== Toilday, Neth 12 ==

Today we discovered undead things were hanging around the insane asylum. Or possibly lunatics were bothering the undead, but it appeared more the former than the latter. Nevertheless, just to be safe, we bound up the insane guy we came to see and I put him uncomfortably on a horse and took him against his will to Sandpoint, where Nothing Odd Ever Happens. We told him we might be able to make him feel better there; that always quiets them for a while. Father Zantus always knows what to do with our less advantaged friends.

I had a good dinner in a soft bed. Wonder what the rest are doing?

== Wealday, Neth 13 ==

Got up early, took a refreshing shower, and felt clean and ready to meet the day. Ah, it’s good to be alive. Retrieved the horse and returned to the party.

Met up with the rest of the party, having left our patient in Sandpoint to heaven only knows what sort of horror of “treatments”. I told him with great sincerity, “you’re now in your happy place” and he stared at me in such a manner that I think he may have believed me, or wished me dead — the expressions are so similar.

And having returned, I see that sure enough, with the insane guy gone, all the undead are much more quiet. It may have just been a neighbor noise issue. I know he was annoying. Could he really been so disruptive so as to literally wake the dead? I suppose that phrase had to come from somewhere.

So, using the key one of the undead gave us, we went over to the Amityville Horror house and looked around. Our paladin gave the obligatory “I sense evil” soliloquy and then we looked around a bit while soaking up the ambience. We found darkness and severed animal heads and mold, but no walls with “redrum” written upon them. Once we were thoroughly disheartened, we took a break and wrote in our journals as our therapists have suggested we do whenever we’re feeling down.

Spirits raised, I’m now pumped to look at more depressing stuff.

Sunday, 3 Neth

After much discussion among ourselves, we determined the highest level of comfort seemed to be reached with everyone maintaining their own finances. We shall sell off much of the items we’d recovered and then split the proceeds evenly. If a weapon or armor or magical item is found that somebody else wants to carry or use, they can make a case that it is a ‘group item’ and ought not count against their share, or failing that, have the value of that item deducted from their share.

Things like healing potions and magic weapons we have generally agreed benefit the group as a whole even if wielded or used by only one person at a time, so they have an almost automatic exclusion from group sales. We do not have enough healing potions to have one per person at this time, and while my quarterstaff skills are indeed impressive, those wielding edged weapons are generally closer to the front lines and even more impressive in their ability to slice and dice foes, and it is no small surprise they also tend to be in greater need of healing. I was, however, granted a silver dagger [107] as I do have skill with a dagger, and silver weapons sometimes serve a useful purpose.

It was in the midst of this accounting that we learned Sedgewick was leaving us. He did do us the courtesy of letting us know. Shalelu, the ranger elf, had mentioned something of undead in Magnimar to him and quicker than you could say “ooo, shiny” he was off with her to go score another original tail — oops, I mean original tale, and song.

So we had one less share to allocate so while it was sad to see him go (Rigel seemed particularly affected by his leaving), it did mean a little more for the rest of us. We did decide to allocat one share of the proceeds for ‘group purposes’ which is to say the healing potions I spoke of. If we are wildly successful, it may someday be enough to buy larger equipment like carts or the like. This time, we bought 3 cure moderate wounds potions [177][178][179] at 800gp total and that used up all but 16.8 gp.

Besides, since learning the additional spells I have less need of the weapon physical; a thing I think I will grow to appreciate as time passes. But I get ahead of myself.

My share was 816 gold, 8 silver (or the equivalent, at least.) Add that to the money I already had and I appear to be a rich man indeed. I need to consider how best to carry such wealth around with me. If carried all in coin, it weighs me down some 16 pounds! But some things constrained to reduce this problem for me.

For one thing, I’ve known for some time that I wanted to consult with other sorcerors to learn more spells. It’s not going to just happen one day that I wake up with a new spell, so this newfound wealth provided me the means to seek out a … well, perhaps not a master, but more of a mentor. A paid mentor, of course, but Elgin charged a fair price of 100gp per week, which covered materials, a solid but utilitarian lunch on Moonday, Wealday, and Fireday, and even, I suppose, repairing the bit of fire damage his laboratory suffered as I practiced new spells.

But I can say that after 3 weeks and 300 gp, I do now exhibit a hesitant mastery of the spells detect poison, mending, mage armor, color spray, and flaming sphere in addition to my others. And as with my other fire spell, the flaming sphere seems to burn a little hotter than one might expect. I did not reveal all my secrets to Elgin, but being a sorceror himself he did raise his eyebrows and remark, “I suspect there are some scales in your heritage,” but said nothing again on the subject.

I also bought for myself a better distance weapon than a sling. It’s not fancy, but at least my heavy crossbow [182] might actually hurt something physically rather than emotionally (“mommy, that man threw sling pellets at me and almost got me in the eye”). After all that, my funds were down to 516.8gp – 50gp – 2gp for some bolts + 90gp I had previously for a total of 554.8 gp. Still richer than I’ve felt in a while.

That man Foxglove still is taken with our group and wants to come along sometime. I’ve not been rude to him, but several others in the group think that even socializing with him is a waste of our time. Perhaps so, but my father raised me better. I’ll make no promises but see no harm in an occasional conversation.

Others in the group had also taken some time to find trainers/mentors and improved their skills. So it was we all met together again at roughly the same time to return to Thistletop and deal with some unfinished business.

We arrived without incident, although we did find that the “bramble camp” appeared to have been used and there actually was a few goblin bodies there. Oddly, they were not Thistletop clan. (I’m actually able to recognize this sort of thing now.) But we hadn’t seem these markings before.

The bridge was still down, as we left it. We thought about camping here but felt that Thistletop was much more defensible in case of attack, and unanimously agreed to raise the bridge and enter the “fortress”.

This was done without any trouble; Kane and Nolin climbed up with ropes and we restored the bridge. The area around and in the fortress appeared undisturbed.

Olithar was going on and on about something with his maps, and we found out why it pays to have an anal — I mean, detail oriented cleric along. His map seemed to indicate a room or closet or something which seemed to have no door. Since this was close to the, ahem, bathroom, the room with the wall we wanted to search had a less than favorable coating on it, but Olithar and Kane worked their priestly spells to purify the area. Upon an intense search Rigel did find an entrance, and there was a chest behind this door. Rigel checked for a trap, found none, then picked the lock and managed to dodge the trap she didn’t see 🙂

The chest was old, pre-Nualia for sure. Upon opening it we found a giant pile of coins, and items. A treasure chest to be sure.

After a period of time, we compiled this inventory:

7432 copper pieces
2490 silver pieces
89 gold pieces
3 platinum pieces

for a net value of 442.32 gp. Not bad! Being lightly loaded, I volunteered to carry the gp and pp as they could be taken without need for cart and oxen 🙂

Plus there were

[183] a leather pouch with 34 malakite gems (badly flawed); perhaps 1gp each
[184] a medium chain mail shirt
[185] a medium masterwork scimitar (Olithar groaned; he’d just bought one)
[186] a set of masterwork manacles
[187] a gold holy symbol for Sarenray
[188] a jade necklace
[189] a fine blue silk gown w/silver trim

This seemed a good time to sleep, so guards were set and rest was had.

All but Olithar, who slept but had a dream where a voice said to him from somewhere deep, “The Whisperer will have vengeance.”

Perhaps an undigested bit of beef.

Monday, 4 Neth

And so it was that we arose rested and returned to the lower levels. I and Sabin cast Mage Armor upon ourselves and trudged on. Didn’t take long before we found a room that didn’t quite seem empty. Olithar cast detect undead and did indeed find a moderate aura centered on some sarcophagi. 3 shadows emerged from 3 alcoves. We learned, unfortunately, that these creatures could sap strength from our fighters, and they not only became wounded but weak. Kane, Avia, and Sabin all were affected. However, my flaming sphere proved most useful in helping defeat the shadows, and the fact that I could create it and manipulate it from a modest distance made me very happy. Thank you Elgin!

Olithar was able to restore most if not all of Sabin’s strength, but that was all the magic he had for today. The others would need to cope until tomorrow.

Not too far from here appeared to be a couple of rooms with access to pools! Upon further inspection, we concluded it was one pool that had flooded both rooms. At some time in the past, an earthquake, explosion, or some other significant force had cause the walls to collapse and allow water to enter. It was unclear if there was a flow, or whether this was actually a stagnant pool. The rooms themselves seemed ornately decorated; not in an extravagant sense, but in an artistic sense. There were murals and carvings on the walls of the rooms. One mural depicted a tall mountain, and a stern face above the palace in the picture. Below lay an immense city of spires.

This was all interesting enough, but then we noticed in the pool was a giant golden helmet. I mean GIANT, as in “was once worn by”. Couldn’t tell if it was gold-plated or actually gold but all that became irrelevant when it turned to face us. The water here seemed to be 3 to 10 feet deep, so ropes were brought out and people secured before approaching the water (and the helmet). Olithar tried speaking Thasselonian to the helm, whereupon it stood up and we saw the largest seafood dinner EVER. A giant crab was using the helmet as a home. Weapons were launched but between the armor it effectively wore, and its own natural carapace, we didn’t seem to be doing much.

