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.

Moonday, Rova 23, 4707; Glassworks, Sandpoint; Evening

Rigel crawled through the broken window into the glassworks and unlocked the door from within. We quietly filed in, alert and listening for the goblins she had seen through the sky lights.

We found a small troop of the filthy savages in the main work room of the glass works. Kilns linedg the near wall, ranging from the smaller units closest to us to the largest unit at the far end of the room. All were blazing away with an achingly beautiful red light and casting a hazy shimmer of hot air into the room.

We had no time to plan an elaborate attack, and so Nolin tossed a thunder stone into the room and closed the door. There was a tremendous “boom”, after which we opened the door and charged in.

Many of the goblins were stunned, but more ran over from across the room. Fortunately we now had experience fighting these little pests, and quickly exterminated the lot of them. The fighters did most of the heavy damage and slaying, while the rest of us provided cover or support.

After a quick search for signs of what the goblins had been up to we found a grim scene. In an alcove near the center of the shop was a man sitting in a chair and encased in molten glass.

It was hard to discern features beneath the wavy rivulets of glass that had been poured over his body, but he was an older human and well dressed. I shattered the glass that had entombed him and discovered that it was Lonjiku Kaijitsu, the owner of the founder and Ameiko’s father.

The bodies of his workers were stretched out on elsewhere in the shop, with signs that they had been there for a couple of days. The goblins, it appears, had been slicing off body parts for food, or in some cases just gnawing on the corpses where they lay.

Kyras opened the door to the north, which led to a loading room where supplies arrived and shipments of the glassworks wares sent out. In addition to the obvious accoutrement for such a room there was a large safe, which was open and empty with the key still in the lock.

Trask led a small group back to the hallway near the entrance to explore from one side while Kyras led the rest of us through the northern rooms.

It was Trask’s group that found the remaining goblins. Two were snoring loudly in the kitchen, and were swiftly dispatched by Trask and Rigel.

Other than disgusting messes the goblins had left and the blood stained beds in the workers’ dormitory, we found no surprises beyond what we had encountered in the work shop.

During our exploration the town guard showed up, and after being informed of the depredations of the goblins and the death of the Kaijitsu family patriarch, they left to report our findings.

The rooms found, from roughly south to north, included (see my quick sketch of the floor plan):

• The circular public entrance
• A hallway leading from the entrance into the heart of the factory
• A storage closet used to store finished wares
• Storage closets for miscellaneous supplies and tools
• A dining room (ransacked by the goblins)
• A pantry (looted by the goblins)
• A privy (fouled beyond belief by the goblins)
• A kitchen (also ransacked)
• The workers’ dormitory
• A storage room containing treated wood
• A store room for glass making raw materials
• A formal entry room
• Customer meeting rooms
• The loading room
• An office!
• Ominous stairs leading down!

In the office Avia found a desk with a locked drawer. Rigel was able to open it, although she felt the sting of a poison trap in the processes, and within was a small box. The box was also locked, and as it turned out trapped, and Rigel used her nimble fingers to open that as well.

Paperwork. Papers in an odd, foreign language. None of us could read them, but Sedjewick used a Comprehend Language spell and found they documented some significant unsavory, unethical and immoral business dealings between the Kaijitsu and Scarnetti families.

We then turned our attention to the stairway, and headed down into the gloom.

Actually the stairs opened onto a corridors and storage chambers, and there was already the comforting yellow glow of a torch burning cheerily away and providing us all with light enough to see.

Near where a smaller corridor joined with the main passageway by the stairs was a jumble of rock and stone work. It looked like an old wall had been torn down fairly recently. Sedjewick said much of rock beneath Sandpoint was riddled with old tunnels used for smuggling, but they had been sealed up long ago.

Beneath the torch were crates and barrels of additional glass making supplies, plus a few tools scattered about here and there.

While the main corridor bent south in a lazy L shape from the stairs, a secondary corridor led off and back to the main, following its own L shape and making a rectangle of rock in between. Along the outside walls of this secondary hallway were four doors; two on each wall.

Kyras opened the door nearest the torch and found a collection of finished glassware, apparently awaiting shipment.

The next door was locked, at least until Rigel applied her unique set of skills. This door opened onto another store room; only this one held a bound and gagged captive. It was Ameiko! We untied her and healed some of her injuries. As she came to she began to talk.

Her words were filled with bitterness and hatred for her half brother, Tsuto. And little wonder. When she arrived she found the place overrun with goblins, and he brother Tsuto calling the shots. He had her bound and gagged and he looked on and gloated as the filthy little beasts beat and kicked her. Finally she was thrown down into this storage room until she could be dealt with later.

And Nualia. She had control over Tsuto, and together they conspired to bring about the complete downfall of Sandpoint, which they hated to near insanity. It was Nualia who had united the goblins and brought them in to do her bidding.

Sedjewick led Ameiko out to the light, where he looked over her as she rested and recovered from her ordeal.

The next door Kyras opened was for an office, and within, sitting behind a desk, was a half elvin man, slumped over the desk. He sat up as we entered and demanded “Who are you?”, to which Kyras replied, “Better question, who are you?”

Of course we already new, but he arrogantly proclaimed himself as Tsuto Kaijitsu, owner of the glassworks. When Nolin countered that the glassworks belonged to Lonjiku Kaijitsu, Tsuto staggered to his feet and attempted to strike Nolin. Nolin returned the favor by knocking Tsuto down onto his pointy half elvin ass.

We hauled Tsuto over to meet his dear sister, who promptly grabbed Rigel’s sword and lunged at him. We managed to hold her back and drag him into one of the storage chambers. There Sabin and I pretended to be in Nualia’s pay and sent to rescue him, but he wasn’t fooled, and he gloated that he would be with her that very night.

Fine. It was time to rid the world of this goblin’s pimple. We dragged him back to Ameiko and allowed her the honor. They spoke briefly in their native tongue and then Ameiko stabbed him through the heart.

