You return to the Rusty Dragon, where you find that Aldern Foxglove has left you a pouch containing 50 gold pieces, and a note:
As promised, here is your reward for my rescue. Before I return to my estate, I should like to take you on a boar hunt later this afternoon or tomorrow morning. One of the beasts has attacked a group of travelers in the Tickwood Forest nearby, and it would seem a fine idea to bring it down. I understand that the boars living there eat a great deal of acorns, so the meat should be quite tasty.
Ameiko greets you warmly from behind the bar. "And how fare the heroes?"
"Hmmph, he escapes one peril and immediately decides to throw himself into another one.
If we are to do this, I would prefer to have it over and done with as soon as possible.
So if the sheriff has no information for us to go on, we might as well take him up on this "errand" this afternoon."
Vidar slowly turns to Ameiko, doing his best to smooth out his scowl, it is never a good idea to anger the one providing the food after all.
"Well, we, or at least I am perplexed at the twists and turns of this investigation..."
"Oh? How so?"
"A hunting expedition I would not usually define as perilous, though Foxglove's experience at hunting we cannot know. It sounds to me like a lovely idea, to go hunting in the Tickwood with Aldern, but do we not have more pressing matters in the form of murderers' ghosts and bird-demons?"
Vidar leans a little closer to Ameiko and lowers his voice a touch.
"Keep it under your hat, but it looks like during the attack, someone broke into the crypt to steal some bones.
Aye, I would call that most perplexing."
Turning to Denialan, Vidar gives a curt nod.
"Aye, but at the moment we are more or less fumbling in the dark.
Until we know more, some actual leads, we may as well join the hunt and have that done."
Ameiko leans closer as well and listens intently. "Odd. Thank you for passing that along, and I'll keep it close. Have you told Sheriff Hemlock yet?"
Garrick shrugs, "Sometimes a nuisance animal needs to be hunted. But I don't think we should change our plans just yet, especially if Foxglove is willing to postpone the hunt until tomorrow. "
He shakes his head at Ameiko's question, "Not yet. We were going to pick up a bottle here to bring to the Sheriff to help ease the news."
She starts. "Wait, you want to talk to Hemlock and you need some airag? Whose body was taken?"
Hunting a boar? Don't we have more important things to worry about? Though if we don't have any more information.... Irisa's thoughts mirrors the others on the matter of the boar.
Irisa smiles at Ameiko and answers her question. "Father Tobyn's body was taken. The goblins came along with one other person to break into the crypt and rob his grave specifically. Father Zantus told us a bit of the story of the town, grave tale. We wonder if it might be related to what happened yesterday. The sheriff might be able to tell us more as he was directly involved in the events. Father Zanatus warned us that it might be wise to bring drink to make it easier for Hemlock. Though at this point we're fumbling around in the dark. If you got any information about what happened here or how it might relate to the events yesterday, that would be very helpful. Owning the rusty dragon you'll surely hear a lot." Irisa isn't secretive like Vidar, She belives that sharing information with everyone is most likely to bring the best result because then everyone can contribute if they're able.
"Awfully tough must have been what happened five years ago, if bringing Hemlock his favourite drink is required simply to tell him that the Father's remains were taken. The two were close?," Denialan inquires.
Though perhaps what is hard would be that this entails fighting the spirit of Stoot again.
Garrick pauses, a little surprised, Aye, well and good we trust Ameiko, though we've just met, but I'm thinking there are others than the Sherriff and the good Father who remember that time, and we don't need to be causing a panic... He shakes himself as the elf speaks, then offers, "Thinking it's more about the possibilities that it raises than the act itself, Denialan."
He shrugs, then says, "So, aye Ameiko, if you know anything from that time, it'd certainly be helpful... and, just so we don't forget, would you be able to get the message to Foxglove we'll see him in the morning?"
At Denialan's comment, Ameiko shakes her head. "It wasn't Father Tobyn's death that affected him--you're going to ask him about the Late Unpleasantness, aren't you? The Chopper murders? I wasn't in Sandpoint at the time, so there's not much I could tell you about what happened. Other than what I've heard, that is."
Ameiko hands over a leather skin full of liquid. "Airag. Fermented milk. He probably won't have much, but it'll help."
"Fermented milk? Well, it sounds somewhat more palatable than Braheg, which is made from fermented boars blood."
Irisa smiles and accept. "Thank you Ameiko. You've been of great help. I hope we get to the bottom of this. For all our sake. Let's go and see the sheriff." She looks to the others then heads out to find Hemlock.
Garrick shakes his head, muttering, "Trust non-dwarves to forment milk and blood instead of grain-mush like Torag intended." He nods in thanks to Ameiko, and follows Irisa, saying, "Let's hope this is less painful than we're all expecting."
