<Don't forget to heal con mod + 1hp per level

Everyone is receiving attention from the locals, even if I didn't mention it.

I have edited in some stuff from 1.1,
if your post is about the previous night, post it in 1.1>


The Next day dawns with a autumn chill in the air, though still decent for the time of year.

Glum
    After a night's sleep, he arises early to meditate on the beauty of the dawn and to practice the katas, which will improve his proficiency with feet, hands and the weapons he uses.  There is no one about as you leave.

Talis
    Come morning, Talis wakes up early to enjoy an early morning walk.   As you come downstairs, you see the proprietor,  Ameiko, is already up and working (and has a completely different hair style).  She smiles "You play well, where in Riddleport did you pickup the violin?  Sorry, don't answer that.  I've been told my natural curiosity would get me into trouble 1 day.  I would be honored if you would play for me sometime".
    After so long on a boat, the freedom was comforting. Happening by Glum, he watches the monk go through his katas and routines, nodding respectfully, but remaining silent as to not break the dwarfs concentration. It was always interesting watching someone do something they did well.  The town is different than you remember, but then, you are looking with the eyes of an adult, not a newly orphaned kid.
Eventually, Talis returns to the Rusty Dragon, to fetch his belongings and catch a quick breakfast of boiled oats. Afterwards, he spends time in the Inn, sipping water while he goes over the events on the previous day.
Talis visits the Sheriff when everyone else is ready to, greeting the familiar faces as he comes across them.

Cat
As you come downstairs, you see the proprietor,  Ameiko, is already up and working (and has a completely different hair style).  At breakfast you find yourself talking to her and sharing stuff (nothing secret) like old friends.  She is really good at putting people at ease and getting them to talk about themselves, and about Talis.

Garth and Naomi
Rising early the next morning despite his head pounding from the drink of the prior evening, Garth dons his armor and clasps sword and dagger to belt.  He tests the string of his bow before placing it over his shoulder with the arrow quiver at his waist.  Placing the large helm upon his head, he then takes up his shield and slings it over his broad back, his red cloak underneath the glaring boar's head.

Dressed now in his full armored array, the soldier strides downstairs to the common room where he partakes of a tankard of ale, half a loaf of bread and some cheese and sausages.  With a loud belch afterwards, he waits for Naomi to show so that they may meet their scheduled engagements for the day.

Hearing the roaring belch as she entered the room Naomi snickers at the large humans antics and comes nearby to him.  "Complementing the cook I see." She says with a wink.  "I trust that you slept well and are ready to go and see the sheriff?  I think he had some stuff for us to do."

The big man grins, "Aye, let us see what the sheriff has to say.  We should look up the others as well and let us not forget to pay our respects to the old one."  He pushes himself up onto his feet with a clink of mail and stomps his booted feet to get the blood flowing.  Then as an afterthought, he looks back, "If you have not eaten, you best do so now, no telling when the chance will come again."

Grabbing a breakfast sausage and slapping it onto a slice of bread which she rolls around it Naomi just nods and heads out of the building towards the Sheriff's office.  "Lets go then, I don't need much to eat." She says.

Zer-wedula
Has a lovely breakfast.  The White Deer Inn is a fine establishment.




Visiting the Sheriff
After breakfast the 2 groups meet up and head to the Sandpoint Garrison to meet with Sheriff Hemlock.  On the way they are greeted warmly by people on the street.  Children run up to pet Garious, while the adults give a friendly "Howdy do and good mornin'."

The Garrison is a busy place and a haggard looking Sheriff Hemlock greets you in his office.   "Come in and have a seat.  I want to thank you again for the capture of the goblin commando, those guys can be pretty nasty on those rat things.  Anyway, on to business.  Apparently, some human was in league with the goblins and was on some sort of "secret mission".   None of them know who he was or what his mission was. [Private to Glum: Sense motive success; he isn't being entirely honest, he does know something, but is keeping it secret.]  I'm surprised they even remember their own names.  Apparently, most came in through the North gate, some were smuggled into the middle of town in a wagon and some came across the bridges.  Their orders were to kill everyone and burn Sandpoint to the ground.  But this doesn't make any sense.  Even with complete surprise on their side they didn't bring enough forces to kill everyone.

  I even had Headmaster Gandethus read what little mind he has with wizardly magic, and that's still all we learned.  If you want to talk with the goblins, I will tell Vachedi to let you, but I doubt they know much more.  Mr Hosk really knows how to make them talk.  He says with a slight smile.