Ameiko said his last words had been “She will raise me from the dead.”

Thinking there was no point in making Nualia’s task any easier, we stripped Tsuto’s body and threw it into the largest and hottest of the kilns, where the fierce white hot fire consumed it, leaving a scant puff of ashes that went up the chimney and scattered on the night breeze.

Back in Tsuto’s underground layer we searched his desk and found a number of interesting items, including an odd leather bound journal.

Included in the journal were maps of the city of Sandpoint, each annotated with what looked like plans for an attack. In fact one of the plans was exactly what had taken place a few nights before.

A note after this battle map stated:

The raid went about as planned. Few Thistletop goblins perished, and we were able to secure Tobyn’s casket with ease while the rubes were distracted by the rest. I can’t wait until the real raid. This town deserves a burning, that’s for sure.

After the last of the maps the following was scrawled:

Ripnugget seems to favor the overwhelming land approach, but I don’t think it’s the best plan. We should get the quasit’s aid. Send her freaks up from below via the smuggling tunnel in my father’s glassworks, and invade from the river and from the glassworks in smaller but more focused strikes. The rest except Bruthazmus agree, and I’m pretty sure the bugbear’s just being contrary to annoy me. My love’s too distracted with the lower chambers to make a decision. Says that once Malfeshnekor’s released and under her command we won’t need to worry about being subtle. I hope she’s right.

After the maps were some rather disturbing and explicit drawings of Nualia, and near the back of the journal she was sketched as a succubus. After this last image Tsuto had written:

My love seems bent on going through with it — nothing I can say convinces her of her beauty. She remains obsessed with removing what she calls her “celestial taint” and replacing it with her Mother’s grace. Burning her father’s remains at the Thistletop shrine seems to have started the transformation, but I can’t say her new hand is pleasing to me. Hopefully when she offers Sandpoint to Lamashtu’s fires, her new body won’t be as hideous. Maybe I will luck out. Succubi are demons too, aren’t they?

Although Sabin recognized “Bruthazmus” as the name of a small demon, the only thing clear from the journal was that Sandpoint was to face yet another larger attack, possibly this very night!

Here are the items we found on Tsuto or in his office (or from above):

[90] vial (potion) (Kyras has this)
[91] composite short bow, +3 to damage (Nolin is using this)
[92] ring (magic) (in my pack)
[93] thief’s kit (Kyras has this)
[94] flute (very pretty) (Kyras has this)
[95] silver earrings (in my pack)
[96] leather bound journal (Sedjewick has this)
[97] pouches of power (Ameiko claimed these)
[98] pouches of power (Ameiko claimed these)
[99] the business papers from the glassworks’ office

In the remaining unexplored room adjacent to Tsuto’s office was a small room with a tunnel leading to the north and the stench of goblin wafting out from it.

Ameiko has left for her home and Kyras has gone to warn the city guard.

Rigel, Sedjewick and I ran to the cathedral to warn father Zantus. We explained what we had found at the glassworks and how Nualia was indeed alive, and the actual daughter of father Tobyn. We urged him to prepare for an attack on the town that very night, only this time against more than just goblins.

We described the battle plan and added that we were heading down into the goblin tunnel to head off the attack from that quarter. And with that we raced back to the glassworks, joining Kyras on the way back.

And now here we are, gathered together before the tunnel entrance and about to plunge into its rank and dark depths. Kyras is to lead us as we walk single file, and so I have cast a Light spell on his helm.

I will be marching in the middle of the pack, and am hoping to sketch our route as we navigate these passages so we can easily retrace our steps, or at the very least avoid getting lost.

Moonday, Rova 23, 4707; Underground cathedral, beneath Sandpoint; Night

The tunnel reeked of goblin and was crudely carved into the native rock.

We followed it as it stretched to the northeast some 500 feet, where it joined with two other passageways. We took the left (north west) tunnel which bent to the north after some distance, after which we passed through the remnants of a demolished brick wall.

A short distance later some unholy aberration sprang out into the tunnel. It fixed us with its evil glowing red eyes as it jumped forward on its dog like legs. It slashed at Kyras with its claws at the end of skeletal thin, long arms. It had a large distended mouth filled with razor sharp teeth, and hanging from its bottom jaw was a small hand.

Kyras struck back at it, and Sabin tossed his axe, which struck it squarely in the face. Nolin let lose with an arrow that sunk deep into its eye where upon it dropped dead.

We pulled the dead thing into the crudely carved chamber where it had been standing guard and left it there to rot.

A hallways with smooth cut walls opened onto the main tunnel just north of the creature’s chamber, and we followed it in to where it led into a small room with a door on the north wall.

Beyond the door was another hallway that bent west and north again, passing another hall heading east before finally ending in an almost triangular shaped room.

This latter room had a door in the north wall, and another passageway leading east, with steps leading into the darkness. In the center of the room was a giant statue of red marble depicting a stunningly beautiful woman in flowing robes. In her left hand was a large book with a seven pointed star on the cover, and in her right a nasty looking ranseur. Despite her great beauty, her face was contorted in anger.

Judging from Tsuto’s journal, this was not Nualia.

We then realized that these tunnels did not stink of goblin as the main passageway had, and so fearing that a horde of the obnoxious vermin might pass through while we were occupied here, we returned to the main corridor.

The center, most goblin scented tunnel led to a blank wall, but by searching carefully I found a secrete door, which opened onto a large cave that looked out over the sea. It would have been a beautiful location were it not obviously being used as goblin barracks!

According to Kyras it had been several days since the goblins were here.

We returned to the junction and took the right hand tunnel, which led to an impassable collapse.

Fearing that we had failed in our duty to prevent an attack from the tunnels, we returned to Sandpoint and poked our noses out, mole like, to sniff around.

