Most of it seemed to be quite old actually. Did we actually find anything of use?
"I found this!" Harness barks triumphantly, thrusting the mystical raven of maggot creation toward the sergeant.
Ah, yes. That seems......important. Of course. You all must be busy. Please don't let me detain you for long.
With a side eye, he moves past the group and back into the main room to oversee the guardsmen clearing bodies.
Saira channels as they walk, trying to heal Cavenn some more.
Covering her mouth as a giggle escapes, she turns to the mechanical man. "We found other things too. Beasts of strange upbringing and clues as well. Perhaps we should share that with the local sheriff..."
"Shall we grab a bite to eat and discuss our next move?"
It is in the afternoon. Let's say around 2 o'clock. If I'm remembering correctly, you all went back into the tunnel after exploring the glassworks and its basement the previous day.
Also, Sheriff Hemlock is gone. Went to Magnimar for reinforcements.
Harness nods assent.
"Perhaps we should repair to the Rusty Dragon..."
After a hard and strange day of scouring the mysterious ruins beneath Sandpoint's glassworks, you are all taking a much deserved break at the Rusty Dragon Inn. An inn where you have all been given free room and board for life, not just for fighting off the attacking goblins during Sandpoint's Swallowtail Festival, but also for rescuing the owner of the inn (Ameiko Kajitsu) herself from the corrupt devices of her half-brother Tsuto.
Anyone looking inside the common room sees very few locals gathered inside, but one full table of adventurers, and Ameiko standing behind the bar reading a book you all recognize as Tsuto's journal.
Snyk will pull out his scroll and ask the party wiht a bit of hope in his voice:
"Would we care to update our inventory list?"
Taking a long, slow drag from an oversized pale of ale, Tessa slams the mug down. Wiping the foam from her mouth, she offers a half-witted smile.
*HICK*"Sure..ifphen yas tinken be gud 'dea" *HICK* "terAS do Now."
"I's gots me tinks...watchas" *HICK* "Gots?"
Cavenn agrees with Snyk. "Sounds like a good idea. We found some useful things, I think." He then walks up to the bar and asks Ameiko: "What do you think your brother was plotting? Seems he may have designs on Sandpoint."
To Saira: "Could I get some more of Desna's blessings, my dear? I am still quite wounded, though I will survive if you may not call upon her any more today."
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Harness examines his mystical avian find, though it horrifies some customers.
"Useful indeed. Placed in a henhouse, it would provide endless feed! Praise Robori!"
The adamantine warrior looks up and watches for Ameiko's answer to Cavenn's question.
Ameiko looks up at you when you approach the bar and her face is grim indeed. It seems my brother had very little planned for Sandpoint. He appears little more than a pawn in a greater plan. A plan by this woman he keeps drawing, his "great love". ........ And it appears that their base of operations is at Thistletop. Ameiko looks back down at the journal, a mix of frustrated anger and desperate fear run across her features before hardening into iron determination. If what my brother writes is true, Nualia is gathering a force of many goblin tribes and reinforcing them with mercenaries. They will need to be stopped. Sandpoint already owes you all so much. I can convince the Sargent to prepare the citizenship and build defenses, but we will need someone to take on these goblins. If they're attacked quickly enough, they won't have had time to gather their forces and it should just be the Thistletop goblins there. Will you help?
“Certainly. I would like to speak with Shalaleu first if possible, but a threat like this cannot stand. We will rest, gather our resources and prepare to head out there. What can you tell me of this place?”
Ameiko puts the closed book on the bar and starts cleaning while she talks.
Not much more than anyone else could. The Thistletop goblins found a old statue off the coast with some tunnels in it. They're far enough from town that they don't bother us. They have a strong place to hole up, and since they don't threaten the town, no adventure's take the time to wipe them out. Shalaleu could tell you more. Numbers and a layout and such. She should be back late tonight. But you should wait for daylight. Goblins can see in the dark, but most of you can't.
Setting out some freshly cleaned cups, she starts pouring drinks for everyone. Well, I think you've all earned this. She starts handing cups to Cavenn to pass out to the others at the table. Now, how many of you are hungry? I'll get Bethana to start dinner.
”I am not!” Harness answers helpfully, beaming at the honours the group are receiving, and the promise of further adventure on the morrow. He turns to Snyk.
”Snyk! Much food and free! And it will belong to you rightfully!” he whispers loudly and hoarsely.
Well, however many of you want some, I'll get it set out. It's mostly bread, cheese, and dried meat to start, until the kitchen gets moving. But it'll double as travel rations if you decide to help us out.
