Zherxikas is at the Pathfinder Society lodge in the west end of town when he receives a knock at his door. When he answers, he finds a messenger in the livery of the Lord Mayor.
"Sir," the messenger says when the door is opened. "I have a message for one who calls himself Zherxikas." Upon being notified it is he who is being addressed the young man provides an envelope then departs.
The letter is short and to the point. The Lord Mayor's office is in need of assistance with a crime investigation. Zherxikas is requested to attend Master Faust, the Lord Mayor's Secretary of Security in the Castellan's building next to the House of Lords that very evening.
Camil and Zandril enter the Fatman's feedbag, scanning the room for who knows what, but settling on the barkeep, Camil approaches. Speaking easily in his native Varisian, Camil quietly asks the bartkeep for help with his problem. Greetings Gressel, I'm wondering if you can help me contact some members of the ... family. I've got some information they would be VERY interested in, and I'm hoping they can help me out in exchange...
Of course, we Varisians need to look out for each other... Camil says looking around the room to see who was paying attention to their quiet conversation.
Zandril walks with Camil to the Fatman's Feedbag. Before entering Camil gives Zandril a familiar look, "I know, let you do the talking. I can be charming too' you know."
When entering, Zandril's eyes sweep the room mentally cataloging everyone in the room. Approaching the bar, Zandril lets Camil do the talking.
Gressel raises his head and looks around furtively, "What kind of information?"
Camil follows the gaze of Gressel to the corner where whomever was seated, before turning back to Gressel and continuing in Varisian, Listen, should I be talking to someone else? I've got good information which the family should know, and I'd like some information in exchange. But the grain supply could be severely interrupted, and I'd hate to see our families' caravans impacted by any shortages. You know me, I'm a half-rate card player, but I'm no cheat. And we're all related right? Camil taps his tattoos clearly marking him as an ethnic Varisian, as if his accent, coloration, and clothes were'nt enough of a give away.
Plus, I'd like to know if there was a rat in the grain stores; because there are some new rat catchers in town, and its best to get the rats out ourselves, am I right! Don't want to pay those charlatans!
Camil no more than gets the words out than a thin man with a ragged mustache touches his shoulder. "Come, sit, we'll talk." The man, Camil thinks he recalls his name as Jubrayl, leads him to a side table where two others sit. He gestures for Camil to take a seat. "What's your concern?"
@Zherxikas: you headed to Faust's office?
Continuing in Varisian, in case no one in the room speaks it, So the recent, um unpleasantness, was sparked in part by Tsuto using the old tunnels under town to bring goblins in... These tunnels stretch from the beach to under the glassworks, and the mayor and sheriff will be bricking them up. I'm wondering, if anyone, distantly related to us, would have carved them, and who told Tsuto about them, since he used them to cause such harm.
Camil exhales before continuing on, Do you know anything about who cut those tunnels beneath the glassworks? The tunnels are being guarded by the watch for now, but if we can prove they aren't a threat, the town will brick them up and likely forget they exist. I'd hate to see someone of our cousins jammed up trying access the tunnels. But I need to know who built them to feed to the mayor and the powers that be. Anything would be super helpful, especially since the tunnels are being watched full-time by the guards.
Looking around the room and grimacing, Camil continues, Tsuto discovered these tunnels, which happen to connect to a temple of Lamashtu. He used them to smuggle goblins into town, and the goblin tribes now know of the tunnels unguarded access to the heart of Sandpoint. Am I right? He built the tunnels to take revenge on the town and bring his allies into town to cause mayhem?? Camil exhales breathlessly.
"Tsuto's father cut those tunnels. He was making a good portion of his money through smuggling and undercutting merchants at the market. From what I hear, Tsuto took care of that man and you and your friends took care of Tsuto. Sounds like all the bad men are out of the way. As for goblins using the tunnel, they are getting blocked up now, probably no reason to worry. That fellow Lonjiku, he was a piece of work now. Paid a guard or two to leave the gate open the morning of the swallowtail festival. Must have already run into problems with his tunnel by then." Jubrayl says looking at Camil to see how he takes the news.
