A J s Dad |
Tregar continues to address Ensu and Valoria,
"Was Brodert able to shine any light on the nature of those old tunnels? Or the name Malfeshnekor?",
but watches for any reaction from Mayor Deverin.
<thinks>"Who'd have thought the Kaijitsu would have re-opened the smugglers' tunnels? Or that there'd be more beneath? Deverin is of old family, first to settle the town. Who knows if they've been sitting on this, since they arrived?"<thinks>
Sense Motive 1d20+7+1
Im ok with you rolling but if i need to i may make rolls as well. You determine that from the look on Deverins face and her body language, that she is totaly shocked by the secret tunnels.
A J s Dad |
As you are discussing your next step, and pouring over the map, the door to Mayor Deverins room slams open and an elven woman walks in, followed by two bedraggled and nervous looking men The room is of course now getting rather crowded.
Some of you recognise the elf as the ranger, Shalelu Andosana, who ocasionaly passes through town on her wilderness patrols. "I apologise for the entrance Mayor, but I bring news. My old foe, Bruthazmus, has joined forces with several humanoids and moved into Thisteltop." She glances at the blank stares of some of you. "He's a bugbear, a ranger as well and we have clashed on several occasions To date, neither of us has managed to get the
upper hand, but I have vowed that I won’t be the first to fall in our little war. Oh, and I came across these two outside town." She indicates the two men standing awkwardly behind her. "Merchants out of Riddleport. Claim that goblins heading North jumped them and stole their prize horse."
One of the men steps around Shalelu. "It's true. Out of nowhere they came like a gibbering horde of ..of ...well, like a hoard of greem realy. They took Shadowmist. That horse is like a member of our family. My brother and I love her. We can't loose her. I don't think we'd ever find amother like Shadowmist. If any of you can find her and bring her safely back the we will gladly pay. 250 gold is all we have but it's yours?" Tears seem to be about to break from both men.
Salelu shakes her head, as she stands behind the merchants. "Horse is just as good as dead now. Goblins hate horses. Probably going to sacrifice it to some god of theirs."
The men look ashen at this.
Galstok |
"Well, it looks like it might be time for us to get a move on then." Then looking over to the two men, "Your lucky they didn't take you as well...That's a little odd really that they let you go, I think." At this he looks at the men a little closer, wondering if they might have to something to do with whats going on.
Sense Motive:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
A J s Dad |
"Well, it looks like it might be time for us to get a move on then." Then looking over to the two men, "Your lucky they didn't take you as well...That's a little odd really that they let you go, I think." At this he looks at the men a little closer, wondering if they might have to something to do with whats going on.
Sense Motive:1d20 + 1
Galstock
Tregar Quill |
"Are we set on going straight to Thistletop? If so, can we commandeer a boat? And a crew to man her, and keep it safe?"
"And enough maps for everyone, in case we get separated on arrival? That coast can be dangerous, without a guide, even if the bugbears aren't on the move. If this goes wrong, I want at least one of us to make it back."
"There'll also need to be a guard placed on the tunnels under The Glassworks; don't ask them to go in, just to keep a lid on till we get back."
Ensu |
"I think the best aid you can give right now is digging deep and finding defenses you didn't know you had while we deal with Thistletop. It's hard to take the fight forward if one is constantly watching one's back. I am good to go, except for perhaps provisions if the trip is long enough to warrant them. There are perfectly good ruins going unexplored and I can't remedy that until we deal with the more immediate problem."
A J s Dad |
Mayor Deverin nods. "Provisions are not a problem. I can also provide boats if needed. We have many willing fishermen who will gladly transport you up the coast. Or if land is to be the way, then horses can also be provided. As for the glassworks, I will make certain that any entrances into it as well as the smuggling tunnels are watched."
Galstok |
"I'm partial to horses for travel, but if by boat would be faster...I'm getting the feeling we might be a tad pressed for time." He looks thoughtful for a moment and a look of distaste passes over his face, "I would ask for a bow and quiver, as I think we might not be able to close with our prey, but I have nothing to trade for it.
A J s Dad |
Do we know enough about Thistletop to know which approach would be easier and/or more unexpected?
