaks of his home genuinely resonating with him on some level. "This makes sense. I have heard that great fires burn there as well."
He looks to Cuu and gives a slight smile, thoughts of this making him homesick. "I am from Westcrown, in distant Cheliax. It is a great city and holds echoes of even greater times."
Sapere gives a small nod of his head, the way the barbarian speaks of his home genuinely resonating with him on some level. "This makes sense. I have heard that great fires burn there as well."
He looks to Cuu and gives a slight smile, thoughts of this making him homesick. "I am from Westcrown, in distant Cheliax. It is a great city and holds echoes of even greater times."
Redeye raises an eyebrow. "The devil worshipers? Thought y' worshiped a god."
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Sapere nods towards the dwarf. "Well, they worship a god of their own. Their god is just a bit closer to devil's than most folks of other countries are comfortable with. I didn't take to Asmodeus' teaching myself though. I prefer a more... Introspective and personal route of advancement than one that relies on the whims of the hells."
The evening passes by uneventfully. You once more are pressed to accept free drinks from well-wishers - and you notice that many people come to the inn just to meet you.
You are lavished with modest gifts, from sweet-cakes from local baker Alma Avertin, to invites to free drinks at the Hagfish should you go there. You are offered parts in the next production at the Sandpoint Theatre and an offer for a 'very good deal indeed' from the owner of Savah's armory.
Your ears burn from the number of times you hear your names mentioned in connection to your deeds - and a fair few that were actually nothing to do with you.
The next thing you notice is that all of the talk - albeit fuelled by ale - paints the recent events in an almost comical fashion. You hear tales of goblins accidentally setting themselves on fire, getting stepped on by horses, or drowning in rain barrels that were only half full in the first place.
It seems that everyone in Sandpoint wants to be your new best friend. Foxglove finally tears himself away from Aylmora - promising to entertain her the next time she visits Magnimar.
As the evening wears down, a rather attractive young woman enters the inn. She scans those present before making a bee-line for Sapere. Blushing, she introduces herself.
"I am so sorry to bother you. I am Shayliss and I wonder if I could speak to you about a somewhat sensitive matter? I have heard tales of your bravery and thought you may be able to assist me."
Cuu elbows Ashbek and tilts his head toward Sapere's direction, "Can't believe boldy's getting some action before us!"
Cuu elbows Ashbek and tilts his head toward Sapere's direction, "Can't believe boldy's getting some action before us!"
"This should be interresting" Ashbek whisper back. Having ordered a refill quite a few times, his words is loud and slurry.
Cuu elbows Ashbek and tilts his head toward Sapere's direction, "Can't believe boldy's getting some action before us!"
Redeye cokcs his head. "Eh?" he asks quietly. "Ain't she just askin' fer help wit' sump'in?"
Shayliss takes the seat that Sapere offers. "A true gentleman," she murmurs.
She encourages Sapere to come close and she whispers, "This is a delicate matter and I don't want any..." she stares at Sapere's companions before continuing, "unsavoury types overhearing."
"My older sister has something of a reputation in these parts and I fear it has distracted my father from his chores. What I need is a big strong hero to kill a few rats in the basement of my father's store. I appreciate it might seem petty based upon your usual heroics, but I'd be sooooo grateful if you could help me out. Will you? Could you?"
She flutters her long eyelashes and waits expectantly.
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Sapere wrinkles his nose slightly at the mention of rats but only for a moment. "Of course, Shayliss. It wouldn't due to have such a lovely creature as yourself be reduced to chasing rats in a dank basement. I would be happy to help."
He resists asking just what reputation her sister may have, but it seems there may be advantages to the father's distraction.
"When would you prefer I come help? And which is your families store so that I may know where I am going?"
Shayliss smiles. "My father owns the General Store. And, begging my pardon, is there a reason why you couldn't see to the matter presently. You see, if I have to spend another night knowing their are those disgusting creatures about, well..."
Shayliss smiles at Sapere and leaves the inn with him.
No sooner has Sapere left, than a woman enters the inn. She has clearly been crying and she has a baby clutched to her chest and a small boy is standing next to her, holding her hand.
She scans the room and, seeing Cuu, Ashbek and Old Redeye, she moves quickly in your direction.
"Please you have to help me," is all she manages before she is overcome with tears.
No sooner has Sapere left, than a woman enters the inn. She has clearly been crying and she has a baby clutched to her chest and a small boy is standing next to her, holding her hand.
She scans the room and, seeing Cuu, Ashbek and Old Redeye, she moves quickly in your direction.
"Please you have to help me," is all she manages before she is overcome with tears.
Redeye stands up. "What's the matter, woman?" he asks. He seems very nervous.
"Kill a couple of goblins and suddenly the whole town comes running to you with their problems.." Ashbek remark to Cuu before he stands up and listen to the womans problem.
"I am going to get Aylmora to join us." Cuu says as he leaves to find the girl.
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In the store
As you survey the basement, you feel two hands encircle your body from behind. Shayliss giggles and you feel her squeeze you tight. "So strong, so brave." Her speak is now low and husky. She spins you around and you notice immediately that her bodice has been removed and lies on the floor at her feet.
As Cuu, Ashbek, Old Redeye and Aylmora calm the sobbing woman, Ameiko (the inn's owner) ushers you through to a private room and leaves you and the woman alone.
As the tears subside, she unfolds her story. "My son," she indicates the boy at he side, "well, he was at the Swallowtail Festival when those...things appeared. One of them, well, it set a cat on fire and it really upset him. Ever since then he's been seeing goblins in every shadow and his father...Well, his father has become a little frustrated by it all. Tonight he claimed to see a goblin in his room. He said it came out of the closet. Of course we didn't believe him - until he showed us these."
At this point she pulls the boy's pyjama sleeves up to reveal bite marks that could well have been caused by a goblin.
"Well Alergast, my husband, rushed into the room with the dog. There was a fierce barking and lots of shouting and then it all went quiet. I haven't the courage to go into the room myself and I hoped you could..."
As her words tail off, the tears start again.
”Goblins” Ashbek spits. ”Tell me where to go and any goblin i stumble upon will wish it had stayed in its filthy hole”