  I am going to put in a request to the Mayor to see if we can't give you some sort of reward for saving so many lives yesterday.  Do you mind waiting around a couple of days.  To be honest, this attack was so uncharacteristic and surprising that I would like you folks to hang around.  You showed you're good in a fight and who knows what other surprises those goblins have in store.  If any of you are thinking about settling down here, I have some openings in the town guard.  I'll get in touch with you once the Mayor and council have approved my request."  With that he waits for any questions and comments.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:39, Fri 23 Jan 2009.

"Your work and attention to detail are most refreshing," Zer-wedula begins with a slight look of disapproval at no one in particular.

"Could you perhaps tell us a little of what lies to the north, as that seems to be where the goblins came from?  And do you know perhaps whose wagon it was that they came into town in?"

Glum looked uncharacteristically glum, almost as if he were nursing a hangover.  "Very kind of you Sheriff Hemlock", he mumbled, "I think we will need to talk to the Prisoner if Mr Vachedi can arrange it.  I'm glad you have a good interrogator.  I hope Mr Hosk can speak goblin."

Garth lets the others do the formal speaking as he instead stands near the back of the room, looking occasionally out the window or fidgeting with his arms and armor.

Sheriff, "Good questions, the wagon and horses are like those found on any farm around here.  I'm sure I will hear about them being stolen eventually.

What's to the north?  The short answer is, more of the Lost Coast.  North you got some wilder areas with the occasional brave soul trying to do some farming or run an Inn on the North Road.  But I think you misunderstood.  It's where they attacked from, not where they came from.  There are goblins in all directions.  The ones we could identify were from the Mosswood tribe, we think.  It takes an expert and even they have problems. Stupid goblins.

Sure, you can speak with the goblins whenever you want, at least for a few days.  By then the council will have decided what to do with them."

   Cat makes a face when the sheriff talks about interrogation.  As ugly, stupid, and violent as goblins are, they are living creatures.  Causing pain to living creatures except in defense goes against her grain.

   But Cat has questions.  Questions which will be useful for the group to know as well as for the good of the town.  "Excuse me, Sheriff.  Do you expect more trouble today?  Have you increased the guard?  Are you conducting searches of wagons entering?  What about people coming in hooded and cloaked?  Have you sent out watchmen beyond the town on horseback looking for trouble?  Do they have mirrors or something to signal every 15 minutes?  I think we must assume that there is more to this, and we should take maximum precautions.  If I didn't know better, I would think this was meant to soften you up and check your defenses."

The sheriff seems a little surprised at some of these questions, but after a few moments of thought says "Well, I don't know about more trouble.  But since the last trouble was a storm from a clear sky, I think it's prudent to take precautions.  I called out the militia last night, but those folks have families that need food, so I can't really call on them until I know if there's a problem.  Otherwise I could send to Magnimar for assistance.  Thanks, I'll have to talk to the Mayor about that" as he writes a note on a scrap of paper.  "Now where were we, oh yes.  We are searching wagons but few people come hooded without cause, though the Lost Coast often gives cause. <A reference to it's wet and rainy nature>  As for the rest, we are asking any travelers for news and various reports.  If this had been a prelude to bigger things I think we would have heard about it.  But then again, I would've expected to hear about this raid."

Glum shrugged.  "Sheriff, would you tell us more about the man's secret mission please.  I know it's a secret but knowing may well help us neutralise the threat.  Who was he and what was he supposed to be doing with the goblins?"

Talis sat quietly, lost in thought for the fist few exchanges, until Catessas half dozen questions in rapid succession snapped him back to the material plane. After a moment longer, he began speaking tentatively. "Occasionally," Tallis began, index finger and thumb forming a right angle, framing the lower right corner of his face as he spoke his thoughts aloud to no one in particular. "I would hear the sharpers back home speak of smuggling. Their was one expensive, if effective, method that was spoken of in my presence once. When the dock watchmen of other cities could not be bought, or the port had a history of double crossing the smugglers, a single haul of whatever illegal good would be sacrificed. On the outskirts of the city, they would drop a shipment into the water in the night, and let it wash ashore. The next day it would be found, and would require many guards to watch and make sure the gathering crowd could not get their hands of it. During the fuss on the edge of town, the smugglers could slip in through the main port, all but unnoticed by guard or townsfolk.
I wonder, if this was just misdirection, one big distraction for something more sinister that occurred last night." Raising both his eyebrows and rubbing his face with the formerly framing hand, Talis sighed deeply. "Their is however a limit to what speculation can garner. Whatever action is taken, I'll assist where I can."

