This adventure begins in the town of Sandpoint with
reports that the Licktoad goblins of Brinestump Marsh
have grown unusually aggressive. The reason for this
uncharacteristic bravery seems clear—the goblins have
somehow managed to arm themselves with what appears
to be a considerable supply of fireworks. The problem
stems not so much from the additional “firepower”
these fireworks provide as from the inflated sense of ego
and power that the devices have given the goblins—the
fireworks have made them dangerously brave.
Several merchant caravans and travelers have been
attacked so far, and according to the victims, the damage
caused by horses panicking at the sight and sound of
exploding pyrotechnics is almost as destructive as the
goblin attacks themselves. With the last few attacks
resulting in severe injuries to three unfortunate travelers,
the problem has escalated from an annoyance to a threat.
However, as none of the attacks have yet inconvenienced
Magnimar (only Sandpointers and other Lost Coasters
have been hit so far), the city has been slow to react.
Unwilling to idly sit by and wait for the goblin problem to
escalate to actual deaths on the Lost Coast Road in order to
attract Magnimar’s attention, Sandpoint’s leaders have put
out the call for goblin exterminators.
But after a time of upheaval a few years back involving
goblins, giants, and even a dragon, Sandpoint has since
returned to being a relatively sleepy town. It doesn’t take
long for life to settle down once things return to normal,
and with Varisia’s adventurers now more eager to try their
luck at finding their fortunes in legendary Xin-Shalast,
there simply aren’t a lot of volunteers to fight goblins
around. Always running at a lean enrollment, Sandpoint’s
city watch can’t afford to send patrols into the trackless
expanse of Brinestump, although they have stepped up
their presence along the Lost Coast Road itself. The task
of wading into the notorious local wetland falls instead to
adventurers—be they concerned locals honestly eager to aid
the town or greedy mercenaries looking to make relatively
easy coin. A few adventurers have already made the attempt,
but nothing has been heard of them in the 3 days since they
entered Brinestump Marsh, and just last night, another
round of colorful explosions burst over the wetlands south of
Sandpoint. The goblins are doubtless readying a new attack!
To deal with the goblin threat, Sheriff Belor Hemlock
has restored Sandpoint’s old “goblin bounty” after several
years of inactivity—it was suspended when a group of
eager but too-young adventurers were swept out to sea
while in pursuit of goblin ears. The town of Sandpoint will
pay 10 gp for every relatively fresh goblin ear delivered to
the town hall—with an additional reward of 300 gp for the
group who can bring in the head of the Licktoads’ leader,
Chief Gutwad.
While making early enquires, Varog was given
a warning and a bit of advice. Brinestump Marsh may
not be as large as the Mushfens farther to the south,
but the swamp is dense and tangled. It’s easy to get
lost in the place. No one’s made a really detailed map
of Brinestump—there’s been no need, since there’s not
much of value within. But if anyone knows his way around
in the marsh, it’d be that old eccentric half ling Walthus
Proudstump, the self-appointed “warden” of the swamp.
A fishing trail leads from the Lost Coast Road directly to
Walthus’s shack in the swamp. If the PCs wish to explore
the marsh, they could do a lot worse than following that
trail to seek out the half ling’s advice.
Three rumours have been heard by Vrog:-
"It’s been a long time since Old Megus came to town.
My neighbor says it’s because she used witch magic to
turn into some sort of swamp zombie and now she’s
stalking Brinestump looking for people to eat!"
"That weird halfling who lives at the end of the New Fish
Trail in Brinestump Marsh raises snakes as pets. I kid
you not! He coddles them like my niece coddles her
pet rabbit, Mr. Nibbles! Takes a special kind of weirdo
to keep snakes as pets!"
"A group of three girls, about fifteen years old, announced they were going to take care of the goblin problem and asked for details of the bounty. Officials thought this was a fine joke and the girls were firmly told to leave the goblins to adults."
Waking up after a long night trapped in though about the town's precarious position with the Goblins, Vrog decides that this time he can't just stand about and let his penchant for pacifism take him over. He starts his morning rising from his bed and donning his dwarven stoneplate from the closet. He briefly reminisces the tale of the dwarven merchant he won the set from in a lucky hand of cards. Darn silly of him wan't it?
