Long time lurker, first time poster. I finally have my Rise of the Runelords campaign to share. Feedback is very welcome!
Around ten years ago, in the tiniest comic book store in the Netherlands, I bought the hardcover version of the Rise of the Runelords Anniversary Edition. I had been dreaming to play it ever since. And ever since I saw the first ad for Worldanvil in one youtube video or another I was sold, I wanted this. This year these two dreams both came to fruition, I'm hosting my favorite game and laid it out on World Anvil.
Even though there is still work to be done it is in a presentable state. Feel free to check the story of Rabie the cursed witch, Vannrik the kineticist fleeing a land of eternal winter, Jinx an aging gnome who can't pull his nose out of his ancient harrow cards, and many more colorful characters.
I am currently hosting our extensive Session Logs on this World Anvil Page but I will use this threat to post updates and teasers.
Curious to know what you guys think!
A quick note: We didn't record the audio of our first two sessions, and that's why the dialogue between characters are missing. From session 3 on out we have recorded the audio of our session and set every one of the characters ill chosen words in stone.
"Where the Sandpoint sentinels come together, explore Sandpoint during the Swallowtail festival and defend it against an an onslaught of goblins."
Jinx greets the travelers, and Rabie (whom he has seen around town). The gnome asks if the group is headed towards the festival. Pious explains that she is excited about the opening of the new cathedral and it’s the main reason she traveled all this way from Magnimar. Rabie offers the newcomers that he can show them around town. Jinx, welcoming as he is, offers ginger tea to his new associates. Pious is skeptical about accepting drinks from strangers, and Vannrik admits that the herb is unfamiliar to him. The gnome explains that his mother taught him that ginger serves as a remedy against many ails, including staving off the bleaching. The three humans share a confused look until the gnome exposes the skin of his neck which is dull, grey and colorless. When Pious suggests that Jinx should get his condition looked at, the gnome leans in closer, which was not exactly what the Sarenite meant.- Session 1: Crossroads
"Where the Sentinels barely survive through the goblin assault, make a noble friend and consecrate the Sandpoint Cathedral.
Father Zantus approaches the group supporting a villager with bloodied clothes but freshly healed wounds. With heavy breath Alabaster thanks the four for their aid in fending off the goblins. “By Desna’s wings, thank you. I don’t think so many people would have been able to flee to safety if it were not for your intervention. Are any of you hurt? I can help.” All eyes are set upon Pious who steadies herself despite bleeding and having her hair singed. She tries to abate the smoldering of her tunic as she speaks. “I’m alright, thank you. Sarenrae will protect me.” The cleric of Desna steps forward and places a supporting hand on her shoulder. “Desna and Sarenrae are allies. Last time I heard the story, Sarenrae did not slay the rough beast Rovagug alone, she had help from her allies, Desna included.” The young girl relents and Father Zantus calls upon the powers of his faith to heal the girl's wounds. The cleric is so adept at the power of healing that not only her wounds heal but the hair and part of the eyebrow that have burned away regrow as well.As Father Zantus has his attention on Pious , her newfound allies also take a moment to get their bearings. Vannrik takes the initiative in putting out the fires that were set at the Cathedral Square before they have a chance to spiral out of control. They take a quick moment to look through the goblins belongings as well. Vannrik sees use in selling the shortbows later, Jinx takes a makeshift quiver of arrows from the goblins as well. After Father Zantus is done with Pious he admits that he has to tend to the other wounded. Before he needs to ask, the group offers to do whatever they can to protect Sandpoint. A cry for help can be heard further north on church street. The four defenders rush in to help.
- Session 2: Echoes of Alliances
"Where the Sandpoint sentinels explore Sandpoint's commerce, fight the undead and investigate the theft of Father Tobyn's body."
It is a somber walk towards Father Ezakien Tobyn 's vault, a squat, rectangular but distinguished structure. The iron gate to the vault is, indeed, left slightly ajar.
Hemlock is tense, perhaps the scenery is adding to his weariness. "Like I said, I trust Zantus and it looks like someone was snooping around here last night. Let's look around."