Local maps show that Thistletop is a curiously round island about 60 feet off shore, connected to the mainland by a rope bridge. Along the coastal path, the road leads through the Nettlewood and the path can be quite treacherous. When the sun hits the western cliff of the island just right, one can just make out a shadow of the statue’s face. The sea around the base of the island is choppy but navigable.
Sephird Brookside |
Sephird nods as Valoria exits. Turning, he pushes the brim of his hat up, "It would probably be a good idea to learn what we can of the history of the place. Who built it, when? Are there any builders plans available? " Looking at the crude map of the area, "this bridge is an obvious choke point, how easy would it be to ascend from the sea?"
A J s Dad |
Sephird nods as Valoria exits. Turning, he pushes the brim of his hat up, "It would probably be a good idea to learn what we can of the history of the place. Who built it, when? Are there any builders plans available? " Looking at the crude map of the area, "this bridge is an obvious choke point, how easy would it be to ascend from the sea?"
Mayor Deverin speaks at this. "It may be that our resident expert on all things ancient and ruined may be able to shed some light on the Isle's history. Shall I send for Brodert Quink?"
Galstok |
"Not really, it makes it highly defensible. Also suggests the presences of hidden doors or alcoves at the base to facilitate large scale movement."
"Aye, that's why I wonder about the tunnels. Some of them went deeper then we delved." Pausing for a moment, he shakes his head "We can't be worryin' about what ifs. I can be ready to go at anytime then. Though if your Elder knows things that will help, the time will be well spent to wait"
A J s Dad |
As you sip the tea, a member of the watch enters the room acpmpanied by a rather flustered looking Brodert Quink. After a brief chat with Mayor Deverin, the learned sage peruses the map of Thistletop.
"So you mean to head there do you. Well, all I can say is this - I believe that the island itself has an unusual genesis—I am led to the conclusion from my research into ancient Thassilion, that it was in fact once the head of a massive statue that stood upon the ridge of land called the Rasp before the ancient nation of Bakrakhan became the Varisian Gulf. The statue itself has long since crumbled and become overgrown by the Nettlewood, but the head escaped such obscurement by landing in the surf. I think that the magical nature of the statue’s construction has drasticaly slowed the process of erosion on the head’s features, and that explains why in the correct light, one can still make out the semblance of an ancient carved face. If I am correct, I would think that the head once contained a small complex, but as to whether they still remain...I don't know the answer to that. But I would be intrigued to find those answers..."
A J s Dad |
Brodert shrugs his shoulders. "That, my small friend, is something that I do not have an answer to. Personally, I doubt it. The site is many miles away and from what I know of Thassilion architecture, I can see no reason to have a connection between the two site. But as I said, I am only working on guesswork. We know only a fraction of the secrets of this ancient civilisation."
Valoria Grundmire |
After about 20 minutes, Valoria re-enters the room to see Brodert talking to the group, she gives a bow and walks up to stand beside Brodert. She whispers to Brodert to fill her in on what has transpired.
"Sure going to be interesting moving inside the head complex that is now lying vertical instead of horizontal. May need ropes and grapple hooks to move about the complex."
Tregar Quill |
"Do we know that it landed right way up, or on it's side? I've not seen it in person, just heard conflicting tales."
A blog post from way back when, showed it right way up, while the more recent Inner Sea Guide shows it on the cover, on its side.
"I agree, it's unlikely to connect to the tunnels under the town, if it's no longer in it's original position. But maybe the tunnels do lead under the original body?"
Ensu |
"Works for me, we can take rope and tackle to get up if we can't find an opening at the base."
What time of day is it currently, and how long does it take to get to our destination by boat?"
Kavrik Doln |
"As long as getting us there by boat means that we don't miss any potential bands of raiding goblins on the way. I have seen the devastation that this town suffered even with your blades and skills here to help out. If we sail on by another raid and the town is attacked again then what chance does the town have? We may have chosen a life of violence and danger but there are many innocents here that would have that life forced upon them." Kavrik wait for some response from either the group or mayor to support his speech.
Ensu |
"I don't see that we have a lot of choice, Kavrik. While stopping further raids is an admirable goal, it also risks our own ability to take Thistletop, and all but forces us across a single, very dangerous chokepoint. I hate leaving the town without defenders, but Shaleyu is here and can help organize something if it reaches that point. We can't be everywhere at once, and beating ourselves up over that helps no one." Ensu replies, clearly having already processed such thoughts.