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Mayor Kendra Deverin had not become Sandpoint's top executive because she lacked social or political skills.  So when Alergast Barett, Cato Crispin, Kellan Storval, and Dav Hosk came bursting through her door to inform her that they had bad news, she recovered quickly.  She immediately told her secretary to shelve the latest Scarnetti request to outlaw The Pixie's Kitten, the popular brothel Kaye Teserani ran in the southern part of town.  Kendra was pretty sure that the Scarnettis wanted to open a brothel of their own, but couldn't compete with Teserani's classy operation.  Well, classy for a brothel, at least.  The mayor sighed.  She was going to have to find yet another diplomatic way to consign the Scarnettis' complaint to the dustbin.

That done, Kendra led her surprise visitors to the conference room, but just as they were getting seated Father Zantus, Kerr Mollin, and that new acolyte Liseth walked in the door!  They didn't seem shocked to see the previous four, either.  The red-haired mayor pursed her lips as she observed her guests.  The town's top-ranking guardsman, most-senior priest, and best scout were sitting in her office, along with three of the four youngsters she'd deputized to protect Sandpoint in Sheriff Hemlock's absence.  And all of them wore expressions that ran the gamut from serious to worried to downright frightened.

Kendra Deverin felt the cold hand of fear grip her stomach.  And it didn't seem like it would be letting go anytime soon.

"So," she said, once the two groups had greeted each other and settled into their chosen chairs, "out with it.  What is this all about?"

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This message was last edited by the player at 07:52, Wed 29 Jan 2014.

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Alergast gestured to Kellan, Cato, and Liseth.  "I think we should probably start with our deputies.  They had quite an adventure this morning.  I think you'll want to hear what they found, and if you have any questions about it they're the ones to ask."

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Kellan took a half step forward and cleared his throat.

"The Glassworks has been attacked by a band of goblins led by Tsuto Kaijitsu. Lord Kaijitsu was killed along with all of the workers inside, we managed to route them, and take one goblin prisoner but unfortunately Tsuto and a few goblins managed to escape through a tunnel in the basement"

"We were able to rescue Ameiko, who had been chained in the basement by Tsuto. Nearby we also found what looks like Tsuto's journal..." He gestured to Cato and Alergast "It gives details about the Swallowtail festival attack, the theft of Father Tobayn's body, and future plans for assaults on Sandpoint.  The journal puts the number of goblin warriors at around two hundred...and gives a few names for the leadership...Tsuto of course, but also a Bugbear and a girl described as "Nualia". We think there could be a chance that it is Father Tobayn's daughter."

Shifting his weight Kellan continued "We have sent a few men to lock down the Glassworks and we have both the Day and Swing guard shifts standing by"

It all seemed so surreal to Kellan, as if he could see himself delivering the report from an out lookers perspective. He had never thought that in a hundred years he would be delivering such news to Mayor Deverin herself.

Cato stepped forward, acting more confident than he felt inside.  It was one thing to feel at home in Sandpoint, to have people he could depend on.  But now the mayor would know him personally.  This could go very well...or very poorly.  How much value did the mayor place on the existence of Sandpoint over the sanctity of one of its citizens, and a new arrival at that?  If the Hellknights came for him, she'd know he was here.  Would she shelter him, or turn him over to appease them?  He tried to keep his emotions clear from his face.  Hopefully the others would think he was merely nervous about addressing the mayor again.

He placed the journal in question on the mayor's desk.  "If you'd like to examine this yourself, here it is.  I would like to draw attention to the planning for the assault during the Swallowtail Festival."  Cato opened the journal to show the crossed out plans as well as the final selected one.  "As well as the plans for the proposed 200-goblin raid."  Cato flipped a few pages to find the plans in questions.  "We're all concerned about the possibility that the tunnels below the Glassworks offers the goblins for surprising the town.  As well as the mention here that there's some other force, which Tsuto refers to as 'freaks' also in tunnels beneath the Glassworks."

Cato gave a bow, unsure how to end, and stepped back to rejoin the others.

She'd been just as surprised to encounter the human guard in the Glassworks storeroom as he seemed to be upon encountering her.  But, in retrospect, it made sense.  Stomper had said something about getting the guard to seal up the Glassworks to trap inside all of the excess panic floating around.  The meeting in the storeroom had actually been wonderfully convenient and perfectly timed.  These men would be the best first people to tell about the Tunnel of Freaks, the Secret Door, and the Goblin Cave.  It would save them from having to go down the tunnel themselves, possibly wandering down the Wrong Tunnel (with a capital WRONG) and getting eaten by a zombie mutant turnip.

"If you want to temporarily close off the tunnels, Sergeant Tiller," the gnome had said, after describing said tunnels, "the basement opens into a room, and the tunnels open into that room through the north wall.  If you block off the door to that room, maybe pile lots of stuff in front of it, I think you can do a pretty good job of temporarily sealing off the tunnels from the basement."

After that, the trip had been a brief flurry of gnomish feet that, fortunately, didn't have far to go from the northern end of the Glassworks to the Town Hall just a short ways northeast of there.  Pisca had flown up the stairs.  Without a pause, she had waved her deputy's badge at the guard officer standing before the Mayor's door, then burst through said door and into the room.

"GOBLINS!" cried the gnome.  "The Glassworks have been invaded ... by ... "

"Badgers, I'm late, aren't I?"

They were all there.  Lysa with her boyfriend, Kerr and Father Zantus.  Stomper and Cato along with Alergast Barett.  And Dav Hosk.  All of them.

"So you know," said the gnome.  With a calm that was in diametrical opposition to her loud and urgent entrance, Pisca tucked her deputy's badge back into her pouch.  Then, in her bloody, slashed leathers and head bandage, the gnome wandered into the center of the gathered group of humans.  "About the gobbies, about Tsuto, about the Glassworks, all of it.  Well, then, let me add that I'm just back from exploring those tunnels.  They split into three.  One of them is collapsed and sealed off.  The other leads to a secret door that opens at the base of the cliffs.  I'm thinking somewhere east of Northgate.  There's a cave there and it looks like gobbies have been using it as a camp.  I jammed the door mechanism, but that won't keep a determined person out for long."

