Corsario's Jade Regent (Inactive)

Game Master Corsario

Of course, I am not saying that I should be able to convince them to let the goblins walkaway in peace through logic and reason, what I meant was that Avan asking for Shalelu to be here since she's the resident expert on goblins in the region is quite logical, while true no one knows exactly where she is, I am sure the guard could get a rider or two to go and look for her, and it would have been nice to roll a Reason skill check :) to see if they would do it, like you said yourself you can't always reason with people especially when its something against what they believe but you can reason with them if what your trying to convince them to do should make sense them but they probably didn't do it for any possible reason.

Remember Shalelu is not widely known or popular in Sandpoint. She is reserved and distant. Also, she can be away months at a time. Look for her? That could take from days to months. Is not something they can do "quickly", even if they want to. Also, they don't need an expert to tell them what to do with some Goblins. And if they know Shalelu, they will know what she would say.

"Kite pye yo pa wotè dwe." Irnk commands the Goblin clutching Sybil hoarsely.
Sitting, his gaze fully upon her, Irnk's features shift, settling implacably. "Are you truly asking, or simply trying to avoid acknowledging it to yourself?"

Diplomacy 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Bringing up a past player who had ermm died in battle?

Galford has had enough. This wasn't what Tharjuk would have wanted.
No.

"Sheriff! You see only the goblins. Have you missed out one more among our party that set out who didn't return? He who tended to all of us when we were sick? The one that went out to gather herbs for us to tend to our wounds? I see that you have forgotten. He's not coming back." A short and brutal statement.

"Your job is to keep Sandpoint safe, that is true. Does that mean you have the right to commit murder? That's what you are doing now. Look at them! I mean Look At Them! They're Cowering and are obviously unarmed!" Stepping up to face the Shrieff directly, the tengu continues cawing, his beak snapping and feathers ruffled.

"Killing helpless goblins. Some heroes you turn out to be..... I grew up here. I know some of you but maybe just not enough it seems. You call the goblins dangerous but something more dangerous is out there and it ripped an entire tribe of goblins apart! These are the remainder of that tribe and you wish to finish the job? We have some dangerous creature creeping around in this area and you want to hunt goblins?" A disaapointed tone creeps into his voice. Perform (Oratory) Untrained, giving the audience a distraction and hoping to get them to stand down 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

"Or have we being reduced to such to be fighting amongst ourselves. Even Goblins should have a chance to live and prove themselves useful. Tharjuk would have said that, he would I'm sure." Galford adds the last mournfully.

Avan laid down, placed both hands under his head, and listened to Galford try once more to convince the sheriff, but the marital artist felt that it was futile to try and convince the law-keeper of anything in regards to those goblins. At this point he just wanted all this to be over so he could go back to the Rusty Dragon, he wanted to help the ones lead here by Irnk's foolish decision but he knew dying for them would lead to no resolution "The mayor likes to take her time" Yawned Avan, his brown eyes staring at the sky above, enjoying the shifting, formless clouds above.

"Is that true? Has Tharjuk fallen? My heart is heavy at that news, and I hope he did suffer. So there is something else? Leave the goblins here, under guard, and follow me to talk to the Mayor. I will tell my man not to hurt them while we are gone, and decide what to do with them."
Do you go with him? What do you tell the goblins?

"I have to go talk to my boss, Ameiko" Avan sits up "She'll want to know I'm back" He continued as he got up, dusted his wide trousers and walked closer to Apex "If you want to avoid hunters, its best not to be in a place where we are the center of attention...like we are now, its best if you follow me to the Rusty Dragon" He whispered into her ear, and then walked off to the Rusty Dragon...assuming no one stops him.

Apex spends most of the exchange looking nervously back and forth at the people speaking, holding her staff out longways between the men and the goblins. After Galford and Avan are done talking, her head snaps up, like she just realized something.

Everyone.... The skeletons, and the thing that... killed Tharjuk.... what if they are related, and what if they come back to take the chest we found? Sandpoint could be.... in danger... And these goblins.... They are the only ones who know where the chest was found! If they are killed.... We may be attacked over and over. We know they wiped out most of the tribe in one sweep, so they are either numerous or strong.....

