"The taldane-tongue is a confusing one but it's one you'll have to master if you want to call these people you're brothers. Wordcraft and leadership are no different than strength", the shoanti says as he grips your burly shoulder.
"Those that are not gifted with strength must teach themselves to be strong - Those born with a fool's tongue must teach themselves the same."
The dwarf frowns as he considers the Thunder Caller's words. "I hadn't thought of it that way. I... will try, Honored Uncle. Thank you."
He leaves, still thoughtfully weighing the meaning of what was said.
Pirknok hangs back and says nothing as the others give their report. When Ameiko leaves in a huff, he moves to follow her but frowns sadly and instead turns to go.
As Ameiko storms off Ventus stands and follows her out.
"Ameiko! Hold on a second!"
You find Ameiko in the kitchen alone, fuming.
Ensu sighs quietly as he lets someone else try to calm down Ameiko. Turning to those that remain, "I'm off to get some sleep; it's been a long day. And Ysme, I would definitely not share your theory with Ameiko; the lack of proof is enough to swallow for most people, but it is clear that it would be disastrous with her. Get some sleep, and we can see what, if anything, we can dig up tomorrow. If we're lucky, Tsuto will have skipped town, and a great deal of trouble will have been avoided; if not, than events will shape themselves out in a way that will likely require our full strength." He heads off to his room, prays a bit for guidance, and goes to sleep, concerned about the events of the day, but not sure what else he could really do about them.
Doran nods at Ensu's suggestion. "E'en still, 'at bastard betta hope 'e ne'er runs into me ag'in. I'll make 'im 'urt fir it," the man states, still looking furious.
"Ameiko, I know you don't want to hear it but your brother has problems. He's dangerous and if he gets in contact with you, let us know." He knew it was not what she wanted to hear but it needed to be said.
(+2 or -2, your discretion)
Ameiko gives you sad, very tired, look.
"He's my brother Ventus. If I give up on, who does he have left?"
"Then don't give up on him but do the right thing. The girl he was with was lucky to be alive, if you care about him you need to hold him accountable for his actions. He won't change his path if you turn a blind eye to his deeds. At the end of the day, I might just be a shiny breastplate for the mayor to show off but I was given a job to do. That means protecting you and bringing your brother to justice."
"I... I know Ventus."
***
Eli, disappointed at not catching Tsuto, is left with a hollow feeling by the time Ameiko is informed of the events of the day. He makes his goodbyes to the group and returns home, where he hugs Marysin fiercely. "Marysin, I'm so sorry for everything. I've been busy with this whole 'hero' thing, and I hope you don't feel neglected. I'm going to make sure to finish what I started here. You'll feel like your old self in no time!" he says before bounding to his laboratory and working late again, trying to come up with some alchemical formula to undo the damage his meddling had done. By the time he crawls into bed, he has made some small progress, but he feels unsatisfied with the direction it is going.
Eventually everyone retires to their homes/rooms/hospices for the night.
***
The following day is largely uneventful. Each member of the party sees to their personal tasks or errands without hearing even a word about Tsuto or his whereabouts. When evening comes you all gather at the Dragon for a nice supper.
It's only then that you recognize that you haven't seen Ameiko during dinner and when you stop to think about it, you remember you didn't see her at breakfast either.
Upon realizing Ameiko has made no appearances all day, Ysme makes inquiry's with the Rusty Dragon staff.
Most of the staff doesn't seem to think much of Ameiko's absence. They confirm that she had some sort of important business to see to. It isn't until you spot Bethana Corwin, one of the halfling servers, wringing her hands and looking generally anxious that something seems amiss.
She confirms what the others have said - Ameiko left early this morning mentioning she had important business to attend that might keep her away for most of the day, but that when she entered Ameiko's room to tidy things up for her, she found the following letter.
Hello, sis!
I hope this letter finds you well, and with some free time on your hands, because we’ve got something of a problem. It’s to do with father. Seems that he might have had something to do with Sandpoint’s recent troubles with the goblins, and I didn’t want to bring the matter to the authorities because we both know he’d just weasel his way out of it. You’ve got some pull here in town, though. If you can meet me at the Glassworks in the morning, maybe we can figure out how to make sure he faces the punishment he deserves. Knock twice and then three times more and then once more at the delivery entrance and I’ll let you in.In any case, I don’t have to impress upon you the delicate nature of this request. If news got out, you know these local rubes would assume that you and I were in on the whole thing too, don’t you? They’ve got no honor at all around these parts. I still don’t understand how you can stand to stay here. Anyway, don’t tell anyone about this. There are other complications as well, ones I’d rather talk to you in person. Don’t be late.
-Tsuto
"I'm worried. That Tsuto is no good", she concludes.
Eli frowns. "I agree with you. I don't like this one bit. When did Ameiko leave?" he asks.
Doran joins Ysme in asking about Ameiko's whereabouts after dinner, knowing it's unlike her to be gone all day.
"Early this morning", Bethana explains. "Most of the non-live-in staff hadn't even arrived yet. Do you think he'd hurt her?"