"The third tunnel looks like it was bricked back up at some time after it was built.  Then, more recently, broken back open.  I'm almost certain that this is where Tsuto intended his Freaks (and here the gnome spoke the word with a Capital Free) to invade from.  I'm thinking that it leads down to one of your underground Thassilon ruins, Cato.  They probably live there, eating bats, and grub worms, and blind fish, and glow moss, and dirt hamsters, and the odd unwary goblin."

"Did you tell them about Thistletop?"  This last question was directed at Cato, but the gnome also turned it to Stomper and Lysa with a simple shift of her gaze.  "All of the gobbies in the Glassworks were from Thistletop clan.  Thistletop is renown for their hideout, and so I think that's where Tsuto and Nutritia are probably based.  Working with Ripnugget, who's supposed to be something of a goblin tactical genius.  I'm thinking that Shalelu probably knows where it's at.  If, that is, you think we might want to take the fight to them directly."

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HP 10/18
Archaeologist's Luck 1/7
This message was last edited by the player at 18:43, Wed 29 Jan 2014.

"I suppose Iomedae might want you because she knows that you're the sweetest and nicest boy in the world."  Liseth smiled up at Kerr while they were walking, he was being so humble when there were so many other people who might let something like this go straight to their head.  "But if that was the case, I don't think that Desna would be so willing to let you go."  Her smile became slightly mischievous.

Liseth had to admit though, she had not put much thought into what Nivlak might think of Kerr being her boyfriend; once Kerr brought it up.  She was still a little worried about what her father might think about Kerr, but Mr Vinder told her that there was no way that her father could disapprove of somebody like Kerr.  But she didn't know what brothers might think about boyfriends.  Though, how could Nivlak possibly think that Kerr wasn't good enough to be Liseth's boyfriend, when he was already so special in the gods' eyes?

"Well, I..."  Liseth thought about it for a moment, "I've never had a boyfriend before.  I really don't know how Nivlak might feel."

They didn't have much time to discuss this further once they reached Sandpoint's Town Hall.  Liseth was very happy to have Kerr assist her up the stairs, but once the two acolytes and Father Zantus reached the Mayor's meeting room and she saw all of the grim faces of those assembled, the sheer gravity of Sandpoint's situation came bounding back to mind.  She took a seat next to Kerr and prepared for the discussion.  Even though the young blonde wasn't entirely certain just how much she could add to what amounted to a war council.

The girl nearly jumped out of her seat when Pisca charged into the meeting and shouted about goblins.  For a moment she was terrified that the goblins were already attacking Sandpoint; long before they could even finish planning a strategy.  But no, Pisca was just being excitable.  Liseth continued listening attentively to everyone's input, especially Pisca's findings within the tunnels.

"That was dangerous Pisca, going down there all by yourself.  Especially in your condition.  What if the goblins were still waiting in the camp that you found?"  Liseth was very worried about all the risks that the gnome was always taking.  She'd almost been killed twice since the festival.  Three times even.  The acolyte sighed, at least Pisca came back rather than explore the last passage, "Just try to be more careful, please?"

Liseth did finally decide that there was at least one thing that she could add, after Kellan, Cato and Pisca finished giving their own reports.  "Tsuto's journal says that Nualia stole Father Tobayn's remains so that she could burn them up in a ritual at a goblin shrine.  It also says that they were her father's remains.  So even if she isn't really Father Tobayn's daughter, she at least believes that she is.  And so does Tsuto."  Liseth frowned, "Did Tsuto ever meet with Father Tobayn's daughter before the Cathedral fire all those years ago?"

"It might have been a ritual to Lamashtu that she burned up Father Tobayn's remains for."  The white clad acolyte nodded to Pisca; that was the gnome's favorite theory so far, "She performed the ritual at a goblin shrine and Lamashtu is worshiped by goblins."  Liseth continued to frown and held Kerr's hand while she spoke about evil rituals, "But it could have been another evil god like Zon-Kuthon, Urgathoa, or Norgorber.  Each one of them has rituals that involve the sacrifice of a parent or the burning of their remains."  Liseth clearly did not enjoy the thought of somebody doing anything like that; for any reason.  "She might be trying to become a priestess for one of them, or trying to get them to grant her special power.  So that she can use it to attack Sandpoint..."  She paused before finishing, "And then it says that her 'transformation' has started, and how it did something to change her hand.  So it would seem that whatever evil god she did perform the ritual for, she managed to get both their support and some kind of granted, evil power..."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:55, Thu 30 Jan 2014.

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Silence reigned as Mayor Deverin slowly paged through the journal Cato had given her.  After several tense moments, she carefully closed the book, placing both of her hands upon it and bowing her head, eyes closed.  A few seconds later, she looked up at the gathered group, strain and tension evident upon her angular face.

“Let me make sure I understand this aright.  At some point prior to this morning, Tsuto Kaijitsu attacked the Glassworks, imprisoned his sister, and killed his father, along with several of the glassworkers.  Our deputies managed to drive him away, rescue Ameiko, and recover this journal,” she tapped the closed volume with her index finger, “which informs us that Sandpoint faces imminent attack by no less than 200 organized goblins.  We have also discovered that there are tunnels under the Glassworks allowing potential invaders access to the city, and that Tsuto was advocating for the attack of what he described as ‘freaks’ who apparently live somewhere within those tunnels.  This entire operation is led by a woman who may or may not be the not-yet-dead daughter of the late Father Tobayn, but who is definitely in the midst of performing a ritual consecrating herself to one if not more of the most evil deities known to Varisia.  Is this a correct understanding?”

With various degrees of reluctance, everyone around the table nodded.

“This news could hardly be more terrible.  But the fact that we now know of these plans might yet allow us all to survive them.  So,” the Mayor slid easily into command, “let’s talk about what we need to do, both right now and in the near future.  First, we need to get at least some of this information to the townsfolk without causing a riot.  To that end, I will call an emergency town meeting directly after we conclude here.  I will try to help shepherd people through this in a way that inspires them to courage and sacrifice rather than causing them to wallow in fear and despair.”  She sighed.  “We shall see how successful I am.”

