Please do not come it will be safer for you, i insist. Arthur will lead Shayliss back to the front door of the general store
Please go inside and wait for my return please.
Arthur will then go back to the cellar door, hide to the best of his abilities and wait for a good minute or two in order to see if Shayliss comes back in his direction.
If she does, he will again escort her to the front door of the store and ask her to wait inside.
Arthur will shield himself with magical protection (Shield of faith) and head down into the cellar (closing the door behind him).
He will be extra careful of danger coming from his back, while at the same time cursing himself be even thinking about it. Once down in the cellar he will put his back against the wall in a location where he can both see the stairs and the cellar and scan for the rat or goblin (or someone coming down the stairs, while cursing himself to even be thinking about this).
He tries to blend in the shadows as he doesn't need light in order to see
Upon being escorted back, shayliss grabs Arthur's hand and in a huff, states:
please sir... I think it best if I accompanied you...
Her lips pouty, eye gleaming, she gives Arthur the "bedroom eyes"
im sure I will be safe with you protecting me... Besides, there is something I wish to show you down there
no no no, i will come back to get you so that you can show it to me once i gave secured the place. I would not bare the thought of something happening to you if combat is to be found
He will try to escort the girl to the front of the shop
She sighs and then whispers in his ear
my dear it seems you have caught me... There is no trouble down there... Well *hehe* no rats anyways. Shall you accompany me now?
I know i am good looking but not that good looking. Besides who would want to go face danger when they aren't prepared or armed to face it...Curse me for even doubting of her intentions....
oh i see of course then, lead on i am right behind you. I'll close the door so that you father doesn't catch us. he winks
And i never got that "lucky", and i have a private room where we could more comfortable, with a nice bed etc.. if i was really that lucky.
as arthur close the door behind them.
once the door is closed, as he walks down the stairs My my its rather dark, i give us some light as i don't really want to fall down i can't see in darkness
Upon casting light, shayliss leads you to the back corner of the cellar, where some bedrolls and blankets have been laid down. You casually notice she is unbuttoning her top
come join me?
of course i am arthur will wait a bit with an appreciative eye for the strip show about to begin; setting his shield down.
but you know i do have a rented room, in the second building of the inn, I am the only resident there. Keys to the front and back doors, with a soft bed, a nice bottle of wine, plenty of furnitures to play with. No one will see us i promise he says as he turn his back in order to set his shield against the wall
oh my a rented room... But we all already here... I will take it as an invitation go another time though...
Business commences and finishes. The two of you lay in bed. Please make a perception check.
Arthur and shayliss, tired and destracted, fail to notice her father as he opens the cellar door and descend the steps...
$&@%#! My father!!
The man, Ven Vinder, stands in front if you, speechless and ghostly pale.
what...what... SHAYLISS!!!
He lunges at Arthur... With his fist
Please stop, or if you are really angry and we can't talk then go ahead satisfy your rage, but she is a free and gown woman.
its okay shayliss let him take his anger one me and not you.
Shayliss remains frozen with fear and embarrassment. Her father takes a step back, seeing you are totally willing to take his abuse.
how dare you violate my daughter?! My little angel... Did he drug you? Bribe you? Tempt you with his roguish ways?
Arthur can make a diplomacy or bluff check. It appears the man is still very enraged, but is willing to talk, in his fashion
I did not do any of these things, you said. How could i? She bears no mark, nor any bruises, nor is she tied, bounded, gagged or restrained. Therefore i did not forced her against her will, nor imposed myself trough brute force. She is crying and very much aware of what is happening right now, therefore she isn't drugged. She doesn't have her purse and mine is still alongside my equipment with a few copper and some silver. Therefore she wasn't bribed. As for temptation well i may plead half a guilt, but unfortunately she was the one who introduced herself to me. But i am no rogue mind you and therefore did not tempt unless you count good looks and passionate youthful energy a temptation.
Almost foaming at the mouth, but notably calmed down despite, Vin grumbles...
First Katrina... now my darling Shayliss... what ever shall I do
He casts a furious look at you and storms back up the stairs.
Shayliss lays her arms about you and begins to weep.
