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Shalelu Andosana a isn’t quite a bounty hunter, a survivalist, or a mercenary, but rather a mix of all three. The elven woman passes through town once or twice a season to buy supplies and never remains more than a few days. She always stays in the same room at the Rusty Dragon, free of charge thanks to her long friendship with Ameiko.

Near the end of each visit, she meets with Sheriff Hemlock and Mayor Deverin for a few hours at the garrison to give a report on the state of the state of the hinterlands before she leaves the hinterlands before she leaves town again. Both Hemlock and town again. Both Hemlock and Deverin value Shalelu’s reports since they provide unbiased insight into how the local farmlands are faring and keep the town council abreast of burgeoning dangers in the region.

Her visit to Sandpoint is to Sandpoint is unexpected unexpected—she last passed through town only a month ago and wasn’t expected until the last week of autumn. She dispenses with her visit to the Sandpoint Market and the Rusty Dragon, instead requesting an immediate meeting with Sheriff Hemlock and Mayor Deverin.

The unusual meeting and Shalelu’s ragged look combine to make an already jumpy populace suspect the woman brings news of a new goblin threat.

Sheriff Hemlock seeks out his new friends and asks them to join him, Mayor Deverin, and Shalelu at the town hall, explaining he’s got some news that might interest them. The meeting takes place in a comfortable office on the second floor of the town hall.

[ooc: This meeting will take place after the PCs have rested and recovered. They are called to the office by a young boy from Sandpoint who is sent to password to them.]

Selaim

{OOC:Envisioning that this happened the next day possibly about late morning at the earliest.}

The rest was needed and enjoyed by the young elf. The warm bath especially relaxing. After the last few days a quiet morning was welcome. She finally heads to the common room late in the morning for a late lunch.

Coral

She walked back into the Rusty Dragon.

She had slept well. After she woke, she had had breakfast and gone for a walk around the town, being as unobtrusive as she could be with her shock of red hair, revisiting the places of the past few days, before returning to to the inn see if anyone else was up.

"Morning," she said to Selaim, when she saw her after she had walked inside.

Aendell

He had a good rest and was up early to greet the sun and offer prayers, then heading down to breakfast, likely being among the first to arrive.

Zak arrives almost the same time as Aelendal, having arisen early to take care of his business, and see the sunrise through the windows. When the others arrive he is nursing a cup of something steaming.

Catalena

Feeling like she could have slept another full day, Cat rose, yawned, and stretched lazily. Months of the least-wanted early-morning shifts combined with her own refusal to go to bed early had made waking usually a rough time so she savored her newfound freedom. She took her time to wash up and clean, comb, and oil her hair. When she came downstairs, it was with a bounce in her stride and in a mist of herbal fragrance.

She greeted the others with a wide smile and ordered herself a large breakfast of eggs and sausage, scalding tea and spiced wine.

Breakfast is served, and as people are eating, a young boy comes in. He spots Cat and moves over to her. "The Sheriff requires you at his office." She recognizes the boy from the brave one that had chased the goblin the night before.

Coral

"We'll keep your breakfast safe, Cat, if you want to go straight away," Coral responded to the interruption.

Zak

“Well, Cat. Can’t guarantee I won’t sneak a piece of Bacon or some such.”

He grins.

Selaim

She finally made her appearance in the Common room and was sitting down for breakfast when Coral came back from her walk.

"Morning," she responds.

She eyes the boy curiously as he approaches the table and speaks to Cat cocking her head at the summons.

"Mind if I come with, Cat?"

Catalena

Cat looked at Coral like she was speaking backwards. She blinked her eyes slowly then smiled widely.

"We Varisians live, love, sleep, and eat on the move, my friend. This," she gestured to her unfinished breakfast "is but a moment's effort despite my delicate physique."

She laughed and wolfed up her plate like a Shoanti half-orc and grabbed her tankard to go, eyeing Zak, and raising it in salute. "Cayden would approve?" she asked.

To Selaim, she said, as she rose, "Of course. You should all come. I think the Sheriff understands that we are working together. He is more used to bossing me around."

Then she was out the door with a slight ladylike belch.

((OOC I'm sorry guys. I'm completely, miserably, crushed at work. Pande if things are held up waiting for something from me, please ghost as needed.))

The boy will proudly lead them to the office they have visited before.

[ooc: Any preparations or anything?]

[OOC: nah! what could possibly go wrong?]

Ooc: le Nope.

