"From the sounds of it, the town is in danger from multiple threats."
I lean back in my chair.
"I believe that the immediate threat is the one the Journal marks as being below the town."
I pick up the journal and read from it in a low voice.
"We should get the quasit’s aid. She and her freaks can come up from below the town through the smuggling tunnels in the Glassworks"
"I think we need to go back to the glassworks and finish clearing it out, this time preferably with an invite from Ameiko."
"But this Thistletop sounds dangerous, too," Jessa says, "Two hundred goblins?" The young witch shakes her head.
"Sandpoint can't survive an attack of that scale. We've got to warn Mayor Deverin and Sheriff Hemlock," she urges, "If they can't convince Magnimar to send more troops to defend the town, the whole place will be overrun!"
"Maybe they can strike Thistletop early and hunt down this...Nualia?...or whoever's leading the goblins...and send them all running before they can even march on Sandpoint in the first place?" she finishes. Then, her expression changes as she reconsiders and explores a new thought.
"Or, maybe we could that?" she suggests, "I know it sounds like suicide. But all of you didn't become the 'Heroes of Sandpoint' for nothing. You work well together. We work well together. And, maybe Blackwing and I could help to find this place and together we could all put an end to things before they get out of hand?"
"Look, I've got some things I plan on doing tomorrow," she shares, "Sandpoint is a lot more dangerous than I ever imagined it would be. So I want to see a few friends and make sure I'm better prepared for whatever challenges are headed our way. I'm going to take a couple of days to scribe some new spells, and I want to see a friend about buying or borrowing a bow in case we run into more goblins...or worse."
"I advise the rest of you to see to your family and friends," she continues, "Maybe don't tell them everything. I know the Mayor and the Sheriff are worried about causing a panic by sharing too much information. But we should still be able to make sure the people are protected without causing a stir. Meanwhile, we need to see that Ameiko recovers from her ordeal and her father's death."
"And, lastly, I think we need to speak with this...Tsuto?...character, again," she states, "And if he proves difficult, I'll put a spell on him so he'll talk as freely as the ale flows at the Hagfish. Maybe we can have the Mayor or Father Zantus on hand for that?"
"Anyway...," she finishes, "Let me know when you need me. I'm staying upstairs, here at the Rusty Dragon. And you might see me around town, as well. I'll have Blackwing keep an eye on things from the sky. If you can get his attention, just speak with him and he'll deliver any message you want to send me."
"The Sheriff's already on his way to Magnimar, in pursuit of extra guards, but he doesn't know about this, doesn't know the numbers..." I furrow my brow; "Shalelu said Thistletop was an island, Ripnugget's tribe live there. If Nualia and Bruzthamus are living with them then presumably they're what's got the tribes working in unison."
On top of that there's the things I don't understand; what's a quasit? Who's Malfeshnekor? What happened to Nualia? What has Lamashtu got to do with all this?"
I shudder at the thought of The Mother Of Monsters having anything to do with Sandpoint...
"Perhaps we should sit down with Mayor Deverin and Father Zantus?
"The Sheriff's already on his way to Magnimar, in pursuit of extra guards, but he doesn't know about this, doesn't know the numbers..." I furrow my brow; "Shalelu said Thistletop was an island, Ripnugget's tribe live there. If Nualia and Bruzthamus are living with them then presumably they're what's got the tribes working in unison."
"How do you know all that?" Jessa asks perplexed for a moment until she remembers Gyorgy has likely lived around Sandpoint all his life, "Oh! Because you're from here...nevermind."
On top of that there's the things I don't understand; what's a quasit? Who's Malfeshnekor? What happened to Nualia? What has Lamashtu got to do with all this?"
Knowledge (planes) check... (1d20+7=24)
"Well, I can tell you that a quasit is an outsider. A small demon not from our world," Jessa explains, "If something like that is involved in this mess, it's a lot bigger than just a bunch of goblin raiders, let me tell you..."
"As for Malfeshnekor, I have no idea..."
"And Nualia...I remember something about...hmmmm," Jessa pauses for a moment, "I remember when Mayor Deverin, Sheriff Hemlock, and Father Zantus discovered that Father Tobyn's grave had been desecrated during the night of the Swallowtail Festival. A friend of mine mentioned that Father Tobyn and his daughter, Nualia, perished in the fire that burned down the old cathedral. Nualia doesn't sound like a very popular name, so could it be the same girl?"
