Cleo gets a little huffy Our houses are not little. They are perfectly sized! She does not dispute the food thing though. She thanks the book store owner and leaves the shop, in hopes someone is still up at the inn.
Haladin thanks everyone for their visit, and invites them to come back whenever they wish. At the Rusty Dragon Inn, most people have already gone to bed, but there are a few people remaining. Lamb stew has already been slow cooking, as the Corwins explain that they knew the group would arrive eventually. Everything is on the house.
A chill nips at the air this morning, as one of the first clear signs that winter is coming. Today is Ascendance day, the ascendance of Iomedae the Inheritor to godhood. While her worship is uncommon in these parts, a few people are traveling to the Cathedral today as Father Zantus attempts to hold a service in her teachings. The rest of the people go about their regular business. Being Toilday, many people will put in extra work to further their profession or studies.
Cleo wuffs down a helping (or two) of the delicious soup, helps the younger Corwins clean up so the elders can go to bed, then crashes.
Next morning she'll try and rise early to tell Father Zantus about the need for lots of holy water. Since he's already engaged she'll sit and listen to the service, never hearing one to Iomedae before.
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Deciding to sleep in a little, Vandra woke up to an empty room. Finding his mother's note, he decided to peruse his new book a little more before heading out. Giving a greeting to the various Corwins running around in the breakfast rush, he absently ate his food while being careful to keep the book clean.
Cleo happily waves to Jeaux, sitting in the back pews to not get in the way.
The Corwins are very thankful for Cleo's help. The mother of the group enjoys fussing over Cleo, while the kids ask for stories about her travels and what "being a hero" is like. Whenever there aren't humans around (Ameiko is an exception), the halflings prefer speaking in their own tongue with Cleo.
Father Zantus, despite being a priest of Desna is responsible for hosting occasional sermons and speeches for various other deities within the region. This can range from Sarenrae, to Iomedae, to even Abadar. Today, he works hard to bring together the faith of Iomedae in acknowledgement of her great miracles. Although Jeaux already knows everything by heart, Father Zantus works hard trying to bring in the spirit of honor in action, justice in word and deed, and mercy when acceptable. His speech is riddled with "ums" and pauses, but the sermon overall turns out rather well.
When Vandra wakes up, he feels terrible. His skin is oily like he sweat through the night.
When Maria goes to the garrison to enlist the town guard, she is met with frustration. The guard explains that Titus Scarnetti has instructed them to keep to their normal guard duties, and that she'll have to speak with him directly to gain their aid. They also suggest that she might seek volunteers from the populace if she wants.
Erastil must have heard the trouble Cleo's in at the moment, cause her payers received an abundance of water spells.
Cleo remembers her conversation with young ones last night I'm not a hero she argued They are the heroes, I only help a bit then she regales them with the battle with the flying demon, complete with giant bears and Furnoks.
Furnok gets a hearty breakfast after he wakes up and goes to see the sheriff about deputizing some folk to lend arrow support.[/b]
Furnok is met with the same response. Until Hemlock returns, the guards are under the command of nobleman Titus Scarnetti.
Well we can just go handle it ourselves. With that flying devil gone, we should have an easier time of it.
Even though none of the conversation was her area of expertise, Helgarr listened quietly as the others exchanged ideas with Chask Haladin about Lamashtu, and Tassilonian history, trying to soak in as muh as she possibly can.
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In the morning, the barbarian wakes early - the chill is not unpleasant and she relishes the cold morning air coming from the open window in the room before going downstairs for breakfast.
Downing two omelets, and a large jug of mead, she decides to accompany Cleo as the halfling moves to speak to father Zantus - Helgarr was not aware this was a day dedicated to Iomedae, though she knows a few tidbits here and there about the Goddess.
The words spoken during the ceremony do strike several meaning subjects for the young woman, and thus she listens with respect, sitting next to Cleo, and nodding to Jeaux as she comes in.
Cleo welcomes Helgarr's company.
Once the Father is done, Cleo will move up and try and get his attention, though it might take Helgarr to do so. She'll describe what they learned and that they will need to go back down to take care of the altar today, and potentially the rune body of water thingie.
Once the service is done, Helgarr stands, and waits for Cleo to lead the way, her bulk following along protectively and making themselves visible to Father Zantus to get his attention.
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Finishing up his breakfast, Vandra decided to follow up on what Chask said about learning the Thassilonian language. After asking for directions from one of the rushing Corwins, he made his way to Brodert Quint. "Excuse me, Mr. Quint? My name is Vandra, and I'm interested in learning about Thassilonian history."
Furnok rolls his eyes. That is what Helgarr and I am for, bashing the monsters. Wel'll go see Titus to see if he'll let some guardsmen go with us.
If Zantus doesn't have anything to add or suggest, Cleo will go back to the inn and brew up some holy water. With Silver dust.
Frnok ambles over to the Scarns.
Father Zantus is delighted to see Cleo, Helgarr, and Jeaux listening to his sermon. After everything, he asks them what they thought of it, admitting that Iomedae's teachings are a little out of his realm of knowledge. When they ask him for holy water, he happily accepts. He says that he's got a good sized stash in the back, and that it should be enough to fill the pool. He also informs the group that while holy water is not very effective against demons and the like, they are essentially acid against the undead.
