It's a simple three day ride up the Lost Coast road to Sandpoint. The weather is cold, but clear, and the sounds of the ocean surf are never too far from your hearing. At one point, a day and a half into the ride, you cross the bridge over the Foxglove river and the lane that leads to the manor. It may be your imagination, but the sky is a little darker to the east, where the haunted home of Aldern Foxglove perches on the cliffs above the Gulf of Varisia...
With a wide-eyed look and a grin that never ends, I'm goin' ta drink tea. Tea with flavor. Why not? "Tea! Yes, well, I say we go with bein' 'adventurous' and shoot for the local flavors. Ya can't beat the local flavors. Those local flavors just might surprise us, lass." What in the Nine Hells is a local flavor?! he thinks to himself, his smile never fading.
Spotting the creepy looking building upon the cliff, "Boy, I'd hate ta live in that place. Seems more fittin' for the undead than the livin'. Maybe we should burn it down. Well, unless someone actually does live there. If they do they're stupid," he states plainly as he continues to study it as they travel. After a long moment, "Maybe we should burn it down."
Aurora spends a pleasant hour talking to Thordak about his recent travels, asking a seemingly endless series of questions about his adventures. As they leave she hangs back and speaks to the proprietor, who scurries in to the back of the shop and returns a few minutes later with a box, a single red ribbon tied around it. Aurora smiles at Thordak as they leave the tea house together.
That was very gentlemanly of you to escort me Master Ironheart, please take this as a token of my appreciation.
Aurora presents Thordak with the small and simply wrapped box. Upon opening it he finds a small tea set consisting of a teapot and two travel cups with elementally themed decoration; stylised flames chasing waves, gusts of air and small boulders. The set is accompanied by a small pouch of 'Magnimar Mellow' tea leaves.
I will see you on the morrow Master Ironheart she smiles and moves off to her lodgings.
As the group passes by the manor, Aurora takes in the reactions of the others
I take it you have had previous dealings with that abode?
She glances around.
If you feel the need to revisit to lay things to rest then we can certainly spare the time...
As they pass the manor, Kellen replies to the gnome but glances towards the others.
"Nothing I'm familiar with. My initial feeling's the same as Thordak's: burn the place down if it will help. Maybe the rest of these folks know more..." he leaves the question/statement on the air.
"It was infested with ghouls; the master of the house was involved with the murder cult that served Lucrecia's little sister; when he murdered people around Sandpoint, he... dedicated... his kills... to me," Lym says, bitterness in her voice. "If the Mayor allows it, I would personally fireball that wreck into the ground!"
While the group is still in the big city, Lym spends some time perusing the scrolls in the finest Wizard shops she can find. She purchases one of Summon Monster VI, Sending, Communal mount and Planar binding.
Once she has returned from her shopping trip, laden down with scrolls, bottles of special ink and unusual quills, Lym holes herself up in her room and does her best to master one of her new purchases and add it to her spellbook.
"...when he murdered people around Sandpoint, he... dedicated... his kills... to me," Lym says, bitterness in her voice. "If the Mayor allows it, I would personally fireball that wreck into the ground!"
Kellen turns his horse in the saddle for a moment and looks at Lym. There seems to be a glint of new understanding in his eyes. "The place is halfway to nowhere; you want to burn the place down ain't no one going to know except us...and I got no reason to tell anyone."
Speechless as the gnome takes her leave, "'Twas nothin', Aurora!" he finally offers, unfortunately a bit too late. "Blast. Get yer head in the game, Thordak," he grumbles at himself, returning to his own lodgings where he proceeds to carefully open the gift given him. "Well would ya look at that! That is the prettiest little...," he stops and looks around making sure no one else is around before continuing, "tea set I've ever seen. Well, it's the only one I've seen but it's quite grand." He carefully wraps each item in a thick cloth and repackages it back up before placing it securely within his pack. "There. That ought ta do it," he says, grinning. "Such a nice lass."
"I'm with the lad. We'll even help ya if you're wantin'," he tells the half-orc, nodding.
Praxim does a bit of shopping on his own, and the first night you see him, he is missing his armour and shield. Four days later, they're back with some extra polish and fancier runes.
Praxim avoids looking at the manor, though he grunts in almost-silent approval at Lym's suggestion of burning it to the ground.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Once this is all over, I can speak with Father Zanthus about Consecrating the house and the land. Then we can burn it to the ground. I think salting the earth would not be too much either. After that, we can push the whole thing into the sea."
"I think I will buy the site," Lym says.
