grimacing at Mitnal's comment, but feeling resigned, "well, if I did it once I can do it again." I reseed the pool with another hp of blood.
grimacing at Mitnal's comment, but feeling resigned, "well, if I did it once I can do it again." I reseed the pool with another hp of blood.
"Eugen, you are bold. Keep clear of that beast and I'm sure Desna's grace can wipe away those scratches."
Nothing happens in any way when Eugen's blood again lands in the once glowing pool.
Nothing happens in any way when Eugen's blood again lands in the once glowing pool.
Jessa's eyes widen with delight.
"We did it!" she exclaims, upsetting Blackwing as she nearly steps on him while spinning around excitedly, "I knew I was right! The pool takes charges. Just like a wand!"
She stops in her celebration and regards everyone else. "Now we're free to explore this place at our leisure," she says, "No more worries about something horrible wandering up into Sandpoint, except for goblins of course..."
She stops in mid-sentence.
"Oh...the goblins," Jessa frowns, "They're still planning their attack." Her eyes narrow with determination. "Well, we just can't let them! We can't let them overrun such a monumental discovery! We have to defend the town. No...carry the fight directly to them, before they can do any damage at all."
She winds down as she finally feels everyone's eyes on her.
"Oops. Sorry," she says a bit more timidly, "Perhaps I'm getting a little carried away."
"Oops. Sorry," she says a bit more timidly, "Perhaps I'm getting a little carried away."
"AWK! You can say that again..."
"AWK! You can say that again..."
"Hush, you," Jessa chides the raven.
"So? What now?" she asks, "I do have every intention of studying this place. But it's quite clear there'll be nothing to study if Sandpoint falls to Nualia's goblins. What should we do?"
She blinks and stares back at the pool. "Don't you understand?" her voice grows softer, "This is my chance to get published...to make a name for myself in the circles of academia. To go down in legend as the one person who finally unraveled the mysteries of Thassilon and the cultural effect they had on all of Varisia."
'Academics,' Mitnal thinks to himself in disgust. 'Putting us all in danger and for what? ... No, I suppose some good could come from some research. ... If only there was some kind of ethics review committee to prevent abuse.'
He then shakes himself free of that silly idea and goes back to staring at Jeslara in dumbfounded silence.
"AWK! You can say that again...""Hush, you," Jessa chides the raven.
"So? What now?" she asks, "I do have every intention of studying this place. But it's quite clear there'll be nothing to study if Sandpoint falls to Nualia's goblins. What should we do?"
"They'll be plenty of time to study this place later, Jessa, but I am serious about closing off these tunnels, at least from outside access," Kenzo says. "And you're right about the goblins. I think it's time we took the fight to them. I don't know much about goblins, but from what that Shalelu told us before, the different tribes don't work together very much. Maybe if we go tothem, and kill or capture Ripnugget, or whatever his name is, their cohesion will fall apart."
'Academics,' Mitnal thinks to himself in disgust. 'Putting us all in danger and for what? ... No, I suppose some good could come from some research. ... If only there was some kind of ethics review committee to prevent abuse.'
"This is all fascinating," says Quink as he examines the stonework. He seems to be paying little attention to the discussion of goblins.
"You know what is always fascinating," says Quink to Jessa, assuming she is listening, "How well stonework from that ancient time holds up."
"Goblins, hmmph. Maybe we could raise a militia?"
"If were done here, let's get back up top. Like I said, they'll be plenty of time to look this place over later," Kenzo says. "Besides, my head is still a little foggy after last night, and Gyorgy, my friend, you just reminded me. Does anyone know where that guy & girl from last night are staying? She was a little cold, but he seemed friendly enough. We should see if they're willing to help out."
"If were done here, let's get back up top. Like I said, they'll be plenty of time to look this place over later," Kenzo says. "Besides, my head is still a little foggy after last night, and Gyorgy, my friend, you just reminded me. Does anyone know where that guy & girl from last night are staying? She was a little cold, but he seemed friendly enough. We should see if they're willing to help out."
"Indeed, the more the merrier."
Then I use my Divine Fire to heal Eugen
"away we go, let's find something else to do, places to go things to kill lads!"