Saira sits and listens to the conversation. When Cavenn asks for healing, she nods her head in assent and channels one more time.
Eydor looks at Ameiko after she has spoken Thanks for the food. It's really appreciated.
He then talks to Snyk I think it's a good idea. We should do that and see what we can use. This is only getting messier and messier by the day.
Eydor: Ameiko nods her head in responose to your thanks.
You hear a voice in response to the comment to Snyk. A low hissing that is both grating and familiar. If you try to abandon me, it will cost you greatly.
Saira: There are no other patrons, but Ameiko seems to appreciate the extra oomph.
Perhaps I should reach out to my Black Market Connections to help us resupply, and fence these ...stolen items
Snyk: Do you have the specifics of what you want to sell? Or what you want to buy with the money?
As you all awaken in your rooms and make your way downstairs, you find Ameiko already awake and standing behind the bar, speaking to Shalelu who is sitting on a stool. Bethana can be heard in the kitchen working, and there is a smattering of locals at the tables, mostly eating breakfast. Anyone who was awake in the middle of the night (Harness), may have heard Shalelu come in, sleep for a few hours, and then go back down stairs.
Ameiko waves you over and offers you a choice of food items for the morning meal. And once everyone is down stairs, Shalelu says bluntly
Ameiko tells me you all feel like risking your lives against goblins. What can I tell you to give you a better chance of not being eaten?
Just as bluntly Harness replies:
”Unless they eat metal, not much! Though it would be good if we could have some advice on how to fight them...” the adamantian muses.
Just as bluntly Harness replies:
”Unless they eat metal, not much! Though it would be good if we could have some advice on how to fight them...” the adamantian muses.
They die as easily as anything else. Nothing special needed. They are easily distracted. If you're clever, you can use that to your advantage.
"noted."
"perhaps we could lure them into some kind of trap..."
Shalelu just leans back, her elbows on the bar top. Just don't let me find you all as a bunch of corpses out there. You've been good to this town,
She looks around at all of you, seemingly trying to judge your aptitude. If you're set on going, Thistletop is about 2 hours walk north of town. Just follow the coast and you should see it no problem. There's a colossal statue's head just off the coast with an old, old fort built on top of it. Entrance is guarded by a massive thicket of thistles. Thus the name. Hard to miss. Be prepared before you go. You spoke whoever's in there, they'll know the jig is up and probably change their base of operations. Best to try and get this done in one shot.
Saira nods at Shalelu, listening intently. Can you draw us a quick map of the area. Best to not go in blind, if possible.
Harness thinks hard.
”Snyk used pickles to some effect in their initial assault...And a thicket you say, of thistles. Perhaps we burn them, smoke them out?”
Aye, a quick map would be no issue. It won't be very detailed, however. I've never gotten into the thicket, let alone the fort structure.
As for the pickles....well, there's a few things goblins love. Fire, fireworks, killing, and food. Pickles are their favorite food.
As for burning the thistles. Maybe, maybe not. Best to scout the place first and then see if it'll be viable. Just keep in mind that it'll mean alerting anyone inside the fort. That thicket is to big to burn without a lot of smoke.
“Alert them that the thicket is on fire. And they love fire. It will sow confusion. Whether we can take advantage of that is another matter.” Harness smiles, clearly happy to have come up with a plan. Of sorts.
"Okay big ..... she seems to be searching for the word.......man. You folks do this however works best for you. I'm just pointing out the details.
Also, does anyone have any more shopping to be done? It's been enough days that once you set out, that'll be it for purchases.
Quietly taking in the information, Tessa turns to Harness. "I wouldn't suggest burning the thicket if we can help it. Robori's reach is endless, so the less destruction we bring on his natural flock, the better. If it can't be helped though..." trailing off, she turns back to the lady.
"I don't suppose you know who or what may reside within? This seems to well coordinated for what I've heard about goblins."
"Unless there is anything else you feel to be pertinent here, I suppose we should head off and handle this next deed."
With a slight curtsy, she adds "By the Grace of Robori and...uh....Des-sna of course."
"I don't suppose you know who or what may reside within? This seems to well coordinated for what I've heard about goblins."
Shalelu responds as much as she can, Well, the whole of the Thisletop tribe of goblins, of course. Like I mentioned, they keep pretty much to themselves, so I don't know anything about them in particular. I can tell you that the tribe will most likely have a chieftain, who'll be their strongest fighter, and a wise one or shaman of some sort.