Zer-wedula scrubbed his face with his hands. "It seems there are questions about the defenses of the town, sherriff.  Since we have a few dys to wait to talk to the goblin, perhaps we can help with guard duty and patrols."

He shrugged.

"Since we have captured a goblin leader, one of the smarter ones," he pauses to smirk.  "I could bend his will to a more friendly disposition and may even convince him to lead us back to their camp."

Looking at everyone in the room for a few moment before adding her own two bits in Naomi states "I think we're missing a small but important fact." She says and pauses a moment to collect her thoughts on the matter "These goblins seemed almost... dumber than normal.  Where did they come from?  Sure smuggling in is fine but you couldn't keep these guys alive even once combat was engaged.  Garth and I found one who had drowned himself in a rainbarrel.  Not drowned by someone forcing his head down there, but actually just stuck it in and drowned.  You can't smuggle dimwits like that any great distance."

Garth, hesitant at first to add anything to the conversation, finally speaks, "I've never been known for the deep thinking but I did learn a bit about tactics during my time in the ranks.  Sounds to me like the human, who smuggled in these goblins and set the rest to pillagin' the town, never expected the gobbos to be victorious.  So if not, then maybe he was after somethin' else." Looking now to Talis, the big man nods, "I think Talis has it right, that attack was about misdirection, you may wish to take stock of anything that was of value in this village... or anyone.  One more thing, sir, I think you still have a traitor in your town."

"Garth is right", said Glum, "and I believe you have an idea of who the traitor is.  Perhaps you find it hard to believe and that's why you don't want to say, but there is definitely a clear and present danger, Sheriff."

   Cat says "I think investigation is in order.  Somebody must know something, or seen something.  Anyone with unusual travel outside time in recent days could be a suspect.  In any case, I might be able to track the goblins back to their source.  There might be some clues their as to what this is all about."

Travel outside time itself?

Zer-wedula was shocked.  How could they stop someone who could warp the fabric of time?

Rgaining his composure, he spoke up again.  "I am sure the sheriff knows how best to do his job and defend Sandpoint.  I believe he asked us to stay in town and provide assistance, not direction, nor conjecture.  The citizenry is probably stirred enough without strangers conducting 'an investigation.'"
He takes Willi out and begins to play with her.

Naomi looks towards the Sheriff at this point.  Feeling her small stature at the fore sometimes, especially when dealing with a large group of Humans and Elves always felt a bit like she was a child talking to adults even if she was older than most.  "What say you Sheriff?  We have skills among our gathering that is here that are above that of the normal citizenry.  Would you wish us to inquire or investigate on our own?  Or just supply support to assist you in your investigation?"

The Sheriff looks thoughtful for a moment, then smiles ruefully "You folks are pretty sharp."  He goes over and closes the door, looking outside it first.  When he sits back down he has a serious expression on his face "This goes no further than this office.  I don't want to cause the people further distress with rumors and such.  The commando told us the Longshanks secret plan involved the graveyard.  When I investigated it I discovered someone had stolen the body of Father Tobyn.  He was the priest who died 5 years ago in the fire that destroyed the old church.  If people found out his remains had been stolen, well the only thing faster than a rumor is panic.
   I really have no idea who or why.  But I agree with your conclusions that the raid was a diversion for this theft.  If that is so, then sending groups out to investigate the goblins could be seen as provocative.  And while the goblins aren't currently that big of threat, if we gave them cause to unite against us, they could be."
   The Sheriff eyes Talis sharply, then looks around at the group and apparently comes to a decision. "Well, I could use a few more eyes, and you seem interested.  How would you like to join the town guard for a few days until we get this situation sorted out?  Say, 1gp a day for a week, plus room and board and I will still talk to the Mayor about a reward."




<typical guards make at most 2sp a day>
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:00, Sat 24 Jan 2009.

Garth, apparently more then happy with the offered pay for the role, eagerly nods, "Aye, I'll agree to those terms."

Zer-wedula nods in acceptance.  "Please explain the limits of our enforcement activities, Sheriff."
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:46, Sat 24 Jan 2009.

Glum nodded his assent and waited for the rules of engagement to be explained to him.

