Day 67: Starday the 24th, Neth, 4707

When I woke up today, Savah was already up and in the kitchen. She was making breakfast too! I got dressed quickly and took Bailey out to their house and checked around the area to ensure that they would be safe. When I got back in, everyone was in the common room and there was a pile of food waiting to be dished out. We all sat down and talked about our plans for the day. Oren and Arika reminded us that they would be travelling out to the Farmlands again. They asked us what we would be doing. I looked to Savah and told her that she was the hard worker keeping the house afloat, what did she want to do?

Savah said that she wanted to go check in on the progress of Destrier Manor, and then circle back to visit Shalelu and Faunra's tower in the Ashen Rise. I said so be it and added that I would go pick up a lunch for us and pack it in our bikes. Savah said that she would like that, and that she would finish making sure that everything was in proper condition. We all broke from the table and I sent a message to Veronica that we would be heading out for the day, that Bailey would be outside, but that if the dog started barking, that she should try to see what the dog was barking about. Veronica said that she would, and that she had some things that she had to make to facilitate keeping the house safer. I told her good thinking and headed down to my bike.

I got on the bike and rode to Risa's place. Risa was just starting making food and welcomed me in. Risa asked if I could tell another story today, and I remorsefully told her that I could not. I told her that I was planning on taking a bike tour with Savah today, and that we would not be heading back to town until after lunch. I told her that I would try to get in some other time in the next few days, and that she could request the type of story that she wanted. Risa said that she would like that, and asked what we wanted. I told her that I would like our regular meal, and a dozen huckleberry tarts, all packaged to ride. Risa said that she would get it ready right away.

I sat down at the bar and one of Risa's daughters asked me if there were any other flavors of drinks that I could teach them. I thought about it, and offered up an Orange Creamsicle version of the float. Lanalee tried it and thanked me for it. Risa came back out after we had gotten it all together, and Risa tried the orange Creamsicle as well. Risa noted that this was something that she remembered from a long ago dream. I told her that I hoped that it was at least not a bad dream. Risa shrugged and said that the full details escaped her, but that she didn't dread this one. She handed me the packages with smile and I handed her the gold coins. Risa wished me safe travels, and I headed out of the door.

I loaded them up in the side panier of my bike and headed back to the house. At the bridge, I saw Sheriff Hemlock on horseback heading towards the house. I slowed down the bike, pulled up alongside him, and greeted him. Sheriff Hemlock greeted me back and asked me if I had a minute to talk. I shrugged and said that Savah and I were planning on going out for a ride, but as long as it wasn't going to take a long time, I could talk. Sheriff Hemlock nodded and asked if I had an interaction with Titus Scarnetti within the past two days. I told the good sheriff that I did indeed have an interaction with Titus, and that he had demanded that I remove the antenna that was being used to provide a larger reach for my radios. I told the sheriff that I then told Titus that I would not and that he could go pound salt.

Sheriff Hemlock was nodding the whole time and asked where the event occurred. I told him that I had just gotten up to take my dog outside and Titus was outside, in my yard, staring at the antenna. Sheriff Hemlock seemed a bit upset but asked me to tell him what "go pound salt" meant. I laughed and told him that back where I was from, only the most incapable or idiotic were given the job of "pounding salt", as that was all they could really do. Sheriff Hemlock asked me if I meant that Titus was idiotic. I told Sheriff Hemlock that I was saying that he was as useful to me as an invalid or an idiot, not a general statement of his personal deficiencies, however true or untrue they might be.

Sheriff Hemlock looked at me for a good minute before he started laughing. He laughed for a good thirty seconds before he stopped. Sheriff Hemlock told me that I never ceased to provide chaos and humor to this town. He told me that Titus wanted to press charges, but that I had some people at City Hall who had been hurt by Titus in the past, so it wasn't going anywhere, but that I should keep an eye out on the property.

