Slowly, he opens his eyes. He flinches at Slidell's finger, but you see nothing in them but the dark brown you've grown accustomed to.
As Vesh stirs and begins to talk, Salome breathes a sigh of relief, for him as well as for the rest of the party. She also notices that in the golden light that had filled the room, many of her companions' injuries have been healed, and they are all moving with less pain.
Instinctively, she touches the scratch-marks on her face.
He looks at each of you and seems to gather himself for the answer as he says, "Tell me. What did I do?"
The combination of physical and emotional exhaustion from their recent battles are too much for Salome. At Vesh's question, her eyes involuntarily well up. Still with her hand to her cheek, she purses her lips, turns her back, and leaves the room she just purified.
Finding a place just out of sight, yet still near enough to hear conversations, she leans against the wall, sinks to the floor, and breathes deeply, trying to regain her composure.
"Does it really matter?" Zieke's voice drifts down from somewhere in the dark above. His 12-foot frame still hasn't returned to normal yet and the lights from Ehlissa's sword and Slidell's lantern can't seem to illuminate the big warrior's face that high up.
Vesh's face goes from puzzled to astonished and back as he sees Zieke looming over him. He closes his eyes, as if the sight of a twelve-foot-tall Zieke is too much to accept.
"You're alive," he continues, "Salome's faith has driven away the madness of Lamashtu from this place. And you caused no permanent damage to anyone. Be happy with that. Because anything more specific..."
But Vesh's attention is drawn to Salome as Zieke speaks...
...her eyes involuntarily well up. Still with her hand to her cheek, she purses her lips, turns her back, and leaves the room she just purified.
Vesh feels acid burning in his stomach--a feeling of shame or some after effect of the milk he's not sure. He says nothing as he sees Salome retreat.
After a moment, he says quietly, "Someone please unbind me."
"You're alive," he continues, "Salome's faith has driven away the madness of Lamashtu from this place. And you caused no permanent damage to anyone. Be happy with that. Because anything more specific will only make you feel worse about it. And it'll make me angry all over again."
Slidell looks away from Vesh and up towards the dark ceiling and Zieke's face with a glare that is obviously lost on the giant warrior. "And people say thatI'm the one with the lousy bedside manner?" He mutters incredulously just loud enough for Vesh to hear.
"Slidell?" he asks, "How much longer is this spell of yours going to last? I don't imagine it'll make for easy travel back through the portal and tunnels. Can you end this...?"
"Tempt-iiiiing,..." Slidell mutters once more, with a wink to Vesh. He looks back up, hands on his hips. "It should only last another thirty seconds or so, by my reckoning. Then you'll probably have a few moments of disorientation as,..."
Zieke suddenly sways slightly as Slidell and Vesh seem to slowly grow larger in his eyes, then rapidly expand to fill his vision.
",...you regain your normal size. Hm." The mage looks to Veran with a raised eyebrow. "I must have lost count. What did you have?"
"Someone please unbind me."
"Hm? What? Oh. OH! Of course, just a moment,..." Slidell mutters as he fiddles with the knot holding Vesh's wrists, then finally makes a gracious motion to Malcolm, who swiftly unties the knot.
"Someone please unbind me."
"I don't have the hands for it," Zieke tiredly remarks, some anger still present in his voice. He also knows full well his overly large digits won't help untie the knots he and Mal had used, "Ehlissa? Mal? Maybe one of you can help him..."
While they do so, Zieke squats down so his face enters the light enough for Vesh to see him clearly.
"You better be sure you're over your moment of madness," he threatens before the final bond is loosened, "Because you lay hands on me or the priestess again and it won't end well for you. Third time's the charm, they say. You've had your first two. The next one, I'm pulling no punches. Because if Lamashtu has any further hold over you, you're a threat to Sandpoint...and that's something I'll be forced to deal with on a more permanent basis...before someone gets really hurt."
Though just barely, Vesh does register that Slidell is trying to be kind on his behalf. As Slidell and Malcolm release his bonds...
"You better be sure you're over your moment of madness," he threatens before the final bond is loosened, "Because you lay hands on me or the priestess again and it won't end well for you. Third time's the charm, they say. You've had your first two. The next one, I'm pulling no punches. Because if Lamashtu has any further hold over you, you're a threat to Sandpoint...and that's something I'll be forced to deal with on a more permanent basis...before someone gets really hurt."
...Vesh rubs the circulation back into his hands.
He nods in response to Zieke. "Agreed." And to the rest of the party he says, "Thank you, and...I'm sorry." He walks back out of the room, retrieves his pack, and re-enters. He looks tentative upon returning and then remembers that the shrine is toppled and the room divinely cleansed.
He shoulders his pack and walks out past the others in the same direction that Salome took. Stopping in front of her as she sits against the wall, he cannot bring himself to turn towards her but says a quiet, "I'm sorry. I..." But he has nothing else to say.
Suddenly turning back to the others he says, "let's get out of here, this place leaves a bad taste."
Without waiting for a reply, Vesh turns to make his way back towards th surface--waits for Slidell to activate the door--and continues on in silence.
Ehlissa sighs at the drama, "Well, this is not much bloody good is it?" she mutters to herself. "Can't even tell who the dratted enemies are now..."
He shoulders his pack and walks out past the others in the same direction that Salome took. Stopping in front of her as she sits against the wall, he cannot bring himself to turn towards her but says a quiet, "I'm sorry. I..." But he has nothing else to say.
By now, Salome appears to be meditating, back to the wall and eyes closed. She takes a deep breath and sighs tiredly.
Suddenly turning back to the others he says, "let's get out of here, this place leaves a bad taste."
Salome nods slowly. "I have done what I needed to do here." she says, "I am ready to move on." She Lights her shield and looks over her shoulder at Zieke, who still seems huge to her. "Unless there is anything else you need to check in these tunnels, I think it is time to go back to Sandpoint."
Without waiting for a reply, Vesh turns to make his way back towards th surface--waits for Slidell to activate the door--and continues on in silence.
Still standing, Vesh stares at the food on the table, feels ill, and slinks out of his pack. He slumps into his seat and sips his cider gingerly to settle his stomach.
To those at the table he finally asks, "What is to be done now? Hmm? If there is more for us to do, I'll do it. If you'll still have me. If you won't, speak, and I'll collect my share and be on my way."
To those at the table he finally asks, "What is to be done now? Hmm? If there is more for us to do, I'll do it. If you'll still have me. If you won't, speak, and I'll collect my share and be on my way."
Salome listens intently to the ensuing conversation, but keeps her peace. She notices horizontal sunbeams from the pink sky starting to stream through the windows, and realizes that sleep must wait; it is time for her dawn devotions.
She gets up, grabs her pack, and gently rests a hand on Vesh's shoulder. "Come," she whispers. "We walk."
;)
"You better be sure you're over your moment of madness," he threatens before the final bond is loosened, "Because you lay hands on me or the priestess again and it won't end well for you. Third time's the charm, they say. You've had your first two. The next one, I'm pulling no punches. Because if Lamashtu has any further hold over you, you're a threat to Sandpoint...and that's something I'll be forced to deal with on a more permanent basis...before someone gets really hurt."
