Thaddeus chuckles lightly, "I would use caution in labeling Scoria as mistress. She is not often prone to familiarity with the gentlemanly terms for the fairer sex. She actually appreciates the title stonemason, and when I feel the need to address her formally I do as such. That being said, I regret to inform you that my position as Sergeant is only one of deputized necessity during the Sheriff's absence, so I am at a loss as to anything I could tell you about the murders. I am still fairly new to this town myself. If you could give me a synopsis, I will do what I can to assist."
He looks at the man expectantly, before remembering and continuing with his index finger pointing up to indicate waiting or making a correction "In the meantime, she had asked if you could do some investigative spellcasting. I am somewhat familiar with the art of spellcasting, would be more than willing to hear how you could help in a divinatory nature."
Father Zantus smiles as the party leaves with Vale in tow. He then looks to his aid, "Well Aren, he will certainly make an interesting addition to that group."
Matthias smiles. "Well, most of my magic is confined to the short range. I have a spell for overhearing conversations an arrow's flight away, a spell for reading the pre-occupying thoughts of a subject's mind, one for detecting the unseen, a spell for the restoration of flesh to the skeletized dead, one for causing a subject pain if it should attempt to mislead, and one to boost one's reactions in combat. I am studying the longer range magicks, but I fear I am still grasping the concepts. However, I have also made a study of the criminal mind, so my expertise is not based on magic alone."
Thaddeus purses his lips in thought, looking a little crestfallen "Well, despite your many talents, it seems you do not quite have what Scoria had requested. Nonetheless, if you are willing to help bring evil machinations to a halt to protect this gentle little town, you are more than welcome to come along. Just to let you know what we are up to, we recently learned that the daughter of the previous head priest had faked her own death. She has been working with a local goblin tribe to destroy Sandpoint, and perform some wicked ritual dealing with some demonic creature called Malfeshnekor. We have neutralized the goblins, removed all her subordinates, and have only to find and stop her. If you are able to help, you are welcome."
After his summary, he waves the man to follow him as he leaves for the Rusty Dragon.
Matthias seems about to retort, but then nods and follows the man. "Wait, Nualia is ALIVE?!? But she perished in the fire following the Chopper deaths!"
Thaddeus shakes his head, "That is incorrect, as she did not perish in said fire. That is the death she faked. Given your study of the criminal mind, does that help you in any way, or help us? If so, I would be eager to hear of it. Might I add, I am pleased to find someone who appears to be as verbose as I am. Of the group of us, I seem to be the most avid talker, the others are worthy companions but can be short on words at times."
"It certainly complicates the analysis; she faked her death. Was she responsible for the fire? That indicates a desire to burn away the past, to eliminate some linkage. Her father? Perhaps, but maybe it's more than that? I would definitely value the opportunity to speak with her."
As they arrive at the Rusty Dragon, Thaddeus holds the door for the newcomer, "Alas, I fear to tell you that based off what we have learned, we do not expect to be able to reason with her. We will most likely be forced to deal with her via swift justice vice hopeful reform. We have managed to avoid resorting to violent resolution amongst most we have faced, but sometimes there is no other option." With that he approaches the group, "Everyone, it appears that Mr. Vale is willing to join us in our attempts to resolve the goings on at Thistletop. Please make him feel welcome."
"Ah, the impatient fellow from the church! Hello, my name's Bel'Tanis."
"Ah yes, sorry about that! I am Matthias Vale, late of Riddleport, now in exile. I am an arcanist by trade, a consulting diviner. I've heard that Nualia is not dead and has in fact faked her death and may be responsible for the death of her father! Fascinating! There is definitely some psychosis at work within her mind that I would dearly love to plumb. The mind of the criminally bent is a puzzle I would enjoy cracking!"
"...He talks more than the sergeant," Scoria comments to Bel'Tanis, seated next to him in the tavern. She glances him over, putting a hand on his shoulder. "How are you feeling? From the shadows? Any better?"
Bel'Tanis chuckles at Scoria's comment, "Ha ha! Maybe the two will get along like peas in a pod." He grins at Thaddeus and Matthias both then shrugs slightly at the stonemason's following question, "Still slightly wearied, but it's nothing a night's rest won't cure I'm sure. I think they got the rest of you much worse than they did me."
