"Let's get Sapere," says Cuu to Ashbek, "I would love to kill more goblins, but my arms are bleeding."
"Sorry about your husband Mrs. Barett. We'll proceed to get to the bottom of this as soon as we get our cleric. You should come with us. There might be more goblins."
"Sorry about your husband Mrs. Barett."
Aylmora glares at Cuu and his apparent lack of tact, as she has been trying to shield the boy and his mother from the sight of the mutilated bodies of Alergast and the dog.
With a quick glance at Cuu's wounded arms, Aylmora begins to sing a wordless tune as she steps toward the warrior - the icy expression on her face at odds with the beautiful melody. The young girl gives the large half-orc a resounding slap to the side of his face. "Such brave warriors!" she says with a hint of scorn. "Go get Sapere? Even one goblin left waiting around could burn down the entire farm by the time we got back! Surely you aren't afraid of a couple of pesky goblins! You are the heroes of Sandpoint!" With a huff, she turns and walks back to the mourning mother and son. Amazingly, the warrior finds that the wounds on his arms are healed.
Aylmora vainly whispers words of comfort and prayers to Desna as she tries to lead the woman and boy away from the room. She pauses as she passes Old Redeye.
"Wise One," she addresses the dwarf wizard politely, "please help our two warrior friends make sure that there are no more goblins waiting to pop out of the woodwork. I'm going to help these pour souls gather some of their belongings so that they can come back to town with us. I doubt they would want to spend the night here after what has happened. "
Redeye nods. "Arright, botha ya. C'mon, I'm gonna put a quick st'pta this."
He walks into the closet, and raises his staff. "Be still," he says softly, to nobody in particular. Out of the orb on his staff floats a ghostly harrow deck, which he snatches out of the air and starts dealing.
Five Harrow cards fly out, and sink, coming to rest in the hole, floating in a circle. Each bears the likeness of a jester. They shift about swiftly, faint streaks of color following them like smoke after torches.
He rests his staff on the doorframe and slowly leans his head in, looking about in the burrow.
Old Redeye, Cuu and Ashbek
Old Redeye's magic takes effect. No sounds come from beneath the closet, and Old Redeye certainly can't see any movement.
As he slowly leans his head into the hole, his initial thoughts are confirmed. The foundations are partioned in six feet squares and the space below the closet shows no signs of another entrance/exit and it is now empty.
From the main room you hear the sounds of sobbing.
Aylmora
The woman sobs uncontrollably. Finally, she catches her breath and offers, "I have a sister in Magnimar...I will get word to her...She will come to help me."
The young girl gives the large half-orc a resounding slap to the side of his face.
"No exit?...I wonder how that thing got in here..."
The young girl gives the large half-orc a resounding slap to the side of his face.
"No exit?...I wonder how that thing got in here..."
Redeye shrugs. "Prob'y snuck 'n wehll tha raid 'as 'appenin'. Dug a 'ole in the closet an' 'id for the 'ole time."He stands up straight. "Wake!" he suddenly barks. The 'cards' ride up and enter the staff. He turns. "Time to go," he says. "I reckon we done 'nuff damage 'ere. An' get ridda the goblin!"
Ashbek follow the others back to the inn.
As he passes the woman he look her in her eyes and bow his head in respect, then leaves without saying a word.
After a looong walk back to the inn Ashbek spots Sapere and approach him.
"More goblin trouble. They are gone now" he says sounding bored, although there is a hint of annoyance in his tone.
He orders an ale and continue where he left.
"It is weird with all these goblins running around, though. Do you think they could all be in league or something?"
|
Sapere will nod his head to Ashbek and the others when they arrive, considering. "I had a bit of trouble myself. Seems there is lots of mischief around at the moment." He considers the question. "It seems likely. Probably some hobgoblin has decided to play warlord, goblins tend to go for targets of opportunity and wouldn't like go after a big town like this. If some hobgoblins were around they might be trying to shape them up into a real unit and think they can take the town. Might be worth looking into, I suppose. I was hoping to do some research around here and I doubt I'll have any peace to do it until they bumpkins know they are safe now that they've seen we can handle the goblins."
"Perhaps we ask town sheriff or mayor?" Cuu pipes up, "They live here long time, they know about local goblins, huh?"
The woman sobs uncontrollably. Finally, she catches her breath and offers, "I have a sister in Magnimar...I will get word to her...She will come to help me."