With a determined glint in his eye, Jinx takes it upon himself to check the surroundings for any traces of lingering magical energies. Vannrik has his eyes on the ground, looking for tracks to be found. With a motion of his hand, Vannrik halts Rabie , who is a bit disturbed and jumpy, from mixing his footprints with the ones he has already found. Pious Magdalena Messia strides beside them, shield in hand. Sherrif Hemlock is behind, keeping an eye on the surrounding mausoleums and gravesites. The other eye is kept on the sentinels.
"It appears that around six goblins accompanied by a somewhat larger creature have climbed the city wall and entered the vault." Vannrik muses out loud. "And left the same way."
"Why would you go into a vault?" Jinx wonders.
"We should check to see if something is missing." The Jadwiga suggests.
Pious nods in agreement "That seems best".
- Session 3: The Descecrated Vault
"Where the Sentinels learn of the lethality of boars and herbs, tame a Rusty Dragon and continue to grasp at straws."
As they trot through the forest, Aldern positions himself next to Rabie, seizing the opportunity to continue their conversation now that the witch is in better condition."You were out for a long time. Are you all right now?" he asks.
Rabie nods slowly. "I’m all right," he sighs. "It’s happened before."
That piques the nobleman’s curiosity. "What was it like? People say you see a light at the end of a tunnel. Did you come close to Pharasma’s judgment, do you think?"Rabie shakes his head. "I didn’t see any light. Only darkness."
A visible shudder runs through Aldern. "You need to be more careful, Master Rabie," he says, his voice carrying a faint tremor.
"Trust me, I will. I’ll stay in the back from now on."
Aldern chuckles, regaining his composure. "Let it be known that your perseverance knows no bounds—nor does the helpful nature of your good friends. Whom I also hope to call friends one day."
Rabie offers a small smile. "I’m glad I met them."
Jinx sees the perfect opening to teach the nobleman a lesson in responsibility. "You really should take better care of Lucienzo. Don’t make him walk everywhere."
Aldern’s face reddens with embarrassment. "Ah, yes. I got so caught up in anticipating the hunt that I didn’t even consider that. My apologies, Lucienzo." The servant, as quiet as ever, merely nods in acknowledgment.
By the time the hunting party leaves the Tickwood behind, they are met with a dark grey sky and harsh ocean winds. The coming storm is undeniable—it will rain tonight. Hembod, Aldern’s horse, strains under the weight of both the noble and the boar. Preferring a safer route, Aldern leads them toward the north gate, where the paths are wider and the footing more secure.
As they near Sandpoint, they pass a familiar sight—a quirky sign and a mirror, both hanging from a bent nail on the gatehouse. The sign reads: “Welcome to Sandpoint! Please stop to see yourself as we see you!” Aldern chuckles. "I always loved that thing."
- Session 4: As we see you
"Where the Sentinels receive grim news, meet Shalelu Andosana, the party splits, and endures the silence before the storm."
Jinx, ever alert for something to fix or to learn, perked up like a fox catching a scent. "What happened? Why couldn’t you sleep, my friend?"
Rabie hesitated for a second, lips pressing into a thin line. "I had a weird nightmare," he admitted at last. Jinx, having an aversion to omitted details needs to know more. "About what?" He does not see that Rabie is weighing the options on what personal information to divulge.
"It was long and weird, there is no other way to phrase it."
Is Rabie's calculated answer.
Jinx, undeterred, leaned in with a knowing grin. "Was it because of our boar hunt? Because you have to admit that in the end it went very well. We ate well yesterday."
The bacon reminded Vannrik of last night's bowl of Botan Nabe. "It tasted very well, too!" Vannrik chimes in.
Rabie exhaled through his nose. "No, it wasn’t that." He shifted in his seat, suddenly fidgety. His words stumbled over each other before he sighed, too tired to fight against the inevitable. "It was… my outburst last night. Maybe it triggered something in my dreams." "No, that was fine." Rabie mutters before he starts to trip over his own words. He sighs with frustration. Rabie isn't awake enough to put up a resistance and caves. "It's my outburst from last night may have triggered something in my dreams." He took a slow breath, reluctant to continue. "I was flying… and doing bad things to Lonjiku." An awkward silence stretched across the table. Then, before Rabie’s shame could fully settle in, Jinx pulls the group in with infectious eagerness. "Ah! We could look into that today! What happened with Ameiko and her half-brother?"
