[Game Thread] Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings

[Aurex]

Zylhoff drops to one knee the very instant Davin aand Galstak finish off the battle. He notices for the first time that his robes are absolutely shredded, and it occurs to him that he probably wouldn't be alive if it weren't for the healing magic of the dwarf.

Nethys, I thank you for making my last spell aim true. Shelyn, many thanks to you that I still live! And Torag, to you I also owe thanks for healing me, even though I have never honored the god of the dwarves before.

"We must honor the gods for this victory," Zylhoff says, but the words come out quietly from the tired man and he's not certain anyone else hears them.

His wounds are not deadly and after a couple of minutes the young man stands shakily. "Well done my friends," he says to his companions. "I say we search these bodies, especially this rider, to see if we can find any clues as to why they came to raid the town on this particular night. The timing seems strange."

Having said that, Zylhoff takes a moment to look around. Garridan and the other man who were under attack seem as if they'll be OK. Dead goblins lie all around. Zylhoff had only ever seen one body before, and that was his uncle, lying in state before his funeral after he'd died peacefully in his sleep. Nothing in Zylhoff's life had really prepared him for the battle he and his new friends had just waged. And they were indeed his friends; even though he barely knew them, they had risked their lives together and won their victory through teamwork.

Slowly, the young wizard ambles over the body of the goblin rider and digs through his bloody possessions, looking for some clue as to his identity and purpose. He makes a face at the foul smell of the nearby dog.

"I really need another bath," Zylhoff exclaims.

OOC Searching the body.

[lymphomaniac]

The violence of it all struck Ravenwing like a brick wall once the shock of the battle wore off. Unlike his dwarven counterpart, Ravenwing did not have a stomach of steel, and proceeded to revisit all the snacks he'd eaten during the day, in reverse order.

That settled, he buckled under the pain of his injured arm and side. As much as Master Firebrand had attempted to teach him how to accept pain, it still hurt too much for his young body to handle, and he momentarily lost conciousness. When he came to, he grimly looked at his comrades, as if to congratulate them all on a fight well fought, and especially nodded his silent thanks to the dwarf, then walked back towards Garridan to check up on him.

[Excior]

Battle was nothing new for Galstak; the Shriikirri-Quah was born on the battle field he had accompanied his father on many raids and knew how to use a sword before he had saw his fifth summer. Galstak looks around and smiles at the carnage. The barbarian helps Zylhoff search the bodies when this is done he moves over to his new companions. ” Indeed this is a good day, It was not mere chance that brought us here, My quest to reclaim this land for my people could have easily taken me elsewhere but I felt drawn here and I know I know why.” He indicates Davin. ” The presence of this mountain spirit confirms it.” Galstak walks back out into the street. ” We need to find a shaman and get him to ask the gods what our next move is.”

[lymphomaniac]

While the others were searching the corpses lying in the alleyway, Ravenwing walked back slowly to Garridan and the rich man in tattered finery, wincing with each step from the pain in his side. Bloodied and dressed himself in clothes tattered from the encounter, he tried to ignore his appearance as he finally reached the water barrels behind which the men still remained.

"Master Garridan! I'm so glad that you are still alive!" Ravenwing paused for a moment, turning his gaze to Garridan's companion. "Greetings, Stranger. My name is Ravenwing. Are you injured? I'm guessing by your fashion that you do not visit this part of town often. Might we be able to escort you back to your residence, should there still be goblins lurking about?"

Ravenwing's tone was a bit steely, a bit on edge, as he had not much use for those who were rich. On occasion, the rich would throw a few rusty coppers to the needy - but generally, the poor were treated like second class citizens, even in a peaceful town like this (although the treatment of the poor here in Sandpoint was nothing compared to the maltreatment of the needy in larger towns and cities). While he was not at the point of being needy himself, Ravenwing sympathized with the plight of the poor, and always tried to assist them.

However, Ravenwing knew that his prejudices needed to be kept to himself, so even though his tone was steely, his offer to escort the fellow in tattered finery was genuine.