Selaim

She follows Cat and the boy (And whoever else) to the Sheriff's office.

The walk from The Rusty Dragon to Hemlock's office is an easy one with a pleasant morning sea breeze. The smells that present themselves to their noses let them know that many things are being done in town, from cooking food to working a forge. Life is normal in all respects inside of Sand Point.

In the office, they see Sheriff Hemlock, Mayor Deverin, and Shalelu Andosana, an elven woman. Cat might know her as a bounty hunter, a survivalist, or a mercenary, but rather a mix of all three. The elven woman passes through town once or twice a season to buy supplies and never remains more than a few days. She always stays in the same room at the Rusty Dragon, free of charge, thanks to her long friendship with Ameiko.

Additional chairs have been found to crowd the small office and get them in. All of them are welcome.

Hemlock waves them in saying "welcome, welcome, we have things to discuss."

Catalena

Cat deposited her now empty ale mug on the Sergeant's Desk with a wink at the older woman's frown and then strode into Hemlock's office.

Her face brightened upon seeing the elven huntress.

"Shalelu!" she grinned. "My heart sings to you," she added in Elvish.

Shaleu

"It is good to see you," she offers in Elvish with a small smile. "It weighs heavy upon my heart that it is not under better tidings."

Catelena

"What is wrong?" Cat replied, now more serious. "If there is a way we can help, we certainly will."

She indicated the others who had come in with her. "These stalwart adventurers have already done so much to protect Sandpoint from goblins, reanimated skeletons, and thugs from Magnimar. May I introduce Coral, a young woman whose strong powers magic belie her small stature; Zachergillan, a justice-hearted cleric of The Accidental God Cayden Cailean; Selaim, a young elf who has overcome a harsh upbringing to fight well to protect those who need it; and Aendell Shieldguard, a righteous paladin of Iomedae."

"Friends," she continued, "this is the wholly capable and fearless Shalelu Andosana. She knows as much about this area, the Lost Coast of Varisia, as anyone."

Carol

"Pleased to meet you," the redhead responded with a smile.

Shaleu

"Good to meet you," she says, switching the Common as Catelena had done so.

[ooc: Going to give people time to introduce or acknowledge things before I launch into the information.]

Aendell

He nods politely to the Elf, his curiosity peaked by her comment about dire news. "Aendell Shieldguard, Lady", he says by way of introduction.

“Call me Zak, if you will. Many do. It’s easier to wrap your tongue around. And I am honored to meet you.”

Selaim

She blinked a few times at the description. It had been a far cry from the "wastrel thief" she was used to.

She gives a sheepish nod.

“Belor’s told me of your work against the goblins, well done. I’ve dedicated the last several years of my life to keeping them from causing too much trouble around these parts. But they’re tenacious and fecund little runts like weeds that bite.

“There are five major goblin tribes in the region, and, traditionally, they’re pretty good at keeping each other in at keeping each other in line with intertribal line with intertribal squabbles and the like. Yet from what I’ve been able to piece together, members of all ve tribes were involved in the raid on Sandpoint.

"A fair number of the Mosswood goblins I dealt with yesterday were already pretty beat up, and there was a lot of chatter about
the ‘longshanks’ who kill the ‘longshanks’ who killed so many of them. Now that I’ve met you, it seems obvious who they were talking about. Seems like you’ve made an impression.

“In any event, the fact that the five tribes are working together is disturbing. Goblin tribes don’t get along unless they’ve got
something big planned, and big plans require big bosses. I’m afraid someone’s moved in on the goblins and organized them. And
judging by these recent raids, what they’re organizing seems like bad news for all for all of us.”

Selaim

"So the tribes are massing. Are we to go out and hunt these for these big bosses? Is that your suggestion? If so, do you have an idea where the tribes are gathering? Did you see that in your travels?"

Aendell

"Yes", he nods. "We questioned a wounded Goblin from an ambush and he confirmed that. There is a new player on the scene who is promising them all sorts of goodies if they band together."

Catalena

"There was indeed some outside presence that had been using promises and diplomacy to sway the chieftains and some of the tribes did not go along with it," Cat added. "But we don't know anything more about who or what it is."

"It sounds like it might be another human or non-goblin taller race, if they refer to them as a 'longshanks' like us?"

She'll made sure Shalelu was caught up on the attack on the town during the Swallowtail Festival and the details of the inter-goblin skirmish they found yesterday.

