Notick manuvers towards the front of the crew, not hiding himself anymore. He decides to take a risk - as the obviously obsessed Tsuto wouldn't respond to anything other than crazy anyways.
"Tsuto, she's dead."
:
After an extremely long pause, and hoping that everyone's faces around him show enough shock with his unexpected statement that Tsuto can better believe him. "We are just trying to close up loose ends so the remaining havoc she's started won't destroy Sandpoint. There's nothing you can do to protect her anymore - so just give us the information we're after so that her memory won't be tarnished."
Thaddeus is taken back by Notick's statement. He wasn't sure how the man knew about Nualia, or what happened to her, and why he hadn't shared with them. As Notick continues, he realizes that he's just making it up. He purses his lips, and furrows his brow. He snorts slightly.
He doesn't approve, that appears obvious, but he understands why Notick chose to do it. He decides to find a reason to step away and not be irritated further. "Guardsman Thom, please step aside with me. I would ask that you allow us to speak to the prisoner in private?" He leads the man away from the cell as he talks "Nothing personal, I'm sure you understand. I think he might be more forthcoming if his jailer is not present. I know you understand."
Khrondak is genuinely surprised by Notick's statement. Nualia's death, however, is of little concern to him, and if they won't have to fight her, that should make killing the goblins a simpler task. He steps forward, towering over Tsuto. "There. You must worry about your own life, now. And what you tell us could have a role in preserving it - at least for the forthcoming minutes."
Tsuto gives an icy glare to Khrondak.
"Look big man, I've told you all I know about the plan. She is going to free Malfeshnekor and then she will crush Sandpoint. Then she will rescue me and we will live together for ever."
Tsuto begins to sob at the news, "What you bastards, killed my love, damn you all to the abyss. You will all pay for this, I swear by Lamaashtu, you will all pay, you hear me? Pay!"
"Ah sure go ahead and talk to him by yerselves, I'll be at the desk just call me when ya ready to leave."
Scoria wasn't sure what Notick was attempting with telling the man that Nualia was dead - indeed, it seemed that it was making him a little less helpful and antagonistic. The stonemason looked at the half-elf, thinking about what might be the best course of action to make him more helpful, leaning forward and whispering to him.
"Perhaps now you have convinced him he is dead, you can convince him that we will have her raised if he cooperates. We need to learn more about this Malfeshnekor."
Notick rubs his hand into his forehead, "We didn't kill her you bumbling buffoon. She was killed by the dark creature she summoned. It'd appear that her supposed god didn't want anything to do with her - he was using her in typical deominc fashion. All we're trying to do is limit the backlash of this Malfeshnekor she was trying to control. The more information you give us, the more we can do to limit other needless death!"
He grits his teeth, playing his role somewhat effortlessly as he weaves the lies together to make sense. Allowing his bravado to cool some before continuing more calmly with his questioning, "Now... What sort of agreement did she make with Ripnugget? Give us something we can use to stop this attack - there's no sense in allowing Lamashtu's evil ways defile your Beautiful Lover's memory any longer."
Thaddeus will stand outside the room, just listening. He does not want to be a part of this deception, and is comfortable with the others knowing what to ask. He will just listen enough to see if any questions are missed, otherwise he will let the others handle the interrogation. It's not really something he's comfortable with in the first place.
"Malfeshnekor killed her?"
Tsuto begins to sob even harder, "She said the Demon Mother gave her the ability to control him."
"We are using the goblins as cannon fodder, and for that, Nualia is giving Ripnugget all of the loot he wants once Sandpoint is sacked."
"The Demon Mother is know to test even her clerics. Perhaps she wanted a sacrifice Nualia was unwilling to give to allow her to control the creature."
Tsuto sobs some more at Midori's comment, "oh cousin, I loved her so. She was so pretty."
"Well I suppose it dosen't matter any more but you all are going to have to stop him. Expecialy if no one is controlling him."
Hesitantly, Bel'Tanis' voice rings out from the back of the crowd, "Tsuto, stop him from doing what exactly?"
Thaddeus mentions quietly from the hall, just enough that someone else in the room can hear him, "A map and a head count of who or what is at Thistletop would be most likely be useful."
