Cha raises his glass to the toasts but only sips the wine.
"Thank you very much. I think the term 'hero' is being tossed around a bit much, however. I don't feel very heroic, just tired. We've lost more than a couple of friends in the last few days. One more toast...to those who have given their lives protecting the town."
I'll give everyone a chance to drink to this new toast before moving on.
"Mr. Kimble, what brings you to Sandpoint and where did it bring you from? No doubt news of the troubles this little town has had recently has spread at least to Magnimar, maybe beyond?"
Sari sits and listens with rapt attention. She quietly marvels to herself that the wild man is so well spoken. She looks forward to a good meal, no matter what the reasons for it. She muses that she doesn't much like the looks of Larson. A might bit, well, greasy.
Soup is served as you talk.
"The sheriff here requested aid. My Order is committed to giving the Law weight. The Lord-mayor mentioned the town's request and the Order obliged."
Titus interrupts to question Larson, "Are you schooled in the excruciation, as the Orders of the old kingdom once were? I've heard that the sheriff holds someone in his custody that you might put to the question. An ally of our enemy."
Yes. That's what you are here for, allegedly. That and the conversation. :)
Cha tries not gag on his wine at the excruciation remark.
"Excruciation? Sounds like a fancy word for torture. I doubt very seriously that will be necessary. You say you give the Law weight...as in you weigh their requests for help and determine if you need to assist or not? I'm still a little confused on what it is you do or what the Order does."
14+6=20
Yes. That's what you are here for, allegedly. That and the conversation. :)
Larson's expression is not altogether pleasant as he takes in the questioning druid.
"I suppose the Nail has not made much of a name for itself among the Shoanti. We are servants of the law and its execution. In this case, I have submitted myself to the mayor of this town to be at her service."
He responds to Titus, "Of course we train in the rites of questioning and execution. I may also aid in the defense of the town if another attack arises. Or serve any other need of the mayor that meets with the precepts of the Order."
"I've heard second-hand accounts of this business at the glassworks and the investigation that followed. I understand that you folks were involved in the tragedy. Are you certain that all those involved have been brought to answer for the crime?"
Sari has taken a dislike to this man. She doesn't like overbearing bores...that's her job, exclusively.
"It seems to me, you are intending to say you bring force to bear in situations that you deem need it. I'm sure the mayor invited you in, but as you have heard, we have dealt with the threat against this town, and at great cost. With the help of Shal and the local garrison, it seems we have taken care of the immediate threat to Sandpointe, without your 'orders' help." She takes a drink to try to quench her indignant ramblings and continues. "It would seem, sir, that you have arrived too late. I for one, can't see a reason for your 'services' any longer. And as for reliving recent events and torture, those are things I choose not to participate in."
Sari blushes furiously at her outburst. And turns to the Mrs. Scarnetti. "Please forgive me, it seems that the last week has taken a toll on my manners."
Sari takes a swig of wine, and entertains herself by thinking of yucky things to do to the "enforcer".
"Yes, the murder of innocents is a distasteful thing. It has a corrupting influence on the people it touches. A stain that is hard to bleach out."
Another course of food is laid and some dishes are removed as the conversation winds its slow way around the table.
Titus speaks, "I daresay it will be the decision of the mayor what happens to the woman in custody. Was she the true leader of this goblin horde? Many of the townsfolk would have justice done."
Yeh we've been leaving our share of stains where ever we go lately,pretty sure no innocents though.
There is someting around here that is bringing forth the evil creatures, they just seam to keep getting between us and finding it, too bad for them.
Anyway I'm enjoying this meal though, I'm gonna have to work in more meals at manor houses! I'm not usually this hungry untill after I've dispatched at least five or six bad guys.
"Distasteful? I'd say the family of the poor fellow we found half eaten by goblins in the floor of his house would choose other words to describe his murder. And that scene was not nearly as horrific as the Glassworks."
"The girl in custody was a pawn, nothing more. Not innocent, but not the leader. The leader is dead. Have we gotten them all? Probably not. But we have rooted out all of the key people."
"Titus, my dear, really I must agree with the young lady. All this talk of murders and punishments is not really dinner conversation, is it? At the very words 'goblin horde', the wine in my glass turned to vinegar. Stick to your toast, darling, and celebrate these young people's accomplishments."
"Sari, have you seen the 'Harpy's Curse' performed at the theater yet? I have it from Cyrdak that the play will begin again tomorrow evening. Now that all this mess is behind us..."
Lady Scarnetti does her prattish best to steer the conversation away from anything related to bloodshed or bad news for the remainder of the meal. There is a great cake, and brandy shared round for those who care. At the end of the meal, Scarnetti gives each of you a draft against his bank, which is also the town jeweler. 600 gp, as promised. 200 to each.
