A gift. There it is again. What a novel idea. I'm more used to torture and intimidation, but gifts? Yes, that might work. Sort of like grovelling. Food is always nice. I wonder if she likes...
"How about candy? I really like chocolates."
Just in case someone want's to try to get me to do something. You never know!
Nodding at Zandril's idea of treats, Camil thinks, and once Runt pipes up, he agrees, Yeah, we'll bring her candy and see how that goes. As for the tunnel, we should definitely have a guard put on it, and we'll go from there.
Fanning himself with his floppy hat, Camil looks about the group, So we'll head to the mayor, report in, grab some candies, go see Madam Mavashti, then have dinner, and hopefully the sheriff will be back tomorrow. Sound like a plan? Did I miss anything?
If no one objects, Camil will start heading to the mayor's office to deliver a concise report of what was discovered.
Runt is already feeling for some silvers as she contemplates a visit to the sweet shop.
She shrugs when asked for more planning. One step at a time is her kind of plan.
"Sounds like a plan. By the way, have any of you found anything else out about the items we found down there?" Lavanor mentions as they make their way over to the Mayor's office.
The row boats and pallets appear to have been in place only a couple of days. Master Battlehorn seems to think the collapsed stairwell would have exited somewhere just north of the Sandpoint Garrison, perhaps under the north wall. The local criminal element is dominated by a Varisian gang called the Szcarni, though they don't seem to really do much in Sandpoint.
You head back to see the mayor. With Battlehorn and Quink in attendance, Bonnifer is not as disapproving this time around and soon you are in to see Mayor Deverin. She listens to the reports from everyone. She asks Master Battlehorn to coordinate with Sir Korvaski (administrator for the Mercantile League) in getting some masons to brick up the smuggling tunnel. Then since you have been deputized, she suggests you coordinate with the town guard at the garrison to organize a watch to protect the masons should anything untoward happen. Quink shares his information but aside from being interesting to history buffs, his information seems to not be of immediate concern.
Leaving the meeting with the mayor, Camil turns to Lavanor, Thanks mate, I darn near forgot with all the meetings and exploring today, we did find an-honest-to-goodness magic long sword, a really well made handaxe, a silvered dagger, a couple magic scroll, a magic wand of shocking grasp, and this adorable tiny dagger, which when you throw it comes back to you! I don't know what exactly we'd do with a tiny dagger which comes back, but it is neat! I would suggest keeping the scrolls and wand, I can sort of make them work if I think about it super hard.
Considering for a moment, There are also a lot of valuable looking things dedicated to Lamashtu... which are probably worth something, but I don't know who would buy them around here, although we could try I suppose to sell them, and the gold dust, if we had a major need for coin. Isabella, do you think the church would pay us for them to get them out of circulation?
Looking directly to Zandril and Lavanor, Would you two mind telling the guards what to do, I still get a little nervous they'll remember losing at cards to me, and won't take me as seriously as they would someone whos' better with swords and fightery stuff. Then dinner, and a new plan?
Sell it all and buy a candy shop?
The group exits the mayor's office and heads across the street. There they find the guards and between Zandril and Lavanor they organize a watch for the tunnel notifying them that some masons will be coming to start bricking the thing off. Where to head for candy. There are no specialists in town so it is look around market square to see if anyone is selling candy today (Toil Day, today, is the primary market day) or go to Vinder's General Store or Sandpoint Savories could provide some baked goods.
Looking to the market square, Camil indicates it with a nod of his head, We should comb the market and see if anyone is selling sweets. Plus, you never know, we may find another hidden gem like this glowing ioun stone there.
Camil begins poking around in the marketplace, talking to locals, checking the wares which are put out for sale by the various artisans in Sandpoint.
Picking up a small leather script, he opens it from a travelling Varisian merchant, These are exquisitely made, and just want I was looking for! Can I offer you ten gold for them?