The city was still at peace, and so we returned to the tunnels and to the unexplored rooms and hallways we had left a short time before.

We found that the main tunnel ended abruptly just after the opening into the statue room, and so we concentrated on the first hallway we passed as we came north.

That hall stretched on to an odd shaped room with a dais on one side with a block of black marble resting on it, and a short hall ending in a grand pair of double doors on the other side.

The black slab of stone was an altar with a shallow depression on top filled with dirty water. Avia claimed it was evil, and I washed away the filthy water with a spell of Create Water.

Meanwhile Kyras cracked open one of the double doors, and a creepy blue light flashed into the room. He quickly close the door and we gathered around, prepared to face whatever evil lurked within.

The doors were flung open and we charged in. It was bitterly cold.

The room was an immense underground cathedral with a glowing blue pool in the center, and steps leading up either side to a pulpit at the far, semi-circular shaped end. A small triangular boiling pool glowed red from the pulpit. Surrounding the blue pool was a ring of spikes topped with human skulls.

A tiny demon floated above this pool, and it turned around as we entered and shrieked, “How dare you intrude upon the Mother’s sanctum!”

It then flitted over the blue pool and slit its wrist, letting the blood drip down into the glowing liquid, which dropped in intensity. The demon looked a bit worried as it did the latter, and not knowing what it was planning, we pressed our attack.

The demon drifted back above the pulpit as a creature like the one we met in the tunnel climbed out from the pool and attacked Nolin.

Avia mounted the stairs to the pulpit and slashed out at the demon, which was floating high above her.

Kyras, Trask and Sabin all used ranged weapons, but even when they hit they appeared to have little or no affect on the damned thing. And in the meantime Nolin was getting the crap beat out of him by the monster from the blue pool.

I used a create water spell positioned above the demon, and as the two gallons splashed down it plummeted to the floor, where Avia proceeded to hack at it. It turned invisible, but this made no difference as Avia continued to hit it.

And yet another creature crawled out from the blue pool just as the first had been slain.

We managed to kill the second creature just as Avia hacked the life out of the little demon.

Nolin looks rather cut up and in serious need of healing, but we fared better than I had imagined we would, given the difficult nature of hitting the demon and actually causing it physical harm once we managed to strike it.

I wonder if enchanted weapons might serve us better when fighting such foes?

In the calmness that follows battle I see that there is a door on either wall adjacent to the main double doors.

We shall explore soon, but I am left wondering about the “Mother”, who was mentioned in the journal and by the demon. Could that be her statue in the other room. Who and what is she, and what are her plans for Sandpoint?

 

Mother, Father,

News travels quickly, and I wanted to be sure you heard from me first so you wouldn’t worry.

My journey to Wolf’s Ear took me through Sandpoint, where I intended to stop only for a single night. As timing would have it this was a day or two before a church dedication ceremony, the details of which are a long story itself and that you will probably hear on your own, and I chose to stay the extra days for the company and the festivities. That turned out to be something of a mistake.

This town, it seems, has a long history skirmishing with goblins and there are many tribes located in the surrounding countryside. That anyone manages to travel safely along the Lost Coast Road given their numbers is probably because goblins seem to spend so much time fighting each other that there is little left to menace travelers. Every so often they manage to organize enough to harass Sandpoint, though, and there are a number of businesses and individuals here who have made light of the situation despite the threat. (I should point out that they do in fact take this matter very seriously, it is just how they have adapted to the reality of the situation).

The night of the church dedication, the night that you will no doubt soon hear about, was very different. I attended, in the company of some acquaintances- it is perhaps too early to call us friends- that I had met at the inn where I was staying, and it was fortunate that I chose to do so armed. While this decision did invite some expected attention from the town guard, it also came in handy when the town suddenly found itself literally infested with goblins. They came out of everywhere and nowhere, and the chaos that resulted was disorienting, but a few of us organized quickly enough to squash the threats immediately around us.

Let me say this: a single goblin is not a dangerous adversary to a trained soldier, but several dozen of them are a different story. They are small, they are fast, and they are dangerously stupid, pressing a fight past the point of hopelessness. It is this last one that was most distressing since they were almost eager to run to our blades long after they had been beaten, but in doing this they came close to overwhelming our defensive line. This would be a brilliant strategy if it didn’t cost so many of their own lives in the process.

I should also point out that, despite their feeble threat, I and the others fighting with me are still very inexperienced, and their numbers did take their toll on us. We were easy to wear down, but obviously we won or you would not be reading this letter now.

Unfortunately for Sandpoint, it was not just our place near the ceremony that was attacked, and we were not the only pocket of fighting. Fires burned throughout the city well into the night, as goblins had sprung out of every dark corner and simply run amok.

It is early morning now, and I am heading out to look for my horse who was spooked when goblins ransacked the stables next door. I never intended to keep this horse after arriving in Wolf’s Ear, but now I find myself very attached to him. That was my horse they threatened, and I want him back.

Nolin

Sunday, Rova 22, 4707; Sandpoint; Half past the noon hour

The morning came grey and cold as I awoke chilled in my small cell. I threw back my bedroll and looked about my home of the past several months as if with new eyes. The walls, beams and cot were all cut from soft wood felled not more than five years ago, and the entire place smells strongly of saw dust, pine resin, and roofing pitch.

The age old stone walls of my old cell in Magnimar provided a feeling of security. The oaken timbers and furnishings burnished smooth over time by contact with the hands and feet of the countless others who had come before me. Our quarters smelled not unpleasantly of stone dust, wood polish and sweat, made all the more pungent by the heat of mid summer days.

In the winter we were allowed small fires for warmth on the coldest of days, lit in small iron braziers that lined the hall outside our cells. While the heat was modest, just the soft glow of embers was enough to warm our souls and spirits and we counted ourselves fortunate to follow Sarenrae, goddess of light and fire.

