CHAPTER ONE: THE BRINEWALL LEGACY
PRELUDE
It starts in a tavern. But then, it always starts in a tavern, doesn’t it? But this time, there’s actually a reason why. There’s a story behind it, settle in.
The Licktoad goblins of Brinestump Marsh have grown unusually aggressive of late. The reason for their uncharacteristic bravery isn’t a mystery – the goblins have somehow managed to arm themselves with what appears to be a considerable supply of explosives. Well, fireworks. For a goblin, that’s close enough. Their new armament has made them dangerously brave.
Several merchant caravans and travelers have already been attacked. There have been no deaths yet, but with the last few attacks resulting in severe injuries to three unfortunate travelers, the problem has escalated from an annoyance to a threat. But none of the attacks have yet inconvenienced Magnimar – only Sandpointers and other Lost Coasters have been hit so far – so the forces of the big city have 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, Sandpoint’s leaders have put out the call for goblin exterminators.
But it’s been a number of years since Sandpoint had significant monster troubles, and it has since returned to being a relatively sleepy town. The stalwart adventurers who at one time defended the city against giants and dragons (all right, one dragon – but still) have retired, left to pursue greater adventures, or are otherwise preoccupied with their own pursuits. And Sandpoint’s city watch, always running at a lean enrollment, 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. 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.
A few brave souls 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. So now there’s a plan.
Two groups of volunteers will head to two different sections of the marsh. One will be a small party of seasoned adventurers, sent to what is thought to be the most dangerous part of the marsh – Ameiko Kaijitsu, Koya Mvashti, Sandru Vhiski, and Shalelu Andosana.
The other group will be a larger, less experienced party, sent to mop up what will probably be goblin stragglers in what is surely the safer section. No doubt they will gain some valuable adventuring experience, and the Lost Coast Road will be that much safer for it.
That would be you.
Both groups are assembling at Ameiko Kaijitsu’s tavern, the Rusty Dragon, to chat before heading out. The four from the first group are already there, as is Sherriff Hemlock, patiently awaiting the arrival of everyone else so he can talk with them about the task before them.
Ameiko, a beautiful but somewhat irreverent woman of Tian descent and Sandpoint’s most unlikely noblewoman, is currently tending bar. Always fond of unusual hairstyles, she has bleached two long strips a snowy white. The snake tattoo on her upper arm seems to writhe in the flickering firelight that lights the tavern. It is a cloudy early morning, and the light and warmth of the fire is welcome.
Sandru, a handsome man now only few years from middle age, sits on a barstool and chats with her, with a quick laugh and an easy wit. His caravan is back in town once again, and he naturally agreed to help out his home.
And with the caravan also comes Koya, a woman in remarkably good shape, physically, for someone well over 60 years of age. She sits at a side table, and appears to be cultivating a mysterious air, although admittedly she doesn’t have to work very hard at it. Mystery runs in her family.
Shalelu, sitting across from her, may give her a run for her money in the mystery department, however. The blond-haired elf has always come and gone for reasons of her own, and few know her well enough to ask her why or where she goes.
Sitting alone and surveying the scene from a corner is the balding Sherriff Hemlock, a stern expression on his face as he glances at the door and wonders exactly what sort of unblooded, overconfident volunteers are about to stumble through it.
Come in and say hi.
