Prologue:
Deivo led a very normal life, In fact he led a very boring life. Most of the time was spent helping his parents with their traveling circus, most people would find this thrilling, but after years of setting up and then taking down tents, cleaning animal cages, and generally not having any free time Deivo grew bored.
He felt that if he was going to spend all his time traveling he should be getting something out of it. If not paid, he should at least get to see the sites, sleep with the woman, and drink a little of the local brew. All things he never had time to do while working for his parents circus. So he told his parents that he wanted to begin his own path and carve his own niche in the world. His parents agreed that he needed to do what he wanted to do in life and welcomed his decision. His sister was saddened to see him go, and gave him her two star knives to remember her by in hopes he would put them to better use than she had put them to recently.
The night before he was ready to leave Deivo was celebrating with other carnival performers and had to much to drink and passed out while relieving himself out in the bushes. He awoke hours later to a firestorm raging all around him and the screams all around him from all too familiar people. He heard his sister wailing and ran to her, she was on fire and he watched in horror as her skin began blackening in front of his eyes and her hair catching fire.
He crashed through walls of flame to catch her before she even fell, whipping his cloak off as he ran to wrap her in a protective embrace. She was going into shock and staring past him as he continued to run through the flames. Flames that seemed to be parting for him and leaving no trail of burn in his wake.
Her eyes still looked to his as he told her for the thousandth time she would be all right. He stood waist deep in the Thistle River nurseing wounds that took her life hours before. He stayed there with her all night, and not until morning when some townfolk found him and wrestled him to shore did he realize she was gone, along with the rest of his family.
He wanders now from city to city, in search of who or what caused the fire. This is something he can never find, because it was only an accident that took his family's life, an accident unbeknown to him that he actually caused. Deivo has spent all of his familys remaining fortune to arrange a 'gentle repose' spell to be cast on his sisters body every day until he can return with enough funds to buy a raise dead spell.
Deivo's friend Yedmund does this for him for free out of sympathy for him, and used the money to buy a small private graveyard where her body is kept until he returns. He has spent months casting heal spells on the body even though there is no life remaining to restore his sister to the beauty that was taken from her that night.
PATHFINDER: Burnt Offerings, Game 1
I had heard there was to be some new festival happening in Sandpoint today. I gathered up my backpack, tipped the bartender an extra copper for showing me her goods earlier today and stumbled out down the road out of town and towards Sandpoint. Mercenary work was something uneeded here anyway, nothing happening this far out. I could of bought a horse, well maybe, but I figured the walk would sweat the booze out of my system and I could start thinking clearly again. Did that bartender have three nipples? I'll check back another day and find out.
I traveled a few days in the general direction of sandpoint following the well worn roads so I figured I was heading in the right direction. It was confirmed later on by two other men traveling to Sandpoint so I decided they could tag along with me.
There was a shaved head Shoanti named Horlak, he gave me a queasy feeling in my gut, though that could also be the spicy sausage and mead diet I was on for the last three days. The other guy Garth was obviously a Chelaxian. Darn creep carries a scythe around and everything. I'm betting that nasty scar on his was self inflicted too. It's obvious he isn't military trained.
We all arrived pretty much on time for the festival, we got there before noon and seeing as it wasn't in full swing yet decided to check out the local watering hole. I was itching for a drink and to check out the local legs.
Along the way my new companions wanted to stop off at the smithy because he had a few curiously red dogs. Das Korvut took a liking to Horlock, both of them being related I'm sure, and revealed he feeds the Mastiffs barbarian chew to increase their rage. Hrm, that explains the red coats I guess. I'd better not piss that guy off then.
We ended up at the Rusty Dragon and met the owner Ameiko Kaijitsu. What an exotic little flower, I wonder how sweet her scent is. Maybe I'll look into that once I get a few drinks in me.
While killing time in the Rusty Dragon we overheard that prostitution was legal here and there were plenty of brothels. This is my kind of town, I know what I'm doign after the festival winds down.
We got an escort later from the Sheriff and the Mayor, I think Garth brought a little too much attention to himself with that damn scythe all over town, but the sheriff seems to want to warm up to us I think, thats worth a few points in my book.
The festival was your typical boring speeches, but everyone seemed to be having fun, and the free food was a huge bonus. I still wonder how they pulled that off.
We felt the heat hit us before we heard the boom of the fuel cart that was to be used at the end of the ceremony. Something was seriously wrong, I got back to my feet, I blame the alcohol for stumbling but drew my greatsword in anticipation. We heard the screams before we heard the little voices cackling, then utter chaos broke out.
Goblins were suddenly everywhere, slashing ankles, stealing food, knocking over tables and brandishing crude weapons in triumph and insanity.
My comrades and I got surrounded by a group of six goblins whipped into a frenzy of battle lust, waving their torches and goblin slicers at us we were suddenly forced into action.
My great sword made quick work of several diminutive foes, scoring minimal reprisals from them. My Chelaxian comrade actually put that scythe to use, I give him a little credit, but not too much. The other guy, Horlock just focused his attention on the Goblins and they clutched their heads in agony and confusion. Garth and I made quick work in dispatching those remaining Goblins after that. Ameiko was there and a Goblin close to her was more interested in stuffing his face full of her spicy samples. He chocked to death, it would have been comical if half the town wasn't under siege.
I rescued a Noble named Aldern Foxglove from a certain "goblining" he seemed overly grateful, we pushed him on his way politely and told him to get safe while we clean up. I think his eyes lingered on me a little too long for comfort, it's probably shock.
We fought for what felt like hours after that, defeating Goblin War-Chanters, some of their commandos riding Goblin Dogs, yet we eventually beat them back and sent those not defeated running.
Horlock pointed out during the clean up, more than half of them ended up killing themselves by falling in water barrels or just getting trampled by horses. Odd little bastards.
The town seemed to have noticed our efforts to defend the town though, we got a lot of head nods and winks from the ladies later that night. I figured now would be a good time to get some food and a little leg for the night.
We headed back to the Rusty Dragon and grabbed a table, Ameiko wasn't back yet but things were slowly starting to get back to normal, our group sat down at the far end of the bar to get something to eat. I told my new friends I was heading over to the Pixies Kitten to check out their establishment. Garth and Horlock told me to bring back some girls, Horlock was specific in stating he wanted a girl not afraid of being tied up.
I was greeted by the Pixies madam and told her I wanted to get two girls for a few hours, she asked if this was my first time and maybe I wanted to just try one to begin with. I told her I could handle two just fine, and wouldn't settle for anything less. She charged me more, but that was to be expected, and I had a very good two hours.
I headed back to the Rusty Dragon to let my friends know about the place, they were still there Horlock chatting up Ameiko so I went over to him and let him know they don't do "tying up."
Horlock shot me a glare then smiled sheepishly at Ameiko, I think I just blew his wooing session.
People were indeed giving us a little more kindness the next day, the baker telling us to eat and offering free bread saying Garth was too skinny. Girls chuckled and blushed as we walked by, and I cannot count how many handshakes and back pats I got that day.
Sheriff Hemlock even asked to see us and told us we did good last night. He told us a little about the towns history, and a little about the 'late unpleasantness' and the story of Chopper and the great fire.
<end game 1>
<game 2>
The Boar Hunt.
Great, I thought, Aldern is still here. I spied him as I entered the common room of the Rusty Dragon and scanned the crowd. He insisted I sit with him and dotted on me all morning. At least he paid for breakfast.
I was trying my best to finish my free spiced meats and eggs, but Aldern kept asking about "the adventuring life" and not letting me chew my food. I absentmindedly agreed to a boar hunt I think. Ops. I was more interested in Ameikos food. It was darn tasty, heavy in the spices. Maybe I should hit her up later and try to get the recipe. It would also be a good way to work up to seeing if she's available. Did I mention shes quite attractive?
After we ate Aldern dragged me to the armor shop to get 'geared up' for the big boar hunt today. I figured a long spear and shield would be decent for him, something to keep him out of the boars reach as me and my companions did the heavy lifting. He insisted on paying for a new spear and shield for me as well. Can't turn down another freebe I suppose, may even be handy at some point.
Aldern then made a trip to the Goblin Squash Stables to grab his horse, at which point we pointed out we walked to Sandpoint. The guy then sprang for horses...I don't think he even blinked at the price of heavy war horses. He bought me and my companions horses. What is it with this guy? Either I hit the karma lottery or this is a set up and trap. Garth and Horlock are giving me a ribbing for the new attention and pointed out they only got light war horses and I got a heavy one, ya that is kinda creepy isn't it?
We spent a better part of the day North of Sandpoint hunting the wild boars when when one suddenly came into view a few yards off. He was a big one alright, and I felt glad I had a long spear now. We motioned everyone off the horses and gave the reigns to Alderns man servants that came along and told those three to stay back. I told Aldern to stick with me, despite a chuckle from Horlock, and sent Garth and him to make a wide circle and drive the boar to me and Aldern with out spears ready.
Garth tripped trying to be sneaky and alerted the beast, we thought he would flee but he came on charging right for us. Before we even knew it that thing was on top of us. Aldern and i thrust spear strike after spear strike at it, trying to keep it at range until Garth and Horlock got back in the fray. That mangy beast gored Garth something fierce, he fell over clutching his side and passed out....s&+!.
