Asa shrugs at Rast's comment. "The lady of the stars may answer your prayers, she may not. I have always been more partial to Gozreh myself, though I would not call myself a follower as such. Perhaps my elven foster parents are the cause for that, given we spent much of my childhood in a caravan traversing the world. It was a... simpler time." Asa trails off.
"I would give anything for the lies I believed then to be truths now." She shakes the thought away. "At any rate, we had a minor cleric that traveled with us most of his life. He was much more devout than I, and Gozreh would sometimes speak to him in the storms that would pass. No matter how bad the storm would be around us, he always managed to guide us to the bit of land that survived it with the least damage." Asa smiles wistfully, her elongated teeth showing. "I miss the old man... may his soul travel the storms with his lord."
As much as he wanted to see the evil items properly destroyed and dealt with it was with heavy heart he knew where his duty lay. He gave one longing look at the remains to be given to Father Zantus and slowly made his way torwards the Piero Household. It took him several moments to work up the nerve to approach the door, once there he knocked simply but loud enough to be heard. He cleared his throat and waited for the door to be answered.
"I think we should head to the church first, we can have the father deal with the magical items and the priests and prepare the remains to receive their last rite."
The knight takes the word as they enter the church, he gives a slight bow to the father "Father, we have found some items of interrest at the chopper's isle. They others knows more about these items but I understood they where some kind of evil magical items."
He pauses for a moment collecting his thoughts "But first things first we believe we have found the remains of the Chopper's last victim, the young Piero boy, I think Calin went to inform the parents. There is however not much left but a skeleton, so we couldn't make a proper identification."
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Rast goes with the Knight to Father Zantus.
"Father Zantus, Father Gil who I traveled with and who brought me to my calling,told me he could sometimes get words from the dead. Does Desna grant you that power?"
"I would like to know for sure we found a boy that had been missing."
Pausing but not long enough for Zantus to speak.
"That island is an evil place Father."
Asa excuses herself from the group upon reaching town, though not before handing Calin the ruined book found with the child's remains. "For either your report to the sheriff or as a keepsake for his parents. Either way, it belongs in hands apart from mine."
Smiling, though once again with her lips only, she heads into the Rusty Dragon to drop off her bag and to retrieve her smithing hammer. "I think it would be a good idea to relax a bit after that. Time to see if Korvut needs any help at the forge." With that thought in mind, she begins making her way to the Red Dog smithy to lend a hand.
Eloisa follows the group to the church. She keeps quiet and in the background waiting to hear the answers to Rast's question.
A weary looking man with thick stubble answers the door.
"Yes?"
"I thank you for doing this, all of you, and for retrieving these items. I will instruct my clerk to pay you a bounty for this."
He responds to you directly, Rast.
"That it is an evil place, I have no doubt, though perhaps now some light may be shed upon that place. I am not powerful enough to move the spirits of the dead to conversation, and I do not know that I would wish to. That poor boy has suffered enough; I would more wish to simply perform proper rites and give him a decent burial.
Tomasi Piero did go missing, before the fire that claimed the previous church...before Chopper was brought down. A sad end to an innocent boy. Is his body still there? I would wish to go there and reclaim it, and purify the sight of it's evil taint."
"Well, well! One of the 'heroes of Sandpoint' still has time to help out a lowly smith! That, right there, is the mark of a true hero; always time for the little guy, eh?"
There is nothing mean spirited in his tone or manner; this is clearly meant as more of a friendly ribbing in regards to your newfound fame.
Asa laughs at the light ribbing from the smith. "Don't be fooled, I am just here to hide from my adoring fans... one can only bear so much adoration in a day." It is clear from her tone that she is just running with the joke laid out before her. "It is nice to see the old man hasn't changed." The smile fades a little as she puts on an apron and pulls out her hammer. "In seriousness, I've had a rather frustrating day and would love the chance to turn that frustration loose on metal. Do you have any projects you need assistance with?"
He took a moment to take a simple calming breath.
"Mr. Piero, it is with a heavy heart i am here. The sheriff had myself and a small group examine the old building remains on Chopper's isle because someone thought they saw lights there and we... we believe we found the remains of your missing son, Tomasi. He is even now resting in the church. I can not even begin to imagine your pain, but I hope this will help to provide closure. Would you like an escort to the church sir?"
He said as calmly and softly as he could. He wasnt lying about that, he couldnt imagine the pain and hurting going through the man right now, he looked.... rough and he certainly couldnt fault the man at all.
Eliosa remains in the back of the group speaking to Father Zantus. I don't have anything to contribute at the moment, and I can't help cleanse anything.
Rast, if you are assisting, please give me a Knowledge Religion roll.
Before leaving, a clerk accepts the items from you and presents the party with a reward of 2,500 GP.
If you do and help to cleanse the site that will take up the rest of the day. Even if you have no divine or arcane power you can still be of help collapsing the tunnel or destroying the statue.
"Aye, I've some projects you can work on. Help quiet your mind. If you need to talk, youngster, old Korvut's got an ear."
Korvut pulls some commissions. Most are for relatively simple work; horseshoes, iron to be set into chests, and the like. There is one more complicated order for iron wrought into a design, likely for a gate. The design is a majestic horse.
You may work on any of these. Make a Craft or Profession roll.
"After all this time...it is not surprising, but it is still painful. I do thank you...at the least I might have some closure. Master Calin, yes? I've heard of you about town. Though the news is ill, I am in your debt for it's delivery. I will see myself to the church, and make my peace...though, rather than an escort, perhaps a friendly companion to share their story and distract me on the way would be appreciated."
Also, you are all now level 2! Go ahead an level up.
"I was only doing my duty father, I will however take my leave for now and conclude some other unfinished business I have. Don't hesitate to call on me another time." He says drawing the symbol of a butterfly over his heart before leaving the church.
"Pardon my asking, but you used to work with Masters Savrah and Korvut correct? Do you miss that? Working with your hands and such I mean.
He asked trying to make small talk as he walked with the man torwards the church. He was trying to think of what to say, both to Dante and inevitibly the sheriff.
"Ah, yes...never wanted to be adventurers ourselves, not the stomach for all that killing. But to have an adventurer survive thanks to your gear...why, now, that was worthy. To have the cloak you yourself made help shield someone sneaking into the lair of a dragon...to have your magic blade be the one that lays low the vampire threatening to cover the lands in eternal night...it's not only the heroes that live on in legend. I think we all wanted to carve out a little piece of history for myself. Beyond that, they're good friends. Kept me from drinking myself into the grave after...well, you know. After that happened, I just couldn't make myself do the work like I used to. The joy of it was just...gone."
Also anyone who wants to can make that skill check not just Calin.
Rast, you assist in the ceremony. It will take several hours; those of you that are not religiously inclined assist in actually demolishing the statue or collapsing the stairs. After a while though, you all begin to feel a presence. It's the opposite of what you felt initially; this is welcoming and soothing, the warm glow of love and acceptance. Rast, you have felt this way when channeling the power of Desna, and feel that her grace is helping purge this place.
Asa takes some of the iron set aside for chests and begins to work. It is apparent that this isn't precisely what her training in metalworking is best at, but the bends to the correct shape, if a bit roughly.
"My dwarven teacher gave me more pointers in making iron and steel into blades and hammers, so you will have to forgive me if this isn't perfect." She smiles, the pain in her hand barely noticeable as she swings the hammer into the heated metal.
She places the rough hinges into the water to cool.
"If memory serves, you mentioned that you used to work with Mr. Pierro. You should talk to him tonight after you close up. He... well, my companions should have passed some bad news to him by now." Asa sighs. "We were asked to investigate strange lights on Chopper's Isle, and during the investigation we found remains we believe to have belonged to his son. Grim business, and ill tidings. I imagine that he probably suspected the boy dead, but to know for certain still must be hard to bear."
Asa's look is sad, but determined. "I also imagine that having friends at such a dark time would make the bearing a bit easier."
"I...yes. Thank you for telling me. Knowing Dante, that daft man will be heading to deal with it himself. He always forgot Savrah and I were there to help him shoulder the burden...well. I suppose it can't be helped. I'm going to close up shop early today. If you'd like to continue a bit of work for me, you can, and I'll add it to your earnings, but feel free to muck around for yourself if you want. It might be work, but you know better than most that there's an art to swinging these hammers."
Korvut begins to gather his things to leave.
Asa nods at Korvut as he gathers his things. "I will lock up when I finish. Assuming you will be at the Dragon tonight I will give you your key then, if not I will meet you in the morning." She smiles at him approvingly. "If I manage to make any progress with anything I will show you then."
She continues to work on the pieces required for the chest, moving to the reinforcing bands, the iron bending a bit easier now that Asa is getting into the swing of things.
With the bindings and hinges for the chest set, Asa turns to the metal set aside for the intricate gate. "I really hope that I don't ruin this. Korvut has only lost his temper once around me, and I would prefer to keep it that way. Still, I know that he needed to at least begin working on that today, it is my fault that he fell behind. Might as well take a swing at it." Laughing mirthfully to herself at her own joke, she begins to heat and hammer the iron, carefully bending and shaping the horse design as best as she can. With patience and time the project sees some serious progress made. Placing the horses into the water to cool them, Asa pulls them out to admire them.
"Not half bad. He will still need to finish the bars and the framework, but that should not take him long at all." Satisfied, and relaxed, the dhampir woman takes off her apron and locks up the shop as she promised.
"Well I know the people I am working with would be honored to wear your gear. I dont know if im an adventurer, but just the last few weeks... Strange times are aboud in Sandpoint I'm afraid. Have you heard of that strange masked fellow the Desnan Knight? he was with us when we investigated the island. There was some strange undead creature there that we put back to rest. Anyway.
He paused as the church came into view. He half bowed and lowered his head.
"I need to report to the sheriff Master Piero, Once more my condolences and I hope you find your way.
He tried to keep his face neutral and plain, he didnt... he didnt think he would be able to handle seeing the good man look upon the remains of his son and not feel something. It was best to stick to business at hand. He glanced upwards and said a quick little mental prayer to whatever good might be gracious enough to help Master Dante find himself again and moved through the city torwards the Sheriff's
Eloisa follows the group back to Chopper's Isle. "I'm not sure what help I can be, but let me try." She works on destroying things, and cleansing things as best she can.
Selaros has returned after some time around town, to the Rusty Dragon and prepare for the evening work
Asa takes the keys and returns to the Rusty Dragon to wait for either Korvut or her companions. Noticing Selaros, she nods kurtly to him. "Water please when you get the chance. And a strip of clean linen if you can find one." Holding up her burned hand by way of explaination, she smiles with only her lips. "Got careless while helping Korvut out at the forge."
Selaros acts like he belives her ruse. He returns with a pitcher of water and a glass, he also found some linen from the first aid box. "Well that was rather silly, but I know how it feels to be burnt rather badly." He pulls his left sleeve up a little to show her the scars from when we was brunt years ago. "The lesson I learnt is, when your are working always have your mind on your work. Less you end up with permanent damage, and that is a shame.
Asa nods as she gratefully accepts the water and bandage. "Those look painful. Did you get caught up in that church fire I was told about?" Asa seems to think better of the question and hold up her good hand before he can answer. "Actually forget it. I am sure however you received that must have been painful enough without my questioning it. The past certainly seems to find a way of showing up uninvited enough around here without my giving it leave to do so." She smiles, her lips barely covering her teeth as she does.
"Have you seen my... companions... return yet?" The word 'companions' seems a bit forced, but not in a hostile way.
"It's no problem, yes I got caught trying to have extinguish it. My mind was elsewhere and I got engulfed on the left side." he pulles the sleeve down again before answering her. "I saw all but Calin arrive at the church, as I left it before coming here. I would imagine they are still there, they seemed to have a rather grim expression as the entered."
"You have no idea..."
"Still? Strange, I would have thought they would be finished by now, but then what do I know of religious ceremonies." Asa shakes her head. "Well, if you see them or Korvut please let me know. Also," Asa leans in and whispers, "don't spread this to anyone but Ameiko, but keep an eye on Mr. Pierro if he comes in tonight. We found his son's remains out on the island and I imagine that he might be somewhat distraught over it. Korvut knows, so hopefully he will be keeping an eye on him too. Still, can't have too many eyes on someone in grief, especially those of the folks serving his drinks."
She shakes her head and takes a long drink from the water.
Eloisa decides to stop by the Rusty Dragon on the way back from Choppers Isle. I'm hungry and dirty. Hopefully the offer of free food is still good. I'm starved."
When she enters the pub she notices Asa sitting at a table, and speaking with Selaros. She hesitates a moment not sure of her welcome, but decides to move forward anyway. "Good Evening. May I join you? We just finished cleansing Chopper's Isle with the Father. That was harder work than I'm used to. I think I broke a couple nails." She glances at her dirty hands. Sure enough two nails on her left hand have been broken off. Should have prepared Prestidigitation today. "I'll be back after I was up a little bit."
"Selaros, if I could get an ale and some supper, I'd really appreciate it. It's been a rough day."
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Before heading to the Rusty Dragon for dinner and the night Rast stops at the church with Father Zantus to pray. He is feeling fairly exuberant from the experience.
