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Gelgish said nothing as he shifted in his chair and listened closely to the conversation. Still new to the people and places here, he didn't want to jump to conclusions. Still, some facts jumped out. The fire started in the girl's room.....the girl had been locked away.....no idea who the father was.....Tobyn's body stolen. Shifting his stub of a cigar to the other side of his mouth, the dwarf continued to chew, literally and figuratively, on the information as others asked questions.
Ameiko shrugs "I don't know much more than that. Like I said the whole pregnancy thing was only a rumor, no confirmation really. Who ever she might have been involved with, it was likely in secret."
"Was there anyone else we could talk to you might know? It's just so very strange of a circumstance."
Chavana looks to Ameiko hopefully.
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With a grim cast to his Varasian accent, the half-orc crosses his arms and finally chimes in, "I don't know that this is leading anywhere. Sounds like a very sad girl raised as an outsider in a tight community died tragically, but I see little need to pry into a sad past."
These do not understand what it is to be different or an outcast, let the girl rest in peace as it sounds as if she had little while living.
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Gelgish's eyes held a distant look for a moment as he listened to conversation, but as the odd Varisian Half-Orc spoke the dwarf nodded in agreement. I agree, let's get back to figuring out why a bunch of goblins attacked this town unless the sheriff gave somethin' else specific to do. Any clues we got about that?
Ameiko shakes her head "No sorry, as your friends mentioned she was treated very much as an outsider. No one really knew her well aside from Father Tobyn." She looks back as some more guests come in, the day starting to work it's way into late afternoon. "If you'll excuse me I have some other things to attend to" She walks off in a hurry back toward the kitchen.
"It would seem strange events happened in that room. It sounds like the old priest kept the girl on a short leash. Maybe someone took exception to this...perhaps a paramour?"
"Possibly, Darpan. But the body was never found. This worries me."
Chavana frowns and sets her hands under her chin.
"I'm at a loss here. I don't know and I don't know what to do. Too many leads are ending up at dead ends."
Looking over to Gelgish, and lowering her voice in the room so as to not cause a panic, Chavana begins "What we know isn't a lot, and this was attmepting to follow that lead. The short version is that the goblins attacked, presumably at the behest of a human or other not-a-goblin larger than them. The skeletons in Father Tobyn's mausoleum brought about our investigation and finding out about his daughter. So, back to square one."
Stretching and stifling a yawn, Darpan looks sheepishly about.
"I am sorry. We are early to bed and rise at the monastery. These late evenings are catching up with me. I think I will have something to eat then turn in."
"I'm going to have to ask what kind of monastery lets you rest? The monks in Windsong Abbey never seemed to rest, always moving around and writing, deep into the night actually."
Chavana thinks about that some more, and waves one of the servers to come over to order food.
"Although today's frustrations are enough to drive me to drink, tomorrow I must get up early as well. Prayers and such."
"Rest is important for the revitalization of body and mind. 'Without rest, you are never at your best' is a saying used in our monastery. You make more mistakes when tired."
He bows his thanks to Chavana for the meal, and soon heads up to his room, for an hour of meditation before sleeping.
After the night of good rest 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 awaken.
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Gelgish had stayed up later than most; life in the woods with Shalelu had somehow lessened his need for sleep. After having ate and drank to roughly midnight, the dwarf headed off to bed at the inn. Before then he had thanked Chavana for the kindness of picking up his initial tab, and had spent the rest of the evening listening in on conversation and picking up a sense of the town. Winding down for the evening, Gelgish purchased a room at the inn and headed off to bed.
Starting awake at the sharp knock, Gelgish rubbed his eyes, threw on his tunic, stomped into his boots and headed down with the rest to see what Bethana could need at this early hour.
Chavana puts on her morning dress, No need for armor in this early morning, I hope. She follows the halfling, and smiles at the others, despite the early morning hour.
"What is happening, good Lady? Chavana inquires.
Already awake and starting his morning katas, Darpan quickly grabs his gear and heads out with the others.
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"
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Ulrich sits down with his new friends and digs into the food, ordering a watered ale as well to help shake out the cobwebs. Upon seeing the distressed Bethana and hearing what the note says, he chimes in. Bethana, keep quite about this and we'll look into it. I'm going to get my blade and gear. Let's meet out back in a few minutes to discuss this without being overheard.
"Where is this Glassworks? We must move quickly, it has already been too many hours since she left for this meeting. Everyone, quickly get you gear and meet back here!"
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Gelgish takes an extra moment to peruse the letter. He had heard some of the townfolk mention a glassworks in town, but it had just seemed another business. Definitely some family troubles, the dwarf said to no one in particular. Why meet a midnight...that seems suspicious too. The lass could be in trouble, and besides I think the sheriff would want to talk to her dad about all this. Might be able to get somewhere about the goblins. Setting down the letter, Gelgish also headed up to his room to don his armor, and grab his pack and weapons. He nabbed a chunk of bread and some dried beef...it seems the day would get off to an early start.
"Armor and weapons it is... Let's at least give some diplomacy a chance, at least I hope it's a chance."
Chavana frowns as she watches Ulrich hurry away. She after watching the others leave, she takes her own leave, hurrying to get her armor on and a quick morning prayer for her spells .
Oh for some holy water, as I'm sure it would come in handy now. She frowns as she steps out of her room and meets the others in the main dining area.
"I hope we're not all off to find trouble, but I hope for everyone's safe return when this is done." A quick blessing and tracing of a holy symbol in the air, and she follows the others out.
After waking up a bit, eating something and getting ready to head out you leave, the dawn sun just begining to rise, most of the town still asleep or just waking for the day. When you arrive at the Glassworks, you find the building curiously silent. However, the furnace chimney still plumes with smoke making you think something is still going on inside. A quick investigation of the building perimeter reveals that curtains have been drawn over the windows and all the doors are locked.
Chavana whispers to the others:
"If something nefarious is happening here, we certainly don't want the front door. Anyone got a way that will quietly open the lock on the back door?"
As she says this, she readies her humble holy symbol and loads her crossbow.
"I'll cover backs, and keep you up like we did with the Goblins. Mr. Bear, do please ensure that the Bear doesn't take over. Gelgy, I know you're an investigator, but would you be so kind as to assist Mr. Bear?"
Chavana strains her ears and looks around for any other signs of movement or sounds of torture.
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Upon arrival at the glassworks, Gelgish had been part of the group investigating the perimeter. He took note of the drawn curtains and locked doors on the way and concluded like Chavana that it didn't all add up. As the group reconvened in front, Gelgish nodded. I can open a lock. And you're right, a back door would be better. As the grouped headed to a suitable side or back door and the dwarf began unloading his lockpicks, the rest of what the priestess said sunk in. With a quizzical look to Chavana he added, uh, what do you want me to help...Mr. Bear, with? He glanced up at the Varisian Half-Orc as well. He had heard the man refer to himself as "bear" before, but the tone in the priestess' voice said something else was unspoken.
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The Bear grins darkly as he chimes in with his thick Varasian accent, "If I need your help, it will mean that blood is being spilt and you need to help make certain that none of it belongs to the pretty priestess. For the other, I think she hopes that I won't be to quick to spill blood myself." To emphaisize the point, the Bear draws his falchion and prepares for battle, gesturing for the dwarf to lead the way.
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Gelgish's eyes go wide for a second before the dwarf chomps down on his cigar butt and shakes his head. While arranging his picks and checking the lock he said matter-of-factly, I can handle myself in a fight, but I reckon Ulrich can do more than that. We'll be fine. The dwarf then looks around for a moment to ensure no one is watching before beginning to pick the lock.
Chavana smiles, and pats Ulrich on his back. Speaking quietly, she says "My hopes aren't entirely unwarranted, if you already know what I hope for. And Gelgy, I do believe that you are right about Mr. Bear, but I dare not think what would happen if we split up in such dangerous times."
Looking back to Darpan, she waves him forward, her tense shoulders relaxing a bit as she stands near while Gelgish works the lock.
Breaking an entering... kidnapping... undead... Ick.
After a few moments of working on the lock Gelgish manages to get it open. Opening the door, reveals a hallway with a door to the west and the hall spliting off to the south. There is another pair of double doors almost directly across the way.
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Gelgish chomped down on his cigar with a grin as the lock clicked open. That's always a nice sound, he added before gathering up his assortment of picks and placing them back in his pack. Holstering the pack as he rose back to his feet he looked inside. Seeing the double doors he moved into the hallway towards them and listened for any sounds.
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Leaning into the doors just inside the building, a clearly worried expression comes over the dwarf's face. Looking back at the others he quietly says, You all best get ready like Ulrich here, somethin's up to no good in there. Heading his own words, Gelgish slides the length of chain around his waist free, the solid metal ball hanging free on one end.
Once he sees everyone ready, Gelgish slowly opens the door while leaning away toward the edge of the door to avoid immediate detection.
Darpan already has his bow out and is ready to move into the building with Chavana.
You open the double doors into the main area of the Glassworks. A furnace burns along the southeast wall of this room. Marble tables sit in the chamber, used to work raw glass into usable shapes, with nearby wooden tables cluttered with various tools of the trade. The building’s furnace rumbles loudly. The main furnace burns at the northeast end, a large chamber that utilizes alchemically treated wood that burns with a hot blue light. As the furnace’s stone pipes run southwest, they reach smaller and progressively cooler furnaces used to keep glassworking projects at the proper temperature—glass shatters if it’s allowed to cool too quickly.
When you arrive, this room is a gruesome display of goblin boredom. The bodies of eight murdered staff lie in various stages of dismemberment; the goblins have been burning legs and arms in the furnace with glee, and pouring melted glass on the remains in an attempt to duplicate the masterpiece. This would be a body, propped up in a chair in the central alcove and encased in thick, runny sheets of hardened glass. In total there are 8 goblins and a half-elf.
Darpan, if he can, takes aim at the 1/2 elf (who I am hoping looks to be in concert with the goblins).
Attack-Range:
Damage:
Chavana, also looking at the half elf, follows Darpan's suit, but fires at the nearest goblin, less wanting to get into melee with the frightful creatures.
Chavana speaks to the goblins, in common, "Stand down, pitiful creatures, and you may yet live!"
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Gelgish quickly took in the room as the door opened. He expected chaos, maybe even goblins perhaps, but this was hellish. The number of the creatures worried him a bit; he and Shalelu had killed 4 together at once, but that was a full-on ambush. The half-elf also worried him. Seeing the outlander quickly raise his bow to aim at the man indicates that others saw him as an immediate threat. The dwarf suspected the same but was not sure. If the half-elf was with the goblins that was a truly problematic alliance.
Gelgish's thoughts quickly turned back to the realities of the battle at hand. Spinning into the room in a far more nimble and athletic faction than his stocky frame would suggest, the dwarf let his weapon fall slack for a moment before pulling sharply back on the iron handle adorning one end. This action quickly brought the chain taunt...and sent the ball end racing towards the goblin's head 10' away from his position.
Attack
Damage, if hits
GAhh...ok then...I guess I setup for a shot at the 1/2 elf....do I just keep my roll from the last attack?
The group rushes into the room, preparing for battle as Gelgish unleashes a dagger at the nearest goblin. The dagger barely finds its way through the goblins armor but it strikes true, unleashing a burst of blood as the goblin collapses to the ground.
The remaining goblins and half-elf engage their new found enemies. The half-elf shouts out "Stop these intruders!" he then aims his bow and shoots at Ulrich.
The arrow flies true striking Ulrich and the half-elf moves back. The other goblins move into engage. Two attack Ulrich one with a dogslicer the other with a pair of hot tongs.
Neither seem to connect. One moves up to attack Darpan with his dogslicer.
The others toss bits of glass; 2 at Ulrich and 2 at Chavana and Gelgish.
A shard pierces Chavana while all the others fall short or fly over their target shattering against walls and the ground.
Seeing the goblin right in front of them, Darpan strikes the little monster with his bare hand, then maneuvers to get a better shot at the half-elf at the back of the room.
Attack-Ranged:
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