Day 45: Fireday the 2nd, Neth, 4707
I woke up entwined with Savah, with my friendly alarm clock, Veronica, telling me that it was morning and that we needed to get ready to head out today. I thanked her and carefully pried myself out of Savah's sleeping clutches. It was morning, so I got myself cleaned, dressed, and headed out to the kitchen. Jonathan was working on another thing that I had introduced him to, Egg, Bacon and Cheese biscuits. He had made quite a few and had both citrus juice and coffee available for everyone. Faunra and Shalelu were already up and about. Shalelu told me that Dame Rebekah and Chelger were at the morning services at the Temple to Iomedae again, but that they would be back soon. I nodded and got Savah's coffee and a biscuit for her.
I went to the workshop to see how Veronica was doing. She briefly looked up at me and saluted before going back to work on the wiring that she was making. I sent her that we were going to have to pack up soon and she sent back that she would be packing everything up in the cart as soon as she was done with this length. I told her that she was doing a good job and went back to the bedroom. Savah smelled the coffee as I came in and beckoned me over. I went over to the bed and she grabbed the coffee and took a drink, smiling. I put the food down on the table next to the bed for her and made to help her up. She put the coffee down on the table and pulled me down into the bed with her.
The second time I got out of bed was much more successful. We both got up and followed our usual routine. Savah made the comment that she appreciated the fact that I could use my abilities to clean us both quickly, she couldn't wait to get back into her hot tub. I agreed and we got our armor and weaponry kitted on us. I used my powers to clean and fold all of our extra clothing, including our party clothes. I got everything packed into my backpack and we headed out to where everyone else was. Everyone else was up and dressed for travel. There was also another person there, with what looked like a packed bag and another bag for tools. They were a fairly normal human all things considered, and they introduced themselves to us as James Patchen.
I introduced myself and Savah to him, and he told us that he learned that we would be spending a fair amount of time together, at least until my school was finished. I told him that I would be glad to undo any of the changes that I had made to be able to make the product that I needed to make so that he could go right to work on glass blowing. James politely told me that he needed to get a feel for the place before he could start, and he needed to check for what outstanding orders were left before so that he could order any supplies that he would need.
We shook hands and Ameiko told us that we needed to get going. Since two of the horses were going to be needed to pull the wagon, and one of the people were going to be the driver for the wagon, one of the former horse riders was going to have to ride behind Savah or myself on the bikes. Faunra already had to ride behind one of us. Ameiko volunteered to be the one behind Savah, and Faunra was to ride behind me. Savah seemed a bit worried at first, but then I reminded her that we were going to have to go slower so that the wagon could keep up. We locked up the Townhouse and Veronica sent to me that she had moved everything from the workspace to the cart, hooked the carts up to the back of the bikes, and that she was in there already as well. I sent her thanks and congratulations on making sure that everything went smoothly.
As we all went to the stables, Savah saw that there was a cart behind each of our bikes, and asked what that was about. I told her that it was the surprise from yesterday, that Veronica had made us carts so that we could carry more without needing a full on wagon. Savah smiled but noted that we would need to carry a lot more. Faunra spoke up without missing a beat, that's what enchantments are for.
We got the horses and wagon sorted out, got everyone situated and had just enough room for everyone's spare gear, tools, supplies, and whatnot. We got everyone situated on their horses and got the wagon out of the courtyard before Savah, Ameiko, Faunra, and myself all got on our bikes and headed out of the garage. We were a definite sight to see, and Jonathan, on foot as always, shut the doors and locked them behind us. He caught up to our parade of insanity quite quickly and we all took the roads to head out of the gate and back to Sandpoint.
As we were leaving the gate, the guards remembered us from before and wished us well, saying that it was likely that we had not seen the end of Brigands in the area. I stopped to ask them as we passed what the policy was for dealing with Brigands when one was not on their way into Magnimar. The guard noted that they had patrols, but that it was usually best to just try to get back here to inform the guard of where we left the bodies. I asked him what we should do with the living ones, and he said that we could try and escort them back but most people just left them to die in the fields, because that is what they would likely do to us. I thanked him for his time and we sped off to catch up with the rest of the caravan.
While Faunra and I were riding to catch up, I asked if she could hear me okay. Faunra replied that she could questioningly. I told her that I had to ask her something that was a little sensitive and that I didn't know exactly how to ask it of her. Faunra kind of squirmed a little and seemed a bit more cautious but told me to just ask, that we can parse out what I actually mean after. I gulped and I asked her if she could tell me how to fight spellcasters better.
