Once the Tien bard has exited, the band starts playing again and soon the voices and hubbub of the inn are back to normal. After a long while, Ameiko appears again in the common room but is stoic and silent unless approached, her usually affable manner missing.
If you talk to her:
Ameiko does come to each of you in turn and apologize for the scence, thanking you for taking part in her defense. She offers you another week of lodging and comfort on the house.
As the party begins in earnest again, you notice two local beauties watching you. They glance up from the food and smile or you catch them watching you when you look around the inn. One is a tall, slender dark haired girl, the other a buxom thing with a mass of long red-hair. They chat flirtatiously with other men in the Inn, but the red-head especially, has eyes for you.
Viviana notices that Ameiko has been crying and walks to her.
Unfortunately the priestess is still too angry because of the old man insults.
"Are you well? Does he insulted you? I couldn't understand a word in this barbaric tongue."
Moment after that Viviana realizes that she has insulted the tien woman but is too late.
As the old man's behavior turns the meal into a brawl, Gudada stops laughing, and then turns red, as he realizes what kind of a fool he's made of himself.
When Ameiko stops to apologize, Gudada holds both hands palm down and waves them back and forth while frowning slightly. "I know how bad a relationship with a father can break. You do not need to apologize for his outburst. Quite the opposite, you worked hard to resolve the situation as quickly as possible. Hopefully, you will be able to mend whatever rift has opened between you. I was not able to mend my relationship with my father. I still miss him."
----
-----------------------------
"..."
Aleksander glances after Ameiko's departure, his face bright red. Slowly he makes his way back through the crowd to the table, though it takes far longer for the blushing to subside.
When Ameiko finally returns, he makes an attempt to go talk to her, oblivious to the stares of the other patrons.
"You okay? You look pretty shaken."
"Mila..." He catches himself. "Ameiko. I'm sorry for your mother. Death in the family is never easy. I can't say I know what it's like having him to hold that over you... but I'm even more sorry for your father - if he can't see past the life he wants for you for the person you are and the life you've made for yourself, he's a fool."
Not really noticing the faux pas from Viviana, Ameiko gives an earful to Aleksander and Gudada about her family situation, commiserating with the Varisian about whether an absent father is better than the one she has. Squeezing the hand of the two boys, she soon retires to her chambers after spilling, apparently better for the telling.
After the bard/boss's departure, and thinking Aleksander perhaps missed her signals, the busty red-head approachs him and she says:"Arent you one of the Heroes of Sandpoint? I like the way you handled that crazy old man. My name's Shayliss. Can you buy a girl a drink?"
For the rest of you, the evening is another typical night at the Dragon, beer flows, stories are told and a good time is had by all. Remembering that you have an appointment with the Sherriff and possibly Shalelu in the morning, you retire earlier than you'd like.
"He wasn't crazy. Just a father, worried about his daughter and with absolutely no idea how to express it."
Aleksander looks wistfully away, his reply directed at nobody in particular.
"Although your interest is flattering, I shall have to decline your request to buy you a drink. I'm already staying here on Ameiko's charity. I'd rather not rack up a tab at the bar while I'm at it."
He gives Shayliss a wan, if sincere, smile. "It's been a long day and I would like to be left alone with my thoughts."
After hearing of Ameiko's situation, Dolgrin frowns sadly. No party tonight, he laments and then heads off to his room, to rest for the meet with the Sheriff.
Beagan is disappointed at the scene involving the lovely Ameiko and her father. He is very impressed with Alek's bravery though. After sitting for a bit and eating some food, Beagan will retire for the night shortly after Dolgrin leaves the table.
The vivacious red-head sniffs at the cold shoulder of Aleks and storms back to her table. Not long after, she and her dark-haired companion leave the Dragon.
Also leaving for the evening are Dolgrin and Beagan
Dawn, 3 Rova 4707, Absalom Reckoning
As the sun rises, you hear the familiar knock on your door. It's Bethany again. "Rise and shine, sleepyheads. You have business with the Sherriff. Shalelu has arrived and in quite a state. Hurry now and get yourselves together. I have breakfast waiting for you downstairs. You are wanted in the Town Hall within the hour. No time to dally, now!"
Coming down a hearty breakfast is laid out including eggs, sausages, flapjacks and bacon. Lars adds while you eat:"Tis wery strange dat Shalelu did not stay wif us dis time, ja? She must haf rode all night to come to da town dis time. Must be sum important news, no?"
You tuck in and eat your fill, and with enough time to spare, you make it to the Town Hall where your meeting is scheduled. When you arrive you are shown upstairs to the Mayor's office.
