Uuli
The Sandpoint Philosophical Society listens with polite interest to your discourse on strategy and tactics but a few can't but help stifle a yawn as such mundane things are beyond their ken. Soon enough the uncomfortable meeting is over, and each fo the members (Chask Haldan - bookstore, Broder Quink - Thassilonian sage, Veznutt Parooh - gnome cartographer, and Ilsoari Gandethus - headmaster of school) all wish you good evening and one by one they todder off to their homes or shops, leaving you to carry on to the Rusty Dragon on your own.
As you arrive, you wonder where your friends have gotten off to, but sit at the bar drinking Lars' ale while you wait.
The Rest
As you enter the room, Slaynn takes up a readied position near the closet door, and Tiberiu pulls the body of Alergast Barret from the crawlspace. The man is, unfortunately, quite dead, most of the flesh of his face and upper torso eaten away. Before your gorge can rise at this grisly site, a shriek erupts from the crawlspace, and a ravening and enraged goblin leaps from the spot, brandishing a shiv of metal like a dagger.
Goblin in the Closet - Round 1
15 Slaynn
14 Qorinae
10 Tiberiu
6 Gresgurt
Slaynn takes a hack at the goblin as it rises from the hole in the floor, but his attack is hurried and excited and misses the crazed goblin.
"" Tiberiu yells as the goblin leaps from the hole. He scrambles into the corner to attempt to avoid the dogslicer. "In here, Qorinae, definitely in here!!" Despite his surprise, he manages to whip his scarf around and mutters an incantation as he does so, attempting to stun the goblin.
Hearing the screams from the next room, Qorinae rushes in, bellowing "WAIT FOR ME!" and gleefully hacks at the goblin with his sword.
In his excitement, however, he merely splinters a floorboard.
Goblin in the Closet - Round 1 - concluded
The wild-eyed and ravenous goblin leaps at Slaynn trying to stab the elf with his metal shank, bu the attack misses.
End of Round 1
Goblin in the Closet - Round 2
15 Slaynn
14 Qorinae
10 Tiberiu
6 Gresgurt
"Wynebu grym y Qorinae, llofrudd dyn!!" Qorinae bellows, hacking at the thing.
Tiberiu, too, whips his scarf, desperately forming the spell anew in his mind.
Goblin in the Closet - Round 2- concluded
Slaynn's next attack also misses the wily goblin but Qorinae is more fortunate. He stabs the half-mad goblin in the belly, causing it wail in pain.
The wail is cut short, as Tiberiu's spell combat fails to cause any damage, but does succeed in mezmerizing the goblin for a short time.
Now dazed, the goblin stands nearly stock still for a few seconds gazing into space, open-mouthed.
End of Round 2
Goblin in the Closet - Round 3
15 Slaynn
14 Qorinae
10 Tiberiu
6 Gresgurt
Briefly, Tiberiu considers the policy of setting something--hopefully the goblin--on fire. Probably best not to risk it. These poor people have enough to worry about without me burning their house down for them. Instead, he lunges forward with his scarf, more carefully than he had before.
Qorinae slashes again, grinning with a kind of delirious, panicky battle-fury.
The combined attacks of the warriors three all hit the lunatic goblin. At first he rubs his head where the Varisian scarf wounded him, but then the staff of Slaynn and blade of Qorinae also scored hits. Soon the goblin is lying dead on the ground of the morbid room.
Qorinae searches the little monster's corpse, and then looks around the room for anything that would suggest a reason for it being here.
The goblin looks quite hungry, as if he hasnt' eaten for a while, and his nails are broken and scratched. A quick look in the closet reveals a crawl space that has marks of the goblin's captivity.
If you had to piece things together, you would guess he was part of the raid of a few nights ago, and has been stuck in the crawlspace, trying to escape the house since.
Tonight he broke loose, killed the dog and bit the boy in his hunger, then killed the dad when he came to investigate.
Though you have ended the threat, the father, Alergast, has been killed by the goblin intruder.
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Slaynn looks at the scene and takes the dagger, the desperate father must have used. Drawing a line across the goblin's throat, making sure the entire blade is coated with its blood before handing it to Tiberiu.
