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01:20, 29th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Chapter #7d:  A Desperate Plan.

Posted by The RaconteurFor group 0
Pisca Neep Freemish
Gnome Archaeologist, 1044 posts
The Gnome!
And Her Imagination
Sun 29 Jun 2014
at 18:32
  • msg #10

Re: Chapter #7d:  A Desperate Plan

At first she had lifted up on her toes to see over the edge of the table.  From there the map was a vast plain, and the drawings, the colors, the landmarks upon it quickly faded at the steep angle from which she viewed them into a hazy distant horizon.  There was only one thing to do for that.  Only one solution, and Pisca climbed up and perched her pert bottom on the edge of the table.  Twisted at the waist, with one leg hooked and laid up over the edge of the tabletop, the gnome viewed the landscape of the map as from hundreds of feet above.  The land lay below her as she soared above, majestic and free, with the wind in her hair.

"Thistletop ... "  The Giant Hand of Pisca reached from out of the sky to lightly touch the secret citadel of the Goblin Menace.  "That was my plan.  You found my plan, Shalelu."  The gnome returned to herself from the skies above the Varisian coast and she beamed a smile of joy at the elfish ranger.  "I knew my plan was out there somewhere and you found it.  I always wanted to be you," Pisca said, making an awkward if not confusing confession.  "Well, except for the part about being an elf."  And then, as was typical of her, she left it at that.

"I suppose we'll be wanting to leave tomorrow then.  Time being what it is.  All time-ish and in willfully short supply.  And so I suppose I should spend the rest of the day trying to raise funds for our foray.  We'll need more arrows," said the gnome, looking to Kerr Mollin for confirmation.  "And anti-goblin magic.  I might be able to sell some of the things we got from the ruins."  She began laying more things out on the table.  A gem studded tiara.  A black silken dress.  "Can you think of anything else we can sell to get the things we need?"

"What do we need?  I mean, what else," asked the gnome in a thoughtful semi-rhetorical sort of way.

"I recall a spell that we might find useful.  With this spell we can rain fire and wrath down on the gobbies.  I think I read something about it in the few months that I studied at Theumanexus.  Or maybe I just heard of it somewhere," the gnome mused.  "I don't know how it goes, but I remember it, so it must be real, right?  Maybe we can buy a scroll.  Or a wand.  From the name I'm thinking it has a pretty strong verbal component.  It's pretty expensive, but I think it'll be worth it."

"Maybe we can ask Chask Haladan to talk to Sabyl Sorn again.  To dig around in her library for it.  Or, maybe you've heard something about the spell, Cato?  It's called the Predator Drone."
This message was last edited by the player at 10:30, Wed 09 July 2014.
Cato Crispin
Human Wizard, 552 posts
Now 100% Monster Free
Mon 30 Jun 2014
at 15:39
  • msg #11

Re: Chapter #7d:  A Desperate Plan

Cato stood and listened as Shalelu outlined her plan.  The mage agreed with at least one thing.  Assaulting the goblin leaders on their home turf seemed like a suicide mission.  Cato's first impulse was to bow out.  He had come to Sandpoint precisely to avoid such danger.  But the wizard mentally shook his head.  He'd gotten too close to this town to do that.  Images of goblins razing the town quickly flipped through his head.  What would become of Brodert?  Or Amele and Aeren?  No, Cato couldn't flee the town in its hour of greatest need.  He looked up, and opened his mouth to speak, but was unable to.

Finally, Cato cleared his throat.  "I'm with you, Kellan and Pisca.  I can't possibly let the goblins attack Sandpoint.  This is a risky plan, but I suppose it's the only thing that might work.  We can't possibly fight hundreds of goblins by ourselves.  Though I don't fancy our chances against the leaders, either.  Tsuto and a few goblins proved quite the match for us last time.  And now we're going to be facing him along with another three humans of unknown skill, Ripnugget and Bruthazmus?"  Cato smiled.  "At least we'll have the element of surprise on our side, right?  They can't possibly be expecting a plan this crazy."

Cato looked to Pisca and Kellan.  "Leaving tomorrow first thing sounds good.  I certainly need a night of rest before I'm capable of anything more than the weakest of my spells."  Cato looked down at his hands, clenched into fists.  "I can hope Thistletop won't be as difficult as those dungeons under the Glassworks, but somehow I doubt it."  Cato looked to Pisca and smiled.  "Predator Drone?  I don't think I've heard of that spell.  Though wizards are always coming up with fancy names for standard spells.  Maybe it's just some variant of Delayed Blast Fireball or Meteor Swarm, perhaps?  There's some funny tricks you can pull of with spells, too.  Maybe a wizard flying and invisible, or polymorphed into something was casting the spells and another wizard claimed it was another spell altogether."  Cato shrugged.  "Anyway that speculation isn't going to help us tomorrow.  We should make do with what we can."

Cato turned back to Shalelu.  "Anything you can tell us about the foes you know about?  You've certainly encountered Bruthazmus.  What about Ripnugget?  Anything you've been able to find out about the other humans?"
Liseth Thoradin
Human Oracle, 989 posts
Deluge of Positive Energy
HP 30/30
Tue 1 Jul 2014
at 01:49
  • msg #12

Re: Chapter #7d:  A Desperate Plan

"But..."  The way that the elven adventurer laid out the situation with the goblins took the wind completely out of Liseth's figurative sails.  They had maybe three days before the goblins attacked Sandpoint?