Runt visits the same guy she got the fire bomb from and finds some more goodies.
Lavanor nods at Camil's suggestion of visiting the market. With everything going on, he hadn't realized he had been in town for a week.
Note that it can be any piece of adventuring gear, not just out of the stated book.
Everyone pokes around the market to find various things of interest. Camil manages to come across a fellow selling various candies, of particular note are some hard caramel candies from Korvosa (5sp expensive but rare). After making their purchases, to include something for Madam Mvashti, they head in the direction of the old lady's home.
Mvashti has a good sized manner that sits next to the theatre. A bit of a waste since she does not go to the theatre herself. She seldom leaves her home and when she does, she can be spotted crossing the south bridge to go into the forest, usually with a handful of her grand-children or great-grand children with her (these great grand children are your age). Sadly, the house has seen better days. Mvashti does not maintain a business of any sort and apparently has little to put toward home maintenance. It has become a bit of an eye sore and some of the others in the area have complained but to no avail.
Lavanor walks among the stalls in the marketplace, not looking for anything in particular. He pauses at one that has various weapons sticking out of the open end of a barrel. A finely wrapped hilt stick up a bit higher than the other swords as would be expected of an elven curved blade and not a great sword. Removing it from the barrel confirms his suspicions. Surprised to find such a weapon in the market, he slowly begins to draw the sword from its scabbard. His eyes immediately drawn to the elven runes running down the blade. "I'm not exactly sure what that says but the quality of this blade is exceptional, just looks like it needs a little sharpening," he thinks to himself trying not to look too excited. "Where did you find this? I've been looking for a replacement for mine. Will you take 838 gp?" he asks quietly, not wanting to draw attention to their large transaction.
Zandril walks casually through the stalls of the market. He stops suddenly looking wide-eyed at a sword similar to his own, but of much higher quality. He picks it up and twirls it in his hand. The blade moves effortlessly in his hand, with perfect balance. The merchant tells him the price, and without hesitating, Zandril drops the coin in the merchant's hand.
Savah's Armory is across Tower Street from the Town Hall. It is run by a lithe woman in her early 30s. Lavanor finds a suit of scale mail at the armory as well as most other suits of armor other than full plate. She offers to take measurements to have it adjusted, a provided service. Also, since you are currently part of the watch, you get the 10% discount here at the armory. For anyone else shopping, Savah has most basic weapons and a few exotic. She also has a small selection of magic weapons to include her signature piece which hangs on the wall behind the counter, a darkwood repeating crossbow with an ivory stock.
I'd like to pick up a masterwork backpack (-50gp), and attempt to make a tanglefoot bag (Time permitting)(-16.67 GP) DC 25
Camil happily pays for the candies, excited with the coin in their pockets, and slightly directionless to spend it, he splurges on the Korvosan treats for Madam Mvashti.
Heading to Madam Mvashti's house, he greets her, Good evening Madam Mvashti, I know we've passed each other briefly in town here, but I'm Camil D'este, and I sort of work for the town now, but my companions and I would like to hear some stories from you, if you have time of course. Camil produces the treats with a small flourish and holds them out to her,
We thought you may enjoy these whilst telling us some history of Sandpoint through your eyes, and perhaps fill in some gaps for us on some questions we have regarding the current state of things in our fair town. I'll leave my companions to introduce themselves and ask each of their questions in turn, but I would love to hear stories of Sandpoint from your eyes, and not the pretty things, but the fun side of Sandpoint, where card sharks like myself come into play! He flashes a grin at her, and produces a card from inside his Varisian scarf before tucking it back into his pouch.
"Come in, come in," the old woman says with a smile and takes the candies. She slowly escorts them into a parlor decorated with fine furniture surrounding a low table sitting upon a very nice rug. "Please sit down," she says gesturing to the couches. She sits in a cushioned straight back chair at the end of the low table.