“Second, we have up to ten dead citizens in the Glassworks for whom we need an appropriately-stirring funeral ceremony.  Abstalar,” she looked at Father Zantus, “I am hoping that you and your acolytes will be able to have that ready by tomorrow evening, so that the whole town may attend.  And when it comes time for the oratory, I am counting on you to be at your best, my friend.”

“Third, we have military issues.”  She looked at Lieutenant Barett.  “Belor’s absence does us no favors, but I’m confident you can handle what needs to be done, Alergast.  I am going to leave whatever preparations we need in your capable hands, but right now I would like you to brief me on what you think we need to do to ready Sandpoint for this assault so that I may prepare the people for it in my speech this evening.”  She sat back in her chair.  “Proceed.”

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This message was last edited by the player at 22:12, Thu 30 Jan 2014.

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Alergast looked around the room as he stood up.  “As far as the town’s defense goes, there are several things we need to do.  The first is call up the town militia.  As you all know, every able-bodied man is at least theoretically subject to being called up to the militia upon need.  I think this situation qualifies.  Unfortunately most of those we would levy have little training in combat, and less experience.”  He grimaced.  “We have around 40 guardsmen, and I know Das Korvut did some soldiering in his youth, but aside from that most of those called up will be the greenest of recruits.  That means we will need to give them as much training as we can as quickly as possible.”  The guard officer tapped his chest.  “I will take charge of that.  But you might want to explain that call-up tonight, Mayor Deverin.”

“Second, we need to seal or collapse the tunnel Pisca found that runs out to the beach.  We can’t afford to have goblins or anyone else use it as an avenue to launch an attack into the heart of town.  I’ll detail guardsmen to stand watch down that way while we work with some of the experts in town on a plan for how best to do that.  You might want to ask anyone with a background in engineering or construction to contact me after your speech, Mayor.”

“Third, we need to send a search party down into the tunnels under the Glassworks and figure out exactly what we’re dealing with down there.  I was thinking we might just collapse that tunnel as well but we don’t know where else in Sandpoint those tunnels might have an exit.  So whoever goes needs to be prepared to deal with these 'freaks' and, apparently, a . . . quasit?”  The lieutenant turned to Cato.  “Scholar Crispin, could you enlighten us regarding exactly what a quasit is?”

“Fourth, we have a goblin prisoner taken from the Glassworks whom we need to question . . .” Alergast glanced over at Daviren Hosk.  “Well, before I go any further I think we need to hear about what Dav saw this afternoon.”

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This message was last edited by the player at 10:13, Thu 30 Jan 2014.

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Daviren Hosk slowly stood as Alergast took a seat.  “I don’t think anyone here’s going to like it,” he said by way of introduction.  “I don’t much like it myself.”  He coughed to clear his throat, then started in on his story.

“I was heading out for a hunt around noon when I saw some strange tracks and decided to follow them.  Fortunately I know a thing or two about moving quietly so I was able to sneak up on the group that made them.  The group consisted of a large, dangerous-looking, armored human and about eight or so goblins.  They were clearly casing Sandpoint and from what I heard,” Hosk, of course, spoke Goblin, “they were planning the movement of large groups of goblins into staging areas for an assault on Sandpoint."

"I think I was able to figure out a couple of the areas where they’re planning on moving the goblins; I was going over that with Alergast when the news from the Glassworks came in.  From what I could tell, there will be five areas, each set up to hold and provision fifty or more goblins moving in from the five tribal areas.  Once all the goblins are present?  Well . . .,”  Hosk shifted on his feet, “hopefully Sandpoint will be ready by then.  It doesn't sound like the move has started yet, but from the impression I got, it’s not far off.”

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"It's really happening" Even with the attack on the Swallowtail festival and the massacre in the Glassworks the gargantuan proportions of the situation had alluded him. Like lantern beams falling on a strange beast in the dark, the separate elements had not yet formed a whole in his mind until this meeting. His family lived in the outskirts and would need to be warned, Shayliss, everybody he knew or cared about would soon be sheltering within the walls or marched to the front to face off against the goblin hoard.

But why? Why now? Why Sandpoint? These questions and more pressed for an answer.

After Daviren had laid out his map Kellan leaned in as well, examining the positions hinted at by the careless scouts. The news of another armored human did not bode well. Just how many people hated Sandpoint anyway? This was not some key tactical area or political hot spot, it was a little fishing town filled with kind people and gentle souls.

"After we were deputized..." Kellan began, looking around at the august personages gathered there. "I took about half a day inspecting the perimeter walls..." He gestured his path on the map "I marked every tree and boulder within bow shot of the perimeter, anything that could provide cover with chalk. I also marked some areas along the wall that could use some shoring up...it's not much but if we can get some folks out there with some axes, shovels and picks...maybe some chains and horses for the stumps and boulders we could probably do some good."

He continued gesturing to Cato "Cato came along and was good enough to give his opinion as a Mage...Maybe you could write down some of the glaring problems you saw while you were out there?" He suggested to his friend

"I think we could handle scouting out those tunnels, hell, you've already been down there" he added to Pisca "I don't know a whole lot about Engineering but I might be able to at least collapse a tunnel while we are down there, or protect somebody that would know for sure while they do it." He offered
This message was last edited by the player at 12:22, Thu 30 Jan 2014.

Cato listened as the war council continued, his face showing increasing concern.  For all the dangers he and his companions had already faced, he was glad their tasks so far had been relatively straightforward.  He didn't envy Mayor Deverin.  How in the gods' names could she tell the town what was happening without causing widespread panic?  Cato felt the beginnings of icy-cold panic in his veins whenever he stopped to think about it.  Yes, they had taken on small groups of goblins and survived.  But 200 at once?  Attacking Sandpoint from all different directions, and possibly coming up from the Glassworks, too?  Cato struggled to maintain his composure as the mayor wrapped up.

Although Alergast's speech didn't do much to restore his confidence, it did give Cato something to think about.  More importantly, it gave him some way he could materially help the town.

