Razkiv lets out a long breath, "We got something here. But we left the first floor un-explored"
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"I suppose we'll need to follow the tunnel to see where it comes out. Seems that this is where the goblins came in The town should know where the other end comes out.
But, you are right. We need to check upstairs."
Looking to Ameiko, he smiles, attempting to alleviate her concerns. "Point the way to your father's office then, but let us open the door, just in case there are more surprises."
Aventail shakes her head.
”I do not, but perhaps my companions will discover the means of entrance shortly.” she murmurs to the mayor.
”I must return to them at once.” the adamantian says, and if not stopped, exits.
With a slight nod, Mizzug agrees. "Tis best ta clear back den front."
@Aventail: The Mayor seems to stunned to say anything as you turn to leave and you make your way back to the group.
@Everyone else: Ameiko leads you back upstairs and through a few doors to one that is closed and has the word 'office' stenciled on it. (A13) She takes a deep breath and gestures to it, letting any who would open it do so (as per Dol's suggestion).
Bumbo follows Ameiko upstairs, calling Toot to his side with promises of potential danger. He moves into the room and points to one side of the door, indicating Toot set up there and prepare to attack, should the need arise.
After waiting for the others to gather in the room, Bumbo looks about...then smartly steps back and hopes that Mizzug will open the door.
Glancing around to her companions, Mizzug raises the axe and shoves the door open.
Raz reaches out to touch Ameiko's arm as Mizzug opens the door. "Kneel down, let me look at your head." he makes an attempt to distract her, too much quiet for too long is never good news.
Though he doesn't expect much more resistance, Loth readies his daggers just in case.
Opening the door like a trained team of professionals, you find a small office with a single desk, under which sits a small(ish) safe, and a single padded chair. The rooms sole occupant is indeed Lonjiku Kajitsu. He is in a kneeling position, arms tied behind his back, and a rope leading from around his forehead to his ankles, forcing his face up as though calling to the heavens. His entire body is covered in glass, thicker around the face and growing thinner the further down it goes. His open mouth is filled, and his lips and chin are charred. It appears molten glass was forced into his mouth while he was still alive, over and over again, until it coated his whole body and was left to solidify.
Ameiko allows Raz to check her wound, but still looks into the room when the door opens. Pain, anger, and astonishment move in waves across her face. Her fists and jaw clench in fury, tears of pain and sadness come from her eyes, and a wail of despair begins to eke from between her closed teeth. I.... am...... going..... to ..... kill..... him. She says in-between heavy breaths.
Taking in the spectacle, Mizzug frowns. "Tis no way ta kill yas enemy. No honor innit. Shuda got chance ter fight fer self."
Shaking her head, she wanders around the room a moment before setting her sights on the safe. Pointing towards it, she inquires "Ya kin open?"
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Full of sorrow, Dol turns to Ameiko "Ameiko, this is truly horrible. I sympathize with your pain.
Still, let us make an attempt to see if Tsuto was being controlled by an outside influence before we blame him completely."
When he hears Mizzug's question, he looks around at the safe. "Whatever is in that safe belongs to the owner of this glassworks." He pauses, and adds as an aside, "I guess that would be you now, Ameiko."
Addressing Mizzug again, "If she chooses to open it, that is up to her. We should leave it alone.
Let's quickly sweep the rest of this building, then we should get Tsuto to the cathedral to delve for enchantments before something untoward happens to him. With emotions as high as they are, he might not make it to a jail cell and then we would learn nothing."
"I'd like to wait incase Aventail comes back, but then I think we need to investigate that tunnel"
Toot seems enraged by this sight of a weakened combatant being bound and tortured to his death. This goes against the beast's challenging and competitive nature, and Toot storms away from the door, desperately looking for something to kill.
Bumbo sniffs and chokes back a sob. Unable to speak, he grasps for Ameiko's much larger hand with his pudgy, short-fingered one, in the hopes of providing, and receiving some small measure of comfort.
@Bumbo: Ameiko gives you hand a squeeze, but then releases it to go into the room and sit against the wall, staring at her father silently.
@Aventail: Your return is triumphant and glorious!
@Everyone: Sweeping the building finds little else of interest. The living area for the workers who were to poor to have their own homes, their personal effects spread around the floor, beds flipped, mattresses and linens shredded. A food store room ransacked, much of the food either missing or half eaten. A work store room, likewise in disarray, sand and powders mixing in great heaps all across the floor. The goblins seemed to be ravenous in their appetite for destruction and chaos, not a room is left untouched by their havoc filled hands.
"I think we should follow that tunnel, but I am no waqr leader. What do the rest of you think we should do?"
