Burnt Offerings: Thistletop Help [Spoilers]


Rise of the Runelords

Liberty's Edge

Had a player die to the Yeth Hounds in the Temple on level 1. The party did succeed in killing them then made a tactical retreat with the deceased character back to Sandpoint. They talked with Fr. Zantus, and he was able to get someone in the next day to cast reincarnate. They were also able to get one restoration, but the player doesn't want to head back out until he's able to get the second.

Those left in Thistletop as an immediate threat are Nualia, Lyrie, and one Yeth Hound.

I'm inclined to believe that Nualia, with pretty much her entire operation destroyed, would be hesitant to stick around, though would still plot some kind of revenge.

I'll post more later, as I'm a bit tired right now, but I'm looking for some ideas on how this would play out.


have the PCs already cleared out the Old Light?

If so did they destroy the sinspawn-pool-thingy? *Edit* Runeforge was the word!

Maybe Nualia decides to make one last kamikaze run at Sandpoint with some sinspawn from the caverns in tow? Some patron of the hagfish alerts the authorities (the PCs) that something is going on down the beach near the old light. PCs arrive to find the remainder of Nualia's entourage plus some sinspawn/mutated goblin fodder.

For extra epic points have the combat be on the beach at night.

Extra style points are awarded for increasing the size and scope of the battle on both sides, higher CR baddies and reinforcements for goodies (like Sherif Hemlock, Shelalu, and Ameiko).


I'd have her head back to Magnimar, reunite with X and then use her as main villain in the freebe Dawn of the Scarlet Sun.
Sure needs some remake, but should fit nicely.
Have Nualia use the pool to create spawn on the go and release it at night within Sandpoint--also makes for a nice red herring during the beginning of RotRL #2.

Ruyan.

Liberty's Edge

Good ideas. This is what I'm thinking so far:

1) A few hours after the PCs retreat and things quiet down, Lyrie gets enough courage to poke her head out and sees all of the carnage. She runs to inform Nualia.

2) Nualia becomes upset upon learning that two of her prized pets have been murdered. Realizing that her position in Thistletop is tenuous, she retires to the Cat of Wrat to seek guidance from and coordinate with Erylium.

3) Upon learning that Erylium is dead, she loses her composure in an enraged fit of frustration and cuts into her hand and drains her blood into the runewell. The runewell, fueled by the deaths from the goblin attack as well as the deaths upon Thistletop, disgorges 9 sinspawn (7 from the points the well contains plus 2 for the xp to deactivate the runewell). What Nualia doesn't realize until after she calms down is that in her rage, she accidentally deactivates the runewell.

4) Her sudden realization leaves her at a loss for what to do. She now feels that she must retreat to the only known ally that she has left in Magnimar. She leaves Lyrie with instructions to lead the sinspawn into the town above to cause panic and destruction to cover her escape, but to also kill the PCs who had laid her plans asunder.

For the timeline of events, I'm thinking that the 28th of Rova is when the Battle of Thistletop occured. The PC is raised on the 29th. Nualia will get into the CoW 28-29ish. She mopes for a day or two, then orders Lyrie to attack on the evening of Lamashan 1.

I'll worry about Nualia in Magnimar later, but using her in that module sounds good.


HangarFlying wrote:
The runewell, fueled by the deaths from the goblin attack as well as the deaths upon Thistletop

Isn't Thistletop too far for fueling the Runewell? Or my memory fails me?


One mile is the limit of the Runewell.

Liberty's Edge

Ashkar wrote:
HangarFlying wrote:
The runewell, fueled by the deaths from the goblin attack as well as the deaths upon Thistletop
Isn't Thistletop too far for fueling the Runewell? Or my memory fails me?

Meh. They don't know that.

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