"A dream? You'll have to tell me about it later. If this dream needs a strong back at some point I may be able to help."
Kanyk glances up the road and sees the Sheriff stood outside the Barret house with Harry and Nieve and picks up his pace slightly, hoping to get into and away of the house as quickly as possible.
Harry wipes off some of the gore and grime as he talks to the Sheriff.
"Attacked? Alergast is dead. A Goblin had been hiding in his house, and it looks like he may have gone poking around to find it. Kanyk took his body to the cemetary, and the mans widow is next door. The house is cleaned as best we can but there is a hole in the floor will be needing a carpenter."
"Nothing else to do here now Sheriff, other than let the locals know to check their houses again carefully, and to console the widow and see to her future."
Harry waits on Nieve and Kanyk, but if they have no further business he gets back to the Inn for some rest.
After the sheriff has inspected the house and made sure, no other goblins are hiding there, he offers the widow his condolences and thanks you for your fast intervention.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Three days have passed since the hidden goblin had killed Petal, the Barrett's dog and Alergast Barrett.
Sarenrae is still on friendly terms with Sandpoint and warm sun rays pierce through the fast moving clouds.
By chance you are all at the Rusty Dragon to have lunch together and while you have already noticed that Ameiko is absent, you haven't paid much attention to it, until Bethana comes running out of the kitchen, her countenance a mask of sorrow.
I, umm, have a problem. she says and before you are able to reply anything, she goes on
Ameiko's gone! Her bed looks unslept and I found a strange parchment in her room!
She hands you the crumbled parchment, but you can only shrug with your shoulders, since the symbols and letters look utterly unfamiliar to you. As Bethana notices that, she says
Oh, it's written in the language of Minkai, Ameiko taught it to me, the parchment reads like this:
harry takes in the message.
"I need something of Ameiko's, clothing personal effects, something Thumper can get a scent off. Where is this Glassworks? We must set out immediately!"
Bethana now looks even more worried
Do you think something bad has happened to her? Oh I would have told her not to meet Tsuto...nay nay nay.
She gets you a shirt Ameiko has worn the other day and says
The glassworks are at the western side (SM 20), a large grey building with smokestacks on top.
"But that message suggests that Ameiko is Tsuto's sister, I don't understand, why would you suggest they not meet?"
Bethana shakes her head grumpily
Oh yes, he is her brother...the worst kind of brother one can have. I doubt you've heard anything about him since you are in town, eh? Nowadays Tsuto is wiped from the memories of most people. Tsuto must now be something like 22 years old, I think...the thing is, he's an half elf...and now take a guess
Wide eyed she adds
Exactly neither of his parents are elves...Lonjiku Kaijitsu, the "father", was furious and sent the boy to the Turandarok Academy...the orphanage, and forbid Atsuii, the boy's mother, to see him again.
So poor Tsuto began to see Ameiko as some kind of replacement for his mother. She really cared for him, brought him food and clothes to the academy and everything.
But then, about six years ago, they had a terrible argument and Tsuto struck Ameiko down...She left Sandpoint afterwards for a year of adventuring, but returned after she had heard that her mother had died.
That was five years ago and Tsuto told everyone that Lonjiku had pushed his wife over the edge of a cliff...obviously that didn't improve the father-son relationship.
As Tsuto repeated his accusation during the funeral of Atsuii, Lonjiku smashed his cane in Tsuto's face, nearly breaking his jaw bone...Tsuto ran away afterwards and Ameiko always tried to find him, but couldn't...until now as it seems.
"Hey I'm a Half-Elf!" Harry interjects.
"Given what you have told me, I don't see this as having a happy ending, but the sooner my fellows are ready to leave the sooner we will know"
Following the death of mister Alergast Barret, Nieve has been keeping to his room; despite being a stranger, the fact that the man was killed and Nieve was unable to help left him tearing through several nights, haunted by the horrendous state the dead man's body was in.
He's been awake for hours, sitting on the edge of his bed. Elyn's been lamenting for lack of food, but Nieve doesn't notice, just fiddling with his fingers. When his stomach starts aching with hunger for food, he lets out a sniffle. I can't starve myself to death...