As long as the rates for my stay is less than what I'm making I am in.  I'll do what I can to assist you." Naomi says.

"You're more then fair. If you feel you have need of them, then my skills are at your disposal."

<I will assume Cat will go along with this.>

   After introductions, the Sheriff leans back in his chair "Well, ok then.   I would like Talis, Glum and Naomi to ask around town and find out if there is a connection and that would be easier if they weren't associated with the Sheriff.  So lets keep this arraignment confidential.
   Garth and Cat, I want you to go south and check on the farms down there.  See if they have been having unusual goblin activity and look for Shalelu Andosana.  She's an elven ranger and an unofficial member of Sandpoint’s town guard.  You can stop by and visit your folks if you want, I'm sure they would like that.  You don't have to go to every farm, just hit a few.  When you get to the end, cut up north through the border of the Mosswood forest and come back on the North road.
   Zer-wedula, see if you can find out why someone would want the body of Father Tobyn.  What kind of mystical mischief is possible.  I know it will make it more difficult, but don't tell anyone the details.  We have several wizards and such in town, see what they say.
   Let's see what you can find out in 3 days.  Good hunting.  keep track of reasonable expenses and I can reimburse you."

That's fine with me.  Sorry, I couldn't get online again before this.

   Cat listens carefully to the Sheriff's instructions.  She nods as he explains.  But he left some information out, and the curious Catessa feels obliged to ask  "I'm sorry, but I don't understand.  If the goblins came from the north, why are we looking to the south?  What are we looking for?  Evidence of some other goal of this Longshanks?  Maybe that the raid was a diversion?"

<You might want to reread post 5>

"Most of the farming is done to the south, to the north is mostly wilderness. Also, just because they came in through the North gate doesn't mean thats where they live.  Sandpoint is protected by a river from the other directions, so the north is the best direction to attack from if you're attacking with any numbers.  The goblins we have been able to identify are from the east in the Mosswood.  But there are goblins who live both to the north and to the south." He explains patiently.

Garth, who appears anxious to be done with talk and on with action merely nods, "Aye sir, off to the outer steads we will go then.  We have your word to back us and that be enough for me.  The little one shall ask the questions and I will see they be answered."

Looking now to Naomi, the big man casts an oddly worried look, "You be safe, there be a traitor here in this town and I reckon he wont think much of doing you in lass."

Talis thought about it for a moment, and turned to Glum and Naomi. "Perhaps we should look into the history of Father Tobyn? Killed in the fire that took the last church, and stolen five years later to the day? Either the thief has a flair for the dramatic, or perhaps has a history with the late Father."

Glum nodded.  "That's a good point.  We'll begin by talking to priests and worshippers but we might also want to think about talking to the people in the street (you know, asking them why they think the goblins attacked when it was obvious they'd get a spanking).  I'm sure we'd get some entertaining conspiracy theories but we might also get the truth."

Zer-wedula scoops up Willi and stands up.  "Very well then.  I am off to the school to talk to the headmaster, then probably to see the wise woman and Voon.  Shall we meet up later for dinner with Foxglove?"

Naomi nods to Zer-wedula and the others "Then we all have our responsibilities?" She says then looks back up at Garth "Oh, I am sure it is not safe.  But I can sting as well as I can fight."

   Now Cat is getting the bigger picture.  She hadn't been to the south yet in her travels.  She and Garioous did have to evade some goblins to the north.  But as the sheriff said, the goblins were all around.

   Cat speaks with Garth "I think we should get going as soon as possible.  We got a lot of ground to cover.  I can ride Garious, but I think you might do well with a horse.  And I remembered that the Wise Woman wanted to see us today.  We should make a point to stop by, in case she can shed a little more light on our situation."

   Cat mounts up Garious and prepares to ride out.  She begins bidding farewell to Talis, Glum, and Naomi.  She ends by adding "I wish you well in your endeavor.  And may the favor of the gods be with you all."

