"A fantastic idea! We have a decade of stories to share, after all."
Marcelina stands as the audience is obviously over. "Thank you Sheriff Hemlock. We will keep things safe while you're gone. Desna bring you back safely."
Gan smiles at the thought of a free dinner and exciting stories from Shalelu.
Shalelu leads the group out of the garrison and through Sandpoint back to the Rusty Dragon. By the time you arrive, the tavern's usual bustle has returned, and you are once again hailed by those present with shouts and cheers. Seeing Shalelu, however, has a slightly sobering effect on the Dragon's patrons - while no less pleased to see you, they give you a wider berth, allowing Shalelu her implied "ownership" of your companionship for the moment.
Ameiko herself takes your order, but the two women first exchange fierce hugs, and it is clear they hold a deep affection for one another. Once she's sent your requests back to the kitchen, though, you see the Tian woman take a seat at a table across the room, with Sandru Vhiski and Koya Mvashti, both of whom smile and nod at you when your eyes meet. Quickly, though, Shalelu reclaims your attention by bringing up the goblin attack once more. "I've heard Belor's report," the elf says briskly, "but I'd like your own version of events. By now, the tales have grown almost beyond recognition - right after I got here, a girl in the fabric shop down the street swore she'd seen you defeat an efreeti on the rooftop of the Cathedral with her own eyes - so let's start with the basics. What happened last night?"
With a twinkle in his eye, Lamsfel asks, "Before or after the battle with the efreeti? That didn't happen on the rooftop of the Cathedral, of course - I think she might be exaggerating."
Marcelina laughs softly but otherwise lets herself sink into the background of the conversation. She listens attentively but unless asked directly, does not contribute much of her own.
With a heroic effort, Tybus resists the temptation to compete with Lamsfel and pile on the jokes and exaggerations. There's definitely an amused smile and twinkle in his eye as he considers it.
Glancing back to Shalelu, he clears his throat and views her with a sober look. Well, looking back on it now, it happened pretty fast. We dealt with three or four of the buggers what attacked the ceremony. Not knowing if it was a full attack, we headed here, to this inn. To emphasize, he takes a long draught from his mug. For supplies.
On our way, we happened upon a goblin singer and her mates trying to send a flaming cart into the lowtown. That was where Tristan showed them the business end of that sword of his. A raised mug and a nod in Tristan's direction.
Lastly, in not but the alley 'round the way outside, we found a couple more, plus one riding a rat-dog thing like it was some warhorse. Gan magicked that one, letting Tristan take him and his steed down, too.
Tybus looks at his companions, inviting them to add more.
Still smiling despite the look Shalelu favored him with, Lamsfel adds, "That's pretty much it. We saw three small teams - one led by a singer, one led by a warrior, the third running madly through the crowd. There did not appear to be a lot of organization to them and we, at least I, did not see anyone but goblins." He lowers his voice and leans in, "But..." He looks around at the tables in the common room, reconsiders, and leans back, letting his voice get back to normal. "But we didn't see everything. What else have you heard? Other than our defeat of the fire-spirit, of course."
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Shalelu's eyebrow quirks at Lamsfel's pause, as though she heard some of what he decided not to say. "Not much," she replies, with a stress that suggests that there is a difference between "not much" and "nothing at all." "While you were fighting goblins near the Cathedral, the militia was rallying near the north gate, where the greatest concentration of goblins was apparently focused. The south end of town was almost entirely ignored, except for the small group that attacked Koya Mvashti near the Rusty Dragon. It may not have seemed organized - and by our standards, it wasn't - but for goblins, it was exceptionally well-coordinated."
Shaking her head, Shalelu continues, "There are only a few goblins in the area capable of managing something like this. Big Gugmut, from the Mosswood goblins; Korovus of the Seven Tooth tribe; Vorka the Cannibal; Ripnugget of the Thistletop goblins. There's also Bruthazamus, a hobgoblin who's not actually part of any of the tribes but is respected - well, feared, anyway - by all of them. He and I... well, we've gone a few rounds. Eventually, I'll deal with him. Regardless, though, while any of them might have commanded enogh respect across the five tribes to put something like this together, it was more well-organized than I would have expected for any of them. Which makes me worried about another player in the game we don't know about yet."
Shalelu's eyebrow quirks at Lamsfel's pause, as though she heard some of what he decided not to say. "Not much," she replies, with a stress that suggests that there is a difference between "not much" and "nothing at all." "While you were fighting goblins near the Cathedral, the militia was rallying near the north gate, where the greatest concentration of goblins was apparently focused. The south end of town was almost entirely ignored, except for the small group that attacked Koya Mvashti near the Rusty Dragon. It may not have seemed organized - and by our standards, it wasn't - but for goblins, it was exceptionally well-coordinated."
