dair's night:
Search Posts
dair and Ameiko: Just as you finish telling Amie what's on your mind, her bar-maid Shae walks up. She's the last one out, just finished cleaning up. I'm outta here till tomorrow Amie. Anything else you need? Ameiko looks at you and smiles, then reaches out and grabbs Shae by the collar, pulling Shae down toward her...
Just one more thing says Ameiko, and kisses Shae passionately! Even after all this time you had no idea Amies persuasions bended this way! Shae smiles and walks out the front door. Ameiko takes a big drink. /
dairkal's night: Ameiko bids the last customer of the evening good night. Then comes to join you at the table, a fresh bottle of vintage low-alcohol wine in her hand.
Dairkal, my friend, I have never seen you so troubled. What is it? Is it something i've done?
Ameiko smiles, watches Thumparr walk out the door, and leans the broom back against the wall. I'll be waiting for you all when you get back...
Ameiko watches Thumparr to see if he will follow through and turn the painting to open the door. Unarmed, she has no intention of interfering, but she does take a step back away from the door and reaches for a broom leaning against a nearby wall. Something is better than nothing when it comes to self defense, she guesses.
Ameiko hands Boo her watered down wine. When you come back I'll give you something stronger and you can tell me about your adventures. she says with a wink.
Ameiko's reply (minkaian): Dairkal, for your own safety, do not inquire of this further. There are powerful beings in this world. I've seen them on my travels. And I also may have taken a thing or two from some of them. I guess you will have to decide whether or not you trust me...
What was what, Dair? she says innocently. She adjusts the painting on the wall back to it's original spot and the entire door/wall appears to blend together, hiding the secret door once again. No problem Boo, I'll get you that sip. Ameiko turns and heads out in to the bar area.
Each of you take the items that appeal to you. You realize Ameiko is suddenly looking a bit nervous. Finally she asks you to hurry up. When you have pocketed the last potion she shuffles you out of the small room and begins to close the door. perception DC15:
As she closes the door you hear a sound, almost as if it were in your head, but certainly there. It's a voice. It says: ahhhhh...rrrrrealease meeeee....plllllease! Ameiko glances at you nervously, obviously wondering if you heard that or not. separate check KNOWLEDGE ARCANA DC20:
The voice has something to do with that strong Transmutation Aura that almost caused Boo to pass out a few moments ago. When the door is closed she turns to all of you: will you be headed back to the glassworks now? Or will you stay for a draft?
The minstrel does a backflip in the air before hitting the ground.
The Rusty Dragon has modest patronage this afternoon. Ameiko shows you to a back room where the turning of a painting on the wall, just so, causes 'said wall' to slide away, revealing a secret chamber. Inside the chamber is a rather eloquently decorated 'harem' style room, with pillows and mattresses and translucent silk fabric draped along the walls. The room is lit by magical lava lamps. Displayed throughout are items that any adventurer would know are difficult to come by: a dragon claw in a jar of formaldehyde; A short sword that glows dimly mounted on one wall; several treasure chests; a book with a thick lock which quivers now and then trying to open itself. And a shelf full of potions of various shapes and colors. Some are labeled 'healing,' others are labeled 'maiming' and still others are labels 'unknown.' The total number of potions is Take what you wish says Ameiko I've no use for this room now...at least not with respect to the adventuring junk. she gives you all a demure smile. I wonder if you all shouldn't wait until evening before you head back to the glassworks though...Punching an innocent minstrel in the street is likely to draw the city watch, haha! I'll go pour some tankards. She turns to walk away, leaving you alone in the treasure-room.
[b]I'm sure I can make it home okay. But I've got some gear left over from my adventuring days...some old potions and such. When you do make it back to the Rusty Dragon check in with me. You are welcome to whatever is in my stash!
Ameiko overhears you. Her name is Nualia. She's squatting with her goblin toady's at Thistltop, those ancient Thassalian ruins on the coast north of town. Tsuto tried to take me there. Luckily you guys showed up! See the hinterlands map on the campaign info thread.
Dair: Ameiko is no whiner and she takes the news about the method of her father's death stoic-ly. This means i'm in charge of the glassworks now. There will be much work to be done cleaning the goblin filth from this place and getting it ready for the townfolk to come back to work. In the mean time, I shall provide my workers with free food from the Rusty Dragon. Just until their jobs are ready for them again. Dair, thank you for telling me the truth. She kisses him on the cheek.
Dead? No! Anger flushes on her face and she kicks Tsuto's body. I know he was not the most honorable man in the world, but he deserved a good death. How did it happen? Was it a good death?
Tsuto HP(-2/31). He falls unconscious to the ground, dying, blood oozing from his gaping wounds! Ameiko sits up, coughs and rubs her neck. Then holds her arms out for a hug from Dair, tears filling her eyes. Thank you my friend! I'm sure he would have killed me had you and your brave warrior friends not arrived... She looks at her brother's body lying dormant on the ground. I couldn't believe some of the things he said to me. I've got to warn my father Lonjiku...he may be in great danger. Will you help me find him
I don't see how my Father had anything to do with Nualia, but I can't be certain. He's had...dealings...with certain un-reputable groups in Magnimar, so he's been plugged in to the world of black markets for a long time. Many of these deals have affected local people in Sandpoint in ways they can't even imagine. It's one of the reasons my Father and I don't get along. He always feared the locals here in Sandpoint might find out. I have a brother named Tsuto who knows about these dealings too. If Tsuto wanted something from my father I wouldn't put it past him to blackmail father. But I can't see how either of them might be connected to Nualia. I wonder if something happened between them that led to father's visit here tonight. Thank you again, each of you who spoke up, for your help. She runs her fingers through Dair's hair playfully.
The only thing I can think of is that there are several Goblin Tribes nearby, the most powerful being those of Thistletop to the north. You can see it on any map of the hinterlands I think. They've never been organized enough to be much of a threat, but if there anyone were to try to bring the tribes together, they would have to start with the Thistletops...
That's m' good Dwarf, itchin' for battle!
It was the strangest thing. Nualia was about seven months pregnant by then, but something went wrong. They found her in the chapel. She was in labor and they sent for the mid-wives. But what came out of her was something un-natural. The mid-wives described it as as hideous deformation. Apparently is lashed out even from the birth canal! The mid-wives, along with father Tobyn, 'got the situation under control.' They took the thing away. Nualia was furious.
I remember when that happened. That Hong-$hei Delek drug her out of the White Deer Inn, threw her in the mud. He called her a slut and a harlot. Then he fled Sandpoint, too cowardly to face her foster-father's wrath. Nualia faced that alone...
But her unearthly beauty was a curse continues Ameiko. causing most of the people around her to become either jealous or shy. I remember one time a rumor went around that touching Nualia's long white hair could cure warts! By the time she came of age she must have felt more like a freak than a young girl. That's when she met Delek Viskanta. He was the first person who was ever nice to her. She practically fell into his arms.
FATHER LET GO, YOU ARE HURTING ME!
Lonjiku glances in the direction of the dis-respectful elf at the bar. He bites his lip. Ameiko: Father, we've been through this. I figured this ultimatum would come, but I thought you weren't planning to return months from now. What has changes? Has Tsuto revealed your 'business dealings' to the noble families of Sandpoint?
Alright folks alright, quiet down. and turning from the horsechopper on the mantle to you all Now, great heros, you will stay here for free tonight...and in the Morning what will you do? Have you a quest? What adventures will you be headed off to? As she finishes her question a man walks in the front door. He's tall, thin, early sixties maybe. Dressed in fine merchant clothes. He stands at the door and listens to what's going on. The pup is silent eagarly awaiting to hear what you will all say.
Ameiko rolls her eyes. Going to have to change that combo agian! She laughs good naturedly.
Dunkin says Ameik Do you remember the combination to he box back there? Go and count me out 300gp. Take them to the lady with the butterfly robe on. Then bring me the Goblin Sword!
Ameiko turns back toward you and raises her eyebrows. My kindof dwarf! she says. I think i'll join you! Aldern, she addresses the man behind the bar, since your back there putting the moves on that Elf priestess, pour us up a full tray of Fire Breath! Then back at the dwarf: We'll drink to Heart of the World, the pulsing Crystalrock of Mindspin Mountains. May the dwarf kingdom last forever!
I'll display that horsechopper here in the bar alright. Viva Sandpoint! 300gp is my counter offer! What do you say? There is a cheer from the crowd. Ameiko squeezes Thumparr's arm again as she waits for Menelei's answer, hoping the dwarf will be patient. She does, after all, have a bar to run...
Ameiko smiles. That's Dunkin. He 'helps out' around the Rusty Dragon sometimes. I'll get you another if it's too heady for ya she says with a wink.
A rough but attractive women steps out from behind the bar. Yes, enough auctioning she says in response to Thumparr. Let's show this mighty dwarf a taste of Sandpoint's hospitality, and give him our true gratitude In but a flash she has poured two froth-overflowing flaggons of house ale and handed them to you. Now, handsome Sir, you have a drinking problem...Two hands and only one mouth! Haha She laughs. I am Ameiko Kaijatsu. The Rusty Dragon is mine She holds out a rigid hand, beautiful yet tough. She bears the strength of, dare you think, and adventurer? |