"Perhaps we should sit down with Mayor Deverin and Father Zantus?
"I plan on talking with them, as well. Perhaps we should all go?"
Rove 28 - Fireday
The owner and operator of the local stables, Daverin Hosk, approaches Gyorgy in the morning with some concerns.
"You and your friends 'ave been keeping yer 'orses in my stables and I'm right glad fer the business you understand, but none of you 'ave been paying me fer the food or care. I don't suppose you could talk to the rest o' Aldern's lads could you and the lot of you pay me? I normally charge five fingers fer a day's worth of stabling fer those just passing through and a little less fer steady customers. You lads 'ave been doing' such a good job o' killing goblins that I almost 'ate ta charge you but the feed ain't free fer me. So could you see what's what? Thanks."
Rove 28 - Fireday
[ooc]The owner and operator of the local stables, Daverin Hosk, approaches Gyorgy in the morning with some concerns.
"You and your friends 'ave been keeping yer 'orses in my stables and I'm right glad fer the business you understand, but none of you 'ave been paying me fer the food or care. I don't suppose you could talk to the rest o' Aldern's lads could you and the lot of you pay me? I normally charge five fingers fer a day's worth of stabling fer those just passing through and a little less fer steady customers. You lads 'ave been doing' such a good job o' killing goblins that I almost 'ate ta charge you but the feed ain't free fer me. So could you see what's what? Thanks."
"Fair play, Daverin, fair play." I say, genuinely thrown; "Apparently the mayors covering our costs whilst the Sheriff's away, so I'll have a word with her and then whatever way it swings I'll get back to you with the cash."
I pause for a second, before a thought hits me.
"You know a thing or two about the local goblins, don't you?! It's just, if we wanted to find Thistletop could you give us directions?"
I drop my voice to a conspiratorial whisper; "That's just an idea right now mind, don't go spreading it about."
"You know a thing or two about the local goblins, don't you?! It's just, if we wanted to find Thistletop could you give us directions?"
I drop my voice to a conspiratorial whisper; "That's just an idea right now mind, don't go spreading it about."
"Sure," replies Daverin, "There's nothing about finding Thistletop, though getting on the little island may be a bit 'arder. If you are wanting directions there, come see me."
"Daverin Hosk!" Kenzo exclaims when Gyorgy tells him about their conversation. "That reminds me, Shalelu told us to leave a message with him if we needed to, and I would think she needs to know about what we've discovered."
"That reminds me, Gyorgy," he continues, "who would know about that smugglers tunnel? Anyone other than Ameiko?"
"Daverin Hosk!" Kenzo exclaims when Gyorgy tells him about their conversation. "That reminds me, Shalelu told us to leave a message with him if we needed to, and I would think she needs to know about what we've discovered."
"That reminds me, Gyorgy," he continues, "who would know about that smugglers tunnel? Anyone other than Ameiko?"
"Blimey, yes - we could do with some good advise - Shalelu, Zantus and Deverin would make a top-notch bunch of advisors. Although I'm beginning to suspect they might just tell us to be more decisive."
tunnels: knowledge local (1d20+7=27)
"As for the tunnels - I know exactly who knows about them, I'll tell you in a minute..."
tunnels: knowledge local (1d20+7=27)
"As for the tunnels - I know exactly who knows about them, I'll tell you in a minute..."
Gyorgy has heard rumors of these tunnels though the revelation that they come out in the Glassworks is a new bit of information.
If anyone other than Ameiko or Tsuto would know more about them, it would be the Sczarni. And the best place to find Sczarni in Sandpoint is the Fatman's Feedbag. Of course if Aunt Luba heard that Gyorgy was visiting the Sczarni for any reason he would never hear the end of it.
Magazin
Magazin is told by one of the acolytes from the Cathedral that Father Zantus is planning on heading over to the Garrison in the evening to heal Tsuto and counsel with him.
Jessa
Jessa manages to locate Kinmorn, but unfortunately he does not have a bow to lend her. He has only his own bow. The others he had on the day of the festival were on loan from Savah Bevaniky, the owner of Savah's Armory. He suggest that Jessa talk with Savah and see if she will help finance the purchase of a bow.
