Lackspell looks across at Praetor in surprise and admiration as he marshalls a series of well reasoned arguments against the rather rude man...
Look at that ... he is very good at that... I could never think of the right thing to say in a moment like this...
He looks back at the newcomer...
Who IS this man? Everyone else seems to know him... and he makes them uncomfortable, obviously...
Then Ameiko comes out and begins to argue heatedly with the man...
Goodness! There's a side of Mistress Ameiko we've not seen before. Such passion. A match for his at least. It looks like they've done this before.
Not knowing what else to do, and since Ameiko seems to be holding her own, Lackspell will just stand and watch.
Varak would only snort at the irony of those injured at the cathedral being mentioned. He had yet to tell his friends of his day of healing, so this man would be rather disappointed to even find that thanks to them. It wasn't until Ameiko appeared and began to quarrel with the wealthy looking fellow that things became awkward. Varak would slowly rise to his feet as the two grew louder. He did not wish to intervene in personal matters, but with the contempt the man had shown already to his companions, he wanted to be ready should violence occur against his intended target. Especially when miss Ameiko had already been so nice and welcoming to him.
The arguments continue to escalate, and eventually, it begins to turn ugly. They begin gesticulating angrily, and eventually the man attempts to grab Ameiko by her hair.
Ameiko ducks quickly, and whacks the man upside the head with her ladle. It doesn't injure him much, but he is doused in curry, ruining his fine clothes. He looks at himself, bewildered and aghast, before turning a venom-filled gaze towards Ameiko.
"You're as dead to me as your mother," he says, and he storms off.
Ameiko closes her eyes for a moment, taking in a deep breath before picking a hair out of her mostly-empty ladle.
She smirks and turns to the crowd.
"You'll have to give me a moment to get a different ladle; this one's unfit for serving you all, since jackass stew isn't on our menu tonight."
At that, the gathered citizens give a laugh. The comment wasn't that funny, but it served to release the tension that had built up, and after a moment, the festive atmosphere returns.
The argument escalates to action and denouement too quickly for Lackspell to formulate a plan and act on it and before he knows it, he is laughing along with the rest of the crowd at Ameiko's wry observation. Then he starts to look puzzled ...
Wait... her mother? Did she just hit her father in the head with a ladle full of stew? People in this town are strange.
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As the war of only words escalates Ren relaxes a bit. She watches the stranger closely.
Wait, he has nor swung at her yet. By this point these should have at least been a bloody lip. Maybe people are different here?
She watches carefully prepared to move as needed. Then the stranger attempts to grab Ameiko.
Nope. All men are the same. Here they just hide it better, but all will take what they want.
She was nice to me.
If you get invoved you will be punished.
He is just an old man
Looks can be deceiving.
Before her inner conflict resolved, the fight was over and the old man had left the field.
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Where Arkon is from such disputes are common and he continues watching, ready to act if it gets to intense. Yep and they are resolved a bit like that as well.
"Well the townsfolk don't seem to like him much, so his little display may have actually gained us favour in the eyes of the people."
Arkon shrugs and heads off to find another conversation to awkwardly interact with.
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Out on their walk Chrona is pleased with what she is seeing of Aldern, 'Hmm, indeed perhaps he is the real deal. Well then..' She accepts some flowers from him and let's him buy her a decadent large brimmed hat as to keep the sun off of her. Returning to the Inn, Chrona hands the flower bouquet to a server telling the girl to break it apart and have flowers adorning the tables as centerpieces.
Chrona enjoys the meal and all the words of praise from the Mayor and the Sheriff. She plays the kind words down modestly, "Oh thank you, but it was nothing. The least we could do for such a charming town in need."