I told that all four of us were headed out to different areas today, and the Sheriff noted that he knew this, and that if we were willing, he'd like to witness the capabilities of the radios, which would require being in the house at the radio to see the radio function. I nodded and noted that I would have to check with Savah but that I was okay with it. Sheriff Hemlock told me to go ahead on to the house, and that he would be by to talk to Savah when he got there. I nodded and headed on back to the house. I had gotten the bike back into the garage and split the food up into the two bikes by the time that Savah came down and was all ready to head out when the Sheriff knocked on the Garage door.

Sheriff Hemlock told Savah that he had run into me on my way back, and relayed the conversation in its entirety. I shrugged and told her that it was easier to hear it once, with only one side of the story than twice. Sheriff Hemlock noted that he had already wanted to hear about the increased distance that the radios could work out to, and that this would be a good opportunity. Savah agreed and we introduced him to both Bailey and Veronica. Sheriff Hemlock was a bit disconcerted by Veronica at the start, but Veronica put forth her hand for a shake and Hemlock took her hand in amusement and they shook.

I showed Sheriff Hemlock where the first floor lavatories were, and where he would have to go to find a snack or something to eat. Sheriff thanked us for all of this hospitality and said that he'd be glad to see if anyone tries anything today. He quickly added that he doubted that anyone would, as he was leaving his horse tethered outside. I asked if he needed anything else and he shook his head, saying that he would be fine. Savah and I wished him luck and told him that we would call in once we got the Destrier Manor.

Savah and I got on our bikes and headed out south down towards the Manor. We took off and headed on the Lost Road towards Magnimar. When we got up to speed, we were moving along at a fairly good clip. We passed the Pyre without incident and headed on to Cougar Creek. We saw the burnt out shell of a mill and I immediately said that I was certain that Scarnetti was behind it. Savah nodded grimly, but didn't say anything. We crossed Cougar Creek and took the Lost Road along the coast and down between the Ashen Rise and the Brinestump Marsh. Savah was telling me how there were rumors of a monster that lurked in the swamps, along with goblins and other things. I told her that if the group kept on our current trajectory, we would take care of all of it within two years.

Then Savah cautioned me that there were two people lying down next to the bridge that goes over the Soggy River. We slowed down to pull up not too far away from them to see if there was anything wrong. Just before I was about to get off my bike, Savah put her hand against my chest, silently stopping me. She pointed to the one who wasn't wearing armor. In Shoanti, she whispered to me to look for magic. I focused on adjusting my sight and after a few seconds, I noted that the one that Savah pointed out did indeed have a magical aura. After a few seconds, I noticed that it had two. And a few more seconds of focusing revealed that one all over aura which I associated with conjuration and a second, centered around their hands and head that was transmutation.

Savah had saved me from going up on this group without being careful. I could have gotten seriously wounded. I called out to the bodies, telling them that I would be approaching, slowly. I pulled out my machete and walked forward. When I got to them, they leapt up and tried to bite me. They were ghouls who had disguised themselves as wounded people. I wasn't as prepared as I could be because they struck first but could not find a place to penetrate my new armor, but they did get on opposite sides of me though. Savah was quick thinking when she charged in and stabbed the one who had been circling around behind me. It didn't drop but it was now at least a balanced fight.

I spared some attention from the one that Savah had attacked to focus on the other one. I took aim with the machete and lopped off the head of the ghoul in one swing. I imagine that this fight would have been a lot more worrying if we did not have the improved armor that we were wearing. The ghoul who had been stabbed by Savah tried to find some weak points in our armor but failed miserably. Savah had the chance to down it before I did, and finished it off with a hand crossbow bolt to the skull. We quickly looked around to see if there was any other danger, but found that we were now safe.

I asked Savah if she thought that ghoul fever could be spread from dead ghouls. Savah seemed confused and I told her that on my old world we had learned that diseases do not automatically die when their hosts do, and that generally we disposed of the bodies as best we could to limit other people's possible exposure. Savah asked if I thought that it would be a good idea to bury them, and I told her that I thought that it would be better if we could burn them, as sometimes diseases could survive in the earth for years. Savah agreed and we started looking around for some dry wood and tinder to build a pyre. It wasn't easy with the swamp nearby, but it turned out that these ghouls had been waylaying travelers on this road for a while, and had developed a small trove of items that they were stashing for some reason. There was a lot of lamp oil among that small pile of goods.