"But..."  They had to attack first, had to be the assassins to strike down the goblins' leadership.  Even Ms Andosana didn't think that their odds of succeeding were very good.  More likely than not, all who went would be killed horribly.  Liseth had seen some of the things that goblins do to people inside the Glassworks...

"But..."  Kellan agreed to go right away, and Pisca seemed very enthusiastic.  Liseth's stomach filled with leaden butterflies as she grimly, and wearily, watched everyone begin to plan.  She knew that she had to go with them too; there was no way that she could stay behind.  But all she wanted to do was crawl under her covers and sleep for a week; forgetting that anything like demons and zombies and especially goblins ever existed.

"But we just got back!"  She whined in frustrated exhaustion when it became clear that the plan was to leave immediately tomorrow morning for Thistletop.  "I can't be an assassin!  I can't even fight a goblin..."  The acolyte looked down at the floor as she frantically searched for any other plan.

"Maybe when they find out that we defeated their demon ally, they will call off the attack?" Liseth suggested hopefully.  Even though it didn't sound very likely even to her.  If they had hundreds of goblins, why would they need to rely on a little demon, a few Rune Dogs, and some zombies?

"I..."  Liseth didn't want to go.  Not to a goblin camp to attempt a risky assassination.  Which their resident expert said was more likely to see them all horribly killed than succeed.  She swallowed hard before glancing up from her feet to see everyone in the meeting.  The small teen tucked her hand into Kerr's and her body slumped before a whisper escaped her, "I'll go..."

As much as she didn't want to, the short blonde knew that she had to.  If they did succeed and the attack was diverted completely, they would save hundreds of lives.  Not just the people of Sandpoint, but the goblins who would be killed during the invasion as well.  And there would be even less chance for success were she not there to spread Sarenrae's healing light.
Pisca Neep Freemish
Gnome Archaeologist, 1046 posts
The Gnome!
And Her Imagination
Tue 1 Jul 2014
at 14:33
  • msg #13

Re: Chapter #7d:  A Desperate Plan

Humans ...  They lived such short lives.  So much so that life itself became so precious to them.  They became so absorbed in the fact of living (or, depending on one's perspective, dying) that the things that they did with one's life often took second place in the scheme of things.

Pisca went to the human girl and wrapped her in a hug.

Comforting another person can be a difficult task.  It becomes even more so when you can only reach the lower half of their body.

"It's alright, 'Lysa."  With her head tipped back, the gnome aims a soft smile beneath large violet eyes up into the face of the upset acolyte.  "It'll be alright.  We're heroes.  We are.  That means we have to be tried.  We'll be put through fire and great suffering.  But, in the end, we'll be alright.  We'll come out the other side keener, more experienced.  We'll be a little older.  Maybe a little more cynical.  World weary, maybe.  Though I think you have to be married and divorced several times for that."

"But we'll have each other.  And we'll be there for each other.  We'll have each others' back, and we'll support each other.  That's why we'll be alright.  That's why we will win the day."

Pisca hugged the human girl tightly, with a fierceness that she hadn't known that she felt.  And then, at that moment, the gnome believed every single word that she had just said.
Kerr Mollin
NPC, 77 posts
Acolyte of Desna
Chosen of Iomedae
Wed 9 Jul 2014
at 06:09
  • msg #14

Re: Chapter #7d:  A Desperate Plan




Kerr was stunned at Shalelu’s pronouncement.  The impending goblin invasion hadn’t really seemed real to him until right this very moment.  With the legendary elven ranger, who had roamed the area for time out of mind, volunteering herself for an all-or-nothing mission whose chances she seemed to think were none too good from the outset.

Four days.  Maybe three.  Maybe two.  Until hundreds of goblins assaulted Sandpoint.  Kerr could hardly credit it.  But here they were.

Kerr looked over at Kellan as Alergast's protege volunteered for this most dangerous of quests.  Kerr admired the big guardsman.  He wasn’t trained in the priesthood.  He didn’t have an abundance of schooling.  But he was always doing what was right.

That counted for a lot, in Kerr’s book.

“We’ll definitely need more arrows,” he said, agreeing with Pisca.  “Maybe special ones, if we can find them.  Cold iron.  Silver.  Who knows with what kind of dark forces Nualia might be consorting?  It sounds like she’s well on her way to Lamashtu’s priesthood, if she is not there already.”  He pondered the map soberly as the gnome talked.  “I’ve never heard of that spell, but we’ll definitely need everything we can get our hands on that might help us on this mission.  If we don’t succeed, well . . . I don’t think there will be anything of value left in Sandpoint anyway.   Or anyone left to enjoy such things.  Not after the goblins are through with it.”

Kerr looked at Liseth with concern as she expressed her doubts about her ability to participate in the assault.  He felt her hand slip into his and moved right past it to embrace her, holding her close and feeling her tremble with all the tension and anxiety and stress engendered by Sandpoint’s impossible situation.  He tried to send her all the support and love he could.

The hug was made a little more uncomfortable by Pisca’s simultaneous embrace of Liseth’s leg from the other side.

