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**Spoilers by Necessity**
My group has finished Book 1 and are about to head into the Skinsaw Murders. During downtime, a number of my players have asked what will Ameiko do with the Glassworks now that her father is ceased to be, and all the workers were murdered by goblins. :-)
This coming session I have investors from around the area coming in to look over the building and speak with Ameiko. It'll give the party new folks to work with and I can empart some knowledge of the world outside Varisia to them.
I was curious how other DMs were handling this?
-DM Jeff
In my game, Amieko wants to keep the glassworks, but the odds are stacked against her. Between the shortage of workmen and her inexperience with running the place, she's in a bind.
Titus Scarnetti is pressuring her to sell the glassworks to him, but she doesn't want to. The Scarnettis' overbearing, condescending attutude and veiled threats irritate her and reinforce her desire to keep the glassworks.
In order to convince her to sell, Titus approached her new friends, the PCs. He invited them to dinner ("an invitation they couldn't refuse") and asked for their help, offering them a healthy commission (2000 gp) once the sale goes through.
(I based the scene on Selk's suggestions, as his group had similar hostile feelings toward the Scarnettis.)
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Titus Scarnetti is pressuring her to sell the glassworks to him, but she doesn't want to. The Scarnettis' overbearing, condescending attutude and veiled threats irritate her and reinforce her desire to keep the glassworks.
Hey this is a great angle, I can add even more to the mix. Good idea!
-DM Jeff
Keep in mind that if you have Ameiko unload the Glassworks, you may run into problems during a future AP (as in AP 3 or later). But if you're not going to run those AP's with the same group of players, it doesn't really matter.
James Jacobs has stated that Ameiko will be a major character in a future AP, with the expectation that she will be a successful business woman and member of the 4-family "ruling coalition" in Sandpoint.
Although it occurs to me just now that although some of the rich families are apparently "noble", they have no titles. Hmmm...
Anyway, another thing to keep in mind is that although Ameiko is now the head of the Kaijitsu family, she is not completely without support. According to James Jacobs, she has younger siblings besides Tsuto: another brother and two sisters. There would also be servants and family retainers to rely on, as well as other relatives in Magnimar.
I don't understand why so many people want to yoink the glassworks from Ameiko. I've seen it mentioned more than once on the boards, and I don't think it makes much sense.
Ameiko is more likely to give up day-to-day oversight of the Rusty Dragon in order to become more involved with the Glassworks. She's unlikely to be completely ignorant of glassmaking, and is in fact much more likely to be successful at it than the Scarnettis or any other possible purchasers, since some of the techniques are said to be Kaijitsu family secrets imported from Minkai. I'm not saying that the Scarnettis or others couldn't get around that problem, but I think Ameiko has the advantage.
I also think that she won't have too much trouble getting more workers. There's no reason to think that the dead workers are the only ones in town who had any experience at the glassworks. Some of the workers may have had a day off, vacation, retired etc. And Ameiko would probably be a much nicer boss than Lonjiku, so there are bound to be other folks who would be willing to work for her.
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I wasn't aware Ameiko and Tsuto had other siblings, I don't recall it being mentioned in the AP. I think I'll ignore that little tidbit as it greatly diminishes the Kaijitsu family drama. Lonjiku is more compelling as a man whose temper drove away, or destroyed, everyone he might have loved.
Ameiko's adventuring lifestyle and Tsuto's self imposed exile speak volumes on what it's like to be a Kaijitsu scion; there's a strong subtext of child abuse in that family. I think a lot of readers pick up on this and make some logical assumptions about Ameiko's loyalties to the glassworks now that her father is dead.
The way I'm running it, she'd be glad to be rid of it, but the Scarnetti's are not ideal buyers. Her problem with them isn't ethical (she doesn't think they're corrupt - no more so than the other families), she just dislikes their airs. The snobbery of an enriched Scarnetti family would be almost unbearable.
My version of Ameiko has been able to hang on to the Glassworks - with the help of the PCs, of course. Ameiko's problem wasn't in running the Glassworks, it was in that her position as a neophyte meant that the Szcarni thought they could turn up the heat on their protection racket. They were swiftly disabused of this notion, however, by Orik, who the PCs befriended after he surrendered to him and got him a job as Ameiko's foreman. He doesn't have much experience with glass, but he's got a lot of experience with breaking the heads of nosy criminals (even if they were probably his allies back in his former life). The Szcarni took the hint, and Ameiko kept the factory.
One of my players has a thing for Ameiko and he's actively trying to calim her as a girlfriend. However, since her fathers death they haven't seen anything of here. Everytime they go to the Rusty Dragon to see her she's not there. I try to stress that she has ALOT to do with her new buisness.
I was hoping to use her later (perhaps as a bad guy), but I'll wait a while and see if she appears iun a future AP.
I was hoping to use her later (perhaps as a bad guy), but I'll wait a while and see if she appears iun a future AP.
That is just wrong, bad guys (girls) should never have pig tails :-)
I don't understand why so many people want to yoink the glassworks from Ameiko. I've seen it mentioned more than once on the boards, and I don't think it makes much sense.
Before automation, glassmaking and ropemaking required very large amounts of specialized skill. The glassworks are something Sandpoint can do that none of their neighboors can. It's very profitable, and it's likely the cornerstone of the town economy. Nevermind all of the legitimate businessmen who want to get in on the action, but can't open a competing glassworks, the Scarnetti would love to be able to hang that kind of thing over Hemlock, the Mayor, and the ruling families. Like protection racket, only with economics instead of beatings.
I don't understand why so many people want to yoink the glassworks from Ameiko. I've seen it mentioned more than once on the boards, and I don't think it makes much sense.
I think it might be more from a desire to enrich storytelling and role-playing than literally take the Glassworks from her.
I don't agree with doing it, just to do it. She's written as an intelligent, strong willed and independent woman.. capable of maiing her own decisions, but with a strong love of community.
But.. putting it slightly in peril gives the PCs something to do because kill and loot. Helping a friend and becoming embroiled in small town politics.. these are things that add pace, flavor, character development to what might be a slingshot to high levels if one doesn't stop and see the sights along the way.
Anyway, I agree it doesn't make sense to take it away from her in a vacuum, but it makes one hell of neat little side plot to entertain the players.
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Ah, I don't intend for Ameiko to loose the Glassworks, she's invited investors so she expands her knowledge of the business and see what her options are (and, as mentioned to bring in NPCs that can help "sell" other parts of Golarion to the PCs). Interestingly enough, I followed the advice above and in email play beofre our next meet I played out Titus visiting two of the PCs and convincing them to speak to Ameiko on his behalf and darn it all if they didn't agree to try! They will find out soon enough why Ameiko doesn't want to sell to them.
Good discussion points, all.
-DM Jeff
**Spoilers by Necessity**
During downtime, a number of my players have asked what will Ameiko do with the Glassworks now that her father is ceased to be, and all the workers were murdered by goblins. :-)
-DM Jeff
I have decided that the Glasswork was a guild with influences and holding extending in Manigmar. So She was introduced into the guild as the legitimate Guildmaster with supervision of an older brother, a close friend of Ameiko's father. New workers would have to be formed or moved from Manigmar to Sandpoint.
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Ah, I don't intend for Ameiko to loose the Glassworks, she's invited investors so she expands her knowledge of the business and see what her options are (and, as mentioned to bring in NPCs that can help "sell" other parts of Golarion to the PCs). Interestingly enough, I followed the advice above and in email play beofre our next meet I played out Titus visiting two of the PCs and convincing them to speak to Ameiko on his behalf and darn it all if they didn't agree to try! They will find out soon enough why Ameiko doesn't want to sell to them.
Good discussion points, all.
-DM Jeff
the hardest part is that the glassworks was already profitable and famous - employing the best of the best -
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the hardest part is that the glassworks was already profitable and famous - employing the best of the best -
That's her real hurdle. I don't recall of reading of any big Glassworks in Magnimar, so it might be a matter of her spending time fidnign contacts around the region who can help we do the actual work there.
-DM Jeff
That's her real hurdle. I don't recall of reading of any big Glassworks in Magnimar, so it might be a matter of her spending time fidnign contacts around the region who can help we do the actual work there.
My players have just polished off the Glassworks and starting to explore the catacombs, so we haven't reached the point where I need to decide on Ameiko's future yet. However, I agree with one of the earlier posters. Many of the employees at the Glassworks were trained rather than born into the trade...and that means new people can be trained up, too. In addition, I expect Ameiko to have at least some experience in the glassmaking secrets of her family. And there should also be an experienced hand or two that wasn't present the night of the attack. That should serve well enough as the core for continuing the business.
Now that doesn't mean a buyer or two couldn't show interest. I like the Titus angle, as it makes sense for someone local to try and muscle in on the action. Secondly, an outside investor (possibly even one of Lonjiku's biggest clients) might want to bid on the operation. If you make it someone from Magnimar, all the better for the continuation of the adventure. Ameiko might even rebuff Titus and then request the PCs deliver a message or accompany her to a meeting with Lonjiku's clients in Magnimar.
My two-cents,
--Neil
I wasn't aware Ameiko and Tsuto had other siblings, I don't recall it being mentioned in the AP.
It wasn't in the AP, but I aksed that question (and many others) in the "Burnt Offerings Clarifications (GM Reference)" thread and James Jacobs responded with a bunch of additional details from his personal notes that hadn't made it into the final write-up. So it's only sort of canon, but it works for me.
Anyway, I'm not opposed to a bit of intrigue surrounding the Glassworks, especially since it gives the PC's some more interaction with the townsfolk. My party hasn't gotten that far yet, so we'll see what happens.
It just seemed the tone on the boards seemed a bit negative towards Ameiko. Like she was a helpless girl at the mercy of big bad Titus (she could kick his NPC-class a$$) and needed the big strong PCs to save the day (although I admit, saving the day is part of the PC job description).
I would accuse folks of a bit of sexism (no one suggested Mayor Deverin as a purchaser/opponent...) but that might start some sort of flame war, so I wouldn't do that! ;^)
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Mayor Deverin is in fact Julie Andrews as Maria in The Sound of Music and thus cannot act selfishly.
I don't imagine Ameiko is as a disadvantage because she's a woman: I imagine she's at a disadvantage because her father was slain, her crazy brother committed suicide and her ruined family business sits on top of a gateway to hell. That would put anyone off their game. Sure, she'll hold it together because she's resourceful and plucky, but selling the glassworks isn't exactly an unreasonable or weak response.
Ameiko Kaijitsu needn't be Sandpoint's Scarlet O'Hara.
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It just seemed the tone on the boards seemed a bit negative towards Ameiko. Like she was a helpless girl at the mercy of big bad Titus (she could kick his NPC-class a$$) and needed the big strong PCs to save the day (although I admit, saving the day is part of the PC job description).
I had some fun with Ameiko on this one. I had the Scarnettis trying to claim that Ameiko was not the legal heir to the Glassworks, due to Lonjiku disowning her when she went adventuring. That would put the Glassworks up for purchase, and the expectation was that the Scarnettis would win that bid. This was a case that had to be heard in front of the merchant council - with both Titus Scarnetti and Ameiko sitting in judgment.
The players were working hard on this, trying to help out Ameiko, and doing the whole 'rescue the damsel in distress' bit. They were putting everything in to it, and having a blast. They were convinced that Mayor Deverin was in on this with the Scarnettis.
I had Sheriff Hemlock return to town after the players gave their impassioned performance at the hearing. He told them not to worry - with Ethram Valdemar on the hearing, instead of his son, Ameiko had it sewn up. Suddenly they realized that they hadn't understood the fight at all, since they didn't even know who the Valdemar's were, and got the fact that Ameiko was actually a player in determining her own future.
They actually like her more now than they did before.
Drew Garrett
Mayor Deverin is in fact Julie Andrews as Maria in The Sound of Music and thus cannot act selfishly.
I thought she looked familiar.
I imagine she's at a disadvantage because her father was slain, her crazy brother committed suicide and her ruined family business sits on top of a gateway to hell. That would put anyone off their game.
Hey, she's got 4 PC levels. Par for the course, baby. The real question is, what happened to the wizard, cleric and meat shield she used to adventure with?
Ameiko Kaijitsu needn't be Sandpoint's Scarlet O'Hara.
Actually, I think that's exactly what James Jacobs has planned. Except "to 11".
Ameiko Kaijitsu needn't be Sandpoint's Scarlet O'Hara.Actually, I think that's exactly what James Jacobs has planned. Except "to 11".
If I could use the chatroom's head banging icon here, I would. :)
There is a risk that some people would argue that Ameiko has made her friends kill her brother who would have been the real heir
It's completely false but it's hard to disprove...
Not to throw stones (winds up and throws one anyway) but...
Tsuto would probably never have been elligible to inherit the glassworks.
For one thing, Ameiko is older, although the Adventure Text is inconsistent on that point. Most of the text says Ameiko is older, but there's one spot that calls Tsuto older. James Jacobs also said there were some additional younger siblings in a board post, but not everyone is going to be able to see that and use it.
Besides, Tsuto is not really a Kaijitsu at all. His mother was a Kaijitsu by marriage and his father smelt of elder berrries. Wait, no, his father was an elf. You could argue that he should be using his father's last name.
Lonjiku inherited the glassworks from his father, and Lonjiku's grandfather was the builder of the glassworks and one of the founders of Sandpoint (according to James Jacobs). So the glassworks is clearly being passed down Lonjiku's heirs and not Atsuii's (Ameiko and Tsuto's mom).
I suppose Lonjiku could have designated Tsuto as an heir if he hadn't hated the bastard. But clearly Lonjiku did hate Tsuto, so few people in town would believe it if someone showed up with documentation saying that Lonjiku had declared Tsuto the primary heir.
However, it wouldn't be that much of a stretch to add that in if you assumed that before killing him, Tsuto tortured Lonjiku until he agreed to sign documents making Tsuto the heir to the Glassworks.
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Yknow all this talk of what's going to be done with the Glassworks reminds me quite a bit of the HBO show Deadwood. I can see Ameiko as an emerging political and financial figure much like Alma Garret became. Then we have Titus Scarnetti (Al Swearingen) offering to purchase the Glassworks out of the kindness of his heart (yeah right...) Then the Valdemar's get involved and make their offer known (Tolliver). Finally there is an outside investor from Korvosa who makes an appearance in Sandpoint with aims to obtaining the glassworks no matter what the cost (in money or human life), a George Hurst type character.
In my game the relationship between the Titus and Lonjiku was an interesting one. Titus was the person who sold the Rusty Dragon to Ameiko which ticked off Lonjiku immensely. Some people in town think that this is the only reason why Titus did it.
Trent
His mother was a Kaijitsu by marriage and his father smelt of elder berrries. Wait, no, his father was an elf.
Same thing.
His mother was a Kaijitsu by marriage and his father smelt of elder berrries. Wait, no, his father was an elf.
Same thing.
Glad to see someone was paying attention. Nothing worse than bringing the funny only to get the sound of crickets chirping afterward...
Lonjiku might have especially desinherited Tsuto but this is not sure I aggree that the fact that Tsuto was educated outside the house seems to indicate this but he seems to have come to the house fairly often .
I'm not sure that I understand what you're trying to say. I don't think Tsuto visited Kaijitsu Manor as a child.
Tsuto was handed over to the Turandarok Academy to be raised outside of the Kaijitsu family, ignored by his father and forbidden visits from his mother.
It sure sounds to me like he was disinherited.
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His mother was a Kaijitsu by marriage and his father smelt of elder berrries. Wait, no, his father was an elf.Glad to see someone was paying attention. Nothing worse than bringing the funny only to get the sound of crickets chirping afterward...
Same thing.
The crickets weren't chirping, they were LOLing.
This stuff is very usefull, I was thinking that Ameiko would be a good side trek/ NPC support.
Has anyone fully stated her out?
This stuff is very usefull, I was thinking that Ameiko would be a good side trek/ NPC support.
Has anyone fully stated her out?
A couple of people have. (This is the archived link. If the thread becomes active again the link will break. Sorry.)
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A couple of people have. (This is the archived link. If the thread becomes active again the link will break. Sorry.)This stuff is very usefull, I was thinking that Ameiko would be a good side trek/ NPC support.
Has anyone fully stated her out?
The versions on that link are totally lacking in equipment, since tbug's game had some specific requirements. If I were going to use her, I'd have Vansaya (the +1 repeating crossbow for sale in the Sandpoint Armory) have been hers, trading out a feat* for the proficiency as appropriate. She could probably scrape together the cash to buy it back if she was thinking about getting back into the adventuring biz, which - given what's happened to her - wouldn't be a shock.
*If you use my stats, she really doesn't need Eschew Materials - I only gave it to her so she could use all her spells in the completely equipmentless state she was in for that game...
Creative Director
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Anyway, another thing to keep in mind is that although Ameiko is now the head of the Kaijitsu family, she is not completely without support. According to James Jacobs, she has younger siblings besides Tsuto: another brother and two sisters.
Ah! james, is this true?
I think it is. At least, as far as the way things work in MY head. It might be different in your campaign, of course. ;-)
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**Spoilers by Necessity**
My group has finished Book 1 and are about to head into the Skinsaw Murders. During downtime, a number of my players have asked what will Ameiko do with the Glassworks now that her father is ceased to be, and all the workers were murdered by goblins. :-)
This coming session I have investors from around the area coming in to look over the building and speak with Ameiko. It'll give the party new folks to work with and I can empart some knowledge of the world outside Varisia to them.
I was curious how other DMs were handling this?
-DM Jeff
Have a Wizard named Merrin lease the glassworks from her for a while. He is crafting an eversmoking bottle. Then have the bottle crack and fail critically producing a continuous smokey haze. So Merrin hires the PCs to dump it way out in the wild...then they come back for the Skinsaw murders.