A not-quite-so-sweet smile spreads across Shaedeen's lips when Asa mentions making a glass coffin for Ameiko's treacherous brother.
"On second thought...watching the interrogation might be insightful," Shae announces, even while she thinks ...and entertaining! Turning to Eloisa she asks, "You coming?"
"Yes. I'm very interested in seeing what Ameiko's brother has to say about his lady friend. She sounds evil and interesting." Eloisa follows the group. "I hope the Night is ok. He left before taking his share of the items. Which reminds me. I need to start to scribe extra scrolls of things as soon as I get the chance."
"Brunch first. No good came from questioning someone on an empty stomach after such a vigorous work-out. I hate to impose on Ameiko, but with any luck her attendant will have at least gotten to doing some prep work for a simple meal... even leftover boar from last night wouldn't be unwelcome at this point." She smiles to the two other women.
Eloisa's stomach decides to growl loudly at that moment. "Breakfast sounds good. I was hoping to eat at the Dragon this morning."
"Truth be told I got distracted seen the the women leaving the glassworks as I return, so ofcause I wanted to make sure they were safe and sound. I'm sorry to miss out on everything, but I can see you fine a new sword." Selaros responds to Asa hoping to change the subject but as they start to talk about breakfast he remembers none of them had anything to eat. "I agree with the breakfast, my own hunger was beginning to distract me, let's return to the Dragon and I'll help Ameiko dish something out for us."
"Unless I miss my guess, Ameiko won't be there; she and Agustianna were headed towards the Cathedral for treatment. If you all want to eat, or see to Tsuto and the Sheriff, feel free. I'm going to check in on them first.
And then, we are all going to have a long discussion. We've uncovered some disturbing information here."
Merrick, without waiting for the others, will head to the Cathedral to ensure that Ameiko and Agustianna are all right.
So Merrick is going to the Cathedral. Everyone else?
Selaros is following Merrick "I'd assume they be done there by now, but can't hurt to go there and check before heading to the inn."
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"I am going to head to the cathedral as well, Desna should still allow me some healing energies."
Rast will ignore his protesting stomach and head to the Cathedral as well, once there he will provide what healing he can.
Rast will also give a full report to Fahter Zantus on what they found and what took place, particularly with the pool of water at the end, before finding food or looking into armor.
Eloisa is going for lunch.
He frowned at Asa, as she told him to well, see her at the forge. The flail they had found suited him just fine. He did, need to swing by Savrah's. Despite the magic nature of the shield he well.. he had bigger plans in a way. He had read about a special kind of shield once and was interested to see about the size of them. He wondered if Rast could use the shield they had found, he could certainly show him how.
But first he had to report to the sheriff... about all of this.
" I need to report to the Sheriff, but after that I will stop by the Cathedral."
He began frowning slightly at the idea that other found breakfast most desirable at first. Though his stomach betrayed him by rumbling.
Shaedeen silently wills her stomach to growl, feeling that such a sign of solidarity in hunger will be enough to get her into Asa and Eloisa's 'Girls' Club.' Nothing. Damn it!!
Shae is unusually thoughtful for a few moments before telling Asa and Eloisa, "Actually, I think I'll join the boys and check in on Ameiko and her friend. Save me a roll and a pat of butter, OK?"
"My men reported the heinous crime in the Glassworks. It's good that you stopped who did it...you even managed to take him alive, which is damn impressive! I'm worried that he'll prove...a hostile captive, though. He's returned to consciousness and he seems like...well, he seems like a zealot. Just vague threats and shouts of loyalty to "his love". Maybe that Wizard friend of yours knows some spells that can gain his trust?"
Shae, you're a bit over-eager, but Rast covers for you. Ameiko offers you a weak smile.
"You don't have to explain to me; if you hadn't come along, I think much worse thins may have awaited Agustianna and I. I think you need to tell me everything, because I know my brother. There's got to be more to this."