Aylmora helps Mrs. Barett and her son pack their belongings, trying to lend what support she can in their time of grief. “We’ll see that you have a place to stay at the Rusty Dragon until your sister comes from Magnimar.” Aylmora offers as she gives the woman a comforting hug. “I’ll ask Ameiko when we return to town.”
After her companions check the house’s foundations for any remaining goblins and Mrs. Barett and her son have finished packing their possessions, Aylmora asks Cuu and Ashbek to bury the dog while she composes Alergast’s body and wraps it in several sheets for transport back into town. “If you wish, I would be happy to ask Father Zantus to make sure Alergast gets a proper burial in the cathedral cemetery,” she offers to Mrs. Barett.
Once the somber party returns to Sandpoint, Aylmora asks the group to stop at the cathedral in order to explain the Barett’s plight to Father Zantus and to make arrangements for Alergast’s burial. Afterwards, when the party arrives at the Rusty Dragon, Aylmora recounts the story of the murdering goblin at the Barett’s farm to Ameiko, and asks that the grieving family be allowed to stay at the Rusty Dragon (Aylmora offers to pay for their room and board from what treasure she gained from the goblins, as well as by entertaining in the common room in the evenings).
The rest of your evening passes uneventfully. The following morning, you receive a summons from Sheriff Hemlock to meet him at the town hall immediately.
You set off and find out the meeting is taking place in a comfortable office on the second floor of the town hall. You frecognise the Mayor and the Sheriff from the opening festivities. The third person present is recognised by those that didn't imbibe too much last night!
She's a pretty elf. Her clothing and weapons suggest she's used to a life outside of towns. You'd surmise she's some kind of ranger.
Sheriff Hemlock formally introduces Mayor Deverin and she gratefully thanks each of you for the help you provided Sandpoint during the raid.
Next Hemlock introduces you to the other woman. "This is Shalelu Andosana. Shalelu is an unofficial member of Sandpoint’s town guard."
At this, Shalelu's eyes roll in her head.
In turn, he introduces you as, "Sandpoint’s newest crop of heroes."
He continues. "Shalelu here has been a thorn in the side of the local goblin tribes for years, and nobody knows more about them than her. Apparently, Sandpoint hasn’t been the only place in the region that’s had goblin troubles. In short, there’s been an increase in goblin-related raids along the Lost Coast Road, particularly in the dale between Nettlewood and Mosswood. Only a day ago, a farm south of Mosswood was burnt to the ground by a group of goblins."
"Shalelu was thankfully nearby, and while the farm couldn’t be saved, she did rescue the family and drive off the goblins. It seems clear the goblin problem is obviously not going away."
Shalelu then stands and takes up the story. "Belor’s told me of your work against the goblins. I'm impressed."
"I’ve dedicated the last several years of my life to keeping them from causing too much trouble around these parts, but they’re tenacious and fecund little runts. Like weeds that bite."
"Anyway, there’s five major goblin tribes in the region, and, traditionally, they’re pretty good at keeping each other in line with intertribal squabbles and the like. Yet from what I’ve been able to piece together, members of all five tribes were involved in the raid on Sandpoint. A fair amount of the Mosswood tribe goblins I dealt with yesterday were already pretty beat up, and there was a lot of chatter about the 'longshanks' who killed so many of them. Now that I’ve met you, it seems obvious from their descriptions who they were talking about. Seems like you’ve made an impression."
"In any event, the fact that the five tribes are working together disturbs me. Goblin tribes don’t get along unless they’ve got something big planned, and big plans require big bosses. I’m afraid that someone’s moved in on the goblins and organized them. And judging by these recent raids, what they’re organizing seems like bad news for all of us."
Sheriff Hemlock stand. "I'm taking a few of my men south to Magnimar to see about securing additional soldiers to station at Sandpoint for a few weeks, at least until the extent of the goblin threat can be determined. While I'm out of town, I've asked Shalelu to sniff around Shank’s Wood, Devil’s Platter, and other places where goblins live to see if she can discover anything else about what’s going on."
"I would also like you to maintain a public presence in Sandpoint over the next few days, if you don’t mind. The locals seem to have taken to you and seeing you around town will do a lot for keeping worries down over the next few days."
"Any questions for me or Shalelu?"
