Thistletop Advice *Spoilers*

[Talas Leviann]

So my party of 8 just dealt with Naulia and all of her mercenaries. They successfully managed to sneak in and out while only killing the goblin wives and Gogsmurt. Now that they have rested they have decided to return a week later to try and deal with the creature known only to them as Malfesknor. The goblins obviously would have noticed Naulia and Bruthazmas' deaths, and the dissapearce of Orik, Tsuto, and Lyrie. My question is, do you think that Ripnugget, having found out that Gogsmurt died, would finally take him serious and prepare for the return of the people that attacked them? If so, what defenses would he have made. I already intend on the "refugee goblins" to have been intiated into the Thistletop tribe. I'm also considering having a worg recently have allied with them, possibly leading them into a trap in the courtyard since it can talk. Any other thoughts, opinions, etc.?

[NobodysHome]

Since no one else has posted yet, I'll just say that yes, your ideas sound good. The woman he looks up to is dead, as are all her longshanks allies, and Burthazmas, hero of the goblin folk, is slain.

He'd be scared! He'd pull in all his patrols and fortify his defenses. Heck, he might even cut the bridge! (Goblins aren't known for their long-term thinking, after all.)

I like integrating the bird-crunchers to give them some extra shock troops. Adding something else (a warg or what-have-you) to try to get the CR to the appropriate level for an 8-person party sounds reasonable.

In other words, carry on!

[Misroi]

Yep, all of these things you suggested are steps Ripnugget can take. A week's a long time, so I can see setting up some traps during that time. To simulate goblin lack of forethought, I'd come up with some rather devastating traps, and then have the goblins themselves sabotage it. For example, maybe they made a trap out of the pickle barrels in one of the towers - the goblins rigged it so that the barrel is hanging above the front door to the steading, and would come down upon whoever opens the door, crushing them. It would normally do a lot of damage, but the goblins have been sneaking pickles out of the barrel, and by the time the PCs arrive, the barrel's mostly empty. It does far less damage (say 2d6 down from 6d6 or something).

This is Ripnugget's last stand, and he knows it. If he flees here, he'll lose his tribe, his warrens, and his prestige as a "goblin king." His back's against the wall, and he's gunning for the Heroes. If he's able to rout them, he'll probably engineer a final raid on Sandpoint immediately afterwards.

[Talas Leviann]

Thanks for the ideas! I've been trying to actually figure out how to prepare them without over doing it. I mean as of now there are 30+ goblins and still 12 goblin dogs. Also, having known the bridge was trapped they started disabling it and were spotted by the guard towers. So now the entire compound is on red alert and the party knows it. But on the contrast there are 8 party members that are all level 3, almost level 4. Do you think putting the worg and a number of goblin dogs in the arena and having the worg cry for help to lead them to a trap will be to much for them to handle? I've also considered maybe having Big Gutmut from the Birdcrunchers be there with some of his men, discussing what to do now that Naulia is dead. Maybe stating him up as a hobgoblin considering he says he's half hobgoblin. Also, Erylium is still alive as well. Although I think I have plans for her reviving Naulia later. So many thought processes!!!!

[Ian Bell]

8 people is a huge party - hopefully you're adjusting the encounters to beef them up?

- I like the idea that he might send for help from another goblin tribe, although I would suggest the Seven Tooth or Mosswood goblins rather than the Birdcrunchers; the Birdcruncher refugees are already there (and sounds like they might be dead if Gogmurt is.) Big Gugmut never shows up elsewhere so he's a bit of a blank slate for you to have fun with if you want to bring him in; from his description you might make him a wereboar which would be a pretty good challenge I think. Maybe bring a goblin snake or two along for some extra goblin theme fun.

- Remember, also, that Lamashtu still has an interest in this area and might direct other minions to investigate. If Erylium is still alive because the PCs just haven't gone there yet, I would leave her in her catacombs for them to meet there, but if she escaped then she's a logical choice. I'd suggest backing her up with another minor demon - perhaps a schir or two, or maybe a brimorak.

- Cutting the bridge is a definite option; that might force an encounter with the bunyip or maybe some other aquatic stuff if they have to go down there to get up the island. Advanced reefclaws? Maybe there's a community of grindylows (those weird octopus-goblin guys) living down there?