At this Slidell stiffens. It may only be a trick of the magic candle, but Vesh and Mal would later swear that they saw Slidell's eyes gleam with an inner light.
As the 'Enlarge' spell wears off and Zieke returns to normal size, Slidell takes a deep breath and opens his mouth,... and has his ear nipped by Veran. After a brief glaring contest with the bird, Slidell reluctantly nods and releases the breath he had been holding. He then mutters under his breath in an odd, guttural, hissing tongue.
He would later confess to his companions that he had been counting to 100.
In Draconic.
Slidell breaks the mutual silence only once on their way to the exit. He was the last to climb the rope before Zieke on the way to the entry room.
"You seem like an honorable man." Slidell whispers, deliberately not looking at Zieke as he tests the rope and prepares to climb. "And you obviously take your duty and oaths very seriously. But I would like to remind you that Vesh was not the only one to succumb to the statues power and drink the Milk. Even I, for all my braggadocio, was hard-pressed to keep my faculties in that room. It could just as easily have been any one of us." He turns his head to look Zieke in the eye. No mean feat, even for the taller than average Mage.
"Please remember that before you make any more ultimatums regarding dealing with anything, 'permanently'." He holds up a long fingered hand to forestall any response. He opens his mouth again, closes it, and breaks eye contact before either can see anything they might not want to see.
"I don't like bullies." He whispers stonily, and then begins to climb without waiting for a response.
:)
"What is to be done now? Hmm? If there is more for us to do, I'll do it. If you'll still have me. If you won't, speak, and I'll collect my share and be on my way."
Slidell looks up in shock. "Where would you go? No. Scratch that. You can't go!" He declares firmly.
"If you go, who's going to help me figure out these what these are, hmmm?" He says with a hint of his old smile as he pats the backpack and bag lying protectively under his arm.
"Besides, If you leave then how am I going to solve your little mystery, eh?" He asks, referring to their first conversation about Vesh's unidentified shadow a week ago.
'Though it feels more like years instead of days right now.' Slidell thinks wearily to himself as he idly pats the sleeping Veran.
"Vesh. It wasn't your fault. The charm was insidious and the potion was powerful. It could have happened to any of us." He adds with a meaningful glance at Zieke.
"I really could use your help in identifying these items we found. I'm not sure that I want to take items of ancient Thassilonian origin to the schoolteacher for Identification, which would almost certainly lead to general public knowledge of an ancient Thassilonian outpost beneath the very feet of the town. Which would inevitably send the usual hordes of treasure-hunters and glory-seekers to the tunnels looking for it. Which would sort of defeat the entire purpose of bricking it up again." He finishes in a rush, somehow managing to NOT look at Zieke again.
He takes a sip of his cider. "Besides, we now know that Nualia's out there somewhere. Sent to awaken, what was it the Quasit called it? Some sort of beast probably. All I know is that if 'Queenie' wanted this thing for her little group, it's probably worse than any dozen Goblins you'll ever see. I think that we've done pretty well together so far. I would hate to break up the group after all we've been through so far."
He takes another drink,...
"Well just as well we gave her plans the heave-ho." says Ehlissa with more good humour than she has had recently, "The shrine's been destroyed, the demon defeated, and we have more clues! Jolly good work all round, I'd say!"
She raises a glass, "To us! Cheers!"
"You seem like an honorable man....And you obviously take your duty and oaths very seriously. But I would like to remind you that Vesh was not the only one to succumb to the statues power and drink the Milk. Even I, for all my braggadocio, was hard-pressed to keep my faculties in that room. It could just as easily have been any one of us....Please remember that before you make any more ultimatums regarding dealing with anything, 'permanently'." He holds up a long fingered hand to forestall any response. He opens his mouth again, closes it, and breaks eye contact before either can see anything they might not want to see. "I don't like bullies," he whispers stonily, and then begins to climb without waiting for a response.
Zieke restrains from replying. But as the last to leave the tunnels, he mulls over the wizard's words on the climb up.
'A bully? Is that what he sees? For all that wizard's knowledge, he lacks the ability to perceive my true intentions. And I've clearly still got problems expressing them in a way that makes it easier for people to understand me.' He stares upward at Sli's lanky figure swaying against the rock face. 'This isn't about how any of us could have succumbed to Lamashtu's madness,' he mentally directs at the wizard's back, 'I nearly did as well, if not for Salome and Sarenrae's blessing. Instead, it's the fact that Vesh did fall victim to it that matters. There was nothing I...nor anyone else...could have done to stop it. Not the first time...not the second time...and if he isn't completely over the goddess' malign control, not the next time either.'
'With each episode the boy's gotten worse...stronger...more violent. He attacked Salome...one of his closest friends. It's not like he just lashed out at me. Me...I could see. The boy's got plenty of reason to want to harm me. But if he's fallen to madness enough to hurt those that are closest to him, he's a danger to the rest of Sandpoint. A place I'm charged with protecting. I wasn't trying to bully him. I was just trying to warn him that I might have to put him down...that I wouldn't hesitate next time to do it...and to offer an apology for it in advance, while he can still understand me. Because I want him to understand. I'll be as commited as anyone else in trying to save him from himself...or from Lamashtu. But if the madness makes Vesh as dangerous as a rabid dog...eventually, I'll have to put him down...for the better good. Even as I mourn having to do so...and having to be the one to do it.'
"What is to be done now? Hmm? If there is more for us to do, I'll do it. If you'll still have me. If you won't, speak, and I'll collect my share and be on my way."
"Where would you go? No. Scratch that. You can't go!....Vesh. It wasn't your fault. The charm was insidious and the potion was powerful. It could have happened to any of us," he adds with a meaningful glance at Zieke.
"As long as you're fully in control now," Zieke speaks into the void of Slidell's chatter to Vesh, "It shouldn't be a problem. You demonstrated...as everyone did here...the ability to perform some very heroic deeds. You've still got that potential. And there's still more to be done in defense of Sandpoint from those who mean it harm."
"I really could use your help in identifying these items we found. I'm not sure that I want to take items of ancient Thassilonian origin to the schoolteacher for Identification, which would almost certainly lead to general public knowledge of an ancient Thassilonian outpost beneath the very feet of the town. Which would inevitably send the usual hordes of treasure-hunters and glory-seekers to the tunnels looking for it. Which would sort of defeat the entire purpose of bricking it up again." He finishes in a rush, somehow managing to NOT look at Zieke again.
Zieke doesn't make it any easier for Slidell to look away from him, as he immediately responds. "It's not our decision on what to do with the ruins below the Glassworks. The Sheriff and Mayor will be pleased that we've ended any threats that might find their way out of there. But they'll still have the final word on whether Corporal Marsk and his men brick up that entrance. If we...or, rather you and Vesh...determine there's something more or something new that needs examining there, I'll be happy to plead your case to Mayor Deverin myself if it will help to further secure Sandpoint."
"...we now know that Nualia's out there somewhere. Sent to awaken, what was it the Quasit called it? Some sort of beast probably. All I know is that if 'Queenie' wanted this thing for her little group, it's probably worse than any dozen Goblins you'll ever see. I think that we've done pretty well together so far. I would hate to break up the group after all we've been through so far."
"Well just as well we gave her plans the heave-ho," says Ehlissa with more good humour than she has had recently, "The shrine's been destroyed, the demon defeated, and we have more clues! Jolly good work all round, I'd say!" She raises a glass, "To us! Cheers!"
Zieke slowly raises his glass amid the companionship of the table. Still feeling somewhat of an outsider among their numbers, he drinks in an effort to celebrate what is certainly a group accomplishment. He reminds himself he needs to impress upon the Sheriff and Mayor the sacrifice and loyalty displayed by Sandpoint's newest 'heroes.' For, in the big warrior's eyes, all of them embodied that term. It wasn't just a casually assigned honorific as he once imagined...
Salome gets up, grabs her pack, and gently rests a hand on Vesh's shoulder. "Come," she whispers. "We walk."
Zieke eyes the priestess and Vesh over the rim of his cup, watching them leave together. 'I hope she knows what she's doing...' he thinks, 'And him, too.'
Then Ehlissa's buoyant spirit and Slidell's constant conversation brings him back to their celebration. Zieke catches Bethana's attention and waves his empty cup for a refill. "Hell of an adventure," he nods, "So let's drink up while we can..."
He settles back in his chair and suggests to Sli, "If any of you can piece together these clues about Nualia's plans and the...quasit, you called it?...let me know. I'd like to talk to the Sheriff about bringing this fight to their door for a change. Shalelu isn't the only one that can scour the wilderness around Sandpoint. I think together the lot of us might do some good work on behalf of the town and solve this problem before any horde of goblins or fell beasts descend upon us."
"If any of you can piece together these clues about Nualia's plans and the...quasit, you called it?...let me know. I'd like to talk to the Sheriff about bringing this fight to their door for a change. Shalelu isn't the only one that can scour the wilderness around Sandpoint. I think together the lot of us might do some good work on behalf of the town and solve this problem before any horde of goblins or fell beasts descend upon us."
Slidell nods absently as he idly traces a seven-pointed star on the tabletop. "I think we can do that. After all, hints and clues are just pieces of a puzzle." He says, looking up with a grin.
"And I'm very good with puzzles! Give us a couple of days of rest and study time. We'll figure out where she went, and how to stop her." He adds positively as he watches Vesh and Salome walk out together, a look of, approval?, on his face. He returns his attention to the others and raises his glass before taking another drink.
Vesh acknowledges Slidell's protests over him departing and Zieke's wariness of Vesh's stability with the same half-hearted smile. As the two continue their back-and-forth, Vesh tries to listen but is distracted by his own thoughts until Ehlissa's exuberance brings his attention back to the table.
..."The shrine's been destroyed, the demon defeated, and we have more clues! Jolly good work all round, I'd say!"
She raises a glass, "To us! Cheers!"
As Zieke and the others share a drink, Vesh can't help but feel lost. He feels a gentle hand on his shoulder and looks up to see Salome standing next to him.
"Come," she whispers. "We walk."
Vesh leaves a half-full cider on the table, stands, and exits the Rusty Dragon with Salome.
Vesh acknowledges Slidell's protests over him departing and Zieke's wariness of Vesh's stability with the same half-hearted smile. As the two continue their back-and-forth, Vesh tries to listen but is distracted by his own thoughts...
...and by the locked jewelry box. He eyes it on the table and then turns it over in his hands a few times as the others talk. He then...
1. Searches the box for traps (1d20+8=19),
3. After determining it is safe to do so, Vesh tries to pick the lock (1d20+10=16).
...until Ehlissa's exuberance brings his attention back to the table...
As Zieke and the others share a drink, Vesh can't help but feel lost. He feels a gentle hand on his shoulder and looks up to see Salome standing next to him.
"Come," she whispers. "We walk."Vesh leaves a half-full cider on the table, stands, and exits the Rusty Dragon with Salome.
Following the route that Vesh led her on to the cathedral the previous evening -- Eternities ago! she thinks -- Salome walks beside the Varisian stripling, deep in thought. Finally, she speaks.
"Vesh, do you believe in a qa, a soul?"
"In Qadira, we believe in four parts of Self inside: qahld'rah," she places a hand on her belly, "qhor," she indicates her heart, "qaaft," to her temple, "and qa," she touches her forehead above and between her eyes. "Qa is not here," she says, pointing again to her heart, "it is up here," she circles her face with her hand. "Even Chelaxians know this when they say Qadi words: Aqo bin raam bajQa. 'The eyes are the window to the soul.'"
She continues, "When I bow to my goddess, I offer my soul at her feet." In one graceful motion she touches her forehead with her fingertip then shows Vesh her open palm. "You see?"
"When you drank the Milk of Lamashtu, Lamashtu took your Self from you, filling your qahld'rah with hate, turning your qhor cold, darkening your qaaft, and stealing your qa. I know it was not you--" she takes a deep breath and closes her eyes "--I know that, but..." she looks up at him, her amber eyes wet and shining, "...mijn bazé, you attacked my soul."
Once again she traces the scratch marks on her face.
"Look at me. I kept my promise. And I will keep my promise. I will heal you and I will not leave you. But right now, I need healing too. My qa...hurts."
Salome looks up at the cathedral now looming in front of her. "I need to pray. May I suggest you do the same?" With that, she takes her leave and heads toward the shrine of Sarenrae to perform her morning devotionals.
JSL:
-------------------------------------
…"When you drank the Milk of Lamashtu, Lamashtu took your Self from you, filling your qahld'rah with hate, turning your qhor cold, darkening your qaaft, and stealing your qa. I know it was not you--" she takes a deep breath and closes her eyes "--I know that, but..." she looks up at him, her amber eyes wet and shining, "...mijn bazé, you attacked my soul."
Vesh’s gaze drops as Salome touches the wound that he caused with his bare hands.
"Look at me. I kept my promise. And I will keep my promise. I will heal you and I will not leave you. But right now, I need healing too. My qa...hurts."
Vesh opens his mouth to reply, but no sound comes out. His voice is caught in his throat and his eyes well-up with tears.
Salome looks up at the cathedral now looming in front of her. "I need to pray. May I suggest you do the same?" With that, she takes her leave and heads toward the shrine of Sarenrae to perform her morning devotionals.
But Vesh does not follow her. Vesh does not pray. He walks—taking a circuitous route of back alleys and side streets down to the water. He returns to the docks where his life began to change drastically a little more than a week ago.
“Where would you go?” Slidell had asked. Where am I? is probably a better question. Vesh turns and looks at the town rising above him, the towers of the cathedral catching the filtered rays of the sun coming up over the forests to the east. Salmon street had looked longer on the day that he arrived in Sandpoint. It was all of two blocks long he realized now.
He turns once more and walks to the end of a vacant dock. Fishing in his pocketed scarf a moment, he produces the broken sticks of the butterfly the little girl had given him. He tries to think of words to pray to Desna, but words once again fail him. He simply stands there, listening to the lapping sounds of the sea against the pilings.
This butterfly and I have much in common. He thinks—he can see the excitement on the little girl’s face as she handed it to him in the cathedral square.
