ROTR Session 2

Goblin Pyros

Burning, butchering and screeching chaos has washed over Sandpoint. From their vantage point on the village square the four heroes-in-the-making witness the assault. At the end of a side street, a goblin jumped up and grabbed a woman by the hair. While dangling from the hair it gleefully stabs the lady in the face. By the fifth stabbing, they both topple over. The goblin wanders off to spread mayhem elsewhere, leaving the poor woman without a chance of survival. He passes a different goblin, his big head stuck in a cartwheel—the encroaching fire of the wagon he just set ablaze paints its face orange. In a different street, a duo of goblins piss on a signpost that they have stolen. A crude goblin face is drawn in place of where the sign once hung. Before the group can act and pursue the Goblin threat they notice that the danger is already approaching them. A trio of goblin arsonists, led by a singing comrade approaches the square seeking to set it ablaze.
  The Goblin singer bravely steps forward, emboldened by the assault and their mission of destruction. He continues singing that same old song which bores into the ears of Rabie and Vannrik in particular. The singer takes out a shortbow and midsong aims it at his victims.
  Pious sees the warchanter approach and notices that one of its friends is setting a food stall ablaze. She bravely strides forward and takes up her scimitar. The champion wishes to speak Sarenrae’s name as she rids the world of its evil. The word comes out as a shriek as the young girl waves her sword with the intent to kill for the first time in her life. The goblin's bow is the only thing that prevents a clean strike and is all that saves him from being disemboweled. Still, he bleeds heavily from his side and belly.
  One of the goblin arsonists is upon Pious in a second, wailing at the Sareanite with his torch. He strikes true. She feels the bite of the fire and a numbing pain in her collarbone. Overconfident he keeps wailing at her, albeit with less success.
  Rabie, having found inspiration through the champion of Sarenrae, follows in pursuit. He whispers to his raven “Help my friends” and in doing so is bestowed powers from beyond. A feeling of blessing washes over the witch's new friends ensuring them that they are doing what is right. This blessing comes not a moment too soon because yet another goblin is upon Pious.
  From over her shoulder, she can see that Vannrik has closed in. Through his mastery of the elements, he shapes what remains of the snowy aura around him into a spear. With a flick of the arm, he hurls the icy weapon into one of the goblins, impaling, and killing him on the spot.
  This causes the goblins' heads to turn in the direction of Sandpoint's defenders where they see the approach of Jinx, still drawing power from the hammer-themed card clutched in his fingers. An arc of electricity alternates between the remaining goblin and the singer who hits high notes uncommon to its kind.
  The warchanter needs but a moment to resume its singing and scurry to safety. His mouth wording the lyrics unerringly, presumably due to years of repetition. It lets an arrow fly at Rabie, the easiest target for now. Luckily, it clatters harmlessly on the cobblestone. Yet, with one of their fellows dead the goblins realize they can’t burn Sandpoint to the ground unopposed. Almost in unison, the arsonists drop their torches and reach for their dogslicers; makeshift, crude weapons that would be too big and unwieldy if not for the holes drilled into them.
  Still grinning from successfully setting the food ablaze, the arsonist furthest away charges at Pious who is still fending off the attacks of its living friend. She is hit in the armpit where her chainmail is less dense, reddening her orange tunic with fresh blood.
  Pious puts her faith in Sarenrae and despite being surrounded she grabs hold of her holy symbol, no longer a mere souvenir. She holds it up above her head and the reflections of the fire are amplified into a dazzling flash. The warchanter, further away, has time to avert its gaze but the others are not so lucky. Dazzled and blinded by the light they recoil, that’s just the opening that Pious needs. She swirls and sweeps her scimitar across the blinded Goblin’s thin neck, spraying a fountain of jugular blood.
  As another Goblin falls, the warchanter glances around nervously and in doing so, stares directly into the monstrous purple eyes of Rabie. The reality of his circumstances dawns on him and lessens the creature's appetite for destruction. The goblin watches the witch weave another spell, one of protection, to ward Sarenrae’s champion. Then out of nowhere, the warchanters vision is obscured by a sudden wintery clutch of snow and hail.
  Vannrik has maneuvered the elemental destruction in such a way that it propels the blinded arsonist into a wheelbarrow. Wheels of cheese roll over Cathedral Square until they are stopped in place, frozen solid. With a second motion of the kineticist's arms, a giant icicle materializes that jolts towards the warchanter who foolishly thought himself safe. The icicle shatters on impact but ends the creature’s annoying chanting forever.
  The remaining goblin arsonist is dazed and has difficulty understanding which way is up or down. He hears footsteps approaching. A mischievous voice says “You’re short but I’m shorter..” The tone promises malice. With a wave of his hand, Jinx flashes a keys-themed harrow card and unleashes a wave of dark shadowy magic upon his victim. The gnome looks on as the goblin's green flesh withers away, not unlike the stem of a flower that was not meant to be.
  The last of the goblins lies dead but the goblin threat is not yet over. Plumes of smoke are visible from multiple corners of Sandpoint, especially northward. The Cathedral square is secured but the fighting has moved.