Madame Mvashti's
You all eventually arrive at  Madame Mvashti's.  Outside you are watched by a sea eagle, who watches you carefully from it's perch on the porch.  As you approach the door, a sudden gust of wind blows by you and the door opens, apparently of its own accord.  Mysterious.  The door opens on to a hall with an open door ahead and a curtain to the left.  From the open door you hear a voice addressing you by name and telling you to come in and have a seat in the parlor.  Madame Mvashti's parlor is also old (40 years old to be precise), but clean.  You are waited on by a plain young Varisian lady[Private to Garth Oakenshield: Garth recognizes her as Maras plain younger sister][Private to Catessa Fallowfield: She has a family resemblance to Mara.] who does not introduce herself and serves you some light snacks and beverages while you wait.  Attempts to draw her into a conversation fail as she smiles politely.[Private to Catessa Fallowfield: She smiles more at Zer-wedula][Private to Zer-wedula: She smiles at you more than the others]  After each new arrival, Madame Mvashti will look in the room and comment "Close is time, but number not right.  The spirits know, Mother knows, wait."  Finally, after everyone has arrived, she looks in and says "Right time, right number" and sits down "answers you seek, but know you the proper question, ummm?" and she waits for a response.

   Cat is intrigued by the mysterious woman.  She hasn't experienced anyone like this before.  Sure there were healers and keeper of knowledge and mysteries in her village.  But few had a gift so profound.  She speaks up and says "I don't seek answers, but I have to question.  What is it about me that drew your attention, Wise Woman?  What task in the future is important and needs doing?"

With a wizened old voice, "Listen with your soul, you do not.  Fragile are ears and eyes, miss much they do.  When you step, the earth rejoices.  As you pass, sing your praises the air does.  Old I may be, but blind I am not."  She pauses and closes her eyes, "Small you may be, but large is the light in the future you shed.  But patience you must learn."

Zer-wedula says nothing, but cautiously lets Willi out to raom about.  He watches for reactions from both the weasel and the old woman.

  Cat doesn't know what else to say or ask, so she just thinks for a bit.  Then she says "It sounds like you are speaking of greatness.  I don't really want greatness.  I just want to do my part to make this world a little better place to be.  But if in doing that, greatness finds me, I'll just have to deal with it the best I can."

Willi sniffs around a bit, but finds nothing that he finds interesting in this room.

The old woman stares into Zer-wedula soul (or so it seems).  "No questions do you have mage?  Doubt my power you do?  Crazy old woman with a talent for fast talk think you I am.  Messenger of Fate I am."  Then she addresses everyone it a slightly different manner(like someone reading a script or maybe in a trance), "I tell you this true, a shadow of the past is reaching out to embrace the Now and To Come.  You have yet, a little while before it notices you.  Stand together, or fall apart."  She appears to come out of what ever condition she was in and resumes her normal talking pattern.  "Questions more you have?" indicating a bowl with a few silvers in it.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:49, Sat 31 Jan 2009.

[Private to GM: ROlled an 11+5 =16 on knowledge history to try to understand the old biddy]

"I have many questions and few coins, dear lady," Zer-wedula answered. "Do I doubt your power?  I can't say that I doubt or believe, for I am young and the world is wide and while I have never seen the like, that does not mean that it is not chicanery."
He paused to gather his thoughts and his breath.  "If we have time to act before this 'Shadow of the Past' notices our tightly bound group of six, what one or two actionswould you counsel as being the optimal for ourselves and for you?"

HE slowly reached into his pouch and delicately brought forth a silver piece.  Leaning forward, he gently dropped itinto her bowl.

   [Private to Zer-wedula: About 100 years ago a God was killed that no one foresaw.  Up until that time divinations and fortune telling were fairly reliable.  Since that time the future has been dark and murky.]
She gives a creaky little laugh "Never knew a questions who wasn't full of mage" and coughs a couple of times.  The unobtrusive plain young Varisian lady who had been in the background comes forward, "GG, you need your rest."  But the old woman waves her off and continues.  "Perhaps hope there is for you" and the shakes her head sadly "The whispers of the wind, the gentle murmurs of the earth, hard to hear are they to ears this old.  More of this I can not say, except this.  Anger drowns out what should be feared.  Beyond hunger, a shadow of a larger hunger.  An elf with a curse can point the way."  And she slumps weakly, eyes closed.  The young lady rushes forward, "Please, my GG needs to rest."

<Please post what you do now here, in the afternoon in your personal threads.  I will be posting the dinner party with the noble tomorrow or sunday.>
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:49, Sat 31 Jan 2009.

Naomi Armastance, Glum , Zer-wedula and Talis
The taproom of the Rusty Dragon is nearly filled to capacity. Many tankards sit upon the tables, untouched (mostly) as the patrons are far too busy discussing the recent attack.