Then Olithar used magic to heat the metal. Clever! He essentially cooked it in an upside down pot! Yes it took some more blows, but it was like cooking a steak without cutting it from the flank. In no time at all, the water around it was steaming and it had stopped moving. Get me some butter! (We did eat well this day.)

Now able to search the pool, we found

3537 silver pieces
645 gold pieces
[190] 40 precious stones (about 10gp each)
[191] a jade amulet (radiated magic)

The amulet, we found, added +1 natural armor. It was determined this magic could not help me, as I already have developed, it seems, a tougher skin and thus already have a better natural armor than others. It went to Rigel.

We discussed if the helmet might be more valuable as a relic than as something to be melted down. Need to think about that some.

[192] helmet, giant (~300 pounds)

This seemed a good place (and time) to rest again. We set up “the usual guards”.

Toilday, Neth 5

The night passed uneventfully. After searching around some more in the laboratory (and seeing the results of what could only have been gruesome experiments) we found a seven pointed star object that looked like it might be the key we need to enter the room behind the double doors.

[193] surgical tools
[194] silver and gold 7-pointed star studded with nodules and spikes

Key inserted, door unlocked, and …

This room was very warm, in no small part to the brazier-style fire in the middle of the room. For an old room, this fire seemed very active. That suggested it was magical. Nevertheless, heat is heat and while it seems to affect me a little less than my companions, it was still uncomfortable. Corners of the room had golden candles. There was a 7-sided star on the wall opposite us. The entire room radiated strong magic (enchantment).

And Avia immediately detected evil.

Trask and Sabin, consequently, immediately cast Mage Armor. Kane blessed us all.

And then the giant wolf-like creature with primate hands and feet stepped into the light and was a bit clearer to us. It didn’t look pleasant. Olithar cast protection from evil on Nolin, and I started up a flaming sphere. It seemed that only magic weapons could hit it.

The creature started blinking, which indicated it was sometimes in our plane and sometimes not. That made it harder to hit, but also made it harder to hit us. I started up a second flaming sphere. After a round or two of maybe hitting it, maybe not, and after what appeared to be a ferocious blow by Avia, it disappeared.

After a moment of making sure it had not reappeared, we searched the room. We found

[195] ever-lit candles (30)
[196] coffer
[197] seven-pointed ring — magic

The ring, we learned, generated a wall of force shield in front of the wearer.

There was some discussion about who should wear the ring, but it sounded like I was not going to be gifted with it.

Dear Father,

This. Is. Awesome.

This letter won’t get sent for some time, of course, because I’m still in danger of being fried or stabbed or electrocuted at any moment. If it is found on my dead body I hope somebody will have the good grace to send it along. The last time I was this close to death was, I think, when I broke our magic pitcher that we normally kept on the kitchen table. It always had cool, fresh water and I vividly recall you had me by the throat for “carelessly destroying such a valuable item”. As a ten year old, of course, I couldn’t imagine why you might not just go buy another, but that’s not always possible, is it? There is nothing like living on the edge and by your own wit, and going without fresh water for a time to drive home the value of such an item, and to really understand why, of course, glue or even a skilled glass artisan could not restore such an item to working condition.

I get it now. It’s magic. Sorry about that, almost 8 years later.

You had said that adventuring “gets in your blood” and you made it sound like some sort of horrible yet fascinating disease. And it is, really, isn’t it? You do come to like that prickly feeling that runs down your back when you hear a sound behind you and you remember with a sinking feeling that you did not close and lock the door you just came through, don’t you? And you can’t really explain it to anyone who hasn’t been there and felt it too.

Someday when I return you’ll get to read my entire journal, of course. And I hope that my writings will raise the temperature of your blood like my reading of yours did. And speaking of blood .. there’s more to our heritage than you’ve said, isn’t there? Sure, I knew about the claws, and you hinted at other things, but you said they would only reveal themselves “in due time”. And now I find that fire captures my fancy, and the one spell I have that sets my hands aflame … it seems to be stronger than the ones others do. It seems I have an affinity for fire, or it for me. What other secrets will I learn?

No matter. It’s all good. And you can probably tell I’m greatly enjoying this search for adventure I’m on. I’ve found it, by the way. I’m with a group that is trying to defeat some sort of demon seductress or maybe succubus, or — I don’t know. It’s hard to keep up. She wants to destroy a nearby town, and there’s been plenty of evil around this place, including shrines and altars to LaMashTu. But it’s not too hard to tell the good guys from the bad guys, and the bad guys ARE losing.

At Thistletop (I don’t know if you know where that is, but I’ll assume you do because I’m not going to give a geography lesson) we were trying to find out more about this Nualia and her actions here. We killed a goblin chieftain, or king, or something, and declared a whole lot of stuff ours now: healing potions, weapons, and armor. The goblins have taken over the surface and created some crude structures, but this rock has been here lots longer than they have and there are subchambers below the surface where people – or creatures – are digging up old artifacts to assist Nualia in her plot to destroy Sandpoint. We’ve killed all (I think) of the goblins here, but there are others — bugbears, giant geckos, and the like. Even other humans!

We discovered two very different ones. One could have been me in a different universe — she was a scholar first, and she gave no care to the effects of her research. It was all about the knowledge for her. The paladin said she was evil, but is that just what happens when the books rule you? We nearly killed her at first, but then revived her, talked with her, and sent her on her way. She was so … cold. She was respectful but really into her research. Had I not taken this journey, that might have been me in a few years. The room she was in was a wealth of knowledge to the right person. I recognized bits and pieces of it, but she freely admitted she was helping research ancient artifacts and yes, spells. Lyrie, her name was, but she wasn’t anything special to look at.

Nolin, of our group, took pity on a horse we found that likely was destined to be a goblin meal. It’s interesting; he seems to have a way with animals while also having a way with a particularly big looking sword. Glad he’s on our side but who could have known he was an animal handler too?

Oh, and the other human was mercenary through and through. And really, not very good. He surrendered rather than be killed, and then offered to join US! I should think not. If he changes sides that easily, I’m not sure I’d trust him at my back. We took his possessions and sent him on too. Unfortunately, as a sorcerer, I found his booty of weapons and armor to be wholly unsuitable for my use.

As we continued exploring we found a few unusual things. One was some sort of land squid — it looked like a squid but could walk on land. We chose not to disturb it, as we weren’t sure if we could handle its tentacles. It didn’t see us. And there was a room ..

The door to this room had raised figures of human women giving birth to horrible abominations. Our bard, just had to go in … and upon entering what appeared to be a place of unholy worship, he promptly drew the attention of 4 hellhounds, or something resembling that. They took great gouges out of him and — even THIS exhilarates me — they had an unearthly howl that drove Rigel and I away in unexplainable fear. We both tried to crowd into the same corner of the same distant room which, truth be told, wasn’t half bad until we awkwardly regained our senses and pretended we actually hadn’t been huddled against each other.

Being that close to her, I suppose I should check my belongings!

We returned to the room in time to see the last of the hounds reduced to ashes or dust by our fighters. The bard was barely alive — actually, I was told he had been near death several times — and the party was exhausted. It was in this state that we met the bugbear and the mercenary (did I mention the bugbear?) within a few minutes of catching our breath. I guess noise carries underground, eh?

My friends were surprised when I jumped into this fray but I just felt so … alive. Of course our claws were something you told me about early on, but you didn’t tell me everything about our heritage, did you? Oh I know you did say “more will be revealed when you are ready” but I’ve noticed an increasing fascination – no, that’s not the right word – study, perhaps, of fire. The one fire spell I have I seem to be able to cast better than our other mage but I can’t describe the technique I’m using to him. The flame is brighter and I believe the fire is hotter. And yet, for all that, I seem to burn myself even less easily than before.

Ah, but I mentioned the fire already didn’t I? It’s hard to focus sometimes.

What surprises await me? Part of me wishes you’d told me more, and part of me is looking forward to the discovery.

No matter. But I don’t see how you ever gave this up. The thrill is addictive. Did Mother make you stop? Would that be enough? I don’t know if it would be enough for me to simply be ordered to stop. I feel like there’s so much more yet, and I simply MUST experience it.

When we chased the bugbear, it went into a room that seemingly had a secret panel, because when we killed him he was frantically searching along a wall. And now, briefly, we are collecting our thoughts and belongings before descending deeper into this rock via the secret passage we’ve just opened.

I’m sorry if this letter is hard to follow. It is hastily written in an uneven hand by your very excited son, and I fear I haven’t related things in exactly the order they happened. But it’s pretty much right. I mean, if it — oh, it looks like the party is ready. When I return you’ll have to read my entire journal, as it is more structured and pedantic and proper and calm and easier to read. But after today I just felt like I had to send a letter that would get there sooner. I had to share. Even if it won’t really get sent until I return to the city. Or my body does.

But I think I’m getting more powerful. I think I feel it. I think I’ll survive. Perhaps .. perhaps even vanquish. Was it this way for you?

your giddy son,
Trask

Oathday, Lamashan 10

It’s a shame, really, that we more or less ran out of goblins. I must give credit to the group for the clever ways in which we lured one goblin after another out onto the bridge and into the woods to their ultimate demise. How many total? Six? a dozen? I lost count. Finally, they stopped coming out, but it wasn’t clear if natural selection had thinned the herd of the stupid ones or whether they just had no more to send.

