As everyone leaves the mausoleum to find Father Zantus, both he and the sheriff are easily found and brought together. Once the news and evidence is presented, Sheriff Hemlock's face turns to it's usual dour expression while Father Zantus gains a shocked and horrified face. "Why would they want to take Father Tobyn's bones? What sort of demonic blood ritual are they planning that they would need specifically his bones?" he says in a highly concerned voice. After a moment, Hemlock speaks up as well. "Well I may not know why the late Fathre's bones may be needed, but I believe I can figure out that we are dealing with a necromancer. I will have to take the robe as evidence, and have to piece things together as to why a necromancer would need the aid of goblins to perform work such as this. Thank you all for your help, it's much appreciated. You may return to what you had planned for today. If I have need for you, I will come find you once again." And with that, Hemlock and his men leave the cemetery.
Triel shrugs. (*clink*)
"Please do, Sheriff." And by all means, give me more ways to ingratiate myself with the townsfolk.
She turns to the rest of the team. "So, now what?"
Jack hands over his new cloak to the sheriff. Good, now we're involved in demonic blood rituals. This was probably a peaceful town before I showed up. Well we could wander about town until we get attacked by a dragon, that would seem pretty normal here now.
"If this town gets attacked by a dragon today, I will blame Jack, even after I am dead." Artemis says.
"Don't blame Jack! He isn't all bad. Are you, Jack?"
Next time you see the Sheriff, ask him if I'm all bad. See what he says, I bet it'll be funny.
Triel quirks an eyebrow at Jack under her helmet.
Huh... so the Sheriff has an issue with him?
She doesn't think too much of it anyway. "Really." She glances over at Ithylia, who's been rather quiet the whole time. "How are you feeling, Ithylia?"
"...I don't like... skeletons..." She shuddered for a moment. "I think... I'm going to go find a place and perform. Forget about the Skeletons for now. Want to come? You can just watch and keep me company. Be my body guard." The last part was said with a teasing wink and grin.
To her credit, Triel's stoic expression never changes under her helmet.
Perhaps it's for the best, since it keeps people from seeing her cheeks turn violet as Ithylia winks and grins at her.
...she's a dangerous one.
"Sure. Sounds like fun." Triel shrugs. (*clinky*)
As the group begins to break up, Artemis says, "I am going to head over to the stable and check in on the horses. Stable hands don't always give them the care they need. Jack, if you got other plans, I can check in on yours, no problem or you can come with me."
Ithylia's face broke out in a huge grin. Grabbing Triel's hand, she led her along. "I know the perfect spot!" She paused to look at the others, "You all can come too if you like! Otherwise, we'll catch you later." Ithylia's face was just one huge grin as she paused just a moment before continuing to lead Triel.
Triel follows behind Ithylia, quietly wondering what sort of spot she has in mind.
She's happier now... she bounced back from the skeletons quickly. She looks down at Ithylia's hand as they walk, noticing how small it is compared to hers.
Good idea Artemis. I've never owned a horse before. Do people usually just give them away around here?
"No, not that I know of. I think Foxglove just has a lot of money and we saved his life." Artemis says, not sure he's got the guy's name right since Jack never does.
Once Ithylia and Triel find a good spot, the armour-clad dark elf waits while the bardess retrieves her fiddle and begins tuning it, making sure every string is precisely taut and ready.
Triel glances at the people passing by from under her helmet, her eyes still throbbing a bit from exposure to the sun. She folds her arms behind her back and stands up straight, making an effort to appear at ease.
I wonder what song she had in mind... the 'song of the Old Light'? We only hashed that out in a day... I'm not sure I can pull the dance off right now--haven't had time to practice and all that--
Then Ithylia begins playing.
Triel stops... and listens.
Vanya finds herself separated from the group, Hmmm... where did everyone go? She starts wandering the dusty streets of Sandpoint wondering if the town was only really interesting when Swallowtails were feeling festive or goblins attacked. About that... Goblins don't normally come out in force during the day... The waif's meandering thoughts are cut short by a single bold note cut directly from a specific violin. "Oh! Did she say she was playing again? Where does she get her energy!?" Realizing she blurted that out to no one in particular she blushes vibrant red and hurries off towards the sound.