Oh, I am so sorry! I just... you were so brave and handsome and I saw you and... Oh, I did not mean to cause such embarrassment and troubles!
Whilst consoling the poor girl, you hear the bells of the Cathedral ringing out. It would seem that the consecration is getting about ready to begin.
Oh... must you go?... If you must... would you promise to see me again?
Patting her hair down until she calms down Arthur will softly speak to her. Shsh, its ok, you can cry now all that you want its ok now...
after she has begun to speak arthur will patiently wait for her to finish.
There is really no need to be sorry, and i am not really embarrassed by being seen naked by your father, i am not dead either nor was i troubled at all and my wounds are all patched up. Quite the contrary i feel good. What happened with katrina?
oh well katrina... she is my older sister. She is really quite a nice, quiet girl... but she has been seeing one of the workers down at the sawmill... and father does not approve... not at all... hehe if you can keep a secret... she sneaks out most nights to visit him during the late shift *hehe
Half suppressing a smile I bet she also uses this cellar too. Actually why don't we go together at the consecration ceremony ? and with that arthur offer her his arm
such a gentleman!
And with that, they head towards the cathedral, heads swimming and hearts soaring, they almost forget the horrors of the previous attack.
Very well. I shall bring them all to the cemetery after the ceremony
Dexter sets of with the sheriff.
Why thank you sir. I for one would love to have a cup of tea and here about this historical site. I am always interested in learning about new things, and my travels have not brought me to this fair town before. How long have you been the caretaker?" Darlin asks sociably.
"As for blights, I am sure that these actions are the result of mortal means, and her Ladyship has sent me here to help in whatever way I can. I am sure that all will be resolved shortly. Darkness flees from the light of truth."
Distracted for a moment by the cat, Thalrik gently, but insistantly, pushed it away with his foot, towards Darlins leg instead. Realizing the cats leg rub had left quite alot of hair sticking to his pants () he bent down and started swatting at it with a low snort of annoyance. From his bent position, his voice carried up, a bit strained from talking in such an awkward position.
"Yes, ahem, well you would be correct in your assessment. An easy guess ill wager, unless people often stop by for other reasons? Anyway, tea would be welcomed I should say, along with the story to go with these ruins."
Bending back up, he waited to be let through the door, taking great pains to avoid any further leg fondling attempts from the cat.
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At the Red Dog Smithy:
Why good sir, I am most grateful for the gesture of a discount on your wares. Indeed, I am looking for a type of weapon that I currently do not possess, either a spear or a lance capable of felling the wild boar that inhabit this region. Would you happen to have this sort of item in your inventory?
While a lance is best from horseback, a spear is useable both mounted and afoot. Perhaps you have a recommendation based on the hunting that occurs around Sandpoint. A proper boar spear has a crossbar built into the shaft to prevent a creature from continuing its charge, so that would be the best, I think.
Mr. Quink busies himself getting ready a pot of tea. After a moment, he gives Darlin and Thalrik their mugs and sits at his table, staring out the window over the ocean as he speaks:
Well then, the Old Light... Little is known about it, or its makers. Only what I have gathered from the runes in the ruins (lol) and through passed down varisian oral traditions is what we know today. She was built thousands of years ago... back before the Starfall, in the ancient empire of Thassilon. Few people know much of Thassilon. In fact, some do not even know it exsisted! I spent many a year in my youth studying the lost lore of the Thassilonian Empire... and I am one of the few, if not only, experts on the matter.
The Thassilonians were a great empire, this is evident by the shear magnitude of the ruins they left behind. They were ruled by seven lords that most scholars believe embodied the seven virtues of rule.Through my own research, however, I believe these seven lords more accurately embodied the seven deadly sins.
He scoffs and then continues
Most other scholars tend to disagree with some of my translations of the ruins... but they are all fools! This light house for example... most believe it was simply that, a light house. Oh no! This, I tell you, was once an engine of war, and they dotted the entire Varisian area, casting great balls of fire down from the heavens!
At the Red Dog Smithy:
My dear sir, wait just a moment!
He heads into the smithy for a moment and you hear the clanging of armor and metal from inside. After a moment he asks you:
How is it you spell yer name?
After responding, you hear the tell-tale ring of a hammer banging on metal... and after a short while, the smithy returns with a beautifully polished spear in his hand.