Echoes of alliances

Father Zantus approaches the group supporting a villager with bloodied clothes but freshly healed wounds. With heavy breath Alabaster thanks the four for their aid in fending off the goblins. “By Desna’s wings, thank you. I don’t think so many people would have been able to flee to safety if it were not for your intervention. Are any of you hurt? I can help.” All eyes are set upon Pious who steadies herself despite bleeding and having her hair singed. She tries to abate the smoldering of her tunic as she speaks. “I’m alright, thank you. Sarenrae will protect me.” The cleric of Desna steps forward and places a supporting hand on her shoulder. “Desna and Sarenrae are allies. Last time I heard the story, Sarenrae did not slay the rough beast Rovagug alone, she had help from her allies, Desna included.” The young girl relents and Father Zantus calls upon the powers of his faith to heal the girl's wounds. The cleric is so adept at the power of healing that not only her wounds heal but the hair and part of the eyebrow that have burned away regrow as well.

  As Father Zantus has his attention on Pious , her newfound allies also take a moment to get their bearings. Vannrik takes the initiative in putting out the fires that were set at the Cathedral Square before they have a chance to spiral out of control. They take a quick moment to look through the goblins belongings as well. Vannrik sees use in selling the shortbows later, Jinx takes a makeshift quiver of arrows from the goblins as well. After Father Zantus is done with Pious he admits that he has to tend to the other wounded. Before he needs to ask the group offers to do whatever they can to protect Sandpoint. A cry for help can be heard further north on church street. The four defenders rush in to help.

Die, dog! Die!