As to who is organizing things.... Well, Tsuto's journal suggests that Nualia is in some sort of charge. Before that, though, I had put my thoughts to Bruthazmus. He's a bugbear that lives in the area. He trades with thee goblin tribes on occasion, stirs up trouble. Difficult to pin down, which is why he's still on the loose.
Harness is on a roll.
"So. I dress up as Bruce-azimuth, and conduct an inspection!"
Shalelu eyes you sardonically. Sure big guy. Sure. However you folks think you can do it. Now, I've been awake for about 3 days straight and am looking forward to a nap. Anyone have any more questions or brilliant plans they want to run past me?
"No...no. I think we're good. We are adventurerists after all...We've got this. No problem." she announces with a broad grin.
Turning to the group, she nods towards the door. "Onward!"
Tessa proceeds to head out...
Snyk nods his head in agreement. and repacks his bag with his new supplies.
"Ready when you are, Sir"
Adventurists... I quite like the sound of that
Without waiting for her companions, she makes her way to the end of the street and stops a moment...looking around, her cheeks turn scarlet a moment. 'I do hope no one noticed that...that back the way I've come...'
Quickly turning around, she hustles back to the door and stands outside...'Yes...I was just waiting for my companions...that's it....none shall ever know!'
She attempts to whistle softly...in a nonchalant way....as she waits.
As the group sets off north, the road starts as fairly well traveled and beaten down. It doesn't take long past the few farms on the northern outskirts of Sandpoint for the road to degrade, and then vanish entirely. After approx. an hour, you all find yourselves shielded from the sun under the full canopy of a forest. Cavenn, being from the area and trained in woodcraft, is able to point the way effectively....barely. After roughly another hour in the woods, you begin to notice that the trees begun to give way to thistles, brambles, and thorns. Then, on a tree trunk nearby, a crude goblin face scratched into the bark. To the right, another, and a third to your left. Now you know, you've entered goblin territory. Thistle Top should only be about a quarter mile away at this point, maybe a little further.
How would you like to proceed?
Slowly as they approach, Tessa holds a finger up to the others. "We should proceed with caution I think. Perhaps let the Snyk scout ahead?"
Tessa: You see obvious signs of foot traffic from small sized creatures. Presumably goblins. There are also some tracks from some sort of 4 legged creature.
Snyk: How about it? Feel up to scouting?
Silently poking Snyk's shoulder, she points to the tracks and raises an eyebrow.
'Wonder if it's goblin sign...
with a swift nod, Snyk hops off Harnesses shoulder and onto the trail.
Scout...ing. Scout...ing.
Harness stows Marauder and pulls out his heavy crossbow, checking the string and loading a bolt before cranking it to load. He peers into the distance at Snyk’s back, aiming for the space around his companion...
You all pause for a bit as Snyk disappears into the trees and thorns. He moves silently, quickly, and is gone for several minutes.... 10 minutes.... 30 minutes.... an hour.
SNYK: As you move into the woods, you avoid most of the brambles and hooked thorn bushes that block your path. As you shadow the coast line, it quickly turns to cliffs that drop vertically into the surf below. After traversing the thorns for a little over a quarter of a mile, you come across a particularly large patch of brambles. It stretches from the coast line out in a (roughly) semi-circular shape for what must be almost 100 yards. Behind/through it, you see a worn, wooden bridge spanning the gap between the thicket and what is either a massive pillar of stone or a small island, the top of which is even with were you stand. The sides of this pillar/island have been worn by waves to be as sheer as the cliffs (vertical, but potentially climbable) and a fort wall sits atop it with a single tower, partially collapsed, poking over the top of the wall. If there are any other structures inside, you cannot tell from here.
As you circle around the bramble thicket, heading inland and staying safely back, you avoid a few crudely built pit traps with ease and eventually spot a small opening in the thorns. This entry clearly leads to some tunnel that burrows deeper, but as to how far, you cannot tell. After completing your circuit, you find no other entrances.
Also of note, you see rocks being flung at some of the sea birds in the area. These stones are small (you could probably fit them in a sling), and are coming from near where the bridge would connect with the thicket. It is clear that something (you can presume goblins) is inside.
Saira whispers How long should we give him before we go in after him? Do we think he's okay?
Snyk returns and relays the information he has uncovered.
”I think we should wait a little lon...oh. Here he comes now.” whispers Harness, who was just starting to get the slightest bit worried.
”Hmm. So which way in or onto the island do you suggest, Snyk? Anyone else have a plan? Fire may not help us as much as I thought...”