When Avan speaks to her, she speaks even more softly than usual, the words carried to Avan's ears by the barest of breezes.
I don't.... trust these people... What if they hurt Sybil and Irnk as well as the goblins? Are you sure this is.... a good idea?

Waiting to see if Sybil, Irnk and Galford go to see the major.

"Your word is good Sheriff. I have not known it to be otherwise. The Mayor it should be." Galford gives in, the sudden courage that made him speak out subsiding.....

Turning to Walthus, Irnk sighs. "Well, you said you wanted to see how this plays out. If you really want to stay out of the ugly, now would be the time to leave."
"Se poutèt sa mwen te di nou yo rete nan vilaj la."
"Janm wotè nou yo ap pale pou nou ak chèf yo." Irnk mutters to the other Goblins as he shoos Galford & the others on to speak with the Mayor. "Just remember what 'windy' there said," nodding to Apex, "these moun ki die, you may not be able to find the threat to Sandpoint before more Janm wotè die."

Sybil follows the discussion intently, nodding every so often (even more so once her goblin protege lets go of her).

It seems that miss Stormshard's fear will play in favour of the goblins. This "threat" to Sandpoint gives Irnk an important bargaining chip.... and once again, I shall have to follow this group in order to protect Dao.. she thinks.

Once Irnk pronounces himself, the dwarf adds the following:
"I shall go see the mayor will the others. Before leaving it is important to stress, as miss Stormshard and Irnk have said, that it will be almost impossible to find the undead that dwell within the marsh without the help of these goblins." As she says so, she emphasizes the value of the goblins while looking into the eyes of each of the guards, making sure that they understand this.

"Hopefully, that will deter them from killing the refugess."

Walthus looks at Irnk, and smiles.
"I think this is not over yet. I will stay."
You are marched down to the town hall (Sheriff Hemlock don't allow you to "wander about") and are taken into Mayor Deverin's office.
In there you find the Mayor, as well as Ameiko Kaijitsu, two representatives of two other distiguished Sandpoint families and Koya Mvashti, sitting in a big table.
The Mayor smiles at you and stands up.
"Welcome, please sit down and let us offer you some refreshments. Sheriff, please take that... "thing", and dispose of it, and prepare the reward for our heroes."
The Sheriff takes Chief Gutwad head and departs without a word.
You sit and are offered some water or wine, as well as some bread.
The Mayor continues.
"In behalf of the town of Sandpoint let me thank you for recovering the fireworks, and as it seems decimate the Licktoad goblin tribe. You will be rewarded as promised. I have been told you brought some prisoners, and you don't want them executed. Can I ask what are your plans for them?"
You tell them about your plans to release them "far" from Sandpoint.
"I imagine some heroes of another town, taking their captured monsters "far" from their lands, and "near" Sandpoint. It would be a danger for my town. Do you really want to release them where they can become dangerous to others? They are your prisoners, and we won't execute them against your wishes. But I will insist you take them very far away if you want to release them. We can't allow, for the safety of the town, as well as the Goblins, into Sandpoint. And I would urge you to think it twice before release them where they can become a risk to others."
You tell her about the other "enemies" in the Brinestump Marsh.
"That worries me. Can I ask more from you? Can you go back into the marsh? We would reward you for a detailed map of the marsh, Erastil knows is time we have a good map of the area, as well as clearing it from any danger that lurks there. I have talked it with my peers, and we are ready to offer you 1,000 gp in coin, goods and services as reward after you do it."
Waltus smiles, and looking at you nods.
Do you accept? Do you want to tell them something else?

Galford brightens on seeing his 'mother' in side but remembers to still his overexcited tongue.

He stays silent for the moment as he struggles to think out the words to say.

Koya smiles at Galford, even as you see sadness in her eyes.

Despite streching his arms back for the fourth time since they arrived, Avan was paying close attention to what their host was saying, and understood why ahe was picked to be 'the leader' of this town She is very wise...she probably doesn't let Hemlock make any decisions on his own The martial artist scratched the back of his head and looked to Ameiko as soon as the mayor was done speaking "Boss, can we go to the Rusty Dragon? I am sure their are fights starting there with both of us not there to stop them" Then he turned to the mayor "You are very wise" He commented suddenly and in a very serious voice.

