Gorgoron makes a careful watch, piling the archer's belongings to one side, but being careful not to turn his back on him. Once he is certain the half-elf hides nothing else, he sits down just out of reach of the bound half-man, facing him, and begins to look through the assembled gear.
"Hmm, a potion... healing is usually a safe bet..."
"A fine looking bow... perhaps Ansruath might be able to make use of it, I don't think anyone else would know how. An Aes Sedai ring, whoops, wrong setting. and a manifesto. Lets take a look and hope the man journals in common..."
With that Gorgoron picks up the book and begins to leaf through it.
Using a Sarenrae granted orison Gorgoron is able to tell that both the potion and the ring register as magic, everything else appears to be mundane. As the dwarf starts to read Tsuto's journal the bound goblin's eyes go wide and he squirms nervously a great deal, seemingly afraid of the book. The tome itself is more booklet, containing a mere two dozen pages of parchment, most of which are filled with maps or erotic doodles and scribblings. The former are of Sandpoint, and appear to be battle plans for some thirty goblins, which seems to coincide with the avenues the little cretins used to assault the town during the festival. The latter depict an woman of unearthly beauty (and Tsuto appears to be an excellent artist), though the work seems somewhat devalued by the inane and crude captions accompanying them.
Of a more pressing concern than the lewd, immature illustrations is the following several pages, which illustrate a second assault on Sandpoint, this time with a force easily six times the original, perhaps with even more than two hundred goblin soldiers. None of these battle maps have been circled however, while many have been scratched out as though they were rejected. Several journal entries accompany the maps and doodles.
On the final page of the journal is a large illustration of the same girl as in the other drawings, this time with fangs, a forked tail, small horns, and large bat-like wings wrapped about herself seductively. Below it is a final entry into the book.
Gorgoron look up from his reading, his face drawn and pale.
"My, this is not good. Flitter, this journal suggests that there is a secret way into the city through this building, and that there are creatures other than goblins that know of them. It mentions sending creatures into the city from the tunnels... they might be down there now; we should warn the others! Wait here, I will catch up to them and tell them to be cautious. I'll come right back otherwise."
Gorgoron gets up from his spot on the floor, and rushes to the where the others are presently located in their search. He tells them what he read in the manifesto.
"What troubles you, Gorgoron?"
Dherisan casually accepts the journal from the dwarf, shaking his head with resignation as he leafs through the illustrations. His indifference rapidly transforms into worry as he reads the notes scrawled beneath the battlemaps.
"That goblin mentioned some tunnels leading to a pond... We need to find them, see if there's a way we can seal the entrance. We'll want to inform the militia so they can set some men to watching it. At least we know how they've been getting into the town. Now we just need to find Ameiko."
"Since there is no sign of Ameiko in this building, she must be underground. Let's get back to those stairs!"
'Stairs it is,' Tardek nods in agreement with Alyoma and heads towards the stair, stopping by the door where Gorgoron and Flitter have bound Tsuto.
'Shall we all move together down into the darkness? Best not to be seperated in danger presents itself. We could stash Mr. Kaijutsu here in the privy.'
Yawning softly, Flit slides the ring on to his finger and holds his hand out in front, so he may look at it. "By the Gods (Light) this is a nice ring!"
Flit drops his hand and stares at Gorgoron. "Aye Master Gorgoron, best we do that. We could be in a heap of trouble otherwise!"
"Do we really want to risk leaving him unguarded? What if he comes to and escapes, or there is another goblin hidden on this level? Anything we've gained by capturing him might be lost?"
"I think we need to either leave someone with him, or take long enough to run him to the sheriff's cells before we go below... If we choose not to wait, then I will wait with him if need be. Not while you explore the depths of the tunnels mind you, just while you make a quick survey of the lower level to see if Ameiko is evident. After that, I think we should secure and perhaps interrogate our prisoner before descending any deeper."
"I agree. We'll do a quick sweep through the lower level. Hopefully, Ameiko is here, but if she isn't we'll take Tsuto to Sheriff Hemlock and return with a few of the town's guards." He pinches his eyes as he gives an exasperated sigh. "Things certainly are mounting quickly in Sandpoint..."
Ansruath nods as the other speak than says "Lets be off than."
Dehrisan head down the stairs, intent on giving a quick search of the basement before involving others. Arriving at the bottom of the stairs, he sees that crates and barrels full of raw glass materials dominate a box-shaped hallway. Peering around the corners reveals four doors, two to the South and two more to the East. Started with the door nearest the stairs the witch opens up the portal to reveal a small room, possibly once a storage closet, covered in rubble, broken bricks, and dust (albeit with numerous small footprints in it). The wall opposite the door has been utterly destroyed to expose a long tunnel carved out of the earth, which curves out of sight into the darkness.
