In which Kellan, Liseth, and Pisca head to the Sandpoint General Store to meet the Vinders.

OOC:  The scene opens as you've just left the group and are on your way to the General Store.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:44, Wed 16 Oct 2013.

"Thank you for walking with me Mr Storval."  Liseth had her now mostly depleted knapsack over her shoulders since leaving Heily at the stables; after giving the mare a rub down of course.  "I still don't know my way around Sandpoint very well, and I haven't been to the Vinders' shop yet."  She looked up at Kellan beside her, "I'm sorry that I'm so slow.  I hope that you aren't in a hurry..."

"You know Mr Vinder and his daughters, right?"  It was a rhetorical question; she knew that he did.  At least, a lot better than her.  "I've heard stories in town that Mr Vinder is upset with his daughter Ms Katrine; because he doesn't like her boyfriend."  A horrible thought suddenly intruded on Liseth's mind: what if her father didn't like Kerr?  She decided not to think about it.  "Do you think that she'll be at the shop when we get there?  I don't know where else to look for Ms Katrine if she isn't. Maybe Mr Vinder can help."

"Um..."  Liseth decided to broach a more delicate subject while they were walking, "Mr Storval...you don't mind if I call you Kellan, do you?  When I said that I grew up in a manor, you looked surprised.  At least I think that you looked surprised."  She became a little fearful as her hands fidgeted, "I never thought that it was important, and I haven't told anybody else in Sandpoint.  I'm sure that Father Zantus knows already, but...You don't think that people would be mad or resentful towards me if they found out, do you?"

"It's my pleasure Lizeth" Kellan assured her as they walked. He had shouldered two bags of meat, just a few choice cuts sufficient for a family dinner and seemed to be in no hurry. "You don't need to apologize, we will get there in good time and I can stand to be out in weather like this for a good while longer" he added, clearly enjoying the fresh sea breeze.

"I have known the Vinder's most of my life, but I can't say I really know them well. I went to school with the girls of course, and my family buys things from Mr. Vinder's shop from time to time. I have heard the rumors about Katrine..." He trailed off as his voice became quieter "I imagine having to deal with your daughters dating is hard for any father." He licked his lips and was quiet for a moment before continuing "I just got permission to start courting Shayliss the other night...so, we will see how it goes" he whispered with a smirk

"As far as your family being noble types...well" he took a deep breath "I like everything I have seen from you, we probably saved each other's lives a few times back during the attack and a few other people to boot...you seem wholesome and good...but you can't deny that we probably come from different worlds." He shrugged.

"You don't seem the sort to stand on ceremony, and Mr. Foxglove has been as fine a host as I could ask for, but a lot of the nobility do. I won't pretend I know the details but I would think that your family would have to worry about land and taxes and levies and succession, titles and courts, dealing with all the politics...I'm just a farm boy." He grinned "I have never really left Sandpoint...this is all I know" he gestured around him.

The gnome tipped back her hat and surveyed the town as though in search of insight, or, possibly opportunities for mischief, or, maybe, just possibly, something to pique her interest.  "Ho-mah hum-mah.  I think I'll come along with you two if you don't mind.  I've been thinking of picking up a sling at the store anyway."

The gnome reached up and kissed her pony on the nose before allowing her to be lead away to the nice warm stables where all good ponies live.  After that, she caught up with Stomper and Lysa.  One thing could certainly be said for Lysa, she kept a very sedate and reasonable pace.  It was a pleasure to walk beside her.

"You know, Lysa, I think the problem with being from a landed family is that other people think that you think that you're unjustly better than they are.  What you've got to realize is that's an ignorant and unfounded belief, Lys.  Of course you're better than they are.  Everyone's better than everyone else at something.  Well, almost everyone.  Some people are better at managing lands.  The lands look better, and they produce more.  More people are happy."

"But some people always get the wrong idea about things, Lysa.  It's called wrong-headedness.  You shouldn't worry about people with wrong-headed ideas.  If they're not considerate enough to at least try to think of things in a right-headed way, they're probably not worth your time."