Jessa manages to locate Kinmorn, but unfortunately he does not have a bow to lend her. He has only his own bow. The others he had on the day of the festival were on loan from Savah Bevaniky, the owner of Savah's Armory. He suggest that Jessa talk with Savah and see if she will help finance the purchase of a bow.
"Thank you, Kinmorn. I'll check with her then," Jessa replies.
She spends the rest of the morning worrying over how to pay for such an expensive weapon.
"I need a job," she realizes. In between her spell research conducted in her room at the Rusty Dragon, she sets a goal of approaching any of the loremasters, alchemists, or herbalists in town to see if they have any openings or a need for someone of her talents. "Maybe if I save a few coins, I can buy one before the next goblin raid comes along..."
Perched on her shoulder, Blackwing grumbles that he could just as easily "borrow" one for her. But Jessa quickly disabuses him of that notion...
Kenzo, being a monk of modest means, is more than willing to give Jessa the money for a bow. "Let's just consider it down payment in exchange for future arcane services," he says.
Kenzo, being a monk of modest means, is more than willing to give Jessa the money for a bow. "Let's just consider it down payment in exchange for future arcane services," he says.
"Thank you, Kenzo!" Jessa gushes, when he presents a solution to her problem, "You have a kind heart. I promise to use it in defense of Sandpoint, should the need arise again..."
"Thank you, do you know where Father Zantus is presently so I may talk to him about joining him in healing and questioning Tsuto?"
Jessa
It will cost a hundred gold coins to buy the ingredients necessary to scribe the spell into the book.
On a more positive note, Savah is willing to sell you a longbow for only 60 golden angels when she hears you are helping "Aldern's Lads."
Magazin
Father Zantus is easily located and he is glad to let Magazin accompany him.
"You may know better questions to ask," says the priest, "Is there anyone else you think should be there with us?"
tunnels: knowledge local (1d20+7=27)
"As for the tunnels - I know exactly who knows about them, I'll tell you in a minute..."
Gyorgy has heard rumors of these tunnels though the revelation that they come out in the Glassworks is a new bit of information.
If anyone other than Ameiko or Tsuto would know more about them, it would be the Sczarni. And the best place to find Sczarni in Sandpoint is the Fatman's Feedbag. Of course if Aunt Luba heard that Gyorgy was visiting the Sczarni for any reason he would never hear the end of it.
"Erm, err... I don't think anyone beyond Ameiko or Tsuto would be much help with the tunnels."
Jessa
It will cost a hundred gold coins to buy the ingredients necessary to scribe the spell into the book.
Jessa sighs, knowing it will be sometime before she can afford to further her spell research.
On a more positive note, Savah is willing to sell you a longbow for only 60 golden angels when she hears you are helping "Aldern's Lads."
Provided Kenzo can loan her 20 additional coins, Jessa goes ahead and purchases the weapon.
"Thank you, Savah..." she says, "I hope I don't have to put it to use, but if I do, know that it will be used in defense of Sandpoint."
"Thank you, Savah..." she says, "I hope I don't have to put it to use, but if I do, know that it will be used in defense of Sandpoint."
With the purchase of the bow, Savah includes ten arrows.
"It ain't after being much good without these dear," says the shopkeeper with a grin as she hands Jessa the arrows just before the young diviner walks out of the shop.
"It ain't after being much good without these dear," says the shopkeeper with a grin as she hands Jessa the arrows just before the young diviner walks out of the shop.
"Ha...ha..." Jessa laughs, "How silly of me to forget. Of course. Thank you again, Savah!"
I have been rather lost in training as i am not much use on the strategizing front at the moment, though i personally am childishly excited about the prospect of tunnels.
at an evening conversation in which the name Sczarni is mentioned, i perk up, "So who's this Sczarni and why isn't Gyorgy supposed to go looking for him or them?"
at an evening conversation in which the name Sczarni is mentioned, i perk up, "So who's this Sczarni and why isn't Gyorgy supposed to go looking for him or them?"
'Magazin' posted this over in the discussion thread and I thought I would move it for ease of reference. :)
"I guess I should get the rest of my new friends, it's always good to have everyone available when questioning someone."