Opening the next nearest door, the half elf, and any with him, can see a musty old office with all of the furniture shoved to the walls. Between countless liquor bottles is a bedroll. After quickly glancing in that room, Dehrisan can move to the next. A door which he finds to be locked with no apparent key. The final door opens into a chamber housing carefully stored finished glassware products, much like those up in the display room.
Dherisan raises a hand for silence and presses his ear to the locked door, listening for any signs of what might lie beyond it.
Alyoma follows after Dherisan down the stairs. Her fingers flicker with light, as she uses her arcane powers to light up her path.
She peers down the long tunnel, but restains herself from following it and continues after Dherisan.
Pressing his ear to the door, Dehrisan can hear a set of footfalls hurrying quickly for just a moment, but nothing more.
"Something on the other side," Dherisan whispers. He takes a step back and looks to Ansruath, extended an arm towards the door. "If you would be so kind as to knock?"
Ansruath grins "Sure neighbor must be polite right?" He than tries to kick the door down.
Ansruath gives a powerful kick, and the old door creaks and splinters a bit, but doesn't give entirely as a small plume of dust and wood chips envelopes the half elves. Through whatever sneezing and coughing you may be prone to, you hear a young woman call from the other side of the door. She obviously has to shout fairly loudly, and the door and thick walls still muffle the noise a great deal.
"Hello? Whose out there? If you be goblins I'll curse you with bad magics!"
It's easily recognizable as Ameiko's voice. She speaks strongly, but her voice noticably wavers with fear and uncertainty.
His eyes lighting up Ansruath shouts "It is the group who helped save Sandpoint give us a bit and we should be able to get to you." He than tries to get through the door again.
"Thank Desna it's you! My brother's gone insane- He's in league with the goblins and wants to torch the town! We've got to stop him!"
Ansruath gives another strong kick, but the door doesn't even budge, appearently of solid construction.
Ansruath than shouts back "We have your brother tied up do not worry." He than mutters "Damn door." With that he tries to get the door down again.
With a final, well placed kick, the door finally gives way, and slams open, shattering to pieces. As the dust and debris settle, you can see Amieko standing near the back wall of a small storage chamber, with a bedroll and waterskin laid in the center. She is a bit bruised and battered, but seems to be in good enough health, and will certainly be at her peak in no time, especially if Father Zantus has a chance to see to her once back above. She rushes forward to give both half-elves a quick hug of thanks, with one arm around each's collar simaultaneously.
"Get me out of here. [She says after a big sigh of relief.] And take me out the back way, I can't bare to look at what Tsuto did to father again. I may not have had much love for the man, but I don't think I can stomach that sight again. If I never see another goblin it'll be too soon. [She pauses to look at all present in the party.] And thank you."
Ansruath nods to Amieko "You are welcome." He than turns to the group "Let us be off than unless the rest of you think we should search some more?"
"Don't mention it," Dherisan responds as he lays a hand on her shoulder, his healing magic knitting her bruises. "We should be off - we have your brother bound and guarded upstairs, and we'll have him brought before Sheriff Hemlock for more secure holdings, but for now, let's get you back home."
The corners of Ameiko's lips twist upwards slightly in a forced smile as Dehrisan's healing energies flow through her and mend her battered form. She stands a little straighter as though a heavy weight had been lifted of the short Tian's shoulders. She looks concerned when you mention bringing her brother to Sheriff Hemlock.
"While my brother certainly needs to be locked up until I can talk some sense into his thick skull I had thought the sheriff left early this morning for Magnimar with most the guard- his trip was the talk of the tavern last night before I left. There are supposed to be only a couple of watchmen left in town for several days to tackle any problems that might arise. We all had thought that you had been deputized..? In any case, I don't know how Tsuto fell in with those disgusting, little creeps, but they came up from this basement somewhere when my brother ordered them to jump me when I denied allying with him in this inane rally against Sandpoint."
"Well, whatever the sheriff's business in Magnimar is, it must be truly pressing, as he forgot the small detail of deputizing us, but no matter. We'll keep the peace as best we can, though I'm afraid the timing is remarkably inopportune." His face grows more serious. "From your brother's notes, it seems that another attack is planned on Sandpoint, though we aren't sure when. They're planning on using the tunnels beneath this building to sneak into town. Ameiko, I know this must have been trying on you, I do, but if you know anything of these tunnels, or how they could be sealed off, there's no telling how many lives might be saved."