Liseth appeared less than totally relieved with the reassurances that she was given, but nodded anyway.  "Well, I...I don't really know much at all about managing lands.  Or politics and courts.  Daddy takes care of all of that, and Nivlak already knows everything that he needs to in order to take over for him when he's ready."  She paused, "I think that he didn't want me to worry about things like that after Father Garrick started training me to be a priestess for Sarenrae."  Her shoulders slumped, "Of course...that didn't work out so well..."

"But you grew up on a farm Mr...Kellan?"  Liseth perked up again as she changed the subject.  "I actually do know a lot about taking care of animals.  I love animals!  Um...not big mean boars though."  She made sure to add that qualifier.  Not all animals were very good at properly returning affection after all!  "And I know a lot about plants.  Growing them, caring for them.  When it's best to plant and when you should let the fields fallow.  I mostly only ever grew herbs myself though, to help Father Garrick."  Adding with a slightly mischievous smile, "Did you know that I actually won the herb challenge during the festival this year?  Everyone was so surprised too!"  She laughed, "Especially me!"

She returned to talking about Kellan's farm, "I would like to visit your farm one day, if you don't mind.  I bet it's a really nice place.  And I could meet your family!"  Liseth paused as excitement slowly built into her features, "In fact, you could come and visit my house too!  And meet Daddy!  And Nivlak too if he isn't away."  The short girl looked down at Pisca, "You too Ms Freemish.  I bet that you'd love to see Ember Lake at night, when the schools of charig are swimming about."  Some of her excitement faded, "But Galduria is really far away from Sandpoint though; it took Heily and me three days to make it all the way here."

"By the way, Ms Freemish; thank you for wanting to come with me to Mr Vinder's shop.  Is it okay for me to call you Pisca?"

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As you approached the Sandpoint General Store, which looked like it was open for business, you saw Shayliss Vinder standing out front.  She was dressed in what looked like a very nice long-sleeved blue dress that fell to her ankles and buttoned up to her neck, but still emphasized her generous bust.  Her hair was done up in red ringlets that looked like they had taken someone a very long time to perfect.

When she spotted Kellan, she flashed him a warm smile, gave a hesitant little wave, then ducked inside the store.  As you reached the store's steps, she reappeared with her father Ven, who looked every bit the hulking, protective patriarch he had been when confronting Kellan the previous evening.

A little surprise was evident on the big man's face as he looked down at his three visitors.  He placed a giant hand on Shayliss' shoulder as he spoke; Shayliss herself gave Kellan a small shy-but-excited smile.

"So, Kellan Storval."  The man's voice was deep and gravelly, as if his vocal cords had been scraped over some rough surface.  "And friends, apparently.  Welcome to my store.  What is it I can do for you?"

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This message was last edited by the GM at 04:03, Thu 17 Oct 2013.

"That would be great, I would love to visit Galduria some day, and you are always welcome out at the Storval farm. Just let me know when...ah" Kellan had suddenly caught sight of Shayliss and seemed to have lost his train of thought. The smitten young man cleared his throat just as Ven came out to meet the group.

The young guardsman was once again struck by just how big Ven was. There was big in a tall sense, and big in a muscular sense and big in the sense of having presence, Ven seemed to possess all of them together and then some. Kellan gave a wave as they approached then nodded towards Ven, glancing to Shayliss despite himself.

"Afternoon Mister Vinder, Shayliss" greeting each in turn "I suppose we came for a few reasons, our boar hunt was successful. I brought you some loin cuts" he offered the sack to him "I have a few more that I was going to bring out to my families farm before it got dark, I was hoping you would give permission for Shayliss to ride out there with me" Kellan had used his best "mature beyond his years" voice, but to his own ears he could still hear the nervousness. Ven was just plain intimidating.

"This is Ms Pisca Freemish, and Ms Liseth Thoradin. Both of them were out fighting by my side during the goblin attack." He gestured to his friends "I think Liseth wanted to check up on Katrine, Liseth is an acolyte of Saren Rae and was the one to heal her that day." His voice conveyed that he thought the deed very significant.

