ATT:
DAM:
"Don't be afraid to hit me now, Malc! Maybe I should invite Zees back to spar...he might actually hurt me!"
Be careful, Kast, your blows are no more than fly bites to me. Have you broken a sweat yet? I have not!
ATT:
DAM:
Kast avoids another close blow from Malc...and returns with his own.
to hit;
nonlethal.
Malcolm takes another near miss on his armor.
Ho there...god one, Kast, but not good enough.
ATT:
DAM:
Kast is tempted to call upon Irori for aid, but realizes that can be a crutch. Instead, he focuses again on Malc and tries to find a weak link in his armor or his movement.
C'mon Kast! Malc is tough, but you can hit him! He's not brittle!
to hit;
nonlethal damage.
Crunch!
"Grunt."
Kast's next swing finds its way past his defenses and lands solidly!
Well done Kast! I hope you have more!
ATT:
DAM:
Aha...turnabout!
Ouch! That's going to leave a mark! That'll learn me good to dip my shield down. Another lesson learned.
"At least you've stopped dancing with me...I can take a hit."
Kast's arm begins to tire from swinging this sword around...and it's made of wood. Imagine a metal sword by now. Kast fights on.
to hit.
non lethal.
Malcolm, seeing that his last strike was successful, presses the action.
No thanks on the dance....not...my...type!
ATT:
DAM:
Kast drops to one knee after the solid whack by Malcolm.
What the heck happened?
"Yield. That last one got me good."
Getting up slowly and a bit dizzy, he makes his way to a tree to sit down for a while.
"Ouch." Kast presses and examines his bruises...each one a symbol of learning.
Malcolm pulls up a bucket of fresh well water, and pours it over his head.
That was a good workout!
He fills another bucket from the well and takes it over to where Kast sits under a tree. He plops down next to him, and offers him the bucket of fresh water.
Well done, Kast. You are becoming quite the worthy opponent. I meant what I said before. We really need to get you a functional Long Sword, or something of the like. I will definitely help you out with the cost, if you need it. Now, do you care to tell me exactly what happened with the girl? You do not strike me as the type to raise the ire of a father like you have.
"Twas a good spar, Malc. I appreciate the lesson. I need to figure out how to both watch you and your sword at the same time. Another day, another bump, I suppose."
Upon hearing Malc ask about the girl, Kast will shrug and smile.
"Here is the truth of the story..."
Kast will describe an exactly honest account of what happened, no embellishments. He will avoid any lurid descriptions of the girl, but will be very matter of fact about things...including where it ended and what happened immediately afterward.
Well done, Kast. You are becoming quite the worthy opponent. I meant what I said before. We really need to get you a functional Long Sword, or something of the like. I will definitely help you out with the cost, if you need it.
"I appreciate the offer, Malc...but I don't know that the sword feels 'right' to me. I feel so much more comfortable with the longspear. I mean, I want to know my way around the sword, but in terms of comfort, I'm not like you...I can't move the way you do. But with the spear...or one of them fancy polearms, I feel, ya know, more in control."
Kast sits back against the tree, happy to have his story off his chest.
As for the weapon, I suggest a glaive or other fine polearm that would be very functional based upon your desires. Well, Kast, your actions of the other day do not seem dishonorable in light of the aggressive nature of the girl. I suggest that we go together and discuss things with the father to smooth the water and return your name to good graces amongst the citizens that you protect. Do you have any further intentions towards the girl? Would you like to formally court her?
I suggest that we go together and discuss things with the father to smooth the water and return your name to good graces amongst the citizens that you protect. Do you have any further intentions towards the girl? Would you like to formally court her?
Kast smiles and the suggestion of courtship. In his mind, he envisions the woman he would court if he was going to court: his beloved Marigold Pottersmoot.
"Courtship? Well, Malc, unless you've been ignoring what I've said to you or what others have said, she is not the courtship type of gal. I don't mean that in a negative way, but I feel she's a few years away from being ready to be courted. Besides, I have other dreams..."
...of war and battle. Of seeing the world. And of my beloved Marigold Pottersmoot.
Kast ponders more about the father, Vin.
"Not sure that he'll care, Malc. He is only going to see what he wants to see, since the truth is as plain as day, but he doesn't want to see it. If you want me to go talk to him, I will, but I won't lie and say 'I'm sorry', but it would be a lie and it would be a disgrace on the honor of his daughter. If anything, I would like to ask him to stop slandering you and the rest...if he has a problem with me, he should take it up with me. I'm here."
I understand, kast. I would be happy to accompany you and speak on your behalf to the father. It is possible that my presence could aid in at least securing your wishes to stop the slanderous comments about your companions. In fact, why not just head over there now and put this issue to bed? No pun intended... Malcolm smiles broadly at Kast.
"Because I don't care about the slander that much. It's you who should care and I'll go to support you if nothing else. When he gets tired of looking like a jack goat in front of the town, this will blow over."
Fine then, we will just let it lie, but iof I come across this Vin, or hear of further slanderous comments about our companions, then I will most definitely paying him a visit. Oh, and Kast, the next time some youndg lady wants to share herself with you, try to be a little more discreet so as not to get causght in the act.
Malcolm winks at Kast and stands.
Not sure what you have going on before your next watch, but I am headed back to the Cathedral. Again, great workout, and let me know if you require some assistance with picking out that new polearm. I suggest that you do it sooner rather than later, friend. You never know when we will be called upon to defend the citizens again.
Kast sits under the tree for a while longer, poking and prodding his well-deserved bruises, thinking about that magic polearm that someday will hold off an army.
Someday.
After an hour or two, Kast will limp home to study other stuff...it'll be his turn for patrol soon.