I asked Savah if she knew why ghouls would take goods when their hungers lie towards the flesh of humanoids. Savah shrugged and suggested that we could ask Chelger or Dame Rebekah when we got there. I agreed and we started to build the pyre. After it was done, I got two of the chemical protective suits that I had been carrying with me for so long, and handed one to Savah. We quickly got dressed and put on rubber gloves. We carefully placed the bodies on the pyre, after Savah removed anything of value from them.

We also placed the remains of those that they had previously killed and eaten on the pyre as well. I didn't want any trace of the disease spreading to another person. While I started the fire with a spark from my prestidigitation ability, just another blessing of that gift, Savah collected up all of the goods. I didn't really want to carry these off, because it felt a little like stealing from the dead, but Savah noted that we could donate a lot of this to Dame Rebekah and Chelger for their hostel.

That changed it up for me right quick, and I used more of my prestidigitation power to clean up any residual traces of corruption. I then did the same with the suits and we packed everything up. I made a snap judgement and keyed up the radio to page Sheriff Hemlock, noting that we had just been confronted by two ghouls on the Lost Road, and dispatched them. Sheriff Hemlock came back and acknowledged the report and asked where we were. I told him that we were between the Ashen Rise and Brinestump Marsh. Sheriff Hemlock noted that he would include that on the sightings map and warn his deputies of it. I signed off and informed him that we would call back at Destrier Manor unless there were other issues.

After all of that, we were back on the road, heading to Destrier Manor. We passed over Foxglove River, and headed towards the final part of this journey. All in all, it was about a two-hour journey, with the half hour stop. When we arrived at the Manor, Savah asked me if I could make a wagon that could travel at the speeds that the bikes could. I told her that it didn't think that it could go quite as fast, but I could possibly go faster than horses but hold more than four bikes. Savah nodded to that and asked what kind of price that might take. I told her that I really had no idea, but it would definitely be more than the price of a bike.

We pulled up to the refurbished stables and parked our bikes. Savah noted that there was a stable hand there and she asked if they knew the best way to get in touch with Dame Rebekah Destrier or Chelger Fespen. The stable hand said that he would go pass along word while we waited. Savah thanked the guy and we finished unloading everything while the groom went to get our friends. After a few minutes, Chelger and Dame Rebekah both showed up. They greeted us with hugs and asked us what we were up to. Savah told them that we were just taking a drive, and that we had encountered a pair of ghouls.

Dame Rebekah narrowed her eyes and asked if we had been wounded. I told her that our armor had held strong, and we had burned the remains of the ghouls and their victims. Dame Rebekah nodded and thanked us for our diligence. Savah noted that the ghouls had been hoarding trade goods from travelers that they had killed, and asked if either Dame Rebekah or Chelger knew of a reason why they would have done so. Chelger and Dame Rebekah thought for a few minutes before Chelger brought up that there are rumors that speak of ghoul cities deep underground led by priests who worship ancient cruel gods or strange demon lords of hunger.

I thought for a seconds and asked if maybe that they need to have some kind of bribe to gain access to one of those cities. Dame Rebekah said that it made sense to her. Chelger agreed and added that it was very likely, and that there was probably an entrance to such a city in the Pauper's Graves. That kind of disturbed us all, as it was so close to Sandpoint. Chelger said that it was just rumors, but he had heard that there was a blessing on the Graveyard at some point, but a thief had come along and stolen something that had prevented the ghouls. Dame Rebekah said that we should do something about this, and we all agreed, but first we would need more information.