You remember seeing Mayor Kendra Deverin at the Festival speeches and in person you are struck by the drive and energy in her small frame. Despite the early hour and the stressful few days, she is a ball of fire and welcomes you warmly to her office. The Sheriff is there also quiet and dour as ever. And then you see Shalelu.
The first thing you notice about the elven woman is her lines. There is nothing soft or curved about her. She is tall and angular, thin and wiry. Lean muscles ripple as she moves and her face is set in a permanent frown line. She looks haggard and disheveled, indeed it does appear she rode all night. Her gaze, though, is penetrating and despite her obvious weariness, she does not seem to miss much.
The Sheriff makes introductions:
Hemlock motions for you all to sit around the long table. Then addresss you:"This is Shalelu Androsana. I guess you could call her an "unofficial" member of Sandpoint's Town Guard. She has been a thorn in the side of the local goblin tribes for years, and few know more about them than she does. Shalelu, these are Sandpoint's latest group of goblin-slayers" and he goes on to introduce each of you in turn.
Shalelu smirks at his characterization of her, but nods in greeting.
Hemlock continues:"Shalelu comes through town once or twice a season. She was just here a month ago, and wasn't expected until mid-autumn or so, but she has come at my request. On her visits, she brings us news from the hinterlands and keeps us apprised of any dangers growing in the region."
"To summarize the report she gave us while we were waiting for you, there has been an increase in goblin raids along the Lost Coast, especially in the dale between the Mosswood and the Nettlewood. Just yesterday a farm south of Mosswood was burnt to the ground by goblins. Luckily, Shalelu was there to save the family and kill a few of the vermin, but our goblin problem is obviously not going away..."
He then turns to the elven woman, ceding the floor to her to continue her briefing.
Shalelu says: "Belor’s told me of your work against the goblins —well done. I’ve dedicated the last several years of my life to keeping them from causing too much trouble around these parts, but they’re tenacious and fecund little runts. Like weeds that bite."
"Anyway, there’s five major goblin tribes in the region, and, traditionally, they’re pretty good at keeping each other in line with inter-tribal 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 there was a lot of chatter about the ‘long-shanks’ who killed so many of them. Now that I've met you, it seems obvious from their descriptions who they were talking about. Seems like you've made an impression."
"In any event, the 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."
Then the Sheriff continues:"Based on that information and the recent attack, the Mayor has asked me to take a few of my guards and ride south to Magnimar to ask for additional soldiers to be dispatched to Sandpoint."
"While I'm gone, I have asked Shalelu to sniff around places goblins are known to live like Shank's Wood, Brinestump Marsh, Devil's Platter and the like, to see if she can find out what's going on."
"I'm certain you'd like to join her, but I need your group to stay in Sandpoint while I'm gone. The locals seem to have taken a liking to you and the Mayor agrees that a public presence of the 'Heroes' will only make things calmer here. I'd ask you to stand as the law in my stead while I'm gone."
And with that, the briefing is over. The Sheriff makes to leave for Magnimar right away, shaking hands with you all as you depart. "Keep my town safe!" he says over his shoulder as he rides off.
The Varisian comes awake, rolls out of bed, and stares at the tail end of the black candle burning on the table nearby. He sighs and reaches for his bag to grab another, when he remembers that this was the last of them. Its not your problem anymore. Desna has her now. She is truly behind you. He has trouble accepting his own thoughts, but recognizes that the rituals have been followed, and that he mist continue to follow them. MOVE!
He forces himself up and about, getting dressed as he did yesterday, taking almost everything he owns, leaving his juggling kit behind.
He greets everyone at breakfast, being careful to be nice to both Aleksander and Beagan as well as the others.
At the Mayor's Office he starts with a smile on his face, not nearly as strained as the few from yesterday, but simply nods in recognition of the authority figures.
As the briefing concludes and the Sheriff asks them to represent the law in his absence, Gudada lowers his eyes and tries hard not to chuckle, but his grin isn't very well hidden.
As you are wrapping up, Shalelu address you: "I would dine with you and your companions this noon after I have rested. Would you care to meet me at the Rusty Dragon where my friend Ameiko keeps a renowned kitchen? I would impart more knowledge and lore regarding local goblins to you then."
Running his hands over the worn leather, he notes places where the polished exterior has been marred by pitted scrapes, cuts and dents; legacy of violence it had already been subject to. He feels a tinge of embarrassment at the lived-in state of his armor. It had kept him alive so far, and to leave it in such a state didn't feel right.