Faunra audibly sighed with apparent relief and her voice seemed a bit more relaxed when she answered by asking me if this was related to the last two encounters that I was involved in. I told her that I had no reference to defending against these kinds of abilities or attacks, and that because of that, I almost lost Savah. Faunra was very sympathetic at that point, and started to explain to me everything that she could about wizards and other spellcasters. There were some things that I had figured out that were close to being correct, but a lot of things that I had guessed during the encounters were wrong. I'm glad that I didn't put those into this journal.
We continued to talk while we rode to catch up with everyone else. She told me how a lot of spell-casters needed to utilize special movements and materials to bring these effects into being, and how stopping them from making those movements or using those materials can make them unable to accomplish the spell casting they are attempting. She added that some spells can be activated with only words and focus. She told me that the only way to stop these spells is to prevent the spell caster from talking or distort their speech. Faunra added that grappling can cause a lot of problems to spellcasters for retaining focus, and that nets or Tanglefoot bags can act like grappling does and inhibit focus. Faunra added that divine spell casters frequently needed a holy symbol or other implement, and that this worked similar to the special materials that arcane casters utilized, but that sometimes these could be included in their shields, weapons, or even just worn around their neck.
I took in all of the information that I could from her. Faunra also explained that she only knew what she did from reading and her lectures from her former master. I thanked her for what information that she could provide. She accepted my thanks and said that there were other counter measures that could be attempted after the fact but that the best way to deal with a spell caster is to prevent them from casting in the first place. She noted that certain spells could prevent mental control, or help you resist energy damage, and stronger spells might even make you partially immune to some magic. I thanked her for her lessons as we finally caught up with the group.
Savah asked what we stopped to talk to the guard about, and I told her that I wanted to know what the proscribed legal punishment was for bandits if we could not turn them in to the authorities. She told me that she could have told me that, and I said that I didn't think to ask her and that I was sorry about that. She looked me over and shrugged before getting back to driving. We all drove along, not making anywhere as good time as when we got here the first time. Jonathan was not even reaching his stride, and Dame Rebekah's faux Pegasus wasn't very happy with the speed either. I think I'll have to make a wagon equivalent of the bikes to get us moving larger quantities of goods and people faster, or maybe just the railroad. I am sure that the Lord-Mayor could see the prestige in that.
We were about two hours outside of town when Jonathan chirped over the radio that there was an ambush up ahead, a little over two hundred feet ahead. Dame Rebekah noted that if we let them escape, they would just get them next group, and invoked a Blessing over the party. I can hear Faunra invoke a spell behind me that sounded like a mixture of her Elvish tongue and a language that I knew but didn't know that I knew. I somehow knew that she had successfully cast a Fly Spell. I some ectoplasm seep from around Jonathan and some of the various pebbles lift up around him. Seeing where this was heading, I got my pistol carefully out and focused my efforts on getting mentally ready.
Jonathan came back over the radio when we were one hundred and seventy feet out, and noted to us that we were almost within his range of attack. He also noted that we were fully outnumbered, as he had just seen a few more that were hiding better than the others. Dame Rebekah muttered a Prayer to all of us, and reiterated to us that we needed to make sure that they did not get away to continue their brigand ways. Faunra tells me that when we get close enough, I will feel her leave the bike, but that I shouldn't worry. I nodded, and focused in on one of the ones that I could see. I might not be able to do much, but I was gonna stop that guy. Savah came over the radio noting that they would all hang back and watch our back sides to make sure that we were not getting ambushed further. I heard Shalelu chime in something about Savah just wanting to watch my backside. I heard Faunra snicker over that.
Jonathan silenced all of the chatter with a pronouncement of the word now over the radio. We were about one hundred and twenty feet out. Faunra lifted up off the back of my bike and cast a Web spell over the area where the hidden brigand archers were. I heard some curses from them as I assumed that most of them got stuck. I saw Dame Rebekah cast a spell that lit up the area in a divine light, causing much of the cursing to stop. Jonathan launched one of the rocks that his aura had lifted up and struck one of the first four. I took aim with my pistol and miraculously hit the one that I had aimed at, dropping him. I think that this massive assault must have actually taken the bandits by surprise, as they didn't even react to our offensive before we struck again.