"You know leaders of the five tribes?" Asks Cuu to Shalelu, "We kill leaders, no more trouble."
"Free food and drink and bed?" Inquires Cuu to Sheriff Hemlock's request for the heroes to stick around.
Shalelu barely supresses a smile. "A simple plan. Sometimes they're the best - but I fear it wouldn't be that easy."
"I need to be around for the rest of the day to pick up supplies and the like. We should have lunch and I can tell you all about the tribes and their leaders."
The Mayor nods vigorously. "I'm sure the town can afford to pay for your upkeep whilst you're here. From what I hear, you have free lodging and you rarely have to put your hand in your pocket as it is."
The Sheriff scratches his head and then chimes in. "Any more...sensible...questions before I call this meeting to a close?"
"But it is easy. You just..." Ashbek demonstrates how you kill a goblin."See?"
"But if you really want to pay us to flex our muscles in the town square once in a while, i'm not going to stop you" he shrugs.
"Allthough i'm not sure i need more to drink after last night" he whispers to Cuu.
"Free drinks are free drinks, can't complain..." Whispers Cuu back.
Aylmora looks thoughtful for several moments before asking, "So how do you think the increased goblin activity relates to the desecration of Father Tobyn's grave? If it is so unusual that so many tribes are working together, then I doubt that it is coincidence that the goblins attacked Sandpoint at the exact same time that someone stole Father Tobyn's remains."
Shalelu and Hemlock exchange glances and an awkward silence ensues.
Finally Hemlock breaks the void. "Of course, this news is still something that we would rather the general population was unaware of." He sighs deeply. "The truth is that we don't know. The raids are likely to have been a distraction created just to steal the remains of Ezakien Tobyn. We just don't know...yet. I wish I had answers but perhaps Shalelu can find something out over the next few days."
The dwarf looks up from his Harrow deck, which he had been fidgeting with the entire meeting. "'Ang on. 'Ow big er these tribes, then? 'Ow many goblins in 'em?"
Shalelu shrugs her shoulders. "Numbers are difficult to judge. Goblins live short and somewhat violent lves. Between the five tribes, you can rest assured we are talking hundreds, not tens of goblins."
"It's not much of an answer but to get close enough to count them all would be a foolhardy task."
Finally Hemlock breaks the void. "Of course, this news is still something that we would rather the general population was unaware of." He sighs deeply. "The truth is that we don't know. The raids are likely to have been a distraction created just to steal the remains of Ezakien Tobyn. We just don't know...yet. I wish I had answers but perhaps Shalelu can find something out over the next few days."
"Of course we won't talk about the desecration of Father Tobyn's grave," Aylmora assures Sheriff Hemlock.
"Mayor Deverin, Sheriff Hemlock, and Salelu, thank you for meeting with us. I think I can speak for all of us when I say that we would be happy to do whatever we can to help Sandpoint. Lady Shalelu, I would be honored to meet you for lunch to learn more about the goblins. You know, my grandmother insisted that I learn the goblin language, though I'm was never sure why..."
Before the Sheriff leaves the room, Aylmora smiles tentatively as she makes a request. "Sheriff Hemlock, if I may be so bold as to ask, would you do me a favor? If you are leaving for Magnimar today, could you keep an eye out for my friend, Aldern Foxglove? He is heading out for Magnimar today, and he seems a bit...delicate. I would hate for him to come to harm on his journey."
As the group is leaving the Mayor's office, Aylmora removes a piece of paper and reviews the list of activities planned for her day, commenting, "Whew, I hope I find the time to do all of this today!"
'Aylmora's To-Do List for Today:'
'1.) Say good-bye to Aldern before he leaves for Magnimar.'
'2.) Meet with Mayor Deverin and Sheriff Hemlock.'
'3.) Help Mrs. Barett and Father Zantus with Alergast Barett's funeral arrangements.'
'4.) Visit Aunt Niska and work on closing up the third floor bedrooms.'
'5.) Stop by Sandpoint Theater to follow up on offer of part in next production.'
'6.) Buy more Harpy Musk.'
'7.) Talk to Ameiko about tonight's entertainment at the Rusy Dragon.'
As she heads out the door, the young girl adds to her list:
'8.) Lunch with Shalelu.'
'9.) Talk to Father Zantus about Father Tobyn's past and death.'
