At some point during the looting in the goblin village, Amelius saunters up to the rest of the group, and clears his throat feebly before speaking. "I don't suppose any of you know why there's so much stuff from the far East here, do you? First the skeletons wearing samurai armor, and now this box and the gold-ivory-fan-map?"
Amelius leans forward and whispers quietly to everyone, despite the painfully apparent fact that no one else is there to hear in the first place, "You don't think Ameiko is involved in any of this, do you?"
As Amelius ponders the significance of the exotic far east elements the party has discovered so far, the rest of the party regroups and makes the hour journey back to Sandpoint. Remembering that Ameiko can get you a discount on anything you might like to buy in town, you hold off on shopping for now and make sure to check in with Belor Hemlock, the sherrif at the Town Hall. You collect your bounty, and make sure that Skitterfoot stays out of sight for now. While he's proven to be a useful ally, you're not enitirely sure he would be received well here.
The sight of five intrepid (if somewhat bloodied and dirty) adventurers with a bag full of goblin ears (and a head) is met with waves, nods of acknowledgment and appreciation among the citizens as you make your way down the streets. Shalelu follows behind you, and you all eventually make your way to the Rusty Dragon.
You pause for a moment, as Caerwyn addresses the group. He's enjoyed your company, but he's not sure that adventuring is the life for him. Forfeiting his share of the treasure, he goes back to talk to sheriff Hemlock about becoming a permanent member of the town guard.
Saying your farewells, you continue on to Ameiko's tavern. It's a slow Sunday night, but the crowd of regulars greets you with a hearty cheer at the door.
"You made it back, all in one piece I see! And Elli, word around town is that you were the one who killed the goblin chief!" she says, her head tilted playfully. "You'll have to tell me all about it - I love stories of newly minted adventurers getting a taste of glory...maybe I'll even write a song about it. I'm performing in a few minutes, but make yourselves comfortable - drinks are on the house for all of you tonight. Have Bethana mix you up something special, or have some of the mead I brought in from Kalsgard, it's excellent. Speaking of that, there's a few people I'd like you to meet...
She motions towards a table where a Varisian man and an older Varisian woman are sitting, along with a Tian looking man. Walking over, she leans forward on the back of a chair, with a smirk and the same head tilt as before.
"Sandru, these are my friends Eliaera, Garridan, Ostar and Amelius. I believe Ostar already knows Koya, but as for the rest of you - this is Koya Mvashti, fortune-teller and harrow deck reader . She's a dear friend of mine. And this good looking Tien fellow here...well, I'll just let him introduce himself.
Rising, from his seat, the Varisian man extends his arm, and courteously bows.
"Greetings strangers, from a stranger! Ah, the great heroes return! Seems Sandpoint owes you its thanks...I am Sandru Vhiski, owner and operator of the caravan 'Star of Avistan'...a grand name, don't you think?"
"Come, sit. For now let us drink. I have much to talk about with you, and as they say, silver and gold are the same with eyes closed!"
Eliaera seems flummoxed at Amelius' suggestion, caught between protesting her friend's innocence but also unable to find the words that would support it. Her face shifts between multiple different expressions before she settles on a response:
"... We'll have to ask her about it when we get back. Let's show her the things we found in the chest, maybe she can tell us something about it."
She deigns to not mention the Tien characters engraved on the rapier. The situation was awkward enough as it stood.
"Let's head back to town with Shalelu. We can ask Ameiko a couple of questions, maybe stop by the general store... and most importantly, have a nice, hot bath!"
---
Eliaera smiles and waves back at the townsfolk as they pass through Sandpoint en route to the Town Hall, kind of enjoying the attention they were getting. (At the very least, hamming it up helped her ignore the fact that they were carrying a big, bloody sack of various goblin appendages with them.)
She's unsurprised at Caerwyn's admittance--he seemed kind of distant all throughout the journey in the swamp--and wishes him the best with his plans to join the town guard.
When it becomes apparent that the group is to head directly to the Rusty Dragon without any break... y'know, to bathe or change clothes or at least wipe off the mud and sweat and blood from their expedition... the Varisian woman immediately cringes. However, judging by the roar of excitement from the locals, excusing herself to get cleaned up probably wasn't on the cards for now.
Men! Eliaera rolls her eyes to herself as she follows them inside the tavern. How can they be fine with presenting themselves with the state they're in?!
When Ameiko greets them, Eliaera flushes a little, suddenly incredibly conscious of the filthy state she was in. "I couldn't have done it without you helping me learn to fight," she replies with a somehwat forced laugh, trying to hide her embarrassment. "Plus, a particularly good sword helped things along too. I'll have to show you it later when you've got a chance, hey?"
To make matters worse, Ameiko then moved to introduce the group to a few people - two familiar to her, one not so familiar. Eliaera smiles warmly at Koya Mvashti--the old woman and her dearly departed mother (may she rest in peace!) had helped the Casateri family of two settle into Sandpoint, and had been the one to introduce Eliaera to Ameiko, so she was quite grateful to the woman. The other Varisian man was unfamiliar to her, but as soon as he introduced himself, Eliaera lights up with recognition.
"Oh! You're Ameiko's adventuring friend! It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Sandru!" Eliaera gives him a friendly grin and bobs her head to him. "You're a caravan owner now, huh...?" For a moment, Eliaera seems almost wistful, her Varisian heart tugged by the allure of travel. "How long are you in town for, Sandru?"
The third person was, however, not entirely a stranger either. Eliaera arches a brow at Ameiko's introduction, however, mildly bothered by the line. 'Good looking'? Oh come off it, Ameiko... "Ah, Hiro! Hey there. Didn't see you around the other night when we left - did you have the night off? What's up?"
Garridan thanks Ameiko for the drinks and welcome, then shakes Sandru's hand. "Hello. Nice to meet you, and you as well, um, Koya. It was quite the adventure, although I think we've only scratched the surface."