Vannrik is the quickest to go forward; he re-establishes his kinetic aura of icy water and snow and dashes nimbly through the streets. Pious , having learned the value of defense, approaches a bit more cautiously with her shield raised. Rabie mutters incantations under his breath, finding it prudent to ward Vannrik through magic. Jinx doesn’t trust the situation, he follows the group and focuses on detecting the presence of magic. Ghurab flies overhead and from its vantage point, it seems that The Sandpoint Guard has mobilized closer to the western cliffs.
  Near the north gate, between The White Deer Inn and the home of a villager, they come upon a quartet of goblins accosting a nobleman and his hound. The leader is mounted atop an ugly, diseased-looking creature; a Goblin Dog. As Vannrik comes within range it sees the goblin slide a makeshift polearm from the hound's slain body. “Barrister, no!” the nobleman cries from his hiding place between some barrels. Cheers erupt from the three goblins hiding behind their leader and they would have made their way to the noble if they were not interrupted by the defenders of Sandpoint.
  One of the goblin warriors, wanting to prove his bravery to his commander, rushes at the first foe he can find; Vannrik. With screechlike laughter, he goes for the Jadwiga. Pious focuses intently on her holy symbol of Sarenrae, and silently prays to her goddess to force the goblin assailant on the path towards redemption. The goblin struggles and resisting the intrusive thoughts weakens its strikes.
  From further away the booming voice of a little creature can be heard. With his three eyes, Jinx stares intently at another goblin assailant. “I hereby command you to die.” His biting words are amplified by occult powers and drill painfully into the creature's green pointy ears. For a moment the goblin looks confused then it starts bleeding from the ears, tear ducts, and nostrils. The victim slumps to the floor obeying the command.
  Pious sees the threat of the commander and his mount for what it is. She bravely strides forward and plunges her scimitar into the flank of the hideous creature. The howls of pain from the goblindog echo through the streets, drawing a gasp from the cowering noble. Pious focuses her attention on felling the beast.
  The third goblin warrior, a bit more hesitant than his fellows, sees an opportunity. It sneaks behind the Sarenite and thrusts with its dogslicer. Its curved tip finds a way in between the rings of chain and draws blood. This forces Pious ’ attention away from the goblindog and the commander. She spins just in time to put her shield between herself and a second attack
  Pious sees that by this time Rabie has reached the battle. He calls upon powers he has yet to fully understand. Abyssal whispers fill the ears of the goblin forces inciting feelings of doubt and uncertainty. Unfortunately, these intrusions cannot penetrate the adrenaline and thrill of combat but they do attract the attention of the commander. He orders his mount to retreat to a safe distance. The hurt beast is easily convinced. From his new vantage point, the goblin takes aim with his shortbow. The arrow is planted square in the exposed chest of Rabie, critically wounding him. Bending over in agony is the only thing that saves Rabie from a second arrow that was aimed at his head.
  Vannrik expertly dodges the loose projectile while on his way to save his friend. He bestows a healing quality to a portion of the water that surrounds him. Rabie is doused with the life bringing water. The arrow is slowly being forced out of the Varisian's body. The remainder of the kinetic aura is fashioned into an icy spear which Vannrik hurls towards the goblin commander. The target is hit with such force that he is thrown off his mount into the dirt road below.
  The two goblin warriors rush in to save their leader. The noble who is still hiding behind the barrels ponders whether or not to yell out a warning to his saviors. His contemplation is interrupted when he sees a strange, three-eyed gnome following the attackers. Only when he sees Jinx throw an arc of lightning at the goblins does the noble realize Jinx is a friend and not a foe. Over the crackling of electricity, Jinx’s booming voice is heard again “You too must die!”. For a moment the goblin struggles to remain upright but eventually, he too falls and obeys the gnome’s command.
  Pious blocks the path of the remaining goblin warrior. She raises her scimitar but halts her strike in midair. “If you surrender now we will spare your life.” She is unsure how the others feel about taking prisoners but Pious trusts in Sarenrae’s teachings of redemption. The Goblin's gaze quickly falls on his two companions who have died a gruesome death and wanders to his leader who is desperately struggling to get back to his feet. Goblin-bravery dictates that he flees. The bloodied creature rushes into the nearby treeline. Pious can barely hide her disappointment as she learns again that the world is not as it should be.
  Almost as if to prove her point Rabie, who has suffered a gruesome wound, starts cackling loudly. His face is a twisted mask that almost speaks of pleasure as he inspects the reddening of his clothes. When he looks back up his eyes have turned purple and his visage of malice is turned towards the goblin commander. Instead of reaching for safety the Varisian witch saunters slowly towards the leader. The commander struggles to get atop his mount and lets fly another arrow, this one slightly grazing the witch’s exposed bicep. He then has to duck forward as another icy projectile flies overhead and shatters into the gate behind him. Vannrik mutters a Skalden curse under his breath.
  Jinx gauges the situation and ponders his next move. He has not observed any apparent weaknesses in the goblins besides their weakwilledness. He opens his mouth to speak the amplified biting words to the goblin leader. By this time the gnome has worn out his throat however and the words come out as a hoarse whisper.
  Pious has gone in pursuit of the leader and after realizing that words are not an option she slams the pommel of her scimitar into the creature's eye. Within moments the right eye of the goblin swells to the point where it is almost shut. She notices that the Goblin is made of strong stuff as it manages to avoid a second blow from the scimitar.
  For some reason the new wound has brought new delights to Rabie who continues cackling loudly. The witch unerringly paces forward towards the goblin commander and his voice breaks as he speaks. “It’s about time that -your- dog died.” The goblin swears that he sees the witches jaw unhinge as the cackling reaches a cacophony.