Behind her she can hear a man near a cart say, "Adventurer? Yeah, them folk are real odd ducks."
I could get used to this saving people getting stuff thing. Sure beats bar fights. I wonder if there's anything else around here I could save someone from.
Triel doesn't notice Vanya's arrival--she's too wrapped up in the music to pay much attention.
It's a beautiful song...
She feels a twinge of something, but chases it away with a shake of her head.
As the day goes on, you all eventually meet back up at the Rusty Dragon for the evening meal. Songs are sung, dances are danced, and brawls are brawled during an excellent boar feast prepared by Amieko. Aldern is of course at the meal, seemingly solely engaged in conversation with Vanya, always being ever so flattering towards her. Although much joy comes from the night, it becomes shattered in a moment almost instantly. The doors to the Rusty Dragon are opened by an angrily shouting elderly man, demanding that he sees his daughter at once. Amieko approaches him and the two begin to argue in a tongue that is not commonly heard in Varisia, but obvious that it is native to them. Throughout the argument, the old man points and waves a cane in various directions as he almost even hits a few patrons with it. The end of the verbal brawl comes quickly as the man points his cane at the group and angrily speaks towards you. "You... You 'heeeroes' do not belong here. You bring nothing but trouble and chaos to our home. You fool everyone but me I will have you know. A waste of space in our town is all you are. And you," he says as he points to Aldern "go squander your fortune with these devils some where else. You will not find your gold and business here!"
Triel wasn't in a dancing mood by the time the party reconvened at the Rusty Dragon. Although Ithylia's melody stayed with her the whole time, it did little to make her feel better.
The dinner with Aldern went as expected--the noble flirted with the impressionable sorceress, and indirectly irritated Triel with his very presence. She kept to herself, emphatically keeping her head down and more or less only sneaking bites of roast boar when nobody was looking. She glances between Cian and Ithylia while she eats, her eyes lingering on both the bardess and the arcanist before turning back to her meal.
Then the old man showed up and started an argument with their host.
Then he had the nerve to call the party wastes of space with no place in Sandpoint.
And that's the moment when Triel's patience finally ran out.
She looks up from her meal, her eyes narrowing dangerously behind her helmet.
She briefly glances at the rest of the party. "Excuse me." Then she stands up, turning back to the old man and slowly advancing on him.
"Funny. Where were you when the goblins invaded town?" She growls. Her holy symbol of Gorum bounces against the breastplate of her scale mail. "I didn't see you out there, fighting to defend your home from them."
She glances back at the party. "Every one of us was out on the streets, fighting off the goblins and keeping the town safe." She whirls back and glares at the old man. "Fighting to keep fools and cowards like you safe, in fact. I--We have earned our place here. When trouble and chaos arrive, we work to fix it instead of hiding and waiting for the problem to go away."
She stops next to Ameiko and the old man. "So, with that in mind, tell me--what have you done for Sandpoint lately?"
Throughout her tirade, Triel never onces raises her voice.
Vanya holds Aldern's hand, or maybe the other way 'round. As the old man begins his shouting match with Ameiko she is embarrassed for him. When he turns his ire on her new friends, she is shocked. The raised finger pointed at Aldern turns the embarassment and shock into anger. Vanya starts to stand up and suddenly Triel is alraedy up and defending the party. Well, I can be ready to help her if need be!
Hearing the commotion Jack moves over with his cup full of ale.
Leave Amekio alone old man! If you would have words then have them with someone who deserve them, like me. You insult these good people, Amekio who has shown us nothing but kindness since we killed a bunch of goblins in your town. Ahmadinejad, who gave a me a horse and took some of us hunting, even though I refuse to call him by his own name. So come on man, fling you insults at someone who deserves them for one.
Jack immediately downs his cup of ale and cup still in hand swings both his arms out in the "Come get me bro" pose.
Jack will aid Triel's intimidate
Ithylia, still on a high from her earlier performance, let a frown briefly cross her face. She was used to hostility, and had expected it eventually, but not so soon.
Her nose scrunched a moment, before a polite smile settled on her face. "I'm sorry you feel that way sir. But I'm not sure we brought the trouble, as trouble came a knocking. Probably would have happened with or without us. I'm a traveler, and it seems that it's not always people that bring the trouble. Trouble happens whether you like it or not, you just have to be prepared."