Khrondak overhears Thaddeus, and his own desire to learn more about the goblin lair compels him to step forward. "Also, since the goblins serve no purpose anymore, we must know more about Thistletop, its structure and its population. There's no point in protecting the goblins now that Nualia is dead; their deal is off. They seek only to trouble the people of Sandpoint - I'm sure some part of you still cares for the men and women you grew up with." Though his words are more reassuring than usual, his stare is still ice cold.
"I've only been there a couple of times, but I would say there is close to fifty goblins, but several died during the raid. Not sure how many are left now. Plus they also have several goblin dogs guarding the lair too. Nulia also has the services of Bruthazmus the bugbear and two human mercenaries. One guy named Orik, who is a swordsman and the other is a woman magician named Lyrie. Don't know much about them, only met them once. Sorry that is all I know."
"As for a map, forget it that place is a warren covered in brambles. And there is only one way in, unless you can scale sea cliffs. The Chief resides in a stockade on a little island connect to the mainland by a robe bridge. It is a small structure with only a few huts."
"Under the stockade is a temple to Lamashtu, it consists of two levels, but I'm sorry I was only there a couple of times, but I can tell you that Nulia is doing her research on the deepest level. Or was rather..."
Notick nods, shrugs helplessly, turns his back to the man and walks out and away from the group. Once he breaks the barrier of the doorway and turns the corner, he leans against the wall and lets out a sigh of both relief, and guilt. He looks to Thaddeous, a sheepish look upon his face, and laments in a quiet tone "I apologize about that... But it was the best way I could think of attaining what we were after"
He mumbles aloud to himself after apologizing, "Plus - given what we know, it may, eventually, not be a lie..."
Thaddeus looks back at Notick with a level gaze, "I do not approve of the method you chose, especially given the manner with which you sprung it upon the rest of us. In the future I would appreciate if we discuss actions as such before taking them. I accept that, using your method, we are able to go in at least a little better informed. Apology accepted, and I will not hold it against you."
Tsuto continues to sob in his cell, now a completely broken.
Thom yells down from his guard desk, "Ev'ryth'ng o'kay?"
Scoria hadn't been totally idle while letting the others interrogate Tsuto - she'd found and borrowed a scrap of parchment and jotted down notes on what the man was telling them. Of particular interest to her was the presence of mercenaries - Orik and Lyrie. How or why they'd been hired to work for Nualia's cause she did not know, but perhaps they could be reasoned with, unlike the goblins or the bugbear.
She lets Thaddeus admonish Notick, though personally she saw nothing wrong with it - deception was a valid tactic and preferable to torture. She hoped that the sergeant would see it that way eventually.
In the meantime, she handed over the notes quietly to him so he'd have the record. "If there is nothing more to learn here, we should see about other preparations, sir. Speak to the priests about Lamashtu, equip ourselves for the assault on Thistletop. How do you wish to delegate these tasks?" Personally she'd prefer to speak with the priests with Bel'Tanis, but she'd tried going off on her own with him before - and seeing how the sergeant was already on edge from Notick's action, she didn't want to personally upset him further.
Notick nods to Thaddeus, not speaking or arguing with him. He preferred to take the 'Michael Westen' approach to interrogation - not giving anyone else a chance to harm the person. After his scolding, he nods slowly and speaks softly with "I understand".
After the stonemason approaches and asks her questions, he looks to Thaddeus and speaks, keeping his extremely quiet demeanor. "My uncle, or his lackey Vito may know something about the two Mercenaries that she's hired... I may be able to get some information about them." His voice becomes detached as he realizes he may have to ask his uncle for aide, but he does his best to cover it up.
Thaddeus looks between the two looking back at him, before committing to a response, "Notick, I agree that finding information about these mercenaries may give us some insight into those she works with. As for learning about Lamashtu, it just may lead to who or what a Malfeshnekor is."
Looking directly at Scoria, he continues "When it comes to equipping ourselves, I think for the most part each of us knows what is best for our particular talents and can each shop for what we need. I understand your suggestion of fired weapons, but given the way I fight, I do not have the free hands for them. This is why I use javelins. I can not speak for the others, but from what I have seen this may be the same for them. If there is anything we may want as a team, we should discuss it later. I say we do some research on the mercenaries and the Mother of Monsters, then meet for lunch. We discuss what we think we need to prepare, and do some shopping. We can finalize any plans before dinner, then rest well to start fresh in the morning."
