Day 87: Fireday the 14th, Kuthona, 4707
Savah got me up this morning, bright and chipper. I got up and we both enjoyed a nice breakfast. Oren and Arika were there, and they both seemed like they had something that they wanted to ask me, so I told them to be out with it. Oren asked me if there was any chance that I would be able to make something similar to War-Bringer or Savah's rifle for other people. I asked them both what their mindsets are for combat, and explained that War-Bringer was a combination between what I can make, and what Faunra can enchant, while the Mosin-Nagant was more designed for longer range encounters.
Oren thought for a minute and Arika seemed to be doing the same. I told them both that I had made something special for the Sheriff, but that I could make something similar to my pistol for each of them, if they were more concerned about closer encounters. Oren kind of balked, and I said that I had one other idea, but that it would take a day to put it together, so I would have to get back to him tomorrow. Oren and Arika both thanked me and Savah and I went downstairs. She gave me a kiss on the cheek as I went into my workshop and she told me that I needed to make sure that my afternoon was free, as we would be visiting the market today. I told her that I definitely would, as I looked to see what all the twins had gotten up to.
Much to my surprise, the twins had spent a large portion of the night working on goods and parts for the upcoming build that I needed to make for the University that we would be making. They noted that they would be starting up on the Sheriff's new ride here shortly, and that they would like to know what I would want them to work on next, as they fulfilled the orders for the armor and the shock batons. I thought about it and told them to start manufacturing the grenades and ammo that would be needed for the upcoming battle. I also told them that we would need a revolver chambered in nine-millimeter for Arika, and another Taurus for Oren.
The twins acknowledged the orders, and I spent half the day working on drawing up the plans for the University. After the four hours, I thought that I had a good set up. It was going to take quite a long period of time, and since it was going to be two floors, it could not all be started at the same time. Maybe once I can find someone who can conjure stone walls, I can decrease the amount of time it takes to make all of these buildings. Future plans I guess.
While I was fiddling around with this, Savah had come in and noticed that I had separated it into four different sections. I told her that the University was building into my mind to be more of a vocational school than anything else, with four key elements of building, Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, and of course, Gun Technology. Savah asked why four sections, and I noted that there was a famous fictional series that had four different groups of students set apart from each other, and it seemed like a good idea for that series. Savah shrugged and noted that it should certainly be interesting. She then proceeded to physically pull me up and away from my schematics and push me out of the shop ahead of her.
Vaeren took over running the store while we were heading out, and Savah said that she wanted to walk to the market, so walk we did. The whole way, she was latched on to me. As we made our way down River Street, different people waved to us and greeted us with Good Afternoon or such. It seemed pretty good to be welcomed like this. We walked around the marketplace and saw all of the vendors from far off. We happened to recognize one of the vendors, and went over to say hi. It was Corwin Icewolf and he warmly greeted us both. He was here checking things out to make sure that he would be ready to practice his trade for Crystalhue apparently.
Corwin told us that he was more than happy to give us touch ups, and asked if there was anything new that he should know. I told him that we would have to check with everyone, but that we wanted to make sure that he at least met everyone who would be part of the ceremony. Corwin said that this would be a good idea, and that he would be here for the rest of the day. We wished him well and moved on to see what all the other vendors had for sale. About the only thing that stuck out for me was that there was a vendor from Magnimar trying to sneak in on Savah's territory by offering a good deal on an Adamantine Battle-Axe. It wasn't something that I felt I needed, and Savah noted that this guy was apparently on the outs with the guild anyway.
We walked around and tried different foods from all of the vendors, and sampled some drinks from Two Knights Brewery. We tried to be polite to Ven, but he ignored us and went back into his shop when we walked anywhere close to his store. His wife was a bit less violent about it, and told us that even though they knew that Shayliss was doing great in the restaurant business, that Ven was still upset about Katrine, and still blamed ME of all people. I told her that I was still sorry that we could not bring her back, and Solsta rebuked me saying that I just didn't get it. I apologized and noted that I should take my leave, as I was clearly exacerbating the situation. Savah left with me and we walked on to Alma's Savories.
Alma and her daughter Aneka were both there, selling their new cinnamon crullers and apple fritters. Alma gave each of us one of whatever type we wanted and said that her business was booming so much that she was going to have to hire an assistant. I told her that I had an idea for another item and she stopped me before I could tell her. She told me that she wanted at least a few more weeks to make sure that she got everything right about these, and that the new person would be good with these recipes before starting another thing. I told her that I wouldn't give this idea to anyone else, until she had first crack at it, but that there was something else that she should know.