Kast stretches his left leg, feeling the crippled bone and muscle resist any movement. Then Kast switches to stretch his right leg, using his longspear for support.
Another day of walkin' about the town and nothing happens. This is about as exciting as a discussion with Zees.
But Kast was getting used to the routine and that kept him walking.
Whistling to himself, Kast moved to walk through the town again.
Dorin tells her "You're right. I'd better look for her. I'll go get the deputies. Do everything as normal for now." Dorin gets dressed in the early morning, but thinks to himself Ameiko could be visiting her folks. Or the mayor again. But no one's talked about another meeting.
Sensing more than the usual, Dorin strapped on his spiked gauntlets and put everything else into his backpack except for his dagger. Ameiko would have said something if she was leaving town. the youth reassures himself. Let me go get the others, and we'll do a quick look for her around town. Going to the Sheriff's office is best, to pick up the person on duty first. Ready for anything, including another boar hunt, Dorin told Bethana downstairs he was going out the front door.
Dorin left the Rusty Dragon and made his way up the streets to Sandpoint's garrison.
After being assembled and informed of the disappearance of Ameiko, Malcolm asks the group, Did she disappear or leave sometime in the night? We should probably start our search at the Inn to see who was the last person to see her, and if her quarters have been disturbed.
Kast looks ready to help, search, or ask around for people who might have seen Ameiko.
"Tell me what you want to do, Malc."
Let's all head over to the Inn to check things out in greater detail.
Malcolm leads the group over to the Inn to question who may have been the last person to see Ameiko,, and maybe to see if Dorin can get us into her room to determine if there was any foul play.
"Zees....Zees? Where the lad get too? His nose is always in books, maybe he has seen this before."
Let's get evryone summoned here so that we can get our only clue translated as soon as possible. Lives may depend upon it.
"Since the letter is in a language she probably could read, it might be a personal emergency. Of course, she did do some adventuring and maybe here past caught up with her. Maybe her father could translate."
After everyone arrives, let's take it to him, or get him ovber here.
Malcolm jogs his memory regarding the noble Lonjiko Kaijutsu to see if he can recall any connections or details regarding the man.
Knowledge(Nobility):
I believe that we should try her estranged father. He may want to know something of her disappearance as well as having a potential connection to the letter.
I believe that we should try her estranged father. He may want to know something of her disappearance as well as having a potential connection to the letter.
Kast breaks in, questioning the obvious: "Uhm, Malc, maybe they are estranged for a reason, possibly for good reason. Maybe that note says her father has been stalking her for all we know. Let us reach out to my master Ilsoari or Chask."
"Kast might actually be right. I recognize the text as Minkai, but I seem to recall learning it from Master Gandethus. I bet he could translate it. If not, then we could go to her father. Besides, Kast has already taught us how irrational fathers can be about their daughters."
Alright, but we are talking about the daughter, estranged or not, of one opf the founding families of this town. Let us see what the translation says first, but I am still of a mind to inform the man, especially if she is in danger.
Well, glad we did not take it to the father. Do we check out Tsuto first, or head to Lonjiku?
"It's probably nothing, but we lose little in going to talk to the father now."
Kast prepares to go to the father's place.
Well, glad we did not take it to the father. Do we check out Tsuto first, or head to Lonjiku?
"Assuming this meeting occured last night and Ameiko has not returned, it's possible something went wrong. I say we gather our group and head for the glassworks. Otherwise, I'm not sure where we'd find her brother. Hmmm...."
Knowledge local for brother
"I agree. The Glassworks was her destination, clues to her fate may be there."
I agree that going to the Glassworks first makes sense to see if we can pick up her trail, but I do think that we should send someone, not a part of our group, to keep an eye on the Father. If he is truly involved with the goblin attacks as the letter indicates, then we definitely do not want to let him out of our sight. I suggest that we move quickly to the glassworks.
Dorin, is there a messenger at your Inn that we can send to the father with a message requesting a meeting regarding some town issue that would not draw attention to our investigation? This would enable us to check up on him and possibly hold him in place without letting him know that we are onto his activities.
Dorin speaks up for the first time. "Bethana, the head maid, knows Lonjiku Kaijitsu. She could go to Kaijitsu Manor while we go to the Glassworks. He'll at least listen to her. That way we can check on the workers at the Glassworks."
Knowledge: Local about Tsuto Kaijitsu:
"I guess I'm really unclear why we need to do anything but go to the Glassworks. Likely that the father is there anyway.
I'm really not interested in spreading any rumor or bringing in anyone else just yet, Malc. I think we have the authority to check out the Glassworks and maybe buy some nice glass. Won't be a big deal to have a look around."
Kast is anxious, worried about what might be happening.
Kast, we have evidence that indicates Tsuto was involved in the Goblin attacks. I do not want to alarm him or spook him with this knowledge yet until we check out the Glassworks. Conversely, I really do not want him skipping out on us either. By sending a message that we request a meeting about something mundane, we can keep an eye on him and possibly keep him grounded until we can investigate the Glassworks. If he is like most nobles I know, he may not have a direct hand in the operation of the Glassworks, even though he owns it. He may not be there. I was thinking that Bethana could deliver the message to his home.
Kast, we have evidence that indicates Tsuto was involved in the Goblin attacks.
Danaris listens to his compatriots.
"This doesn't add up. What purpose could Lonjiku have in encouraging goblin attacks? I know he seems a bit of a tyrant in the way he's treated his children, but he's already a wealthy and respected man, and much of his wealth is tied up in Sandpoint. What could he gain by damaging his town? Could Tsuto be framing his father? We know there is no love lost between the two?"
"Either way," Danaris adds, "this is our only lead, we should follow up on it."