So a last final attempt, Sedgwick tried changing his illusion from a hated dog to what we thought would be a respected Tsuto. However, I found myself eyeing the goblins with a newfound respect. I’d thought the goblins to be vermin, slightly more evolved than rats and unfortunately bearing a slight resemblance to we bipedal humans. But when the goblin at the gate saw Tsuto, and saw him gesturing to come over, and responded with a rude gesture involving a single finger, I finally found something likable about the butt ugly critters. Wow, they hated Tsuto too! Really sucked to be him. Well, to have been him.

It made me chuckle a bit at Tsuto’s expense, seeing that gesture. And it reminded me that the goblins really could think, even if they chose to react most of the time instead. Nevertheless, we were still on the wrong side of the gate. We thought some more.

We decided to inspect the base of the island. Maybe there was some clever, secret way in. And after a few hours of nighttime swimming later, we could tell that .. well, no, there didn’t seem to be.

We decided that we would need to do a frontal assault after all. But perhaps our illusion of Tsuto could still do us some good if he appeared to be bringing us back as prisoners. Even if they hated him, they’d probably not fire upon him as he neared the gate. And then once the gate was opened …

Only hiccup in this plan was that if were were challenged, still none of us spoke goblin, and that would serve to end the ruse quickly. But there was no way around it. The best we could do is comprehend languages, so we could understand but not respond.

And then fate smiled.

A returning goblin party stumbled over our camp in the morning, and we made quick work of them. But more importantly, they bore a halfling prisoner, who was soon freed. Kanelbene, was his name I think. (It’s always tricky spelling people’s names, as they can be so creating in spelling it sometimes.)

But he also spoke goblin! He’d been waylaid before the original raid on the town and held prisoner.

A halfling who spoke goblin! What better accomplice for our disguised Tsuto! Now our plan could not fail. Much.

So after carefully secreting weapons on our persons so that each behind us could easily grab them when battle broke out, we were “led” across the bridge. But upon coming out to meet us, the gate goblin quickly recognized the ruse when he recognized a cape from one of the goblins we’d killed, and called out “intruders!” Immediately a fog (of our making) surrounded us and obscuring us from both the archers in the towers and the fighters rushing out at the alarm. I think we killed six or seven before they stopped coming.

From the outside this had looked like something of a garrison, but once inside it looked a little better than a hovel. It had clearly been constructed from reused lumber of various types and sizes, and “decorated” with horse and dog head trophies. A pair of bat wings stood out on one wall, and provided just the right ambience for a roomful of decaying small critter heads. Olithar snagged a steel, pearl handled knife [1100].

Avia and Sedgwick headed up the west tower to take out the guards. It proved exceedingly easy, from the account they relayed later.

Another room led to a partially covered outdoor area, in which there were several of the goblin ‘dogs’. We chose to not go there right away.

But inside another room we found the king, or chieftain, or head honcho of this tribe. And he had some well trained warriors with him that were either training or demonstrating to him their consummate skills, and a chanter or sorceror by his side as well. Add in an unusually large gecko and it looked for a while like we may have bitten off more than we could chew.

My attacks at close quarters aren’t anything special, and I am less able to survive hits my companions take, so I was tending to attack from the rear. I especially was trying to take out the chanter, as I suspected he was generating magic to aid the fighters. The one time I found myself in close quarters, my burning hands worked nicely to heat things up. But most of the time, it was magic missiles. Avia and Sabin were their usual effective bloody selves and ultimately we did triumph. Healing all around was dispersed before we started gathering their — er, I mean OUR — belongings.

Oathday, Lamashan 10

The fact that there is an entry here at all rather foreshadows the result of our skirmish with the goblins. And that, truly, is what it turned out to be — a skirmish, not a battle. Despite their superior numbers, they could not overcome a significant handicap: they were goblins.

There was 10-12 of them, and although there was a line of archers at the rear to pepper us with arrows, there aim was as good as mine with my darts. For the most part, their strategy didn’t harm us. Several including myself had minor wounds, but my two magic missiles gave more damage than I took. I was hoping to use burning hands to good effect, but the rest of our group was so eager to engage the little pests that I couldn’t use it for fear of harming friends.

Friends. Do I have friends? I guess slowly and imperceptibly I may have gained some. I at least have comrades in arms, and we fight to protect each other as much as ourselves. While my magic missiles are unerring, I must admit I admire the smiting that the paladin and half orc are capable of. From what father told me before I left, as I learn more spells and gain more experience at handling magic, I will become valuable in different ways, but there’s something attractively visceral about being able to cleave an enemy in two.

In any case, Olithar was able to do a group heal which fixed all the minor wounds I received in the batt- I mean, skirmish. A quick search among all the bodies revealed all of 10gp. Still, that’s almost one gp per goblin which is unusually rich from my limited experience.

We continued on to the coast, somewhat more wary now but also somewhat more confident. I was carrying the scroll of burning hands we retrieved earlier, as well as the scroll of cure light wounds and the metal wand of shocking grasp.

Upon reaching the coast (and it wasn’t much farther) we followed the treeline along the coastline for a ways until we were able to catch sight of what Sedgwick said was Thistletop. It was a tall, roughly cylindrical island separated from the mainland by only a hundred feet or two, if that, and joined to it by a rope bridge. Atop it appeared to be some sort of garrison or barracks — in any case, it had visible guards.

Well before we reached its base, however, we found a small cove with what appeared to be a partly underwater cave leading into the mainland. It spoke well of our luck to find this, as it was low tide and during high tide, the opening might not even be visible. As it was, it seemed likely that one would end up having to swim underwater to truly examine it.

Having some aptitude in that, I volunteered, as did Sabin. Sabin had the advantage, however, of incredibly good eyesight in low light, and we didn’t have to go far in before a) we were forced underwater, and b) the light became decidedly more faint. He quietly made his way to a chamber inside where he observed what the locals call a ‘bunyip’. It looked like a very large sea lion or walrus, with unhelpful elements of a shark, and apparently it is carnivorous and does have a reputation for sometimes attacking boats and eating fishermen. The cavern also featured some sort of opening from which there was light, so we assumed it opened to the sky (probably some dozens of feet up judging from the heigh of the cliff we must be beneath.)

Upon reporting this, there was a vigorous discussion of the bunyip’s purpose. We thought at first it might be a guard for the goblins, but finally concluded it might also just be a sea creature, and we had found its home. We also decided killing it might be hard and really of no value. And so we spared its life. (Or fate spared ours; one never knows.)

As part of that discussion, we decided an attack by sea was ill-advised. It wasn’t at all clear we even could reach the pinnacle of Thistlestop via ascent, and even if we could, we would be under constant attack by guards from above since such an approach could hardly be construed as stealthy. Well, strike that — it could be if we did it at night, but climbing wet, slippery rocks in the dark would seem idiotic to even the dimmest among us.

So it was we decided to ascend the mainland cliff and scout the rope bridge. This was also not simple; unless we truly meant to go straight up (see detriments listed above) we needed to backtrack some and find a way to “ascend” through the woods where the land was lower and more level.

Exploring in this direction, as we neared the top of the headlands we found a thicket of brush and bramble. There seemed to be some game trails which led through it here and there, but the tallest among us had to hunch over to avoid getting caught on the brambles. The passages seemed to be a 2-4 feet wide and maybe five feet high.

Before too long, we found these game trails seemed to lead to a what appeared to be a more heavily used trail. It was not much taller, but noticeably wider. We surmised we were getting close to the rope bridge and perhaps these bigger trails had been made by goblins. We were on alert.

Fortunately, in a poorly executed manner of hiding the trail, we came upon what seemed to be a door-ish appearing effort of woven bramble across the trail. It was clearly an artifical construct, and drew us to that path like a moth to light. We knew now we were on the right trail.

Rigel went ahead to scout, and while she was gone we heard a tremendous roar followed by goblin voices. We were all quite grateful to see her return unharmed, and although she was able to elaborate upon the variety of forks and trails that lay ahead, she too had heard the noise but could not explain it.

Sabin, Rigel, and Olithar moved cautiously ahead and to the right to explore an area that Rigel had not. They bore witness to a barbaric sight. A small party of goblins dragged another towards a hole in the ground. The dragged goblin was bound, seemed terrified, and was struggling as best he could while bound. Without too much difficulty the party of goblins tossed him into the hole. After a brief pause, there was another roar, clearly emanating from the hole, but it sounded less … demanding. Could such an animal sound connote … satisfaction?

The trio quietly came forward after the guards left. This apparently set off some yapping from goblin dogs further to the right, but they went to the hole, peered down it, and suddenly it was all clear. The hole led to the bunyip lair. And the bound goblin had become … bunyip lunch. Or dinner. But why would they be feeding their own to this creature? What hold did the creature have over them that they would feel compelled to do so?

Cautiously following the trail the guards had taken, they found it led to an overlook of the rope bridge and, of course, the beaches below. Had we come this way, we would not have arrived in secret. West of this viewpoint came the sound of goblin voices and possibly the flicker of a fire. Returning to our party, the scouts found yet another lookout roughly to the south of the goblin voices.