“Pisca’s right,” he said, craning his neck to nod at the gnome as she stared up at his girlfriend, “you won’t be alone, Lise.”  He drew back a little and gave the young blonde a serious look.  “None of us will.  We’re all going together.   And even then, our group won’t be alone.  This is what the gods have planned for us, remember?  We,” his gaze traveled around the room, “with their help, are going to thwart Lamashtu’s evil.  Lamashtu thinks she’s got Sandpoint in her grip.”  Kerr gave the group a steely look.  “She couldn’t be more wrong.”

The young acolyte/paladin turned to the ranger.  “I’m in, Shalelu.  But I think you’re selling us short.  This isn’t a suicide mission.  What we’re doing is a holy thing.”  A fervent light shone in his eyes.  “They’re not going to kill us.  We're going to kill them.  We’re on a mission from the gods.”




This message was last edited by the player at 06:11, Wed 09 July 2014.
Shalelu Andosana
NPC, 7 posts
Elven Ranger
Wed 9 Jul 2014
at 06:53
  • msg #15

Re: Chapter #7d:  A Desperate Plan




Shalelu smiled warmly at Pisca’s roundabout hero worship before nodding seriously at Kellan.  “I have some idea of what we will be walking into.”  She pointed at the map.  “Thistletop is a fortress.  But not one necessarily built by goblins; I believe it is some sort of a ruin that they have repurposed for their own use.  But that is neither here nor there.”

The elf spread out the map.  “First, we must dodge goblin patrols, sentries, and staging goblin tribal groups just to make it to the Thistletop area.”  She drew a line with her finger from Sandpoint to the island in the north.  “If we encounter too much resistance on our way there, or the goblins somehow discover our purpose, our mission could be derailed before it even begins.”

“Assuming we make it there safely and relatively undetected,” she continued, “we must then deal with the Nettlemaze.  This is a thicket of dense nettles, the tunnels through which are sized for goblins.  Not a problem for our gnome,” she gestured to Pisca, “but the rest of us will have to crouch to make it through, making any fighting we must do within . . . problematic.”

“I have never penetrated the Nettlemaze before; it has always been too great a risk and I have never had the commensurate need.  But I do know that it eventually leads to a bridge that connects the mainland to the Thistletop fortress.”  Shalelu tapped the thin channel between the coast and the island.  “We must negotiate this bridge, along with whatever defenses it might have, to attain the island.  Once on the island, we enter the fortress and hunt down the goblin leadership.”  She straightened, giving the assembled group something of a glum look.  “Of course, all of this is much easier said than done.”

The ranger turned to Cato.  “I can indeed tell you something about the foes we shall face.  Bruthazmus is a cunning beast, but ultimately a coward.  He prefers to engage from range but if backed into a corner can be a fearsome close-combat foe.  Ripnugget, on the other hand . . . .”  She shrugged.  “The goblin chief may be our biggest obstacle.  It is said among goblins that he has never lost a battle for which he was able to prepare.  The Thistletop goblins idolize him as a tactical genius.  I myself have never had the pleasure of crossing swords with him, but by all accounts, and not just the goblins’, he is one of the most, if not the most, intelligent goblins that Varisia has seen in generations.  And he is said to greatly value intelligence in his chief lieutenants as well.”

“I am not sure there is anything we can do to prepare for this.  But one thing we should not do is underestimate him.  Others have done so before, to their sorrow.”




This message was last edited by the player at 20:18, Wed 09 July 2014.
Daviren Hosk
NPC, 3 posts
Goblin Hatin' Horsemaster
Sandpoint's Finest Scout
Wed 9 Jul 2014
at 07:07
  • msg #16

Re: Chapter #7d:  A Desperate Plan




“As much as I hate to give any goblin credit for intelligence,” Dav nearly expectorated the words as he followed on to Shalelu’s recitation, “she’s right.  I’m not sure how intelligent Ripnugget is, or can be, since he’s a goblin, but he’s definitely smarter than almost any other goblin I’ve met.  And he commands a fanatical loyalty from the Thistletop tribe.”

“That includes our captured goblin,” he said, responding to Kellan’s question.  “I ended up getting him to talk a little.  But it . . . wasn’t easy.  Unfortunately, the one you captured doesn’t know much about the current assault.  He was sent here as an advance scout to help Tsuto do whatever it was Tsuto was doing in the Glassworks, mostly clearing the way for a flanking invasion from the tunnels you found and whatever gods-cursed spawns were mucking about in those catacombs you just cleared out.”  Dav looked like he wanted to spit, then realized he was in the mayor’s offices and simply swallowed instead.

“From my talk with him we have well and truly bollixed up their plan for the tunnels and the Glassworks.  And who knows, they might even lose some goblins trying to use that secret entrance you trapped.  But that one’s not going to be much help regarding current troop movements and such.”  The horsemaster pondered the situation.  “I suppose I could go back and talk with him about the layout of Thistletop, if you think that would be helpful.  Sounds like none of us have ever been in there before, so might give you some idea of where you’re going and what you’re up against.  Can’t promise anything, though.”  Dav’s mouth twisted.  “Like I said.  Ripnugget’s goblins are loyal.”




Kendra Deverin
NPC, 9 posts
Mayor of Sandpoint
Wed 9 Jul 2014
at 07:27
  • msg #17

Re: Chapter #7d:  A Desperate Plan




“Thank you, Kellan,” the Mayor’s voice nearly cracked with gratitude; apparently she had not been entirely sure if anyone would take up Shalelu’s gauntlet, much less all of them.  “And you, Pisca.  Cato.  Liseth.  And Kerr.  No town has ever been better served than Sandpoint has been by your efforts.”  She heaved a sigh, as if releasing a great deal of tension.