Lamsfel nods and whispers mostly to himself, "Exactly what bothers me."
Shaking her head, Shalelu continues, "There are only a few goblins in the area capable of managing something like this. Big Gugmut, from the Mosswood goblins; Korovus of the Seven Tooth tribe; Vorka the Cannibal; Ripnugget of the Thistletop goblins. There's also Bruthazamus, a hobgoblin who's not actually part of any of the tribes but is respected - well, feared, anyway - by all of them. He and I... well, we've gone a few rounds. Eventually, I'll deal with him. Regardless, though, while any of them might have commanded enogh respect across the five tribes to put something like this together, it was more well-organized than I would have expected for any of them. Which makes me worried about another player in the game we don't know about yet."
Tristan tries to look pensive but mostly only looks sheepish. "Trouble brewing, eh? Anything we can do to help?"
Shaking her head, Shalelu continues, "There are only a few goblins in the area capable of managing something like this. Big Gugmut, from the Mosswood goblins; Korovus of the Seven Tooth tribe; Vorka the Cannibal; Ripnugget of the Thistletop goblins. There's also Bruthazamus, a hobgoblin who's not actually part of any of the tribes but is respected - well, feared, anyway - by all of them. He and I... well, we've gone a few rounds. Eventually, I'll deal with him. Regardless, though, while any of them might have commanded enogh respect across the five tribes to put something like this together, it was more well-organized than I would have expected for any of them. Which makes me worried about another player in the game we don't know about yet."
Any way we can puzzle this out? I'm not from these shores, so I can't be tossing out names like ye can, but some of you locals may know. Anyone around with that kind of pull? Like as not with a hate for Sandpoint or someone in it. Maybe something to do with the fire that burned down the old cathedral? The timing of the raid may have significance... or be meant to throw us off.
Lamsfel looks sad at the reminder of the old cathedral's burning.
"I have no thoughts on the matter. I had been gone five years when the 'Late Unpleasantness' occurred."
Shalelu shakes her head, clearly not happy to remember the events being discussed. "Lots of 'unpleasantness' back then," she replies. "Chopper, of course, was the big one - Sandpoint's very own serial killer, a man by the name of Jervis Stoot. You might remember him, Lamsfel; he lived up by the Old Light, carved those wooden birds for some of the houses and businesses in town? Well, it turned out he was a demon-worshipper, and had a shrine in his basement to some Abyssal horror called Pazuzu. He killed 25 people altogether, including the former sheriff, Casp Avertin. (It happened just before he planned to ask Kendra Deverin for her hand, poor woman.) Avertin managed to wound Chopper before he died, and Stoot fled back to his house, tearing out his own tongue and eyes before dying just the way he had all his victims.
"Then, just a month later, the fire that destroyed the old church, killing Ezakien Tobyn and his adopted daughter Nualia, as well as damaging the White Deer Inn, the stables and several homes Uptown. And before all of that," and here Shalelu turns and throws a glance across the room at Ameiko, still talking animatedly with Sandru and Koya at their table, "maybe a week before Chopper took his first victim, Ameiko's mother fell to her death off the cliff at Kaijitsu Manor, and when Ameiko's brother Tsuto came home for the funeral, somehow he and Lonjiku got into a fight. Ameiko tried to make peace between them, but that didn't go well either, and Tsuto left town after and hasn't been home since. That was when Ameiko went off 'adventuring' or whatever it was she did."
Shalelu shrugs. "I don't see any connection to any of that in the goblin raid, but I don't suppose that means there couldn't be one." She studies the group narrowly for a moment before adding, "I've... spoken to Belor about Father Tobyn's grave. Is that why you're asking?"
Shalelu shakes her head, clearly not happy to remember the events being discussed. "Lots of 'unpleasantness' back then," she replies. "Chopper, of course, was the big one - Sandpoint's very own serial killer, a man by the name of Jervis Stoot. You might remember him, Lamsfel; he lived up by the Old Light, carved those wooden birds for some of the houses and businesses in town? Well, it turned out he was a demon-worshipper, and had a shrine in his basement to some Abyssal horror called Pazuzu. He killed 25 people altogether, including the former sheriff, Casp Avertin. (It happened just before he planned to ask Kendra Deverin for her hand, poor woman.) Avertin managed to wound Chopper before he died, and Stoot fled back to his house, tearing out his own tongue and eyes before dying just the way he had all his victims.