Ameiko smiles at Avan.
"I am sure the fights will still be there when we return, Avan, but right now we have to finish the matters with the Mayor Deverin. Can we count with you doing the work Sandpoint requires from you all?"

Sybil salutes everyone in the room and shakes their hands while presenting herself and apologizing for her dirty clothes. She then sits down and takes a drink. As she takes the first sip, she hears the Sheriff speak about Gutwad's head and take it away from Irnk, without him having the time to complain or even ask for the reward.

Hummm, that could avoid the issue of him actually requesting a reward.. I shall have to see how he takes it.

Turning to the leaders of the town:
"This is an interesting proposal. I am quite curious to know about the goods you mentionned. What would that include? I am also quite certain that mister Proustump and Irnk will follow, with an appropriate reward."

She looks at them for a moment in order to see whether they agree or not and them look at the others.

"If you do not desire to go, I understand, this could be dangerous and I would rather have you all safe."

Oh, is it time to go back to the talk about getting a new player or are did we drop that idea?

I feel you are good as you are. Do you want to add more people? In any case I would say that if you want to invite someone, now is the time to do it. But as for opening a recruiting thread... no, thanks, it will take too long.
Mayor Deverin answers you.
"Well, goods we have on hand on town. Supplies, horses, maybe some weapon or armor. Trade goods. So are you willing to help us?"

Like a snake, Avan's left hand crept to the back of his neck and began massaging an imagined soreness, his head was tilted down and his eyes were to the ground. It was when his boss gave that smile of hers or when Shalelu gave him a stern look that he remembered how they helped when they had no reason to, which sent a storm of into Avan's calm and mostly undisturbed emotions, which in turn weakened any sort of argument he may have had or logical explanation as to why they need not bother with what they were doing.

"Yes" He accepted, his voice sounding much more lethargic and uninterested than before, his brown eyes looked to his feet and he remembered how Gutwald's head was not far from them when he entered the town, then without warning his head snapped forward and his eyes focused on the people in front of him.

"The sheriff said we'd get 300 gold pieces for Gutwald's head, and he didn't give us anything when he kept us at the edge of Sandpoint" Then his slightly more interested eyes turned to Ameiko "I think you shouldn't let him come into the Dragon boss, he'd probably try to eat and run" He said his voice completely neutral and void of any sign of jest or malice.

The Mayor smiles at you and stands up.

"Welcome, please sit down and let us offer you some refreshments. Sheriff, please take that... "thing", and dispose of it, and prepare the reward for our heroes."

She did mention "the reward".

Mayor Deverin wrote:

The Mayor smiles at you and stands up.

"Welcome, please sit down and let us offer you some refreshments. Sheriff, please take that... "thing", and dispose of it, and prepare the reward for our heroes."

She did mention "the reward".

Then disregard what Avan said about the reward, I completely forgot that she mentioned it earlier.

Got it!
Anything else? If not tell me what you want to do with the 400 gp they pay you for the "Licktoad affair" and how you want to proceed with the exploration of the swamp...

Galford nods his agreement though he waits for the meeting to end.

Once it has ended he follows Koya back and begins to tell her about his adventures. How it all begined so well, the fight in Mister Proudstump's Home, Tharjuk's fall, the goblins and what he had found out with the others finishing finally with tears in his eyes as he lays his head into her lap.

Finally grieving for a lost friend.

Koya let some tears fall as well.
"The cards told me the horrible news yesterday. But they also told me he went on a long trip, and that we all must do the same one day or the other. We will meet him at Pharasma graveyard one day, and we need to show him he are also brave, as he was."
She takes a wand out from a big purse she always carries.
"An old wand of healing. Be safe, my child. Be brave. While you are gone I will plan something the cards showed me, and I think I will want my children to accompany me, in which can be my first and last great voyage."
A Cure Light Wounds wand, 50 charges.

Sybil speaks with the the four leaders of the town. She mostly tries to get a better deal over the exploration of the marsh. As she hagles, she mostly asks for easily portable goods that she could trade in in another town (Sadnpoint specialities?).