She looked at Kerr.  “I agree, Kerr.  If you are unsuccessful, chances are good that no one will be left in Sandpoint to enjoy anything they might value, be it a possession or a person.”  She turned to Pisca.  “Leave your items of value with me.  In return, I give you these.”  She passed out a group of five chits with the symbol of the Sandpoint Mercantile League upon them.  “These will give you as much credit as any merchant is comfortable extending, guaranteed by the wealth of the five founding families.  I am not sure how stocked anyone might be with items that might help you.  But Sandpoint cannot in good faith deny you any item that might increase your odds of success in completing this mission.”

She looked around the room.  “I don’t need to tell you that these should be used judiciously and only for things that you reasonably believe will assist your pursuit of this mission.  And the League will expect to recoup at least some of its expenses from any spoils you retrieve from Thistletop should you prove successful.”  She gave the chits a sour look.  “Let me just say that convincing the Scarnettis to issue these to you was no easy task.”  She looked back up at the group.  “So please don’t make my life any harder than it already is by using them for items not directly necessary for Sandpoint’s preservation.”




Pisca Neep Freemish
Gnome Archaeologist, 1064 posts
The Gnome!
And Her Imagination
Wed 9 Jul 2014
at 20:54
  • msg #18

Re: Chapter #7d:  A Desperate Plan

"Platinum Express," crooned the gnome to herself.  They were two words that were, essentially meaningless, and yet, through dint of sheer connotation, they managed to evoke a sense of wealth, power, and style.  She clutched at the embossed chit, ogling it with amazement, as though she'd just come into possession of the Most Fabulous Object in the World.  This, despite Mayor Deverin's characterization of the chit's limited worth, and heedless of her warning that the League, from whom the credit had been extended, would be expecting repayment from future earnings.

"A list!"  Pisca took out her journal and flopped the pages open to the first blank page.  There she began a catalog of Sandpoint Saving Items.

"I'd like to speak to the goblin too, Daviren Hosk," the gnome said even as she wrote.  "I can disguise myself pretty passably as one of those gobbies.  Disguised as a Thistletop, I can pretty much walk right in.  But, if I have to talk with any of them, it could be handy to know little details.  Things that you wouldn't think important in so far as invading an impenetrable fortress and killing all of its inhabitants is concerned."

"How do you spell 'Mithral'," Pisca asked, and then promptly decided that it didn't matter how she spelled it, and continued on with her reasons for *interrogating* the captive goblin.

"Things like, how the food is in Thistletop?  What do most of them do at night for entertainment?  What are the most popular songs of the moment?  Who do you have to kill to get the best pickles?  That sort of thing.  Things to add that goblin-ish sort of authenticity."

"Oh, by the way, Father Zantus," with a sweep and a thrust the gnome crossed a Tee and dotted an Eye before looking up, "did Vorvashali Voon make it back to the Feathered Serpent?  That is decidedly one shop that I'll have to stop at before we leave tomorrow."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:37, Wed 09 July 2014.
Kellan Storval
Human Fighter, 610 posts
Former Red Shirt
Thu 10 Jul 2014
at 00:49
  • msg #19

Re: Chapter #7d:  A Desperate Plan

Kellan listened with great interest as Shalelu outlined Thistletops interior. A bridge, leading to a maze of thistles, leading to a fortress...that none of them had a faintest clue what was inside. But she had mentioned ruins, and low and behold they had a resident ruin expert right beside them.

"It sounds...rough, but some how not as bad as I suspected."

He took on a grim smirk

"But then again I haven't seen it yet..."

He looked to his erudite companion with a hopeful expression. "What do you think the odds are that Mr.Quink has a book concerning ruins on an island nearby?"

He listened to Hosk and shared his frustration, before looking to the Mayor and looking from the chit to her face and back again. This he had not expected.

She must have pulled some incredible strings to allow for this kind of favor,  but then again perhaps it was a way to help alleviate any guilt should they not return. In any case it was much appreciated.

He took the chit carefully with a nod.

"Thank you, We'll put them to good use"

He could only think of a few things he would really need, ironic when given such wide discretion with the wealth of the founding families.


"Questioning the goblin again certainly couldnt hurt" he agreed with Pisca "And it does sound like your plan has merit..."

Tactical options began to suggest themselves as he looked back to the map. Infiltration would solve many, many problems
Pisca Neep Freemish
Gnome Archaeologist, 1067 posts
The Gnome!
And Her Imagination
Thu 10 Jul 2014
at 02:39
  • msg #20

Re: Chapter #7d:  A Desperate Plan

"Hmmm ...   Does Brodert have a book on bridges too, Cato?" the gnome asked.  "Because if I was a gobbie faced with a force of humans threatening to come across to my private Thistletop ... "  And, from her seat at the edge of the table, Pisca poked her finger at the place on the map where the waters of the sea separated Thistletop island from the mainland.

"*Pfssssssshhhh*"  The enormous finger of the gigantic world spanning gnome pushed in, crushing down on the invisible bridge.  "I'd be ready to topple the bridge and dump the hummies into the water.  Or, better yet ... Burst Jars."  This last, Pisca said with a smile, though it would be none too happy for she and her friends were her conjecture to be true.