If (when) the others look at her oddly, she explains: "Then I can legally do everything I want to it... and build something better there. It would be good to one day have a home to return to, and Sandpoint is special to me. It is where I was reborn as a righter of wrongs."
The sorceress listens carefully to Lym's tale.
That is a sad tale indeed, an unasked for burden that must have been heavy to bear. It is good to hear you have already brought such darkness to an end.
Aurora smiles and nods as Lym suggests purchasing the land
For what it's worth, of all the options thus presented I think acquiring the land to do with as you will is by far the best, for both the area and your good self.
Nodding approvingly at Lym's idea, "Alright, lass, you win. I can't argue with that one. The only thing better than takin' down the bad guy is turnin' 'im ta good. Of course in this case it's a 'bad building' but ya get me meanin'."
Kellen also nods at Lym's plan. "Fair enough suggestion."
Unless someone makes a change otherwise, he turns his mount northwards and away from the decrepit manor to put the ill place behind them and ahead towards Sandpoint.
"Lym. No signs of giants near Sandpoint. Heard the rumors. Welcome back. Zantus."
The ride into Sandpoint is smooth, with clear skies and a brisk wind. The Lost Coast road emerges from the forest and crosses the Turandarok River over the Sandpoint bridge. Ships ride at anchor in the harbor, and the city bustles as ever. The bridge drops you off on Market Street, where the familiar sights await: The Two Knight Brewery, the Goblin Smash Stables, and most importantly, the Rusty Dragon.
Kellen stops his mount just as they cross the bridge into the bustling town. Looking around he states: "Hmmm...nothing seems to be on fire; no fleeing townsfolk; and unless giants can hide under a hedge...no invading army yet. I'd say we made it just in time...so can we stop for lunch?" He finishes his sarcasm with a glance towards the Rusty Dragon.
The withering stare he receives from Lym (and/or Praxim and Tomaru), makes him slump in the saddle and mumble: "Fine...let's go see this Zantus fellow, then? You know this place better than I do."
"Actually, a stop at the Rusty Dragon could be a good idea. We don't know what the situation is like and the folk here like us. We can send a message to Mayor Deverin, Father Zanthus, and Sheriff Hemlock so we can meet them at a later time while finding out how the town is settling in the wake of events."
Thordak breathes a sigh of relief. "Whew! That was close. I was with the lad on gettin' somethin' ta eat. I'm famished."
Head turning this way and that to capture all the sights and sounds, Aurora smiles at the hustle and bustle of the seaside town
It's delightful! I count myself fortunate to have guides both familiar with the locale and also with not too little fame it seems!
she nods as several of the townfolk smile and nod at the group
It would be a good idea to rest after our journey, eat a hearty meal and have a refreshing beverage. Do they have mead at the Rusty Dragon do you know?
She pauses and turns in her saddle
...oh and do we stable our horses at the Goblin Smash or does the Inn have its own facilities please?
Kellen perks up then and also adds, "Sounds like a much better plan, then. Better than Magnimar, to be able to actually talk to the mayor."
At Aurora's question, he spreads a hand towards Tomaru and the others. "Hopefully, the hometown folks can answer that question, eh?" Unless he's told otherwise, Kellen offers to take the mounts over to the stables for everyone while they make their way to the Rusty Dragon.
Assuming no one objects, Kellen takes a little bit of his time away from the rest to look around quietly. Make sure no one is following them or anything seems out of sorts in the town. Old habits come back to the forefront this far out in the wilderness.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
It's a busy lunch crowd at the Dragon when you finally stable the horses and head in. The heavy oaken door swings wide, letting fresh air and light into the main room. The crowd blinks in the light, trying to make out the newcomers in the glare. Then the door swings closed and the first patrons recognize you.
"It's them! They're back!"
"Lym! Praxim! Over here!"
"When did you get in?"
"What brings you back?"
"Ameiko! A round for them ! On me!" This last repeated more than once.
The crowd surges to you, vigorous thumps on the back and hearty cries of welcome all around. After all you've been through, this is a welcome change. Clearly the heroes of Sandpoint have returned.
Over the din, this woman sidles up to you, making her way with ease through the crowd. "Over here. Take my best table, nothing but the best for the returning conquerors, eh?" She motions to a large round table in front of the fireplace. With a wink and a coy smile, she disappears back toward the kitchen.
It is subtle at first, but the process soon accelerates to the point that anyone can see: Lym is growing less tense by the second. The Wizard clasps hands, returns affable shoulder-thumps and even takes off her veil. Now everyone can see she's actually smiling as she returns people's greetings.
"Ameiko, everyone... It is so good to see you again. We're home."
"Indeed. Very good to be back. Our friends here are..." Praxim proceeds to give introductions of all the new people.