Savah and I agreed to go check it out on our way back to Sandpoint, and that we would inform Sheriff Hemlock of this possibility. Dame Rebekah and Chelger said that if we found anything out, that we should contact them as well. Dame Rebekah noted that the last thing the town needed was an army of Ghouls descending on them. We gave them all of the goods from the lost travelers and asked them to put it all to good use in the hostel. Dame Rebekah and Chelger thanked us and Dame Rebekah told us that she was still on schedule to go out to Magnimar on the 29th.

Savah and I bid our farewells and got back onboard our bikes. It was a short visit, but it was informative. I asked Savah if she wanted to visit longer, but she shook her head, saying that she was more worried about the ghoul problem, and that we could come back to visit more later. I agreed and we headed back down Bleaklow Moor and back across the Foxglove River to make our way back to the Ashen Rise, where Shalelu and Faunra have made their tower/observatory home.

We radioed ahead once we were up on the rise, and Shalelu responded back, giving us some specific directions to follow, so as to avoid any dangerous creatures. Shalelu and Faunra were outside their tower waiting for us as we rode up. Apparently, they had built a garage similar to ours to house their bikes, but it had enough room for ours to be in as well. They both invited us into their house and we joined them for some brief discussions about all of the things I had questions about in this realm.

It took a good while, but Faunra briefed me on the fact that yes, dragons were real here. As were any number of monsters in this realm. Shalelu gave me some pointers on how the natural life of this realm differs from the animals that I was used to. I asked Faunra where the source of magic might be and she just shrugged. Faunra mentioned that it seems like it is a natural force that is omnipresent, but it kind of rang hollow for me. The scientist in me feels that more creatures would have an ability to utilize that energy if that was the case, as they would be more suited to the environment that they are in. Faunra informed me about different types of spellcasters and what their source of power was, but when it came back to arcane magic, all she could tell me was that it was the universal force.

I thanked both Shalelu and Faunra, and Savah noted that we had to go, and told them of the path we were intending to take. Shalelu gave us a brief summary of the dangers we might face in the following areas. She noted that Egan's Woods have a larger than normal amount of giant spiders (nope), the Farmlands were still recovering from the ghoul attacks, and Biston's Pond was still haunted by his restless ghost. Shalelu went on to tell us that we would do well to avoid the Mosswood as much as possible, as there were several tribes of goblins there and that it would take more than just us to ensure survival if we did go through those woods.

Shalelu continued with telling us that the Tors were an area that held lots of hidden grottoes and tunnels, but that those who tend to poke around in the area end up attracting the attention of wyverns, drakes, or other avian predators looking for easy prey. Shalelu brought up the Pauper's Graves next, telling us that there is indeed a sanctuary for ghouls now, since something changed long ago to make it a place where no living soul dared tread.

I was appreciating all of the information and struggling to commit it to memory. Shalelu talked a little about Shank's Wood next, saying that there was a tribe of goblins there, and there was also a Sczarni thug by the name of Vyron "Shank" Jethezme living there that assaulted travelers. Shalelu noted that she had been informed that we had already visited the Tickwood, and cautioned us to avoid Ravenroost as well. Shalelu looked like she was mentally going over a list in her head, and told us that this was the highlights of all of the areas that we had mentioned going through.

I jokingly asked how anyone in this land survives, with this much danger around even a town like Sandpoint. Savah noted that a lot of the time, people like us would be hired to escort groups of people to other places, and that if one did not need to travel, they simply did not. Shalelu added that she was working to get rid of the goblin tribes that were more hostile to others, but that this wasn't anywhere near as quick as she would like. I told them that I guessed that since there was a much more subsistence level lifestyle here, people didn't have as much of an ability to just whittle away at all of these problems.

Faunra spoke up and noted that we all were doing so in our own ways, and that I shouldn't be disheartened by the lack of progress so far. I nodded and Savah told everyone that she was grateful for the time that we had spent here, but that we had to get out to face those dangers that Shalelu had warned us about. Shalelu thanked us for dropping by, and wished us a safe journey back. As we were about to leave, I chimed in over the radio to Sheriff Hemlock that we were on the Ashen Rise. It took a few seconds but Sheriff Hemlock responded back that he heard us fine. I told him that we would be heading to the Farmlands next and would check in then.