Strategizing commenced. It is very easy to overthink goblin strategy, we reminded ourselves, so we did not need to come up with a clever or complex path. Simply put, we decided to lure as many guards as we could back to the hole with another bunyip-like noise, and pick them off one by one. We could control two forks and attack them from the rear after they passed, as well as the front. We may not draw all of the guard out, but when one doesn’t return, presumably more will come out to investigate. The dogs seemed penned up. We could take them out later, like shooting fish in a barrel.

Myself, Rigel, and Avia would be the rear attack. Olithar, Sedgwick, and Nolin would be the frontal attack. Sedgwick would use his mimicry skills to reproduce the sound, and then they would engage the guards that appeared. We would cut off their escape should they retreat. If there seemed to be some left, repeat.

What could go wrong?

Things went wrong right from the start. Despite Olithar’s insistence that he’d heard dogs, when the sound went up his party was attacked by a large CAT, and this wasn’t any old housepet. It jumped upon Olithar and the three of them battled to get it off before they could even engage the goblins. When finally the slew the beast, a single, great, goblin-like cry arose from further up the trail.

No sooner had they slain the creature than the goblins were upon them. One battled them while the second slipped into the passage towards the dogs.

Meanwhile, I was frustrated because our party was to provide rear attack and instead my companions had followed me as I cautiously advanced up the corridor. “Go back!” I hissed. “Go help the others!” And as Rigel and Avia took off towards the sound of battle, I discovered goblins are not without ears.

More goblins than one person should fight emerged from the firelit room, responding to the ruckus. I was able to surprise one, but needed to back up slowly to avoid being surrounded. I toyed with yelling for help, but that might also bring goblin reinforcements if my voice echoed across the nearby chasm. My best hope was that my companions would now hear the sound of THIS battle, and return. This was an excellent time for burning hands, but unfortunately it is somewhat trickier to execute during hand to hand combat and the spell fizzled. I took some cuts and glanced anxiously over my shoulder.

Nolin, meanwhile, had entered the dog area and found 4 there tethered. The goblin that had escaped was here and now with a little time to eyeball him, he appeared to be a magic user of some sort. Not one to be distracted by pretty robes, however, Nolin ripped into him. With little ceremony, and in under a minute, he was a brightly dressed, dead goblin.

Seeing that there were no visible goblins (Gogmurt, the magic user, had disappeared from their sight before their arrival), my companions turned around and came back to find me fighting several goblins. With Avia there, and eventually the rest of the party, we were able to put them down. My wounds were again minor, despite the early mismatches, and Olithar later did another mass heal which brought me back to full health.

With the goblins dead, and the dogs still tethered, we could take time to examine what we’d found. In particular, the magic user seemd to have some interesting belongings. There was:

some +1 leather armor [115] (goblin sized, alas)
a +1 cloak of resistance [116] (also hanky sized)
a potion of cure light wounds [117]
a potion of speak with animals [118]
two potions of tree shaping [119]
a wand of produce flame [31 charges][120]
a spear [121] that was not magical
a sling [122] that was not magical

Following the trail to its ending, we found another bramble barrier which, when removed, led us to the rope bridge.

We returned and killed the dogs, which were still tied up. Not very sporting, I know, but better safe than sporting.

In the firepit room, we found evidence of a sleeping area, but little else. It was still a little mysterious as to what this encampment was for, given that apparently goblin sacrifices were made here. Unless .. maybe that’s it. If the goblin with the magic items had been a priest then maybe the bunyip provided a convenient means of sacrifice. Come to think of it, the struggling goblin HAD been dressed differently …

Or was the shaman their captor, and .. but then the guards …

Hmm.

Watching secretly from one of the guard posts, we could see the guards on the other side seemed to be amusing themselves rather than actually guarding. They also seemed to be dressed differently than those on the bodies on this side. The bridge did not seem particularly well maintained.

Recalling just how intelligent goblins were (idiots) we concocted a cunning plan. Goblins hate dogs. Sedgwick created the illusion of a dog, had it run out onto the bridge, and bark several times. Sure enough, 4 goblins eventually came over to try to kill it. When they followed it into the woods, we killed them. Four less …

We also used the bodies of the goblins we killed to appear to be watchmen at the viewpoints. The towers started shooting at the (dead) goblins. We shot back. Eventually they started shooting flaming arrows and “killed” one of the dead goblins, so we had to replace it. This time, we shot flaming arrows back. There was now a full fledged flaming pincushion war going on. The flaming arrows actually set small portions of the wooden towers on the far side on fire, although there were in no immediate danger of burning to the ground. I raised the stakes by using the wand to actually send a fireball over.

Four burlier looking guards came over to “punish” us. Once they entered the forest .. four less.

Some felt this was going too slowly. Myself, I’m thinking they’re just stupid enough to keep it up until there are few enough left that we can simply storm the gate. But a growing number of our party thinks even now a raiding party might be sneaking up on us, having exited Thistlestop thru some secret passage. The consensus seems to be we should take the fight to them. Sigh. This is working, after all! Oh well. I don’t feel strongly enough about it to argue.

Toilday, 24 Rova

Time has not flowed linear for me these past few days. At times, it seems I’ve been places that I have yet to go to, while other times I completely lose track of where I’ve been. The side passage, the conversation with Ameiko, the return of the incriminating notes to her …

It might be that I’m still just stressing out about the claws. Nobody has said anything, so either they didn’t see it, or they think it unworthy of comment (unlikely) or they are blanking it from their mind as one would a traumatic experience.

But the stress must not be mine alone. Kyras, against our expectations and wishes, yesterday returned the notes we found to Ameiko, on the theory that they were private property. To me, and to several others, these seemed evidence of a crime, or several crimes, and it seemed complicit to quietly return those. I don’t think we were of a mind as to what to do with them, but returning them wasn’t foremost, I’m sure.

And Kyras refused to discuss it. He got so angry he left the group. And so we find ourselves one fewer.

But well before that — or was it after? again, time has lost its normal flow to me this last week or two — we discovered a most fascinating room. It was perfectly spherical, but objects were floating in it as if in a bowl of water. No that’s not right either, because objects in a bowl tend to sink or float, not choose a point in the middle. Something about this room allowed objects to simply float in the middle.

There was a ragged book[110], a scroll[112], a dead raven (complete with maggots)[109], a twisted iron wand[111], and a bottle[113]. The walls were plated in some sort of red metal, and black lightning bolts kept shooting randomly from plate to plate. There appeared to be discomforting words formed by the bolts, like WRATH, and DESTROY ENEMIES, KILL, CONQUER.

Unconcerned, Sabin tied a rope around himself and went for a float. He helped retrieve the items mentioned above, and seemed to suffer no (further) ill effects.

It was commented that this would make a very lucrative attraction, but it was pointed out that without knowing what created the magic here, we’d be playing with fire. I did a read magic and determined the scroll was a scroll of burning hands.

Sedgwick read over the book, and announced it seemed to be a prayer book for LaMashtu, the mother of all monsters. The little demon we killed was apparently a “quasit”. The book was full of all sorts of fun LaMashtu facts, like an altar dedicated to LaMashtu appears to have dirty water oozing from it. Hey, we’ve seen one of those.

When we returned, I brought the garrison commander up to date on almost everything. He agreed to place a guard at the goblin barracks in case anything were to try to come into the city that way.

But as a party, we realized, we were all running a bit short of gold. And since the city was unlikely to pay us for our work to date, we felt that the items we’d found, if they had any value, should belong to us. And so it came to pass that we tried to sell the giant statue of the stern angry mistress that we’d found. Writing on the bottom identified it as “Elaznist”. Sedgwick thought that might be one of the ancient rune lords.

So we hauled it away — no easy task — and decided as a group to try to sell it. To someone, for some proper amount of money.

With time on our hands, we were able to inspect the items we’d retrieved a bit more. The wand, as I saw it, was a wand of shocking grasp with 28 charges. I am carrying it currently.

That evening, Kyras and Nolin and I were at the inn when there was a ruckus. A woman ran in claiming her husband had been attacked by a goblin. Avia, Sabin, and Olithar had remained at the glassworks factory, so we sent word to meet us at this woman’s house and we rushed to help.

And it really was a goblin. And her husband, I’m afraid, really was dead. And unfortunately (but we didn’t tell her) being used as goblin food. It didn’t take too much effort for three people to hunt it and kill it, but the poor husband didn’t have the advantage of superiority in numbers, nor a decent weapon.

I arranged for some pie for the kids, and a room for the family and we cleaned up the scene a bit so the woman wouldn’t have to. Father Zanthus will take care of the arrangements for a service.

Wealday, 25 Rova

Olithar got creative and seems to have made money for us all. Today he has sold the right to visit the things we found in the tunnel (altar, cells, etc.) — which we refer to as “the historical area” — for 1000gp, and arranged to sell the statue on consignment. It may go for again as much if all goes well.

But with cash in hand, all of us who needed additional training was able to afford same.

Avia, Sabin, Rigel, Nolin, and myself needed 100gp for our “continuing education credits.”

Sedgwick needed 150gp, and Kyras needed 200 gp. Of our 1000gp we’d received, this left 150gp. We purchased 2 scrolls of identify and 2 scrolls of cure light wounds for 25gp and 50gp, respectively, leaving 75gp in the party’s coffers.