"Though, maybe we can get across with a distraction.  And I've got a word for that.  It's Fire.  I can start a fire somewhere, and when the gobbies rush to put it out, you can cross."

"Good huh?"  The question was for the elfish ranger, and Pisca accompanied it with an extremely pleased gnomish grin.
Liseth Thoradin
Human Oracle, 994 posts
Deluge of Positive Energy
HP 30/30
Thu 10 Jul 2014
at 05:09
  • msg #21

Re: Chapter #7d:  A Desperate Plan

"Thank you Kerr."  Liseth sniffed after being embraced, "Thank you too Pisca."  The blonde acolyte looked down into the gnome's big violet eyes that somehow held so much optimism and innocence.  "It's just that...well...I never wanted to be a hero.  I never thought that I would be someone who...who goes into ruins to help fight demons.  Or sneaks into goblin fortresses to attack them."

"But I wouldn't want to make someone else have to do it either."  Liseth leaned down to give Pisca a squeeze before hugging Kerr.  "And you're right Kerr.  This is what Sarenrae told me She wanted me to do."  You will face evil in its purest form, Sarenrae had said.  The minions of the Evil Gods will seek to destroy you.  "I just didn't think that it would all happen so soon!  So fast...all at once."  She sighed, the weight of everything pressing down so heavily.  She could really do with a few days without emergencies and threats and fighting all of the time.  "At least none of us will be alone."

Liseth did her best to try and suck up her feelings and pay attention to the planning.  Feeling bad for herself wouldn't help anything; it would just distract everyone.  It was hard to keep it under control though, with how tired she was.  The girl watched as Ms Andosana laid out her map and started to plan.  The way she described it did nothing to make their strategy seem more achievable.

"There has to be some other way to pass the Nettlemaze though..."  The only thing worse than crawling through thick nettles had to be crawling through thick nettles filled with goblins.  Liseth thought about that, "Tsuto and Nualia, those other humans, even Brooth...Bruth...Bruthazim...that evil bugbear, have to have a way to get through.  I don't think that they would want to crawl through the goblins' tunnels all of the time themselves."  She looked towards the elven adventurer, "Maybe we can find the route that they use...?"

The young acolyte nodded at Mayor Deverin's thanks, but became uncomfortable as she mentioned some of the things which might happen were they unsuccessful.  Her stomach still felt like there was a stone sitting in it, and that didn't help.  Liseth watched her pass out the credit chits, for them to use to obtain whatever they might need to help in their mission.  She didn't know what to say, or even what she might do with them.  What could she even buy that she could use to help?  Weapons?  She can't wield them.  Armor?  It's too heavy for her small frame.  Magic wands and trinkets?  They would be too expensive, surely.  Even with a promissory note from the founding families, how much of that would any merchant in Sandpoint be able to part with?

Maybe Mr Voon would be able to help, he seemed generous enough yesterday.

"Thank you Mayor Deverin," She said, even as her mind raced for what would both be useful and reasonable.  Pisca didn't seem to have the same trouble, Liseth noticed.  The gnome was already excitedly making a shopping list.  Maybe she could ask Pisca to help her out?  Liseth didn't feel up to a hurried shopping spree; to quickly gather supplies for a dangerous mission.  When she would really rather take some time off; take a 'mental health day.'  Unfortunately, it was the goblins making the schedule and there was no time to rest.  There hadn't been any time to rest and recover for days, it felt like.

"Burst jars?"  Pisca's speculation about the terrible things that the goblins might have in store for them gave Liseth an idea, at least, of something they could get to prepare.  "Maybe we could get more of Mr Tanner's alchemy concoctions to help?  Although I didn't do very well with the ones we did have...and I don't know whether he has many more, now that I think of it."  Liseth's palms opened and then dropped to the table helplessly.  "I don't know..."

"How will we get to Thistletop?"  Liseth asked suddenly, "The goblins would notice if we rode horses, wouldn't they?  But we would be too slow if we walked."  Liseth frowned, "I don't think Heily would handle a bunch of mean, shouting goblins very well.  She hasn't ever been in a battle before; and she's bound to be frightened.  I know I am..."  Her hands fidgeted, "And where would we leave them once we got there?  Mr Hosk," she turned to Heily's caretaker during her stay in Sandpoint, "You said that goblins are afraid of horses, right?  A goblin certainly wouldn't try to attack a big strong horse like Hakon if they found him standing watch for Heily, Nettie, and Frolic would he?"
Cato Crispin
Human Wizard, 566 posts
Now 100% Monster Free
Thu 10 Jul 2014
at 14:31
  • msg #22

Re: Chapter #7d:  A Desperate Plan

Cato listened to his companions debate.  No, he mentally corrected himself, these were all his friends now.  In just the past week, he had become much more deeply involved in Sandpoint and had gone from thinking of it as a temporary refuge to someplace he deeply cared about.

Cato redoubled his concentration and stared at the map.  He felt like, if he knew more, he'd be able to solve this problem with the proper application of magic.  He looked up at Pisca and Kellan's suggestion, chuckling as he did.  "That's a great idea.  I'm sure Brodert would have collected something that told us something about Thistletop.  Here I am, thinking just about magic to use, when simple knowledge might help us just as much."  Cato went back to looking at the map.  "You know," he mused, "there might be a way for us to climb up from the sea and skip the Nettlemaze and the possibility of that bridge.  A simple spell called Spider Climb.  I don't know it myself, but if someone in town has a scroll, I could learn it, or just cast it from a scroll.  In fact, we'd only need one casting, if someone else could lower a rope down.  There's other ways as well.  Certainly enough ways to fly, though those tend to be higher level spells."  Cato looked up at the Mayor.  "I suppose you could argue that's not necessary, but it certainly would be helpful to skip anything we could and directly assault the leaders."

"I'll certainly go talk to Brodert, and see if Voon and Tanner have anything that could help us."
Alergast Barett
NPC, 29 posts
Sandpoint Guard
Lieutenant
Thu 10 Jul 2014
at 17:05
  • msg #23

Re: Chapter #7d:  A Desperate Plan




Alergast sat back in his chair, stunned.  Two days, he thought to himself, shaking his head slowly.  It's not enough.  Not enough, damn it!  He sighed and sat forward.

"I don't have to tell everyone that this accelerated timetable is very bad news.  The militia is shaping up but there is very little chance they will be ready to fight off the coordinated invasion of hundreds of goblins in two days, especially if that invasion is planned by some sort of strategic savant."  He placed his forearms on the table, looking at Shalelu.  "This intelligence of yours is solid?"

"I'm betting my life on it," nodded the elf.

"Then my services are sorely needed elsewhere," he said, standing.  "We will do our best to prepare to fight off this invasion, but we're going to have to be ready much sooner than I anticipated.  I need to increase the tempo of our training and there is a lot of coordination to be done.  I need to talk to Tanner about setting up some burst jars to blow the bridges.  I need to work on getting some stakes in the bank to ward off an amphibious assault.  I need . . ."  He rubbed his temples.  "I need more time."

The lieutenant's thoughts strayed to Amele, Aeren, and little Verah.  Would these be the last days they would ever be together?  One hundred hours from now, would their broken bodies be lying in the mud of a burning, razed Sandpoint?

But no.

He couldn't think like that.

Alergast gave Kellan as much of a grin as he could muster.  "Good luck, Champion."  He said, giving Kellan the sort of salute that one would give to a superior officer.    "Good luck to you all.  All our hopes and prayers go with you."  He turned to Kendra Deverin.  "Mayor, may I be excused?"




Kendra Deverin
NPC, 10 posts
Mayor of Sandpoint
Thu 10 Jul 2014
at 17:07
  • msg #24

Re: Chapter #7d:  A Desperate Plan




"You may be excused, Alergast," said the Mayor, watching her lieutenant as he crisply saluted, then left the room.  Her gaze traveled to the remaining members of the meeting.  "It sounds like all of you have things to do.  You are all also excused, unless there is anything else you need from me or other information you believe needs to be shared with the group."




Pisca Neep Freemish
Gnome Archaeologist, 1070 posts
The Gnome!
And Her Imagination
Fri 11 Jul 2014
at 00:48
  • msg #25

Re: Chapter #7d:  A Desperate Plan

"You're right, Mayor Deverin!"  The gnome hopped to her feet, standing high (for once) on the tabletop.  "We've got things to do!"

"I'm for The Feathered Serpent.  There's a Varisian saying that the quality of the goods a shop sells can be judged by the quality of the lock on the door.  If that's the case, Vorvashali Voon has the best wares north of Magnimar!"  This Pisca said without much heed to where this told others her attention has been paid to.  Nor to what this might say about the things she might be up to in her spare time.

"Speaking of intelligence ... "  With knees bent, Pisca jumped from the tabletop to the floor.  "I know a thing or two about this area.  Everything about everything.  Everything," she repeated and flashed a smile with perfect gnomish teeth.  "Things just sort of come to me," she added.  "And mostly they're right.  Maybe I'll remember a secret entrance to Thistletop that we can get to from the shore.  A walk might help me remember that."

"I want a mithral shirt of armor, 'Lysa," the gnome said as she headed out the door.  "Do you want one too?  They're amazingly light, and feel like ... like ... "  Pisca's voice faded, drifting back through the door as her feet carried her away and into the future.

" ... like steel turned to running water."

Knowledge checks, please.
Geography 8
History 8
Local 9

Kellan Storval
Human Fighter, 613 posts
Former Red Shirt
Fri 11 Jul 2014
at 06:22
  • msg #26

Re: Chapter #7d:  A Desperate Plan

Kellan was shaken from his musings by Alergasts departure. Would he ever see the man again? Would he ever see any other them again? He could just imagine Alergast, Mayor Deverin, Shayliss, His family all sitting around waiting for the news.

He did not know which would be worse, waiting for something beyond your control, or being the one that everybody else was waiting on.

"Thank you sir, likewise" he returned the salute,  noticing its curious manner too late to react with anything but a hint of surprise in his eyes. Then he was gone.

"Alright..." he announced boldly, almost to himself. "I'm off to Savahs, then probably the Vinders. Any requests?"