Here at the Sandpoint Cathedral there will be no fires in the winter or any other time. Only the great Cathedral itself is of stone, and the surrounding support buildings are all of wood. I have a disturbing image that these wooden buildings are like kindling that burns quick and easy so that the mighty log, the Cathedral, might burn too.

Over five years ago this very horror took place, and that event had brought me here to help Sandpoint begin anew. But instead dark memories have been dragged forth to loom over Sandpoint like a shadow from the past.

Kyras was out this morning with Bart the Beagle Breeder trying to track down the place from whence the goblins entered the town yesterday. It is hoped that by finding the source, we might find who within the city used the goblin attack as a distraction so that father Tobyn’s grave might be plundered.

I spent much of the morning helping Father Zantus prepare for today’s dedication of the Cathedral. Unlike the big public affair of yesterday, this will be quite a small ceremony with just the clergy, the mayor and sheriff present.

I took advantage of my time with Father Zantus to question him about Father Tobyn and the horrific events of that dark day some five years past. I was surprised at some of what he revealed.

Father Tobyn had a daughter, Nualia, who was a foundling whom he took in and cared for as his own child.

Nualia was uncommonly beautiful; so much so that some in the village thought she must have been touched by the gods. She was treated with a disturbing mixture of reverence, fear, awe and envy from the locals of Sandpoint.

She was constantly touched, rubbed, poked, prodded, had her hair pulled out and clothing torn off in patches by those who thought she was in some way divine herself, and so sought to gain blessings by association with her.

Likewise she was constantly touched, rubbed, poked, prodded, had her hair pulled out and clothing torn off in patches by those who thought her beauty must have been gained from some evil deed or pact (or from the just plain envious), and so sought to punish her.

For Nualia, life in Sandpoint was unpleasant at the best of times, and sheer torture at the worst.

Father Tobyn had greatly hoped to bring Nualia into the church by having her join the sisterhood at Windsong Abby. Nualia was not as enthusiastic over his plans for her future as he, and the two frequently argued. And so the relationship that should have been a safe haven for Nualia became yet another trial to endure.

It was little wonder then that she should take up with a Varisian stranger who arrived in town sometime around Nualia’s 18th birthday. The two of them spent a great deal of time together, much to Father Tobyn’s chagrin, and some of the locals were certain that their relationship was of a romantic nature.

Father Zantus then spoke in a much lower voice about the rumors spread among the midwives some time later.

Apparently Nualia had been confined to her quarters from some months and not seen by any of the towns folk for quite a while. A midwife was called over to the Cathedral, an unusual event in and of itself, and she tended to Nualia as she gave birth to a still-born child. The midwife was charged with quietly slipping out with the tiny corpse and over to the bone yard, where the poor little thing was buried.

Only the poor little thing was reported to be a hideous monster, such that the midwife used the term “daemon child” whenever she talked about that evening.

A very short while later the entire Cathedral burned to the ground. The fire had started in the sleeping quarters, where both Father Tobyn and Nualia were asleep in their own cells.

Father Tobyn’s remains were recovered and buried with his few modest possessions. Father Zantus paused here and asked, partially to himself, “and so why would the goblins dig up and take his entire coffin?”

Nualia’s remains were never found, and she was presumed to be completely consumed by the fire.

I had listened to Father Zantus with a feeling of growing dread and horror, and I felt chilled as he completed his tale.

How could the fire only partially burn Father Tobyn (he most likely perished from the smoke) and yet completely burn Nualia’s body to ashes?

A daemon child still-born just days before?

This was all related in more ways than Father Zantus, or indeed most of the locals were willing to admit.

And why would someone want to take Father Tobyn’s entire coffin with so little of material value buried within?

I had a sinking feeling that it was Father Tobyn himself that was goal of this theft, and feared the worst.

The silence following Father Zantus’ tale was broken as Nolin and Trask entered and urged Father Zantus to move the dedication ceremony an hour earlier. Nolin reasoned that if it was the dedication of the Cathedral that was the target of yesterday’s goblin attack, then we could expect another disturbance today.

Father Zantus countered that this would be a small private affair and only the city officials and clergy knew of it. I quickly pointed out that it was certain at least one city official was involved in the goblin raid, and Father Zantus reluctantly agreed to the schedule change, providing Mayor Deverin and Sheriff Hemlock agreed as well.

Avia, our trusty paladin, quickly escorted Deverin and Hemlock back to the Cathedral, where Father Zantus completed the consecration ceremony with most of us “Hunters” standing guard.

To keep up the appearances of holding the dedication at noon, I conducted the Blessing of the Mid Day Sun to honor Sarenrae.

Again, there was no interruption; thus confirming my belief that the goblin attack was simply a distraction provided so Father Tobyn’s coffin could be stolen.

Afterward the the mayor and sheriff approached us and asked if we would meet them in the Town Hall at 3:00, where they wished to discuss the goblin attack. Apparently our work both in fighting the petite pugnacious pests and our subsequent investigation of the raid had gone neither unnoticed nor unappreciated by the city officials.

It is now nearing the hour past noon when we Hunters are to meet at the White Deer and discuss strategy for unraveling this mystery.

Sunday, Rova 22, 4707; Lost Coast Road west of Sandpoint; Night

The White Deer was also destroyed in the fire of the “late unpleasantness”, and had been rebuilt into a lofty three story establishment of stone and wood. At the entrance on either side was the statue of a deer, carved from white wood. Within was a a spacious great room, but our company elected to meet in a private room towards the back of the inn.

There we learned from Kyras that the dogs could not pinpoint the location from where the goblins entered the city. It was as if they just appeared in the central business district, and from there fanned out.

We decided that our next step was to track the goblins that fled from the city’s north gate, with coffin in tow.