"Nothing more we can do here but this dagger, friend Tiberiu. Make it a song and this man a legend."
He does know I'm a dancer, not a bard, right? Tiberiu, however, wordlessly accepts the dagger, nodding his assent. He glances at the goblin's corpse. "Should we, uh...perhaps we should bring the goblin's body for the sheriff? Or at least clean up in here?"
Just as you say that perhaps you need the Sheriff, the door to the hut opens and two members of the watch arrive, followed closely by Hemlock himself.
"Just what in the blue blazes is going on in here?" the Sheriff shouts seeing the dead man and dog sprawled on the floor. "Send for Father Zantus, the family will be distraught over this bloodshed, and they will need a place to stay."
One of the guardsmen turns and rushes off to to find the chief priest.
"Any explantion of what happened here?" asks the Sheriff to the assembled group of heroes.
Tiberiu bows to the sheriff, then rights himself. "Sir! We were approached by the madam of the household because her house was being haunted by some sort of pest that injured her son. Her husband had stayed back to attempt to deal with the menace--when we arrived, we found him as you see him. And this--" he hoists the goblin's corpse--"was feeding on him."
Tiberiu blinks. "Wait--did you go to Magnimar already? Or have you not left yet?"
Tiberiu blinks. "Wait--did you go to Magnimar already? Or have you not left yet?"
It is not long before Father Zantus arrvies and is apprised of the situation with the Barrets. "We will take the lady and her boys in for now until family can be found. They are Magnimarian and new-comers to Sandpoint. I am sure it won't be long before they are resettled down the coast."
He heads outside where the cries of the now-widowed Amelie Barret can be heard within the house. As you leave she calls to you, "Heroes? Heroes? Too bad you weren't more thorough in your heroing! Now our little family is ruined while you live high on the hog!"
The Father hushes her and you are able to trudge back to the Dragon, down-cast. When you arrive the place is nearly as subdued as your mood. Lars offers to pull a mug for each of you, but the stage is empty, Ameiko nowhere in sight. Bethany moves with her usual aplomb serving here and ordering the others around efficiently.
End 23 Rova 4707
Tiberiu retires early, worn out from the several trials of the day, and crashes into bed. Here's hoping tomorrow brings some less morbid, and more heroic, adventures...
The next day he rises early, mentally girding himself for a day of patrols, research, and community outreach...since it looks like he and his friends might need it.
Qorinae can't help being stung by the widow's words. Overall, it has been a day that did not live up to his heroic aspirations. He frowned as he dragged himself back to the dragon, trying to think where he'd gone wrong. He tried to help people, but each time, it seemed to make matters worse.
That night, he drinks long and slow, staring at the fire until Bethany ultimately tells him to go to bed.
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Slaynn stays silent, brooding as he accepts a mug. Holding his mug and taking no sips, he contemplates the widow's words. Decades it seems were those words so familar, the bitter sweet taste of regret as the poignant memories swarm over him.
His village. The smoke from the open roast over the firepit as part of the bounty of the hunters of the day. Slaynn had taken part in the hunt and though he had no part in the kill, the exhilaration of the hunt was enough.
Orcish voices ring out in cheers as the portions were divided evenly towards everyone and generous helpings of ale given. Everyone was so happy except for one whose kin had not returned. He had fallen before a bear whose very corpse was roasting and eaten.
""Heroes Heroes? Šteta što nisu bili temeljitije u heroing! Sada moja porodica je uništen, dok ste živi na visokoj nozi i plijena vaše pobjede?! Moje dijete nikada neće vidjeti svog Sire Smile nikada!"
"Heroes? Heroes? Too bad you weren't more thorough in your heroing! Now my family is ruined while you live high on the hog and spoils of your victory!! My Child will never see his Sire's Smile ever again!"
It was a distant memory but those words brought it all back as clear as if it was but yesterday. It was now a century gone but still he remembered it clearly and it was all brought back by those similar words.
Slaynn sighs as he gazes into his mug before taking a long single draw from it, draining it in a single gulp.
Tonight. He decides.
One night patrol before I head back to bed.