Amelius bounds through Sandpoint with a permanent smile beaming back towards any of the gathered, cheering throngs of residents and passersby. Looking at him, one wouldn't suspect he had just returned from a harrowing clash with goblins and worse in the muck and mire of the nearby marshes. For most, he appears every bit as much the naive, carefree, and maybe a little odd young man with an overfondness of The Rusty Dragon; a fact punctuated all the more by the party's ultimate destination for the evening. As Eliaera mentions a bath, the marsh's parting gifts to the assembly of would-be-heroes becomes painfully apparent to both Amelius and his nose—mud, slime, and worse. The sorcerer chants something too low to make out entirely, though his rapidly gesturing hands betray the spell in short order.
"Don't exactly look the part right now, do we?" Amelius shoots an unfavorable look to the nasty stains and soils that mar his previously pristine green robes. "This won't do!" He begins swatting his hands at his garments, as if attempting to swat away insects that are buzzing about too close. As he does so, the stains and debris still clinging to his attire begin to dislodge and clean themselves. Before long, Amelius strides behind the group with confidence—a much cleaner man.
Drinks are on the house for all of you tonight. . . Amelius' eyes widen and his lips begin to purse slightly as Ameiko says it. It is only moments before he sprints to the bar in a flurry of motion, as if Ameiko might rescind her offer before he can drink his fill. A few minutes later, he comes sauntering over to the table where everyone has begun to assemble, his arms gingerly cradling a medley of drinks; several mugs of the Kalsgard Mead Ameiko had suggested, the head of which sloshes over the mouth of the mugs that contain it in rhythm with the sorcerer's steps; a thin glass finger of some sort of golden-hued liquor; and a traditional wine glass nearly full of a pleasant looking crimson libation.
Amelius precariously places the drinks on the table in a huff before pressing a mug of the mead into both Garridan and Ostar's hands. The mugs are noticeably less full than they would have otherwise been, owing to Amelius' ambition in retrieving and delivering the drinks, though he did manage not to drop any of them or fall on his hasty approach. He slides the golden liquid over to Eliaera, not sure if she will even accept it. He just shrugs as he does so and speaks meekly, "It's called Peach 'Nops I think. Sounded neat, anyways." The last mug of mead he keeps for himself, although he grabs the wineglass and meanders over to where Shalelu stands. He proffers the glass to the elf with eager eyes before asking, "Redberry wine, right?"
"Thanks, Amelius," Garridan says, slightly amused by the display. He's glad that he isn't the only one feeling anxious at having so much of the town focused on them. He just smiles and tries to be polite and keep his feet on the ground and out of his mouth.
Taking the proffered glass with some amusement, Shalelu nods her thanks to Amelius.
"You're a bit of a strange one, aren't you? Even among your own kind you seem a little odd, a bit out of place. I can probably relate to that on some level. Where is your little creature? Never mind, I can only imagine what a creature like that might do in its spare time. Still, if you consider it an ally, I won't interfere."
Shalelu and Amelius talk a bit more, the elf ranger at least slightly curious in the strange sorcerer. Amelius, to his credit, doesn't manage say anything offensive or otherwise socially awkward - but he's not all that engaging. Shalelu finishes her wine and bids him a good evening, telling him she has some urgent business to attend to. Before leaving, she puts a hand on Garridan's shoulder for a moment, and moves to the door.
Ostar and Koya move away from the group, where she does a reading for him. The cards of the harrow deck fall on the table, and The Desnan cleric and the cleric of the Forgefather converse for a bit.
Returning to the main group, Ostar announces that he will be going his own way going forward - his faith has drawn him elsewhere, and while he was glad to be a part of keeping Sandpoint safe, he feels his destiny lies elsewhere.
As Koya sits back down with the main group, there are expectant looks, as if she will explain what Ostar and her were talking about.
"The harrow is between the seer and the divine. Ostar has told you what he can. The rest shall remain like secrets kept from strangers passing on the road. Speaking of which, my dear Sandru here has a bit of an opportunity for all of you. An opportunity which I feel I must entertain as well." she says with a coy smile.
"So you've made up your mind to come with us this time, mum?" Sandru is beaming from ear to ear. "Well, it's going to be a long journey, and who knows where we'll end up, but I'm thinking big!"
Turning to the new adventurers, he says "Do you want to see new places, meet new people? See wonders you've never imagined? Then take a boat to Magnimar or Riddleport! Ha! However, If you want to join up with a group of wandering minstrels, n'er-do-wells, and strange mystics as we travel the roads of Avistan, well - I'm your man. Other activities include drinking, dancing, fighting, and..."
"Sandru! Why don't you lay off the charming vagabond routine and tell them why you wanted to talk to them."
"Sorry mum. I'm looking for free-spirited types who want to go on a journey with me on a trade route that takes us up through the Linnorm King's lands, on to the Path of Aganhei over the very Crown of the World, and then down into the Dragon Empires! Think of all the wealth, and all the stories we will be able to tell! In addition to all that, if you're not merely motivated by gold - in which case I would have to probably ask what is wrong with you - where was I?"
"Alright, I'm going to level with you. My caravan is small right now, and guards are expensive. If you accompany me on this journey, not only will we all profit, but you're free to explore any...intriguing places as we go. Just as long as you don't wind up trapped in some dungeon somewhere being tortured on the rack, ha! Ameiko and Shalelu say you're good people, and to be honest....I don't want any Sczarni getting wind of my little enterprise."
"If you agree to travel with me, friends, my caravan leaves within the week. If you have other pressing business, I will be here at the Rusty Dragon when you are ready. I cannot wait any later than next Sunday - the morozkos at the Crown of the World are less likely to blow us off course if we leave soon!"
Garridan smiles a little shyly at Shalelu, wishing her a goodnight as she leaves. He also gets up and speaks with Ostar for a time, wishing him well on wherever his path takes him. With both he and Caerwyn leaving, Garridan is the last member of the militia still interested in continuing these undertakings. That thought puts a damper on his mood, although he tries to shake it off as he rejoins the table.