My lady Desna, thank you. I was questioning today but felt your power. It was destiny that Father Gil convinced me to leave home and sent me on this path.
After a some time of prayer Rast will head to the Rusty Dragon for the night. If he sees the women that had he traveled to Choppers Island with he heads to the table. Still somewhat euphoric Rast approaches the women, probably more upbeat then they are.
“Quite the long day today? Can I, um, sit with you to eat?” looking at the women more closely he becomes uncomfortable after seeing Asa still injured “I, um, learned a lot today. Tomorrow I should be able to help your injury."
Asa nods to both Rast and Eloisa. "So that is where you went after we got back. Good, the place needed to be leveled. I was just explaining to Selaros here that I got careless while working for old Korvut at his forge after we got back. I would, of course, appreciate any help healing it you can provide Rast. Assuming it does not heal on its own that is."
The strain behind Asa's smile is almost visible. "Gods be good and let keep them too their word."
"So how is the boy's father? I can't imagine this is easy for him."
"I didn't see him. Calin went to give him the news. I went with the rest of the group to the Church to turn over the items, and find out our next steps with the Isle. Turns out the next steps were a lot of praying by the clerics and manual labor for the rest of us."
She looks at Asa's hand. "You should be more careful at the forge. Those things can be dangerous. So can creating alchemical creations. I remember one time I put in a little to much piest, and boom up went the whole experiment. It took a week to scrape everything off the ceiling, and the glass out of the walls" She looks embarrassed at disclosing her failure.
Selaros nods and goes to the kitchen to bring out some of todays dinner. He returns with a bowl of green curry, some rice, stir fried vegetables and fresh fruits, and six plates so that everyone can join if they decide to. "I hope you'll enjoy the tian cuisine, you'll take a bit of everything and mix together and finish with squeezing the fruit juice over the top. I'll join you for the time being, if you don't mind, it's a quite night so far."
Asa nods gratefully, taking a plate. "Thanks. Haven't been to that part of the world, maybe I will be able to get there one day."
Asa hands a plate to Eloisa with a grateful nod.
"Laudo consilium tuum."
"I appreciate your discretion."
"Never had the patience for alchemy myself. Too many precise measurements, not enough artistry. Smithing allows some room for error. Well, as long as your aren't putting your hands on the burning metal that is." Asa gives the woman a sheepish smile as she begins serving herself. "Before you join us, would you mind asking Ameiko if she got a shipment of black tea in? I was told she was out but that she might be getting some after the Festival."
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Catching the drift onf the conversation.
"I trust your work at the forge was worth the pain it caused. I never really learned any, um, useful skills in Trunau."
Noticing Eloisa's dirty hands.
"Eloisa, thank you for coming to cleanse the Isle. You clearly had the more taxing work. Did you feel the power of good grow near the end as I did?
As the day continues, Dante Piero makes his way into the Rusty Dragon. He pauses in the door, holding it open, and Savrah and Korvut enter after him. Korvut's large hand pats his friend shoulder and the two men whisper conspiratorially, Dante cracking a grin, the first any of you have seen from the man.
The three grab a table. Upon seeing them enter, Ameiko makes her way over, bringing a pitcher and three mugs. She and Dante share some quiet words, and the innkeeper embraces Dante briefly. When they pull away, you see Dante wipe something away from his cheeks.
Dante makes eye contact with you, Calin, and nods gratefully.
After a while, Ameiko comes up to you.
"Message was left for you all. The noble some of you rescued, Aldern Foxglove, wants to take you on a hunt to properly thank you. Seems he's free tomorrow and ready. When you get up in the morning, he'll be waiting at the Goblin Squash Stables. "
Before Ameiko delivers the message, Asa quietly excuses herself from the table and walks over to Korvut and company.
"I don't mean to intrude. I locked up when I was finished, as I said I would. Here is the key." Asa places the blacksmith's key on the table beside him. "I got some work done on the horses for that gate. I hope it is acceptable. The frame and bars for it still need to be finished though." Turning to Dante and Savrah, Asa inclines her head. "I hope that you all have as good of an evening as possible." The magus smiles somberly, and returns to the table just in time to hear of Foxglove's invitation.
"Hunting? Seriously? The rich have too much time on their hands."
"If Korvut does not need my assistance I might go. Did he say what he intends to hunt?"
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Unsure how to proceed Rast looks about a bit. Seeing the group he decided his mace, at least, may be of use.
"If Asa or Eloisa will hunt I will give it a try. I have never hunted like this but I might be able to smack something with my mace I guess."