Alma took us aside and said that Arika and Oren had talked to her Oren's true past, and that I had tried to ensure that he was treated fairly as one would treat a hired bodyguard. Alma said that she had worried a bit about it at first, but noticed how Oren really was taking to the town. Alma said that she was a bit more skeptic about some of her kids being in law enforcement after the death of her son, but realized that if her son had acted sooner, rather than waiting, he might have had a chance to be happy with his love before he died, and that this was all that anyone could ask for. Savah said that she didn't want to seem biased for Oren, but he really had been doing everything he could to make the town a safer place, but that this wasn't what we were here to tell her about.
Alma asked what it was that we were here for, and Savah offered her a heavy jingling bag, with the notice that this would be the rest of the deposit for her pastry craft for the Crystalhue ceremony, and that her and Aneka would need to visit Corwin Icewolf here at the market, to introduce themselves as the mother and sister of one of the people getting betrothed. Alma said that she would send Aneka first, and then she would go. I told her that she should definitely make time, and that she would need to hire someone soon, as the event was just getting larger and larger all the time. Alma told us that she would do so, and we bid them both good day.
We walked on to meet up with Sheriff Hemlock, and asked to talk to him in secret. He took us into his office and asked what was wrong. I smiled and told him that nothing was wrong right now, that we were just here to tell him that Corwin Icewolf, the beautician for the Crystalhue ceremony was here, and wanted to meet all of the participants for the event, so that he could do a preliminary assessment of the best hairstyles for them. Sheriff Hemlock noted that he was supposed to be one of the masked participants, and I agreed, but noted that Kaye would probably still want to get dressed up for it. Sheriff Hemlock sighed and said that he would take a trip around the market, as he could at least be seen as checking in on all of the new vendors.
Thinking quick, we asked if Oren and Arika were on duty anywhere in the town today, and he told us that they were on gate duty, but that he would have someone relieve them for a little while so that they could head there as well. Savah thanked him for agreeing with this, and we wished him luck. Sheriff Hemlock kind of grumbled, but in a not really pissed off way. We decided that we could check in with Jonathan, just to let him and Shayliss know that Corwin was here, and then we could drop by Cyrdak to tell him about Corwin.
We made our way to the Barghest and it was packed. Jonathan offered to find a table for us anyway, but Savah noted that we were just dropping by to tell him and Shayliss that Corwin was in the vendor's market and that he wanted to check in on everyone who would be part of the ceremony, just to ensure that he had everything in mind that he would be working with for Crystalhue. Jonathan thanked us and went back to talk to Shayliss. We walked on to the theater to see if we could find Cyrdak. He was at the stage, giving some last minute advice.
When Cyrdak saw us, he nearly broke character, before getting huffy and telling his performers that they needed to take a break so that they didn't catch "the hubris". Savah walked up to him while I waited at the door. She whispered something to him, and he whispered something back to her. She came back and nodded that we could head out. Cyrdak slightly winked at us, and told his crew that they were breaking to go to the market to advertise the show for the night. We walked on out and decided to head back to our home.
As we walked back, Savah asked me if I thought that we could have a better life here or in Magnimar. I thought about it and told her that I didn't really see it that way, that yes, we live here in Sandpoint, but with our bikes, Magnimar was only a few hours away. We could visit whenever we wanted/needed to. And Magnimar considered Sandpoint to be a vassal city anyway, so it really didn't matter too much in my mind in that regard. Savah asked me if I worried about the Sczarni or the Scarnettis. I told her that I was fairly certain that Magnimar had both of those, and we were less protected in Magnimar than Sandpoint becaused of our association with the town guard. Savah said that she could understand that. We stopped at Risa's place to have a nice sit down dinner.
Risa welcomed us in and gave Savah a bit of a glance before seating us. Risa asked us if we wanted our usual orders, and Savah noted that she'd prefer to have some tea. I told her that I guessed that I'd have tea as well. Risa smiled and asked if I'd grace the crowd with the true stories behind what they all had heard rumors of. I looked to Savah and she smiled and goaded me to tell everyone of the group's trip to Turtleback Ferry. So, I took up the storyteller's seat, and asked if everyone here had heard of Turtleback Ferry and Fort Rannick. Most people had, so I broke down into the adventure of what the Lord-Mayor had requested for us, including everything up to the adventures in swamp.
