Attempts to identify star
Milah attempts to recall anything regarding 7-pointed stars as well.
Even your impressive combined knowledge has never seen such a symbol before, and it appears the boars ruined whatever other tracks may have been present to let you know where the others may have gone.
"He's stone cold dead Zev" is the slightly exasperated reply.
Zev hangs his head a bit at Maerra's admonition, thinking Look first, speak last....that's what Dad used to say".
He peers over the shoulders of the others as they examine the man, looking with interest at the strange tattoo.
He just shrugs and turns to bundle up the other meat from the boar into his blanket, thinking, That pretty lady at the tavern should like this for her soup...
Lily frowns, "I don't know it."
After giving it some though, Milah says, "We should go talk to Brodert Quink, in town; he's a...well, he's someone that might know something about that tattoo."
"Let's head back to town, then--I see no more trail to follow, so we'd be looking for a needle in a haystack out here. Unless Sheriff Hemlock wants to devote a large group of the town guards to sweeping patrols throughout this area, I don't think such searching will prove fruitful."
Toilday, 24 Rova, 4707, 12:31pm
You take the trail back towards Sandpoint, your fight with nature slowly fading from you minds as the gate appears in front of you. The doors are opened and the guards nod at each of you as you walk through. "Welcome back Heroes!", someone says. It seems that even with the attack last night, Sandpoint is used to getting back to business. Speaking of, Sheriff Hemlock is already walking towards you.
"Any luck?"
Milah greets the sheriff, "We didn't catch the goblins, but we did get some more information that might be useful. We're not sure yet what it means, but we're going to ask around a bit and see what we can find out."
"Oh yes," Lilyroot says to Milah before meeting the sheriff, "He was one of the names recommended to speak to me earlier, I would be most interested in visiting him."
---
She is completely oblivious to any watching- perhaps all you humans look alike?
Maerra slips down on the far side of her horse from the crowd. The attention feels quite unnatural.
Perhaps because of her aversion to being watched she does notice the young woman watching the party. "Card-reader, can any of your tricks tell something about that woman there?," she asks of Aurica, "the way she's watching gives me the creeps."
Zev smiles at the Sheriff as the others converse with him, adjusting the load of boar meat slung over his shoulder.
"I can't say I have any tricks that really help with that sort of thing, but maybe I've seen her around, let's see if I can remember..."
Aurica follows Milah's statement in a low voice to avoid the hearing of any but the party and the sheriff, "We found Raymond Fairwalk dead in a bush. We haven't moved him from the scene, if you still want to have a look. Otherwise, you should send someone to retrieve the body for burial."
The sheriff raises an eyebrow at the mention of Fairwick's name. "I knew that lowlife would get himself dead sooner or later. My concern is what he has to do with the attacks last night. He was one of Vhiski's boys. If I find out that scum had something to do with it, he'll hang. " Regaining his almost lost composure, he clears his throat. "Anyway, I appreciate your efforts and in light of recent events, I and the mayor would appreciate it if you stuck around town a little longer. She's sending me to Magnimar to see if I can get some of their soldiers down here to reinforce what we have. If you folks could keep an eye on things and look out for any more trouble while I'm gone, you will certainly make quite the name for yourselves here."
About then, as he turns to leave, you notice a well dressed man approaching. As he gets closer, you recognize him right away, but in case you didn't, he speaks. "Hello! There you are! My hero! I was hoping you'd look me up while you were at the Rusty Dragon, but no matter, it seems you've already gone on a boar hunt without me. You do remember right? Aldern Foxglove? That's okay if you don't though! Let's take those over to that delightful Kaijitsu girl and have her dress them up for dinner this evening, yes?"
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"That's it--I've seen her several times around Vinder General Store. I wonder if she works there, or she may even be one of Ven Vinder's daughters. As for why she's watching us so closely, I couldn't tell you."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Aldern, how lovely to see you again! I'm sorry we missed you earlier, the sheriff has had us rather busy in the aftermath of the attack." Turning to face everyone, Aurica goes on, "If you all will excuse me, I need to meet briefly with an acquaintance over at the Feedbag. I will re-join you at the Rusty Dragon before long."
"I'm very much looking forward to having that boar for dinner, Zev!" she finishes with a wink and a smile.
Zev beams at Aldern, hefting the heavy burden of boar proudly, smiling even more at the mention of beautiful Ameiko.
"Pretty lady will like boar? Good, let's go! " he says enthusiastcially to Aldern, setting off towards the Rusty Dragon.
Milah also excuses herself. "I'm going to see what I can find out about that symbol. Anyone want to join me?"
"Sounds good to me," answers Maerra. She follows Milah, leading Polly.
"Of course," Lily says, and falls in with Milah.
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Milah smiles broadly at the man and attempts to influence him.
"Hello, Mr. Quink. I was hoping we might trouble you for a bit of information, as I have heard many people discuss your knowledge of a wide range of topics. You see, in the wake of the goblin attacks yesterday, we followed the goblins into the forest and came across someone with a peculiar tattoo - a seven-pointed star. Would you be able to tell us anything about it?"
Quink blinks for a moment, looking at each of you. "Oh! You must be the Heroes of Sandpoint. Why didn't you say so? Come on in, I think I know where to look up that piece of information."
He leaves the door open for you to enter and you find yourself stepping over loose sheets of paper, several open books and maps. Brodert goes over to a shelf and selects a book called Runes and Symbols of Varisian History. He flips through it and comes to a page, nods a bit and shows it to you. "This one?"
When you nod in the affirmative, he nods in return and goes on to explain, "This is the Sihedron Rune, an ancient Thassilonian rune and probably its most important. It was the symbol of their empire and their goddess, Lissala. Each point was said to represent one of the seven virtues of rulership. It says here they were wealth, fertility, honest pride, abundance, eager striving, righteous anger, and rest. As far as I am aware, the symbol fell into disuse when the empire fell almost ten thousand years ago. I find it odd someone would have a tattoo of it, don't you?"
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"Thassilon!" Lilyroot claps happily, "I was recommend to talk to you about them anyway, I'm most curious on the subject. It seems fortuitous that it ties in to this incident."
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Brodert turns up one eyebrow. "'Fortuitous' indeed. Though what the goblins would know about ancient Thassilon could fit on my little finger, I think. I could be wrong. You'd have to ask Shalelu on that. You are welcome to peruse my books as you need on the subject if you like. Just keep them in order, please."
Milah smiles, then nods to Brodert, "Thank you for your kind offer; we will certainly keep it in mind if needed."
Once she and the others are outside , she turns to the others. "So, does anyone have any idea when Shalelu will be in town next, or where she might be now? It seems our investigation might hinge on that knowledge."
Maerra shrugs. "Sha-who? Never heard of her before now. The sheriff did point us at an old man Ilsoar before we left. We'd have to ask around for either I reckon. Though Quink's the one to ask for the first."
Zev looks at Ameiko , his happy grin fading into a puzzled frown, "No, I think you're pretty and thought you'd like...like..." he stutters to a stop as he hears Aldern chuckling at Ameiko's little joke.
Zev's face clears and he smiles again, "Ha! Zev get's it! I do! " he says laughing, happily showing Ameiko the cuts he was able to salvage from the wild pigs.
As she leans over to see, he can't help but look sideways at her beautiful profile, looking away in embarrassment when she looks up.
"Tell me, Zev. Will Milah be appearing this evening? I should like to know more about her fencing style."
At the Rusty Dragon, Toilday, 24 Rova 4707, 5:47pm
As Zev helps Ameiko prepare the dinner, Aldern Foxglove and his entourage continue chatting with other locals that are starting to trickle in. About this time, Aurica meanders in, soon followed by the rest of you. As each of you walk in, most of the other locals raise a glass to you or simply nod in your direction. Though the thought of you being heroes hasn't changed, a long day of cleaning up the mess is still very wearing. Only one local decides this isn't her place and pushes past you. She has bright red hair that is unkempt, but draws attention to her lovely face and ample assets. She might be beautiful if it wasn't for the sour look on her face as she leaves.
Milah returns the nods and smiles from the assembled patrons, but recognizes the red-haired woman from earlier. She heads over to the bar to inquire about her. "Who's the red-haired woman who just stalked out of here looking like she'd just eaten a dozen lemons? Did we do something to offend her?"
When her questioning is done, her eyes find her companions and she makes her way over to them.
The older halfling woman behind the bar simply shakes her head. "Shayliss Vinder. She comes around here often enough, but it's usually to spy on her sister. Since Katrine isn't here, I have no idea what her problem is."
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-- In the Kitchen --
Zev's in heaven, helping Ameiko in her kitchen, earnestly doing his best not to spoil anything that she asks him to do. Throughout the preparations, he'd shyly look at Ameiko when she wasn't looking, returning his attention to what he was doing when her head came around.
As he deftly cuts vegetables, he remembers something his Pa used to do in the kitchen with his Ma. The older Tenyr man would gently nudge Zev's Ma with his hip, a teasing little bump.