And it was now, on Wealday, Lamashan 9, I think, that Kyras tried to thwart the will of the group. While Avia and Olithar were adamant that he’d done wrong, I was just upset because we hadn’t had a chance to decide as a group. It might have been the case that we’d make the same decision, but whether we did or not it was not supposed to be a personal decision but a shared one.

Ah well. He seems quite the independent spirit .. perhas our paths will cross again.

Oathday, Lamashan 10

In reading through Tsuto’s journal, there was mention of a sacrifice on “the Thistlestop altar” so we think perhaps our next clue will be found there. We do not expect the Thistlestop goblins to throw a party in honor of our arrival, so we are proceeding cautiously. I am carrying one of the scrolls of CLW as I’m one of the few that has a decent chance of using it if needed.

Despite our caution, it seems I was wrong. The goblins have thrown us a party. You could say they’ve invited us to dinner. I suppose it’s hard to be stealthy to a goblin in its home turf.

Battle ensued .. more details the next time I sit down.

Moonday, Rova 23

Rigel carefully (dare I say skillfully?) broke a window into the glassworks, let herself in, and opened the door from the inside for the rest of us.

A hasty inspection of the immediate area led us to believe that our presence was undetected, and that the goblins were revelling behind a set of double doors ahead of us. Olithar proceeded to bless the party while Rigel laid down some caltrops at an alternate door in case they tried to make a break. It seems that Rigel also had a convenient thunder egg (where does she get those marvelous toys?) so Nolin tossed it in to thunderous success before we entered.

We found 13 goblins inside, in various states of awareness. The thunder egg had left some of them stunned and others just surprised. All of them, however, foolishly decided to fight.

Olithar was embarrassed to find his bless spell had already worn off; apparently it has a pretty short duration. But Avia went in swinging, and I was flinging magic missiles, and even some of the others got involved making goblin mincemeat. Olithar did some flaming hands that singed quite a few before simply beating at them like the rest of us.

Goblins are a bit like bees, I think. One or two might sting you and it’s annoying but it won’t kill you. You’ll still squish them. Get a dozen or two to gang up on you, though, and without some help, you might find yourself incapacitated. I’d never fought goblins before arriving at this town, but I find that besting them doesn’t fill one with a feeling of accomplishment. If anything, it just makes one want to take a bath.

Anyway, eventually all the goblins were dispatched, although a few people did take some nasty cuts. It was clear that the goblins had been here some time, as there were … parts … of the employees laying about the room. It appears the goblins may have been not just desecrating their bodies but also, well, feeding upon them.

I’m not a religous man but that just seemed sacriligious. And it made me feel .. vengeful. For a moment, I might have felt what a paladin feels — a sense that a greater power demands that action be taken and rights be wronged. That there are certain things and actions that need no explanation or justification to require a visceral reaction. That it’s not just right; it’s a moral imperative.

For a moment, anyway. Don’t worry Dad; I won’t be running off to a church anytime soon.

However, my eyes soon fell upon a most unusual sight. There was an older man encased in a half-inch thick tomb of colored glass. The goblins had amused themselves by pouring molten glass over his lifeless body. (I could tell it was lifeless when it was glassed over because the expression on his face did not at all resemble the expression one might make upon suddenly being made the victim of third degree burns over one’s entire body.)

This, we suspected, was the elder Kaijitsu. But there was no sign of Ameiko (I’ve been calling her Meko because nobody was pronouncing her name clearly until now!) nor her brother, who was most likely perpetrator, not victim. While there was much shattered glass around there was little else. Rigel quickly went over the goblins’ bodies looking for goodies but hey, c’mon. These were goblins.

Olithar was at least as disgusted as me by this abuse of corpse, and smashed the glass to remove it from the elder man’s body. It appeared he was stabbed and beaten and that’s probably what killed him. He possessed an elaborate scabbard for what we presume was an ornate dagger. The symbol on the scabbard was that of the Kaijitsu family. Sedgwick confirmed that this was the patriarch of the family.

Having used spells most of the time I myself wasn’t at the front line this time, so I was uninjured. So it was that Rigel, Sedgwick and I set off to explore one portion of the building while Nolin, Avia, Kyras, Sabin, and Olithar explored another.

They eventually found an office with an open and empty safe. We eventually found two slumbering goblins. They made a note to come back with Rigel as she’s particularly skilled at finding things. We attempted to slit the goblins’ throats but there was so much broken junk in the room we awoke them. Not before they were within range of our weapons, though. One of the bastards had time to nick me but the flow was quickly staunched. And they were quickly adding to the debris on the floor.

Eventually our explorations met again. They seemed a bit surprised that I, Rigel, and Sedgwick killed two more goblins. I guess we don’t look very lethal.

Rigel returned to the office with the others, and did in fact unlock a locked drawer that Avia had found. Unfortunately, she forgot to see if it had any traps and she found a poisoned needle the hard way. But the drawer contained a small box, also locked. More carefully this time, she forced the lock on this as well, bypassing yet another trap. Documents inside seemed to be written in the unusual script of the Kaijitsu family. Sedgwick stared at them for a bit, used a bit of a spell and a bit of knowledge, I guess, and looked a little pale. The documents apparently outlined some shady deals with the Scarnetti family that neither family would really want made public. Assassins. Money laundering. It would appear that while being much more subtle about it than the Scarnettis, the Kaijitsu family wasn’t exactly squeaky clean either.

This left the only unexplored area to be downstairs. Inexplicably, there was a lit torch in the wall down there, which suggested somebody had been there recently … or was still there. The goblins would not have had need of such niceties. It made us all a little more wary.

We found some items in the hallway and a few rooms. Barrels and boxes appeared to simply hold ingredients for glass. One room held finished product suitable for sale.

But another room … another room was locked. Rigel did her thing with locks and opened it. It was another storeroom, but there was a woman tied and apparently unconscious on the floor. Rigel gave her a potion of healing and she —

What? She had a potion of healing? What else is she holding out on with us?

Anyway, the healing brought Ameiko around, and we got to hear the story we’d suspected we would. Tsuto, her brother, had enlisted the aid of the goblins to take over the factory. They attacked her, and she presumes her father, as Tsuto continues to dishonor their family. We glanced uneasily at each other and decided perhaps this wasn’t the best time to tell her about her glassy eyed father.

Tsuto hates this town and wants to see it burn. He also has been hanging out with Nualia! who still lives and apparently is making some dark deal with dark gods. That might explain the raiding of Tobyn’s tomb.

While some of us debriefed and revived Ameiko, others were still exploring. And lo and behold, who did we find but Tsuto, passed out in a drunken stupor behind a desk in another room. Nolin held a sword to Tsuto and threatened him, but Tsuto is unimpressed and struggles. Nolin smacked him with the flat of his blade, knocked Tsuto to his butt and advised him to stop struggling.

Unfortunately, not knowing of the conversation we were having with Ameiko who was describing her complete disgust and hatred of her brother, the other thought it might be useful to reunite brother and sister. In a flash, Ameiko, who was being supported but not restrained, snatched a shortsword from one of our party and advanced on Tsuto. With some effort, we were able to restrain Ameiko. I, Kyras, and Nolin swore to her on our honor that Tsuto would die at our hands as soon as we found him no longer useful. Tsuto is unimpressed.

Sabin, Olithar, and Kyras drag Tsuto to one of the storerooms and try to make him believe they were sent by Nualia to clean up his mess, and that she intends to make an example of him. He does not believe this at all, and mocks them. Apparently they smacked him around to hear them tell it, but he did not change his mind. He made some comment about his going to be with her that very night.

Meanwhile, Ameiko was expressing concern for her father and wanted to go upstairs to check on him. We finally had to tell her of his condition and her eyes narrowed as she said, “Had you told me that earlier I would not have let him live.”

“I know,” I replied. “But you do have our word of honor that he will die when his usefulness is at an end.”

Unsuccessful at fooling him, Sabin, Olithar, and Kyras brought him back after a while and acknowledged his usefulness was at an end. We gave Ameiko the option of executing him herself. She accepted. He was brought back to consciousness, and then dispatched. As the death blow fell, he said something in their family language. Ameiko says he said that death didn’t matter, since Nualia would just revive him.

All that meant is that we’d feed his corpse into the flames of the kiln upstairs. As reconstituted, undead ashes, he could make people cough occasionally but that’s all.

The story to the outside, we all agreed, was that goblins had broken in and killed her father and kidnapped Ameiko.

In the storeroom where we’d found Tsuto, we’d found a number of items, including a potion in a vial (90), a short bow (91), a ring (92), thieves tools (93), a pretty flute (94), silver earrings (95), a journal (96), six pouches filled with glittery powder (97), eight pouches filled with a different glittery powder (98), and 10 platinum pieces.

The powders were claimed by Ameiko as belonging to the family — they were gold and/or silver powders used in the glass making (but very expensive). Nolin claimed the short bow, which apparently required great strength to operate.

We and Ameiko then inspected the journal, which also was inscribed in Kaijitsu symbols. It showed beyond a doubt that he was behind the goblin attack, because the method eventually used was described there and circled. There were many drawing of Nualia, which became increasingly grotesque as she apparently was trying to “remove the taint of the church” from herself. The last drawing seemed to show her as some sort of demon.