Picking up the trail was easy, partly because there were over a dozen of the little buggers skittering up the road, and partly because their attempts to cover their tracks were so utterly incompetent. After a short distance the foot prints of little goblin feet veered off the road and into the wood to the south. Tracking became more difficult as the light prints of our quarry left little mark in the deep mulch of the forest floor.

Eventually Kyras lost the trail and we retraced our steps back to Sandpoint for our meeting with the mayor and sheriff.

We were shown into a meeting room of the Town Hall where Mayor Deverin and Sheriff Hemlock were waiting for us, along with a slender elven woman. Hemlock introduced her as Shalelu, an experienced tracker who worked in a unofficial capacity for the Sandpoint Guard, and who was an authority on the local goblin tribes.

Until now I had considered goblins to be like roaches: an unorganized infestation that if left unchecked could have serious consequences for public health.

Imagine my amazement when Shalelu described how the local goblin population was divided into five semi-organized autonomous tribes! While occasionally a single tribe might stage a small raid on a small city the size of Sandpoint, more often than not they limited their depredations to isolated farm holds. Their more serious skirmishes were restricted to attacks on rival goblin tribes.

Shalelu emphasized how the tribes loathed one another and simply did not get along. She then paused and said, “All five tribes participated in yesterday’s raid on Sandpoint.” She told of other goblin attacks within the past 24 hours as well, including a local farm that had been burned to the ground just this morning.

Something new was in the area and organizing the goblin tribes into a single cohesive (for goblins) unit. Someone or something that instilled fear and awe into the “weeds that bite”, as Shalelu called goblins, was controlling them.

The sheriff chimed in and said that because of the change in goblin behavior and the threat it posed to Sandpoint, he was leaving for Magnimar that day to hire additional guards. He noted how the locals had come to know and respect us for or help in the battle, and the mayor asked that we keep a high profile presence in Sandpoint while the sheriff was gone to keep watch and help maintain calm.

We agreed to help, and then shared what little information we had gleaned from the Sandpoint attack. Shalelu agreed to help track the north-west bound group. And so just a few hours after having left the goblin trail we were back in pursuit, with Shalelu in the lead and Kyras lending assistance.

The trail continued through the woodlands, making for the highlands known as Ravenroost, and the Tickwood forest beyond. As we neared the feet of the highlands Shalelu paused and said that the trail split there. One track led south to plateau called the Devil’s Platter, where one goblin tribe lived, and the other track led north back toward the road.

We opted to follow the northern track, reasoning that the group heading south was returning to its tribe, while those that went north carried the coffin to its destination.

A short while later Shalelu paused again and said she saw human sized boot prints accompanying the goblins. We continued on for an hour or so more before Shalelu lost the trail in the dim light. We were near enough to the road that we pushed forward and set up a small camp by the road side, waiting to see what the morning light might reveal.

Kyras, Avia, Sabin, Rigel, myself and Shalelu all remained in camp while the rest of our party returned to Sandpoint to uphold our agreement with the mayor.

The twilight has come and gone, and the stars are out, playing hide and seek among the thin strands of cloud that sweeps overhead. The fire has died down to orange red embers which give little light, but ample warmth and comfort. There is just enough light to write by, and soon we will fall into the nightly routine of rest and watch.

Moonday, Rova 23, 4707; Lost Coast Road west of Sandpoint; Morning

The morning fire crackles hot and bright as we cook our late breakfast. We were up with the first crack of light, and Shalelu found the goblin tracks (plus boot prints) heading out from the woods and up onto the road. There they stopped abruptly. No doubt a wagon or carriage of some sort was waiting and picked them up. Whether they traveled east back to Sandpoint or west we could not tell: too many tracks led to and from the city for the The Swallow Tail Festival of two days past.

We will wait for our companions and accompany them back to Sandpoint, where we will continue our investigation as best we can.

Shalelu will leave us ere we depart, as she has her own business to attend to away south.

Moonday, Rova 23, 4707; The Rusty Dragon, Sandpoint; Late afternoon

On our way back into Sandpoint we checked out a couple of landmarks just in case they were being used as a hangout for the goblins or the goblin ringleaders.

First stop was The Old Light, a ruinous tumble of stone blocks perched upon a bluff overlooking the sea. Other than the wind rustling among the ranks weeds pushing up between cracked masonry, there was nothing there.

The next stop was Chopper’s Island, a promontory thrusting out from the ruins of The Old Light, and accessible on foot in all but the highest of tides.

As we stumbled about the island two of our native Sandpointians (Sandpointites? Sandpontonians? Sandpointers?), Nolin and Sedjewick, wove a tale from the local lore of the infamous Chopper.

During the late unpleasantness local wood carver Jervis Stoot went insane and killed 25 people, hauling their bodies back to his home on the “island”. There he gouged out their eyes and cut out their tongues to lay on an altar shaped as a monstrous, bird like creature. Chopper himself was found dead at the base of the altar, with his eyes and tongue missing.

From the description of the altar the creature sounded like a daemon to me, and I wonder if Chopper was really a crazed killer or an unfortunate victim.

The towns folk had burned everything to the ground and destroyed what hadn’t burned, and so there was little to find here.

Still, there is no way that Chopper’s murderous rampage could be unrelated to the fire that burned down the northwest half of Sandpoint, the death of Father Tobyn, and the disappearance of Nualia. Just how this all ties together is beyond me.

We drifted back into town, checking in the the guard, and then heading down to the Rusty Dragon for a drink and a chance to talk together about all we had found thus far, and to mull over the even longer list of unanswered questions we had uncovered.

We never ordered the drinks, for soon after entering the tavern an elderly halfling woman, who introduced herself as Bethana, came over to Kyras and begged for a moment of his time. She escorted us into a private room where she turned to Kyras and sobbed, “Mistress Amiko is missing!”