"After you had protected the town during the raid and with the disaster at the opera, along with being seen with Belor in the cemetery people must have assumed wrongly. Wagging tongues... The mercantile guild has always had an interest in my father's glassworks because of those wretched Scarnetti. I had heard rumors that he had made some earnings off the books by letting them dispose of evidence in the furnaces above for a bit of coin and they must have slithered their way in somehow over the years. I've never looked too deeply into the rest of my family's affairs, however so I couldn't give you much more information than that. It looks as though my elder brother and I are in charge of this place now [-she shivers-] and he isn't about town now, so you have my full permission to do whatever it is that you need here if it'll save anyone. If we can drag Tsuto to the sheriff's office and put him in a cell I can help you pull whatever we can out of him."
Thank you, Ameiko. I was hoping we might be able to barricade a few tunnels, once we locate them. At the very least, we know how the goblins have been getting inside Sandpoint. Right now, though, I think we ought to get Tsuto to more secure holdings, and word to the the rest of the town. If the sheriff has taken most the guard with him, then we'll need to be more prepared than ever."
Dherisan offers Ameiko a few rations, assuming she's not been fed since her capture, and then goes to rendezvous with Gorgoron, suggesting they take Tsuto to the town's jail for questioning.
"As for tunnels, Dherisan, the first room you checked looking for Ameiko had a tunnel newly broken in it," Alyoma comments. "I would hazard a guess that is the tunnel refered to. We should investigate it, after we deal with Tsuto."
Once Ameiko is back above with the rest of the group she thanks everyone in turn and gratefully accepts the food offered, by Dehrisan. She mentions needing to send word for her older brother about their father's demise after putting Tsuto in a cell so arrangements can be made. She refers to the matters about her father almost with disinterest, and it is appearent that there were troubles between then, although the young Tian tavern keeper does seem disturbed by the manner in which her father was slain.
"I believe we should take Tsuto to the cells and see him safely ensconced, first and foremost. Then we need to find out what he knows. We are not equipped for an underground expedition at this time. His journal mentions creatures and monsters, a Quasit for one, and implies that they may be down there somewhere. We should find out what we face, equip ourselves accordingly, and then head down."
We are also confronted with the possibility of a hoard attacking us overland, and the city's guard absent. We may need to consider the possibility of taking a defensive posture; walling up the tunnels unexplored, and remaining in town to help secure it until the guard returns. Of course, we have had this discussion before... With Tsuto gone, we may have a window of opportunity before his allies choose to proceed without him. That may give us time to sweep the tunnels and eliminate this quasit ally before they make their next move."
"It sounds as though they are based at this "Thistletop." We should ask the she-elf where that is. It might give us a better idea of what is going on. Shalelu will likely be able to interpret the possibilities laid out in this journal better than us. I suggest we find her and bring her to the cells to help in our interrogation."
"I feel after a rest to regain my arcane power, we should press on and check the tunnel, before Tsuto's allies are aware we have defeated him," Alyoma says. "In the meantime, those who are good at such things should closely question Tsuto to see what he will divulge."
She thinks for a moment before continuing.
"It seems likely that the attacks on Sandpoint have used these tunnels to get in, so they would use them again if they were to attack. We should deal with them soonest, and remove that threat. If the goblins tried to attack again, we should find them in the tunnel trying to sneak in, and be warned of their attack before it starts."
Ansruath thinks than says "Resting before we move would seem best. I agree what we should not leave the tunnels unexplored if there are dangers there that should be stopped before we move on."
Heading outside with your prisoners (the furtive looking goblin and the unconscious half elf, half Tian) and Ameiko, you exit the factory just in time to see two of the town guard arrive on the scene. Their chain shirts are slightly askew as though they had only just donned them, and there is the look of sleep about their faces. They shake themselves awake and break off whatever casual conversation they were engaged in as they see the lot of you with a couple of tied up beings. Apparently the defense has already become lax in light of the sheriff's absence. After explaining the situation to them, the duo lead you to the jail attached to the sheriff Hemlock's office, a squat building of three rarely used cells with aging iron bars. Along the way they tell you of how he took half the remaining guard in the wake of the raid (some six soldiers) to Magnimar to barter with the Chelish for a stronger force to occupy and protect Sandpoint. It is just under a three day's ride, pushing a horse hard, so he should be back before the week is out, and with any luck, a small contingent of Hellknights.