Yet another thing my background makes me out of place for. Well, I am strong at least.
Eloisa studies Rast for a moment. "I did feel a lightness there at the end of our project." She heads off to wash. Probably just me being light headed from manual work.
When she hears the group has been invited to go hunting, she looks surprised. Leave it to a noble to think a day of hunting is a proper thank you gift. "Hunting for animals? Well I guess so. I'm better at hunting down books and the like, but I can try."
"I guess it could be fun to try it, maybe we can bring something back to prepare a meal amoungst us." He says smiling. "I helped him as the knight so I think I have to find some excuse to join."
Ameiko nods and grins.
"There's probably worse ideas then making friends with nobles. Adventurers do get into trouble sometimes, and an ally that's, ah, connected goes a long way! Say...there's an idea! How about you all bring that boar back to me? I'll cook it up and we can have a proper feast! We'll invite the mayor, the sheriff...some of the other notables around town. Of course everyone appreciates what you did at the Swallowtail Festival, but things can be fleeting...better for you all to stay fresh in the minds of the town and make some better friends. What do you say?"
Asa sighs, giving Selaros a quizzical look at his response. "I am not entirely sure that this Lord was inviting you, though if he says anything about it I will tell him to mind his tongue around my guest." The pseudo smile fades as Ameiko mentions reasons for wanting to go. "I almost would rather they forgot about me so I could be on my way. Probably not the most diplomatic thing to say out loud though."
"I suppose that makes some sense. At least the boar will not go to waste that way." She opts to say instead, a strained smile that just graces her lips only flickering on her face like a burning out light.
He never did get a chance to speak with the sheriff after his trip to the church with Mr.Piero. So in the end he returned to the stables... which thankfully of course was right beside the rusty dragon. He came in the last vestiges of sweat along his temple from his work to catch up after missing most of the day there and then he took a chair at the nearest table to the others.
I would join you closer but im afraid I probably smell terrible after mucking those stalls.
He had of course caught the tail end of Ameiko's statement and he blushed just slightly and nodded.
"I've read about noble hunts in a few books. Maybe there will be a white stag that will turn into a prince whom will marry one of you gals if we spare its life. Though i am indeed hoping for a boar roast. Im sure one more day shirking my work for mr. Hosk wont be minded too much. Thankfully his wife Iemra kept him from asking me about the days adventures too much. He uh... used to be something of an adventurer himself in his younger days you know."
He added to the others with a bright smile.
He nodded at Selaros in response to miss Asa's words.
"We can tell him you are there to prep the boar for cooking... or we can just tell him you are the secret Desnan Knight savior of Sandpoint.... just practice an heroic pose.
He added with laughter reaching over and clapping Severo's shoulder. It was clear he wasnt mocking the man in any way, more just jesting.
Asa cracks a partial smile at Calin's jest. "As if he would believe that. Even if we tied a clean dish rag around his face, Selaros just isn't the right... well, height among other things." Asa's face grows a bit more serious.
"I do hope that he is ok. That mental attack seemed to really shake him." The smile returns as she adds, "And you for that matter, Calin. Perhaps you should have the priest clear you for hunting, lest you run off after white stags that none but you can see." The words are spoken in an almost jovial tone, something only Korvut and those in the smith's shop have likely heard before now.
"Well that would be quite the story Calin, imagine the rumormill starting to go around Sandpoint. But on the other hand I'm not sure you would be able to tell that lie very good to this nobleman, and keep it up. He responds to Calin before turning to Asa "I did fight off a few goblins myself and is proclaimed to be one of the heroes, so since there wasn't any name to it I could be one of the invited heroes, even if I don't like to be called that, as I was only defending myself and my friend.
Ameiko grins with mischief and taps your shoulder, Calin.
"You're cute when you blush."
Before you can say anything, she addresses the rest of the group.
"Well, I'll set to inviting some people to the feast tomorrow, then! We'll make this a proper thing. I'm glad you're all here. Five years ago, the town had a terrible time. Chopper, the fire...it's easy to see how a successful Goblin attack during the Swallowtail Festival could have set the town back significantly. And it would have succeeded, if not for you. We'll remember that."
She nods at you all appreciatively, then returns to her duties for the night.
Selaros, Agustianna is in the inn for a drink should you wish to speak to her.
Korvut, Dante and Savrah are sharing some drinks and enjoying a conversation.
If there is anything any of you wish to do or anyone you wish to talk to, we'll do that now. Otherwise I'll move the game along.