I must have been very quick on the draw, so to speak, because I dropped another bandit before anyone could do anything else. Maybe the retort of the pistol shocked everyone? By this time, we were still riding closer, and were only about seventy feet away from the ambush site, so this would have probably been where they had intended to start the attack. A glowing flask launched out from Jonathan, striking someone who was hiding nearby that I had not even noticed before. Faunra struck the last of the first four bandits with an arrow and asked if they were all willing to surrender. The only remaining conscious bandit surrendered, so we dropped our assault.
Dame Rebekah rushed forward on her steed and channeled a small amount of her healing capability to stabilize the fallen. Remarkably, none of the bandits were dead. Five of the brigands regained consciousness with her channeling, while the rest seemed to stabilize. She spoke to the eight that were stuck in the webbing and had been it by her spell that the only way that spell does damage is if you are evil, and that she would have been within her rights to slay all of them, but as a Crusader of Iomedae, she believed in rehabilitation, and asked if they were willing to prove their desire to rehabilitate. The six conscious brigands all confirmed that they would take another path, and she ordered them to remove all of the weapons and armor from everyone so we could be certain that they would not attack anyone while we waited to decide their fate.
The six bandits made short work of stripping everyone, themselves included after a stern glance from Dame Rebekah, and getting everyone into a more manageable area. The rest of the Caravan caught up to her while this was going on. I asked Savah and Ameiko what would be a reasonable means by which the brigands could achieve rehabilitation. Savah shrugged, and Ameiko noted that most of the rehabilitation that could be done would be to send them to Magnimar for them to be tried and sentenced to a fort somewhere after a short prison stay. I noted that we were only two hours out from Magnimar, but that it would prevent us from reaching Garrett's Landing before night fall if we all headed back to Magnimar.
Faunra noted that she and I could make the trip with them and then race back to Garrett's Landing, probably with a little time to spare before nightfall, as my bike was faster than Savah's or Jonathan, and Dame Rebekah would be only one person heading back. The conscious bandits begged to not be brought before Ironbriar. Faunra joked that this would not be a problem, as he was retired from being a Judge in Magnimar. I mentioned that we should probably send them to Justice Tyronious Beard. Dame Rebekah noted that he was always tough but fair. The conscious bandits squirmed but didn't say anything. We got them all tied up and mounted on their horses, the unconscious ones lashed to the horses so that they wouldn't fall off.
I hugged Savah and said that we would catch up as soon as we could. She told me that I had better not die, as she would get me raised and then beat the shit out of me. I smiled and said that I was glad that this was a possibility in this realm. We kissed and I got back on my bike. Faunra got down behind me and we rode off, following the bandits. As we left, Faunra noted that we had "forgotten" all of the armor, weapons, and such back at the wagon, and hoped that the others wouldn't mind looking after it. I responded back to her that I was sure that we would be able to make good use of it when we got back to Sandpoint.
Faunra was quiet for a minute before talking in that language that I couldn't remember learning again, and asking me when I learned the tongue of Dragons. I told her that I had never learned the "tongue of Dragons" and that I didn't even know that they had a specific language, but that I should have expected that they did. Faunra told me that I was speaking it right now. I realized that I had been speaking in that language after she brought it to my attention. I asked her if I had been speaking it while everyone else was around. Faunra said that I had not, but that she had noticed that I had perked up when she had cast those spells.
I asked Faunra if it would be better for her if I spoke in this language or in another. Faunra noted that she was a little out of practice with common Draconic, but that it would be fine to speak in this or the language of the Elves. That was, of course, if I had to talk about something that needed to be more secure, considering the prisoners. I switched over to the Elvish tongue that I had learned from Nisk's potion so long ago. I told her that after the encounter with the Sorcerer, I had started to see auras around some people and items, mostly magical ones, and only when I focused.
Faunra thought for a second, and said that we could look into this at a later date, but that I might have developed an ability similar to a cantrip that she knew. Faunra noted that this could be the result of so much magic being leached into me so quickly, that being the two sequential lightning bolts that struck me within six seconds of each other. I noted that there were even stories of people back where I was from gaining new knowledge and abilities from traumatic events. Faunra noted that the combination of the electricity and the stress from seeing Savah fall could easily be a catalyst for the changes. She told me that we should do a full work up inspection of my abilities when we have the time back in Sandpoint.