"Alergast, I can talk with you after the speech about collapsing the tunnels.  I have a fair bit of knowledge regarding engineering and tunnel building.  I think should help us just as much in trying to close them up.  Maybe we can run some ideas past Brodert as well.  He's certain to have some insights.  Though I believe the dwarves he learned from are better at building than destroying."  Cato gave a brief chuckle.

"As for your second question, regarding quasits.  They're the least sort of demon, often used as familiars, especially by spell casters with sympathies towards the darker corners of the universe.  I've heard stories of them occasionally gaining their freedom and taking up their own training, in the process becoming much more dangerous.  But if there's a quasit involved, we either have another arcanist to face or a demon."

Cato listened to Hosk's speech, and then Kellan's ideas before responding again.  At least they still had time to prepare for everything.  He just wished he knew how much.

"I agree with Kellan about scouting the tunnels.  Closing up the tunnel the goblins are using to access Sandpoint from the Glassworks would do a lot towards protecting the town, as would investigating these "freaks" and the quasit.  Hopefully, we can figure out some way to collapse the tunnels.  Some of those tunnels are old.  I'd be a little worried about possible sinkholes in town if we start collapsing too much too rapidly.  As I said to Alergast, I'll think on that.  As well, I'll pass some notes on what problems I remember from my inspection of the town defenses with Kellan."

OOC:
Knowledge: Engineering check on collapsing the tunnels, please

"Collapse the tunnel.  Collapse the tunnel.  Collapse the tunnel.  Collapse the tunnel."  The gnome repeated the words in the lyrical way of a nursery rhyme.  "How would we do that without spending days digging and digging and digging and digging?  I don't know.  But maybe Cato and I can come up with something."

"And ... if we can ... " Pisca added, " ... it might be worth it to set a trap that would collapse the tunnel on anyone coming through, while, at the same time, collapse the tunnel further down anyway so that, even if they make it past the trap, they won't be able to come into Sandpoint."

"Aren't you the least bit curious, though?  Aren't you the least bit concerned?  I mean, goblins and Tsuto and Evil Daughters of Father Tobayn aside, there must be someone somewhere with big enough plans for Sandpoint to spend the gold to build a tunnel -a network of tunnels- thousands of feet long underneath the town.  It goes from the Glassworks under ... likely underneath the Garrison, crossing possibly over half the town.  Tell me that you can't imagine the time and planning that this would require to build such a thing.  Then tell me what kind of mind would be capable of doing so in secret?  And ask yourselves what goal would be worth this?  Tsuto called them smuggling tunnels.  But what does Sandpoint produce that would require tunnels like these to smuggle?  What would justify the expense?  No offense, but Sandpoint isn't that big, and there are many ways to slip goods out.  Easier ways."

"So, who built the tunnels.  And why?  I'd be asking people around here what they remember from one to three years ago.  What sort of faces were passing through the town?  They had to have brought workers in from outside.  I think this is connected to that mysterious guest at the White Deer Inn who was found dead at the base of the cliffs a year or two ago too.  And ... I'll add, that Lord Kaijitsu had to have known about this as well.  I just don't see any way that the tunnel could have ended up at the Glassworks without his knowledge.  Not a few feet from his private study in the basement.  Looks like he might have had second thoughts there and tried to cover things up.  But he knew something alright."

"Oh, and by the way, Tsuto didn't kill his father.  Not that we know.  He left his father with the goblins.  Looks like, maybe, to put a scare into him.  But the goblins got carried away.  The goblins killed Lord Kaijitsu.  I don't know that Tsuto even knows that his father is dead yet.  As far as I know, Tsuto hadn't got up to the glass working room to see what had happened before we arrived.  And Ameiko thinks that Tsuto might be persuaded to ... to change his allegiance.  She still loves her brother.  And there is evidence in the journal that he's having second thoughts.  He's a good fighter, and we could use all the help we can get.  And converting him would also chip away at the goblin morale."

"And, speaking of which, perhaps the best defense against the goblins might be a good offense.  I think you know as well as I that getting this many goblins to work together can't be easy.  There's someone or some group of someone's out there holding them together.  If we can kill off one or two, maybe we can reduce the goblin numbers.  Without a leader, the different clusters of clans might just go home.  I wish Shalelu were here.  I best she'd know where to find them."

"Dav," Pisca turned to the owner of the Goblin Squash Stables, "can you give us a more detailed description of this armored human?  Man?  Woman?  What kind of armor?  What kind of weapons?  Hair color?  Mounted?  On foot?"

"The odds aren't good for us if the goblins come at us in full force.  I don't think we can afford to sit back and wait for them to come at us.  I think we have to look at dispersing them somehow before they're ready."

---

Knowledge Engineering roll, please.  To Aid Cato.

HP 10/18
Archaeologist's Luck 1/7

If things seemed bad before, they only got worse and worse as everyone weighed in on the situation.  The goblins were already setting up staging areas all around Sandpoint to prepare for their assault, with even more non-goblin people leading them than they originally thought.  How could so many people wish so much harm upon Sandpoint and the people here?  It had to go beyond the simple revenge that Tsuto wanted; that might be enough to explain how they managed to gain his assistance, but it doesn't explain why all of these people were doing this in the first place.

"A demon!?"  Cato's explanation of what exactly the quasit mentioned in Tsuto's journal could be elicited a startled and frightened response from Liseth.  But it did temporarily drive thoughts of the goblins and their conspiratorial leaders from her mind, "Which of those could possibly be worse?  An evil wizard that has demon servants or a demon up to its own plans?"  The blonde acolyte had paled, and beneath the table her hand tightly squeezed Kerr's, "What if we have to fight this quasit demon?  Do we have anything that can even hurt it?"

Frowning with frightened concern, Liseth barely paid attention to most of what was said after the fact that they might face a demon in addition to everything else was brought up.  What could they do against a demon?  Maybe Cato would know magic spells that can hurt it?  Other than the possibility of magic, the only thing that Liseth knew for certain could slay a demon was a Paladin.  Even if she were to send a letter to tell her brother that there was a demon involved with the goblin attack on Sandpoint, and he got the letter right away and left immediately, it would still take a week before he arrived.  Would they even have that much time?