It was of course, a purely academic concern, for the blue armored coat was now the only suit of armor he owned - it would have to soldier on a little longer.
Still, he was a soldier, and it didn't hurt to look the part. Strapping paired quivers across his back, he slings the Longbow on after it before finally slips his short-spear into it's harness.
Stepping our into the hall, he locks the door to his room behind him.
-----------------------------
"Not exactly how I intended to get the post when I arrived, Sheriff, but I'll do my best."
Dolgrin sighs. This be a tough town te escape. "I'd much prefer bein' out there huntin' tha goblins an' such, but if'n ye need it, I'll be here."
After listening to all of the information, Beagan looks over at Dolgrin with a shocked expression.
"We're the law now? But, I don't know the first thing about law enforcement! I came to Sandpoint to entertain! What am I supposed to do?"
For the first time since he's arrived, the gnome's happy exterior is replaced with panic.
"Well, Beagan, there are three things we can do. Two of which will make the sheriff unhappy. We can take advantage of being authority, and grab what we can. That's one he won't like, by the way. We can do nothing and not care about the town or the people in it. That's also one the sheriff won't like. Or we can try to be as unobtrusive as possible, but help the people of the town should something happen. That, I think, is what the sheriff wants. He wants us to be good neighbors. Not much else, I don't think."
Before going to bed Viviana will cure any wounds the party my have. She prays for the same spells as yesterday, and decides to left her armor in the room.
Viviana remains silent for most of the encounter since she isn't expert on goblins and such.
"We're the law now? But, I don't know the first thing about law enforcement! I came to Sandpoint to entertain! What am I supposed to do?"
"You should patrol around the town and arrest anyone that isnt smiling."
Viviana winks at Beagan."Seriously maybe we should just ask the locals about the problems they may have.But i want to talk with Ameiko first."
Before lunch Viviana will try to talk with Ameiko in private about the dead priest daughter and her suitors.
Viviana follows the icy elven ranger over to the Dragon. She watches from a distance as Shalelu and Ameiko greet each other as old friends. They converse a while in Elvish, then the ranger goes off to a well-deserved sleep.
Ameiko remains in the Common room, strumming her Tian style lute, and occaisonally scribbling notes as a thought strikes her. She sees Viviana lurking and motions for her to come and sit.
"I knew the priestess would come eventually. You want to talk about my family troubles, and tell me it's all going to be okay. Well it's not, but I'll pretend to listen."
She leaves an opening for you to start with questions.
In order of Priority:
- Check in with Naffer Vosk: See if there have been any disturbances in the Churchyard since.
- Check in with Ameiko to see if she's doing okay: Getting physically manhandled by her father and possibly disowned is bound to do some damage to the psyche.
- Walk the beat: Aleks is new to the town. Never a bad idea to get to know the locals.
Beagan, slowly regaining his composure from his prior panic attack, looks towards Alek for guidance.
Alek sure knows how to keep his cool under pressure. I wonder what he wants to do. I think I'll just agree with him. Unless he wants to outlaw acting. Then, it's on.
Gudada's intent has very little to do with how his day will be spent. His intent was to have a day of rest. Maybe look for the half-elf he saw the day before. Instead, he's been saddled with a responsibility he doesn't want.
Hey! I can "patrol" and look for her, or another truly pretty face, and I'm still doing what the Sheriff wants, right? Gudada's grin becomes an honest smile. "This shouldn't be TOO bad. C'mon, Beagan! Let's go for a walk. See who's about."
Viviana nods.
"I am sure you can solve your own problems . I won't meddle unless you want me to.
But not everyone is that resourceful."
Viviana explains what she has learned from the fortune teller and her suspicions then asks what Ameiko know about the girl and about her suitors.
"I know it's best to let the dead in peace but that's the only lead i can think of. And maybe someone out there is preparing new troubles for the town."
Beagan turns to Gudada, feeling excited once again.
"Patrol, eh? Haven't done one of those before! Alright, I'm in! Let's see if any trouble's afoot. Oh, we should go see if that theater owner, Cyrdak, is up to no good. I'm sure he is, he seems like a pretty rotten fellow. From what I've heard." The gnome whistles innocently as he finishes his thoughts.
Ameiko listens to your questions. "I knew the girl, Nualia. She was a pretty thing and nice enough, but skittish. She was part angel or blessed or something and the people around town acted like she was Iomedae herself. Old women said her touch could cure warts and a lock of her hair could make you fertile, but all that was nonsense and all that misplaced attention just made the shy girl more of recluse."