"I think I will stay down here for a while," says Quink, "But by all means, if its now safe down here for me, go ahead and return to town and make your plans."
In town, it is clear that Orik and Lyrie are both gone. Asking around reveals that they left on the shore road heading north, stating that they were heading to Riddleport.
** spoiler omitted **
"away we go, let's find something else to do, places to go things to kill lads!"
"Eugen, I think we're all about to get our chance. I'm disappointed that Rilo & Magazin didn't stick around, and Orik and Lyrie took off too, but let's check in with the Sheriff and see if Shalelu is back yet. If not, I suggest we get our stuff together and head toward Thistletop. If we can cut the head off the snake, perhaps we can eliminate the threat to Sandpoint before they get on the march."
"If anyone has any suggestions or knows anyone that might be willing to join us, speak up, but I doubt we're gonna get many volunteers. But I'd welcome even one or two of those red0shirted guardsmen."
"Eugen, I think we're all about to get our chance. I'm disappointed that Rilo & Magazin didn't stick around, and Orik and Lyrie took off too, but let's check in with the Sheriff and see if Shalelu is back yet. If not, I suggest we get our stuff together and head toward Thistletop. If we can cut the head off the snake, perhaps we can eliminate the threat to Sandpoint before they get on the march."
"My thoughts exactly," Jessa agrees, "If you'll have me, of course. I know I'm still somewhat new to your group. But I'm very thankful I got to accompany you below the Glassworks. Otherwise, I'd have never found such an intact Thassilonian ruin. And I'm not about to let a bunch of filthy goblins overrun it."
"If anyone has any suggestions or knows anyone that might be willing to join us, speak up, but I doubt we're gonna get many volunteers. But I'd welcome even one or two of those red0shirted guardsmen."
"Mitnal can come..." Jessa offers, looking hopefully at the big Shoanti barbarian, "I'm sure he'd put some fear into those goblins and make them think twice about ever bothering Sandpoint again."
"And, if worse comes to worst," she adds, "I could always conjure a few imaginary warriors by our side." She traces her hands through the air and produces a realistic-looking, if eerily quiet illusion of a Sandpoint guard. "Or maybe something more menacing?" she suggests and concentrates a bit further to reshape the image into a Hellknight from Korvosa. "That ought to send a few of them running," she laughs.
"So, ... Mistletoe is where the goblins are?" asks Mitnal hopefully.
"That sounds good to me, I'm ready!"
Any last minute purchases?
Any last minute purchases?
I say my goodbyes to Luba and my cousins.
"So, how do we get to Thistletop then?"
I say my goodbyes to Luba and my cousins.
"So, how do we get to Thistletop then?"
"I was hoping Shalelu would be around to lead the way, but if I remember correctly, somebody said it wasn't that hard to find . . . "
The mayor is hard to find the next morning as the group prepares to leave for Thistletop, but the Sheriff is on hand with directions, having discovered the previous evening that none in the group knew their way around the area.
"There's two ways to be going if you want to reach Thistletop - the quickest if you know the trails is to follow the old coast road east of town for about four miles. You'll be passing Shanks on the north and Thistlewood to the south. The land will be rocky for about a half a mile and climbing most of the while. And then it will start to descend again with Nettlewood to your north. After about a mile you want to turn off the road and go through the woods north until you reach the coast. Thistle River should be to your east and if you cross it you know you've gone too far."
"The second route is to turn off the coast road and follow the southern end of Shank's Wood until you come to the Pauper's Graves. There you head north to the coast and follow the coast east until you come to Thistletop. But though that route's easier to find, you'll have to do some climbing to reach the fort atop the isle."
The mayor is hard to find the next morning as the group prepares to leave for Thistletop, but the Sheriff is on hand with directions, having discovered the previous evening that none in the group knew their way around the area.
"There's two ways to be going if you want to reach Thistletop - the quickest if you know the trails is to follow the old coast road east of town for about four miles. You'll be passing Shanks on the north and Thistlewood to the south. The land will be rocky for about a half a mile and climbing most of the while. And then it will start to descend again with Nettlewood to your north. After about a mile you want to turn off the road and go through the woods north until you reach the coast. Thistle River should be to your east and if you cross it you know you've gone too far."