But...they did have Kerr here already.  Liseth turned in her seat to look at him and study his face.  Even though she wasn't certain what it was that she was looking for.  Is this what Desna and Iomedae had in mind for Kerr?  For him to become a Paladin so that he could slay demons?  This demon, in particular?

She probably shouldn't bring that piece of information up during the council.  Liseth was positive that Kerr was supposed to be a Paladin.  She knew it immediately once he told her about his predicament, even if no one else seemed to have considered it.  But it wasn't her place to share that information before everyone else was certain as well.

Her attention returned to the conversation at the table just as Pisca was talking about Tsuto.  Liseth tried to stop thinking about the demon and refocus on other subjects, "If we can capture Tsuto somehow, or get a chance to talk to him without fighting, I think that we might be able to persuade him to at least stop helping the other conspirators."  The girl nodded to Pisca, "Maybe even help Sandpoint.  I think that the others are only using him and he is starting to realize it.  He hated his father so much that they used it to convince him that everyone else in Sandpoint was just as bad and deserving of his wrath.  But I don't think that he honestly wants to see the whole town destroyed and everyone killed; otherwise he wouldn't have risked trying to kidnap his sister, Ms Kaijitsu.  See, he didn't see it as kidnapping her.  He thought that he was saving her."  Liseth held up a finger to punctuate a point, "And if he was willing to risk us learning about all of his plans just to save his sister, then he can't be beyond redemption.  Sarenrae says that if there is any chance that somebody can be redeemed, then they should be."

"But..."  Talking about Tsuto brought something else to mind, "When the other conspirators find out that we have Tsuto's journal, they'll know that we're aware of their plans and strategies."  Liseth looked around the table at all of the large militia men, "That might prompt them to come up with a plan that we don't know about.  Or push their attack schedule forward before we can make our own strategy to counter theirs.  Or..." she frowned, "...even punish Tsuto for letting us get our hands on their plans.  Maybe we'll get lucky and he won't tell them that we have it?"

"Do you really think that we could attack them Pisca?"  The acolyte sounded uncertain, "If there is fifty goblins in one of their staging areas, we would need a lot of soldiers in order to disperse their camp.  And that would leave Sandpoint very vulnerable."

"What if..."  Liseth tried to come up with something that sounded like a strategy to her.  "What if we took down the bridges that cross the river on the East and South ends of Sandpoint?  That would make it more difficult for the goblins to get over the river to attack the town, right?"  She didn't know too much about the river next to Sandpoint.  Could the goblins simply swim across?  "Pisca, do you think that goblins would be inclined to swim the river?"

"Um, Mr Hosk?"  Liseth just remembered that the south end of town, near to the bridge, was where Mr Hosk's stable was kept.  The same stable in which Heily was currently living.  "Are there any plans to keep the horses safe from the goblins?"
This message was last edited by the player at 06:50, Fri 31 Jan 2014.

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Dav Hosk looked up, a little surprised to be brought back into the conversation so soon after he had delivered his report.  “The armored human?”  He shifted his weight again.  “A male, over six feet tall, burly, in banded mail, with a nice-looking bastard sword, longbow, and shield.  Had a Riddleport accent, unless I miss my guess.”  He gave a one-shouldered shrug.  “They were on foot, but that doesn’t mean they hadn’t dismounted to scout.  Didn’t follow them long enough to make sure one way or the other.  They weren’t carrying packs with ‘em, but they could’ve set up a camp somewhere.”

He raised an eyebrow at Liseth’s question.  “Um, the horses?”  He extemporized.  “No, no special plans.  They’re here in the town, so should be safe enough unless we’re overrun.  And in that case, I think we’ll all be in the same boat.”

He gave a small smile.  “Goblins are horribly afraid of horses, so if they do breach the city I might let them out to run the streets.  Could give those little bastards pause and us an edge if it comes right down to it.”  His grin disappeared.  “But hopefully it won’t.”

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This message was last edited by the player at 08:47, Fri 31 Jan 2014.

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“Let’s make sure of it.”  Alergast Barett looked every bit the ranking officer of the Sandpoint Guard as he considered the situation.  “I think having Scholar Crispin head down to the tunnels evaluate how they might best be sealed is an excellent idea.”  He glanced at Pisca.  “I’m certain I don’t know how it would be done, but that’s why we have experts make those decisions instead.”

He tapped the table in front of him.  “Talk with me after the meeting, Cato.  We’ll certainly need someone with engineering training to make sure any collapse is done properly and so as not,” he nodded at the wizard, “to create any sinkholes.  I think you qualify.   If you consult our resident engineering expert Sage Quink for his wisdom beforehand?  So much the better.  For all we know these tunnels are from the Thassilonian era.  Maybe he’ll have some insight.”

He shook his head at Pisca’s questions regarding the tunnels’ provenance.  “I don’t want to seem incurious, but as the gods are my witness right now I couldn’t care less who built the tunnels or why they are there.  For all I know some homesick Kaijitsus were trying to dig their way back to Tian Xia.  Maybe later the tunnels’ origin will be something that legitimately concerns us, but right now every minute is precious.  We don’t have time to waste investigating why they’re there.  We just need to figure out what we’re going to do about them now that they are.”

The lieutenant paused, then nodded at the deputized gnome.  “That said, if we can actually collapse the tunnels on an attacking force of goblins as they’re attempting to move into the town, then we should go ahead and do it.  But I don’t want to take any chances.  If there is any possibility that attackers will get through and assault the town, we should seal the tunnel as soon as safely practicable.”  He gave Cato a sober look.  “Any,” he emphasized the word, “possibility.”

He gave Liseth a speculative look.  “Indeed, I was thinking of something along those lines as well.  Destroying one or both of the bridges would certainly make the goblins’ job tougher.  They’re not great swimmers, as far as I know, and they would be subject to our ranged attacks as they attempted to make their way across.  It’s an extreme measure, but this situation calls for extreme measures.”  He nodded.  “It’s certainly something to consider.”