Based on the journal and Tsuto’s last words, attack tonight seemed likely. Ameiko left to mobilize some “friends” to help defend the city. I myself went to the garrison and told them what we knew, deftly leaving out the parts we didn’t wish to make public. Some went to Zantus for both healing and to inform him of the imminent danger as well.

Having prepared the town as best we could, we took on the tunnels here in the basement, as it was the most likely manner to bring goblins or worse into the middle of the city.

The tunnels smelled of goblin, even to my untrained nose. This made it obvious when we took the “wrong” branch, but we weren’t expecting branches either. We decided to follow the branch for a while. Eventually we came across some misshapen creature with giant claws that had a vaguely human … no, make that simply bipedal look about it. It had a vicious attack, but fortunately as a group we were able to deal with it.

At this point, our magic users were pretty depleted on their spells, including me. We’d had no chance to ‘recharge’ before having to dive into the tunnels. The group wanted to eradicate the raid before it came to us rather than simply wait in the basement for it to arrive.

After killing this creature, we found a passage that seemed to lead to the basement (perhaps) of another building. We also found a room with a statue of a beautiful woman but with an angry expression on her face. Left hand holds an ivory book, and the right hand holds an actual ranseur. No magic was found in the room, but it was unsettling. Judging roughly from the direction we’d taken off in we may have gone under the ocean and come up on an island, or we might be underneath one of the buildings built near the sea.

We decided to defer exploring this section further, as we were clearly away from the goblin threat and that, after all, was our primary effort.

We went back to the main goblin trail and continued.

After a time, we seemed to reach a deadend, but Olithar searched more carefully and found a secret door. It led to a chamber, which was obviously very near the sea, that appeared to be a goblin barracks. No goblins, though.

At this point, a little concerned, we returned to the glassworks factory to see if goblins had already gone past us and were running amuck. No goblins here either.

We returned and went down another path that led to what is best described as a shrine room. There was a black marble altar filled with filthy water. The room looked clean, but the alter emanated evil. Double doors led to another room, and I cracked the door a bit to find a strong blue light inside. There was no time, with my quick, imperceptible glance to learn more about the room beyond. But Avia detected evil in it …

We decided to take it on.

It appeared to be an immense, underground cathedral. There was a great glowing blue pool with an inner ring of spikes upon which sat (apparently) human skulls. Up on a 3′-5′ platform at the far end of the room was another pool, flush with the floor, bubbling furiously. And of course, this scene wouldn’t be complete without an angry demon.

But a tiny demon. Seriously, this was smaller than a goblin. But when it flew, we got worried. When it slit its own wrist, we got worried. And when the drops of blood hit the blue pool and started turning into creatures, we worried some more. On the plus side, the blue glow dimmed somewhat when it did that, and that seemed to worry it. Hurray.

I had no more spells. I tried hitting it with my sling but I may as well have been trying to kill a fly with a battle axe. It was quick, and small and flying. Olithar had a good idea and created water above its head at one point. Doused, it fell to the ground. Aha! And then turned invisible. Uh. Meanwhile the monsters were climbing out of the pool and that was causing some problems for other members of our party.

As a last resort, it seemed it might be time to reveal my secret. My dagger is pitiful, and my quarterstaff is strong but I’m slow to hit with it. Many in the party were bleeding from both the creatures and the demon.

I grew my claws. I don’t know how many in the party may have seen it, but my claws are both fast and vicious so I thought it would give me the best chance at damaging the demon. Quite shortly thereafter, however, Avia was able to dispatch it with help from her god and a blow from her sword.

I quickly returned my hands to normal but I’m sure Avia, at least, saw the transformation. We’ll see what kind of reaction it gets. Father warned me that the more people who saw it, the less likely they might be to want to associate with me, and he spoke from experience. It’s a trait that’s been in our family for several generations. Sigh. I’d hoped to talk to folks before just doing it.

Sunday, Rova 22

The day began slowly, compared to our recent adventures. A good night’s sleep, an adequate breakfast, and finally, a meeting with the Sheriff. Although I’d briefly met the Sheriff yesterday on what I’m sure the locals will come to call “the most recent unpleasantness”, Sedgwick is local and could make a more personal introduction.

The Sheriff seemed impressed with our party’s bravery, and he was about to send me to the head of the garrison to help out with the guard when he stopped a moment and had a different idea. The consecration of the cathedral had never really completed, and Father Zantus really wanted to see that completed. So at noon there was going to be a quiet, private ceremony to complete that. And he thought it prudent if there were a little extra guard around. I accepted his charge.

We hurried over to the cathedral and got there in time to find Kyras strongly advocating holding the ceremony early, say at 11 instead of noon. His theory was that there was evidence that there was some sort of help from inside the city for the goblin raid, and so we might reasonably expect some sort of disruption again … unless we changed the time on short notice. By noon, the ceremony would be completed and couldn’t be interrupted again.

I myself thought this was a bit paranoid, but I had no particular objection to it. In the end, the group did that. Avia went to get the mayor, who happened to be meeting with the sheriff, and they both came early to witness it. There were 10-15 extra guards casually walking around in case of trouble … but no trouble was forthcoming.

While doing this little bit of guard duty, our good friend (?) Aldron spied me on his way to the inn and reiterated his insistence that we go boar hunting. I was politely deferential, which he loved, and he absolutely insisted we needed to have dinner together to further discuss hunting. The man may actually be a good hunter — some reports do say he’s better than average — but he clearly has more time on his hands than, well, most people. More resources too, to hear it.

After the ceremony, the sheriff quietly asked much of our group to attend a meeting in his office at 3pm that afternoon. He had some more information he wanted to share with us.

We used the time until 3 to try to continue tracking the goblin trail out the north gate. It led to the Tickwood, but that’s about all we could learn.

The meeting at the Sheriff’s office was something of a surprise. We were introduced to “an unofficial member of the Sandpoint town guard”: Shalelu. Shalelu is an elf who spends much of her time trying to keep the goblins in check. Normally this is a busy but not difficult task, as the 5 goblins tribes that live within a reasonable distance from the city spend as much time fighting among themselves as bothering the city. It was noteworthy, though, that this particular attack apparently was conducted by members of all five goblin tribes — that is, they were cooperating to some common goal.

This had Shalelu concerned. A farm not too far from the city was attacked and burned this morning, but it wasn’t clear if that was part of this concerted effort or simply ordinary goblin misdeeds. Shalelu spent a little time describing the five tribes. Although they look the same to most, she said a sharp observer would be able to tell them apart by their dress.

She agreed to return with us to the wood and use her tracking skill to try to learn more about their raid. We discovered that about 3/4 mile from the road, half the goblins headed north back to the road and half went back to the Devil’s Platter, possibly just going home. As we returned to the road, Shalelu said she was starting to lose the trail. Olithar, Kyras, Sabien, Rigel, and Avia decided to spend the night in the woods; I, Sedgwick and Nolin decided to return to the city.

Sedgwick and I availed ourselves of Aldron’s splendid layout and got a free dinner. We made excellent conversation with him without promising a thing. Later I returned to the Rusty Dragon and apologized to Nyla and reset our date for Toilday evening. She was accepting, seeing as how the goblins were the reason our first one fell through, but she was also preoccupied because her boss, Meko, was not at work that day which made things more hectic.

Moonday, Rova 23

I rose early and met the rest of the group in the woods at first light. Working with Shalelu we were only able to additionally determine that it appeared the coffin and perhaps some goblins boarded a cart or carriage on the road. Direction and purpose unknown. Shalelu needed to leave, so we headed back to town.

Meanwhile, while we were doing that, we learned later that Kyras and Sabien (who were trying to get more information in town rather than in the woods) were beset upon by an elderly halfling — Bethann. Meko has apparently been missing since yesterday morning. Against her better judgment she entered Meko’s room and found a note there. The sum of it was that her brother Tsuto wanted to meet Meko to discuss “their evil father”. She was to go to the glassworks shop, “knock twice, then three, then once.”

It was about this time that our two parties reunited, and so it was that we headed over to the glassworks shop en masse. The doors were locked (it’s about 5pm, so that’s a little early) but there is smoke coming from the chimney. Rigel climbed to the roof and after looking down a couple of the skylights, returned to say that inside, she saw lots of goblins all over. Broken glass all over too.

Sedgwick went off to get the town guard (just a few buildings away). We prepared to enter the building and either kill goblins, or save Meko, or both.

Starday, Arodus 17

I must commit myself greater to the task of noting my travels. While I will admit that naught of great import has happened so far, one can never tell what will be significant and what will not without some sort of clairvoyance.

I have come from Korvosa, following the coast north to Palin’s Cove before going overland to skirt the Fenwall Mountains. I anticipate reaching Melfesh within a day or two. Already I miss the amenities I had grown accustomed to in Korvosa, but as Father pointed out more than once, adventures don’t come and sit in your lap.