His eyes then widen and he looks from Matthias to Midori, "Say, Midori. If Matthias here is so keen on how Nualia thinks, do you think he'd be able to learn something from speaking with Tsuto? That is, only if you and Ameiko would be alright with it. I'd never really spoken to Tsuto prior to the glassworks, but he seemed not himself, didn't he?"
"They did not get me, but I am glad that you are all right. I should not have asked you to carry me after that. I apologize," The stonemason tells the aasimar before he converses with Midori. She looks over at Matthias, her voice getting cooler to the wizard.
"Have you been in a fight before? You should prepare for combat if you are coming with us tomorrow."
Matthias blushes. "I have, though mostly against thugs and deviants. What am I likely to encounter tomorrow?"
"A woman who's cast her lot in with the Mother of Monsters, shadows, possibly goblins, possibly demons," Scoria comments. "Do you know the light as a feather spell? I would ask you afford yourself to at least one casting of it. There is a bridge...it is not a safe bridge."
"I am afraid I do not. Transmutation and Enchantments are my least adept magicks. I am better with knowledge effects. Still I will prepare such spells as damage the undead and shadowy things."
Later that evening as darkness falls on Sandpoint. The party gathers at the Rusty Dragon for evening supper of lamb and vegetable stew served with a hard crust bread. The meal certainly takes the autumn chill out of the air as you tell tales of your adventure with Ameiko. You all notice that Notick never arrives.
Khrondak thanks the priest for helping him; though he is still weakened, his feels reinvigorated by the spell. Yet, sensing that Gorum's blessing has not been fully bestowed upon him, he excuses himself from the group to perform his rituals to the god. He looks for an empty field and makes a fire, kneeling close to it and feeling the heat grow. He then closes his eyes looking up, and starts his praise.
He spends most of the day in prayer, and meets the group back at the Rusty Dragon; getting there, the sees a stranger at the table, and no sign of Notick.
"Good evening, my fellow warriors. Who is this stranger you bring to our circle? And where is brave Notick?"
"Not here," Scoria comments. She's got a glass of whatever Bel'Tanis had ordered and is sipping it slowly. "This is Diviner Vale. Diviner, this the Iron Forged, Khrondak."
She continues the introductions, pointing to the Tian party member. "Bard Midori, cousin of the proprietor of this place."
She seems a bit softer introducing the tall aasimar next to her, less blunt. "Guardsman Bel'Tanis. He was the church protector until we were deputized. A...loyal companion."
Matthias nods politely at the Shoanti man. He is pouring over a small tome marked with arcane symbols and runes.
Bel'Tanis nods at his second introduction and chuckles before looking up at Khrondak. "Notick had mentioned his uncle a few times before. I wonder if he's gotten caught with something there. Though I'd like to wait for him, I think we can only afford to spare the time it will take for us to recover from the shadows' touch. Even that is pushing it though. We don't want to give Nualia any more time to recover than we have to. Who knows how far along into her ritual she might be." Bel'Tanis' brow furrows with sadness as he brings up Nualia's name, the inner burden he bears plain in his sinking posture and body language.
"Well, Bel'Tanis, this friend of yours might just know. Do you not, diviner?" The shoanti emphasizes the last word.
"I have spoken with him about this, and sadly, it does not quite work that way Iron-forged. The task of pulling knowledge from the very fabric of the world takes many more years of practice and study than it already takes to master magic in the first place." He nods at Matthias both in support and understanding.
Looking around he notices Notick missing like the others had stated, and nods and agreement to Bel'Tanis' assessment "True, it did seem that his uncle had a lot of influence over his activities. Maybe he asked more of him, and this has detained him. Sadly, if he has not returned by the time we need to leave in the morning, I hate to say we may need to leave without him."
At this point he stands to get everyone's attention. "With that being said, I would add that I think we linger here as little as possible. To that regard, we should leave early tomorrow morning, I think an hour or two before dawn would be best. So, I encourage you to buy whatever supplies you need tonight before the shops close, and do not stay up too late so as to have a good night's sleep."
"If anyone still feels weakened from the shadows in the morning, Father Zantus agreed to pray for whatever spell it was he used to help you earlier, Iron Forged."
"We should bring holy water for the shadows," Scoria suggests. "And for anything else unnatural."