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

Eventually, after settling a few details, she agrees to the task...

"There is one final detail we must address, where will the goblin survivors go while we are investigating the marshes? Will you release them immediatly or keep them in check?"

Nice roll!
They agree that depending on the result of the exploration, and what you find in there, and the removal of existing and future dangers to Sandpoint, they will reward you accordingly. You make a good impression.

Apex stays quiet throughout the meeting, and when everyone gets up to leave, she awkwardly looks around, at the people who have homes to go to, before finally getting up and making her way to The Rusty Dragon, keeping her hood up and her cloak pulled tight around her.

When she arrives, she makes her way to Ameiko and speaks softly.
I would like a room for the night, but the town hasn't paid us yet for taking care of the goblins. Can I please pay for it when we are given our gold? I'll pay double.... It's just that.... I don't have anywhere else to stay right now.....

I planned on leaving with my part of the money, but I'm worried about the goblins.... And about the people that helped. My magic could help them explore the swamp, and I can afford to stay a while longer since I won't be in the city, right? And honestly.... I don't want to leave....

Her mind quickly flashes to Avan and she shakes the vision out of her head, only to see the man walking through the common room.
I... I might as well go ahead and do this now...

She looks at Ameiko and says shyly
I... I have to talk to... Avan for a second.... I'll be... Right back.

She makes her way quickly to him, and blurts out
Iwanttogowithyoualltotheswampandhelp... I... can stay here a few days longer, since I'll be out of the city... I think. May I please help?

Her mind flashes back to the river crossing, and Sybil sharing the bedroom, and Tharjuk's death, and she becomes more determined.
The swamp... It'll be dangerous. They were kind to me. I have to help them.

When Apex gets to the Rusty Dragon Ameiko Kaijitsu is not there, but you are received warmly by Bethana Corwin, the Halfling woman that works there.
"Don't you worry, my dear, miss Ameiko always have a room free for adventurers like you passing by. I am sure she will be happy you stay here while you prepare for your next quest. Sometimes I wish I could go in a long travel. But my place is with her."

"There is one final detail we must address, where will the goblin survivors go while we are investigating the marshes? Will you release them immediatly or keep them in check?"

Sorry, I didn't saw the question...

Upon exiting the building, Avan stood where he was for quite a while and curiously even to himself, did not head over to the Rusty Dragon as he had originally intended. Avan did not understand the relief he felt at simply being in Sandpoint, seeing its shops again, it was strange to the martial artist to feel gladness towards a certain place as he had no similar feelings before...but then he wondered would his emotions toward Sandpoint be the same had he not received unexpected and unexplained help here? No He answered himself, and then looked around to find that he was standing amidst a few shops and at quite the distance from his place of employment.

.........................................................................

The soft sounds of slippers shuffling across the floor, could barely be heard, over the conversation and laughter that seemed to be as much a part of the inn as its own fireplace and tables. Instinctively, Avan cast his eyes across the patrons, as he walked about, his stares lingering slightly on those he had kicked out before and finally they gazed on a familiar hooded figure.

She makes her way quickly to him, and blurts out

Iwanttogowithyoualltotheswampandhelp

Avan's right eyebrow ascended, as he was both surprised by the wizard's quick strides and almost indiscernible words.

I... can stay here a few days longer, since I'll be out of the city... I think. May I please help?

"It is not for me to say, but do you really want to help?" He asked in pure wonderment, a slightly confused look appearing on his face "Yes, it would be easier if you accompanied us, and it is unlikely that anyone would think to look for you in a swamp..." At first I thought she was somewhat similar to me; on the run with survival as her lone goal, and now she wants to help even though it could risk her life...she doesn't seem like the type to covet riches, so why? Avan shook his head away from the questions that grappled him, and walked to a nearby empty table and sat down in his token lethargic manner.

"It would be more relaxing if you sat down, don't worry I haven't fought anyone near here, so the tables and chairs should be stable" He said to his blue haired companion, as his left hand massaged his right shoulder.

Sybil nods to the mayor.

