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"If something is going to be decided, shouldn't everyone involved be here? I'm just sayin cause it sounds like Hemlock is leaving with most of his men. I'm all for going on the hunt but he did ask us that we watch the town in his stead."
"Well, that's true. I've still got people to visit, that I never got to see, cos I got collared at the gate. Be nice to catch up with the good folk, and maybe they'll be braver for our being there. They need to know there's someone watchin their back, so they can round up their livestock and set their stalls back up. Gettin back to normal should do wonders for the town spirit."
"I guess I'm just itchin' to be seen doin' something, you know? I feel stupid for missin' everything, like I didn't do my bit.
Once I've plugged one of the little bastards, I'll feel better."
It is late morning when you all head back to the Dragon, to eat a late breakfast. Those of you not staying in a room at the inn pass sheriff Hemlock with a small retinue of guards heading south out of Sandpoint toward Magnimar. He is acompanied by the Pathfinder Jylan Chantequi and the young noble Aldern Foxglove, who give a cheery wave to those he knows as he heads out of town. The ranger Shalelu rides alongside looking anxious as she heads back out on patrol.
At the inn, a breakfast of smoked oysters and overly salty garlic-buttered biscuits appears to be the order of the day.
As you are all sitting down and chatting, the halfling maid, Bethana approaches you all and quietly says, "Excuse me good sirs. Might I have a private word with you all?" It appears that she may have been crying if the redness of her eyes is anything to go on.
"I do not see why not my good lady, what is it you wish us to know."
@Tok: I hope by little mage you do not mean me, my friend. he says as he passes by and clasps you on the shoulder.
Harlynn makes his way to his seat and begins to devour his share of the food when Bethana approaches, Of course, A word is the least I can do after all the kindness you have shown me. Tell me what might I aid you with?
There is little left in his plate but what is left the raven descends and begins pecking at the rest of the food.
DM
0: Acid Splash, Detect Magic, Read Magic
1: Mage Armor, Shield, Shocking Grasp
As Kendrick chokes down the last of the oysters he says in a slightly choked voice, as he reaches for another mug of water, "what's the matter darlin'? You haven't been harmed have ya?"
Betana pulls up a chair and wipes her eyes."No, I haven't been harmed, thankyou. When I woke early this morning, found that Ameiko hadn’t started breakfast. She always starts breakfast. This is the first time that I can remember her not starting it. Thats why breakfast is so exotic today. We had to use last nights supper. Anyway, I was worried, so I knocked on Ameiko’s door but didn’t get a response. Against my better judgment, I entered Ameiko’s room and found it empty and the bed un-slept in. Worse, I found this crumpled piece of parchment near the bed. Its a note from Ameiko’s older brother, Tsuto."
Betana hands the note to you to examine. The note is written in Ameiko's native tongue. Bethana continues, "Ameiko has been teaching me a bit of her language, so I've translated it on the back of the note."
The reverse of the note reads...'Hello, sis! I hope this letter finds you well, and with some free time on your hands, because we’ve got something of a problem. It’s to do with father. Seems that he might have had something to do with Sandpoint’s recent troubles with the goblins, and I didn’t want to bring the matter to the authorities because we both know he’d just weasel his way out of it. You’ve got some pull here in town, though. If you can meet me at the Glassworks
at three hours after midnight tonight, maybe we can figure out how to make sure he faces the punishment he deserves. Knock twice and then three times more and then once more at the delivery entrance and
I’ll let you in.
In any case, I don’t have to impress upon you the delicate nature of this request. If news got out, you know these local rubes would assume
that you and I were in on the whole thing too, don’t you? They’ve got no honor at all around these parts. I still don’t understand how you can stand to stay here.
Anyway, don’t tell anyone about this.
There are other complications as well, ones
I’d rather talk to you in person about tonight.
Don’t be late.
Tsuto.'
Bethana looks at you all tries to explain. "Tsuto was something of a scandal when he was born 21 years ago, since he’s a half-elf. Neither of Ameiko’s parents are elves. It was obvious that old Lonjiku wasn’t the boy’s father, and his rage at the discovery of his wife’s indiscretion was the talk of the town for months. Lonjiku’s wife Atsuii never revealed who the father was, and it’s a testament to Lonjiku’s stubbornness that they remained married. 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. His older sister, Ameiko, visited him in secret a few times a month to keep him company, bring him some food, and promise him that someday things would get all sorted out.
That all changed six years ago, when they had a terrible argument in which Tsuto struck Ameiko. I don’t know what the argument was about, but whatever it was is what sent Ameiko away from Sandpoint for a year, during which time she made a living as an adventurer. I think thats when she met that Pathfinder who was here. Anyway, she returned to Sandpoint five years ago to attend her mother’s funeral. Tsuto was quite public in his opinions that his father had pushed Atsuii off the cliff to her death, and during the funeral there was a confrontation. Lonjiku nearly broke Tsuto’s jaw with his cane, after which Tsuto cursed him and left Sandpoint. Ameiko’s tried to reestablish contact with him ever since, but was never able to track him down.