"It is well-deserved." he says, and smiles thinly. His wife disappears soon after and is not seen again for the evening.
"Please give my thanks to your wife for a lovely evening."
On the way back to the inn after dinner.....
"What was up with that guy? I think I need a hot bath! Did anyone else feel like Larson just wanted to slice up the next person all in the name of his "order"? I appreciate the money and all, but I'm not sure it was worth it. Seems to me like this is going to come back and bite us on the hindquarters."
She pauses in her tirade. "So, any ideas about where to go from here? It seems to me a trip to Magnimar might just be in order?"
I agree it gives me a bad feeling be involved with him in any way.
He's creepy and I feel there is something strange going on in the manor, what i can't say exactly.
Maybe a little investigating is in order?
For DM
Any point to that or are we at the end of the module?
"That fellow is trouble for sure. I'd like to know more about him and his business here. Let's see what Ameiko can tell us about this Order. Tomorrow we should question the Mayor. I'm not particularly found of Lyrie, but if her intention is to turn Larson loose on her...we'll see about that."
If we've got time to kill, I'll take Ishah to the Old Light tomorrow and get Quink to give us a tour. I'd like to get my bearings on where the beach/cave is in relation to the Light. I also want to see for myself that it's inaccessible from above. From there, I want to restock my Healer's Kit, change out my coins for gems and figure out the next move. At this point I agree that all roads seem to lead to Magnimar.
Yod
Hey! Look here.
DM
When you get back from the dinner, Ameiko is curious to hear how it went. She's not completely surprised about the Hellknight. She heard the rumor after you'd left.
"I've seen them in Magnimar before. Never spoken with one. They're more common in Korvosa. They supposedly study the tactics of the legions of hell to become more effective warriors. Don't know if there's any truth to that one."
Shal pipes up. "They're responsible for several of the peace treaties with the highland Shoanti - believe it or not. Between the Cinderland tribes in the east and the city-state of Korvosa. Either through intimidation or diplomacy the Order of the Nail brought peace to that frontier."
"I get the impression Titus wants the Mayor to let Larsen torture Lyrie. I don't agree with that at all."
Cha frowns dissaprovingly at the legions of hell remark. "Very unnatural."
"What else do we know about this Order? Sounds like they support the law when it's convenient for them and fits their needs and desires. I get the feeling they have ulterior motives here and it may not be in the best interest of the town."
To Ameiko, "Do you know where he's staying? Or if he traveled here alone?"
To Yod, "What are your plans for the evening? Maybe you could go take a look around?"
Be happy to, I'm feeling stealthy tonight. Any where specific to start? Am I checking up on the Hellknight or Titus?
"Hellknights are rare along the lost coast. There's a few in Magnimar, as Ameiko said, but the order is housed in a castle south of Korvosa - a long way off indeed. This one may be one of those who sometimes serve Lord Mayor Grobaras or the Justice Court in Magnimar."
"They're a disciplined bunch. They revere the concept of Law to the point that they scare the people around them. You can be sure he is strictly following the law, but what law is the question."
"And I've heard they go into battle in ceremonial black armor. Extremely scary fellows in a fight."
She's an elf, and has quick ears. Though Yod and Cha are discreet with their side talk of excursions, Shal overhears and slides into the conversation.
"You need someone to watch your back, Yod. Let me tag along. On a night like tonight I can probably see better than you outside.
Ameiko shrugs. "The White Deer is the only other place in town, unless he's staying in a citizen's home."
"Larsen to be sure. Be careful. Don't let him see you. He looks very dangerous."
So he ain't gonna be happy if he catches me breakin in somewhere then,
well hopefully he won't see me. I'll be happy to follow Shal untill she feels the dark factor is more in my favor.
We should work out some hand signals to keep the noise to a mininum.
"I'm less worried about the Hellknight spotting us than the town guard. The White Deer is close to the wall, and the watch is still a little edgy since the goblin attacks."
She leaves the bow behind and throws on a heavy cloak to soften her silhouette.
spoiler for Yod
She follows you out into the dark and humid street. Some unseen sleeper's ragged snore comes from the direction of the market as you pass through and make your way up the street towards the cathedral.
"There's deep shadows around the church. That'll give you a first good look at the White Deer."
For DM
Well I'll just take the Dagger and have it not drawn. The usual rolls Hide 19+9=28, Move-S 10+9=19, Listen 13+0=13, Spot 7+4=11
I'm checking out Larson but I'd like to know what he's doing now, are there any windows in the place? What time is it? Would he be sleeping yet? If I could find his room I would check it out as well if he doesn't seam ot be going there of course. Is there any one about in the White Deer? Anyone I could listen in on? Anyone moving about outside? Any back door I could get in?
spoiler for Yod
The shadows around the feet of the Cathedral are perfect for hiding. It is just before midnight. The White Deer stands near the city wall, as Shal described. Your darkvision reveals a house that has shut its doors for the evening.