Asa smiles as Bethana brings out the food.
"Thank you. Ameiko and her friend should be back once Father Zantus has finished tending to them. I... think it best for her to tell you more about what happened to her, it would not be my place."
Digging in gratefully, the young woman devours two plates of food, pausing only for brief moments to wash down bits of bacon with water.
*Do you need sustenance in some form?* She thinks to her blade in between bites. *Also... what should I call you? Do you have a name or title that you can remember?*
Merrick hesitates for a moment; Ameiko has been through quite an ordeal. He doesn't want to overburden her, but...Merrick feels that she needs to know.
"I couldn't tell you how Tsuto came into contact with these people, but, based on his journal, there is another, much larger Goblin assault on Sandpoint in the works. Thistletop is mentioned. There are several other names as well; Ripnugget, Bruthazmus, and Malfeshnekor. More concerning, and of interest to you as well, Father Zantus, is the mention of the woman in charge, Tsuto's 'love'. He says that burning her father's remains at Thistletop has started a transformation, replacing her 'celestial taint' with the Mother's Grace. Given the unholy symbol of Lamashtu and the demon we fought in the catacombs beneath the Glassworks, I've no doubt that Desna's foe has a hand in this...but the woman. Father, is there any way that could the daughter of Father Tobyn? I know it's assumed she died in the fire...could she have survived?"
Eloisa eats breakfast sipping tea between bites. She nods in agreement with Asa that Ameiko needs to tell her part of the story.
Taking her time with breakfast she says, "I wonder if that magical room is Thassalonian? Who knows what we might find there when we manage to turn it off." She looks around and notices that none of the boys joined them. "I hope they aren't mad we didn't go with them. I was really hungry, and it's not like I can help with the healing. Most of the time anyway." She slips Ausarta a few crumbs of bread.
Asa shrugs. "Probably this whole town is built over one giant ruin. As I said earlier, those tunnels on-" Asa looks around, then lowers her voice so that only Eloisa can hear it, "on the isle of that murderous fiend," having said that part de sotto, she raises her voice back to conversation levels, "were likely part of that same complex we were just in. All connected, prior to the passage of time and the destruction of Earthfall."
Asa takes a large bite of sausage and makes a deliberate showing of chewing it, thinking a response to her new friend while doing so.
*All sentient beings need names. They define a part of their being, make them distinct from similar entities. I could name you, but in a way that would be me exerting dominance over you. To some degree that just does not seem correct. In time I might give you a title, or surname, and that would be more correct... but I want you to think about what you wish me to call you. I will ask again later this evening, though it is fine if you haven't thought of something by then.*
Swallowing, Asa continues on to Eloisa as if nothing had happened.
"Regardless, they are fools to rush off to their respective destinations before eating anything. I take no responsibility for their collapsing of extreme hunger, or asking questions with the force of a ninety year old great grandmother."
Selaros will walk over to Agustianna at the cathedral and put a hand on her shoulder. "Well this is a change of sight, normally you'd be the one to stand over me when I came home bruised up." He says smiling and continues. "But in any case, how are you feeling?"
After Asa finishes her breakfast, she nods thanks to Bethana.
"As I said, Ameiko should be back here in short order. Apart from some minor physical injuries she was mostly fine. Do keep an eye on her, though. Not every injury is of the body."
Standing, Asa heads to the Sherriff's office to commence interrogation of her half brother.
*This might get ugly. The man is head over heals in love with some creature that is trying to turn itself into a demon, using the townsfolk as a sacrificial fire. Last night he killed his own father by encasing him in molten glass while alive. Real piece of work, not sure if I will be able to get anything from him.*
After failing in her bid to wriggle her way into Ameiko's good graces, Shaedeen returns to the Rusty Dragon just in time to see Asa exit and begin stalking toward the sheriff's office. Scampering up to the dhampir (and, presumably, Eloisa), Shaedeen asks, "So...did you remember to get me a buttered roll?"