Dawn, 24 Rova 4707 Absalom Reckoning, The Rusty Dragon, Sandpoint, Varisia
Once again the familiar knock on your doors awakens you. Not expecting anything early this morning, the interruption of your restful sleep is a bit off-putting. However, as you answer the door, you find slow Morris, not the familiar Bethany.
"If't please ya, ta cum down. Miss Bethany needs a word." The dim-witted halfling is uncomfortable disturbing you and stands with bowed head mumbling the words. "It's m'portant, she sez. Thank'ee."
Curious about this unusual summons, you dress quickly and come downstairs, hoping to find a delicious hot breakfast awaiting you. Instead you see Bethany and a sleepy Lars looking pensive and sitting at a table with a hot crock of coffee and a few biscuits.
"I am sorry to disturb your rest, but I didn't know where else to turn, what with the Sheriff out of town and all...You are the best alternative, and you're right under our own roof." She smiles, but it doesn't reach her eyes which remain troubled and red-rimmed.
Lars speaks in his heavily accented Northman voice "It ees Lady Ameiko. She haz not come home, ja? She always up early fixing de breakfast, but today she ees kaput! No one has seen her seence early yesterday."
Bethany picks up the story. "Lars is right. I can't remember the last time she wasn't up early fixing breakfast. I went to her room to see if she was feeling ill, but there was no answer. I knew she wouldn't like it, but... I let myself into her private chambers. Her bed hadn't been slept in! Near the bed I found this...." She pulls from her apron pocket a crumpled piece of parchment with unfamiliar characters and writing upon it.
"It's written in Minkaian, (probably to keep strangers from reading it). I know enough of that language to make a rough translation. Here is what I think it says." She pulls another parchment out of her pocket and hands it over, looking at you sheepishly.
Hello, sis!
I hope this letter finds you well, and with some free time on your hands, because we've got something of a problem. It’s to do with Father.
Seems that he might have had something to do with Sandpoint's recent troubles with the goblins, and I didn't want to bring the matter to the
authorities because we both know he’d just weasel his way out of it. You’ve got some pull here in town, though. If you can meet me at the Glassworks at midnight tonight, maybe we can figure out how to make sure he faces the punishment he deserves. Knock twice and then three times more and then once more at the delivery entrance and I’ll let you in.
In any case, I don’t have to impress upon you the delicate nature of this request. If news got out, you know these local rubes would assume that you and I were in on the whole thing too, don’t you? They’ve got no honor at all around these parts. I still don’t understand how you can stand to stay here.
Anyway, don’t tell anyone about this. There are other complications as well, ones I’d rather talk to you in person about tonight. Don’t be late.
Tsuto
"I am sure you have a million questions." says Bethany as you finish reading the translated note. "Let me see if I can answer some of them quickly while you eat."
"Tsuto is Lady Ameiko's older half-brother. He was born a year before her and was something of a scandal, as he is half-elven and neither of Ameiko's parents are Elvish...." Her eyes widen sagely making sure you understand the delicate point.
"Her father, Lonjiku, whom you've met, flew into a rage when the boy's heritage was discovered, causing a rift in their marriage. Their mother. Atsuii, refused to reveal Tsuto's paternity, and Lonjiku barred her from seeing him ever again. He enrolled the boy at the Turandurok Acadamy here, but raised him outside the family. He was a secret even to Miss Ameiko until she was ten years old."
"Since discovering Tsuto, my mistress had been secret friends with him, sneaking the boy food or money, clearly against her father's wishes. (Perhaps you know my Lady is a bit of a rebellious spirit...) Anyway, about seven years ago, Tsuto and Ameiko had a serious falling out. She left town then and became an adventurer."
"She only returned to Sandpoint for Lady Atsuii's funeral at which Tsuto made a big scene. He openly accused Lonjiku of pushing his mother from the cliff at the family home, something Ameiko believes as well. There was an altercation, and Lonjiku broke Tsuto's jaw with his cane. The half-elf youth fled Sandpoint, and Ameiko has been trying to track him down since."
"He re-appeared here the same night you did, before the Festival, and now this...Please you must go to the Glassworks and see if you can find any sign of her. Please!"
She is quite plaintive in her distress and a tear rolls down her ruddy cheek.