After he finishes getting his things together Vrog wakes his Leshy friend Olo and sets out for the rusty dragon. Planning simply to have breakfast and a chat with his best friend Ameiko before setting out to take care of the problem himself.
Quietly as he can in his stone shell armor he enters the tavern and calls for his friend in the hushed voice that is so I'll befitting his grotesque visage. "Ameiko! I's Vrog, can I get some egg's an ham please?" Vrog sets himself down at one of the tables in the tavern, trying very hard not to break it while his Olo takes a seat next to him.
"Vrog, good to see you. The cook will start cooking for you, they will be here in a few minutes."replies the beautiful bard, Amieko.
A few minutes later, Amieko herself brings Vrog his meal of freshly cooked eggs, ham and some fresh bread not long out of the oven. It smells delicious. Amieko sits, smiles a greeting to Olo, and then says "Those damn goblins are raiding and killing again. You know they killed my father and brother? History may be repeating itself. Three of my young relatives have disappeared, and I hear they were asking about the bounty. I strongly suspect they have gone into the marsh on a pogrom against goblins. Worse, I fear they might be doing this in an attempt to impress me. I am deeply worried and torn between my responsibilities and venturing into the swamp myself." Amieko is obviously suffering, he face lined with worry and inner conflict.
Vrogs elated expression at the wonderful smelling breakfast instantly turns sour as the news of the death in the family is broken. "Ameiko... I'm sorry, If'n I'd ave decided too do somethin earlier I coulda..." Vrog looks at the meal on his plate for a moment in silence, suddenly not very hungry. "Me an Olo're goin to take care of them goblins. Today. So don't worry about it.
Vrog hurriedly eats breakfast and pays Amieko for the meal. After his brief interaction with Amieko, Vrog Decides that he should have a talk with the girls that wanted to go after the goblins. If only to make sure he wasn't followed in by more people that would need saving. An ounce o prevention is worth a pound of cure after all.
Amieko was able to tell Vrog that the three girls were named Hikari, Erica and Susano-O and where the homes of their families are. The homes of the two humans, Hikari and Erica are quite close to you and each other. The Half-elf Susano-O lives rather further away. But the town is not that large.
Vrog ventures into the town's market and purchases three apples, he then proceeds to the nearest girls house.
The nearest of the homes is that of Erica. the house is well kept and seems somewhat up market for the town, without suggesting real wealth. A man dressed like an artisan answers the door, who is initially a bit startled by the savage looking half-orc and plant that decided to visit, but he recovers quickly and asks "Yes, can I help you?"
Vrog bows in apology for the start he gave the woman. "Sorry, I'm here to talk with Erica. She's been goin on bout goblin hunting from's what I hear. Just wantin to make sure she don't do nothin dangerous."
"Gods! If Erica said she was going Goblin hunting she probably is. And she will have planned the venture immaculately. Hopefully it is one of her friends idea of a joke. Erica isn't here and I am going to have to go look for her. Thanks for telling me." As the man talks he closes the front door and is obviously about to set out to find his daughter.
Vrog put's his hand in his palms. After a moment he finds something to write on and writes "Daughter going after goblin bounty. Vrog going to help, don't panic". Handing the note to Olo he speaks. "If one's gone the rest probably followed. Olo, Take this to the other girls family's, I'm headed to the marshes, beeline for me when your done."
As Olo takes off with the note Vrog attempts to track Erica.
Erica's father hears you speaking to Olo and says " I can deliver your note and you can keep your follower with you. I fear you are right and I will certainly be talking to Susano-O and Hikari's parents. The three girls are all more capable than might be expected, but taking on a village of goblins is a task for a group of veteran warriors. Bless you sir and may the gods guide your strong right arm." He shakes your hand warmly and rushes off looking worried.
Vrog can't identify a trail here. You are in the midst of the town and there are human tracks everywhere. You can try to pick up a trail on the road to the marsh, though you won't certain if you are tracking the right group. But if only one group has recently headed to the marsh you will be fine. You could try to find where the girls left from, but that will take time and you could well face the same problem of human tracks being everywhere.
Vrog quickly makes his way to the house of the girl whe lived closest to the marsh. Once he arrives he looks for some birds or other wildlife and casts speak with animals, asking every animal the same question. "Scuse me, have yeah seen some young girls goin into the marsh today? I'll give yeah some seed once I get'em back if you can help me find'em."
Vrog makes his way to Hikari's house but nobody is home. Tracking is again impossible and local birds just report humans moving about. they are not smart enough for more.
Moving to the track to the swamp, you have a chat with a pidgeon which reports, after a bit of discussion, three humans smaller than Vrog heading that way, being the direction of the swamp. That was near dawn, so they are perhaps two and a half hours ahead of you.
It is trivial for Vrog to pick up the trail and it is as the pidgeon says.
the trail will get harder to follow in the swamp, if that is where it goes.
Vrog thank's the pidgeon, assuring it to find Vrog in town and he'll give it some feed later. After his exchange Vrog goes over his plan with Olo. "I'm goin to run in the general direction the girls went and your goin to ask every plant we come up on if they saw'em go past. Got it?" With that Vrog casts Longstrider and takes off after the girls with Olo driveby questioning every tree, bush and flower they go past.
Olo reports "Boss, none of these plants saw anything. In fact none of them know what "seeing" is. I think it is because they don't have any eyes."
This is less of a problem than it might be as you can track them here without much trouble.
One use of longstrider will normally speed you up, but not Olo who moves at 20. So unless Leshy Warden or some other class feature helps you, or you leave Olo behind, you are not going to go any faster.
Vrog picks up the twenty pound leshy and sets him on his shoulders as he runs.
Vrog easily tracks the girls down the Lost Coast Road between marks on the road and confirmation from the surrounding vegetation that a group of three humans had passed today.
When he is not too far out of Sandpoint Vrog and Olo hear a sequence of "pops" from the direction of the marsh. It could be a louder noises heard from far away.
When Brinestump Marsh is reached, the trail does not go into the marsh at the first opportunity, the New Fish Trail but continues on the Lost Coast Road to the Old Fish Trail where it continues into the marsh. Persons coming to the marsh to catch it's abundant fish have mostly abandoned the Old Fish Trail due to the goblins, preferring the newer trail which does not go so close to the goblins village.
The Marsh lies before you, forbidding and overgrown with vegetation.
Vrog beelines for the firework pops, Conjuring his blade of crackling lightning as he goes. "Ready Olo?" He says over his shoulder as he runs.
Vrog runs for a long time. He has to slow down as he gets into the swamp as the trail is old and not obvious. None the less he makes good time.
He emerges at the conjunction of the Old Fish Trail and the Hidden Path. Before you lies the goblin village. A section of the wall of the village has been badly damaged by fire. The bodies of eight goblins, badly burned, lie in the space between you and the village, at least some of them seem to have had ears removed.
Vrog follows the path of carnage into the goblin village, Swearing under his breath, ready to start shouting at the girls once he finds them.
As Vrog moves forward he hears screaming in a language you don't understand and a goblin fires an arrow at him.
The gate is shut and their are no sounds of combat from within the village. There is no sign of any human or half-elven girls, but there is lots of vegetation that Olo could ask for information.
Olo asks the nearby plants for information while Vrog deals with the Goblin. However rather than attack it, Vrog retrieves one of the apples he purchased earlier from his bag. Wounder if anyone's ever tried this? he thinks to himself as he assumes a kneeling position and extends the apple out towards the goblin.
The goblin on the wall looks at you for a bit and then fires a second arrow.
There is some more yelling in a language you can't understand and two more goblins emerge on to the wall.
Olo reports:-
"Boss, there was a fight here earlier. The plants can't say when. Some taller white skinned creatures attacked the goblins, the goblins swarmed out and got burned and there were explosions. The details are odd, the grass over there insists there were four attackers, and those flowers note three attackers flying. Then that tree is quite sure three retreated down the path next to it. Someone, likely the girls attacked the goblins, killed a bunch of them and went down that trail. Going down that trail seems like a good idea, away from the goblins with the bows."
Vrog sighs as another arrow clinks off his armor, his attempt at peace making thwarted. When Olo reports his finding Vrog will ignore the bow goblins and set off down the path.
Between Vrog's survival and Olo's talking to plants it is not hard to follow the girls. They have taken the Hidden Trail out of the marsh and continued past the Old Coast Road and set up a camp of sorts not far from the Soggy river in a copse of trees.
There is a flurry of activity when the three girls spot you, rising and grabbing weapons.
Then Hikari, the tallest at nearly 6 feet in chain mail with a shield says:-
"That's not a goblin."
Erika, wearing traveler's clothing, adds:-
" That is one of Amieko's friends, Grog."
The last, the very attractive Susano-O, dressed in leather armour, adds:-
Yes, Grog Vogman. Welcome, how are you?"
Vrog taps his foot and crosses his arms, seemingly looking into each girls eyes at the same time. "Grog Ogman..." He growls "Whad'ya girls think your doin out here?" He says, pointing through Susano-O at the pile of goblin ears.
"You've got your family's worried SICK!" He yell's
Susano-0 moves so she is in front of the goblin ears, trying to be stealthy about it, and replies:-
"Why are our folks worried we are fine. And sorry about messing up your name."
"Well, you should be able to re-assure everyone when you go back. We are planning on camping out and going back tomorrow." adds Hikari.
"What could go wrong". adds Erika.
"Lot's, Adventurin is a dangerous business, even people like me have trouble sometimes." Lightning crackles around Vrog as he speaks. "Which is why Your either goin back, or I'm gonna take you back... right now.
Olo joins Vrog in crossing his arms and tapping his foot. Standing amoungst the rising maelstrom of crackling electricity without even a flinch.
The girls look at each other as if considering what to say. They observe the electrical display but don't seem worried, perhaps because they don't expect you to hurt them. Then Erika replies:-
"Vrog, somebody has to do something about the goblin problem. today we killed a bunch of them, injured a lot more and damaged their fortifications. We completely kicked their... uh, defeated them. We were planning to stay here overnight to replenish our spells and mount a final assault tomorrow. Why don't we join forces and put an end to this hazard once and for all."
Hikari adds:-
"And look at these goblin ears. Many of the goblins won't be able to hear our approach."
Susano-O, trying hard to avoid laughing, chimes in with:-
"Not only that, those requiring spectacles won't be able to see. We must strike while we are vulnerable."
Then Erika observes thoughtfully:-
"How long can you keep up that lightning thingy, Vrog? Can I study it when we get back to town tomorrow? Maybe it can be turned into a power source."
Hikari blurts out:-
Hey Vrog, I got a birthday coming. Could you come along to the party? That lights display would be real great."
Susano-O brightens, saying enthusiastically:-
"Another advantage to you joining us is most people will give you credit for taking care of the goblins, thinking that we are only girls. So you will be a hero. And we will make sure you don't get hurt."
Vrog has to repress a smile at the girls jokes, finding them legitimately funny. And they DID manage to take a lot of them out on there own. "Fine, we'll wait until tomorrow. But I'm going into the village on my own. Your parents would never forgive me if You got hurt." Vrog approaches the fire and sits, looking rather miffed the entire time.
They have gathered some wood but not lit a fire, it is late morning so it isn't needed. They welcome you and prove quite good company.
They are checking their weapons and Hikari and Susano-O clean blood off their armour in a most matter of fact way.
The girls and Vrog manage to catch some fish from the river and gather some wild carrots and mushrooms. It makes a decent evening meal.
Susano-O says to Vrog:-
"You and I are the ones who can see in the dark, so we should take the second and third watches, when it will be entirely dark. Which do you want?"
Hikari is taking up sentry duty on first watch as night is falling. The others are getting ready to go to sleep.
Vrog pats Susano-O's head and replies. "Olo doesn't need to sleep, He can see in the dark and He can look like a bush. He'll keep watch, You girls get some sleep." Vrog pats Olo on the head before realizing... He didn't bring anything but his armor to wear, and sleeping in Dwarven stoneplate is... less than comfortable. Vrog slams a small enclosed shelter together before its time to bed down.
"Now, I don want non of you girls disturbin me less we're attacked in the night. For serious, I'm... communin with the spirits'a nature for their help tomorrow. They get mad if you barge in on'em." With that Vrog crawls into his hut and removes his armor, leaving him... in his underware.
Susano-O's reaction to being patted on the head is a vehement:-
The girls follow your suggestion as to sleeping arrangements. Your shelter is very cold in your underwear and you don't sleep well. You also realise the girls can see through the shelter in the morning once it gets light. This gives rise to them acting like giggly girls for the first time. It is also too cramped in there to get in or out of your armour, but the girls give you some space.
Over breakfast Erika says:-
"My plan for a final assault on the village is to find a suitable tree in the swamp to make into a small battering ram. You, Susano-O's Shadow, that is what she calls her eidolon, and Hikari can charge the area of the wall that is weakened by fire and break it down. Susano-O and I will cover you with crossbows and spells. When we first attacked there were only three goblins with bows. This is a weakness we exploit. We fight at the breach in the wall, where their numbers won't be effective and when they mass we hit them with burning hands, again. That should take many of them down and they will likely break and run."
Vrog, embarrassed by the nights events plans to at least stick to his guns on going in alone "I told you girls already, I'm going in there alone. Imagine if'n you all got hurt, what would your parents do? What would I do? The goblins need to be taken care of, but leave it to the professionals." Vrog stands his ground against any attempt to dissuade him.
They argue a lot. Then they argue among themselves when Hikari suggests just going to the village and seeing what you will do to stop them. But the other two seem to think that is going too far, so they say they will return to Sandpoint via the Lost Coast Road.
They march off across the nearby bridge. A variety of departing remarks are made "Grump"from Hikari, "Bloody men"from Susano-O and "Remember your bedroll next time"from Erika.
Vrog heads out to the goblin village, rather than trying to bust the gate down though. Vrog takes a different approach. Summoning a fire elemental to burn the gate and wall down.
OK, I am going to take this encounter back a bit.
You catch sight of the village from the path you approached on before. It is 40 feet to the wall. The village appears unchanged and there is no sign of any goblins.
If you want to conjure a fire elemental, you should specify which level 2 spell you give up for it. You can conjure it anywhere within 30", please say where. It will be a small elemental and last 3 rounds.
You figure a small elemental can probably bring down the fire-weakened section of the wall in 3 rounds. That is all it can do if it gets 3 rounds. That will set fire to the rest of the wall and that will eventually burn down if the goblins don't do anything.
So make up your mind if you want to conjure the elemental and if yes where. If you continue to observe or approach the village make another perception roll.
Vrog uses His bull strength spell spell to cast summon monster two, summoning a fire elemental thirty feet away from him as close to the wall as he can manage, he points it towards the wall and approaches alongside it.
OK, that goblin is asleep. You both reach the burned section of the wall and the elemental starts attacking it.
No alarm is raised as yet. Perception roll please.
You and Olo both see that their is considerable damage to the village in addition to that which had been done when you were last here.
The Palisade is a wreck and the gate now lies on the ground. There seem to be signs of a second, larger conflict than when the girls attacked yesterday. Details are not clear, you have only seen the village from outside the wall.
The goblins have not noticed you yet, so go on.
Vrog, making no attempt at stealth trundles through the village looking for a fight. Mostly however, he hopes that the goblins simply get scared and run off, as he doesn't much like the idea of genociding an entire village even if they are goblins.
There seems to be no sign of anyone, deserted streets, pig pen and apparently houses. The first building you look in appears to be deserted. The second however, is not. Three goblins are within, who shriek and howl and charge Vrog swinging dog slicers.
Vrog is well and ready for the goblins, slapping at the first one to lunge at him with an electrified hand while Olo throws a seed pod from his satchel at one of them from behind Vrog.
Vrog's attack hits one of the goblin, which sizzles and has spasms from the electricity, dying messily. Olo's seed pod misses.
The remaining 2 goblins counter attack.
Vrog stands against the attacks, unfazed by the weak blows of the goblins. Grasping the large green head of one of the other goblins, running another current of electricity through his hand.
The last goblin makes some terrified sounding noises and turns and runs back into the street. You find 22 silver pieces in the room if you stop to give it a brief search. It appears to be a dwelling, none too well made or maintained and made for small creatures.
Vrog smashes towards the fleeing goblin with his shield as it scurries past him while Olo starts on searching the room. They then move on, deeper into the village.