Amiko is the owner of the Rusty Dragon, and apparently the daughter of Lonjiku Kaijitsu, the owner of the Sandpoint Glassworks. There is a lot of odd family history that Bethana shared that included her disgraced brother, Tsuto; her mother, Atsuii, who died in a mysterious accident (some say murdered at the hands of Lonjiku); and the fact that for all but Tsuto Amiko had turned her back on the family.

Bethana became concerned when Amiko failed to return to the Rusty Dragon the previous evening, and so became alarmed this morning that she entered Amiko’s room and found a note written in the odd and intricate script from the far east. Fortunately Bethana could read the script and translated the note for us.

It was from Tsuto, Amiko’s brother, and he implicated his father in the latest goblin raid on Sandpoint and begged that she meet him at the family glassworks that evening.

We received permission from Bethana to search Amiko’s room, where it appeared she had left as if to run an errand from which she would shortly returned. The fact that she left alone and so quickly made it likely that the letter was from her brother, and she went trusting its authenticity.

We are heading over to the Glassworks to search for Amiko or any sign of her where abouts, and to see if there is indeed a connection between the goblins and Lonjiku Kaijitsu.

Moonday, Rova 23, 4707; Glass Street, Sandpoint; Early evening

It is dusk and the sky is quickly deepening from turquoise to cobalt. I take a few moments now to record what we have found in case I do not survive the night.

We arrived on Glass Street to find the Glassworks closed. Aptly named is Glass Street, because the factory dumps all of its broken glass onto the street before it, where it is ground to a round pebbly rubble by the passing of heavy iron shod wagon wheels and the tramping of countless workers heavy boots.

None the less, there are many sharp shards embedded in the road, and no children run bare foot up and down the road, nor do dogs or farm animals stray this way.

Rigel quickly scaled the side of the stone building and peered down into the shop below, where she saw from the ruddy glow of the forges more than a dozen goblins capering about on some mad mission of chaos.

Kyras slipped away to notify the town guard, and we have forced open a window that looks into the dark office of the glassworks.

Rigel is about to climb in and open the door so we may all enter and confront the goblin menace.

My thoughts on Sandpoint

Oh, Sandpoint. What tragedies have beset you.

The fires, the death

Yet you fight to overcome

Eager to start anew

Erase the past

Building to a brand new future.

On the very eve of your rebirth

The joy of the Swallowtail

Lost in the cries of children and dog

goblins rain

City in flames

Now Sandpoint stands  with tragedy once more.

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.

The first day of the rest of my life

The boat ride from Magnimar was uneventful and we safely arrived in Sandpoint today. Coming off the boat it was obvious that the people in Sandpoint are not accustom to half-orcs as a lot of them kept staring at me with the look of concern. I found a city guard to ask for directions to the home of Wizard Serin Martin only to get the answer that they have never heard of Serin Martin. Taking out the letter I watch as the name changes from Serin Martin to my own. In the letter my teacher and mentor said that she believes that I am more suited adventuring and Sandpoint is a good place to start.

I spent the day walking the city to get the lay of the land. The city guard seemed a little concerned with my presence and on a couple of occasions it seemed as if they were following me through the streets. I made a point to stop in and sample the brew of the various taverns in Sandpoint as I walked through the streets. The local patrons seemed a little put out in Risa’s Place when I decided to drop in on their seemly private watering hole. Late morning I crossed paths with Rigel and we decided to meet up later at the Rusty Dragon for dinner and drink. The city is buzzing as the common folk seemed to be discussing the concerns about all of the strangers in town and excited about the free feast planned for the dedication of the new Cathedral. Obviously I will have to attend this extravaganza tomorrow if I have any hope to get a meal, luckily they will also be serving brew at this extravaganza event as well.

Back at the Rusty Dragon I meet up with Rigel and we enjoyed a good meal and a few brew. Tonight’s entertainer was pleasant but had the look of someone who most likely has never been anywhere outside of Sandpoint. I am not even sure if he was carrying a weapon, must be a local. Sandpoint is a long ways from the Barbarian training grounds of my youth.

First Day of Autumn
Kyras a local hunter in Sandpoint approached Rigel and me about a profitable adventure to restock the town’s meat supply. So today we enjoy the free meals and tomorrow we meet at the white deer and head out with a couple of wagons to profit off these free meals. Someone has to get paid to restock the meat. The hunting party looks to be getting pretty big, hopefully this will not dilute the profit too much.

I am thankful that a decent brew was being served throughout the day. As usual those few select members of Sandpoint just had to give their speeches to show their importance. Evidently the great Sandpoint fire burned down the Cathedral and a big chunk of the northern part of town. Speech after speech seemed focused on telling the common folk how the town leaders worked together to rebuild this great Cathedral BLAH BLAH BLAH.

Early evening the Festival of the Swallow Tails was abruptly interrupted by an evasion of GOBLINS. Screams sounded out as the crowd began to scatter. As we began to engage the first group of gobin’s a distant magic missile drop one of the gobins directly in front of me. A small group of us engaged these goblins and dispatched them only to encounter even more goblins. Greateaxe in hand I charged forward along with my fellow goblin slayers. The sorcerer charged into combat seemly without a weapon! that did not work out for him as he was quickly eating dust and dirt,Sorcerer!!! Luckily for the sorcerer the fighter Nolin charged in to save him from getting eaten. Nice move by Nolin as he bull rushed one of the goblins driving the goblin backwards. Raw sorcerer doesn’t sound very tasty at least to me. Once the next batch of goblins were killed off the cleric (whose name I did not catch) and father Z were able to get almost everyone heal up in our small band of goblin slayers. Somewhere along the way we seemed to have picked up that local story teller from the inn, at least this time he brought a weapon. We were about to head south when we heard cries from the north.

To the north we go and we found a group of goblins with a goblin chief leading them. They had just killed a dog that was protesting its well dressed owner. As they were feasting on the dog we began our attack on the goblin chiefs riding dog. It felt good to see my axe fly through the air and take the last breadth of life out of the riding dog. We finished off the rest of the vermin and were able to at least save one citizen from certain death and most like being dinner. Nolin had been severely injured so we travel back to the Cathedral to see if we can get healing for him.