This just got serious, Aldern was stabbing at the beast fairly ineffectively so I dropped the spear and whipped out the great sword and charged it. I slashed at it with red fury - my swing was wide, and it harmlessly sailed over his black furred head. He set his eyes on me, snorted once, dropped his head and sent me flying with a powerful gouge.
I must have hit my head hard on the way down because I was awoken by Aldern tending to my wounds with a healing drought. He said I took a tusk to the chest and it looked like it impaled me clean through. His man servants and Garth finished off the boar. It was an embarrassing finish to a hunt, but I give him credit he killed the boar. Horlock is stabilized but still out off it. I think it's time to head back to the inn and get Father Zanthus to administer some healing on him.
We got Horlock patched up and he retired early to a room at the Rusty Dragon. Aldern entered with boar in hand to a thunderous applause from the locals and commanded Ameiko to "cook it up". He came off a little cocky, or maybe I'm getting a little sweet on her, regardless I gave her an innocent smile and shrug. An unspoken "I know" was passed between us, Aldern was an ass, but we could give him his five minutes of fame.
I think I'm taking a liking to more that just Ameikos good cooking. But seriously, what are the chances she'd be interested? I'm not even sure why I was telling her, but I told her everything about my sister, I haven't told anyone this since it happened. Gods hear me some day I will find whoever started that fire, and kill him. No fire starts that fast, magic was involved I can feel it.
I looked up from my mug of mead and saw Ameiko brish a tear away, I didn't want that kind of effect so I apologized. I told her the alcohol must have loosened my tongue a little too much. She waved my apology off and gave me a pat on the hand. I got a discount on my room that night, I guess she has a policy on giving discounts for a good story. She must miss the adventuring life a little. I wonder why she stopped.
I slept well that night, I guess it was due to having my insides rearranged by the boars tusk then magically healed. We better start bringing a healer along with us, or stock up on healing droughts. At least it didn't scar, I owe Aldern for that too...damn it.
Aldern left that morning, making me promise to come visit him in Magnimar as soon as possible. I agreed, I mean he is annoying, but he was nothing but nice to us. I mean I can overlook a few annoyances for someone that buys me a war horse and ends up saving my life. I kinda got the feeling he wants me to 'sleep' over though, I hope he understands I like my legs unshaven and curvy.
<end game 2>
<start game 3>
Horlock was out of it still, so we added a Dwarf named Axis, and a healer named Tyr. I was pretty happy about having someone that could bind wounds with us finally, he'll come in handy.
After hearing some rumors that CHoppers Isle to the North was haunted we decided to check it out, we were just killing some time until a caravan job we hired on was ready to ship out later in the week.
We investigated the island and found the burned down wreckage and went inside. It looks nothing was disturbed much, since the town burnt it down. We did find the creepy alter with eyes and what not on it still. We decided to burn them as it was just that creepy still.
Sheriff Hemlock chewed us out for visiting Chopper's Isle and threatened to kick us out of town, but then turned around and offered a cover story, one where we were investigating rumors of goblins on the island and went there despite the stories of Chopper's Ghost, and some other encouragement. "I really want to like you guys...".
Hemlock then revealed he was there when Chopper died in front of his shrine after plucking out his own eyes and tongue (the 26th set), and that he gave the orders to bring down the entrance to the shrine, burn the house and burn Chopper's body on the beach.
He doesn't want us talking about what you saw there since the public doesn't need any more shocks. It's clear that Hemlock calls a lot of the shots in town, and calls them more or less as he sees them. He then tells us of a ladder found near the north wall of town. We went over to check that out.
On the streets, we found that the rumors of our exploits hunting goblins on Chopper's Isle already started spreading. In passing ladies are giving you the 'come hiter' eye while men stopped to congratulate us. This town is growing on me.
We then spent several hours investigating the woods by the north wall of town. I found many, many goblin tracks and one set of humanoid boot tracks leading north to the Lost Coast Road and to the town gates, but lost both trails on the hard packed and well traveled roads. Wheres a ranger when you need one?
We then visited the bakery, Sandpoint Savories, and receive the promised
free lunch. The owner, Alma Avertin, and her two unmarried twin daughters Arika and Aneka, doted on us over a lunch of raspberry tarts, fresh bread, honeyed rolls, and other sweetness. She even loaded you up with more
for the road. Turns out, Alma is the mother of the previous Sheriff, Casp Avertin, who died in the fight with the Chopper 5 years ago. "My poor Casp!" she said.
We decided to take a ride down the road a bit and see if we could recover where the tracks led off, Tyr must have walked to Sandpoint too as he didn't have a mount. We headed back to the Goblin Squash stables to purchase a horse for Tyr and I to trade for a military saddle as I was sure there would be some fighting very soon. Daviren Hosk, who has three rafters full of preserved goblin ears, each with the name of the goblin source branded on it and a large glass bottle with the pickled remains of a goblin chieftain, greeted us again. Since we mentioned Tyr needed the horse to look for goblins, he gave him an insane deal on both the horse, a fine Velashu light riding horse, easily worth twice the price and the saddle.
we investigated the north road for the next few hours but found nothing. A small group of merchants passed us by who said they had heard of goblin activity in the area but were not attacked themselves. We returned to Sandpoint later that night after finding nothing more. While traveling back to the Rusty Dragon, we heard a woman's scream on the
main street. A woman, Amele Barett, ran to us clutching a baby and dragging a small boy. She says that they should have believed her son that there was a goblin in his closet! The boy's arms were covered with bite marks from where the goblin tried to gnaw them off.
We searched the house and found the dog killed and the father lying face down in a hole in the floor of the closet. Pulling him out and turning him over reveals that he was dead and that his face and upper torso had been consumed or were being consumed by a goblin. I lost it. I just lost my breakfast, lunch, and probably last nights dinner right there. The goblin was still there and we quickly beat it to death, seems it was left behind after the raid and got sktuck in the crawlspace below the house.
We protected her from the sight of her husband, but Amele takes the news hard until Tyr told her that her husband "had stalled the goblin long enough to save your son's life." She seemed to have softened at that a bit, but she is obviously still taking the news very hard. Man, what a way to go, I gotta put a stop to this. This is crazy. I calmned the crowd down by promising to get to the bottom of it.
I returned to the Rusty Dragon to settle down, I was hungry too after losing my stomach earlier. I ordered some food but just picked at it, I wasn't so hungry as I thought I was. One second your surrounded by your family, nothing is wrong, everyone is smiling-then the next your face down in the floorboards with a slit neck-goblin food, or your cosumed by fire of magically epic proportions...what the hell is going on? Well screw this...
"Hey, um Ameiko? Would I be able to convince you to come on a date this Sunday?" Oh crap, I'm going to be embarassed when she says no... "I was thinking we could take a horse ride." ...oh man, this is gonna hurt.
"Ya, that sounds like fun." Holy...ok act cool. Act cool Deivo. Did she really say yes? I think she did.
"Great, I'll see you then." I said as smooth as I could on the rattled nerves I was on. I paid for my food, left a respectable tip and went to bed.
(interlude, game 3 continues.)
Pathfinder: The Wet Quaist - Game 3 continues:
Morning. Still alive. Nice. I had the dreams again, my sisters face framed in fire. The shadows cast by her burning form all dance around me as if they were alive. They don't touch me, in fact they part the way, but they always engulf her. I'm always so frozen in fear, I can't move I just watch as the skin burns to the bone and blows away. The skin gone, hands made of blackened bone reach for my throat and I let them come, I always wake before they reach me. I know she wants me to find who did this and stop them, I will Danni I will.
I took the party to see Amele Barett at the Cathedral, I think we all felt a little guilty we couldn't help out sooner with the Goblin hiding in the crawlspace. We offered to take her to Magnimar if she wanted an escort, it was the least we could do for her now. She thanked us but said she already sent word to her sister to come pick her up. It was then Father Zanthus rushed over to tell us his grounds keeper Naffer found a disturbed grave. Great, it gets worse I thought.
Yup, it gets worse. The grave disturbed-correction stolen was of Father Tobyn, The priest that died in the fire, during the events of the late unpleasantness. Tyr noticed there were not only goblin tracks but a humans, and deduced this was the real reason the goblins attacked the city. They set up a diversion to steal the remains of father Tobyn for some reason, and that a human is working with them. We called the sheriff to check this out, and he "suddenly remembered" that the body of his foster daughter Nualia was never found. He figured because she was "blessed" with silver hair, purple eyes, and an unearthly beauty that she had a touch of the celestial in her an ascended directly to heaven. He asked us to keep this quiet, I thought that was also a good idea. The sheriff asks us to help out "unofficially" and we agreed. I think he still wants to trust us but needs a few more points on our side, thats fine, it's getting personal now and I have every intention of checking things out.
While heading back towards the center of town, Tyr was approached by a young woman, Shayliss Vinder. She said she thought there ere goblins in her basement and asked Tyr, and only Tyr, for help. As soon as they were alone in the basement she made her intentions clear by stripping off and lying on a cot that just happened to be there.
Myself and Garth watched silently outside as her father, Ven, returns early. Ven caught Tyr & Shayliss in the act and lands a couple of good blows on Tyr before throwing him out. We could of stalled him, but come on, thats funny.
