It is a rough morning following the celebration. Between the late night of revelries and the seemingly endless wine it is no surprise that many slept quite late and had a hard time being roused.

As the party recoups and gathers in the common room of the Rusty Dragon the atmosphere seems quite different. Ameiko isn't present behind the bar and while the fire has been lit there isn't the smell of delicious foods being prepared for breakfast or lunch.

All the customers are looking around in confusion as the staff themselves seem unsure what to do. Finally the party is approached by an elderly halfling woman, Bethana. She is one of the maids at the Rusty Dragon. In a whisper she asks to speak to them privately and motions for the group to follow her behind the bar to the back room.

Once there her stoic facade falls away and deep lines of worry crease her brow.

"When I woke this morning Ameiko hadn't started breakfast. That's the first time I can remember in a long time that she hasn't been ready in the morning. I thought maybe she had just celebrated too hard last night and was sleeping in but when I entered her room she wasn't there. Her bed didn't even look like it had been slept in. I don't even know if she ever returned from last night.

I poked around a bit. I know I shouldn't but I was concerned and I found this."

She pulls out a crumpled piece of parchment:

"Oh no! This is horrible Ameiko is so nice! We have to see what happen to Ameiko and her brother!" Faeli said looking around the room to the Heroes of Sandpoint for support.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:37, Mon 08 Feb 2021.

Kaddock read the letter and shook his head. "What do you know about Ameiko's sister and father? That is the place to start.  It seems like she may have gone to this rendezvous and been detained or is trying to deal with her father assuming this is real."

Talitha listens while someone else reads the letter out loud. "Ok, it seems we have a lead about the goblin attack a week ago. I suggest we focus on finding Ameiko's father. If she's missing it seems he might have something to do with it... Unless her brother is the one responsible and this was all a set up. Anyway I think talking to her father would be the best option."
She turns to the old lady halfling and asks her politely."Thank you for letting us know. Could you give us some directions to the House Kaijitsu? I think that's where the father lives, right?"
Then raises her head and asks the rest of the group. "Unless you prefer to go first to the meeting point mentioned in the letter, but I think we're late for that."

"Wait, shouldn't we start at the Glassworks? Assuming that is where Ameiko went and where she disappeared?" Faelie pulled herself up on her tipy-toes as she re-read the letter as Kaddock read it.

"There are bound to be clues there right?"
This message was last edited by the player at 12:53, Tue 09 Feb 2021.

Razyll's brows furrowed as the letter was read aloud and grew more concerned as the letter was read.

Time was definitely of the essence here...

"We can go to the Glasswork, but that will just lead us to a place where Ameiko and someone else were... 9-10 hours ago. If we go to the father's, we might actually be where Ameiko is. Of course, if the father is a false clue, we would be wasting some time closing that lead. I'm still convinced we should pay a "friendly" visit to House Kaijitsu. But we can decide as a group where to go, obviously." Talitha grins.

Arialis considered for a moment, tapping her chin. "We should go to the glassworks first. If she disappeared, it would have been from there I'd wager. If nothing is there, we can move on to the house." She said with a nod. "If you are behind something, you are not going to keep your prisoner where you live."

Kaddock nodded.  "Let's definitely check the situation at the glassworks first.  There may be more behind this than is apparent."

"Is there really a need to check on her? This sounds like a family matter. The letter shows that she went to find her brother at the Glassworks. No mystery." Tristen checked the letter and read it again. "The family obviously has some secrets that they're dealing with themselves."

"I agree this may be a family issue, but as Bethana said, she is never late-isn't that worth a little bit of our time?"

Faeli said looking back and forth between the others.

"And- *and* the letter says that the father had something to do with the "recent troubles"..I mean..." Faeli just allows her statement to hang in the air.

"...I mean how can we not?" Faeli finishes after a long moment.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:12, Wed 10 Feb 2021.

Talitha as everyone else thinks it's better to go to the meeting point mentioned in the letter she accepts as well. "I hope we find a clue there of what's going on... let's move. The sooner the fresher the clues will be."

"Alright. But family matter are sensitive. We need to be sure not to jump to any conclusions." Tristen returned the letter. "But we're going to go check after breakfast."

"I think Ameiko made the yum yums here."

Razyll said as he sniffed the air, not noting the traditional smells of the rich foods and particularly Fae's favorite spicy cakes.

"Yep. You want breakfast, find Ameiko first.

"While this may be a family matter, it is also a family matter that may well of placed the entire community at risk. Therefore sensitive no longer holds weight when the lives of innocents are in jeopardy." She said softly, yet firmly.

Kaddock nodded as Arialis spoke. "If the actions placed the community in peril then the family loses their privacy."  He looked about. "Maybe we can take a breakfast to eat on the way to the glassworks?  Time may be vital."

Razyll nodded in agreement with Kaddock's words.

A quick pooling of knowledge and asking around reveals that the Glassworks are one of Sandpoint's most unique and profitable businesses. The Kaijitsu family traces its lineage across the sea to Tian Xia and after crossing over the Kaijitsus were one of the families that were there to help found Sandpoint. Between their deep roots in the area combined with the immense profits of the glassworks, the Kaijitsus quickly became one of Sandpoint's prominent aristocratic families.

The glassworks themselves are one of Sandpoint's larger building, over one hundred feet long and half as wide. The glassworks has about eight employees who live and work onsite. While the Kaijitsus brought over their knowledge of glassmaking the family hasn't actually worked at the glassworks in several generations, instead the day-to-day operations are under the supervision of a master artisan who is in charge of the actual production and a foreman who handles logistics and contracting orders.

The glassworks is located on the western edge of Sandpoint, across the street from Sandpoint Savories (21) and next door to the House of Blue Stones (19). The central furnace plumes thick clouds of smoke up into the air so it seems the glassworks are active but curiously all the windows have their curtains drawn close and the exterior doors have all been locked. The nearby locals haven't seen anyone go in or out for days but assume that the glassworks is working on some large and private project which is why they have seemingly closed up. This has been this way for the past two days and although it is unusual none of the neighbors seem particularly troubled or concerned by it.

Kaddock will ask the neighbors if it is usual for the glassworks to be barricaded up as it is now since they seem unworried.

Talitha smiles at the rest. "Ok, let's knock on the door." She approaches the main door and his it with her strong fist. She loudly speaks to make sure people inside can hear her. "Good morning! Is there anyone in?!"
And with her arms held akimbo she looks at the group with a face of satisfaction for a job well done.

Faeli pats Talitha on the back. "Great job!" the gnome gives Talitha two thumbs up.

Razyll begins to look around the building for possible ways in, besides the doors. He was particularly interested in discovering if there were any windows that he could look through to see what was happening within the 'Works.

Kaddock asks around and the neighbor's story doesn't change. They all figure that the glassworks is working on some kind of secret project. It's not normal for them to be closed up like that but with the plume from the furnace they figure everything is operating as normal.

Knocking at the front door doesn't seem to do anything. Even after repeated attempts and sufficient time to wait nobody comes to even poke their head out of the curtains to see who is at the front door.

The party considers there options and a few ideas come to mind:

1. Pick the front door lock - 4 successful DC 25 Thievery checks
   
2. Break through a window - no check needed but will make a lot of noise and draw attention from passersby
   
3. Break down the door (as the window but will take longer)
   
4. Head to Kaijitsu manor to try to talk to one of the nobles there to get a key
   
5. PIck the back door lock - same as #1 but enters from a different side
   
6. Climb the wall (DC 20) and look for an entrance on top

Of course this is not all encompassing.

"Someone help me find a good rock for my projectile spell." Faeli said as she looked around the ground.

Talitha takes her sword. "If you want to break the window I can't use my sword. but we need to be careful not to cut ourselves while we enter."
She thinks for a second.
"Maybe we can climb the wall and enter from the top."
She looks more confident about that option.

Looking around Faeli finds plenty of options to use. Sandpoint is a large town but still fairly rural and she can quickly spot a half dozen good sized rocks sitting by the road that she could use.

Arialis considered for a moment, then frowned. "...I wonder. Before you do that Faeli..." She goes around back to make sure the other door is not locked first, obviously. If it is she will then look for a way to make the climb up the wall a bit easier. To include using her rope and grappling hook.

Faeli stops and looks up to Arialis.

"Oh, you are so smart." Faeli said while following Arialis around to the back of the building.

"My mother used to always say the same thing." She said, smiling down to Faeli.

If no door can be opened, Talitha will take out her rope and will tie it to a short thick stick in one end. "Can you shoot this above the roof, Faeli? if it sticks we can use it to climb to the roof." otherwise she'll try to throw it herself, but she figured the little gnome will have better aim with her magic as she does it very often.

Tristen stood and watched the others figure out how to enter the building. If all of the doors were locked... he looked up at the roof. "That's a climb. One with a great fall if there's a misstep. I'd like to check the door." Tristen moved to the back of the building and tested the door.

---

Move to door B and try the door.
rolled 13 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 9.  STR to break in the door.

In reply to Talitha (msg # 31):

"Hahah, oh Talitha-you're so crazy. That's not how that spell works." Faeli said as she doubled-over for a good laugh.

She watched as the group came up with a grappling hook to use and tied it off using the rope.