[Shards Of Light]

Davin grunted out to the barbarian. "Dinnae be so quick ta le' oth'rs pick yer path. Torag 'elps those who 'elp themselves!" He then walked over to the half-elf, who had been so pivital in the battle. He walked right past him to the injured man who seemed to be important to him. "Thank ye' fer yer 'elp back there, half-elf. None of us'd be alive wit'out ye'. Allow me ta' 'elp yer' friend." He then focused hard, and used the last of his connection to the divine spirit of the Forgemaster to heal his friend's friend.

OOC I'm pretty sure I can still convert spells to healing spells, which is what I'm doing. 6 points of healing!

[Loozer]

In the aftermath of the battle, all but Galstak are visibly shaken from their experience, a first for all of them. Zylhoff and Davin take it grimly, but for the small half-elf, it is all too much and he he sits down heavily in a bit of a daze after emptying the contents of his stomach. Galstak, however, seems to relish in the post battle atmosphere. For the first time since leaving his homeland he is in a situation that feels familiar to him and a kind of fierce calmness comes over him amidst the carnage, much of which could be directly contributed to himself.

As the four adventurers gather their wits about them, a few of the town guards arrive, led by Garridan's daughter who had seeked out Father Zantus and their aid. Seeing her father hurt, the girl shouts "Papa!" and rushes over to his side while the town guards pause to take in the scene before them. Between the dead goblins and the bloody adventurers, it doesn't take them long to piece together what happened. With the arrival of the town guard, townsfolk begin to emerge cautiously, eyeing the area to make sure the danger has passed, to view the scene for themselves. Before too long the sound of chatter fills the air.

Meanwhile, as Zylhoff searches the body of the goblins for anything valuable or informative, Ravenwing gathers his wits about him enough to stand and hurry over to the stricken Garridan. The man is being tended to by daughter after she took over for the wealthy man, whose clothes are now bloodied and ripped as he tried to stem the flow of blood as best he could for Garridan. Close on Ravenwing's heel, though is Darvin, and with a prayer to his god touches Garridan, creating a soft blue glow around both of them. Garridan gasps as the healing magic washes over him, closing his serious wounds. His daughters eyes widen in awe as she watches this and she looks to the dwarf with grateful eyes. The innkeeper slowly rises to his feet with the help of his daughter and looks at Davin and Ravenwing.

"Thank you, master dwarf, and you lad. You really saved our lives there. Come by the inn later lad, with your friends, and I'll show my appreciation."

Nodding to the adventurers, Garridan slowly makes his way from there towards his inn. Meanwhile, the well dressed man steps up, smiling widely with obvious gratitude.

"Yes, yes, indeed you all have my thanks as well. Ravenwing was it? My name is Aldern Foxglove, and no, I'm not from Sandpoint, but from Magnimar. I was visiting here for the festival. I dare say, if you four hadn't shown up when you did, I fear both myself and that poor fellow would have been done for, just like my poor dog. You all fought so bravely, but I must say, I've never seen somebody quite like that big fellow over there. He is definitely quite something, isn't he? Not someone I would want to become cross with me, I should think!"

Looking down at his clothes, Aldern brushes at them ineffectually and grimaces.

"Well I'm a frightful mess. I'm staying at the Rusty Dragon. If it's not too much trouble, I would take you up on your offer of an escort to the inn. It will give me a chance to reward you all properly for what you did for me. Also, if you wouldn't mind I would like to invite you to dinner with me. It's really the least I could do to show you my appreciation, and I would be very interested to hear all your stories, for I'm sure they are interesting indeed. If you already have plans for this evening, though, my offer will remain open for as long as I am here in Sandpoint, which will be another few days."

Zylhoff by now is finished checking the goblin bodies, having found little of value. Most of the goblins carried the crude weapons that they call "dogslicers" and small shields, none of much value. Their armour is dirty and not well kept, plus it wouldn't fit anyone bigger than a goblin, even if that person was willing to put the stuff on. Otherwise, Zylhoff finds a mix of useless items, squashed food, severed ears, and other junk. On the goblin commando who rode the goblin dog, Zylhoff finds an empty vial, a shortbow and arrows, again sized for a goblin or similarly small creature, and the long "horsechopper" (halberd type weapon). Although the horsechopper is sized for the goblin, it actually looks well made, and might actually be worth something to the right person.