Shalelu shrugs her shoulders. "Numbers are difficult to judge. Goblins live short and somewhat violent lves. Between the five tribes, you can rest assured we are talking hundreds, not tens of goblins."
"It's not much of an answer but to get close enough to count them all would be a foolhardy task."
"'Ang on. 'Undreds? 'Kay, let's say thet each tribe 'as two 'undred goblins. 'F theh focused'll ther' forces 'n a single town, couldn't 'ey easily overrun us?"
Redeye seems a bit distracted by Aylmora's mention of Aldern's safety. "Eh? Th' fop? "'M sure 'e can tehk car' o' 'imself."
Shalelu looks at Old Redeye and shakes her head. "I'm sorry if I confused you. I meant more than a hundred between all of the tribes. Maybe two hundred at most. But if you count out the young and old ones, and factor in the mistrust of each other, I doubt anyone could convince them to commit all of their forces to one strike - leaving their homes defenseless. They'd each suspect a trick or actually use the plan to actually take over another's camp."
Shalelu looks at Old Redeye and shakes her head. "I'm sorry if I confused you. I meant more than a hundred between all of the tribes. Maybe two hundred at most. But if you count out the young and old ones, and factor in the mistrust of each other, I doubt anyone could convince them to commit all of their forces to one strike - leaving their homes defenseless. They'd each suspect a trick or actually use the plan to actually take over another's camp."
Redeye nods. "Hmm. A'right, then." He gets up, apparently also ready to go.
Once Aylmora reaches the street outside of the Mayor's office, she crosses off the second item on her list.
"'Maintain a public presence,' the Sheriff said," she muses to herself. "Well, what better way to stay in the public eye than to do some shopping, and maybe taking the theater owner up on that offer of a part in the next production? That should really provide some public exposure, along with performing at the Rusty Dragon. Ooh, I'll need to work out a schedule with Ameiko, so that performing at the theater doesn't conflict with my offer to perform at the Rusty Dragon to pay for the Baretts' lodging. Oh look, I mispelled 'Rusty Dragon' on my list - left out the 't' in it. Hmm, the Baretts. I should meet with Mrs. Barett and Father Zantus regarding poor Alergast's funeral before I do anything else today. But look at the time! I may be able to say good-bye to Aldern before he leaves for Magnimar. I hope I can catch him! Maybe I can get him to wait and leave with the Sheriff and his men - he'll be much safer traveling with a well-armed group. I'd hate to see anything happen to him. Maybe he can return to Sandpoint to see me in the theater's next production! Whew, I've got a lot to do today - I don't know if I'll be able to work on the third floor bedrooms at Aunt Niska's today or not. Oh well, there's always tomorrow, and it's not like the bedrooms are going anywhere anyway."
The young girl pauses in her musings as she notices her companions staring at her, and blushes when she realizes that she was actually speaking aloud and not just thinking to herself. "I'm going to try to say good-bye to Aldern before he leaves, and then meet with Father Zantus, and then do some shopping and go by the theater today. Would any of you like to accompany me?" she asks.
Cuu furrows his brows at the young girl and her all-day to-do list. "I do Aldern, Zantus, and Shalelu. No shopping for me."
Old Redeye stares at her for a long moment, apparently amazed. "Ye--how--hmm." He hesitates, then nods. "'Right, 'll come. 'Aven't any gold ta buy with, but, ehm, might wanna talk to Zantus a-bit.
You all return to the inn and there is a note waiting for Aylmora.
The hafling barmaid, Bethana tells you all that Amele Barett’s sister from Magnimar arrived while you were out. She has taken the family south to live with her, and they've taken her husband's body too. "And best you hear it from me loves," she adds in little more than a whisper. "That sister weren't too kindly to you folks. She said how you let her sister down. Nobody here believes her, but best you be told what she said by a friendly face."
The Cuu, Old Redeye and Aylmora head off to see Father Zantus. You find him at the Cathedral.
"Greetings, heroes of Sandpoint," he gushes. "How can I serve you?"
"Father Tobyn body taken," says Cuu, cutting straight to the point, "Tobyn enemies? Church enemies? Cuu believes no coincidence..."
You all return to the inn and there is a note waiting for Aylmora.
Aylmora smiles wistfully as she reads the note, and then tucks the note into her pocketed scarf. “Oh, well,” she sighs, “I guess he won’t need to travel with the Sheriff’s party after all. I do hope he’ll be alright.”