He walks down to get lunch, hair all astray with sleeplessness under his eyes. He arrives at the doorway, when he hears Bethana explaining Ameiko's disappearance. He doesn't walk out to reveal himself yet, he listens carefully instead; as she finished the story of Tsuto, he rubs his eyes. "We can't wait," he says, walking out in view. His fists are clenched."We have to find her."
"Yes Mr Nieve, we do"
Harry runs to his room to fetch his axe and grab his pack before returning, ready to depart.
"Good luck folks. Let me know how the rescue attempt goes." Gerlick sits calmly and continues eating.
"We won't need to tell you, after all Cousin, you'll be right there. Now before you start feeling like there's something else you'd rather be doing, I'd like to point out that this woman we are looking for is quite possibly hurt and injured, or worse. Now it might not mean a lot to you, but my last effort to staunch the flow of blood on someone was that young lass during the invasion, barely a tender teen, yet my skills weren't up to the job and she bled out, gutted like a fish, before my very eyes. That isn't my fault, I take no blame for it, but that thinking is pretty bloody cold comfort when I watched them dig her a hole shortly after. You can heal, you are needed Cousin."
Harry looks at Gerlick expectantly, and that he expects a 'yes'.
Gerlick eats his meal for a moment more, seemingly in deep thought. I am going to need Harry's help...but I don't want to endanger them all with my curse! Grr.. He seems almost conflicted, but finally Gerlick stands and looks Harry straight in the eye.
"Let me explain something, Harry. I am trying to help, by not helping. Sounds insane doesn't it? Well, you see, if you have forgotten I am cursed. I tried to defy fate, and it got me nowhere. So, I prefer to avoid causing problems for others by involving myself in their matters. If you want me to come along that strongly I can, but if the gods decide at that moment to surpress my powers, like they did when I tried to help the paladin, what will you do hm? Will you accept that responsibility? I am trying to stay out of your way so my curse and the gods hate does not target you as well as me. So you decide. Are my possible healing skills so needed that you are willing to risk the gods wrath? I am worried about the woman, yes, she showed me kindness. But I am not a fool as to think that my being there would be something the gods tolerate. They like to make me miserable, so keep that in mind."
Gerlick simply stares at Harry, expressionless.
Kanyk has spent the last few days working as hard as possible to take his mind off Alergast's death. He had a very awkward conversation with Mrs Barret, apologising for his mistake and offering half his pay for the foreseeable future to keep a roof over their heads and food on their table.
He sits leant against the wall of the inn, dirty and sweaty from helping a merchant load a wagon when one of his employees hadn't shown up.
He sits up and listens intently while Bethana reads the message. When Harry rushes off to get his axe Kanyk stands and climbs the stairs too, returning a few minutes later fully armoured and carrying his pack and hammer.
"So we're rushing straight to the glassworks? Might be an idea to ask some of the workers not on their shifts if they've seen anything odd over the last few days? Give us an idea of what Tsuto was doing there and if he has anyone else with him."
Karlan chews his food thoughtfully seemingly uninterested in the events around him. Then as it seems his plate is completely empty. He says calmly. "You won't find anything there."
Wiping his mouth he stood up from his chair and slid it under the table. "She's been missing for over twelve hours since she first sought him out. I think it's safe to say she won't be there anymore.
Still." Karlan smiled cheerfully. "We should go there and see where the wayward Ms. Ameiko has gone now. Shame she didn't inform the proper authorities. Oh well, they've been informed now."
Moving towards the door he calls back. "Oh I would very much like for mr. Gerlick to come on an advisory role. No need for combat trainign I don't think. If certain gods see fit to oppose your investigative eye in finding the woman well that's a god I would oppose any day of the week. Besides perhaps doing such good deeds will help you find respite, no?"
With that Karlan leaves and heads for the glassworks. Whistling the goblin song that's been stuck in his head for days.
"If the gods deny your powers right when we need them then I point the finger of blame directly at them, on the other hand if we need your powers and you are sitting back here munching on a ham bone then I will have a few other places to start sticking fingers then eh?"
"Besides, you will be miserable, I hardly reckon some old glassworks is comfortable and welcoming"
"We need to stick together now cousin, I've had my bad luck no end, but my tide has turned and now fortune follows - ride with this crew and we will see you to a better future. I can only invite you Cousin, the decision to accept the invitation rests with you"
Harry starts walking, hoping that Gerlick will do the right thing.