As quickly as it started it seemed to end. We checked the bridges and could not find any trace that these goblins used the bridges to get into the city and they didn’t really look wet so it is a mystery how they got into the city. As we were investigating we found that the north gate was wide open and we followed a dozen or so goblin tracks to the grave yard. They had dug up and take the last cleric in charge of the Cathedral 5 years ago before it burnt down. Why would goblins want to take the body of a cleric that has been dead for 5 years. Tracking down the sheriff we found out that the gate was supposed to be locked and that the duty sheet oddly did not have anyone assign to watch the gate. This is beginning to look like someone inside the town is involved, someone who has access to the guard duty sheet.

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.

Mid Summer’s Day, the Road from Magnimar to Sandpoint

The sun has just set and the fireflies are dancing about us on this warm summer’s evening. I have met up with a small caravan and am traveling to Sandpoint with it, having bartered my services as a guard and general laborer for room on one of the wagons and meals. The lanterns have been lit, and the camp fires are glowing red and hot, with the evening meal nearly ready.

What better time to begin writing in the journal that Father Tyrion gave me upon our parting. I no longer doubt his decision to send me to away from the Temple in which I have trained all of these years to better learn about the world, and so better serve Sarenrae and my fellow man.

The day was as warm, almost hot, but still pleasant as my fellow travelers and I made our way up the road as it climbed out from the Yondabakari River Valley. Slowly we left behind the fields and pastures of my youth, and the umber smudge on the horizon that marked the location of Magnimar itself winked out from view.

Funny how leaving the place I have known all of my life has filled me with nothing but excitement and anticipation of what is to come.

Late Summer, Sandpoint

I can see that it takes some discipline to keep a journal… or at least to keep one up to date and relevant. I am afraid with the joys and distractions of the road to the wonder of my new home in Sandpoint, the thought of taking time to write about living when I could actually be living has kept me away from these pages.

I shall endeavor to do better in the future.

Home for now is the clerics’ cells built adjacent to the Sandpoint Cathedral, and while austere and humble, they provide more than enough comfort for my simple needs.

While Father Zantus is the high priest at the cathedral, there is a chapel for Sarenrae, Desna, Abadar, Shelyn, Gozreh, and Erastil. Father Zantus himself is a follower of Desna, and much of the public character of the Cathedral reflects that. A Desna celebration, The Swallow Tail Festival, will be used as part of the Cathedral dedication.

For the most part my tasks have involved helping prepare the Chapel of Sarenrae for the Cathedral’s official dedication ceremony to take place on the first day of autumn.

I have had plenty of free time to wander about the city and to get to know some of the local people and establishments. There is a quaint shop near the Cathedral, The Way North, that sells books and maps, and they also sell a nice little map of Sandpoint (drawn, from what I understand, by the Pathfinder Society) which I purchased for a silver piece.

I have annotated the map with numbers drawn onto some of the more significant points of interest, for which the following key should prove most useful.

1. Cathedral complex (or where I call home)
2. The Boneyard: the cemetery
3. The White Deer: a nice high end inn — good hard cider!
4. The Way North: book store and seller of fine maps
5. Jewelry Store. The store keeper made me feel nervous
6. Junker’s Edge: salvage yard
7. The dung sweeper — he’s a half orc: pretty neat!
8. Quink: specializes in engineering and Varsian history
9. Locksmith (a real dwarf!)
10. Garrison
11. Town Hall (has a large meeting space)
12. Armory
13. Risa’s Place. Run by old Risa herself. Locals like it, but I felt like
    I wasn’t part of the crowd and so not very welcome
14. Tannery. Fortunately the wind seldom blows up from the southeast!
15. The Red Dog: the smithy
16. Pillbug’s Pantry: medicines and potions — remember to stock up here
17. Bottled Solutions: alchemical supplies. Smells odd, but kind of fun too
18. Cracktooth’s Tavern: the pub for the theater crowd
19. House of Blue Stones. This is an awesome monastery with really deep blue
    polished stones for the floor
20. Sandpoint Glassworks. One of the big industries in town. The Kaijitsu
    family own and operate it: apparently they are from some far off land
    and brought the secret to exotic glass making with them
21. Sandpoint Savories. Great brioche, but not crazy about the meat pies
22. The Curious Goblin: book shop
23. Sandpoint Theater. Never been there, but they tell me it’s nice
24. Carpenter’s Guild
25. Lumber Mill
26. General Store. You need it, they got it. Mostly
27. Turandarok Academy. Local school for boys
28. Madame Mvashti’s House. A seer
29. Grocer’s Hall
30. Fine Clothing. Too rich for my blood (or money pouch)
31. Wheen’s Wagons
32. Flour Mill. Owned by the Scarnetti family, who according to rumor
    may practise not so ethical business practices with their competition
33. The Hagfish. Popular inn for gamblers, but serves really good seafood
34. Valdemar Fish Market
35. Market Place (open air)
36. Meat Market & Slaughterhouse. Owner likes to talk a lot. Says he met
    “Chopper” and got into an argument. Says chopper sliced off one of his
    fingers, but I wonder if he lost in plying his trade
37. The Rusty Dragon. Main spot for out of towners. Good place to watch
    people and listen to tales
38. The Goblin Squash Stables. Run by Daviren Hosk who really, really hates
    goblins. Has a pickled goblin chief inside. How can you not like him?
39. The Two Knights. Brewery and distillery
40. The Sandpoint Mercantile League. Shipping and transport
41. The Sandpoint Boutique. General store
42. Fat Man’s Feedbag. Attracts a rough crowd. Best to avoid
43. The Pixie’s Kitten. Independently owned and operated
44. The Feathered Serpent: incense, spices, relics, artifacts
45. Hannah’s: Midwife and healer
46. The shipyard
    South across the river:
47. Valdemar Manor
48. Scarnetti family residence
49. Kaijitsu Place (cool looking from the outside)
50. Devron Manor (the Mayor’s home)
    Last Day of Summer, Sandpoint

Sandpoint is filled to near bursting with visitors who have come to witness or participate in the official dedication of the Cathedral. Most of the inns are full, and people are letting out rooms. The pubs and inns are now always packed at meal times, and crowded at all hours of the day. There is a general air of excitement and anticipation in the town that I find almost intoxicating.