"Then, just a month later, the fire that destroyed the old church, killing Ezakien Tobyn and his adopted daughter Nualia, as well as damaging the White Deer Inn, the stables and several homes Uptown. And before all of that," and here Shalelu turns and throws a glance across the room at Ameiko, still talking animatedly with Sandru and Koya at their table, "maybe a week before Chopper took his first victim, Ameiko's mother fell to her death off the cliff at Kaijitsu Manor, and when Ameiko's brother Tsuto came home for the funeral, somehow he and Lonjiku got into a fight. Ameiko tried to make peace between them, but that didn't go well either, and Tsuto left town after and hasn't been home since. That was when Ameiko went off 'adventuring' or whatever it was she did."
Shalelu shrugs. "I don't see any connection to any of that in the goblin raid, but I don't suppose that means there couldn't be one." She studies the group narrowly for a moment before adding, "I've... spoken to Belor about Father Tobyn's grave. Is that why you're asking?"
Yes, he mentioned that there were human-sized prints along with the goblin tracks near the grave. Could this be Bruthazamus, or are Hobgoblin tracks distinguishable from that of humans?
Lamsful shushes Gan, saying, "Not too loudly, we don't need to start rumors." Turning to Shalelu, he quietly adds, "But he's correct - it appears there was someone else there that night."
Hmmm. 'Serial killer.' I've not heard the term. In Riddleport, we just called them killers. Or, at 25 bodies, 'very good at their jobs.' Tybus kind of winces at the grim humor of his home town.
Well, demon-worshippers often have followers. Any chance there's an acolyte still running around, continuing in the Chopper's footsteps?
Lowering his voice to a whisper and leaning in close, Could all this be connected? Ameiko loses her mother, and then the unpleasantness starts? You don't think she... He stops, thinking about all the hospitality Ameiko has already provided. Tybus quickly shakes his head. Sorry. Don't know what I was thinking.
The thought is so foreign to Lamsfel's thinking that it takes a while for him to even realize what Tybus' point might have been. When it dawns on him, he looks at him in shock. "Tybus, I can't believe you would even consider... To suggest..." Lamsfel sits back, staring off into space.
"No, I can't believe that to be the case. No."
Tybus sits back, grimaces, and pinches his brow. This has been a long day. Too many mysteries. It's got me seeing witchlights in the surf.
Glances over to Shalelu Actually, if anybody knows who's behind this, it's them bloody goblins. Any chance we can go crack some oversized heads? Get them to talk? You know where they lair?
Shalelu also looks pretty shocked by Tybus' implication, but seems to accept his half-apology - or at least, to want to use it as an excuse to move past the idea. "That's what I'm going to be doing for the next few days," the elf replies, shrugging. "Your task will be to keep things calm around here while I'm doing it. Once I get some more information, we can plan our next step."
Marcelina gives Tybus an incredulous look, but then she can't really say as she blames him. All this talk of killers and fires and grave robbers has her feeling more than a little out of her element. She'd much rather things were as simple as just an ordinary goblin raid.
Shalelu also looks pretty shocked by Tybus' implication, but seems to accept his half-apology - or at least, to want to use it as an excuse to move past the idea. "That's what I'm going to be doing for the next few days," the elf replies, shrugging. "Your task will be to keep things calm around here while I'm doing it. Once I get some more information, we can plan our next step."
These goblin leaders you spoke of, have you ever known them to work with humans or other races?
"Not that I've ever heard," Shalelu answers thoughtfully, "but I've never heard of anyone trying to work with them either."
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The rest of the evening passes without significant incident. The Dragon's patrons are not as boisterous in support of their new "Heroes" as they were the night before, but you are still the focus of a great deal of attention and acclaim, and Shalelu eventually cedes you to the townsfolk who want to hear your stroies, buy you drinks and generally make a fuss over you in the same general vein as they did last night.
The next morning, Shalelu sets out to check on the activities of the various goblin tribes in the area while Sheriff Hemlock takes six men (leaving about the same number behind) to Magnimar in search of reinforcements for his militia. Mayor Deverin makes a rather large show of accompanying you around town in the afternoon, taking you to the marketplace and to pick up some of the gifts you were awarded at the recognition ceremony, and it takes little effort to see the impact your presence has on the locals. Smiles widen, frowns disappear, and breath eases in your wake. The next couple of days are similar, and while you do hear comments and worried whispers about the absence of Hemlock and his men, many of these exclamations are followed up with, "Thank heavens you're here to keep an eye on things!" or the like. The town carries a heavy air of solemnity, especially after the funerals for the two dead townsfolk on the second day after Hemlock departs, but the sheriff's plan to avoid a panic seems to be working.