Nieve doesn't even stick around; he leaves the tavern before the others get out of their seats, and sets off to the western side of town. Elyn still squeaks on his shoulder, trying to find some way to leap off, but he never does.
I can't let her down I can't let them down I have to find her and make sure she's alright mustn't fail again...
"Right you are Cousin Kanyk"
"Wait up Sir Karlan, let us all head together, you in the lead of course"
"Mr Nieve, don't stray, safety in numbers!"
Muttering, Gerlick gets up and walks out, trying his best to keep up. He glowers the entire time.
Nieve is already only a bouncing dot in the distance as the party at last decides to head to the glassworks.
As you all reach the place, you notice a group of about half a dozen men standing together pointing at the factory-like building, discussing something.
Recognizing you as the new deputies, one of them strides over to you and adresses Kanyk
Something's wrong, sir?
"Possibly there is something wrong yes. We're looking for a missing person, Ameiko Kaijitsu owner of the Rusty Dragon, and have reason to believe she is in or was in the glassworks recently. She disappeared at some point last night. Have you seen anything odd while working in the building today? Anything out of the ordinary?"
The man looks back to the others and beckons them to join you
No sir, we're not working in there, we're just living in the neighbourhood, and yes, we HAVE seen something strange. None of the workers who have entered the building three days ago have left it since then?! The longest shift ever, or what? We know Lonjiku Kaijitsu isn't a very nice boss, but that has never happened before.
Smiling cheerfully at the men Karlan nods then turns to the others.
"Well gentleman it's conclusive." He pauses for a second as he unhooks and straps his shield and then draws his sword. "We're terrible guardsman for not hearing about this way earlier."
Cracking his shoulders and popping his neck Karlan looks towards the building. "So, assuming they don't already know we're coming how should we go about this?"
On the first two days we thought they were just making long hours, that's typical when a new collection is about to be made. There are rooms in the glassworks for the workers to sleep and eat, but three days? We found that rather strange...
Realizing that you get combat-ready, the man asks wide-eyed
Oh, you think there's something major wrong, eh?
On the first two days we thought they were just making long hours, that's typical when a new collection is about to be made. There are rooms in the glassworks for the workers to sleep and eat, but three days? We found that rather strange...
Realizing that you get combat-ready, the man asks wide-eyed
Oh, you think there's something major wrong, eh?
Hm? Karlan says. "Oh, just being cautious after the incident a few days ago. If you'd be so kind as to inform the Sheriff that we're investigating I'd appreciate it."
Eagerly nodding, the man replies
Sure sir, shall I tell him you need reinforcements? Or anything else? Maybe a coded message?
Two of the other bystanders roll their eyes and shoo him off to the sheriff.
Cracking his shoulders and popping his neck Karlan looks towards the building. "So, assuming they don't already know we're coming how should we go about this?"
"For a small town they seem pretty slow on gossip, even Riddleport had news travel faster. Don't suppose there's any skulking about Sir Karlan, figure we go straight in hard, and deal with what mess we find"
"Are we going to talk about rumours or find her?" Nieve mutters, a bit loudly. He walks over to the entrance of the building, trying to open the door.
The heavy iron door is firmly shut and locked.
Nieve tugs on the door handle, pressing against the door, trying everything he can to get the big hulking piece of iron to move. "Open, damn it..."
"Are we going to talk about rumours or find her?" Nieve mutters, a bit loudly. He walks over to the entrance of the building, trying to open the door.
"Easy, man." Karlan says as he touches Nieve's shoulder. "We're looking at a whole missing factory here. Something overpowered the men within and is not letting them out. I'd very much not like you to join them. We're just discussing how to avoid that and still do what we came to do."
KArlan looks above .
The furnaces pump out smoke and you can even hear hissing and rumbling sound from the inside of the factory...looks like someone is still working in there.
As you behold the smokestacks, one of the bystanders says
Hey, mister, there are some large windows, skylights, on the roof of the factory!
"More your area Sir Karlan...whatever you need done I'll do."
Gerlick simply watches, waiting to be told what he needs to do. He is still glowering and almost sulking.
