Chapter 1: Burnt Offerings

Xandak's first strike stuns the boar, leaving it open for a devastating strike to the head, it wobbles and stumbles until Arktos gets there are bites down on the boar's neck, shaking it back and forth until you hear the neck snap.

Aldern watches in amazement at your efficiency, just barely having had time to pull up his bow and nock an arrow, "Wow! You are truly incredible, I must say! We're going to eat well at the Rusty Dragon tonight," he says, chuckling and shaking his head in amazement.

The trip back is primarily dominated by Aldern's constant chatter once again. He replays the battle that took down the boar about a dozen times in the 30 minute trip back to Sandpoint, constantly referring to you in flattering terms: Masterful, graceful, talented, etc.

That night you enjoy roast boar and many other delicacies, all on Aldern's dime. About 15 minutes into the meal, the door slams open and an old Tian man steps in and barks out a question that none of you understand. He takes a few more steps in and repeats the question, but no one answers. Everyone has taken a sudden interest in eating silently, trying not to look at the old man.

Gongar and Xandak recognize the man as Lonjiku Kaijitsu, a local aristocrat and father of Ameiko, the proprietor of the Rusty Dragon. He is well-known for his temper and his common outbursts.

His narrowed eyes sweep the room, looking for someone. They land on your table and he frowns before walking over slowly. "So, you're the fools who caused such trouble when the goblins attacked, eh? Damned idiots should have left the defenses to the trained professionals... sick of all you would-be heroes interfering in things better left alone!" he says to you, voice growing louder and louder as he goes on until he's shouting at you.

All Xandak can see is an old, feeble man. There's no way to tell if he was somehow involved, but you know for sure he couldn't have been the one to scale the wall with the goblins.

The old man's face turns an even deeper red, "They were there, and they had it well in hand, you're just a bunch of glory-seeking vagrants! It would be best for all of us if you'd just leave now before you attract any more trouble to the town!"

The old man raises a finger to point at you, probably to lecture you on manners, when the kitchen door slams open, "What in the hell is going on out here?"

You see Ameiko, the proprietor of the Rusty Dragon, emerge from the kitchen, dripping soup ladle in hand. She stops when she sees the old man, "Father? What are you doing here?"

The old man turns away from you and turns to her, speaking rapidly in another language. You can make out the word Magnimar, a nearby city, but not much else. She argues back for a moment, then switches back to speaking common, "Leave, I'm not going with you!"

His face contorts with rage upon her making their business fully public and he reaches out to grab her arm, to which she pulls out of reach and hits him in the head with her ladle.

He sputters for a moment before straightening up, ignoring the bits of soup and potatoes all over his clothes, "You're as dead to me as your mother!" he shouts, then turns to leave, glaring at you as if it's your fault.

Inside
As you look at Ameiko, you can see tears in her eyes at the cutting remark. She sniffles, wipes her eyes discreetly and looks at her ladle, "I'll need a well-cleaned ladle now, since jackass stew's not on the menu!"

At her remark, the other patrons burst into applause, bringing a slight smile to Ameiko's face. She looks at her patrons gratefully, then walks over to your table, "I'm ok... but I'm so sorry about my father, I hope you're not too terribly insulted.

Outside
Urthask: As the old man leaves, you notice he's covered in food and has the most foul look on his face. He stomps right by you, then stops briefly to spit on your feet and continue on his way.

Ameiko nods her gratitude, "A round of drinks, on the house, for standing up to the horse's ass!"

The rest of the night passes uneventfully.

The next morning you wake up and have a nice breakfast (free of charge). As you are getting ready for your day, a young boy comes running up to your shared table, "Misters! Glad yer here, the sheriff sent me to find you, says he's gotta talk to ya 'bout sometin," he says, out of breath from running here, "Says you should go to the town hall right away."