Bumbo looks frustrated at the lack of a concrete direction, but is nowhere near as frustrated as Toot, who still looks for something to kill as justice for the deceased Lonjiku.
Someone has to pay for this! We follow the tunnel, woe to our enemies, should we find them in their layer!
Bumbo rolls his eyes a bit at Toot's bluster, but nods his head. We should see this through; I don't think we're doing our duty to keep the town safe if we leave this tunnel unexplored...it could be the staging point for yet another invasion!
Loth is shocked by the sight of the Kaijitsu patriarch and looking away is all he can do to prevent throwing up. "This display of sadism... Be it Tsuto or his mysterious lady enthralling him, this is pure evil."
When the others intend to inspect the tunnel, Loth immediately follows them. "Something evil is hanging over Sandpoint, and we need to hurry and see it through."
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Dol is pleased to see Aventail's return, though he is less tham happy that she felt the need to remove Tsuto.
"Welcome back, Aventail. Where did you end up taling Tsuto?"
When he gets the answer, he is alarmed. "Hosk is in charge of him?! A half-elf suspected of treason?! Friends, if we want to get amy answers out of Tsuto we need to go find him RIGHT NOW. If Hosk is in charge of his transport, he won't make it to the prison alive!"
Aventail blinks, though whether from trying to compute the ramifications of Hosk’s possible betrayal, or the creative and woefully cruel method used to dispatch Lonjiku is unclear.
”Wh-what do you mean Doll-storm? What suspected treason?” Aventail radiates visible distress.
Loth's eyes widen at the thought. "You think he'd be capable of something like that..? I just figured he was an ass, but... Gods, you might be right. We should hurry. Between Hosk and this tunnel here, this isn't going well."
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Either way, what is the party decision? The tunnel? Or Tsuto?
Or both? Dare you, brave adventurers, take the ultimate risk? Will you....... SPLIT THE PARTY!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
"The threat of Hosk needs to take precedent, we should head there, with haste
Bumbo looks towards the stairs, as if wondering what may come out of them, should they leave the tunnel unexplored. He swallows hard. Why don't you guys go on. Toot and I can stay here and guard the way, then maybe you can send some guards to relieve us.
It's obvious that Bumbo is trying to be brave, in spite of his fear of what may happen. Toot simply seems to want to hurt something.
Bumbo sighs, with another look towards the stairs. He turns back then, and nods. Okay; let's go then...and let's get some answers!
You all arrive at the town hall just as 3 guards are carrying Tsuto's body through the front doors, two carrying a stretcher with his body on it, one holding open the door. (Presuming you hail them), they slow to a stop as you approach and set the stretcher down. You are greeted respectfully and asked simply, What can we do for you sirs?
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"A moment, if you will. We have reason to suspect this man was under some type of effect."
Dol casts Detect Magic to look for spell effects.
If no effects are found, or if the effect cannot be identified, Dol suggests taking Tsuto to the cathedral where Father Zantus may be better able to delve him (and hopefully cast Break Enchantment).
Pausing as Dol calls out, Mizzug cocks an eyebrow. "Wait, we's tinken magics?"
Glancing down at Bumbo, she puts a hand on her right hip. "Watcha do ta it? Ya magicked it ta sleepytime?"
The guards pause, exchange quick glances followed by small shrugs and step aside without a fuss.
@Dol: No magic to be found on him. However (with that roll), you do know that long term and continuous usage of strong enchantments can permanently affect a person without the spell actually being in active (essentially brainwashing them).
At your suggestion, they will follow you to the cathedral to seek out Father Zantus without complaint.
Is everyone going? Or does anyone have anything else they want to try and accomplish before heading back to the tunnel?
Aventail follows along to the cathedral.
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Upon arriving, Dol greets Father Zantus. "Pardon for disturbing you, Father, but this man has done some horrible things.
If you don't recognize him, this is Tsuto, son of Lonjiku Kajitsu. I'd rather not discuss his crimes openly. Suffice it to say, his soul is damned.
Fortunately, he spared his sister, Ameiko, even though he had her captured. Ameiko claims that his speech and mannerisms were very unusual. Unusual enough that I am concerned that he was under the effects of an enchantment.
I detect no recent magical effects, but know that he could have been affected by continuing powerful enchantments.
Do you have any better way to delve for residual enchantments?"
Loth follows along as well.
Upon your arrival, Father Zantus looks surprised that there is a limp body escorted by a pair of guards, more surprised when he sees who is on the cot, and downright stunned by the triad of information he gets from Dol. His head turns slowly, eyes wide, from staring at Tsuto to staring at Dol. What? He asks, before collecting himself with a small shake of the head. Yes, I recognize Tsuto. Though I've not seen him in some years. Not many of half elf, half tien heritage around these parts. He kneels down besides the body and begins to check it over, softly speaking prayers interspersed with questions. What do you "he spared his sister"? Did Tsuto kill someone?...... A short pause and a sad question follows, Was it his father?
The guards perk up at these questions, obviously hoping to know what the heck is going on as well. Some few other lesser priests approach to ask if Father Zantus needs any help, but he motions them away, keeping the conversation relatively quiet.
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"He, or goblins he was working with. His father... and others. I tell you Father, if this was his own choice the trial will be swift. Maybe I am being foolish, but I don't think any man could be THAT deranged without some malevolent presence controlling his actions."
Dol hangs his head and sighs. "I have to do my best to explore these suspicions. Am I being naive, Father? I'd like to think that I've learned a thing or two since leaving the Citadel, but the ways of the wider world are still foreign to me."
Razkiv moves forward to place a calloused hand on Dol's shoulder, "I have seen the flame of a mans soul burn before, like a wildfire, out of control. All men are capable of great good and evil, order and chaos. You are a good man and you have the guidance of Torag.
Father Zantus agrees with Razkiv, trying to comfort Dol but also speaking bluntly, Do not worry for your own soul in this mess, Dol Stormmaul. For every evil man, there is a good one. But both must exist for either to exist. It is simply the way of the world, balance.
Sighing, he pushes his hands against his knees to stand up. I can find nothing on him. If he has been enchanted, there is no trace of it now. I would recommend a cell for him, until any more evidence comes to light. Did he have anything on him that might shed some light on this situation? Notes, letters, a journal?
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Dol looks gratefully at Father Zantus and pats Razvik's hand in acknowledgement, but sighs deeply all the same. After a moment, he straightens and comes around.
"Yes, he did have a journal in his possession, but we haven't had time to peruse it yet. We need to get back to the more urgent task of further investigating this incident, then we will look at the journal.
Father Zantus, can you have one of your acolytes escort Tsuto to his cell and make sure that he recovers from our encounter? We will report to the Sheriff or whomever is in charge later."
Turning back to the party, his eyes drift down. "I am sorry for the interruption. Let us go back and investigate this tunnel more thoroughly."
"We could at the very least skim the journal on our way back to the Glassworks, just to get an idea." Loth says, getting somewhat curious.
Aventail smiles, and crouches down.
”Good Doll, I can bear Loth more easily, and he will have a good vantage point.” the adamant Ian offers.[/b]”
Bumbo shakes his head at his own forgetfulness. The journal - of course! He watches these larger folk as they go about the business of trying to decipher this mystery, all the while dreading the next goblin invasion to come from that tunnel.
Loth nods and accepts the journal. "Hopefully this will offer us some insight."
When Aventail offers to give Loth a ride, he gladly accepts. "I think that might be the best for all of us, though I appreciate the offer, Dol.
@Dol: I'm glad you got that.
@Everyone:
I've put the handout for the journal in the maps, on page 4 with (over) Tsuto's letter to Ameiko. There are more pages than what are on the handout, but it is mostly rambling discontent.
@Loth: You do notice one additional, small thing of interest; it appears that there is another Kajitsu. Ameiko has a full-blooded sister staying with family in Cheliax. Not much is mentioned beyond her existence and that Tsuto was apparently the last to learn of her.
...Smuggling tunnel, frag, lets hustle. Not sure what a Quasit is but I don't like the idea of these 'Freaks'." Rizkiv begins to move quicker after Loth get to that part of the journal.
Bumbo considers this new...um, news...as he walks along with the others. This talk of Lamashtu...the creatures they talk of - this is bigger than just goblins! It may be that the best idea is to cause a cave in of the tunnel, but then we may never know who is behind all of this....this "she" target of Tsuto's desires.
Razkiv looks at the odd little gnome, not really sure if he is joking about caving in the tunnel.
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Dol considers the story that Loth reads. "She wants to get rid of her 'Celestial Half' and embrace her mother's half. Then he talks about a succubus, which he thinks is some kind of demon.
Have you ever heard of a succubus, Bumbo?"
Looking up, he notices Razvik's gaze at Bumbo and retraces the conversation in his head. "Collapsing the tunnel does sound like a good idea. Mines underneath the citadel are always rigged with a way to collapse them in case of dire threat.
If that had been done here, instead of just walling it off, the goblins would not have been able to get inside of the town unseen.
I doubt we will have the equipment needed to do so here, but it is something we should keep an eye on."