Only had a few of these old boar hunting spears around, with the rumors of goblins in the words of late, many folk have been not willing to risk the thrill of a boar hunt. Meself, I am not a hunter, but my father... well this was his spear. I gave it a bit of reinforcement and reworkings here and there to make sure it is up to shape... It is yours! On the house! Let's just say you owe me a favor! Not that you didn't already save all our lives...
OH! I almost forgot.. look here...
You notice the spear has been carefully customized to bear ferdin's name along the blade, in beautiful script.
Thalrik nodded as the man spoke, quietly sipping his tea, all the while keeping a careful eye on the cat. He wasnt about to let the feline mess up his clothes any more than it already had. The though alone made him reach down and swat at his pants again, trying in vain to get those last few hairs off. As Quink paused his tale, Thalrik added his own thoughts to the conversation.
"Ah, ancient Thassilon, a most intriuging subject to be sure. I myself have learned the language. My grandfathers tower holds many a book penned in their tongue, and I was far to interested in their contents to let something as simple as the language barrier get in my way." He smiled with satisfaction at his own mastery of that ancient language.
"When told that this ruin had always been here, since as far back as anyone could remember, I found the chance of first hand insight into the architecture of the empire too good to be true. Not that one cannot find such things if one travels to the right locations, but I wasnt expecting to find it in Sandpoint of all places."
Taking another sip, he raised an eyebrow at Quinks talk of warmachines and deadly sins.
"Hmm, deadly sins? I cant say ive ever seen that interpretation, although I do find it intriguing. It seems most self proclaimed scholars are all too eager to describe the Thassilonians as a great and just empire, the pinnacle of civilisation. The truth, as you probably know, is that so little is left other than the ruins they inhabited, all such descriptions are nothing more than fancifull guesses of optimists..." He looked up at Quink "...And pessimists alike."
"This talk of the tower as a weapon however, on what do you base your theory? Id love for you to show me your findings on the matter. Maybe you have penned your thoughts on the subject? If so, I should very much like to read it."
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You are most generous good sir, and I shall treasure this fine weapon. Please call on me if I may assist you in any way! You certainly are a fine craftsman, I shall definitely recommend my friends to patronize your business. (Big grin): Wait until I show them this example of your art...they will be most jealous!
Ferdin is most pleased to have acquired such a fine boar spear, and he can't wait to inform the other members in the party - as well as telling them about the discount available!
bah! The thassilinion rune lords were nothing but crooks, thugs, necromancers, and evil doers. I have a feeling in my gut, and a mans gut is never wrong...
He excuses himself for a moment and begins to rummage through one if his many book shelves...
ah here it is! This is one of my notebooks from when I first moved here to sandpoint... These here are the tracing of the different ruins I found in the old light, as well as some sketches I did of some pictures found within on the walls...
He places a picture of what appears to be an ancient carving apparently depicting the old light itself. A bright fire appears to be emanating from the top. What appear to be burning ships float in the ocean under a stary night sky.
you see!? Many scholars believe this to be depicting the earth fall... The star stone, and the fall of thassilon... But I have studied this for quite some time. These ruins have been vacant and destroyed since long before the star stone fell, by my reckoning... How could it not be clearer? This was nit alighthouse... It was a weapon designed to cast fire upon it's foes!!
He then adds with a smirk...
would a just empire be so focused in total war and destruction... And their wealth... No kind kingdom would amass such vast treasure... It wa taken through bloodshed
Quink now turn to Darlin
master dwarf, I have been caretaker here for over 20 years now... I have seen this town deal with many a trouble. Why... The misgivings were only a few years ago it seems...[b]
[b]as an ahem of sarenae, I am sure you know all about destructive fire? And as a dwarf, you must be familiar with unusual stone work... You Gould occompany myself and your friend here to the ruins one day soon. Then you can verify my fidings to him!
As Dexter makes his way through town, he is stopped by a group of small children:
you must be Dexter! The master musician who bravely rallied the troops during the battle! Please sir, play us a song? Tell us a story?
Thalrik inspected the picture with interest, nodding at Quink to confirm he was still listening.