Well, actually, that DID almost happen today at a pub, and while she WAS quite attractive, the jealous boyfriend that attacked me made her less so. It is unfortunate that he required healing, but everyone there agreed I was provoked and was simply defending myself. Incidents like that aside, it’s been rather uneventful. I am able to earn the odd coin here or there assisting with a hunt or even being a bit of a mercenary, helping to extend a city guard for a few days. In general, people do seem won over by my demeanor and folks here seem to be generous and trusting. I’ve gotten favorable rates of trade with merchants and favorable prices with storekeeps. Father says our general good nature and demeanor runs in the family, and he found it much the same when he was adventuring.

It sounds so noble and exciting — adventuring! — but really, all it is is trying to make a living by getting paid for what you do best. Apparently it’s something of a rite of passage in our family, but I must admit I find the idea enticing of its own. My magicks are pretty weak yet so I’ve become adept with some more ordinary weapons, but Father said that getting out in the world and exercising his mind seems to have made it stronger. The more experiences he had, the better he was able to control the magic and the more powerful it became.

The magic still being weak in me, I’ve decided I will use it sparingly. There’s no telling how helpful it might be, and seeing me wield it might frighten people badly. Not everone is comfortable around magic (although I don’t see how that differs from priests and their magic but everybody thinks that’s perfectly normal.)

Today I am in Palin’s Cove. I decided it might make for more adventure (and save money) to take it on foot rather than take passage on one of the many ships available. I gained some travelling companions on two or three nights, but we shared bread and little else. I got the sense that I was definitely taking the road less travelled.

But now that I’m here, I must say the history is palpable. Behind the city walls huge weapons like catapults and ballistae bristle, and the successful battles against the marauding Shoanti offer testimony to their workmanship. Of course, that was quite a while ago, but this former military outpost is proud of its history and the shops, inns, and pubs all play on the theme. (“Soldier’s Surplus”, “Barracks-on-the-Rise”, and “The General’s Brew” are examples of same.) But these days, Palin’s Cove is a bustling industrial area. Is it any surprise that their chief export is weapons?

Anyway, tomorrow I strike out for Melfesh, after which I’ll go west and follow the shores of Lake Syrantula. There are legends of strange animals living in the Mushfens, and perhaps I can get paid handsomely for the pelt of one. If all else fails, I could make my way full west to Magnimar (if I stay to the river) or Sandpoint (were I to leave the river and go overland.)

Oathday, Arodus 22

Hmm, yes, Melfesh. It seems I’d overestimated its charm. While the companions I met on foot to Palin’s Cove were sullen and anti-social, those I’ve met on the way to Melfesh varied from mad to dangerous. I only had to wield my quarterstaff threateningly once, and apparently one solid strike was sufficient to discourage further attack. I wonder if I chanced upon my journey during a bad time, or if this is typical?

One man seemed harmless enough, but babbled on about gold and monsters and his brother who was still in the mine, but he was going to bring help, and did I have any gold to spare for his brother, who was injured and needed healing? It’s possible, I suppose, that he really did have a brother, and they might even have a claim to a mine, but the ‘monsters’ he described clearly came out of some alcohol enhanced nightmare. He traveled with me for several hours, and then, while I was intent upon scouting the coming path, he vanished. (Maybe one of his monsters ate him.)

Oathday (more)

Well, okay, perhaps I was a little harsh. Chatting up some new friends in Melfesh, I learned that the Fenwall Mountains, now solidly to my west and south, does have its fair share of prospectors, claim jumpers, and, yes, unusual creatures. I’m now not so sure I’m ready to go after a pelt of anything living in Fenwall … at least, not yet. However, I also learned of a big town party in Sandpoint coming soon. It’s a little over a full month out, but Sandpoint, according to my father, had some happenings several years ago that sound .. mysterious. Apparently some local went insane and started killing people, many people, and either he or the townspeople (the stories vary) burned down the local church/ the shipyards/half the town (the stories vary) during their attempt to capture/rehabilitate/kill him (the stories vary). The Sandpoint businessman’s guild euphemistically refers to it as “the late unpleasantness”, I’m told. It certainly sounds like it was.

I’m told the celebration is to honor the consecration of the new church. But perhaps more pertinent to my situation right now is that there will be free food at the celebration, and with the expected influx of visitors, there might be a little mercenary work to be had helping out the town guard. While I’m in no danger right now of running out of money (I’ve been pretty frugal) I wouldn’t mind feeling a little more comfortable on that side of things and free food and a few coins might well be just what the shaman ordered.

I admit, this isn’t exactly what I had planned when I left home, but I guess that father didn’t tell us all the boring parts of the stories. Or I didn’t hear them. “And then after earning four coppers per day for four moons, son, and paying for my room and board, I had almost 5 gold pieces to my name.” “What happened then, dad?” “Why, then I killed a black dragon of course, son.”

Yeah, don’t remember that so well.

Tomorrow I start west towards Sandpoint, via Biston, Ilsurian, Whistledown, and Wartle. I think it prudent to take the northern shore if I’m to walk (which would surely save some money.)

[7] Starday, Arodus 24

Made it to Biston. I can see the Fenwalls quite clearly now across the lake and I’m increasingly sure I made the right decision. I do wish I could have afforded passage on the boats that run regularly along the length of the lake, but I must budget my money frugally as I don’t know how long it will be before I can earn more than a few coppers a day. On the other hand, I’m learning more of the land and the area through the people I meet than I would on a 2-day boat trip.

I’m allowing myself the luxury of indoor sleeping quarters at each city I reach, but in between I am exposed to the elements. The two nights out of Melfesh have been as different as night and … uh, well, bad analogy. They’ve been different. One was warm and comfortable, needing a fire only for companionship. The second … well, I’m glad the second was after reaching Biston, for tonight as I write by flickering light in the pub I can hear the wind blowing and the rain pelting the roof. Although my accomodations are frugal, they are still dry and I give thanks for that. I must be doing something right to time my outdoor adventures so.

Moonday, Arodus 26

Ilsurian achieved! And I find my fortitude is increasing! I used to tire after 13 or 14 miles but I find now that my body is capable of nearly 20 miles per day if I push it. Thus it is that even though I think Ilsurian is a bit farther from Biston than Biston is from Melfesh, it took no more time.

It does not, however, leave me any less tired. And this time, I did get to sleep under a tree on a rainy night, much to my discomfort. I’m very much looking forward to a chance to dry out and sleep well tonight.

Moonday (more)

Alas, being indoors does not make one any more safe against thieves. One tried to cut my purse tonight while I slept.

It is unfortunate for him that I sleep with my dagger nearby. It is fortunate for him, however, that I sleep lightly and thus was not surprised or my uncontrolled reaction may have caused him more harm than he actually received. As it is, I suspect he will have a scar for life.

In his purse, I found the equivalent of 23 gold pieces mostly in gold and silver, likely stolen from other unfortunate victims. I located the proprietor and we decided there was no need to involve the authorities.

After a discussion, he admitted there had been a problem at both his and his main competitor’s inn and pub of late, but that this was the first time sleeping quarters had been violated. He thought there might be other victims from tonight’s play, but he wouldn’t know until morning. So I entrusted the 23 gp to him and told him to reimburse any victims that came to him in the next day or two. In return, he would give me any unclaimed gold. This he agreed to.

The thief was thrown bleeding to the street. No doubt he will have stories to tell.

In addition, to help root out the problem further, the innkeeper and his competitor (actually, brother-in-law, as it turned out) will speak in the morning.

Toilday, Arodus 27

I will be staying in Ilsurian a bit longer. The two innkeepers would like me to help “discourage” the thieves that have been plaguing their inns and pubs. They think about a week or so should do it. I’ll be paid a gold piece a day, plus free room and board, for the duration. There will be no bonus based on the number of thieves I catch since they want to discourage false accusations and incidents. But my behavior during my incident convinced them I could be trusted with this limited responsibility.

Oathday, Arodus 29

Today Beltan (the innkeeper) today gave me 15 gold pieces that he says was unclaimed. Whether he is telling the truth or not and kept some for himself is really of little matter. I stand to regain 22 pieces of gold after this is said and done.

Toilday, Rova 3

Today ends my service in Ilsurian. I captured 4 different thieves, and one slow learner twice. When I recognized him, his eyes got big as he saw the recognition and they stayed that way until he died. Then I got the innkeeper. I told him he appeared weakened from his previous encounter and died before I could get help. Beltan looked at me suspiciously, but I shrugged my shoulders and said, “He should have waited to heal from his first encounter with me.” Beltan peered at him closely and also recognized him then. That one we had to get the authorities for. A dead body is hard to hide. Or at least, hide blamelessly.

Beltan gave me an additional 5 gp as I left today, and wished me well. I told him our agreement was there would be no additional bonuses, and he quickly added it was not a bonus. It was an expression of gratitude above and beyond the agreement.

Father gave me 90gp. I spent more than 10gp on equipment before even leaving town, and had spent 15gp more in just 10 days’ travel. At that rate, I feared I would arrive in Sandpoint broke, but this brought me back to a respectable 92gp. I’m beginning to like this life of the free. It’s off to Whistledown now .. probably 4 days journey. Although, you know what? I just got paid. And it only costs 2gp to go by coach cab. I’m going to splurge.

