Heading back to the tavern you wait for some time before Shalelu comes in. Before she comes to you she takes a moment talking with Ameiko and exchanging a few items. She then heads over to you all and takes a seat. "Well met! So I would love to hear more about your recent trials with the goblins. You know how it is I'm sure the story from the source is usually more accurate than the story from others who have had time to expand on it."
"Runk, care to elaborate? You're the talkative one.." Kesten jests.
"Heh, heh. Actually, though, Runk did do the most to help us find the place and possibly find a secret tunnel that the longshanks may use to meet with Ripnugget. Apparently none of the goblins have actually seen the longshanks - not even Gogmurt, his former chief advisor - so I'm convinced there must be a secret entrance that they're using."
"Runk found some hidden grotto where Gogmurt is holding up after he left the tribe's fort, and after we fought to a tough stalemate with Gogmurt and his panther, Runk climbed down into a cavern we found there. There was ocean below, and a couple tunnels - one leading toward the goblin fort, and another one that was underwater, though I wonder if low tide might make that one accessible by boat. I'm thinking that may be how the longshanks get to the fort unseen."
The halfling glares at Kesten but his retort is derailed by the gnomes statements. Unaccustomed and a bit uncomfortable with receiving any form of praise he holds his tongue and shrugs off his contributions as nothing of importance. His usual sarcastic bend quickly reasserts itself however.
"Might know rather then be guessin' if we weren't cooling our heels all day."
"Y'know, I thought about suggesting that we go keep eyes on it today, but I don't want to try sneaking around with such high stakes. If we were caught, we'd probably know if the other tunnel opens during low tide, but we wouldn't be able to tell anyone."
Blake reports in with the Sheriff, spreads the word about the meeting and then retires for a good nights rest. Once at the meeting takes everything in, listening carefully but not offering up much preferring to remain contemplative.
At the dinner Blake enjoys sharing a meal with his new friends and adds his portion to the stories about their recent encounter out at Thistletop.
"Miss Shalelu, I think we need your expert advice about the goblins. We know they are a threat, but one that we have greatly weakened. The sheriff would have us stay and be a presence in town, but I am afraid that would give them time to prepare themselves. They know we are coming the more time we give them to prepare the hard it will be to eliminate the threat. Would you stay here, or go and finish what we have already started?"
"Cutters are just chumps. Longshanks are the ones with the plan. Question is what do they need with the body...or what are they up to while we're looking that way?"
He takes a pull from his ale and then adds, "Get in that cutter fort `n put a knife to that king of theirs. May not know much but he'll know something."
"Exactly Runk, I fear if we hang about here baby siting the town we lose our chances of getting to that king and learning the truth.
Shalelu shrugs "It's a delicate game. In my experience though, the goblins will likely lose interest in any percieved threat after a couple of days which, if they were already alerted to your presence may make it easier to get in rather than attacking immediatly. Further, I doubt Rippnugget would have told anything to the "longshanks" as in his mind that would display weakness on him and his tribe which could potentially lead to them losing interest in his tribe."
Ethan nods.
"It is difficult, in a situation like this, to know which path is the correct one until it has already been chosen, and by then it is almost always too late to turn back."
"Shalelu has a good point. Keep the gobbers on their toes for a few days, wear them out, they'll lose interest, and when they are sleepy we hit them."
Kesten looks around, for others to chime in.
"With the sheriff gone, it will be important to protect the town. Should the goblins or their leaders figure out the town is weakened they will not hesitate to strike again. If we go we leave our town vulnerable. I just hope that when we go back, we are not walking into a trap."
"A fort full of goblins is going to kill us, whether they know we're coming or not. I still think our only chance is if we find the secret entrance, or find the longshanks as they travel from one tribe to another. Miss Shalelu, what do you know of Bruthazmus?"
The door bangs open and in the doorway stands a disheveled Gorham Foundling and a bloodied Boo standing behind him. As Gorham steps in he gasps for air and speaks in a soft hoarse tone.
The… goblins… are banding together..I…
As the last words exit his mouth Gorham falls forward and lands on the floor. Boo moves to aid his friend but then disappears. Gorham lies there unconscious.
After some time Gorham regains consciousness and explains what had happened to him.
After the attack seemed to be in hand Boo spotted a goblin heading out of town and he and I followed him. We were sure we were not seen and wanted to find out where their lair was. It went into a small cave and we followed only to be ambushed. And I was knocked out. I have been held captive and was able to figure out that the goblin tribes seemed to be working together. For what end I was not able to make out. I was finally able to get Boo back from his plane and we were able to fight our way out.
Taking a drink he looks around.
What has been happening here and what are we going to do about these goblins?
Ethan comes forward and places a hand on Gorhan's shoulder.
"It is good to see you again, Gorhan. We, too, have had further encounters with the goblins."
"Well, you missed the boar hunt. That was fun!" Zizouket laughs. Then he stands and gives Gorhan a pat on the back, leading him to the table. "Glad you're okay. You shouldn't go off on your own like that, though. Gods, man."
Runk notes the half orcs sudden appearance with a bit of surprise.
"Huh...would have guessed he was dead somewhere."
Once Gorhan has regained his senses and joined the table he give him a nod of acknowledgement.
"Gorhan! Boo! It is good to see you. With you back those goblins will not stand a chance." Blake looks around for the dwarf eager to give him an I told you so look.
Shalelu waits for the party to reacquaint itself. She inroduces herself to the newcomer and gets back to Ziz's original question. "Bruthazmus and I have a very *special* relationship. He is an infamous bugbear ranger who lives in northern Nettlewood and often visits the five tribes to trade things he’s stolen from caravans for alcohol, news, or magic arrows. Bruthazmus has a particular hatred of elves, and we have fought on several occasions. To date, neither of us has managed to get the upper hand on the other, but I vow that I won’t be the first to fall in our private war.."
Shalelu looks to the group "Are there other questions? I must take my leave soon."
"So the plan is we wait for the Sheriff to return with an army from Magnimar? That'll take care of the goblins, but unless the timing is lucky, the longshanks are unlikely to be there, and they'll find some other dupes to use for their real plan. Not sure if that suggests any other course of action, but I'm just thinking it won't be over."
"I wonder if Bruthazmus is a trusted confidant of the longshanks or just another dupe?"
As you continue to talk amongst yourselves Shalelu begins packing up her gear. "I'll head out and see what I can find of the other goblin tribes. I wish you the best of luck in the defense of the town and in your return to Thistletop when the time comes." She bows and starts to head out. Shortly after her departure a surly visitor slams the tavern’s door open and bellows out a sharp-tongued command in a strange language. "到底在哪兒是我的女兒嗎?"
The other patrons of the bar, seem to recognize him and grow very quiet and interested in their meals, an almost eeiry quite falls over the establishment. Bethana rushes back into the kitchen while the man scans the room as if looking for someone.
“Where the hell is my daughter?”
"What did you call me?" Kesten shouts back equally hard, while standing up from his seat.
What did I...you... damn!
"Lower your voice sir, I implore you." Kesten continues in a more calm tone of voice.
"Well met, good sir," Ethan says, as he stands and gestures to an empty chair at the table.
"Come in, sit, and have a drink, and we can speak of whatever it is that is distressing you."
When the newcomer burst into the tavern Runk checked that his daggers were easily at hand and then settled in for the impending show. Kestens sudden outburst however came as a surprise.
"Lookin' to make friends?" the halfling asks his companion with a smirk on his face.
Zizouket looks at Gorham when the man begins looking around for someone, as if he and Boo are the culprits. "Shhhhh..." he unconsciously shushes Kesten and Ethan when they begin trying to make friends with the angry man. Aren't the goblins enemy enough for a while?
After hearing the comments of Kesten and Ethan he meets eyes with your group, noticing Kesten standing he stomps over to your table wagging his finger at you all "Ah if it isn't the heroes of Sandpoint." he rolls his eyes as and continues "You know you've endagered this whole town and the people that live here with your ill-advised antics against the goblins. You should have left the defense of the town to the city guard and other trained professionals!" He looks at Gorhan specifically.
Finding the disruptive man amusing Runk throws in, "Guard seem happy `nuf about it." Leaning back in his chair he starts cleaning his nails with a dagger that seems to just appear in his hand.
"Excuse me? You mean to say that it woud have been better to ignore the goblins as they were murdering and pillaging and who knows what else? To simply stand idle as innocent people were being maimed or worse, children killed and properties destroyed?"
He looks at the others, as they are sitting there.
"And I would like to add that we, good sir, ARE in fact trained professionals! Had we not been here and done what needed to be done, things would have gotten a lot worse."
He turns to Runk and Gorhan, and adds "I do believe we are entitled to an apology, don't you agree." while putting both his hands on the table with a firm (but not too loud) bang.
Zizouket considers casting a charm spell to ease the situation, but he doesn't want the influential man to resent him (or his mother) afterward. Instead, he stands and puts a hand on Kesten's arm. "Ease up, guys. Mr. Kaijitsu is probably looking for his daughter, Ameiko. She's the one that owns this successful inn. Let him get back to his business - his place makes some of the finest glassware in Avistan."