"mens guts are wrong all the time Quink, otherwise, how would bad decisions ever be made?" He smirked at the man, feeling great satisfaction at his own remark.
You do not need to speak to me of the evil or justness of ancient Thassilon. Untill I see some solid proof of either theory, it was neither in my mind.
Flipping through the notebook at random, reading a line here, studying a picture there, he finally tore himself away from it to comment on Quinks last statement.
"Interesting. If your dating of this towers destruction and abandonment are correct, it begs the question who destroyed it...and why it wasnt rebuilt. Do you think it possible that some enemy was to blame for Thassilons fall? Was the Earth Fall simply the death blow delivered to an already wounded giant?" He looked excited now, the very act of discovering a theory of his own was thrilling to him. Where parties and revelry always failed to stir joy, knowledge took to the task instead.
"I am inclined to agree with you that this picture does not depict the Earth Fall. Why would the tower stand intact where ships had been left in ruin. No, such an interpretation is more of the same idealisation by those who prefer to think the Thassilonians above war." He scoffed at his own words.
"No empire was ever built without war. If not to take what they wanted, then to defend what was theirs. You can be sure someone was watching with jealous eyes."
Tapping his finger on the notebook he added.
"Could I borrow this some day perhaps? It would be well taken care of I can assure you. Growing up, books were my friends."
An angry squeak from somewhere within the folds of his clothes signaled Rikkas disagreement.
My dear boy, these notebooks are my life's work. Years of research and pondering... yet those who have asked to read them are few and far between. Most of my colleagues believe my theories crackpot speculation at best... I would be honored for you to read them, and possibly use them to come to theories and writings of your own. I sorely wish for my work to be known and read throughout all of Golarion... I know I have stumbled into a secret truth, and I fear I shall die before I can prove it... perhaps a young man such as yourself could continue an old hermits work... please, take all the books you wish. One book lover can spot another, I know you shall treat them well
Thalrik took the mans hand and shook it with a solemn look on his face.
"hrrmpfh, I would think the crackpot to be the man who thinks his theory to be the truth, simply because most of his peers agree with it. Ill be sure to pursue the study of Thassilon further, you can be sure of that.
He picked the notebook off the table, handling its worn binding with a care and reverence one would afford a newborn baby.
"Were I to settle in one place I would surely take every book you have, but as it stands I plan to be on the road more often than not, so I shall simply borrow this one. I find that notebooks often hold far more information than their volume would suggest. If what insights I may glean from its pages turn out to be important to any discoveries I may make, I shall be sure to reference your contribution in any book I may end up publishing on the subject."
Thalrik, on your initial flipping through of the note book, you notice one symbol in particular keeps popping up in quink's notes.
the symbol is that of a seven pointed star
You can make a knowledge history, knowledge arcana, or linguistic check here
Thalrik, you immediately recognize this as the Sihedron Rune, which is used in traditional wizardry as a way to represent the seven schools of magic.
You ask Mr. Quink what significance it has to the Thassilonian Empire:
Hmm... there is much debate about this. Most say it is a symbol representing each of the Thassilonian schools of magic, which still have basis in today's Wizardry I believe. Others say it is a symbol of Thassilon itself, with each point representing the seven graces of rule. I, again, believe it to be a symbol of the seven Rune Lords themselves, and the seven deadly sins they represented.
"Or maybe all are true. Maybe each ruler was a master of one of the seven schools?"Thalrik mused, as much to himself as to the present company.
Dexter breaks into a grin.
That's me! I'd be happy to play you a song. I'll need a minute to tune up. Sheriff, I'll see you later.
Dexter takes out his lute spends a minute fiddling with the pegs. He belts into a somewhat silly song about a pair of drunken dwarves fighting over a maiden.
Perform (Stringed)
Indeed caretaker, I have to agree with you. Fire can be a very destructive force, and a structure that could rain it down from the heavens on your foes would be wondrous and terrifying in the wrong hands. What exactly do you mean below? Are there areas hidden underneath the ruins?
oh did I say below? My old mind must be getting flustered. No there are no ruins below the town that I know of
Oh, I'm sorry, I must have misheard you. I would love to visit the ruins with you some time.
Quink seems perfectly truthful about the ruins