She pauses, making sure you understand, her eyes cloudy with the remembering. " Then she fell in with a Varisian boy, I don't remember his name, but they were quite an item --in secret. Her father eventually found out and locked her up in her room in the church. From then on, we didn't see her, no one did except maybe the priest's. That Varisian boy, he left town, and I haven't seen him since."
She sighs and drinks deeply, strumming a few chords on her lute. "Any other questions? I'm not going anywhere..."
Aleksander tells the others he wants to go check out Naffer Vosk and the churchyard.
As the former soldier gets to the graveyard gate, he hears the old sextant singing while digging a new grave. Rather than the holy hymns of Desna, this song is an off-color sea chanty about the Captain's daughters...
"Vosk!" Aleks calls out warmly, "Thought I heard you!"
He chuckles as he steps through the churchyard gate.
"Found anything amiss lately? I mean, besides the occasional skeleton trying to take my head off?"
-----------------------------
Dolgrin shrugs, "I got nothin' better te do 'till tha dinner with tha elf. I'll tag along with ye Alek. Mayhap I can help keep ye out o' trouble this time."
Dolgrin enters the gate behind Alek.
Gudada shrugs. "Seems like as good a place as any to start the walk." He will lso go with Aleks.
-----------------------------
"Can't argue with logic like that." Aleks nods at Dolgrin's comment. "Not my style to turn down help when offered."
"Bit worried about Miss Andosana getting involved in this." He glances at the rest of the group. "Heard stories about a cold elven beauty who tracked and killed rogue goblins up in the hinterlands while I was stationed in Magnimar. If the region's premiere Goblin Hunter is getting personally involved, I suspect something huge is going on with the local goblin tribes."
He considers for a moment. "Beagan... You still have those goblin tokens we couldn't identify? Might want to show them to her later. She might know something we don't.
"Sure do! Got 'em right... er, uh... where did I put them... Ah! Here we go!
Beagan produces the goblin trinkets from one of his many, many pockets.
Viviana sighs.
"Nameless varisian boy... even if he is somehow involved how to find him?
Well thank you for telling me.
Other questions... i don't know. The sherif asked us to help but i am stranger here. I dont know were to start. What do you think? What can be done?
By the way if you want me to talk with your father just say it ? I can be very persuasive."
Ameiko chuckles a little at that. "So can he, sister, so can he..."
"I don't think you'll find the Varisian boy, but maybe someone at the cathedral knows more of what went on there. There must be a few priests left up there from 5 years ago, right?"
In the Boneyard
Vosk greets Aleksander warmly, he thinks of him as a shipmate now, after their little encounter together.
"Nay, mate, I ain't seen no t'other 'sturbances out here on da grounds. Thin's are jest right as rain, they are. You any closer ta figurin' out who took old Father Tobyn's remains?"
When you ask him about the fire and Tobyn and the Recent Unpleasantness, he is a little less talkative: "Old Tobyn brought me to the brotherhood, but I ain't a real brother, jes' sextant. I don' git to go to any o' the real important meetin's no how. But I bet if you talked to Brother Aemon, he might know a thin' or two. He's been with the church for a good long time. Want me to fetch him?"
-----------------------------
"Not much luck with an answer beyond 'goblins', Vosk." Aleksander shakes his head. "Still have no idea why they'd target him."
"If you think Brother Aemon knows more, I'd like to meet him."
Something's not right about this whole thing. The 'other' looms in a dark corner, shuffling and rearranging thoughts and memories like a card-shark. Tobyn and his daughter killed in a fire. Casp killed in action by a demon-worshiping serial killer.
He pauses.
Ameiko's mother killed herself - same period. Doesn't match the profile. But consistent with other untimely deaths during the period. The 'other' begins to pace agitatedly.
"She's tied into this somehow."
You're talking aloud again.
"Don't you see..." Aleks turns to his companions.
"Ameiko's mother was killed during the 'unpleasantness'. Ameiko took over operation of the inn in the immediate aftermath. Her father wants her to flee the town on the fifth anniversary of the 'unpleasantness', after an incident he was conveniently absent from."
"I'm making some huge logical leaps but it seems to me that the Kaijitsu family is somehow part of this whole mess."
"Yes, some 'huge logical leaps.' Everyone who was in town was wrapped up in the unpleasantness one way or another. While the costs of the sins of the father fall upon his children, they may never know what those sins were. It is possible that the father knows more than others, and also only that he can afford to leave with little effort or planning where others can not. Neither path demands that the daughter know anything.