"This is exactly what I had in mind. I shall go back to the outskirts of town to give the message to the goblins. Will the sheriff accompany me to tell his men that they are to release their prisoners?"

After buying the rations for the goblins, Sybil heads back to where she left them and Irnk. As she arrives, she goes directly to the paladin, expecting that the sheriff will give orders for his men to leave the short green psychopaths in peace.

"I have good news for... your followers. Mayor Deverin is ready to let them go if they stay far from Sandpoint. She has also suggested to keep them out of range from any human settlements when you release them. She is worried for human safety. Yet, as I mentioned, it would be also advisable for their own safety. Also, upon hearing about the creatures that attacked us and the goblins, mayor Deverin said that she wished for us to investigate. She promised a reward for mapping the swamp and clearing it from any dangers. Since you are a good warrior and your followers know the marsh well, I strongly suggest that you come with us and bring with you one or two goblins. We could leave the others in their village. What do you think? Not only will your... tribe gain money lawfully, they will also profit from it they will need it for travelling to inhabited lands."

Sybil takes a short pause and starts talking again, this time the speech sounds as though it had been rehearsed a few times. As if she had looked for a way of presenting the situation in a light manner.

"There is also the matter of the reward for stopping goblin attacks. Sheriff Hemlock has brought back the proof of chief Gutwad's demise and mayor Deverin has or will? awarded us the promised gold. Although the money was given as a reward to the others, I believe you should consider your share as a compensation to your ... tribe for the destruction that we brought about. As such, your ... followers might find it easier and more moral to accept it."

Hopefully, YOU will... she thinks before continuing.

"Ah, yes. Finally, here is some food for you and the other goblins." she puts down her heavy bag, takes all the rations out and gives them to Irnk. "I suggest you find the members of your ... tribe who ran away and gather them before they cause any troubles."

Will post excel sheet with treasures tonight. Did anyone pick up items from Gutwad? Because Sybil did not.

Anything that was small sized; the armor, the bow, possibly some other stuff; Irnk probably would have 'acquired' unless someone else did.
Also, as he & the other Goblins have been waiting, he will have learned the names of all the survivors. Yes, he will be using them. If you don't want to come up with twenty Goblin names, I can.

Brow furrowed, shoulders knotted in obvious tension from keeping the Goblins from doing something to set the guards off, Irnk is sufficiently relieved at Sybil's return he doesn't even respond at her description of them as 'his'. Holding himself silent through her words, he is equaly obvious in contemplation.

"Ou...
epi ou, pataje sa a soti. Al gade nan ki pa gen yon ale grangou." He calls to the two most 'responsible' of the survivng Goblins, handing each a large double handful of food. "Wi, mwen konnen li nan Bland & ni gou. Janm wotè pa janm konnen sa ki byen manje, ou deja konnen ke."
Once all the Goblins are eating, he addresses them all. "Nou ap retounen nan vilaj la. Yon fwa nou rive la nou pral wè sa ki ka refè ak sa ki dwe ranplase."
Waiting for the inevitable confusion & chattering to die down, he adds. "Ki moun ki te konnen kote mò yo mache ale? Eske yo te anguleu mouri oubyen monte santi mouri?"
Listening to their reply, Irnk turns back to Sybil. "If they were skeletons, I'm going to need something better than this," as he holds up his Dogslicer, "think you can find one?"

A small-sized Heavy flail or similar would be great.

Be my guest. There are 8 remaining goblins. 2 "warriors", 3 women (on of which is the healer (has ranks in heal) and 3 young goblins, thrown into the world at an early age. All "vanilla" goblins. The 2 other ran away.
The goblins start eating, and not a minute ago you hear bleaching and see the rations flying away towards the guards.
Ok, time to spend your money and get back to the road... What do you buy? Yes, you get paid the 400 gp you where told. Not only in coin, but also with the stuff you "buy".

Apex gingerly takes a seat with Avan, leaning her staff on the table and letting her pack slide into the floor. She settles herself in so that she can keep an eye on the door, and then speaks.
Its.... it's just that it's dangerous, and I wouldn't be able to reconcile if.... Something happened...like what happened with Tharjuk. All of you.... You've been nicer to me than.... anyone else I've ever met. It's not.... she chooses her next words carefully entirely selfless... I mean, if the hunters come here looking for me... I would be with a group of powerful allies and trained warriors... But I can't put you all in danger like this for long. I'll have to leave soon.... Just... not right now.

She stares mournfully at the table, like that last sentence was more depressing to say than she thought it would be.

Unsurprisingly Avan's face was covered by the same bored mask, with the emotionless line for a mouth, he has been known for in Sandpoint, but his eyes were clearly focused on Apex, as he listened to her words, and he had not missed how she kept the door within view "I can't fault you for thinking of your safety, and your decision is sound to stay with a group that is capable of handling adversity" Replied the former gladiator before leaning back on his chair, he opened his mouth but then slowly closed it Seeing you leave would annoy me Is what he wanted to say, but for some reason he couldn't bring himself to say it "Don't worry on my account when it comes to the danger, I volunteered to help you if the hunters came, so there is no need to feel guilt" Continued the unarmed warrior, his words appearing sagely and well thought out for a change.

"If you decide to leave..." He began, astounding himself by not using the word 'when' "Avoid Korvosa, too many guards, too many marines, too many knights...frequent quiet villages and towns...and farms farms are nice" his irises hovered to the upper left side, his tone slowly returning to normal "Oh and don't attract attention" Avan grabbed two mugs of water of the plate of a passing waitress that were clearly not for him, ignoring the dirty look she shot him.

"How did you learn to use magic?" He asked without warning, as he placed one of the mugs in front of her.

She takes a small sip and replies, and her voice just the tiniest bit of anger and resentment. The emotion seems to give her words strength, and for a few moments she doesn't speak her sentences quietly, and the shy pauses are gone.
My parents. They used my appearance to garner favor amongst other nobles. A child with blue hair was certainly different, and they used me as the main event for all kinds of boring dinner parties and events. Once they discovered I had a small amount of arcane talent, they shipped me to the Arcane College, and I only saw them when they allowed me home to entertain guests with my spells. Other than that, I stayed at school everyday, forced to learn. Eventually, they arranged my marriage to another noble so they could garner more riches, and that's when.... when... I accidentally killed him when he tried to force himself on me.

She looks at her hands for a moment, reliving the experience, and then speaks again.
My parents, of course, blamed me and called me a selfish child, so they could save face to the other nobles, and sent the bounty hunters after me, to return only with my corpse. So now I'm on the run. Ironic, considering all I wanted as a child was to be free, and now I'm traveling across the entire world....

"Irnk, stop them now!" cries out the dwarf as she waves at the guards to move away.

Will take care of buying stuff once the gobos calm down.

They calm down quickly. They just don't like "longshanks" food.
==============================================
Ameiko Kaijitsu goes to Avan and Apex.
"Hello! My name is Ameiko, I am not sure we have meet, Apex, wasn't it."
She turns to see Avan and wink at him. "Nice catch!" she seems to say.
"I heard you recovered some Minkai items. As you know my family is from there. I would be very interested in buying them. Can I see them?"

Shaking his head in annoyance, Irnk explains. "Your food is...
well, tasteless."
"Not bad, it just really doesn't taste like anything. Moun ki like something with a bit more flavor to it. Pickling's good."
After a moment, he adds. "I...
appreciate the thought."

Been a busy day & I seem to have not yet fully recovered from the flu.
I will post more tomorrow, including Goblin names, at least for the adults. The kids likely aren't anything more than some variation on 'hey you!' yet.
I'm not kidding about the pickling. According to Goblins of Golarion, they will eat just about anything pickled & I do mean anything...

"I brought this food so they would not starve or cause trouble. Now, if they go hungry they will be the only ones to blame." Sybil replies flatly, leaving out any comment as to whom would be to blame if the goblins cause trouble.

"I will go back to town, get a few supplies and ask mister Proudstump to join us in exploring the marsh. I shall also rest at the inn for the night. We can meet tomorow at the entrance of the swamp leading to the destroyed village. I will also take care of finding an appropriate weapon for you."

Sybil then goes back to town we she proceeds to buy a few supplies. Once it is over she heads for the Rusty dragon to rent a room.