Me and Garth headed back to the Rusty Dragon, where the hell did Axel go? Eh, he's around somewhere.
(ooc:I couldn't edit the last post, I asked Ameiko out here, not back there. memory was blurred.)
I got the courage up to asked Ameiko to a picnic on Sunday and she said yes. Why was that harder than buying two whores on a whim? Odd. She's giving me the butterflies, not the same ones I get before i draw my sword, but the awkward kind when I try to hand a pretty girl flowers.
Garth said he was heading back to the bakery and clumsily asked Aneka if she would like to join him on a picnic on Sunday. (How original Garth.) I guess since we are now town heroes she agrees, to her own surprise as well. I mean he does have that nasty scar running down his face and dresses like death, AND carries s scythe for hells sake. I think we are making impressions.
After getting the yes from Ameiko I had the sudden thought I needed to look my best, I asked around and got the word to check out the Sandpoint Boutique. I met a refined woman by the name of Hayliss Korvaski who helped me pick out a few items for my big day. I told her I was wooing the lady Ameiko and I'm sure, in hindsight, I'm sure thats how the town gossip mill got started, but I didn't mind. You hear that Aldern? I like girls.
I was able to find a set of Varisian hand drums, and picked up some fine clothing for my big date. Not only did I want to look good, but I was working on a poem for her. It'll be nice to use my performing background for something other than taming the lions or swallowing fire. You'd like her Danni, she's cute, and a fine cook.
Shayliss also visited Tyr in his room that night to make up for her father. They got a working plan to use secret signs to indicate when her father is away, and a booty call is available. Skanky. Hrm, ask me a day ago and I would have been jealous. That reminds me, I havent had a drink in how many days now?
I spent the night at the White Deer inn so that I could get prepared for my date a few nights away, you know shower, clean up, work on my poem, all the things you normally don't want your date to see until it's time.
I met the rest of the guys back at the inn though in the morning, it was ok Ameiko wasn't there so I was in the clear. At breakfast we were introduced to the beautiful Shalelu Andosana, an elf woman who patrols the area for goblins As an unofficial member of the town guard, she gave us many details about the local goblin tribes and their leaders.
Sheriff Hemlock mentioned that he's canceled our escort trip to Korvosa and is deputizing you. He asks you to stay in town and stay visible while he travels to Magnimar to request for additional help. Well we lost a very lucrative contract there, but I get a nice shiney new badge. I could get used to this, it looks good on me.
We decided that if we were going to do it right we'd need some better gear, and hit the guards armory to get better equipped. I left my studded leather armor and grabbed a breastplate, I noticed it was stamped with "property of Sandpoint." It fit well though, I also grabbed a large shield, it was wooden but wood works for me too. You can always light it on fire easier than steel if need be. I know that seems odd, but if you were around back in the day when I fought a winter wolf with only a bottle of booze and a wooden shield-well you had to be there.
We we stopped by a halfling woman named Bethana, that told us Ameiko was missing. She then handed us a note from Ameikos brother Tsuto that suggests she met him at the Glassworks last night.
Bethana also revelas that Tsuto is a half elf, and a bastard, and his father Lonjiku sent him away to the be raised at the academy orphanage. Ameiko visited him regularly until 6 years ago when he struck her for an unknown reason. She left town and went adventuring, returning for her mother's funeral a year later. At the funeral Tsuto claimed that Astuii did not fall to her death but rather was murdered by Lonjiku. Lonjiku then almost broke Tsuto's jaw with his cane and Tsuto left town, not to be heard from again until yesterday.
We rushed to the Glassworks and found the place closed but the furnace roaring. The group, now joined by Axis again, breaks in and found the place ransacked and the workers killed. A group of goblins were in the workroom dismembering the workers' remains, either burning them in the furnace or attempting to duplicate the masterpiece sitting in the alcove - a male body encased in layer after layer of glass.
We killed most of the goblins one ran though and we chased it downstairs and found Tsuto and his captive, Ameiko.
We made quick work of the the last goblin, and managed to subdue Tsuto. I ran to Ameiko and checked that she was ok, she took a few wallops from the goblins but was breathing, I had Tyr cast a healing spell on her and cut her free from her bindings.
I carried her out to the cheers of the townsfolk come to gawk at the spectacle of the new town guards busting down the glasswork doors. I called some of the guards to me and told them let no one in and brought Ameiko back to the Rusty Dragon. The rest of my friends found a tunnel in the basement and hand Tsuto over to the town guard to bring to the garrison.
I brought Ameiko back to her room at the Rusty Dragon and made sure she was taken care of, Bethana thanked me and I told her to look after her that I had friends and guardsmen at the glassworks and the worse may not be over. She gave me a nod and I ran back.
In the workroom Tsuto escaped from a guard and dove unflinchingly into an open furnace, dying immediately.
"He didn't even scream" says the shocked guards.
We did loot Tsuto before turning him over, and his journal reveals much. He's behind the initial attack of goblins and has plans for a much larger assault with two hundred goblins. His journal is also filled with erotic drawings of a beautiful woman who is depicted as a succubus on the last page. His writings reveal this is Nualia, Father Tobyn's foster daughter, who burnt her father's remains and is attempting to remove herself of her "celestial taint."
Damn it. It's never simple.
I met back up with the party and headed down into the tunnels under the glassworks. Investigating the tunnel, we found an entrance down by the shoreline that some goblins used as a staging area, and a secret door leading to some catacombs. In the catacombs we found and fought some sort of aberrant humanoids and a Vargouille. You also saw a life-size statue of a beautiful but raging female, holding a book with a seven pointed star and a ranseur, which Axis was able to remove, and is now using.
We found what appeared to be the skeletal remains of some hideously deformed humanoids, and the mutated goblin chief Koruvus, at least, he kept saying "KORUVUS!" while hitting us with a magic sword and his breathing his acidic breath. We defeated him and I claimed the magical blade as my own. Tyr took the goblin chiefs ear as a trophey, something he plans to share with the stable master of the Goblin Squash Stables.
We continued to search the tunnels and rooms under the glassworks and discoverd a room lined in what looked like red metal, everything inside floating as if gravity had no place there. Limning the walls occasionally were flashes of what can only be described as black lightning, Garth and Tyr swore they saw words form. Garth entered and took a few of the floating items, no one else felt like risking it. Point for you Garth, you got balls. Your lucky you still have balls, but balls you have indeed. Garth grabbed some kind of prayer book written in Abysaal, I'll file that fact he 'knows' abyssal in my 'need to know later' mental file. He said that it seemed to be a prayer book to The goddess of monsters, and showed us the pages with wood block stamped monsters hunting.
We were going to burn it but I'm glad we held off, not far away we found another chamber that contained some kind pools that were lined with skulls, and one that seemed to be translucent lava, yet giving off no heat. Oh and an angry Quaist. She attacked us and we fought her summoned minions for what felt like hours. She exhausted her spells trying to slow us down, all the while staying out of melee range and tossing a magical dagger at us while airborne. We couldn't land a blow on her due to her speed, size, and unnaturally thick skin and scales.
She was whittling us down slowly and we had no way to beat her, several times she gloated over us saying we should leave now and she was bored of us. I had a great idea and told Garth to start taking notes in his new book and to 'try' and be real careful. he got the hint and whipped out the prayer book.
Garth pulled out the book, licking his fingers and fumbling through the pages began to rip pages out.
"GIVE ME MY BOOK!" hissed the Quaist and launched into flight towards Garth, now that we had her in melee range we all began trying to cut her down. We just couldn't make the connection, or dig deep enough to draw blood.
"Garth grab her!" I yelled.
"What??" he called out swatting the Quaist back as he still held her book out for her to see.
"Grab her and hold her down!" I repeated.
To Garth's surprise he got a got choke hold on her with one hand, another hand on the book. Tyr rushed in and also held her hands behind her. I took my new magical blade and thrust down on the pinned form over and over, not a single blow making any kind of scratch on her. She laughed the whole time, spit at us and taunted us. She did that until I told Garth and Tyr to give it her last drink ever in this world. They looked where I was looking, to the pool in the middle of the room, and dragged her kicking and screaming curses until her head dipped below the top of the still pool.
I never saw anyone drown before, panic sets in quickly, it leaves time for the mind to race I bet. Her last air bubble left her lungs after a few minutes, hearty little demon. I have to remind myself this is still a demon, and would of done worse to me if given the chance.
<end game 3>
Game 3 part 2
Glassworks Aftermath
We searched the rest of the tunnels and passageways and found nothing more, we weren't able to get past a few collapsed hallways though. We'd need time to dig those out so we returned to the Glassworks area. We told the guards what we found and told them to post a few guards here until we had a solution to block the access back into the city. The poor guy killed and then "glassed" was thrown into the fires of the furnace. Ameiko told me before coming back here it was her father, and that Tsuto did it. I need to go back and check on her, now that things are calmer. I hope Hemlock gets back soon with more men, I'm no sheriff.
Bethana was at the Rusty Dragon when I returned, and she came to me.
"Thank you Deivo. Thank you for rescuing Ameiko."
I could see how attached she was to Ameiko. She was more than a friend she was almost like her second mother.
"I'm glad we got there in time bethana, some people haven't been so lucky as of late." I said sheepishly. "Do you think I could see her?"
She lead me to her room and knocked, announcing to Ameiko I was here and I was escorted in. Bethana left and said she would see us kids in the morning. I got a sudden flush of embarrassment. I did want to make sure Ameiko was OK though.
"I wanted to make sure you were alright. What happened was ...horrible." I said.
"I'm doing a little better, I-I was never very close to my father, but he was still family, you know?"
I nodded "I know all to well how it feels to lose family members. The pain lessens in intensity over time, but the scar is always there."
"I'm all alone now Deivo." She looked up to me and I just wanted to take the pain away, but there was no way I could. I know there is nothing to say other than I know. But what I did say was from the heart.
"I am too, but-We, we don't have to be alone if you don't want to be. I do have feelings for you Ameiko. We don't have to be alone anymore."
I took her hand, I held her. I told her I would take care of her, that she was not alone. She could have someone, I told her I wanted someone. I wanted her to be my someone. I held her while she wept, I kissed the tears from her cheeks and gave her all the warmth and compassion I was capable of.
It was a pleasant sensation awaking next to a warm body, legs intertwined and her perfume lingering on the air for me to breath in. She rolled over and called me 'Tiger' and I found myself enjoying her again. It wasn't the same as a few nights before, those woman were paid, this was all new. I desired to be here, needed it, she needed me. I was her guardian, her lover, I was her man now. I will do anything to keep her safe now. She was my charge in life, my flower to protect. I'll use my claws on anyone that tries to harm her, and certainly purr in the bedroom.
"Damn straight I'm your tiger baby."
"I don't want to be forward, or move to fast Deivo, but can we move your things up here?" She asked.
"I don't think the horse will fit in here." I joked. "Everything I own is over there on the floor." I pointed to the only messy corner of her room, which was all my gear. "I'll clean it up though, don't worry."
It's funny how life throws you around, I came to Sandpoint looking for work, and find a girlfriend. I'll have to write Aldern Foxglove and tell him the good news. I laughed at that to myself.
I told Ameiko I would be heading to the Thistletops to strike a preemptive blow against the goblins, she kissed me and told me to get back soon.
I can't argue with such beauty. Look at me Danni, I got a cause now, a lover, a direction, and I'm focused like an archer drawing back the twine. Upon that twine sits an arrow. That arrow is my resolve to finish this, and it's being fired straight into Thistletops direction.
I wrote a letter to Aldern explaining my visit would have to be put on hold explaining the dire situation Sandpoint was about to be in, and asked him to put in the word to help out Hemlock in his request for aid if he could get the right amount of persuasion in the right persons ear.
We saddled up and set hoof to trail. We spent hours on the trail and eventually reached an outpost where we tethered the horses, they couldn't make the rest of the trip into the Thistledowns. It was too overgrown and dangerous to ride in anyway, my companions don't seem to be 'riders' either, watching them bounce around in the saddle all day was a comical highlight to the day. It snapped me back into leader mode though pretty quick, people could die in there, I aim to prevent that.
Me, Garth, Tyr, and a Dwarf Stone tracker we hired found a secret door leading further into the Thistletops via passageways of thorns and brambles, it was made for those of the smaller size so it was cramped, and we'd be at a serious disadvantage. We went in anyway, I led the way to a chamber where we heard sobbing, and smelled of smoke. I got pinned in the opening and had to stand against six rushing goblins with no way for my friends to get in. I took many hits, a few serious ones, way too quickly.
"Tyr, I need you up here, I'm going to cut my way in, but I'm bleeding badly." I cried out in my command voice.
"I got your back Deivo!" He pushed his way to my backside and layed hands on me calling out to his goddess. The healing force flowed through me and allowed me to get back in the fray.
I felled goblins two at a time, creating an opening, and rushing further inside where I could stand and bring my magical blade "KORUVUS" to bear on them with full fury. There were still many goblins left, and now my friends could get at them too.
Garth began chanting and launched miniature fireballs into the ranks of goblins. A few of them caught fire and broke rank, running and yelling trying to put the flames out. Tyr again layed hands on me and brought me to almost full strength and then pulled out his massive Earthbreaker and began showing goblins it's pointy end.
When the last goblin fell we were all standing, a good thing. We are getting better with our tactics and working well as a team. The Dwarf charged us extra.
"Hazard pay laddies, fighting cost extra." He held his hand out. I turned to Tyr and told him to pay up, he hired him, and theres no way he won't be fighting our way out now. Two gold coins is cheap in an adventurers line of business, Tyr paid the Dwarf. I don't think he minded either. Where did Axis take off too, we could of used him here, he pay us to kick ass like this.
Good reading thus far 8)
Any chance of a brief run down of the characters for those of us who live vicariously through others games?
As a tribute to Gary Gygax we decided to let the dice fall where they may when we created these charatcers. Str, Int, Wis, Dex, Con, Chr, roll 3d6 and place them in order. It lead to some seriously underpowered characters. Which would have been a real challenge but our DM surprised us with a new book called the Advanced Players Guide by Green Ronin. (which he picked up here on paizo.com on sale, sales over though so I had to grab it at amazon.)
So using green ronin we dropped stats down, or traded in a starting feat to earn "ability points" and we bought powers or modified skills that way. The end result was still a 'normalish' characters but with some neat twists based on what you want out of your design.
Male Fighter(2) / Crusader (1)
NG Medium humanoid (Varisian human)
Init: +0; Senses: Listen +0, Spot +0
Languages: Common, Common (Varisian Dialect)
AC: 17, touch 10, flat-footed 17
(Dex +0, armor +5, shield +2)
HP: 25
Resist: Immunity to Fire/Evocation Spells
Fort:+5, Ref: +0, Will: +0
Speed: 30 ft
Melee: "KORUVUS" Longsword +1 [1d8+1/19-20(x2)]
Base Atk:+3; Grapple: +5
Disciplines: Devoted Spirit, White Raven, Stone Dragon
Maneuvers and Stances Known (Cru 1st):
Martial Spirit(stance), Stone Bones(melee strike), Douse the Flames(melee strike), Charging Minotaur(melee strike), Vanguard Strike(melee strike), Crusader's Strike(melee strike)
Combat Gear: Longsword +1 ("KORUVUS"), Breastplate (stamped with the seal of Sandpoint Garrison.) 8 daggers, 2 Star Knives.
Abilities: Str 14, Dex 11, Con 8, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 10
Flaws: Shakey, DM Choice
Feats: Power attack, Cleave, Improved Sunder, Vital Recovery, Lone Wolf
Skills: Jump +5, Handle Animal +2, Performance (Percussion) +2, Diplomacy +5, Swim +2, Profession (Mercenary) +4
Notes: Deivo grew up working for his family's traveling circus, then later left after the accident and became a mercenary for hire.
Deivo is aware of his special immunity to fire, but does not speak of it, or know how this came to be. He is also keen on the ironic fact that his entire family died in a fire, and that he was untouched. He often wonders if he was adopted, but sadly no one is alive that could tell him that.
He has a hatred of mages and arcane spellcasters, and will always seek them out first in battle. He does not yet know he is immune to evocation spells yet, but will no doubt be confused when this is discovered.
One of Deivo's goals is to bring his sister back to life. She (Danni) rests peacefully in a shrine attended by his friend Yedmond, he casts gentle repose on her daily until Deivo's return. (Himself not having the power yet to raise the dead.)
Here is what "Garth" gave me last night.
Male Duskblade 3
CN Medium humanoid (Chelaxian human)
Init: +5; Senses: Listen -6, Spot -6
Languages: Common, Common (Chelaxian Dialect), Abyssal, Draconic, Celetial
AC: 17, touch 11, flat-footed 16
(Dex +1, armor +4, shield +2)
HP: 15
Resist: Immunity to Poison, Resistance to fire/cold(5) (probably other stuff he forgot to tell me)
Fort:+3, Ref: +2, Will: +1
Speed: 20 ft (slowpoke)
Melee: Scythe +6 [2d4+5/x4]
Base Atk:+3; Grapple: +6
Combat Gear: Scythe,, Warhammer, Chain Shirt, Heavy Wooden Shield.
Abilities: Str 16, Dex 13, Con 10, Int 15, Wis 7, Cha 6
Flaws: Shakey, (he has a 2nd not listed.)
Feats: Improved Initiative, Combat Expertise, Mercantile Background, Combat Casting.
Skills: Climb +5, Concentration +6, Craft Alchemy +5, Decipher Script +6, Jump +5, Know. Arcana +6, Know. Planes +4, Know. Local +4, Ride +2, Spellcraft +8
Notes: Garth has a scar running from scalp to chin across his face. I would fill this in more, but it's not my character so Garth will have to post here later to fill in his background if he wants to.
This is what "Tyr" gave me last night
Male Healer 2
NG Medium humanoid (Shoanti human)
Init: +0; Senses: Listen +3, Spot +4
Languages: Common, Common (Shoanti Dialect)
AC: 12, touch 10, flat-footed 12
(Armor +2)
HP: 16
Resist: Immunity to Poison/Disease/Paralysis, Resist Fire/Cold 5
Fort:+4, Ref: +0, Will: +6
Speed: 20 ft (another slow poke)
Melee: Dagger +1 Returning [1d4+1/x2]
Base Atk:+1; Grapple: +1
Combat Gear:Dagger +1 Returning, Earthbreaker, 2 Javelins, Spiked Gauntlets, Leather Armor
Abilities: Str 10, Dex 10, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 14
Flaws: No Companion
Feats: Augment Heal, Medium Armor Prof., Skill Focus heal, Weapon Prof. Earthbreaker, Prof. Longsword
Skills: Concentration +3, Diplomacy +2, Gather Info. +2, Handle Animal +2, Heal +9, Know. Nature +2, Religion +2, Sense Motive +5, Spellcraft +3, Spot +4, Survival +5
Notes: Worshipper of Phrasma. He hasn't given me a backstory yet.
This is what "Axis Ironfist" gave me last night
Dwarven Fighter 2
CN(as close to evil as allowed) Medium humanoid (Dwarf)
Init: +0; Senses: Listen -2, Spot -2
Languages: Common, Dwarf
AC: 18, touch 10, flat-footed 18
(Armor +5, Natural +1?, Shield +2)
HP: 20
Resist: Immunity to Poison (other stuff possible.)
Fort:+5, Ref: +0, Will: -1
Speed: 20 ft
Melee: Greataxe +6 [1d12+4]
Base Atk:+2; Grapple: +6
Combat Gear:Banded Mail, Greataxe, Goblin Horse Chopper, Potion of Barkskin (at least we think it is.)
Abilities: Str 18, Dex 11, Con 10, Int 6, Wis 8, Cha 7
Flaws: None.
Feats: Power Attack, Cleave
Skills: Climb +4, Intimidate +8
Notes: Axis is not much for those book learned people, he's into beer, fat chicks, and killing goblins. He has a lot of abilities taken from the Green Ronin book, but I'll be damned if I can remember any of them.
Dumb Level: Axis dropped his Glaive off the goblin bridge at Thistletop after it was cut by a Goblin. When asked if I recovered it, I gave him a toothpick and told him it "shrunk" due to getting wet. He isn't sure yet if I was lying.
Awesome dude, thank you very much for that.
I love the stats too. Gone are the days I would of cried at them. They give a lot of scope to mess with :)
Good luck with the campaign and keep the journal flowing.
The dwarf Tyr hired had a change of heart after we said we were going further into the thistle maze, he turned around and said he'd watch the entrance. We advanced further into the lair wary for danger. We saw an opening, light shining in from outside and advanced into a thirty foot room to investigate. We heard the spellcasting but it still caught my friends by surprise, thorny ropes shot from the walls and entangled whatever they could wrap around. I broke free before they could get a firm hold of me and rushed to where the exit was, right into the path of a Firepelt blocking the exit.
With a roar he brandished his teeth and flexed his claws, the hair around his nape rising as his body coiled at the ready. My companions entangled could not get into range to help me so I squared myself off just as a laughing goblin walked right out from the middle of the thorns and shouted a command, it was on. Koruvus in my right hand I had plenty of range to bring it to bear and score some minor hits on the cat. The goblin began chanting and a ball of fire blossomed in his fist, and then the build up of heat struck me in the face as he summoned a blade wrought from flame in his offhand.
"A Goblin Druid!" called out Garth as he struggled against his thorn laden captor.
The goblin sized me up as I took a hit from the Firepelt's claw and bite combo. He cocked his hand back and hurled the ball of fire hitting me square in the chest, I tried my best to pretend it hurt, but even this creature rolled his eyes at my obvious attempt. I was hoping to keep him tied up thinking he could whittle me down with his fiery attacks and spare my comrades his focus, but he wasn't fooled. He then targeted Tyr and let loss with another fireball toss, smacking him clean in the shoulder. Entangled as he was there was no way to avoid it, Tyr took it and visibly wavered under the attack. I needed to defeat this cat before I could tie him up, and seeing as my friends can't get lose I better get to it.
The cat put up a good fight, but in the end he took a slash across his neck opening a critical artery that ended his involvement and allowed me to press the druid in melee. We traded blows, Koruvus against flameblade, just as Tyr and Garth broke free to flank him and prevent him from escaping through the walls. Garth got a lucky hit and the druid fell to his knees as his eyes rolled back into his skull. He was still breathing but wouldn't last long. I saw to his wounds against a few looks of protest, it would be a few days before he would be back on his feet, and i saw no reason to kill a helpless opponent if I didn't have to. We did tie him up just in case it was a ruse, but I don't know anything that can fake all that blood.
A warning alarm blared out as we were liberating the druids gear, Garth mentioning he saw a bird flying directly to the fort, our presence obviously known at this point. We didn't try to storm the gates right away, hoping that the patrols would get bored if nothing happened. We waited a few hours but they never seemed to stop in their patrols or open the gate. Crap, we'll have to do this the hard way.
"Friggen Thorns. What the hell, did you ditch me?!" a voice boomed out.
We all spun about and saw Axis coming in still holding his new glaive he pried from the statue under the glassworks.
"What's the matter Axis, couldn't get out from underneath her?" I quipped.
We filled him in on what had happened up to this point and we remained at the lookout post watching their movements, I had expected a rush any second but none came. Maybe there isn't two hundred goblins here, which was my fear. Even still we need to be careful I was thinking. So of course when Tyr heard barking close by he ran off to look for it's source. I shook my head, rookies. I told everyone else to go check it out I'll keep watch on the fort. They ran into a dog pen, and put them all down. A rider came across the bridge connecting the area we were in to island fort I was trying to see how to storm.
Tyr actually ran out to greet the rider with a javelin and hit, but not hard enough to drop the dog. The rider spun him around and headed back to the rest of the riders across the bridge. Goblins, rope bridges, ya this isn't a trap.
Axis took one look at the bridge and then were the pin cushions were and charged across the bridge. To my surprise it held, at least so far. He made it all the way to the end and engaged the four riders in melee with his glaive pumping like a sewing needle, stitching a tapestry of pain and blood. Garth was next to walk across the bridge and fought at Axis' side, I said a prayer to myself and headed out across myself, still unsure. I made it to the edge and fought my way back to solid ground helping Axis and Garth. They both seemed to have been...spurred on by my resolve. Almost as fighting by my side was the right thing to do. Axis actually shrugged off a blow that clearly should have hurt him, but it actually closed before he even registered the pain. Did I do that? I keep getting this flashes, visions really, that seem to be guiding me in combat.
I can't make it out yet, but it feels as if I close my eyes and get this flash of guidance or a feeling about what I need to do, then I reopen them and make it happen. It all takes place in the span of an eye blink. But I know things I don't know why I know yet, but it doesn't feel...wrong. What I didn't see was the split second before the goblin cut the ropes holding the rope bridge aloft. Tyr went tumbling off in another blink of the eye, no way to stop his fall.
We finished off the guards outside the gate, and I went to the edge and saw tyr bobbing.
"Oh Boy, what's that eighty feet? He's a goner." Axis said peering over the edge with me. "I dropped my glaive too when that door knob cut the bridge."
"I'm going down to get him." I said. I looked to the bridge and contemplated my chances.
"Wut?? You're daft, the guy's dead, look he ain't moving." he said pointing at Tyr. "Let's go bust this door in and kick some goblin ass."
I started taking my armor off, unbuckling the breastplate with Sandpoint stamp. Garth came over afterwards and said he could just mend the bridge.
"What the...Damn it Garth do it then, let's go I need to get over there." I said strapping my armor back on.
Garth cast a mending spell, calling the rope to reattach itself as if it was never cut, I raced across the bridge and made it to the other side of the shore where Tyr still bobbed up and down. The fastest way down was to just climb down and hope when I fall it doesn't incapacitate me.
I started down, abount five feet at a time finding footholds when I could. I lost my grip several times but never plummeted, all eighty feet down to the bottom. I swam out to Tyr, forgetting I was weighed down in a breastplate, yet still made it to Tyr and dragged him back to shore. I tipped him on his side and squeezed him to try and get the water from his lungs.
From above me I heard Axis call out "He's dead! come on lets get to goblin killing!"
I ignored him and kept at it, doing whatever I thought I could, when suddenly a spasm and cough brought a torrent of sea water streaming out, he lived. Axis raised his hands in defeat, knowing a big "I told you so." was coming when we got back.
Tyr thanked me, I told him he would off done the same, and we need to get back before Axis kills all the goblins above us. He tried to climb the rock face but he didn't have the skill to do it in his current shape, or his best I chuckled. We spent a few minutes looking for a way back up, much to Axis's frustration. We discovered a cave on our side of the cliff face, and entered.
It was dark, and stank of death, and it spoke to us. It roared into our face, I could feel the tug of fear in my head but put it aside as I drew Koruvus, it glowed in the dark, I just noticed I didn't need it to see in the dark which is something else I need to figure out is going on with me. Funny what you think of before battle, here I am about to get into another fight and I'm not thinking about my opponent but how is it that I can see in the dark.
What came at us from the interior cave was what looked like a seal crossed with a Tiger Shark, it launched itself out of the water and snapped teeth at us, Tyr was shaken and fled back drawing the magical dagger and staying out of range of it's shark like bite.
The beast was powerful, but we were fighting it outside of the water and it was not as agile as it could have been, between my blade and Tyr's dagger we defeated the beast.
We searched the lair and saw a hole in the ceiling that led back into the thistle area we had left earlier and I was able to boost Tyr up enough that he literally walked on my shoulders as I climbed up with him.
We were able to climb back up through the hole in the ceiling in the Bunyip's Lair to get back to a room we had visited earlier, and made our way back to the bridge area where our companions were waiting. Before that could happen though I paused at the site only I saw as soon as we climbed back up. I saw an enormous, dragon-sized, Butterfly perched on top of the nettles. A chorus of voices spoke to me then and warned me that enemies are all around me. With the message imparted it slowly nodded it's head and fly off. I asked Tyr if he just saw that and he had no idea what i was talking about.
We made our way back to our friends, Garth was pulling Axis away from the firing arc of the watchtowers guards, Axis suffered a head wound by the looks of him and it knocked him out cold.
Despite the arrows firing into our midst we charged in and stormed the towers, slaying the goblins stationed there and made our way back into the courtyard. Dragging Axis behind us we made our way further inside the keep. We managed to defeat 2 pairs of Goblin dogs before discovering a malnourished Warhorse named Shadowmist. We were able to coax it into calming down by offering it my remaining Honey Cakes i had stashed in my food bag from the Twins in Sandpoints Bakery. The thing was probably locked up and forgotten judging by the look of the poor creature, it was painfully thin and almost driven mad by hunger. We left it in the courtyard, and brought over some grain we found in a nailed shut room not far from the courtyard so it could eat while we went further into the keep.
We descended a flight of stairs and entered a make shift war room. There was carefully drawn maps of Sandpoint on a slateboard with a number of plans of attack. It showed a large number of Goblins, and "Sinspawns" coming from below the glassworks. No time tables where listed anywhere, so we hoped we were not going to be too late to stop this. We then came upon what we thought was some kind or Goblin art room. The walls were covered in crude drawings, including a picture of a thirty foot tall Goblin we assumed to be Ripnugget.
We continued on to a T-junction of hallways before a set of double doors. The doors were carved with horrific images of deformed monsters clawing their way out of pregnant women of all sorts. Inside we found a chapel to Lamashtu, with two stone fonts of dirty water, a black marble alter with ash and bones on it, and a large statue of Lamashtu. The statue itself was of a very pregnant female with a scarred belly, a three-eyed jackal head, feathered wings and taloned feet. The statue was also holding two kukris, one glowing fiery red and the other cool blue. Garth's attention was immediately drawn to them.
Preparing for possible battle, Garth drank a potion obtained from the goblin druid and was very happy when his skin began to turn tough and barky. He was less happy when his feet took root, his arms twisted into branches and leafed out into a willow tree.
Two flying dogs then descended from the ceiling and bayed, it stoked a fear in me I couldn't resist and left me frozen. My comrades soon found that their weapons couldn't harm the flying dogs, so we withdrew and retreated out of stockade.
We fled back to the bridge, taking Shadowmist with us. I stayed on the keep side as my friends ran across the bridge in case the dogs came after us. The weight of Garth, Shadowmist and Tyr triggered a Goblin trap set that we did not know about, I watched in slow motion as the bridge started to unravel. I was able to lunge after the slipknot and grab the rope and using my locking gauntlets make sure my grip would not slip. I struggled against the pull as the bridge creaked and swayed, but my resolve held and so did my grip, i was able to keep the bridge from falling as they got off the bridge, I then got it tied off so I could get across myself. We got lucky, just as we got across we cut the bridge so we couldn't be followed out as we made our escape.
The jeering from the goblins was a slap to our ego. We were beaten this day and would be back though. Everyone is still in one piece at least.
We spent some time hacking through the nettles and made a side entrance out of the nettles this time. We returned to
the Thistle River Inn to retrieve their own horses and learned that Shadowmist was the horse of a merchant who passed through this area regularly, last time a few days ago. We didn't find him however, and assumed the worst.
We returned to Sandpoint to nurse our wounds. Tyr talked with Daviren at the stables about Ven Vinder and Shadowmist. Axis woke up, finds he has a beard full of nettles, and goes to find a keg and a fat woman, preferably rounder and wider than the keg itself, with whom to spend the night. Garth went to get a bath I think. I went to go console
myself in Ameiko's considerable cleavage and Tyr went to meet Hannah Velerin, the midwife. He seemed rather focused on that, and to my knowledge had never met her prior, which is odd.
After nursing our wounds in town we decided we needed more firepower before we headed back to Thistletop. Sandpoint is a pretty small town, so finding silver daggers was perhaps a bit lucky for us. We figured if those dogs could shrug of steel, maybe this would help. If they didn't help we were pretty much screwed. So we went with plan B, sort of insurance. She was flashy, scantly clad and shapely. It was obvious by her Varisian tattoos this white haired girl could toss some evocation so I reluctantly asked her to join us. She said her name was Seoni and that she indeed was a sorcerer and would help us for a cut of the treasure, or at least twenty gold coins should there turn out to be lacking trinkets to be found.
Having no one else in town or in our party that could wield offensive spells exclusivley we really could not deny her terms, so we agreed, and added her to our roster. With the silver weapons and now some solid evocations on our side we could head back and take care of those dogs, and maybe put an end to this Nualia b$@@*@@* too. She couldn't possibly take all us us down now. Hopefully Axis comes out of his alcohol stupor in time for the morning march back. They baying though still raises goosebumps on my skin, though I'm not telling the rest of the team that. I'm trying to prepare myself for a round two so I don't freeze up in combat again.
We set out again for Thistletop, armed with silver daggers and a sexy, er shapely, er Ameiko, Seoni, Sorcerer. I'm trying not to think about running my hands around those curves, really hard. I wonder though if theres some way to get Seoni and Ameiko to "get to know" each other. That would be OK then right? Heh. Maybe, got some real issues to work with here though at the keep, I better stay focused.
We arrived a few hours later to the outpost, and once again tethered our horses and made our way through the nettles. It was quicker going this time as we hacked a path on our way out last time we fled, we arrived back at the area with the bridge and noticed it was already repaired.
We knew there were some goblins left so we drew our weapons and were weary of the trap this time, but we got all the way across with no signs of goblins. The few goblins left did show up after we entered the main court yard and after a few minutes of cat and mouse we defeated them and moved back to the temple area we fled from on our last trip here.
We entered the temple area and prepped for the Yeth Hound's attack. The attack came on queue as we all filed into the temple and watched the ceiling. Their baying again forced me to retreat as my companions stood tall and engaged the demon dogs. I fled to the hallway and cowered, my own mind betraying me, despite my own small voice urging me back in the room to help my friends.
The air was filled with a smell of scorched flesh as magical blasts sounded out of the temple room. Sounds of melee and magic echoed off the walls. After a time I regained my senses and was able to stand back up and run into the temple again, the magical fear faded.
There was one Yeth Hound down and bleeding but the other hovering above and snapping and clawing at the party. We managed to take them both down with attacks from our silvered weapons and the noise level slowly died down to panting and shuffling of our feet now.
One we were finished here I was going to skin one of those bastards and make a cape out of them.
Further down the rabbit hole we came across a Fighter and a mage guarding a room. Of course they were waiting for us and engaged us as soon as we entered. The fighter told us it was just business as he drew his bastard sword and started swinging. There was also a dark skinned mage and she drew her wand and leveled it against us.
One of her magical blasts was aimed at me and it just flickered off some kind of invisible wall around me. We both looked a little amazed, but more so her after I cut a red line across her chest afterwards. It didn't drop her but she snarled at me as she summoned more of her magic to her lips.
After just a few seconds, the fighter realized he was outmatched and threw down his weapons and told us he was beat. He said his name was Orik, and he'd rather walk away from this fight as he was a beaten man. He got the mage to back down too, seeing as he dropped his sword we gave him the benefit of parlay and spoke to them. he was hired by Nualia indeed to act as a body guard, and currently she owed him a few platnium which he still has coming to him.
When questioned about his involvement in the attack on Sandpoint, he immediately pointed out, he knew nothing about that, and had no part in the plans with it. He actually kinda liked Sandpoint and wouldn't want them to come under harm as the place was pretty kind to him.
The mage was a little more uppity with us, almost like she didn't want to surrender, I was keeping a close eye on her. She turned to me and asked what happened to Tsuto. I thought to myself this was not going to be pretty, but told her the truth anyway. I explained that Tsuto was captured by the town guards after leading a murderous spree through the Glassworks, and after escaping his bonds jumped into the Glassworks open furnace killing himself rather than be captured.
Oh it didn't take long for the crazy switch to get turned on after that. A fan of flames washed over all of us, including Orik who fell with a curse on his lips at her. The flames of her spell passed harmlessly around all of us except Orik it looks like. She leveled her wand at me again, with the same result as before, the force missiles launched from her wand dissipated harmless once again as they reached me. It didn't take long for us to take her down in these close quarters.
We decided to trust Orik, and gave him some magical healing and he got back up. We were already taking the magical gear from his companion, she wasn't going to be needing it now anyway. The cloak was magical, and I had my eye on it from the start, so I had Garth check it out for me. It was a cloak that boosted your resistances so I donned that right away. We gathered a few healing potions she had and gave them to Orik to speed his healing.
Orik thanked us, and reflected upon how he got here, and realized he made a series of really bad decisions and was thankful he had a chance to fix a couple of those mistakes. He said he was just really down on his luck and some pretty girl comes by and offers him a lot of gold to basically do nothing it wasn't really a hard choice at the time. Of course she never did pay him. I told him about my mercenary work, and used a good share of diplomacy to convince him to fight for us instead of against us. He agreed and told us about the secret door leading down to where Nualia was probably at.
I had a confident enough feeling about Orik to give him the benefit of the doubt, and hope he dosn't turn on us later.
He warned us about the hobgoblin Brathazmus, who still managed to surprise us as we went looking for him near his bedchamber. He snuck up on us and delivered a disabling blow to the back of Seoni's head dropping her in one well placed shot.
We fought him to a retreat, he was fleet of foot, he took off the first sign he couldn't win. We couldn't keep up with him and leave Seoni behind so we let him go. Tyr healed Seoni and she got back up on wobbly legs, but to her credit she didn't complain much.
We knew it was a trap. It had to be, who carves out to statues on either side and gives them halberds? Tyr decided to test it out, and was the first to step across, sure enough the second he stepped into the area iron bars slammed down locking him in a five foot area and the statues came to life slashing away. To add insult to injury the floor dropped out from underneath him. Tyr was able to hold on to the bard though to keep from falling. Once the trap was sprung it reset and the bars raised back up, allowing Tyr to hope to the other side. Bleeding, but alive, he waited to see who would go next.
I figured I would just jump across and avoid it all together, so I set myself for a running leap and failed miserably, landing right smack on the pressure plate. Crap! I got my locking gauntlet ready and held my shield up, the animated statues found avenues past shield and armor and bit deep as I locked my gauntlet to the bars to prevent the drop. I managed to hobble over once the trap reset, but I was now hurting in a bad way, and Tyr was out of major healing.
I growled as I knew we would have to turn back as we were no longer in shape to fight Nualia like this. We spent longer than we wanted to trying to disable the trap, and ended up hacking the blades up and disabling it that way. We fled back to Sandpoint to once again lick our wounds.
Are we ever going to get this done? Gotta hide these bruises from the townsfolk.
It never looks good to keep coming back beat up, and no good war stories to show for it.
We stepped up to the bridge again, this makes three times now. This would be easier if Axis would get his head of the tankard. I looked to the sky for a sign of what would happen this time. I didn't see any goblins left peering back at us from the keep. They were all either dead of took off. The Goblin Druid's words flowed back through my thoughts about how the Thistletop Goblins were through, driven to ruin by Ripnuggets obsession with Nualia. We set out to finish this today, Orik was still with us, but we were sans Seoni. She told me the night before she knew she was in way over her head, and this was a task she couldn't see through. Who else will do it then I thought, typical sorcerer. There is a reason why I never liked them to begin with and this is a prime example. They are all cowards on the inside. I'm not too keen on how this is goign to turn out either, but I'll be looking into Nualia's eyes as I run my sword through her. I won't be hiding behind walls of Sandpoint hoping the bad guys go away.
Not as spectacular on the eyes, Sumadar of the West Wind Clan seemed able to at least cast spells. I knew we would need some magical power to help us with this fight, and seeing as the last sorcerer was more interested in hiding the Asian Wizard was a welcome addition. He boasted to be an evocational extraordinaire, which I promptly put in my 'I don't give a kobold's ass' file with a smile and a nod.
"You'll do. Welcome to the group with no name Wizard." I said. I'm sure he kept talking after that but I was no longer paying attention I was back at the bridge hours later and warned the rest of them to go no more than two at a time or the bridge would collapse.
We followed Orik. Knowing the Hobgoblin Bruthazmus was still inside somewhere, he led us to the chambers of the Goblin Wives, a disgusting experience I don't even want to retell.
It was a miracle that Kevan Feiro was still alive. We found him half dead, and almost delirious from starvation, imprisoned in a cell further into the keep. It took awhile of smashing the doors before we could free him. We made enough noise to alert anyone still inside exactly where we were. We couldn't leave him in there though. We gave him some food and he told us he was in there for quite some time, and that the goblins simply forgot about him.
It was obvious we couldn't take him with us, so we sent Sumadar to escort him back to the keep before the nettles.
The sun was slowly rising as I started to rise from my slumber, Ameiko’s room was washed in shades of orange and red from the early light poking into the room through stained glass windows that were currently closed. I could smell what the hired help and probably Ameiko were cooking wafting upstairs from the kitchen, and it smelled great. No sooner had I slipped a pair of breeches and tunic on did I hear a woman’s scream from downstairs and the sound of chaos.
I had only the time but to grab my sword and sprint downstairs, the light emanating from my sword created shadows were none usually were, and I could of sworn I saw female faces laughing at me.
Tyr and Garth were already dashing along side me as we made our way down into the common area of the Rusty Dragon as onlookers just pointed to the kitchen. We charged into the kitchen to see the back door swinging from it’s hinges and made chase, I feared the worse when I heard the words-
“It took Ameiko…” Not a he, or a she, but an ‘it’ took Ameiko. We chased the creature we occasionally caught glimpses of through the town. It was large, furred, disfigured and demonic looking. We almost lost him several times, but we had spread out and finally cornered the beast at the overlook in town where the residents would dispose of their trash.
We recognized the creature, it was the Hobgoblin Bruthazmus. Half of his face looked twisted and deformed, with large portions of his skin that almost seemed to be melted like candle wax. He held aloft Ameiko in an arm now distorted by muscles in places muscles shouldn’t be, he looked at us with a feral gaze and snarled. It sounded like a laugh.
I saw every blade of grass, each one dancing on the wind in time with the blade next to it. Slowly my arm started to raise, things were moving in slow motion.
All three of us were rushing him, as his free arm displayed claws heading to Ameiko’s throat. We were not going to get to stop him in time. Ameiko’s fear hit me like a wall of force, I was close but the creature’s claws were already embedded in her throat. His claws dug deeper and before we got close enough the beast ripped open a killing wound.
Her eyes fluttered, then rolled back in her head, but this was not enough for the beast, he roared in triumph and used her prone form as living club. The foul beast swung Ameiko with both hands battering us back, blood covering the once bright green grass under our feet. Garth and I flanked the beast and struck at his arms, a few well placed blows weakened him enough that he dropped my girlfriend. She hit the ground and lay motionless but I thought I saw the rise and fall of very shallow breaths.
With a roar I hurled myself at the Hobgoblin made fiend, blow after blow driven by divine inspiration, I saw his moves before he knew he was making them, we brought him to one knee and I gave in to the fury he generated in me and kept on top of him, driving him down as his blood now colored the ground beneath his feet. The sun back lit the beast, he was in shadow except his gnarled face, I had nearly spent my energy driving him down and he was rising again with a curse on his misshapen lips. The look of surprise on his face was illuminated by the rising sun. It must have been confusing to the beast, looking up at your own headless torso as it tumbled back and over the cliff face. Garths scythe severing his head from his body seconds before it dawned on him he was already dead.
Garth kicked his head over the edge to join his body already smashed to pulp on the rocks below town.
Tyr was then chanting over Ameiko’s unconscious body, she still held on to life, and he had closed up the grievous wound in her neck with his faith in Pharasma. She came too, but was unable to talk. The damage done to her was unhealed, though she wouldn’t die there was still something vile about the wound that healing could not restore. I carried Ameiko back to the Rusty Dragon, with a burning vengeance in my heart. I knew Nualia was behind this, she just made the biggest mistake she’ll ever make.
“This is personal now.” I said aloud back at the Rusty Dragon. “I’m going to take care of this tonight.”
I looked at Garth and we both nodded, it was game time and we needed our armor. We both went to get suited up. When we were both armored we met downstairs in the common area of the Dragon, Tyr was missing, and Axl was passed out in his room and Garth couldn’t wake him.
As I fumed, I was approached by a shifty man calling him self Hijo. He offered his services as an expert archer and trap-springer. Orik was geared up and ready, and so were me and Garth. I told Hijo to get his horse we’re leaving right now.
We reached the outpost before the entrance to the nettles, without a word we sent the horses to the stables there and entered. We made our way uneventfully through the nettles, over the bridge, and into the keep. Nothing hindered us and I suspected we were going to come up shorthanded.
We made it all the way to the room with the slashing statue trap, it look reset, rather than waste time trying to disarm it we smashed the glaives and jumped over the pressure sensitive section. We entered the next hall and had a choice of two doors, one on the North wall and one on the South wall. We filed into the hallway and burst into the door to the South - to an empty room, we chose wrong. As Garth and I lead the charge into the room we left Hijo and Orik in the hall, the door behind us opened up and Nualia and her Yeth Hound attacked from the rear.
We filtered the fight back into the room she and the Yeth Hound came out off, it was lined with shelves all around filled with books, some kind of research area. It was Garth, Orik, and I in melee against Nualia and her pet. Her demonic arm and bastard sword sliced wide arcs as we maneuvered into a favorable position.
The Yeth hound was scoring hit after hit on Garth and Orik and it started to look as if we would be in trouble when it got worse for us. Orik fell to the Yeth Hounds bite and didn’t get back up. Hijo pumped arrow after arrow into the fray from the rear lines but didn’t score any solid blows.