Cian stays back and watches carefully. He wasn't much of a talker in these situations, but it looked like the others, Triel especially, had this well under control. Why mess that up?
After a brief pause of confusion and fear at the armed and armored heroes standing up to him, the man continues his rant.
Old man: What have I done? WHAT HAVE I DONE FOR THIS TOWN! I am Lonjiku Kaijitsu, and i have invested more time and money into this town than you thugs ever will!. Daughter, you might as well just put up a sign that reads "Bandits, thieves, cuthroats, stay here while you rob everyone blind." Come daughter, you've disgraced our family name with this foolish bar long enough, let the "heroes" keep it and it's filth.
Lonjiu then grabs Amekio by the hair and attempts to drag her out of the bar. She escapes quickly though, smacking him in he head with a soup ladle in the process.
Lonjiku: Fine, you're as dead to me as your mother.
With a final line, Lonjiku storms out of the tavern. leaving Amekio standing with her now dirtied ladle. She seems to be crying, but is trying to hold it in.
Vanya tears up a bit at Lonjiku's harsh words. Then his other name calling comes back. "Hey! I am not a bandit, thieve or cuthroat!" She crosses her arms and harrumphs.
Now Vanya's crying. That did it.
Insulting me, insulting my allies, and trying to force his wishes on our host. Were he in his prime, Gorum would demand I take his head for such arrogance. Were he in Zirnakaynin, he'd be struck dead on the spot no matter his age. But... he's not worth killing. Not worth crossing Sheriff Hemlock.
That doesn't mean I can't knock him down a peg or two.
Before Lonjiku can leave, Triel storms up to him and tries to grab him by the arm.
"Oh, you're leaving? Here. Allow me to show you the door." She growls, dragging him to the door, ignoring any protests that may arise.
She then throws him out the door with all the force she can muster.
"And don't bother coming back." She says as she slams the Rusty Dragon's doors behind him.
She then turns to Ameiko, noting how stressed and affected she is. Not ideal. This might have made me a target for the law. Time for damage control.
"That felt bloody good." She quips in an attempt to cheer her up. "Have you considered hiring a bouncer?"
'Ya would think people would think of better insults...Cuthroats, Thieves and Bandits... So creative.' Ithylia was unimpressed with his insults, likely because she had heard them way to many times before. She only gave Lonjiku a polite smile. It was Ameiko being upset that lead her to move from her spot. Embracing the woman who had just been disowned by her father to attempt to comfort she appologized, "I'm sorry if I've caused you trouble. You've been so nice, letting us stay here."
Triel successfully pulls Lonjiku from his feet, and drags him out faster. He tries to resist, but his old age serves him poorly against the "bandit". With the door firmly closed, you can still hear Lonjiku yelling words not meant for polite conversation, until he tramps away.
Amekio cries for another moment, listening to the kind words from Triel, and Ithylia. Jack is just standing there, it is now you notice he had drawn his axe, and by the look on his face, it seems he was ready to use it. The rest of the bar is uncharacteristically silent.
Amekio: Thank you, both of you Nodding to Triel, and Ithylia, Jack, put it away, I may not like my father, but he is my father none the less. At least there are some in Sandpoint I can rely on. You're welcome to stay another week, free of charge. I'll fetch some dinner, I guess i'll need a well cleaned ladle though, Jackass stew isn't on the menu.
The entire bar roars with laughter after her joke, and goes back to drinking. Amekio seems to have calmed down thanks to your words, and the cheer from the bar. She gives your party one last nod, and heads back to work.
Alderan: I dare say, I have never been more insulted in all my life. Miss Vanyalanthiriel, do not trouble yourself with the words of a foul craven like that. Mind yourself of only words from more gracious souls, like myself, our hostess Amekio, and your compatriots. He then pulls a fine silk handkerchief from his packet, and offers it to you to wipe the tears from your eyes. Rest assured, when I return to my estate in Magnimar, every noble I meet will hear of the rudeness of Lonjiku Kaijitsu.
I'm not sure I've ever wanted to hit someone so badly, and I've killed goblins that stabbed me.
Jack sits down, and relaxes a bit after another cup of ale.