"Understood. I do think it would benefit you to have a bow and not need it than to need it and not have it. But it is your choice, sergeant." Scoria commented, looking over at Bel'Tanis, addressing him. "Shall we go, then?"
With no further business, the stonemason would accompany the former church guard to see the priests at the cathedral.
As the group leaves Tsuto behind, a broken shell of the man he used to be, Bel'Tanis feels a weight on his soul that shows in the furrow in his brow. Shaking his head sadly, he tears himself away from imagining this inevitable showdown with his darker reflection and focuses on the tasks and people at hand.
"Hmm? Yes, of course, Scoria. Let's see if Father Zantus can shed any light on who Lamashtu might be. Maybe we'll learn of this Malfeshnekor while we're at it." He smiles warmly, claps Notick encouragingly on the shoulder, and with a nod to the stonemason, sets out for the temple.
You arrive at the temple mid-morning. Father Zantus greets you in his office.
"Ah welcome back my children, it is always good to see my favorite stonemason and temple guard. What is it I can do for you?"
Scoria is quiet on the trip heading to the temple - truly, she was finding it hard to try and come up with any sort of conversation with the aasimar. Any subject she could think of - Nualia, Thistletop, the ruins under the Glassworks - were just too business at hand. Before she had a chance to come up with something to say to him, they had arrived at the office and the moment had passed her by. She let out a soft sigh, before putting her stoic face back on.
"We wished to seek your wisdom, Father. Nualia is apparently alive, plotting a ritual under Lamashtu's name and seeking out the aid of a being we only know as Malfeshnekor. We would appreciate any knowledge you might give us on the goddess and the latter." Scoria states the party intention bluntly, clasping her hands behind her back.
Bel'Tanis nods grimly in agreement with Scoria, "Scoria has said it well, Father. We've learned that Nualia was- is an aasimar, like me. It frightens me that she is behind the violence the town has suffered recently." He leaves his true fear, that he is just like Nualia, unspoken, but the gravity of their concerns are plainly seen his tight frown and the worried creases in his brow.
Father Zantus looks a bit concerned at the news.
"Well I'm not familiar with this being known as Malfeshnekor is. But being Lamashtu is the demon mother and is known to birth demons in the world to her followers as gifts, perhaps this is what Malfeshnekor is a demon of some sort?"
Zantus looks thoughtfully at Bel'Tanis, "Ah my boy do not be alarmed by what Nualia is, just because she shares a common race with, does not mean you will turn out the same. Have faith young one and Densa guide your path to the righteous."
The news seems more than a little disturbing to the stonemason. "So most likely the ritual she's performing that required the desecration of her father's remains is for the purpose of birthing a horrific demon?" Why anyone sane would want that or help that happen, she had no idea. Then again, Nualia's state of mind couldn't possibly be determined here.
"This is helpful information. I would ask you father, what else you know of Nualia. What kind of a person she was, her relationship with the town, if her behavior changed before her assumed death..." Scoria probed a little further, wanting to get a better picture of their foe.
She glanced briefly over at Bel'Tanis - the man was obviously torturing himself over what the woman was doing. She didn't know what to say to attempt to console him, so she simply placed her hand on his shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze of assurance.
Bel'Tanis nods appreciatively to Scoria then adds, "We found a journal that mentioned Nualia was seeking to eliminate her... 'celestial taint'. Is it possible she's trying to become human? Could such a thing even be done?"
Still outside of the Interrogation Scenario...
Notick inhales slowly after offering his opinion on where he should go. He looks to the remaining group, "I'm going to head to the Fatman's Feedbag and see what my uncle or his lackey's know..." He pauses a moment, disdain obviously showing on his facial features. "Would any of you like to come?!"
[b]"Do you think it would help? Maybe Thaddeus' official status might get results without whatever -family- issues are involved here?{/b]
Midori is torn, wanting to check on Ameiko, but also wanting to learn more of whatever seems to be between Notick's family and hers.