Pirknok frowns. "Ah..."
He clears his throat and starts again. "Thet bit 'bout punishmint... Miz Kaijitsu wudint hurt her paw, but thuh boy jus' might try. Ah don't know ef he'd hurt her, but... wull, she shud've bin back by now."
Ysme is obviously wavering between pointing out that she had said one of the Kaijutsu men was involved with the Goblin attack & concern for Ameiko's safety. Concern wins out as she asks, "Where are the Kaijutsu Glassworks Betheda?"
Doran grits his teeth at the news. "I don' like th' sound o' 'is a' all..." the Inquisitor groumbles, a thoroughly worried look on his face.
"If she is unthreatened, there is no more harm than has already been done to our relationship. If she in danger, hesitation aids only her tormentor." Ysme responds to Doran's quibble as she claims her Flail & heads for the door.
"You've torches haven't you?"
Doran frowns. "I's a'most night, lass. Might be a betta plan t' wait 'til mornin'. We don' e'en know i' somethin' 'as happened, ain't no point in rushin' off half-cocked in'a th' night," he states, the worried look on his face not being terribly convincing.
"Then stay here!" She calls back as she heads out the door.
Doran sighs heavily, rubbing the ball of his left hand against his temple. he shouts, frustrated, before taking off after her. "C'mon, we can't le' 'er charge blindly in'a 'is like a blazin' fool wit'out some assistance!" he calls back towards the others as he moves to leave.
'is damn hero worship nonsense 'as gone t' 'er head! When I get me hands on 'at girl, I'm gonna gi' 'er a talkin' to she ain't e'er gonna firget! the Inquisitor thinks to himself as he runs after the girl, equipment in tow.
The Sandpoint Glassworks is one of the oldest industries in the city and it shows in the structure's sturdy, but dated, appearance. The Glassworks is a large stone-building and it's clear from the outside that it has two distinct sections, the actual factory and a shop in which potential customers can browse the wares.
Planted in front is a sign that reads, 'Closed for Maintinence', but the billowing central smokestack says otherwise.
The area around the service entrance is quiet and the door is closed.
"I wasn't planning to," Ventus said, calmly finishing buckling his breastplate on and grabbing his sword and shield.
"Ysme! Righteous fury or no, I'm taking point. I'm not letting you get cut down by any cowardly trick or trap Tsuto may have planned."
"This place isn't unoccupied. If Tsuto was telling the truth in his letter, it's probably Goblins." Ysme whispers. Finally, she can contain herself no longer. "I you Lonjiku had something to do with it!" She hisses.
"Hold on!" Ventus said, holding up a hand, "We've got tracks, could be goblin. They're fresh to. We're talking about twenty distinct sets." He crouched, studying them carefully.
"Looks like Tsuto was telling the truth about one thing."
As the group approach the service entrance, Doran also notices the many tracks. "Wit' all 'ese tracks, 'is place sure don' look like i's been closed fir maintenance," the Chelaxian says, shouldering his crossbow. As he nears the door, he also notices that it's slightly ajar. "...'is door is open, too. I s'pose we should gi' a look aroun' th' place. I' we're lucky, Miss Ameiko's still in 'ere, an' in one piece," he trails off, a hard look in his eyes from worry.
"I'm with Ysme on this one. If he's a danger to her, we need to get to her now." Eli says. Being forced to carry all his new gear around seems less of a nuisance now as he rushes off after Ysme. Arriving at the glassworks, he follows the others around to the service entrance. Given a moment, he mixes some ingredients in a small vial and stows it in his bandolier.
Ysme's eye narrow at 'Ventus directive, but her only response is to pause the half step necessary for him to overtake her. Then, purposefully drop her Flail beside the pathway as she flexes her hands.
Ensu is pensive as he follows the others to the glassworks, and as they approach, he unhooks his crossbow from his belt, holding it in one hand and a bolt in the other.
"You want to wear my breastplate? I get pretty sweaty in it so it starts to stink up a storm even after I wash it out in the morning. Sure it'll protect you nicely but you'll have to deal with a couple of days worth of stale Ventus stink," He said in response to her glare. With that he stepped up to the door, wary, pausing to listen for any goblins or anything else that may be within.
Ventus hears nothing through the door.
Pirknok accompanies the others, not hanging back but keeping a tight grip on his axe and watching carefully both before and behind.
Ventus pushes the door open and looks inside.
The door opens into a massive open room. Large heavy workbenches are placed spaciously throughout the area and giant dark iron furnaces line two of the adjoining walls. The furnaces are lit and a soft glow from heating elements under the vats of molten glass fill the whole area with dim lighting.
"B$$@##+s," Ventus said, looking up into the rafters, "On your toes!"
Doran raises his weapon, looking up after Ventus' shout. "Bloody 'ell!"
"Manic beasts!" Ysme hisses as she also looks up.
Order
Doran
Ventus
Ysme
Fancy Goblins
Eli
Pirknok
Goblins
Ensu
Eight goblins come into view on the workshop floor from behind the furnaces.