Seeing Shae, Asa shakes her head. "No rolls, buttered or otherwise. Plenty of bacon and sausage though. Go grab a bite, they travel well enough and we won't be walking too fast." She gives the younger woman a smile.
Eloisa would rather head home to start scribing scrolls, but she feels she has to go to the sheriff's office to see what Tsuto has to say for himself. "We'll take our time getting there Shae. Go get your breakfast."
Shae's eyes twinkle with mischief as they dart quickly to Asa before she answers Eloisa. "No way! I wouldn't miss this for all the bacon in the world!"
Three strides later, however, the mercurial girl admits, "Having a monopoly on all the world's bacon does sound pretty sweet, though. And 'Shaedeen the Bacon Queen' has a certain ring to it, don't you agree?"
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Once Merrick has given his report and the women are well on their way to being whole, physicall at least, Rast will pull Father Zantus to the side, out of the girls earshot.
"Father, first thank you I.. well.. I think Desna is granting me more power as I help with these problems. About today though, there were things below the glass-work that were true evil. I think we dealt with it but... well there was a pool of water. When blood was dropped in demons were summoned. We emptied the pool but we must keep an eye on it."
"Add that to what Merrick reported and there may be a bigger issue.
If you hear anything please let us know. Beyond that do you need me now? I could eat a horse."
"I know, I need rest, but I can't right now, Father. I know some of those names, and there's someone I must get word to. Shalelu will have more information. I'm not going to do anything crazy; I can make it back to my tavern."
Father Zantus argues a bit, in his gentle, paternal way, but Ameiko will not be swayed. Agustianna, too, does not wish to stay any longer.
Players, you are welcome to accompany them back, though Ameiko doesn't have much more to say on the matter.
Rast, Father Zantus is grateful for the update. He doesn't have any information for you; it's the first he's heard of a device like that under Sandpoint, but he promises to let you know of any new information that comes his way.
With his report given to the sheriff, Calin found himself well at a loss of what to do now. It was perhaps time to go see if Miss Ameiko was okay, finish feeding the horses.. then perhaps go to Savrah about a purchase or two.
"Let's meet at the Rusty Dragon, and see if we can come up with a plan to get Tsuto to talk. I try to can think of magical means, but I don't have those in my spell book. We aren't going to come up with a solution milling around here." Eloisa suggests.
Asa shakes her head. "I will have a few words with him, whether he talks back or not."
After being shown to the cell, Asa pulls up a chair and sits across from the half-elf.
"Must be some woman you are in love with for you to be willing to go to such lengths. Oh, don't worry. I already know that you aren't talking right now. Probably hoping that when your second wave of goblins and other creatures arrive that you can escape to be with her." Asa smiles at the man. "Don't worry though. Unless this attack is coming tomorrow you likely won't be alive to be rescued. I doubt that the town will suffer you to live too long, especially once it becomes apparent that no information can be gleaned from your fanatical mind. As such, I would anticipate a quick trial for the murder of your father followed by execution. I doubt that your death will be as painful as is deserving, but then that is what you get from civilized folks." Asa leans forward, almost conspiratorially. "If it was up to me, I would say that you should get the privilege of experiencing similar pain to what you inflicted. Have you encased in glass, only in your case," Asa points to his legs and then his arms as she says, "it would be limb by limb. Head and chest last." She laughs, shaking her head. "But then, most here wouldn't have the stomach for that. And many would argue that it wasn't civilized. I suppose it wouldn't be. But perhaps you would have a better appreciation for the depths of depravity you wantonly inflicted on your own kin. For the sake of a woman who, judging from your journal," Asa pulls it out at that word, flipping through the pages, "would probably be just fine sacrificing you with the rest of the town if it was required to complete this... transformation... of hers. Isn't love grand?" Asa rises, and gives the man a pitying smile. "I seriously doubt that you do, but if you have anything useful to say I would do so now. Like where this woman is hiding, or what her name is. Perhaps it might be enough to save your skin. Probably not, but you never know."