I'm worried that Tsuto’s up to no good. Since Sheriff Hemlock’s out of town, you are the only ones I can turn to. Please will you help me and go look over at the Glassworks and find out what happened to Ameiko. I'm so worried. That girls like a daughter to me..."
"Well you've both been kind, and it never hurts to have a beautiful innkeeper in your debt ..."
Noticing the scathing looks from the others, he continues "What? I was just sayin is all. In jest of course. I speak not for the others but as for myself, I shall seek out the lady Ameiko. Just let me gather my belongings."
Standing, Kendrick gives a slight bow and says, "Fear not good Bethana, Ameiko shall soon be returned to you."
Harlynn raises an eyebrow quizically I too would like to offer my assistance but it brings up the question do we have time to scout the birdcruncher, or what have you, tribe and go rescue the damsel in distress? And which would be the more pressing matter, would Tsuto harm his sister greviously or would the goblins mount another raid?
"I agree we need to look into this, though it may well be that Ameiko is perfectly safe, and is working with her brother just fine. Out of curiosity, what kind of state is Ameiko's relationship with her father? I can't imagine it would be too great if her brother thought she would be willing to go behind his back to punish him."
"I agree with the wizard. A missing woman is of little concern to me. I was hired to deal with the goblins. It seems unlikely the two are connected.
But, as our paths are now one, I will do as the rest of you desire."
Visions of the black cloud run through Galstok's head as Bethana tells her tale. "I will go, she gave me hospitality. If she is in need of aid, I will give it. Can you tell me where this 'Glassworks' is?
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"It's on the west side of town, overlooking the coast.
I agree with Galstok; I'm staying in her inn, eating her food, it's my duty to see if she needs our help, just like I'd offer to step in front of a rowdy drunk in here. If she says she can handle it, we respect her wishes, but it's a man's job to offer."
To Bethana, (possibly a bit patronisingly, as he keeps forgetting the halflings aren't children);
"You did the right thing, to tell us.
It may have been written as a private note, but she obviously left it for you. She knew you could read it, so you could tell people where she was.
I'm sure she can handle her brother, but we'll drop in, to make sure everyone stays calm.
Dry your eyes, and see to your paying customers, we'll clean up after ourselves, ad let ourselves out."
He gives her what he hopes is a reassuring smile, and that it will be enough to send her on her way.
<thinks>
Bethana manages a brief smile as she gets up to go back to her work. "Thankyou. I knew you were good people"
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Right, now she's gone, we can talk freely.
I do think there's more to this than it seems.
Tok, did you miss the reference to the goblins in the note?
This Tsuto says he's found a lead, or thinks he has, but he's being coy about it."
"We go up there, find out what he knows, and we're still inside the town, like we said we would be."
I paid no attention to what the hysterical halfling woman said. If you say the goblins are somehow involved, I will believe you. Let us finish our breakfast and be off.
if it is still in town there is no harm in investigating it now and making sure that our obligations to ameiko and this town are met
DM
if it is still in town there is no harm in investigating it now and making sure that our obligations to ameiko and this town are met
DM
** spoiler omitted **
OK
After taking your leave of the Rusty Dragon, you head off into the morning streets of Sandpoint. The air has a faint chill to it and you can smell the sea as you head towards the glassworks that overlook the cliff face and the sea beyond. When you arrive you see that the great dark grey brick building is curiously silent. The furnace chimney on the roof still plumes with smoke, but there appears to be no one around. Curtains appear to have been drawn over the windows, and the rumble of the Glassworks’ furnace is plainly audible from within. You can see a closed wooden door give entrance to the building.
Harlynn
"I agree we need to look into this, though it may well be that Ameiko is perfectly safe, and is working with her brother just fine. Out of curiosity, what kind of state is Ameiko's relationship with her father? I can't imagine it would be too great if her brother thought she would be willing to go behind his back to punish him."
Bethanna reveals the following about Ameiko's father. He is called Lonjiku Kaijitsu and has carried on his
father’s proud work as glassmaker, and the Sandpoint Glassworks is perhaps the town’s most prosperous business, with its products regularly shipped as far as Korvosa. Lonjiku’s accomplishments are all the more impressive when one takes into account that he and his family are newcomers to Varisia, the survivors of an exiled family from Minkai sent over the crown of the world a half century ago for unknown crimes. Lonjiku was born in Magnimar and has never visited his motherland, but he carries memories of its wonders in the form of stories told to him by his now deceased parents. Yet for all of his success at business, Lonjiku has found the role of father to be one he’s particularly ill-suited for. His eldest son Tsuto, in addition to being proof of his wife’s affair with an unknown elf, left the region several years ago after an argument that resulted in Lonjiku striking his son with his cane.His eldest daughter Ameiko shamed him not only by becoming an adventurer, but by opening and running a tavern and flophouse—“
hardly women’s work,” he’s fond of telling anyone who’ll listen. Of course, those who know Lonjiku know his short temper is his real problem.
Bethanna gave you the impression that she thought she was betraying Ameiko by revealing all this to you.