He paused for any replies be for he turned crisply and made his way towards the door. "I guess I'll meet you guys at the funeral? It's probably going to be an early dinner and off to bed right after for me. If we are going to be wading hip deep through the goblin homeland, it would be nice to have a full nights sleep"

He made his way out and turned towards Savahs armory, moving like a man on a mission.
Abstalar Zantus
NPC, 13 posts
High Priest of Sandpoint
Disciple of Desna
Fri 11 Jul 2014
at 07:57
  • msg #27

Re: Chapter #7d:  A Desperate Plan




Father Zantus looked slightly shaken at Shalelu's news and the group's response, which for the normally-even-keeled cleric was somewhat akin to someone else bursting into tears and pounding their fists on the table.  He stared at the table, glassy-eyed, looking into space for comfort, communion, or some other purpose known only to him.

He came back to himself as Alergast Barett bid the group farewell.  He raised his hand as Pisca headed for the door.  "I . . . I do not think you will find Voon in his shop right at this moment.  He had . . . business to which he was required to attend."  Father Zantus paused.  "But he was planning to attend the funeral, so you might be able to catch up with him there and see if he possesses anything that might assist you in your task."




Pisca Neep Freemish
Gnome Archaeologist, 1072 posts
The Gnome!
And Her Imagination
Fri 11 Jul 2014
at 12:31
  • msg #28

Re: Chapter #7d:  A Desperate Plan

Still not home?  The gnome sighed away her disappointment even as the voice of Father Zantus grew wispy and trailed away from distance and from the exclusionary properties inherent in the walls of the Town Hall.  Well, what do heroes do when disappointment strikes?

"Lets follow Stomper."  Pisca linked arms with the acolyte of the church, not an easy thing to do with someone as tall as Liseth.  She also reached out and took Cato's hand.  "I think we can all do with better weapons," said the gnome smiling up at the mage.  "You should have a better staff, Cato."

"And armor," Pisca added, turning her grin on the human girl.  "The white dress is nice, Lys, but I've been thinking, and you should have something shinier.  To match Kerr.  The pair look.  A shiny breast plate.  Maybe a Bee," said the gnome with a critical eye.  "And a horned hat.  And a shield.  And a spear!"

"No?  No spear?"
Liseth Thoradin
Human Oracle, 998 posts
Deluge of Positive Energy
HP 30/30
Fri 11 Jul 2014
at 12:42
  • msg #29

Re: Chapter #7d:  A Desperate Plan

"Thank you again Mayor Deverin," Liseth watched as Mr Barret was excused.  Nobody seemed happy with the situation; not the mayor, not Mr Barret, not Father Zantus, certainly not Kellan or Cato or herself.  But what was there to be happy about?  Only Pisca appeared cheerful, Liseth couldn't imagine how; except that gnomes must see things differently than they all did.  Not for the first time, the small blonde wished that she could be be as brave as Pisca was.  "I don't think that there is much more information left to share."  She sighed as she stood from her own place and made ready to leave, "We all know what to prepare for..."

"Mithral?"  The girl stopped before taking Kerr's arm when Pisca asked her about a mithral shirt of armor.  "I've never seen mithral before.  It is supposed to be very light..."  Liseth thought about the heavy, bulky, hot, and now dirty and sweaty dress that she had worn today.  Armor made of mithral might be more comfortable; definitely more protective.  But, "Isn't armor made from mithral supposed to be very rare and expensive Pisca?  I mean, it would certainly help, but we couldn't put something like that on Sandpoint's credit.  And...well even if someone did have it, it probably wouldn't be in our sizes."

"Um, Kellan..."  Now Liseth had taken Kerr's blue-sleeved arm and stood with him as everyone began to leave.  Kellan had asked if anyone had requests for him before he left.  "Do you think that...while you're visiting the Vinders..."  She frowned, thinking about Katrine again.  Liseth wanted to do something to apologise to the older girl, but so much had been happening that she had never had a chance to try and find her.  And part of her wanted to avoid Katrine's father until she had cleared things up; she didn't know what she could say to him.  Or even if he was now upset with her as well because of how poorly she had dealt with his daughter.  "Well...if she's there...do you think that you could tell Katrine that I'm sorry for having made her so upset the other day?  Please?"

They didn't have much time, and Liseth had to unburden herself at least somewhat before they left for Thistletop tomorrow.    There was so much weighing on her, but the acolyte knew she needed to be able to concentrate on what was most important.  Such as keeping goblins from overrunning Sandpoint.  If they didn't succeed Liseth wouldn't be able to say her peace...but something told her that in that case...it probably wouldn't matter anymore.  For Katrine, herself, or anyone.

Now she had gone and summoned those leaden butterflies into her stomach again...

"Kerr, was there anything that you can think of getting ready before tomorrow?"  Liseth squeezed her boyfriend's arm.  Kerr already needed arrows, and there were those special arrows that he had mentioned as well.  But he had already been given armor and a sword.  "Or maybe the Cathedral has things stored away for emergencies that Kerr or I could use to invoke the gods' assistance?"  The diminutive teen directed this question to Father Zantus, even though the prelate appeared quite distracted.  "Divine writings maybe?  Or holy potions?"  She said hopefully.  Liseth tried to smile but simply could not make it come.

"Well...if Mr Voon isn't available until after the funeral we don't have to visit him right away.  Maybe Kerr and I could visit Mr Tanner in Bottled Solutions."  There did not appear to be a scenario in which she split with Kerr at a point during the group's evening.  "Could you come with us Cato?  Or you Pisca?  I don't know much about what he sells to really pick things out for us.  Maybe he has more of his befuddlers that we could try against the goblins?  Or magic potions?"