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Slaynn bypasses the note knowing full well that he's never had the time to be reading such things especially with Ameiko in possible need of aid.
"Let us hurry then, Ameiko may indeed need our help in this. It must be serious indeed if she has not returned the night before."
Slaynn is lightly packed and already ready to proceed, urging his companions. Lack of sleep not impeding his eagarness.
Qorinae sits down and pulls his boots on, then checks his weapons.
"Let's go," he says, finding himself ready for action.
This "hero" business certainly is a 24/7 thing... Tiberiu thinks, somewhat tiredly, when he's pulled downstairs. The revelation of the note's contents, however, sobers him and wakes him up fairly quickly. He gives the inn's staff a brusque nod.
"We'll do everything we can to find out where Lady Ameiko's gone," he says gently. As they're headed out the door, he pauses. "This idea that Lord Kaijitsu has something to do with the goblin problem...do you have any idea whether it should carry any weight? Is it credible?"
Bethany blinks at Tiberiu's question. "If my Lady believes it, then I suppose I believe it also. I would not have thought so, but stranger things have happened. And Lord Kaijitsu, he has such a temper...bless his heart."
The group rushes upstairs to retrieve their gear and heads off on the rescue mission. As the sun rises above the horizon, the party stands in front of the Sandpoint Glassworks. A aingle column of smoke rises from the chimney inside the Glassworks, but the rest of the place looks deserted. All the doors are locked and all the window shades drawn, including the display area in the circular chamber to the south. There is no sign of any employees, customers or traffic around the building.
A quick reconnaissance shows there are four separate entrances. The main entrance near the display area, the employee entrance on the northeast side, a loading dock with double doors on the north end, and another back entrance that leads down some steps to the Gulf of Varisia on the west side.
Tiberiu stares up at the big building. "So she's talented and rich," he mutters. "Great."
Aloud, he says, "The note mentioned some sort of delivery entrance...perhaps we should start there? If Ameiko went in there there might be clues."
Qorinae nods thoughtfully as he looks at the building.
"It seems like we'd do better going in the back," he says, and frowns, realizing it isn't the heroic approach.
" Back or front! It matters not. Our friend Lady Ameiko might be in grave danger. Best to enter through whichever door gives us access!"
A rumbling bass states from behind you.
Squatting down, the big man hands a copper coin to the boy who apparently led him here. " Thanks for being my eyes Boy, now run home and keep safe."
Rising he approaches the group. When he gets nearer, you can see a thin white film covers his eyes, though he seems to look directly at each of you.
" Heroes of Sandpoint, right? Miss Bethany sent me down here to see if you needed help. Something about Ameiko missing? Can't have that, she gave me free room and board for my stay, since I helped with the healing after the gobo raid."
" Zephir Strombjorn. Man of Destiny. Chosen of Gozreh. Here to make my legend....HAhahahaha!"
He poses heroically for a second then breaks into deep laughter.
" But no, really, I was sent here from the Temple of Storms, to find my future.... And Lady Ameiko was very nice to me, so we MUST find her!"
Tiberiu blinks in surprise at the strange man who's approached him and the two elves. "Well, I suppose any friend of Ameiko's is a friend of ours..." he mutters. This guy seems a little crazy. Also, TWO legends in the making? Geez, it's going to get crowded around here.
Abruptly, he shrugs. "We should start to investigate, I suppose," he says. "C'mon, let's just get inside..." Carefully he tests the door, checking to see if it's locked. If it's not, he opens it slowly.
The nearest door, which appears to be the main retail entrance, is locked.
Qorinae looks around and sighs, then reaches into his belt and comes up with a set of lockpicks.
"A little ... er ... elven magic should get us in," he says, kneeling down in front of the door to have a look. Seeing nothing that suggests any security measures, he sets to work on the lock....
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Qorinae looks around and sighs, then reaches into his belt and comes up with a set of lockpicks."A little ... er ... elven magic should get us in," he says, kneeling down in front of the door to have a look. Seeing nothing that suggests any security measures, he sets to work on the lock....
Zephir cocks his eyebrow at the elf, looking over his shoulder...
" Magic? You say? Hmmm." He says as he steps back with a grin.