Kellen's skepticism at the whole trip turns more into a mild grin of disbelief as he watches the display. He sticks to the back and lets the others get the much deserved attention. He rubs his chin periodically in thought at seeing them now versus how they were when he first saw them.
He nods politely and adds a 'Hello, neighbors' to anyone for an introduction. He makes no bones about watching the lovely Miss Ameiko head away from their table, and polishes off a pint to wash away his thirst.
With a sly grin at the welcomed trio, he adds:"I see the other reasons for your concern about Sandpoint besides what might be buried underneath it...welcome home then." He raises his mug in a toast to them and gives Thordak and Aurora a wink.
Tomaru goes in and can't help but smile at the warm reception. Greeting everyone he can. He is sure to greet Ameiko too. "Hello, Mistress Kaijitsu. It does your servant well to see you doing so well."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Noticing the "looseness" of the others, Thordak is taken a bit by surprise. As he remains back with Kellen, he leans in a bit, "Well would ya look at that, lad! I don't believe I've ever seen this lot so... relaxed? Especially the lass," he motions to Lym, grinning. "You can bet your finest coin that I'll not be forgettin' her smilin' and that I'll be remindin' her about it from time ta time." He leans back out, winking.
He simply nods in greeting to any who acknowledge him. Thordak can only chuckle under his breath at Kellen's comment. "Good one, lad!" He follows suit and raises his own mug.
Thank you Kellen the sorceress passes the reins to the warrior and heads in to the Dragon with the others.
Prepared for a low key welcome, she is somewhat bowled over by the sheer enthusiasm of the Dragon's clientele, and quickly moves to the back with Thordak, tugging at Kellen's sleeve as he comes in to direct him to the slightly less boisterous table they've managed to secure whilst the hubbub dies down.
As Lym, Tomaru and Praxim are congratulated, thumped on the back and end up with several tankards of ale in front of each of them, Aurora marvels at their reaction, a smile breaking out as Lym removes her veil.
She nods at Kellen
Well now, that's quite a welcome, these are good folk we travel with, and good folk in the town too.
She takes a quaff of the glass in front of her, savoring the amber liquid and nodding with satisfaction. She holds it up to Thordak.
Now, much as with tea, you can find out a lot about an area and its inhabitants by the quality of the mead. The honey it's made from is local, and bees travel for miles around to gather the ingredients necessary. The delicate taste of flowers and spices tells a story.
she offers the dwarf the bottle to taste, and passes it to Kellen too.
One has to be careful though, after a few drinks it's usually the drinker that tells the story, long and loud! she laughs.
It's good to have this moment, let's let the others enjoy themselves for a while before we start asking questions of the sheriff and all, I think they've earned it by the look of things
She returns to her mead, relaxing in front of the fire and listening to the others talk.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Arigato, Tomaru-san." Amieko says with a slight bow of the head and a smile. Never one for the formalities of her father and his Tien heritage, that is all the busy woman will give you at this time.
Even though they don't know the newcomers, the crowd is only slightly less enthusiastic about Kellen, Thordak, and Aurora. "Friends of thems is friends of ours..." is a common comment. Soon enough, you are seated at the main table while the crowd plies you for tales of your doings while you've been away. Ameiko brings out her best: spiced curry salmon, honey-baked red potatoes, and drink...lots of drink.
The crowd is 'all in' with you as you regale them. 'Oohs' in disbelief at the depredations of Aldern Foxglove, shudder with the description of the Manor, and sit in rapt silence during the battle of the Clocktower. Several hours in, and if anything more people have come in to the Dragon to hear. The crowd laughs at stories of the gnomes in Whistledown, gasp in shock at the horrors of the Graul homestead, and weep as Myriana leaves Whitewillow forever. When the tale finally ends, nearly everyone in town seems to be here: Sheriff Hemlock, Father Zantus, Mayor Deverin, even Shalelu - seated in the corner with her boots up on the table - gives you a nod and a smile.
Then everyone goes silent as Ameiko moves to the front of the main room, her lyre in hand. "By your leave..." she begins, although everyone knows that when Ameiko plays at the Rusty Dragon, she needs no permission..."I will sing you a lay: The Rise of the Runelords."
Local legend holds that Ameiko uses some magical means to enhance her music, and you find it hard to refute as you are carried off by her song. Even though you are the heroes of the lay, it's as if you are hearing the story for the first time. From that first day in Sandpoint to the fall of Barl Breakbones, Ameiko weaves an epic saga of the rise and fall of heroes. Enthralled, you come to only to realize her final stanzas leave the saga open, because she knows - as you do - that this tale is far from over...