"Vesh, do you believe in a qa, a soul?" Salome had asked.
Yes. Yes, I do. I have two qa…the soul of a lost Varisian, running from shadows… Thinks Vesh. He crushes the pieces of the broken butterfly in his hand and drops them into the water.
…and the soul of a monster. From a long line of monsters.
Weary, he walks back up Salmon street, returns to the Rusty Dragon, and nods to Bethana on his way to his room—whether the others are still gathered at the table or not, Vesh doesn’t notice. He slinks out of his chain shirt as he climbs the steps to his room and collapses on his bed in exhaustion.
He sleeps more deeply, more soundly than he has in days.
Mal shakes his head when Vesh offers to leave "It was just bad luck that it happened to you. Any of us would've fallen under it's sway. Me, Zieke, Ehlissa, Slidell, Salome; any of us. I'd hate to lose a good companion and a friend because of one day's bad luck."
Mal shakes his head when Vesh offers to leave "It was just bad luck that it happened to you. Any of us would've fallen under it's sway. Me, Zieke, Ehlissa, Slidell, Salome; any of us. I'd hate to lose a good companion and a friend because of one day's bad luck."
Vesh nods at the rogue, a glint of relief in his eyes.
At the shrine of Sarenrae, Salome diligently performs her morning prayers and devotionals, finding some comfort in the sunlight streaming through the east windows and playing on the floor. Yet her mind wanders to the miraculous glow she experienced in the Other shrine -- evil defeated, her companions healed -- power far greater than anything she had ever done before.
"Dear Lady of the Dawn," she prays, "what is thy call for me? How can I heal the wounds of weapons, but I cannot heal a broken heart? How can I cleanse evil from a shrine, yet I cannot erase the sins of my past? How can I wield the power of light, yet I cannot understand?"
"I care about these people. They often look to me for guidance, and I do my best to follow thy paths. But if they truly saw me..." she shudders, and then her shoulders heave as she breaks down into tears. She bows, her forehead to the ground, wetting her tattered rug with her tears, offering her qa and all its sorrow to the Mother of Light.
Mother. Mami. What would you think of me?
Her tears exhausted and her rituals complete, Salome asks blessings on her companions before rolling up her rug and gathering her pack.
On her way out of the cathedral, she asks after Naffer Vosk, hoping to see his prayer book and perhaps plan a time to hold a devotional. From there, she makes her way back to her room at the White Deer Inn. She says a prayer of gratitude when she notices her bowl of fruit and bread filled once again by the generous Shoanti. After eating, she retires to her bed and falls asleep in the embrace of midmorning sunbeams. Not forgotten...
"Well...I'd best take my leave," Zieke announces, standing up from the table and pushing aside his now empty cup, "Somebody's got to let the Mayor know what we accomplished. And I could use some rest. Early morning or not, I expect I'll sleep through most of the day. If any of you need me, look over by the garrison. Someone there should be able to find me..."
Zieke leaves the Rusty Dragon and makes his way to Main Street so he can drop by the Town Hall. Along the way, he nods to any of the guardsmen he sees. Since vanquishing the horrors beneath the Glassworks, there's an extra spring to his step...and an air of confidence and sense of leadership comes over him. Perhaps more than most other guardsmen, he feels he can make a real difference for the town. He just needs to convince the Mayor and Sheriff Hemlock to let him and the 'heroes' of Sandpoint give it a try.
"Well...I'd best take my leave," Zieke announces, standing up from the table and pushing aside his now empty cup, "Somebody's got to let the Mayor know what we accomplished. And I could use some rest. Early morning or not, I expect I'll sleep through most of the day. If any of you need me, look over by the garrison. Someone there should be able to find me..."
Slidell jumps, startled, as Zieke gets up from the table. The lanky mage rises from the table. "I'll walk you out. Ameiko'd want the door locked behind you I think." He says, waving an arm to indicate that Ameiko isn't currently in the room.
They make an odd couple as they walk toward the door, the large, heavily muscled warrior and the nearly as tall, thin, lanky bookworm. When they reach the door, Slidell fiddles with the sturdy lock for a moment. Finally he gets it to 'click' open, but instead of opening it, looks back to Zieke.
"Look, I know we don't exactly see eye-to-eye." He says quietly, but intently. "But I do realize that you feel a sense of duty. And I'm the last person to criticize someone doing what they think is right. But I'm asking you to be VERY careful whom you relate your tale too. The Mayor, alright. The sheriff,.." Slidell bobs his head from side-to-side. "Alright. The Mayor would probably tell him anyway if you didn't. And they did kind of hire us together. But there are wheels within wheels here, and situations that we haven't had time to discuss or explain to you yet. We know most of the major players in this little drama, but there are others mysteries intertwined, and we don't know if they are in it alone, or have others helping them.
I'll be glad to answer any questions, and explain everything, or at least as much as we know, tomorrow. But until then, please,... Please,... don't tell anyone else until we have a chance to get to the bottom of this."
Slidell looks into Zieke's eyes for another moment, then opens the door for him, and grandly motions in a sweeping 'you first' gesture with a lopsided grin. He watches Zieke leave, then locks the door behind him and returns to the table with Ehlissa and Mal.
"So! What do we have left to look at then?" He asks, taking a deep draft of cider and looking at what they've collected from the Ubermage's hidden workshop.
"A lot of this will be more valuable to us if we keep it and make use of it than if we sell it!" He exclaims finally. "But I'm pretty beat, maybe we should wait till tomorrow before I try to determine what these other items do,..." He starts murmuring about miscast spells and side effects,...
;)
Slidell jumps, startled, as Zieke gets up from the table. The lanky mage rises from the table. "I'll walk you out. Ameiko'd want the door locked behind you I think." He says, waving an arm to indicate that Ameiko isn't currently in the room.
They make an odd couple as they walk toward the door, the large, heavily muscled warrior and the nearly as tall, thin, lanky bookworm. When they reach the door, Slidell fiddles with the sturdy lock for a moment. Finally he gets it to 'click' open, but instead of opening it, looks back to Zieke.
Zieke pauses, one eyebrow raised. The wizard has obviously taken it upon himself to speak directly with him twice now in nearly as many hours...more than at any other point. 'Either he's starting to like me...' Zieke inwardly smiles, 'Or I've really gotten under his skin.'
"Look, I know we don't exactly see eye-to-eye....but I do realize that you feel a sense of duty. And I'm the last person to criticize someone doing what they think is right. But I'm asking you to be VERY careful whom you relate your tale too. The Mayor, alright. The sheriff,.." Slidell bobs his head from side-to-side, "Alright. The Mayor would probably tell him anyway if you didn't. And they did kind of hire us together. But there are wheels within wheels here, and situations that we haven't had time to discuss or explain to you yet. We know most of the major players in this little drama, but there are other mysteries intertwined, and we don't know if they are in it alone, or have others helping them....I'll be glad to answer any questions, and explain everything, or at least as much as we know, tomorrow. But until then, please...please...don't tell anyone else until we have a chance to get to the bottom of this."