The trek back to the guard headquarters is interrupted only by a woman of late middle age, hair tucked under a kerchief and apron well-covered with flour, who emerges from a shop as you walk past. She presses a warm, cloth-wrapped package into Vidar's hands with a smile and retreats to the shop. The package proves to be a loaf of herbed cheese bread, hot from the oven.
You are ushered promptly back to Hemlock's desk, where he is poring over a map of the town. He looks up as you enter. "Anything of interest?"
"Are you the one who ordered bread?," Denialan asks when the woman disappears back in to her shop, "or is this the kindness of a stranger?"
Denialan takes a highly uncharacteristic serious expression when the party enters Hemlock's office. He stands by the table, opening his mouth but stopping to consider something.
"A very important lead we have found... but I prefer my colleagues here to explain it. They will approach it better than I know how."
Irisa smiles at the woman, waits for Vidar to speak and then offer her own thanks. "Thank you, Desna's blessing upon you." She grants the woman guidance.
On the way in Irisa prays quickly to Desna. "Desna may you please give me the right words, so we can get the best outcome for everyone involved without anyone getting offended, but bringing us closer together instead."
Inside Irisa nods at Denialan's words. "It is as we feared. We found the grave disturbed. First we found tracks outside of six goblins and a humanoid having entered the crypt. Inside however, we did not find the vault empty. There were two animated skeletons waiting for us. Thankfully we managed to dispatch them." She pauses for a moment with a relived smile to lighten the mood.
Shortly after she continues. "But then we discovered what the goblins and their longshacks had been after. Father Tobyn's grave was robbed. I know you knew him well when he was alive, so this must be unsettling news for you. Please accept this skin of Airag. It might help." She hands over the skin and wait for him to accept and maybe drink before continuing.
"We talked to Father Zanatus about what motives someone could have for pillaging Father Tobyn's cairn. He told us about the fire that destroyed the previous church and about some unsettling series of events called the chopper murders. It's not much of a lead, but it's the best we got. Perhaps someone is looking to get back at him for what happened beck there. Maybe even someone worshipping the very same demon. We heard you took a big part in dealing with that issue. You're very brave and resourceful that managed that. Sandpoint is lucky to have you."
"If this lead is indeed true, then we need to know what we can learn about the events that transpired here. No one are better at telling us than you. I truly want to help the town, we all do. Please share what you remember with us. And if there's anything else noteworthy about Father Tobyn, it would be good to know. Perhaps you know something else about him that Zanatus does not. If there's anything else that could lead to this, it would be crucial to know."
Having been given an item from a stranger, Vidar is left with his mouth hanging open, completely flabbergasted for a moment.
Revealing what was wrapped in the cloth does little to alleviate the confusion he feels.
But the smell of the bread, not to mention the sudden growling of his ever empty stomach, makes the present not only all the more appreciated not to mention appropriate.
"There...umm...seems to be a very nice upside to this while "hero" business..."
Pulling a knife from his belt, Vidar carves himself a piece of bread, letting it occupy his mouth instead of more talking.
Lost in his impromptu meal, he settles in to listen to the talking rather than taking part himself.
The bread is very tasty indeed, Vidar.
Hemlock looks at you a little quizzically at first, taking the skin from Irisa, and then the import of what you are asking about sinks in. He sighs. "So Abstalar told you about the Chopper. You think...what? Some apprentice of Stoot's has been biding their time, waiting for a chance to get their revenge on us?" He shrugs. "No less likely than anything else, I suppose." He pops the stopper out of the skin and takes a drink, spraying the milky fluid into his mouth without spilling a drop. Then he stoppers the skin and sets it aside. "One will be enough. The Late Unpleasantness was bad, but I've had time to get over it."
He proceeds to relate the tale, with little difference in detail between his terse rendition and Father Zantus' telling. The only points where Hemlock provides further information is in the shrine--apparently, Stoot realized that pursuit was at hand, and offered up his own tongue and eyes on his altar before dying. The other point is that Hemlock has had the town guard keep an unobtrusive watch on what's now called Chopper's Isle. "And I'm as sure as I can be that no one material has gone up there on the ground since the murders. If you decide to look yourself, let me know what you find."
Garrick winces at the new revelation, then says, somewhat awkwardly, "The act of desecration a so directed that we thought it must be either personal or symbolic -- and this'd be symbolic, for sure."
He shrugs, "We're all hoping we're wrong, to be honest... But we are dealing with someone depraved enough to sic goblins in the townsfolk, knowing they'd be eaten."
"True. Someone certainly held a grudge against Father Tobyn."