Fortunately, Sandru's offer is sufficiently distracting. The thought of travelling the world, seeing far away places... it's everything Garridan has dreamed of since he was a child.
"I don't know about anyone else, but the thought of leaving home and seeing the world... it sounds amazing, he says, stars in his eyes. "I still think we should investigate more about the situation in the swamp, but that shouldn't take more than day or two... I'll just say that I am very interested in your proposal."
"Ah, Hiro! Hey there. Didn't see you around the other night when we left - did you have the night off? What's up?"
"Good evening, Eliaera," the Tien man says with a hint of a smile as he stands and bows a formal greeting to the Varisian bard. "It pleases me to see you safely returned from your excursion against the goblins, though I am unsurprised to hear you struck the killing blow against the goblin chieftain. It is well known that the deadly grace of your blade dance is surpassed only by your unparalleled beauty. As to the other night, I am sorry that I missed your performance but I am afraid I had other... business... which required my attention," Hiro explains, his tone belying the barest trace of disapproval as his glance flickers toward Sandru Vhiski.
"But please forgive me," Hiro adds turning to address Amelius, Garridan, and Ostar. "I've seen you gentlemen around town and here at the Rusty Dragon, but I've never introduced myself before. My name is Hiro Takemashi. I work for Ameiko," he introduces himself with another bow.
"Um, hello," Garridan says, bemused by someone bowing to him. "It's nice to meet you."
"And you as well, Imoroa-san," Hiro replies to Garridan. "Did I understand you to say that there is more to investigate in the swamp? Does it involve the Licktoad goblins?" Hiro asks with sudden intense interest.
"Please, just call me Garridan," he says. "And yes, it does. When we reached their village, we found it already attacked by the undead. They also had some strange, um, items. We found a map that showed a cave system and some shipwrecks, so we thought to investigate them, see if we could find out what happened."
"Cheers, Amelius," Eliaera says with a laugh when the clumsy man offers her a half-full tankard of alcohol, appreciating his sentiment although smirking at his execution. "You're gonna have to practice a little to get the serving thing down a little--try walking with a heavy book balanced on your head, eh?"
"Unparalleled beauty? Oh, please, Hiro," Eliaera responds to the all-too-formal Tian man with what is almost certainly a practiced roll of her eyes. "It's all thanks to Ameiko, though, really. I would have a better chance of stabbing myself than a goblin if not for her," she adds with a grin.
Eliaera seems honestly sad at Ostar and Koya's announcement, and she gives him a friendly hug at his admittance. "If that's the fate the stars are giving you, then that's how it'll have to be. I guess I'll have to take up your offer of a chat some other time, hey?"
Much like Garridan, however, Eliaera is all asparkle at Sandru's offer of travel, and her brief melancholy at the loss of Ostar is hurriedly washed away in a tide of excitement that shows in her bright and hopeful expression. "You mean... we could see the world? And all we have to do is act as your caravan guards? You sure this isn't too good to be true?"
The bard rubs her chin, appearing thoughtful. "The Dragon Empires... Hmmm. Would you be going to Minkai, then?" She glances at Hiro out of the corner of her eye, and then looks back to Sandru. "That might be... nice bait to drag a certain tavern owner out of her comfort zone," she says slowly with a sly smile creeping across her lips. "You must know it too, Hiro. She's dying to get out there again, but... something's holding her back. What better excuse than going to see the land of her ancestors?"
Performing several songs with her samisen, which looks like some kind of exotic stringed instrument, Ameiko starts out with a Taldane ballad, then moves onto a haunting melody in Tien, then a rollicking traditional Varisian dance, which has several ethnic Varisians get out of their seats and perform a traditional style dance. Finishing her set, she joins you at your table.
As you recount your story of Walthus, Old Megus's demise and her strange familiar, and the assault on the Licktoad village, Ameiko's eyes widen when you mention the items you found in the chief's treasure hoard.
"That chest, and some of those items sound like they originated in Minkai. And the shipwrecks you mentioned...there's an old family story about some of the Kaijitsus - but I always thought they were tall tales, embellished to make the family seem important - especially when my father told them." Her eyes grow dark for a moment, and then she continues.
"If you're headed back out there to investigate, let me know if you find anything related to Minkai - the only thing I like more than a good story is a good mystery. Hiro knows Tien if you need to decipher anything."
She looks wistful for a moment, and blows a strand of hair out of her face. "I...it's been a long time since I've wanted to go on an adventure - the last time I did, it went...bad." You wonder if you see tears forming in the corner of her eyes, but she composes herself quickly. "My heart wants to go with you, but in my head...I'm just not ready to get back out there. Not yet, anyways."
Hiro listens impassively to Sandru's boastful sales pitch.
"That chest, and some of those items sound like they originated in Minkai. And the shipwrecks you mentioned...there's an old family story about some of the Kaijitsus - but I always thought they were tall tales, embellished to make the family seem important - especially when my father told them... If you're headed back out there to investigate, let me know if you find anything related to Minkai - the only thing I like more than a good story is a good mystery. Hiro knows Tien if you need to decipher anything."
Hiro bows his head at Ameiko's implication that he should accompany the group back into the swamp. "It would be my honor to assist Sandpoint's newest champions with their investigation into these mysteries. I only hope that my meager abilities will prove to be of benefit," he says humbly.
Amelius beams brightly as Hiro's introductions are made, and he begins bobbing up and down a bit as he waits for an opportunity to introduce himself. "Hey there! I'm Amelius. Everyone calls me Amelius Blacktower, but that's not really my last name. I came from a black tower, but no one believed me, and... man, that's not very original is it? Anyways, I'm sure you've seen me at the end of the bar a lot, but I don't think we've ever spoken directly. So... hi!" He returns—very poorly—the bow Hiro offered the party, his mop of dark hair now irredeemably obscuring what little vision it afforded him before. He swats it away frantically to little effect.