"I also want to do some shopping today." Vannrik says. "I require a shield."
And just like that, the morning’s exhaustion took a backseat to the promise of another day’s adventure.- Session 5: Red-eye coffee and the dead
"Where the Sentinels face a monster in the closet, conquer Norah's tank, continue on their endeavors and hear the first rumbles of the approaching storm."
Blood drips on the wooden planks of the Rusty Dragon's upper floor. Vannrik is diligently cleaning the horrendous bitemarks on young Aeren's arm. Rabie,is rubbing the sleep from out of his eyes. Jinx holds Amele's free hand in a comforting grip as the woman, clutching baby Verah close to her chest, continues to tell her story through weeping tears.
"Earlier tonight Alergast didn't go to soothe Aeren when he had his night terrors . But then, a few moments later, we heard poor Petal cry out in pain and Aeren's screams turned, different, more urgent. This time he wasn't just having nightmares." she pauses and turns her gaze to her wounded son. The mother convinces herself to be strong for her children, and she does, for a second. Then she burst into a sobbing fit.
For long moments, the hall is silent, save for the sounds of crying. Eventually, Amele finds herself. "My husband rushed in to save our boy. I tried to go in after him but then I saw Petal dead in the room. And the goblin, the goblin was trying to eat my boy. Alergast managed to hold the thing off long enough for Aeren to flee but, I don't know if he's still there, or what is going on. Please, I beg of you. Can you help my husband?"
Rabie jolts awake at the opportunity to do good. He straightens himself "Follow me." he says with eagerness.
Before they leave Jinx does feel the need to check with the family. "Is everything ok with you and your son? Will you be okay here, while we go?'"
Amele is so distraught that she has to gather her thoughts. "I think my boy needs some rest." She looks at Vannrik with eyes, reddened from crying. "Do you think he is going to be ok?"
Vannrik nods, reassuringly. "Yes. He will be fine. His condition is not critical, but, he will have some scars."
Amele sinks onto the cold stone steps, her arms locking tightly around her children as if sheer willpower could shield them from the world's dangers. Her voice is firm, but the tremor in it betrays her fear. “I have to stay with my kids. Please, find my husband. We live right next to the Feedbag—you can’t miss it.”- Session 6: Monster in the closet
"Where the Sentinels go after Ameiko , and The Kaijitsu Family crumbles like shattered Glass"
Jinx stares down at the translated note in disbelief. The answers he had planned to seek about Tsuto had already found him.
Bethana gazes up at Jinx with wide, pleading eyes. "I think Ameiko is in trouble." she says, her voice trembling on the verge of breaking.
"I think she is." Rabie adds, consumed with the gravity of the situation.
"I think so too, but we will find her for you. Don't worry." Jinx reassures her, his heart aching at the worry etched into the halfling’s face.
"I hope so," Bethana whispers, squeezing Jinx’s hand with a quiet desperation. "You can do this," she adds, though it sounds more like she is trying to convince herself than him.
Jinx feels the faint pressure of her grasp. He places his other hand over hers and forces a smile, willing his confidence to be infectious. "Yes, I will do this. We will get her back."
As the Sentinels gather their belongings to set out, Vannrik leans closer to Jinx. "I don't know exactly how your divination works with the cards. Do you think you can find her that way?"
The gnome furrows his brow. "What do you mean, my friend?"
"Can you find her with your cards?" the Jadwiga clarifies.
Jinx shakes his head with a dismissive chuckle. "No, my cards don’t work like that. I could try to divine her fortune if we had time, but finding her location requires a different kind of magic."
Rabie, ever mindful of the tensions in the Kaijitsu Family family, redirects them back to the task at hand. "I think we should go to the Glassworks as soon as possible."
The others nod in agreement.- Session 7: The missing Bartender
"Where the Sentinels have their first brush with the remnants of Thassilon's Sins."
With Shalelu in tow, the Sentinels left the guards behind, still occupied with gathering the bodies. As they departed, Rabie cast one last glance toward the Glassworks’ working room. A guardsman was carefully chipping away the hardened glass encasing Lonjiku’s lifeless face. The stillness had returned to the basement, but the gaping hole in the wall remained, its darkness yawning ominously before them.