Aldern looks at the four adventurers expectantly, to see if they will take him up on his offer of dinner at the Rusty Dragon.

OOC Zylhoff finds the folwing things of any value: Small Masterwork Halberd Small shortbow 15 Arrows You may take Aldern up on his offer, or you may do something else.

[lymphomaniac]

"I don't believe I have the stomach for dinner at the moment," Ravenwing looked back at the puddle of chunks he'd left behind, "but I believe my companions would appreciate your offer. I am also curious to hear about the happenings of your part of the world - if you don't mind our appearance or our crude manners, we'd like to accompany you back to the Rusty Dragon," said Ravenwing, taking the initiative to speak for the group.

OOC My sense motive check on the rich dude.

[Excior]

Galstak walks over to the others and nods his concent when Ravenwing spoke for the group.

"Aye, That would be a good Idea fighting makes one hungry." He looks around for something to clean off his earthbreaker with and finds a disguarded bucket of water and plunges the head of the weapon in the liquid. " We can all go to the White Deer after we guard this mans retreat home."

[Loozer]

Aldern smiles broadly when the heroes (for they are indeed heroes this day) accept his invitation. Together the small group makes its way through the streets toward the Rusty Dragon. On the way, everyone gets to survey the result of the goblin raid. They pass by a few burned out stalls and wagons, and some houses which the goblins tried to torch, but were quickly snuffed out by quick acting locals. All in all, the damage is relatively minor and spread around sporadically. If the goblins had a goal in mind for this raid, it appears the plan fell apart in the excitement of it all, as there is no obvious pattern to any of the attacks, just pointless vandalism.

On the way, Aldern learns each of the four adventurers names, and continues to compliment them on their heroic actions.

"I dare say, if not for you lot, this town could have suffered much worse than it did. It was indeed fortunate for everyone that you rose to the occasion. I should think your names will be on the lips of many a townsfolk before morning."

Arrving at the Rusty Dragon, the group enters to find the common room a literal disater area. The tables chairs have been upturned, some broken altogether, their splinters litering the floor. The place is a bustle of activity as a beautiful and exotic looking woman directs the various workers in their clean up efforts. She carries a rapier in one hand whose blade is still red with drying blood. An astute observer will notice a suit of armour decoratively arranged on one wall with a sheath that is conspicuously missing the weapon. Seeing the woman, Aldern approaches her concern on his face.

[B]"Ameiko! It looks like the Rusty dragon fared worse than some places! Are you ok, my dear? It looks like your establishment was the focus of the entire raid!"B]

The woman, Ameiko, looks around her in disgust at he mess and shakes her head, sighing in frustation as she starts to wipe her blade clean.

"It's alright, Aldern, I may not look it, but I can take pretty well care of myself. No, the dragon was hardly the focus of the attack. If you can believe it, all this mess was caused by only three or four of the little monsters. We were on the way back here with the food from the festival when the attack struck. It took some time for us to make it back here, what with all the confusion. By the time we got here, we caught a few of the goblins who had found their way into the kitchen, stuffing their ugly little faces with whatever food they could find, and generally wrecking the place. At least I managed to stick one of the little beasts before driving them off, but you can see they made quite a mess before we did that."

Frowning at the mess again, Ameiko gives an appraising look at the group of bloodied adventurers.

"Well, by the looks of you, I would guess I wasn;t the only one who has a story to tell about today's events. While I'm all for a good story from adventurers during dinner time, but I'm afraid cleaning up this mess will take most of the evening, so the kitchen is going to be closed for tonight. Sorry, Aldern, I can offer you some cold meats and bread for food tonight, but I won't be able feed the others as well. If they're looking for a room, I might be able to find something, but it won't be much. We should be back to normal for tomorrow, though."

Ameiko shrugs her shoulders and gives an apologetic look before turning to shout instructions to one of workers in the kitchen, leaving the four peopel to their own devices. Frowning Aldern turns the four heroes and gives his own apologetic look.

