Shalelu Andosana

The next morning you are all awoken by a town guard. It is very early, probably before 7am, but the guards have been asked by Sheriff Hemlock to request your presence at a meeting as soon as possible. You individually make your way to a comfortable room on the second floor of the Town Hall where you recognize the mayor, Sheriff Hemlock, and, instantly recognizable from the evening before, the elven woman that entered the Rusty Dragon. She still looks tired and slightly harried, but she has cleaned herself up and has at least regained a semblance of calm.

Mayor Deverin smiles warmly at each of you as you enter, and when finally everyone is ready a large kettle of hot coffee (a rare treat in these northern parts) is brought in, and Mayor Deverin makes a point of pouring everyone a cup, despite her elevated station. (Guy introduces Kythan to the Sheriff and the mayor as an ‘acquaintance’)

Sheriff Hemlock starts to address you, the morning chat silencing in his wake. He introduces the elven woman to you as Shalelu Andosana, "an unofficial member of Sandpoint's town guard, and a true friend to the people of these parts, even though nobody in town would realize it!". Shalelu smirks slightly as Hemlock introduces her, looking embarrassed by the description.

"And this group are Sandpoint's newest crop of heroes… and then some (nodding his head towards Jarek for the latter)!" He then introduces you each in turn by first name to Shalelu, and very briefly recounts the goblin raid on Sandpoint and the fact that the entire thing appears to have been a diversion to distract the guards while the body of the late Father Tobyn was stolen from the graveyard. He then explains that Shalelu has been a thorn in the side of the local goblin tribes for years, and that few in the region know more about them that her. He goes on to recap her report that Sandpoint hasn't been the only place in the region that's had goblin troubles. In short, there's been an increase in goblin-related raids along the Lost Coast Road, particularly in the dale between Nettlewood and Mosswood. Only a day ago a far south of Mosswood was burnt to the ground by a group of goblins. Shalelu was nearby and saw the smoke. She couldn't save the farm, but she did fine the family holed up in a barn, under attack, and managed to down a couple of goblins and rescue the family. They are now staying at a nearby farm, but the goblin problem is obviously not going to go away quickly.

Hemlock sits down and holds his mug of coffee in two hands, staring into the black oily liquid as if contemplating the dark times he has found himself in. Shalelu starts to talk, her voice is beautiful, almost musical, and at times you have to strain to pick up her quietly spoken words.

"Belor's told me of your work against the goblins. Well done! (She looks up to Jarek and makes sure the sheriff notices her nod towards the ranger). I've dedicated the last several years of my life to keeping them from causing too much trouble around these parts, but they are tenacious and fecund little runts. Like weeds that bite."

"Anyway, there are five major goblin tribes in the region, and, traditionally, they're pretty good at keeping each other in line with intertribal squabbles and the like. Yet from what I’ve been able to piece together, members of all five tribes were involved in the raid on Sandpoint. A fair amount of the Mosswood tribe goblins I dealt with yesterday were already pretty beat up, and here was a lot of chatter about the 'longshanks' who killed so many of them. Now I've met you, it seems obvious from their descriptions who they were talking about. Seems like you made an impression. Especially the big dragon man." She says this last looking at Arao.

"In any event, the very fact that the five tribes are working together disturbs me. Goblin tribes don't get along unless they've got something big planned, and big plans require big bosses. I'm afraid that 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 of us."

After her speech, Mayor Deverin speaks up. "I have asked Sheriff Hemlock to head south to Magnimar to relay this information and request additional soldiers to be stationed at Sandpoint. Our last request .... well .... it fell on deaf ears, but perhaps with this additional information ... Anyway, I would like you all to maintain a very obvious public presence in Sandpoint over the next few days. People will get nervous with Hemlock out of town, with Lloyd still under the care of Father Zanthus at the Cathedral, and we need to keep people feeling safe. The people seem to have taken to you all… well most of you… and what I need right now is a quiet, peaceful town. Sheriff Hemlock will be gone for a few days. These things can take time!".

As the meeting finishes, Shalelu asks if you would have time for a short stroll towards the north gate (accompanying her as she immediately heads out of town, restocked, and heading out to check on some of the most exposed farms). As you stroll with her you have time to ask any questions you wish. She seems willing to impart any information she can.