Ghurab’s mottled light pierced the shadows, illuminating the path ahead. The tunnel stretched long and winding, the air growing cooler as they descended. Jinx and Rabie exchanged knowing looks, recalling the old rumors of smuggler tunnels beneath Sandpoint. This had to be one of them.
They walked for nearly a mile before encountering what appeared to be a dead end. But Rabie, his keen eyes sweeping the rough stone, spotted a hidden passage concealed behind a cleverly shaped rock. Beyond lay the remnants of an abandoned goblin camp, long since deserted.
Further in, they reached a side tunnel. A fresh, salty breeze drifted from its natural progression, though the path ahead bore signs of recent disturbance. The entrance had once been sealed by a brick wall—now shattered, its remnants scattered across the floor.
This was the path the Sentinels took, each step forward bringing them closer to danger.
By now, their formation was second nature. Vannrik Rimewarden led, shield raised, his aquatic aura shimmering around him. Shalelu followed, ever watchful for enemies. Rabie maintained his protective spells, while Jinx, his third eye open, scanned for traces of magic.
The air grew heavier.From a passage ahead, they heard a faint shuffling. Vannrik crept forward, peering around the corner.
A grotesque abomination lurked within.- Session 8: The Guardroom
Where the Sentinels learn to fly, come to face the sins of the past, and Rabie faces sins of his own.
The creature suddenly inhaled, its jaw distending unnaturally wide. Then, it shrieked.
The piercing, ear-splitting wail sent the Sentinels reeling, clutching at their ears. Jinx felt his limbs go numb, his body locking up as he collapsed to the floor. His harrow cards scattered around him.
With the gnome helpless beneath it, the creature seized its chance, launching itself from the ceiling with a sickening flutter of its wounded wings.
Vannrik reacted instantly, crafting and hurling a barrage of jagged ice spikes. Some missed, but many struck true—embedding in the creature’s grotesque skull and shredding its wings. The monster wavered midair before plummeting.
Jinx could only watch, paralyzed, as the foul thing crashed down upon him, bile spilling from its maw. The acrid liquid splattered across his mother’s cards, defiling them.
Rabie was at his side in an instant, yanking the creature off and hurling its corpse aside. It took a few moments before Jinx could move again, his breath coming in shallow gasps.
Shalelu, standing at a distance, covered her nose and mouth. “What is that?”
Vannrik scowled at the oozing corpse. “Ugly,” he answered flatly. “It’s ugly.”- Session 9: A Kiss by the Washing Pool
Where the Sentinels receive assistance from both the heavens and the hells, Rabie drowns in his denial, Jinx mourns a mother, and the Sentinels plot to cut the head off the snake.
To everyone's surprise, a voice resonated from the weapon. "Ah, finally! We made it to Sandpoint !"
Jinx shot Cletus a sharp look. "That thing talks too?"
The tiefling grinned. "She talks. Everyone, meet Andromeda. Andromeda, meet everyone!"
The sword shifted, its movements almost animated, as its voice carried an ethereal warmth. "Ah, I'm so delighted to finally meet people who have pledged themselves to the cause of pure good! Unlike Cletus , who expects some kind of reward for doing so. Iomedae bless all of you!"
The Sentinels exchanged glances. It was Jinx who voiced the thought they were all clearly having. "Did you… capture Pious in that sword?"
Belor, returning just in time to hear the question, chuckled as he shut the door behind him. "It sounds similar," he remarked.
Andromeda seemed pleased by the comparison. "From what I’ve heard, Pious was a righteous champion. And so am I—or so I aspire to be."
Rabie still wasn’t sure what to make of it. "Welcome to Sandpoint as well," he offered carefully.
"Why, thank you!" came the exaggerated, almost theatrical response.
Vannrik folded his arms. "Is that some sort of intelligent magic item?" he asked Cletus .
Before the tiefling could answer, the sword scoffed. "I am not a magic item," Andromeda declared. "You merely perceive me as a sword through your mortal eyes. But I am angelic by nature."
- Session 10: Andromeda
Where the Sentinels gear up for war, cut through the Nettlewood , and see how deep the howling hole goes.
The morning before
At dawn, the people of Sandpoint had gathered in the Cathedral Square. The air was heavy with the scent of morning dew and nervous anticipation. Soldiers stood ready—Sheriff Hemlock at the forefront, flanked by Shalelu, Mayor Kendra Deverin , and Father Zantus. The Sentinels, too, stood among them.
Belor Hemlock climbed atop one of the market stalls, surveying the gathered crowd. Many familiar faces had come to see them off—Ameiko and Bethana , Daverin Hosk the stablemaster, Hannah the healer, Venn Vinder with his wife and daughters, and, with Jinx ’s encouragement, even Benny Harker. Their expressions ranged from solemn to hopeful, but all bore the weight of what was to come.
The Sheriff’s voice rang out over the square, carrying strength and resolve.
"People of Sandpoint ! Five years ago, tragedy struck our town. We lost nearly three dozen souls to the hands of a madman. Then, our beloved cathedral burned, taking Father Tobyn, his adopted daughter Nualia, and many of our priests with it. We rebuilt. We persevered. But once again, dark times have come upon us."
"The five local Goblin tribes have united. They raided our town, stole Father Tobyn’s remains, slaughtered the workers at the Glassworks, and murdered Lonjiku Kaijitsu . They had help. Tsuto —some of you knew him well—was not alone in this. The Sentinels have uncovered the truth: Nualia is alive. And she is the one orchestrating Sandpoint ’s destruction, though we do not yet know why she bears such hatred toward our home."
"But we will not wait to be attacked again. This time, we take the fight to them. Reinforcements from Magnimar stand with us. Our forces will keep the goblins at bay, carving a path for the Sentinels to breach the fortress. Know this—we fight today to ensure Sandpoint ’s survival."- Session 11: To Thistletop
"Where the Sentinels find that it rains cats and dogs to slay, set an ingenious trap and catch their first sight of Thistletop."
Cletus leaned in to assist Rabie, running his fingers over the lattice of woven twigs and grass. His experience with pit traps from a less-than-honest past guided his touch. The structure had to be perfect—fragile enough to give way, but not so weak it would collapse under its own weight. He gave Rabie a sly glance and a nod. Just right.
Vannrik stepped forward, holding his hands above the trap as a sheen of ice began to spread. Unlike the forceful conjuration of weapons, this required patience—precision. Once the surface was set, he conjured a final layer of snow, seamlessly blending the pit into the rest of the frost-covered forest floor.
Jinx held up the finished puppet, tugging its cords to make the Goblin's limp hand wave in eerie greeting. Meanwhile, Cletus circled wide around the trap, treading carefully before slipping into the underbrush across from the tunnel entrance. Andromeda hovered close, waiting in silence. He watched with satisfaction as the snow near the tunnel shifted, rising into a subtle mound—an illusion of a solid tunnel wall that would funnel any approach straight over the hidden snare.
At the far end of the trap, blocking the path they'd come from, Rabie stood beside Jinx and Vannrik. His hand moved gently to Ghurab’s head, fingers gliding over the raven's feathers in a silent signal. It was time.The bird took flight.
- Session 12: Trapsetting
"Where the Sentinels mend bridges, infiltrate Thistletop, bleed to get richer, and uncover an archeologist."
"So Jinx , how is the day going to end? What do your cards say?" Cletus asked, his gaze fixed on the way the bridge bowed and swayed under the lash of the wind.
The Gnome sat cross-legged beside him, squinting critically at the sagging ropes and weathered planks. "I guess some goblins are going to die."
Cletus let out a dry chuckle. "I don't need the cards to know that. What about Nualia, will we see her on the isle?"
Jinx shook his head absently, his mind half on the structure in front of them. "My cards didn't reveal that yet... However, they do reveal that this bridge is more fragile than it seems. It might hold me, but I don't know about the rest."
"Maybe we should go one by one," said Vannrik, voice low and thoughtful.
"I'll go first," Jinx said, a glint of confidence lighting his small face.
"Are you sure?" the Jadwiga asked, frowning.
"I am the lightest," the Gnome mused with a smirk.
