Selia listens intently to Shalelu's accounting of the tribes. "None of that indicates why goblins would be party to a raid on a crypt. Perhaps the goblins were but a distraction?"
Ameiko: Sorry, guys. I'm just a little distracted is all. Family stuff, you know. Thanks for understanding.
Ameiko waves good-night, and leaves though the kitchen door.
Shalelu: True, and you're right. The goblins were mostly just that, a distraction. Buy, why? There's got to be a motive for such a bizarre theft. At any rate, now you know nearly as much local goblin-lore as I do, and it should help you, if you can remember it.
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Hakak looks at Smiggens "Oh would you like me to put you down? Ok." Then Hakak proceeds to drop Smiggens so he falls to the ground. "Next time you want to pick on three little guy, DON'T! Now you might want to catch up with your little friends before you leave a mess on the floor." Hakak turns back to Lleidr "So how's the beer tonight?"
His eyes dart around, like a trapped rat, before he heads to the temple, looking for senior clergy.
Jubrayl tents his fingers. It seems to me that since we've been unable to determine where they were taking him the best we can do is speculate. That unfortunately won't be of much help either, so until we get more information we won't be helping matters just by trekking about the wilderness. All we can do is keep things here calm and let Shalelu do her work. Sheriff, if I may suggest that while in Magnimar, try asking anyone with arcane expertise what one might want with a priest's body specifically, I doubt they went to the trouble of breaking into a crypt with several organized goblin tribes just to make a few skeletons. They wanted the Father specifically.
He shows concern when Ameiko spills a drink, but says nothing. Clearly his minu is quite occupied with the goblin problem, despite his warnings against idle speculation.
Hakak looks at Smiggens "Oh would you like me to put you down? Ok." Then Hakak proceeds to drop Smiggens so he falls to the ground. "Next time you want to pick on three little guy, DON'T! Now you might want to catch up with your little friends before you leave a mess on the floor." Hakak turns back to Lleidr "So how's the beer tonight?"
"Like my tad says, the best beer is the one you're about to have!" Lleidr will lead the way back to a table more centrally located. "I hope it doesn't sound like I'm bragging, but I had the situation well in hand. Not to say that your particular kind of...reinforcement wasn't appreciated!"
Lleidr pauses for a long drink, finally deciding to get a beer or two in Hakak before explaining just who the men were and what gang they belong to.
if there's no objections, i'd like to move the clock forward to the next day, unless there's something you think requires further resolution.
Let's do it!
Nicholae tries to get one or more of the Senior Clergy on side, explaining the situation, proclaiming his innocence in this matter and asking for aid in sorting the issue out with the family - particularly the father.
He is quite anxious for his name to be cleared and is willing to submit to magical interrogation if need be to do so.
Nicholae tries to get one or more of the Senior Clergy on side,
That would be Father Zantus, the only clergy of note in Sandpoint, other than the clerical warriors in your group (you, Selia, Jubrayl).
[Breakfast-time, Rusty Dragon, Third Day After Goblin Raid]
It’s an unusual mealtime for the Dragon. The hearth is cold, there’s few customers in the common room, and the atmosphere inside is downright dreary. In a more timid manner than usual, Bethana Corwin approaches your table.
She bows and whispers, “A private word with you all, please.”
She leads you into the kitchen, where she is working with another elderly halfling servant to get the morning meal made. “It’s like this … Ameiko is gone. I awoke this morning and found that she hadn’t already started breakfast. Such a thing has never happened since I’ve worked at the Dragon.
“I was worried, so I knocked on her door. She didn’t answer, and so I went in. Her room was empty, her bed was still made. And, then I found this , crumpled on the floor beside the bed.”
The letter is written in Minkaian, but Bethana has been learning the language these past four years of employment, and so she has translated the message into Common on the blank side.
Bethana has tears streaking her cheeks. “That dreadful Tsuto is up to no good. Please, can you look for Ameiko in the Glassworks? I need to know that she’s safe.”