Alergast looked taken aback at Cato’s answer to his question about the quasit.  “A . . . demon.”  The big guardsman paused, taking in the information.  “Well.”  He looked nonplussed.  “Whoever we send down to explore the tunnels needs to be aware of the demon, and prepared to engage it if necessary.”  He glanced at Liseth.  “That is my question too, Acolyte Thoradin.  I have to admit my demonology is . . . limited.  Scholar Crispin, are there any weapons or other items with which we need to arm our intrepid explorers to give them a fighting chance against this thing?”

The guard officer placed both hands on the table and bowed his head as he listened to first Pisca, then Liseth expound on the possibility of the younger Kaijitsu’s redemption.  Then he straightened.  “Look, I personally would be happy if we could convert Tsuto to our cause.  That kid got a raw deal in life, and I can understand his anger.  I don’t approve, mind, but I understand.  If he’s learned a hard lesson that the quest for vengeance takes a far bigger toll on the seeker than the target, and is having second thoughts, then I for one will welcome him back to Sandpoint with open arms.  But if he chooses to remain true to this evil witch?” The big man let the question hang in the air. “Well, let’s not give him the chance to get away again.”

He shrugged as Liseth fretted about what the attacking leadership might do if they discovered the loss of Tsuto’s journal.  “We can’t worry about that.  Chances are they don’t even know he was keeping a journal; I can’t imagine that they would have allowed that to continue if they did, or that they would have let him bring it to Sandpoint with him.  So Tsuto would have to tell them of its loss himself; I imagine that would be a tough thing for him to do if they didn’t know about it in the first place.  But even if they do know, and feel compelled to change their plans, that could actually be good for us.  It sounds like they have some conflict in the upper leadership as it is, so forcing them to develop a completely new plan could buy us some time.  There are really only a few ways for them to attack the town.  The important thing is that we know they’re coming, not that we necessarily have a copy of their exact battle plan.”

“As far as taking the fight to the goblins goes,” the lieutenant chuckled mirthlessly, “there is absolutely no way.  I agree that the odds aren’t outstanding if we stay here, but trust me when I say that they are much, much worse if we attempt to sally forth.”

“We have no army.  What we have is a company of guardsman and a number of poorly-trained militia.  They can make a stand here at Sandpoint, fighting for and defending their homes.  But trying to march them overland to an unfamiliar location with unknown defenses and an unknown number of defenders?”  He shook his head firmly.  “That is a recipe for disaster.”

“In warfare, defending familiar territory is a force multiplier.  And when green troops such as ours are defending their homes and things they care about, with their backs to the proverbial wall, it gives them courage.”  He sighed.  “I don’t even want to think about what would happen if the goblins hit us in the open field as we were attempting to march on Thistletop.  I assure you that it would be a bloodbath, and not one in our favor.”

“Not only that, but to tell you the truth we’re not even entirely sure exactly where Thistletop is.  When Shalelu returns,” he gave Pisca a nod, “maybe she’ll have some ideas on how best to knock the goblins off their stride.  But whatever we do, it is not,” he emphasized the word by sending his hand through the air with a curt, cutting motion, “going to involve sending a significant number of troops away from Sandpoint when it faces the biggest threat in its history.”

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Mayor Deverin nodded.  “I agree, Alergast.   I could not possibly ask the fighting men of this town to leave their families to the dubious mercy of the goblins while the very fate of Sandpoint hangs in the balance.”  She looked apologetically at Pisca.  “I am sorry, but sometimes our reach exceeds our grasp.”

“Do we have a plan, then?  Evening approaches; I’m not sure there is much left for us to do today other than conduct the town meeting and make sure the town isn’t consumed by panic.”  She looked around the table, making eye contact with each person present.  “I think every single one of us needs to be in the town square for this announcement, and we all need to present a united, strong, and calm leadership in which a frightened town can put their trust.”

“It sounds like first thing tomorrow we need to explore these tunnels, clear them of this,” she paused slightly, “demon and its minions, and prepare them for sealing.  Who will be involved with this?  I know Abstalar and his acolytes will be readying for the funeral ceremony, Cato will be leading the engineering team, and Alergast and most of the guardsmen will be levying the militia, outfitting them with weapons and armor, and beginning their training.  But we also need people to search out this demon, and I can’t help but think that those most qualified are right here in this room.”  She raised an eyebrow.  “Who will it be?”

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Cato shook his head at Pisca's guesses as to the tunnel's age.  "I don't think the tunnels are that recent.  I think, judging by their construction, that they date back to at least Sandpoint's founding.  Were the Glassworks always where they are now?"

Cato thought a little bit more.  "Though I'd guess the quasit and the 'freaks' are probably a separate, earlier area.  I mean, the Old Light dates back to Thassilonian times.  It's possible there are tunnels under Sandpoint from whatever used to be here, thousands of years ago."

Cato thought about Liseth's concerns and Alergasts's question.  "Yes, a demon is worrying.  We are dealing with an evil outsider who very likely wants to spread evil in Sandpoint for whatever foul purpose it or its possible master has, which might just be spreading evil and misery.  But, they do have some weaknesses.  I believe quasits can be hurt by both good-aligned and cold iron weapons.  Maybe Kellan could take an extra weapon with him if we can find any cold iron or good-aligned weapons in town.  As well, my spells should work perfectly fine, including my acid darts.  I could prepare a few different spells that might help as well."

Finally, he nodded to the mayor.  "I obviously need to explore these tunnels.  I don't think Brodert would be up to the challenge, but I'll discuss some things with him tonight."

He looked at Kellan, Pisca and Liseth.  "Hopefully, you'll join me?  I don't think I could handle more than one goblin by myself.  And certainly not a quasit."  He grinned at Pisca.  "Maybe we can even find some cold iron arrows.  That would certainly give the quasit pause."

"Well ... actually ... "  The gnome had begun to poke at the bandage that Liseth and Ameiko had wound about her head.  As much as it looked like something of a headscarf, it was not.  Fashion aside, it had much to desire in the way of comfort.  And to add to this, something under the wrappings had started to itch.  "When I mentioned attacking the goblin leaders, I was thinking less of troops or an organized army and more of a small band with a very definite goal in mind.  Something more along the lines of ... assassination.  I mean, you stumbled upon this small group just out in the forest, right, Daviren?  If you'd been a small determined band of deputizes Sandpoint assassins, you might have been able to kill Mister Riddleport and then run back to the safety of town, mightn't you?"

