airwalkrr's Rise of the Runelords (IC)

[SelcSilverhand]

Seeing the others begin to turn over their money to pay for their accommodations Vhir grudgingly reaches for his own coin. He pays enough to cover for the next few nights but resolves himself to find a place to setup his tent. A free roof over his head is better than one that will bleed him dry of his hard won gold.
He leans forward and listens close as Ameiko spins a tale of murder and revenge. When she tells the part of scattering his ashes he nods sagely. "Good to send his bones and ashes far to the wind, the evil spirit will not find rest close to home. Island where much evil occurred though is much harder to cleanse. Fire is good, holy men and prayers better, whole town gather to honor dead and retell the story is best though. The dead know they are not forgotten then and they are appeased until they move on." He takes a long drink from his jar of mead and belches loudly, ruining the moment.

Diplomacy aid another (1d20+1=6)

 

[airwalkrr]

Vandalin leans in with an open stance and listens carefully to Kaijitsu's tale. "A sinister tale to be sure. Such a betrayal is hard to take. After the citizens had praised his work and put their labor into this home and staircase to be repaid thus, shocking." He shakes his head. "One thing I don't understand though. If he was slain, his ashes spread and his place of dark sacrifice destroyed, why would people think he was somehow related to the destruction of the temple?"

The innkeeper looks down and wrinkles her mouth a bit. "I don't know that anyone can say the two events are directly related. But as I said, the timing of it all seemed more than coincidence. After all this is mostly a peaceful trading town. We are no strangers to murder. Every year or so passions flare or someone has too much to drink and does something terrible. But so much death in such a short span of time. It is curious, no?"

OOC: [sblock] Diplomacy check Aid Another (1d20+1=18) I'm assuming you intended to say 'suspicious' rather than 'auspicious' timing. [/sblock]

OOC: I did indeed. Corrected and thank you!

Seeing the others begin to turn over their money to pay for their accommodations Vhir grudgingly reaches for his own coin. He pays enough to cover for the next few nights but resolves himself to find a place to setup his tent. A free roof over his head is better than one that will bleed him dry of his hard won gold.
He leans forward and listens close as Ameiko spins a tale of murder and revenge. When she tells the part of scattering his ashes he nods sagely. "Good to send his bones and ashes far to the wind, the evil spirit will not find rest close to home. Island where much evil occurred though is much harder to cleanse. Fire is good, holy men and prayers better, whole town gather to honor dead and retell the story is best though. The dead know they are not forgotten then and they are appeased until they move on." He takes a long drink from his jar of mead and belches loudly, ruining the moment.

"You are wise, Shoanti," the woman says. "Perhaps the people of Sandpoint could do with a little more talking and a little less tossing under the rug. Very well. I can see you really are persistant to know more. The guards don't talk much about it, but Stoot was dismembering the bodies. Each was found in the same terrible state: body bearing deep cuts to the neck and torso, hands and feet severed and stacked nearby, and the eyes and tongue missing entirely, having been plucked crudely from each head. Folks came to calling the murderer Chopper. When the guards broke into Stoot's house, they found an altar dedicated to some vile demon lord of winged creatures and temptation; I dare not say his name.

"Some of the people whisper that the burning of the old Sandpoint Chapel was no accident. Father Ezakien had adopted his daughter Nualia, and some said after the burning that she was a bad omen, that the girl was cursed in some way. Personally, I always thought she was quite a beautiful child, almost unearthly in fact, and to be honest, I was a little bit jealous. Other children of the town weren't always so nice to her. And the more superstitious folk thought she had been blessed by Desna with kind of reverse deformity. I think the girl was terrorized after a fashion. Rumors spread that her touch or proximity could cure warts and rashes, that locks of her hair brewed into tea could increase fertility, and that her voice could drive out evil spirits. It led to a succession of awkward and humiliating requests over the years. I enjoy attention, but I certainly wouldn't want people fawning over me quite like that. I think she was troubled as a result. But after the fire, some people started to say more than that. They suggested she had caused the fire, that she was actually an abomination to the gods, or perhaps that her short life was a blessing upon this town which was abused and that the gods had taken her away and burned the chapel as punishment. I'm not all that religious, nor do I think the gods act in so obvious a fashion. But there are a fair number of people in this town who do."

Diplomacy aid another (1d20+1=6)

OOC: Vhir made such a strong role-playing point that I decided to automatically count his Diplomacy check as a successful aid. Consequently, I've reprinted the second embed Diplomacy DC above into Ameiko's statement.

 

[Shayuri]

As Ameiko talks, Talashia spies them there and walks up from behind the inn owner, her arms folded over her stomach. She listens quietly, a pensive look on her face.

"I had no idea it was that bad for her," she says quietly when Ameiko seems finished. "I hardly ever saw her. She was always in the temple...the poor thing."

 

[rangerjohn]

You are a harsh mistress to ask forgiveness for such acts. Is there a point where the good of the many intervenes? Deivon asks of his goddess.


[sblock=OOC] I'm beginning to wonder if Serenrae is the right goddess for this adventure.[/sblock]

 

[airwalkrr]

You are a harsh mistress to ask forgiveness for such acts. Is there a point where the good of the many intervenes? Deivon asks of his goddess.


[sblock=OOC] I'm beginning to wonder if Serenrae is the right goddess for this adventure.[/sblock]

OOC: Unless you are starting to doubt whether Sarenrae is actually a good fit for your character, I believe she is an excellent fit for the campaign. She is one of the six most prominent deities in the region, as well as one of the six deities to which the Sandpoint Cathedral pays homage. Remember that while Sarenrae is the goddess of redemption, she has another aspect as well. "The clergy of Sarenrae are peaceful most of the time, administering to their flock with a gentle hand and wise words. Such kindness vanishes, however, when the church is stirred to action against an evil that cannot be redeemed—particularly against the cult of Rovagug. At such times, Sarenrae’s clerics become dervishes, dancing among foes while allowing their scimitars to give their opponents final redemption."

 

[Maidhc O Casain]

[section]

After his gaffe, Marcas sits quietly through Ameiko's recitation, his face intent, his interest wholly captured by the horrible tale. This sounds like some of the stories my family tell 'round the campfire, things the other Szarni families would do to their enemies. I wonder if they had anything to do with all of this . . . The big Shoanti keeps his thoughts behind his teeth, however. No sense borrowing trouble. Even though the Vanatori aren't as bad as some of the families, they're into more than their share of shady dealings. I wonder if old Jubrayl Vhiski is still in town; he'd likely be able to tell me if this 'Late Unpleasantness' is anything to do with the families.​

[/section]
_______________
[sblock=Mini Stats]
Marcas Vanator
Initiative: +03
AC: 14 (14 Touch, 11 Flat-Footed)
HP: 09/09
Senses: Perception +7
CMB: +02 CMD: 16
Fort: +03 Reflex: +05 Will: +04
[/sblock]

 

[Scotley]

"I thank you for your candor. I know it is hard to talk of such things, things you would rather put behind you. But it will help us should further unpleasantness visit Sandpoint." He smiles at her. "But now let us talk of happier things. We are very excited about the new temple and the festival. Sit with us and share a mug and talk of better days to come. I have a story that might amuse you..."

Vandalin carries on with an account of the mercenary's dip in the horse tough and encourages others to share their own humorous anecdotes.

 

[airwalkrr]

The innkeeper hands out room keys to those who can afford it and nods politely at Vandalin's story, but soon she hears Felsi call out that the stew is ready. "Riveting tale, Mister Vandalin. But you'll excuse me, but I'm going to help Felsi bring out the stew for your table. It was a pleasure to meet you all. My name is Miss Kaijitsu. Please feel free to call on me if there is anything else you need." She leaves to help Felsi with the stew, but doesn't return.[sblock=Sense Motive DC 22]Miss Kaijitsu was really not that interested in Vandalin's story and was looking for the first opportunity to leave the table.[/sblock]"Here you are!" Felsi says brightly as she brings out the stew on a large tray. It is unwieldy for a small woman such as herself, but she handles it with grace and care, setting it down on the table and doling out portions of stew in wooden bowls and passing you wooden spoons. She also has a pitcher of ale with which she refills your mugs.

"Now," she begins once everyone is served, "Miss Kaijitsu said there was a marvelous story bein' told that I'd love to hear, Mister Vandalin."

The wench listens with interest to every word. "Well sounds like he got what was comin' to him for sure. So tell me, you mentioned you'd be staying a week or thereabouts. You going to be at the festival? I hear there are all sorts of great events planned. There will be the welcoming speeches of course. Then come the games: sack races, tug-o-war, that sort of thing. At noon they're having the Swallowtail Release, and Father Zantus and his acolytes are going to release a bunch of butterflies after telling a parable or two. Lunches are going to be provided free to all by the taverns and hostels here in town. Then finally, the new cathedral will be consecrated, with Father Zantus leading the townsfolk through the Prayer of First Dreaming. It sounds mighty exciting! Will you be participating?"

 

[Shayuri]

Talashia lifts her eyebrows as Ameiko breezes right past her without so much as saying 'hello.'

"I realize it's been a while," she grumps to herself, "But that just seemed rude. Even if I was just another customer, is that how she greets people around here? Hmph!"

She waits with visibly increasing impatience as Vandalin tells his tale, and Felsi gushes about the Festival, and finally remarks with asperity before he can reply, "Yes, incredibly exciting, assuming I don't fall down of starvation first. I see everyone else eating, so I know there's food to buy. Now if only someone was around to carry my order to the cook, and my money to the owner. Or is my coin as unwelcome as the rest of me?"

 

[rangerjohn]

"Now I know something is wrong Talishia. You are not unwanted, just myself, I have offered both to share a drink and to accompany you on your mission. Only respect for your privacy prevented that. Now as for Ameiko, something spooked her, what I do not know. Felsi, here was harrassed, like the other waitress. That is why she is interested in the tale. Though Ameiko took care of him. Now, please calm down and join us and give Felsi your order. I'm afraid you missed the fresh bread, but I'm sure it will be excellent with the stew." Says Deivon trying to comfort, Talishia.

[sblock=Aid another sense motive= 23]http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4272768/[/sblock]