It's only a short walk to the spit of land now named after the dreaded killer, although it takes you past a spectacular ruin that (based on a few overheard conversations) you figure must be the Old Light. Unfortunately, although you can reach the base of the peak, Father Zantus was right about the difficulty of gaining its heights. Scanning the most accessible face, Denialan can see the traces of where the stairway must have been fastened to the rock, but none of the wooden parts remain. Garrick looks for signs that anyone has climbed any of it recently and sees nothing.
The search takes long enough that the tide is beginning to come back in, so you retreat for the time being.
"Well, we have gained little new information. At times like this, it is often best to retreat to a comfortable location and simply talk.
Sometimes discourse can lead to new revelations."
"We can either retreat to the Rusty Dragon for convenience, or we can find another tavern and let us be "seen" around town.
It might boost morale, I am no expert in these things."
Garrick says, "Sometimes, finding nothing is it's own kind of discovery... it may be enough that we can rule out a disciple."
He shrugs, "Don't want to offend Ameiko or her hospitality... Might be worth dining at the Dragon and then doing a tour.. be seen in multiple places, but also to learn whatever rumours might be floating around."
"The lack of stairs would rule out anyone who flies or climbs well. It seems we will need to gather proper equipment before we return to the Isle. As for being seen around town, many other places exist where we might want to go, and we have the boar hunt with the noble Foxglove to attend to."
"Humph, we cannot discount the idea that our erstwhile "longshank" have magical means to scale the isle.
There exist a spell that would grant you the ability to climb like a spider for instance.
Flight is also possible, or simple teleportation.
We cannot really exclude any possibility at this point it seems.
Well, there is little point in fretting, let us go."
Garrick shrugs, "I don't think someone who could fly or teleport would need a goblin attack as a distraction. Could have quietly stolen the bones and left no trace. Not saying you're wrong, but simplest solution is usually -- usually -- the right one."
"Assuming we are dealing with a rational mind of course. Then again, rational minds do not attack towns to steal corpses.
Bah, speculations! Just the thing I had hoped to avoid, and then I proceed to do it myself!"
Garrick chuckles, "Let's get back and wash the foul taste of speculation with a tankard of stout."
Vidar actually manages a small smile at that. "Capital!"
Before leaving from the sheriff's office Irisa asks if there has been any word from Shaelu. If they knew the location of the goblins themselves that might give them more options.
Irisa is disappointed by the discoveries they made at the island m "Bleh, I really thought we would find something here. I guess you're right Garrick, there's probably nothing here. If what happened yesterday is related to chopper, then they're probably located somewhere else entirely."
"About what to do next. Heading to the Rusty Dragon for some food sounds like a great idea. Though I don't want to spend the rest of the evening just drinking. Looking into the goblins themselves is a good idea if we have enough time left. If not, well, asking around town for information about Father Tobyn and his daughter sounds like a good idea to me. Of course that might be best accomplished by visiting the other establishments, so we all get what we want."
You return to the Rusty Dragon. Ameiko sticks her head out from the kitchen, a ladle in one hand, and waves to you before returning to her work. Bethana, the halfling barkeep, takes your orders. "I'm so sorry, but we're almost out of the stout. I have to bring up another keg--it won't take me but a minute." She hustles down to the cellar, trailing a rope from a pulley over the trap door.
It is at this point that the door flies open behind you, and a surly-looking human (male, apparently late middle age, hair greying to white) enters and shouts something angry in a language none of you speak. All of the other patrons quiet down and take an inordinate interest in whatever is on their plates. The man stalks further into the tavern, eyes scanning the room, before he spots the four of you. He sneers. "I should have known you fools would be here. You brought danger to the good people of this town with your ill-advised antics, all because you couldn't leave things to the guards. They are trained for this! What were you thinking?"
Garrick blinks for a moment, as if he cannot believe what was said, then shakes his head, and answers gruffly, "I was thinking that I didn't want goblins to kill, torture and eat your neighbors.... and that I've got a decade or two of experience swinging axes and felling goblins that most don't... even your guard." He shrugs, "Or was it something else that bothered you? Like the part where we've been working with the Sheriff?"
Vidar, not a bastion of even temper at the best of times rises to his feet and gives the man a glare of undisguised contempt.
"Were you fighting? I did not see you risking your neck to save lives?
No? You mean you were not? Then do us both a favor and be quiet, lets your unintelligent drivels lower the common intelligence in the room with each fetid breath that leaves your worthless body."
"We "brought" danger? Really? That is the best accusation your shriveled mind could come up with? It is then your "learned" opinion that if we had not been present the attack would not have happened I take it?
Brilliant deduction there, truly breathtaking in its absurdity."