"You'll be walking right into the goblins," Vannrik said grimly, the weight of the risk thick in his voice.
"That's a good point."
"The bridge seems so fragile, you'll be having a hard time getting to the other side. The goblins could gang up on you at the other end. Are we going in, weapons drawn? Or should we try to somehow convince them to let us pass safely?" Cletus asked, casting a wary eye at the distant figures.
"You want to convince them to let us pass safely?" Jinx echoed, raising a skeptical brow.
"If possible. I just don't think that we can cross all at once," Cletus said. "The goblins could easily attack us from the other end, and then we're stuck on the bridge."
Jinx frowned in thought. "We need a way to reinforce the bridge."
Cletus narrowed his eyes at the sagging structure, scrutinizing it. Then he caught sight of something — subtle but telling — near the far anchoring posts. Fresh cuts scored the ropes, half-hidden by the mist. He gave a short, sharp laugh, impressed despite himself. "Oh, I see now. It's an old Goblin trick. Quite crafty — they’ve sabotaged the other end of the bridge. It would be sturdy enough as long as the ropes at the other end are mended somehow." He paused, then added quickly, "But don't look at me for mending."
"No, don't look at me either," Vannrik said, shaking his head.
Jinx nudged Rabie lightly with an elbow. "Well, it's up to us, I guess. I'll help you. I think you're the better craftsman out of the two of us."
Rabie gave a skeptical grunt, but after a moment's hesitation he muttered, "I'll do my best."- Session 13: Mending Bridges
"Where the Sentinels find that it all went to s&@&."
The Goblin chieftain lounged lazily on his crude throne, a grin stretching ear to ear as he watched his lackeys cavort before him. The goblins leapt, shrieked, and stabbed at the air while the warchanter once again glorified their raid on the Human village. With a satisfied grunt, the chieftain reached for a goblet of stolen wine.
Then he heard the baying of the hounds.
A chill crept down the chieftain spine. The priestess would not be pleased that he had allowed intruders to slip through.The archaeologist slumped against the wooden chest she had shoved in front of the door. Fighting back tears proved pointless. Perhaps the barricade was just as futile. Her thoughts drifted to Tsuto—dead before he ever returned her affection. She wondered how differently things might have gone if the intruders had spared him and slain Nualia instead.
Then she heard the baying of the hounds.
All the archaeologist could do was hope the beasts would avenge Tsuto in her place.The mercenary had been idly running a whetstone over his blade for hours. He hadn’t been allowed to join the first raid on Sandpoint. The second—and final—raid couldn’t come soon enough. Life as a bodyguard was a dull exercise when there was nothing to guard the body from.
Then he heard the baying of the hounds.
With a sharp motion, the mercenary swung his sword, as if slicing through the shackles of boredom, and rose to action.The bugbear had been entertaining himself with the chieftain’s wives for days. If the Goblin leader had no use for them, he certainly did. Inside the harem chamber, he spun them around his thick fingers with ease.
Then he heard the baying of the hounds.
The bugbear cursed, scrambling for his discarded clothes and armor.- Session 14: When it all goes to S&@!
"Where the Sentinels are cornered, Cletus refuses an extended hand, and they find themselves bound to the fate of their cruel captors."
“…And may the Three-Eyed Gaze see me.”
Nualia’s voice, low and reverent, echoed off the blood-warmed stones of the sanctum. Before her stood the idol of Lamashtu—an obsidian jackal's head with three lidless eyes, each one carved in a grotesque leer. Faint incense curled in the air, smelling of rot, iron, and wild musk.
She let her gaze linger on the idol. That phrase, that mantra—the three-eyed gaze—still echoed in her mind. Was it a blessing? A warning? Or simply another mask the goddess wore to hide truth behind madness?
Her arm, where her thoughts inevitably drifted, was draped across her lap. Crimson scales shimmered in the dim light. It ended in a wicked claw, barbed and coiled with divine power. A gift from the Mother of Monsters. But only a beginning.
The rest of her skin still retained the smooth, pale tone of her Aasimar bloodline—like cheap silk stretched too thin over flesh. Unworthy, it whispered to her. The transformation was not yet complete. And Lamashtu did not give without taking. She demanded devotion. Sacrifice. Blood. Fire.