"Now, that doesn't mean there's no reason to talk to her, just that you shouldn't be surprised if she has nothing you want to know."
-----------------------------
"Could be. Could be not." He sighs. "As I said. 'huge logical leaps.' There's something about this whole thing, how I keep running face-first into little reminders of the 'unpleasantness' that keep pointing my intuition along."
"I have no proof. Just a gut feeling that something terrible is going to happen and that it's somehow tied to the 'unpleasantness'. Maybe it's just someone from Tobyn's past. Maybe it's cult activity. I don't know for sure."
"You 'eroes are talkin' above my paygrade, I reckon," says the crippled sextant. "But if it's Brother Eamon you're wantin', I'll go an' fetch him." He scrambles out of the hole he was digging, rather spryly for someone with a twisted back, then shuffles off to the Cathedral.
Viviana grins confidently.
"Don't worry, at the very least i can annoy him so much that he will realise how nice his doughter is compared to some."
She says goodbye to Ameiko and goes to find someone from the city guard ,both to show her where Ameiko's father live and to help if the old man refuses to let her in.
"There's no way Ameiko could be involved in any of this, right? I mean, she's so beautiful! And she was helping during the goblin raid, wasn't she? I think we can rule her out, at least for now."
"Just a hunch, Beagan. Just a hunch."
The 'other' glowers in its corner, restlessly arranging and rearranging memories like pieces of a puzzle. You're not giving up so easily are you?
"They're right. Does sound kind of crazy."
And you would know crazy, given the conversation you're currently having.
"Cheap shot."
At the very least ask Ameiko what she knows. The connection I suspect could well be there.
"See what I can do."
"Mr Purrun has a point though. We should still make an effort to find out what she knows. At the very least, she might be able to point us in the right direction."
"Twenty-five folks bein' murdered an' a church bein' burned is bound te have an affect on many, an' reminders can come from anything after such an event. As fer Ameiko an' her mother... tha 'unpleasantness' happened after her death. Yer thinkin' tha one had an instigation te tha other?"
Dolgrin glances off to the side. "Och, it seems there be one who's mournin' a loss nearby, mayhap we ought to finish our conversation with tha brother somewheres else?"
"I'm thinking there's a chance there was a central, related cause. Cult activity perhaps. Demon worship perhaps."
He massages his temples, as the 'other' plunges into another pile of unsorted information.
"Motive fits for the mass murders and the church burning. Ameiko's mother, maybe not so much. Could have been an accident. On the other hand, maybe the fall was purely 'accidental'."
He raises his hands, making 'air quotes'.
In his minds eye, the 'other' marches over and contemptuously dumps a new pile of information at his feet. Fire was started inside the Cathedral. Ameiko's claim. Only Tobyn and his daughter lived in the Cathedral. They recovered Tobyn's body. But not Nualia. Covering an abduction?
"You're jumping at straws now..."
The 'others' normally cold mannerisms are gone now, replaced with a manic surge of angry energy. WHY WON'T YOU LISTEN?! Ameiko's mother? I'll give you the benefit of that being a coincidence. Twenty-Five killings, possibly two more... Murders? Or sacrifices?
"Unless..." The thought running through his mind is cold.
Unless what?
"Unless she was lying to us..."
$#@!
As you discuss and ruminate on theories and suspects, Naffer Vosk returns with a hobbled old brother wearing the blue cassock of a priest of Desna. The older man is bent over a walking stick, and his eyes are cloudy with cataracts.
"This 'ere is Brudder Eamon. He was around the church when Tobyn was here, most o' the others are new since then. I tol' him a wee bit 'bout what you was pokin' aroun' fer. He sez he'll answer yer questions 'bout the ol' Father if'n it'll help the town. Ask away."
Viviana
You find a guardsman to tell you where Lonjiku Kaijitsu might be found. He first suggests the Glassworks where the family has turned out beautiful glass works of art (and practical pieces too) for 2 generations. The Glassworks is on Glass Street southeast of the Garrison. (Area 20 on the Sandpoint Map). The building is a bustle of activity with smoke rising from the main chimney, carts being loaded and unloaded, and customers coming and going. There seems to be a main shopping entrance where various lovely pieces are on display and farther north, an office entrance where vendors and customers are placing orders.
You enter the office, and after telling the clerk your business, you and your guardsmen are shown into the office of Lord Kaijitsu himself.
The man is busily working on figures on a paper and only notices your presence by nodding to a pair of chairs in front of the desk.
"I am a busy man. What is it you want here?" he asks brusquely, not looking up.