"Card sharks like you, my dear boy? You are just a guppie. Merely a friendly player. There are those in town who are real sharks, and you would do well to avoid them. As for stories, I know several. Such as one about the Scarnetti's, those are real sharks. When the Mercantile League came to our quaint little spot they found my people here. They were haggling and making pledges to get us to give them the land to start a town. We could be an integral part of it they said. Then, old Scarnetti lost patience and with a group of his extended family he attacked us. Although they killed five we took three of them before they fled. As our men armed themselves and made ready to rid ourselves of the Mercantile League they handled the problem themselves and fled to Magnimar. Almah Deverin, the mother of our current mayor, did a marvelous job of smoothing things over, but even now you must be careful around the Scarnetti's."
After acquiring another odd item, a plant of digging real fast, he joins Camil at the sweet shop. She takes a different tact, and drops a gold piece and goes for quantity over quality. Lots of hard candy and taffy.
As the woman and Camil talk, she lurks quietly in the background listening and sucking nosily on a mint. Probably her fourth one. Well on her way to learning a lesson most children learn early on about eating too many sweets.
Zandril listens quietly to Madame Mvashti's story before interjecting, "That is quite an interesting beginning to Sandpoint, but what do you know of the land itself and what this town sits upon? What secrets are below the town?"
Looking to Zandril as he asks a most relevant question, Camil nods excitedly. There we go, Z! Way to work it into the conversation. Just like pushing the ante on a card game. Camil thinks to interject more, but then settles back with his eyes focused on Madam Mvashti.
Lavanor buys the scale armor, happy that he will be more protected with the better armor. He also gets some cold iron arrows. He thanks Savah and joins the others at Madam Mvashti's house.
He lets Camil start the conversation since he's a local and then waits for a response to Zandril's question.
"Did you see something my little mouse? I know of nothing under the town, but the bones know." she says as she pulls forth a velvet bag from the folds of her dress.
She dumps the contents onto the table. It is a collection of short squarish bones, knucklebones you assume. They are yellow with various runes painted on them. She picks them up and tosses them. Then she scans them. "Ohh, this is bad." she says. Finally looking up to everyone, "It is the lair of a demon. Someone in this town is involved with it indirectly and there are others who yearn for its power beyond our town. I see a great storm and fire in the future. The future is unclear but the demon lair is undeniable."
Runt nods here head and tucks her candy into the side of her mouth. Her words come out slushy but understandable.
"Yep, good guess. Er, I mean, good vision? Anyway, we knew there was a demon involved in all of this and it is connected with all the trouble the town has seen."
"Do you have any idea who might be involved?" Lavanor asks, not exactly sure what to make of the bones and her vision.
”I would look at the Szcarni. They are involed in everything nefarious in town.”
"Well, um, that is interesting information but I don't know any Scarsi. Any of you know who they are or how to find them?"
If they are dangerous, do we really want to?
"Also, do you know of Nualia? We believe she's involved as well."
Listening to Madam Mvashti suggest speaking to the Szcarni, Camil gets quiet, and waits for her to respond to Zandril's question about Nualia first, The Szcarni are some people we can talk to, I know a couple around town who may or may not want to help us. Or, rather, would help us if we we're acting as guards for the town....
Camil looks uncertainly around the room, If we want to do that, its best that a Varisian be the point of contact, and keep the whole group away from them. I, I can do it, but they might have had something to do with my cousin's disappearance, so I'd like some backup, maybe one person? Camil finishes resignedly in the conversation.
Runt has self-image problems and would never consider that she might be wanted as good back-up, so she does not speak up.
Zandril nods at Camil, "I'd be up to go with you. What could go wrong with the two of us working together? It couldn't be worse than the time those three fishermen strung up by my bootstraps at the Hagfish and you took bets on whether or not a three foot drop to my head would knock me out cold."
"I can also go with you if you don't think it will cause a problem. I don'tknow if it matters which of us goes with," Lavanor says looking over at Zandril.