"The second route is to turn off the coast road and follow the southern end of Shank's Wood until you come to the Pauper's Graves. There you head north to the coast and follow the coast east until you come to Thistletop. But though that route's easier to find, you'll have to do some climbing to reach the fort atop the isle."
For once, Mitnal doesn't seem at all confused. "If we take the first route, will we be able to get a good look at Thistletop before we descend?"
For once, Mitnal doesn't seem at all confused. "If we take the first route, will we be able to get a good look at Thistletop before we descend?"
The sheriff answers in the negative, "Thistletop is about a mile or two north of the road on the coast. The trees hide it until you're over the sea. It's a bit of an island just beyond the shore cliffs."
"Hmmm . . . neither route sounds any better than the other. Whichever we pick, we need to be prepared for guards and the possibility that they'll know we're coming. It also sounds like were going to get wet, and that we're going to need some rope. So, should we just flip a coin? or does anyone have a particular preference?"
"...So, should we just flip a coin? or does anyone have a particular preference?"
"I believe the Sheriff said the first route was quickest," Jessa notes, "And time is probably of the essence right now. So I vote we go that way."
"Fair enough, let's go."
"I have some rope! Okay, off we go."
"That settles it. Sheriff, if you don't hear from us in a day or two, expect the worst," Kenzo says.
"That settles it. Sheriff, if you don't hear from us in a day or two, expect the worst," Kenzo says.
"If possible, I might send Blackwing to deliver a message," Jessa informs the Sheriff...of our success...or, well, whatever happens. He'll look for you at the garrison."
She then regards the rest of the party. "Is there anything else we might need?" she asks, "Eugen? Did you find a new sword? I believe I've got some new arrows. We're all out of tanglefoot bags, but they're a bit pricey and I doubt we'll find a need for more of them against goblins. Is there anything else?"
The day is fairly bright, though the temperature is cool. There are few people on the Lost Coast Road, though a couple of groups, coming from the north towards Sandpoint, or perhaps Magnimar, pass by the companions. Both groups are well armed and well supplied. Neither has much to say though both offer polite greetings.
The miles go by and as the group comes to the spot where Shank's Wood's begins bearing north, they see the path that leads northeast to the Pauper's Graves. By consent they pass these and the road starts climbing through rocky hills. At last the road comes to it's highest point and begins downwards once more. To the northeast, stretching out over the hills is Nettlewood. The ocean, according to the maps seen in town, lies less than a mile to the north, but it lies out of sight, for though this is the highest spot in the road, there are higher hills between the road and the sea.
You know that the Thistle River should still be about a mile further east.
The day is fairly bright, though the temperature is cool. There are few people on the Lost Coast Road, though a couple of groups, coming from the north towards Sandpoint, or perhaps Magnimar, pass by the companions. Both groups are well armed and well supplied. Neither has much to say though both offer polite greetings.
The miles go by and as the group comes to the spot where Shank's Wood's begins bearing north, they see the path that leads northeast to the Pauper's Graves. By consent they pass these and the road starts climbing through rocky hills. At last the road comes to it's highest point and begins downwards once more. To the northeast, stretching out over the hills is Nettlewood. The ocean, according to the maps seen in town, lies less than a mile to the north, but it lies out of sight, for though this is the highest spot in the road, there are higher hills between the road and the sea.
You know that the Thistle River should still be about a mile further east.
"Isn't it beautiful out here?"
I look around at the wilderness beyond the road.
"So, where did the Sheriff say to turn next?"
The day is fairly bright, though the temperature is cool. There are few people on the Lost Coast Road, though a couple of groups, coming from the north towards Sandpoint, or perhaps Magnimar, pass by the companions. Both groups are well armed and well supplied. Neither has much to say though both offer polite greetings.
The miles go by and as the group comes to the spot where Shank's Wood's begins bearing north, they see the path that leads northeast to the Pauper's Graves. By consent they pass these and the road starts climbing through rocky hills. At last the road comes to it's highest point and begins downwards once more. To the northeast, stretching out over the hills is Nettlewood. The ocean, according to the maps seen in town, lies less than a mile to the north, but it lies out of sight, for though this is the highest spot in the road, there are higher hills between the road and the sea.
You know that the Thistle River should still be about a mile further east.