  Garridan Viskalai, owner and proprietor of The White Deer Inn had been hunkered down under a table ever since he heard the first screams and saw the first fires rise. He had been holding his breath (And his children Rubus, Sarla, and Veedie close) since he heard that the fighting had moved right in front of his door.
Now the windows of his establishment start to rattle as he hears unearthly laughter from outside. Do they need to run? Garridan looks at his wife who tearfully peers up from behind the bar. With a motion of his hand, the innkeeper motions Tannsy to stay put. He dares to creep to the window. There he sees unlikely Sandpoint residents and newcomers in defense of the town. The scavenger, Rabie, who lives somewhere in the alleys south of town is marching forward with his hand outstretched towards a Goblin riding a monster. A trick of the light from the braziers, the scavenger's cape, and the thatched roof across the street made his silhouette and shadow seem as if he had sprouted wings. The goblin and his beast recoil and Garridan also has to cover his ears and turn away from the window. He dares to trust that Sandpoint is in good hands.

    The goblin is surprised by how many attacks he has weathered. Despite his bruised eye, he sees the manvillage burn before him from his vantage point. The monster in front of him had not slain him with his strange magics yet and according to the goblin, he never will. He scratched Gurglepuss in between the beast's neck flaps, knowing it would cause the goblindog to scratch himself vehemently. Skinflakes and tufts of mangy fur fill the air causing the girlknight and the wicked one to cough and hurl. The goblin dropped his bow to the floor and as quick as a goblin could, grabbed the mighty horsechopper from the ring on his mount's harness. He could not help but flash a determined, toothy grin.

  One moment, Rabie was commanding the forces sent to aid him in bringing down bullies and the powerful unjust. The next he was stumbling backward. The world had gone black before he was supposed to hit the ground. He kept falling deeper into that neverending blackness. Now he does not know when the falling stopped and the soaring through the inky black began.
  Pious is sickened. Perhaps it is because some of the goblindog's foulness had gone in her mouth or perhaps it is because she saw the goblins weapon exit cleanly through the back of her new friend. She can not call upon Sarenrae’s redemption in time to save Rabie.
  Vannrik sees the battle turning sour. He leaps over several defeated foes and knows that one well-placed strike should end the fight then and there. He sends two icy projectiles the commander's way. The commander seems to have become emboldened by his success and successfully maneuvers the Goblin Dog out of the way.
  Jinx sees the cardbacks of various harrow cards flash before his two lower eyes as he shuffles the deck. The third one is fixed upon the goblin leader. “Don’t worry. I’ve got an evil eye too.” He cuts the deck in half and riffle-shuffles them back together. “You will fail the next time you try that.” As the last card locks into place an unseen eruption is felt from the deck. The goblin suffers mental anguish as the possibility of a future in which the goblin is victorious evaporates from his mind. The future in which he escapes to safety leaves after. Then the future in which he grovels for his life. Before long all possible futures for the goblin commander are gone and then his present ceases to be as well.
  Pious is lurched over, clutching the holy symbol of Sarenrae so hard that it almost cuts into her hand. She feels hair scraping over the roof of her mouth before it is expulsed from her body. She moves the dead body from the goblin commander aside with her shield as it slides from its mount. Vomit spittles from her lips as she lets out a battle cry. The scimitar comes down the goblindog’s flank opposite from where she had struck it before. As the beast howles its deathcry she makes sure to face away from its bodily ick.

Victory for Sandpoint

Within moments Vannrik is upon Rabies unconscious body, using what is left of his kinetic aura to wash the dying man with healing waters. The cavity where the thick blade of the horsechopper had skewered the Varisian man closes faster than the victim can bleed out. The worst danger passed but saving his new friend required a lot more work. Pious kneels beside Vannrik and takes out her healing tools. With Vannrik’s help, she gets to work removing the arrowhead from Rabie’s chest. Rabie answers with a grunt and renewed consciousness. “That was a stupid idea.” Pious can’t help but let out a smile. “Really? I actually thought it was really brave how you blocked that arrow with your chest.” Pious ’ patient does not know her well but knows her enough to realize that those words might not have been sarcasm. “I’m not doing that again.” Rabie says. “Better not. Try chainmail next time.” Jinx meanwhile is silently shuffling his harrow deck. He had shifted fate many times that day and he needed to center himself lest he be caught by its loose strands.

  Slowly the sounds of fighting give way to the sounds of guards pursuing straggling Goblins. By the time Rabie regains some strength he is not the only one to scramble to his feet. From behind the barrels further down the street, the nobleman has warily come forward. “Do mine eyes deceive me? Or have I been saved by an angel and her host of heavenly friends?” He says. It takes many looks over the nobleman's shoulders to convince him that there are no noble-killing goblin around. “My name is Aldern Foxglove and I owe you.. ”He looks at Pious and then at the rest of the group. “..All of you, my life. Please, you cannot leave town before you let me repay you.” Aldern peers down Church Street. “I’m staying at The Rusty Dragon Inn, a place I desperately want to be right now.”
Vannrik answers “We are staying there too actually.” This pleases the nobleman. “Good, then I will see you there! Do you think the streets are safe?” It takes only a cursory glance from Vannrik before he nods. Aldern starts to move down the street, stopping only for a second to take a last look at the dead dog blocking his path. “Barrister, such a shame..” he mutters sorrowfully before darting down the street as fast as his black lacquered shoes can carry him.

  For the next hour, the group does their best to assist the people of Sandpoint in tending to the wounded and putting out fires. Vannrik especially is hailed for his seemingly limitless mastery over the element of water. Not everyone lives through the night, still, the largest concentration of townsfolk and visitors were at the cathedral square where the four new heroes were able to contain the Goblins. Whatever number of goblin remain are fleeing, those with guards on their tails prefer to plummet off Junker’s edge before getting caught. Rabie would not be surprised if the corpses of their slain brethren were to be thrown off the edge as well. The state of Sandpoint is as well as can be. “Except for one thing.” comes the intrusive thought to Pious ; “The cathedral is not yet consecrated.” She urges her companions to head for the cathedral.

 

Consecration

Upon arrival, they see Sheriff Belor Hemlock and Father Zantus discussing the night's events on the cathedral’s steps. “..Six dead and counting.” They hear in the low baritone of the sheriff. As the group approaches Belor turns his attention to them. “There they are. On behalf of Sandpoint, I must thank you. I hear from Alabaster that you have prevented the cathedral square from turning into a massacre." Before they have a chance to respond he continues. “Jinx, I am happy that you were here and not on the other side of the Turandarok. And Rabie," He places a strong, firm hand on the Varisian’s shoulder. “I knew that one day you would take your place in defense of this town. It’s just a shame that it has taken this." The sheriff motions over the smoldering carts and evidence of chaos on the square. He does not see that despite his kind words Rabie’s expression is one of shame. "You newcomers, you have my thanks as well.” The sheriff urges the visitors to introduce themselves, Pious does so with a well-practiced courtsie and Vannrik does so with less fanfare. Hemlock seems to be especially interested in knowing if they plan to stay in Sandpoint. It is then that he halts himself and sighs with some embarrassment. "Ah.. I saw your faces in the crowd at the welcome speech but I guess I have not introduced myself. I’m Belor Hemlock, captain of the guard here in Sandpoint. I have a long night ahead of me and I must take my leave. We will stay in touch.”
  When Pious petitions to Father Zantus to witness the consecration she and her allies are welcomed with open arms. Due to the night's events, the consecration is held behind closed doors with only the residential clergy in attendance. All with less celebration than planned. The consecration ritual is performed at the altars of Abadar, Desna, Erastil, Gozreh, and Shelyn. By the time they get to the altar dedicated to Sarenrae, Pious is invited to join the proceedings. To some surprise, Rabie assists as well. They both perform admirably and the young Sarenite even manages to inspire a change to the chants. Midway through the ritual, the chanting resembles a melody that she learned at the convent.

 

Birth of the Sandpoint sentinels

As the group descends the stairs of the cathedral they can look, fulfilled, at a job well done. Celebrations and rest are in order and the group heads deeper into town towards the Rusty Dragon. As the tavern door opens the group is met by applause from local patrons who have decided that the night’s harrowing events warranted a drink. The group is quickly received by the innkeeper Ameiko. “I was hoping I would see you.” she says with a pleased smirk. “I heard you did well in fighting the Goblins. Heroes are not paying tonight…” She hands small prepared pouches and hands them to Vannrik and Pious , a refund on the coin they spent to book a room. “..and they always have a place in this inn.” she indicates to Rabie and Jinx. It takes a moment for Rabie to realize that it is implied that he can stay at the tavern. He agrees wholeheartedly. Jinx on the other hand agrees absentmindedly, his gaze lingers beyond Ameiko’s shoulders. The Gnome sees Bethana standing on a stool behind the bar, he doesn’t spot any scrapes or bruises and her clothing is not frumpled and stained. Only the shock in the halflings' eyes reveals what impact the night has had on her. Jinx sighs in relative relief before he is drawn back to the conversation by the cheerful demand of their host. “You simply must tell us the story!” She motions at the podium that the inn boasts.
To no one’s surprise, Pious is the most enthusiastic about speaking publicly. She takes the stage and begins her retelling of the defense of Sandpoint. “We did what we had to do..” Pious paints their great deeds with a veneer of humility but her companions do notice that she exaggerates some of the details. The goblin are more devious, the light on from her holy symbol shines bright like the dawning sun, Vannrik brought the winter winds straight from Irrisen, those types of things. She ensures that all her companions have time to shine in the story.
Pious leaves to stage to the sound of applause, no one is clapping and louder than Aldern Foxglove. The noble has quickly yet expertly cleaned himself up after the whole ordeal with the goblin earlier that night. “You have the heart and the voice for storytelling.” He muses as he invites the entirety of the group to his table. Drinks are ordered and well received. Aldern explains that he is a noble living in nearby Magnimar. It does not take long before he cannot contain his excitement and wants to know about each and every one of them. He is fascinated by their introductory tales. After Pious Magdalena Messia introduces herself with her full name he perks up a bit. “From The Messia Family in Magnimar? Are you the convent daughter? I’ve met your father on multiple occasions. He is a man as fine as they come!” This concerns the nobleman’s daughter as she was not meant to leave her station. Saving an acquaintance of her father brings this adventure a little too close to home for her. Aldern doesn’t appear to notice the worries on Pious ’ face. He hands them each thirty silver pieces and invites them for a boar hunt the following day. The noble tells them not to worry, Aldern will arrange everything, mounts included. After that, the night's events and the drinks get the better of Aldern Foxglove, begrudgingly he excuses himself for bed.
  As Ameiko moves to their table with another round of drinks on the house, she mentions that the group has become famous overnight. As an adventurer herself she knows that they should decide on a name for themselves otherwise such a name might be decided for them. “Sarenrae’s chosen” as an option is directly eliminated. This is the topic of conversation before they have to retreat for some well-deserved rest.

“The Sandpoint sentinels” has a nice ring to it.