Karlan frowns as he watches the smokestacks continue with their activity. He turns to the others and shrugged as he sheathed his sword than pounded on the door with his meaty fist and roared in a loud authoritative voice.
"OPEN UP IN THE NAME OF THE LAW!"
And it happens...nothing...
Shrugging again Karlan draws his sword and motions for the rest to follow him. Going the long way around the building to avoid the most windows Karlan stops at the southeasternmost window.
"Due process followed. Life at stake. Yup, smash window time I think." With that Karlan raises his sword and smashes the window.
Following Karlan, Gerlick watches impassively as he smashed the window. "Don't cut your hand."
The glass shatters with a clanking sound. By putting a chest underneath you, you are easily able to access the room now.
A wheelbarrow sits against a wall here, and shelves on the walls contain different reagents to create various colors of glass (manganese for clear glass, cobalt for blue and tin for white glass)
Untreated glass is green and too much of any colour will make it black.
There is also an opened safe and several doors, one is particular interesting, since it leads to the town proper, but was hidden from the outisde.
You can faintly hear the strange song Karlan was humming for days from the northeastern double doors.
Ignoring the contents of the room Karlan goes up to the door and puts his ears up to it.
Perception:
Staying outside, Gerlick waits for others to go climbing in first. "I may barely be able to climb in there without hurting myself."
Nieve follows Ser Karlan without second thoughts. As the man goes up to the door to listen, Nieve throws hurried glances around the room. He then walks up to one of the two doors on the western wall, and tries to listen.
"Gimme a second to climb through and then me and Harry can give you a hand."
Kanyk clambers quickly through the broken window and waits for some portion of Gerlick to appear, looking around and listening carefully as he does so.
"I can hear that Goblin song Karlan has been humming incessantly since the raid. Might be that we've got another lot of the vicious little bastards on our hands"
"Agreed Cousin, I hear one of the little runts too"
Harry pulls out an item of womans clothing, gives Thumper a quiet 'shhhh' to stop him barking, and then presents the item of clothing to Thumpers nose. "Where is she boy?"
Goblins? Karlan said in a low whisper testing the door to see if it was unlocked. "Right then, let's just assume the worst behind each door in here. When we're ready Kanyk line up on the other side of the door, Harry get in behind me. The rest of you get behind kanyk. When the door opens I'll go first followed by Kanyk, Harry, and the rest wait until the door is clear for you to get through safely. Watch what you swing at for all we know someone is just singing along. Agreed?"
Besides. Karlan says squaring his shoulders and gettin ready to ram through the door. It's a catchy tune.
"Right you are Sir"
Harry gives karlan a defferntial nod and readies his cruel looking great axe.
"Did you want us to wait while you attempt to offer them a chance to surrender again, or are we stepping past that little bit of courtesy this time?"
After watching Harry scramble through the window, Gerlick stands outside and watches. After a moment, he heads back up front and starts to make sure that no crowd gathers.
"Keep moving, do not crowd. Offical work of the Deputies of Sandpoint. They are inside protecting you. Move along, don't crowd."
As you open the double doors, you instantly feel the enormous heat that is coming out of the room. A long furnace burns along the southeast wall of this equally long room. Marble tables sit throughout the chamber, used to work raw glas into usable shapes, with nearby wooden tables clattered with various tools of the trade.
The furnace's rumble loudly and are only slighty dominated by the shrill goblin voices.. The main furnace burns at the northeastern end, a large chamber that uses -as it seems- some achemically altered wood, since it burns in a deep blue light.
The room is a total disaster: the goblins have built barricades out of the precious workbenches and the bodies of the missed workers are scattered in several stages of dismemberment. Legs and arms have been chopped off and dunked in hot glass, mouths have been filled with the same substance etc.
The most creepy sight yet is the body of Lonjiku Kaijitsu. He is totally covered with calico glass and has been hung directly underneath the ceiling.
A grim faced half-elf and his goblin minions are not very surprised to see you. He greets you with
Welcome to my exhibition!
Order:
Tsuto (resolved)
Nieve
Karlan
Harry
Kanyk
Goblins
Tsuto aims with his composite shortbow and fires an arrow at the onstorming Karlan