"Isn't it beautiful out here?"
I look around at the wilderness beyond the road.
"So, where did the Sheriff say to turn next?"
"He said to turn north a mile after we begin to descend from the hills. Before the river," answers Mitnal confidently.
Jessa swats at a gnat and frowns as she fidgets with her hair. It seems like nothing she does with her prestidigitation cantrips will keep it from getting sweaty, windblown, or tangled by some bit of twig or nettle.
"Are we there yet?" she complains.
Somewhere overhead Blackwing glides through the sky. She can sense the bird's exhiliration at being out in the wild once again.
"He can probably see the ocean from up there," she surmises aloud, "What I wouldn't give to fly and see that, too. But...nooooo...I'm stuck down here! Crawling through the wilderness!"
She pauses to shade her eyes and squint up at the sun.
"Do you think it's time to stop for lunch? Or some water? Or maybe just to catch our breath?"
Seeing as how there are still a couple of hours to go before noon and the party is only about three miles from town, no one takes the suggestion of lunch too seriously.
Following Mitnal's confident lead, the party descends from the rocky hills, the road winding through the tors. About a mile further, perhaps a bit more, a rise in the road reveals a river about a quarter of a mile down the hill to the east. The river can also be seen to the north, indicating an unseen bend in its flow.
To the north and south, the land is clear for about two hundred yards past the road, but past these points there are thick woods.
I can help, tell me what to do...
Seeing as how there are still a couple of hours to go before noon and the party is only about three miles from town, no one takes the suggestion of lunch too seriously.
"Men!" Jessa exclaims, "I told you we should have stopped for directions from those people we passed along the way..." She pauses for a moment to get her bearings with her familiar's help. "Hmmmm...Blackwing says we should go that way...as the crow flies, of course..."
Jesse seems to unerringly spot the path even when I can't seem to find it, I do my best to assist her.
"Well done," says Mitnal with a smug smile. "I could have told you it was there but ..."
Mitnal has no problem taking the lead, and guided in part by Jessa's overhead insights, the group is soon heading steadily north through Thistlewood. There are briar patches everywhere below the leaves of the still verdant forest. But the briars do little to slow the northward progress as Mitnal easily finds the best way through them.
Several times Mitnal sees tracks of goblins. He also notices some larger booted feet. These booted tracks are fairly fresh and they head to the north along well trodden tracks.
The forest is fairly quiet and peaceful and though an occassional dark squirrel scuttles away and out of view along the backside of trees, nothing dangerous is encountered on this northward trek.
Mitnal has no problem taking the lead, and guided in part by Jessa's overhead insights, the group is soon heading steadily north through Thistlewood. There are briar patches everywhere below the leaves of the still verdant forest. But the briars do little to slow the northward progress as Mitnal easily finds the best way through them.
Several times Mitnal sees tracks of goblins. He also notices some larger booted feet. These booted tracks are fairly fresh and they head to the north along well trodden tracks.
The forest is fairly quiet and peaceful and though an occassional dark squirrel scuttles away and out of view along the backside of trees, nothing dangerous is encountered on this northward trek.
After nearly half an hour of treking through the early fall woods, the party hears the sound of the ocean to the north.
And Mitnal in particular begins to notice an increase in signs of humanoid passage. The tracks and wood trails lead in many directions but primarily north and south.
As well, the briars begin growing thicker, in some places rising between the trees like walls.
Mitnal turns to the others and says in a proud but quiet voice, "I'm noticing an increase in signs of humanoid passage ... mostly going that way."
Mitnal turns to the others and says in a proud but quiet voice, "I'm noticing an increase in signs of humanoid passage ... mostly going that way."
I look around cautiously, as if expecting goblins to leap from the trees, then I settle down as Lim lands on top of my head.
"Good bird." I whisper.
"Well, if there's anything out here that would qualify as humanoid, it's probably the goblins," Jessa notes, "So we should keep on our toes. If you think it's wise, I could send Blackwing to scout ahead and report back to us if he sees any of them. But it's daylight out. So I'd be surprised if they aren't holed up someplace dark and creepy right now."
A wind, coming from the north, rustles through the trees and a small number of leaves fall from the heights above. The smell of the ocean is on the wind.
Mitnal: