Chapter 2: Local Heroes

Wess sighs and says "Well then, are we backtracking, or excavating?"

Chigaru shakes his head. "No point in excavating. If it's caved in, nothing here would be using it to reach the surface. Did we miss anywhere else? I feel we are missing the something, the source or a leader. Perhaps it was the mutant goblin?" he muses.

Khel stroked his beard, "It does seem that we have explored the entire section. Before we go back, I will try to dispel the levitating magic one more time."

"Maybe something in that room will be of value. Well, not the dead bird."

The piercing scream overtakes Grim as sudden waves of nausea and vertigo course through his body. He stumbles forward a bit then falls onto his knees, throwing up whatever his last meal was, the hagfish?

After a moment, the sound of his upchuck is replaced by a low but steady ringing from inside his ears. He places a hand on his left ear and feels a wetness, grimacing at the sight of fresh blood.

The halfing shrugs and grunts off any assistance by his companions. As they go to explore the remainder of the tunnel he slowly rises and drags the maul over to the immolated skull that caused him this pain. With a yell he savagely bashes the remains until nothing but pulp is left. After, half turning his head back to the group, muttering, "I feel better now."

Heading back, Grim grabs the bottled wine from the arcane play room, spending the night alone in his thoughts, going over the horror in the glassworks factory, that seed of eternal anger within blooming just a bit more, eventually replacing the ringing with a pounding headache the next morning.

Khel listened to Brodert Quink with interest and then responded, "That is indeed an interesting observation, Master Quink. Does it mean then that the altar is some kind of magical portal that responds to emotion, creating a link to whatever realm is supplying these vile monsters? Is it a permanent ritual or a dimensional portal? If it is able to feed and respond to anger, then shouldn't we destroy it?"

Khel bid his goodbye to Li when he chose to leave Sandpoint. He had never met a man from Minkai before, and his brief acquaintance with him had been very educational, eventful, and memorable. He wished Li absolute success in the quest he pursued, hoping that he would find whatever he came searching for.

"If it has the power to influence the people of Sandpoint then it must be destroyed for their safety. Do you know how that can be done?" he asks to Quink.

Saldrina wakes a bit later than usual but arrives in time to meet with Quink and say her goodbyes to Li. She has not known the man long, but he has proven a faithful and skilled companion. She leans in close after Chigaru's question, having similar concerns herself.

Saddened to see Li leave, he gives the man a firm bear hug. "I hope you find what you're looking for friend, and that our paths cross again."

Turning back to the table, he continues to scarf down his breakfast while listening in on the conversation with Quink.

Chigaru gives a polite bow to Li. "May you find your lost charge and return her to safety."

Wess scratches his head in confusion, "Is the town affecting the pool, or is the pool influencing the town?"

Khel nodded to Brodert Quink, "I understand your reluctance to destroy it. However, if we can't neutralize its magical effect, destroying it will be the only way to get rid of its effect. We have taken care of Tsuto, but she served someone else. The previous daughter of late Father Tobyn? We need to find out what she is up to. It seems like she doesn't like Sandpoint very much, and the greater goblin threat is still not taken care of."

Wess says, "Marching into an unknown forest to wipe out goblins before they can threaten the town?!? That's how glorious songs are written!" then he sighs regretfully, "It also sounds like a good way to die. Maybe there's another way to make sure they call off their attack?"