"After that Kerr and I could go back to the Cathedral to see what we can get ready there," she nodded to Father Zantus, "If Father Zantus has anything for us."  And there were other things that has needed to prepare at the Cathedral as well.  Liseth would like to pen another letter to her father for one thing.  The lead in her stomach told her that she should while she still had the chance.

And then there was Kerr.  Even if her talk with Elsbet had gone terribly, Liseth had at least convinced herself that massaging Kerr wouldn't be bad.  He was aching after all, and Liseth couldn't find fault with making him better.  Besides, if they had to fight a goblin stronghold tomorrow, it would be best if Liseth's personal hero wasn't sore from all of the fighting he had done today.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:01, Fri 11 July 2014.
Cato Crispin
Human Wizard, 570 posts
Now 100% Monster Free
Fri 11 Jul 2014
at 13:09
  • msg #30

Re: Chapter #7d:  A Desperate Plan

Cato nodded at Liseth's suggestion.  "I don't think I need to see the mundane arms and armor.  If I'm hitting things with my staff, it's really just to distract them so that Kellan can get in a good swipe.  I can certainly come to Bottled Solutions with you and Kerr, Liseth.  Then maybe I can see if Brodert knows anything that can help us."
Pisca Neep Freemish
Gnome Archaeologist, 1074 posts
The Gnome!
And Her Imagination
Fri 11 Jul 2014
at 13:41
  • msg #31

Re: Chapter #7d:  A Desperate Plan

"Lysa," the gnome explained, or, at least, in this way began her explanation, "*you*, and I for that matter, are just as rare and expensive as any mithral.  You might find a dozen mithral shirts or dresses or scarves in Magnimar, but you'd never find another you."

"Only you ... can make the world seem right ... " crooned the gnome, in a brief and almost completely random digression, before returning to her discourse.  "So if mithral, no matter how rare and expensive, can do its part to save your life, then this gnome says it's worth the price.  And Mayor Deverin said, they cannot in good faith deny us anything that might increase your odds of success in completing our mission.  Right?"

"Besides, what could it hurt to ask?  If we ask, there's a chance that they might have the things that we want.  If we ask, they might even be willing to part with them too.  But the chance in terms of numbers and sums alone that someone will simply come up to you and offer you the thing that you were thinking of without you saying anything at all are ... well, quite frankly, they're terrible."

"Don't you think?"

"Are you sure you don't want a spear, Lysa?"

"*Sigh*" the gnome sighed.  "Well, I'll go off with Stomper to the Armory and the General store.  I wanted a word with Vin Vinder anyway, if you know what I mean?" said the gnome in a secret-ish sort of voice, and gave Liseth what she hoped was a meaningful enough look.  "You three can visit Nisk in his store.  Say hello from me, and tell him that the Burst Jars worked wonderfully.  The Befuddlers, not so much.  They need better balance for throwing."

"I'll keep an eye out for something nice for you, Lys."  And Pisca held up her hands to look at Liseth through the square formed by her thumbs and index fingers as though measuring the human girl for size.
Kellan Storval
Human Fighter, 614 posts
Former Red Shirt
Fri 11 Jul 2014
at 15:20
  • msg #32

Re: Chapter #7d:  A Desperate Plan

Kellan slowed his pace as Pisca moved to join him. Taking the right onto Main street he could already almost see Savahs as they curved onto Tower.

"Ya know Pisca..." he began, glancing down to the smaller of his already tiny blonde companions "Given our chances and all, I figure this may be the time to apologize apologize lumping you in with Jubrayl and them. You've more than proved yourself in my book"

The Guardsman gave a little sigh as he said it, as if looking back on their recent past with all the benefits of hindsight
Liseth Thoradin
Human Oracle, 1001 posts
Deluge of Positive Energy
HP 30/30
Fri 11 Jul 2014
at 21:33
  • msg #33

Re: Chapter #7d:  A Desperate Plan

"Thank you Cato, I'm sure you'll know which of Mr Tanner's creations are best for us to use."  Liseth thanked the mage after he readily agreed to go to Bottled Solutions with her and Kerr.

"Well..."  She turned to Pisca, "I can't argue with that Pisca.  Any person is more important and valuable than any suit of armor.  It wouldn't hurt to ask if here was something like mithral for us to use," Liseth conceded.  "It's not like we have to keep it. Since we're only going to need it tomorrow.  We can just borrow it and give it back when we're done with it."  That would work, Liseth thought.  "Rather than keeping it.  People would be more likely to let us use their expensive things that way."

"Um, no."  The small girl responded when asked again about a spear.  "No thanks Pisca.  If I had to use both of my hands on a spear it might get in the way of my invocations."  Right?  Maybe.  That sounded more like an excuse to her, but Liseth didn't think she would do well with a spear anyway.

"Okay, I'll see everyone later. I hope that we can find the things that we need to get through this safely..."  Liseth said farewell to Kellan and Pisca and everyone else gathered for the meeting before leaving with Cato and Kerr for Bottled Solutions, her arms wrapped around her boyfriend's arm and an anxious, heavy feeling in her stomach.
The Raconteur
GM, 1058 posts
Teller of Tales
Writer of Wrongs
Fri 18 Jul 2014
at 18:53
  • msg #34

Re: Chapter #7d:  A Desperate Plan

Continued in Chapter #7e: Armors and Farmers, and Chapter#7f: Solutions and Ablutions.
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