Camil sits back in his chair, attempting to keep a straight face,
Steeling himself against the news that Lonjiku was perhaps working with Tsuto, or at least was responsible for the gate being ungaurded.
Why do you think Lonjiku paid the guards off to not be there? All of these are good things to know about. Honest, I just want to see things get back to normal around here. But now there's a half-celestial trying to turn herself into a succubus or something and she's got a vengeful streak against this town. Camil asks Jubrayl.
Provided there are no other interesting tidbits that Jubrayl's going to drop Camil will round up Zandril and rejoin the party to share what little news they learned.
"A succubus you say? What are you talking about? How does that play into old Longiku trying to make a buck on the side and being offed by his bastard brat?"
Considering the question, Camil frowns openly, You are right, it doesn't make any sense yet. Thanks for the information about who built the tunnels, it makes it a lot more clear to me. I hope business is well with you, I've got to figure out this connection. Camil thanks Jubrayl and Gressel before heading back to the Rusty Dragon.
Once there he tries to gather the group in an out-of-way corner.
So I did learn that Longiku was the one who dug the tunnel, but remember the temple looked far older than the tunnel to it, so who knows. But also Longiku was the one who bribed the guards to leave the gate ungarded! But why? Also good to remember that Tusto was a bastard son of Longiku? So I don't know how this all ties together with Nualia and the attack, other than maybe its just background on Tsuto, but I feel like there is a missing piece of information.
Camil looks to the others to see if they have any bright ideas.
Everyone may try the Knowledge Local DC 16 up above.
Untrained? Usually untrained cannot get above 10.
"Well, Lonjiku might not have been entirely in his right mind since his wife jumped from the balcony, but everyone blames him for her death."
anyone trained or who grew up in sandpoint
@Zandril: their mansion balcony. It is on the island south-west of the town where the other mansions are.
"Hey, isn't he the guy the goblins dipped in hot glass? I think that was his name, though I'm not sure. If it was, then its a pity we won't be able to question him."
Answering Runt's question, Camil replies, Yes, Longiku was the one who was covered in glass by the goblins. I just don't understand why he'd be helping out his son open the town gates? Was his wife suicidal when she found out about Tsuto, I wonder?
Settling into dinner, Camil asks the group, So I guess we're waiting on the sheriff at this point in time? And we don't need to do anything until either the town lights on fire again, or... Anything else we need to do, or want to do? I'm pretty content just hanging around town for now.
The group continues their patrols, checks with local merchants to find equipment they may be missing and or to find other items of interest. Finally, the sheriff is seen coming across the Market Street bridge the afternoon of Oathday. He has another twelve troops on foot along with a couple others on horseback. As he rides past the Rusty Dragon, those of the group on on patrol fall in with him. The word gets out and spreads across town that the sheriff is back so that the rest of the group meets them all at the garrison.
"Ahh, I'm glad you are all here. Come on in, Shalelu has some new information." As he says this one of the figures throws off its cowl to reveal the ranger. They dismount and everyone heads into the garrison. The jailer comes out and takes charge of the new soldiers.
In a medium sized room setup for planning the sheriff finally settles into a chair. "So, has it been pretty quiet?" he asks of the team.
"Well, if you are asking if anyone has attacked the city or been causing trouble, then no. But we did find an old smugglers tunnel and followed it, expecting to discover how the goblins got it, but instead we found a temple and a lot of bad actors. Oh and we found the fellow that opened the front gates to let the goblins in."
Runt is hesitant to call attention to the fact that it was a temple of Lamashtu, since she is technically an inquisitor of the same, though only technically. Sometimes her 'brethren' embarrass her. There are a lot of aspects about her god she just doesn't approve of.
Listening to Runt's summation of the last few days, Camil agrees, Runt's got the right of it. It was an old tunnel Longiku dug to avoid taxes and fees, dare I call it a smuggler's tunnel. There was some symbols and statues that we brought Quink down to see, and he was very excited about them, but didn't give us anything useful.