Thaddeus flashes a sideways look at Midori, before disagreeing with her "Although I would enjoy the opportunity to join Notick in his information finding mission, I do believe that from what I have heard of his familial ties I would be less than welcome. This primarily because of my 'official status' more than anything. I was actually about to suggest that you join him. I feel as if I should spend some time drafting up some sort of official report for the Sherriff to read when he returns."
Midori nods. "If you think it wouldn't cause more problems, Notick, I'll accompany you while Thaddeus writes up his report...and keeps an eye on Tsuto in case he tries something desperate...or stupid."
"I will gladly join you, Notick. Kinship is an important matter, and it is an honor to be invited to such a reunion", Khrondak says, oblivious to Notick's troubled family history.
Thaddeus you return to the upper chambers to write your report of the incident for Sheriff Hemlock.
You arrive at the Feedback, and of course being near high sun, the taproom is full of patrons taking mid day supper.
Sighing with somewhat relief as Midori first accepts to accompany him, he nods with a half-smile on his lips. "I appreciate the company... I... Ah... Don't like getting caught with my Uncle alone."
Notick smiles and nods to Khrondak, not arguing with him as the man obliviously accepts his invitation to speak with his uncle.
At the Fatman's Feedbag...
Notick motions with his head to his two compatriots to follow him. He leads them back towards his uncle's office. As he manuvers through the room, he makes a sweep of the room with his eyes to see if he notices anything suspicious. His distrust of his uncle and this place causing him to be overly suspicious.
Notick's Uncle looks up as the party enters the office.
"Oh Notick, what can I do for you," he says rather icily.
Notick looks around the room nonchalantly just to ensure his uncle's isolation from any of the other gang. After a brief and somewhat odd pause, he finally answers.
"Hello, Uncle" he says, reciprocating in just as cold of a voice. "I have a question for you - something of utmost importance to protect Sandpoint." He lets his uncle stew a moment on his words before continuing. "Have you ever heard of two mercenaries named Orik and Lyrie -- A swordsman and a magician?"
Notick's Uncle looks over Khrondak and Midori as if trying to asses if they are a threat. His two guards stand at the ready also looking for any trouble.
"No nephew I've never heard of these two, must be nobodies special, ehh?"
He shrugs his shoulders for a minute, "Oh as is so happens I have a question for you, do you know how it is Vito had a bee's nest in his boot the other morning?"
"A bee's nest?!..." Notick feigns ignorance. "Isn't Vito deathly allergic to those flying insects?! Why would I put a bee's nest in his boots?! It would just make my life more complicated!"
He wrinkles his nose, trying to revert back to his original subject. "Are you sure you haven't heard of either of these Mercenaries?! I find it odd that they'd be just outside the city walls and you, of all people, not having heard of them."
Becoming human. That possibility hadn't occurred to Scoria as to Nualia's motives. But she felt that this was entirely too much of a set up simply to change someone's natural race.
She waited as Bel'Tanis' questions were answered by the father, keeping to herself until they'd left his earshot before she spoke again. "Do you wish you were born human?" She practically blurted out, looking up at him. "I do not understand if you do. We are as we are, and desiring to be something that we are not is pointless."
She wasn't aware that she was frowning, actually showing a bit of displeasure as her finger prodded him in the chest. "Do not think that all you are is your heritage, Bel'Tanis. You are much more than that." She paused to take a slight breath, before her features smoothed out back into stoicism.
"If I have the wrong of it here, you have the right to berate me for it now." She stated, accepting the man's judgment.
Notick your uncle looks skeptical at your innocence about the bees in Vito's boot.
"All I'm going to say about Vito is he is a bit cross about the whole thing, you two should work things out before they get ugly. And somebody may have an accident."
"As for the two sell swords, they ain't from around here. I could check with our brothers in Magnimar and Riddleport if you want. But that will take a few weeks."
Khrondak stands quietly in the room, obsrving the conversation.
Notick shakes his head and lets out an exasperated sigh. "That's unnecessary. We've not time to wait for all that." He shrugs after a long pause and turns, talking over his shoulder. "They'll be handled before an answer would have been retrieved."
He nods to his compatriots that it's time to leave. He turns slightly to give a final response, "As for Vito - It'll be taken care of." He nods in affirmation of his own statement before turning again and departing the office.
Khrondak follows Notick out of the office. "That was not very fruitful."
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"Wish I was born human? Of course I do, Scoria. If I'd been normal, if I'd been like the rest of my family-" he cuts himself off, sighing as his shoulders slump. "Maybe growing up was different for you, but growing up was hard for me. Being different from my brother and sisters, different from my parents, my neighbors and friends?"
He shakes his head, "If I could have just been normal maybe my father wouldn't have died. Maybe I wouldn't have been forced to leave my family. Maybe... maybe things would be better." He pauses then, the words hanging empty in the air.
"But maybe I'd have died along side dad, so yes, I think about it and I wish things had been different but I also know they can't change. And even if this ritual Nualia found could turn her human, I wouldn't ever consider it myself if the steps we've uncovered are true! Desecrating a priest's body? Sacrificing a whole town? Nothing could ever make those things right or justifiable. But you have to understand, Scoria, being different cost me everything. My dad, my family, my home." His words by the end are cool and even, almost a reflection of the stoicism of the stonemason beside him.
"I am not family, like Notick here, but I do have a question you might be able to answer. Is there anything you could tell us about the aasimar woman known as Nualia and why Tsuto would kill for her?"
Scoria listened attentively to Bel'Tanis as he spoke up about his past. She was moderately confused by some of the things that he spoke of, particularly blaming his heritage for the loss of his family and home. "Perhaps I do not understand the depths of your anguish. I do understand what it means to be different apart from others."
She motioned to a bench, letting them both take a seat before she continued. "When I was younger and starting my training with my father, I was not...enlightened to the method he was teaching me. Instead of the flowing and agile style I had seen him use countless times before, weaving through attackers like water running between stones, he taught me the method you see me use in battle - solid, surefooted, enduring as the mountain. I was foolish and complained why I could not learn his own way of fighting, and he firmly told me I was best suited for Pavitra Parvata, that it was in my blood."
She laced her fingers in front of her, resting them on her knees as she reminisced. "I was stubborn with him and attempted to teach myself from memory of his movements for a while. He said nothing and let me be for this time, until later when we were beset by wayward bandits traveling the road. I attempted to show my father he was wrong to not teach me his own methods of fighting..." The stonemason paused, obviously embarrassed by the memory, "...and I ended up tripping over myself and falling face first into the road. I was lucky these bandits were dull and my father was quick, or perhaps we would not be having this conversation right now."
She sighed wistfully, staring at the ground. "After that I realized my father was in the right of it. My own body was too heavy, too solid, for me to be the flowing monk like he was. When I later begged his forgiveness for my mistakes, he just smiled and patted my head and told me that there was nothing to forgive because I had learned. Then we started my training in earnest."
She stopped speaking again, mulling the words over in her head before continuing. "I feel I have digressed from my point telling you this story, so let me try to be brief. If I had been human, I could have learned my father's flowing style. But if I hadn't been stoneborn, my sires would never have had cause to give me to him. I would be neither stonemason or monk or Scoria. If you were human, you would not be Bel'Tanis, but someone completely different. Who is to say if they would lead a happier life than you? It is wasteful to speculate on 'maybes' and 'what ifs' that cannot change your present or future."
Scoria looked over directly at the aasimar man. "What I am perhaps clumsily attempting to say to you is that you should accept yourself for who you are now and not who you were before whatever happened with your family. Losing yourself in hindsight prevents you from using it as foresight. I do not like it when you torment yourself over things like Nualia or your past or the past of your ancestor." Her hand reached out and gently gripped Bel'Tanis' own. "Center yourself, accept that what is done is done, and move on."
There was a rare tug at the corner of her lips that almost looked like a smile. "I would like to know the present you better than the past version at any rate. If you do not object."
[dice=Sense Motive - huch about the Notick and his uncle's relationship]1d20+7
[dice=Sense Motive to see if Notick's uncle speaks the truth]1d20+7Khrondak stands quietly in the room, obsrving the conversation.