Perhaps a Hellknight doesn't have the same effect on business as a band of local heroes. In any event, you linger there in the shadows for a few moments and take in the surroundings. There's someone awake on the ground floor still. The dim light throws occasional shadows on the front window. There's also a light in one room upstairs.
There's at least one man on the wall, beyond the inn. Probably more at the gate, not far from the front door of the inn.
Shal whispers, "Shut up for the night, I expect."
For DM
Yod
#3 on the town map.
"And I think I need to understand our objective better before I go knocking on that door."
"Are we asking to speak to Kimble? Because I'm not sure I want to have a conversation with a Hellknight at this hour."
"And I don't advise you to go knocking on the door either. The innkeep is Belor's brother, but he's nothing like Belor. Garridan is Shoanti in every way Belor and Cha are not. He will not react well to a half-orc knocking on his door at this hour."
Her next thought comes with an ironic smile.
"Hmm. I bet Garridan's leathers are in a twist over having a Hellknight under his roof, though. There's near as many grudges between the Shoanti and the Empire as there are between the Shoanti and the Orc Hordes. That's why he's closed early, I'll bet.
"There's a whole lot of trouble under that roof right now."
For Shal
Yod and Shal return some time later with little to show for their efforts. The next morning dawns fair and a bit chilly.
Is your plan then to question the mayor next, and then investigate the Old Light with Brodert?
First to see the Mayor or Sheriff. Then to the light.
Shal's intent on getting back out into the woods to see what level of goblin activity remains after so many were killed.
She expects to return to the town within a couple of days with news. She parts ways with you in the street and continues on to the main gate.
When you come to the mayor's office she is not in. Belor, however, can be found in his office reviewing monthly papers with his clerk.
"Please excuse us Parsons, I'll call for you when we can take this up again." The clerk is clearly irritated as he gathers his books, tips his hat and leaves.
As the door closes Belor greets you. "Saved me from the damned ledgers for a bit! I owe you for that one. Come in." He rises to shake your hands and motions to chairs.
"What brings you back to the garrison my friends?"
"Just dropped in for a visit. We had dinner with King Titus the Great last night at his house...well at least in his mind. He had an interesting visitor, a Hellknight, Larson Kimble, a friend of yours I guess?"
Sari is very sensitive to people playing games with her. She listens really hard between the lines that are spoken.
Belor laughs.
"Met Titus then, eh? And he honored the reward? Good for you, you folks deserve it. And Shal's already headed back out to be the eyes of the town guard again. The mayor is going to reward her somehow for her role in all this as well."
The smile fades a little, but he still seems genuine.
"Kimble came in yesterday afternoon. I'm afraid we may have asked for this when we sought aid from the Lord Mayor Grobaras. He's ostensibly here as a servant of Magnimar... another loan from the city. He may have other instructions from Grobaras, or even the Justice Court. And he serves his Order as well."
He lowers his voice. "There are a few draconian judges in Magnimar who get on quite well with the Order. Their interests dovetail, if you take my meaning. He may have come fishing for a perpetrator - who knows?"
"How much influence he has in town is really up to Kendra."
"Has he...talked with or met Lyrie yet? I hear he is skilled in interrogation techniques."
"No he hasn't. Kendra's keeping her own council so far on this one, but I don't think she's shared any information or access with Kimble yet."
"I smell a power play from Titus in all this. It's no secret that he views the other founding families as rivals. He's wanted to run this town for a very long time. The presence of Kimble in town will raise the prospect of a public punishment and this town has more than its fair share of agrieved families right now. I think he's hoping Kendra comes down on the side against such punishments, and therefore somehow against the victims of all this violence."
"Kendra's a smart lady - I'm sure she sees the same motivations behind Titus's actions."
"So I'm sure Titus thinks he's a clever man, but the Order has a way of confounding those who try to use them. They enforce their own brand of law in pursuit of their own inscrutible purposes."
"Well that makes this situation even more challenging. I'm thoroughly against what Larson and Titus have in mind and I have no problem openly admitting that to them, Kendra or the townspeople, but at the same time I have nothing to lose in this. Kendra, on the other hand, has it all to lose. Anything we do publicly in Lyrie's defense will look bad on Kendra. Suggestions?"
Well Lyrie has mostly been telling us she was just a pawn, she hasn't really admitted any bad intentions for the town in general has she?
And Larson hasn't done anything except show up so far. We have done a bit of saving the town so we might be able to have a bit of say about the way things go. We are going to have to find out if Larson just about his own ideas or can see the big picture, or we will be butting heads with him for sure. Not that I wouldn't mind a little of that anyway, I'll be getting soft with all this eating and resting.