"Pisca also mentioned earlier that she might be interested in seeing some of your wares, if you have the time" he stepped back a little as he introduced the pair.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:55, Thu 17 Oct 2013.

"T'was Nivlak and Daddy in Galduria,
And the charig schools
Did swim and swamble on Ember Lake."

The gnome performed a lazy kick as she completed her extemporaneous poetry.  "I wouldn't discount three days, Lysa," the gnome said as she scanned the skies in a dreamy idle manner.  "I plan to roam the entirety of Golarion.  Astivan, Casmaron, even Tian Xia.  We'll rise to more power than you can possibly imagine now.  Just wait.  You, me, Stomper and Cato.  We'll be able to travel from here to Galduria in the blink of an eye.  We'll all wield Powerful Magic Weapons™.  And we'll all use prepaid phone cards."  The frown came and went, a momentary passing cloud, as the gnome wondered what it was that she had just said.  But the frown was there for less than a moment before it was gone, swept away, another mystery from the dark depths of the Barrow.

"And you can call me Pisca.  Or you can call me Peeska.  Or you can call me Ms Freemish.  It's up to you.  That's how people get new names, you know.  It's the gift of new names.  And with new names you can go in new directions."  Pisca skipped and turned and walked backwards.  "But it's not a gift if I tell you what it is.  See?"  She smiled, skipped, turned, and started walking in a forwards direction again.

The gnome eyed the young human girl, the daughter of Vinder, mentally comparing the human's copious bust to her own not inconsiderable -by gnomish standards- proportions.  Very mammalian.

"Oh. Good morning, Mister Vinder," upon Stomper's introduction, the gnome curtsied, strolled forward and raised her hand to be kissed by the bear-like shopkeeper.  "I was interested in looking at slings and arrows.  No.  That's not right.  Slings and those little metal balls that you use with them.  And, of course, surveying your merchandise in general, if you don't mind.  Ships and sails and sealing wax, magnifying glass and mirror,' as they say, you know."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:41, Thu 17 Oct 2013.

Pisca was definitely one of the strangest people that Liseth had ever met.  But then, Liseth had never really met many gnomes before, certainly not one that wanted to travel all over the world with her.  She couldn't stop herself from smiling and laughing, "If we can travel wherever we want to in the blink of an eye, I bet that we'll save so much money on inn stays when we're traveling the world!  All that we have to do is snap our fingers and we'll be at home in time for dinner!"

"Pisca...Peeska...Peeska Neep Freemish."  Liseth tried out the various names given by Pisca.  "You have a lot of names Ms Freemish.  I think that I'll have to try some out before I find one that I like."

Liseth put her hand to her mouth and released a slight snigger at Kellan's reaction to seeing Shayliss waiting for him.  She leaned down and whispered to Pisca with a smile, "He forgot what he was saying...I think that Kellan has a girlfriend."

When Ven arrived Liseth found herself completely unprepared for just how large and menacing the man was.  Certainly she knew that he wasn't actively trying to be menacing, towards her at least, but the way he sounded when he spoke to Kellan sent a shiver up her spine.  She was so disconcerted that she almost forgot her manners.  Almost.

Liseth curtsied when Kellan introduced her, "Hello Mr Vinder.  Kellan is right, I wanted to see if your daughter Ms Katrine is here.  To make sure that she is doing okay after what happened to her when the goblins attacked the other day."

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Ven Vinder took the cuts of meat from Kellan with a grudging look of approval.  "A boar, eh?  From down in the Tickwood?  Those are some fierce beasts."  He nodded.  "You have my permission to take Shayliss to your family's farm.  Might as well, she's been getting ready the ENTIRE day and has been NO help at all in the store."

Shayliss blushed crimson to the point where her skin was almost the same shade as her hair.  She shot her father an outraged look.