We waved goodbye to the couple before heading out. While we rode past the outskirts of Egan's Woods, we saw a few very large spiders that tried to keep pace with us. They were hopelessly outclassed in terms of speed, and retreated back into the forest. We added some speed just to make sure they did not get any ideas. We travelled on to the edge of the Farmlands and caught up with Oren, Arika, and Ghinna had all stopped to take a short lunch. We greeted them and asked how their hunting had gone. Oren smiled with pride when Ghinna noted that we had found two ghouls and dispatched them.

Savah stifled a laugh and asked if they had buried the ghouls after they were dispatched. Ghinna nodded and said that they had indeed. Savah told them that they should burn them from here on out, as some diseases can out live the body that they are in. I was proud of her for using knowledge that she had only recently acquired. Ghinna asked how we had learned that. I told them that back where I was from, there were plagues that would keep popping up because the people where handling the deceased victims without sufficient care, and the disease would continue to spread. Ghinna said that she would spread this information to any other paladins who came along.

We told them all about our ghoul encounter and how we had burned the bodies and those of their victims, and asked them all if the ghouls that they had encountered had been hoarding things that didn't make sense. Arika told us that the ghouls had a pile of things that would be valuable to regular people, but to ghouls would be fairly worthless. I told them what Chelger had told us about the rumors of a necropolis under the Pauper's Graves. Ghinna asked if we were heading that way. I indicated that we were, and that we could keep them all apprised via our radio calls.

Oren said that Arika and he had done their rounds of all of the farmers, and were willing to take the trek with us if we'd like. Ghinna said that we would have to go a bit slower than normal, for her horse to keep up. I nodded and looked to Savah and asked if she was okay with the company. Savah said that she was, and I got on the radio to check in with Sheriff Hemlock. I chimed in and told him of our status, and added that we had just grouped up with his Farmlands patrol, and that we would be taking the farm routes north to meet up with the Lost Coast Road up by the Pauper's Graves before heading back to the North Gate.

Sheriff Hemlock replied back that he understood us and asked if the farmers had all been checked in on. Oren chirped up his radio to say that they had already been checked in on, and that there had been only minor attacks on livestock reported. Oren added that he had some information that needed to be passed on to any other group that does these trips. Sheriff Hemlock acknowledged the report and said that he would like to talk to all of us when we got back. I acknowledged receipt of the last communication and noted that we were heading out now.

We headed out the north path out of the Farmlands and crossed Weasel Creek and Biston's Pond. We were now a fairly loud group, so I'm guessing that most things simply left the area before we even got there. A group of five people, four of which were on magical constructs, and all of them armored in some way, were not the kind of thing that even the most suicidal of goblins would charge, even if they could keep up. We threaded up between the Devil's Platter and the Tors while keeping away from the Mosswood. We made very good time as we passed along the Tors and up to The Lost Coast Road.

As we sat there, I looked at the Pauper's Graves across from us. I noted that one day I would have to do something about all of this, but I would need to make sure that I was as defended as possible before attempting such a thing. More and more that was going to entail getting magical supports for my technological equipment. Oren called in to Sheriff Hemlock to tell him that we were on the Lost Coast Road just outside of the Pauper's Graves. Sheriff Hemlock came back in with the all clear and we started back towards Sandpoint.

While we travelled, I thought about how bringing something like this to this world would revolutionize the way that the towns defenses operate outside of the town, but more is needed inside the town. I would need to harken back to my old Navy days to get something that could easily work for the townsfolk, but they would need to have someone trained to operate a switchgear. I could train someone for that, but that would be far down the road. Right now, I could make something much simpler that could operate between the bridge/gates and the garrison. At least then they could send back information.