Looking about the room he keeps going, We learned that some folk truly believe it was old Longiku himself who paid off the guards to have the gate unattended; and that they then, with Tsuto, killed him. What we don't know is why Longiku would help Tsuto with this? That part doesn't make sense, why help his illegitimate child burn down the town, unless he was magically controlled? Camil speculates.
"You did? There was? Well, I'll be the south end of a horse headed north. I thought it would all be quiet around here. Shalelu has some not so good a news as well." the sheriff says and gestures to her.
"It's not as exciting as your information. I found out that a notorious bugbear in the area, Bruthazmus, has joined with others at Thistletop. It would appear our enemy is consolidating allies. It may be best to do a preemptive strike."
"I don't know about that," the sheriff responds. "The soldiers I was given are all new recruits and our militia is barely trained. We could find ourselves with significant casualties and then unable to defend the town when we retreat. I think we need to dig in and wait for this attack."
"Bugbears, huh? Nasty customers. Like big orcs. You really don't want to mess with those guys."
Please don't volunteer, please don't volunteer. I don't want to get eaten!
Listening to what Shalelu and the mayor both say, Camil cocks an eyebrow at the silent figure, but doesn't say anything yet to them.
That sounds unpleasant, I don't know much about Bugbears, but my comrades may know more than I? Other than they are 'big orcs'.Camil grins at Runt with the last.
Lavanor, Isabella, Zandril, Runt, what do you all think? Camil addresses them with the question. Lord Mayor, is this something which help is needed on?
Zandril listens to the sheriff and Shalelu then addresses the ranger, "What do you know of Thistletop? How many goblins? Do you think it would it be easier to setup defense here in town, or take the fight to them on their turf?"
"I've never seen a bugbear. All I know is that they are supposedly big and scary," says Isabella.
Shalelu answers first, "There are perhaps 20-30 goblins at Thistletop, at least normally. I fear if we wait, the tribes will gather. There are six to eight different tribes in the area. If this leader was able to get them to work together on the raid, there is nothing to make one think they could not get them to work together on a whole scale attack. Even on the low side, that is nearly 160 goblins against the town. The entire militia is only 60 strong and the entire eastern side of the town is open to attack protected only by the river. A defense in place is not tenable."
"I disagree," Says the sheriff. "We have the wall to the north and we can blockade the bridges. With the full militia, these new troops and the original guard we will have nearly 80 defenders. It is the safest course of action. If we take the guard north to invade then we leave the town unprotected. It is best to stay in place."
Looking back and forth between the sheriff and ranger, realization dawns on Camil's face. Pardon me, Shalelu, you are advocating a direct assault on the Bruthazmus and 20-30 goblins? While you, Sheriff, are saying we should sit and wait to be attacked?
Camil looks nervously to his companions, especially to Lavanor and Zandril, Lavanor, Z, what do you two think, could we assault Thistletop and take out Bruthazmus, or is that something over our heads? Runt and Isabella, do you two think the three of us are sufficient for helping in that endeavor? I mean, I've seen Runt summon eagles, and Isabella, you are efficient with that enormous sword and your healing magics.
"Well..." says Isabella, "... we would have to take them by surprise. Fighting thirty goblins at once is a losing proposition for a small task group like ours, but if we can sneak into Thistletop and pick them off in small groups, it could be doable."
"Either way, if we do, the town loses nothing even if we fail - maybe we manage to thin the goblins a bit and make defense later more tenable."
"Sorry to disagree with you, sheriff," says Isabella with an expression of concern, "but the goblins have already gotten inside the town once, and we saw what happened with just a handful of them. If they have a strong leader? We don't know what they're capable of. Could they build boats and attack with arrows from the water? Come in through yet another hidden tunnel that we haven't found yet? Has their new leader brought in other allies we don't know about, maybe creatures that fly or evil hounds or something like that?"
"At the very least, we need a better idea of what we're up against, and I think we should take opportunities where they present themselves."
Runt pretty much agrees with everything Isabella says except the part about a 'small task group LIKE OURS', though she holds out hope that that doesn't mean her. She fidgets nervously, waiting to see what the others say.