Bold beyond his common sense, Zev sees an opportunity to emulate his charming father, and as Ameiko was standing right next to him, pulling her wayward hair back and tying it off into a practical pony-tail once more...here was his chance.
Slowly, almost as if he wasn't aware of what he was doing, Zev's hip slowly moved toward Ameiko's, closer, closer, until they touched and Zev gave Ameiko as soft gentle nudge, then returned to his original position.
Then he looked up , smiling bashfully, to see her reaction...
--Kitchen--
Ameiko at first shrugs as Zev makes contact, thinking it may have been accidental. The look on his face tells her otherwise. She deftly takes it in stride. "Careful, Zev. People might talk, and in this town, that can burn you, like those yams over there. " She smiles as she points to the boiling pot of yams about to overflow...
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Out by the bar Maerra gets an ale and asks "Someone I want to catch up with tomorrow - old man Ilsoar. Don't s'pose you could give me directions?"
Aurica takes a seat between Milah and Maerra at the bar. "Did you all find anything worthwhile this afternoon?"
Bethana, the older halfling is only too happy to help. "Oh, the headmaster of the Academy. Sure, it's easy enough, just go out here, you'll be on Market Street, take it West and you'll see the Academy on Water Street. Can't miss it."
As you are talking, Ameiko and Zev come out with dinner. A nice and spicy smelling boar, served with garlic potatoes, peppered hot corn and plenty of ale and spiced mead.
"So, any news of what happened last night? I've only heard rumors, but I did hear you guys are on the case." Ameiko says as she sits to eat with you. As she does so, you can see a couple of the other townsfolk watching you.
Zev hangs his head a bit, chastened , but is heartened by Ameiko's smile and attends to the yams.
The rest of the preparations go by in a blur, until he and Ameiko bring the steaming platters out to his friends.
Zev sits, beaming, really quite proud of the work he did, especially since it was in Ameiko's company.
He can't answer her question right away as it was currently full of boar and veggies.
Milah smiles, but keeps her answer purposely vague as she lets her voice carry through the common room. "We have a couple of leads that we're working our way through, but we're likely nearly done. I have every confidence that we will find those responsible before long..." As she speaks, she does her best to observe the reactions to her statement.
Maerra swallows her own less guarded words as Milah tries her scheme, and watches likewise over her ale.
Ameiko sits back, thoughtful as she finishes her current bite of food. "Well, that's something. There's been enough trouble in this town of late and the faster you find a solution, the faster we can get back to being the quiet sleepy town we once were."
Aldern speaks up. "Hopefully not too quiet. We're looking at heroes here! Come on, everyone raise your glasses! " he doesn't wait as he stands and raises his own. "To the Sandpoint Heroes! May their actions be swift, their blades be sharp and enemies few." The nobleman tips his glass, looking over it at Milah before taking a sip.
"To the Heroes!"Ameiko and some of the crowd join the toast.
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Lilyroot comments to Ameiko, "I've only learned what the others have. I do wish I was a better investigator, it'd be helpful on many fronts,"
Ameiko looks over to Lily. "We each have our own talents. From what I hear, you held your own fairly well in the fight. Something tells me this isn't over and your unique talents I'm sure will be well suited to the task. "
"Right!", Aldern adds to it. Ameiko smirks as the man continues. "I'm sure you will need to get some rest before continuing your investigations, but I am certain you will prevail. I have to retire early this evening. A few preparations before returning to the manor. You all are invited to visit of course. It should be worthy in the next few days. I like forward to seeing you there."
He excuses himself and begins to leave, but not before taking Milah's hand and bowing to kiss it. He then bows to the rest of you, gathers his entourage and leaves.
"That was interesting."Ameiko says.
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"Well, I find I am in very little need of rest," Lilyroot says to Ameiko. "Seeing as I'm still new here, perhaps I should get to know more of the town better, if you could recommend anyone to talk to.. especially any night-owls, I guess!"
Ameiko muses for a moment. "Some of the local millworkers tend to stay up late, but that's usually just to win their gambled away money back more than anything. Otherwise, the only night time dwellers you might see outside are some of Gorvi's boys, cleaning up. Especially with the idea of goblins still in the area."
Eventually Ameiko excuses herself and more of the nighttime guests come in to the common room. The place gets loud fast as drink and stories flow...
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Lilyroot seeks out the millworkers to get to know them!
Inside a town is not where Maerra does her best investigating. On the other hand she's down to a handful of silver, doing some odd jobs seems like a necessity.
Aurica spends most of the next day plying her fortuneteller's craft again.
/ 2 / 7 = 1 gp earned