Sheriff Hemlock

"I will be taking a couple of guards with me south the Magnimar. I want to see about securing additional troops to station in Sandpoint for a few weeks, at least until the extent of the goblin threat can be determined.

"While I am gone, Shalelu is going to sniff around the Shank's Wood, Brinestump, Mosswood, Devil’s Platter, and other places where goblins live to see if she can discover anything else about what’s going on." He glances at the elf, who nods in response.

"As far as our local heroes go. I would appreciate it if you would maintain a presence here in Sandpoint to keep things calm. The local citizenry has taken a liking to you, and I think it would be a big help in keeping the worries down."

Shalelu

Shalelu then takes over the conversation and offers, "There are five major goblin tribes in the region. The closest to Sandpoint are the Birdcruncher goblins, who live in caves along the western edge of the Devil’s Playyer. Traditionally, these goblins
are the least aggressive of the five.

"To the south are the Licktoad goblins of the Brinestump Marsh, pests who are excellent swimmers.

"East are the Seven Tooth goblins of Shank’s Wood, goblins who’ve secured a place for themselves by raiding Sandpoint’s junkyard
and rebuilding the stolen refuse into armor and weapons. Further east are the Mosswood goblins, likely the largest tribe but one
traditionally held back by feuding families within their own ranks.

"And finally, there are the Thistletop goblins, who live on the Nettlewood coast atop a small island that some say holds a passing
resemblance to a decapitated head."

Shalelu notes "that goblins generally live short, violent lives. It’s unusual for a single individual to achieve any real measure of notoriety, but when one does, it’s well-earned. Currently, six goblins in the region enjoy Currently, six goblins in the region enjoy the status of “hero.

"Big Gugmut is an unusually muscular and tall goblin from Mosswood who, it is said, had a hobgoblin for a mother and a wild boar
for a father.

"Koruvus was a champion of the Seven Tooth tribe, known for his short temper and a magic longsword that the goblin stubbornly keeps as his own despite the fact that it's too large for him to wield properly. Koruvus vanished several months ago after he supposedly discovered a “secret hideout” in a cave along the cliffs, but the Seven Tooth goblins remain convinced he’s out there still, a ghost or worse.


"Vorka is a notorious goblin cannibal who lives in the Brinestump marsh, a “hero” mostly to goblins other than mostly to goblins other than the Licktoad tribe.

"Rendwattle Gutwad is the obese chieftain of the Brinestump goblins, a corpulent monster who, it is said, never leaves his throne.

"Ripnugget is the leader of the Thistletop goblins and controls what the five tribes agree is the best lair.

"And then there’s Bruthazmus, an infamous bugbear ranger who lives in northern Nettlewood and often visits the five tribes to trade things he’s stolen from caravans for alcohol, news, or magic arrows."

Shalelu notes that Bruthazmus has a particular hatred of elves, and they have fought on several occasions. To date, neither
have managed to get the upper hand on the other, but Shalelu bitterly vows she won’t be the first to fall in their private war.

Coral

"So," she posed the sheriff. "You want us to stay here and wait for goblins to come to us? "

Aendell

"We can do that", he nods. "if you'd like assistance in exploring, the sea caves are close to town. We could look for the vanished Koruvus in those caves while still not venturing far away."

Zak:

“So only a couple guard? So there is still a significant guard contingent here? Who will be in charge if there are questions? By maintaining a presence … just stick around and watch for trouble, or as Aendell says, is there something you have in mind for use to look into?”

Sheriff

He looks at Coral, "I want you to stay here and protect the people just as you did on the day of the festival. I don't expect an attack while I am gone, but it seems wise to take precautions."

He looks at Zak. "My hope is you will be a calming influence on the townspeople. They need that right now. Any real fighting should be done by professional soldiers if and when the time comes."

Selaim

Oh this is rich she thinks. From thief to guard in a matter of days. And poor Cat.

"So are we to make patrols or just have our presence known? I mean it is a big town and all."

Catalena

Cat chuckled listening to Shalelu's descriptions of the various goblins of infamy. She'd gotten much of her own understanding of the Tribes from Shalelu herself on previous visits but had not gotten such an encyclopedic overview before.

"I wonder if the Birdcrunchers might be willing to talk," she offered. "Possibly they might not like the idea of all-out war, if their lives are pretty uneventful if not outright peacefully cohabitating the coast. Maybe they would give up info on who and where is the longshanks driving this."