While I puzzled this in my head, we made our way back, on the Lost Coast Road. It wasn't all that long ago that I was travelling this way for the first time, seeing the town for the first time. We got to the gate and Oren announced us to the gate guards, Paltero and Fumi. Fumi waved us in, and stopped us once we were inside. Fumi told us that the Sheriff wanted to see us at the Garrison. I shrugged to everyone and said that we would head right there.

We all continued on to the Garrison, and found that some stables had been converted to act as stalls for our bikes. Not enough mind you, but it was still an interesting development. We dismounted our various steeds and headed to Sheriff Hemlock's office. Silver was there and escorted us the rest of the way. We were no longer disarmed anymore, so I took that as a good sign. Sheriff Hemlock wasn't alone in his office. Mayor Deverin was there as well. They started the conversation with asking if there was proof that we had communicated to him from that distance.

I shrugged and said that Oren, Arika, and Ghinna could vouch that every time that we communicated while they were there, that we did so using the radios. Mayor Deverin looked to Ghinna, who acknowledged that we did speak into those magic items, and that the Sheriff's voice did come out of them. Mayor Deverin nodded and asked if there were more of these, enough that we could have one for every guard. I shook my head, noting that we did not have enough for that. I added that if I ever did find a way to make more of them, I was planning on having every bike have one installed.

Mayor Deverin nodded and asked how long it would be before that could be a possibility. I told her that this was extremely advanced technology where I was from, but that I would be working on it. I added that I did have other jobs ahead of me, and I would need to build my workshop from scratch. I continued with telling her that it would be over a year before I could reasonably make something like this, and even then it would be a very weak option. I finished with telling her that actual magical items would probably be much faster. Mayor Deverin shook her head, saying that they did not have access to one who could cast a spell with a range like this.

I sighed and told her that I would be glad to look into this, but it would still take a long time. Mayor Deverin nodded and said that when the Sheriff told her that these radios could reach from here to Foxglove Manor or the ends of the Farmlands, that it really brought things into focus in how they could help the town. I told her that I could try to set something up in town that would be more feasible, and I could try to set up the repeater station at the top of the Old Light if they can provide me with a few people that I could train to operate it after it was finished. Mayor Deverin told me that once I got it built, she would find a way to get the people.

Ghinna looked a bit confused, but was silent the whole time, Oren had seen a bit of this in the past, and Arika looked to be a bit more focused on not doing wrong in the eyes of the Sheriff than anything we were talking about. Savah was a bit more inscrutable, but I could tell that she was probably looking for a way to turn this into a profit. I thanked the Mayor for her time, but noted that there will probably be even more hardened opposition from Scarnetti based on his actions earlier in the week. Mayor Deverin told us that she had been briefed on this and it was considered already. Savah brushed against me with her foot and I realized that we had better be leaving, so I told the Mayor and the Sheriff that we apologized but had other things that were vital to work on to try to ensure that we could get further along. Mayor Deverin excused us and we left the Sheriff's office.

Ghinna, Oren, and Arika all noted that they were going to go check in with other deputies to tell them what they had encountered and learned about the ghoul menace, while Savah announced that we would be heading home. I followed her lead and we headed back to the house. Bailey was outside at their house, contentedly sunning themselves in the waning daylight. I let Bailey off their leash and they ran to the door of the garage. Savah and I opened the doors to the garage and we pulled our bikes in to their places.

We went in through the workshop and Veronica was there working away on perfecting the generator. I was glad that she was being really detailed and precise with everything. I was also very glad that I had a set of electrical tools that I could recharge with the solar panels and the batteries that I had brought with me. I know that they will eventually run out, but maybe there is a way to have magic recharge them? I'll have to check with Faunra to see if this would even be viable.

Savah and I went on to head upstairs to our common room and I set about making food and getting drinks ready. Savah went ahead and got the room ready. We spent the rest of the night eating a nice meal together and watched the Princess Bride again. We retired to our room before Oren and Arika made it back home. All in all it was a decent day, and I hoped that it was okay for Savah as well.