They suggest locking Tsuto up separate from the goblin ("If you feel like detaining the little runt, we could just end 'im!). Goblins are known to chew and wiggle free of tight circumstances so it would likely be best to not keep him where he could free the Kaijitsu sibling. It seems like it might be several hours before he comes to naturally, but the guards mention they could elect to undo his bindings and shackle him up proper ("I'm sure we got some right irons 'round here somewhere.") if you want to fetch a healer to bring him awake for questioning immediately. With the threat described, they would suggest the latter, and of course must be present to take part in the interrogation without Sheriff Hemlock about.[/i]
"I think it would be prudent to question Tsuto as soon as we can - find out as much about these planned attacks as we can before we scout out the tunnels, which we should also waste no time in doing. They mentioned that the tunnels come out near a lake, and it seems they have some forces camped there. Perhaps while we're interrogating Tsuto, someone could try and track down Shalelu? If goblins have been massing there, she'd be the one to know about it." Dherisan stands tapping the tip of his staff for a moment as he considers the options. Ember trots about nervously, emitting a low, nervous whine.
"We should reinforce the tunnels, but leave them open. Blocking them would only serve to delay any attack, and as Alyoma pointed out, if we can ready ourselves there, make them into our terrain, then we've got their forces funneled, and their numbers won't count for nearly as much. I don't mean to presume authority, but I would ask how many fighting men are left in the town?"
He halts his march towards the prison to regard the goblin they have in tow. A frown crosses his face as he turns his gaze to the town of Sandpoint, considering all of the misery this creature and its ilk have wrought in recent days. "Tell me," he implores the guard, "Is there any chance - any at all - that this creature's incarceration will end in anything other than death?"
"With how most here in town feel about these little freaks, he'll be lucky to get a trial, so...doubtful. And once everyone finds out there's a very real possibility of another attack, along with what happened to Longjiku I'll be surprised if a whole lynch mob doesn't march on this place. Short of direct intervention from the Mayor, he's bound for the noose. [The guard answer truthfully.] There are only six o' us on payroll left here in town. Many men have agreed to act as militia on 'count of the goblin raid, but they're green and untrained. Most are carpenters, bakers, butchers...trademen, not soldiers. That's what Sheriff Hemlocks off t' rectify. I'll send word about town and spread to the farms to see if anyone has seen Shelelu recently, if you'd like, anything to keep the runts from having their way with the town again."
"It might be better to simply slay the goblin now then, quickly and cleanly. Dragging it through the motions benefits no one, and though I prefer to grant mercy whenever possible, in this case I think a clean dispatch is preferable to some lengthy display of petty vengeance."
Tardek watches the drama unfold and keeps his peace, thinking about the tunnel below and how best he can help the party to explore them with alchemy and prepared equipment. The others will need light. Presumably our mages can cast that. Then we'll need rope, can't go spelunking without rope. And healing invigorates and tinctures. He want to be able to continue on for as long as we can.
He looks up from his distraction at Dehrisan's suggestion. 'Perhaps we should breifly investigate him first. Its a bare difference in mercy, and I'm suggesting no torture. Merely questions. Let him draw breath for a while longer. I'm sure he'd like the chance to say his piece. Then you can do as you would with him, but its in out benefit to conduct investigations now and explore the tunnels tomorrow when we are magically prepared and equipped. This is logical, yes?'
"It will probably come a no surprise that I favor keeping him alive. If he is lynched, or given only a sham of a trial, it will not be by our doing, even then we have done our part to see he was treated fairly. If we can get him a trial, we should try."
"It is my belief that such a trial would quickly become a circus act. Such an institution exists to serve the community and those within it. A creature from a different race, an alien culture, doesn't fit into it in the way you might like to think. We can argue the point later though. For now, we'll detain him - away from the rest of the town." He turns to the accompanying guards. "We'll be needing that healer. It's time to see what Tsuto can tell us."
Ansruath listens as the others speak about what to do with the goblin he did not really care what the town did with the goblin. When Dehrisan mentions Tsuto he says "What are we going to do exactly to get him to speak? Are you going to cast that spell you did on the goblin leader?"
"Not today, Ansruath. Time may dictate such measures, but Tsuto is of the same stock as you and I, and resistant to such magics. I'd need to commune with Ember to draw such spells, and Tsuto's will is unlikely to give easily. What we've heard of him suggest he has some twisted vestige of honor, and that is what I suggest we appeal to. As heinous as his methods were, it sounds as if his desire for vengeance was justified, if only against his father. We must try and make him realize that he carries his vendetta too far."
Ansruath nods after Dehrisan is done speaking. He than shrugs "I doubt we could get him to speak with us. He seems more likely to laugh at us as we try to gain knowledge from him."
'It will ill serve him, its not like he can hurt our feelings,' the half-orc doctor snorts at that preposterous idea. 'We have all the cards here, and entirely control his faith. He's a local, he'll know whats likely to happen to him, and will likely desire that someone hear his story. However, I will lend little to convincing him, and Ansruath is too prickly in his honor to stand up against his barbs. I suggest, he, I and Flitter don't get involved in the questioning.'
