Transition from Part 3 to Part 4: Thistle Top. Major confusion

[ROCKSTEaDY]

Hi Guys,

Im running Part 4 in a few days and reading through realised the book just starts off with the party on the road to Thistle Top with not actual reason for the party to be going there.

Have anyone go something I can give the party for them to want to investigate Thistle Top. Maybe im missing something but I re-read the whole of Part 3 and cannot see any plot hooks or anything that would tell them that after killing Erylium they would then think to go to Thistle Top.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Latrecis]

I think the hint you're looking for is in Part 3 but not in the Cathedral of Wrath section but the Glassworks section, specifically Tsuto's journal (handout 1-2.)

In detail: the journal mentions "few Thistletop goblins perished" in the raid, implying Thistletop goblins were more important than other goblins and also mentions Ripnugget having an opinion on the next attack. If the players have encountered Shalelu in the "Grim News from Mosswood" encounter from Part 2 (AE), they should recognize Ripnugget as the name of the Thistletop leader.

[Superball]

In my game over on the Dragonlance Message aboard, I kidnapped Ameiko. I ran the Missing Bartender event, but I moved Ameiko from The Glassworks to Thistletop, and I dropped clues to that effect. Do this, and PC's will take off running.

[Story Archer]

Latrecis wrote:

I think the hint you're looking for is in Part 3 but not in the Cathedral of Wrath section but the Glassworks section, specifically Tsuto's journal (handout 1-2.)

In detail: the journal mentions "few Thistletop goblins perished" in the raid, implying Thistletop goblins were more important than other goblins and also mentions Ripnugget having an opinion on the next attack. If the players have encountered Shalelu in the "Grim News from Mosswood" encounter from Part 2 (AE), they should recognize Ripnugget as the name of the Thistletop leader.

And if push comes to shove, Shalelu can always show back up saying that she tracked the goblin raiders back to Thistletop where there seems to be a large number massing under very organized leadership... she can then accompany them to Thistletop after Hemlock/the governor asks them to investigate if you like.

[Kalshane]

Yeah, Tsuto's journal is the main thing. Mentions Thistletop as the stronghold of those involved in the goblin attack, and that Nualia is trying to release something big and bad underneath it.

[Skeld]

Story Archer wrote:

Latrecis wrote:

I think the hint you're looking for is in Part 3 but not in the Cathedral of Wrath section but the Glassworks section, specifically Tsuto's journal (handout 1-2.)

In detail: the journal mentions "few Thistletop goblins perished" in the raid, implying Thistletop goblins were more important than other goblins and also mentions Ripnugget having an opinion on the next attack. If the players have encountered Shalelu in the "Grim News from Mosswood" encounter from Part 2 (AE), they should recognize Ripnugget as the name of the Thistletop leader.

And if push comes to shove, Shalelu can always show back up saying that she tracked the goblin raiders back to Thistletop where there seems to be a large number massing under very organized leadership... she can then accompany them to Thistletop after Hemlock/the governor asks them to investigate if you like.

I used this method, with the caveat that Shalelu had been badly wounded by Bruthazmus (such that she couldn't make the journey back to Thistletop) and that there was urgent need for the PCs to address the Thistletop threat.

-Skeld

[Martin Sheaffer]

For me it was making sure they didn't head there too quickly. As soon as they found Tsuto's jounal they were ready to head right there without clearing the catacomes (and leveling). Luckly the sherrif wasn't back yet so they needed to stay in down and then remembered (i.e. hint hint) about the other tunnels off the branches they had already explored.

[Mavrickindigo]

Tsuto's journal should have pointed you all to Thistletop.

[el cuervo]

Tsuto's journal has all the information the PCs need, as has been mentioned. If the PCs missed that, you can have Shalelu explain that she's seen goblin forces increasing in the Nettlewood region and have her lead them out there.