Sitting back in an elegant lounge and swirling a glass of Lackspell's cocktail within her steamed glass, Chrona has been whispering anecdotes and asides into Alerns ear all night. She is just leaning over to when the disgruntled man enters. "Sweetheart, as cute as your interest in this small town is, I believe we both know what these trips are for you. You're smart and have the birthright to have been their king back in those long forgotten days. Is supporting us a clever way to butter-up the citizens to your true motives? When do you plan to announce you're intentions to represent them in Magnimar at the The Council of Ushers? Hmm? Or is it something more loc.." Then the man breaks into the feast and interrupts Chrona's musing.
As he and Ameiko tussle publicly Chrona glares at the man with contempt in her eyes, definitely not helping the man's perception of the group. 'You basic bastard, do NOT ruin this for me. Begone before you roast like that pig.' She settles back down after he leaves with the crowd chuckles and giving Ameiko the benefit of keeping some of her composure.
"Why, that was rude. What exactly is the history there?"
Varak watched angrily for a moment and moved to react and grab at the old man until Ameiko managed to get him off. Varak would only remain close by until he left, fixing the noble with a savage glare of his amber colored eyes until he left. He'd only chuckle some at the joke, but had indeed felt his mood soured some by the tussle. It took quite a bit of food and conversation to calm him down, but even still, he was left wondering what it had all been about.
"Now, now...I don't want to reveal my little game just yet. A man has to have some mystery, after all!"
Aldern remains silent, watching the display, then responds to your query.
"Mm. Old wounds, there. Ameiko's mother died five years ago...fell to her death in a tragic accident. Lonjiku, there, was...well. He wasn't exactly sorry to see her go. You see, she had cuckolded him. The proof was in their second child, Tsuto...a half-elf. It was quite the scandal when he was born, but of course Lonjiku's nature was so foul no one was really surprised that Yariko would have trouble being faithful. Anyway, Lonjiku has always been obsessed with his families legacy, and stains on it are anathema to him. It's why he hated his bastard half-son. It's why he hated the fact that Ameiko was an adventurer and now runs a successful tavern. It's beneath the family dignity, in his eyes."
Chrona, you notice that Aldern drinks no more than a sip of the alcohol.
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"That's very, intriguing." Chrona says as she eyes Aldern's full glass suspiciously. She takes out a cigarette that appears lit as it reaches her lips. "And this half-elf, Tsuto. Where is he now? You seem to be supportive of Ameiko at least, perhaps there's about to be a shift in the paradigm here as the next noble generation takes the reigns."
He continues to engage you in conversation, but eventually weariness seems to get the better of him. He bids you good evening as he heads for sleep, kissing your hand rather charmingly before he leaves.
The night, while interrupted, returned to it's pleasant festive state. The hours while by, and you make new friends, continue to improve your relationship with the notable people in the town, and enjoy the glow of your newfound success.
The next morning, when you wake up, strangely, Ameiko has not risen. You wait in the common room, expecting her, but suddenly, Bethana Corwin, her halfling assistant, rushes into the room, clearly upset.
"She's gone! You have to help find her!"
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Arkon is idly sitting, feel up on another chair, idly scratching Orz who is sitting on his lap.
He stands from his sitting position in a rush tipping poor Orz onto the floor.. "Chirrrrrrrrr....p"
"Was she Taken? Where was she last and can we examine where she was last?"
Arkon will examine her last whereabouts and then use that information to try and track her or draw some conclusions
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The normally quiet Ren is out of her chair in an instant an kneeling in front of the halfling.
What do you mean gone? What happened!
It's probably that man from last night. She told him no and he came back and took her. He is going to take her and force himself on her. Just like Ripper...
Stop it. This isn't helping. Listen to her.
Lackspell is sitting quietly in a corner when Bethana rushes in to the room. He slept poorly last night, the unfortunate discussion just before the arrival of Ameiko's sparring partner having stirred up dark memories of Chopper's Isle. He was awoken by nightmares several times through the night and as a result this morning is looking rather jaded.
That said, when the halfling brings her news, a jolt of adrenaline wakes him right up, for the time being anyway.
Gone? But how? Could it have been that rude fellow from last night? Don't jump to conclusions now, it could have been anyone... if it was actually anyone at all ...
