Kyrian Linwood |
Kyrian's eyes open wide as soon as he hears Ven's voice call down. "He's probably still too injured to walk down the stairs, so hopefully that'll save my hide..." He quickly climbs off Shayliss, squirming out of her tight embrace as he goes for his pants. Trying to be quiet, he responds back to her. "Tell him you'll be right up! I'll go out the back, just keep him up there. You know where I'm staying right?" he finishes up with a sly wink as he rushes trying to get his pants on and buckled.
GM Holden |
Shayliss regains her composure and responds
”Yes daddy what is it?”
”What are you doing down there?”
”Just sweeping up."
”Well finish up girl, and bring up that wine like I asked for before.”
”Yes daddy.”
The door closes and Shayliss giggles with a sigh of relief. Not content on cutting the encounter short, she pushes you back down onto the cot and continues to embrace you lovingly...
Kyrian Linwood |
Kyrian sighs in relief knowing that Ven wasn't going to come down into the cellar. Getting caught back up in the moment, he begins to embrace Shayliss again. His hands wandering across her body, he snaps back for a second. "As much as you have me enticed with the secret naughty girl that you are, I really don't want to have the back of my head smashed in by your father. He looks like the kind of guy that would do that to my head..." as he shudders while saying that. He leans up and nibbles on her earlobe before whispering into her ear "Come to my room tonight, and we can continue bathing ourselves in heroic acts and rewards..."
Not exactly the best attempt at one, but circumstance pending, this would be an attempt at a seductive diplomacy roll I believe if you want one.
GM Holden |
Back at the Rusty Dragon...
The old man’s face burns bright red with embarrassment and anger.
Cerin critical failure on diplomacy check!
”Who asked you for your opinion, you silver tongued demon? Stay out of my family affairs and mind your own business. As for you daughter, you’re coming with me whether you like it or not.”
Lonjiku reaches over and grabs a full head of Ameiko’s hair and begins to drag her screaming towards the door. Ameiko seems helpless for but a moment but then she overcomes her initial shock and retaliates with the sturdy soup ladle she brandishes. She bashes him firmly on the head - fish stock and potatoes are splattered about his hair and clothes. The assembled patrons of the inn let out a murmured laugh. Stunned and embarrassed, Lonjiku stares coldly at Ameiko. He sputters for a moment then coldly remarks,
”You’re as dead to me as your Mother is.”
As her father departs the inn, Ameiko appears to be on the verge of tears. She glances at her soup ladle. She pulls a hair out of the mess and says,
”I’ll need a well-cleaned ladle now, since jackass stew’s not on the menu.”
The resulting cheers and laughter from the inn’s patrons seems to cheer her up immediately. She apologises on behalf of her father and retires to the kitchen.
GM Holden |
Kyrian feel free to wander back to the Rusty Dragon Inn at this point if you like. You all have the opportunity to finish your meal and discuss your next course of action. Prior to lunch you had talked of tracking down the wagons used to smuggle the Goblins into town during the attack. Also, the nobleman Aldern Foxglove is expecting you anytime to drop by the White Deer Inn and collect your reward for saving him. In addition he has invited you on a boar hunt (although these invitations seemed mostly directed at Lynnda). You can of course, always choose to split up into two or more parties if desired.
Halvor Tanner |
Halvor lurches to his feet as the man takes hold of Ameiko's hair, intent on putting an end to the circus, only to realize she is quite capable of handling herself as he receives a bit of fish stock on his tunic. He chuckles at the woman's comment, adding, "Well said! That one would likely have our lips puckering till supper." He grins as he seats himself, digging in once again.
Kyrian Linwood |
Sighing a breath of relief, Kyrian climbed up and out of the cellar. Shaking himself off of the nerves, making sure he was once again fully decent, he made his way back towards the Rusty Dragon. After eventually making his way back, he walks in and heads towards the group. Taking a seat, he exhales mildly loud as he speaks. "So, I hope I didn't miss anything too exciting then?"
Halvor Tanner |
Halvor snickers over his food, nodding to Kyrian as he arrives. Between mouthfuls, he asks, "So what are we gonna be about this afternoon? I think we should check out these wagons, but there's also the manner of that Foxglove fellow."
Krissina |
Krissina follows Ameiko back to the kitchens "Are you okay? Is there anything I can do?" Krissina tries to steady her own nerves, to say she's been so willing to bash heads, she doesn't deal well with emotional conflict.
Lynnda Windstrike |
Assured that Ameiko is okay, Lynnda returns to the table.
"Hi, Kyrian! My, you're looking extra-chipper this afternoon! I suppose we should get back to that Foxglove guy. He did promise a reward, after all." She pauses. "I think that Foxglove may have something similiar in mind as Kyrian's adoring fan. Unfortunately for me, he kind of gives me the creeps."
She sighs, then brightens. "So, I think we should check out the wagons. Particularly the one that the goblins jumped out of. I wonder if the sheriff would know whose wagon that had been?"
Cerinnibert |
"Definitely! Foxglove can wait until later, finding out what is going on is much more pressing. We can start with the Sheriff and his men, but I think we should also see if we can find anyone who was in the square who might remember as well. Does anyone recall seeing a familiar face from the festival?" Cerin inquires as he drinks down the last of his mug of fruit juice and hops down from the chair.
Halvor Tanner |
Halvor sifts through his memory, trying to sort through the hundreds of faces from the Festival. He does his best, but doubts he'll be able to pull anything out of there.
I don't know what I would need to roll here.
Kyrian Linwood |
Kyrian chuckles. "Chipper yes, but the extra comes later tonight." he says with a wink. "His problem though is that he thinks the money can talk if you ask me. I've learned many a time that words still act more than gold." Sitting there thinking about the night to come, he listens to the rest of the conversation, and about continuing on the investigation. "Well I can certainly tell you that I don't remember anything suspicious until the goblins attacked. But then again, it wasn't exactly suspicious activity I was looking for exactly."
Lynnda Windstrike |
To Cerin and Kyrian's comments, Lynnda replies, "I hadn't really explored that part of the festival before the goblins attacked. I'm not sure who was there, but I have an idea..."
Getting up, Lynnda heads over to the bar. Since Ameiko is in the kitchen, she quietly asks the barkeep, "I'm a little short on cash right now, but I can feel I'm close to a windfall... can I run a tab?"
Diplomacy +4, additional +1 if the barkeep finds Lynnda attractive
Assuming that's a "yes..."
She smiles broadly, "Thanks. You are a wonderful person." She then stands on a barstool and announces loudly, "Let's have a toast to the best innkeeper in town! To Ameiko! Hip! Hip! Hurrah!" After the cheering dies down a bit she then adds, "And the next round is on me!!" Getting off the barstool, she winks at the person behind the bar. "Thanks! I'll settle up soon!"
After raising the spirits of the people in the Rusty Dragon (and hopefully making them even friendlier), Lynnda starts making the rounds, chatting up everyone she can. She tries to steer the conversation about what people saw at the Swallowtail Festival... particularly about the possibility of goblins stowing away in wagons.
Diplomacy (gather information) +4 (as above)
GM Holden |
The barkeep hesitates for but a moment before acceding to your request and extending you a line of credit. As the drinks are poured and passed around the inn becomes more lively and amicable. Drifting from table to table you chat with many members of the inn. Most patrons recall much the same story – Goblins running amok in the square, the town guard putting a sporadic resistance and the a group of heroic adventurers shouldering the burden of the fighting. It soon seems apparent that no useful clues regarding the wagon(s) used by the Goblins during the raid is forthcoming. Then you meet a curious fellow by the name of Garon. He is a worker from an outlying farm and he was in the square during the aftermath of the attack.
”Yes I remember the wagon you speak of. Goblins poured out of it and attacked the square. It was loaded with lamp oil and fireworks for the evening festivities. It caught fire and burnt during the attack. Afterwards, it wasn’t much more than a burnt shell but we hauled it off to Wheen’s workshop. You see the wheelwright, Bilivar Wheen, paid me and a friend good coin to haul it off to his workshop. Bilivar said that since its owner had abandoned the wagon he had claimed it as his own. He said that he’d be able to fix it up and sell it. We carted by hand over to his shop and stashed it around back. I hope this helps you. Thanks for drink!”
Halvor Tanner |
Halvor slips on his pack and waits for his more...cultured friends to lead the way. Everyone had their role, and his was not palling around the town asking people questions. The two lovely ladies would certainly do better, as would the charismatic gnome and the roguish archer.
GM Holden |
Once lunch is concluded, you gather yourselves together and head out to the wheelwright’s shop. The shop is located around the corner on River Street just behind the Rusty Dragon and you arrive quickly. The large wooden structure is dominated by the workshop/barn area. Living quarters are located upstairs. As you walk up to the front door the shop appears closed. As you peer through the loose slats of wood that comprise the barn doors, you can see that there are two wagons secured inside the workshop. A firm knock soon brings a plain looking woman to the front door.
”Yes what is it? My husband’s not here. But if you’ve got a wagon that needs mending you can leave it with me and I’ll be sure and get him working on it”
She seems somehow hopeful at the sight of you.
Krissina |
"No ma'am, we just wanted to enquire about an abandoned wagon that your husband brought in, if we can take a look at it I'm sure we can give you a few coins for your time."
GM Holden |
At the suggestion of coin her eyes light up.
”Hold on and I’ll open the workshop. He’s got a few wagons he’s working on in there.”
The woman closes the door and soon the one of the doors of the workshop can be herd creaking open. The woman pushes the door open wide so that the sun shines into the area lighting up the wagons within. Except for a missing rear wheel one of the wagons appears to be in fine shape. It sits slightly skewed with its rear corner being support by a sturdy barrel. The other wagon on the other hand has seen better days. The entire wagon is charred and gutted. The covering and support frames are completely burnt away. The main floor boards and sides are badly blackened also. Ash and debris fills the main cargo area of the wagon. It’s apparent that the wagon was once painted in yellow, but most of the paint has burned away. On the side boards you can just make out the remnants of lettering that must have been painted there. You study the lettering intently straining to make them out. Cerin is able to recognize the script as Minkian. Krissina struggles to discern the letters. She can just about make out the first word as “Sandpoint” but the second word is illegible.
The woman stands nearby, watching you curiously.
”He’s been working on fixing up this one with broken wheel for a time now, but this one he just had hauled here yesterday. He said something about wheels and base as being good. I guess it was abandoned in the square? It’s not your wagon is it?”
Krissina |
"I can only make out the word Sandpoint, but if it's Minkian, there's only the Kaijutsu family I know of, though I can't see Ameiko being involved. I don't think Lonjiku would either, though I don't know him as well."
Krissina thinks for a moment, "If we hadn't just alienated Lonjiku in that little confrontation I'd say go speak to him, see if any wagons went missing before the attacks, doubt he'd talk to us now though."
Observers get the impression that she's more talking to herself than for anyone else's benefit.
Kyrian Linwood |
Kyrian ponders for a moment, thinking about the wagon. "Well if isn't Ameiko or Lonjiku, whoever that is, do either of you two know any other families that happen to have some sort of Minkai relations? And wait... What do you mean we alienated him?"
GM Holden |
You search the wagon thoroughly above and below, but you don’t find any further clues.
Except for the Kaijitsu’s, Krissina doesn’t recall seeing any other businesses or families in town that would use wagons adorned with Minkian script.
The main business of the Kaijitsu family is the Sandpoint Glassworks. This important and prosperous business produces fine glassware and ships it far and wide for considerable profit. On account of the various chemicals and unique materials that is accumulated by the glassworks Krissina recalls that in the past the Kaijitsu’s have supplied fireworks for the swallowtail festival.
Off to the side the Wheelwrights wife looks on expectantly.
”er..uh..uhm. I thought you said something of some coin changing hands…?”
Kyrian Linwood |
Kyrian reaches in to a pouch in his belt and fiddles around in it for a moment before pulling out a few coins and handing it to her. "Yea, we did. I'm sure I won't be the only one giving you a few more as well, right?" he says as he looks towards the rest of the group.
I'll be dropping in 4 gold.
Lynnda Windstrike |
Lynnda hands her 1 gp.
Sorry if that seems cheap, but that's almost 20% of her liquid assets.
On the way out, Lynnda notes, "Well, that was a waste of time... and money."
Halvor Tanner |
"Hmmmm..." Halvor reaches into his pouch and pulls out 2 gp. Using the logic that as long as he wasn't the cheapest, he was ok, Halvor's guilt is assuaged.
After they leave, the burly fighter nods to the beautiful brunette. "Agreed. Although that Lonjiku seems like a piss poor fellow. Think he might be in league with the goblins? Or was it just by chance?" The more that he thinks about it, the more that chance seems the more likely course.
GM Holden |
As the woman receives the handful of gold from you her eyes widen and a she grins enthusiastically. As you leave the workshop she thanks you profusely and re-assures you that if there is anything else she or her husband can do for you to let them know.
7 gold is a huge sum for a common villager to acquire for such a simple favor.
Krissina |
Krissina promised the gold and would have paid her...
"It could be someone working for Lonjiku, he run's the local glassworks. Although I think he donated fireworks to the festival, so maybe the goblins didn't even come in on that one, and just found the fireworks - you know how much goblins love anything that goes bang and burns."
Lynnda Windstrike |
Holden: We would probably know that 7 gold was too much to pay Vorah Wheen. Can we retcon that back to 1 gold, if each of us gave her 2 silvers? That's still a pretty hefty sum for letting us poke around her husband's worksop for 15 minutes.
While walking out, Lynnda responds, "That's true, Krissina. They sure do like fire. Unfortunately, I'm thinking that Harl's tip about wagons might have just been mim making a wild-ass guess."
Shadow hops from the sorceress' shoulder and trots beside her. As the party walks up River Street, she asks, "So, where to now? Should we check in with Hemlock again?"
Cerinnibert |
"We could investigate the glassworks for any more clues, but I don't think we would be very welcome. Mayhap we could go there after dark, after everyone has left? While we are waiting, we could go take your good friend Foxglove up on his offer..." Cerin suggests with an impish smile at Lynnda.
I would be fine with giving her 2 silver
Halvor Tanner |
Going back to 2 silver is fine with me.
"Are you implying that we break into the Glassworks on little more than a whim? I don't know about that, Cerin." Halvor's brows furrow in consternation at the direction this seemed to be going. While he personally didn't like Kaijitsu, sifting through his business after dark was wrong with as little evidence as they had.
A little aside with the nobleman as they mulled things over would probably be of great help. "Yes, let us see what this Foxglove has to say." He can't help but smile a little at Lynnda as he says this.
Lynnda Windstrike |
The sorceress rolls her eyes. "I doubt that dilettante will know anything about the goblins, but he did promise a reward. Maybe looking him up wouldn't be a bad idea. I do have that bar tab to pay off..."
GM Holden |
Intent on seeking out Aldern Foxglove you venture to the upper part of town, to the White Deer Inn. A pair of wooden life-sized deer, carved with painstaking care from white birch, stand astride the entrance to this sizable tavern and inn, which commands an impressive view of the Varisian Gulf to the north. The building is new, recently rebuilt after the previous inn at this location burnt to the ground several years ago in the same fire that destroyed the Sandpoint Chapel. The new White Deer is a grand affair, three stories tall with a stone first floor and wooden upper floors. Once inside you are impressed by the craftsmanship and cleanliness of the establishment. The common room is nearly vacant (it is early afternoon) but you are greeted by a pleasant if somber Shoanti man by the name of Garridan. After you enquire about Aldern Foxglove he sends his young son off to find him for you. Foxglove appears a short time later and you all sit down for a drink and a chat.
”You’ve made it! I’m glad you decided to take me up on my offer. I’ll get my servants to start preparing for the hunt. We can depart within the hour.”
As usual, he addresses Lynnda directly paying little or no attention to the rest of the group.
”And of course, there was the matter of your well-earned reward.”
He produces a small bag from his tunic and plunks it down in front of you. It makes an all too familiar clinking sound as it hits the table. As Lynnda reaches for the bag Foxglove’s hand lingers for just a moment and it brushes softly against hers. the bag contains 50 gold
”Now why don’t we have some wine while we wait and you can tell me more about yourself, my lovely Lynnda. Where were you brought up? Do you have family still? Tell me of your travels”
He looks slyly into your eyes as he talks.
Krissina |
Krissina speaks quietly, "I'm not really a hunter, I think I'll sit this one out." she doesn't really expected to be noticed, Foxglove seems pretty distracted by Lynnda.
Lynnda Windstrike |
Cringing slightly as his hand brushes hers, she fakes a broad smile as she picks up the coin purse. "Why, thank-you, Mr. Foxglove. We'll put this to good use." She hands the purse to Cerin, as if to underscore that she's part of a team.
She sends a knowing look to her companions while she says to Aldern, "I think a hunt sounds like fun! It will get us out of town and into the forest for a bit, at least. What do you all think?" I really hope you guys agree to come with us-- I don't think I want to be alone in the woods with this guy...
Bluff (secret message): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10 Message: "Please say you'll come too!" EDIT: Fails by 5! She sends the wrong message! This should be fun...
"My story? Well, there's not much to tell. I'm not Varisian myself, but I understand their lifestyle. My parents were tinkers, and we spent most of our days on the Lost Coast Road, traveling up and down from Magnimar to Windsong Abbey. We'd stop in a town or village for a few days to fix pots and pans, sell metal forks and spoons, sharpen peoples' knives, that sort of thing. And then we'd be on the road agin. After they died, it was just my brother Kaven and I for a few years, but we had a falling-out, and went our separate ways. He got involved with the Sczarni in Magnimar, and got caught. Last I heard, he accepted a deal to enlist in one of Magnimar's military units that work out of a fort up in the Wyvern Mountains somewhere. The 'Black Archers,' or something like that."
Bluff: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23 The part about her brother is true, but the rest of the story is a pack of lies.
She takes a sip of wine. "But that's boring. What's your story, Mr. Foxglove? Do you live in Magnimar?"