On the morning of the fourth day after the Swallowtail Festival and the goblin attack, you are awakened just before dawn by Bethana, Ameiko's halfling barmaid. She knocks quietly but insistently on each of your doors, and asks to speak to you all in Gan's room.
"I'm sorry to bother you," the maid says, wringing her hands, "but I'm afraid something's wrong and I really don't know who else to go to. When I came to work this morning, I... well, Ameiko hadn't started breakfast yet. That's never happened, not in the three years I've worked for her. I thought maybe she was sick or something, so I went and knocked on her door. She didn't answer, and I started to get scared. So I... I went in. She wasn't there, and the bed didn't look slept in. But in the middle of the table, I found this, and I don't know what it means." She holds out a crumpled up note, showing it to all of you before handing it specifically to Gan. It is covered in Tien characters:
こんにちは、妹！
我々は問題の何かを持っているので、私は、この手紙があなたによく見つかる希望、そしてあなたの手にいくつかの自由時間に。それは父親と一緒に行うことです。彼 はゴブリンとサンドの最近の悩みとは何かをしてしまう可能性があるようだ、と我々は両方彼がちょうどイタチと思います知っているので、私は、当局に問題を持って 望んでいない
それから彼の方法。あなたはしかし、町のここにあるプルダウンを持っている。あなたが今夜真夜中にガラス工場で私に会うことができれば、多分私達は彼が値する罰 に直面していることを確認する方法を見つけ出すことができる。一度配信入口の二倍して、3倍して、ノックと私はあなたをインチてもらおう
いずれにせよ、私はあなたの上にこの要求の繊細な性質を感動させる必要はありません。ニュースが出てしまった場合、あなたは、これらのローカルルーベスはあなた と私があまりにも何もかも全部上にあったと仮定するだろうしていない知っている？彼らはこれらの部分の周辺にまったく名誉を持ってなさそうだ。あなたがここに滞 在する立つことができるか私はまだ理解していない。
とにかく、この誰にも教えていない。他の合併症だけでなく、ものがあります。
私はむしろ今夜約者のあなたに話すでしょう。遅刻しないでください。
I hope this letter finds you well, and with some free time on your hands, because we’ve got something of a problem. It’s to do with father. Seems that he might have had something to do with Sandpoint’s recent troubles with the goblins, and I didn’t want to bring the matter to the authorities because we both know he’d just weasel his way out of it. You’ve got some pull here in town, though. If you can meet me at the Glassworks at midnight tonight, maybe we can figure out how to make sure he faces the punishment he deserves. Knock twice and then three times more and then once more at the delivery entrance and I’ll let you in.
In any case, I don’t have to impress upon you the delicate nature of this request. If news got out, you know these local rubes would assume
that you and I were in on the whole thing too, don’t you? They’ve got no honor at all around these parts. I still don’t understand how you can stand to stay here.
Anyway, don’t tell anyone about this. There are other complications as well, ones I’d rather talk to you in person about tonight. Don’t be late.
Tsuto
Bethana looks pleadingly at Gan. "Please, sir, does it say anything important? Is Ameiko all right?"
She never came home you say? She's at the Glassworks with her brother. From the sound of it, I think we should go investigate. If you don't hear back from us later today, send Hemlock and the rest of the militia. Everyone, you should get your weapons and armor quickly. I'll fill you in on the rest on the way.
To Bethana: What is the best way to get to the Glassworks, and on what side of the building is the delivery entrance?
Lamsfel nods to Gan. Asking no questions of the Tian, he stands and guides Bethana out of the room. "We will see to Ameiko. You stay here and see to the 'Dragon. I'm sure that's what Ameiko would say, aren't you?"
Gan, I saw the glassworks as I sailed in last week. It be on a low cliff overlooking the beach. The Flying Cloud picked up a shipment of glass windows for Magnimar when I put in. I can show ye where the loading entrance is, around the side.
Once he's seen Bethana back to her normal duties, Lamsfel hurries to his quarters to put on his armor and gather up his weapons.
She never came home you say? She's at the Glassworks with her brother. From the sound of it, I think we should go investigate. If you don't hear back from us later today, send Hemlock and the rest of the militia. Everyone, you should get your weapons and armor quickly. I'll fill you in on the rest on the way.