"And I was thinking that it might be nice to know where these goblin groups are camped.  Even, if we can't get at their leaders.  But maybe you're right."  The gnome shrugged.  "That sounds more like the thing that Shalelu would be really good at."

"I know something about quasits too," preened the gnome.  "I know a little something about everything," she added.  "I'm sure we can come up with some bits of lore that will help us in the tunnels.  Right?"  Pisca turned to her three human friends and pumped a fist in the air.  "Especially if we have a little guidance from Lysa.  Right?"

"You can count on us.  We'll go down into those tunnels and clear out the Freaks.  Woo!"  Pisca shot another enthusiastic fist into the air that was marred only by a slight twinge from the wounds that still remained from the fight with Tsuto and the Thistletop goblins.

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Knowledge Planes roll, please.  To Aid Cato.  Or, if Cato doesn't have ranks in Knowledge Planes, to think of ways to hurt a Quasit. (DC12??? for a CR2 Creature?  Pisca can use all knowledge skills untrained.)

Guidance from Liseth?

HP 10/18
Archaeologist's Luck 1/7

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"I would like to join you as well, Cato."  Kerr Mollin had been quiet to this point, sitting silently next to Liseth as he listened in consternation to the increasing peril in which his hometown now found itself.  He squeezed Liseth's arm.  "I wouldn't be able to live with myself if something happened when you all went down to investigate these tunnels and there was something I could have done to help."

Kerr flushed slightly as everyone turned to look at him and he realized he was the center of attention.  "Look, I'm no hero.  I'm not a trained guardsman, or a scholar, or an adventurer.  I'm just Kerr.  I've never swung a sword in my life, but I've been out hunting since I was little," at this, Daviren nodded in agreement," so maybe I can add something with my longbow.  And I have a gift for healing.  Right, Father Zantus?"  The young man sent a beseeching look his mentor's way.  "Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that I'm tired of sitting in the cathedral studying and waiting to find out what might happen to my friends, or to Sandpoint.  I want to be out there helping.  With you.  If you'll have me."

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This message was lightly edited by the player at 01:18, Sat 01 Feb 2014.

"But Heily is afraid of the goblins too..."  Mr Hosk's plan to let the horses loose to scare the goblins in case of an emergency did not sit well with Liseth.  At all.  A big strong horse like Hakon might like the idea of fighting goblins, but Heily didn't know how to fight.  She was a gentle horse, and goblins were so mean; cruel even.

Liseth's mind was elsewhere, however, and she wasn't able to protest all that much.  Mayor Deverin made it clear that somebody needed to explore the tunnels and find the demon before the goblins attacked.  As much as the acolyte hated to admit it, the Mayor was right; they couldn't risk the goblins teaming up with the demon during the attack.  They have to do something about it first.

What were these freaks though?  The demon's minions?  Liseth kept picturing horrible, twisted monsters; lurching up from the dark recesses of Sandpoint's hidden tunnels.  Maybe they were even undead!  She didn't like that at all; a demon with his undead minions.  And maybe even an evil wizard too!  This was the sort of thing that was supposed to be in stories, not happening right underneath a nice town like Sandpoint!

A cold weight formed in Liseth's stomach; the Mayor obviously wanted them, Cato, Kellan, Pisca and her, to volunteer to go after the demon.  At least she was nice enough to let them volunteer rather than tell them that they had to go.  But even as Cato and Pisca pounced on the opportunity, Liseth was reluctant.  She didn't want to fight a demon!

"Gods grant you insight."  Liseth breathed to steady herself before reaching her free hand towards Pisca and laying it upon the gnome, "Let the powers of the Divine reveal the weaknesses of our demonic foe."  The blonde acolyte finished her prayer, doing the only thing that she could to help everyone determine how to battle a quasit demon.

She was still reluctant, but Liseth knew that she had to go too.  Everyone was likely to get hurt fighting a demon; what would happen if she wasn't there to heal their injuries?  Liseth frowned; she didn't want to think about what may have happened if she had not been around to heal everyone's wounds all those times that they were fighting goblins.  Even though she had exhausted herself so much doing it.

Just as the girl was nodding and about to acquiesce to finding the demon in the tunnels under Sandpoint, Kerr spoke up.  Liseth was...relieved?  Surprised?  Happy?  Whatever she felt, she was certain of one thing: Kerr was a hero.  And just like a hero should be, he was too humble to even think of himself as such.

"Of course we'll have you with us!"  In her enthusiasm, Liseth had turned in her seat and taken hold of Kerr's arm with both of her hands.  "You don't need to try and be anything more than Kerr.  Because being Kerr is the best thing that you can be."  She smiled at him, "When that evil demon sees you with us, it will know that it's already beaten!"  Her head turned towards Father Zantus, "Don't you think so, Father Zantus?"

Cast Guidance on Pisca; +1 to an Attack, Save, or Skill Check

"Of course I'll come" the guardsman assured Cato "Think I would let you run off and slay demons while I am stuck here with this guy?" he motioned with his head towards Alergast "Tryin to get farmers to stand in a straight line?" He scoffed with a good natured covert look to his Lieutenant

Kellan looked just a little uneasy at the thought of Kerr joining them. It was not out of his inexperience, He could scarcely hold that against anybody at his tender age and humble rank. It was also not out of his motives, wanting into defend your friends and be on the front lines was an urge that Kellan knew all too well. It was having Liseth and Kerr together when the blood started to flow.

Kellan couldn't imagine having Shayliss beside him in a fight, but he could guess that it might interfere with his judgement when the chips were down. These two obviously loved each other and it pained him to think about what could happen if one or the other really got hurt out there. On the other hand it would not be that different if they were apart, and at least this way they would have a chance to keep each other safe. He could hardly deny them that.

"Sounds good, let's see if we can scrounge you up some armor while we at a it"  he replied to Kerr "When did you want to leave?" He turned and asked Cato

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“Yes I do, Liseth.”  Father Zantus’ expression was a mixture of pride and concern.  “I think our Kerr has an important road to travel, and that the gods will guide him as he finds his way.”