Sli's words cause Zieke to frown in his usual annoying way. "What are you saying, wizard?" he bluntly asks, "Do you have knowledge or suspicion of someone inside Sandpoint aiding this army of goblins and Nualia? If so, you need to speak clearly rather than cloaking what you know in one mystery after another."
"Look, maybe you're really good at puzzles and enjoy the mental challenge of figuring out every little piece of a good mystery," he says, "I assume that's so you can be perfectly correct when you finally reveal everything to those who might be interested in your conclusion. But I deal in reality. The here and the now. I assess a threat. And I respond to it. And that's what I'm very good at. Now I can help you if you've got information. Even if you've just got suspicions, I'd urge you to share them with me now rather than wait until you're sure. That way, at least there's two of us keeping an eye out for trouble before we go wrongly accusing anyone."
"I'm not saying all this to be stubborn," he goes on, "I'm saying it because I care about this town. And I care about these people. I'm not into playing games with their lives, yours, or my own. And though you may think of me as your intellectual inferior, I assure you I'm quite clever in my own right. I know how to play things close to the vest. And the Mayor doesn't have to know everything about what we found below. Otherwise, she'll go off in a half-panic and make the wrong decision. I know how to manage bureaucrats. And I know my duty in reporting to the Sheriff."
"I hope by now I've earned enough of your trust to tell me what you know...or even what you think you know," he finishes, "So don't hold back on me. And rest assured anything you tell me will be held in confidence except for those I'm duty-bound to inform so they can stay prepared to protect Sandpoint. That's what matters most."
Sli's words cause Zieke to frown in his usual annoying way. "What are you saying, wizard?" he bluntly asks, "Do you have knowledge or suspicion of someone inside Sandpoint aiding this army of goblins and Nualia? If so, you need to speak clearly rather than cloaking what you know in one mystery after another."
Slidell frowns in an almost uncanny match to Zieke's. "Yes, that's exactly what I'm," HE slaps his forehead. "Of course! You came and joined us even later than Salome did! You don't have any idea what I'm talking about!" He grins.
"Look, maybe you're really good at puzzles and enjoy the mental challenge of figuring out every little piece of a good mystery," he says, "I assume that's so you can be perfectly correct when you finally reveal everything to those who might be interested in your conclusion.",...
"That's close enough to the truth." Slidell murmurs as he nods for Zieke to continue,...
",... But I deal in reality. The here and the now. I assess a threat. And I respond to it. And that's what I'm very good at. Now I can help you if you've got information. Even if you've just got suspicions, I'd urge you to share them with me now rather than wait until you're sure. That way, at least there's two of us keeping an eye out for trouble before we go wrongly accusing anyone."
"That's what I'm trying to avoid. Look, it's not just us two, Vesh, Mal, Ehlissa, we've all been gathering bits and pieces of several possible puzzles. It could end up being all part of one big tapestry, or half a dozen completely unrelated puzzles. I just don't know yet! That's why I need more time."
"I'm not saying all this to be stubborn,...
,...I hope by now I've earned enough of your trust to tell me what you know...or even what you think you know," he finishes, "So don't hold back on me. And rest assured anything you tell me will be held in confidence except for those I'm duty-bound to inform so they can stay prepared to protect Sandpoint. That's what matters most."
Slidell gives a grin. "Are you sure about that? This could take a while."
Slidell gives a grin. "Are you sure about that? This could take a while."
"If it's important, I'll make the time for it," Zieke nods, leaving the door closed for the moment and returning to the table with Slidell, Ehlissa, and Mal.
Throughout the conversation, Zieke stays mostly quiet, breaking his silence only to ask questions to round out his understanding. When they're done, he rises and shakes Sli's hand, claps Mal on the shoulder, and nods his head to Ehlissa.
"I'll have a talk with Deverin about this..." he says, "But only the parts I feel she needs to know in order to look after Sandpoint. After that, I'm getting some rest. The rest of you should, too. I wouldn't be surprised if the mayor wants a word with you even after I give her an update."
Zieke: You make your way through the mostly empty streets to Sandpoint's Town Hall. The few people you pass smile and nod in greeting as they hurry about their morning errands....Upon arriving, you discover from the guard stationed at the entrance that the Sheriff has not returned, but is expected later in the morning. The mayor should be along in an hour. You are invited to wait inside, if you want.
"Thanks. Don't mind if I do," Zieke replies.
He finds the mayor's office and makes himself at home, going so far as to comfortably seat himself, put his feet up on one of the other chairs (), and take a quick cat-nap while he waits for the mayor to arrive. While resting, his ears listen sharply for the sounds of her approach. Even after leaving behind the horrors of the ruins below the Glassworks, the big warrior remains on edge.
Later, you sleep peacefully for several hours. However you are awakened by an urgent knock at the door. As you hastily throw on your garments, you hear a soft voice on the other side, "please, Daughter of Sarenrae, please let me in." This plea is followed by the gruff voice of the innkeeper, "I thought I told you she was resting. Come back later."
Salome hastily throws on some clothes and properly covers her hair with a hijab. "No, no, I am awake," she says just as she reaches the door. She opens it and asks, "What is needed?"
"Ah, Zieke. The guard told me you were here to report on the tunnels. Please proceed."
Zieke doesn't open his eyes just yet, still savoring the minor bit of rest he'd managed in the mayor's office before her arrival.
"Sure. Problem solved," Zieke responds, "That's the short answer. The longer one involves a lot of near-death experiences, a horrific shrine to the goddess of madness, and a little devil that nearly got the best of us. But we put down everything that moved down there. And the priestess of Sarenrae performed some kind of ceremony to make sure Lamashtu's faithful won't find any further sanctuary in the place. We accomplished all of that without losing a single person."
"The wizard is sharp to get back into the ruins," he opens his eyes and continues, "For academic study, I'm sure. If you ask me, the whole place ought to be bricked off. But I think there's a lot more at stake for Sandpoint's future. And if there are any clues left in that ruin, it wouldn't hurt to give this wizard and his friends a chance to find them first."
"These people have impressed me, too," Zieke goes on, "I know I didn't buy into the whole 'heroes of Sandpoint' thing when I first heard everybody talking about them. I figured they just happened to be in the right place at the right time and got lucky driving off a few goblins during the raid. But, after observing them and fighting alongside them, I think these folks have what it takes to make a real difference here. They're smart. They're tough. Loyal to one another. And determined to do what's right."
"I want to talk to you about that, too," he says, "From everything they've pieced together so far, it looks like there's another attack being planned. More goblins, but a lot more than last time. And they're not just on their own. Somebody's leading them. Somebody with a grudge against the town. They mentioned Nualia...that girl...the one everyone assumed just burned up in the fire all those years ago. The devil down in the ruins talked about a 'daughter' sent to her by Lamashtu. Nualia might be the one. And if she's stirring up trouble with the goblins, well, there's not a whole lot of point in just sitting here and waiting for them to come to us."
"I know Hemlock got us some more guardsmen from Magnimar," he states, "But honestly...they're the greenest recruits I've ever seen. They'd just as soon run from an organized assault as stand their ground. Better to let them hold down the fort while you send some folks out to investigate. From what I've heard, Thisteltop is the biggest, most likely place for goblins to mass in numbers. I'd like to take these 'heroes' and check it out. Maybe ask Shalelu to do the same with some of the other tribal areas. That way, we take a more active role in solving this problem. I'm sure Belor would favor that."
"Besides, it sounds like you've got your own problems to deal with back here," he finishes, "So why not let us take this one? It should free you up to make amends with Gaven out there. And Belor will have time to train up the men he brought back from Magnimar. That's my professional advice, at least..."
"What is needed?"
"I'm terribly sorry, ma'am. We asked him to return later, but the moment I turned my back he rushed up the stairs screaming your name and babbling about demons and giants."
Meanwhile, Vosk makes eye contact with you. His face is caked with sweat and grime, his hair is a wild mess and this clothes appear unwashed. "Please. I'm sorry. I must speak with you. I have had a vision!"
"I appreciate your concern, Garridan. I know this man; he works at the cathedral." She looks at Naffer Vosk, still very agitated, and again addresses the innkeeper. "He does seem very upset. Let me speak with him. Would you please send up a blanket and some water for this gentleman?" She bows in her customary manner as the Shoanti men take their leave, and nods when Garridan raises his eyebrow in an "Are you sure?" sort of way.
Leaving the door partially open, she leads Naffer to a chair and instructs him to take some deep breaths to calm down. "Now, from the beginning, tell me what happened."
"Well, that is good news indeed," she replies with noticable relief.
"I thought so too," Zieke wryly comments.
"...It is a matter for the Town Council. I will take it into consideration tonight - we are meeting after the Sheriff returns. So far, we have managed to keep the tunnels' existence secret from most of the town. For my part, I am concerned that additional meddling will only stir up more danger - either from within or without."
"Ordinarily I'd be inclined to agree with you...and I do agree with you about maintaining the secrecy of it," Zieke nods, "But I think the greater danger lies outside Sandpoint. Whoever led those goblins to attack during the Swallowtail Festival knew about that place. So it's worthwhile to let an 'expert' like this Stormraven fellow examine it so we can know what they know about it."
"Nualia." She stops short and her expression becomes very serious, betraying a hint of worry.
"That is a name I have not heard in some five years. You - they - think she is somehow behind this? How is that possible? Hannah was sure she had died in the fire."
"I don't know," Zieke offers, "It was before my time here. From what these 'heroes' of yours have pieced together, the girl's death seems a little less confirmed these days. We've got references to her in a journal carried by the one that killed Lonjiku. Drawings even, I believe. Recent stuff. If you or the Sheriff would care to examine the evidence, I'll make sure it's brought before you."
"Let us discuss that with the Sheriff when he returns. I expect he will be here in about six hours. You look like you could use some rest. I will have someone send for you - and the others - when he is ready to meet." She moves to take her seat behind the desk...
Zieke remains unmoving and then offers up his comment about the Mayor's current troubles with Gaven.
At first, it looks like she will say something, but she doesn't. Instead she offers only a glance to dismiss you before thumbing idly...
"If you don't mind me saying so, ma'am, you appear a bit on edge," Zieke notes, "And with more than just these ruins or the goblins on your mind..." He shuffles his feet off of her desk and sits forward in his chair as he rubs his eyes. As tired as he was, this seemed like a moment to make some in-roads with the other power of Sandpoint...aside from the Sheriff, of course.
"Look," he says, "I've been around Sandpoint for going on a couple years now. I spent most of that time out in the wilds than here in town. So we haven't interacted that much, you and I. But I can read people fairly well. And you're carrying a heavy load of stuff trying to lead this town."
"You probably see me as just another sell-sword," he continues, "A mercenary from the south. But I like to think of myself as something more. I try to make a difference where and when I can. And I'll willingly be your hammer for dealing with these goblins and any other physical threat that comes at Sandpoint. But I need to know you've got it together back here. That you're making clear-headed decisions. That's what everyone wants. Probably, Gaven out there, too."
"So why don't you share a bit of that load you're carrying?" he advises, "Tell me what else is stressing you out. Because sometimes in the sharing of such things, you can find a clearer path for yourself. And, if you want, I'll just listen and say nothing...to you or anyone else."
"By the way," Zieke asks, "Those portraits up there." He nods towards the wall behind Deverin's desk. "I've been meaning to ask you about them. I recognize you in those images. But who are those two knights with you? And that lanky fellow...with the sword?"
"...An that's when I came to."
Salome takes in the story. After checking for injuries, and making sure that Naffer is otherwise OK and has calmed down a bit, she asks for more information:
"You dreamed of a giant with a three-eyed dog in its eye socket?"
"Have you ever had a dream or vision of any kind before?"
"Did any of those images remind you of something?"
"What stories do people around here tell of giants or demon-dogs?"
"Did someone or something awaken you? What happened after you woke up?"
Salome offers Naffer a piece of fruit as she walks around the room, trying to piece this new information together.
Wisdom check (1d20+3=4)
Knowledge (Religion) check (1d20+7=10)
Vesh sleeps deeply, well past midday. He wakes up hungry but rested and thanks Desna for a soft bed and no dreams. Stretching, Vesh notices that someone in the party must have returned his pack to his room while he went for a walk with Salome.
He rises and throws open the windows which affords him a partial view up Cog street over the rooftop of Ameiko's rear apartment. Leaning out the window and looking left, he notices the courtyard at the rear of the Rusty Dragon and a view of Mud Street. Looking right he sees the rooftop of the stables next door--barely a few feet from the Dragon itself.
It wouldn't be too hard to leave this room without being noticed, especially at night, Muses Vesh, wondering if Ameiko had chosen the room for him. I'll have to figure out where Mal is. I thought he was in the next room, He thinks, looking at the window next to his.
Vesh grabs his pack and then overturns it on the bed. He sorts his equipment and re-packs, puts valuables and gear in a footlocker and pockets the key that sticks out of the lock (had Ameiko put that in here recently?), cleans himself in the wash basin, dresses, and--wearing his dagger and shortsword--heads downstairs to the common room to get a bite to eat and to see if Ameiko or his companions are around.
When he spies Bethana, he asks, "Bethana, good mor-er-afternoon. Your wound looks to have healed, how are you feeling?"
After listening to her response and ordering food, Vesh asks, "Have you seen my companions? Is Ameiko around?"
After sharing with Zieke what they have discovered in the last week, (as well as a couple of his personal theories as to what some of those things might mean), Slidell waves goodnight (good day?) to Ehlissa and Mal and wearily climbs up the stairs using his staff for support and cradling a sleeping Veran in the crook of his arm.
For once he eagerly seeks the comfort of his bed, but his racing brain will not allow him to sleep. Discussing the last week with Zieke has re-opened the entire can of worms in his mind, and he lies there for an unknown length of time turning things over in his mind before finally succumbing to his body's need and passing out.
Slidell stands in A shadowy yet familiar room. Seated in a large comfortable chair in front of him is a lean figure in an exquisite robe, sipping from a small crystal goblet. The figure's face is blurred, unrecognizable. "Well, well, well." Faceless says, with a hint of a smile in his voice. "You managed to survive your encounter with a Demon, and you managed to acquire a possible king's ransom in valuable tomes as well. Not too bad. You may live to fulfill your, potential, after all."
"I aim to please." Slidell smiled back casually. "Especially when it's my survival on the line!"
Faceless raises his glass in a small gesture of a toast, and takes another sip. "I want you to concentrate on the tomes for now. All else in unimportant. Even if they are nothing more than dreary daily journals, they may contain clues to the Runelord's research, or even another hidden vault." He says in a tone used to immediate obedience.
Slidell opens his mouth, then closes it with a frown. Faceless leans back in his overstuffed comfortable chair, an aura of smug satisfaction apparent in his manner.
"I'll get to the journals." Slidell says at last. "I have as much desire to know what's written in there as you do. But there are other items that we retrieved from the hideaway, and they need to be identified as expediently as possible. They may be either extremely powerful, or merely useful. Either way, we may need them soon, and I intend to make certain they are ready." He finishes calmly, staring at Faceless as if trying to penetrate the veil concealing the features by sheer will alone.
The elegantly dressed figure stiffens, and he responds in a voice suddenly quiet and chilled as ice. "You will listen to me,..." He begins, ...
"Yes, there's always a first time. Speaking of that, Don't you mean 'FIRST' encounter?" Slidell interrupts calmly.
"I,... What?" Faceless stops, obviously thrown by the sudden change in topic.
Slidell smiles. "You said, 'You managed to survive your encounter with a Demon', And you are normally so very precise with your speech. Didn't you mean, 'your FIRST encounter'?" He asks, all wide-eyed innocence.
Faceless sits, unmoving. When he speaks his voice is still cold, but there is a hint of grudging respect in it. "You, 'Slidell', are nearly as clever as you think you are."
"And more importantly, I'm more clever than YOU think I am!" The mage replies cheerfully. "For example,..."
Faceless holds up a hand, and Slidell stops speaking from habit. "Study your cast-off toys and pursue your 'quests' little mageling." Faceless says into the abrupt silence. "I can afford to be patient, for now. Rest. Sleep. Study. Learn. We WILL continue this discussion,..."
Abruptly, without even a gesture, the fuzzy room and Faceless man fades, and Slidell drifts deep into an exhausted slumber
;)
Slidell wakes up a few hours later, feeling rested enough, but feeling as though there is something he should be remembering. With a shrug, he washes his face and grabs his pack. He lingers over the tomes taken from the library, his finger tracing the embossed cover. With a snort, he puts the tomes to the side and retrieves his own traveling spell book, feeling as if he had just won a bet. After a half an hour of memorizing spells, He makes his way downstairs to find breakfast, and finds Vesh already there, having obviously had the same idea.
"Morning Vesh!" Slidell says with a chipper tone. He stops, frowns. "Or is it 'afternoon'? I swear, I hate underground excursions!" He plops down at the table, and after a grateful thank you to Ameiko, tears into his breakfast with relish. For once the raven doesn't fly to the rafters, but sits next to Sli's plate, helping himself to the lion's share of the bread roll.
After eating what looks like enough to fill TWO skinny mages, Slidell pushes his plate aside for Veran to finish, and pulls out the rod from his pack and shows it to Vesh.
"Do you still have the glasses and Cup?" He asks Vesh, looking like a kid about to be given free reign in a candy store. "We might as well try to figure all of them out at the same time."
After gathering all of the items together on the table, Slidell furrows his brow in concentration. "This isn't as easy as doing it by rote,..." He mutters. Slowly the shadows near him begin to deepen, and his eyes almost disappear into the gloom. He blinks, and his eyes become a solid black, pulling in all light, and reflecting nothing. He stares at the items.
"Well, this is interesting,..."
Mal looks up from his breakfast as Vesh comes down the stairs. "How are you this morning? Come on, get some breakfast. Ameiko really is a fine cook."
...Vesh asks, "Have you seen my companions? Is Ameiko arou--"
"--Morning Vesh!" Slidell says with a chipper tone. He stops, frowns. "Or is it 'afternoon'? I swear, I hate underground excursions!"
Vesh spares a smile at the interruption of the exuberant mage and is more than a little surprised by the sheer amount of food the slim man can put away. Vesh paces himself and enjoys the spiced tea that Bethana has placed in from of him. As they eat, they talk about the items retrieved from the dungeon. Vesh retrieves those in his possession, slips the dollhouse furnishings in his pack, and meets Slidell in his room.
Arrayed before them are the rod, the glasses, the goblet, and the unopened jewelry box. "The box is magical--I couldn't see the nature of the aura, though. It was very strange to handle: there's no lock, the wood feels cold and lifeless--no grain to the touch--and even though the damn thing in smooth, I could've sworn that I'd cut myself on it."
...Slidell furrows his brow in concentration. "This isn't as easy as doing it by rote,..." He mutters. Slowly the shadows near him begin to deepen, and his eyes almost disappear into the gloom. He blinks, and his eyes become a solid black, pulling in all light, and reflecting nothing. He stares at the items."Well, this is interesting,..."
As Slidell become engrossed in identifying the uses of the items, Vesh looks out the window at the position of the sun--even more towards the early evening than when he woke up. Not wanting to disturb Slidell, Vesh puts finger to lips in a shushing motion directed at Veran, and discretely backs out the door. Quietly, he closes the door, shoulders his pack full of dollhouse furniture, and returns to the common room expecting to see Ameiko...he spots Mal instead.
Mal looks up from his breakfast as Vesh comes down the stairs. "How are you this morning? Come on, get some breakfast. Ameiko really is a fine cook."
Vesh smiles. "Good afternoon." he replies, "It's Wealday...still."
Perhaps it's more difficult to quietly leave the Dragon than I thought! He thinks as he pulls up a chair next to the rogue. He plops his pack on a chair next to him. "I've already eaten breakfast this afternoon. Slidell has eaten two."
He accepts another mug of tea from Bethana, happy to have the rogue's company. "I've just left him examining the items that we took from the dungeon last night...or this morning," says Vesh discretely. "I think he'll do just fine without my help."
Vesh takes yet another warm roll and start to chew and speak simultaneously. "What shall we do? Salome was off to pray and rest. Zieke to report to the mayor. Slidell won't be coming down any time soon, and I have no idea where Ehlissa is." Leaning back in his chair, Vesh takes a swig of hot tea.
"What kind of trouble do you suppose we could get into?"
Each item, except the skull, exhibits a magical aura of a different type and/or intensity. The glasses offer faint transmuation; the goblet: a much stronger transmutation; the rod: strong evocation. The box, however, remains a mystery. There is clearly an aura about it, but it defies your ability to classify or describe it.
Slidell examines each of the items in turn, Raising an eyebrow at the box.
He then places the glasses on, despite the warning hiss of Veran."Interesting." The mage says looking at his familiar through the glasses. "And possibly useful."
Still wearing the glasses, Slidell picks up the cup and after confirming it's aura, turns it every which way looking for identifying marks or inscriptions. Finally placing the goblet down, Slidell turns to the box.