"Why did those little buggers attack Sandpoint? What was in it for them, other than to cause chaos?"
"I thought they were going to burn down the new church! Thank the gods for those quick-thinking heroes!"
"Yes! If not for them, we probably be burying a lot more of our folk in the morning. Thankfully, very few fell to the goblins blades."

As you enter. "Hey! There they are!"

A cheer erupts through out the taproom, and soon pints are poured and placed in your hands. A table is quickly cleared and chairs are offered.

"Drink up, and cheers for the heroes of Sandpoint! This round's on the Rusty Dragon!  I will let Lord Foxglove know you're here.  Dinner will be ready in a few moments." says Ameiko, sporting yet another hair style. The foreign beauty herself places a pitcher of ale upon the table.  While you're waiting you find yourselves the center of attention with a storm of questions.  Eventually, someone asks "Master elf, are you married?", to which another replies "I thought we wanted to reward them" which sends a ripple of laughter through the crowd.  Then Ameiko is there and leads you to a private room where Aldern Foxglove is there to greet you.

   He welcomes you warmly, starting with Talis "Welcome Talis and friend goblin slayers, come in one and all.  This is just my way of saying thanks.  But where are the other 2, will they be along?"  The room is lavishly set with fine wine and exotic looking appetizers.  There are 7 place settings, six with a small bag next to them. Sitting down you discover that each bag contains 10gp.
<add 10gp to your characters>

"If I recall correctly," Zer-wedula begins, glancing quickly at each of the others.  "The halfling and the large man were off on an errand and sent their regrets."
"As for me, I am the wizard Zer-wedula, and this is Willi," he continued, producing Willi with a practiced deftness.

He smiles, as the servants pour some fine wine "A wizard, that's odd.  I took you for a master archer from the way you split that goblins head with your crossbow.  Your magic must be powerful to make that shot.  Perhaps you would like to practice your skill against something a little more challenging.  I am of a mind to do a little boar hunting. What say you master Talis, you want to test your blade?  You're all invited."
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:03, Wed 04 Feb 2009.

Glum made a little self-deprecating chuckle.  "I am Glum.  That's a name, not a description".

Naomi sits down comfortably at the table looking around and decides not to comment at first letting Zer-wedula and Glum handle the initial interactions.

It's not that Aldern ignores Glum, it's more like he concentrates on Naomi as he politely helps her to her seat like a gentleman and says in an offhand manner (like he is distracted) "My lady, your beauty doth put the stars to shame."  After sitting down and taking a sip, he continues "A toast, to the heroes of Sandpoint" and drains the glass.  The dinner proceeds pleasantly, with good food and witty conversation.

<Mostly I want to know who wants to go boar hunting and if you have any particular questions for your host.>

Glum did not have the slightest desire to go Boar hunting although he might likely go along were he the only one so disinclined.  He had no objection to killing things for food or safety but he drew the line at fun as a motivation.

Blushing at all the attention, Naomi still declines the boar hunt as well.  But does enjoy the flirtatious affections she is receiving from the crowd.

"I am happy to go on your boar hunt, good sir, as long as I can make it back for a meeting I have tomorrow eve with the learned ones of this town." He pauses asif he wants to shoot a glance aside.  "I do miss the company of the refined and educated."

"So tell us, Lord Foxglove, what business brings you to Sandpoint?"

"Excellent, with your marksmanship and Talis' blade, I'm sure we will have a meal fit for a king in no time.  I will send a manservant around to collect you shortly after breakfast.  Well I heard about the festival, so I stopped on by before I check in on my country estate. My home in Magnimar is so lonely since my wife left to visit friends in Absalom <Absalom is a large port city 1200+ miles away.>.  If you make it to Magnimar, stop on by and say hello."  The rest of the dinner is delicious, the wine and food are top notch.  Lord Foxglove is very informal and insists you call him Aldern.



<Continued in 1.2 Zer-wedula
and 1.2 Naomi  Glum  and Talis>

<Everyone should be posting in this thread for awhile.

   When everyone one arrives, Sheriff Hemlock introduces Mayor Deverin and Shalelu Andosana, an "unofficial member of Sandpoint’s town guard” (an introduction that causes the elven woman to smirk) and the PCs to Shalelu as “Sandpoint’s newest crop of heroes.”  The Mayor rewards you each with 100gp for helping with the raid.