"Let's go to the Rusty Dragon Agustianna, get something to strengthen ourselves on. " Selaros says offering his arm to support her.
"Maybe that's my destiny. But I'll never help you. This town is sick. The people here are all lifeless mannequins, blind deaf and dumb to the truth of the world! It would be doing Sandpoint a favor to eradicate this hick town, and my love will do so. I only hope you'll suffer long enough to enjoy it."
Everyone not at the Sheriff's Office meets back at the Rusty Dragon. You make it there without incident; it is still early in the day. Bethana bursts into tears and fusses over Ameiko, who is clearly embarrassed. She does instruct Ameiko to get word to Shalelu.
Ameiko sits down, helping herself to some food. She is quiet, and somewhere in her eyes you can see the reality of everything that just happened begin to take hold. Still, she shakes her head a bit and speaks.
"Shalelu should make it here by nightfall. She can...she can help. You need to talk to her. And I...I need to sleep. Merrick, do me a favor? Put the "Closed" sign on the door for tonight, yeah?"
She chews on a piece of sausage, lost in thought.
Eloisa, Charm Person is a relatively common spell. A shop might have a Scroll of it. Alternatively, you could see if you can find another Wizard in town.
Asa shrugs at the man's words. "I have been suffering way before you were crawling, boy. Whatever horrors your love has planned pale in comparison to what my mother would do if she thought this place had any value." Asa smiles fully, showing Tsuto her fangs as she does. "Trust and believe me when I say that she would enjoy slowly sucking the life essence of your beloved out of her body, pint by pint, until nothing remained of her but a shallow desiccated husk. Or if she thought she had... potential... she might deign to turn her into a thrall. But she does not have to worry. My mother doesn't know of this place's potential, and your love will find my blade cutting out her blackened heart from her chest long before such a time comes." Asa smiles again, this time with just her lips, as normal. "This is likely the last time we shall speak. Be sure to give my regards to the Mistress of Graves when you see her. And smile. Your love will be joining you in whatever hell awaits not long after. It would be a shame to have true lovers separated for long by death, after all."
Departing the cell, Asa finds her way through town to Savrah's shop. Opening the door, she knocks on the inside of it as she enters. "Please excuse me, I know the hour is somewhat early, but I was hoping to see if you had an item for sale."
"I'll put the sign up Ameiko, I need to run a quick errand anyway before it gets to dark outside." Selaros says getting up and walking towards the door, stopping at it to look if any follows him while he turns the sign and steps outside.
He slips inside and starts to walk around "Let's see if I can remember the room I hid it in." After a few minutes he gets to the room, where he did the change efter the party had defeated the demon underneath. He finds the special designed glaive from it's hiding, and puts a bag over the blade to smuggle it back to his room, without the others noticing it as the Desna Knight's weapon.
Shaedeen lurks back in the shadows as Asa and Tsuto exchange their unpleasantries. She's got a dark soul, she thinks of Asa. And a confident one.
When Asa depart, Shae wordlessly follows her as far as the Rusty Dragon. There she peels off, grabs a seat, and orders some food and a glass of watered-down wine. As she nibbles her meal and nurses her drink, the teen does a bit of deep thinking. (Well, for her at least.)
Selaros; no problems there.
Asa, Savrah is still opening up her shop, but smiles upon seeing you. Your group clearly has her favor.
"No worries, I was just opening up! What can I do for you today?"
Giving the woman a smile, Asa places her new falcata on the counter. *Will only be a minute, I promise.*
"Yes, I was hoping that you might have silk armor. I remember hearing stories about it from my.... well, it doesn't matter much. I mainly want something that will help add a little bit better chance of deflecting a blow that I am unable to dodge. That said, I need full range of movement if I am to be able to channel the energies used in some of my spells, so it cannot be too heavy or to restrictive. I know that it might be a bit harder to find something like what I am describing this far west... but if anyone might have the ability to make something like that I felt it would probably be you."