Then, from somewhere deeper in the keep, she heard it: the baying of hounds.The Yeth hound beside her raised its grotesque head, ears twitching at the call of its kin. Its fanged maw curled into a smile.
Nualia's lips followed suit.
Her prayer had been heard.- Session 15: Gifts for the Mother
"Where the Sentinels see the candle of hope falter, Rabie admits his crimes, Vannrik and Cletus lie through their teeth, and Jinx succumbs to the flames."
As the candle of hope falters,
The Sentinels were marched in a ragged line, still bound, shuffling step by step toward the temple chamber under the jagged threat of Goblin horsechoppers. The goblins leered, their foreheads daubed with a crude third red eye—smeared in the blood of the day’s slaughter. Those not driving the prisoners forward slammed the butts of their weapons against the stone floor in rhythm, stomping a brutal cadence as they chanted a single name with shrill fervor:
“Lamashtu ! Lamashtu !”
The Sentinels were forced to their knees before the profaned altar—before Nualia and her snarling Yeth Hound, before the towering effigy of the Mother of Monsters, whose twin flaming kukris blazed like heretics' torches in the gloom. Behind them loomed Chief Ripnugget astride his giant gecko, his Goblin commandos hunched and jittering with anticipation.Without so much as a glance at the captives, Nualia began to speak—her voice a reverent, dreadful hymn:
“O Lamashtu ,
Jackal-Womb of Endless Spawn,
Feather-Crowned Queen who mothers monstrosity,
I kneel amid kindling and blood, and offer flame.These are your sacrifices—squirming and screaming,
Their soft flesh burns as testament.
Their suffering is my hymn.
Their agony, my incense.I give you their breath as smoke.
I give you their bones as charcoal.
I give you their fear to fatten your glory.
Twist them in your womb of flame.
Unmake them, as you unmade me.O Lamashtu , tear away what remains of my mortal form.
Replace it with your mark—horn, claw, and Shadow .
I was never meant to be whole, only holy in your name.
I burn these offerings that I may be reborn again.Lead me now to your Chosen—Malfeshnekor,
The ancient beast, bound in stone and rage.
Let my blood call to his.
Let my devotion unbind him.
Let us together bear your storm to the world above.In fire, I shed what is weak.
In ash, I rise monstrous.
Mother of Monsters, claim your daughter.
Make me terrible in your image.As the candle of hope falters, your inferno shall set the land ablaze.”
- Session 16: As the candle of hope falters,
"Where the Sentinels endure the inferno, two guards fight over a promotion, and Shalelu demands an answer."
In the space between heartbeats, time seemed to slow. Vannrik surveyed the chaos. His hands were still wet with the Ocean’s Balm used to mend Rabie. The Yeth Hound barreled toward them, a blur of fangs and fury. Rabie, eyes locked on the goblin chieftain who wore his ring, seemed to have forgotten his own survival—a worrying sign.
Just a step away, a vicious goblin jumped up and down gleefully, jabbing its horsechopper again and again into the prone bodies of two Sandpoint guards. Another goblin, snarling, dashed in to join the slaughter.
Nualia retreated towared the dais and the flaming altar, an arrow protruding from her exposed back, crossbow bolts buried in her armor like steel thorns. Sheriff Hemlock was in relentless pursuit, close behind her with a volley of arrows and bolts still flying over head.
Ripnugget, fresh blood on his blade, abandoned his kill and turned to intercept the Sheriff. His gecko hissed, its claws scraping the stone as it repositioned on the steps.
Jinx lay in a pool of his own blood, guarded by only one of Ripnugget’s lackeys. But thanks to Cletus’s spell, the gnome still breathed. He weakly crawled, dragging scattered Harrow cards toward his chest with trembling hands.
Across the temple, Cletus watched in horror. Was there still a way to save the fallen aasimar from her own hubris? And if not her, was there still hope for him? Could Andromeda save them both?
Then Vannrik’s gaze landed on the goblin warchanter. It stood frozen, staring at Nualia with something like heartbreak. The creature reached out its grubby hand and screamed, “Mistress, nooo!”And just like that—time came crashing back like a wave.
- Session 7: Your inferno shall set the land ablaze: II