To Bethana: What is the best way to get to the Glassworks, and on what side of the building is the delivery entrance?
Bethana's jaw drops. "Her brother?" she squeaks. "But they haven't spoken in years! Why would he-?"
Lamsfel nods to Gan. Asking no questions of the Tian, he stands and guides Bethana out of the room. "We will see to Ameiko. You stay here and see to the 'Dragon. I'm sure that's what Ameiko would say, aren't you?"
"Yes, but-" The halfling's protests and anxious questions trail away down the hall as Lamsfel ushers her out.
Marcelina gives the halfling a reassuring smile as she walks out with Lamsfel to get her things. "I'm sure it's nothing. We'll be back soon."
When she gets to her room she quickly dons her armor, snatches up her spear and heads back to Gan's room to meet the others.
Once it's just us on the road I'll read the letter verbatim to the rest of the party.
Once it's just us on the road I'll read the letter verbatim to the rest of the party.
Face grim, Lamsfel starts thinking out loud as they walk, keeping his voice down for only the party's hearing:
"So you are thinking that we need to go to the same entry that she used... it's been hours since their meeting time, but is that wise? Is there perhaps another way in where we can gain the element of surprise?
"Of course, I guess I'm being paranoid with everything going on that this was not a joyful family reunion, so going in the same door to ask after the lady might be the best approach. Maybe only one of us should go to the door - showing up en masse with weapons and armor might give the wrong impression. Or the right impression that we don't want to give yet.
"Gan, as a fellow Tian, perhaps it would make more sense if you were looking in on Ameiko. The rest of us can wait nearby if there's trouble."
As he hears Gan recite the contents of the letter, Tristan slaps his thigh in annoyance. "That's no way to speak to your sister. If he were my brother, I would have slapped him for that. We need to help our friend Ameiko here.
Tristan is fine with waiting in the background to see what happens.
Tybus will listen silently, though his face clouds over. He'll start walking toward the glassworks, loosening his cutlass in its scabbard.
"Well he certainly doesn't think much of the people in the town..." Marcelina adds in softly. She too will follow along, keeping relatively quiet and leaving the planning up to the men who look to have more experiance with this kind of thing. Or at least more than her. Which would be zero.
At the mention of Gan showing up by himself she does offer a quiet, "I'll go with him."
The ruddy glow of sunrise catches Tybus' attention, and he smacks his head with his palm. It's morning! he says, rounding upon his comrades. We don't need to be talking like we're laying siege to the building. There'll be workers coming in anytime now! Why don't we just ask one o'them to let us in? Tell them Ameiko must've lost track of time catching up with her brother, and we're getting peckish.
He pauses a couple moments, then adds, And while we're there, if we see any signs her father had something to do with the goblins... we'll improvise.
Once the group arrives, the morning sun is indeed spilling across the glittering front windows of the Glassworks, and cheerful streams of smoke are curling up from the large chimneys that run along the center of the building. When someone tries the front door, however, they discover it to be locked.
"Gan, as a fellow Tian, perhaps it would make more sense if you were looking in on Ameiko. The rest of us can wait nearby if there's trouble."
[b]I have to disagree. While we do share a heritage, Ameiko does not know very much about Tian Xia other than the language, and I only recently made her acquaintance. I think it is more suspicious if I approach by myself than if all of the "Heroes of Sandpoint" approach together, don't you? I think we should proceed to the delivery entrance and try Tsuto's knock.../b]
"The knock was to identify Ameiko at midnight. I doubt using it now would benefit us - if anything, it gives us away. And an armed group coming to the door seeking someone, regardless of their reputation, is going to give someone pause, especially if they have something to hide.
"As for your being Tian, her brother has not been around town for years. He knows that there are many Tian that work at the Glassworks - always have been. There's no reason why he would know how close - or not - you are to her. Besides, your lack of obvious weapons makes you a less threatening candidate to look in on her out of our group.
"Gan and Marcelina, you go ahead to the delivery door. If someone lets you in, hopefully one of you can leave the door unlocked behind you."
And if they can't? I'm not liking this. Let's see if the loading entrance is locked for firsties.
"If they couldn't, we would break it down. You're right - first to see if this is even necessary. I will try the other doors while you go around to the delivery entrance. Sound good?"
A few moments' checking determines that all the doors are locked.
This be strange. The smokestack's puffing away clear as everything, but the place is locked up tight?
He'll put his ear against the door and listen. Does it sound like there's activity within?