He too was planning on making his way to Savrah's armory to look about having a shield made.He quietly waited his turn, though he couldnt help but overhear Asa. He had never heard of this silk armor, but he supposed any extra layer could help.
Eloisa will go looking for another wizard in town. "Ameiko do you know of any other wizards in town? I need to buy a scroll or rent a spell book to scribe a spell or two if there's someone around."
Shaedeen flashes Rast a smile. "You're no bother, and besides--I promised to introduce you to Savrah. Here--help me finish off the food on my plate and then we'll head right over."
When she and Rast arrive, Shae sees Asa and Calin already there. She can't resist asking, "Are we behaving ourselves?" with an impish grin before she introduces Rast to Savrah. Then she moves to the footwear section and begins to closely examine a pair of knee-high leather boots (in black, of course).
When Savrah seems to have a moment free from her other customers, Shaedeen asks, "Do you know if there's a mage in town who could enchant a pair of boots or other objects to give them an added upgrade?"
"Eloisa mind if I accompany you? I need to get a few potions from the local brewer, maybe he can also scribe you some scrolls. I'm not really sure if he is an alchemist or wizard, but it doesn't hurt to have a look."
"Sure Selaros. Let's go and see what he has. I'm specifically looking for Charm Person of course I'd love to add any spells to my book." she follows him to the brewer.
On the way there, Have you seen that guy, the Desna Knight? He always shows up when there's a fight, but doesn't stay around afterward. He's due some money from what we got for selling the stuff we found. I want to make sure he gets it. It costs money to live, and Nethys knows we're going to be getting into more scrapes until we figure out this evil girlfriend who wants to burn down the town. We'll probably need better armor and stuff."
"I haven't seen him today, I think most of the time he lurks around the forests keeping an eye on the nearby goblin tribes and comes into Sandpoint to rest and resupply from what I've heard around town. He'll probably show up tonight somewhere in town so you might run into him there. I wish I had returned faster to the glassworks, sounds like I've missed quite a bit in there. Ii what you say is true, I might also need to get a replacement for my starknife, it's a bit old and worn." Selaros says as they walk towards Nisk's shop.
"It's in here Eloisa." He says opening the door for Eloisa into the brewer's shop stepping in after her. "Hello Nisk how are you today? I'd like to buy a few potions from you to stock up with something useful with all the trouble we had around town lately. I would like to buy two cure light potions and a dose of antipoison."
Eloisa nods to Nisk, "It's nice to see you Nisk. I'm hoping you have some scrolls to sell or a spellbook to rent. If not, maybe you know someone who does. I'm specifically looking for Charm Person, but you know me, I'm always looking to add spells to my book."
Asa turns as Shae addresses her, noticing for the first time Calin hovering behind.
"Why wouldn't I? No one has said challenging words about my upbringing or mysteriously arrived from parts unknown since brunch. As such, I am looking forward to some time at the forge after this."
Calin, that does still apply. Looking around, you see one of the more impressive pieces in Savrah's armory; a repeating crossbow. It is finely made and crafted from an exotic wood. A word is carved into it; "Vasanya".
Other than that, it is a fairly standard allotment of arms and armor, though all are extremely well made.
Asa, Savrah does in fact have what you are looking for; it's in her "exotic" section, along with a scant collection of other equipment from the East.
Eloisa, Ameiko also lets you know of Ilsoari Gandethus. He is an older man that runs the local school, but he was something of a wizard in the past. He might have something for you.
Nisk welcomes you, and has an assortment of first and second level potions for sale (let me know if you want a list). He does not seem to possess any scrolls or the like, but does suggest you go by The Feathered Serpent. It's a shop that stocks sundry magic items, and the proprietor has contacts in Magnimar, so they generally have a good selection.