At Kesten's words Lonjiku moves to him to give him a piece of his mind. Just after he starts Ameiko rushes into the front room, a ladle dripping with soup in her hand, to find out what all the ruckus is about.
The two argue in Minkaian for a moment as Lonjiku seems to be issuing ultimatums and Ameiko aparently telling him to leave, pointing the laddle at the door.
Enraged, Lonjiku tries to grab Ameiko by the hair to drag her from the tavern, but she dodges and brains him with her soupy ladle, spattering fish stock and potatoes all over his hair and outfit. After, he sputters for a moment, he finds his voice and utters, “You’re as dead to me as your mother!” before storming out of the tavern.
Ameiko, regaining her composure comes over to the rest of you and bows "I appologize for my father, he can be rather rash and our family is...less than perfect."
"Pretty good with that ladle." the halfling says, flipping his dagger end over end before sheathing it as deftly as he drew it. Grabbing another chicken leg he takes a bite and waits for the others to make inquiries.
"No person, no family, no community is perfect. The best we can do is reach for the ideal, and in reaching get as close as possible. I am sorry that you and your father had words on our account. If there is anything I can do to make recompense, please do not hesitate to ask."
"What happened? Was he hungry? Did you break something? He catch you with a 'friend'? Goblins left a surprise in his shoes?"
Kesten observes Runk with the dagger, and stops asking questions and stares out the window fora few seconds.
- Too many questions son, too many.
- Butt out, old man!
- Make me?
-Grandma, he.. ... He's gone...
- Mmphh!
During the entire episode Gorhan just sat there never flinching but staring coldly at the man. The look in his eyes was intense but calm. After he leaves he goes back to his drink and takes a long draw from it.
He didn’t look like he cared for me much. Ohh well
After taking another drink.
I wouldn’t mind getting to the bottom of the goblin situation. And what is this talk of longshanks all about?
Blake tries to motion to his companions to leave this one alone, knowing the reputation of the town council member. He swallows hard when Lonjiku approaches the table recognizing the ill intent in the old mans eyes...the same ill intent his wife's bastard son often directed at a much younger Blake. Even though Lonjiku never laid claim to Tsuto, there was something similar in they way they treated anyone they thought was bellow their station.
After the situation defuses itself and Ameiko is before them bowing her apology, Blake rises and goes to her. "You have nothing to apologize for dear friend. Your father is master of his own actions and that will catch up with him in the next life. That was horrible what he said to you about your mother, using the heinous acts of the murderous Chopper who took our loved ones, to issue more emotional pain. I am sorry that you had to endure that, especially from some who should be protecting you from that kind of vile talk." Blake shares a look with her that only someone who lost a loved one during the Late Unpleasantness could understand.
Ameiko bows once again "Thank you all for understanding." she shrugs a bit "I wouldn't worry about it too much he has his tantrums and often quickly forgets about it." Bethana motions for her to come back into the kitchen and she starts to move in that direction "If you'll excuse me."
As Ameiko leaves Blake returns to his seat and fills in Gorhan with all that he missed, "We have been busy while you were away friend."
After Ameiko takes her leave, Zizouket finishes his drink and excuses himself. "Well, I think I'll head over to a less rambunctious inn for a game. I expect I'll see you all around tomorrow or so. Gorhan and Boo, I'm glad y'all are okay." Zizou then heads over to the Hagfish for a quick drink with his logbook, and then gets dealt into the next game. He plays until the late hours, and then goes home to bed.
After the excitement comes to an end Runk sits for a bit listening to his companions talk and watching the crowd. When it seems to him the activity in the tavern has slowed a bit he gets up and wanders off to find the halfling woman who'd spoken to him two days ago.
"Uh..Hi, I'm Runk...didn't trade names last time." In a lower voice he continues, "Wouldn't happen ta know what the commotion was `bout would you? What's grumpys deal?"
Ameiko started visiting him in secret once she learned about his existence at the age of 10, visiting him a few times a month to keep him company, bring him some food, and promise him that someday things would get all sorted out. That all changed in 4705, when they had a terrible argument in which Tsuto struck Ameiko. Bethana doesn’t know what the argument was about, but whatever it was sent Ameiko away from Sandpoint for a year, during which time she made a living as an adventurer.
She returned to Sandpoint a year later to attend her mother’s funeral. Tsuto was quite public in his opinions that his father had pushed Atsuii off a cliff to her death, and during the funeral there was a confrontation. Lonjiku nearly broke Tsuto’s jaw with his cane, after which Tsuto cursed him and left Sandpoint. Ameiko has tried to reestablish contact with him ever since, but was never able to track him down. She hints at this likely being the cause of the conflict as Ameiko has always tried to bring the family together and her father has never really been too happy about it. Though who knows what got him all flared up this time.