"But see here, Guardsman Storval."  Ven's gaze was direct and his voice level.  "I expect you to go DIRECTLY there and then, when you leave your parents' place, to come DIRECTLY back.  I talked with your mother about it when she was in town this morning, so they're expecting you.  If I hear you've dallied . . .," the big man cracked his knuckles, "we're going to continue that discussion we were having last night, am I understood?"

He turned his gaze to Pisca and Liseth, giving them a nod, which seemed to be the closest the big man got to approving of anything.  "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Thoradin, Miss Freemish.  I've heard quite a bit about your heroics during the festival.  Katrine in particular can't stop talking about you, Miss Thoradin."  Ven continued with a slight catch in his voice.  "I'm in your debt for what you did for my daughter.  Please, if there's anything you need from the store, you just let me know.  We'll work something out."

Ven listened patiently to Liseth's request.  "I'd be happy to have you see her if I knew where she was."  His visage darkened.  "Probably somewhere disgracing herself with that good-for-nothing scalawag at the lumber mill."  Everyone present got the sense that said scalawag would be wise to steer clear of Ven Vinder.  "But I'll tell her that you wanted to check up on her, next time I see her.  She'll be really happy; she thinks the world of you."

"You two have fun."  He nodded to Kellan and Shayliss.  "And take good care of my little girl, Mister Storval."  His tone left no doubt that bad things would happen if such care was not taken.  "Come on in, Miss Freemish.  Let's see if I have the outrageous fortune of stocking what it is you're looking for."

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Kellan nodded with as smile "Yes sir, straight there and then straight back when we leave." Kellan looked to Shayliss warmly and offered his arm. "All set?" He refrained from admiring Shayliss too much in her fathers presence but he was looking forward to the trip, and to showing her off a little in the way,

Looking now to the other saviors he seemed thoughtful "I suppose we can meet up at the Rusty Dragon around dinner time?" He confirmed before heading on his way towards the stables. Mounting up and making sure their cargo was seated in the saddle bags he rode out with his date towards the Undercliff Bridge and the Storval farm beyond.

OOC: I am good with skipping ahead once the others conclude business.

The gnome frowned.  The gnome favored the towering shopkeeper with a squint-eyed glare -albeit from beneath the broad brim of the Cinderlander hat.  Still no kiss for her hand.  But the hand stayed up there.  The small gnomish hand, still hopeful and expectant, remained in the air while Pisca pondered what might be the reason for this distinct lack of hand kisses.  All things could be known through the rigors of arcana.  Arcana was a structured way of ordering and explaining, describing the world.  All things fit within the framework of arcana.

Perhaps it was a difference of night and day.  But if so, why are the moon and stars more conducive to hand-kissing than the full light of the sun?  Besides, Lysa got her hand kissed by Aldern during the day.  No.  That wasn't it.  Maybe ... Just maybe it was her manner of dress.  Yes.  That was it.  Each time she'd seen a hand-kiss the person had been wearing a dress.  The question was, however, was this a transformational effect?  Or was it an enchantment effect?  A dress most certainly affected a transformation in the wearer.  And yet, the hand-kissing appeared to be more in the manner of an enchantment.

A difficult and scholarly question.  Pisca decided to call it the Dress Codex.  She also found, that in this interim of deep arcanic thought, her hand had lost all hope and had fallen back to her side.  Poor hand.  The gnome raised the sad and dejected hand and stroked its back with her other hand -which was glad now that it had not been chosen as the one to receive the kiss.

"Wait!" called Pisca after the retreating back of Ven Vinder.  "Did you just say that you don't know where your daughter is?" she asked.  "When exactly was it that you last saw her?  Have you considered the thought that your daughter is not, in fact, disgracing herself with that good-for-nothing scalawag at the lumber mill?  Have you considered the thought that she might, instead, have been abducted by goblin fiends of a Lamashtu cult?"

"No.  That's not something that happens every day.  But, then again, these haven't exactly been everyday days, now.  Have they?"

"Hmmm," the gnome hmmm'ed.  "It might be nothing.  There are a lot of things that are nothings," the gnome said and her arm gestured at the vast expanse of the sky.  "But why don't we make sure for you.  Lysa was looking for your daughter anyway.  And after that, we were going to wander around town asking about goblins.  Why don't we combine the two and wander about town looking for your daughter?"  The parsimony of the idea brought a broad grin to the gnome's face, a grin that she beamed up at Ven Vinder.  "So, just to eliminate possibilities, maybe we should speak with this good-for-nothing scalawag at the lumber mill first.  Who exactly might this person be?"

He really does hate Ms Katrine's boyfriend.  Liseth did her best to keep a sudden surge of fear and uncertainty from showing on her face.  Part of it came from the fact that Mr Vinder was very scary when he was angry; but most of it came from the reappearance of her worrying about what her own father might think of Kerr.  She told herself earlier to try not to think about it, but after seeing just how vehemently Mr Vinder opposed his daughter's boyfriend...

But he didn't feel that strongly about Kellan with his other daughter Ms Shayliss.  Liseth remembered Mr Vinder cracking his knuckles a few moments ago though; if that was approval, she paled to think of what he might do with this other man that he didn't approve of.

She came out of her thoughts to hear what Pisca was saying to Mr Vinder, and Liseth tried to interrupt or stop the gnome as best she could, "Ms Freemish..."  Gnomes were hard to stop once they were going, it seemed, "Ms Freemish..."  Finally Pisca came to a finish, "Um...Pisca, you shouldn't say things like that.  You'll scare people."

Liseth turned apologetically to Mr Vinder, "I'm sorry Mr Vinder, Pisca is just really excited about trying to find out why the goblins attacked the other day.  I'm sure that Ms Katrine is safe, wherever she is right now.  And I would be happy to see her whenever she has the time; if you can tell her that I was looking for her."

"Mr Vinder..."  Liseth followed him into his shop and looked around at some of the goods on display, "Since we're already here at your shop...you wouldn't happen to have things likes bandages and poultices and medicine that I can buy, do you?  I think that it would be a good idea for me to put together a portable healer's kit, with things happening like they are recently."  First goblins then undead skeletons, having bandages and medicine ready might be necessary soon; especially if Liseth exhausted all of her healing energy again.  She didn't make mention of any skeletons to Mr Vinder though, the Sheriff would not be happy if she did that.  "In case more people get hurt and I'm able to help them."

"So, um...Mr Vinder..."  Liseth really wasn't sure if she wanted to ask him this.  But she hoped that maybe he could help with the predicament that she was in at the moment.  After all, if anyone would know how her own Father might feel about Kerr, it was another man who has daughters with their own boyfriends.  "I can see that you love your daughters very much.  Just like every daddy should."  How was she going to work around to what she wanted to say?  "I'm glad that you're okay with Kellan courting Ms Shayliss.  He really is a very brave and nice person you know.  I don't know what would have happened if he wasn't there in the Cathedral Square that night to fight all those goblins."

"But I don't know anything about Ms Katrine's boyfriend.  Everybody says that you don't like him very much.  And, um...I think they are right."  Liseth rubbed her hands nervously, she was certain that he would figure out immediately why she was asking this, "What I wanted to ask you was...what is it about some boyfriends that girls' daddies like, and about other boyfriends that they don't like?"

OOC:  I'm looking to buy a Healer's Kit.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 23:07, Fri 18 Oct 2013.

"Gnomes don't scare people, Lys," said the gnome as she followed the human girl into the shop.  "Well, unless they're vampire gnomes.  Or zombie gnomes.  Or crazed gnomes with Powerful Magic Weapons™.  But, if Mister Vinder's daughter is really missing.  Or, that is to say, has been gone long enough to possibly *be* missing, then he should be scared."

"Right, Mister Vinder?  Or, at the very least, mildly apprehensive.  I'm just saying that we could look for her for him.  If we find her in the clutches of a cult of goblin fiends, we rescue her.  If we find her with a good-for-nothing scalawag, we tell her how much her father worried about her and how much he loves her and we come home."

"Isn't that right, Mister Vinder?"

"Oh, and I was interested in a sling and those little metal things that you use with it.  And a magnifying glass.  And a mirror.  And, any books that you have."

"By the by, Mister Vinder," the gnome turned an enquiring eye up at the owner of one of the biggest shops in Sandpoint, "how would you feel about furthering the education of your daughters?"

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OoC:  Interested in a sling, sling bullets, a mirror, a magnifying glass, and any books that might be in the shop.

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After saying their farewells, Kellan and Shayliss strolled off in the direction of the Goblin Squash Stables.  Ven looked after them for a moment before suddenly wrenching his gaze towards Pisca in surprise.  “Lamashtu cult?”  He said in shock.  “What in Desna’s name are you talking about, girl?  Do they think there is a Lamashtu cult in Sandpoint?  Have they found any evidence of it?  Is there a danger to the town?”  He looked as if a terrifying thought had just struck him.  “Or young girls?”  He loomed over her authoritatively.  “Tell me!”

He backed down slightly-but-not-completely as Liseth tried to calm him.  “Look, I saw Katrine just this morning.  She does live with us, after all.  So unless she’s been taken sometime today . . .”  He became agitated again.  “Have others been taken?  This is something the people of the town need to know!  Nay, it’s something they deserve to know!”

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"No no no no..."  Liseth was very concerned about how poorly Mr Vinder was reacting to Pisca's speculation that there was a possibility his daughter might be in danger.  Which, Liseth had to admit, must be a distressing thing to say to any father.  She gently placed a hand on the large man's arm while she continued to assuage his fears, "Nobody has been taken Mr Vinder.  Pisca is just...just thinking out loud."

"We don't know that there is an evil goblin cult.  That's just Pisca's favorite hypothesis.  See, we're trying to figure out just why all those goblins attacked Sandpoint that night."  Liseth really hoped that Mr Vinder calmed down.  If he started telling people about an evil goblin cult of Lamashtu abducting people, everyone would panic.  And the Sheriff wouldn't be very happy about that...

"Don't be silly, Lysa.  Of course there's an evil goblin cult out there.  There's always an evil goblin cult.  Somewhere.  And you, Mister Vinder, have every right to be concerned."  The gnome reaches up to hook a companionable arm with the ginormous human shopkeeper, but settles for taking his hand instead.  "I mean, we did just repel a goblin attack, didn't we?  One in which at least three of the five tribes of the Lost Coast participated."

"Isn't that right, Lysa?"

"So it wouldn't be right of me to say that you have nothing to fear from goblins, Mister Vinder.  Gobbies are a very real threat.  But we're goblin experts.  We're out to find the reason behind the attack.  And, as a goblin expert, I can tell you two things."  Pisca drew on the human's very big and beefy hand, to bring him down for a closer and more confidential gnome to human talk.  "First, if you just saw your daughter this morning, the chances that she's been taken by an evil goblin cult are fairly low.  Gobbies don't like the day time.  And we know of *no one*, and that's a No attached to a One, no one living in Sandpoint that's been taken by a goblin cult."

"But if you're concerned, which is a good thing, we can still go look for her if you'd like.  Lysa still wants to talk to her, after all.  And if she's with a scalawag instead of a goblin cult, we can rescue her from him, as well."

"The second thing, this gnome would like to say is that your daughters would be far less inclined to pursue mating opportunities with good-for-nothing scalawags if they had a broader view of the world in general.  As a man of business, you must know what I'm talking about.  And education.  If you're daughters were able to read more about the outside world, they'd set their sights higher, wouldn't they?  They'd have knowledge of grander things, the sorts of grander things that can come from reading books in a library.  Think about it.  Reading is fundamental, Mister Vinder.  Everyone should have the benefit.  Your daughters included.  And they would have the benefit in the new library that I'm planning.  Which, by the way, has the backing of Aldern Foxglove.  Yes, that's right."

"So, anyway, where were we?  Oh, yes.  Little metal things that you shoot with a sling.  And a magnifying glass.  And a mirror.  And, any books that you have."

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“A goblin cult, is it?”  Ven looked slightly mollified, but still upset.  “And you think such a cult might have been behind the attack on Sandpoint?”  He looked concerned.  “But why?  Does that mean they’re coming back?  Because if they are, we need to be ready for them!  I should go talk to Sheriff Hemlock, or Mayor Deverin!  The townsfolk need to know to be prepared!”

“But no one’s been taken, you say?”  The shopkeeper looked relieved.  As Pisca continued to speak, Ven looked doubtful, then his face took on an unreadable expression.  “You’re goblin experts, are you?”  He thought for a minute, then started to smile.  He patted the gnome on the head with what could only be described as condescension.  “Well, why don't you tell me when you’ve figured out what they’re up to?”

He looked over at Liseth.  “As for Katrine’s ‘friend,’ If I knew exactly who he was, you can be sure that we’d be having words right now.”  He cracked his knuckles again.  “Unfortunately his identity is a big secret.  All I’ve been able to find out is that he works at the lumber mill.”  He face tightened.  “When I DO figure out who he is, well . . . .”  He left the words hanging there, pregnant with promise.

The big shopkeeper looked at the blonde acolyte with a paternal grin, and a bit of sadness.  “Liseth, fathers just want what is best for their daughters.  And they’re often afraid that the young men out there don’t realize exactly how special those daughters are.  Fathers are afraid that such young men are using their daughters, and will end up leaving them with a broken heart and not much else.”

He looked sad.  “That’s why I’m angry about this fellow.  He’s running around with Katrine behind my back, which is almost as good as admitting he’s just using her.  He’s afraid to come to me and pursue her the right way.  That’s what I like about your young friend Kellan.  He’s from a solid family, was straightforward with me, is well-regarded in town, and is courting Shay in a respectful way.  Not like Katrine’s mystery man.”

He gave Liseth a reassuring smile.  “From what I’ve seen and heard, you shouldn’t have much of a problem with your Kerr.  Everyone in town likes him, even the people who don’t normally like anyone.  Father Zantus has nothing but good things to say about him, and unless I miss my guess I think he’s in line for Father Zantus’ job whenever he retires.  He’s a respectful, nice young man, and from what I can tell,” Ven gave Liseth a broad wink, “he’s crazy about you.”

“So I don’t think your father will have any sort of problem with Kerr at all.”  The big innkeeper sighed, then turned towards the door.  “Why don’t you two come inside and we’ll see if we can’t find what you’re looking for.”  He looked over at Pisca.  "And Aldern Foxglove, eh?  That's impressive.  Why don't you tell me more about this library of yours?"

OOC:  Liseth, Ven gives you a Masterwork Healing Kit (+2 on Healing Checks) with 10 uses.  Pisca, Ven does indeed have slings, bullets, mirrors, and on magnifying glass in the shop; you may buy any or all of them for 10% off the normal price.  Unfortunately there are no books for sale in the Sandpoint General Store; it seems as if Chask Haladan has the corner on that particular market in Sandpoint. 

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This message was last edited by the player at 19:14, Thu 24 Oct 2013.

Relieved that Mr Vinder had finally calmed down from his scare, Liseth did her best to listen to what he had to say to her without appearing too interested.  Which she failed at completely.

She started nodding along with the large shopkeeper when he was explaining that fathers only want what is best for their daughters.  That they're just afraid that young men might break their hearts.  Liseth started to understand.  She didn't have to worry about Kerr meeting her father, because that's what Daddy wants.  To meet him so that he knows how sweet Kerr is.

Liseth turned beet red when Mr Vinder mentioned Kerr.  It seemed to her that everyone in Sandpoint must already know that Kerr was her boyfriend...and she only found out herself last night!  Of course she hadn't thought that she would be able to hide her reasons for asking Mr Vinder what she did; but having him confirm that he knew already was really very embarrassing.  His wink did nothing to help.  "Thank you Mr Vinder..."