'So where doth the future lie,
in the land where kings onced walked,
Where once the mighty Runelords ruled,
and armies of giants stalked.'
'To our heroes we must turn at need,
to prevail o'er ancient menace.
A'fore evil rises and comes again
to enslave all of a lesser race.'
Praxim enjoys the tales (even when he's the one telling), and although he drinks freely, not to the point of drunkeness some of the townspeople might remember from just before they left.
After Ameiko's song, Praxim scans the crowd looking for a particular guardsman. Taking a deep breath and a deep swig to wash the unpleasant taste already riding in his mouth, he approaches the man.
"Excuse me, guardsman. I wanted to come and apologize to you for assaulting you like I did. Even though you were being an ignorant and insensitive prick at the time, I know now that I lost it because of the implication you gave that I didn't know what I was doing, and you mocked our local hero status. Just recently before that, we had made a foolish and prideful decision that cost a friend his life and soul, and since I couldn't get retribution on the monster that slew him, I picked on basically a defenceless boy. It was unprofessional and ignoble, and I apologize. If you still wish to press charges against me, I will not contest the fine or time of incarceration for what I did."
The guardsman is, as luck would have it, sitting with some of his comrades. Indeed, the very ones from that unfortunate day. One nudges the man as Praxim approaches, and it's a silent and tense table as the paladin comes up. After Praxim finishes, the man stands up. Extending his hand, he shakes Praxim's firmly.
"No hard feelings, Praxim. My name is Jarro. I would have done the same thing in your shoes, and it took me a while to see that. Insensitive prick? Yeah, that was me, looking to 'take down a hero', as it were. Jealous I guess." He looks back at his comrades. "I don't know if you know this, but there were other farms, other victims. After you all left..." He lowers his voice and his chin drops. "We lost Sigmund. Went to check on his family and the...the ghouls...got him. I had to kill him myself." He looks up again. "So yeah, now I understand. I'm sorry."
"A fine song," Lym says, bowing her head to Ameiko. "A very fine song, indeed. I applaud you."
The Wizard glances at Praxim and the guardsman, but does not interfere... for now. Instead, she turns to the Mayor, the Priest and the Sheriff and gives them a crooked smile. "Gentlemen. You've heard the stories, heard the song... Most of Sandpoint's people seem to be here. Shall we discuss defence? And... the manor-house?"
Turning to the people at large: "And what news of Sandpoint, my friends? What has been happening here?"
Praxim scowls upon hearing of other ghoul farms and the loss of their comrade.
"Can I at least buy you a round, you and your friends, in honour of your fallen comrade?"
Assuming they men don't turn down free booze, Praxim orders them all a drink and offers a toast, "To Sigmund: may he forever rest in peace, and to the brave guardsmen of Sandpoint who have stared death in the face and lived to fight another day."
@Aurora: Kellen takes a swig of the mead; puckering a little at the sweetness before returning the bottle. "Cayden's motto is every tale is better with drink. Cheers!"
To the meal and drink, their is a genuine smile at the warm repast. After that, he settles in and listens to the all the stories being told. His attention is especially fixed on what happened before his time; getting to know the 'heroes of Sandpoint' as it were. He nods appreciatively at the their triumphs and raises a curious brow at the stranger and more dangerous moments. When the tales turn to Hook Mountain, he listens; nods in acknowledgement at the horrors; but also his stare is more upon the audience and their response.
When the lady Ameiko takes to song, he closes his eyes in attention. He seems lost in thought and again his face takes on an unprecedented smile - as if recalling someone else. To no one in particular he mumbles at the end of her song:"Gods...I think I'm smitten." He chuckles at his own words.
Seeing Praxim's tense stance, his look becomes like that of the stalking wolf. He follows the elf's movement; a fist closes tightly; and certain muscles tense ever so slowly - but he stays still. His focus never varies until the men shake hands; then he relaxes again - although now he scans the room more carefully.
Hearing Lym talk with the Mayor and the Sheriff seems to break him from the reverie he was in. He focuses on this new conversation more relaxed and takes another pint of ale to sip as he listens.
Tomaru thoroughly enjoys the welcome that the Rusty Dragon gives the group. As is his way, he partakes an amount somewhere between Kellen, the hard partying Caydenite, and Praxim, the serious Erastillian. As is often the case, his mixed heritage makes him popular with the ladies.