Thinking back on this, I asked Faunra if they had any plans for what they might do when we got back to Sandpoint. Faunra told me that Shalelu and her were going to look into making a house with a good workshop for crafting more magical items and exploring the mysteries of magic. Faunra asked what I had planned for the next few months. I told her that I had to get through a lot of back orders and I had to make sure that Savah and I would have a place to stay before too long, as Ameiko would need the property back for her glassblowers. Faunra agreed and soberly said that I still needed to get the school built too. She kept a straight face for all of thirty seconds before breaking down laughing.
We eventually made our way back to the Magnimar gate and presented the bandits. The guards at the gate recognized us and quickly figured out what was going on. They took all of the brigands into custody and gave us back our manacles and ropes. They indicated that they didn't really need our statements, as one of them was a known highwayman and the rest all bore the tattoos of his gang. Faunra asked the guards what we should do with the horses, and the guard told us, with a wink, that we should do whatever we wanted with our horses. I shrugged to Faunra and asked if she had any ideas. Faunra noted that it would take a fair amount of time to offload nine light horses here in Magnimar, but that maybe Garrett's Landing had a need of some or all of them.
I shrugged again and wheeled my bike around. Faunra and I got off the bike and made an impromptu horse train out of their bridles and the excess rope that we had. Veronica even climbed out and helped a bit. We got them situated and Faunra leapt onto the back of the lead horse and we headed off. We could make a fair bit better time without the wagon slowing us down, and we made it all the way to Garrett's Landing after about eight hours of travel. Faunra was able to keep her horses relatively fresh and my bike was easily keeping up.
The two of us arrived into Garrett's Landing to see that it was a hamlet that was based around fishing and catering to those who were travelling from Sandpoint to Magnimar. The last time we came through and stopped, we had not made it to Garrett's Landing, and so stopped at a smaller Lost Coast Road side Inn. Now, since we were in a town, we actually had a choice. But really the choice had already been made. The wagon, the other horses, and Savah's bike were in the stables next to an establishment that had a sign that showed a tankard that was on fire. I pulled my bike up and parked next to Savah's before helping Faunra stable all nine of the horses that she came in with. I gave Veronica strict instructions that she should keep an eye out for people bothering any of our gear and to give me a heads up if they do. Veronica saluted me and took up a hiding position where she was quite well hidden, but had a good range of vision.
Both of us went to the front door and made to go in. After we cleared the entrance we were blocked by a wall of muscle. It was four Shoanti men dressed in armor with big weapons indicating that we needed to drop off our weapons if we wanted to head inside. Faunra seemed a bit peeved, but I indicated that we should just go along with it, for peace's sake. I handed the bouncers my machete, my daggers, and my hand axe and waited for Faunra to do the same. She readily gave them her gladius and her spiked gauntlet but was more reluctant to give up her bow. She finally gave up her bow when she noticed Dame Rebekah's sword behind the counter.
We started to head to the bar when one of the Shoanti stopped me to ask me what my air-rifle was. I smacked my hand to my forehead and apologized before taking it off and handing it to them carefully. The bouncer placed it behind the counter and we were let through to see that the rest of the group were all seated at a large table that seemed to be composed of other, smaller tables that were pushed together. Savah and Shalelu had saved seats for the both of us and we slid into them gratefully. Everyone had drinks in front of them and were enjoying the light conversation. The Innkeeper, with a disappointed face, came up to Ameiko and whispered something.
Ameiko stood up, kind of wobbly, and noted to the party that the Innkeeper had said that they were out of food, and that this would not do. Ameiko asked if there were food stuffs at the general store. The innkeeper noted that there was, but that he would need a down payment to pay for all of the food that would be needed for such a large group. Ameiko shook her head and said that this would not suffice, that she would need the assistance of the best cook in the realm, and that they were going to prepare a feast for whole the town. Before anyone could say anything, she strode off, pulling Jonathan along behind her.
The Innkeeper looked ashamed, and I went up to him. I told him that he didn't need to feel ashamed, but that it would be most appreciative if he could rustle everyone up and get as many tables and chairs as could be gotten into the best area of the town to accommodate it, so that we could get everything set up for a feast. The Innkeeper asked if there was any way to stop this, and I told him with my best polite voice that once Lady Ameiko Kaijitsu got something into her head, you couldn't stop her. Savah pulled up beside me to reinforce that I was telling the truth. She added that if people were confused or curious, tell them that the Saviors of Sandpoint were celebrating their capture of a bandit gang that was plaguing caravans between here and Magnimar.