Zantus smiles. "We in the church do a good job training our clerical zealots how to fight off undead horrors, how to call upon divine aid for miraculous healing, as well as memorizing the history of our ancient religion. But we are woefully unprepared for aggressive advances from libidinous young women.
"Don't worry, Nick. I'll talk to Ven first thing in the morning. He has a temper, and just assumed the worst. But, you should probably keep your distance from Shayliss for awhile, even if she winds up with a hundred goblins in her basement."
Incidently, the glassworks are in Sandpoint. . This image is fuzzy, but it's building #20, on the central, western edge of the city. It's a fairly long building, and is actually the source of Ameiko's family's wealth.
We'll take a look girl. Does it look like Tsuto's writing on the note?" Ned will hand the note back to Bethana. Turning to party he'll muse, "We should stop by and see the sheriff to let him know what we're up to."
-At the Inn-
Anything that keeps me busy works best I think. I'm in, says Nicholae looking a bit harried and stressed.
-At the Inn-
Anything that keeps me busy works best I think. I'm in, says Nicholae looking a bit harried and stressed.
"Hmmm? What's eating you lad?"
Ameiko, what were you thinking? I'm going to the glassworks. One of the Kaijitsu's I dislike hurt the one I like and now the other one's kidnapped her. Whoever wants to come with me, I leave in ten minutes.
Jubrayl stands up, ignoring his breakfast and heads upstairs.
"Why don't we split up, half of us go after Ameiko and the other half stay here and be the 'face of justice'?"
We keep splitting up and sooner or later it will go the worse for us. Best we 'professionalise' our friendship and formalise ourselves as a local band of 'Adventurers', or 'Mercenary Guards' in the interim, and above all, stick together.
He seems pretty emphatic on the need to stick together.
"Hmmm? What's eating you lad?"-At the Inn-
Anything that keeps me busy works best I think. I'm in, says Nicholae looking a bit harried and stressed.
Errr... some... ummm... local misunderstandings Ned. Best if I am out and busy until things are taken care of. A situation, in part, caused because I wandered off from you all without making sure you were with me.
Ned shrugs amiably, "Wise words I suppose, whatever the reason. Lets be off then."
"We should stop by and see the sheriff to let him know what we're up to."
Sheriff Hemlock has left for Magnimar, if you'll recall.
Bethana: yes, the writing is Tsuto's, from what I recall.
"We should stop by and see the sheriff to let him know what we're up to."Sheriff Hemlock has left for Magnimar, if you'll recall.
Bethana: yes, the writing is Tsuto's, from what I recall.
"Eh? Isn't the glassworks in town?"
Jubrayl walks back into the room, armor donned and axe and shield on his back.
Seven minutes.
He grabs a spoon and starts shoveling food into his mouth.
"Eh? Isn't the glassworks in town?"
Yes. It's a few streets over.
"Eh? Isn't the glassworks in town?"
Exactly.
Besides we do no one any favours if we get into trouble and injured without opportunity to help each other.
It sounds like you're all in agreement to check things out a few blocks away, but I can't tell for sure.
[Early Morning, Glass St., Sandpoint, Third Day After Goblin Raid]
Thick smoke pours out of a large chimney in the center of the glasswork’s roof, but there’s no foot traffic entering or leaving the building. Several handsome glass windows look out on the street, but they are all shuttered. There are a couple of doors which open onto Glass Street, but they are all shut as well. The only sounds are the ocean down below the cliffs on the opposite side of the Glassworks and the early morning traffic on the street.
I guess we can start with the obvious...are the doors locked? If they are, can I see or hear anything from inside?
I guess we can start with the obvious...are the doors locked? If they are, can I see or hear anything from inside?
[Dice=Perception] 1d20+5
There are 3 doors facing the street, and both are locked. There's a door leading to a display area, which is the large domed, circular feature of the building shown on the map. Further down, there's a door which leads to a reception area, which is also locked. And, there's a larger door, also on the street, behind the reception room, which is used for big items (crates, big packages, supplies, etc).