Turning to Sandru and Koya, Amelius somehow manages to maintain his impossibly perked spirits as he speaks through a prolonged smile, "Sign me up! Truth be told, until today I had never left Sandpoint. But I liked it out there! Even the nasty swamp. Didn't like poking the goblins so much, but I guess it's better than being poked by the goblins. And besides, the Dragon Empires seem neat. I hear they eat all kinds of weird things over there, and one time I tried something called sake." Amelius shivers a bit and shakes his head as he recalls the ordeal. "Yeah, I don't like sake. I hope the food is better."
Rather than allowing a formal response, Amelius gazes down at the empty depths of his mug. Ameiko's offer rings once more in his ears, and the young sorcerer sprints off to the bar again. He returns later with another round of mead, though he takes Eliaera's advice this time and manages not to spill most of the contents.
People talked, and when a group of adventurers left to dispatch of goblins, speculations of the happenings in the swamp passed over many lips, and wagers were placed on the members' survival. Upon their return, most of Sandpoint was chatting about their success. A social place, the church was no stranger to such news, and Ilir's ears were keen.
Eliaera was no stranger to Ilir, though her recognition of him was questionable. Her musical talent was commendable, and the halfbreed hated to admit she was likely more skilled than he, her versatility casting his more singular gift - his voice - in her shadow. Koya had told him he'd a good heart though, and he tried his best to stem his implicit resentment of Eliaera - it was a core oath of his to allow art to flourish. He just wished her large sunflower could allow his daisy its fair share of rays, as it were. Guilt playing at him over his internal hostility towards the musician, he felt it best to make his peace with her by congratulating her in person at the tavern. Little did he expect to find much more than her to his interest there.
Entering the establishment, Ilir found the bard after a short amount of seraching. Her group was not alone, however; the familiar faces of Sandru and Koya graced their proximity. Ilir was also acquainted with Ameiko, but she was more an afterthought at the moment. Fortunately, the young Olcana had worn his violet cloak to the Rusty Dragon. He found himself quite handsome in it, and he always meant to be most presentable when around Sandru. It was a surprise to see him here tonight though - a pleasant one. His light ochre shirt and deep viridian pants formed an artist's palette with his wrap, but he hoped their conversation would conceal his approach.
Sandru going on a journey? Without me? Not again - no way! Ilir held his tongue as long as he could before intervening. "A happy return to you, heroes! Pardon my interruption, but word around town is Miss Casateri here disposed of the goblin chief. I am certain you all took part in the victory, but I am glad to see a fellow musician make a name for herself." A grin graced his face. That would have to do for an apology at the present. Ilir knew his way around words for more than just song - he needed to use his vocal feint, emphasizing the crux of Sandru's argument against his joining-up in the past to pierce the man's defenses now.
Ilir dropped his voice a notch and leaned in, keeping it more to the immediate group now. "Not to be rude, I am Ilir Olcana, defender of the eternal beauty that is Shelyn. I couldn't help but overhear my dear friend Sandru's plea for partners on a road to riches. Such a trek sounds quite refreshing as my childhood steam from the East in Taldor, and seeing the world can energize one's heart, song, and purse." He shot a glance around the group, at Eliaera, and then Sandru at the end. He held the rapier of his eyes against Sandru's as only an Elf can do, his heritage providing the finesse behind that invisible thrust while his true motive provided the force. "Though I don't have any goblin ears to my name as you do, I can wield a weapon to make safe our way and tell a tale to lighten our journey. If you would have my glaive, I would have your company." He paused a moment. "That is, if Sandru here will have me." Finally, a moment or two after he finished his proposition, he blinked, his eyes breaking with Sandru's, any parry he had hopefully broken.
Giving a small nod of hello to Koya, he stood tall once again as he waited for responses the adventurers might have. He looked from face to face, hoping his request to Sandru didn't seem too personally pointed. He did want to see more of the world, after all ... but this opportunity had so much more to offer. Accepting "no" for an answer once more wasn't something that was going to happen.
The music--and, of course, the musician--in the Rusty Dragon was always a draw to the place, and throughout their conversation Eliaera's attention drifts as she basks in the pleasant melodies cast about the room. She finds herself tapping her foot or humming along in time, especially when it comes to the traditional Varisian dance. If not for her preoccupation with, shall we say, business, Eliaera would have been on the dancefloor with them too! She gives her friend a wide smile as she joins the table afterwards. "Lovely as ever, Ameiko," she says approvingly, shifting over to give the tavern owner enough room.
When the conversation drifts into storytime of their journey thus far into the swamp, Eliaera doesn't hold back for even a moment, embellishing the story of their adventure and heroism with gusto.
"... and Ostar called upon the might of Torag, swinging with a blow that could fell even the mightiest of giants! ..."
"... the rat-creature was foul and filthy, yet deep inside we could see the faintest glimmer of gold, just waiting to be polished, and Amelius took up the mantle of his master..."
"... Garridan dazed it with his shield and took that very moment of weakness to thrust his blade deep into the goblin's chest, mortally wounding it and sending it to the next life ..."
It's obvious from the elated look on her face that Eliaera is loving the chance to wax on endlessly about their heroism. It's even more obvious that she is incredibly saddened by Ameiko's change for melancholy, causing whatever joy that might have been there previously to evaporate in an instant. She jumps from her chair and gives Ameiko a quick hug and a big smile to try and cheer her up.
"Don't dwell on it too much, Ameiko," she says soothingly. "If you're not ready, there's no shame in admitting it."
Though trying to be encouraging, a vague shadow remains inside of Eliaera afterwards - the desire for the journey battling and the desire to not leave her beloved friend behind. As great as an experience as adventuring in the Brinestump Marsh had been so far, it was only an hour or so travel from Sandpoint. Whenever it became too hard, she could always return back to her snug beds and the friendly warmth of the Rusty Dragon. Going on a journey across the world... without Ameiko? Would she be okay with that...?