Lavanor listens while the sheriff and ranger discuss the current situation. "Given what they were able to do with a small group, I don't think waiting for them to consolidate their forces to attack us all at once is a good idea. As Isabella mentioned, what if they are able to recruit other powerful creatures and we're not just taking on a large group of goblins."
"If you are uncomfortable about having a small patrol of the guard join us, I think we should go to Thistletop to see how many we can take out. With the right tactics, we may be able to thin them out a bit and maybe get more intel on what is there. If it becomes too dangerous for us, we can return and still help defend the town."
Runt's heart sinks.
"I still don't think it's a good idea..." The sheriff starts before Shalelu cuts him off.
"I'll take them up there. Like this strapping young man said, it leaves you with defenses and if it's too dangerous we can pull back. Even if the worst happens, you still have your defenses here."
After she finishes speaking the sheriff sighs and nods resignedly. "I'll notify the mayor, you all make your plans."
When he leaves she turns to the group, "So, the goblins at Thistletop are hold up in a rickety fort on a small island, we could approach from the sea or by land. It's a rocky coast so landing will be problematic but the area is called Thistletop because the area is covered in thistles. It could be hard going unless we can find a path through them. Goblins are like rabbits and seem to crawl through the stuff."
Listening to Camil, Isabella, and Lavanar weigh in and Shalelu's explanation Zandril nods, "I'm in! After discovering information on the local succubus and the long-lost temple of Lamashtu, this doesn't seem crazy at all. Let's invade the goblin hold!"
In a softer, more calming tone Zandril speaks at Shalelu, "Now, is there any specific gear you think we should get before going to Thistle Keep."
Listening to Camil, Isabella, and Lavanar weigh in and Shalelu's explanation Zandril nods, "I'm in! After discovering information on the local succubus and the long-lost temple of Lamashtu, this doesn't seem crazy at all. Let's invade the goblin hold!"
In a softer, more calming tone Zandril speaks at Shalelu, "Now, is there any specific gear you think we should get before going to Thistle Keep."
Camil's eyes brighten with his old friend volunteering for the task, Oh! Should we all make ourselves shrink so we can get into there like a goblin does? Or do we fly in at night? Oh wait... maybe we can find some healing things so Isabella can focus on other magic?
"I was just going to recommend that if we go overland we get heavy gloves and machetes, and if we go by sea we remember to bring climbing ropes and grapnels,"{/b] says Isabella. [b]"Also alchemical fire could be useful."
"that was to be my counsel as well Isabella," Shalelu answers. "It really depends on what direction you decide to go. then we can outfit ourselves to tackle the particular challenges we foresee."
Oh well.
"I do know a place that sells the flamey goo if you think we should stock up. Maybe we should go shopping together? "
Well, does it make more sense to use the land approach rather than the sea approach? Camil asks.
"It's a rough climb versus a rough walk. If by sea we could scale their little island and perhaps take them by surprise more easily. Of course, if fighting gets really heated our only means of escape at that point would be to leap back into the water."
"I can swim, even in my armor. We had a lake where I grew up."
And it was one of the few safe places I could go.
"I'm good with either approach. I'm ok with either climbing or swiming, or hacking are way through the thistles if climbing isn't a good idea for some, though I can even help pilot the boat if necessary."
Considering everything being said, Camil shakes his head. How come in the stories its never this hard, they don't have to weigh all these choices? So if we sail in, we can likely surprise them all; but if it gets bad, we probably can't escape that way....
He removes his slightly ridiculous floppy hat, and runs his hands through his hair. But if we go overland, they'll likely see us coming, but we'll have a means of escape?
Looking to the two who haven't spoken up, Isabella, Lavanor, what do you two think?
Lavanor scratches his chin, his face slightly contorted in thought. "Not ideal in either case. Given the size of our group compared to what we might be up against, I think the element of surprise is important. I don't particularly care for only one means of escape, but I don't think we want to announce ourselves and have them waiting for us. I say by water," he states, satisfied that he has made what he thinks is the best decision given the circumstances.