Toilday (more)

And so, another lesson learned. Nobody likes to lose. It appears the thieves in Ilsurian had marked me. Thank the fates that I had chosen a carriage, as they would have had a better jump on me were I travelling on foot. As it was, when three of them beset us, the driver certainly did his part to dodge them, but the horse broke loose and ran off. I decided that conventional weaponry was no longer useful. I caused one to pause when a magic missile struck him in his chest. That did not kill him, but his surprised pause and the driver’s thrown dagger did. I flashed a look of appreciation at the same time that he was giving me an eye that suggested I was more than I seemed. The remaining two circled warily, trying to approach from opposite directions but two on two is a much fairer fight. Without surprise on their side, thieves are much less dangerous and my quarterstaff was able to beat him before his short sword was able to slice me.

A second magic missile helped dispatch the third fellow who’d marked the driver a bit. I applied some first aid, again surprising the driver. “For a man of little means,” he commented, “you seem to command many skills.”

“I choose to keep a low profile,” I said. “But I will pay you for your unexpected service.” And as I reached for my belt I discovered that their attack had not been entirely unsuccessful. One of them had managed to cut my purse. Fortunately, I’d put the bulk of my wealth in my backpack, so they only got 20gp. Only!

We located the horse a half mile away, led him back and resumed our journey.

Wealday, Rova 4

We’ve reached Whistledown and I paid the driver an extra 2gp and a night’s lodging to rest well before he took his coach back. Add in my own night’s costs, and I’m down to … bah! 64gp. In the future, I shall keep even less in my purse. I’ll pat myself on the back for not putting all my gold in one basket, as it were, but a hard lesson learned.

This town is named for the distinctive wooden charms that hang from house eaves to turn the evening wind off the lake into haunting melodies. Here, Lake Syrantula becomes the Yondabakari once more. Although the town is home to almost as many humans as gnomes, Whistledown is generally regarded as the primary gnome settlement in Varisia, and most of the quaint white-walled cottages are sized accordingly. Fortunately, the inns have a better variation on room and bed size and I was able to locate suitable accomodations.

Oathday, Rova 5

It seems in talking to the locals that the only city of interest between here and the coast is Wartle, and even that city is built on stilts, because the Mushfens lies on the south side of the river and its influence extends a little ways into the north side. In other words, travel by foot is very difficult and not advised.

Passage on a boat, for a journey this long, however, will run me about 32gp. I’m hoping there’s some work I can do at the other end.

Starday, Rova 7

We put in at Wartle, and it’s all the folks in Whistledown told me it was. And more. Or less, depending on your viewpoint. It’s little more than a ramshackle trading post full of swampers and fur traders. Wartle perches on stilts above the muck of the Mushfens, and but for dredging that must have been necessary for the shipping the muck is only about two and a half feet below the surface of the water.

The Mushfens, I’m told, are rich in magical reagents to those who know what to look for. I myself have never needed components for my spells, but apparently wizards from Magnimar and Galduria do maintain a presence here, training ordinary men and women to recover herbs from the swamp. While the arcanists pay extraordinarily well, the many monsters of the Mushfens make this one of the most dangerous professions in Varisia. I saw at least one mangled body return which bore this fact most graphically.

I’m very glad I took the boat. Very glad. I wouldn’t want to be on foot out there. If I find myself in desperate need of money I may return here for there is money to be had, but hopefully that will not be necessary. The stench and the bugs and, well, the danger would probably wear on me quickly.

Wealday, Rova 11

Ah, we’ve reached Magnimar. I’d heard many stories that its grandeur was overrated. I must say I agree. They’ve done well with the place, but these former Korvosans had so little to work with you can’t hold it against them.

They decided to form a democratic metropolis, and call themselves the City of Monuments. It is true I see a great deal of art around, but how many statues does one city need?

But it is sizable. And that means I may be able to hire on for a bit of gold with the local constabulary.

Toilday, Rova 17

“Pub security” might be the best title I could think of for my current career. “Bouncer” is a less civilized term. The constabulary here really doesn’t have a need for any extra hands. Bah! I should have known better than to try to make a living in Magnimar! In a little over two weeks I’ve managed to earn back just 8gp in wages, once you deduct food and a place to stay. I’m up to 40gp.

I’m heading north tomorrow. I’ve used up all the time I can here if I’m to make the celebration in Sandpoint. But I’ll have to walk it; I can’t afford a boat.

Wealday, Rova 18

Sleeping on the coast is so much nicer than inland, I must say. One problem I’d not encounted inland, though, is it’s much more likely to be foggy out here. That doesn’t bother me all that much, as fog at night is warming, and during the day, well, no trouble to me.

But the fates have smiled upon me again. It seems a rich businessman is shipping goods from Magnimar to Sandpoint, and is fearful that the fog may hide bandits or hooligans waiting to attack him. He is pleased to have the extra help along and will pay handsomely. Especially when I mentioned I could create light as needed, which will allow him to travel at night (although, afford me little sleep, I suspect.)

Oathday, Rova 19

I’m not sure if it’s really Oathday or not. I guess it is very early on Toilday. We traveled all night and arrived at Sandpoint while it was still dark. The businessman paid me 20gp, which helps greatly; plus, I think the celebration is in three days so I might still be able to get some guard work.

Oathday (more)

I’m very tired but I hate to waste a day. I checked with the guard and they’re convinced they’re full up. Curses. Likely no money to be made here. I’d be worse off without that caravan job though. Maybe that’s the way to go. I’ll look into that more after the celebration.

Fireday, Rova 20

Staying at the Rusty Dragon. It’s good, which means expensive, but I really really need the rest. I might move to a less expensive room, or inn, if feel the need but right now this seems to be just what the healer ordered. The dedication is tomorrow. I’ll check out the rest of the town later this afternoon.

Fireday (more)

A very pleasant server at the Dragon caught my eye and I’ve offered to accompany her to the Sandpoint Theatre.

There was a bard there tonight who seemed friendly .. Sedgwick, I believe. I may chat him up beyond a casual ‘hi’ — bards often know things others fear to tell.

There’s a sign at the bar, that says “discount room for anyone who tells an exciting adventure story.” Perhaps I’ll snag that discount tomorrow night.

Starday, Rova 21

First day of autumn today. Air is a bit brisk in crisp, like it knows.

As the ceremony began, the mayor talked about “putting our history behind us.” I remembered that this place of worship had been burned down in the “late unpleasantness” and got the reference. She was an interesting enough speaker, I suppose, but said little I didn’t already know about the town and its history.

Then the sheriff spoke about the need to keep the peace, and there’d be a bonfire in the evening, please be safe, etc. There was a moment of silence to honor those who had perished earlier. A very uninspiring speaker.

Then Cyrdakk Drokkus, who apparently was the lead actor at the theatre that Nyla and I were going to go to this evening got up and spent an eloquent amount of time saying nothing, except to advertise his play.

Finally Father Zantus thanked everyone, and announced that now we’d be releasing the swallowtails. Enjoy the food! See you in a half hour!

I circulated among the crowd, trying to pick up bits of conversation. The mayor, in a brief conversation with me, revealed that the fire may have actually been set by one of the children that Father Tobyn had taken in, Noalyn. But it’s only a rumor, not to be repeated.

I saw Sedgwick, and struck up a conversation with him. He seemed happy to see me, and mentioned a hunting party was getting together on the theory that the town would be devoid of food after the celebration. I figured I’d join on the theory that some cash is better than no cash.

And the celebration was indeed going strong. And the food was good. And the drink was flowing.

But at sunset, things changed.

As the Consecration began, a woman screamed. And another. And then a wagon burst into flames. And goblins — dozens, it seemed — started spreading over the area. They went for pets and children, mostly, although they were surely capable of ganging up on a full size adult too.

Cursing, I leapt into action. Around me, others did the same. I later learned these would-be members of the hunting party were named Avia (a paladin), Olithar (a priest), Kyras (a hunter), Sabien (a half orc, poor fellow), Nolin (a fighter), Rigel (an archer), and Sedgwick, of course.

The guards were doing their part but there was just too many. Our party killed at least 9 before I fell unconscious. When I awoke, it seems the priest had just healed me. At that moment we heard another scream from the north, and ran there to discover some sort of goblin dog being ridden by a goblin than the rest of the goblins.

We killed him, his dog, and his six minions feeding on a dead dog. The human standing there, one Aldron Foxglove, seemed quite pleased at the rescue and promised to reward us but we urged him to move inside.

We returned to find a fair amount of the town on fire, but Olithar, it turns out, could produce water at will and singlehanded helped put out several fires. The bucket lines that the townspeople formed up took care of the rest, and damage was kept to a minimum.

Despite our being at the north end of the town, it seems we didn’t get the worst of it. It appeared that the main force of goblins started attacking in the southern part of the town. Oddly, there were no indications that they had used any of the bridges to gain access to Sandpoint.

We discovered evidence that goblins had entered the northern gate and made their way to the cemetery. There they had broken open a tomb and plundered it. It was the tomb of Father Tobyn, the original priest of the church that had burned down.

We checked with the sheriff about why the northern gate was unlocked and unguarded, and he expressed surprised. It was not supposed to be open or unguarded. He checked the work sheet for the day and found that nobody was listed for gate duty — a strange circumstance indeed.

We concluded that the attack was probably intended as a distraction so that the tomb could be plundered.

But why was still a mystery.

But I may have found my adventure.