Tristen rattles the doors a bit but he would need something sturdy to provide leverage to force the locked doors open.

OOC: Forcing open a door is a DC 20 athletics check but you need to use something for leverage. Something thin like your sword could become damaged if you fail. Ideally you would have a proper lever like a crowbar to use. Otherwise you take a -2 to the roll.

https://2e.aonprd.com/Actions.aspx?ID=34

"So we have two options, crowbar the door, or use my rope and grappling hook and climb up." She said as began tying the rope off to the hook. "I'd say, me or you Talitha have the best shot at making a good toss up there. Maybe Tristen too."

"Lets break down the door. I think climbing on the roof and then finding a way in may be a bit much." Razyll said as he moved to the front door to look over of the structure of the frame and determine if he could offer anything, besides his muscle to overcome the obstacle.

Talitha shrugs her shoulders. "I am up for anything. As it seems we're going to break into a building with no clear purpose, breaking a door will not put us in more trouble that we already are."
She makes sure her sword and shield are ready in her side and back. She cracks her knuckles and smiles.
"What do we want to break now?"

White she waits for the grappling hook, Talitha goes to door at the back and tries to open it. She thinks the back door will pick less attention of the people outside the building.

23:16, Today: Talitha rolled 13 using 1d20+7 ((6)). Athletics check, door B.

"Yea, let's try the simple before we scale the walls." He followed around back. "Let me help Talitha."  Kaddock leaned and and added his shoulder to the attempt to force the door.


19:25, Today: Kaddock Ingir rolled 23 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 18.  Athletics. Door B
This message was last edited by the player at 03:27, Thu 18 Feb 2021.

Razyll sets his shield down as he begins to press against the door in time with the others.


OOC:
 Razyll rolled 20 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 14.  Athletics (AID) Door B

"Door it is." She put her grappling hook and rope away, then started towards the door to help.

[OOC: Going to use Aid Another action to help Kaddock with the door.

23:40, Today: Arialis Moonrider rolled 7 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 2.  Athletics (Aiding Kaddock).]

With a sharp crack the door splinters under the combined efforts of the heroes revealing a large main hallway that extends through almost the entire length of the glassworks. Peeking around the corner the group sees several closed doors but no signs of workers.

In fact except for the occasional sound of crashing glass coming from door (A) there doesn't seem to be any other signs of activity in the entire place.

Judging by the outside the furnace and main workshop are probably behind door (A) while the other doors likely lead to storage areas, showrooms, and living areas for the workers.

Faeli jumped once and cheered as the door cracked under the combined effort of the team.

Kaddock looked around for a moment and then perked his ears at the sound of crashing glass from the nearby door.  "Let's go see what is happening," he said quietly.  Then he went over to the nearby door and tried to open it.

OOC: Open door A

Talitha nods and wields her sword. She stays where she is quietly while Kaddock opens the door as she knows stealth is not her speciality.
Anyway, she's ready to act if something attacks them.

Tristen agreed with the plan to open the door. "I'm going to see what is around the corner. This is a big place."

Move to intersection and look down the long hallway.

Razyll proceeded deeper into the 'works as silently as he was able.

"We should stay as visibly close to one as possible." She says as she draws both of her swords, nodding to Kaddock as she agreed with his intentions.

Faeli nodded in agreement. She tossed his rock up in the air and caught it in her opposite hand to show that she was ready.

"I'll be right back. Just checking how far this corridor goes." Tristen checked the corner before he returned to tell the others what he saw.

The door reveals a huge workspace where the main operation of the glassworks was conducted. A furnace burns along the southeast wall of this room. Marble tables sit in the chamber, used to work raw glass into usable shapes, with nearby wooden tables cluttered with various tools of the trade

Of serious concern are the bodies strewn about. Eight men and women have been killed and either pre- or post-mortem have been torn open, had limbs cut off and internal organs pulled out with reckless abandon. Goblins swarm the room. A few are carrying dismembered arms and legs to toss into the furnace while others are smashing glass bottles onto the floor, the walls, and one another. One body in particular has been seated in a chair and molten glass poured over it, forever entombing the corpse inside thick, runny sheets of hardened glass.

There is a brief moment where the heroes saw the threat and were able to arm themselves before the goblins could turn and react to the sight of intruders, or fresh victims depending one's point of view.

Combat Round 1

Talitha sees the goblins jumping around the room breaking everything and the corpes on the floor and mutters "So much for trying to be stealthy..."
She moves inside the room with her shield up and shouts as she gets in position.
"You filthy beasts will pay for this!! Prepare to get some of my steel!!"

A1&A2: Move to AA40.
A3: Raise shield.

Faeli keeps her rock, she knows she will need it. The gnome moves up and around Tristen before she sees a goblin in the alcove. Pointing the pronounces a few arcane word.


[OOC:
A1:    Move to U41
A2&A3: Cast Daze Cantrip at goblin at AC42


Daze
School: Enchantment (Mental and Nonlethal) Source Core Rulebook pg. 327
Traditions: arcane, divine, occult
Bloodlines: aberrant, hag
Cast: Two Actions somatic, verbal
Range: 60 feet; Targets 1 creature
Saving Throw: Will; Duration 1 round
You cloud the target's mind and daze it with a mental jolt. The jolt deals mental damage equal to your spellcasting ability modifier (4); the target must attempt a basic Will save (DC: 17). If the target critically fails the save, it is also stunned 1.

This message was last edited by the player at 19:36, Mon 01 Mar 2021.

[Language unknown: "Ndmi eindel fiun'meet nceas ain on ndema!"] Arialis charges up to one of the godlins and slashes it with her longsword while maintaining her shortsword for defense.

[OOC: Actions 1 and 2: Double move to AA34.
Action 3: Attack Goblin at AB34 with Longsword.

18:16, Today: Arialis Moonrider rolled 14,5 using 1d20+7,1d8+2 with rolls of 7,3.  Longsword Attack.
Hit AC: 14
Damage: 5 ]

Razyll moves into the room directly following Aralis. He grabs his holy symbol and gestures at the goblin in AB34.



OOC:
A1.    Razyll moves to V34
A2&A3. Cast Divine Lance at goblin at AB34
Miss!
Razyll rolled 12 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 5.  (Hero Point Reroll) Casting Divine Lance at AB34 Goblin.
Razyll rolled 8 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 1.  Casting Divine Lance spell at Goblin at AB34.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
<tt>
Cantrip
Divine Lance
Source Core Rulebook pg. 331
Cast: Two Actions (somatic, verbal)
Range: 30 feet; Targets 1 creature

You unleash a beam of divine energy. Choose an alignment your deity has (chaotic, evil, good, or lawful). You can't cast this spell if you don't have a deity or if your deity is true neutral. Make a ranged spell attack roll against the target's AC. On a hit, the target takes damage of the chosen alignment (Good) type equal to 1d4 + (4) your spellcasting ability modifier (double damage on a critical hit).

The spell gains the trait of the alignment you chose (Good).
Heightened (+1) The damage increases by 1d4.

---

This message was last edited by the player at 03:04, Tue 02 Mar 2021.

Talitha charges in and readies her shield.

Faeli steps foward and racks the brain of a poor goblin causing it to clutch its head in agony.

Arialis charges forward but her target stumbles backward, slipping on the blood of a dead worker and as it falls on its butt it dodges Arialis' swift blade attack.

Razyll moves up and sends out a beam of divine energy at the goblin. At the noise and flash of light the goblin spins around so fast it makes itself dizzy and stumbles out of the path of the spell.

Tristen rushes forward to engage a goblin but brings his shield up instead of taking the first strike.

Kaddock finishes off the wounded goblin and sends two more arrows out but fails to connect with them.

The goblins screech and charge forward, swarming over the heroes. Arialis takes a pair of slashes as she fends off two of them.
OOC: 8 damage total

Tristen uses his shield to intercept and block the goblins' frantic strikes against him. Talitha likewise uses her shield to protect herself from the rusty pieces of metal the goblins are wielding.

Combat Round 2

Talitha as she sees the goblins engaging in combat in front of her, she lowers her shield and hit the one in front of her with all what she has while screaming. "Die you filthy monster!"
She then (if that kills the goblin) moves around the other goblins making sure that she's not in reach of any of them and positions herself in an advantageous position to strike again.

A1&A2: Power attack on Goblin #4 (AB40)
16:55, Today: Talitha rolled 29,7 using 1d20+9,2d8+4 with rolls of 20,2,1. Power attack & damage.
Critical hit, double damage (14 HP)

A3: Move to AD40 to flank Goblin #5 (AC39)
A3 (bis): if Goblin #4 is still alive, raise shield.

Faeli moved up to X38 as she whipped out her rock from her pocket. The gnome smirked mischievously and gestured toward the goblin at AC38.


OOC:
A1: Move to X38
A2&A3 TK Projectile.

Faeli Blackbriar rolled 7 using 1d6+4 with rolls of 3.  Damage from TK projectile cantrip.
Faeli Blackbriar rolled 15 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 8.  Telekinetic Projectile at AC38 goblin.

Razyll rushed forward to Arialis as the goblins began to scramble all over her. The half-orc strapped a pre-pared poultice (which contained a stimulant) to her side and the struck out in an attempt to strike down one of the goblin butchers.