Furnok and Maria head to the Scarnetti estate. It is a 3 story traditional Chelish estate with an iron gate, private guards, solid oak doors with golden knockers, and many other features that a commoner would dream of. After speaking with the guards, they are led inside to a meeting room of sorts. After sitting for a few moments, Titus Scarnetti enters. He wears fine silk aristocratic clothing, and is smoking from a pipe. "Good day, adventurers." He says in a formal, but unemotional way. "You managed to arrive at a good time, what business do you bring?"
Mornin. Furnok nods. No doubt you have heard of the massacre at the Glassworks that Tsuto headed with some goblins. After we killed them we found some tunnels that had opened up into some shrine dedicated to The Mother of Monsters and ran into a flying devil that could summon monsters from some kinda well. We found out that if enough of those critters were summoned from it, it would run dry. What we are wondering about is if you would assign some guardsmen with us to keep any from escaping while we deal with the well. Shoot em down. We'll be taking the brunt of combat.
Cleo gushes at the Father's sermen, admitting she knows little of the other gods and liked learning. She doesn't know about Jeaux's faith otherwise she ask her.
Father Zantus is delighted to see Cleo, Helgarr, and Jeaux listening to his sermon. After everything, he asks them what they thought of it, admitting that Iomedae's teachings are a little out of his realm of knowledge.
Helgarr hesitates momentarily at the question, but then she smiles - "Curiously enough, the Goddess's teachings are followed in more than one way among my tribe" - the barbarian ponders - "Even though we are not familiar with the specific teachings, and many see the Shoanti as mindless savages, honor, justice and mercy are ideas we deal with every day"
She offers a bow to Father Zantus - "Your words made sense to me"
"I believe this is all for now Father Zantus - we will not forget how much you have done to assist us" - Helgarr takes the holy water and passes it to Cleo, bowing again.
She then turns to her companions to confirm if they have anything else to add.
Thank you sir Cleo will shoulder the pack. We'll come by once we're finished to tell you what happened. Wish us luck she waves goodbye. To Jeaux and Helgarr, she asks if they want to find the others and head out, or is there anything else we need to do.
"For victory, for the spirit." Father Zantus prays. He gives the group a respectful nod and hands them a large container of holy water.
Back at the Scarnetti Manor, Titus takes a puff of his pipe. "What do you make of the Sczarni, Furnok?"
Well this is the first time meeting any of you to tell the truth. I spend much of my time on the roads doing caravan guarding and haven't fromed any solid opinions on the people in Sandpoint.
Thank you sir Cleo will shoulder the pack. We'll come by once we're finished to tell you what happened. Wish us luck she waves goodbye. To Jeaux and Helgarr, she asks if they want to find the others and head out, or is there anything else we need to do.
"I guess our next steps will most definitely need to be a group effort Cleo - we should all act together to finish this" - Helgarr replies - "Do you know where they were headed?"
If I had to guess Ali's still in bed, but the others...
Cleo starts playing with the crickets.
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Maria stares at the Scarnetti as he sits there. Well I think you could make more money by lowering your prices for flour. Maria sits on a chair and hopes that Titus takes the bait. She may not have succeeded in proving the Scarnetti family had done anything underhanded, but she was certain that appealing to the family's purse strings could get some changes made.
Helgarr, Cleo, and Jeaux check in with Ameiko to find out where the rest of the group is at. She informs them that Furnok and Maria were said to speak with the guards. After finding out that the two had moved to Scarnetti Manor, the group is led by the butler to Titus' meeting room.
"The Sczarni, Furnok, not the Scarnettis." Says Titus Scarnetti with a look of frustration. It is apparent that this has occurred more than once. "Sczarni are a pack of bloodthirsty thieves, cons, murderers and so forth. As a caravan guard, you most likely encountered a branch or two of these lowlifes. As it so happens, I hear your group has already had a scuffle with them recently. I will let you borrow the guards to do this demon hunting, but in return I want you and your group to assist me in routing out the Sczarni from Sandpoint. In doing so, I will be able to reduce the price of flour since the business will not have to worry about bandits nearby."
At the old light, an elderly man and a very grumpy looking orange cat sit together. As you approach, the old man peers over his spectacles. "Indeed, Vandra is it? I cannot say that I am looking for an apprentice at the moment, or perhaps you just have some questions?"
Well if we're giving thieves and the like the boot it can't be so bad. I will need to talk to the rest of the crew about this and bring them up here so we can all be on the same page. Furnok will take his leave in order to find the others.
Cleo nearly runs into Furnok being led into the meeting room by the butler. She had been in awe of all the fanciness and wasn't paying attention. We have the holy water she shows them Did you get the guards?
We can get some guards but need to do a favor and run some bandits out of town.
Bandits are bad, sounds like a good thing she does seem puzzled though Why would they barter something good for the town with something good for the town though?
Ali snorts before sighing "Cleo I forget at times how good you are at heart. The man we are dealing with is a business man and bandits are extremely bad for his trade. Take in to account the fact that the Sczarni are a measurable quantity, ie we know they are a threat right now, and that the well is only a possible threat, then it makes sense that his Lordship wants us to deal with the Sczarni first, or that would be my interpretation of it anyway!"