Thankfully, a vaguely familiar half-elf provided the perfect excuse to focus on something entirely different. She blinks in mild confusion at being referred to by name, a puzzled expression crossing her face as she seeks to place Ilir.
"Oh... from the church..." she murmurs, vaguely nodding to herself. Religion was not a large factor in Eliaera's life, although like all artists, she paid some devotions to the Goddess of art and beauty. Desna was a great draw for her as well, having being raised amidst the Varisian traditions that venerated her. In the end, she simply tried to live her life in a way that seemed best, not bothered by what often seemed to be the overly restrictive doctrines and rituals of organised religion. However--Sandpoint was a small town, and in those times she had attended the church services, she vaguely recalled Ilir's presence. In the choir, perhaps?
"My ego's going to grow out of control at this rate," she laughs, gesturing for Ilir to join the table. "Although I hope that I can gain as much infamy for my music as I do the wanton violence that apparently follows in my wake!"
She looks over to the Varisian caravan-owner with an arched brow. "Looks like you're a popular one, eh, Sandru? So many recruits for your journey..."
"The more the merrier! Ilir my old friend, I wouldn't have left Sandpoint without you - and Eliaera, such a story! Your skills in the bardic arts would be most welcome in our rag-tag little wagon train."
"Of course, a good sword arm is never a burden either" he says, looking to Garridan. "Hiro speaks Tien and can be quite tricky in a fight, or so I've heard. And someone who can cast spells! It seems Desna is looking out for me these days."
"I'll set to work getting my sorry bunch of wagons and drivers in order, and get the needed supplies while all of you are out traipsing around in the marsh. We'll meet here in a few days - I need to talk Ameiko into to spotting me some gold - who wouldn't want to invest in a Varisian caravan? Oh, of course there's the tiny risk of horrible death and losing all your money, sure - but what is the point of life if you don't live on the edge of a dagger, just a bit, eh!"
Garridan smiles through Eliaera's entire tale. "I like that,"[b] he says afterwards. [b]"I've always loved adventure stories, and hearing it told like that... it makes our little foray against the goblins seem like a grand adventure."
When Ilir arrives, Garridan looks slightly put out by his odd introduction, but welcomes him all the same. [b]"Hello. I suppose if Ostar and Caerwyn are departing, we'll need more help. I certainly won't turn down an ally. Although with Eli Goblinslayer over here, I'm not sure we'll need any," he finishes with a smirk at the bard.
Amelius' eyes glaze over like a cow as the recounting of the tale unfold. It seems the charms and flare of a bardic restructuring are lost and futile upon the young man's imagination. As she concludes, and accolades are showered and applauded, Amelius seems a bit perturbed. "Wait. She's talking about us? Oh!" He tries to mask the confusion with a knowing smile, but for all within sight it is an easy ruse to see through.
He turns to Garridan afterwards and whispers lowly, "It was fun and all, but... I didn't like having to stab those creatures. I don't think Eli liked it either..."
The brief moment of severity lapses in short order, and Amelius begins bobbing bows and greetings to the new introductions with as much enthusiasm as everyone expects from him. "Ilir, Ilir! Good, good! I'm sad to see Ostar go, but you're from the church too, right? Seems fitting! Fitting like a glove. Sorry! I didn't mean to call you a glove. But if you were a glove, you are a well-dressed glove, I must say. I think with all these new faces, we need new rounds of drinks. I will be back!" The sorcerer once more retreats to the bar and returns, drinks on hand for both newcomers and those who have finished their previous round.
"Eli Goblinslayer! Hah!" Eliaera giggles, her face thoroughly flushed; Amelius was apparently doing quite a good job at keeping her mouth well-lubricated during her storytelling, and the inebriation was starting to kick in. "That makes you Lord Garridan of Sandpoint, mighty defender of the land! 'FOR SANDPOINT!'" she shouts, mimicking Garridan's battle cry with a hearty laugh. "And the great archmage Amelius, may you tremble in his wake... hahah! This stuff's too easy. Or maybe it's a little bit of amber inspiration from Cayden himself." Eliaera giggles to herself again. Lots of laughter coming from her now--at least she's a happy drunk?
"So's we've got Hiro joining us in the mucky swamps, what about you, Ilir? You a fan of mud and goblins? 'Cause I ain't. But a great HERO'S gotta do what a hero's gotta do! Hahah!"
After listening to Garridan, Amelius, and Sandru welcome him, Ilir took a slight bow and pulled-up a seat as he was bidden. Sandru's objections were gone, and for that he was happy; perhaps he did not want to be separated from Ilir ... or perhaps he was just that desperate for crew, but Ilir chose to believe the former.
That Amelius is a queer sort. Tripping over his own words, the sorcerer had a cute sort of quirkiness to him, but it was his use to the group Ilir had yet to see. It was clear Garridan had the muscle, and Eliarera had the finesse, but Blacktower? Talk had it - along with Eliaera's archmage comment - magic was his forte. With his meandering way with worths though, Ilir would be on the lookout for errant sparks coming his way. He accepted the drink the young man brought him just the same though.
"Back to the swamps? They may run at the sight of you, Miss Goblinslayer!" Ilir smiled. He was no stranger to water, but he disliked many of the predatory creatures of the marshes. Still, Shelyn wanted people to see beauty in all things, so perhaps this could a trial of perspective. "But I'll be happy to lend my hand. When would we leave?"
As the group converses, the words flow as freely as the wine adn spirits. As the crowd in the tavern thins out, and the hour grows late, Koya is the first to retire, but Ameiko joins you at your table - even challenging Garridan to an arm-wrestling match at one point. Sandru actually gets up out of his seat and dances for reasons none of you seem to be able to remember. As you all retire, Ameiko gives Eliaera a hug, bows and laughs in a friendly way to Hiro, and Sandru shakes everyone's hands twice. Beyond that, the rest of the evening blurs together, and you find yourself waking up in the guest rooms of the tavern, in a disheveled but competent enough state.