“Now, let’s see what’s next on the list,” the young girl says as she consults her itinerary for the day. “Hmm. Well I guess I can cross off the first and third items, although I still have an appointment with Father Zantus, so I guess we can ask him about Father Tobyn instead of the Barett funeral.”
Cuu, Old Redeye and Aylmora head off to see Father Zantus. You find him at the Cathedral.
"Greetings, heroes of Sandpoint," he gushes. "How can I serve you?"
"Father Tobyn body taken," says Cuu, cutting straight to the point, "Tobyn enemies? Church enemies? Cuu believes no coincidence..."
“Sweet Dreams to you, Father” Aylmora greets Zantus with a respectful bow. “I hope you are well after all of the excitement of the other day.”
“As our brave friend stated so bluntly,” Aylmora says as she lays her hand on Cuu’s forearm , “I’m sure Sheriff Hemlock informed you that Father Tobyn’s grave was robbed at the same time that the goblins staged their raid during the Swallowtail Festival. As I’m sure he also told you, this news is something that the town’s officials would prefer that the general population was unaware of.”
Aylmora lowers her voice and peers around the cathedral before continuing. “However, we have received some information regarding the goblins that makes us believe that the timing of the raid and the theft of Father Tobyn’s remains may have been more than a coincidence. So we were wondering, do you know if Father Tobyn had any enemies? Or does the church have any enemies that could be working with the goblins?”
Redeye glares at the priest. "We weren't s'posed to be tellin' anybo'y, 't the sh'riff's request. Could causa stir. But tha girl 'ere's tellin' ye 'nyways, so guess ther's no 'elpin' it. Jus' keepitt qui't."
The Father smiles at Aylmora then turns his attention to Old Redeye, giving him a slightly puzzled look. He then recovers quickly.
"I'll, err, keep it quiet of course."
Turning back to Cuu and Aylmora, "I would agree it was no coincidence - not that I'm an expert on these things of course. But in terms of enemies? None. Absolutely none. Nor would I venture that the church had any enemies that would take it seriously enough to be working with the goblins. To me, it truly is a mystery.”
Not much for religion Ashbek declines to go talk to the Father and decides to heed the mayors words. He spend the first half hour shopping for the biggest mug he can find. When that is taken care off he heads over to the Inn for and get his new mug filled, and heads out to the main square. Here he will cross his arm and put on his meanest face, as only a shoanti can do it.
"There was..." says Cuu struggling with his memory, "fire, no? Now priest body gone. Church no enemies, but bad luck!"
“Father, what can you tell us about Father Tobyn’s death?” Aylmora asks Father Zantus. “I’m afraid that none of us were in Sandpoint at that time.”
“Father, what can you tell us about Father Tobyn’s death?” Aylmora asks Father Zantus. “I’m afraid that none of us were in Sandpoint at that time.”
"It's something of a long story. It's also a tragic one." The father indicates the pews. "We may as well take a seat if I'm to relate the sorry tale."
He sits and with a low, reverential voice begins. "It was five years ago. We were just getting over the tragedy of Jervis Stoot. He was a murderer most vile. He claimed twenty-five victims before he was caught you know. But I digress. No sooner had the people here come to terms with that tragedy when a terrible fire struck Sandpoint. It could only have been a month later."
"The fire started in the Chapel and spread quickly. Of course, the town rallied to save the church, but the fire spread, consuming the North Coast Stables, the White Deer Inn, and three homes. In the end, the church burnt to the ground, leaving the town’s beloved priest Ezakien Tobyn dead."
"In answer to your next question, there was never any hint of foul play. None whatsoever."
"How horrible!" Aylmora responds to Father Zantus' tale. She sits quietly for a moment as she the information. As she ponders, her thoughts turn to the most recent tragedy she has observed - the death of Alergast Barett and the grief that it caused his family. Then she is struck with an idea.
"Father Tobyn's death was a terrible blow for the town, but the news of his death must have been even more devasting to his family. Did Father Tobyn have any family here in Sandpoint? Are any of them still living here? Perhaps they could shed some more light on why someone would desecrate his grave and steal his remains."
"Did Father Tobyn have any family here in Sandpoint? Are any of them still living here? Perhaps they could shed some more light on why someone would desecrate his grave and steal his remains."
"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."