Taken? Do you think that likely? She seems very capable. I doubt she would be taken easily, or quietly...
Bethana is clearly upset, but she tries to calm down and tell you what she knows.
"All I know is that Ameiko NEVER misses her work, and she's gone...and I found this under her door!"
You find what appears to be a hastily written letter. It is written in Common.
Arkon, with that Survival roll, you can find traces of a humanoid woman who would have been Ameiko's size leave the inn about four hours ago.
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Chrona exhales a labored breath, her brain feels pickled. After Aldern left she took the liberty to thoroughly enjoy herself. "Aldern was telling me last night...Ameiko's mother died some short years back...fell or something stupid and tragic. That rude a#%~##$, who I know we're all suspecting right now, that's Lonjiku, Ameiko's father... I think the story goes that he was there when the mother died? He didn't care though, that I do remember.. Ha! yeah, because she, the mom got knocked up by another, the blatant proof was in their second child, Tsuto is, was? is? a half-elf. I guess it was a scandal when he was born, but no one blamed the woman because that man is so utterly rotten to be around. I guess the guys mere presence is considered torture. So he killed her, the mother, because of his obsession with the families legacy. Never found out where the son is though, but he openly hated Ameiko be being an adventurer and now running a successful tavern because 'It's beneath the family dignity.' Ugh Praetor what do you do for these hangovers?!" Chrona collapses into a chair overly dramatic.
Seeing Chrona suffering, Lackspell takes a small packet from one of his numerous pouches. Pouring the contents into a cup he pours some water in the cup with it. Immediately it starts fizzing vigorously, calming down after a few seconds to a more sedate fizzing. Offering it to Chrona, he says ...
There you are, drink that. That should help. Give it a few minutes and you should be right as rain.
Varak would enter the inn, having awoken early to replenish his spells and do a morning walk. He'd tilt his head to the side after hearing the commotion and seeing the worry in the room, though he knew not what it could be. Only after someone filled him in and showed him the note would he have any idea on what they should do.
"The only thing we can do is go to this Glasswork place and check on Miss Ameiko. We must check on her and see if her father or this Tsuto know anything," he said calmly. Despite his outward appearance of calm though, he seemed to be shaking with barely restrained rage that that old man might've hurt such a kind soul, his tail slamming into the floorboards beneath him.
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Not his normal drunken (or hungover) self, Praetor rises early and sets to sharpening his sword with a whetstone while watching out the window as the sun rises.
Afterwords he makes his way down into the dining area where he finds Chrona looking out of sorts. Looks like some of the fire is out of her eyes. I've been there before. Praetor has his hand in the air ready to place an order for Chrona when Lackspell passes her a powder to mix in her water. "Huh. Do those things work? I was going to suggest milk with a couple raw eggs and some hot sauce in it... Do you have many more of those?"
When Bethana bursts in all bothered and worried, Praetor's mood shifts and he becomes focused and serious. Before reading the letter, he grumbles "I bet it was that old man... I knew something was off about him." Even after reading the letter he cannot shake the notion. "This must be some ruse. I bet the old man is trying to lure us into a trap. His underestimation will be his undoing. Let's go to this glassworks, see what awaits us. I will just need a few minutes to prepare."
Praetor rushes up to his room and dons his armor. He walks back down into the main room ready to leave.
"Bethana, what do you know about the Glassworks? Is it far?"
Lackspell nods to Praetor.
Yes indeed I have a couple more. I bought them from a fellow at the fair, though I have to admit I don't remember his name. I understand the principal of them though, so I should actually be able to make them myself.
If it seems that the rest of the group is planning to head off to the Glassworks then Lackspell will dash upstairs and gear up to go with them.
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Chrona fans her red face with the brim of her large hat. She accepts the fizzy drink from Lackspell with a raised eyebrow, "Not the hair of the dog, but still couldn't hurt.." She drinks the whole glass in a single shot and then slowly gets to her feet. "I'll just be a moment."