To simplify things I will arrange it so that Sybil returns when Ameiko is speaking with Avan and Apex since she is the one carrying the Minkian artifacts.

Upon entering the inn, the dwarfette notices Ameiko, Avan and Apex speaking together about having recovered objects from an unknown country. She approaches them with curiosity.

"Good evening miss Kaijitsu, I have the objects we recovered, let me unpack them and we can discuss their trade."

She sits at a table and digs into her backpack to uncover the fan, chest and pin from it. Sybil then carefully puts all three objects on the table, the chest is open, and the fan is placed so as to hide the side which has been scribbled upon. Finally, she takes out 5 desnan candles to add to the deal.

"As you can see, these objects are of high craftmanship, the box, under this thin layer of dirt is actually highly valuable. Sybil goes on describing how valuable the objects are, trying to increase their perceived value. The fan is also of high craftmanship." She points out a few elements. As you will notice, there is a small inscription in the back that seem to lower its value a bit, but in the hand of a knowledgeable craftsman, it can easily be fixed. And the merchant goes on talking about the objects. As she finishes her long monologue, she asks a question to Ameiko. "When I entered, you said that these objects originated from your famlily's home country, Minkai. I have never heard of it, could you tell me where it is?"

Appraise to give a fair yet high price on the items: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Ameiko looks at the items with care and reverence. In her eyes you see long forgotten memories of long lost Lands, histories and families. A long longing for honor and home.
"The scribblings on the fan... Looks almost like a map, don't you think?"

She takes a small sip and replies, and her voice just the tiniest bit of anger and resentment. The emotion seems to give her words strength, and for a few moments she doesn't speak her sentences quietly, and the shy pauses are gone.

My parents. They used my appearance to garner favor amongst other nobles. A child with blue hair was certainly different, and they used me as the main event for all kinds of boring dinner parties and events. Once they discovered I had a small amount of arcane talent, they shipped me to the Arcane College, and I only saw them when they allowed me home to entertain guests with my spells. Other than that, I stayed at school everyday, forced to learn. Eventually, they arranged my marriage to another noble so they could garner more riches, and that's when.... when... I accidentally killed him when he tried to force himself on me.

She looks at her hands for a moment, reliving the experience, and then speaks again.
My parents, of course, blamed me and called me a selfish child, so they could save face to the other nobles, and sent the bounty hunters after me, to return only with my corpse. So now I'm on the run. Ironic, considering all I wanted as a child was to be free, and now I'm traveling across the entire world....

Anger wasn't something foreign to Avan, it was more like a relative that he hadn't met in a while, so sensing rage in the voice of Apex despite it not being too apparent, reminded him of the raw emotions he has long been instructed to bury. Parts of what she told him he remembered hearing from her when they were on the road...but now there were more details coloring the picture of her past, and for every different he thought he found in their pasts he found a similarity "Strange how we were both taught something to further the ambitions and goals of other people" His eyes shifted from her to to his opened palm "But I've grown...fond?" He wondered if that was the right word to use "Of what I learned, and used it to free myself, just like you used your magic to seek your freedom" His brown eyes went to her once more.

"I know its futile telling someone how they should feel" His left hand rustled his messy blond mane "But if you havn't accepted your magic yet you should, it may have been something you haven't asked to learn, but it became the key to your freedom and your strength" The same flash of wisdom that appeared in his eyes before, shone once more but quickly it sunk into his bored expression when he noticed Ameiko approaching.

Ameiko Kaijitsu goes to Avan and Apex.

"Hello! My name is Ameiko, I am not sure we have meet, Apex, wasn't it."
She turns to see Avan and wink at him. "Nice catch!" she seems to say.
"I heard you recovered some Minkai items. As you know my family is from there. I would be very interested in buying them. Can I see them?"

Avan's right eyebrow raised in confusion at the wink and joyful expression of his boss Am I missing something He wondered but before he could think on the matter further or answer his boss his eyes noticed their dwarven companion approach.

"Good evening miss Kaijitsu, I have the objects we recovered, let me unpack them and we can discuss their trade."