“My goodness, my dear!”  Father Zantus noticed Pisca’s discomfort at her injuries.  “I’m sorry, but the events of the day completely drove the fact that you’d been wounded out of my head!  We should deal with that before we go any farther!”  The priest stood and raised both his hands.  “Desna, I beseech you to share your healing powers with those present here, and to fortify them for the trials to come.”  As he spoke, a healing light emanated from him and bathed the room, causing everyone present to feel refreshed, awakened, and rejuvenated.

Father Zantus apparently knew his stuff.

OOC:  Father Zantus channels healing energy, healing all present for up to 10 hit points.

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Alergast’s jaw dropped slightly as Cato expounded upon the weaknesses of quasits.  “Cold iron, you say,” he responded, a little incredulously.  “That’s interesting.  That’s very interesting.”  He looked down at the table, then looked up, crossing his arms and rubbing his chin.  He glanced over at Kellan.  “Kellan, you know that locked rack in the armory?  You realize what those polearms are made of?”  He nodded.  “Cold iron.  A gift to the Sandpoint Guard from the,” he paused meaningfully, “Kaijitsus.  Those weapons have been sitting there awaiting a purpose since well before I joined the Guard.  And now, here we are."

“You can take these four down to the armory and fit them out with whatever’s available.  Make sure you get one of those special polearms.”  The big guardsman searched around in a pouch for a second, then produced a key, tossing it to the younger guardsman.  “This will open it for you.  Just get it back to me sometime this evening.”

“As far as arrows go,” he said, looking over at Pisca and Kerr.  “Maybe Ven has something.  But your best bet is probably Savah,” Savah Bevaniky ran Savah’s Armory, kitty corner across Tower Street from the Town Hall.  “Or maybe,” he grinned, “you should check at The Feathered Serpent.  Who knows what Voon might have for you?  I’m sure he’ll be happy to tell you all about it.”  The Feathered Serpent, run by the always outlandishly-attired Vorvashali Voon, carried an eclectic collection of relics, statutes, monument fragments, and other items that Voon was continually attempting to convince his customers had incredible histories and eldritch powers.

Sometimes he was even correct.

“Also, before you head down into the tunnels, you might want to visit Nisk Tander and see if he has any alchemical creations that might help with the collapse of the tunnels.”  Nisk Tander, and alchemical purveyor of dubious repute, ran Bottled Solutions, the town’s only source of the more . . . explosive concoctions available to the practitioners of that art.

Alergast turned to Pisca.  “I’m sorry, I misunderstood.  And I think that you have something there; sending out small, trained teams to hit and disorganize the goblins is a good idea.  We should think long and hard about how to do that, if we have the time.  But right now we just don’t have the manpower for it; we have only one scout,” he looked at Dav Hosk, “and no one else to accompany him.  Right now I’d like Dav to gather information for us.  If we find out we have a few days, or even a week, then once we have the tunnels cleared and sealed we can start planning our offense.  But these tunnels have to come first.”

Finally, Alergast laughed, a welcome sound after the grimness preceding it.  “Kellan, I knew you hated drill, but I didn’t know you hated it so much that you would literally rather fight a demon.”  The lieutenant emphasized the last four words with increased volume and longer, slower elocution.  He winked.  “I’ll keep that in mind the next time you earn a punishment detail.”

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This message was lightly edited by the player at 02:24, Sun 02 Feb 2014.

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Kerr blushed furiously as Liseth grabbed his arm and informed everyone how good he was and how much she would appreciate his presence down in the tunnels.  Still, he couldn’t help but put a hand over one of hers and squeezing it, smiling down at the most wonderful woman in the world.

But the crimson on his face only deepened when Father Zantus suggested that the gods had specifically carved out a road for him to travel.  He glanced somewhat wildly around the room.

“The Glassworks is one of the oldest buildings in Sandpoint,” the young acolyte gratefully supplied in response to Cato, happy that he could provide information of use and divert everyone’s attention anywhere else.  “And the Kaijitsus have run it ever since then, as far as I know.”

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“They have indeed, Kerr.”  The Mayor agreed, before shifting the tenor of the conversation.  “It sounds like we are agreed, then.”  She summed up the back-and-forth conversation, clearly thinking ahead to, and perhaps preoccupied with, her speech of that evening.  “I will have Sir Jasper,” Sir Jasper Korvaski was the chief administrator of the Sandpoint Mercantile League, “get the news out to the town regarding the meeting tonight.  It will be up at the town square outside the cathedral at the seventh bell after noon.  I would ask all of you to please be there early.”

“Alergast, you will rouse the Guard and take charge of securing the Glassworks and levying the militia.  Abstalar, you and your acolytes should make as much haste as you can for the Glassworks and take possession of the bodies therein.”  A pained look.  “Please treat them with as much solemnity as you possibly can; they were heroes.”

“Cato, you will consult with Sage Quink this afternoon or evening and learn as much as you can about what we’re dealing with down there and how we might be able to seal those tunnels without causing collateral damage to Sandpoint.”

“Kellan, Kerr, Liseth, Pisca, and Cato will explore the tunnels tomorrow.  Please scour the town for anything you need, starting with the armory over at The Garrison.  The town is not rich but we should be able to subsidize your purchases to a certain extent.  And I don’t know if this is common knowledge,” the Mayor may or may not have directed this to Pisca, “but Sabyl Sorn has a fairly large private library in the House of Blue Stones that might help anyone looking for additional knowledge.  If she’s not there you might find her over at Chask’s.”

She stood.  "This is almost certainly the biggest threat Sandpoint has ever experienced.  And we all have things we must do.  So I will adjourn this meeting, but not before letting each and every one of you know how much I appreciate your efforts so far and the efforts you will make in the future.  I pray that the gods bless and guide you as you proceed."

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This message was last edited by the player at 05:37, Mon 03 Feb 2014.

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With that, everyone present stood and began heading for the door, intent on what they needed to accomplish to prepare themselves and Sandpoint for the difficult time ahead.

Continued in Chapter #6e:  Prudent Preparations

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This message was last edited by the GM at 02:24, Sun 02 Feb 2014.