A1. Move to Z35
A2. Battle Medicine on Arialis Moonride.
Razyll rolled 26 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 18.  Battle Medicine (Arialis Moonrider) 4d8 of healing
A3. Strike out at goblin at AA34
Razyll rolled 10 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 4.  Scimitar Attack on goblin at AA34. (Miss)

This message was last edited by the player at 19:12, Tue 02 Mar 2021.

"Can't believe that these goblins have been hiding here for all this time." Tristen attacked the goblin directly in front of him. Two of the attacks sliced the goblin deeply. But his backswing with the sword missed the goblin. "Anyone seen Ameiko?!?"

---

Attack goblin (AC38)
rolled 21,7 using 1d20+7,1d8+4 with rolls of 14,3.  ATK/DAM

Attack goblin (AC38)
rolled 18,11 using 1d20+4,1d8+4 with rolls of 14,7.  ATK/DAM

Attack goblin (AC38 or AC39)
rolled 7,6 using 1d20+0,1d8+4 with rolls of 7,2.  ATK/DAM

Talitha splits the goblin straight in half.

OOC: Norseman did it best: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a84GCyrQCzs

Faeli flings a projectile at a goblin but goblins are experts at dodging junk thrown at them and this one displays those skills by instinctively ducking its head quick as can be.

Razyll slaps a quick patch on Arialis but misses with his scimitar strike.

Tristen cuts down two more goblins, Arailis guts a third and Kaddock finishes off the last one with a flurry of arrows.

OOC: Combat is over

Talitha sees there is no immediate threat so she stops to clean her sword from the blood and guts of the goblin.
She looks around looking for Ameiko "Do you guys she her?"
There are a lot of dead innocent people in this room, and the face of Talitha reflects her feelings of anger about this.
"We should check the other rooms in case there is any survivor, or more of these beasts. I need to release some of this frustration... bastards."
She spits on the dead half body of the goblin in front of her.

Kaddock sighs as the combat finishes.  He starts to collect what arrows are salvageable while quickly examining the dead goblins.  "I've not seen her either.  These creatures should be hunted down and exterminated root and branch."  He looked around. "Let's continue on.  There are almost certainly more of the creatures.  But how are they linked to the family here?  There is a deeper mystery."

Razyll nodded in agreement.

"Once we get to the bottom of this mystery we will lay these poor souls to rest." Razyll said with a heavy weight within his voice. "For now, hang on dear souls and prepare for your journey into Pharasma's grace."


OOC:

Detect Magic (Cantrip) to sense for magic on the goblins and on the human remains.

"We can split into two groups in order to search this building. But keep alert, we don't know if there more of them." Tristen moved deeper into the current room, checking things of interest on the way.

Faeli jumps up and down "I choose the cleric!" the gnome said with a smile thinking that she would be envied for her quickness.

"Ooh, yeah and Arialis and Thalitha too!" Faeli looked back to Tristen.

"What? No one said to split the group equally"
This message was last edited by the player at 19:32, Thu 04 Mar 2021.

"I do not feel we should split the group. We met goblin in here, but we do not know if there is anything else, and remember we do not know who or what is influencing them yet." She reminded them. "Right now our strength is our numbers." She said with a small chuckle and smile to Faeli.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:26, Fri 05 Mar 2021.

Honestly with some of the bodies it is difficult to identify them but as best as the group can tell, none of the dead seem a match to Ameiko, one way or another. The old man covered in glass though does bear some similarity here and there, namely just the fact of being another human from Tian.

"We must check the others room." Tristen suggested. He walked to one of the other doors in the large room. "Let's check this door."

The map has reverted to the one where everyone was outside the building.

Talitha seems eager to move to the next room. "Let's move. No more need of being subtle, so let's kick some doors open and if we find more goblins we can handle them together."
She gives the team a weird look where her big smile does not correspond with the angry look in her eyes.

"Subtle no, cautious yes. They know we are here so they might be readying for us." She said with a nod, as she moved out to the next door.

Faeli followed the others after she found a nice rock to use. She tossed the rubble up into the air and then jogged off to catch up to the others.

Razyll nodded in agreement. Finding nothing of interest in the area he tucked his holy symbol into his tunic and raised his shield and readied his scimitar as he followed the others out of the room and deeper into the Glass Works.

Kaddock picked up what arrows he could and joined the others. "I fear we'll need our united group to face more goblins before we're done.  Let's finish them off face to face."

The group opens up the door at the other end of the glassworks to reveal a loading area. A wheelbarrow sits against a wall here, and shelves on the walls contain additional reagents to create different colors of glass. A safe on the floor hangs open and empty.

Several doors are visible but are currently closed.

OOC: Map has been updated.

"Some one looted the safe or cleared it out ahead of or as part of the attack.  Let's try the door in the corner." Kaddock will go over and open the door (A)>
This message was last edited by the player at 04:28, Tue 09 Mar 2021.

Talitha nods at Kaddock's words with concern. She raises her shield and moves next to the man, so she can cover him in case of a sudden attack.
She waits for him to open the door.

Arialis grew more concerned as this seemed a bit odd now. "What would be in the safe for them to loot and murder for?" She asked idly, before turning and following the others.

"I think that is the 500 gp question." Faeli said while looking up to Arlalis.

Opening up the doors reveals stairs leading down. Best guess would be that this leads to an underground storage area where both finished goods and raw materials can be stored when they're not needed for immediate use.

Talitha looks at the stairs with concern in her eyes. "Going down now looks like the best way to get trapped between two groups of enemies. I'd rather go downstairs once we're sure we have a clean retreat of things get nasty."
She smiles at the rest. "Unless you like living risky. In that case we can try our chances downstairs."
She doubts that will be the case, and checking that the building is clean will be the priority for the group."If we're going to check this floor first, maybe it's a good idea to lock the door, so we know nothing cames out of it. We could block the door, what do you think?"

"Let's clear this floor first." She said with a nod. "So bar the door."

"Sound good. I'll check this door over here." Tristen moved and tested the door before he opened it.

Door B

Opening this door reveals some kind of work space. Based on the materials and tools it seems like this is where raw ingredients for glass are prepared for actual work as there are sifters and other tools that seem like they would be used for increasing the quality of the materials involved.

"It's a workroom. It looks empty." Tristen turned back. "Let's check the other door." He moved back into the room and opened the other door.

---

Move to open A
This message was last edited by the player at 14:55, Sat 13 Mar 2021.

Talitha follows Tristen as he seems to be leading the exploration.
"Let's keep moving. I'm not worried about checking everything for clues. We can do that later. Just that nothing in the rooms that we leave behind will stab us in the back.

Faeli nodded and peeked inside the room before running to catch up with the rest of the group.

Tristen leads the party down the stairs into the basement of the glassworks. Wheelbarrows sit empty against the wall and the floor is full of grit, likely sand spilled being moved to and from storage.

Circling cautiously around the group discovers that there are four closed doors down here. What is interesting is that two of the rooms appear to have once been blocked off by a brick wall that is much newer in appearance than the surrounding structure but now has bene partially dismantled. Rooms (C) and (D) were, until recently it looks like, walled off from the rest of the glassworks but are now accessible again. Whoever broke the walls did so in a very crude manner as there is all sorts of markings on the surrounding bricks from wild clumsy strikes that missed their mark.

"The people here were hiding something, and the attackers are looking for that something. But what is it?" The very astute elf finally chimed in as she looked at the torn down walls. "It seems we are being left with more questions then answers. Let's look in those rooms first, then keep looking around."

Kaddock keeps a careful eye out behind them back up the stairs. "Agreed, let's move quickly and sweep the areas and then come back.  I would guess however that the goblins have not left the building yet."

Talitha is worried about going to the basement before cleaning the upper floor. She feels they're going to fall into an ambush."Come on, open the doors and see what's behind them. I'll cover our back."
She says while she stays back protecting the group from any attack coming from behind.

Faeli moves behind the group but spares a moment to see if she could make heads or tails over what broke through the wall; goblins with tools or something else...

The gnome smiled and tried to push down her hate of goblins. They had soiled too many of her days and too much of her mood already.

Tristen paused at the bottom of the stairs. Seconds passed as he considered the options. Finally, he stepped forward down the corridor which turned left. The corridor seemed to end at a wall but there was another corridor to the left. "I'll check this door."

---

Open door A!

Faeli crept forward and listened at door D.

---

Listen at door D.
Faeli Blackbriar rolled 19 using 1d20 with rolls of 19.  Perception Check.

This message was last edited by the player at 15:12, Tue 16 Mar 2021.

Razyll moved to give back up to Tristen standing to the Champion's right with his sword at the ready.

She groaned, but let them operate. Staying back with Talitha to watch their backs.

Tristen opens up the door to reveal a storage area. Rows of finished windows, crates of glassware carefully packaged and other finished goods are stored around here.

Outside of her door Faeli doesn't hear any signs of movement coming from within.

Faeli opens the door suddenly and steps to the side. She slowly peeks around the corner and into the room to see what was within.

"We're going to need a torch. I can't see much inside, but it looks like storage." Tristen pulled back so that the others can look into the room. He moved down the hall and opened the next door.

---

Open door B

Talitha seems to be upset about the situation. "Not enough going underground without curving of will get a surprise awaiting over we go back up, now these two are checking each one a different door. Let's hope we don't end up trapped between three different enemies..."
She keeps looking up the stairs every now and then.

Tristen tries to quietly open the door (B) but finds that it is locked.

OOC: A poor lock requires 3 successful DC 20 thievery checks to pick. Otherwise it can be broken open (loudly).

Meanwhile Faeli opens the door to what should have been another storage room but reveals instead to have a long crude tunnel carved out of the back of it. From this angle she can't see down it nor does she hear any obvious activity coming from the tunnel.

"Come here Tristen, I can put a Light spell on something of yours. Just tell me what." She said, in an offer.

Razyll focuses on his connection to the Dawnflower and summons light to his scimitar as he looks into the room. "Thank you Arialis, but I think I've got it."

---

OOC: Razyll will investigate the room to is if he can find anything of interest to the mystery of the missing Bartender.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:16, Wed 24 Mar 2021.

OOC: Which room, the one with the tunnel?
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:27, Wed 24 Mar 2021.

In reply to Dungeon Master (msg # 104):


OOC: Razyll was behind and to the right of Tristen when he opened Door A before moving on to Door B. Razyll would like to look around the room beyond Door A.

Talitha sees some movement with the guys that are checking the doors.
"Everything ok over there? do you need help?"

Razyll explores the storage room but doesn't find anything of interest or of particular value unless he planned on building and furnishing a house.

In reply to Arialis Moonrider (msg # 102):

Tristen turned away from the locked door. He moved in front of Arialis, "This shield. Can you put your magic on this shield?" He waited while the spell was cast. "I found a locked door. Once everyone checks the other doors, we'll need to check that one."

Tristen moved back to his position next to the locked door while he watched the others move throughout the corridor.

Arialis nodded, then she casted a light spell upon it for Tristen. "There you go."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:12, Sat 27 Mar 2021.

Razyll moved over to Door C. "That one is empty." the half-orc said as he finished his investigation of the room which was beyond Door A.

Razyll listens at Door C while looking over to Faeli. "Everything okay?"

Razyll listens to the door (C) but doesn't hear anything behind it either. Checking the handle he finds that one locked as well.

"Hey guys, there is a little tunnel in here." Faeli whispered as she looked back at Razyll.

Talitha listens at Faeli and approaches the door carefully.
Once she's there by her side she also whispers "Any idea where it leads to? does it look like man or goblin made?"

In reply to Faeli Blackbriar (msg # 112):

Tristen heard the whisper of a tunnel beyond one of the doors. He turned to stare at the locked door. He tested the door again. Locked "Ameiko! Ameiko!" He paused as he listened at the door.

rolled 14 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 10.  Perception. Listen at the locked door.

When Tristen shouts he doesn't hear any voice but there is a bang as something topples over from behind Door (B).

As far as the group can tell, the tunnel appears to be far older than the goblin raid and well built. There are periodic support beams set up for structural support and the tunnel is sized for a full-sized person, not someone of goblin stature.

Tristen tried to get the attention of the others. "Hey! I've got a locked door here. I think I heard Ameiko from behind this locked door. Can anyone get this door open?"

Razyll stepped forward to the door, "Okay, one three. One, two..."

---

OOC: Razyll will attempt to break in the door on three (if others help or not).
Razyll rolled 25 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 19.  Strength (Athletics) to break in door.

This message was last edited by the player at 17:28, Mon 29 Mar 2021.

She readied her swords, just incase, as Razyll moved to force the door open.

Talitha was about to propose herself to break the door when she saw Razyll hit the door with determination.
"I don't think you'll need help..."
She gets closer to the door anyways and readies her weapons in case they find any problem over it opens.

Kaddock stepped up alongside Razyll. "Let me help.  On three!"

OOC:
20:45, Today: Kaddock Ingir rolled 19 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 13.  Athletics.

Kaddock and Talitha take turns slamming into the door trying to break it off the hinges. The sound of the banging echoes down the hall and the banging from inside the room seems to heighten as well.

Just then the other locked door (C) opens up revealing a half-elf with Tien features. He has a shortbow slung on his back along with a quiver but otherwise appears unarmed. He looks out in confusion and surprise before smiling broadly.

"You're...you're the heroes aren't you? The ones that defeated the goblins and saved the town, right?"

He looks around and takes in the situation before his face drops in fear.

"No! Don't go in there! I...I trapped a monster in there. It killed the others but I lured it down here. It's too dangerous to let out!"

Tsuto: 15

"It seems like he is telling the truth guys." Faeli said as she approached the tien man. "What is in there?" Faeli said.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:32, Wed 31 Mar 2021.

Razyll keeps banging on the door in an attempt to burst it down or in. "Step away from the nice man Faeli..." Razyll said."...that was a lie, and not even a good one." the half-orc snorted.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:52, Wed 31 Mar 2021.

Talitha smiles sarcastically. "As you said we are the heroes, we can handle the monster. We'll just kill it and then we can discuss why what you're saying does not look like it makes a lot of sense to me or Razyll."
She is wielding her sword and shield looking quite threatening.

Faeli froze and then took a step backward. She was always so trusting that she hadn't considered that the tien made might have been a threat.

"Hey-no far!" Faeli said.

"Did you trick me?" Faeli said someone crestfallen. She was used to duping others with her illusions and it was most unpleasant the gnome was learning to be duped.

She walked up to the half-elf and looked him over for a moment. "Tell me why some of what you says seems truthful, and some does not?" She states matter of factly. "Looking at you, I would more gauge that you got lucky, when you fled the massacre." Then she looked at him again. "So tell me, why I should have my friends open the door and toss you in there myself for at least not fleeing to get help? Then, tell me what's in there."

Faeli moves up, just behind Arialis, "Yeeah"

This message was deleted by the player at 12:56, Thu 01 Apr 2021.

Tsuto looks around nervously as the party starts to gang up on him. He starts waving one of his hands slightly behind his back. It could just be a nervous tic, it could be giving a signal to someone (or something) out of sight.

"I...what? Forgive me I am a bit distraught. My father died and I... I can't think straight. He always wanted me to follow in his footsteps and now that he is gone, I don't know whatever I will do!"

He motions for the party to follow him back towards the stairs and up into the glassworks.

"Come. Help me bury the bodies. The dead deserve a peaceful burial..."

Talitha seems to be still suspicious about the man. He seems to be saying the truth now, but still he being distressed doesn't mean that there is not more of what it looks at first sight.
"We took care of the goblins on the upper floor if you're concerned about them..."
She looks at Tsuto and gives him a toothy smile"I'll have a look at the room if you don't mind. I just want to make sure we don't leave anything behind. Then we can go."
She pretends to think of something as she says that and enters the room.
"Maybe you can help us with a couple of things now that you're here. We would need to open this last locked door, just to make sure we won't regret later not have done it. And you could tell us about the tunnel in the other room. It looks kind of suspicious of you all me."
She enters the room and has a quick look. She checks for any kind of movement or anything that looks like a secret door.

21:49, Today: Talitha rolled 24 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 17.  Perception
This message was last edited by the player at 20:51, Thu 01 Apr 2021.

Arialis eyes narrow at his hand motions and her hands tighten on the hilts of her blades. "Best hope she doesn't find anything, or anyone untoward." She begins watching him more closely now.

"After that, we will look in that last room there. Then, we will tend to the dead." She said matter of factly.

In reply to Tsuto Kaijitsu (msg # 129):

"I'll help you bury your father, Tsuto. Were you present... how did you father die? I couldn't tell with the wounds he bore." Tristen approached Tsuto. "I'll lead you up the stairs. My friends will continue their explorations. We're also looking for your sister. She is missing. I called out and heard a sound through the door. I trust my friends to find Ameiko. Here let me help you, Tsuto."

Razyll continues to try to break in the door.


OOC:
Razyll rolled 24 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 18.  Strength (Athletics) to break in door.

Kaddock stays with Razyll to break down the door.  He looks over his shoulder.  "Something doesn't sound right in Tsuto's story.  Why didn't he go get help and what is behind this door.  He lost his father and that's got to mess with you but let's get this done first.  And watch out behind him that he's not signaling to someone."



19:52, Today: Kaddock Ingir rolled 14 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 9.  Athletics.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:53, Sun 04 Apr 2021.

There is a brief moment where it is clear that the party is not going to be persuaded to leave the door unopened. In that brief second the facade is shattered and Tsuto's face twists in anger.

"Meddlesome heroes!"

He turns and runs around the corner heading into the room that Faeli had discovered the long tunnel inside. Just at that moment Razyll breaks his way through the locked door. On the other side is yet another storage room but in here is Ameiko, tied to a chair, bound and gagged muffling her screams. She had rocked herself so her chair had toppled over and she was kicking crates and shelves nearby to make the racket they had heard.

OOC: Split second decision time! Is anyone going to chase after Tsuto? Is anyone going to go and untie Ameiko? Is anyone going to explore the room that Tsuto just came out of! Your character has ~6 seconds to react so consider what their immediate gut reaction would be.

Razyll throws moves into the room to untie Ameiko, first taking any items which might be preventing her from speaking.

"Ameiko, are you hurt?"

"Hey!" Faeli said as the man began to retreat away from the group. Faeli attempted to move a little to maintain a good line of sight while she whispered a few hushed arcane words. After speaking, the gnome gestured suddenly at the retreating tien man as a vine-covered in sticky sap appears from thin air, leaping forward, from her hand to lash out toward the tien.

---

OOC:
Faeli will leash out with the Tanglefoot cantrip to attempt to hold the tien gentleman in place. Faeli rolled 21 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 14.  Tanglefoot Cantrip on the tien Dude.

"Stop right there!" Tristen shouted when Tsuto made a move to run. He struck out with his leg and tripped the man. Tristen pounced bringing the man down in an attempt to grapple and wrap him up.

---

A1: Athletics to Trip Man
rolled 27 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 20.  Athletics
rolled 2 using 1d6 with rolls of 2.  Bludgeoning Damage

A2: Move to close distance to Man
A3: Athletics to Grapple
rolled 18 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 11.  Athletics

"Where do you think you're going?"
Talitha chases Tsuto right behind Tristen and tries to get hold of him as well.
"Check if Ameiko is OK guys!" she says as she runs.

A1: move to where Tsuto is.
A2: Grapple him.
17:30, Today: Talitha rolled 16 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 9.  Athletics check. Grapple.
A3: Grapple again
17:31, Today: Talitha rolled 27 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 20.  Athletics check. Grapple.

"Make sure you take him alive!" She called to the others as with swords ready she goes to investigate the room that Tsuto came from.

[OOC: Going to investigate the room he came from.

3 people going after him and 1 untying Ameiko is plenty there.]

Razyll moves up to help untie Ameiko while the others run off after Tsuto or explore elsewhere.

Once she is to her feet Ameiko rubs the bruises on her side from where she fell on the chair. Overall she is in bad shape with several partially healed bruises and cuts all over her. It seems while she had been caught by surprise she had gone down swinging.

"Thanks. I don't understand what is wrong with Tsuto. Why would he do this? When we met he said that he had joined with a group that had big plans for Sandpoint. He said the goblin invasion was just the beginning and he wanted me to join him at Thistletop with the others. When I rejected him he jumped me with a bunch of goblins. When I came to I was tied up and then you rescued me."

She looked around, seemingly recognizing it as the basement of the glassworks.

"The glassworks? Father! I have to warn him of Tsuto's treacher!"

She moves to run out the door but stumbles and falls to her knees from her injuries.

Arialis pokes around the room Tsuto just escaped out of. It is clear he was using this as a makeshift bedroom. He must have been celebrating Ameiko's capture given the amount of bottles of wine opened and left haphazardly on the floor.

While there isn't anything of monetary value left behind, Arialis does find a journal that Tsuto had left behind. This small, leather-bound booklet contains two dozen parchment pages, most of which Tsuto has filled with maps of Sandpoint or erotic drawings of a woman with bat-like wings.

The maps each depict different attack plans. The first set shows the attack plans for a group of 30 goblins. One of the maps is circled and Arialis recognizes it as the plan the goblins had used to attack Sandpoint last week. Of more pressing concern are the next several pages, which illustrate an assault on Sandpoint by a force of what appears to be 200 goblins. None of these are circled, instead many are scratched out as if they’ve been rejected.

Of special note are the last three entries:

Tsuto stays too far ahead of the party for them to grab or trip them. He is quite athletic and nimble, dodging the reaching vines and sprinting down the tunnel.

OOC: For clarification He started 10' ahead triple moves so everyone else will have to triple move just to keep pace. We will handle this via skill challenges instead of just having everyone Stride nonstop...

The tunnel curves and twists and Tsuto seems to always been just out of sight, just around the next bend or curve. Still his feet hitting the stone are quite clear keeping the party informed of his position.

OOC: The goal is going to be to pass 3 skill challenges before failing 3 challenges. If you pass 3 then you catch up. If you fail 3 then you fall too far behind.

Rounding the next bend the tunnel slopes downward before hooking back. While it is possible to just keep running it might be possible to do an agile parkour rebound off the wall to descend rapidly.

OOC: Skill check #1:Athletics DC 16 or Acrobatics DC 14

OOC: Chase Tracker:

Tristen: [ ][ ][ ]     [ ][ ][ ] Tsuto
Talitha: [ ][ ][ ]     [ ][ ][ ] Tsuto
Faeli:   [ ][ ][ ]     [ ][ ][ ] Tsuto


This message was last edited by the player at 20:30, Thu 08 Apr 2021.

Talitha codes the man pushing her condition. She's carrying armour and weapons that slows her down, but she manages to keep him within reach."Stop running! we're not going to let you escape this easy!"

OOC: meet it beat it, right?
21:55, Today: Talitha rolled 16 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 9.  Athletics check. Chase 1.

Tristen hustled as best as he could. The man simply was faster. "After him! Don't let him get away!" With each step, Tristen believed that he was gaining on Tsuto.

---

Check 1: rolled 16 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 9.  Athletics Passed
Check 2: rolled 17 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 10.  Athletics Passed
Check 3: rolled 20 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 13.  Athletics Passed

I went ahead and rolled 3 checks :)

Kaddock instinctively chases after the fleeing Tsuto seeing that others were staying behind.  He surged after the prey



I rolled against Acrobatics...  typo...

16:01, Today: Kaddock Ingir rolled 19 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 13.  Acrobatics.
16:02, Today: Kaddock Ingir rolled 15 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 9.  Acrobatics.
16:02, Today: Kaddock Ingir rolled 23 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 17.  Acrobatics.

Faeli smirked, Oh no you don't the gnome thought as she took up persuit of the tien.

---

OOC:
Faeli Blackbriar rolled 19 using 1d20 with rolls of 19.  Skill check #1: Acrobatics DC 14.

This message was last edited by the player at 02:52, Sat 10 Apr 2021.

She comes out of the room that Tsuto had left. "We now know who's been helping the Goblin's. And I think we now know who may be leading them too." She said holding a journal and other things.

"Arialis, in here, can you help me with Ameiko?" Razyll said as he begin to undo Ameiko bounds by sliding them against his scimitar.

OOC: I suppose that shortens things if you just blast through my checks like that...

Tsuto races on but against experienced athletes like Kaddock and Tristen his lead vanishes rapidly and eventually the pair are able to tackle him with Faeli bringing up the rear. In a bit of a crazed frenzy Tsuto begins laughing manically.

"You can't stop her! Nothing can stop what is coming! Not even you blasted heroes!"

Looking around the group that pursued realize they are in an old tunnel but there are recent signs of disturbance as a new offshoot tunnel appears to have opened up. It looks like Tsuto had been running towards that when he was captured.

I thought we were doing the checks one by one...

20:30, Today: Talitha rolled 20 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 13.  Athletics check. Chase 2.

20:31, Today: Talitha rolled 22 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 15.  Athletics check. Chase 3. – [roll=1618083067.99374.350022]

Tristen tied up Tsuto with his rope. He pulled him up and gave Kaddock and Talitha a grin. "Did we find Ameiko? I wasn't sure that it was a person behind the locked door. Let's find out." He lead Tsuto back to the others.

"I hope so, but I was running as well, so I'm not so sure..."
As Tristen started to lead Tsuko back to the others she helped him a little bit. The guy seemed enough of a coward, so being a little bit rough to him might loosen his tongue.
"Brother of the year, eh? We will need some answers from you... Maybe later we can tie you up like you did with your sister and leave you locked in a room for a few days or a week."
She tries her best to look intimidating to the Tsuko.

16:56, Today: Talitha rolled 9 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 6.  Intimidation.

Kaddock looked around as the others trussed Tsuto up.  He stepped past the intersection and headed a few feet down the new tunnel.  Stooping Kaddock looked for tracks in the dirt. "This must have been how the goblins got into the house.  This whole thing stinks to the heavens."

He returned to the others and regarded Tsuto.  "If you're part of this attack here on your family and the town skinning you alive will be a mercy.  Now, let's check if you are armed."  Kaddock quickly frisked Tsuto.


14:30, Today: Kaddock Ingir rolled 18 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 12.  Perception.
14:33, Today: Kaddock Ingir rolled 18 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 12.  Track.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:35, Sun 11 Apr 2021.

Kaddock studies the ground and observes that while the goblin tracks seem to have originated from the tunnel, presumably from the general direction it opens up along the shoreline somewhere, there are several humanoid tracks that go into the new tunnel. Tsuto himself seems to have gone there several times.

As for interrogations, Tsuto just laughs at Talitha's attempt to look mean and scary.

"I know your type, heroes. You can't hurt me. Not while I'm unarmed and your prisoner."

Searching Tsuto Tristen finds a knife and a short bow along with a potion of some sort.

"Let's find Ameiko." Tristen pushed Tsuto along the corridor until they came to her presence. "Here's Tsuto. My understanding... he's your brother? I think we need to Sheriff Hemlock as well."

"On my way." Arialis goes into the the other room with Razyll to help with Ameiko.

Talitha punches Tsuto as hard as she can in his ribs. "Yes, heroes."
She keeps pushing the man, being as rough as possible. "We won't kill you. But after what you've done I doubt anyone will complain if you're not returned undamaged."
She smiles at the man very close to his face, showing him her teeth.
She grabs him and pushed him forward again.

Faeli was tempted to kick the tien man in the shin. He was mean after all, but she thought better of it. That would just lower her to his level.

She did stick out her tongue again at the man.

As the party stands up Tsuto and prepare to march him back down the tunnel to Ameiko and the others they hear a soft hissing in the shadows in the "new" tunnel. Tsuto begins laughing hysterically again.

"You hear that? I don't think I'm the one that needs to worry about damage." He looks over Talitha's shoulders towards the shadows and grins.

Talitha turns at the noise. "What's that?"
She then looks at the man and push him in the direction of the rest of the group.
"Make sure he does get immobilised and can't scape. I think we're not alone. I'll cover you."
The fighter takes out his sword and shield and starts walking towards the room where the tunnel is with the shield up.

"Hurry up. Get moving!" Tristen urged everyone to move through the tunnel. "Can we lock the door or barricade the entrance?"

Faeli looked back to where she heard the sound and began to run full speed back to the group.

This message was deleted by the player at 04:08, Wed 21 Apr 2021.

The party retreats and although Tsuto does his best to stall between Talitha and Borric and Kaddock (and Faeli!) they are able to just pick him up and haul him with speed back down the tunnel. Whatever is making the noise doesn't seem inclined to follow them too far and the sound of sharp nails scratching the stone quickly fades away.

Tsuto just laughs as he wiggles helplessly against the combined strength of the rest of the heroes.

"Oh bravely running away, huh? I'm sure whatever that was won't possibly be a problem for Sandpoint. I'm sure that the it will be happy not rending the flesh of the rubes above. Not grinding the bones to suck out the marrow. Don't you see! Sandpoint is already dead. They just don't know it yet. You're already dead! You just don't know it yet!"

He giggles again but seems to be regaining control after the shock of being captured so close to escape. He falls silent and it is clear from anyone looking at him that he is deep in thought formulating some kind of plan.

Razyll will begin to tend to Ameiko's wounds.

---

OOC: Razyll rolled 19 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 11.  Battle Medicine: Ameiko.
The target regains 2d8 Hit Points, and its wounded condition is removed.
Razyll rolled 14 using 2d8 with rolls of 8,6.  Battle Medicine: Ameiko.

She will help Razyll where she can, but it was obvious she was not to well versed in the art of medicine.

Talitha kicks Tsuto and pushes him forward. She doesn't like running away like a coward (although the sound of whatever was there was really scary), but she hates even more the face of Tsuto thinking he's the smartest man in the room.
"Let's go back with the others, this is becoming something more than just a rescue mission. Let's talk to them and find out what's going on here."
And as she pushes Tsuto again she says. "And you, keep moving!"

Faeli does her best to keep up with the long legs, dodging between Talitha and the tien to prevent herself from being tampled.

Tristen lifted his shield with the light spell. He wanted to maximize the light for his companions. "Good plan. I'll bring up the rear." He slowed down slightly to allow Faeli to stay in front of him.

"Thanks Tristen." Faeli says as she bolts ahead.

Agreeing that discretion or at least reinforcements might be best Kaddock helped drag Tsuto back.  "Let's get this one trussed up and see if Razyll and Arialis found Ameiko.  Then we can go confront what is down that tunnel together."

The party regroups and that makes for a very awkward interaction between brother and sister. Ameiko screams at Tsuto in anger and shock while Tsuto just waits for her to finish without replying. This rubs Ameiko the wrong way and she ends up striking Tsuto with the back of her hand causing him to spit blood from a split lip. He just grins, his teeth smeared with blood as he reveals that he had their father covered in glass.

Suddenly for the rest of the party the grisly scene in the glassworks comes together. While most of the workers were horribly dismembered into playthings for the goblins, one person had been entombed in molten glass, forever enshrined in the throes of agony. Why one person would get this treatment and not the other was a minor mystery until it was revealed underneath it all was the patriarch of the Kaijitsu family and the siblings' father.

This breaks Ameiko and she runs up stairs to see for herself, hounded by the cruel laughter of Tsuto the entire time.

Once Ameiko's retreating footsteps could no longer be heard, Tsuto turns his cruel gaze to the rest of the party and grins again.

"Now then, where were we?"

"What manner of creature was that back in those tunnels?"

Tristen turned and focused his attention to Tsuto, "You have a lot of nerve. Why would you do that to your own father?"
This message was last edited by the player at 13:59, Wed 28 Apr 2021.

"It's a succubus, that he fell in love with. To bad for him, she will likely use him for her own gains then destroy him like he did his own father." She said flatly, passing the notebook she found to Tristen. "Also sadly for him, we'll kill her just like those Goblin's."

Talitha looks with disgust at Tsuko. "I say we tie him up and lock him here. I like what you said Arialis. Let's kill that demon and bring him her head. Let's see if he feels so confident afterwards."
She tempted of punching him again, but she's not sure after what he has said she'll be able to stop.

Faeli's eyes welled with tears as Ameiko took off running. The gnome wanted to follow her but she knew that Ameiko would need time to herself if what her brother said was true. She stood there frozen by her indecision and the horribleness of the moment until she was able to gather her strength and wipe the tears from her eyes and turn to Tsuto.

"You monster!" Faeli spat.

Tsuto just laughs at Tristen's question.

"Why? In my defense he tried to kill me first. He always hated me. Do you know that I'm not his real son? The ears should have given it away. Sure he adopted me to preserve my mother's 'honor' but he was never a father to me nor I his son. I was just an embarrassment, one he eventually grew tired of dealing with. Too bad for him I brought a few friends when he tried to run me through."

He giggles to himself again reminiscing of the events of the night before. With a tilt of his head he nods towards the tunnel.

"Go! You've got a town to save, a demon to kill. Go be heroes. I'm sure you can handle it."

He grins madly at the party before nodding his head again.

She walked over to Tsuto and looked him square in the eyes. "If you were not Ameiko's brother, I would remove your head right here myself. I am sure though, the town would rather bring you to justice themselves, as would Ameiko, and right now the only thing keeping you alive is that, and my honor as a Knight of Kyonin. Understand this though, step out of line once, and I may just choose to forget where I am." Her voice was cold, and calculating as she addressed the man as she clearly now identified as a lesser.

"Tie him up in such a manner there is no chance of him escaping, then lets go kill his lover." She said coldly.

Razyll begins to tie up Tsuto.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:53, Wed 28 Apr 2021.

Tsuto just laughs at Arialis.

"You know honor won't get you a pot to piss in. You know why you won't take my head? It's because you're weak. The people up there, they're sheep and you're the dog keeping them safe and rounded up but people like me? We're the wolves. We used to be the same but somewhere in our past we split. You abandoned your nature for the trappings of safety and security. You pretend like you don't have a wild animal inside of you but me? I embrace my nature. I don't make excuses for the people I kill, or will kill. The weak exist to feed the strong. Do we cry over the lamb that is slaughtered for our meal? The rabbit that is hunted down by the wolf?"

He laughs, sneering at the elf.

"If you were going to kill me you would have done it already. You only look the fool continuing to threaten me with death."

He grins again, this time purposefully stretching it as wide as it can go, even squinting his eyes to part his lips as wide as possible. He is deliberately provoking Arialis but otherwise makes no resistance to being dragged along towards the cave tunnel.

"Do you know this symbol?"

Razyll said as he held up his silver holy symbol.

"If you do, you would know that redemption is the only thing that says my hand. I would hold your tongue if I were you before its wagging blows out the faint prospect of redemptions light."

Talitha raises her shield and shows it to Tsuko as well. "That's Razyll symbol, this is mine. Do you know what mine means?
As she says so she hits Tsuko in the face as hard as she can with the shield bass, hopefully breaking his nose and some teeth.
"This means to shut up."

23:46, Today: Talitha rolled 17,10 using 1d20+9,2d6+4 with rolls of 8,4,2.  Shield boss atk & DMG, power attack.

"Hold!" Tristen called out, but it may have been too late. "You mock us for not killing you on the spot. But justice will be served. It takes strength to bring justice... otherwise, we'll be weak as you are Tsuto. You've already lost your soul by tying yourself to this devil." He pointed to the drawing of the Succubus.

"You child have no idea with whom you address, if you did you would not address me like you did nor would you be calling me so weak." She said coldly. "I have put better then you in a grave for lesser. What makes us better than you, what makes those people up there better then you, what makes most people in the world better then you no matter how strong or weak they are is that they did not sell their soul to a succubus who will eventually suck, them, dry. She will use you like a tool, this discard you like garbage, and all you will do is lick her boots and beg her for more all while you die in her hands as she drains your soul from you when you no longer serve a use to her." Her violet eyes shimmer with not contempt or hatred, but pity.

"It takes strength beyond measure to have restraint, and you have no idea the level of restraint I am showing right now. I am the Lady Arialis Moonrider-Dragonfeather, 2nd Born to the heads of the House of Moonrider-Dragonfeather, also known as the Violet Knight of Kyonin." She then leaned close to him. "And if you knew me, boy, you'd know I normally do not show restraint." The tone in her voice when she says that last line get's very cold, very creepily so.

Faeli was less disciplined than her comrades. She had followed the preaching of the Song of Spheres as long as she could remember and to her ear, this man-creature was a monster, and all monsters were the thralls of Lamashtu.

Faeli stepped away from Tsuto and the others, she kept her eye weary of their surrounding while she mentally mapped the mathematics which would allow her to fry Tsuto into a crisp with the Burning Hands spell while not harming any of the others.

It would be tough because everyone else were so grabby and chatty, but sure her moment present itself she would take it.

Threats and acts of violence aside the party still has an unexplored tunnel to deal with.

What's going on? Who's going in first?

Once Tsuko is taken care of, one way or another, Talitha raises her shield and sword and heads for the tunnel.
"Now we take care of his sweetheart. Who else is coming?"
She leads the way, with some other people by her side of they want to.

Tristen followed immediately after Talitha. "My shield has been bless to hold a light spell. This will help us navigate in the tunnels."

---

Let's go right when we get to the tunnels and explore the unknown area

"Let's go Faeli." She said softly, as he started after the others.

Faeli walked ahead of Arialis so that the elven warrior wouldn't see her crying.

Kaddock had kept quiet during the argument.  Justice would be served eventually and arguing with this weakling would do no good.  He bent down and doubled the bonds on the traitor as well as adding a secure gag.  He checked his bow and weapons and followed the others.

The party cautiously walks along the tunnel when out from a hidden alcove charges two monsterous looking creatures. Pale and hulking with muscles, they have huge distended jaws glistening with fangs and a long twisting tongue over a foot long, forked like a snake. They wield large polearms and stome forward on strange cloven hooves.



Luckily the keen eyes and quick reactions of the party allow them to act in time.

Talitha sees the monsters with the corner of her eye and turns immediately.
"Guys there are some disgusting monsters here! we'll need backup!"
Then she speaks to Tristen "I think you and I have to hold the line. I'll take the one on the left."

A1: move 10 foot in diagonal to meet the monster. X5.

A2: Attack.
21:54, Today: Talitha rolled 28,7 using 1d20+9,1d8+4 with rolls of 19,3.  Attack and damage one handed.
I think this doubles the damage. That's 14 instead of 7.

A3: Raise shield. And hope for the best.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:11, Thu 06 May 2021.

"I'm with you!" Tristen called out to Talitha immediately after she rushed to engage the creatures. "What are these things?" His sword found an opening in its defenses as the blade slashed the creature.

---

Realized that I needed someone else to post their action to remind me of how Pathfinder2 works :)

A1: Move to Z4
A2: Attack monster #1 and HITS!
rolled 18,5 using 1d20+7,1d8+4 with rolls of 11,1.  ATK/DAM

A3: Raise shield

Faeli pointed toward one of the rocks which lined the floor of the tunnel and gestured at one of the monstrosities.

---

A1&A2 TK projectile. Hits AC: 24, 8 pts of B damage

Faeli rolled 8 using 1d6+4 with rolls of 4.  TK Projectile damage for Z5 creature.
Faeli rolled 24 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 17.  Telekinetic Projectile Z5 creature.

Razyll moves to W4, as he moves he raises his holy symbol and their is a bright flash of light which attempts to Daze the monster at

---

OOC: DC 17 Will save for the monster at Y6
A1&A2 Daze spell (4 pts of mental damage)
On crit fail of Will save target is stunned 1

"I will keep the line with you two. We need to dispatch these things as fast as possible." She said as she moved forward, and with both blades sliced into the one Talitha had assaulted.

[OOC: Action 1: Stride to Y5.
Actions 2 and 3: Double Slice Monstrousity @ Y6.

23:02, Today: Arialis Moonrider rolled 14,6 using 1d20+7,1d6+2 with rolls of 7,4.  Shortsword Attack.
Hit AC: 14

23:02, Today: Arialis Moonrider rolled 16,4 using 1d20+7,1d8+2 with rolls of 9,2.  Longsword Attack.
Hit AC: 16

Seems I missed both.]

Round 1
As the heroes charge forward the creatures defend themselves with their long reach polearms and both Talitha and Tristen take hits as they move in to attack.
Talitha and Tristen both take Attacks of Opportunity for Moving through a square they can reach. They have 10' reach due to their polearms: Talitha takes 8, Tristen takes 7




Talitha steps and shoves her sword through the things chest. Instead of dropping however it just snarls at her with its split fanged face.
Crit! 14 damage

Tristen moves up and engages the other one, scoring a hit.

Faeli flings some rubble pinging the creature in the side of the head and opening a large gash. Thick black blood oozes out.

Razyll tries to daze the creatures but he gets the impression that their drive is too strong for a cantrip like that to easily get hold.
They have bonuses to save versus magic and mental effects.

Arialis charges up into the gap attempting to slice them both but they surge forward as well forcing her onto the defensive.

Kaddock moves to get a shot off...but gets tripped by Tsuto. The two end up tumbling down into one another.

"Get off me you klutz!" Tsuto shouts out, grinning madly.

---

The creatures are wounded but still dangerous. Talitha takes another savage hit  nearly driving her to the ground, but she stays on her feet. Her shield thankfully takes the worst of the strike.
A1) Bite -> Miss5
A2) Ranseur strike -> Crit! -> 5(x2) damage = 10 -> Shield takes 5 --> Talitha and shield take 5
A3) Disarm -> Crit success (28)

The creature attacking Talitha catches her sword in the prongs of its ranseur and with a sudden twist it causes her sword to go flying to her feet.
Note: Picking up the weapon or drawing a new one will trigger an attack of opportunity. (They can AoO on any action with the Manipulate or Move trait so that includes Interact (to draw/pick up) and Striding. You can drop an item or take a 5' step w/o incurring an AoO

Meanwhile Tristen gets his shield up just as his creature lunges at him with its massive jaws. While the shield helps it still wraps one flap around and cuts deep into his shoulder. Such is the force that it cracks his shield!
A1 -> Jaws -> HIT (25) -> 9 damage -> Shield takes 3 -> Tristen and shield take 6
Tristen's shield is now broken. It can't be used to block but it can be repaired.

As the jaws latch on Tristen feels a sense of overwhelming rage. His mind is filled with images that evoke pure anger but instead of growing stronger the creature seems to feed on his hate and it grows stronger while the life force is sucked out of Tristen. He finally batters it off but feels weakened and drained.
Critical fail on the will save (natural 1). Tristen is Sickened 2, Enfeebled 1, Drained 1.

As he staggers back from the bite he is just able to duck out of the way of being skewered by the ranseur but the creature catches his blade and does the same twisting motion. Luckily his looser grip lets him keep hold of his weapon but his stance is broken and he is in poor position to attack.
Partial disarm: -2 to attacks. Combined with Enfeebled and Sickened this is a total penalty of -5 to your attacks. Disarmed passes in a single turn and you can take actions to reduce Sickened but Drained and Enfeebled can only be cured by resting for a night.






Tristen:
Sickened 2 - Can attempt DC 18 Fort save as an action to reduce by 1
Drained 1
Enfeebled 1

Talitha drops her sword. The creatures are far more dangerous than what she had expected. She tries to hit the one in front of her with the shield, but after the way she's been hit she merely pushes the monster instead.
After that she then raises her shield hoping that the creature misses as well. "Guys, hit him hard!"

A1&2: hit with the shield bass, Power attack.
23:04, Today: Talitha rolled 10,12 using 1d20+9,2d6+4 with rolls of 1,2,6.  Shield boss power attack & damage.

A3: raise shield again.

Razyll raises his shield and moves to Y4 and braces for any assault that the creatures might provide as he attempts to treat the wounds of Talitha with his battle medicine.

By the goddess... Razyll thought as his treatment of Talitha  allowed him a view of Tristen's wounds. The cleric shook his head slightly and attempted to concentrate on the task at hand. He completed his quick medicines applying a poultice which adhered loosely to Arialis.

---

A1: Raise Shield
A2: Move to Y4
A3: Battle Medicine: Talitha The target regains 2d8 Hit Points, and its wounded condition is removed.

This message was last edited by the player at 16:45, Sat 08 May 2021.

OOC: I believe that I can use a Hero Point for a reroll. It's a gamble. But I feel that this is worth the risk and avoid a Natural 1.

20:54, Today: Talitha rolled 8 using 2d8 with rolls of 1,7.  Healing.

Talitha heals 8HP. 14/19 now.

Faeli gestures again, magically flinging rumble through the interposing space between her and the creature (Z5).

---

OOC: Hit AC: 27, damage 13
A1 & A2: Faeli Blackbriar rolled 27 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 20.  Telekinetic Projectile at Z5 (Hero Point Reroll).
Faeli Blackbriar rolled 13 using 2d6+4 with rolls of 4,5.  Crit: Die Doubled + Intel Mod.

"SHIELD!" She called out and suddenly a glowing magical shield appeared in front of her, as she slashed at the creature in front of her once more with both of her blades!

[OOC: Action 1: Cast Shield. My AC is now 19 until start of my next turn.
Action 2 and 3: Double Slice.

18:37, Today: Arialis Moonrider rolled 15,6 using 1d20+7,1d8+2 with rolls of 8,4.  Longsword Attack.
Hit AC: 15
Damage: 6

18:38, Today: Arialis Moonrider rolled 16,5 using 1d20+7,1d6+2 with rolls of 9,3.  Shortsword Attack.
Hit AC: 16
Damage: 5

It both attacks hit damage is combined to 11 for purposes of defeating resistances DR and resistances.]