"Well now, what have we here? Veran, have you ever heard of an object or spell that gives off an aura that can't be identified? The 'Magic Aura' charm is a common gimmik, but it can only give the appearance of no aura, or a different aura. This 'non-specific aura' is a new one on me." He says, lowering his head till it is almost even with the box lying on the bed. He sighs melodramatically as he traces the lid of the box with a forefinger, cautiously, due to Vesh's warning.
"My kingdom for a 'Dispel', or even a 'Knock'! Yep. I'm afraid we're going to have to outsource this one V. But who? Do we go with the well-traveled and obviously competent Head of the local school? Or with the slightly eccentric and obviously obsessed local Sage?"
Slidell purses his lips as he considers the options. He absently picks up the Thassilonian Rod and examines it, looking again for marks or inscriptions.
Ehlissa goes out to the practice field and after some stretches, runs through her sword drill.
Parry 1 into Parry 3, force his blade away, into strike to scapula, parried, retreat, moulinello, feint into shield strike.
"Yes. I'm sure that would be most helpful. Please bring the 'evidence' when we meet with the Sheriff later."
"I'll make sure it's brought along," Zieke nods.
"I may know you better than you think - the Sheriff has spoken of you much; however, I never figured you to be one for politics. The fact is, off the record, Lonjiku's death has upset the balance of power in the Town Council and Titus Scarnetti is moving to fill the void. While Ameiko is doing her best, she clearly lacks her father's experience... I do not know if our enemies set out to sow political strife, but they have surely succeeded. Titus is demanding an election to fill Lonjiku's seat on the Council and he has sizable support in the community. At a time like this, we need the town to be united against threats from the outside, not squabbling over politics."
"Politics is just another way of combat," Zieke comments, "You have your opponents, both honorable and dishonorable in their fighting style. You have your strategies and your innate talents, skills, and gifts, all to be applied. And sometimes you have to compromise and recognize when to retreat, regroup, or negotiate a settlement that satisfies both parties. So politics aren't for the feint-hearted anymore than standing up to an ogre."
"I stopped by to offer Ameiko my condolences on her father's passing when I got back into town," he continues, "Always figured she'd be a shoe-in for Lonjiku's position on the council. Doesn't surprise me Scarnetti would make a move for it, though. He's always looking to turn things to his advantage. At least, that's my take on him from being around town the past couple of years and talking with the good folks of Sandpoint."
"If it's possible, I'd like to stand-in at the next council meeting...unless it's a closed door session, of course," Zieke says, "My presence alone might give Scarnetti something else to think about and put him off-balance a bit so the rest of the council can focus on getting things done. I'd like to know more about the current politics as well before Belor gets back. I've got a few things to talk with the Sheriff about..."
"...I do believe you and I have common interests. You want to take the fight to the goblins and I do not want Scarnetti taking advantage of outside problems. The difficulty in this mix, honestly, is the Sheriff. He may have taken a Chelaxian name, but he is still Shoanti and he has his Shoanti honor....To not be at the head of an attack on the goblins would upset Belor greatly, to say the least. However, you know better than most the true nature of the evil we are faced with. And you know that our poor guardsmen - many barely old enough to wield a razor, much less a sword - would be little match for it. Even the recruits from Magnimar will not suffice....This is what Scarnetti wants. I cannot send our guardsmen because they will lose. So he paints me as the coward. If I do send them, and they lose, he paints me as the fool. But now, with you and the other heroes, I have someone who can do the job right - but I will lose Belor's support. Rather than being 'coward' or 'fool', I will 'lack faith in Sandpoint' or 'be in the pockets of foreigners' or some such."
"Let me help you then," Zieke suggests, "I'll talk to Belor and reason with the man. We've worked well together for the past couple of years. I can certainly relate to his sense of honor and desire to personally teach these goblins a lesson. If he's anything like me, he feels a certain responsibility and guilt for not being able to fully defend the town from the goblin raid during the festival. To ease his conscience, he wants to lead a counterattack. But, as you say, that would play into Scarnetti's hands and create an entirely different problem from within the town. I think he trusts me. Hopefully enough to let me to carry out the attack for him. But give me a chance to observe the council when you meet. That way, I can take the measure of Scarnetti and truthfully convey to Belor my own assessment and the seriousness of the threat Titus poses...and if we both counsel the Sheriff to stay here, perhaps we can sway him. You would do so from your stance as a politician. And I would add my opinion warrior-to-warrior.
"The knights are my brothers: Wade and Gaven. Wade was killed by Chopper and Gaven has not been the same since. They were very close. The other fellow is Casp. He was Belor's predecessor - and my fiancee. He was Chopper's last victim. And the sword - I gave that to Ehlissa. It was Casp's. It has quite a history, or so I understand. His great-great-grandfather commissioned it when he was a member of the Korvosan Guard and it passed through the family to Casp. It has saved Sandpoint once: mortally wounding Chopper. Now, perhaps, it will save the town again."
"I'm quite familiar with the Korvosan Guard," Zieke replies, "I'm sure Casp's great-great-grandfather was quite a man if he joined their ranks. And, as they say, apples don't fall far from the tree. I understand Casp gave his all for this town. You know, Chopper was before my time. But it's obvious that his influence...and the burning of the cathedreal...still have quite an effect on Sandpoint. I try to be mindful of it. But I guess I and these 'heroes' of Sandpoint are in the unique position of not having had those incidents affect us directly like it has so many others. In some ways, it frees us up to pursue these current problems with a clearer mind and purpose. That's why I think we can make a difference. All of us, really. You, the Sheriff, Ameiko, me, and these 'heroes'...we can make things better."
"You really should be on your way. I have things to prepare for tonight as well. You will need to be sharp, too - this is serious business."
"Yes, I should," Zieke agrees, "It's been most enlightening, Mayor. Thank you for your time."
Slidell removes the glasses and rubs his eyes.
"Well Veran, the glasses definitely seem to be doing something, but I'll be a goblin's wetnurse if I can see what. Other than giving me a migraine of course. Fine vision?, or distance vision maybe? No, those would be divination,..."
"Unless I'm mistaken, the cup produces the equivalent of a Strength potion. But I'm not sure if it requires any special ingredient to activate, or just saying the gemstone's phrase in Thassilonian." He picks the cup up, and (after wiping the ashes out with a handkerchief), holds it in his right hand and carefully pronounces, in Thassilonian,... "Numb-kar, est-um, potence-kas!"
Sli's spellcraft check vs potion: (1d20+9=24)
Slidell looks back to the box, scratching his head. "Obviously an illusion Veran, but why disguise a box as a box? Unless, of course! She wasn't trying to hide the fact that it's a box, she was trying to hide the fact that it's a specific box! Which makes me want to know why,..."
"And the rod, I believe it is an attuned item, I feel confident that I could activate it if I willed it. I'll have to be careful to make sure I don't activate it accidentally. The last thing I need is to be known as an arsonist. After all, there are so many other things that I'm popular for right now! " He grins.
"What does it mean?"
"I wish I knew. But based on what I have seen these last days, I believe Lamashtu is beating a path of destruction and Sandpoint is in her sights."
"Nafir," Salome says thoughtfully, "I wanted to ask you if I could look at your prayer book. May I walk with you back to the cathedral?" On the way, she asks him about the old church and what, if anything, he knew of Father Tobyn's daughter.