Ensu will try to comfort Bethanna that having such knowledge would be crucial if the party wanted to help Ameiko, and that she was being a big help in making sure that the situation could be dealt with as quickly and quietly as possible.
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"Well, we'll go with who's here right now.
I make it that we have three archers, big guy with hammer, dwarf boxer, and two wizardy types. That's got to be enough to deal with a domestic."
"However...I don't want to get hauled up for burgling, not by one of the richest men in town, so it'd be best if we knew what we were walkin into."
He turns to Drexel;
"Something tells me you're good at climbin in windows. Care to take a look in through the roof?"
Startled by the sudden question directed my way I stammer. "Now what would give you an idea like that? I am no common rapscallion. I'll have you know that my performances are very well received by the people that visit this fair city."
"I have been through my fair share of windows as well, if you'd like any company, er uh, Drexel was it?"
Cornelius arrives back on Harylnn's arm and speaks the same gutteral language back to him. Harlynn feeds him and says stay close.
Well my friends it seems that there is another option available. A little birdy just told me that there are three skylights above with lights coming from within. Someone is definately home
Cornelius speaks in the common tongue Watch who you call little, fatty
Harlynn blushes and tugs his collar nervously er, em, yes, well then I should guess we should go about on formulating a plan then, yes?
"It's always good to know whats in the beast's den before you enter, but what is 'burgling' and what would pick up you for it?" He says this last with a confused look on his face, then continues on. "I'll go check to see if there are any other doors around back."
Galstok circles the building looking for any other entrances and anything else that catches his eye.
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"Don't go walkin in, without tellin the rest of us.
That smoke means the workers are probly wandrin about; we need to know if there's a way up to any upper rooms."
"I don't suppose anyone here has ever been inside before?
Is it open to the public, if so, we could pretend to be shopping.
Noisy ones keep 'em talkin, while the quiet ones slope off and see what's what?"
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"Hmmm, maybe I'd best go after the Shoanti, make sure he doesn't get into trouble. If anyone asks, we're checkin there's no gobboes hiding on the beach, okay?"
"And one of you try that near door, while we're gone."
He jogs after Galstok.
Maybe they'd find evidence of goblins coming up the cliff? Or footprints entering the building? That would be reasonable cause to look inside.
Cornelieus, make sure those two don't get in any trouble, and he sends the bird a loft.
Tregar & Galstok
"I have been through my fair share of windows as well, if you'd like any company, er uh, Drexel was it?"
"Well if we must enter through a window I guess it is unavoidable. It would be wise to scout the place out prior to barging in I suppose. Shall we?"
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He catches up with Galstok, with some difficulty, as the Shoanti seems unencumbered by the weight of his gear.
"Don't mind me, I just thought I'd give you a hand while the others make their minds up."
He takes a slow, steady pull at each door, to see if it's locked or bolted, but refrains from entering.
Stealth
Noting the results, assuming no-one comes to meet them, he turns his attention to the boat.
"There was another reason I wanted to speak to you, but I don't want to do so in front of everyone."
"But if you found real proof that someone you despised was traitor to your tribe, you'd tell everyone, wouldn't you? Make a big stink? But this Tsuto hasn't done that; he's written to his sister, in that chicken-scratch he thinks only they understand, tellin her to meet him and 'plan what to do'.
That sounds to me like blackmail...that means puttin the squeeze on him to keep it a secret, an that don't sound to me like the actions of an honourable man."
"That looks like a good hiding place", he nudges Galstok, readying his bow, he signals for the other to turn it upright.
"Well if we must enter through a window I guess it is unavoidable. It would be wise to scout the place out prior to barging in I suppose. Shall we?"
"Lets. After you of course."
It's if there is more to that, thats why I am here.
Upon return to the rest. "There are four other doorways around the building, a boat pulled up near one, and a few more windows. Did you get a look inside from up top?"
"Do any clearly look like freight doors, private back doors, public front doors, or have any other distinction to them, or do they all look more or less the same?"
Galstok looks confused a moment at the question then answers, "Not sure what all those are but one looked like it went into a smithy, one was two doors together the boat was there, and the last two were regular doors. I can show 'em to you if you want."
All the doors appear to be locked.
Kendrick and Drexel
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"We may have to go in quick, if the alarm is raised.
Is everybody ready to move if they hear a commotion?"
To Galstok;
"We'd be best going in through the cliff-side doors, if we don't want to be seen by the town. D'you think that hammer will take those doors down in one go?"
He makes to go back round the rear of the building, near the boat, gesturing for the others to follow.
"Let's try to avoid busting doors down if we can. We are supposed to be helping the town, not causing damage to it."
I will go where needed though I will not be as stealthy as any of you and I do not think I can make that climb. He pauses briefly. Where is that infernal bird?
If we get round back without interruption, he'll listen at those doors, and/or any nearby windows, to check there are no staff working next to them.
Perception 1d20+7
At the rear door near the cliff face, you carefully listen.
Climb
Once we are on the roof and looking through the skylights
Perception
Climb
Perception
"I can knock 'em in if we need to. Don't know about one hit though." After Tregar finishes listening, "Did you hear anything?"