After talking with Bethana for some time, their conversation stopping and restarting whenever the hustle and bustle of the tavern permitted it, Runk returns to the partys table and shares a bit of what he's learned with those who remain.
"Innkeeper and her dad don't get on so well. The late Mis'us fooled round with an elf and gave `im a half breed. Grumpy didn' much care for that and ditched the kid. Last they met he near broke the kids jaw for saying Grumpy killed `is wife and that was the last Tsuto been seen. No word on what set `im off tonight though. Maybe worth findin' out."
The halfling cocks his head to the side for a second and then looks to Gorham with a bit of a grin and says, "Heh...probably why he don't care much for you. Where's his place anyway?"
I can honestly say I am very glad to be back
a smile almost cracks Gorhan's stony face.
After the very eventful night the group heads off to rest, each at their own time. The night is restful until you are abruptly woken in the morning as a series of concerned knocks wake you. You find the halfling assistant, Bethana who waits at the door, she wakes each of you and asks that you join her downstairs for something very important. It is early morning before most of the town has awoken.
Ethan reads the concern in the small woman's face. He quickly washes his face and heads downstairs.
Zizouket grabs his things, but mostly carries them as he follows/escorts Bethana back to the Rusty Dragon. I don't know why I felt I needed to accompany her, just because of the hour. She obviously felt safe enough to come to my house on her own! At the Dragon, he dons his armor and ties his boots as he looks around to see who else has been collected.
At the sound of the knock Runk snaps awake, rolls off the side of his bed and lands with a dagger in his hand. Glancing around the dark room it quickly becomes clear that the sound that roused him was simply someone knocking at the door.
"`Spose slave catchers don't knock." he mutters to himself. Rising from his crouch he makes his way to the door giving a simple "Eh?' by way of reply. When he hears Bethanas voice at the door he quickly opens it with uncharacteristic concern and follows her downstairs at her request.
As they walk his natural distrust and paranoia reassert themselves and he asks, "Whas this `bout?" and begins fiddling with his dagger handles.
Kesten finds his way down, sleep in his eyes. He yawns, and looks around with questions in his eyes.
"Wh... *yawn*... what... is it?"
Bethana comes out after everyone is gathered with a few plates of vegetables, bread, and salted meat as well as fresh juice. As she carries the trays she moves very slowly her hands slightly trembling. Once she gets over to everyone and sets the trays down she pulls out a small parchment from her pockets. She lays it out on the table and looks around to each of you slowly "I woke earlier this morning to find that Ameiko hadn’t already started breakfast, for the first time since I could remember. Worried, I knocked on her door but didn’t get a response. Against my better judgment, I entered her room to find it empty and the bed unslept in. Worse, I found a crumpled piece of parchment near the bed. This is unlike her to leave and not tell me and the contents of this note are even more troubling. I didn't know what to do, then I remembered you here and pray that you can help..." She pushes the note toward you all and begins to sob.
The message reads
"你好，姐姐！
我希望這封信能找到你，在你的手中，並與一些空閒時間，因為我們已經得到的東西出了問題。這是做的父親。似乎，他可能有桑德波因特近來的動亂與妖精做的東西，我 沒'T希望把此事向有關當局，因為我們都知道，他只是黃鼠狼他的出路。你已經得到了一些在這裡拉鎮，雖然。如果你能滿足我在玻璃製品廠今晚午夜，也許我們可以找 出如何確保他將面臨他應有的懲罰。敲兩次，三次，然後一次在交付門口，我將讓你進來
在任何情況下，我不'噸後，你不得不嘆服這個請求的微妙性。如果消息傳出，你知道這些地方魯貝斯會以為你和我在整個事情太不你嗎？他們有沒有榮譽在所有這些部件 一輪的。我還是不明白，你怎麼能忍受呆在這裡。無論如何，不要告訴任何人透露此事。還有其他並發症，那些人今晚，我寧願和你談談。不要遲到。
津東"
After noticing a few glances of confused looks she wipes her tears and flips the parchment over with a brief smile "Sorry.. this may be easier to read."
"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 at midnight tonight, 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 a round 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 about tonight. Don’t be late.
Tsuto"
"Hm. Maybe that's why her dad was mad. Maybe he already saw or talked to Tsuto. We better get to the glassworks then. With or without goblins, a meeting between Kaijitsu and Tsuto is liable to turn violent, and Ameiko'll be right in the middle."