Nualia began chanting in a voice that sounded guttural and unholy, her clawed hand reached out to touch me and I couldn’t avoid the grasp. A pressure built up behind my temples and suddenly my vision exploded into droplets of acid spewing from the holes in my head where my eyes used to rest. I was suddenly, and horrifically, blinded.
Nualia seeing Orik go down, and sensing victory, drew back her sword arm and scored a precise shot on Garth’s midsection. He stared at the blade piercing his stomach to the hilt and then died before she even pulled the serrated blade back out from him.
Hijo grabbed my shoulder. “Let’s get out of here, we can’t beat them!”
I couldn’t do anything but grab his shoulder and flee. We ran back, barring doors as we went. The Yeth Hound pursued us, but never got through the barred doors as we fled.
I couldn’t make out where we were in the nettles, and Hijo led me around for several hours. It didn’t really matter now though did it. Nualia had won, Garth was dead, Orik was probably dead, I can’t fraking see. There could be no worse outcome.
On the third hour Hijo must have used his Halfling luck because we finally got back to the outpost. I pulled my cloak low over my head, I didn’t need the guards or patrons knowing I was now scarred and so badly beaten. It’s a pride issue I know. Someone was watching over me I suppose, Tyr arrived at almost the same time Hijo and I stumbled our way out of the nettles. I explained what happened to Tyr and Sumadar. Tyr looked me over and thought he could heal me, only he would need to prepare the spell tomorrow for restoring sight.
I was about to say that would do, and to retreat to a room, but I had a surge of righteous rage, and said screw that.
“We’re going back right now. Blind or not Nualia will not get a chance to rest, or flee she dies tonight.”
Determined not to lose, and try to save Orik if he still lived, we headed back. Tyr was all up in arms asking why we didn’t get him earlier. I didn’t have an answer for him.
In addition to Sumadar and Tyr, a newcomer was with us. He was a Dwarven Druid called Caerid Strong-Oak. I never knew a Dwarf to heed natures call, but I have seen stranger things, and hopefully after this fight I WOULD be able to see again. Caerid had a wolf with him, at least the furry thing must have been a wolf it was huge as it brushed past me.
We snuck as best we could back to wear we fought Nualia, but she was no longer there. Caerid set his wolf on the trail of blood and told him to ‘fetch’ he lead us back to the alter room. The doors were closed and we had a chance for surprise. I gave Caerid my silver dagger and told him to use it on the Yeth Hound, and to call out where Nualia was so I had a blind man’s luck of a chance to hit her.
On three we burst into the chamber hoping to surprise Nualia. I heard someone say that Garth’s body was on the altar and Nualia had just dropped a blade across his neck, severing his head which rolled in our direction. I could hear the Yeth Hound bay as it sunk teeth into the place Garth’s head used to be and feasting. I felt its gaze shift to us, and knew its bloody maw was not sated we entered combat with Nualia a second time, this would decide who walks away tonight.
I couldn’t tell you what I saw after that, but what I heard was Caerid rushing into combat with Nualia and a growling presence I knew was the hovering Yeth Hound. Sumadar was calling out to me directions to point my sword swings into while he hurled magic bolts of force that whined past my ears and struck unerringly into both the Yeth Hound and Nualia’s body. Caerid Dropped twice in combat, but with Tyr’s prayers he was back on his feet in seconds. Caerid used the silver dagger to deliver a finishing blow to the flying dog after I distracted it with a few wild swings. That left only Nualia, weakened and without her spells.
“I only wish I had my sight, so I could watch your face as your life force slips away.” I taunted.
I felt the air coming before the steel met my skin and was able to dodge her swing. I counter stabbed and made a connection to the unarmored section in her midsection. It was a blast from Sumadar’s wand that brought her down though.
Nualia was dead.
I took the necklace they found on her body. No one else wanted it, Sumadar said the item held magic of Necromancy anyway and couldn’t use it, and the druid wasn’t touching it.
I sheathed KORUVUS and picked up Nualia’s bastard sword. I gave it a name on the spot - Nualia’s Mistake.
“By the gods!” Tyr cried out. I couldn’t see what was wrong. “Garth’s head is looking around the room! He’s animated!” Tyr brought his Earthbreaker down and I was thankful I couldn’t see what the mess must have looked like. The sound was a sickening slushy sound as he brought his hammer down on what was left of Garth’s head.
We spent time looking for anything else of importance. We gathered some journals and notes Nualia kept. One of them told most of her story over the last several years, and her twisted desire for revenge. Poor misguided girl. I almost felt sorry for her. Almost.
We traveled back to the outpost for the night, I reminded Tyr to make sure he memorized a Cure Blindness prayer in the morning in hopes it would work. I didn’t want to go back to Ameiko blinded and useless.
In the morning Tyr landed hands on me, and I felt a soft light build behind my eyelids, and sure enough I opened them to the world again. I could see. Those in the Inn saw the miracle Tyr prayed for and had answered. I let him have his moment, I now had the sense of accomplishment for him and myself. We stopped the goblins and saved the town I knew it.
I could now go back and tell Ameiko it would be OK.
We arrived back in Sandpoint later just before dusk. I saluted the guards as we entered the city, I went to the leather worker at the Red Dog Smithy and agreed to his higher than normal price for my request to have a hooded cloak made from the skin of the Yeth hound. He offered 3 gold for his skills, I impressed upon him how I wanted it done and when so I counter offered 4 gold.
He smiled and said it was a deal, and called his boys over to get started. I told him I’d be spending my time in the Rusty Dragon when he finished to send a runner and I would be back.
I then went to pay a visit to Sheriff Hemlock as the rest of my crew went about their own business for the time being. We agreed to meet back at the Dragon later for a meal and drinks. I told Hemlock the story again from start to finish, making sure I didn’t leave any trivial details out. He seemed impressed, and congratulated me on a job very well done. In between telling me what a fine job we did he was schooling his new recruits on ‘how to patrol.’ I couldn’t help but chuckle as he shot me a look.
I then sprang an idea I had on him and asked if he could give me a hand getting the job done. I want to build a stronghold of sorts, a training center in practice. I wanted to start a new company that is ‘unofficially official’ sort of like the way Shalalue works. It’ll give us the authority to get the job done and do what’s needed to protect the town but operate outside the law. He didn’t think this would be a problem at all and said he would speak to the mayor on my behalf.
After the official work was over I decided to test the water and see how Ameiko was doing. I had plans to travel to Magnimar to find a healer that could help bring her voice back to her. My selfish thought was that I had yet to hear her sing, something I know she loves to do. The patrons from the Rusty Dragon say it’s the second reason they come, after the food she’s known to cook up.
I walked into the Rusty Dragon and couldn’t find Ameiko. I asked one of the serving girls, who didn’t recognize me so I had to tell her I was Deivo and that I wanted to make sure she was OK. She apologized right away and said she left with Bethana to see Father Zanthus at the cathedral.
Caerid was there as I left for the cathedral, and Sumadar caught up with me as we walked our way across town.
We arrived at the cathedral and Sumadar and Caerid waited outside. I made my way in and looked around. I was met by an alter boy whose name I didn’t catch. I was a litter nervous so I stalled for time and asked him to show me around. I actually got a little interested an all the gods represented there. I retold my story how Desna’s avatar came to me in a vision a few days ago and he got excited as I retold the story. I told him of my devotion to my three goddesses and he seemed impressed, or at least understood.
He led me to where Father Zanthus was in mid-prayer, Ameiko was there dressed all in white. The second I entered through the arch way into the chamber where he was praying I felt the holiness, it washed over me and it felt- hallow. I knew the forces of good were somehow concentrated here. The father finished his prayers and I could almost see the white light leave his hands and enter Ameiko’s form. The space between a blink and a tear can be measured by the prolonged silence that followed as I waited to see if Father Zanthuss prayer worked. A butterfly lazily danced across the scene in slow motion, I could see individual motes of dust break off from it’s wings. I then shifted focus as Ameiko turned to Bethana.
“I have my voice back.” She sobbed to Bethana. I couldn’t help but feel the rush of emotion.
“Deivo Winterwalker, welcome.” Said the Father. Both of the woman turned their heads at me, tears still fresh on both of their faces. I walked up to both of them hugging them both fiercely. I felt some resistance at first from Ameiko, and I looked to her in honest confusion. Goddesses I’m so happy I can see her, she is a beauty.
“You left me.” She stammered out, keeping a stiff upper lip.
“What? No, wait, no!” I said honestly. “I had to stop her, she wouldn’t stop trying to hurt you or me until I did. Nualia had to be stopped.” I countered. “I - I didn’t leave you. How could I? I uh – I love you, I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you.”
Bethana broke into a new stream of sobs and tears. I couldn’t help but comfort her too. I wrapped her up in a tight hug too. Her tears soaked my legs at waist height, but it was the right kind of tears, those of joy and happiness.
I walked them both out of the cathedral, telling Caerid and Sumadar I would be busy the next few days at the Rusty Dragon and not to bother me, and that I would be taking some time off for a bit with Ameiko and plans for the home base.
End game 11
The game then switched focus to a new vantage point found here: