Hardegon completes his business at the shop feeling all shiny with his new armor and swords. He eventually finds his way back to the Rusty Dragon...
"Big eyes of lost child. That is honest. When he is more sure, danger maybe. But in that time, we make him friend, or show him we are strong." Megekki laughs. "Strong, or friend, or too poor, or dead. We will be some of that."
Shalelu heads up to Ameiko's room as the Sheriff continues.
Very well. I'll leave you men to it while I get the watch here prepared and update the mayor.
He walks out for a moment, and walks back in. Bloody hell. Almost forgot. While Magnimar couldn't give me men to assist with the goblins, they didn't leave me empty handed. However, these would probably be more useful in your hands, seeing that you're going to face them head on.
He snaps his fingers and one of his men brings in a bag. It has the following.
+1 Arrows of Bane Vs. Goblinoid x 18
3 Potions Cure Moderate Wounds
Scroll of Dispel Magic x2
Bracers of Armor +2
Good luck, men.
Hardegon returns to the Rusty Dragon as the sheriff finishes his last...
It looks we all have new toys to play with, holding up his two new blades. So what's the plan?
Zeriax reconvenes the information they had discussed the day before after his foray with Shalelu.
Zeriax nods at the group decision, and with their permission follows along with Shalelu.
As Shalelu leads you to Thistletop, she shares some information with him.
The ancient site known as Thistletop has long served as a den for Goblins. Based on what you told me from Tsuto's journal, it may not serve as something more. I've avoided a direct confrontation with it for decades, because of the sheer number of goblins holed up there. But, it now seems that in order to protect the town from future attack, and to confront the one responsible for bringing the goblins together to attack Sandpoint, it may be necessary. I must warn you, you and your friends must be prepared.
You follow the lost coast east for about 6 miles before arriving, and Shelelu takes you through the woods.
There's a secret goblin trail leading to their stronghold through the woods here. Though, one must be careful. Its easy to get lost and the thorny, poisonous plants around this area add to the danger. There's also the main pathway in, but that would be better guarded.
As she shows you the parameter where you see several goblins 'guarding, she whispers, Thistletop is a curiously round island about 60 feet off shore, connected to the mainland by a rope bridge. The thorns that comprise the “walls” here are quite damp; the fog every morning and evening ensures that. As a result, the brambles don’t burn well. An attempt to smoke out the goblins or burn down their thistle maze would only results in a slow-burning smoky fire. You can certainly attempt reach Thistletop by the sea or by traveling along the beaches, but you would need to need to navigate the treacherous sea cliffs to get to the stockade built atop the island. She points to the cliffs as you draw close. I estimate the cliffs themselves at about 80 feet high, and the damp sea air would make those walls slick. I saw a goblin try once. It was pathetic, and somewhat humorous at the same time (though not for...
"I suggest we take the secret goblin trail" - Zeriax states as a conclusion.
While Zeriax recounts what he saw with Shaelelu, Megekki moves about the room, stuffing arrows into Zeriax' quivers, and putting one of the potions into the pockets or pouches of Zeriax, Emrys, and Hardegon. He seems a proper squire as he laces the bracers onto Zeriax, and affects an arrogant librarian head-tilt (made ridiculous from the presence of his juju mask...) as he passes the scrolls to Emrys, one hand gripping a phantom pen, furiously scribbling...
"Thank you friend Megekki... You don't need to do that... I can..." - Zeriax seems disconcerted at the situation
"Helpful. Megekki.", the orc voice gruffs.
:)
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Always. laughs the wizard and claps Megekki on the shoulder.
Tactically, the secret trail seems the best choice. Although the thought of getting lost among poisonous undergrowth is somewhat disconcerting. How confident are you of finding the path Zeriax? Or better still, will Shalelu lead us? She knows the hidden ways better than anyone.
"Elf goes to talk to Ameiko. If choosing, choose Ameiko. Better magics, better fighting, than Megekki. And pretty."
Brenton listens to the others.
"I cannot be completely sure, but the fact is that the alternatives do not seem much better - I know nothing about navigation, and taking the main entrance seems simple folly... We can inquire if Shalelu will accompany us up to the entrance to the bramble overgrowth, but then I believe it will be up to us to navigate the way - I doubt our elf friend has ever been in there..."
Poisonous overgrowth? Heck, even poison ivy could ruin your day, much less something less inane...
Shalelu returns.
Ameiko is well. Or, at least she will be with some rest. I think she over-exited herself.
The Sheriff catches her up on the discussions.
Of course, I can lead you there. Then I will leave you to confront that evil, while I insure the Sheriff remains informed on any other movements of the other tribes.
Shalelu lowers her voice and looks even more serious than normal. There is not telling what evil festers within Thistletop. If a necromancer is working with the goblins as you suspect, it could lead to unexpected dangers.
I trust Shalelu in this. No one knows the goblins better than she does. Take every precaution. If what you find there is overwhelming, then return the town and we'll discuss other options. My Iomedae guide your swords!
Hardegon thinks of a few more items to pick up and tells everyone, I'll be back in a bit. I forgot something...
"Many mirrors, Megekki has. Many faces, Megekki mirrors. Friends always know Megekki, Megekki stand one foot, scratch leg. Remember, stand one foot, scratch leg, is Megekki. Or is itchy leg. Is bad sign..."
Megekki begins to argue with himself in Orcish and Varisi and Goblin, and wanders around the room.
Brenton is prepared to leave
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Shalelu escorts you through the forest to the front of woods of Thistletop.
The briars and thistles that grow so rampantly in Nettlewood are even more dense and tangled here, close to the shore. Although not quite dense enough to block the sound of waves crashing on the unseen shores to the west, the undergrowth is certainly thick enough to block sight and access to the coast. Few trees grow this close to the edge of the sea, but the briars themselves often reach heights to rival them; here, the patch is nearly twenty feet high.
New Map in shared folder: Thistletop
I see a map called Thornkeep. Are we at the blue arrow?
Brenton is ready to move in when others are.
"Ameiko is not coming.", Megekki observed sadly as they set out from town.
"Wait, take this.", Megekki says, untying from his castoff cord belt the scabbard of Ameiko's fine dagger. "It is Ameiko's. Tell her I tried, to take good care of it."
Ameiko does not fight much since her last adventure some years ago. It ended a bit...tragically. However, I have known her for some time, and Ameiko acts with honor. If her skills are needed to save lives, you can count on her.
Detecting a bit of sadness from Megekki, she adds, Do not worry, my friend. Ameiko does not hold harsh feeling towards friends for long. Give it time. A week or a month for now, I would be surprised if she even remembers the incident.
She refuses the dagger. You give it back to her personally, upon your return. To do so, with respect, is considered honorable in her culture. Not to mention, you may a more immediate need for it.
Shalelu leaves after showing you the way in. The Sheriff has asked her to patrol the other known tribes to insure they are not moving against the town while you all are attacking Thistletop.
If I were the goblins, I would definitely set traps up on the path leading into the compound...I will keep my eyes open, but so should you all.
"Megekki, eyes not good. But open."
At the kids suggestion, Brenton starts aiding to locate traps.
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You move forward. It would normally be a hot day, however, the canopy of leaves and the breeze from the sea helps. The background noise of birds and other wildlife makes it hard to hear anything with great discernment. You see pathways to the north and east. To the west, you find a small hole in the wall a bramble, large enough for a goblins to pass through easily. You could force your way through.
Map updated
I really have no desire to squeeze through brambles, however I will check the pathways to the north and east for booby traps.
Find Traps (North):
Find Traps (East):
At the kids suggestion, Brenton starts aiding to locate traps.
Megekki also tries to be helpful...
...and fails.
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If I were the goblins, I would definitely set traps up on the path leading into the compound...I will keep my eyes open, but so should you all.
Smart thinking. I like this kid. No. That's disrespectful. Hardegon knows what he's doing, he should lead us through here.
I'll back you guys up. And keep my eyes peeled.
Brenton takes out a coin and flips it in the air. "Tails we go north, heads we go east."
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Rogues who have the Trap Spotter Rogue Talent have an automatic check to detect traps within 10'. If you don't have that talent, picking it up as as soon as you are able is the best way to deal with traps. Otherwise, you have to declare every time you approach a new area. Be aware that traps DCs are slightly modified per my house rules.
Three thistle tunnels open into a large cavelike chamber. Above, the thorny canopy grows thin enough that tiny slivers of the sky above can be seen, while below, the ground consists of trampled dirt. To the west, the distant sound of sloshing waves echoes up from a hole.
Under his mask, Megekki sheds a homesick tear.
"I'nit peaceful, G'reg'i?", a hobbit's voice asks from under the mask.
Megekki nods, slowly.
Find Traps: in the large cavelike chamber...
Zeriax nods to Shalelu as she leaves - "Stay safe"
While Hardegon checks the site for potential traps and similar dangers, Zeriax keeps watch, paying particular attention to the cave before them.
Brenton uses detect magic on this adventure.
He casts light on a stone and drops it into the pool of water.