It is his voice the crowd hears when it is time to tell their tale. In his travels, Tomaru has learned a trick or two to entertain if not regale a crowd. He makes sure that each member of the team, including Shalelu and the far away Black Arrows, has not only a hero moment, but also a 'humanizing' one. Markum's death affected Praxim, Lym is more than just an awe inspiring mage, Thordak is the rock that keeps the group grounded (obvious dwarf stereotype), Kellen has a depth to him not normally in evidence, etc.
His own skills are dwarfed by the Lady Ameiko's talents. Her ability is all the more impressive when you consider she only had minutes to come up with her ballad. Even a blind man could see that everyone in the room admired and loved the mistress of the Rusty Dragon Inn.
Tomaru is mindful of the guardsmen through the night. The incident was one of the first things he was a part of after he joined the Heroes of Sandpoint. When Praxim approached them, he took notice and was pleased that everything seemed to be ok between them.
Aurora listens to Ameiko's song with contentment in the smile on her lips, and once done she raises a glass in the bard's direction.
A wonderful ballad, well sung
Other than the well-earned compliment, she seems content to simply watch the goings on and learn about the people, both those at her table and surrounding it.
She listens attentively as Tomaru tells his own story, and breathes a sigh of relief when Praxim's tense approach to the group of guards seems to naturally resolve itself.
She chinks her glass against Thordak's.
Never a dull moment, and we've only made it as far as the pub so far! This is going to prove to be interesting I think!
Thordak takes a drink of the specially made drink, swishing it around a bit before swallowing. Nodding, "I must confess, I've never tasted such in me life. It's not bad."
Noticing Praxim move across the tavern with a sense of determination, the dwarf chuckles under his breath. The lad always looks like he's goin' ta kill somebody. It's funny 'cause it isn't me. The dwarf chuckles again.
She chinks her glass against Thordak's.
Never a dull moment, and we've only made it as far as the pub so far! This is going to prove to be interesting I think!
"Aurora, lass, I can honestly say: With this lot... you have no idea," he tells her, raising his own glass in a toasting fashion and winking.
The guardsmen raise their glasses. "To Sigmund!" They say solemnly, then drain them.
Elsewhere, Mayor Deverin suggests that you take the discussion of your concerns back to the town hall. "This isn't the place for such concerns," she says. "Besides, it's a time for revelry, no need to ruin the people's good mood with tales of doom."
Sheriff Hemlock nods in agreement, and they stand up to head for the door.
Lym waves to the revelers.
"We'll be back! Save some ale," she calls while tying on her veil again -- and then followsafter the Mayor, Sheriff and High Priest.
Kellen nods at the assessment; drains his pint; and also follows along. His ease is still genuine, but he keeps an eye out to see if anyone unexpected follows.
The alcohol has emboldened Tomaru. He moves to catch up with Lym. "You don't need the veil." She gives him look, but the liquid courage keeps him going. "I see the truth about you and you don't need the veil. You put up this veneer of aloofness and ferocity, but you're really passionate and compassionate. You're a good woman. That veil actually does you a disservice. It masks your beauty. But I see the truth of you. I see how your eyes light up when reading, I see how you veritably vibrate with glee at a new discovery, I see that your ferocity is unleashed only in defense of others." Then in a moment of foolhardiness, he reaches up to undo her veil. "You don't need this. It makes a mockery of who you really are."
Lym catches Tomaru's hand before he can actually remove her veil.
"All of that may be just so," she says, her voice unusually calm and smooth, "but it is a comfort to me."
There is a smile in the sound of her voice when she speaks, but also determination: "Not everyone is so understanding, after all, and I have worn veils a long time. I'll take it off when I am comfortable doing so. At other times... Well, at the very least it keeps the rain and sand out of my eyes."
The Half-Orc claps the Cleric on the shoulder, chuckling, and continues walking.
Praxim catches Tomaru's wrist and visibly counts his fingers. Finding five, he smirks at the cleric. "Close one!" he chuckles.
"Right." Tomaru watches as Lym walks ahead of him. "I'd say that was proof positive that she likes me. I wonder how much more I can get away with."
Sighing as the group leaves one right after the other, "C'mon, lass, it looks like the party's over," he says to the gnome, obviously discouraged. "Aw well, I guess nothin' last forever... or even several hours as far as that goes the blasted party poopers," he grumbles as he steps aside to allow Aurora to head out the door first before following behind.
Smiling and nodding her head at Thordak's good manners, Aurora stands and walks ahead of him as the pair follow the others out to slightly quieter quarters where matters of import can be discussed.
She laughs lightly as he grumbles
Well Master Ironheart, we can always return here later should you still feel so inclined, I'm sure there will be tankards waiing eagerly for us to quoff!
She strides forward eagerly, seeming keen to meet the major domos of the town and discuss the imminent threat.