Round 2
Talitha bashes with her shield but does little more than shove the thing back a little bit.

Razyll takes his spot on the front line slapping a bandage on the worst of Talitha's wounds.


Faeli blasts one of the monsters upside its head opening a long gash. Thick black blood splashes out.

Arialis slashes at the monster that parries with its blade.

Tristen attacks the monster in front of him, hitting it twice and putting it out of commission.

A1) 18 -> Hit.
A2) nat 20 (-3) = Miss that turns into a hit
A3) Step to Z5

14 damage total.


Tusto and Kaddock continue to roll around. Apparently Tsuto is trying to wiggle free one of Kaddock's daggers to cut his bonds with but Kaddock is doing a good job wrestling him back under control.

---

The monster lashes out with its ranseur cutting it under Arialis' shield but when it lunges forward for a bite attack the magic springs into place between them intercepting the attack. It uses the prongs on its ranseur to try and twist away Arialis' main sword.

9 damage. Partially disarmed so you take a -2 to your longsword attacks next round.






Tristen:
Sickened 2 - Can attempt DC 18 Fort save as an action to reduce by 1
Drained 1
Enfeebled 1

Tallahassee tries to hit the money again with her shield, but the weapon of choice is clearly not her preferred one. The shield hit does not do anything else than bother the creature.
She then gets ready to be attacked again.

OOC:
A1&2: shield boss power attack
19:22, Today: Talitha rolled 13,9 using 1d20+9,2d6+4 with rolls of 4,3,2.  Shield boss power attack & damage.
A3: raise shield

As Tristen drops the beast in front of him, Razyll takes the change to slap a patch on the Champions wound.


OOC:
A1. Razyll rolled 15 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 7.  Battle Medicine: Tristen (2d8)
A2. Raise Shield.
A3. Move to Z6

This message was last edited by the player at 20:46, Wed 12 May 2021.

"Bastard. You die now." She said flatly as she casted her shield spell once more, and assaulted the remaining beast.

[OOC: Action 1: Cast Shield. AC is now 19.
Action 2 and 3: Double Slice.

22:17, Today: Arialis Moonrider rolled 25,10 using 1d20+5,1d8+2 with rolls of 20,8.  Longsword Attack.
Hit AC: 25 (Nat 20, Critical.)
Damage: 20

22:18, Today: Arialis Moonrider rolled 27,3 using 1d20+7,1d6+2 with rolls of 20,1.  Shortsword Attack.
Hit AC: 27 (Nat 20, Critical.)
Damage: 6

Holy crap! Double crit with double slice! Total damage is 26 for purposes of defeating resistings and weaknesses.]

Arialis cuts down the remaining monster and the group has a chance to breath and evaluate. This kind of threat was a noticeable step up from goblins and skeletons that the party had fought before. Faced with this new kind of threat the adventurers  realize they need to dig deep and step up their game before continuing forward.

<b>DING! Level up time! Everyone is now level 2.

Hit points is max or do we roll?

Rolling for HP isn't a thing anymore in 2e.

Arialis walks over and grabs Tsuto by the neck and hauls him up off of Kaddock. "I told you if you do not behave I'd slit your throat. I will not give you another chance child." Then she points him towards the fallen monster's to ensure he see's them. "See those beasts, that will be your lover soon enough. I swear it." She then squeezes the back of his neck hard enough for it to hurt, but not damage him. To let him know she is serious.

[OOC: 13:02, Today: Arialis Moonrider rolled 26 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 20.  Intimidation (If needed. :) ).

Ohhh...max'd the Intimidate roll to make the little worm piss in his pants.]

Seeing the monsters dispatched with haste seems to have stolen quite a bit of the fight from Tsuto. For the first time since his capture he doesn't appear cocksure. Kaddock is able to pull him to his feet and he seems compliant at this point.

Talitha grabs her sword from the floor and looks at herself. She he's been beaten pretty hard, but Razyll healing skills were something remarkable.
"Those bastards were tough. What were they, by the way? Any idea?"
Talitha checks both bodies and makes sure they remain dead.
"Friends of you, Tsuko? I can't hear you laughing anymore."

"Keep a better hold of this." She said coldly as she shoved Tsuto towards Kaddock.

"Let me take a look at them." She said to Talitha as she moved over towards the beasts.

[OOC: Recall Knowledge:

19:55, Today: Arialis Moonrider rolled 13 using 1d20 with rolls of 13.  Recall Knowledge Nature.
19:54, Today: Arialis Moonrider rolled 16 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 13.  Recall Knowledge Occultism.
19:53, Today: Arialis Moonrider rolled 8 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 1.  Recall Knowledge Religion.
19:53, Today: Arialis Moonrider rolled 14 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 7.  Recall Knowledge Arcana.]

Nobody has ever seen anything like these creatures or even heard of anything like them. One thing that Razyll notes is that the creatures were very resistant to his attempt to affect their minds.

Translation they have Resistance and bonus saves vs. [Mental]

Tsuto remains quiet, keeping his head down and seemingly very interested in the laces on his boots.

Exploring around this area it seems that this is little more than a natural alcove that the monsters used as a makeshift guard post. Looking down the path the tunnel branches. The main path (B) continues straight while there seems to be a side tunnel (A) that seems to have led to an area of rubble like a wall was recently torn down.

Razyll examined the ranseurs of the beasts, he wasn't likely to find a maker's mark but he was curious how such monstrosity came to be armed. The half-orc shook his head, seemed like the Mother of Monster's work...
This message was last edited by the player at 19:19, Sat 15 May 2021.

Talitha leaves the chamber and checks the tunnel as it continues. She stops as the path splits, checking both tunnels in search for clues that determines which one seems to be the right one.
She turns at Kaddock. "Any idea which way to take? I've been looking at this and I can't make a up my mind. My guts tell me to go this way (A), what do you think? Any tracks of any kind?

Razyll straps one of the ransuers to his back after his initial investigation. He moved out into the passage way and smirked at Faeli as he passed the gnome before he went down on one knee to examine the cavern flor.

---

OOC:
Razyll rolled 9 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 2.  Survival (Track) Check to Attempt find trails.

This message was lightly edited by the player at 18:25, Sun 16 May 2021.

"Everyone let's get this one back to the town, let them know what we found, then we can come back down and explore further." She said with a simple and firm nod and tone. "It's better to do this without the baggage." It's obvious she saw Tsuto as less than elven, much less then human too now because of his actions.

"I'm not going back to town now. that will give whoever is hidding here the chance to scape. Don't want to carry him, put some steel in his guts."
She speaks looking at the darkness coming from the tunnel.

Faeli checked over Tsuto once more although he was tied the gnome wanted to ensure that he had no weapons.

Faeli pats Tsuto down again and once again confirms he is unarmed. Kaddock also confirms that he is not missing any daggers or anything from their tussle.

Faeli almost looked disappointed, she was sure that Tsuto might have tried to snag a dagger off of Kaddock during their tussle. Ultimately she shrugged and then wiped her hands of Tsuto and the issue.

"Fine. Kaddock make sure he behaves. Let's go." She said coldly as she turned and started down the tunnel.

Tristen turned to go down the directed tunnel. He stopped to adjust his shield. "This shield has been damaged in that last fight. Talitha - how is your shield? Do we have any means of repairing these before we continue?"

---

Does PF2 have a mending spell?

Talitha turns at Tristen as she picks her sword from the ground."My shield looks damaged as well, but as I was disarmed and I had to use it to both attack and defend myself I must say does not look so bad. I think it'll make it until the end of the day. More of I manage not to drop my sword again."
She smiles at Tristen.
"Let's go. We still have to kill the demonic girlfriend of this asshole. Can anyone cast light on my shield? I'll lead the way.
The fighter looks eager to move.

In reply to Tristen d'Cordain (msg # 230):

OOC:
It does;

https://2e.aonprd.com/Spells.aspx?ID=189

Crafting (Untrained Actions): Repair
Core Rulebook pg. 243
Requirements: You have a repair kit.
You spend 10 minutes attempting to fix a damaged item, placing the item on a stable surface and using the repair kit with both hands. The GM sets the DC, but it’s usually about the same DC to Repair a given item as it is to Craft it in the first place. You can’t Repair a destroyed item.

• Critical Success You restore 10 Hit Points to the item, plus an additional 10 Hit Points per proficiency rank you have in Crafting (a total of 20 HP if you’re trained, 30 HP if you’re an expert, 40 HP if you’re a master, or 50 HP if you’re legendary).
• Success You restore 5 Hit Points to the item, plus an additional 5 per proficiency rank you have in Crafting (for a total of 10 HP if you are trained, 15 HP if you’re an expert, 20 HP if you’re a master, or 25 HP if you’re legendary).
• Critical Failure You deal 2d6 damage to the item. Apply the item’s Hardness to this damage.

This message was last edited by the player at 17:39, Wed 19 May 2021.

OOC

Thanks. We're going to need a repair kit at some point in time :)

"My Light spell is on Tristen's shield at the moment. I could switch it to your's if the two of your wish." She looked between them.