GM Bill Ameiko's page

Eventually Ameiko rings a bell and cries out to all still there, "Alright, everyone. Last call! I hate to break up the party but some of us have to work here. If you want a good breakfast in the morning, I need to get my rest. You really don't want me cooking half asleep unless you're very tolerant what gets on the menu." Her quip is met by many chuckles from the company.

The local townsfolk who aren't staying at the inn start to drift out as they finish up their drinks. Menlo notices that there's a young woman who has been gazing him, and as she too heads out of the common room, she looks back over her shoulder somewhat seductively with a smile on her face.

Alesta - hope you're still with us and willing to keep going

The trip back to Sandpoint is largely uneventful and pleasant. Upon arrival, people take note of the successful hunt and the party's heroic defense-inspired fame is still good enough to draw waves and congratulatory comments. Several children fall into procession, exited at the prospect of a boar roast tonight.

At the Rusty Dragon, Ameiko's eyes widen at the sight of the second boar. "I see you know how to make extra work for a girl. Guess who just got nominated to help! Prepping a boar for roast can be a bit grisly. I hope you have the stomach for it."

She does sweeten the offer of work with some beer and wine, so it's not like it's all bad...

Anybody want to pursue special plans instead of or after the kitchen work?

As Alesta, Darnak, and Ahdak enter the Rusty Dragon's common room, many of the patrons break out in applause and cheers, "Hear, hear, the heroes of Sandpoint!" along with other exclamations like, "You showed them goblins what fer, alright!" and "They'll think twice before raiding Sandpoint again!".

For her part, Ameiko comes out from behind the bar with a smile. "We've already seen your story unfold, but if you want to share more details, I'm sure the company would like to hear. In any event, for your heroics your rooms are on the house all week!"

More cheers erupt from the patrons, particularly from the regular barflies who see the potential for a week of basking (and mooching drinks) off the reflected glory of the heroes.

"Bethana will have some hot water upstairs for you if you want to freshen up before eating." Ameiko adds.

Ameiko extends her hand to her new guests. "Then it's my honored task to welcome you, officially, to Sandpoint, Amazing Menlo and Firdall Firetail. You have caught us in unusual circumstances, but hopefully it will bring out the best in all of us. If you truly are interested in hunting goblins for bounty, I'm sure Mayor Deverin and Sheriff Hemlock will extend one until the crisis is past. You could also try the Goblin Squash Stables. Old Daviren Hosk is usually willing to pay a small bounty, but I suspect the town's will end up being larger."
"As far as dinner, given the stress of the day, I'm making stress-relieving, comfort foods. I've got 5 kinds of fish in the chowder and firecracker noodles that will knock your breeches right off ready on special as well as the regular offerings of meat pies, breads, and cheeses."

Judging from the patrons at the Rusty Dragon, Ameiko's food is popular. It certainly smells good.

Ameiko lets out a loud laugh at the conclusion of Menlo's story. Her voice is strong with the power of a well-experienced singer, her tone alto and clear. "That is a good one, my friend. You have the room, breakfast is included. Now, what are your names, good travelers, so that I know what to properly call you?"

"I"ve certainly let people play for their supper before, so if you can keep the patrons happy, you're welcome to work it off. But I answer to Ameiko, not Mistress Kaijitsu. That's a school marm name and this isn't the Turandarok Academy."

"I also trade in stories, boys. If you can wow me with a tale of today's excitement, tonight's on the house - you don't even need to perform."

In town with Menlo and Firdall

The harbormaster gives a description of the sheriff as a former Shaonti tribesman, "A no nonsense kind of guy. They say he gave up his tribal membership to join the community here at Sandpoint. Didn't seem to make him happy. His face would probably crack if he smiled," the harbormaster wryly jokes.

The Rusted Dragon is actually quite easy to find from the waterfront. A fairly ostentatious metal dragon, now mostly rusted, looms above the roof of the shop, giving the inn its peculiar name. The inn's proprietor, a Tien woman named Ameiko Kaijitsu, spots the arrival of Menlo and Firdall as she steps out of the kitchen and into the common room. "Looking for rooms or food, gentlemen? I've got a couple of rooms available now, if you're interested. If you're in town for the Swallowtail Festival, you're too late. At least the butterflies were released before the goblins attacked. "

In a flash, Masamune has Ameiko back to the fortune teller wagon. Ash is able to discern that she has still not been hurt physically but she seems to have lapsed into a state of low consciousness, but perhaps not completely unconscious.

She mutters, in a voice that doesn't sound quite like her normal voice, "キーはあなたが10利き1のグリップで嘘を求める。彼の恐怖 あなたの最大の同盟国である。"

Masamune and Alara both immediately recognize the language she is speaking is Minkaian - native to the lands of Tian Xia - and not Tien. And although Ameiko knows Tien, neither Masamune nor Alara were under the impression she knew Minkaian...

Ameiko starts forward to join Masamune ahead at the ridge crest to also get an overview of the town. She gets no more than 5 yards before she suddenly stops, sways, and then pitches forward - collapsing on the turf.

"In the meantime, Ameiko, I'm afraid we will have to wait and see what happens."

With a sigh, Ameiko nods at Koya's words. "I hope you find an answer soon. I'm exhausted." She then leaves the fortune teller wagon to make her way back up to the front of the caravan.

"Meiko...I don't want to know, nor do I care what is causing you distress...unless you wish to tell me," he takes a moment to pause, looking away. "What I do care is your body is showing signs of stress...as if you are sick. If you would allow me...I would like to just watch over your health. I will speak with no one of what is going on and I will try and keep you healthy."

"I don't know, Ash. I'm not sleeping well. The dreams are so vivid and unsettling at the time, but they're gone in the morning and I can't remember what they were. I'm not used to that. I'm a storyteller. I remember stories. I used to remember dreams. But not these. It's like they're someone else's dreams, if that makes any sense. I just don't know."

Stung by his tone, Ameiko glares at Masamune. "FINE!" she says, turning away to climb down from the wagon. "I'll go see Koya! Thanks, Piper, Alara," she adds in a softer tone as she hops down from the moving wagon to move back to the fortune teller wagon. She sways a bit on landing, but then stalks off.

A moment later, she climbs on to the step at the rear of the fortune teller wagon and knocks. With Koya's assent, she enters and says. "Koya, I think I may have caught something that isn't agreeing with me. I don't feel well."

Koya moves into action with a surprising vigor, but then she has had many years of taking care of people for experience. "Take a seat, child. We will soon put you right," Koya says in maternal tones (something both Ash and Rawnie are quite familiar with).

Ash and Rawnie are on hand to witness this exchange
Heal check for Ash: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20

In response to Masamune, Alara, and Piper.

Bluff: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14
Sense Motive Masamune: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Sense Motive Alara: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Sense Motive Piper: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Ameiko responds, making light of it, "Oh, pfft, I'm fine, guys. It's just the anticipation of getting closer to answers to the mysteries you dug up about my family. Really."

But, for all of you, it seems that she's really not doing that well. She's just trying her best to hide it.

Ameiko hops down from the covered wagon, rapier drawn. She aims a thrust at the surrounded krenshar.
Rapier: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 2 + (5) = 12

Her strike penetrates deep into the creature's hide and it collapses.
"Nice choice of songs again, sandman," she says as she winks at Piper.

Ameiko signs and does her best to keep her tones conciliatory. "Don't beat yourself up, Rawnie. Piper and I are musicians. Our magic does really well against weak-willed thugs. Your magic is different, and if I don't miss my guess, will probably end up more powerful than both of ours put together. Give it time. It will come."

Ameiko winces at the methodical slaying of the ogres. "I had nearly forgotten exactly how bloody the adventuring business could be. I'm glad that this part of the job usually does not make it into the stories told around the hearth."

She walks over and puts her hand on Piper's shoulder. "That was some good casting today, Piper. If you keep using that song so well, we'll have to nickname you "the Sandman".

Ameiko pops up out of her hiding spot and calls out to her charmed ogre, "Stop that ogre in front of you! Don't let him get away!" The ogre looks at the adventuring innkeeper with a puzzled look for a moment, but then his head turns back with a determined focus directed at the middle ogre...

Ameiko prepares to cast a charm person but, since the ogres are hard to directly spot from her vantage point, waits until the ogres come around the bend and into better view when she will target whichever one is trailing the others.

Ameiko draws her rapier. It glints brightly silver in the sun as she briefly regards it as if steeling her resolve.

"I am ready, Masamune. Lead us back to Shalelu and the ogres."

In the times where he's not playing, the bard's writing to Ameiko. He writes: 'Did you ever imagine this when we were kids, Ameiko? Going off on our own adventure together towards the north? You're the most experienced out of the two of us. The only adventures I've been on are the trips to and from Absalom.'

"North with you? No. I thought more of warmer lands to the south with you. That seemed more fitting, I guess. The ancient lore of Osirion. Searching for a sun orchid in Thuvia. Adventures with a bit more swash in the buckle. North? That is a land of endurance and struggle and I had hoped our adventures would be a little more light-hearted.

But, as it turns out, there may be some kind of ancient lore to the north. Who would have thunk it, eh?"

Ameiko gets up from the table.
"Alright. Now that the stories are flying, it's time for me to set things right. Drinks are on the Dragon!" and she waves over the serving girl.

To Yui, she asks, "Do you really think the Soggy River Monster's a cat? I bet it's some kind of big frog - maybe a wizard's familiar gone feral and affected by weird enchantments."

She seems to deliberately avoid getting into a conversation about the fate of the youngest Vhiski family member.

Ameiko's face lights up as Shalelu throws her lot in with the caravan. "I was hoping you would join us. I would have asked, but I did not want to make my family burden yours as well."

"I had not thought about inviting Shalelu, Aelbourne, but now that you mention it, I think it would be a fine idea if Sandpoint can spare her. And if she is willing to vouch for your skills and character, then we would be happy to have you accompany us. I expect she will be along shortly."

Her attention intensifies on Aelbourne a little as she adds, "I do hope that you will not judge her harshly. I am not very knowledgeable in elven customs, but she is a hero to many of the local folk - keeping the town and farmsteads safe from goblin raiders. I certainly hope that brings no dishonor to your family."

Ameiko regards Ash with a sympathetic expression "I'll never understand the "gifts" of providence," she sighs.

"But I do understand one thing and that's friendship, and thank you. Now, we should talk to the man who knows more about traveling the northern roads than I. Sandru was here just a few minutes ago..."

She manages to pick him out in the bar crowd and waves him over. She briefly fills him in based on the information she gleaned from the adventurers and puts the question to him. "So, what do you think?"

"It would be insane to head that way by yourself, but taking a group of friends and associates is likely not what your grandfather would have expected. Further, it is likely your grandfather expected your father to be the one to return...and wasn't he merely a businessman? You are far more than that. And if you will allow me to accompany you, then I will help relieve any injuries you might come into. Mother has trained me to do so fairly well. The journey can only make me better at it."

"Believe me, I understand how important it is to bring help," Ameiko says as she barely suppresses a shudder. "But it will be dangerous. I've seen... people... die on 'adventure' and it isn't pretty. It isn't glamorous. It wasn't the kind of death that performers sing about."

She's quiet for a moment.

"I don't suppose that actually scared you off, did it?" she says with a sly smile. She scoffs, "Varisian wanderlust. I probably couldn't leave you home if I tried."

"M'lady, you say that we are not allowed to go without you. Do you have a plan on how to get to Brinewall or is that something we should start planning together?"

Ash finds Ameiko alone at a side table poring over the mysterious letter. "Oh, Ash, I don't know. This is such a surprise I'm not sure what I should do. I need to find out what this all means though the letter warns against returning to Brinewall. Is that insane - to go to almost certain danger despite dire warnings?"

The Date

Ameiko's argument with Masamune seems forgotten as she sees to your dining needs cheerfully and not without a wink or two as she teases Piper with a laugh. "And remember, if you have a good tale for the bar, a private room is cut rate," she says, nudging him in the ribs with an elbow. She doesn't even wait for a blush to rise before she's off to the kitchen.

"No, there's no problem. It's nothing I can't handle, Aelbourne." She shoots one more glare at Masamune before turning the charm back on and smiling at Aelbourne. "And you're welcome to enjoy yourself here at The Rusty Dragon. If you have not yet tried my garlic noodles, you are in for a treat! Your sister says she likes them but the fragrance stays on her skin too long and that makes for bad hunting. I think she actually finds them too hot. How is your stamina for spice?" she asks with coy smile.

The words of Ash and Piper seem to mollify Ameiko and her ire, until Masamune says "if she can keep up". Her eyes narrow and it doesn't take her long to build up a head of angry steam.

"Keep up? You'll see how easily I can keep up with you when you have my boot kicked up your behind, you conceited lout. I didn't take this kind of talking down from my father, I'm sure not going to take it from the likes of you!"

Masamune - I would ask you to give us an Intimidate check to see how well the insults raise your rivalry level with Ameiko, but your score + the situation in this case is enough to hit the DC easily. You can +2 to your rivalry score with Ameiko.

"Wait, Brinewall? What?!?" Ameiko sputters. "Are you trying to tell me there's something up at the Brinewall ruins that is mine?!? Let me see that!" she says as she takes the small letter from Piper.
She scans across the page a number of times, clearly reading it more than once. Then she sits down on one of the outdoor benches, a look of bewilderment on her face. "What in the name of Desna does this mean? Family enemies? I always figured that the family came to Varisia in disgrace - probably fleeing some kind of scandal - but now there's a treasure and enemies involved and secrets withheld from my father? Good grief!" she exclaims.

Then she jumps back to her feet and rounds on Masamune. "And what do you mean you're going to go there and get it? Like Hell you are, buster! If this is about my family, you're not getting anywhere near it without me!"

When everyone else has had their drinks, Ash looks at Ameiko and smiles to her.

"You have done a great job with everything you have done, Lady Ameiko, Sandpoint is very lucky to have someone such as you in our town, I hope you realize that. You are invaluable."

"Stop trying to butter me up. I just run an inn. OK, sure. It's got the best food in town and the hostess with the most sparkling personality. But I put my breeches on like anyone else - slow and incredibly sexy," she laughs.

"Seriously, quit that "Lady" business. I'm no Lady and I'll kick your butt to prove it if I have to" she says while giving your a mostly-comical evil eye. "Don't think I won't."

Ameiko laughs, "Second round of drinks, coming up. Now let's get some food out here for the goblin-slaying heroes!" And on that cue, a couple of servers bring out the daily special - ginger fish and noodles.

"And thank you, Sharrd. The dragon lantern will fit in well with the dragon motif of the bar. That's very thoughtful." She gives Sharrd a little kiss on the cheek.

Sharrd's Diplomacy+role play check: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30
I thought I'd just toss that roll in there since, by giving Ameiko the gift (and yes, she likes objects d'art), he gets to try to improve his relationship with her. And he succeeds enough to get a +2.
Also, since everyone leveled up to 2nd, you all get to add +1 to one of the four NPC relationships. Don't worry that you haven't directly interacted with 3 of them in the game yet - add to whichever relationships you want.
Giving gifts (or insults if you want a rivalry relationship) can lead to a change in a relationship with each NPC only once/level - so if you want to adjust your scores, try to make sure you've got a compatible gift/insult to unleash.

I have added the bounty for the ears and Gutwad's head to the spreadsheet. Also the values of the fireworks and fan.

"Thanks, Piper, Sharrd. I am glad you brought these things to me. I have to figure out if they mean anything though. Maybe there are things out there somewhere that the old man never told me about, not so big a surprise that," she rolls her eyes, but that I might want to know about."
"You say there's another ship out there? Have you seen it? Is that another Kaijitsu ship?"

"Yeah, the family is older than Sandpoint. My grandfather helped settle the town, but I never heard anything about ships or the family owning any. My father even hated anything to do with ships. He refused to send anything by sea if he could get his way. Most things he sent to Magnimar he sent by caravan. His opinion was that if you found trouble on the road, like a washout, you could find a way around it, but the terrain itself moved around on the ocean and if you had a rough voyage you weren't likely to save your glass. I may send a few things from the glassworks down the coast that way, but that's one of the few things in which I can see his point of view. I ship most of my glassworks with Sandru."

She looks over the lantern. "The lantern's nice. Definitely Tian style. The old man made sure I knew that part of our culture. Tian-Min, I would guess, but there's a lot of mixing of styles among the Tian art I've seen so it could have come from just about any of the Tian states." She thinks for a moment. "It's actually a lot like a piece I've seen at my cousin's house on my travels. But I think she moved off to Westcrown way down in Cheliax, so I can't really compare them."

Ameiko laughs along with the rest of you, tapping some mugs of ale and occasionally dropping in a wisecrack.

"Piper, Silent but Deadly."
"That nickname stinks, Piper," she says, holding her nose.

Shardd jumps up on the bar
"I hope you have enough elbow grease to shine that bar, Mr. Muddy Boots."

But she is dumbstruck by the name plate from the ship and falls silent for a moment.

"The Kaijitsu Star?!? What's this?" she says, her bewilderment evident.

The Rusty Dragon is about as busy as it always is, no, make that busier. The crowd of children that followed you into town has clustered about the entrance to Sandpoint's oldest inn and tavern, under the gaze of the rusty iron dragon that sits atop the roof of the establishment. Inside, the atmosphere is lively with lots of conversation and strains of laughter coming from a variety of tables.

As you cross the threshold into the common room, a feminine voice from behind the bar calls out, "Well, look what the firepelt finally dragged in! It's about time you goblin hunters got back to town. The kids say you've got quite a story to share. First round of drinks is on the house if they're right. Second round is too if the story is good!

As yet, there is no sign of Shalelu in the crowd...
And, FYI, a fire pelt is a Varisian badlands version of a cougar but with black and red striping