The guard nods to Dehrisan as he requests the healer and hustles off, leaving the second guard with you as you decide what your next course of action is going to be. Within a few minutes the first watchman returns, following closely behind him is a woman of indeterminent origin; possibly Mwangi mixed with Varisian. She is obviously old and has an eclectic look about her, with wild strands of gray unkempt hair and small bone and bead fetishes adorning her neck, ears, fingers, and wrists. Locals among you recognize the local soothsayer, Madame Mvashti. Se serves as medicene woman, midwife, seer, and sage in town, and with the demand for her skills, her services often come with a high price tag . The guard looks a little sheepish.
"Father Zantus was in the middle of a sermon-"
"I suppose that makes ol' Madame Mvashti second choice, child? [She cuts him off sharply, and referring to him as 'child' despite him obviously being in his mid-twenties.] You really know how to charm a lady. Next time you see Mvashti first. If you be needing something it pays to have it done right the first time. [Her Taldane is thickly accented.] Where is the patient."
The guard shows the mystic to the cell holding Tsuto. She spends a moment looking him over, muttering to herself in a strange, foriegn tongue, before turning back to the guards.
"Well you really did a number on this one, boy, it's good that you came to Mvashti."
She gives a short chant to focus whatever power she commands and a warm green glow extends between her palms. Floating motes of light bubble away as she places her hands over the most grievous of Tsuto's wounds and ripples of silent green electricity wash over his battered form, the wounds knitting into faint scars. The elderly woman is obviously an accomplished spiritualist and healer. Within seconds the half elf, half Tian stirs to consciousness, groggily looking about the group, his lip quivering with a snarl.
"Is there anything else you be requesting of Mvashti? [The old spellcaller asks, refering to herself in the third person.]"
Dherisan dips into a shallow bow with an uncharacteristic flourish, thanking the woman in Varisian.
He gives a sly wink before turning to Tsuto. Dherisan plops down on the floor before him, seeming to be quite comfortable on the ground as he props himself up with one arm.
"So, Tsuto. Let's talk," he begins in a tone not absent of curtness. "I've heard a bit about you and your exploits, and I have to say, you aren't what I was expecting. I was told that you were a brash young man - understandably bitter about your upbringing, and with a bit of a temper, but with a strong sense of honor as well. If everything I've heard of Longjiku is true, Tsuto, then I warrant your vengeance, though perhaps in not so graphic a fashion..." He pauses for a moment, absently stroking his chin. "But why Sandpoint? I seriously doubt every citizen has personally wronged you. Why this, Tsuto? Your father, I understand, but explain to me why your honor would demand that you inflict these goblins upon the community of your upbringing, and of your sister's."
The spiritualist nods and utters something quickly to Dehrisan in the Varisian tongue -
-before turning back to the guards.
"Just have the Hemlock boy pay me back for today with his monthly bill. And tell him that what he is waiting for won't come this month, but the matter with his brother may soon come to a resolution. [She says before sauntering out.]"
Tsuto stare silently for a moment, obviously deep in thought.
Tardek nods at the old woman as she walks out of the cell and leaves the building, his nod is courteous and inclined to a precise angle, but his eyes are far away.
After a few moments he turns to those who did not enter the cell and says 'While Dehrisan is running the enquiry, perhaps it would be beneficial for us to plan our foray under the glassworks. We'll need light, but presumably we can provide that with magic. Is everyone fully outfitted in weapons and armor? Would anyone like me to make anything alchemical for them?'
"I think I am more than up to scratch with everything, thank you Consultant!" Flitter sighs, scratching his head in a confused manner. All of this was moving very fast., he felt lost.
After a moment of hard staring, Tsuto resigns to answering Dehrisan's questions.
"The goblins are disgusting wretches- I'd just as soon do away with them as I would this town. What happened within my family was an open secret in Sandpoint, and not one soul interjected on my behalf. The only person with any honor, with any meaningful contribution to society is Ameiko, so I have extended the olive branch to her, in an effort to spare her from the burning. I could release my grudge and move on to better things, this is true and I've proven myself more than capable. We half elves are destined for many great things. The decimation of this town is not on my behalf however, and I act toward this goal not for vengeance, but for love. My dearest wishes to reduce this town ashes and tears, and if that is what will sate her bloodlust and hunger I intend to help her achieve it. If you release me I vow that I will return to this goal; that is my honor. We do not turn our backs on those we love. I fear no reaper either. If executed my death will be but a temporary state. Holding me here is but a minor inconvenience."