"Well, the reading certainly corresponds with what we read in the journal about Nualia," says Isabella. Her mouth turns down into a frown and she crosses her arms unhappily.
"I guess it's not too much of a stretch to say that Nualia has decided that she was wronged somehow and she's turned to demonic forces for the power to get her revenge... on... I don't know, whoever she thinks wronged her."
She looks at the floor briefly and then whispers, "I hope that isn't me."
"Well, the reading certainly corresponds with what we read in the journal about Nualia," says Isabella. Her mouth turns down into a frown and she crosses her arms unhappily.
"I guess it's not too much of a stretch to say that Nualia has decided that she was wronged somehow and she's turned to demonic forces for the power to get her revenge... on... I don't know, whoever she thinks wronged her."
Camil doesn't hear Isabella's last comment to herself, or rather chooses to diplomatically let it slide, Isabella, or Madam Mvashti, who do you think Nualia would have felt wronged by? Her foster father? Or someone in town? I don't recall ever meeting her, so I can't say, but it seems like if we could make sense of that motive it may explain where her hostility is generally directed and we could get an idea of what her plans are.
"I'd be up to go with you. What could go wrong with the two of us working together? It couldn't be worse than the time those three fishermen strung up by my bootstraps at the Hagfish and you took bets on whether or not a three foot drop to my head would knock me out cold."
Hey, to be fair we made enough because of your hard head that we drank for free that night, Camil laughs at the memory, seemingly so long ago. And you did help me with that fat Chelaxian who thought he could cheat everyone at the table in cards. The look on his face when you disarmed him with a fork after he pulled that dagger was priceless. And how you casually flipped it into the pot on the table and said 'ante up?' That was spot on for what this may be like.
Considering Lavanor's offer, Camil shakes his head, No, Z's right. We're better known here and local. They'll spook if I show up with someone they don't know more easily than if Zandril is there with me. We, um, have a habit of doing stupid, but harmless, things together. Plus, he's Varisian as well, so they'd be more comfortable with our own people. I think.
Camil turns back to Madam Mvashti to see what her opinion on Nualia is, before he and Zandril try to talk to the underworld.
Nualia had issues relating to most in town. It was known that Father Tobyn wanted her to join the convent at the Windsong Abbey. About four months before the fire, she stopped leaving the temple.
Madam Mavashti shares an unknown piece of information, "The young girl was pregnant, they hid it, but the spirits know. Perhaps she is angry with the father?"
So? At least someone wanted her.
Runt's bitter thought have a practical grounding. Not only were her 'neighbors' less than ideal role-models, even in THAT culture, she was left pretty much alone.
Isabella's face starts draining of color as she puts the pieces together.
"So she was... put into an impossible situation, where people had all kinds of expectations of her... because of her heritage, like me... and then she was with child, so Father Tobyn overreacted and cloistered her in an attempt to keep her under control? And now, she's trying to turn herself into a demon - oh, oh no, she must've lost the child, she turned to Lamashtu, the mother of monsters..."
Isabella bites her knuckle for a moment, then says quietly, "I almost turned out the same way."
I think we should head over to the Fatman’s Feedbag. They usually hang out over there. We’ll go talk to them, and if we don’t show up for a while I guess come looking.
Camil and Zandril will head there once everyone is satisfied with Madam Mvashti’s conversation.
Madam Mvashti, thank you for your time and expertise. It was lovely to sit with you and hear some of these tales we may have missed in our young lives!
"Thank you for the candy young man. Be careful with them. Sharks remember." She says patting Camil on the hand.
Camil and Zandril step into the Fatman's feedbag. It is a decent sized place with about a dozen tables and today it has about as many customers. They generally sit in groups of two or three with a one man sitting alone at the bar. The bartender and owner, Gressel Tenniwar, towers above the bar. He is wiping the bar top when the two step in and pauses for just a moment as he glances up before returning to his work.