The Innkeeper thanked us profusely for our ridding the countryside of that gang of bandits, and said that they would get the word out immediately. Thanked the Innkeeper and smiled to Savah. Savah smiled back and told me that Ameiko and everyone else had been drinking since they all got here almost two and a half hours ago, and she was talking up all of our deeds. Savah told me that Ameiko steadfastly refused to tell the other tavern members the details of what we did, and indicated that I would be telling them all the stories of our deeds. I smiled and wryly thanked her.
The Innkeeper, their wife, and their kids all started moving all of the tables that they could out into the main road. Dame Rebekah, Chelger, Shalelu, and everyone else got up and tried to help the Innkeeper family as best they could, given their somewhat inebriated state. Faunra and I tried to get everyone on the same page, including the Shoanti bouncers. After a few minutes, one of the bouncers complained to another loudly that they didn't understand why they should be obeying my orders. Savah responded back to them that I was one of the Saviors of Sandpoint, and that she had personally seen me take two lightning bolts without blinking before taking out a flying sorcerer. I looked over to her and told her that I thought that I was confused because I thought that she was unconscious after the first one. Savah looked at me really oddly, as did the Shoanti bouncers. The bouncer asked me how I knew his language. I looked over to Faunra and she kind of shrugged. I told him that I learned it recently, after arriving here in Varisia. Savah told me that we'd have to talk later about this. There was a questioning tone in her voice.
We got everything out and ready by the time that Ameiko, Jonathan, and a floating cart filled with a hand barrels of ale, mead, and applejack, a few bottles of wine, and a large amount of meat, potatoes, vegetables and assorted other things. Jonathan commandeered the Inn's kitchen area, with Ameiko aiding as best she could. They were whipping up a good meal when the Innkeeper's youngest daughter asked me if I was going to tell the stories or not. I asked the Innkeeper if everyone from the town that wanted to be here was here, and they confirmed that they were, so I had everyone sit down at their places, and went into the stories of our adventures, starting out on our way from Windsong Abbey, to the goblins afflicting the festival in Sandpoint, to the nameless Skinsaw man, to the Snake Lady in the tower.
The crowd was enthralled with the story. The Innkeeper's daughter asked if this was all true. Faunra responded back to her and said that it happened pretty much as I had said it, except that I had left out a bit more of the gory bits. It was at this time that Ameiko announced to everyone that the meal was ready. Everyone took their seats and Jonathan floated the trenchers out to each person, including the Shoanti bouncers. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the feast. There was some conversation among the small town and the Innkeeper asked if we were going to be staying the night. Ameiko spoke right up and said that we definitely would, and that we would need six rooms. The Innkeeper told us that the rooms would be ready, that it was fortunate that we had chosen today to come through Garrett's Landing, as his inn was empty enough to have all of the rooms that we needed empty.
The feast went on with some small talk among everyone. I thought I heard Foxglove's name pop up once, but couldn't figure out who was talking about the former noble. I let it pass and we continued on with our festivities. To finish off the meal, Ameiko pulled out her instrument, a shamisen, and performed a great relaxing melody for the assembled. The Innkeeper comped us all of our rooms and the boarding of our many mounts after the meal and the entertainment. We all thanked him for his generosity, and we all silently planned on leaving some coins behind accidentally as a tip for them lovely family that runs the inn.
As we wound the day down, people slowly began to peel off and retire for the night. Dame Rebekah and Chelger were first, which made sense as they were the ones who would be up at dawn. James Patchen, the Glassblower took their leave next. I would love to say that Savah and I were up until the last, but we headed out after James and retired to our room. We said our good nights, checked in on our bikes and their tiny over watch, and headed up to the room we were assigned.
When we got back to our room, Savah asked me how long I had been able to talk Shoanti. I told her that until that point, I had never known that I could speak it, and that in fact I did not understand what the words that the proprietor of the White Deer was passing back and forth to his employees back when we had our date. I told Savah that I had started understanding and speaking Draconic shortly after getting zapped by that sorcerer, and that this might be related. She nodded as I told her how I had understood some of the words that Faunra was now using when she cast her spells. Savah asked if anything like this had happened to me before. I told her no, but that I had heard of strange things like this happening back where I was from.
Savah seemed a bit more relaxed after we talked and she decided that she would help me out with writing my notes today. We not so much help me out as provide a constant distraction and make me go shot on the details.