"And as for leaving things to the guards, was it perhaps beyond your no doubt massive powers of observation that they were badly outnumbered and stretched thin at the time?
Oh, pardon me, you were not present at the time were you, and as such are voicing opinions based on anything but facts?"
"As for trained, what exactly gives you rime and reason to assume WE are not trained hmm? You know me personally perchance? Have intimate knowledge of my capabilities?
Pardon me if I must seem very rude for not even remembering the name of you, my must trusted associate and confidant."
"As for ill advised, I shall be sure to find the appropriate person of authority next time I see people being attacked and killed. I am sure they will not mind being dead all to satisfy your egotistical desire for "due process" beyond the ludicrous."
At this point, Vidar manages to reign in his temper enough to at least stop his rant.
But it's clear that now that his ire had been fully earned, his prodigious intelligence and vocabulary were fully engaged for the kill.
Raising his eyebrows, Denialan says nothing, merely making a drinking motion with his cup. The cup is empty, however, as he is still waiting for Bethana to bring out the other keg, and he actually makes the motion to obscure his inappropriate smile following Vidar's outburst.
"Was all that really necessary?," he asks under his breath, amused.
"Oh, you're trained, are you? Then why are you here, instead of where you belong? Filthy bunch of vagrants."
It is at this point that, drawn by the increasing volume of the conversation, Ameiko emerges from the kitchen, ladle in hand. She shouts at the man, "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?" He promptly ignores you and replies to her in a foreign language, though his rage requires no translation at all. For a moment she looks stricken, but her expression quickly hardens. As soon as she can get a word in edgewise, she returns, "Get your worthless self out of here, you говнюк クソ野郎!", and hurls the ladle at him. It glances off, but leaves a wide soup stain down the front of his silk overshirt. He blanches and his voice goes cold. "You are as dead to me as your mother." He pivots on his heel, and stalks out.
Ameiko stands aghast at his parting shot, but recovers quickly. She crosses the room and picks up the fallen ladle, inspecting it before removing a gray hair. "I'll have to clean this one before I use it again--it's for fish soup, not jackass." She gives a half-smile, but you are close enough to note some moisture in her eyes.
"The mans arrogance knows no limits. I am almost curious to where he thinks those with skills belong as he referred to us as vagrants.
To be honest, I found it hard to understand exactly what he was trying to say...
It is difficult to interpret him seeing as how his voice was muffled by his head being stuck so deep up his own arse!"
Moving over to Ameiko, he slowly takes the ladle from her hand.
[b]"Better burn it, I promise to replace it for you."
It's only at this point, when he begins to calm down a little that he finds himself really understanding his actions.
Perhaps being an orphan might create a touch of understanding towards someone who by all accounts might have been better off if she had been one as well?
I am becoming...soft...
Garrick shakes his head, And to think, just two days ago, we were being welcomed to the festival. He blinks at the deeply personal turn, I'll have to ask what that meant... but not Ameiko. She's been nothing but wonderful.
He looks down, then up at Ameiko, "I didn't follow what happened there, but know that in just two days, I've been able to see that you are a wonderful person who does not deserve those personal attacks.. in any language. If that one comes back, I'll hurl him out of here, arse over teakettle, before he can speak to you like that again."
She shakes her head. "If he spoke true, he's leaving Sandpoint for Magnimar. I'm not about to run off, so he cut me out of the will." She sighs. "Not that I really wanted to own the Glassworks, but still. My mother put so much work into that place, and I would have taken it for her sake."
"His will? Was that your father?" Irisa is shocked at the relevation. "No one deserves to be cut off from their family. If there's something we can do to mend things, please let me know. I should have said something earlier. Calmed things down..."
Irisa stands up, walks up over to Ameiko and offers her a hug. More words are unlikely to help at this point, so she remains quiet.
"My parents treated me well, yet still I had to escape them. A father that treated me so, I doubt I would want to mend my ties with," the Elf says, still not particularly moved by the situation. "As for everything he said, at face value should we be taking it? Perhaps your father had one too many drinks and let his stress get the better of him?"
Ameiko gives another half-smile and returns Irisa's hug. "Yes, that's Lonjiku Kaijitsu, pillar of the community, and my father. He's always been at least a little like that as long as I can remember. But that was as bad as I've ever seen him...I think the goblin invasion has him spooked. Think of the mischief those things would get into in the Glassworks! So much to break, so much fire."
"For what profit is it to a man, if he gains the world and loses his own soul."
I must admit I do not remember what dusty old tome I read that in, but it holds some value wouldn't you agree?"
Sitting down again, Vidar slowly wipes his mouth and frowns.
"I will need at least a pint to wash away the foul taste in my mouth now."