She sits at a table and digs into her backpack to uncover the fan, chest and pin from it. Sybil then carefully puts all three objects on the table, the chest is open, and the fan is placed so as to hide the side which has been scribbled upon. Finally, she takes out 5 desnan candles to add to the deal.

"As you can see, these objects are of high craftmanship, the box, under this thin layer of dirt is actually highly valuable. Sybil goes on describing how valuable the objects are, trying to increase their perceived value. The fan is also of high craftmanship." She points out a few elements. As you will notice, there is a small inscription in the back that seem to lower its value a bit, but in the hand of a knowledgeable craftsman, it can easily be fixed. And the merchant goes on talking about the objects. As she finishes her long monologue, she asks a question to Ameiko. "When I entered, you said that these objects originated from your famlily's home country, Minkai. I have never heard of it, could you tell me where it is?"

"I would have given it to you for free boss but I am not the only one who found it" He replied, before stretching his arms back and stifling a yawn with his right hand.

Does that include the guard who tried to get clever with Irnk, or did he not make it after all?

Nodding distractedly at Sybil's explanation, Irnk strides over to the Goblin who spewed his food most vigorously, smacking him upside the back of the skull. "Pa vle manje, pa manje. PA krache li soti sof si ou konnen ki kote manje pwochèn ou an se..."
As Sybil departs, he turns to the town guardsmen, speaking slowly & with exagerrated care. "We are leaving now. The others will know where to find us. We will lead them to find the walking skeletons who threaten your town." That said, he turns once more to the Goblins. "Se pou yo ale. Nou pral refè sa nou kapab soti nan bouk la & ou," pointing to Ghorg, the Goblin who claimed to know where the skeletons came from,
"ap montre m ki kote mò yo mache te soti nan." With that, he begins the trek back to the ruins of the Licktoad village.

"Curious," replies Sybil to Ameiko "do you know where it points to?"

The dwarfette bends over to take a closer look at the fan, trying to understand what the map points to or to recognize the region that is depicted.

K. Geography: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Did Ameiko just skip the question about her country on purpose?

Apex looks relieved when Sybil shows up, saving her from social interaction with Ameiko. She peers at the "map", an interested gleam in her eyes.
don't really know much about this place.... But I can see what Lady Ameiko means. The lines there... Don't they kind of look like geography... Things?

She looks at the other items, longingly touching the hairpin again, and looks up at Ameiko from under her hood.
If I remember right, Minkai is a long way from here, in the Dragon Empires... Why would these things be... here? Isn't your family the only ones here that are from Minkai? Perhaps they belonged to someone in your family from when they first arrived?

Apex, after this conversation, will spend the rest of the day in her room, scribing a scroll of Burning Hands. I think she really needs to purchase anything at all.

Irnk: Goblin guard or human guard? Won't you wait for the others?
Sybil: Ameiko didn't answer your question. No idea if on purpose or accidentally. If she is right, the drawings in the fan could be a map of... well, probably the marsh. Yes, it could be, the shape is correct, the Goblin Village is there, but there are some other places marked you know nothing of.
Amieko nods.
Yes, probably. Maybe they were from my family once. That is why I want to purchase them.

Sybil lifts her head upon hearing Apex's comment on the Dragon Empires. Her eyes betray curiosity. However, as she turns toward Ameiko her look goes back to one of business.

"If you do not mind, I will recopy the map which is on the back of the fan."

Sybil copies it using the new materials she acquired. Once she is done with the trade, Sybil goes out in search of Stumpy. Once she finds him, she invites him to come and join them in their next expedition as a guide to the swamp... if he does not mind mind the company of goblins.

The dwarf finally heads for the inn after inviting Dao to join her for supper. There she invites Avan and Apex to join her. She also takes avantage of this time to question Apex about her knowledge of the Dragon Empires.

--Once the supper is over--
Sybil goes to bed, in the morning, she wakes up the others and after breakfast, heads toward the goblin village to reunite with Irnk.

Who is Stumpy?
Ok, after a day in town you go to the Licktoad Village. The few remaining Goblins, at Irnk command, are somewhat cleaning and rebuilding it.
What do you want to do now?