Although the news that Kerr might be Sandpoint's next prelate took the girl by surprise.  She couldn't picture him being in charge of everything like Father Zantus was.  But Father Zantus wouldn't retire for a long time, she's sure; so Kerr wouldn't have to worry about it for years to come.

When Liseth followed Mr Vinder into his shop and asked him if he had any medical supplies, she was astonished at just how quickly he gathered up everything that she asked for.  And even more than that to boot!  Extra medicine, soft and durable bandages, and rare herbs!

Her eyes widened with incredulity when he said that he was going to give them to her; for free!  "Really?!  But..."  Liseth suddenly realized that it would be for the best if she didn't decline Mr Vinder's generous gift.  He must be trying to repay her for saving Ms Katrine; and even if Liseth didn't think that she deserved to be given something so valuable...she really didn't want to insult the large, scary man by turning it down.  "Thank you so much Mr Vinder!  I hope that I never have to use it, but I just know that anyone I treat with these will get better quickly."  The girl stored the kit in her knapsack, "And I'll tell everyone that I got the medicine and bandages from your shop too."

Then Liseth turned her attention to Pisca, noticing as she perused all sorts of different things in the store.  "Did you find the things that you are looking for...Peeska?"  She was still trying different names for the gnome, it seemed.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:22, Thu 24 Oct 2013.

"Picture the libraries of Magnimar, Mister Vinder."  The gnome described the scene with broad, expansive gestures even as she wandered the store eying the merchandise.  "Soaring columns of marble rise to lofty ceilings that demand awe and respect for sacred scholarly halls.  Only the best and the brightest come to these places to study the wisdom of the ages stored within in the form of books.  The libraries of Magnimar are places where the best minds gather to debate and refine this accumulated knowledge."

"Ooh.  Nice."  Pisca wrapped the ends of the well tanned leather strap about her hands and gave it a satisfying snap.  "And right-sized too," she said in appreciation of the completeness of the merchant's stock.

"Imagine the great libraries of Magnimar, Mister Vinder," Pisca went on with her presentation.  "Then forget all of that nonsense.  We don't need any of that here.  My library will be a people's library.  It will be a place of stories as well as knowledge.  It will be a place where the citizens of Sandpoint can come to read books that they would otherwise have to buy.  That's right.  You guessed correctly.  The use of the library will be free.  Tales and knowledge should be free.  It will be a lending library.  You can buy a book if you love the tale.  But the tale itself should be free."

"My library will be a place for the citizens of Sandpoint to gather an learn.  They'll be encouraged to learn and read because they can!  Scholarly pursuits are not just for the scholar!  We can even put a little tea house in the building.  People can sip tea while they read.  And eat little honey cakes or jelly scones."

"Did I tell you that I've already got Chask Haladan as my head librarian?  He's perfect.  I don't think there's anyone north of Magnimar who knows more about the care and handling of books.  What we don't have yet is funding.  And a building.  And the books themselves, of course.  But I intend to take care of that."

The gnome raised her head from her dream of lending libraries at the question from the human girl.  "Yes, Leesa," she replied in the accented Common often heard from Varisians, "I think to be getting thees and thees and ten of these, please Meester Vinder."

"Thees ... "  Pisca reached up to pluck a lens from one of the counters.  The curved glass was mounted in finely polished dark wood and had a handle inlaid with bone that depicted the all-seeing eye of Nethys.  "Thees, she eez too expensive for me now.  Maybe I come back again sometime, eh?"

"Oh, and by the by ... "  Without missing a beat, the gnome switched back to her normal voice as she fished for the coin from her pouch.  "I've been considering your request, Ven Vinder," she said.  "And I think we'll do it.  Lysa wanted to speak to Katherine anyway, so it's not that far out of our way to find this mysterious boyfriend of yours."

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Mirror, small steel 9gp; Sling 0gp; Sling bullets x10 9cp = Total 9.09gp