"Well, friends, I'm sorry, but I guess my invitation for dinner will have to be postponed. I have an idea, though! I was planning a boar hunt during my trip here, and well, I don't see why that can't still happen. I was planning on going the day after tomorrow, and I would love it very much if you would all join me! I can provide you with mounts if you don't have any, and when we get back, we can get Ameiko to prepare a feast that will truly be deserving of heroes such as yourselves! What say you?"

Brightened by his new idea of a hunt, Aldern looks at the four eagerly and hopefully.

[Shards Of Light]

Torag dinnae mention weather er not 'e approves o' organized 'unts in any o' his texts, but Ah dinnae thin' e'd be pleased by the mann'r in which nobles fav'r o' 'unting in me experience. Ah think it'd be best fer both o' us if'n ah wasn't involved."

[Aurex]

"Yes, I too have heard of the extravagant manner in which some of royal blood have been known to hunt. But I'm sure Aldern doesn't intend for such a thing, do you friend? For I would enjoy going, but it would be eminently more pleasurable if Davin were to also join us."

I suppose it's considered unsporting to kill a boar with a magic missile, but no matter. These other men probably do well enough with a bow, and I can chat with Aldern and find out what's been happening back in Magnimar the last few years.

[lymphomaniac]

"As well intentioned as I suppose your offer was meant to be," began Ravenwing, "I'm afraid I will have to decline. We commoners hunt for survival, not for game."

Seeing the disappointment on Aldern's face, Ravenwing felt a bit guilty, but he spoke the truth - and quite frankly, he felt a little offended that people would hunt animals for anything other than sustenance or self-preservation. The boars never did anything to Ravenwing; he didn't feel right that he should go on a cull of an animal that didn't threaten him.

"However, I do appreciate your offer of dinner. Perhaps we could take up your offer of dinner two nights from now, after the town has had a chance to clean up from this unexpected goblin raid. What say you, my friends?"

[Shards Of Light]

"Aye! This, ah c'n agree ta'!"

[Excior]

Galstak talked at length with Aldern on the way back to his temperory residence at the Rusty Dragon. The barbarian told him of life on the Storval Plateau as well as the highlights of his journey south to Sand Point. Once they arrived at the Rusty Dragon Galstak was awe struck at the sorry state of the Inn. The young Shriikirri-Quah warrior was stunned with the exotic beauty of the Inns owner, Ameiko was the name Aldern has used the big warrior just let his earthbreaker fall to the ground when their eyes met. His heart began to race and the barbarian could swear that the temperature in the room raised a few degrees. When she spoke to the adventures about their role in the goblin raid all Galstak could do was stammer and stare.

It took Aldern to bring the barbarian back to the present; His offer of a boar hunt did not go over well with the others of his group. The barbarian was shocked that they considered a hunt to be something other than what it was ” I will accompany you on your Boar Hunt Aldern, but the use of Bows is not fare to the boar.” The big barbarian picks up his earthbreaker and nods to Ameiko. ” On the Storval Plateau we use long hunting spears and dogs to hunt the devil swine.” He looks as if he were remembering something form his past as he speaks. ” It’s considered a rite of passage to hunt a wild creature among the men of my tribe, but we have to at least give our quarry a fighting chance, thus the use of spear. The dogs are rarely used to actually bring down the animal.” Galstak turns to his companions, ” At least journey with us on this hunt before you assume its only a sporting event. I for one could use a few pounds of fresh meat.”

[lymphomaniac]

"I'm sorry, but I cannot participate - not while my home town requires cleaning up after these goblins came through, and not until we find out where these goblins came from. While I may be just a commoner, I have a duty to protect this town too."

In the back of his mind, Ravenwing also knew that he couldn't leave in case his mentor arrived. He knew that as long as Master Firebrand had not at least left some message with him to let him know he was safe and otherwise occupied, he would be ill at ease no matter where he was.

"I think I'm going to head back to the White Deer, to see if Master Garridan will need some help cleaning up. It's been a long day for us all, and after I get these wounds wrapped up, I would like to help in the cleanup efforts. Master Aldern, it's been a pleasure meeting you, and we'll meet again a night from tomorrow."

OOC Incidentally, what did my sense motive check determine, and aside from idle chitchat, what did we learn about Aldern on the way to the Rusty Dragon?