However you all know that there is another larger door in the back used for big items (crates, big packages, supplies, etc).
No one hears any noise coming from inside the building. Aside from the smoke plume coming from the glass furnace inside, there's no sign of life.
Lleidr will turn to the group. "Are you guys interested in playing this more direct and going in the front? Or should we try a little more stealthy approach and see about getting that door in the back open?"
Hmmmm - tactically that would be better, especially if she is potentially being held hostage.
Why not do both? Hakak and I can kick in the front door while Leidr and Ned come from the back. Nich and Selia can split up and go with either group. If she's a hostage he won't hurt her without talking first.
"Interesting thought. Give us a ten minutes head start"
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"I'll go through the front with Hakak and Jubrayl. My leg doesn't exactly help with being sneaky." Selia makes sure her crossbow and spear are secured. "If Tsuto is acting oddly, there is no need to intimidate him. I hope not, anyway."
She nods to Hakak and Jubrayl and says, "Whenever you are ready, boys."
"Alright, then, see you inside in a few minutes. Ned, Nicholae, you fellows ready?" Lleidr will make his way around to the back of the building, keeping an eye out for anything suspicious.
And although it's not essential to the task at hand, now that he's in work mode, Lleidr can't help trying to move quietly in the shadows.
Assuming the situation is as we expect--an empty alley and a closed door--Lleidr will examine the big loading door, make sure it's locked, check it for traps, and, if safe, try to unlock it.
[Early Morning, Sandpoint Glassworks, Third Day After Goblin Raid]
Please refer to this map .
The back door is a bit tricky, but the lock soon yields with a little work courtesy of Lleidr. From all appearances, the door has no snares or traps. There are also no sounds coming from behind the door. To your left, there’s a spectacular array of three handsome domes, each set with a trio of windows. These windows look over the ocean, far below the cliff, to your back. Like the windows on the front side of the building, their curtains and shutters are drawn and shut tight.
“Whatcha’ doin’ ?” A gnomish boy, maybe about ten years old, comes round the opposite side of the first bay window. “Breakin’ into the place, mister?”
His eyes fall on Selia. “Gosh, you’re pretty!”
Meanwhile, on the other side of the building, several townsfolk have stopped in their tracks at the sight of Sandpoint’s newest heroes about to kick in the door to such a prominent business. One old farmer saunters up to the lot of you.
“You ought to head up to Kaijitsu Manor, right on the other side of Sandpoint Harbor, before messing up the place, young man. Have you tried talking to Lonjiku?”
[NOTE – I need to know which front door you want to kick down. There’s 3, and I’ve indicated them with red arrows. Just let me know if you want to tackle the left, middle or right. The other squares you see set into the walls are glass windows.]
Nicolae makes a finger to the lips hushing gesture and beckons the farmer over for a low voiced consultation.
May be something going bad here... real bad. We're trying to check it out with the minimum of fuss. Do me a favour and QUIETLY spread the word to the people around the building to let us work this through. I lived here as a boy... I know how important the glassworks are to Sandpoint so trust me when I say, we're doing the best we can with what we got... now, please, quietly let the people know to let us work.
We don't have time to be chasing down Lonjiku. If we're right, he'll understand.
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Selia smiles sweetly to the young gnome, "Why thank you, young sir. What is your name?"
Selia crouches down and whispers to the young gnome, "How would you like to be our lookout?"
"We have reason to believe that trouble is afoot. My friends and I would really appreciate it if you could quiet everyone down."
OK, guys in the front ... Which door are you busting through? I'll pick one later tonight at random if you don't tell me.
OK, middle door it is.
Unfortunately, you guys are going to see the entire map, not just where you're standing. If you're ever interested in trying a live Maptool game, however, usually vision is restricted to only what your token would be able to see. It's a very cool effect, and definitely trumps any kind of battle-mat in a face-to-face traditional game.