I make sure that I didn't include any of the specific details about the Ranger and the Nymph beyond just mentioning them as that. When it was all said and done, some of the patrons were a bit incredulous, but Risa noted to them that I had not lied to them before, and it made no sense to start now. Furthermore, she had felt the psychic disturbance of the slaying of Black Magga, and had noticed that the four of us had been emanating the radiance of having dealt with her. The patrons were suitably awed then. Savah and I had our dinner and thanked Risa for such good food. Savah tried to pay for our meal, but Risa wouldn't have it, and instead whispered something in Savah's ear. Savah nodded and whispered something back, and Risa nodded.
I raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything. Savah and I both headed back to our house. We went in through the store and checked in with Vaeren. He noted that it was a decent day, and that he had a few minor sales. Savah thanked him for his diligence, and noted that we would be heading to the Theater tonight, and gave him a bonus so that he could go to the theater tonight if he wanted. Vaeren thanked us and said that he would consider going. Savah and I went into the workshop and checked in on Veronica and Igor.
There was another pile of grenades and ammo on the corner. I told them that they had done a good job. The twins noted that they would be working on the revolvers next. I thanked them and sent that they were doing a good job. They both saluted us and we left to head upstairs to get changed. Savah and I both got changed into our fancier clothes while I mentally checked in with Niddler and War-Bringer. They sent back to me that everything seemed fine, and I sent to them that we would be heading out for the night, and would be coming in a little late. They acknowledged this and said that they would continue their patrols.
Savah told me that she had sent a message to Bailey 2.0 to do patrols with Niddler and War-Bringer, and that Bailey said that they would. I thanked her and noted that we really needed to find a way for both of us to talk to them all, and Savah noted that we could just talk to them, verbally. I face palmed and nodded silently. We headed out to the theater. Savah looked radiant in her attire, and she said that I looked dapper myself. I smiled and we walked all the way there.
When we got to the theater, we noticed that Corwin was there waiting to get in. We had a brief discussion, and he commented how I had done a fair job in mimicking the styles that he had created for us when we were in Magnimar. I noted that I wasn't trying to upstage him or anything, but he shook his head unconcerned, noting that anyone who knew his work wouldn't see that. We asked him if people had dropped by, and he told us that a few had, and that he had gathered a good profile for each. He wished us a good night and went into the theater.
We went up to our booth, and the others of the group were all there with their partners. Ameiko wasn't but there, but everyone else was there. We all got snacks from Cracktooth's delivered, and the show was a retelling of the events of the early days of Sandpoint. A Magnimar diva performer was playing the role of the Scarnetti Scion who had decided to slaughter the Varisian people. This caused Titus to leave his booth. I was beginning to wonder if my presence here was causing people to throw off the shackles of his asshole nature.
The rest of the show went well, and showed how the town was advancing. Each scene seemed to be one of the major events in the history of the town, with "The late unpleasantness" and the "Swallowtail raid" being the last two before a hopeful ending for the future, with hints towards the improvements that our group was doing. We all exited the theater at the end, and the rest of the group asked if we all wanted to head to Cracktooth's. Savah politely declined, saying that she would like to get some rest. Shayliss and Chelger both looked like there was more to her statement than that, but wished us well.
As we walked home, I realized that the group was really becoming part of a new class of people here in Sandpoint. People who had started out as outsiders and were being welcomed in as valued members of society. Maybe we were doing enough to try to keep the town safe, but maybe we could do more. I came to the understanding that if I managed to help upgrade the technology of this town, it might become an attraction for the rest of Varisia, and it might help improve lives even more. I vowed to myself to stay the course with the university and not give up on this place.
When Savah and I got home, Oren and Arika were there. They both noted that they had spoken to Arika's mother and told us that she told them about our visit. Arika said that her mother tried to give back the deposit, until they told her about how many people were actually going to show up. Then she said that she needed Arika's help in finding some apprentices for Aneka, so the next few days would be spent by her helping out there. Oren told us that he would be working with Sheriff Hemlock on creating more defensive fortifications, and I told him that he had free usage of my enchanted gloves and E-tool, after explaining how they worked. He thanked me, and said that a lot of the defensive work would be similar to the walls that I had put up around the property. They both bid us good night and we headed upstairs.
Savah and I both changed, and we sent thoughts to our respective homunculi that we would be heading to bed. They all sent thoughts back wishing us good night, and that they would be on the prowl for dangers. Savah and I decided to retire early and enjoy some quality time together.