Triel nods at Ameiko. "My thanks."
She returns to her seat, to her plate of roast boar and cup of water. "Now, I'm not about to let this go to waste." She says as she tilts her head down and starts cutting up the boar steak in front of her.
When Jack returns to his spot, Triel notices the fading rage in his eyes. She gives him a nod and rests one hand on her holy symbol of Gorum before turning back to her meal.
"He isn't worth the effort anyway, Jack."
Vanya graciously accepts Alderan's handkerchief and she dabs the tears from her eyes. She is surprised, well, maybe not, but definitely pleased by the soft allurig scent of his cologne. The waif blushes deeply and hands the kerchief back to Alderan. Oh, I should keep it!
Hearing Jack's comment Vanya grins, glad for a change of subject. "But Jack, wht if the goblin was a pompous old man-goblin?"
"He certainly looked like one." Cian adds, fire dancing a little along his fingers.
Triel snickers slightly, but turns it into a brief cough to try and cover it up.
"Be that as it may, I don't think Sheriff Hemlock would like it if we did anything worse to him already." She finishes carving up her boar steak, tilts her head down and tilts her helmet up slightly to eat a piece.
By the time Triel is finished with her meal, she's all but forgotten the rude old man who sought to crash their party.
She turns to Ithylia and rubs the back of her helmet. "Ithylia, did I go too far in dealing with him?" It's clear from her tone of voice that the 'him' in question is the old man from earlier.
If he's as influential as he claims, this might have set my standing in this town back by a fair margin...
"Dear Aldern, don't worry about him. He has a point of view, he just didn't need to be so rude. Let's just enjoy the evening, then." She cahts idly with Aldern about all manner of things and keeps wondering to herself, How did I think I knew anything at all? Aldern is so worldly. And handsome!
When Ithylia inevitably begins to play for the feast, Vanya is amongst the first on her feet to dance, she pulls Aldern with her, "Dance with me, good sir!"
During the evening Vanya makes her way to Jack to thank him for the fine meal. "Jack, I have to admit you only get gored by the finest in wilde boar! He was delicious and a worthy opponent." She grins, so excited by the day, the dancing, Aldern and even Ameiko's father's interruption. Well, while I am thinking about that... The waif finds Ameiko and without a word gives her a big hug. She whispers to her, I know what it's like to fight with a parent. There, that feels better! She smiles and drags Ameiko out to the dance floor.
Aldern Dances with Van well into the night, but must eventually retire.
My friends, I must retire from all this excitement. I have a goodly ways to travel in the morn, and should I get a late start I fear I shall not reach Magnimar or time. My lady Vanyalanthiriel, please keep this token, and know that I wish to see you again.
With a gentle kiss of her hand, and a bow to the rest of the group Aldern Foxglove makes his exit.
There goes the 7th nicest man man I've ever met, even though I never called him his real name. Jack looks sad at his new friends departure. Good, now I've got time to make up more names. HA HA!
Come on, that was funny, why's nobody laughing?
Artemis: Sorry Jack, it's funny, but I have to leave too. My father needs to leave early tomorrow too so that we can get more supplies and sell them, traveling merchant business and the like. With Goblin's attacking towns, I can't leave him alone out there, so I have to go with him. So goodbye fellow Heroes of Sandpoint, i'll remember our time together fondly. Especially when we pranked Jack Yesterday morning.
Van: Amekio Dances with you for a few minutes, and raises an eyebrow at your comment but says nothing. She quickly has to get back to serving customers however, and the bar is now in full swing.
"People don't always like change or those that are different. You can't make everyone happy. But he's gone, it's now in the past. Let us focus on having fun tonight! Better to make happy memories." ^^
Ithylia happily her fill of the feast, enjoying the time around friends. Letting her food settle before she gets up to preform, she contemplates Triel's question for a moment before she answers. "He was being rude and insulting, though not creatively so. You followed what you felt was the right course of action. It may not have been the nicest way to deal with him, but no one was hurt."
Triel looks down at her cleaned plate, somewhat comforted by Ithylia's words. At least none of the other patrons here decided to take issue with how I dealt with him...
"Alright then... my thanks for your opinion." She says, looking up into the bardess' eyes.
"And... might I make a request?"
"Of course!"