The party arrives back at Thistletop with no delays. After crossing the rickety bridge (and Scoria gathering her wits after crossing) you enter into the fort.
However a gruesome sight greats you, a score of dead goblins lay slaughtered in Ripnugget's Throne Room. They lie dead in various positions around a table with a half eaten gecko carcass on it. Most of them still have their weapons sheathed.
Something fast and powerful came upon them with sheer ferocity.
"Did- did Nualia do this?" A shudder ripples through the aasimar as he considers the idea.
Matthias immediately becomes suddenly cold and professional. Donning a cap that has several strange wires and lenses (tinker's cap), he examines each of the bodies in an attempt to discover cause of death.
He will also cast detect magic and scan the area for auras...
Thaddeus looks around at the carnage with resignation, "That would be my guess, and I feared it was the risk these goblins would face for striking a deal with us. It is disheartening, considering the fact that we did not have to kill them ourselves yesterday, their deaths are still the result of our involvement." He too looks at the bodies, trying to determine what he can from their injuries as the actual cause of death, but his own sense of being at fault for their death makes it hard for him to focus.
Bel'Tanis looks crestfallen at Thaddeus' words. His eyes glaze over as he glances down at his scarred palm. "Just... like dad."
This is my fault. All my fault. Again. Again!
Thaddeus
Bel'Tanis
Khrondak
Matthias
Midori
Scoria
You notice that Gogmurt and his cougar are not among the dead goblins.
"Well, there is no magical residue and the deaths are normal, as deaths go." Matthias stands up and removes the contraption from his head, stowing it carefully.
Bel'Tanis shakes his head, rousing himself from his sudden reverie. "Wait. Where's Gogmurt and that giant cat of his? I don't see their bodies anywhere in this mess."
"Is it not obvious?" Scoria asks them all. "The bodies are torn apart by some kind of animal. He did say that he only wanted the women and children to survive, to prevent any other competition. This is the nature of goblins."
She heads towards the stairs to the lower levels. "There is nothing we can do here for now. Let us hope that Nualia has not yet fled and get to her now." She assumes her normal scouting duties, all business right now.
Thaddeus looks up confused, not sure why they say the goblin isn't present, he hadn't even noticed "Though he had deceived his tribe for control of it, I do not think he did so again in this case. I would be willing to presume that he was treated to a special punishment by Nualia. It would be safe to think that she blames him at least in part for our success." He sighs loudly before drawing his blade and lighting it as he typically does, "It seems there is nothing we can do for them, we should continue."
Bel'Tanis readies his shield and scimitar and follows a short distance behind Scoria as the group descends into the tunnels within Thistletop once more.
Scoria you scout stealthy past the trap to the north door at the end of the hall. The entire complex in the areas you have previously explored are quiet with no signs of life.
The door opens revel a small circular room with a font of blue water on the north wall. The room is lined with shelves containing musty old tomes, scrolls, and glass jars filled with various things in a briny fluid. A badly decomposed body lies on a table in the middle of the room.
The stonemason takes a look in this room, sweeping it for Nualia. Perhaps her fear has come to pass and she's already fled Thistletop. Then again, it was possible she was still here. They would simply have to sweep the rest of the place to make sure that was the case. She eases up on her stealth for the moment, focusing more on discovering what was here.
Thaddeus gives the body a simple once over, really only trying to determine one thing, if it's likely Nualia's 'father'.
Secondly, he looks for magic auras, all the while scanning and skimming the books, shelves, and accoutrements to get an idea if there is anything useful in them.
Matthias will start to say something as Scoria moves forward, but stop. Instead he'll use his scrying domain power to send a clairaudient sensor southward as far as the corridor goes to listen while they wait.
Midori is silent, shaken by the savagery displayed in the deaths of the goblins.
Thaddeus you discover the body is indeed of Nualia's father. Most of the books and scrolls are religious texts about the worship of Lamashtu.
It looks as the the the body was used in some sort of on unholy ritual.
A flaming skull on next to the body radiates faintmagic.
Matthias you notice that the font of water at the back of the room may of one time been used as a scrying device, but it no longer radiates magic.
Scoria, you looks about the shelves and notice that many of the jars contains heads of various creatures.
As Scoria looks through them, Khrondak you notice that one of the heads is that of your cousin that had left the tribe several months ago to become a mercenary.