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."