When Chrona returns she seems to have much more energy. Wearing her armor and swords, but keeping the large brimmed hat and necklace on. She's adjusting her gear slightly as she asks, "Can we get a run down on this Brother of Ameiko's, Bethana? What was his character? What was their relationship? Did he remain local as of late?"
Bethana is able to give you directions to the Glassworks. It is in the middle of town, in the Merchant's District. It is run by Lonjiku, Ameiko's father.
Bethana shrugs at your questions, Chrona.
"I never knew the man, bein' honest. He was a hellion when he was younger, and left the town years ago. He and Ameiko ain't close, and haven't been for a long time, though she never told me why. I didn't even know he was back in town!"
You make your way to the Glassworks. The building itself is about twenty feet tall and rather large, which makes sense; it is both a storefront and a crafting area. As you approach, you notice that, oddly, all of the windows have curtains drawn. Trying the door at the entrance reveals that the door is locked.
Ren, you find no traps. The tumblers slip into place under your masterful skill.
Some locals are milling about, perplexed by the activities. It is still early, so it's not too odd that the Glassworks would be locked up, and you do appear to be attempting to break in. One of the guards, a man you recognize as Jaxom, comes up to your group as Ren works on the lock. He's a regular at the Rusty Dragon, and has been friendly to you over the time you've been in Sandpoint.
"Y'know, most people, I'd wonder why they were tryin' ta bust into a locked up shop," he began, "But I reckon there's something to this. At least, I hope so...I'm, uh, not gonna havta' report ya ta th' Captain, am I?"
Jaxom's gaze hardened.
"If anyone harmed her...do what you have to. I'll send word to the Sheriff."
He nods, then motions to some of his fellows and gives orders. They move to cordon off the area, but allow you free rein.
You enter the Glassworks. This is clearly a display room for customers to browse, with various bits of worked glass on display.
There are three doors, one to your left, one in front of you and behind a counter with a ledger on it, and one to your right.
Once inside with his companions, Varak would give the room a quick glance around. It seemed simple enough and with help now on the way, he could only hope backup from the guards and sheriff wouldntnt be long. Until then, he'd move for the door on the right, moving to open and peak inside.
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Praetor follows Ren as she listens to each of the doors in case something bursts through. His greatsword is drawn and at the ready.
As he wanders the room, the ledger on the counter catches his attention. Praetor skims it over looking for anything of importance. He will pay special mind to the first page, the last page, and any pages that are tagged.
Knowing Chrona's destructive tendencies, he does his best to keep the ledger away from her.
Lackspell will trail the rest of the group into the Glassworks, doing his best to stay quiet as he follows along.
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Chrona draws her longsword as they're waiting outside and picking the lock. She is oblivious to the guard walking up and how her action must have looked. Thankfully there wasn't any harm done.
She moved into the building with the 'less sneaky' bunch, making no effort at stealth she simply takes a few steps in an stops to survey the foyer and articles being sold.
Listening at the doors yields no sounds from the rooms immediately beyond. However, Arkon and Ren, you think you hear something deeper in the complex. Something crackling; perhaps a fire of some sort.
Varak, upon opening the door, you find only a storeroom, housing finished glass products.
As the group stands in the display room, Lackspell nods quietly to himself in professional appreciation of the workmanship on display.
These really are very good... I wonder if there is something special to the sand they use... uh, probably should concentrate on the task at hand here - we're not here to admire the glasswork... ooh, look at that alembic. Beautiful and functional at the same time ... ah! concentrate ...
The door opens to a hallway. It's about twenty feet long, with the wall ending on the right and opening to what appears to be another hallway.
The building continues to the right, then cuts back left, a hall continuing parallel to the direction you had been walking when you first went through the door. There are two rooms on your left, now. They share a wall. There's also a door straight ahead.
The building continues to the right, then cuts back left, a hall continuing parallel to the direction you had been walking when you first went through the door. There are two rooms on your left, now. They share a wall. There's also a door straight ahead.