I go and find Eugen, Kenzo, Jess, and Gyorgy, asking each to join Father Zantus and I in questioning Tsuto.
"Anyone think we should also bring Ameiko to the interrogation?"
"I guess I should get the rest of my new friends, it's always good to have everyone available when questioning someone."
I go and find Eugen, Kenzo, Jess, and Gyorgy, asking each to join Father Zantus and I in questioning Tsuto.
"Anyone think we should also bring Ameiko to the interrogation?"
"I'd be happy to..." Jessa agrees, "In fact, I might have some magical means to make him more cooperative."
"As for Ameiko..." Jessa hesitates, "I'm not really sure if we should include her at this point. Maybe later, if we need to draw Tsuto out...and see what kind of reaction his sister has on him. But with the ordeal she just went through...it's probably not a good idea to subject her to a confrontation with him again until she's fully at peace."
"I guess I should get the rest of my new friends, it's always good to have everyone available when questioning someone."
I go and find Eugen, Kenzo, Jess, and Gyorgy, asking each to join Father Zantus and I in questioning Tsuto.
"Anyone think we should also bring Ameiko to the interrogation?"
"I'll be there, I want to hear what he's got to say for himself."
"I agree, she might just get in the way, best to save her for later."
Tsuto lies in a cell below the garrison. His battered and torn body lies unmoving on a stone bench, covered with a thin sheet. There is not enough room in the small chamber for seven people and so Father Zantus goes in through the door alone.
He prays softly and within moments Tsuto's eyes open. They dart around swiftly, taking in the small room, lit by a single candle and the lamps out in the stone hall, and then he tries to lunge at the priest.
Zantus jumps back and Tsuto is brought up short by the manacle on his ankle.
"Huh," says Tsuto from his place on the floor, "I suppose you want me to talk?"
"You guy's got anything to drink?" asks Tsuto lightly, trying for a tone of flippancy, "You bash me good... head still hurts... I could really use a little wine."
"I would say you've had a little too much already," says the priest, "What evil have you been led into young man? You're father was a good man, for his faults. He didn't deserve to die like that."
Tsuto laughs dryly. "Don't tell me about my father you moth lover. He hated me from the day I was born and I hated him right back."
Tsuto laughs dryly. "Don't tell me about my father you moth lover. He hated me from the day I was born and I hated him right back."
"Your hate doesn't justify that kind of cruelty," Jessa speaks up, "And what of Ameiko? Did you hate her enough to turn her over to the goblins, too? There's no explanation for that, except the evil in your own heart."
Tsuto looks over at Jessa.
"Do I know you," he asks quizzically. He eyes her for a moment before continuing, "My sister was going to be alright. She didn't need to be in town when the..."
He grins and then winces and shuts his mouth before saying more, having obviously decided he was about to say too much.
"Do I know you," he asks quizzically. He eyes her for a moment before continuing, "My sister was going to be alright. She didn't need to be in town when the..."
"When the goblins come?" Jessa finishes for him. Having discussed Tsuto's journal with Gyorgy and the others ahead of time, Jessa senses the time might be right for a more deceptive approach in conversing with him, "You mean when the larger goblin force attacks Sandpoint? With Ripnugget and Bruthazmus to guide the overwhelming frontal assault? With Nualia behind them? It's too bad they wouldn't heed your advice and take the tunnels below the Glassworks and enlist the aid of the quasit."
She notes the somewhat surprised look on Tsuto's face that she could rattle off that much information so quickly. Before he realizes she and the others have read his journal, she attempts to press forward with a more magical explanation...hoping it might invoke enough fear to make him a bit more open with his secrets.
"I'm a diviner," Jessa explains, "You may not know me. But I know you now. And in time, I'll know all that you do."
She weaves her hand in a complicated gesture before her, intoning various impressive-sounding words of power.
An otherwordly breeze stirs between them, and a simple ghost-like image seems to pass from Tsuto's chest and into the palm of her hand, leaving behind a daunting rune inked into his skin just below his neck. "Soon I'll know your true heart...and all your intentions," she explains, "One small piece at a time will leave you. And when I'm done..." She pauses for dramatic effect. "There won't be anything left inside of you. No memories. No spirit. Nothing even for your lovely Nualia to find..."
Jessa seems to consider something for a moment, then continues, "Or...if you'd rather retain your sanity and your soul...retaining all your memories, you can simply speak them here. And in the sharing, the magic will let you keep your mind intact."
Jessa can make an intimidate check. I'll modify it myself.
Tsuto seems a little shaken by Jessa's magic, but yet Jessa just can't seem to conjure up the right voice to truly make him tremble. She just seems too nice.
"Death holds no fear for me," says Tsuto, striving to put on a bold front, "Nor your magics. You can't fight a goddess and my... my love serves a goddess that will answer her every prayers. After this town is offered up in smoke and prayers, nothing will be able to stop her!"
Tsuto seems a little shaken by Jessa's magic, but yet Jessa just can't seem to conjure up the right voice to truly make him tremble. She just seems too nice.
"Death holds no fear for me," says Tsuto, striving to put on a bold front, "Nor your magics. You can't fight a goddess and my... my love serves a goddess that will answer her every prayers. After this town is offered up in smoke and prayers, nothing will be able to stop her!"
"What makes you think she's so powerful?" Jessa asks, glancing sidelong at Father Zantus, "Or that her goddess is the only power in these lands?"
"Death holds no fear for me," says Tsuto, striving to put on a bold front, "Nor your magics. You can't fight a goddess and my... my love serves a goddess that will answer her every prayers. After this town is offered up in smoke and prayers, nothing will be able to stop her!"
"What makes you think she's so powerful?" Jessa asks, glancing sidelong at Father Zantus, "Or that her goddess is the only power in these lands?"
Iinterject; "You love her, her beauty, yes?" letting the rhetorical question hang in the air a moment before I continue "...And it's true that she is beautiful, but that's not how Lamashtu's worshippers end up, is it?"
"If you truly love someone, you've got to protect them from their own mistakes."
Gyorgy's words make Tsuto sullen and he seems to withdraw into himself.
"I think," said the Father, "What we need to know is the time of this alleged attack..."
Tsuto shakes his head, "I can't tell you," he says, "We don't know, but it will be soon..."
"I think," said the Father, "What we need to know is the time of this alleged attack..."
Tsuto shakes his head, "I can't tell you," he says, "We don't know, but it will be soon..."
"Why was Father Tobyn's grave descrated?" Jessa asks, "And who is Malfeshnekor?"
"His daughter finished the job with him and offered his body to her goddess. That's all. But the rest of you will be following him if you hang around here very long." Tsuto seems to take some small pleasure in the thought of the party not hanging around.
"His daughter finished the job with him and offered his body to her goddess. That's all. But the rest of you will be following him if you hang around here very long." Tsuto seems to take some small pleasure in the thought of the party not hanging around.
"A burnt offering? How disgusting..." Jessa replies, "What about these tunnels below the Glassworks. Where do they lead? What are they for?"
Tsuto sneers at Jessa, "Quite a talker aren't you. If you want to see where the tunnels go, I suggest you follow them. All the way to the beach."
Tsuto sneers at Jessa, "Quite a talker aren't you. If you want to see where the tunnels go, I suggest you follow them. All the way to the beach."
"No more a talker than you, Tsuto," Jessa tries to stay calm in the face of the man, but he makes her angrier with every passing moment.
"What about this...quasit?" she asks, "Where is it? How can it help in the attack?"
Tsuto says "I don't know what you're talking about," and he sits back and folds his arms sullenly. It seems clear he doesn't want to answer any more questions.
Tsuto says "I don't know what you're talking about," and he sits back and folds his arms sullenly. It seems clear he doesn't want to answer any more questions.
"Oh...I believe you do," Jessa's eyes narrow dangerously, "And I'll be back tomorrow to claim those memories from you anyway."
With that, she rises to her feet and moves out of the small cell to rejoin the others standing outside. "A horrible, despicable man..." she mutters under her breath, "We'll see how pliant he becomes with a little more magic applied..."
I shrug and follow Jessa out of the cell, leaving Tsuto with a parting shot to mull over; "Just think what Lamashtu will make of her, do you really want that?"
i agree, we should come back again later and make another go of it; i walk out with gyorgy and jessa.