   Hemlock explains that Shalelu has been a thorn in the side of the local goblin tribes for years, and that few in the region know more about them than her. He goes on to recap her report that 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 couple of days ago, a farm south of Mosswood was burnt to the ground by a group of goblins. Shalelu, Garth and Cat were thankfully nearby, and while the farm couldn’t be saved, they did rescue the family and drive off the goblins; the family is staying at a nearby farm for now, but the goblin problem is obviously not going away.

   At this point, Hemlock cedes the floor to Shalelu, asking her to tell the PCs what she told him. “Belor’s told me of your work against the goblins, well done.  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 we dealt with 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.”

   After Shalelu’s speech, Sheriff Hemlock announces that he’s taking a few of his 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 he’s out of town, he’s 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. He would also like the party to maintain a public presence in Sandpoint over the next few days, if they don’t mind. “The locals seem to have taken to you,” he says, “And seeing you around town will do a lot for keeping worries down over the next few days.”  He will announce that you will be special members of the town guard for a couple of weeks and will even pay you for 2 weeks total time (14gp each).

   Once the meeting is over, Shalelu asks to join the group for dinner at the Rusty Dragon; she’d like to hear more from them about the Sandpoint raid, and in return she’s got a fair amount of goblin lore she can impart to them.  At the Rusty Dragon she greets Ameiko like an old friend.

   Goblin Tribes: As she mentioned earlier, 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.

<Please post your desription of the raid and any specific questions you have for her>

Garth, having traveled with the ranger is in awe of her abilities though by the time they reach town, his interests are back in the direction of his stomach.  Seating himself at the table that eve, he listens to the rumors of goblin tribes with but one ear as he guzzles beer and food with equal abandon.  To him, the details of strategy will be settled by those smarter then himself.  The only pause he gives in his own indulgence is to look about for Naomi, whom he feels a certain obvious fondness.

"The raid is best described as a running series of chaotic melees.  The goblins we met, we destroyed.  One or two still may be in the local jail, though."

Zer-wedula paused, trying to think of a question.  Finally he asked, "So what kind of 'big leader' do goblins usually tend to follow?"

Shalelu replies, "It has to be an outsider of some sort, I would know if any goblin had gained enough power to do this and the raid had ungoblinlike characteristics.  Particularly the body snatching.  If I was to guess, I would say a spellcaster of some sort.  They would need the fewest numbers to control the runts, and fewer numbers are harder to detect."

<I will let this scene run till wed night (unless people want to ask more questions)before I advance to the next scene.>

"Indeed.  And are goblins more likely to follow an arcane leader or a divine one?"

Garth offers to the discussion, "Likely as not it be a dark sorceror who commands em.  Them gobbos have their own gods and few outside their kind can hope to understand their nest of superstitions."

Shalelu looks from Zer-wedula to Garth "Well you are right, it would have to be someone twisted and evil, as most goblins worship Lamashtu, mother of monsters.  I don't know much about religion in general, but I do know the rites of this religion are foul indeed."  Looking back at Zer-wedula "Either could do it, but I imagine a cleric of Lamashtu would have an easier time because of common religious ground."  It could be Zer-wedula imagination, but she seems to be looking at him more than she looks at the others.

[Private to Zer-wedula: In fact she is, after the dinner and Q/A session she will invite you back to her room and rather bluntly ask you if you want to have some fun.  She has heard of your exploits(punching a goblin in the face and fighting the boar) and is impressed, not to mention you're handsome and smart.  She doesn't get many opportunities like this and she really isn't adept at flirting and such.]

Naomi comes into the room and runs over to stand next to Garth "Have fun out there?" She asks quietly as she inserts herself into the group once more she then waits to hear more of what is said before getting into the middle of the discussion.

Zer-wedula barely acknowledges the little one's interruption.  "So what do you expect the goblins to do next?" he asks.

[Private to DM: Zer-wedula will follow up with the lady after dinner to enjoy the pleasure of her company.  In a discreet and gentlemanly fashion, of course.]

Shalelu thinks for a moment, "I don't know.  We're dealing with an unknown person with an unknown plan.  Tomorrow I will start snooping around the goblin tribes in the area trying to see what I can find out.  If I find anything I'll let you know."  She typically works better alone.

[Private to Zer-wedula: A good time is had by both of you.  In the morning she is gone and you find a nice note that says she hopes to see you again when she gets back.]

<If you want to buy anything or interact with anyone specifically, let me know in this thread, otherwise you can post in the new one.>
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:48, Thu 19 Feb 2009.