It has been a busy past few weeks as we at the Cathedral prepared for this big event.

Avia, a paladin of Sarenrae, has arrived and has been helping out as well. Like most of the other paladins I have met, she seems to be reserved and a bit unapproachable, but maybe she’s been too busy to socialize.

Tomorrow the dedication ceremonies will run all day, with the mayor, sheriff, Father Zantus and other dignitaries all giving speeches. Food and beverages will be provided by the local inns, and at the end of the festivities Father Zantus will conduct the Swallow Tail Festival itself. There is a covered wagon filled with thousand upon thousands of butterflies awaiting release as part of the festival.

I hope I can sleep with all the excitement!

First Day of Autumn, Sandpoint — early afternoon

It has been a most dramatic day so far, with the enthusiastic crowd gathered in the square before the Cathedral.

On a side note, local hunter Kyras, who provides much of the game to the local public houses and inns, is gathering a party to take on a large hunting expedition for the next few days. He has asked Avia and I to come along, and we have agreed. Kyras knows of a large family of wild boar in the woods to the northwest, and we are planning on bringing back as many as we can catch.

While Kyras’ incentive is mainly profit, the local eateries have nearly exhausted the town’s food supplies for the dedication events, and so bringing in additional meat will be welcomed gladly.

We are to meet at the White Deer tomorrow afternoon and head out for a few days until we fill two carts with our catch. I look forward to testing my hunting skills, and exploring the area around Sandpoint.

Kyras has gathered an eclectic group of people to join him on this little expedition, and I had a chance to talk with them today.

Sabien is a half-orc (again, how cool is that) who wields a hefty double bladed ax.

Nolin is a human from Magnimar who wields a sword.

Rigel is an archer, and so she shares that skill with Kyras’ himself.

Avia is skilled with the sword.

I use the scimitar, of course.

I believe a local bard named Sedjewick was interested in coming along, but more so to hear (or witness) tales of daring do which he can immortalize in song.

Food and drink are now being served, and at sunset the official dedication will take place.

First Day of Autumn, Sandpoint — early evening

Sandpoint is in an uproar, the Festival of the Swallow Tails in tatters, and the Cathedral dedication incomplete.

Just as the Festival was beginning we were invaded by a host of goblins.

At first we only heard screams coming from the outskirts of the crowd gathered in the square, but soon we saw hordes of these skittering, gibbering vermin racing about the place, slaying whatever was small and in their path.

Quickly we “hunters” launched a counter attack, joined by Sedjewick and one of his friends, Trask.

A wagon burst into flames as even more goblins charged in as the panicked crowd surged away from the main thrust of the goblin attack.

We engaged perhaps a half a dozen of the little beasts and managed to slay them one by one when perhaps a dozen more charged in from either side. While the little bastards are small, they are fierce, fast, hard to hit, and like to gang up on their opponents.

We managed to slay this lot as well and take stock of our group and the surrounding area.

Trask lay dying on the cobbled stones. Smoke, screams and the sound of battle wafted up from the south. The Cathedral itself was protected by a squad of clergy, including Father Zantus, and the bulk of the town guard had charged south into the heart of the town.

I managed to stabilize Trask just as Father Zantus ran up and healed most of our seriously injured. Nolan suggested we head south into the main fray when we heard more screams for help from the north.

Leaving a seriously injured Kyras at the Cathedral, the rest of us ran to the north, where we saw a rather large goblin mounted on a hideous dog-like creature (I thought it looked more rodent than canine) being held at bay by a large hunting dog, its master hiding nearby behind a rain barrel.

The poor dog was killed just as we arrived, and a troupe of goblins ran out and began feasting on the dog’s corpse.

We immediately attacked, slaying both the dog like creature and the chief goblin the rode it. The other goblins were also slain, and so after receiving the thanks from the frightened villager, we returned to the Cathedral to see where else we might be needed.

While most of the fighting had subsided, many buildings were in flames, and my new found friends and I helped to extinguish them.

By this point in time the rest of the goblins had either been slain or driven off, and so we went back out with Kyras to see if we could discover from whence the goblins had come.

Oddly enough, although it was apparent that the main force of goblins started attacking in the southern part of the town, there were no signs that they had used any of the bridges to the south or even the east to gain access to the core districts of Sandpoint.

Even more odd were the prints of a few dozen goblins that had entered the northern gate and made its way directly to the cemetery. There the fiends had broken open a tomb and robbed it of all its remains and its possessions. The name on the tomb was Tobyn.

Even I recognized that name: Father Tobyn was the high priest of the old Sandpoint Chapel, which had been burned to the ground during the “late unpleasantness”. Father Tobyn had burned with it.

We then wondered about why the northern gate was unlocked and unguarded, and so we tracked down the sheriff, Hemlock, and told him what we had found. Hemlock was most distressed to hear that the gate, which should have been both guarded and locked, was neither. He checked the work sheet for the day and found that nobody was listed for gate duty!

We pointed out that the attack was obviously an inside job, and was most probably intended as a distraction so Father Tobyn’s tomb could be plundered.

But why?

And from where did the bulk of the goblins appear from?

To help answer the latter question I asked Kyras to find some trained bloodhounds in the area and use them to back track the path of the marauding goblins to its source.

I am now waiting for Kyras to return with the dogs.