Moonday, 18th Pharast 4711
Sandpoint, Varisia – The Lost Coast
Rusty Dragon - Market Street
As you awaken, the shops are already open and the local vendors are going about their business, tending their stalls in the market square. You have the opportunity to pick up a few things with the gold you found and earned, if you so desire.
"Good! They BETTER be runnin'!" Eliaera giggles, but then quietens significantly, looking into her mug, and mumbles quietly to herself, so much so that the sounds are mostly washed away under the cacophony of the tavern. "I'd rather they ran away than I have to kill any more..."
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"Blllleeaaaaahhhhhghhhh," is the first 'word' out of Eliaera's lips come daybreak, grimacing quite profusely as she emerges in the morning. Her head was quite fine--somehow--but her mouth tasted as if Skitterfoot had decided to take up residence therein. After downing a quite significant volume of water, the Varisian avails herself of the Rusty Dragon's bathing facilities, spending quite some time wringing all the mud out of her hair and scrubbing the dirt out of her pores and from underneath her fingernails--all ready for it to be replaced later that day. A couple of hummed hymns later and her prestidigitation spells clear up whatever gunk remains on her clothing, much faster than any washing woman could ever hope to do, and she emerges later in much the same gear as she had worn the day before.
Ilir awakened to the sounds of snoring, loud and steady. Rubbing his eyes, he brought himself to his feet and looked down at himself. It didn't seem he'd done anything too wild, but his violet cloak was a bit dirty now. I'll give it a wash before we hit the road. He made for the church - he needed to get his martial gear anyway. Hearing what sounded like a moose's mating call from the room next to his, he made haste.
The blessing of the head priestess to leave wasn't hard to receive; she approved of his purpose, and she didn't really need a defender of the temple in the first place. Grabbing his equipment, Ilir thought to himself what an experience the days ahead would bring. The trail mentioned would be harrowing, but exhilerating. The crown of the world... Ice was beautiful if you could tolerate the cold, and they were sure to see much of that if Sandru was accurate in his course. While having never been to the far East, he'd seem a few folk from those parts in his childhood. Young as he was though, he didn't ask many questions about their culture, so it remained much a mystery to him - with one exception: the food. Spices fetched a hefty price, and prices were something his father knew well. During some of the better days of his trade, the two would have some of the exotic cuisine prepared for them. Ilir adored the fire in his mouth some of the seemingly magical ingredients gave him, and Ellion seemed to get no fill of chuckles from the amount of water his son consumed to keep his fondness in check.
Thinking of his father, he was the next - and last - person the Shelynite needed to see. Washing his cloak - and his face - Ilir returned home to his father, who was sitting on the floor with his quill, inkwell, and parchments. Ilir admired his father's skill with sums, but he didn't have the talent his sire possessed. Ellion was a bit disappointed with that, Ilir knew, though he never showed any anger about it. In fact, he never got angry about anything - not since they left Oppara anyway. "Father, I need to speak with you for a moment."
Ellion didn't look up from his papers, seemingly a ledger of some sort. "Go ahead, boy - I'm listening."
Ilir made a point to sit down next to him. "There's a caravan leaving soon. I'm going to head off with it and see the world." Old enough now not to seek his Ellion's permission, Ilir still liked to keep him informed - it was only good manners.
Casting his eyes up at Ilir without moving his head - a habit which many found odd but Ilir was accustomed to - Ellion replied. "This wouldn't happen to be Sandru's crusade across the continent, would it?"
How did he know?! Blushing slightly, Ilir floundered. "Well, y ... yes, it's going to be heading to the Eastern reaches and ..."
"Damn right it is." Ellion set his quill back in the inkwell. "I've invested a hefty sum in that wagon. Glad to hear you'll be keeping it safe." His face softened at the end. "But I'll be happier to hear you promise to keep safe yourself." Ellion wasn't a hard man, but his son was young yet. He didn't want the lad getting involved with the wrong sort as he had, and he knew Ilir made painstaking efforts to keep his promises. That was probably the largest source of Ellion's pride in his son: His word was as good as gold.
"I ... promise." Ilir took a moment to process the information. An investment? Is that why Sandru took me in so readily? His high spirits became mired in sadness almost immediately, his pact with his father sounding distant, though conscious.
"You come back in one piece, and maybe we can have a taste of some of those exotic spices once again - one's you'll be bringing I hope!" Ellion stood, pulling his son to his feet. "Take care, Ilir." The two embraced as his father walked him to the road.
Though sad to see his son go, he was nearly set for a trip himself. He knew Ilir wouldn't pass up the opporunity with Sandru, and the investment had the two-fold boon of making Sandru's journey possible and garnering a (potentially) very sizable return. With Ilir gone and his money put to work in his absence - he had been working on the last set of bookkeeping when Ilir entered - Ellion was free to travel for a visit with distant Anna...
The bounce in his step now gone, Ilir wanderd back to the tavern after purchasing a few days' worth of food at the general store. The sooner they set off, the better.
Garridan woke slowly, groaning as the light poured in. Blinking in confusion, it took him a moment to remember that he wasn't on the farm. Normally by the crack of dawn his Uncle would have had him milking cows and tending the chickens. Smiling slightly, he climbs out of bed.
Cleaning up and scrubbing away the mud and dirt of the swamp, Garridan then changes back into his town clothes, slowly stretching his muscles just as he does every morning.
Stepping out into the hall, he smiles as he sees Eliaera. "Good morning," he says. "Have you had breakfast? We should see to our treasure and find if there's anything that, well, we need to buy for our trip back to the swamp. Maybe find the others as well."
Hiro listens appreciatively to Eliaera's recounting of her group's recent foray against the Licktoad goblins. A faint smile touches the Tien man's lips as he sips his herbal tea, satisfied that - while he himself did not strike the killing blow - his friend and her companions had avenged the deaths of his parents and the other residents of Sandpoint who were killed by the same goblins during the disastrous Swallowtail Festival a few years prior.
Hiro remains attentive yet reserved during the rest of the evening, unable to completely release himself from his customary duties as bouncer for the Rusty Dragon even though Ameiko had given him the night off. He merely nods politely when Ilir joins the group, not surprised to see Sandru's friend leave his customary quarters at the temple with the Varisian's caravan back in town. As the evening's festivities finally wind down in the wee hours of the morning, Hiro helps the rest of the staff clean and close up before retiring to his small apartment in the tavern attic.
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The next morning finds Hiro sitting at his customary seat at the bar as Eliaera and Garridan come down from their rooms. "Good morning to you both," he greets the two champions of Sandpoint. "Bethana has prepared a fine breakfast this morning, if you are interested. Perhaps Masters Amelius and Ilir will join us as well, and afterward we can purchase supplies for our foray into the swamp."
As the group purchases supplies, has breakfast, and takes care of any personal business, they depart Sandpoint to the southeast, and eventually travel along the Lost Coast Road for about an hour back to the marsh.
As you meet up at the gate, a familiar 'friend' emerges from a drainage tunnel under the road. "Ah, new meat for the grinder, good day to your new friends, hee hee! I won't miss god-man and surly pointy-ears. Hee hee. Amelius, sorco-master, let us go back into the filthy brine together and find live things to eat - eh, I mean fight evil and do-good! Yes, yes, whatever." A small rat-like creature with a human face and forearms crawls up onto the sorcerer's shoulder and makes an odd guffawing sound.
Making your way along the familiar road, the cool early spring day is mitigated by sunshine breaking through the clouds in the late morning. You stop before entering the marsh proper to figure out where you want to go first.
Using both of the maps as a reference, you huddle near a large tree before you reach the marsh. There are a few locations you haven't explored, the two shipwrecks out near the bay, both of which entail some trekking through rough terrain. The caverns seem to be where the skeletons went from the goblin village, judging from the direction of their tracks from that point. And finally, a mysterious area marked only with a series of question marks lies closest off the New Fish Path from the north.
Garridan adjusts his new sword, having picked up the fine weapon he had seen every time he passed by the blacksmiths. Smiling, he joins the group huddling around the map.
"Well, I suspect that the cave and its undead will be the most dangerous location," he says. "We know there are enough there to drive an entire village of goblins into hiding. I think we should check out these other three areas of interest first, before we go somewhere that may take a long time to investigate.
"I think we should start at that strange area, then see the two shipwrecks," Garridan finishes, eyeing the unusual spot on the map curiously. A fan of maps, the idea of an area indicated but not identified gnaws at his imagination.
After a rather uneventful morning of small-talk over breakfast (Eliaera makes sure to eat her fill and more, knowing that they might have to rely on trail rations in the swamp) and scouting the blacksmith, general store, and Cathedral for supplies, Eliaera is more than happy to be on the road again. She fills the empty parts of the hour with travelling and marching songs, boisterously encouraging Ilir to join her and hoping to get the rest to enjoy themselves as well.
When Skitterfoot makes his entrance, she greets the ugly little rat man with a wave. "I smuggled a couple of scraps from the breakfast table this morning for you, Skitterfoot. Would you like some apple and cheese?"
---
Approaching the outskirts of the swamp, Eliaera pokes her head over Garridan's shoulder and frowns at the map. "I don't know... I think that this unknown area might be the most dangerous of them all! Plus, the--ugh--cruelly defaced fan map we found in the Licktoad village doesn't even mention it at all. That means it's probably not related to the goblins' fireworks or the undead attacks."
The bard muses for a few moments. "Hear me out. Here's my theory. Maybe one--or even both--of the wrecks were from Tian Xia. The goblins recently raided the shipwrecks and found what was left of the cargo, which included fireworks! But maybe moving the chest awoke the former crew of the ships who had all died in the wreck ... Okay, I admit that part is stretching it a little," she grins, "but I reckon that the first part seems about right."
"So I guess it's all about what mystery we want to solve first. The goblin fireworks? The undead? The Minkaian treasure? Or this big question mark?" She points at the '???' spot on Old Megus' map.
"Personally, I vote the unknown area last. Whatever's there probably isn't going anywhere fast since I doubt anyone knows much about it. But if there are more fireworks remaining behind, other goblin tribes might want to get their grubby little hands on them. And if there are undead roaming around, we probably want to get rid of those in case they wind up stumbling across an errant traveller--or worse, stumbling all the way back up to Sandpoint."
Garridan sighs, eyeing the '???' longingly for a moment, before turning his gaze to the other locations. "I suppose you have a point. Hmm. I'd recommend visiting the shipwrecks first, this one," he points at the wreck further from the cave, "then this one," he then points to the wreck closer to the cave.
"If they found fireworks in the shipwrecks, we should check them out to be safe. We know from the tracks the cave had the undead, and I doubt they will be going anywhere, so we can check on the cave after the wrecks, tonight if we have enough light. Tomorrow if we don't."
Ilir was more than happy to harmonize with Eliaera as they walked, their journey off to a bright start. His jealousy subsided somewhat; his disposition not in competition mode seemed to help matters, and Ilir's thoughts turned to the task head.
Not having tavelled with them the first time, he bit his tongue during most of their discussion about the prioritizing. Undead were creatures disliked by both him and his goddess, but he did not feel eager to rush in against them. The shipwrecks sounded rather interesting - and Ilir didn't mind getting wet.
"These fireworks - how many do you think they have?" Rather exotic, the devices could be quite deadly, especially if they were taken by surprise. Given the others had made a sweep of some of the swamp recently, Ilir didn't think they would be overwhelmed - but they may lay in waiting.
The question marks on the map also made him curious. "Before we are done here, I am also keen to know what this mystery area is," said the paladin, gesturing towards the location with a finger. "It isn't there for no reason - there may be yet another threat."
Eliaera shrugs. "No idea. They used quite a lot the other day firing at us, though it seemed to hurt themselves more than us. But if my theory is correct, and they found a chest full of them in the wrecks... their might still be more left behind."
Hiro's left eyebrow arches quizzically when Skitterfoot pops out of a drainage tunnel and crawls up to perch on Amelius' shoulder, but the Tien man keeps his thoughts to himself.
Hiro listens carefully as the group studies the map and discusses which location to investigate first. He nods in agreement with Eliaera's assessment. "As Ameiko said, there is an old Kaijitsu family story related to shipwrecks. If the Minkaian items you found with the Licktoads came from these ships, they may be related to the Kaijitsu legends in some fashion. Therefore my vote is to investigate the shipwrecks first as well. In the order Garridan suggested: starting with the one furthest from the cave, then the one closer, and then the cave itself. Once we solve that mystery, I would be more than willing to investigate the unknown location indicated on the map before returning to Sandpoint - as Ilir wisely pointed out, it may present another threat to the town."
Amelius seems more enthused by the map itself than the discussion about where to begin their second sweep of the swamps. As the conversation trends towards starting with the ships and finishing with the unknown location, he perks up a bit, then turns his head to meet Skitterfoot's devious face. "Hey, Skitterfoot, do you know anything more about these places? Or did Megus ever talk about the things outside of the room where she... y'know... botched a transmutation?"
This strange "Skitterfoot" and this "Megus" ... Ilir was not familiar with this ctreatures. [i]I suppose there will be more oddities on the road ahead though - I ought to become accustomed to them now. "This Megus - how did you meet her again?"
After the topic finishes, it looked like an accord had been reached. "It seems like we have an agreement," Ilir intoned. "Let's make for the ships. Being my first time here, if one of you wouldn't mind showing me the path, I'd appreciate it."
As you decide to make your way to the first shipwreck, you travel down the New Fish Trail, the path you originally travelled to seek out Walthus Proudstump, the halfling hermit who lived in the swamp and was attacked by a faceless stalker some of you drove off.
Remebering that you have a boat moored at Walthus's shack, it dawns on you that it may be easier to traverse the marsh using the waterways to reach your destination. After some brief greetings and introductions, Walthus is glad to see all of you again, and he is thankful that the Licktoad goblin tribe won't be giving him any more problems.
He does tell you that he has spotted some strange creature in the marsh lately - just a passing glimpse, but when you show him the map, he points to the area marked with the question marks. "That's the direction they headed, but I just saw them move out of the corner of my eye - unnatural creatures, judging by the way they moved. If you see fit to investigate, it would put my mind at ease." Assuring Walthus you'll take a look, you continue on to the location of the first ship wreck.
As you reach the location, you are somewhat dismayed to see the ship has recently been burned to the ground...some of the charred timbers are still warm to the touch when you dig out some of the debris. A charred goblin skeleton lies amongst the wreckage. It has an incredibly wide mouth, even for a goblin (some kind of deformity?)
Of interest is a relatively unburnt part of the ship with some script written on it - a masthead. The following characters are engraved in the wood:
The rest of the area is just ash and burnt wood, a half hour of searching yields nothing else of value or use.
"Probably just goblin recklessness" Garridan offers as he studies the burned goblin, looking a bit green as he does. "I doubt it was the undead -- they probably wouldn't have started a fire. And I don't see any sign of them either. But if this is the source of the fireworks, then I don't think we'll have to worry about them."
After some more searching they find the characters engraved on the masthead. "Can anyone read this? Hiro?"
"It is the name of the ship. The Kaijitsu Star. It seems Ameiko's family legend is more than just legend." Hiro announces grimly as he surveys the burned wreckage. "It appears that the Licktoad goblins managed to destroy anything else of value here. I suggest we move on to the next ship; with luck it will be at least partially intact and provide us with more clues to this Kaijitsu family mystery."
As you move on from the charred wreckage, you travel along the edge of Sog's Bay in your boat until you reach an inlet to the south. A small island stands in the middle of the inlet, and you hear an ominous croaking sound as you pass. The shipwreck should be somewhere to the east...
What appears to be a strange tangle of branches is in fact the moss-covered ribs of a wrecked ship. The ruined ship lies on its side, split down the middle and mostly sunken into the mud and murky water.
Mooring the boat to a tree, you disembark and start examining the site.
Hiro, you notice a verdigris-encrusted nameplate that has engraved Tien characters, some of which are similar to the last you encountered:
Kaijitsu's Blossom
As you are exploring the wreck, four human skeletons rise up out of the muck, all looking similar to those you encountered at the Licktoad village. Hiro recognizes their weapons - wakizashi. They move with supernatural quickness to attack the trespassers.
On the boatride to the shipwrecks, Eliaera fills Hiro and Ilir in on any missing details about their adventure so far, answering any questions they might have. "We didn't meet Megus per se... she was quite dead by the time we came across her." Eliaera shudders at the memory. "We investigated her home and came across Skitterfoot, who used to be her familiar. In return for giving him access to magical scrolls and other things, he's agreed to become Amelius' familiar and help us out in the process."
---
Exploring the first burnt-out shipwreck causes Eliaera to sigh with disappointment at the obvious waste that had occurred here. "I guess we should just be happy they didn't set Sandpoint on fire like this..." She pointedly avoids the charred goblin corpse and is extremely happy when the call goes out to move on to the next wreck. The moss-covered remains of the ship seemed almost like the weathered bones of a giant whale corpse to the Varisian woman, although she grimaces a little at seeing all the muck and slime covering it. If they were to explore the area, she was going to get quite dirty doing so...
A disgusting squelch of mud causes Eliaera to gasp, watching in disgust as the skeletons pull themselves out from the swamp and raise their weapons in defense of their former ship. One in particular charges at her, and it's only through sheer luck that its arcing slice happens to drag along her shielded arm, protecting her from little more than a superficial cut. "Undead crew members? Oh, hell..." she says with a wince, retaliating with a strike that passes through the skeleton's rib bones to stab into its spine. "Sometimes I hate when I'm right!"